Mr. Whiskers nods an affirmative when Einar asks him about what the pelt is called.
"I think it only works once though...but chosen well that one time may be all we need."
The rwst of the day passes uneventfully and the party camps for the night. "Einar, I heard you made very good Borscht. I wasn't feeling like eating the last time. Would you mind doing the cooking tonight?" Nadya asks."I miss Orm and Morjoli. But they'll be safer in Ellsprin. I just hope they won't grow up prejudiced to humans." She gives a wistful sigh.
The night passes uneventfully. The party continues on their journey.A small river cuts across the path, heading south toward the cliffs that overlook Glacier Lake. A stone bridge crosses the river, seemingly constructed with horse, wagon, and caravan traffic in mind. The bridge is well maintained, and the snow has been cleared from its span. Four-foot-high stone railings run along both sides of the bridge, topped at either end by iron spikes upon which clean and meticulously polished skulls have been carefully impaled and turned as if to observe the traffic. A white-painted signpost greets travelers approaching from the east.
The signpost reads, "All foreign merchants headed to Whitethrone are required to have licenses to do business in the city and that they may be subject, even with a license to inspection without cause.A license may be applied for at the city gates. - By the order of the Queen"
A pale green giant with scaled skin and large, webbed hands and feet and slotted gills on either side of its neck blocks the party from crossing the bridge.
"Papers please!" It demands in broken common.
Mr Whiskers recognise it as a Freshwater merrow
The party also notes 2 more green shapes lurking in the water.
Something also isn't quite right. Weren't inspections and licenses only required in White Throne itself? Or are some merrows trying to be opportunists...
"Well they seemed like decent boys." Mr. Whiskers consoles her. "They saw us work together, surely that will help counteract any prejudice they encounter." Smiling, he assures her "I think their experiences and what you have taught them should stand them in good steed."
Seeing the bridge in the distance with someone standing at it, Mr. Whiskers casts Mage Armor on himself using his runestone to power the spell.
Once up at the bridge, Mr. Whiskers stammers out "Aren't you...um...supposed to give us the papers? Err...We should probably be inspecting..." He looks at the sign. "Be inspecting anything you have."
"No papers?! You pay bridge tax! Medium animal," It looks at Geist,"Or you! You look good to eat!" They look at Mr Whiskers.
"Calm down, big guy." The merrow hunches over, trying to appear smaller and less threatening, backing away from the fearsome Einar. "Look, we don't want trouble. And you look like big trouble. You may pass." It hastily leaps off the bridge, and swims off, followed by his other two buddies.
Einar, Ziva and Crummock spot a clawed up body hidden under the bridge. There are three +2 arrows, three +1 arrows, a frost-forged chain shirt, a masterwork cold iron battleaxe, and a leather pouch containing two blue sapphires (worth 50 gp each) and 20 gp in coins, on the body.
Nadya furrows her eyebrows at Einar's stew. "I think I'd better do the cooking next time."
As the party draws closer to the fish camps, Nadya informs the party, "The fishcamps mostly are fishermen. They get nervous around armed people, because its usually the Winter Guard asking for more taxes out of season."
Arctic gulls fill the overcast sky with their cries over this small shantytown. Ramshackle huts are erected on the cold ground, hard packed and barren from generations of foot traffic. Dories and other small fishing boats are moored to dilapidated piers nearby or pulled ashore on the gray pebbled beach of Glacier Lake. The pervasive smell of fish is everywhere, sometimes fresh, but often with the underlying stench of centuries of decay. Nadya goes to her Uncle Ringerr's dwelling, but finds it crudely broken into and there's an evidence of a fight, some blood on the floor. Some furniture is broken and muddy boot prints leading out of the house. Her uncle Ringerr is no where to be seen.
Following the boot trail leads to a point in the street where it is messed up by someone running a rake through the prints.
Small groups of fisherfolk congregate on the piers or around shacks, engaged in whispered conversations, but with watchful eyes on what transpires around them. An occasional child can also be seen, toiling to repair nets or performing some other chore.
The villagers are afraid of reprisals if they discuss Ringerr's disappearance.
Ringeirr was recently “arrested” for “theft” by the Fishcamp Guards, a group of thugs who extort money from the village for their so-called “protection.”
At Nadya's warning about the people being nervous around heavily armed people, Mr. Whiskers packs away his crossbow on one of the pack dogs. He puts his mace, sling and sling bullets into his haversack. He does leave his dagger at his belt, figuring that not having a dagger would look strange amongst fishermen.
He tells Einar "If you decide to remove your armor, keep it in a separate bag. If it is in a separate bag and it becomes necessary, I can use one of my scrolls to magically gird you within seconds." If we can avoid combat, that would also be good.
When the trail ends, he looks around. Looking to Crummock he asks "Shall we split up and ask around? Since I am closer to their size, the youngsters may find me less threatening than you."
All the young humans I've met have been fascinated by Nivean. I might be able to get them interested in speaking with me if they see her.
Mr Whiskers manages to find few kids who are willing to tell him that those "meanies" have taken their uncle Ringerr who always gives them candy to the Fishcamp guardhouse. Their parents try to shush them up as they are afraid of offending the Fishcamp guards.
A group of Fishcamp guards have encircled a local fisherman and knocked him to the ground.
”Oi Barett, where’s the protection money! You REALLY don’t want our boss, Marcian to get mad, do you?” One of the guards threaten the prone fisherman by holding his ogre hook to his chin.
”No, please, give me another day!I’ll pay back everything! I’ll even give interest!” Barett blubbers as he begs his tormentors from the floor.
”Uh-oh,” The party hears the voice of a small child from behind them. ”Its those baddies who took Uncle Ringerr!” Then the kid runs away.
The Fishcamp Guards look at the party menacingly. "Look, this is really an affair between us, and him. You'll stay out if you know what's good for you."
Mr. Whiskers cowers behind Einar's giant frame -- mostly so they can't see him get ready to cast a spell! He grabs a packet of ground mica powder from his pouch.
Crummock nods when Einar takes the Ushanka.
"Keep it - ye will get more use out of it, than I."
Crummock nods in satisfaction when Einar sends the trolls packing.
"Aye, that be the way with bullies - once they meet a proper sialens, they disappear like water in a diffeithdir. Come on - let's keep moving..."
”I…I owe them 50gp! I’m currently not in business as my nets have been ruined by pikes!”Barett stammers.
”You lied to us.” One of the fishcamp guards snarls savagely at the prone fisherman. ”If you’re not in business how would you be paying us tomorrow?”
”Now here’s how things go. You pay off Barett’s debts, we leave him alone. Else we break his legs just to show how things are done here.”
"Fine. You have your bargain," The speaker draws back from the foul stench of the spoiled venison stew, wrinkling his nose. He winces in pain as Einar squeezes his hand. He then shakes his hand to be sure it is still there, after Einar has shaken it. The rest of guards pick up the gold pieces form the muck, getting themselves all muddy, as they meticulously count every single piece, while the speaker looks at Einar nervously, with no small amount of fear. "Let's get out of here." He informs the rest, as they all scram.
The fisherman gets to his feet and goes over to Einar."I...don't think I'll be able to earn a hundred gold pieces in my lifetime...I can only give you my lucky stone I found at the bottom of the river. Or maybe not so lucky," He gives a weak smile, "Those buggers still accosted me." He hands Einar a cracked red stone, which looks pretty familiar. Like the one that Shui was saying Einar should grab...
Mr Whiskers recognizes the stone as a Cracked Deep Red Sphere.
"Where will I be able to find you once I have the 100 gp? And where can I send for you if I'm bothered again?" Barett asks Einar."You didn't really kill any of your kin, did you? You seem like a nice guy to me."
The windows of this large, ugly unpainted building are boarded shut. Its construction is rough, haphazard, as if it were once a small shack that had many additions tacked on later. The word “guardhouse,” along with a crude symbol of a shield crossed by a hook, is painted on the buildings only door. Einar, Crummock and Ziva can smell racid body odour and fish coming from within.
"They took Ringerr to the guardhouse! Marcian said Ringerr stole a ring from him!"Barett replies. "I'll send the repayments, don't worry, and I still don't believe you killed your kin. Well unless they were b@stards. Then they had it coming anyway."
Einar is able to make a relatively quiet entry with his lockpicks. He sees in the room an ogre and a Taldan with curly brown hair wearing a black jacket (with red lining) and red pants, with a rapier at his belt, drinking a pint of ale. Yes, the ogres stink. Near the door there is an ogre also drinking a pint of ale that looks at Einar, bewildered, then growls out, ” Ön nem szívesen itt. Fishcamp őrök csak!”
You no welcome here! Fishcamp Guards only!
"Boss vagyunk támadás alatt áll!" The ogre shrieks as Einar bites him savagely.
Boss, we're under attack!
Ziva and Vernai, moving like a pair of matched blades, hurl themselves at the attackers.
The already wounded ogre falls to Ziva's greatsword.
Ziva sends Vernai in to go grab the human out, but it seems that the human seems to have uncannily sharp reflexes and is not caught by surprise. Even while in the chair, he manages to duck under Vernai's claw swipe.
"Neeem! Hozok neked azt, ember!" The other ogre cries out.
Noooo! I'll get you for that, human!
Crummock listens carefully whilst Einar pays off the man's debt with the thugs.
I honestly would not have expected him to do that... perhaps there is more to him...
His train of thought, however, gets derailed when he hears the 'terms' for Einar's 'loan'.
That's practically usury!
Once Einar is out of earshot, Crummock sidles up to the man.
"I cannae bare to leave a hard-workin' man in debt like that. Here, take this," he says, handing 100gp over to the man. "Now, if and when he be comin' back, you can pay him in full, and focus solely on feedin' yerself, and yer family, with your catch. May Desna smile upon ye!"
Crummock hustles forward, Geist bounding along beside him.
Meanwhile, Nadya repositions herself inside the building.
"But but...I can't accept your money, good master! The 'Kinslayer' has already helped me, I can't be taking money from his friends!" Barett protests indignantly.
Crummock smiles sadly.
"That be true, but I dinnae consider ye to be indebted to me - I have been extremely fortunate, and can easily spare it. I just want ye to live the best life that ye can, free from the burden o' owin' others. Just make sure that ye make yer life matter, to ye and yours."
"Oh good master, how can I thank you enough!"He gushes as his eyes fill with tears of gratitude, as he accepts the 100 gold pieces. "Please tell me your name so I can name my son after you!"
Crummock smiles warmly.
"Me name is Crummock. Crummock-i-Phail. Good luck, and may Desna smile upon ye always."
Seeing Einar walk up and talk to the bandits, Mr. Whiskers shrugs and puts his spell materials away. So much for that plan. I wonder what Einar plans to do?
He is momentarily pleased that Einar resolves it without violence, only for it to turn bitter as Einar shakes down Barett for money. I really should talk to him about his mercenary streak. It is likely his greed will get us all in trouble at some point.
While he is pondering that, Crummock goes and pays off the debt. At least he has the right of it!
As the group move on towards the guardhouse, Mr. Whiskers asks Einar and Crummock "Are you sure you want to be spreading your names about like that? This town is frightened and will tell all to any Winter Guard that come through."
Mr. Whiskers moves into the room. He takes a moment to look around before casting his Grease spell under the feet of the remaining Ogre.
The ogre does not slip out of his chair.
The human takes a defensive position and stands up, but ducks out of the way of Vernai's claw.
The ogre stands up and draws its greatclub.
With only one opponent left, Mr. Whiskers figures this battle is nearly over, Mr. Whiskers moves closer to the remaining ogre and casts his acid blob spell. Probably only make him mad, but my crossbow is still with the dogs.
I wonder where their boss will come in from? They were obviously calling for someone.
Ziva heads in the direction of the Ogre, taking the total defence action as she moves, while Vernai attempts to rip through the remaining human with her claws.
Crummock and Geist pound forward to attack the human...
...whilst Nadya takes a couple of pot-shots at the ogre.
Vernai rakes him with her claws and Geist bites his foot. He draws his rapier and tries to stab Geist."Why are you barging into my guardhouse?" He demands.
Mr Whiskers acid blop hits the ogre on his shin. And Nadya manages to stick the ogre on his shoulder.