Adolina pays up with a smile. "I appreciate an honest man who can drive a bargain. Fair winds for us all" She says, as she presses a sweet bun into his hands. "I suspect we'll have to bunk together Cadas - on ships like this there won't be many cabins, unless you'd prefer Atrius? He does seem more you type."
My type? I am storms and elemental furry. He seems way too tame for me. The lad has not even earned a set of bravery tattoos. Perhaps more your type.
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My type? I am storms and elemental furry. He seems way too tame for me. The lad has not even earned a set of bravery tattoos. Perhaps more your type.
"Elemental furry? My, Cadas! I had no idea your were so adventurous." Adolina replies, a huge grin spreading across her face as they banter. "And no, he's not my type either. Too... straight..."
Marcellano whistles and looks away from this conversation, blushing slightly.
You each hand over 50 gold pieces worth of coins, the quartermaster pockets it and says, "there be two passenger cabins in the hold, each with four hammocks. Bunk as ye see fit. There is already an elf female in one of them, but I don't think she cares who else moves in with her, as she is also well armed."
Turning back to the men loading the cargo. "Lets get moving ye bilge rats. We sail with the morning tide."
He looks back to you, "yer meals start with tomorrows evening meal, so if ye be hungry now, best find a tavern in town for yer dinner."
Atrius grinned at Robin, as he was coming to enjoy the halfling's enthusiasm quite a bit. A good story was worth a lot, and there were many nights Atrius had spent by a campfire that he'd have been grateful for the bard's presence.
"Ah...perhaps that tale is for after we've had some cups of ale tonight, Robin! It is nice to meet you, however. I am Atrius the Black."
Cadas carries her belongings into the bunk room and claims a hammock. Eyeing the elf she adds And I am Cadas. Are you also going to Turtleback Ferry?
Marcellano coughs slightly. "Marcellano, as Robin said. I'm assuming that you would be most comfortable if Atrius, Robin, and I bunked in the other cabin...I'll leave my possessions there."
"Welcome friend Cadas and Robin." she replies. "I see that your company has had some changes since we last met." Looking to the others, she bows awkwardly, as if not used to the formal responses. "Adolina, Atrius, Marcellano. I am Shalelu, ranger and hunter of goblins. I have heard that you are heading out to Turtleback Ferry, and then on to Fort Rannick. I too wish to travel there, and hope you do not mind the company?"
Taking the offered cake, she munches it down, and remarks, "quite good. This is certainly much better than the rations I was going to have tonight."
Well met Shalelu. A friend unexpected is always a gift. Of course you are welcome with us. Cadas says with a smile and a slight feeling of relief that she would not have to watch this person in case she sided with bandits.
After introductions but before anyone leaves the room Cadas mentions that I have meditated and watched the flights of birds while in communion with the great Gozreh. I am warned through divination that bandits ply these waters and are a threat to our reaching Turtleback. So we must be vigilant as we travel.
"Well met, Shalelu. I've heard of you in Sandpoint, and it's always good to meet a fellow warrior."
Atrius rolled his neck from side to side, stretching it, then smirked slightly.
"If we're attacked, it will be good to have you on our side, and perhaps these lasses will see that some of us merely keep our fury contained until the right time."
"Well met, Shalelu," Marcellano says, nodding slightly. "Bandits, eh?" he continues, with a glance at Cadas. "I wonder...sadly I don't know many abjurations. I shall see if there are any I can draw on to protect us from harassment."
Putting her right arm out to shake the arm of Atrius, in a true warriors welcome, "and I have heard somewhat of you in the company of the Black Griffon, so well met indeed."
At the mention of bandits, the ever serious Shalelu laughs lightly, an unusual sound for her, "bandits are always a problem, but I do not think that we will have much trouble, and most of them are quite cowardly when met with an armed resistance. So into town for a final meal, or just spend the night here?"
The week long trip on the barge is mostly uneventful. Several times bandits send a few arrows towards the boat, but with Shalelu and Adolina response with their bows, Atrius and Cadas on deck looking ready for battle, Robin hurling insults at them and Marcellano using minor magic to give them pause, the bandits fade back into the woods along the banks.
You end up crossing the Claybottom Lake and arriving at the docks in the late afternoon. The quartermaster tells you that the only Inn in the town is the The Turtle's Parlor and he gives you directions.
If it's early enough, Atrius will vote for pressing on to Fort Rannick. First, though, he'd like to check with locals and see if they have any information about the goings on at the fort.
If it requires a roll...someone else will probably be better at that!
Marcellano spends most of the trip relaxing on the deck, poring over the two captured spellbooks he has and transcribing several of the more useful-looking spells in them into his own. He seems more irritated than anything else when the bandits appear, and the mere sight of Reggie is usually enough to drive them away.
In Turtleback Ferry, Marcellano steps off the boat and smiles, looking around. "A shame we didn't have time to stop in any of the towns en route--still, best to get here as quickly as possible. Shall we see what the local scuttlebutt is at the Turtle's Parlor?"
Day One:
Cat's Grace = 3 hours
Fox's Cunning = 3 hours
Day Two:
Blink = 4 hours
Stinking Cloud = 4 hours
Day Three:
Displacement = 4 hours
Scorching Ray = 3 hours
Day Four:
Spider Climb = 3 hours
Web = 3 hours
Gold spent: 380
That's it for now!
Cadas looks out over the town from the barge with concern on her face. Quietly she reminds her party There is another lamia matriarch nearby with her own plans for harvesting souls for her master. This place will not be untouched. No one should venture out along until we know what might be going on here.
As you walk, you see many folks look at you in a bit of wonder. No one approaches but you sense that adventurers are not frequent visitors to the small town.
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Adolina secures her lodgings for the night, trying to make sure that she is bunking with Shalelu, although she doesn't push the matter if rejected. Once her things are put away she suggests a walk around the town, for anyone who is interested.
"It seems like nice enough weather - I think we should have a look around, take in the sights a little."
Marcellano, never one for the social graces, simply sticks his supplies in the same room as Robin or Atrius and then follows Robin into the common area. "I, uh...apologize for my friend," he says sheepishly. "Robin, perhaps we should...investigate this 'Bottoms Up?'"
Atrius thumps Marcellano on the shoulder cheerfully.
"We would be poor excuses for adventurers if we did not visit the local tavern!"
Cadas eyes the townspeople with suspicion, seeing possible controlled slaves in each resident.
The Paradise sunk—it’s a tragedy, I’ll agree. But know what? Good riddance, I say. I know it ain’t nice to wish ill on no one, but I hope that strumpet Lucrecia’s at the bottom of the lake as well. Tartin’ around town with her chest all pushed out and flashing leg with every other step.... That type of walk might go over well down in Korvosa, but we’re respectable folk here! Wouldn’t be surprised to find out Paradise sunk on account of her bringing down Erastil’s judgment on the whole sinful lot of ’em!
You head to the Bottoms Up, and Robin mixes with the patrons as the rest of you look around.
Leaning over to Adeline in a friendly manner she whisper what looks to be a joke in the other woman ear and the chuckles after.
That one, the one leaving now, bears a Sihedron Rune on his shoulder. Follow him?
After the man has gone from the bar she will alert the rest of her group of her observation.
"Hmmmmmm. Robin's right. There may have been greedy sinners on that boat. I wonder if that 'strumpet' might be our lamia, as well--in disguise, of course." Marcellano strokes his goatee thoughtfully.
When Cadas points out the Man with the Sihedron Tattoo, Marcellano frowns. "We should follow him, if we can do so stealthily."
The Bottoms Up is a small bar in the south center of town. As it is just after the dinner hour, folks here are finishing up and other than a few hard core patrons, all men, the rest of them head out into night, and supposedly home, including the man that Adolina follows.
Robin again plies the crowd, one much more to his liking and over hears some rumors. When he asks directly about Fort Rannick, the barkeep, who seems to be in a foul mood responds, "none of them Black Arrows from the fort have been in town the last few weeks. It ain't natural I tell you."
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Adolina returns to the group and informs them quietly of the uneventful stalking mission. "Nothing - he went home to his wife, who knew he'd been here. Nothing sinister or unusual..." She regains her seat and sips her drink. "Anything here? I guess we'd better rest tonight and set out in the morning?"
I'd not mind connecting with the local authorities, unless someone thinks that would be a problem. Cadas recommends. Maybe they would know of problems or suspicious activities?
Atrius rolled his neck, stretching it.
"I do think we should focus mostly on the Black Arrows. That is our mission here, after all. If we can do some good other than that, I'm all for it, but I've the feeling that haste might be our ally in this."
Marcellano nods. "I'm in agreement. Tomorrow, let's meet the constabulary, and then we can set out for the Black Arrow fort. If possible, I would like to talk to that man with the tattoo, though..." He frowns. "Perhaps on our way out of town, after talking to the guard? We need not alert him to our suspicions, just learn more of who he is."
Cadas walks over with a fresh cup of coffee for the sheriff and without a word places in in from of him then just smiles at the man as if to say "We are here to solve your problems'.