The Shipwreck - Sentinel Island - Alexis & Nicolaus

Alexis grabbed her gear, some provision and simple tools as well as paper and coal. There might, after all, be some obstacles to get rid of and some details to be found worth jotting down.

“Ready to go, Doctor?”

Nicolaus crouched in the white sand and sorted through a small crate of supplies. He wore a cotton canvas long sleeve shirt and matching breeches with a short-tailed hood and mantle; all in the cottons natural green and brown hues. His experiences in the jungles of Kru'll had demonstrated the value of the cotton fibers — like a ships wooden planks — they swelled when they got wet, sealing the weave yet when dry were cool. Canvas gaiters were tied over his light boots to protect his ankles as they were the most common place for insect bites, and he had also tucked his breeches into his wool socks to protect his legs from climbing insects and leeches.

He slipped several small vials into loops and placed several more into a small satchel at his hip. He laid his medical bag by the crate and added some items from it to his satchel. He carefully selected some small tools and added them to the pouches on his vest and slid some surgical tools into sheaths at his waist. Finally a water-skin slipped into a pouch.

A shadow fell across him as he crouched and he rose and turned to see Alexis Greyriver as she addressed him. " Oh. Certainly Alexis."

Alexis checked for any unwanted observers one last time before nodding to Nicolaus and began to tackle the track through the shallow water towards the wreck. She wanted to start of getting a good look at the damage, and especially the burns, having the Arbiter’s inquiry in mind.

Nicolaus paused at the edge of the beach near the wreck and rolled up his breeches. He pulled off his boots and laced on stiff canvas slippers from his satchel and slipped a knife through a loop on the satchel that he slipped back over his shoulder. He followed Alexis out towards the wreck, watching the clear green-blue water about them for predators.

Curiously, they inspected the damage to the hull as they approach the large vessel, small waves lapping at their ankles. The water was clear and cold as the ships massive shadow loomed.

The wreck groaned and creaked as its wood seems to pop and crackle under its own weight. The vessel seemed to have run aground a few seasons ago and is now stuck against the shallow sea bed and some sort of reef. Its port side leaned against the jagged rocks of the coastline and the only reason why it had not tipped over its own weight.

The huge hole in its hull seemed to have been made by crashing against the rocks of the reef and the darker spots above it were definitely scorch marks. It's hard to imagine what could have caused such marks above and below the ship's waterline.

On closer inspection Alexis could make an educated guess that the ship was likely a mixture of pine and cork oak. In fact the parts of the ship that were not damaged appeared to be extremely well preserved for a vessel at the mercy of the elements. She cannot see any way to climb to the main decks the outside. The vessel although derelict and wrecked appears sound. Through the hole in the hull they could see into the hold of the vessel. It's dark, cold and the smell of rotten wooden is stronger.

Nicolaus carefully scraped some of the scorched wood into a vial with his knife, capped it and went to the hole as he secured the sample in his satchel. He searched for a moment amongst its contents and pulled two vials from their pouch and emptied one into the other, capped it and shook it vigorously. From the orange light emitting from the glowing vial he looked into the interior of the hold.

Alexis in the meantime walked around the wreck, as far as it was possible. She was searching for a name, or maybe a crest. Anything that could give an idea of the vessels origins.

Alexis realized she was unable to circle the vessel. She could go from bow to stern along the starboard side. The port side is totally jammed against the rocky shoreline. Alexis can see that near the railings on the bow, it appears to be some sort of plaque but it's too far up to read or make out exactly what it is. They could risk climbing the rocks where the vessel is jammed against to try and reach the top deck; however the wet and slippery rocks could spell disaster. One slip and they could break their necks on their way down.

While Alexis was looking around the edges of the vessel, Nicolaus looked in using his luminous vial. The few feet it illuminated showed little apart from broken wood, the sea and rocks jutting from below the bottom planks. To see more they would have to dare walk deeper into the wreck.

“Let us venture in. We might get more answers inside.” Alexis said as she returned from her exploring of the exterior. She stood next to Nicolaus, looking into the darkened interior. Making use of the light the vial offered, she climbed through first.
"Right behind you." Nicolaus followed Alexis into the hold.