We returned to Balon to meet with the Minister of Trade and a General of the Army. We explained what we had found, including the empty village and the skeletal wolves. It seems to be a consensus that we should continue to investigate who or what was behind the pirate attack.
I'd like to speak with some sages to see if there are any rumors, legends, myths about powers in the north. There is a Royal Library, which I must request access to. Merchant Families have their own libraries. There is a Royal Historian which I'll try to make an appointment with. Not a well known scholar in the area. The Minister suggests I talk to his daughter about which members of which families might be knowledgeable about histories and legends. I'll also see if there is a court bard that I could speak with who might have heard legends or songs that might contain a clue.
The Malzonda family has the most skilled wizard among the merchant families.
We get invited to the Minister's house for dinner. Thankfully, I had spent the afternoon buying new clothes. At Kua's insistence, we sent a note to Grace to let her know about the invitation. The daughter was, indeed, very knowledgeable about the various families.
--old legends--historical knowledge and resources, the Er Endil family, the brother of Lord Endil is a very accomplished scholar
--magic, history, Malzonda
--Grace asks if there are any families that would put there own goals ahead of the kingdom. The minister says that he would not consider any of the families to be so self-serving as to be traitorious, or scheming to the extent that would undermine the stability of the kingdom or condone black magic.
We put on a display of the dessert city of Kinsh for the family. The daughter had requested elven magic. Salidar decided not to summon his celestial monkey. My production of the city with Kua's narration went over very well.
1-16 We return at breakfast. The Minister secured permission for us to have access to the Royal Library. The Er Cosa family bard will meet with us this evening at the castle. The Minister handed me the letter of introduction to the Er Endil family. Salidar received a letter of introduction to the Malzonda family.
In the Library, we found…legends of evil-doers. Kua finds one tome in dessert elven dialect about Thi-Kreen wars. One of the references in the telling makes a passing reference about something that refers to "The Dark Lands"…which supposedly is an area of foreboding, perhaps to the North. We find a few other references in the manuscript to the Dark Lands. I think the manuscript was written between one and two thousand years ago.
We have decided to travel north along the eastern coast of Lake Dirkaly.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Trail That Was
We arrived back at the pirate cove on the 29th. The snow the snow the snow is patchy. Luckily, Kua is much more skilled at gleaning information from the terrain than I am. I can compose a poem about the melting snow. Kua got off her horse and within moments had us on the trail. The trail heads west from the valley cove.
We have a brief New Years party when we camp for the evening. Grace refuses to wear her grass skirt. Kua and I had a good time anyway.
Towards the evening of our third day following the trail, Kua announces that she hears a wolf. We begin gathering in the horses. Grace thinks that the howl doesn't sound quite natural. We quickly discover *why* the cry hadn't sounded natural as a ring of skeletal dogs closes in on the party. I tried to emphasize that the bard doesn't do melee. Grace yelled back, "The bard does melee now!"
My new battle cry is, "Kill the things and kill mine too!" I personally think it should inspire just as much courage as ballads of long dead heros.
Salidar rebukes the beasts and causes them to flee. Kua, Grace, and Bartlebee bring many of them down with arrows as they run. We camp for the night, and in the morning of the second day of the new year, follow the trail to a cave in the hillside. Bartlebee goes ahead to scout. Then commenced a discussion on whether Bartlebee snores. This is the stuff heroes are made of.
At the cave entrance, Kua found traces of very old, very indistinct tracks. Bartlebee went in to investigate the crates. As soon as he stepped into the cave entrance, a black aura enveloped him and he slumped to the ground. Grace reached in and pulled him out. After using lassos, mage hands, and horses…we pulled out one crate. We opened it with a great deal of anticipation, and found it full of preserved food. Salidar suggested that we go for one of the kegs in the hopes that it might contain ale. After the wild goose chase, a good stiff drink was sounding welcome.
The cave, we decided must just be a halfway point to store provisions and the spell was meant to keep animals out of the food. The trail did go on past the cave, so we continued to follow it. Four days later, we reached the lake shore. Having reached a dead end, without a ship or a crew, we decided to head back to Balan.
Four days later, we came to an village abandoned last autumn. It was a village of about five hundred people. There were no signs of boarded windows. Small fishing boats were still on the beach. There were no signs of violence. I hated to leave the town without knowing. It could have easily been my own town. Two days further south in the next town, everything was normal. No one had heard or seen or could guess about what might have happened further north.
So help me, Grace and her puns were funny a few weeks ago. The halibut one just about pushed me over the edge.
We have a brief New Years party when we camp for the evening. Grace refuses to wear her grass skirt. Kua and I had a good time anyway.
Towards the evening of our third day following the trail, Kua announces that she hears a wolf. We begin gathering in the horses. Grace thinks that the howl doesn't sound quite natural. We quickly discover *why* the cry hadn't sounded natural as a ring of skeletal dogs closes in on the party. I tried to emphasize that the bard doesn't do melee. Grace yelled back, "The bard does melee now!"
My new battle cry is, "Kill the things and kill mine too!" I personally think it should inspire just as much courage as ballads of long dead heros.
Then, from those cavernous eyes
Pale flashes seemed to rise,
As when the Northern skies
Gleam in December;
And, like the water's flow
Under December's snow,
Came a dull voice of woe
From the heart's chamber.
Salidar rebukes the beasts and causes them to flee. Kua, Grace, and Bartlebee bring many of them down with arrows as they run. We camp for the night, and in the morning of the second day of the new year, follow the trail to a cave in the hillside. Bartlebee goes ahead to scout. Then commenced a discussion on whether Bartlebee snores. This is the stuff heroes are made of.
At the cave entrance, Kua found traces of very old, very indistinct tracks. Bartlebee went in to investigate the crates. As soon as he stepped into the cave entrance, a black aura enveloped him and he slumped to the ground. Grace reached in and pulled him out. After using lassos, mage hands, and horses…we pulled out one crate. We opened it with a great deal of anticipation, and found it full of preserved food. Salidar suggested that we go for one of the kegs in the hopes that it might contain ale. After the wild goose chase, a good stiff drink was sounding welcome.
The cave, we decided must just be a halfway point to store provisions and the spell was meant to keep animals out of the food. The trail did go on past the cave, so we continued to follow it. Four days later, we reached the lake shore. Having reached a dead end, without a ship or a crew, we decided to head back to Balan.
Four days later, we came to an village abandoned last autumn. It was a village of about five hundred people. There were no signs of boarded windows. Small fishing boats were still on the beach. There were no signs of violence. I hated to leave the town without knowing. It could have easily been my own town. Two days further south in the next town, everything was normal. No one had heard or seen or could guess about what might have happened further north.
So help me, Grace and her puns were funny a few weeks ago. The halibut one just about pushed me over the edge.
The Trail That Wasn't
One of the huts has a wagon in it. It smells. We're this desperate for treasure that we're investigating a smelly wagon. It has a yoke and a bar, but no signs of something that pulls it.
We helped ourselves to the provisions in the cave, such as they were, and settled in for the night. In the morning, we found two feet of snow outside. That pretty effectively buries the trail. So much for treasure. I need to find a pearl before we go back to Balon.
And we have a ship that the captain will assign some sailors to, that we can bring it back to port. We're planning on setting out on 12-16.
We reach Balon on the 18th. So, here I sit with two black crystal orbs in my pack. I so desperately need pearls… And fortune of fortunes, the Minister offers to make part of our payment in gems. I'll take a few of mine in pearls. Kua wanted a black one, but had to settle for a white, which she deemed "acceptable". We were also allowed to purchase military stock potions at cost, which is half the market value.
If we overland it to the cove, we could make it there in 8-10 days on horseback. The minister of trade is offering to help outfit us for the journey. Grace, being on such friendly terms with the boys down at the docks, found a captain to sell our ship.
Identify….upon activation by the user, the vessel or structure which the item is a part of becomes cloaked in shadow. Effective concealment at night. Has to be affixed to a large wooden object with a mending spell.
The Admiral of the Navy offers us 10,000 gp per sphere or a +1 weapon worth up to 2000 gp for each of us.
We helped ourselves to the provisions in the cave, such as they were, and settled in for the night. In the morning, we found two feet of snow outside. That pretty effectively buries the trail. So much for treasure. I need to find a pearl before we go back to Balon.
And we have a ship that the captain will assign some sailors to, that we can bring it back to port. We're planning on setting out on 12-16.
We reach Balon on the 18th. So, here I sit with two black crystal orbs in my pack. I so desperately need pearls… And fortune of fortunes, the Minister offers to make part of our payment in gems. I'll take a few of mine in pearls. Kua wanted a black one, but had to settle for a white, which she deemed "acceptable". We were also allowed to purchase military stock potions at cost, which is half the market value.
If we overland it to the cove, we could make it there in 8-10 days on horseback. The minister of trade is offering to help outfit us for the journey. Grace, being on such friendly terms with the boys down at the docks, found a captain to sell our ship.
Identify….upon activation by the user, the vessel or structure which the item is a part of becomes cloaked in shadow. Effective concealment at night. Has to be affixed to a large wooden object with a mending spell.
The Admiral of the Navy offers us 10,000 gp per sphere or a +1 weapon worth up to 2000 gp for each of us.
What We Found in the Cove
At the end of the battle, there were five of our sailors down. One had died, but Salidar was able to aid the other four. The sailors dropped the burning sails on the pirate vessels and let them burn themselves out while the rest of us began searching the caves and the ships.
In the back of the eastern cave, Salidar finds a pile of corpses 8 feet under the surface of the water. I left the others to the grisly task of examining that find and turned my attention to the ships. Neither I nor the gnome Bartlebee was able to find any logs or records of any type, just navigational maps. I used a detect magic in my search. The ships themselves radiated magic, and I also found two obsedian spheres in the captain's cabin of two of the ships. I have wrapped them each in a scarf and placed them in my pack for further future examination. Perhaps this was what the captains were using to communicate with whoever commissioned these ships, but I do not have the skills to determine this. We will have to wait for the mages in Balon to determine the nature and use of the spheres. A pity, for I would love to keep one for myself if it is a scrying device of some sort.
We then turned our attention to the exploration of the tunnel connecting the two caves and found other tunnels which led to barracks rooms. We found a total of 48 bunks in the barracks rooms. The gnomes opened and examined foot lockers, but found them all to be sparse in contents. The barracks and the foot lockers closely resembled a military style operation.
The two huts outside appeared little more than guard outposts. There was spots for fires to be built, but overall, little else. They were built for concealment.
The weapons and equipment was removed from the pirates and from their leaders. It is fairly identical in issue, though the leaders were better equipped.
Meanwhile, the captain and Salidar rigged a pole with a hook and brought up a corpse to examine. The corpse had been killed from various sword wounds. The captain lowered his continual light lantern into the water and 45 corpses could be seen. The ones that are visible all appear to be human males. The one we brought up was wearing the nondescript garb of a laborer. A debate began as to why the corpses would be brought here. Salidar questions if there is a village nearby. Bartlebee things these were sailors who fell victim to pirate attack. Though, I did not see why they would bring the corpses back here, and yet not scuttle the ships they attacked. Bartlebee pointed out that the lack of corpses near the scene of the crimes fed into the rumors of a 'ghost ship'.
Notably absent in our search is any treasure or cargo of any sort (other than general provisions for food). There must be either a separate place where they are stashing the cargo they have stolen or more ships involved in this operation who have carted the stolen goods away.
Kua searches the ground near the eastern most stretch of dock and finds a trail leading away from the cove. But, it has begun to blizzard now, and we shall have to wait till later, and hope to find it again after the storm. Both naval vessels have moved into the cove to find shelter from the fierce winter winds. We shall wait out the blizzard here, and continue our investigations at its end. No chance of sending another messenger pigeon to Balon until after the blizzard either.
T
In the back of the eastern cave, Salidar finds a pile of corpses 8 feet under the surface of the water. I left the others to the grisly task of examining that find and turned my attention to the ships. Neither I nor the gnome Bartlebee was able to find any logs or records of any type, just navigational maps. I used a detect magic in my search. The ships themselves radiated magic, and I also found two obsedian spheres in the captain's cabin of two of the ships. I have wrapped them each in a scarf and placed them in my pack for further future examination. Perhaps this was what the captains were using to communicate with whoever commissioned these ships, but I do not have the skills to determine this. We will have to wait for the mages in Balon to determine the nature and use of the spheres. A pity, for I would love to keep one for myself if it is a scrying device of some sort.
We then turned our attention to the exploration of the tunnel connecting the two caves and found other tunnels which led to barracks rooms. We found a total of 48 bunks in the barracks rooms. The gnomes opened and examined foot lockers, but found them all to be sparse in contents. The barracks and the foot lockers closely resembled a military style operation.
The two huts outside appeared little more than guard outposts. There was spots for fires to be built, but overall, little else. They were built for concealment.
The weapons and equipment was removed from the pirates and from their leaders. It is fairly identical in issue, though the leaders were better equipped.
Meanwhile, the captain and Salidar rigged a pole with a hook and brought up a corpse to examine. The corpse had been killed from various sword wounds. The captain lowered his continual light lantern into the water and 45 corpses could be seen. The ones that are visible all appear to be human males. The one we brought up was wearing the nondescript garb of a laborer. A debate began as to why the corpses would be brought here. Salidar questions if there is a village nearby. Bartlebee things these were sailors who fell victim to pirate attack. Though, I did not see why they would bring the corpses back here, and yet not scuttle the ships they attacked. Bartlebee pointed out that the lack of corpses near the scene of the crimes fed into the rumors of a 'ghost ship'.
Notably absent in our search is any treasure or cargo of any sort (other than general provisions for food). There must be either a separate place where they are stashing the cargo they have stolen or more ships involved in this operation who have carted the stolen goods away.
Kua searches the ground near the eastern most stretch of dock and finds a trail leading away from the cove. But, it has begun to blizzard now, and we shall have to wait till later, and hope to find it again after the storm. Both naval vessels have moved into the cove to find shelter from the fierce winter winds. We shall wait out the blizzard here, and continue our investigations at its end. No chance of sending another messenger pigeon to Balon until after the blizzard either.
T
hey that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
Attack on the Cove
We have decided to attack overland rather than splitting the party up in rowboats. I'm in favor of this plan as there's lest chance of death through hypothermia should a boat get capsized. Kua and Grace are going to stay on the peninsula to shoot alchemist fire arrows at the sails and pirate ships.
Part of this plan involved me sneaking down a steep slope. I maintained that this was not my area of specialty, but I managed to do so moderately well nonetheless. Grace was less subtle in her approach. I think I'll suggest to her that next time she bring large dancing fans if she wants to be a one woman show for a group of lonely pirates. Already the plan starts to deteriorate.
Kua began the arrow volley while the sailors crept over the ridge. Grace tried to appear innocuous while I tried to keep a covering illusion on our sailors.
The sails of two ships are on fire from the arrows of Grace and Kua. The gnome team took out one pirate who was running to investigate. The other pirates are getting out crossbows. Our sailors are nearing the docks. Kua and Grace continue to fire on the sails of the ships.
The two groups collide on the docks. The pirates were taken completely by surprise by the 'sudden' appearance of our force.
The naval vessel rounded the tip of the peninsula and opened up with its two ballista upon the western most ships. I shall try to pull my illusion back to provide some cover for Kua and Grace. On the docks, the battle rages on. I am trying to make my way to the docks where my influence can aid our sailors in combat.
The pirates abandon their efforts to extinguish their sails and more of them are taking up scores. The pirates are unable to assemble their ballista because the navy vessel has concentrated its fire upon the ballista crew. Grace and Kua also begin firing upon the pirate ballista crew. The sails on our four vessels are aflame. Our sailors fight their way along the length of the docks, relentlessly gaining ground. I sing for them as I follow behind.
Part of this plan involved me sneaking down a steep slope. I maintained that this was not my area of specialty, but I managed to do so moderately well nonetheless. Grace was less subtle in her approach. I think I'll suggest to her that next time she bring large dancing fans if she wants to be a one woman show for a group of lonely pirates. Already the plan starts to deteriorate.
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred
Kua began the arrow volley while the sailors crept over the ridge. Grace tried to appear innocuous while I tried to keep a covering illusion on our sailors.
Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred
The sails of two ships are on fire from the arrows of Grace and Kua. The gnome team took out one pirate who was running to investigate. The other pirates are getting out crossbows. Our sailors are nearing the docks. Kua and Grace continue to fire on the sails of the ships.
Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air,
The two groups collide on the docks. The pirates were taken completely by surprise by the 'sudden' appearance of our force.
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army
The naval vessel rounded the tip of the peninsula and opened up with its two ballista upon the western most ships. I shall try to pull my illusion back to provide some cover for Kua and Grace. On the docks, the battle rages on. I am trying to make my way to the docks where my influence can aid our sailors in combat.
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.
The pirates abandon their efforts to extinguish their sails and more of them are taking up scores. The pirates are unable to assemble their ballista because the navy vessel has concentrated its fire upon the ballista crew. Grace and Kua also begin firing upon the pirate ballista crew. The sails on our four vessels are aflame. Our sailors fight their way along the length of the docks, relentlessly gaining ground. I sing for them as I follow behind.
We are they who sail early or late:
We storm in to seal your fate:
We right all that you desecrate:
Stalkers of the seaways, beware!
We sleep by the ropes of the ship,
And we rise with a shout like a whip,
With the sun or moon for a lamp,
And a spray of wind in our hair.
A mart of destruction we made
In the north cove where men were afraid,
For death was a difficult trade,
And the sword was a broker of doom;
And our charge was a stern physician
who cured not a few of ambition,
And drave not a few to perdition
With medicine bitter and strong:
And the shield was a grief to the fool
And as bright as a desolate pool,
And justice was dealt to the cruel,
When their rabble clambered along:
For the coward was drowned by the brave
When our battle sheered up like a wave,
And the dead to the waters we gave,
and the glory to God in our song.
A Pirating We-Go
12-6 We reach Kinsh. The lake crossing is extremely foggy. Kua leads us to a local alchemist. The lieutenant buys all nine vials of alchemist fire that are in stock.
There are two navel vessels, each with a crew of 12 sailors and 2 ballistae. We set out on 12-10. We lower anchor for the night before we reach Danig's coast. The next day we set out to scan along the Danig coast. We patrol along the southern coast for 4 days without finding anything.
We patrol along the northern coast. Mid day on the 17th we head out in a launch to explore an inlet. We find three ships. There are caves in a cliff face that they are using as harbors. We manage to spot them, without being spotted by them. The captain sent back a homing pigeon back with the location of the base we found.
The plan is to send Kua and the gnome to scout. Then I can cover up to 5 launches with a silent image to get us in close and give us the element of surprise. During the combat, I can inspire the group, and do a message back to our main ships if needed. Grace is going to set her priority to setting fire to the sails so the pirates can't give pursuit. We have about 4-5 hours before a storm hits. Inside the caves, there are some huts and so forth. They guess there are roughly 30 pirates.
There are two navel vessels, each with a crew of 12 sailors and 2 ballistae. We set out on 12-10. We lower anchor for the night before we reach Danig's coast. The next day we set out to scan along the Danig coast. We patrol along the southern coast for 4 days without finding anything.
We patrol along the northern coast. Mid day on the 17th we head out in a launch to explore an inlet. We find three ships. There are caves in a cliff face that they are using as harbors. We manage to spot them, without being spotted by them. The captain sent back a homing pigeon back with the location of the base we found.
The plan is to send Kua and the gnome to scout. Then I can cover up to 5 launches with a silent image to get us in close and give us the element of surprise. During the combat, I can inspire the group, and do a message back to our main ships if needed. Grace is going to set her priority to setting fire to the sails so the pirates can't give pursuit. We have about 4-5 hours before a storm hits. Inside the caves, there are some huts and so forth. They guess there are roughly 30 pirates.
The Morning After
Meeting with the Minister: The wizards examined the fog that Kua collected and have determined that crazy Merril was a druid. Crazy Merril did not survive the questioning, much like the pirate prisoner.
Bits of info: only ships departing from Balon are attacked. Daneg doesn't have a port city on the lake.
Concerns: Do not know if Merril had any partners or other spies working in Balon. No way to tell that now since someone hit him over the head.
Proposal by Grace to fake a diplomacy mission to Nimbat, with the rumor leaked to Daneg about the mission to make the ship an irresistable target.
What we learned after a morning of questions:
Not much. We got what crazy Merril fed the birds, which surprisingly came in handy. I also got the names of some working girls who tend to hang around the docks more than the tavern.
Second plan is to put Saladar in Merril's clothes, have me put an illusion on him, and have him go down to the docks to feed the birds as Merril. We going to see if a bird with a message comes in. The guards had burned the clothes, but the gnome did a stink spell on Saladar to make him smell.
It worked! We have a seagull with a message pouch! Kua spotted suspicious birds and Grace brought them down and swam out to get them. The message pouch didn't have any magic aura. But the darn thing was empty.
Now the question is, how do we get the other messenger birds alive?
12-2 Back to the Minister's Office
He's coming to love our visits. There's no longer food offered. We're thinking that a spell can be cast on the bird (if we can capture it alive) that would allow the bird to be tracked back to the pirates. Unfortunately, the duration of the most appropriate spell would be far too short to be useful. Neither did he want to see the dead seagull we so kindly brought him. This is why we no longer get snacks.
And again at the minister's office: The king has considered the options that have been discussed and has decided that the best course at this point is to engage two vessels to patrol the coast. They anticipate that scouting along the Daneg coast could be done with some care in three or four days or so. It will take two days to get the ships prepared to depart. Our provisions for the trip will be provided for. (We're back to being fed.)
Grace has suggested fire arrows and grapple hooks to try to keep the pirate vessel from eluding capture. We're investigating getting a hold of alchemist fire. The foundries are about a week travel away. The nearest desert elf settlement is 264 miles over dessert, but 160 miles by boat (which could be made a day or so each way).
We decide to go to Kinsh to seek out some alchemist fire. A lieutenant of the navy goes with us to hire the vessel to Kinsh and purchase the alchemist fire.
Bits of info: only ships departing from Balon are attacked. Daneg doesn't have a port city on the lake.
Concerns: Do not know if Merril had any partners or other spies working in Balon. No way to tell that now since someone hit him over the head.
Proposal by Grace to fake a diplomacy mission to Nimbat, with the rumor leaked to Daneg about the mission to make the ship an irresistable target.
What we learned after a morning of questions:
Not much. We got what crazy Merril fed the birds, which surprisingly came in handy. I also got the names of some working girls who tend to hang around the docks more than the tavern.
Second plan is to put Saladar in Merril's clothes, have me put an illusion on him, and have him go down to the docks to feed the birds as Merril. We going to see if a bird with a message comes in. The guards had burned the clothes, but the gnome did a stink spell on Saladar to make him smell.
It worked! We have a seagull with a message pouch! Kua spotted suspicious birds and Grace brought them down and swam out to get them. The message pouch didn't have any magic aura. But the darn thing was empty.
Now the question is, how do we get the other messenger birds alive?
12-2 Back to the Minister's Office
He's coming to love our visits. There's no longer food offered. We're thinking that a spell can be cast on the bird (if we can capture it alive) that would allow the bird to be tracked back to the pirates. Unfortunately, the duration of the most appropriate spell would be far too short to be useful. Neither did he want to see the dead seagull we so kindly brought him. This is why we no longer get snacks.
And again at the minister's office: The king has considered the options that have been discussed and has decided that the best course at this point is to engage two vessels to patrol the coast. They anticipate that scouting along the Daneg coast could be done with some care in three or four days or so. It will take two days to get the ships prepared to depart. Our provisions for the trip will be provided for. (We're back to being fed.)
Grace has suggested fire arrows and grapple hooks to try to keep the pirate vessel from eluding capture. We're investigating getting a hold of alchemist fire. The foundries are about a week travel away. The nearest desert elf settlement is 264 miles over dessert, but 160 miles by boat (which could be made a day or so each way).
We decide to go to Kinsh to seek out some alchemist fire. A lieutenant of the navy goes with us to hire the vessel to Kinsh and purchase the alchemist fire.
Hunter of the Mere
Darkness stalks the waters deep
And trade winds blow no longer fair
It makes the stoutest sailor weep
What hunts upon the mere
Empty ships with blood soaked boards
On sails from spar to spar a tear
Empty cabins, empty holds…
Yet you’ll find no bodies there.
And trade winds blow no longer fair
It makes the stoutest sailor weep
What hunts upon the mere
Empty ships with blood soaked boards
On sails from spar to spar a tear
Empty cabins, empty holds…
Yet you’ll find no bodies there.
Next Step
Minister of Trade Office:
Several others joining investigation effort included in debriefing. Captain gave a very detailed and thorough description of the events found at sea. Need to check with harbor master for when the Willowwood left harbor or was due back. Mages confirm presence of persistant magcial aura on the prisoner, but have not yet determined the nature of the magic. They suspect that it has to due with protection from mind reading attempts.
There has been one previous derilict vessel boarded with similar circumstances. No bodies, no survivors, no logs.
King has expressed concern that the pirates are privateers from Danek.
Captain points out that the pirates were all identically equiped and all wore brown pants, white shirts.
They will give the interrogators a day to question the prisoner. We are to return in two days time.
-----
Return to the Ministers Office
Prisoner died during interrogation, somewhat "unusually". He was highly resistant to questioning. Another attempt was made to magically pull information from his mind, whereupon the prisoner entered into convulsions and died.
Captain Boohard of the Elahair has offered the services of his ship. Six of his crew members have agreed to go along. The ship will be a decoy vessel full of mercenaries. I'm hoping there are more mercenaries than are currently in the room.
Report from the kings wizard…the nature of the spell was itself clouded. It had some shielding and some injurous component such that when certain conditions occurred, the spell killed the prisoner. An attempt was made to disspell it but was unsuccessful.
Kua joined me for a good dinner.
The next morning our vessel loaded up. I was very grateful to see two armed men join us. An old man seemed to take an unusual interest in our vessel. Gnomes went off to investigate. I created an illusion of additional crates to be loaded on our ship, but I think it was too late…our watcher had already lost interest.
We had an uneventful week long trip to Dier, and an uneventful trip back.
Several others joining investigation effort included in debriefing. Captain gave a very detailed and thorough description of the events found at sea. Need to check with harbor master for when the Willowwood left harbor or was due back. Mages confirm presence of persistant magcial aura on the prisoner, but have not yet determined the nature of the magic. They suspect that it has to due with protection from mind reading attempts.
There has been one previous derilict vessel boarded with similar circumstances. No bodies, no survivors, no logs.
King has expressed concern that the pirates are privateers from Danek.
Captain points out that the pirates were all identically equiped and all wore brown pants, white shirts.
They will give the interrogators a day to question the prisoner. We are to return in two days time.
-----
Return to the Ministers Office
Prisoner died during interrogation, somewhat "unusually". He was highly resistant to questioning. Another attempt was made to magically pull information from his mind, whereupon the prisoner entered into convulsions and died.
Captain Boohard of the Elahair has offered the services of his ship. Six of his crew members have agreed to go along. The ship will be a decoy vessel full of mercenaries. I'm hoping there are more mercenaries than are currently in the room.
Report from the kings wizard…the nature of the spell was itself clouded. It had some shielding and some injurous component such that when certain conditions occurred, the spell killed the prisoner. An attempt was made to disspell it but was unsuccessful.
Kua joined me for a good dinner.
The next morning our vessel loaded up. I was very grateful to see two armed men join us. An old man seemed to take an unusual interest in our vessel. Gnomes went off to investigate. I created an illusion of additional crates to be loaded on our ship, but I think it was too late…our watcher had already lost interest.
We had an uneventful week long trip to Dier, and an uneventful trip back.
Second Attempt
This time we attempted to spread rumors about the cargo we'll be carrying. We received another summons from the Minister of Trade. We related the story of the old man at the dock. The captain says the old man "Crazy Meril" has been at the docks for more years than anyone can keep track of. He does a few odd jobs, is well known to the sailors.
We've decided to investigate Crazy Meril. We sent Batty into the taverns to look for Crazy Meril. Batty found Crazy Meril and Kua, Hope and I went in. Idhron and Salidar guarded the front door and the gnomes guarded the back door. Kua helped me with my show and we found Crazy Meril had a magic aura. I started telling fortunes, and worked my way over to Crazy Meril's table. Crazy Meril certainly lived up to his name. I felt that I was at least making progress….I had nearly gotten him to talk about ships….when Grace came up and to hit him upside the head. I messaged her….and Crazy Meril cast fog cloud. I attempted to fascinate him with seagull calls on my pipes. He summoned a huge something…I heard it growl….
On crazy Meril we found--
Small pouch 50 gp
Small flat pouch--scraps of vellum, black crayon
We took him to the Government Building, where the guards summoned the minister of trade. We explained, briefly, what had happened. Crazy Meril was taken into custody. A cleric was brought to heal us and we have been given quarters for the evening.
We've decided to investigate Crazy Meril. We sent Batty into the taverns to look for Crazy Meril. Batty found Crazy Meril and Kua, Hope and I went in. Idhron and Salidar guarded the front door and the gnomes guarded the back door. Kua helped me with my show and we found Crazy Meril had a magic aura. I started telling fortunes, and worked my way over to Crazy Meril's table. Crazy Meril certainly lived up to his name. I felt that I was at least making progress….I had nearly gotten him to talk about ships….when Grace came up and to hit him upside the head. I messaged her….and Crazy Meril cast fog cloud. I attempted to fascinate him with seagull calls on my pipes. He summoned a huge something…I heard it growl….
On crazy Meril we found--
Small pouch 50 gp
Small flat pouch--scraps of vellum, black crayon
We took him to the Government Building, where the guards summoned the minister of trade. We explained, briefly, what had happened. Crazy Meril was taken into custody. A cleric was brought to heal us and we have been given quarters for the evening.
At Sea
11-10
Most of the vessels that dissappear from Lake Enet are going to and from Balon and Dier. No survivors. A few ships that have been hit and had no crew seen on Lake Enet. Ships carrying iron, metal out and textiles and food stuffs in.
pirates need a base of operation and market, possible spies.
11-11
Ship floating dead. Rowed over. Damage--tears in sails, lines loose, balista bolts, blood but no bodies. Charts from captains cabin given to cleric. No bodies below decks. Ship was the "Willowwood". Marked where we found her on the charts.
11-12
Late evening, night boarding party came up over the side. Pirates bodies have magic. Shadowy ship outline also magical. Eleven pirates were keilled. Seven crew fatalities, five casualties. WE took one pirate prisoner. Pirates each carried
Two throwing daggers
Short sword
Leather armor
Canvas sack
Pirate prisoner gave no information under captain's interrogation. After two days at sea, still has magic aura. Returned to port and town guard collected prisoner. We advised them of the magic. Reported into Minister of Trade. Collected 300gp each.
Most of the vessels that dissappear from Lake Enet are going to and from Balon and Dier. No survivors. A few ships that have been hit and had no crew seen on Lake Enet. Ships carrying iron, metal out and textiles and food stuffs in.
pirates need a base of operation and market, possible spies.
11-11
Ship floating dead. Rowed over. Damage--tears in sails, lines loose, balista bolts, blood but no bodies. Charts from captains cabin given to cleric. No bodies below decks. Ship was the "Willowwood". Marked where we found her on the charts.
11-12
Late evening, night boarding party came up over the side. Pirates bodies have magic. Shadowy ship outline also magical. Eleven pirates were keilled. Seven crew fatalities, five casualties. WE took one pirate prisoner. Pirates each carried
Two throwing daggers
Short sword
Leather armor
Canvas sack
Pirate prisoner gave no information under captain's interrogation. After two days at sea, still has magic aura. Returned to port and town guard collected prisoner. We advised them of the magic. Reported into Minister of Trade. Collected 300gp each.
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