Loshdain, 13th
of Thaumont 1,000 A.C. (roughly 5:30
am)
After having made plans the night before, the party awoke
early in order to prevent the slaver’s ship from leaving port with the morning
tide. Chow-Lin remained at the Lion’s Den feeling that her foreign appearance
would make them more traceable if seen at the docks. Eric, Markus, and Hamlin
went off to the docks and hid until the time was right. While final
preparations were being made to the Prancing
Seahorse and another nearby Thyatian vessel, Eric carefully made his way to
an empty dock next to a fishing boat. Gauging his attack time by the rising of
the sun, Eric cast his water breathing
spell and slipped into the water. Swimming along under the other boats, he
approached the Prancing Seahorse from
beneath and chose a spot near the stern, under the hold, in which to work his
magic. Casting two warp wood spells,
Eric was able to split the planks forming the hull and cause a major leak into
the bilge. Once his work was done he swam quickly back to the empty dock to
rejoin Markus and Hamlin. Soaking wet, they rushed him back to the Lion’s Den
to await the outcome of their activities. There they met with Chow-Lin and
informed her of their doings.
Chow-Lin then headed to the Alchemist to see if the next
potion was ready. She was told to return by the end of the day. So, Chow-Lin
proceeded to the Foreign Quarter to see what the commotion was all about
regarding the arrival of the Gnome Caravan. Apparently, the caravan was attacked
by kobolds led by intelligent leaders. The raiders took mostly weapons and
armor, as well as any valuables the caravan was holding. The gnomes will be
staying a while in town to sell their wares in the market. A few of the gnomes
who lost much on the Duke’s Road are going to try and force an audience with
Duke Stephen himself. After hearing this and other tidbits of gossip, Chow-Lin
headed to get some pastries at the local bakery before resuming her search for
Portio.
Meanwhile, the men headed back to the docks to check on
the ship. The Prancing Seahorse was
in the process of being off-loaded and righted when the Harbormaster and his
assistant were called down to the scene. Not being able to cast off with the
damaged hull, the captain paid his wharfage fees and proceeded to rig the teams
of ponies to pull the ship upright so repairs could be made. It was then that
Eric and Markus decided to make trouble. Failing to inspire the Harbormaster’s
aide to action with not-too-subtle suggestions, the party finally managed to
get the guards to investigate a crate once Eric cast a faerie fire spell on it. The spell so startled one of the
longshoremen that he dropped his end, overturning the crate and causing a body
inside to spill out. The portage of dead bodies is suspicious in and of itself,
so the ship’s captain was questioned while the guards checked the body.
Discovering that the person was still barely alive, they summoned a
conveniently-close priest (Eric) to help him and the guard who apparently
injured his arm in the fall. While this was occurring, a junior seaman from the
ship had slipped over to talk with the driver of the cart used to haul the
crates away. Once he was finished with the injured persons, Eric made his way
to the cart and tried to convince the horses to remain calm and not move when
urged (using a speak with animals
spell). Unfortunately, the horses were too well-trained and responded quickly
when prodded by the men to escape. Although he tried to hold on to the reins,
Eric couldn’t keep up and had to let go. Guards were summoned but the cart
disappeared around a curtain wall before they could stop it.
Satisfied with the damage caused and the suspicions
aroused, Eric, Markus and Hamlin headed back to the inn to meet up with Chow-Lin.
When they arrived they found that a message had been left for Markus. The
message plainly stated that “his friend was being held” and that he should “pay
what was due.” It was signed “D.”
Cast of Characters
Portio Vorloi – contact in Specularum and relation of Lord
Vorloi; currently held for ransom.
Pip Bumbercork – brownie from Haven who has traveled far
to ask for help from the druids.
Lieutenant Andricus – City Watchman of Specularum;
investigating the disappearance of Portio.
“D” – some new antagonist who has apparently captured
Portio and is holding him ransom.
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