Moldain, 11th
of Thaumont 1,000 A.C. (roughly 9:30
pm)
The party met up back at the Lion’s Den Inn. After making
plans to return to the ship, Markus took a much-needed bath to wash the stink
of “drunkard” from his skin. At roughly 10
pm the party made its way down to the docks, trying to be as
inconspicuous as possible in the misty rain. Luckily there was no guard posted,
however the gangplank was drawn up on the ship. The party had some difficulty
deciding how to board the ship, but in the end, they decided to make a jump for
the mid-ship deck. After carefully waiting in the darkness of the main deck,
they decided to explore the ship by splitting up. Markus made for the hold
while Chow-Lin and Hamlin remained above deck to watch for returning mates and
the city guard. They realized that what they were doing was highly illegal and
could put them at odds with the authorities. While Markus investigated the
hold, Chow-Lin snooped about the upper cabins a bit. Hamlin noted a city guard
pass by the dock but was relieved when the guard didn’t notice them.
Hamlin and Chow-Lin then went below deck to see what
Markus had found. Markus had little luck locating much in the hold. The crates
he saw from the other day were loaded here along with several casks, boxes, and
barrels. The crates had no definable way of opening (no nails holding the
planks together) and each bore the seal of the Duke burned into the wood. The
party decided to snoop around the cabins, locating not only a mysterious locked
door, but also the crew quarters where the four seamen were sleeping. One of
the men sleeping in the hammocks wore an iron ring around his finger, which
indicated to Markus that these men were indeed slavers, members of the
notorious Iron Ring which he knew so much about.
Searching the floor of the hold revealed that there were
heavy, unsecured planks placed in a row. Removing these planks revealed the
bilge below, currently empty except for some rats. The planks were lined on the
bottom with lead, a ploy which Chow-Lin explained foils attempts to detect
things using magic. Determined to learn the contents of the crates, the party
thoroughly investigated them. Probing with a blade, Markus found that the
crates were lined with something pliable yet hard. Lifting the unsecured tops
off the crates revealed a surprise. The crates were lined with a thin layer of
lead and the interiors were filled with hay and padding. Bodies were placed in
each crate, a total of 2 human males, 2 human females, and a male halfling. The
humans all had a blue tint to their skin and purplish lips, darkened eye
sockets, and displayed little or no life at all. The halfling however was
evidently both awake and aware, but was unable to speak or move a muscle.
Apparently his natural resistance to things magical or poisonous spared him the
fate of the others. He indicated through eye movement, grunts, and blinking
that he had been taken here against his will and was given something which
rendered him in this state. All the persons in the crates wore little more than
rags and most looked emaciated and poorly treated. Unfortunately, the party did
not want to tip their hand and allow the slavers to know that they had been
discovered yet. So they sealed the halfling back into his lead-lined crate and
replaced everything back to the way they found it. Sneaking off the ship the
same way they boarded, the party rushed back to the inn using as many
back-roads and alleys as they deemed safe.
Markus had no idea when the ship, named the Prancing Seahorse, would be leaving
port. In order to learn more, and possibly save those slaves held in the hold,
Markus planned to spy on the ship the next day and learn more about it, the
captain and crew, and the cargo it held. Hamlin decided to assist him in his
vigil at the docks. Chow-Lin, however, was more concerned with locating Portio
and visiting the alchemist’s shop.
Nytdain, 12th of
Thaumont, 1,000 A.C.
After packing a lunch of roast beef and cheese sandwiches,
Markus and Hamlin headed down to the docks. While watching the ship they
witnessed a horse drawn cart bearing two more crates unload at the dock. Markus
hired some impromptu distractions (local children) in order to get the
longshoremen to drop the crates, but to no avail. The only useful information
they gathered came from Hamlin who recognized the captain as a sea elf from
Minrothad. Apparently the ship was not leaving this day because the captain
paid the wharf tax for docking to the Harbormaster. Satisfied with the fact
that the ship was to be in port another day and night, the pair left to locate Chow-Lin
in the market.
Eric met with the Hengemaster and a brownie named Pip
Bumbercork in his hovel. The brownie related a terrible tale which was
corroborated by a woodland spy reporting to the druid. The independent kingdom
of Haven, located in the eastern wilderness of Karameikos, was under siege by
humanoids and enchanted with an evil red glow which killed anything it touched.
The glow had begun to spread outwards from the valley of Haven and might soon
affect the eastern portions of the Dymrak forest. Since the Hengemaster cannot
travel far from his grove at such a time, he has entrusted Eric to journey
there and locate the source of the glow and destroy it if possible. His
training being complete, his further services were waived in exchange for this
mission. Eric gathered his belongings, stopped by his parents’ home, and then
departed for Specularum with Pip in tow.
Chow-Lin headed for the alchemist’s shop and learned that
the fifth potion was not ready yet. She was to return by closing time in order
to receive the results of the testing. Therefore, she wandered the market most
of the morning, trying to locate any news of Portio’s whereabouts. During her
passes through the busy market she heard more rumors of the Gnome Caravan,
learned that a wine merchant had disappeared after selling a woman “bad wine,”
and she learned that numerous foreigners had descended upon the city for the
beginning of shipping season. Unfortunately, someone saw fit to lighten her
purse for her while she was meandering. She then purchased a small leather neck
pouch for a special ring (for 37 cp) before meeting the others in the market
square. They all ate lunch near the old fountain.
Chow-Lin suggested searching some of Portio’s old haunts
in the city. As they had not seen him yet at the Vorloi guesthouse, they headed
off to the Rampant Griffin Inn. There they noted a broken window in an upper
story room and spoke with the innkeep. This man was of little help and would
not let them investigate the room, however they did learn that Portio was last
seen in the company of a black-clad man and two other burly men leaving rather
unexpectedly about two nights ago. The innkeep was shocked to learn about the
broken window and sent someone up to the room immediately. The servant found a
broken crossbow bolt in the room as well as some broken glass on the floor.
The party then split up by mid-afternoon. Chow-Lin and
Hamlin went to report Portio’s disappearance to the Captain of the Guard. Instead
they spoke to a Lieutenant Andricus who promised to investigate his mysterious
disappearance and report it as soon as possible. Plans were made to inform Lord
Vorloi of Portio’s disappearance via courier. Markus went to the alchemist to
retrieve the results of the potion test. He was told that the fifth potion was
a potion of clairaudience, and that
the alchemist would pay him 320 gp for it. Markus decided to keep the potion
and questioned him about a potion which could bring about the same conditions as
those he saw on the slaver’s ship. The alchemist seemed leery about responding
but had little information to give. He was unaware of such a potion or how it
could be made unless he had a sample to test. Markus was not satisfied with his
answers and decided to trail the alchemist and another man to a dwelling in the
Old Quarter. After witnessing the alchemist leaving a small pouch at a house
along the Street of Dreams, Markus then tailed them to a dwelling in South End.
Once sure that the men were at their final destination, he made his way back to
the estate on the Street of Dreams only to find that the pouch was no longer
there. Questioning an old woman about the owners of the house revealed that it
belonged to the Torenescu family (heraldic crest was a sceptre resplendent
across a torn banner). Unsatisfied but with few leads and more mysteries,
Markus returned to the Lion’s Den only to find that the others had already
eaten dinner.
Eric arrived with Pip just before the city gates were
closed. Eric informed the others that the Gnome Caravan had stopped little more
than a mile from the city. It was in bad shape; many of the carts were damaged,
guards were injured or slain, and many were wounded. The remaining goods looked
meager. He then introduced Pip who explained the reason why he was sent with
Eric (see below). Pip carried a medallion which the Protector’s used to
communicate with their saviors. After hearing the tale of the brownie and the
plight of Haven, the others were moved to assist him. Once Eric had a chance to
catch up on the rest of the news, the entire party left to scout out the docks
again, leaving Pip behind with Golden-Eyes the cat. They noted that the crew
was all on board and that they were likely to sail with the next tide (roughly
6:30 am according to Eric). Whatever the party was likely to do, it would have
to be done fast.
Cast of Characters
Hamlin Hoefurrow – halfling warrior of the Shires who has
recently joined the party as a henchman.
Portio Vorloi – contact in Specularum and relation of Lord
Vorloi, your patron; currently missing in action.
Iron Ring – nasty group of thieves, assassins and slavers
loyal to the Black Eagle Barony.
Druid Woodrue Hengemaster – Druid of the Grove near
Rifllian in the Radlebb Woods.
Pip Bumbercork – brownie from Haven who has traveled far
to ask for help from the druids.
Protectors – mysterious elven guardians of Haven who hail
from the Lands of Faerie.
Pip’s Tale of Haven
The valley of Haven was a
peaceful land. Its crops were abundant, its citizens prosperous. Elves,
dwarves, halflings, and humans lived together in harmony. Hidden away in the
Thunder Mountains, Haven was a safe place to live. The rivers were sweet and
pure; the weather was pleasant and warm.
One reason Haven was so
peaceful was due to the presence of the Protectors, a fay race of Elves from
the land of Faerie. These mysterious beings are a gentle folk and their magic
helps to ward off evil. They helped the crops to grow and the land of Haven to
prosper.
The ruler of Haven was the
fair Princess Argenta. She lived in a palace made of white, shining marble
which, when the sun set, glowed like silver. Princess Argenta was beloved by
all her people. She was just, fair, and friendly to all.
One day, the dwarves of
Haven found a ruby the size of an apple while digging in a new mine. As a token
of their devotion, they gave the ruby to Princess Argenta. The dwarves named
the ruby “My Lady’s Heart.” The Princess was so pleased with the gift that she
invited all the realm to attend a celebration to see the wondrous gem. The
dwarves were to be the guests of honor. It was to be a grand day of feasting
and fun.
The day before the
celebration a strange visitor arrived. He flew into the valley riding a dragon.
The rider was dressed all in black. He had pale skin, long blond hair, and a
short blond beard. Since Haven was noted for its hospitality, the princess
invited the stranger to stay at the palace. She also granted his request to
escort her to the celebration.
At midnight, disaster
struck. Dark clouds hid the moon and a freezing wind blew through the valley.
The crops withered in the fields. Cattle grew sick. The valley began to die.
From the palace came an
explosion and parts of the walls came tumbling down. When the dust cleared it
could be seen that a ruby glow surrounded the entire palace.
Haven now lies in chaos.
Raiding bands of orcs, goblins, and hobgoblins terrorize the countryside. The
disaster happened so suddenly that the citizens are confused and helpless.
Without their leaders, who are trapped in the palace, they have no courage to
fight back. Even the Protectors have disappeared. The situation has become
desperate.
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