Captain Walren scratches his head: "Towing that boat? .. Well uh.. I don't have much experience with that.. and it's a big boat.. I am sorry I am not going to put my ship at risk for that.. I can testify for you, if you want! People know me in Tamran. I am sure they will believe us! And you do have this document also, with the signature of the governor from Molthuni!"
Kyra jumps over to the other ship and immediately goes over to Firyin. She places her finger on his neck to feel for a pulse. Satisfied that he is still alive she then help him with her divine energy.
Understanding that the boat can not be towed Nivel will suggest that they take them prisoner and bring them in, leaving the boat anchored in the water. Nivel will ask the captain to note their current position. Take anything you can use. They won't be needing it now.
Firyin is conscious again.
Firyin wakes with a start, his features now returned to normal. He casts about quickly, but seeing the battle is over he relaxes. I need better armor. "What happened?"
Two hours after the battle, the Black Mist approaches Tamran (see map).
In the dark, the city glitters with hundreds of tiny lights, emanating from windows and lamps. It has the look of a new town, built primarily of wood, though some older buildings linger here and there, many showing signs of damage, cracked walls and burnt remnants.
Captain Walren explains that the damage to the buildings has been caused by the war with Molthune. He suggests he will talk to a guard and explain the situation, so that at least the prisoners could be taken into custody right away.
Griswald sighs "Another city... I was just starting to get comfortable on the boat..."
I much rather be on land. With that Nivel exits the boat as fast as he can.
Shortly after the battle where the heroes are all on the Black Mist Kyra will use channel positive energy on her companions only, keeping the prisoners away from her healing radius.
Once satisfied that her new friends are in better condition she will go below deck and commune with Sarenrae to replenish her divine spells.
Even though it's night, there are still people working on the docks. While Captain Walren goes to find a guard, Ewem remains on the boat.
After about 30 mins, a group of guards and assistants arrive at the docks to carry away the prisoners who are still unconscious.
The Captain is asked to give a full report on what happened the next morning to Forest Marshal Weslen Gavirk, who is the current military leader of the nation of Nirmathas. You are free to accompany him or not as you wish.
Captain Walren suggests the Gar’s Last Meal, a good, safe establishment down near the water, to spend the night, but himself and Ewem will just stay on the boat.
"I'm sick of these sea rations. Lets get some real food." Griswald starts heading to Gar's
The dwarf shrugs, but barely so. Following the larger man.
"I agree with Griswald. Good food, a warm bath and a soft bed will help everyone recover from our travels."
"Forest Marshal Gavirk, what can you tell us of the war with Molthune"
Firyin bounds his wounds tighter in anticipation of docking. "Some fresh food would be nice."
Agreed. Let's go. I could use real food as well. Nivel collects all of his things as well as recovering some arrows from the belongings of the "pirates", if they had any. Now, why are we here again? I need to clear my head after all this sea travel.
Aside from the strong smell of fish inside, The Gar’s Last Meal looks like a fine inn. The innkeeper, a grizzled human male, greets you: "Welcome gentlemen, ma'am, how can I help you?" You notice that the man has no left arm!
On the wall above the bar in the taproom, a giant gar has been mounted.
Most tables are empty, except for a group of 3 men and a woman playing some kind of card game in a corner.
"Rooms enough for all of us and a hot meal."
Kyra shows that she is pleased with Gar's Last Meal.
"I say we use our spoils from our pirate encounter to fund our meals and relaxation."
Relax... I don't know if I can relax in a city like this, I still prefer being outside, alone. These newcomers did not freak out by the transformation, maybe they too will be like the others and accept me and the beast.
"Hot meal would be nice. Lets sit over in the corner." Griswald heads over to a corner seat and keeps his back against the wall and watches the other group playing cards. He takes a quick sniff to get an impression of what is cooking in the kitchen.
Nivel nods to Kyra and heads over to the table with Griswald. It'll be nice to actually eat a meal while sitting on solid ground for a change. Same for sleeping in a bed. The life at sea is not for me.
Nivel then takes a look at the people playing the card game. Any idea what they're playin'?
Kyra addresses the innkeeper. "Good sir, please send over your finest wine and breads along with your finest meats. My friends and I would love to have your fine food especially that big man in the corner over there." The cleric point in Griswald's direction, offers a smile and one of the platinum pieces that they acquired. "This should cover our expense for now."
The card players each hold about 10 cards in their hands and it looks like the game is split into rounds with each player laying a card and then one of them collecting all four. The players don't give much attention to you except for a quick glance. They seem to rather enjoy themselves..
The innkeeper replies: "Certainly, certainly.. rooms are 2gp for a night and each have either a double bed or two seperate single beds. Our meals all cost 3sp, this includes bread and wine! Currently we serve shark meat, squid, tuna and of course our specialty, gar meat." He shows a broad smile when referring to the 'specialty'.
After taking your order, he disappears to the back and a young adult woman soon appears with bread and wine. After about 20 minutes, you receive your meals which all taste pretty good.
To Griswald, the smell of several kinds of fish is overwhelming and corresponds with what's on the menu as indicated by the innkeeper.
Kyra thanks the server and pours herself some wine and takes some bread. She looks over at Firyin and notices that the man still has some wounds. She grabs onto her holy symbol and unleashes a wave of positive energy to the group.
Morg watches the people "play" cards, uncomprehending.
As food arrives, he eats with purpose as if unsure when the next meal will be or where it will it will come from. He practices non-verbal communication, nodding from time to time.
Towards the end of the meal, he speaks simply. Sharing rooms?
Firyin nods with a grunt.
When Kyra casts her spell, the group of players look up and seem to quietly comment something about it to each other, but then continue playing.
The innkeeper also notices it and somewhat concerned, he asks: "Is everything ok?"
Kyra addresses the innkeeper.
"Everything is perfect. The hospitality, the food, the ambiance.....it's all perfect. I was just helping my friend. We had a skirmish with some Molthune pirates and one of us was injured pretty badly." Then she whispers to the innkeeper, loud enough that only her friends and the innkeeper to hear. "What's the recent news with the war with Molthune?
The innkeeper listens carefully and then seems surprised and replies: "Really!.. Pirates from Molthune?.. you might want to talk to Marshal Gavirk about this.. it's the first time I hear about pirates from Molthune!.. I only hear news sometimes about skirmishes on our border with Molthune.. ever since I run this inn and gave up my life as a sailor, I haven't actually seen anything from the war myself.."
Kyra responds to the innkeeper. "Ahhh! Where are my manners? My name is Kyra, humble servant to the Bright Lady and these are my friends." Kyra introduces every member to the innkeeper.
Kyra continues "We just met Marshal Gavirk as we handed over some pirates to him. We definitely will have a meeting with him tomorrow. Tell me good man, have you or any of your sailors come across some sea hags? Just curious if you had any encounters with that lot.
The innkeeper replies: "Nice meeting you. I am Puglas Tamall.. That's good. I bet he will be very interested by this.. Sea hags? .. well.. everybody knows the stories.. but you never actually get to know if they are real!..(he appears lost in thought for a moment, as if unsure whether or not he actually saw one) are you perhaps looking for one?.. I do know that gars are for real though.. hehe.. that one over there got my arm!" He grins as he points his only arm towards the large fish mounted above the bar.
Kyra responds by telling the store to Puglas about their recent encounter with he women and 2 dead bothers. How she turn out to morph into a sea hag and had 2 other sisters invade the ship. She finishes the story "There is still one remaining sea hag that evaded our blades."
Kyra sits and takes a gulp from her wine and says to the man, "Come sit with us. You are most welcome to sit with us and tell us of your tale or that gar that took your arm."
Morg eats. His eyes rise to keep an eye on the half-breed drow and the female.
Her endurance was impressive... so many words.
Puglas sits down and gives all his attention to the story with the sea hags. He says: "Actually, I think one guy I met, also a sailor, had a similar encounter. He told me about it once but I wasn't sure what to think about it. He said he escaped from a ship when the crew became like cursed by the presence of three women. They all started to act weird and treat these women as if they were goddesses. When he noticed one of them turning into a horrifying creature and attack one of his friends, he knew he had to get out of there. .. You people sure had a rough time coming here! .." He then proceeds to tell his story about his battle with a giant gar, how the animal suddenly jumped out of the water pulling him by his arm, and despite the intolerable pain, that he managed to kill it after a heroic struggle, in which unfortunately the animal was able to tear off his arm.
One of the card players turns around and says: "Yeah, yeah, we all know you were lucky your friends came to your rescue that time hahaha..!"
Kyra raises her wine and performs a toast. "To Puglas! To the man's hospitality....and to tomorrow's breakfast. May it be equally as delicious as out dinner."
Kyra, having stuffed her face with food, gets up and begins to walk over Firyin and lays her hands on him. She converts one of her spells to Cure Light Wounds.
Firyin almost jumps at the soft touch of a women, but relaxes after a moment...and not just from the healing magic. He gives Kyra a smile. "Thank you."
Morg's eyes narrow, as he watches the healing take place.
As the others talk, he goes through his gear making sure things are in order.
Alright, time to get that rest I was thinking about. I could sure use it. Nivel finishes off his meal and drink, then excuses himself for the evening, intent on some sort of bath and then to bed.
Griswald stays quiet through most of the meal. He eats a very large portion, but stays away from the strong smelling fish.
When Nivel stands to leave he also finishes his meal and follows.
Puglas has apparently enjoyed the company: "It is my pleasure to have such nice guests staying here! .. hehe.. well.. We will do our best not to disappoint you with your breakfast!"
The night passes quietly and when you arrive back downstairs, breakfast is being served without delay.
Captain Walren arrives a bit later and asks if you want to accompany him to meet Marshal Gavirk.