Shadowborn's Wounded Earth Campaign: Purple Twilight

Game Master Jeff Lee

The world in the aftermath of a magical apocalypse. Horrific creatures and trapped fiends roam the lands, and the surface of the earth has been twisted--seas boil, poisonous stinking swamps stretch for miles, a great plain of ice moves toward an


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Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

Auric looks confused for a second, silently.
"I.... thought... Oh. Great!"
He takes a seat, ready (as always) for meal time.


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

The morning meal consists of a slice of pickled fish on a thick slice of toasted bread, with leeks and boiled potatoes. You note that men dressed for fishing file in quickly after the "bell" is rung, mostly young ones, with a gray-haired fellow here or there. They eat quickly with little talk, some still sending side-long glances towards the party.

As you eat, the innkeeper sidles up next to Auric, refilling mugs and gathering up empty plates. As he does so, he says quietly.

"If'n yew wan'ta be on that shep, yew'd best spek ter the cap'n soon. Heard dem crewfolk say dey wus leavin' wit the tide."


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

Auric nods, making a hurried agreement sound to the innkeeper as he shovels the rest of his breakfast into his face.

He then rushes to follow the sailors to the pier, looking for a captain or first mate to speak to.


Male Dwarf Cleric of Baal 4

Stilgar eats most of his breakfast before accompanying Auric.

"I suppose it goes without saying, but... you should do the talking," the cleric says with a crooked grin.


Male Gnome
currently:
Hp 17/26 Send Sense 6/6 Eternal Hope 1/1 Mythic 5/5
Wizard (scryer) 4
stats:
AC 14/14/11 f/r/w 3/5/5
skills:
k(any)+7, Diplomacy, Linguistics, Perception, Stealth, Spellcraft +8

Magnus spends the morning working on crafting a new scroll of locate object.
scribe scroll: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1
Stilgar Fulgrum wrote:

Stilgar eats most of his breakfast before accompanying Auric.

"I suppose it goes without saying, but... you should do the talking," the cleric says with a crooked grin.

Auric chuckles, nods.

"Maybe in a pirate voice, so I blend in, matey?"


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

The group makes its way to the docks, where the ship sits at anchor. Most of the smaller boats are gone, and some can be seen out on the water, with the fishermen aboard casting out their nets. Meanwhile, there's a bustle of activity on board the ship, where sailors are securing things aboard deck, handling ropes, and a dizzying array of other activities which baffle you landlubbers.


Male Gnome
currently:
Hp 17/26 Send Sense 6/6 Eternal Hope 1/1 Mythic 5/5
Wizard (scryer) 4
stats:
AC 14/14/11 f/r/w 3/5/5
skills:
k(any)+7, Diplomacy, Linguistics, Perception, Stealth, Spellcraft +8

Magnus gapes in awe at the coordination of the crew as they work. "Marvelous" he comments to no one in particular.


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

"Ahoy, there!", Auric calls out, assuming that's the correct address. "Where are you all headed?"


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

A woman, her skin ruddy from wind and sun, stops to lean over the rail and look over your group. She wears a fur vest, but her arms are bare. She points away from the shore and towards the great expanse of water.

"That way," she says with a grin, "and who wants ta know?"


Jon laughs a bit when the woman answers. "She's good at talking, too." he mutters to Auric.


Female Human Witch (Stars)/ 1st Tier Archmage

Having communed with Whisperwing and taken part of the morning meal, Kalaya remains quiet as she takes in the unusual sights and activity.


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

Auric grins.
"I am Auric Ironwright, most recently of the Marches and these are my companions in adventure. We're hoping to cross the Tindal Sea to Fardusk. Would you have room and the inclination for last minute passengers?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

The woman pauses a moment, looking over your group, then your wagon. Her eyes roll up towards the sky and her cheeks puff up and exhale an audible sigh before she answers.

"Wait here. I'll fetch the captain," she says, before leaving the rail.

A short while later she returns, accompanied by a gangly man in motley garb. He has prematurely graying hair sticking out to the sides of his head from beneath his hat. He leans on the rail and looks down at your group.

"Hmm...passengers," he says, in a noncommittal tone.

He eyes the cart.

"Cargo?" he asks.


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

Auric nods.
"Starmetal."


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

The captain raises his eyebrows.

"Oooooh! Can I touch it?"


Jon raises an eyebrow.


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

"Sure- just come on down. Stilgar here has a holy symbol made from the stuff. Kind of a functional sample."

Sense motive to see if there's anything beyond genuine curiosity in his request: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

The captain seems genuinely excited. In fact, he prances down the gangplank and races over to your cart. You note his cloak is fur-lined, and his boots likewise, though he appears to have put on boots from two different pairs, as one is black and the other a deep blue.

Rather than waiting to see who Stilgar is and wait for the holy symbol to be presented, he pulls back the cover on your cargo and looks at one of the crates of ingots.

"Oooh, pretty," he says, running long slim fingers along one of the bars, "like frozen milk. Trade some of these for passage, will you?"

He turns back to Auric with the question. At close range, Auric thinks that the fellow has two different colored eyes. However, on a second look it appears that the pupil of his left eye is much larger than the right, thus the eye shows much less color and appears darker.


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

Auric puts his curiosity aside to try and remain in haggler mode.
I know a woman that can see through an owl's eyes, a gnome that can inhabit his familiar's body and a man that can become a donkey. Don't gawk at this weirdo.

"You've read my mind captain! Now, what would be a fair price for our passage?"


Male Dwarf Cleric of Baal 4

Stilgar raises a bushy brow, but no objections to the captain inspecting their starmilk. The man was far from what he was expecting, but then, he had no idea what to expect anymore.


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

The captain reaches back and runs his fingers along the tops of the bars a moment more, then pulls his hands away quickly as if he'd suddenly been burned.

"Tell you what, lad. The tide waits for no one. So let's get you, your friends, and this mighty interesting cargo aboard first and weigh anchor. We can discuss terms along the way." The eye with the larger pupil squints a bit, perhaps due to the morning sunlight streaming over Auric's shoulders.


Male Gnome
currently:
Hp 17/26 Send Sense 6/6 Eternal Hope 1/1 Mythic 5/5
Wizard (scryer) 4
stats:
AC 14/14/11 f/r/w 3/5/5
skills:
k(any)+7, Diplomacy, Linguistics, Perception, Stealth, Spellcraft +8

Magnus speaks up at this point. "That would certainly change your power in the bargain, once we're on the ship, we've already agreed. If you ask a price too high, then what? Let's negotiate here."


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

"Well, there really isn't anything between here and there," he says, grandly sweeping his arms towards the town, then back towards the sea. "If you don't pay my fee, what shall I do, cast you off on the nearest iceberg? Fine reputation that will garner me. I could just say no, leave you and your pretty, pretty metal here with the fishmongers and their greedy headman and his stunted advisor, until the next ship comes into port..."


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

Auric looks between the group and the bustling sailors.
"Very well, then. Let's get underway- I don't think any of us want to stay put longer than we have to and a timely voyage will put us all in a more convivial mood when it comes time to pay for services rendered."


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

"Excellent! I appreciate men who can think on their feet! They make the best dancers."

On that odd note, he motions to the woman in the fur vest and waves at your cart. She begins shouting orders to the crew, who quickly use a cargo crane aboard the ship to lift the cart and its contents up off the dock and down into the hold after you unhitch Janet and follow the captain aboard. The sailors take charge of her and get her stowed in a pen below deck.

The captain turns, doffing his hat to reveal an unruly mop of gray hair shot through with red, he bows.

"Welcome, gentlefolk, aboard the Flounder. I am Jack Wilde, your captain and host. Now if you will excuse me, I have a few last minute details to attend. My first mate will show you to your quarters. You will, of course, dine with me this evening? Excellent. Mister Thorne! Take our passengers to their accomodations."

"Aye, sir," says the woman in the fur vest to the captain's back. She grins at the group and says, "Follow me.

Your accommodations are below decks, a curtained off area of the cargo hold with folding bunks bracketed to the walls. Your wagon sits surrounded by a secured cargo of barrels and crates. The smell of fish, both salted and smoked, is very strong.


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

"Suppose we should have known what the inside of a ship would smell like- but I guess it could always be worse.", Auric says, putting his pack down on one of the folding bunks.

"Know any sea shanties?"


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

Just to clarify, you aren't confined below decks for the whole voyage; that's just where you sleep and stow your gear. Let me know if there's anything you want to do during the voyage.


Male Gnome
currently:
Hp 17/26 Send Sense 6/6 Eternal Hope 1/1 Mythic 5/5
Wizard (scryer) 4
stats:
AC 14/14/11 f/r/w 3/5/5
skills:
k(any)+7, Diplomacy, Linguistics, Perception, Stealth, Spellcraft +8

Magnus will make a point of showing off Tuboo to the crew, lest they think that he is a rat on board. He will speak to the captain in particular. "Tuboo likes to roam about, and you'll sometimes catch him sleeping in the oddest places. I wouldn't recommend moving him though. He gets quite vicious. Just come and get me."


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

Auric will try to get to know the crew and captain while on board, looking to learn what he can of the Tindal Sea and Fardusk.


Male Dwarf Cleric of Baal 4

Stilgar clearly does not seem very comfortable with standing on something that isn't firmly rooted to solid ground. He spends most of his time sitting as still as possible, hoping to maintain his intestinal fortitude (and dignity).


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

The crew appears used to unusual animals on board. A few comment that they've seen critters like Tuboo before, though not of his color. Most aren't worried, though the riggers suggest Magnus keep his familiar out of the ropes, as they don't want to get nipped whenever they need to work on the rigging. They also suggest there should be plenty for him to hunt up to eat below decks.

Captain Wilde is definitely an odd duck, but the crew seem to accept his eccentricities and appear loyal. Thorne, the first mate, seems particularly fond of him, but also the most exasperated by his oddities.

The captain and crew inform you that the Tindal is a freshwater inland sea, fed by the Plain of Moving Ice to the north, the great glacier that is home to the Narok tribes. The main danger on the Tindal, especially this far north, are the icebergs. Thorne says a wide berth is necessary, as they are significantly larger beneath the surface and a solid impact could make for a bad journey. She also makes a note of mentioning that the Flounder has a pair of bilge pumps and that in the event of such a collision, your group might have a vested interest in manning those pumps until the ship makes land again. Smirking, she says that it might earn you a slight discount on your passage for the hazard. Diplomacy checks to gather anything more about the crew, ship, or the Tindal Sea, and for anything about Fardusk.

Stilgar notes that the weather for the first two days out is mostly clear, and thankfully all the clouds are white, fluffy, and non-menacing. The winds are brisk and cold, but the sea itself is calm. On the morning of the third day, however, there is a mass of darkness off the port side, some distance to the south, looking much like an encroaching storm.


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

Ah, Chekhov's Bilge Pumps.

"What do you know about Fardusk? Not too many travelers make into the Iron Marches with news; at least, none that wind up where I'm from."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18


Male Dwarf Cleric of Baal 4

"Has there been any news of Narok activity?" Stilgar asks a crewmember once his stomach has settled, vaguely recalling news of barbarian raids to the west.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12


Male Gnome
currently:
Hp 17/26 Send Sense 6/6 Eternal Hope 1/1 Mythic 5/5
Wizard (scryer) 4
stats:
AC 14/14/11 f/r/w 3/5/5
skills:
k(any)+7, Diplomacy, Linguistics, Perception, Stealth, Spellcraft +8

After the first few days, Magnus will take to Tuboo's body in the early morning and go into the captains quarters, looking for any incriminating documents, etc. stealth as Tuboo: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20


Jon, being his usual talkative self, will spend most of his voyage on deck, even going so far as to sleep there. He will not make any effort to speak to the crew, but he will help out if he can.

Survival for the storm: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

Narok: "Not much in the way of raidin' anywhere we make port. Guess they contented themselves with looting dwarven lands this winter. No offense meant, o' course!"

Fardusk: Captain Wilde scratches idly at his beard as he ponders the question. "Aye, Fardusk. It's a most civilized place, it is. A regular bastion of civilization. Now, if you know anything about civilization, you'll know that's just a fancy way of sayin' that the place will chew you up and spit you out, but it will use a napkin to clean its mouth afterwards and thank you for the meal. My crew have standing orders never to venture out of the docks district. That's where most of the uncivilized foreigners stay and do their business. Safest place in the city. If someone wants your purse, they'll show you the knife and make their demands known clearly. Man knows where he stands in the docks. Could get knifed elsewhere in the city, or burned to ash, without so much as a how-do-you-do or a reckoning as to why. Still, should be able to fetch a pretty pile o' coin for your box of frozen milk."

Thorne's thoughts on the place are a tad more helpful, if no less bleak. "It's a shithole, but you can get good drinks there. Just don't expect things like charity, well-meaning, and honesty while you're there. Fardusk is a hard place, full of hard people. Watch your fellows' backs, make sure they watch yours, and you may get out with your hides and souls intact."

An old salt called Gabby, one of the friendliest of the crew, has a different take. "Sure, it can be a dark and scary place, if'n yer not used ta it, but there's good folk there yet. Got a place I like to go when we're in port, good inn. It's right near the docks, with hot food and decent drink at reasonable prices. Odd name, so it's easy to remember: the Six with Eight Tails. Owner of the place, Hansi Mancino, he's a good guy, very accomodating and always looking for new business. You need a place to stay while you're in town, look him up and tell him Ol' Gabby sent you. He'll fix you up right, anything you need."

The storm: Jon notes that it definitely looks like a storm front, but after examining it for some time, also notes that it isn't going anywhere. It doesn't move. Captain Wilde notes Jon's interest and moves to the rail.

"Ah, I see you've found the one point of interest upon the Tindal, besides all the ice. That there is the place we call The Shards. I'm afraid you won't be getting a closer look, because it's best to avoid it. Only a madman would go in there on purpose."

On your third day out, just as Magnus is planning on jumping into Tuboo for a little looksee around the ship, there's a call from the masts above. "Sails! Sails, Captain!"

"Where away?!" he cries back.

"One off the starboard bow! Two more to starboard!"

Captain Wilde pulls a leather tube from his belt, expands it, and looks through the smaller end. Then he jerks it away, blinking madly, as he puts it to his other eye (the one without the enlarged pupil) and scans the starboard side of the ship.


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

Auric follows the captain's gaze, trying to get a look at the ships- and not being sure which side is starboard.
"I take it these aren't merchant ships?"


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

Captain Wilde lets out a noncommittal grunt, scanning the right of the ship with his spyglass.

"Let me ask you, did you happen to bandy words with the headman back over in 'Fishtown?' And, if and when you did, did you happen to talk about your cargo, or where you were headed?"


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

"We mentioned Fardusk, but nothing about our starmilk.", Auric replies. He looks to the rest of the group. "Right?"


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

Wilde gives another noncommittal grunt, still peering through the spyglass.

"Let me spin a tale for you. It involves a wretched dwarf with a marked face, toadying to a human wrought of a cloth nearly as bad as the dwarf. They pay close attention to those going in and out of their little fishy town. When people come through with interesting cargo, say, or going to interesting destinations, say, then they speak to friends of theirs. These friends are the type to take things from others without asking, and poke bloody holes in people that balk at handing over what they have. In exchange for knowing where and when they might find people to take things from, they provide a split of the profits to a certain headman and his mark-faced toad."

That said, he lowers the spyglass and snaps it shut, turning on his heel and barking orders.

"Hard to port! Lay on the sail! Bosun, open the arms locker and arm the crew! Snap to it, we need to run and run fast! Lay in a course south by southwest!"

Then he turns back to Auric and company, a polite smile on his face, hands clasped before him in a rather contrite pose.

"I'm afraid your trip to Fardusk might run a little longer than expected. You have my sincere apologies for the delay. I hope this will not reflect poorly on me or my crew, or affect any adjustment in your thoughts toward appropriate payment for the voyage. Speaking of which, perhaps now would be a good time to get exacting arrangements on that."


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

Auric smiles politely, trying to maintain a clueless and casual veneer despite a sudden sinking feeling.

"Perhaps so. In your expert opinion, Captain, how long will this voyage take us?"


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

"In as much as we may have to divert course and take a run around the entirety of the Shards, hopefully losing our pursuers in the inclement weather thereabouts, it may well add a week onto our travels, doubling the time it takes to reach port in Fardusk."


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

"Given that we have such a long trek ahead of us, I would understand if you want a larger share for yourself and your crew, Captain. But I would remind you that, though we are not sailors, as consummate adventurers and troubleshooters we can be of great help during the voyage. We can assist with magic both arcane and divine at need and with skill at arms to offset the burden we have placed on you and your crew. So- do you believe a 500 gold share would be a sufficient take?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

Captain Wilde extends a hand.

"Your offer of payment is accepted, as is your offer of aid should we not be able to outrun these scalliwags. If you would be so kind as to procure a sack from Mister Thorne and bring my payment up in advance, I'd be most appreciative."


Male Dwarf Cleric of Baal 4

Stilgar's head spins over the realization that they will be on the ship for at least two weeks, but even moreso at the fact that someone they only met very recently wanted them dead. It was to be expected, really. Well, at least the matter of payment is out of the way.

As Auric comes to an agreement with the captain, Stilgar nods at the paladin and moves to retrieve said sack, before heading to the cargo hold to prepare the payment.


Male Half-elf Paladin 4/Champion Tier 1

Auric shakes hands with the captain, making eye contact and getting a good read on him.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

"Is there a particular reason you want all of it up front while we're on our journey? If my ignorance has lead me to be rude by asking, I apologize, but isn't half up front and half on arrival a bit more customary? I shall swear to my own patron and whatever divinity you and your crew hold dear that we shall honor our agreement."


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

"That's not rude, merely prudent. I'll refer you back to my previous talk of iceberg-stranding. Not good for business. Besides, it's all still on the ship. If I don't get you to your destination, it won't be. Or rather, it may be, but it will be on the bottom of the Tindal with the ship and us. Or the ship and us will be on the bottom, and the pirates will have it all. My point is that I'll either get you there, or I won't get you anywhere. Whether one small part of your frozen milk happens to be sitting on the deck rather than below deck shouldn't matter to you...unless it matters to me, and it may...in which case it will matter to you, but in a good way, savvy?"

The captain definitely seems sincere in his deal to get you to Fardusk. As to the rest of it, that's for you to figure out. He's definitely eccentric, but you see no signs that he wants to swindle or betray you in any way.


Male Gnome
currently:
Hp 17/26 Send Sense 6/6 Eternal Hope 1/1 Mythic 5/5
Wizard (scryer) 4
stats:
AC 14/14/11 f/r/w 3/5/5
skills:
k(any)+7, Diplomacy, Linguistics, Perception, Stealth, Spellcraft +8

Magnus examines the situation and his eyes flit about the sea and ship as he searches for the solution. Finally, he jumps with excitement and approaches the captain. "I believe I have a solution to your pirate problem. I need an axe. Auric, you'll want to take off your armor for this."

Magnus explains that he will give Auric the ability to swim using his own magic. Auric will then be responsible for chopping off the rudder of the approaching ships. Unable to steer, they will inevitably veer off course and need to stop for repairs. We will be able to escape in the meantime.


Female Human Witch (Stars)/ 1st Tier Archmage

Kalaya gives Magnus an odd look trying to figure his course of action.

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