Kasumi, Bonvario and Takio all exit the church and witness the same festival decorations, but don't get the same reaction from the locals that Clubsen's group did.
Making your way to the docks however. You can all sense the locals looking over there shoulders at you and whispering to themselves. You travel just half a mile before reaching the north side of the island. A modest harbor/dock is set into a small cove. Four ships are currently docked here.
A clipper, that is being unloaded by halflings in ruddy cloths. A finely dressed human man oversees there work. A whip by his side.
There is a small schooner that is just docking with a large haul of fish.
There is a rather odd looking ship, similar looking to a barge, outfitted with red and white flowers. It has a rather large deck that can be seen being polished by a few more halflings in ruddy clothes and is overseen by a finely dressed human female, whip in hand. Who's clothes are almost perfect copies of the mans.
Lastly, you can see your Corvette, loose boards here and there. You can see a large crack up the mast and the sails and riggings have been completely torn off. Some of the navy paint on the side of the ship has also been removed. But the fact that the ship survived at all is seen as a miracle in your eyes. A portly human man is seen walking along the deck, holding a inkpen and parchment. Stopping here and there, writing stuff down and then continuing about the deck.
Takio looks to the others putting his arm out in warning before getting anywhere close to the Eltarsa. "Guys, watch yourselves around them,,..." He nods aheard in the direction of the Eltarsi. "They are a bit self centered and look down on Navy." He would then continue towards the portly man on the corvette, "Excuse me sir?, "
Takio does a small half wave, "...a pleasure to meet you,"
He holds out his hand smiling in the like. "I'm Lieutenant Commander Savaros, this ship is under my authority." He awaits a response so as to not overwhelm the man with too many questions at once, like they had earlier with the cleric.
The portly man smiles at your approach. "Ah, good to meet you. Im Colben, the local shipwright of Tinderhill. I oversee anything and everything that goes in and out of my docks... Such as..." He looks to your ships mast and sighs. "-your ship. That wave dealt a nasty blow to it, but she still may yet crest the water again. I took the liberty of marking down any and all damages your ship has taken, unfortunately your stores were soaked in sea water, much of it has spoiled. Only the rum, mead, water and rice remain. My underlings and I can begin repairs at once as I have already gotten clearance from your Navy HQ to begin repairs on the Corvette. Should take a day or two to make her seaworthy again. Although with the festival it may take a bit longer."
He hands you the parchment he was carrying. It is a loan sheet listing the repairs needed and their cost.
"Just need your signat-" At that moment a crash is heard from across the docks as a female halfling is seen sprawled out on the docks. The crate she was carrying lay open and a garden worth of red and white roses lay strewn upon the docks, but most have fallen to the water below. The finely dresses man draws his whip with ease and before the halfling could even attempt to stand; he brings the whip down on her with a sickening crack!
"Worthless whore!" He shouts. But is drowned out by the blood curdling scream of the halfling woman. Blood pours from her back as she trys to stand. But the man was quickly upon her and pressed his boot against her head, slamming it to the docks. None of the other halflings batted an eye to this display, they simply just started to increase their work pace. "You better hope none of thoughs got damaged... Now clean them up before I lock you in the barrel." The man says with a terrible grin. Releasing his boot from her head she scrambles over to the roses and gingerly picks them back up and places them back in the crate. The blood from her back soaking her already dirty clothes and then dripping to the docks.
Colben just shakes his head and sighs, "Now I got to pay one of my boys to clean the docks early this month. Oh, and I found that wedged up under the front deck." He points to a musket that lays against the cabin of the Corvette. This clearly was Corigain's masterwork musket.
Takio walks over to the musket, looking it up and down as if it were a long lost friend. He picks it up checking it for any ammo or black powder. "I'm surprised this made it"
He places it over his shoulder, "This feels better already, thank you for taking such good care of the ship Colben." Now looking to the other ships, specifically for the halfling woman. "Say Colben?... Are they always so brash?"
Seeing the whip come down with a crack Bon almost leapt to the halfings defense. But a quick look from Takio stops him.
Got to keep up appearances it seems
fakes a smile
"Sounds like good work but would you mind if I take a look at the damage myself before we sign anything over."
if not a problems Bon will take the list and double check the damages himself
Checks for the damage
Check for time it would take to repair
Check for custom parts
Checks price on the manifest
Agreed. Maybe we should talk with the undertaker to see if he spotted anyone leaving the site before we were taken to the church.
Agreed he makes motions to head in that direction
Takio sighs and facepalms... "Bonvorio, you are an aspiring shipwright. You will be among the greatest one day I'm sure. The Navy is going to pay for our ship to be fixed..." Now turning to Colben "No offense was meant sir." He adds in apologetically and semi embarrassed.
"Bonvorio... Colben is the master shipwright of the island... He is someone you could learn a lot from if you were lucky." He gives a stern look to Bonvorio while acknowledging Colben's skills. "think about if you're going to insult someone before speaking next time.."
Takio now steps out of the way not looking too happy that he'd insulted Colben... "I appreciate your work Colben, as do all of my men... I apologize for his ill placed words."
Colben snorts and spits upon the deck. "Your age may be a reflection of your inability to teach your subordinates respect Lieutenant Commander... sign here..."
Colben holds out the form roughly, clearly displeased with Bonvario.
"In that respect, it is something I'm working on Colben..." His glare shifts from Bonvorio to the form where he'd sign. "I assure you, my men 'will not' speak to you again... should they care to stay under my jurisdiction that is..."
He finishes signing then adds, "Colben, again I apologize. Allow me to make up for it. Perhaps by cleaning that mess of blood up free of charge? Maybe that will teach the novice some manners... either way, " he now tilts his head slightly to look at Bonvorio, "we will be having some more words on this later... until then I suggest you keep your words limited."
Colben shakes his head and rips the form back from Takio and folds it up. "You aren't welcome back on the docks until your ship is done. That goes for the others that aren't here with you now as well. The only reason I'm doing this is because I don't want this ship looking like an eyesore when the Eltarsa noble gets here tomorrow. Now I believe your business at the docks is finished? Or is there something else you needed?"
Colben folds his arms impatiently.
Clubsen's group makes there way back to the graveyard. As they approach, you can here a shovel digging into the dirt just inside the iron bars and a low rough voice signing.
"Home is behind the world ahead
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadow to the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight.
Mist and shadow
Cloud and shade
All shall fade
All shall fade"
"Bonvorio, apologize. We will just be taking a look at the ship's interior for any evidence of our missing crew. Then we will leave. "
Takio walks past Colben with the best of intentions. Clearly agitated in the recklessness of Bonvorio's words. After going into the sections of the ship he'd return saving the captain's cabin for last. He would pull up a chair or something of worth to sit on. Pull out his violin and sigh deeply saying to himself, "Let's give this a go, shall we?"
erhem
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho.
Going to bring Bink's Sake!
Let the sea breeze lead the way!
On the waves all of our days
Across the salty deeps!
The sun above is floating high,
Painting circles in the sky.
Sea gulls sing and brass bells ring
Upon our floating home!
"Fine..." Colben says with a snort. He then turns on his heels and heads to the large building tucked into the cove, just a few paces from the docks.
You find noting of note in the cabin aside from salty bedding.
The old dwarf stops singing, but continues to dig, keeping his eyes on the dirt. Smoke billows from a rather large old pipe in his mouth. His one eyed and graying hair appearance made him look like something out of a horror novel. "Ya ain't dead... and me 'garden' is off limits to the living. Death should be an embrace well deserved. And you young-ins haven't deserved that right."
no, indeed we haven't, and we should be so lucky if when such day comes we were interred by your honorable self, but today, while your clients deserve your undivided attention, they're known to be a very patient bunch. Perhaps we could have a word?
The old dwarf puffs some more smoke from his pipe and walks over to where you are standing, just on the opposite side of the bars. He sticks his shovel in the dirt and leans up against it. "Start talkin..." He says impatiently, the rustling of wind through the trees creates an ambiance about you as you step closer to the bars, creating a natural thrumming noise.
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Faltain takes a step closer to the bars and says, in Common, A few days ago, the massive wave that has created so much chaos throughout these islands brought us here. Our ship crashed into the coast of the island just a short distance from where we now stand. It is our understanding that, as the undertaker of this venerable graveyard, you would have been near at hand when we crashed here and may have observed some of the events that followed our arrival. We wondered if you might have seen anyone moving about or leaving the site of our crash before we were rescued from the site and taken to the church in town. Did you notice anything of the sort or have you seen any unfamiliar people around the site since then?
The old dwarf takes one last long drag from his pipe seemingly looking past you. He then grabs his pipe and taps the residue out against his shovel which falls out to the ground. Then gives a slight point with it at Faltain. "Don't know nothin, me be sleeping when you crashed. Me simply saw the wreckage that next morning when me went to gather more fire kindling and then notified Vartis. Then dug ye graves, but all you survived. Worked for nothin me did... Got a head start me suppose..."
He pulls forth the shovel from the ground and lets it fall loosely upon his shoulder. "Now, if ye don't mind, me be behind on other work."
He begins walking away and starts singing the same song he was singing before.
"Only one such a way the path doth could, on the stone, but beneath the wood.
Three by two the sixth must pan, lights absent gaze from the folly of man."
watches the dwarf credulously as he walks off, but raises an eyebrow as he notices the ashen script appear on Faltain's arm
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Faltain almost calls to the dwarf as he hobbled away, but his attention is quickly drawn to the ashen message scrolled across his arm. As he raises his arm to read the writing, he calls to his companions, If one of you has anything to write with, take this down for me! He then dictates the riddle for them and begins trying to puzzle out its meaning.
That was certainly all the dwarf had to say. :p It is none of thoughs languages unfortunately.
You realized the script was written with the spell Presidigitation. You can also infer that the riddle refers to a place with a secret door. Perhaps a secluded sit down with the rest of the party may shed some more light on the riddle.
just tell us what it means an we'll remember it word for word. I think we've done as much as we can here; let's try to meet the others at the shipyard
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It seems to have something to do with a hidden door or secret passage. Maybe you're right, the others might have an idea of what this means and where we might be able to find this door. Maybe that's where we could find Jaythail and the others! Let's go! Faltain does not wait for a response, but immediately starts heading back towards the town and the shipyard. We'll find you, guys! I know we will! Just hold on a little bit longer.
Takio finishes the song. Surprised at how well it not only made his playing sound... But also made him feel more at peace. He looks briefly for the picture of Corigain if he can find it and stashes it on his person.
He carefully replaces the violin in its case and secures it on his back before turning now to leave. He walks through the cabin door. "Shall we gents?"
Kasumi nods in response to Takio, and follows his lead out.
In any case the picture is in rather rough shape as the salt and water have gotten to it, it's no longer possible to even determine who is in the picture. Where do you go from here, check out the remainder of the town, to the site of the crash where the rest of the crew was heading or back to the church?
Takio relays to the other two as they gain distance from Colben and the slave handlers. "Bon,... I gotta say, Colben would've been someone we could've used on our side. Pick your words a little better in moments like that... That said, we should try to meet up with the others soon." He continues walking keeping an eye sharp for the unknown.
Clubsen's group begins to head back to town, at this time Takio's group would already have been back in town for a little over an hour now.
The decorations are even more spectacular when Takio's group returns from the docks. It is hard to turn and not see at least 10 to 20 white and red roses here and there. An especially elaborate archway is set up in front of a large tavern. You notice the sign is getting re-painted by one of the towns folk. It reads, "Mugs & Tugs" Founders of Tinderhill Cider. The sign itself looks like an apple that is split in half horizontally, with the writing carved out in the center.
As you are admiring the sign you notice a small girl, wearing a little red and white dress, skipping along the road towards the tavern. Though, it is easily apparent that this girl is not human. Along her long raven black hair lies a wreath of small white and red roses and a set of horns that fall back along her hair. Her skin is a reddish hue and her eyes are, from what you can see, pupil-less yellow eyes. A small scaly tail dangles from her dress, flicking playfully back and forth. Not one of the townsfolk bats an eye to this tiefling child as she skips inside the tavern.
shrugs
"It was either that or I would have taken that whip and fed it to him"
""Which would you have preferred?"
"And don't think for a second that your in ANY place to give me orders or advice"
walks away from Takio stops in mid thought then continues to walk off.
Dam got to calm down. Too much happening at once
*stomach groans*
Jimmy's stomach began to howl.
"Jeez I'm hungry, Club-san can you make us some food soon?"
Although he had faced a lot of greif and stress in the past few days. Jimmy was very excited to be a free man and to be walking amognst some pretty powerful friends. Jimmy spent his time walking back, watching the local townsfolk.
"My advice and acting my part is what's kept you alive... remember that..." He watches Bonvorio begin to walk off but closes then gap to try and keep the amount of his coming words between the two of them. Choosing his words carefully he continues, "I'd prefer your actions reflect a contributing factor to our crew's well being rather than a setback."
Takio's eyes trace his surroundings, "I'm going to try and find the others, then Ill meet back at the church... Don't do anything rash, as it could get us all in trouble."
He checks his flank to confirm whether Kasumi had fallen behind or not before continuing through the town. 'I gotta find Jimmy before that damned noble gets here...
I don't know about making any soon, but here's a tavern conveniently placed in our path. Mugs and Tugs, hmmm, sounds like thieves' cant for a whore robbing a cheap trick; must be pretty good, then.
He leads them in and finds seats at the bar. After waving down the proprietor/ess, three ales and three plates o' smoked fish... and any chance for some bamboo?
Kasumi had lagged behind some, coming to a halt just away from the main group and looking out to sea.
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Faltain smiles at Jimmy's apparent innocence, but the rumble in his belly reminds him that he is not above such common concerns as food.
As the group walks through town, again feeling the stares of the townsfolk, Faltain takes in the beautiful decorations that had been set up throughout the town. He looks around and tries to remember any details he can about the festival.
Takio sighs, and feeling defeated he turns and walks into the tavern. "Ill be inside if you need me, I assume everyone's hungry." Takio walks inside and moves directly to the bar keep/tavern manager while taking in his surroundings. "Hello good sir, what's on the menu?"
Bonvario are you going to the tavern or just walking around town?
Takio makes his way to the tavern as Kasumi stops by the church to view the sapphire blue ocean that stretches to the edge of the world. As the other group was 3 miles away, I'm going to say you arrive a hour after Takio's group.
The little tiefling girl now has a apron on and is running about with a mug of what appears to be ale, she delivers it to a human female, no older than 20, dressed in fashionable red and white robes. She is reading a piece of parchment and smiles as the tiefling girl brings the ale. She pats her on the head and hands her a copper piece. The tiefling girl looks confused at first, but then the woman takes it and places it in a small pocket on the apron and raises her finger to her lips. The girl giggles at this and runs back across the tavern excitedly.
"Anything and everything you see before you Lieutenant Commander Savaros!" One exclaims who is currently on the large grill flipping large steaks.
"Drinks are ale, wine and whiskey, all made from the Eltarsa Kingdom! My name is Mugs! The ugly one on the grill is Tugs!" The other shouts as he fills a pitcher with wine.
"Mugs, that just implies your ugly as well, we are identical twins after all! Hahaha!"
You can clearly tell they have done this joke many times...
Mugs finishes filling the pitcher and looks you over. "Now generally this festival is for special guests and the citizens of Tinderhill. It is a celebration put on by me and my brother, and we pay for it all. So as unexpected as your arrival was, me and Tugs have already talked it over with Vartis and have decided to make you and your crew honorary guests for the Tinderhill Harvest Festival! All of you can eat and drink to your hearts content. You also may participate in the harvest festival games that will start late tomorrow night! The only downside is that all of our rooms have been taken, but Vartis has assured me you can all continue to stay in the church until your ship is repaired.
As your eyes meet hers, you are hit with a tiny dart in the neck. Make two Fort Saves DC13. Failing the first knocks you unconscious. Making the first negates the second.
You see the source of the attack. A small halfling dressed in foliage colors holds a blowgun in your direction from a nearby bush that sits behind the church.
A spellcraft check DC17 reveals that the area around you is now enveloped in the Silence spell. If you manage to avoid the poison, roll Initiative.
Clubsen's group enters the tavern a hour after Takio and sees and experiences the same thing explained in the Mugs & Tugs spoiler.
As he recognized the magic being cast, he was torn from his crestfallen jaunt just in time to receive the dart in his neck as he uselessly cries out for 'Savaros' and the others before he succumbed. Whatever it was that the dart was dipped in had bested him.
"You seem to have fought off that poison rather well. While I'm sure you have questions for me... You aren't the only one with questions... So we are going to play a little game, you answer a question of mine truthfully and then I'll answer truthfully a question of yours. If I sense that your lying... Well I rather keep it a surprise what will happen... But answer all 3 of my questions truthfully and you will be set free and can enjoy the festival to your hearts content along with your crew... Now first question, How did you and your crew come into the posession of Corigain's Corvette?"
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When Faltain hears Mugs' run-down of the situation: Jimmy our dreams have come true!!!
Looking around the room as he stuffs his face full of roast fish and vegetables, Faltain spots Takio. He gulps down a draught of wine and and wipes the food from his face before walking over and addressing him in a more serious tone, Lieutenant Commander, glad to see you. I may have some information regarding those missing personnel. Perhaps we could find a quiet spot to discuss the intel with the others.
If he could've rubbed out the grogginess of the poison he would have, but given that he was alive he wouldn't complain, at least not yet.
He looked around as best he could at his surroundings, trying to both get his bearings and attempt to learn anything about his location.
"Have we met? We must have, if you're tying me up like this.." He'd then try to subtly test his bindings.
Given success or failure, he'd sigh. "But I can't remember your name, love. Was it Veronica? Jessie? June? Damn my horrible memory.. I'm sure you were lovely. No wait, it's Abby, isn't it? I'm right aren't I?!" He said rather earnestly, nodding to himself as if pleased.
You stealthily test your bonds and they don't budge.
Her pleasant demeanor fades rapidly as Kasumi rattles off names. "It seems to me you can't ask a question until you answer mine. But apparently I have to use more aggressive manners."
She pulls out a wand from her sleeve and points it at you with a harsh flick.
Will Save DC13
Pass or fail your body tenses up.
"I'll ask again, how did you and your crew come into the posession of Corigain's Corvette?"
"Look, Sara, I think we got off on the wrong foot." He did his best to look her square in the face, his expression completely serious. "Maybe we should kiss and make up."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Takio leans in close to Faltain, "we need to regroup,... have you seen Kasumi? Last I saw him was an hour ago"... Takio pauses a moment before continuing, "Things didn't go so swell on our end, but I'll tell you more about it later. [b]"No more splitting up, we travel as a group from here on out,... somethings off here."
He continued sitting there now watching the others and waving them over should they look his way. "Faltain, we need to go somewhere where the lot of us can talk privately, preferably back to the church."
The woman smiles at Kasumi wickedly as she witnesses his reaction to the pain. "We have a while yet, but you seem to be insistent on your lecherous ways. So one final time now." She draws a punching dagger and places the pointy end next to Kasumi's crotch.
"How did you and your crew come into possession of Corigain's Corvette?"
Clubsen finishes his food and takes his drink with him to approach Takio and Faltain, taking his time to wander the dining room and observe the festival decorations. At some point he'll pass within 10' of the servers' board where all the spare salt and pepper shakers are stored. : for one hour, all the salt up to 1 lb will taste highly sulfuric, somewhere between brussel sprouts and rotten eggs.
He reaches the pair in time to hear Faltain's admission of having intel and Takio's suggestion to move the conversation somewhere private
I agree, it's time we moved elsewhere to talk but let's not get ahead of ourselves, we don't know what that message means, Faltain.
As Clubsen attempts his shenanigans, he feels a sudden intense presence behind him. Not having time to react as two pairs of ungodly heavy hands wrap around the his head.
Clubsen feels his feet lift off the ground and instantly feels incalculable dread. "You are not welcome here, please leave..." Tugs says as he and Mugs heft Clubsen with ease and with one fluid motion, as if practiced many times, throw Clubsen 20ft towards a window. To which Clubsen crashes through and lands unconscious outside in the grass.
"Holly, if you would please." Mugs says to the Elvish serving girl. She bows and takes out a wand and holds it forth towards the broken pane of glass. It slowly begins to reform.
Mugs and Tugs both walk over to Takio and the rest of the crew. "At this point... I don't believe you are with the Navy." Mugs says to your group angrily his eyes becoming bloodshot.
"Even the Navy has more respect than you lot... which means your pirates who stole that navy ship and are impersonating them. And we don't take too kindly to pirates..." Says Mugs, clearly just as livid as Tugs.
"You are all leaving this bar through windows!"