Uriah signs on to travel via ship. In the meantime he pens a letter to an innkeep he knows in a small town along the Iron Route. In his letter he asks for the Innkeep to keep an eye out for this "Gilfron Milron" and send word back to Uriah here in Phlan if the man is sighted.
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Ander asks around and is able to find a ship heading to Zhentil Keep. The captain tells you that he is happy to have some strong hands on deck for the trip, he will skirt the bay but he can stop shortly and have his boys take you ashore via a dinghy.
The trip is uncomfortable for those not used to the seas, after a good four hours through some choppy waters, Balyzar catches sight of a small campfire through the sheets of rain. The captain estimates that you are a little more than halfway there.
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Although Eilren is mildly uncomfortable with this waterborne journey he doggedly hangs off the rail alternately watching the horizon and the rainwater run off the sails and drain out the scuppers. But the warlock is accustomed to waiting in the rain and keeps a quiet vigil until they sight the campfire.
Indeed a campfire at noon seems unusual, "Someone wanting to be found..." he muses. He watches his companions to see how they react at this sighting- who will take the lead?
"Well, we are here to investigate, and we're not even sure if this village is the right location. Our plan is an educated guess at best."
The rain definitely puts a damper on Uriah's spirits. He spends his time looking appropriately mournful and frowning at the rain.
There are NO good songs about rain. None. Let's go ashore at a drier time.
There are NO good songs about rain. None. Let's go ashore at a drier time.
Sizzle cocks his head, and the voice of an old man exits from it. "Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards."
There are NO good songs about rain. None.
"Well, you don't have to sing about the rain," Ander advises. "You could just enjoy singing in the rain. I'm sure it would be a glorious feeling; perhaps then you'd be happy again?"
Turning to the rest of the group, Ander says, "That campfire seems suspicious, and suspicious is what we're after. Captain, could I persuade you to stop a few minutes? If it takes very long, I can arrange fair compensation."
Ugh. Ander. Why do I let you drag me into these situations? I was dry and happy. Well, I was dry anyways. Now instead of being dry and miserable, I'll be wet and miserable. Thanks. Uriah grumps, and then like the first rate actor that he is, he turns his charm on the Captain.
Good sir! I know that we have taken your precious time. I know a man of your stature has precious little time to waste. However, my friends and I would very much like to investigate that campfire.
"I'm sure we can work something out that would be mutually beneficial to everyone, and we're looking for things that stand out....this would be one of those things."
"Assuming that you were ameniable, I would be willing to buy your vessel a few casks of rum, which should hopefully more than make up for the inconvenience."
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The captain grumbles looking reluctant, "I've got me a hold full of goods that will do no good if it doesn't make it to the docks at Zhentil Keep before the morn."
He holds out for a few seconds, "Gah! I'll send me boys to take you. If'n yer not back at the dinghy by the time a quarter watch has past, yer being left behind!"
At a shout, a few of his crew spring into action, lowering a dinghy and a pair of rowers and helping the lot of you aboard the rowboat.
It takes a few minutes to get ashore, but the choppy sea ensures that you all are soaked to the bone, as if the rains were not doing a good enough job of that.
--
The pair of crewmen, look out from their foul-weather gear at you all and give you a 'thumbs-up', then begin bailing water from the boat.
You make your way to the campfire and find the source to be a small campfire, tended by a young boy sitting at a broken-down wagon. An older man in merchant's clothing digs in the mud behind the wagon, lamenting a broken axle.
When the boy at the fire looks up to see the lot of you approach, he calls out, "Pa!"
"Hullo there young man," says Eilren to the young boy, "A fire in the day time. Are you trying to be found by someone?"
"Well, that was bracing" Krissina calls over the rain as she extricates herself from the dinghy.
"Hail friends, we mean no harm here. We saw your fires and thought we would see if we could aid each other?"
She also peers over at the broken axle, a simple mending should be enough to fix it, if it's just snapped. Might have to lift up the wagon so do it doesn't set bent though, she glances at the muscle-structure of Ander and Draco - surely they should be able to lift it enough?
Uriah works on looking like the most handsome miserable person he possibly can...
"Hello, hello," Ander says cheerfully, smiling in spite of the rain. "Might we be of some assistance? We saw your fire from a distance and thought you might need help."
Ander then spies the man in merchant's clothing, and calls out, "Hail friend, is there something wrong with your wagon? My name is Ander Meliamne, and I'm a guild artisan in good standing; as a merchant yourself, we may have a connection. Can I ask your name?"
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The man's grim look seems to wash away with the rain as Ander speaks, "Thank the gods! Has the Alliance sent you to help? The name's Gil and this is my son, Gilmont. We certainly could use some help. The wagons, here, ran into a pothole. The rain had filled it up, so I missed it and it cracked our axle bad."
The merchant smiles at his son, a wide-toothed grin, "Gilly, carve up some of that duck we had." Then turning to the rest of you, "Let us have a noonday meal first, and warm yourself by the fire before we get to work."
There is a makeshift lean-to created from a canvas and a pair of tent-poles, granting a reprieve from the oppressive downpour.
Looking back to the ship, Shoun will say "As much as I would love to break bread with you, Merchant Gil, I believe that our ride will not wait, and I would prefer not to walk in the rain. Perhaps we should fix your axle and then if we have time eat afterwards?"
Shoun will then move to the axle and take a look at it.
"Shoun, I think I should be able to fix that with a simple spell, provided it's just snapped and not split"
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Gil shrugs, "Okay, I suppose, it's just back here."
As he leads you to the back of the wagon, you see that the rear axle has broken clean off the wagon itself. Someone will need to lift the back end (Strength check DC 15) to allow a makeshift repair.
However, Shoun's sharp skills uncover the split metal casing that allows Krissina to get under there with the mending spell and turn the makeshift into a more permanent solution.
The merchant, obviously impressed, comments, "Well, blessed are the gods! You have my eternal gratitude! Where are you headed in such a rush, if you were not sent to help us?"
"We're investigating rumors of a 'ghost ship'—most likely pirates or kobolds with scary costumes or something—hitting settlements along the coast recently. Heard anything about such a topic?"
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"Oh? I passed several of the raided villages and homes recently. Just two days prior, the ruin was smoldering still as we passed. I avoided going in, not knowing if the raiders were yet around," Gil looks sheepish, but clears his voice before continuing. "I passed that very village less than three months prior, and it was lovely and occupied. It was a very eerie feeling!"
"The only sign of civilization, that we have seen in days, was the island ferry back by Stormy Bay. The fisher folk have always been strange and isolated types that do not socialize with outsiders much, but I spoke with the boatman," the merchant grins with a bit of smugness despite the rain, "I managed to loosen his lips with a hammer and some nails, as I noticed his disheveled boat."
Taking a breath, he continues again, "The boatman seemed to be more concerned at the weather than any rumors of walking dead dragon haunting the area! Though, I guess it makes sense. Storms come in off the sea is pretty common, undead dragons are not. When I inquired why he would scare my boy by bringing up undead dragons, the man just gave me this queer stare and that strange boatman mentioned a rash of those 'addle-brained fools' of late, spouting that kind of nonsense. He went on to even share that one of those poor souls was being sheltered at his own village! Apparently, he had wandered to the ferry stop two days prior, babbling something about eyes of the dracolich or some nonsense. The boatman seemed to think that the vagrant was clearly weak and confused..."
"Anyway, I have rambled long enough..."
"Everyone is crazy around here," mutters Eilren. "Let's find this boatman then." he says and looks wistfully back to the dinghy and waiting ship beyond
Uriah finds the merchant in a quiet moment, probably while the party is fixing his broken cart.
Gil was it. Is that short for Gilfron? I knew a man named Gilfron once, splendid fellow. Helped me with some mutual acquaintances we both had. A dwarf, dour guy no rhythm, by the name of Whitebeard.
Seeing that the man is dense, Uriah says Yes, we both represent a certain Union of Aristocrats . I myself might be affiliated with such an Organization.
Shoun struggles, but can't seem to get the leverage he needs, even with the assistance.
Uriah sighs, and gives a word of inspiration to his allies.
Ander stifles a chuckle, then nods to Uriah (whose magical capabilities he's familiar with) before giving it a try himself:
Even Dirty from the mud, Shoun cuts an impressive figure. Standing, he begins to wipe the mud from his hands and says "Well, it looks like your axle is repaired, but we shouldn't tarry. Thank you for your offer of hospitality, however."
As she climbs out from beneath the cart, Krissina turns up her nose at the mud now coating her clothing. Trying to clean it seems pointless in this weather though.
"We should be heading back, our transport won't wait for much longer."
Uriah gives a small bow to the itinerant merchant and heads for the boat.
I know I packed some extra clothing...
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Gilly, the younger, comes running up with a wrapped lunch of roast duck, bread, and cheese as you leave. "Thank you, sirs and lady!" he says with a gap-toothed grin!
You head back to the dinghy, to see the two oarsmen looking nervously back at the ship and then again in your direction. The visibly let out a sigh of relief as they see you approach, and you can see the signalling light flashing from the ship. It appears that your time is up!
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As you are being rowed back to the ship, one of the oarsmen, Hollis you think his name was, asks, "Did you find what you were looking for?"
"Eh, not exactly, but being able to rule something out has value of its own. Thanks for the help, friends. If you ever need new oars or other wooden supplies, hit me up and I'll cut you a deal, alright?"
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The other oarsman nods in appreciation, while Hollis chuckles, "I knew there was a reason that I liked you, Ander!"
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The captain decides that with the weather acting as it is, the safest for the crew would be to send you ashore about a half-watch (30 minutes) from the channel. Hollis and his pal row you ashore, setting up on a rocky shore.
"Tymora smile on you all!" Hollis calls as they row back out to the ship.
You find your way onto the Iron Route, and within ten or so minutes, you hear a high pitched yipping. The nearby brush rustles and a wolf pup runs into the road a mere ten feet before you! A mere heartbeat later, it is followed by a second pup that emerges and tackles the first!
It is only a moment before you hear the deep and loud growl of warning coming from behind you...
A larger wolf than you have ever seen stands at the ready to attack!