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Meanwhile Torgue thinks Hey...where'd I go and wait...no... no, wait; seriously, my beer is invisible. I don't like that, I want to see my beer. But whoa...wow...invisible beer would let me drink on the job and nobody would know it!
People will wonder how the plants got trampled down by something that left no tracks, but they will obviously chalk it up to drinking too much
invisible beer.
There is a stolen apple following the group, growing steadily smaller as unseen teeth eat it.
Torgue does wonder how one could safely drink invisible beer. After all, one has to lift the mug up to drink.
Hmm..Maybe some kind of pipe? I dunno, kinda awkward to do that. Pipe that bends? Nah..couldn't make one of those.
And so, the invention of the flexi-straw would have to wait..
Torgue wonders to himself. If only I had a helmet that held one...no, two tankards of beer on it, then a flexi-straw could bend to my mouth. Now...that would be an invention. If the whole gizmo was invisible, I could drink all day while at work. The meaning of life.
Chell sounds crackles some branches and gains the attention of a few people on the front porch, but they soon look away when they don't see anyone. "Must've been a rabbit or deer."
You manage to make your way back to chapterhouse without incident as Port Shaw awakens. The docks get busy and the sulfur smell of the volcano in the distance lingers in the air.
Father Zalen is busy with a morning service when you arrive.
We all need sleep...
Torgue plops down on a pew and hopes everyone will hurry up. He wants to get some of those fried eggs with hot pepper relish before he goes home and sleeps.
Astrianna pops back into sight once the danger has passed. She laughs merily. "That was exciting! Did you see how I fooled that manager? Can't even recognize her own boss... We should do this more often."
When they arrive at the chapterhouse she yawns loudly, but her intentions are clear. "I'm going to liquidate our profits for the night and make some purchases. I'll meet you all back at the Green Dragon in a bit."
She heads North to the Silk District, her first stop The Puffing Bear to pick up the cigars she promised Jaspar.
The disguise now off of her, Bri will sit down in a pew for the morning service. It seems the thing to do after finding evidence of the disappearances of some of the church's clergy.
Sorrin mentions getting back to The Dragon Tail, he'll sleep there. Needs to show his face and check in on Donovan, Jenkie and those who decided to stay on.
He'd stop to get food and bring some back to the ship.
Sorrin offers to walk with Astrianna.
Astrianna pops back into sight once the danger has passed. She laughs merily. "That was exciting! Did you see how I fooled that manager? Can't even recognize her own boss... We should do this more often."
Chell merely gives Astrianna a pained look as she heaves for breath after the heart-pounding journey here. She nearly collapses as soon as she gets to the chapterhouse. She didn't realize how tired she was until she got there. Even before Zalen can start asking what happened, she raises her hand. "Tomorrow. Please. Its been a looooong day...and night." If there is nothing pressing to attend to she takes one of the visitor beds and collapses.
Astrianna appreciates Sorrin's offer, and will take it. The man quickly finds himself carrying things.
1 Msw chain shirt
1 +2 chain shirt
1 msw Short Sword
1 msw studded leather
1 msw light crossbow
1 light crossbow
5 +1 crossbow bolt
5 +2 crossbow bolt
5 +1 flaming crossbow bolt
10 normal crossbow bolts
1 +1 punching dagger
1 +1 short sword
1 +1 keen greataxe
7 Small gems (opals and pearls)
1 Sapphire fake eye
1 Emerald brooch
3 Pearl necklaces
1 Thick gold bracelet
2 Scroll of purify food and drink
She will be purchasing:
2 bundles of 10 Tulita cigars (19gp)
2 scrolls of Heightened Awareness (Arcane) (lvl1) 50gp
2 scrolls of Expeditious Retreat (Arcane) (lvl1) 50gp
1 scroll of Air Bubble (Arcane) (lvl1 inspired by Chell) 25gp
1 scroll of Vocal Alteration (Bard) (lvl1) 25gp
1 vial of antitoxin (50gp)
Chell sleeps until well after noon but it is fitful at best. Nightmarish things flit the limit of her vision before, dissolving away. But, tired as she still was, she gets up and prepares for the day as usual. After getting dressed and prying to Quell she first finds Father Zalen to inform him of what happened all last night. She approaches him with the ring in hand and shows him the initials. "Found at Barret's along with the signet ring. Barret was working for the cult of the Kraken. I saw the mark on his chest. He was disposing of bodies for them using the smell of his still to cover the smell of acid," she says sounding rehearsed. "Unfortunately he and his assistant died and he had no records on the what happened in there. We know where the priests ended up but not why or how. I'm sorry." She hangs her head, obviously disappointed she had nothing more to add.
She will be purchasing:
2 bundles of 10 Tulita cigars (19gp)
2 scrolls of Heightened Awareness (Arcane) (lvl1) 50gp
2 scrolls of Expeditious Retreat (Arcane) (lvl1) 50gp
1 scroll of Air Bubble (Arcane) (lvl1 inspired by Chell) 25gp
1 scroll of Vocal Alteration (Bard) (lvl1) 25gp1 vial of antitoxin (50gp)
"You have nothing to be ashamed of, you are pursing the truth and have accomplished much in a short time. I'm quite certain that the Kraken has spies among the people of Port Shaw. I've heard whispers of the secret Ring of the Kraken, but have not yet obtained much evidence. Your findings have proven to contain valuable insights confirming some of what I've feared. I've suspected Barrett was tied into the Ring." He touches Chell's shoulders ease her nerves. "I will keep my eyes and ears open, you and your friends should lay low for a few days, Barrett's sudden disappearance will not go unnoticed." He looks at her with calming blue eyes, "You can not get to the end in a day's time, we need more allies and we need to have some patience."
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Sorrin mentions discretion to the others.
He spends his time tracking down Roland, Donovan and Jenkie. Hopefully, the elves and Tulita are at the Dragon's Tail as he's getting some sleep and can help him.
The rest of the group Torgue, Astrianna, Embrianna, Chell, Cireladwen... are all welcome to stay and join the conversation.
It's a modest get together, with food but no alcohol. Water, tea, coffee, juices, etc...
Talk is of a business endeavor. A place, labor distribution, materials, ovens, ingredients, skillsets, etc... Bakery, with small sized snacks and breads both sweet and savory. Minced meat, fish, seafood, seasonings, fruits, vegetables, etc...
Unassuming and not direct competition to anything around. Probably catering to working Tulita or the poor. The portions are small so as to be affordable. Tasty and healthy.
Sorrin's manner is casual yet confident. Down to earth, a man of the people. Respectful, but also light hearted and laughing at times.
When Sorrin arrives at the Dragon's Tail is met with Captain Donovan barking orders at the crew. Jenkie is walking among them, demonstrating and correcting them on knot skills and rope coiling. All in all Sorrin you see the crew has enlarged.
Tulitans 7
Elves 4
Humans 5
Half elves 2
Roland has the two more academic elves aside in the aft of the ship.
A big grin find its way from the man's heart to his face.
Permission to come aboard, Captain?!
Torgue follows along to the meeting but will swiftly be bored with plain old juice and tea. The coffee will be a welcome relief after such a long night of running around and fighting and he decides to spike the punch with rum so everyone can relax and enjoy themselves better.
When people do break for sleep, he heads back to his shack and plops down in bed after getting his armor off, it is a sure sign of fatigue that he doesn't even do some tinkering with Clarisse.
Sorrin observes Torgue spike the punch and doesn't stop him, but rather takes him aside. Torgue. Not everyone thrives under the influence like you do. Donovan, the captain is trying to kick the habit.
What you did is fine, he's got to be able to resist the temptation on his own. But, we can't keep putting it in his face or let him drink accidentally. I'd appreciate your help.
well I can teach him the art of mastering the rum. Boozes makes for a fine mistress but a bad wife, one has to know how to..whazzit..channel the buzz, make it work for you instead of working you.
Torgue, please respect my and Jenkie's wishes. The man is a Wave Rider, faced the Kraken and lost a dear friend. The buzz... nearly destroyed him. And he's trying to stay clean, sober. It's been days.
He's doing well. Don't mess it up.
Oh very well.
Thanks. And, nice work last night. Sorrin parts the man's shoulder.
"You have nothing to be ashamed of, you are pursing the truth and have accomplished much in a short time. I'm quite certain that the Kraken has spies among the people of Port Shaw. I've heard whispers of the secret Ring of the Kraken, but have not yet obtained much evidence. Your findings have proven to contain valuable insights confirming some of what I've feared. I've suspected Barrett was tied into the Ring." He touches Chell's shoulders ease her nerves. "I will keep my eyes and ears open, you and your friends should lay low for a few days, Barrett's sudden disappearance will not go unnoticed." He looks at her with calming blue eyes, "You can not get to the end in a day's time, we need more allies and we need to have some patience."
"Thankfully we will be out of town tomorrow," says with a sniffle and a strained laugh. "We have our work cut out for us in this place don't we?" She smiles at him. A small smile of real happiness. Without warning she pulls the older man into a hug. She doesn't stay that way for long. Didn't want things to get awkward. She backs away from the innocent moment and swings her arms a little nervously. "Really poor timing I know but...would you...would you tell me about the Wave Riders? And who is still around. If we are going to stop the Kraken I should probably know as much as I can." She tries to keep her face neutral but knows also that this will be a sensitive subject.
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Astrianna goes to the Puffing Bear and orders two boxes of Tulitian cigars. One she puts in her haversack, the other she requests be sent to Jaspar at Jaspar Jak's later in the day, with a note attached. The half-elf writes out a message for him in precise, blocky dwarven script. It had been a while since she had practiced her runes, and took the opportunity.
As promised, in appreciation for the mithral breastplate.
If you ever need a favor, you have more than one on the house.
To a long and profitable friendship.
Astrianna Sparacello
She signs her name in Common at the bottom, waits for the ink to dry, and folds it. Always be good to your smith. It can save your life. The bard puts down a gold for the delivery, and exits the shop to head over to Jaspar's and the jewelers to sell off their acquired weapons, armor, and shinies.
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Astrianna politely declines Sorrin's invitation for tea, but wishes his meeting goes well. I don't want any stock in his business. It will inevitably burn to the ground when he refuses to pay protection fees from someone.
Instead she makes a stop at the Quell Chapterhouse, and asks if Father Zalen can deliver a letter to the Commandant for her. She takes out some paper and pens the Commandant a note.
Commandant,
I hope this letter finds you well and your post-Gullet business was concluded with grace.
Garreg has been removed from Shaw. During his interrogation under truth magic I extracted the names of Dragoons moonlighting for him, and present them to you to use as you will.
[List of Dragoon names]
They are probably looking for work right now.
We have secured a lead on the Thief and will pursue him after we take care of a missing persons "request" from Hargrove.
Sincerely,
The Songbird
Astrianna knows that the secretive manner of her letter and using a code name is just for show, but the correspondence amuses her and she's tired. She briefly considers mentioning Barret has vanished, but shrugs. I wish he hadn't plunged off that catwalk. The destabilization in the criminal world is going to cause problems for everyone. Ah well. Why do anything to implicate us? Hot wax is poured on the letter and she seals it with her her personal House Sparacello signet ring.
She hands Zalen the letter and thanks him for all he's done for the group. "The business with the cult weighs heavily on Chell. I'll keep an eye on her and ensure she keeps her head. The priestess has a soft and pure heart, and is not yet suited to some of the horrible realities life throws in our way. Unfortunately for her our line of work more often than not goes looking for those realities. I hope only her exterior hardens after it is all done."
Astrianna rubs her eyes and sighs. "We should have a chat sometime, Father, I feel there is a great deal to be learned about the Razor, Quell, and the past that I do not know. But for now I need to sleep."
The bard heads for the Green Dragon, tossing a platinum piece in the collection box on her way out.
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Arriving at the Inn, she makes a sweep of the common area to look for Xander. If he is not immediately present, she'll ask the barkeep if they have seen him.
If the wizard has disappeared, she heads up to her room, takes off her armor and collapses in bed.
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Torgue follows along to the meeting but will swiftly be bored with plain old juice and tea. The coffee will be a welcome relief after such a long night of running around and fighting and he decides to spike the punch with rum so everyone can relax and enjoy themselves better.
When people do break for sleep, he heads back to his shack and plops down in bed after getting his armor off, it is a sure sign of fatigue that he doesn't even do some tinkering with Clarisse.
Torgue contemplates the puzzle. Now how do I perfect the invisible beer canteen, so I can drink on the job? Oh wait! I'm one of the bosses here, I CAN drink on the job! But wait a sec Sorrin has rules about drinking, I need to prefect the invisible canteen filled with beer or my beer helmet idea.
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Chell's hug throws Father Trafalgar, it checks him off guard for a moment. Regaining his composure he embraces the Priestess and offers a soothing shoulder. "The spider spins a complex web and I fear Port Shaw is series of entangled webs."
"As far as Wave Riders. Razor Coast was not always submerged in scum and villainy. Once, proud heroes walked the piers and sailed the bloody waters with steel and spell prepared against the dark. The Wave Riders were such a band of brave adventurers and renowned heroes, who faced death without question or pause and looked evil dead in the eye with nary a blink. Five years ago, the Wave Riders planned to ambush the Kraken and rid the shipping lanes of this fiendish terror once and for all."
"Masquerading their ship, the Trident, as a cargo freighter laden down with gold, they sailed forth to battle the Demon Below. I believe there plans were divulged and the Kraken was warned. Warned of the intricacies of their strategy, Harthagoa brought a legion of bloodthirsty sahuagin warriors and ambushed the Wave Riders. In the resultant massacre, many of the heroes fed the Kraken, while others met brutal deaths between the sahuagin’s flesh shearing teeth." He pauses to regain control of his voice.
"My father, Solomon Trafalgar, a paladin of Quell and the heart and soul of the Wave Riders, fell in the massacre, crushed to death by Harthagoa. The Kraken dragged Trafalgar’s body to his deep demesne as a grisly trophy. The surviving heroes, viewing the defeat of their steadfast leader, fled in disgrace. Since this demoralizing defeat, none have dared face the Demon Below. Nowadays, the only precautions available to a captain who braves the sea are prayers to Quell. Most ensure their affairs are in order before they set sail."
His voice is but a whisper now, "So who is around still? I hear Jalia Ramires, but haven't seen her she once loved my father. Then there is Capt Donovan, he was Captain of the Trident and you know what happened to him."
"There is Belok Talorg, who once embraced his god’s teachings as firmly as he embraces his opponents in the ring at The Broken Skull. The half-orc was a mighty holy warrior and a feared priest of the God of Strength and Battle, who slew all manner of towering, terrifying beasts. Now he beats up people for money at a tavern in Bawd district. Sadly he is not even the champion of the Skull’s ring any longer, as a wandering monk put him down firmly the last two times they clashed."
"They once heralded Xander Brim as the “Archmage of the Razor Coast.” He provided the arcane punch behind the Wave Riders, and his services as ship’s wizard were sought by every sea captain to sail the Razor. The defeat of the Riders bore down hard on Brim. The wizard never failed to bail his companions out of danger before, and the citizens of Port Shaw blamed the death of his compatriots beneath Harthagoa’s tentacles on Brim. He's had a rough spot of it. I heard he charges per spell rates now even in the face of death. No-freebee Brim, so I've been told."
"Commander Aeron Chambers, now Sorcerer Supreme of the Dragoons, is the only one who made good and stayed out of trouble."
Chell gives Zalen her upmost attention and makes a note of all the names. Ramirez, Talorg, Donovan, Brim, Chambers. She only knew of Donovan and Chambers and Torgue might know Talorg since he was a Broken Skull fighter. She would have to meet with them at some point and ask them if they knew anything. Maybe some of them still tried to hamper Harthagoa's movements. It didn't sound likely but at least she had some names. The fact that they were found out before they got to the Kraken was news to her. Was it foul play? A traitor? She would have to be careful who she spoke to and what she said. Maybe she should talk to Astrianna first.
"Know it can't be easy to talk about so thank you. I am sure Archibald Noeliss would be proud you took over as head of this chapterhouse." After the chat she does her shopping, deciding to hold off on any major purchases for now and turns in early at the Green Dragon. Her discoveries could wait until tomorrow.
After attending the mornings mass, Bri returns to the Green Dragon for a two hour nap and changing into her nicer set of traveling clothes for a walk about the town. Though first, she will stop in the dining room of the Inn for a quick bite to eat.
After attending the mornings mass, Bri returns to the Green Dragon for a two hour nap and changing into her nicer set of traveling clothes for a walk about the town. Though first, she will stop in the dining room of the Inn for a quick bite to eat.
Torgue suddenly bolts upright in bed, visions of invisible canteens in his head. Yes! An invisible canteen! He hurriedly gets dressed and scribbles some things down on paper. Make it so the owner can still see the canteen, yea! That way you always know where it is and how full it is. He then rushes out to the magic shop to commission it. Drink Torgue's homebrew in his magic invisible canteen! It will be a hit!
Astri scampers into the tail end of a meeting with between Chell and Zalen, obvious that a conversation was taking place, when she holds out a note that she wants delivered. Zalen smiles and takes the note, "I'll have my acolyte delver this to the fort this afternoon." He uses this interruption to say his goodbyes feeling that he has spoken too much already.
Bri when you arrive at the Green Dragon an older sagely man sits down with you. He is wearing shambled patch-worked clothing trousers that are tan-grey, cloak of patched grey and sea-blue. His left side of his face is puffy, yellow-brown in color, the clear signs that he defended with his face. He carries a small sack that looks dirty and worse to wear, he has only a rusty hilt dagger on his belt. He joins you at your table. He sits down with a few pieces of parchment that he places ink side down. "Care to buy an old man a brandy and some eggs?" He has a warm smile. "My name's Xander Brim, and you are the morning sunshine." He grins widely.
Astrianna thanks Zalen for his help and notices he isn't in much of a mood to speak. She nods and says her goodbyes as well. "I'm going to head to the Green Dragon and get some sleep, Chell. Apparently Sorrin is having a tea party business meeting or... whatever it is he does... at the Dragon's Tail." She would make her way to the Green Dragon unless the priestess wishes to talk.
Astrianna exits the chapterhouse, tossing a platinum piece in the collection box as she goes. Tilting her hat down to cut down the brightness of the mid-morning sun, she comments to the priestess- "Something on your mind? You've got a far-off look. I've seen that look many times after performances, especially plays. People's minds can easily be transported to another time or place through the power of story."