Gabra looks at the runes, puzzled by the conflicting messages before returning the stones to their bag.

"I don't understand myself Connar. Who can understand the message of the gods? But I am certain, certain Kittiwake is mine and one day, we will sail the whale road."

On a more practical note, she adds, "I will ask Ghindor. He'll know of swordarms if anyone does." With a parting nod and still with a spring in her step, she goes in search of her old friend.

Byggvir

"Huh," the man says in a non-committal manner, "I'm Glasseg, yes. Are you offering your services? It's not caravans that are my particular interest, it's caravels."

He waits for a laugh.

"Well, just my little joke, yes, well. I sometimes have deliveries to and from Highport, but as you can see, stranger, this is a port, so much of what we do is by sea. Still, we have had trouble of late; you any good in a sea battle?" he asks with narrowed eyes.

Gabra and Ghindor

Connar looks on in a worried manner, "Aye, good luck, lass." he says, as she goes. He makes a warding sign against evil.

"I am skilled with a blade though I must be honest I have never fought aboard a ship before."

Byggvir

"Confident then? Hmm, well, stranger, what's your name?"

"The name is "Byggvir". I may know of at least one other who is skilled with a blade. I met him last night. If you need any more help I can try and track him down."

Cunorix

A middle-aged woman says to you, "Eh, I tell ye what, all these storms we're 'avin', cannae be natural, can it? Heard tell there's been lightning dancin' on old Hightower Tor."

Cunorix listens, careful not to dismiss the matron. All too often priests make the mistake of trying so hard to listen to the gods as to fall deaf to the voices of the people.

"Aye, it has been strange hasn't it? But what is natural and what is not? Just as a mortal, the Earth Mother can have strange and dark moods."

"The name is "Byggvir". I may know of at least one other who is skilled with a blade. I met him last night. If you need any more help I can try and track him down."

"'Byggvir', eh? Well, Byggvir, you find this friend and I may have something in line for you. Come back tomorrow before mid-day and let me know how many warriors you can bring with you. Now, if you don't mind..."

With that, it is clear you are being dismissed from this impromptu interview.

All

After a day spent chasing rumours and talking to various members of the town, you find yourselves back once more at the Full Moon Inn. The northman mage is also here again, imbibing.

You gather together again to share what you have found.

I'll find a way to bring Hrolf in if Malvoisin is incommunicado.

"I have a boat." Gabra is still unable to believe this unless she tells everyone at regular intervals.

"Connar has never seen the like." Mentioning the harbormaster's name jogs her memory and her hand automatically goes to the bag with her runes. "He says there is trouble here. But he wouldn't tell me what. I have failed in my duty." she sounds chagrined.

Byggvir sits with his new found friends happy to have found such colorful and entertaining individuals in this realm.

"A boat you say, Gabra. Do you plan to take it out?"

"There have been many unseasonal storms here and they say it is an evil sign. I don't like to believe that nature can be twisted by fell forces. But it could happen, if the evil were powerful enough."

Byggvir sits with his new found friends happy to have found such colorful and entertaining individuals in this realm.

"A boat you say, Gabra. Do you plan to take it out?"

Gabra pays for a simple meal for the group. No call for anyone to pay up this evening either, although it's not as lavish as Cunorix's fantastic gesture.

Tentatively, she offers space on her floor to Byggvir as well as Ghindor.

"You should not have to do that when I have a house. The gods enjoin us to hospitality and in any case," she smiles suddenly, "I have a longing in me to share an evening of stories among friends around my own fire-side. Cunorix, Ghindor - you will join us I hope."

She looks around for the silent watcher of the previous evening, hoping to recognise him again.

Gwalachmai brings the food and drink, "Gods preserve us, you lot'll keep me for the month!" he guffaws.

"So, yer all here for the craic then? Must have some fine tales to tell! Not that we don't have our own share of ghouly and ghostly stories!"

"Join us Gwalachmai. It is a night for tales." Gabra pushes a mug invitingly towards him.

"Join us Gwalachmai. It is a night for tales." Gabra pushes a mug invitingly towards him.

Gwalachmai receives Ghindor's hug warmly and pats him on the back, "Good t' see ye again, Ghindor." he says and then runs a hand down his moustache, and adds, "A boat, eh Gabra? That's mighty lucky for someone who says she's cursed! Haw! Haw!"

Gabra can only nod and hold up her hands.

"It seems so. Such a gift has meaning, but I cannot fathom it. Drink with us Gwalachmi, tell us tales and perhaps the luck will come to you. When you wake tomorrow, you will have fresh kegs of ale of great potency in your cellars."

The night passes once more with the swapping of stories and tales, including a tale of haunted house just up the coast, and of a magical island across the sea inhabited only by birds.

Please all deduct expenses.

The next day dawns, a grey day, cooler than yesterday, but still one filled with opportunities. You have people to meet and things to agree. Byggvir has been requested to bring warriors for the Ynyr Glasseg; Gabra and Ghindor have been asked by Connar to gather a posse. Cunorix has heard many stories. What will today bring?

Again, please briefly describe your plans for the day. Thanks all for creating such fun PCs!

As morning breaks, Gabra prepares a simple breakfast for Ghindor and Byggvir. Porridge is the order of the day.

Looking doubtfully at the fruits of her labours, she comments sadly, "It may taste better than it looks ... the godi never taught me any housewifely skills. There didn't seem to be a lot of point. I wish they had."

Possibly to distract them from the terror of her cookery, she asks, "Shall we go to the market place? You'll likely find swordarms there and I need to earn money for us."

"Aye, Gabra. That would be a good idea."

"Will you join us Cunorix? People talk to you as well as me. The search for warriors and the strange tales we hear intrigue me."

"I wish we knew more about the troubles we are to take on before we seek out help. But knowing the lads here, it takes no more than promise of adventure to have them out of their mothers' kitchens, ready to travel to the other side of the world. So yes, I will talk. But the eager volunteers may not be so eager tomorrow, and even less so the day after."

"Aye. There is truth in that. The leaping fire burns brightest, but without good fuel, the flame dies quickly. Let us at least try and find who is laying the kindling to this bright flame."

Ghindor unpacks some of his "aquired" equipment. "Surely I've enough for a good warrior...I justta keep mine hammer." Ghindor welcomes others to inspect his stuff packed for an adventure. He realizes that fighting and combat might be his biggest contributions. He also knows that someone might recognize some of the gladiatorial stuff and strike a conversation about his successful past...at least after ignoring his slavery.

---OOC: I will be on vacation, leaving later today and returning Sunday. Please feel free to include Ghindor into general activitiesor NPC him until that time! This is very enjoyable, and thanks, everyone!

Byggvir puts his cloak on pulling the hood up.

"The market place sounds fine to me, Gabra. You know this land better than I."

Going fighting-man again today.

Gabra takes up her accustomed spot in the market place and listens patiently as the townsfolk render up their troubles to her. Underlying her calm words and careful casting of runes lies a bubble of curiosity and happiness she can neither explain nor quell and her burgeoning inner joy transmits itself to her customers. Today, her listening and her advice is cheerier than usual, much to her own surprise.

The usual array of concerns fall to her. Mothers worry about their children as always, but there seem to be more sharing fears of sons and husbands being called to fight. There are more young men than usual as well. Something is in the air of Saltmarsh, but it's hard to put a finger on what.

A the morning draws to a close, she looks around for her friends, and spots Rhun. The halfling has almost as long a reputation as Gabra herself and will surely know what is going on.

"Rhun, share your troubles and tell me your news. It is good to see you."

DM

Yes, you may. We're talking copper pieces here.

Rhun's dark green eyes glitter, as the seemingly ageless halfling woman looks at Gabra, "You have been most fortunate." she says with a slight smile.

Will Ghindor and Byggvir be looking for guys and gals to lend their arms to their enterprises?

3cp added to the coffers.

"Fortunate indeed Rhun. Is that not strange? Maybe the gods have a new doom for me?"

Rhun gives Gabra a look and replies, "Maybe it is not the gods you need to think about. You can choose your own destiny. I know you of the Tall Folk are concerned so very much with your Wyrd, your fate, but what some of you don't realise is that... fate is a thread of string, not a rod of iron. It can be turned and twisted. Think in spirals, not in lines, Gabra Seawright, this is one piece of halfling wisdom I will give you."

"You are wise indeed Rhun and I shall remember your words. "Seawright" you called me. It is a better name than "Accursed"."

She smiles and kneels beside the halfling woman.

"What is going on here Rhun? Saltmarsh is full of rumours. Goblins, strange lights, men at arms needed. That fate string is pulling me somewhere. Not just me either. It seems I have friends who are bound to the same path."

Byggvir spends his morning approaching those who look to have a strong swordarm.

"Tell me, what is it you seek in this world? If you crave adventure I would ask that you join me and head for the Black Lion Trading Company before mid-day."

“Adventure? Gold? Monstas? T’ese tings donna make life grand, lads,” Ghindor shares with a group of stalwart lads casting their nets by the dock. “Scars…and da tales of dem scars are what lastta longer den gold, longer den monstas, and make ya look worldly and more handsome ta da women-folk.

“I’ll even lend some of my gear ta da firstta boy who volunteers for dis advenure!”

Byggvir

Several people direct Byggvir to the tavern, as he is more likely to find sell-swords there.

Ghindor

Ghindor finds a group of lads, who look quite strong and hearty, out on the fishing boats. Two look to be brothers, as they are very similar in appearance, and one is a large well muscled man who seems deft with a flensing knife.

The brothers call back to Ghindor, "Nah, mate, me and Tom are militia-men, got duties like." he points to his brother. "Oh, aye, and Gavyn here."

Tha aforesaid Gavyn, wielding a knife with an experienced, if somewhat slow air, looks up and says, "Don't speak for me, 'Corporal', maybe I want to hear what the fella's got to say."

Gavyn clambers out of the boat, and approaches Ghindor. Now that you see him more closely, he has the languid strut of a tough. "So, what's the deal here? What are you after fellas for? I can use a spear and shield, unlike most o' the dregs in this town."

"You are wise indeed Rhun and I shall remember your words. "Seawright" you called me. It is a better name than "Accursed"."

She smiles and kneels beside the halfling woman.

"What is going on here Rhun? Saltmarsh is full of rumours. Goblins, strange lights, men at arms needed. That fate string is pulling me somewhere. Not just me either. It seems I have friends who are bound to the same path."

Cunorix

Cunorix asks around and is met with suspicion from some and fear from others:

"What are you after?"

"You're not going up-coast are you? Steer clear of the alchemist's old house. That's all I'll say."

"Listen, priest, if you're after my lad for some dark purpose, you can think again."

"Strange lights? You speak of the haunted mansion? 'Tis an evil place."

Rhun lowers her voice, "Twenty years ago, a fell magician and alchemist lived there. People shunned it. Then he disappeared one day, and some say his spirit roams there still. People went there of course, and found naught but beasts in there search for his hidden gold. And now they say, horrid cries and ghostly lights can be seen."

"I will speak no more of such things but if you want to know more, speak to old Vildaf at the tavern."

"A spiral of fate indeed, wise one." Gabra thanks the halfling and starts to go, pausing as she does so.

"It seems I have fallen in with fighting men. I have some knowledge of healing, but your advice and your herbs would be welcome. I ask as an honourable trade, not a favour."

If Gabra can learn anything medically useful from Rhun and buy some poultice type herbs from her, she'd like to do so.

She takes you back to her shop and provides you with some curative paste.

"This I have not much of, but this once it is yours for no coin."

Curative Paste - 5 applications. Cures 1 HP if applied after a combat. A character can only benefit from one dose at a time.

"My thanks Rhun, both for the help and for my new name. Gabra Seawright," she murmurs, half to herself as she leaves the shop and heads back to the tavern in search of old Vildaf.

As a note, the tavern is a different establishment to the Full Moon Inn.

As a note, the tavern is a different establishment to the Full Moon Inn.

Gabra spies Cunorix in the marketplace, and she knows Ghindor went to the docks.

Cunorix

Cunorix asks around and is met with suspicion from some and fear from others:

"What are you after?"

"You're not going up-coast are you? Steer clear of the alchemist's old house. That's all I'll say."

"Listen, priest, if you're after my lad for some dark purpose, you can think again."

Gabra spies Cunorix in the marketplace, and she knows Ghindor went to the docks.

"A child's nightmare that might be more."

Her curiosity thoroughly piqued, Gabra passes on Rhun's story.

"Will you join me to speak with the grandfather?"

"I'll come. I too have heard about this house. Let's get to the truth behind these tales, if only to narrow down the possible causes behind the woes of Saltmarsh."

Ghindor
<snip>
Tha aforesaid Gavyn, wielding a knife with an experienced, if somewhat slow air, looks up and says, "Don't speak for me, 'Corporal', maybe I want to hear what the fella's got to say."

Gavyn clambers out of the boat, and approaches Ghindor. Now that you see him more closely, he has the languid strut of a tough. "So, what's the deal here? What are you after fellas for? I can use a spear and shield, unlike most o' the dregs in this town."

Ghindor will take Gavyn with him to find Gabra and tell of his success!

Gavyn requires leather armour, a shield, a spear (he has a knife already), and pay of 1gp per day for any dangerous work.

"So, how long yer wanting me on this job for then, mate?" Gavyn asks Ghindor, "Gonna be wanting some payment up front, if'n yer on the level."

He'd like half up front.

With Cunorix in tow, Gabra heads for Vildaf's tavern, wondering how Ghindor's search for warriors is going.