The Curse of the Cursed Isles: Day Three, Gaea

I find myself in a most unfortunate predicament. Having attempted to cross the stream via tree branch, the branch, being tremendously brittle, cracked, decanting me suddenly into the water. I landed on a serpent which, discommoded, sank its fangs into a most indelicate portion of my anatomy. I wonder if I can persuade one to bite Hephaestus in his wooden leg, that I might be able to collect a sample, for, as I shall recount, it contains most intriguing properties and may prove extremely useful to ship's surgeons as an anaesthetic.

At any rate, I was bitten in the, um, and it hurt briefly, and then I found myself ... disconnected. It was as though I was a mere passenger in my own body - I attempted to say "Ouch, that hurts", and it emerged as "OuCh, ThAt HuRtZ!" Very peculiar. I also observed a faint greenish tinge to my skin. Barely had I noted this, when I became aware of a multidude of serpents, writhing around me - they lifted me entirely off of the stream bed where I had landed, and began to swim upstream! I would have been disturbed by the sensation, save that I was entirely numb, and felt no pain after the initial bite; indeed, I felt nothing at all, save horror. We reached a cave, and it is there that my recollection ends.

By my internal clock, it has been at least twelve hours since, and I have finally regained myself enough to pen my notes before I forget. Some light is being emitted by a luminescent fungus which grows in patches in the walls. I have managed to scrape some off, and have smeared it on a bit of paper, tucked into my waistband, until such time as I can find it a better home. I shall end here. The serpents have arrived. I can see the reflection of the bioluminescence glinting off their eyes, and they are getting closer!

Gaea's Observations, 26th November. Some time later.

I begin to suspect that the serpents are sentient, to a degree. They brought me a coconut, and an axe to crack it with; I do not wish to think of where the axe came from. It has proven most useful, however, and the nourishment has cheered me greatly. One particular reptile is larger than the others, and most handsomely striped.

Gaea's Observations, 26th November Sunset.

It is a great day for herpetology! I am convinced now that the serpents are greatly intelligent examples of their kind. I have named the largest one Crusher, having observed him in the act of suffocating a small rodent to consume. It appears that while they are venomous, the chemical changes wrought by the venom render the victim unpalatable. It must be strictly a self-defense mechanism - my bite is entirely excuseable under the circumstances!

I was able to convey to Crusher through a combination of mime and wriggling motions that I desired to take my leave of the cave. He has apparently adopted me, and now rides around my neck, reminding me of Karpoi, who I have not seen since the wreck. I do hope he swam home. He's a very naive octopus, really. There is no point in fretting now, though. I must continue on, in the hopes of returning to him.

I have my sights set on a particularly large tree I can see. Perhaps from there I will be able to spot a landmark?

Will Crusher turn on Gaea and strangle her? Will she find her missing crewmates? Will she be able to carry all the samples she's collected? Will she remember her poor son, lost at sea - naaaaah.

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