Ginny shrugs slightly. "The Witchbreakers took him. By now they've probably had their 'trial' and exiled him like they've done everybody else who won't go along with their laws."
Dang it! That guy owes us a drink. Now I guess we have to get him un-exiled! Kit says angrily.
"It is interesting that you were specific that they abhor 'arcane' magic. How do they tell the difference?"
Dakkar contemplated for a moment.
"...That's likely to be a problem of some sort, isn't it? I mean, if nothing else, being more dragon than not I am traditionally obligated to kill and or eat anyone who tries to take my things."
"It is interesting that you were specific that they abhor 'arcane' magic. How do they tell the difference?"
Ginny shrugs again. "Do I look like a Witchbreaker? For all I know they just pick people they don't like and claim they're wizards. They search anyone coming off the docks, and if you resist--like your friend did--they haul you off to jail, have a 'trial', and ship you out. Without your stuff."
Dakkar contemplated for a moment.
"...That's likely to be a problem of some sort, isn't it? I mean, if nothing else, being more dragon than not I am traditionally obligated to kill and or eat anyone who tries to take my things."
Ginny chuckles, then her smile fades. "You're not serious, right?"
Dang it! That guy owes us a drink. Now I guess we have to get him un-exiled! Kit says angrily.
"I'd like to help with that." She raise a hand a if to ward off questions. "I know, I know, seems hard to believe, but he helped me fight off a pair of kelpies that attacked my ship... and to be honest, these Witchbreakers don't sit right with me."
"Not sure where they've been shipping exiles to recently, though. For now, it's probably best if you leave your magic stuff on my boat when we get to the dock. I'll stay moored there until you come back to pick it up."
"As bad of an idea as that sounds, I do not carry much in the way of magic that I couldn't do without. Some of you others though."
Kit will begrudgingly give up his weapons when everyone else has.
I feel so naked without my axe! he says.
Dakkar sratched his chin in thought for a slightly drawn out moment.
"...Eh, I suppose I'm not too serious this time. You're asking nicely and making a decent offer and all. Though I wonder what these folks are even really thinking. Sure, misuse of magic can cause stupendous amounts of damage, but so can a lot of other things. Just another tool. And it's not like the enchanted items have anything really to do with the idiot archmages who explode continents. Whatever, I don't mind the wastes."
His eyes narrowed slightly ominously afterward though.
"That said, if you sail away with my stuff, I will hunt it back down."
Ginny leads the way to her ship. "Just put them right here," she says, lifting one of the benches in it after giving a quick look to make sure no one else is watching.
She points over to a few weapons stacked near what seems to be the steering. "I've a few mundane spares, if you want something."
The crossing goes uneventfully, and soon enough you arrive at the docks of the Veleate. They're actually rather busy, though a number of the boats look like local fishing boats. Ginny points out a spot at the end of the dock where a long line moves slowly past a pair of men in bronze-and-silver-dyed uniforms.
"There's the checkpoint. You'll have to get looked over there before they'll let you into town. Good luck! I'll stay here until you get back."
Kit looks longingly at where his weapons are hidden and with a sigh, gets in line.
Iskender drops his magic items into the pile. Once everyone's gear is place, Iskender will declare that he will cast a spell of protection over the gear. His spell will "call down the wrath of the Great Wyrm Catyrpelius upon any who dare to touch the items except their rightful owners."
..or we just feed them to Dakkar! Kit adds.
"Well she does seem like she is not overtly telling a fabrication. but i do not like giving up my divine magic...I don't suppose the rules for leaving magic outside the city would allow a humble servant Iomedae a few trinkets of divine inspiration?"
Ginny wishes you good luck as you get off the ship and into the line.
You slowly shuffle forward with the line, until you reach the pair of uniformed people. One chants and looks over you with glowing eyes while the other simply glowers.
After confirming that each of you is carrying no arcane magic, the chanting man proclaims, "You who are clean of the taint of witch magic, welcome to the True Veleate. See the bounty the Bountiful Morrow bestows upon those who eschew witchcraft."
"Now, I will mark you as clean. This mark will fade after a few days, or when you leave our blessed island. If you note the mark fading and are planning on staying for longer, see the Dockmaster to have your mark renewed."
Assuming none of you object, he then paints a rune on each of your foreheads, then you are free to continue on.
Past the checkpoint are several hanging cages, each holding captive some being or another, before the docks finally end and the town begins. Ginny gave you directions to an inn and tavern--the Three Sisters--but of course you are free to explore as you wish.
I'm assuming you all are just against witch magic and not against a good, stout ale! Where can we find that ale, a good meal and a somewhat clean bed? Kit asks as he gets marked.
Before Iskender accepts the rune, he studies the ones on the foreheads of others to understand what it represents...
It seems to be simply a divine mark.
Duration: Permanent!!!!
If an arcane mark is placed on a living being, the effect gradually fades in about a month.
Dakkar permits the marking to occur, while quietly thinking to himself that it seems suspicious. Probably a target or focus for some other spell or something.
Kit continues to look for the nearest tavern!
You follow the directions given earlier to the Three Sisters Tavern. It's a busy place, with a statue of three women holding tankards near the door. People of all descriptions come in and out.
Within you see much the same. Most of the tables are filled, though you can see a couple with open seats in the crowded common room. Two women rush from table to table, taking orders, bringing drinks and meals, and avoiding getting caught up in long conversations.
"I think it is wisest that we not over imbibe this time around."
One of the two women overhears Iskender. "Limit of two a night for outsiders!" she half-yells as she rushes past. "Find an open spot, one of us will get to you."
Two drink minimum? Are they expecting me to di of thirst? Kit grumbles as he makes his way to the nearest table. Looks like I am going to sip them slowly like a school marm at a wedding!
"The hardships of the lives we have been presented my friend."
Iskender moves inside, and will see about gathering information that might lead to clues on where and how to rescue old whatshisname.
Iskender is quickly able to learn that Khedri did come here--his appearance is rather unique--but was exiled to the Isle of Orange in the lake for the crime of possessing items of arcane magic.
Dakkar snorts sullenly at the news.
"Think that island is worth checking out? Well, unless we know of anywhere else here to go."
Sure! We could check it out. Not much here to do to have fun it seems! Kit grumbles.
You can learn that there's something on the island that glows orange--hence the name--and that ships headed to and from it are watched closely, to make sure no one's escaping.
Iskender queries the party, "Anyone have any ideas about that orange glow?"
"Reminds me of the glow we have seen from some parts of the gates!"
Do you think it might be a gate to home? I'm for trying! Do you think we can swim to it? Kit ponders.
"The odds of that taking us straight home seem almost astronomical, which still means better than zero!"
I assume we can't water walk or water breathe to the island without someone here getting their undies in a twist. See if we can get a boat if it is too far to swim! Kit says as he gently pushes the more charismatic Iskender to more people.
"Well, we've got a boat already, sort of."
Dakkar shrugs a bit.
"I can fly, but that depends on how far it is. Only have so much stamina. Does sound like where we want to go. Or, we could always get exiled on purpose, but that's a bit of a stretch."
"Right, probably better to go there of our own accord."
Iskender pays the group's bill, and we head back to the boat to plan an assault on the orange glowing prison island with the teleport gate.