You begin the adventure in an opulent parlor in the Druman capital of Kerse, part of the manor home of Temel Passad, a prominent Kalistocrat. Served the finest Chelish wine and delicate sweetmeats while awaiting their host, they have time to peruse a letter from Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin.
Two silent servants open a pair of richly lacquered doors, and a human and two dwarves stride into the lavish parlor. The man, clad in immaculate robes of whitest silk, is short and round with a blond oiled beard, and his eyes are alert and amused. He takes a touch of snuff from a golden box and sneezes before saying, "It is a pleasure to welcome Pathfinders to one of my estates once more. I am, as you may know, Temel Passad. Allow me to introduce—"
One of the two dwarves, a redheaded female in deep scarlet robes, curtly interrupts the man. "We can introduce ourselves, Passad. I am Metella Raugar, representing the interests of several Highhelm mercantile consortia. My companion"—she gestures to a dwarven man with leathery skin baked by the sun, his head swathed in a bright yellow scarf—"is Amauhak of Reth Bezel, a mystic of the sand dwarves of Osirion."
Passad attentively sees to his guests’ needs and ensures that the refreshments are to their liking before discussin gbusiness. "My boat, the Abacus, will take us from Kerse, hugging the shore of Lake Encarthan before entering the mouth of the Glass River to pursue your first task: searching the Gray Revelation Inn. From there, the Abacus will take us the rest of the way to Mendev to deliver Passad, Metella, and Amauhak, and hopefully the liberated envoys."
The deeply tanned Pahmet mystic notes "Keeping the presence of myself and my two companions a secret is the wisest course, given what happened to the earlier team."
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A man dressed in dusty brown clothes and armored in leather helps himself to the food and drink, but mostly the drink. His blondish brown hair comes down to his shoulders. He has a few facial scars along with a crooked nose, mostly likely from being broken several times. After reading the letter he ponders what he may know about the area they are headed while enjoying another cup of wine.
Great that half crazed Razmir's territory. I don't believe for a second that he touched the Starstone.
Looking around at his fellow Pathfinders, he introduces himself. "Name is Mads, I'm good in a scrap and even better at the bar after," he says the last bit with a smile.
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A tall, slender human listens attentively at the same time he studies the room and its inhabitants, his movements oddly jerky. He stands watchful and still, his head occasionally turning with an abrupt motion, then freezing in a new position . He wears what might first be taken for an elaborately-cut cloak on his back, but a closer look reveals it to be a pair of large wings tucked flat. Mostly a dark, smoky grey in color, with touches of crimson, the wings extend from about the level of his ears down to where the tips just brush the floor. His hair, longish and swept back from his face, is of the same dark grey as his wings.
His face is narrow, with large, alert, amber eyes and a hooked nose, giving him a strangely birdlike appearance in keeping with his wings. He carries a long, beautifully-made bow behind his left shoulder, and a longsword and morningstar ride at his hip.
"I am Aeris," he says, "a servant of the Everbloom and a weapon against oppression."
He takes the proffered letter and reads through it, then says, "I know a little about Razmir and his followers, perhaps if we put our heads together we can come up with useful knowledge about those we may be facing."
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Moumoku appears far too delicate to be an adventurer, pale skin appearing barely touched by sunlight, never mind the harsh conditions of road life. She stands tall, almost as if above the rest of you, though her eyes are black and if you stare long enough you feel you could find universes within.
"I am Moumoku. Last of my line and I have some minor magics at my disposal, which I shall of course use to assist us."
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Inira is but a girl with long, lightly reddish hair and bright green eyes. She watches those who speak carefully, and almost suspiciously.
"I know little of the history of these lands or religions, although my father's ancestors are from the land known as Sarkoris. This might be interesting. In any case, I am here to serve, and hope that my bow will be of use in your protection."
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A wall of a man stands by, earthbreaker held over one shoulder, klar in the opposite hand. "My name is Kaddok, also called "Earth Smasher", of the Shundar-Quah." After a moment, nervous having so many eyes on him, he shuffles his feet and says, "I hit things. Hard." He doesn't have much to add past that, and merely stares at his feet.
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well this journey is blessed. you've got a servant of the lady of storms by your side. i think we'll have smooth sailing.
::Awk! Smooth Sailing!:: chimes in the parrot.
Morgan stands tall and dark haired, a wide tricorn hat adorning his head, dressed in some fine linen shirt beneath his leathers, a rapier at his hip and bag of gear. Around his neck hangs a silver symbol of a skull and crossbones, a number of scars adorning his scruffy face. The parrot remains silent most of the time.
Your journey along the coast of Lake Encarthan from Kerse is uneventful. Passad’s hired hands (five sailors in all, including the captain) are quiet and efficient, and the boat, a modest craft named Abacus, reaches the mouth of the Glass River and heads east without incident. As the boat enters Razmiri waters, you have a choice as to whether you will dock at Xer and pay any necessary tolls or sail on and try to evade Razmiri authorities.
Passad argues for the party to do former: "Abiding by the local customs will help us avoid unwanted attention, especially if we include an extra “gratuity” when we pay their tolls. Furthermore, without proof that we’ve paid the expected tribute, we run the risk of greater trouble if accosted by one of the ubiquitous faith barges upriver."
Mettela shakes her head in disagreement. "Stopping at Xer gives the authorities a chance to search the boat and discover us envoys and the Kalistocrat! It's better to avoid the docks altogether and take our chances with any faith barges we might encounter!"
"I highly doubt taking such risks is necessary," Passad replies to Mettela. "Also, I'm happy to provide the toll myself." He draws two platinum pieces from a white silk purse, and holds them up.
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"It seems to me that we should follow our envoy's lead, as it is their mission that is at risk. However, I know little of the local laws and customs. Generally, I do try to always obey the local laws when possible. But I am not in command of this vessel. So I will back you up, which ever decision is made."
The party agrees with Mettela's plan, and tries to bypass the harbor city. The Abacus and its crew are nearly able to bypass Xer entirely when a nearby merchant vessel suddenly hoists a Razmiri flag and approaches, revealing that it is one of the faith barges that intercepts boats traveling near Razmiran. The Razmiri sailors demand that the travelers come to a halt before casting grappling hooks at the Abacus to pull the two vessels alongside one another. Metella, Amauhak and Passad have gone below deck.
Three Razmiri enforcers are on board the faith barge, and a chattering, trained baboon named Kanger gambols about the deck. Once the boats have pulled close, Kanger leaps aboard the Abacus and scampers about while screeching triumphantly. Two of the barge’s sailors begin extending a 5-foot-wide plank from one ship to the other, and two of the armed thugs stand ready to board the Abacus. A third thug guards them with a loaded crossbow, and speaks to you: "State your business in these waters! All aboard come up on deck for inspection!"
"How dare you speak like that!" one of the thugs yells at Mads.
The baboon meanwhile jumps onto the crates, and beats his own chest. "HOOHAH!"
One of the thugs releases a bolt at Inira, which hits Inira in his shoulder. The thug then reloads his crossbow.
"You will all die for this blasphemy!" the thug that shot Inira yells.
Turn progression - round 1:
Thug (Blue)
Aeris
Inira 7/9HP
Kaddok
Mads
Moumoko
Thug (Green)
Thug (Red)
Capt. Morgan
Kanger
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Mads drops his flask and draws his Kukuris. "Forgive me for misunderstanding but I thought the plan was to smash through. Besides I've been itching to get these guys back for all the grief they've been causing us." He will take a swing and the baboon in front of him.
Maybe I should focus on fighting more then talking right now.
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"Ah well, it was going to end this way regardless," Aeris shrugs, slipping his bow off his shoulder as he speaks.
Taking advantage of the clear shot, he turns to shoot an arrow at the Razmiri still standing on the barge. Aeris is obviusly unused to fighting aboard ship - or perhaps unused to fighting at all, from his performance - and he sends an arrow thudding firmly into the rail of the Abacus.
Mads misses the baboon, which continues to make wild noises. It sounds very much like it's making fun of Mads. "Hoohoo! Hahaha!"
After Aeris also misses his attack the thug on the barge grins, but his grin fades when one of Inira's arrows hits him in his shoulder.
Moumoko surges toward the Razmiri with a snarl, and stabs the nearest one with her dagger.
Turn progression - round 1:
Thug (Blue) -2HP
Aeris
Inira 7/9HP
Kaddok
Mads
Moumoko
Thug (Green) -3HP
Thug (Red)
Capt. Morgan
Kanger
Kaddok makes quick work of the baboon, smashing it with his earthbreaker.
The two thugs that boarded the Abacus drop their crossbows, and draws short swords. They both attack Moumoko.
Moumoko dodges one sword, but receives a cut on her arm from the thug she hurt with her dagger.
Turn progression - round 1:
Thug (Blue) -2HP
Aeris
Inira 7/9HP
Kaddok
Mads
Moumoko 6/8HP
Thug (Green) -3HP
Thug (Red)
Capt. Morgan
The red thug hits the rail of the ship, and falls overboard.
"Help, I can't swim!" the thug cries out, and is pulled under by the rough water.
Blub, blub, blub...
"No, Charlie!" the blue thug yells. "I will avenge you!"
The blue thug then fires another bolt at Inira. Who has nothing to do with Charlie's asphyxiation, but just happens to be the nearest non-obstructed target that's not in melee combat.
Inira's hit by the bolt, and the thug reloads his crossbow.
Turn progression - round 2:
Thug (Blue) -2HP
Aeris
Inira 2/9HP
Kaddok
Mads
Moumoko 6/8HP
Thug (Green) -3HP
Thug (Red) - Somewhat drowning
Capt. Morgan
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Her initial fury overcome Moumoku steps back away from the dangerous blades and looks the blue thug in the eye. "Approach" she Commands
Kaddok knock the enemy he's aiming for out with a single swing of his earthbreaker.
Aeris then shoots the thug on the other vessel, who goes down before anyone else can do anything.
Several sailors on the Razmiran barge quickly pull back the boarding plank before Mads boards their ship, and quickly turn the barge around. "Retreat! Back to Xer!"
The thug in the water doesn't surface anymore, and the barge is soon out of sight. On the thug Kaddok knocked out you find a potion of cure light wounds, padded armor, a light crossbow with 12 bolts, and a short sword.
As the Abacus sails smoothly up the Glass River, those who were hiding below deck join you again.
"How do you intend to perform the rescue mission?" Amauhak asks you while scratching his nose. "You'll have to gain access to the inn without arousing unwanted suspicion."
"Great idea!" Passad says enthusiastically, and fills Mads' flask by pouring fine Chelaxian wine over from a bottle. "The best strategies are created when drinking fine wine, aren't they?"
"Anyone else?" he asks, holding the bottle up. While at it, Passad also pours himself a glass.