The party spends more time at Asvig's farm snapping necks until you eventually hear a large contingent of Ulfen warriors heading your way. Realizing that these reinforcements sound even greater in number than the ones you've already fought, the party decides to escape back to town before being overrun.
When you return to your accommodations at the inn, however, you quickly discover that your rooms have been broken into and ransacked while you were out. Nothing seems to have been taken, but they were thoroughly searched and are in complete disarray.
As you are taking in this scene, a woman with long brown hair and looking as if she would fit in more sleeping under the stars comes down the hallway. She looks around and takes in the scene, also clearly looking out for eavesdroppers. "I heard there was some tussle out at Asvig's farm. Let's go inside and have a quiet word, if you don't mind."
She lets herself into one of your rooms and closes the door behind you after everyone is assembled. "You don't know me, not yet. I'm Uksahkka, a guide and tracker of this area. I'm going to assume that business out at Asvig's was your doing. I've got no complaint, but I need to know if you found something. . . someone really. My business partner Ulf Gormundr, the best guide this side of the Crown, has gone missing and I'm afraid harm might have come his way and I've reason to suspect Asvig in all this mess."
"Ulf has burned a few too many bridges in his past, especially with the local players, by not conforming to their ideas of 'exclusive' employment. Most guides are retained by different merchant guilds, but Ulf has remained a free agent for many years now. Well, he was hired by Asvig Longthews to develop a new trade route through the Grungir Forest. Ulf went out there a week ago and hasn't come back. I went out to Asvig's farm the other day and the bastard claimed Ulf had never shown up. His men threw me off the land."
"But it sounds like things have changed. It's already spreading that Asvig is out of the picture and his most loyal men have fallen. I'm guessing that was by your hands too. So, did you happen to find my partner? And can you help me find him if you didn't? He'll be forever in your debt if you can him-and myself-out of this mess."
"How does this pertain to you? What is the nature of your partnership? Are you also a 'free agent', and are you in some kind of danger?" Terflynn asks in his practiced hushed tones. Maxwell croaks under his robes.
"A free agent? You might say that. We were adventuring partners, although Ulf fell into the leadership position better than I did. As to any danger I might be in? Perhaps. Although it sounds like you folks might have taken care of that for me."
Miso studies the room intently as Uksahkka enters the room.
Then he turns to the woman, listening as she and Terflynn talk, his eyes never leaving the woman's as he studies the truth of her words.
We saw none but those who bore these, the monk says at last, showing her the armband. If your partner did not carry one, he was not present at the Asvig homestead. He looks at the armband for a moment, then back at Uksahkka. Only ghosts dwell there now.
Uksahka studies the armband momentarily and responds, "Yes, those are worn by Asvig's men. If Ulf was not there on the farm then he must still be out there somewhere. Let's hope he's not lying in his grave. Will you help me find him?"
Jennix shrugs. Aye. It may be that our paths lay in the same direction."
Jennix stifles a yawn. "If the others are game, we'll leave in the morning?" He says, looking to his companions. "We may have a few things sell and perhaps a few purchases first."
"That works well enough for me."
"Prudent suggestion, Jennix."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Indeed.
Kalsgard is a large metropolis (72 080 inhabitants) with a purchase limit of 200 000 gp and spellcasting up to 6th level. All minor items are available.
As the party moves about Kalsgard searching for new supplies, you hear a bellowing sound calling out to you from behind. "Oy! You lot there!" A lumbering Ulfen man whose bloodshot eyes lay testament to the number of drinks he has had already approaches sticking out his finger accusingly, "Oy! It was that my hound was poisoned just the other day-the day you lot came to town, neh? I've heard that you lot are gettin' into trouble all over the city. Weregild I demand for my hound! Fifty gold you owe me, that was my best hunting dog!"
Jennix holds up his empty hands. "Sir, you must be mistaken. We are not in the business of hound poisoning. Perhaps we could aid you in finding the real culprit?"
"My companion is an honest man. He speaks the truth. You have no quarrel with us."
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Miso's eyes narrow as he observes the man shouting; they do not leave or flinch as he stumbles forward.
We are not guilty of that which you accuse. If you search within yourself, you will know this to be true. Miso continues to stare at him.
Truth is light, illuminating the darkness to reveal the lies that appear to us as reality. Be patient and the truth will find you.
"We have no reason to want to harm your dog. We don't even know who you are." Zack says, trying to reason with the man.
"Quit trying to talk around the issue, ya bunch of foreign dirt!" the man looks overcome with rage. "Jus' pay up fer the dog or I'll have ta beat it out of ya!"
Terflynn looks to the others, weighing the idea of simply buying the man off to avoid the negative reputation of roughing up a local. He pauses to see if anyone else is going to act.
His eyes never moving from the Ulfen man, Miso says quietly, I believe our visitor looks tired.
The man's eyes roll back as he slumps over, asleep.
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Jennix grabs the man and drag him between two buildings, leaning him agains the wall as if he is sleeping off a bender. "Now what, take his possessions for good measure, or just be on our way?"
"I think we should take what we can. This man may be inclined to burn me as a witch when he awakes, and I'd rather make that as difficult as possible for him." Terflynn says as he watches for prying eyes.
Jennix shrugs and begins relieving the man of his possessions. "Aye, he'll be a little less dangerous without these, and maybe he'll think twice before trying to con us." Jenniz pauses, then says. "Or maybe he'll have twice as many people next time..."
"Regardless I think it would be prudent to hide ourselves while we remain here. These folk seem a suspicious lot, and I doubt we will sleep safely in a public establishment."
After his companions finish, Miso looks at the man a long moment before reaching into his pouch and pulling out some silver and copper pieces, dropping them on the ground next to the sleeping man.
You will need a bath upon awakening, the Kellid says, as if giving a benediction, and likely several days to come after that. With the gift of wisdom, perhaps you will accept our mercy, with the knowledge that this could have ended much worse for you. He then turns and follows his companions.
After dealing with the drunken brute, the party spends some more time in the city before Uksahkka eventually catches back up to you. "I hope you've thought about my deal in rescuing my friend. I've certainly been thinking about it. . . how many men did you say you took on at Asvig's farm? Seventeen? Strange. . . And they were all in the meeting hall when you arrived? It's not usual for them to have been gathered in the meeting hall like that unless something significant were happening. We should figure out what they were doing; maybe that will lead us to Ulf or to the treasure you seek."
"We really should get outside of town soon. That seems as good a reason as any. Shall we then?"
Jennix nods in agreement.
Miso follows the archaeologist and hedge magician.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Any idea as to why they they gathered like that?" Zack asks the newcomer.
Uksahkka doesn't have any ideas but after asking around town for an hour or so, the party discovers that Asvig's men do not normally gather together like that except for some important occasion-in this instance, they had gathered for the funeral feast of Asvig's own ring-giver, an old jarl and renowned viking raider named Snorri Stone-Eye.
His pyre-ship was scheduled to be launched this morning an hour after dawn from a peninsula just west of Kalsgard called Spear-shaker's Point, although without Asvig's men there to direct the funeral it is likely still waiting to be launched.
"Hmm... I know nothing of this raider.
Jennix?"
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"Name sounds familiar......"
"Anyone want to crash a funeral?" Terflynn asks with a mild grin as he looks around at his companions.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Perhaps we can find some clue as to where this Ulf is now, the monk says.
Uksahkka offers to go with you and guide you to the place of the funeral launch but warns, "There will be a thick pre-dawn fog rolling in in the morning and lingering throughout most of the day tomorrow. Varki shamans have long been known for their affinity with nature and my father's sister was a powerful wind whisperer. Some of my aunt's gift has come down through the bloodline to me; I know these things."
---
Sure enough, a thick fog does roll in off the water just before dawn as Uksahkka leads you to the funeral-boat launch site. As you approach, however, you spot several Ulfen warriors moving about the location. "Damn. Snorri's huscarls." Uksahkka whispers as you scout out from a distance. You count at least three dozen guards around the funeral ship. "They must've heard that Asvig and his men weren't going to make it. I'm guessing they're delaying launch because of the fog. Infiltrating now would require far too bloody of a fight. I've got another idea though."
Uksahkka leads you away from the guarded boat and explains, "My people use light, paddled boats called kayaks, which ride low in the water and very maneuverable. Most importantly, they are quiet. I can get ahold of several kayaks for us and if we wait until nightfall-or whenever they launch the ship today-we can paddle out as it drifts by the beach further down the current. From there we can board unnoticed and look for Ulf and the treasure you seek. I only hope that both are aboard."
---
Later in the day as the sun is low in the sky, Uksahkka meets you at the appointed spot and shows you how to use the kayaks effectively. These are designed to hold two people but she has provided an extra in case you find Ulf. "Now, I must get back to town and make sure the hiding place I've been preparing for Ulf and myself is secure, especially after what has happened with Asvig; I fear his associates will be looking for me. Take this." She hands you a clay token with a songbird stamped on one side. "Present this to the priest at the shrine of Shelyn in the Fire Quarter and he'll bring you to my safe house. Good luck."
"Well, I hope you all know how to swim, though I hope it will not be necessary." Terflynn says as he eyes the boat warily.
Miso bows to Uksahkka. I have learned much through the guidance of my Varki teacher. You show great wisdom to heed what you have been taught. Go with the touch of the breeze on your skin. We will seek to return your partner to you.
The Kellid peers out at the water. Zachary and I are strongest, thus each of us should be in one kayak. Should we encounter something before we can board the boat, this should allow Terflynn and Jennix to use their magics while we steer the crafts.
Miso steps into a kayak. To go anywhere, one must begin by taking a step.
Soon after the party loads themselves into the kayaks and practices for a few moments, you notice the funeral ship floating by the spit in the thinning fog, a small glow on its deck marking the beginnings of the funeral pyre that will soon consume it.