Lunar Sloth's Second Darkness

Game Master Slothsy

Rilia, you can tell that his accent is from the Mwangi Expanse.

Back in the private meeting...

Kwava smiles and says, "Well, it will depend on what you want. We can find an elf that'll help you with access to rare knowledge and spells no one else knows, or we can give you elf-forged weapons. Gold, I'm sure will suffice for now. I'll grant you 3000 gold as a group. This will have to cover all your expenses and staffing, of course, but I'm sure it will be more than fair."

"Tell your allies what you believe they must know in order to participate and remain safe. People will panic once they know that drow are real, or perhaps treat you as madmen. I recommend caution in revealing that information."

Rilia saunters closer to Setzer with mischief in her smoldering eyes. She props her chin up with one hand and snaps the other's fingers and with a word a whirring noise can be heard emanating from those digits. She runs them back and forth across the bar-top and its brass fittings. Wherever they alight a large swath of dust and grime disappears. Rilia smiles broadly at the gambler, showing off her perfectly white teeth.

presto-digitation!

I have made it up through the wererat ambush and Puck's triumphant return in my reading assignment.

Setzer looks down at Rilia, arching his eyebrows, "Hmm, I take it you are more than just a glorified maid?" His wolfish grin mirrors hers. "Allow me to raise the stakes a bit. Care for a drink?"

Setzer's flying chair floats back to the ground and he stands up, leaning casually against the bar. He gestures over to a bottle of wine and the cork pops out. A lightly shimmering form manifests next to the bottle in the shape of an elegant long-stemmed wine flute. The bottle tips up and fills the barely visible vessel at which point the glass drifts over to rest just before Rilia's magically cleaning fingertips.

"Maybe a little wine will loosen your lips. You have yet to answer my question."

Setzer looks down at Rilia, arching his eyebrows, "Hmm, I take it you are more than just a glorified maid?" His wolfish grin mirrors hers. "Allow me to raise the stakes a bit. Care for a drink?"

"Already dipping into the supply? What will the help think?"

Setzer's flying chair floats back to the ground and he stands up, leaning casually against the bar. He gestures over to a bottle of wine and the cork pops out. A lightly shimmering form manifests next to the bottle in the shape of an elegant long-stemmed wine flute. The bottle tips up and fills the barely visible vessel at which point the glass drifts over to rest just before Rilia's magically cleaning fingertips.

Rilia speaks a word of magic and draws a candle holder into place between them and with a second word lights the three candles on it with the tip of her index finger.

"Maybe a little wine will loosen your lips. You have yet to answer my question."

"My aren't you are a gambler." She coos.

Rilia takes the drink up in her hand and proposes a toast. "To loosened lips."

Setzer laughs at Rilia’s mock worry, ”What can I say? I’m a risk taker.”

As Rilia raises her “glass” in toast, he reaches across the bar and grabs the wine bottle, ”Haha, loosened lips indeed. My life is a chip in your pile. Ante up!” And he tilts his head back, taking a long pull, the amber liquid matching his ruby red albino’s eyes.

”So, I couldn’t help but overhear you’re newly retired from the road. I just arrived in Riddleport myself. I’m searching for a friend…” He hesitates to say more, choosing instead to change the subject. He shifts into a more comfortable position, taking another swig from the bottle, ”I will admit that I haven’t come into contact with too many elves, as they are quite uncommon in Kaer Maga. I’d love to hear more about your travels.”

(Setzer does feel quite bad about dipping into the house supply before being hired on officially, so if the meeting adjourns and Nel/Pluck/Tamiro return to the common room, he will quickly send the bottle back into it’s place at the bar, replacing the cork as he does so.)

Nel grins at the mention of access to a hidden trove of knowledge. "I see. I suppose that this will be enough to get our small business venture off the ground." Taking the large bag of gold, Nel walks around the old darkwood desk, pulling out a set of scales from an unseen compartment. Nel nods in thanks to Kwava before she begins to split it into three equal shares. "I will accept this payment on behalf of this small adventuring crew, consisting of Tamiro, Pluck, and myself, for the express purpose of traveling to the Devil's Elbow and removing the threat of any drow found within." Offering a hand, Nel shakes Kwava's hand firmly.

Turning her attention to the barkeep, Nel offers a shrug. "That's just Tamiro's morning face. He's a bit- actually a big pain in the ass- if you don't know him." Running a hand through her brown hair Nel considers her next words. "I think he's upset over Mazra leaving. They got along well, and I guess he's not ready for a new bar tender in his life. Give him time, and you'll get to understand him." Clearing her throat, Nel studies one of the moldy tapestries that Saul had hung. "Anyway, thank you for ensuring that our spirits are well maintained and taking it upon yourself for learning about what we carry. As for wages, I will offer you this: free room and board, a junior partnership, where you will gain an equal share of the Gold Goblins Profits and an equal share in any rices this expedition to the Devil's Elbow. I hope that is enough to suffice?" Offering a wry smile to Lina, Nel hopes that the Caydenite will accept.

Taking two of the bags, Nel pushes the third bag over to Pluck. "Here's your share, Pluck. I'll keep a hold of Tamiro's share until he gets back. Keep in mind that we still need to spend some of this traveling supplies and staffing, but otherwise it's yours free and clear." Pausing for a moment, Nel studies the half-elven wizard before offering out a hand. "Are we good? I know that it has been a hectic week, but I want to make sure that there are no hard feelings."

I talked to Slothsy, the 3000 gp is given now and intended to be split 3-ways among the ones that did not just come in. Also, it is hard to believe that it has been less than a week since the assualt on the Gold Goblin in game time!

The office the interviews are held in is far smaller than one would expect from the large gambling hall. Everyone is greeted with a kind smile and a firm handshake as Nel Sandhal towers above each applicant at a respectable six foot one, before taking a seat. The questions are typical interview questions varying from "How did you find out about this position?" to "What can you provide for this group that I would be hard pressed to find a replacement for?" As the day dwindles on, so do the applicants until only three are left sitting in the waiting room.

"Congratulations, you lot. You've all got the job. Follow me, and I'll show you to the sleeping quarters." Nel swiftly leads the three new members of the gold goblin staff up the stairs, past a disarrayed looking large office to a small single room stuffed with three sets of bunked beds. On the eastern wall a hand made banner is pinned overlooking a large table covered with books, paints, fabric and a semi-neglected bonsai tree....

Once her position is secure and after Setzer leaves to speak with the senior staff. Rilia heads out to the market to purchase a book and then comes straight back.

She retires to her shared billet a bit early to get herself settled in.

She takes in the place. She'd stayed in worse. She looks up at the banner. "Well, it is certainly frank."

The windows are too high up and far too small for her taste, but she wedges them open to let in the night air.

She magically cleans a space for herself and her things and then goes about unpacking them. She pulling three already-lit candles from the depths of her pack (leaving the last at the bottom to see better by), a bridle for a medium-sized mount, a set of good strong manacles, a half-dozen tiny vials of some white, crystalline powder, and a potion vial containing a blue liquid. She then unwraps a joss stick and sets it alight with a whisper and a touch of her finger to help soften Riddleport's harsh air with the scent of jasmine. She leaves her cold iron holy symbol in the pack's side pocket--no need to advertise just yet, at least until she can get a read on the town's native Calistrian sect.

The tattooed sigil around her navel though might force her to invest in a nightshirt of some sort, at least temporarily. She discounts the idea, the sign is common enough among the casual laity especially with all the tattoo parlors around the port and money will be tight until her first payday.

That done, she strips to nothing, washes up and then settles herself into a meditative lotus position upon an upper bunk. She closes her eyes, rests her hands palm up and concentrates upon her breathing and the sounds of the world outside.

Lina smiles as Nel extends the offer, "Well, hopefully I will be able to win Tamiro over, with at least one of Cayden's blessings. As to your offer, well, let me see..."

Lina turns back to the bar and bends down for a moment, searching for something. Standing back up, she holds a curious small, wooden bottle. "Rare is the situation that a servant of the Drunken Hero enters into an official contract, for freedom to come and go is something we take to. Yet, in this case you offer all that I could hope for, and so, as is our custom, such a contract must be sealed with a drink. This bottle holds Mupute, a strong, sweet liqueur distilled along the coast of distant Garund from the ripened flesh of the pina."

Uncorking the bottle, she pours three small measures, placing one each before Nel and Pluck, then lifting the third herself, "If you would drink with me, we can make this partnership official. To the Gold Goblin, and the company that resides within!"

Before you depart, you can find some information about the Skymetal rush by asking around town.

Down at the harbor bustling with repairs of ships and building, Captain Josper Creesy stands aboard the Flying Cloud, eagerly awaiting his passengers.

”Welcome aboard,” he hails as soon as the adventurers approach, noting their gear. ”This baby is the fastest ship on all of Golarion. I’ll get you to the Devil’s Elbow soon. But, before we embark, let’s settle in and get some dinner first. I’ve got some fresh reefclaw prepared. Quite a treat!”

diplomacy (gather info): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

The next morning, after making a quick circuit of the markets for the morning gossip, Rilia returns to the Golden Goblin, contemplating a method by which she can take time off to go treasure and information hunting before actually starting her first full day at her job and then still have her position waiting for her upon her return.

"Ms. Sandhal-"

After finishing up his dialogue with Rilia at the bar, Setzer is happy to conduct his interview. It is a short, light-hearted affair as he shows off quite a few sleight of hand tricks, handily beats all comers at cards (any game you can name, he knows), displays his floating throne routine, and generally accepts all terms without haggling or complaint. He does not mention who he is looking for or why, not yet at least, and is simply happy to be employed at such a prestigious establishment.

Setzer expresses great interest in travelling to this Devil’s Elbow. And who couldn’t use a few extra coin? The more coin he had, the more he could devote to his search for Daryl. He settles into one of the nondescript employee’s quarters on the second floor, pinning up a drawing he and Daryl had commissioned from one of the street artists in Kaer Maga when they were kids. He really did manage to capture the sparkle in her eye.. He collapsed into the bed only to stare at the ceiling for many moments shuffling and re-shuffling a deck of cards before drifting off to sleep.

The next morning he floats down to the docks with the others, engaging in small talk and pleasantries whilst in transit. He grins widely at the Captain’s introduction and his stomach grumbles as the mention of in his excitement he neglected to eat breakfast this morning.

”Thank you captain, happy to be aboard! Setzer Gabbiani is my name and if any of your crew fancy a game of cards or dice you tell them to come find me!” Mounted on his flying throne, Setzer zips off into the air, up into the sails to inspect the rigging and chat with the sailors working the lines.

Pluck grins at Nel and shakes her hand, "Hard feelings? You're both starting to grow on me. We'll see about these upstarts. And this will come in handy. I do have a few more things to finish up before we head for the Elbow. See you at the ship."

Intending to spend more time at the Cypher Lodge, Pluck finds he winds up spending most of the morning with the dwarves of the Gas Forges after finding out that the scroll of detect metal that he really wanted to pick up is only available from the dwarves. Fortunately, it also gives him time to schmooze with the dwarves and find out that the Overlord has hired a number of dwarves to sail for the Elbow. His transaction takes longer than expected and he isn't able to manage a stop to see Tammerhawk, but scrawls a coded message and sends it on with a copper for one of the dock urchins to inform Tammerhawk in his stead.
Diplomacy (gather info): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Upon arriving, he offers a half smile to Nel's new help. "Welcome aboard Setzer. No cards or dice for me yet. Got a couple more spells to add to my spellbook before we arrive at the Elbow. Maybe I've got time to finish one before dinner." Pluck heads off to find a quiet spot to get started before he is summoned to dinner.

Setzer's skin briefly glows a bright white before dissipating as he infuses himself with aether.

Using my Force Ward ability, I spend 2 Burn to gain 8 temp hit points and I also take 8 non-lethal damage. From now on, he will do this as part of his morning ritual every in-game day.

** spoiler omitted **

Nel accepts the shot from Lina, tapping the glass on the bar in front of her before clinking it against Lina's own glass. "Here, here!" downing the contents of the glass, Nel offers a friendly nod, before leaving the room. As she passes Setzer and Rilia flirting, Nel rolls her eyes.

"Welcome aboard you two. First order of business, we're headed to the Devil's Elbow at the request of some benefactors tomorrow. I'll brief you once we set sail on-board the Flying Cloud. I'll be back after I see several men about my horse." Nel throws over her shoulder, quickly blending into the crowd. Nel returns in the middle of the night, her coin purse considerable lighter and carting a rather large sack, with her old rusty scale mail absent.

Upon entering the shared room, Nel's eyebrows raise as she noticed some of her stuff had been shuffled, before wrinkling her nose at the new smell. Seeing the incense stick, Nel sends an inquisitive look around, only to have her eyes nearly bulge out of her head at the sight of Rilia's night time attire. The sack drops to the wooden floor with a heavy thud, as a well made gauntlet rolls out of the bag. "Oh! er..." Coughing nervously, Nel averts her gaze, intent to look anywhere but the naked elf meditating on her bed. "Rilia, do you mind putting something on? I-" turning her back to the elf, Nel attempts to compose herself for a moment, clearly uncomfortable about the situation. "I understand that your goddess is all for this way of meditation, but not everyone here offers praise to The Lady in the Room."

Turning her attention towards her new armor, Nel quickly takes out a set of beautifully crafted full plate complete with silver inlay design of an open book, setting it upon one of armor mannequins. That done, Nel pulls the covers down on the bottom bunk closest to the door, before popping up into the top bunk. "Don't be alarmed if Tamiro wanders in during the night." Nel pulls out two small books from under her pillow and begins to seemingly read the two books at once.

The morning finds Nel out in the stables preparing Gabraltar, her own chestnut shoanti-bred horse, for the journey along with Kino, Tamiro's steed. Nel herself is half-dressed, as she straightens the heraldic caparison for the fifth time that morning. "Come on 'braltar. It's not so bad. I'm sorry that I haven't had the time to ride you around town, but things got complicated." She croons at her horse, as she finally places the saddle onto his back. Tightening everything, and ensuring that nothing will slip, Nel makes faster work of preparing Kino and loading both animals up with the necessary supplies before walking them both to the front of the Gold Goblin and tying them up out front.

Entering into the gambling hall, Nel spots Rilia and pauses. "Just Nel, Rilia. What can I help you with?" Nel offers a pleasant smile, waiting to hear what her new front-of-house manager needed at the moment.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Tamiro meets the group at the docks, before the ship. Strapped to his side is a second, far more elegant and ancient looking katana. His normally dour expression is much more on the neutral side today, as he gives a luke-warm greeting to the group, "Morning."

Adjusting his blades he walks up onto the ship to the Captains greeting, and raises an eyebrow, "Is it not morning?"

Purchasing a +1 Katana and that is all.

Upon entering the shared room, Nel's eyebrows raise as she noticed some of her stuff had been shuffled, before wrinkling her nose at the new smell. Seeing the incense stick, Nel sends an inquisitive look around, only to have her eyes nearly bulge out of her head at the sight of Rilia's night time attire. The sack drops to the wooden floor with a heavy thud, as a well made gauntlet rolls out of the bag. "Oh! er..." Coughing nervously, Nel averts her gaze, intent to look anywhere but the naked elf meditating on her bed. "Rilia, do you mind putting something on? I-"

Rilia opens her eyes and rises from bunk. "Of course. Do you have anything suitable I might barrow?"

turning her back to the elf, Nel attempts to compose herself for a moment, clearly uncomfortable about the situation. "I understand that your goddess is all for this way of meditation, but not everyone here offers praise to The Lady in the Room."

"While I'm sure it is easy for one born and raised away from the homeland to conflate the two, I assure you this is not a religious matter but rather an the way most elves take their rest." Now standing much much closer she retrieves the gauntlet and looking at it once passes it to the half-human. "If you wish it. I could instruct you...."

Entering into the gambling hall, Nel spots Rilia and pauses. "Just Nel, Rilia. What can I help you with?" Nel offers a pleasant smile, waiting to hear what her new front-of-house manager needed at the moment.

She doesn't need to ask anything now assuming someone mentions that we're all going to Devil's Elbow sometime before mid-morning. In which case she's seems more excited and says the following.

"Of course, 'Nel'. There is news on the breeze." Rilia begins excitedly as she hurriedly gathers her things for the journey. She explains what she has learned--all the spoilers here.

After Nel and Pluck accept her toast, she smiles and excuses herself, setting off to collect her things, get moved into the Gold Goblin, then prepare for the trip to the Devil's Elbow. Adventure awaits...

The next morning she is excited, yet a little quiet as she departs the Goblin with her companions. I know my role, but what of all the others? Nel and Tamiro are pretty obvious, as is Pluck, but the other two? And who was the elf, our seeming benefactor? Hopefully I am not being drawn into anything sinister, but I guess only time will tell. Still looking around the company, Lina was pleased to have signed on for this new chapter in her tale.

As she arrives with the others at the Flying Cloud, she offers a wry smile and a slight curtsy to the Captain. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, and take passage on your noble vessel. Lina Ashenval, explorer, adventurer, servant of the Drunken God, barkeep of the Gold Goblin, and healer among this company. If any of your crew should need of my services, please do not hesitate to call on me."

The table in the captain's cabin is set with the ship's finest dishes and a meal of fresh reefclaw, well-prepared summer vegetables, warm bread and chilled wine sits ready. Captain Creesy gestures for everyone to take a seat.

He raises his glass of wine and quips, "To the finest meal we'll eat till you come back rich," before drinking and taking his seat.

"You could've done much worse than taken passage on The Flying Cloud. She's a fine ship, and I intend to take her down to Arcadia soon; there's records to be broken, you know? Of course, I must earn the gold to outfit her, buy supplies and hire the best crew, so that's where you come in." He offers a smile and begins to cut into his reefclaw. "I'm a bit nervous to be going to Devil's Elbow, what with Virashi's Curse and all, but gold is gold and this skymetal rush has made people willing to pay top dollar to get to the island. Not many days I can fifty gold for a few hours work, but the danger still makes me nervous. Not many days that I'd willingly take a day to go near the cursed isle, nor would I typically go chasing falling stars but," he accentuates the point with a shrug, [b]"money's good and my practice run from Riddleport to Maginmar was promising. I think I'll be setting sail to the distant shore sooner rather than later."

During the course of dinner, you make a diplomacy check to improve his attitude. He's currently indifferent to you and mostly trying to impress you to earn additional gold.

Those of you with mounts, they are currently in a safe area below decks if you chose to take them with you.

Lina greatly enjoys the fine meal the captain of the Flying Cloud has laid before them. She let's her charms, the charms of a flirt and a barkeep, come out as she engages with the captain. "Captain Creesy, thank you for the fine welcome, reefclaw is always to be enjoyed." Sipping deeply on her wine, she plays to hang on every word, listening intently as he speaks. "Plans to explore Arcadia you say? Quite the bold, daring explorer! My, perhaps after this quest I'll sign on with you. But come, won't you share with us a tale of your escapades?"

diplomacy, w/ archaeologist's luck: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 2 = 29

"Ah, the captain says as he pushes his plate aside and his cheeks redden, "let me tell you of the time that I shot the Eye of Abendego and outpaced a kaiju, one of the most dangerous monsters in the known plane. Now, typically, one does not enter the hurricane; you avoid it at all costs, for nothing good looms in there.

"Well," he says with a pause, "unless you're on the search for adventures or riches. Now, my crew and I were over in the Arcadian Ocean - not on the Shackles side of the Eye, where the area is slightly more charted, and had found ourselves followed by a strange and vast creature under the sea. While I and my crew know of many dangers that face the sea, this creature lurked so deep under the water that we only caught sight of her by strange shadows and blots. Several times we thought we had outrun her, but she would surely show up again.

"It was the seventh day of our trip; Moonday had come around again when we finally spotted our pursuer. As its hulking hide rose out of the ocean, we noticed that it was none other than Shbloon, the Vortex Maw of the Ocean's Deep. Now, I'm sure you've never ---""

Captain's Creesy words are cut short by a cry from the crew making the final preparations.

"Fire!" the cries come, muted by walls and doors between you and the deck. "The ships' on fire!"

"Fire?!? Why in the nine hells would someone loose a fire anywhere on a ship." Unless it was a trap someone was setting for us... Pluck stands and casts mage armor.

Setzer was glad to sit down to a proper meal with the captain, and raises his glass to honor the man’s toast to their good fortune. He digs in along with the others, but stops short when the captain mentions Virashi’s Curse. ”Virashi’s Curse, you say? Do tell.”

Although clearly falling prey to a sailor’s embellishment, Setzer couldn’t help but get caught up in Captain Creesy’s tale, ”If unbelieveable yarns are your forte, Captain, I’ve got a story you wouldn’t believe…” he says with a bittersweet wistfulness in his eye.

Setzer is quick to react to calls of fire abovedecks. ”Ah, I see we’ve made some enemies already! This ship may be bad luck!” He says with a wink to the captain. He drops his fork and wills his flying throne to zoom away up into the open air to assess the problem and deal with any threat that may be impeding their voyage.

As he reaches the main deck he let’s the chair fall away as he rolls onto the deck to come up to a perfect standing position without breaking stride. He concentrates for a moment and reaches an open hand out to the sea water. A shimmering container forms just above the churning seas and dips into the water. A huge sloshing mass of seawater lifts up into the air and begins slowly making it’s way to the most concentrated area of flame.

Using basic telekinesis with the telekinetic haul buff to haul just under 48 gallons (400 lbs divided by 8.34 lbs/gal) of seawater into the air to douse the flames.

Lina smiles and leans in further as she takes subtle pleasure in getting the captain a bit flustered. She lets her facial expressions become slightly exaggerated while reacting to the Creesy's tales. a happy captain yields a promising voyage...

As the abrupt interruption tears through the cabin, Lina looks to the door, then across to the others, and begins to fear what they are all thinking, "old enemies of yours coming to interfere with our new endeavor?"

Hoping to her feet, she hurries out to the deck to see what can be done.

For her part Rilia merely observes at dinner, smiling and making polite conversation as necessary.

sense motive (hunch/socializing): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

Tamiro eats quietly, simply listening, as he has little to add to the conversation. He eats ravenously, whatever he can get his hands upon. When the yells begin, he looks up, swollows what he was eating and stands, sliding his blades back into his belt.

"Did the cook drop a coal maybe?"

On the main deck of the ship, two of the sailors lay on the ground. One has a black eye, and both are out cold. A fire crackles over the rigging and sails, burning bright and hot in the cool autumnal night. As Setzer dumps water on the fire, it dies slower than a normal fire would, obviously made from some alchemical substance.

A group of twenty men on the boardwalk stare and call out, "Fire! Fire at the docks!"

The harbormaster, dressed in his night clothes, cuts the mooring free of the Flying Cloud, letting the ship drift into the harbor.

sense motive (hunch? If not, -2): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

Rilia scans the situation, and quickly takes note of the incongruity.

bluff (pass secret info to party): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

With a subtle glance to the docks she silently announces her 'concerns' to the rest of the assembled party.

She cracks her whip to draw attention to herself. "Steel yourselves!" Rilia begins barking orders to rally the ship's crew (even if that is only her fellows and the captain at present) and surreptitiously draws closer to the crowd upon the docks.

perform (oration): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

She tailors her actions to be fascinating (DC 13) to one of the suspicious onlookers.

The sailors pay no attention to Rilia and focus on ensuring the fire is completely smothered and checking for damage. While one of the men on shore stares in fascination at Rilia and begins to move forward, one of his friends shakes and shouts at him.

The captain chuckles slightly. "Miss, you'll find it easier to get to shore when we're not on fire and set adrift. Common practice in Riddleport. You don't want the rest of the ships burning, you see, so they let the poor vessel take care of itself - normally by burning down to the waterline."

"Good work, man," he says with approval at Setzer. "Seems like you've got a good head on your shoulders. If you want a job, you've got it. Of course, you'll probably be set for life after you find your riches on the Devil's Elbow?"

An Arcadian man, one of the sailors, comes over from the rigging and reports, "Sir, it appears as though they spread alchemicist's fire over the rigging and sails before setting it ablaze. Luckily, we got it out before any permanent damaged happened, but it'll take us a few hours to get it all back to rights. I'll send Mecatl into town to replace our emergency supplies. We should be able to set sail at dawn."

Captain Creesy sighs a little and turns. "Well," he says, "you'll be able to get a good night's sleep. If you don't want to go back into town, there's hammocks on the boat. At the very least, we should return to our dinner."

As he returns to his reefclaw and wine, he pauses and says, "Right, one of you was asking about Virashi's Curse. Funny that you're going to the isle but don't know its history. Anyway, word has it that a long time ago, the Devil's Elbow was the lair of a cruel and capricious siren named Virashi. None really paid much heed, but bout twenty, maybe thirty years ago, an exiled Chelish merchant named Varis or Yaris or Maris, one of those names that stretch out, decided the real money was in making a town. He decided to name it Witchlight, and got some investors in Magnimar to finance the project. It was to be a grand town, with watchtowers and lighthouses - important, as the town was built near a dangerous patch of reefs.

A sudden slam of wind against the ship sends the cabin tilting slightly. The kerosene lamp flickers with the recoil, and Captain Creesy draws his chair closer in, his voice going quieter and more serious, "Course, I wouldn't be telling you all this if it went perfectly, and you'd not be going to the abandoned Devil's Elwbow, either. It was successful for a time, but soon Riddleport became wise and started gouging the man for every penny. His citizens began to murmur dissent, and tragedy struck. First, a watchtower burned completely down only a week after its construction was done, and the man's brother and a dozen workers died. Few weeks later, a ship carrying enough grain for the month struck the reefs and sank. With that sinking, it became clear that giant centipedes infested it. Those bugs escaped onto the island and it's said that you'll find swarms of them still to this day. More bad luck struck, with diseased cows, a bad winter, an outbreak of anthrakitis, and soon a third of its population died."

"The called in a priest to bless the town, thinking that the ill luck had some divine cause. As the priest investigated, he uncovered... Well, turns out that the old rumors of a siren living on the island were turn, and the old Chelish merchant had taken her as a lover. The priest killed the siren as she slept and hung the body in the town square. The man was either so charmed or so in love - and who can tell the difference between the two - that he threw himself off the remaining watchtower and onto the rocks below, dying pretty much instantly. That was that for old Witchlight, and within a week the island was abandoned.

"To this day, sailors whose ships pass close claim that they see lights burning in the watchtowers, though there hasn't been a settlement there in many years. Every few years, adventures decide to search for Virashi's hidden treasure, as she was said to have a vast library filled with strange things. Few ever return. Those that do speak of centipedes, strange noises, and odd lights in the woods. Ships sink when they get within 5 miles of the place, so it takes good coin to convince a ship to sail in. I hope you'll take heed as you travel to the shore.""

Nel ascends from the bowels of the ship with a horse brush in hand, and her normally loose hair pulled back to reveal the tips of her slightly pointed ears. Taking in their current position and the smell of burned cloth, Nel blushes. "I feel like I missed something. Sorry, sometimes I get so caught up in grooming, that I lose track of the time!" punctuating her absurd appearance with some nervous laughter, Nel follows the group back in to the cabin. Just as she is about to enter, Nel pauses to stare at the retreating crowd. "Curiouser and curiouser." she mumbles to herself as crosses the threshold.

"Now captain, I don't think it would be wise to steal some of my employees right from under my nose." Nel lets out an amused chuckle as she takes an open seat and listens to the tale. As the mention of a lost library, Nel knocks over a glass in surprise. "A library?! Is there any more information on it? What type of strange things?!" Ignoring the spilled wine Nel stares intently at Cressy, as if memorizing the man's face would hold all the secrets in the world.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Lina has her eye on the shore looking for the source of their troubles, but can make little out amongst the fading crowd. Frustrated, and seeing the flames have been put out, she accepts the captain's invitation to return to their meal.

Hearing the story of the ruined village of Witchlight, Lina's eyes begin to go wide as she gets caught up in the tales of enchantment, curses, sirens and more. "My Nel, so shall we venture to this abandoned town while we are recovering the starmetal as well? Two sources of profit from one adventure, could be quite the return on investment..."

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"They were Zincher's men."[b] Rilia says darkly, staring after the men as they leave. [b]"They are heading back now to his arena."

"...Well, turns out that the old rumors of a siren living on the island were turn, and the old Chelish merchant had taken her as a lover. The priest killed the siren as she slept and hung the body in the town square. The man was either so charmed or so in love - and who can tell the difference between the two.... "

Just then, Rilia smiles and winks knowingly at the man. She takes note of the tale but does not express any particular interest in it.

"Captain, assuming we set off at dawn, how long will it take us to reach Devil's Elbow?"

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Setzer gives the captain a smile and a shrug, ”Ah, alas, it would appear I am already employed captain, but I do appreciate the offer.”

Setzer hears the words of the men on shore clearly, but the name doesn’t hold much sway with him, ”Zincher? The crime boss? Does he have some sort of vendetta with the Gold Gobin? Or perhaps he just wants all of the riches of the island to himself.”

Setzer is visibly relieved that they would be granted one more night of rest ashore before they embarked. He wasn’t exactly looking forward to sleeping in a hammock in the bowels of a listing ship. Again, Setzer gets wrapped up in the captain’s elaborate tale, ”A siren’s ghost, giant centipedes, murder, suicide, hidden treasures, and an ancient library. Sounds like quite the place. Rarely does reward come without a bit of risk, eh? I hope you all are as formidable as you appear. Most casino workers I know would stay well away from a place with that sort of reputation,” he says as he spins a red glass die between index and thumb.

Tamiro gives a hand in throwing buckets of water on the fire to help douse it. Upon the extinguishing of the fire, he tosses one of the buckets back tot he crew, and follows the others to the Captains cabin again to listen to what he has to say.

"Curses, ghosts, and haunting. Watashitachi wa nani ni natte imasu ka? What kind of library would a siren need? I had thought they lived within the sea, seeking to call ships to their graves?"

Looking to Rilia, then back to Nel, he growls "When we get back, we need to take care of Zincher. I thought with Saul dead, Zincher would return to his own affairs. Apparently, that was the wrong idea. The man needs to die."

The captain chuckles slightly at Tamiro's outburst.

"Ain't a vendetta against you all. His men been going bout and setting fire to ships seeking the Elbow. I don't know the half of it, but I'd suspect that he wants all the noqual for himself. Course, people have been getting round that, and I doubt that his men'll mess with his ship twice." Captain Creesy gives a shrug and continues, "We'll just double our outfit in case we run into trouble again. The trip to the Elbow shouldn't take more than an hour, two if we run into trouble."

He gives Setzer a slap on the back and says, "I'm off to bed, but keep me in mind if you do need to get out of the parts. You're welcome to sleep on the ship and we'll get going at first light. If you sleep here, you can nap through the trip - a bit of extra shut eye!"

Pluck has trouble seeing and hearing the men on shore, but agrees that Zilcher is probably just trying to keep competition away from the island.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

"I'll sleep here myself. Especially if you're doubling up on the guard. If you need us to help take watches, let us know. I'll just need to make sure I get enough sleep to prepare spells for tomorrow. Speaking of which, I don't have a lot of spells to help with those centipedes if we run into a lot of those. We might want to see about picking up some alchemists fire tonight unless some of you have it already or other talents. We might want some holy water too if we're going to really be up against a ghost."
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Tamiro sleeps on the ship.

Having another glass of wine, she looks to the others, "Well, I believe I will take my rest here on the ship. T'would be foolish for us to lose time in the morning were we scurrying about the city. And going after this Zincher could get us distracted. Shall we deal with him upon our return, and in the meantime be off to the Devil's Elbow?"

Setzer pipes in when Pluck mentions the swarms, "I believe my blasts should be able to take care of those, but in terms of the ghosts, well, yes, I would agree that there is wisdom in being prepared. I will pick up a few bottles of holy water tonight, if those of you familiar with Riddleport could recommend a place to do so. As you are aware, I am new to the city."

Being an early riser, and keeping in line with Setzer's earlier reasoning, he will elect to return to the Gold Goblin for the night, preferring a warm bed over a lurching hammock. He looks to Lina, "Foolish, eh? Well, call me a dullard then. I'll see you all first thing in the morning."

Setzer flies himself back to shore and then sets down, folding his flying throne away into his pack and scouting the city on foot. He asks around town for any information on Daryl's crash, or any other rumors of note.

Gather information: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13

I don't have a list of Riddleport points of interest in front of me, so just assumed he checked every major inn/tavern/public gathering place. I also buy X (I can't look up the price at work, however many you all think would be appropriate) bottles of holy water.

No additional rumors of note. It's 25 GP per flask of holy water. You'd be able to find 10 flasks fairly quickly. Finding more would likely require a special order.

Rilia stays aboard as well.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

Perhaps in the captain's cabin....

"How long did you say it will take to arrive?"

If we all want to contribute 42 gp to purchasing holy water, we could buy all ten. If anyone is short on cash or just doesn't want to do it, the rest of us can throw in a little more. EDIT: Oops, I guess I'm one of the ones short on cash. I'll contribute 1 gp now and an IOU for the other 41 though if someone can carry my share temporarily.

Yeah, I was sorta waiting for my first paycheck. ;)

Tamiro can foot the bill for those who cannot, just consider his money going through Nel as there is no way he would give it up to Pluck or the new members, due to his own inherent distrust. He has 2000ish gold currently, so whatever folks cant put forward, he can cover.

Sounds like a plan. Count me in with the money laundered by Nel.

I will pitch in my 42gp. Leaves me at 3 gp, but I figure we will be coming back with the spoils of the Devil's Elbow by the time we next reach a merchant...