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23rd of Neth 4712, Seven Veils
A few days have passed since the events at the Crypt of the Everflame and life in the town is beginning to return to normal. The folks are still quite wary of the dark, worried that some overlooked undead fiend might stalk from the crypt.
The party finds Cygar waiting for them, standing in front of a rectangular, small-sailed barge, measuring 60 feet long and 20 feet wide. On board is a salty dwarf in a tricorne hat given directions to a heavily scarred Kellid man.
"I am glad you decided to come for resent events have produced a mystery that needs to be solved. I have spoken to a friend of ours in Tamran named Reginar who has some insight on these matters. Reginar knows the city well and has been keeping an eye on masked followers of Razmir that has recently established themselves in Tamran. Crown to a sail, I bet it was Razmirian corpses you found in the Crypt that day.
"We believe the items taken are of great importance. As Master Elf has mentioned before, this has to be more then just simple grave robbery. We need to find out why the Razmirians came to the Crypt and if possible, retrieve the items they stole to be properly returned.
"If you are willing to help, I have booked passage for you to Tamran on the Black Mist, a river barge run by Captain Walren. The barge is headed straight for Tamran with a shipment of ingots from Skelt. I promise that the journey will be swift and easy. When you get to Tamran, find Reginar. He will help you on your quest. Any questions?"
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"So, cultists and living gods? Sounds better than undead and necrophiliac alchemists, at least. Was eating that note really necessary, Liz. You might get all blocked up in your guts."
"Every dwarf knows that fibre is an important part of your diet. I am impressed that Liz knows that as well, Aldous."
Bria looks less serious than usual, but then catches herself and her expression goes back to the focused determined look you have come to know.
Roughage. At least we'll be in a city instead of some dank crypt.
"I am quite pleased to be out of that dank and musty tomb. The less tine we spend in such places, the better!"
"Yes. I cant wait to be in a proper city again. We need to make a rule to not take on jobs involving wilderness or crypts or graveyards anymore."
So just who are these Razmirians?
"Well, from what I recall..."
Razmir is a living god whose cults have sprung up all around the Lake Encarthan region. The corpse wearing the gray robe and iron mask indicated he was a Priest of the Third Step. An Acolyte of the First Step would be somebody who just started, while a Herald of the Eighth Step would be just above the Priest. Hearld's are dressed in black robes and an iron mask
"So, cultists, in short."
"What do you mean, 'living god'? I thought all gods were alive. Torag certainly is. Except that Aroden guy. Is this Razzmatazz extra alive or is he alive in the sense of living dead? And why do his followers wear masks? Was he horribly scarred in a fight with an acid spitting dragon?"
Bria said the last sentence almost wistfully. Being scarred in a victorious fight with an acid spitting dragon was so romantic.
"Truthfully, I do not know much more than that. The fact that they call him a living god suggests something different about this Razmire. What that difference is, I can't say."
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Cygar responds, "By "living god," it means a god who lives among men. Razmir could be a man himself, but we do not truly know. Whomever he is, he has cut himself out a country of his own on the other side of Lake Encarthan over the years, Razmiran. Finding out the inner workings of Razmir would be very beneficial."
"Tamran, a city built on marshland," Garuneh says dreamily. "I think I shall enjoy the place. And the Vudrani religions often speak of gods among men. Perhaps this Razmir is like this. We have great juggernauts, and parades of illusions, and..."
Garuneh's hazy daydreams of pleasant cloud dappled marshes and dancing colored avatars in the streets of Vudra suddenly evaporate. "...we are headed into certain, horrific danger, aren't we?"
We live for danger! Plus we also die screaming for it.
"Certain horrific screaming danger? Well, there was that time where I though we were all going to die against skeletons. And that bat swarm. And that necrophiliac alchemist. And those other skeletons. And my skin (yes, yours too, Dragon) was melting away from zombie-poo. So, I'm sort of getting used to being in danger."
Aldous takes a deep breath, trying to flush some of the more unpleasant memories described from his mind, unsuccessfully.
"At least, this time, we'll be in a real city, with wine, dancing, and roast pork sandwiches with shredded cabbage. At least I hope they have sandwiches like that."
Oh I hope so. I would rather die with the taste of pork sandwiches in mouth mouth rather than blood.
"That would be a sandwich far too rare, Liz. Is a village of nine thousand souls a city? I suppose it is...er, that's how large I've heard it to be...forgive me, I was in the bustling metropolis of Kaer Maga for too long. Anyhow, yes, no doubt they have pork sandwiches brought by barge. Or catfish sandwiches, which really are tasty when properly breaded and fried."
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"More like fried fish or grilled eel," the dwarf dressed in salt burned breeches says stepping off the ship.
"Captain Walren at your service, that there is Ewem." The captain introduces himself then pointing to man on board pulling up the sails. Captain then provides a firm handshake for all the men and kisses the back of the hand of each of the ladies. He takes a few breaths longer, lingering on Bria.
"Typically no lady is lovelier then Misty, but you do come mighty close." he says to Bria.
Captain Walren then straightens up to become more official.
"I see you have two mules with you. Well, that will make for tight quarters, but we will accommodate. They will have to stay on deck, though. It will be tight enough in the cabin at night. We have a stove to keep you warm and food enough for the journey. While passage and board has already been covered, I do ask if you can help out should any trouble arise.
"Nowadays there is more to worry about than the beasts that lurk in Lake Encarthan. Molthuni privateers prowl the waters looking for victims. Then there are those accursed faith barges of Razmiran. They force travelers to accept the faith of the Living God, often at the point of a sword. While I don't expect too much trouble, the journey will take about a week and anything could happen during that time.
"Unless there is anything else, I welcome you aboard the Black Mist."
No problems at all helping out.
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Captain Walren lends a hand to assist the ladies on board. Once everybody is on with gear stowed, the captain calls Ewem to set sail. There is good wind and good weather as the party sails down the river. After 3 days, the barge leaves the Tourondel River and enters Lake Encarthan. The good captain keeps the Black Mist to within a mile of shore, avoiding sandbars and rock outcroppings along the way. Steady rain plagues this part of the journey, but fortunately the waters remain mostly calm and they do not endanger the barge.
After 6 days of travel, Captain Walren nervously announces they are nearing Tamran, and if they push on after dark, they’ll be able to reach the city that night. The rains continue to fall throughout the lakeside.
"We defer to your judgement, Captain. If you are confident in our approach by night, by all means, let us proceed. I can provide some lighting if that will help out, as well."
Aldous keeps his eyes peeled, along with Dragon, his portable "detect magic" sensor.
"Up to you Cap'n" Bria replies politely. She made a mental note to herself to look serious. Life was going entirely too well. Two eligible, dwarven men? Something bad was almost certain to happen. No one's luck was this good. Hopefully the captain was married. That would mean he was a dirty no good philanderer, but it would also mean that Bria's luck was running true to form.
Hmm..Even chance something horrible happening anyway... Up to you captain.
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"I know this route blind folded, Master Elf. Besides, the light will give our position away to those I would rather stay hidden from."
The day is uneventful beside the rain that comes and goes. About an hour after sunset, the lights of Tamran can be seen in the distance. Soon after thick cloud cover blankets the night’s faint moonlight. Out in the rain, Ewem, Aldous and Elizabeth sit. Inside the dry cabin, Captain Walren tells tall tales of his glory years when he served with the Bellflower Network for Andoran.
Through the mists you see at a small sailboat heading directly toward the barge. It is about 300' away.
Sailboat heading for us, tell the captain.
Liz grabs her shortbow and crouches behind some crates, keeping an eye on the ship.
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Ewem nods at the suggestion and makes his way to the cabin door. He swings it open right when Walren says ". . . and now time for the donkey to lick."
"Captain, ship ho."
It takes a few moments for Walren to understand what his ship mate just said. Then his face turns on edge.
"Seas deep, its Molthuni privateers. Let go outside and hope I'm wrong."
Garuneh listens raptly to Captain Walren's stories, unaware of the approaching danger.
"Well. This may prove an opportune time to try out some of my new spells. Would you say a ship contains diametrically opposed parallel planes? I would really enjoy seeing our foes tangled in webs."
Aldous draws his magic missile wand and crouches near Liz.
Bria checks and readies her gear. She moves to whatever spot gives her the clearest line of fire. She selects her longbow, but keeps her trusty axe by her side with her shield.
"Once they're about 100 feet away, I can light up their decks, making it easier for us to see them. Perhaps a little illusory assistance after that would divide their attention?"
Liz will duck behind some crates and have her bow in hand.Sounds good, Aldous.
Garuneh pulls out three marbles and casts an incantation over them, then heads up, one marble in his brand new sling and the other two at the ready. "I almost wish they were undead sailors," he says wistfully.
"Bite your tongue, Garuneh..."
"I never got to use these against---! Yes, shutting up..."
Gunder creates a cloak of darkness and then hides in the shadows, where he waits for the pirates get close enough so he can cast command at one of them.
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After half a minute, the ship comes with in range for Aldous to cast Dancing Lights.
The illumination shows a small sailing boat. On deck are three men dressed in leathers. On their backs are shields and at their sides are sheathed longswords. Hanging loosely in their right hand is a crossbow.
Captain Walren says, "I . . . I just don't know."
Liz stays hidden.
Or maybe not, as she keeps her bow at the ready.Your call captain. If you think they mean us harm, we can drive them off.
"Hail them, Captain?"
Garuneh takes no action, keeping his sling at the ready and the other stones--er, marbles--at hand. He tries to visualize where a cast of Obscuring Mist would end up with two moving ships and the lake current besides, and gives up.
Gunder readies to command the first pirate that draws a wespon.
Bria stands tall, ready to shoot, if needed.
"Aye, hail them. I would drop them if we knew they were hostile. For now, I'd rather not start a fight if we could avoid it."
Aldous readies his wand, preparing to shoot a sailor should they raise a weapon.
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"A boat of that make sure is moving slow, even with full mast."
The sail boat continues to move closer the Black Mist. As the boat draws near, the men raise up their crossbows as if to shoot.
"In the name of Malthune, we commandeer this boat!"
Aldous unleashes two rainbow colored missiles from his wand, striking the lead man.
Round 1
Only Bria & Elizabeth are up.
Bria shoots the nearest evildoer
for
"No."