Grateful for the good news, Skaar considers the gnome's offer. "Can you transport us there or will he be coming to get us?"
"He has two spells prepared, so he'll come get us when you're ready. There'll be a fee, though - an autograph and anything you'd like to share about your unique magical style. Sound fair?"
"I can do that", Skaar answers. "But I'll need a bit more time. I've got some last minute business to take care of. I'll be in touch."
With his prize in hand, Skaar heads for the docks where the Wormwood is secured.
"Fair enough," Miet smiles. "I'll be at the Drunken Dragon Inn when you're ready."
When you return to the Wormwood, it's immediately apparent that Harrigan is still in the foulest of moods. Half the crew is busily swabbing the decks, the rest are presumably doing sweatwork in the bilges. Harrigan and Scourge are prowling the decks screaming at anyone who so much as pauses to wipe sweat from his brow. On the bright side, nobody's noticed you yet, although that will likely change when Harrigan comes around to make another pass.
As Skaar approaches the ship and it's oppressed crew he crafts a few charms. One alters his form, increasing his density. The other thickens his already tough hide and has the added side effect of turning the thick hair sprinkled across his muscular torso into a literal carpet of virility. He touches the key dangling midway down his bulging pectorals and starts up the gangplank.
"Captain Harrigan, show yourself. We've got unfinished business", the big orc bellows.
At your bellow, the entire crew freezes in shock and horror. Harrigan wheels around and gives you a death stare. From his stance, it's apparent that he's been drinking. "You gotta lotta nerve comin' back here, ya little punk! Embarassin' me like that! You outtta be ashamed o' yourself! I ain't never lettin' you go, now! Now gimme my key!" You see Fishguts, Grok, and Rosie poking their heads up from the hatch to the bilges. They look exhausted but are shaking their heads at you vigorously in warning.
"The key belongs with me. It'll never be yours anymore than the crew you press ganged could be yours", Skaar answers as he moves closer, making eye contact with Grok, Rosie, and the others.
He touches the key again.
"But you didn't listen when I warned you. I told you if you tried to steal from me you'd regret it, so here I am. I'm only gunna say this once: Release any man or woman that wants to leave from your service. Now."
Harrigan matches you, pace for pace, until he's nose-to-nose with you. Although his breath smells heavily of rum, his eyes are stone cold sober. "This is MY crew. You don't get a say. Now get the hell offa my ship afore I throw you off."
"Not if I throw you off first!" Skaar roars as he lunges for the pirate captain.
You wrap Harrigan in a strong bear hug, and he roars in rage. He's almost as strong as you are, and if he'd been sober, he'd have shaken you off in seconds. Instead, you're barely able to keep control of him.
Despite his opponent's bucking, Skaar keeps a tight hold on him and slowly transitions him from a tight bearhug to an overhead press. The big orc's muscles bulge and scream with the effort as he roars a second time and hurls Harrigan overhead like a drunken sack of grain.
With a roar, you hurl Harrigan off the Wormwood and into the water. The ship falls silent, as the crew stares at you in shock and awe. In the water, Harrigan sputters and begins to swim back to the gangplank, cursing up a storm the entire way.
Skaar flexes for added effect.
"I just showed you he's a man, just like any of you but now you've gotta do the rest and take back your lives. Men like Harrigan's are cowards who know that the only way they can stay on top is by holdin' everyone else back. He'll never let you out from under his boot heels. The only way forward is away from him and the Wormwood", the big orc shouts to the crew.
"Stand up and fight for your freedom crew of the Wormwood! Choose a better future for yourselves. Choose your own path!"
The crew reacts with a mix of emotions. Some cheer, some look fearful, some look confused. Suddenly, you hear a pair of sharp clicks behind you. Captain Harrigan has regained the gangplank and is pointing a strange wand-like object at you. It has a pair of triggers like a hand crossbow, but they're connected to two metal tubes, and you don't see any ammunition. The enraged captain mutters under his breath and pulls out a tindertwig.
Skaar charges forward and snatches the strange weapon from Harrigan's grasp. "It's over! Take whatever's left of your fool's pride and step aside."
Harrigan gives you the blackest of looks but eventually backs down. As he stomps back down the gangplank and into the nearest tavern, he mutters, "This isn't over...."
”If you’ve got any sense, it will be”, Skaar warns before gesturing to the crew again and making his way off the Wormwood.
You're able to sell Harrigan's strange weapon for 1,025gp. That's quite a lot of money for something that didn't seem to do anything and seemed entirely nonmagical. Maybe it's a collectible item. Returning to the Wormwood, your friends (and quite a few other sailors) have decided to take advantage of the opportunity they've been given. Fishguts and Grok are planning to find work at a tavern to raise enough money to open their own restaurant. Crimson Cogward's following your example and is going to enter the next gladiator tourney. The endless combats should ease his troubled mind - one way or the other. Rosie's not sure what she wants to do, but anything's better than staying where she is. As for Syl, she doesn't want to leave your side.
Skaar beams with pride at the crew that accepted his lifeline away from Captain Harrigan even as he laments those without them he strength to take a leap of faith. He doesn’t waste overmuch time pondering the surprising value of Harrigan’s mystery weapon. He knew mortals often put value in the strangest things and splits the sizable sum among the crew almost evenly with Grok and Fishguts getting a little extra.
”I won’t be forgettin’ our nights together any time soon but this should give you a good start on your tavern”, the big orc says as he grins and hands the hefty sack of coins to Grok. ”You take good care of yourself and Fishguts too. I expect a feast next time I’m in Kaer Maga and no skimpin’ on the meat!” he adds with a raucous laugh.
The Unfailing Pillar gives Cogward his blessing as well. ”I can’t say I understand it but it’s important you never stop doin’ what you think is right. Next time I’m in town I’d better hear about all the asses you kicked, you got it?”
”If Kaer Maga’s got nothin’ for you, why not travel. With that coin you should be able to afford passage just ‘bout anywhere. Kyonin’s nice this time”, he suggests for Rosie. ”Just promise me you won’t get stuck in a rut. There’s nothin’ worse than a pretty talented thing like yourself wastin’ her potential. That sod Harrigan’s wasted enough of your time.”
Skaar saves Syl for last. ”You’re welcome to follow me for as long as it takes”, he offers her with a knowing look. ”But it won’t be easy.”
Your friends are grateful for the advice, and the coin. Fishguts and Grok, in particular, seem close to tears. They suggest you leave Kaer Maga, though, as Harrigan is known to hold a grudge as has many contacts in the area. Syl doesn't respond to your words but continues to follow you as you head to Downmarket. Your piece of property is very nice, and while it's currently unfurnished, you can see the potential.
Skaar grins as he examines the property. It was without furnishings but in the Unfailing Pillar's eyes it was full of possibilities. Perhaps someday soon this place will be my temple, he thinks.
Taking the advice of his friends to heart, Skaar locks up and leaves for Druken Dragon with Syl in tow. "Have you ever been to Nex?" he asks the often wordless girl. "It can pretty impressive."
"We don't know what this is ... is it another ship? ..."
True to his word, Miet is relaxing at the Drunken Dragon. "Ah, there you are. And you've brought a friend! Did you get everything done that you needed to?"
”Not a ship. It’s a city like Kaer Maga. You’ve been to other cities before, I’m sure of that. Do you remember their names?”
Arriving at the Drunken Dragon, Skaar greets the gnome with a hearty handshake.
”Everything’s in order”, the big orc rumbles. ”And this is Syl. She was pressed into service with Harrigan like most of his crew but she’s with me now. Syl, this is Miet. I don’t know if you were able to come that day but we fought in the arena. He specializes in illusion magic. He's got a buddy that's gunna help us get to Nex.”
"Katapesh ... the Sprawl ... Not going back ..."
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Miet gives Syl an elaborate bow in greeting. "It's a pleasure to meet you, milady. You're in for a treat! It's not every day you get magic transport, after all." Syl stays behind you, fingering a dagger, and says nothing. Miet frowns, "Quiet one, isn't she?"
"She's got some demons", Skaar explains. "But she's got a bold spirit."
"So tell me about this friend. What's he do in the library? How much have you told him about me?"
"I honestly don't know. He has access, as he's taken me a couple times, but he's never told me how he's connected with the library. Given the nature of the materials inside, I'm not surprised. As for you, I haven't told him much. You're a highly-skilled gladiator with a unique type of magic. I haven't given him any specifics, but he'll probably ask."
"Well he can't be much worse than the captain of that ship I was stayin' on. Harrigan was the worst kinda pirate."
"Pirates generally are." Miet smiles. "Shall we be off?"
"Yeah", Skaar grunts. "Let's do it."
Miet beckons with his hand, and a hooded man emerges from a dark corner of the tavern. His long cloak makes it difficult to determine his race, but the extended hand is almost completely white. It's covered with tattoos, too, intricate scripting in a language you don't know. His voice is soft as he greets you. "Well met, sir. I've enjoyed hearing of your fighting prowess."
Skaar grips the mage's soft hand firmly. "Always happy to meet a fan", the big orc grunts.
"This is Syl. She's a friend and she'll be comin' with us. I'd be happy to tell you all about my battles in Kaer Maga's arena over a pint of Nexian brandy. You lot still brew that stuff right?"
"Any friend of yours is a friend of mine, although she won't be able to enter the Library with us. It took some doing just getting you access, so I hope you understand. I'll be happy to share a drink with you once we arrive, although my tastes are a bit more ... refined ... for Nexian spirits."
"Whatever's good for you", Skaar chuckles before extending his meaty hand to Syl. "You ready?"
The four of you move to a secluded spot and join hands. A moment later, you're standing on a beautifully-tiled floor in an otherwise-empty room. "Welcome to the Arcanimirium," smiles Miet.
"It's been a long time", Skaar rumbles while examining the surroundings. "How long exactly is still unclear..."
"Thanks for the ride. Why don't we find someplace to get a drink. I'll tell you about my bouts and then we'll figure out how we can help each other out."
"What should I call you?" Skaar asks.
"I know a good place on Warlocks Walk with a good view of the fountains. Good selection of drinks, too. As for my name? Just call me 'Riddler.'"
You're led through down various hallways to the exit. From what you're able to discern, the Arcanimirium's expanded a fair bit since you were last there. Leaving the building, however, you notice two unusual things. First, the city is just as diverse as you remember, but you don't see much expansion. The number of buildings and population density seems unchanged from when you were last here. Second, the sunlight seems slightly "off" - as if it's being filtered through something. Looking up, you see a transparent dome that appears to encompass the entire city.
"Riddler, eh? Shouldn't be hard to remember that. I'm sure Miet already told you but I'm Skaar."
Skaar stares up in confusion. "What magic is that? I don't think I've seen it before."
Riddler and Miet chuckle. "I thought you said you'd been here before. It's just the dome. Been here for centuries. Did you never study history?"
"In a way", Skaar answers cryptically.
"The dome, eh? Is it for keepin' things out or keepin' 'em in?"
"Well, considering how dangerous the wastes are, what do you think?"
"Right... the wastes..."
"Is that the Warlock's Walk?"
"Why, yes, here we are!" You follow the pair to a tiled courtyard highlighted with an enormous fountain. The waters leap and swirl in intricate designs and seem to be almost alive. There are benches to sit and observe, and the entire area has a calming atmosphere. Around the periphery of Warlock's Walk are numerous buildings - mostly food and drinking establishments. The one you're heading toward is named "The Mystic Elixer", and the sign over the door depicts a man drinking from a glowing chalice.
Skaar watches the intricate dancing water with amusement. He'd seen similar grand usage of magic in the ancient elven palaces long ago. The construction in Warlock's Walk was all new to him but the Unfailing Pilar recognized the general area.
"I don't think I've ever enjoyed a drink here. What do you recommend?" Skaar asks as the group enters the Elixir.
"I'd actually recommend the Zombie Head Brew. It's imported from Geb and does wonders to put hair on your chest."
Skaar roars with laughter. "I'll be havin' one of those then. Strange name though."
When your brew comes, the reason for the name is readily apparent. The alcohol is the color of rotting flesh, but the head is pink. Combined with the elaborately-designed glass mug, it's the perfect representation of an undead with an exposed brain.
THIS, basically.
There's quite a bit of alcohol in the drink, but it tastes quite good.
"...and he jumps off the wall and pounces on me like some kinda big cat with his sword. I swear the damned this went halfway into my shoulder before I could throw the bastard off", Skaar explains while showing the faint scar where the elf's sword had wounded him. "The whole thing left him off balance. I was bleedin' like a stuck pig but I moved in and laid into him."
Riddler doesn't say much about himself while you enjoy your drinks, but you're able to deduce a few things of interest. For one, he keeps the cloak wrapped around him with the hood up, but you're able to see occasional glimpses of skin as he drinks and moves around. Every inch is covered with tattoos - the same mysterious writing. Even his face, from what you can tell bears them. You're also able to figure out that he's at Scrivenbough a lot and rarely gets time off. The past few days have been his first vacation in over a year. He seems to enjoy his work, though.
Your battle stories are appreciated by both him and Miet, and if you embellish them a little for dramatic effect, they don't seem to mind.