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We're not going looking for the skinsaw men? Why did we get briefed on thier recent antics?
-Posted with Wayfinder
I have a feeling if we go about Varisia mucking up the plans of the evil forces, the Skinsaw Men will eventually come looking for us!
Lady Heidmarch smiles as she learns about your encounter with The Lord-Mayor. "Sekkimm don't be frustrated by Lord-Mayor Grobaras. He is a fickle man and a bit pompous, but we need him and he needs us whether he sees that or not. Our local agents here helped Shalelu investigate the cult of the Skinsaw men and we feel their presence in Magnimar was either wiped out or they moved on to a safer location. Certainly the leadership has all been accounted for and is dead. Who, if anyone, was pulling their strings is a another matter altogether. In the days after the revelation that the Lord mayor was a target of the cult, he called in several favors - You are one of those favors. He is feeling bit safer now, and has other pressing needs. Indeed I myself am concerned about the lack of communication from Fort Rannick. Please go and look into this - I will contact you if any news of the Skinsaw men or more Sihedron Runes appear.
Now let's discuss travel. The Hook Mountain Region area is dominated by thick forests, lakes, and the swamps known as the Shimmerglens. Fort Rannick is just north along the river. By land, it’s a journey of 450 miles through lightly patrolled regions. By foot 19-day journey, while on horseback it’s only a 9-day trip. Alternatively, you could take one of the many river barges that ply the Yondabakari and Skull Rivers from Magnimar all the way to Turtleback Ferry, in which case the journey takes only a week. The ferry is by far the safest, and the 50gp cost per person fare covers enough well armed marines to avoid most dangers.
I know it's not what you were expecting, but all the reports of goblins and even giants moving about on the borders concerns me. I would like to hear your first hand accounts.
Cold rain falls as you reluctantly prepare to head north. You realize travel by river will be much more pleasant than mucking through the woods in the mud and rain.
Checking on boats there is one leaving tomorrow. It will travel along the Yondabakari River east running along The Mushfens with stops in Wartle and Whistledown. Leaving the river at Whistledown you cross Lake Syrantula and stop at Ilsurian before heading north up the skull river to Turtleback Ferry which is near the Fort. (See Varisia Map)
You still have some time for shopping or anything else before you leave Magnimar.
Sorry 1700gp per restoration scroll (1000gp material component)
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Eschew materials won't help with material components of any cost (over 1gp)
Party spilt good idea!
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Eschew materials won't help with material components of any cost (over 1gp)
Party spilt good idea!-Posted with Wayfinder
Lets get a move on!
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But, if we must get on another of these infernal boats, perhaps I will write a stirring tale of riverboat adventure. Is there any gambling going on on this boat? Trafficking in illicit substances? Does any of the crew have any drugs or substances that would help us? I want to mingle with as many river folk as I can to see what is what.
Good Nybor man!
The next day you get up early to find Canayven Heidmarch, Lady Sheila Heidmarch and Shalelu Andosana around the breakfast table. Lady Heidmarch says "I thought Shalelu would be good company and she is familiar with the wilds of Varisia." She smiles, "also it will get her out of the city which I know she deplores. One last thing..." She hands Sekkimm a leather scroll case. "You will find 3 scrolls of sending here. Report when you have something on Fort Rannick or anything major I should be aware of. Safe travels" After you break your fast with with warm soft flatbread, pink fish roe, honey sausage, and fried locusts, washed down with a bittersweet black ale you say your good byes grab your gear and find a carriage waiting outside.
The carriage takes you across Magnimar and you arrive at the docks in a cold pouring rain. The River barge is made more for passengers and much more comfortable than the Black Mist. After the normal formalities of boarding you are underway.
During the week you find Shalelu pleasant company and will be reliable in a fight. The elf seems particularly efficient with a bow. You mingle, drink and gamble with the other passengers, while the marines and crew tend to keep to themselves.
A week later and without any incident, the group of marines could not handle, you arrive at Turtleback Ferry located at the foot of Hook Mountain. Fernleaf seems to have gambled, drank and whored his winnings away by the time you arrive. The cold rain seems to have followed you north.
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Fernleaf seems to have gambled, drank and whored his winnings away by the time you arrive. The cold rain seems to have followed you north.
Just for clarity, Fernleaf does not drink alcohol. He may "appear" to drink alcohol sometimes, even to excess, but this is just a ruse, designed to give me the upper hand (and clear mind) in order to gain advantage in these situations. Also, he would not pay for sex. Just sayin'.
BUT, I am definitely trying to become one with the people and learn all I can about the seedier side of life on the river.
Hopefully my potions of invisibility (requested on Discussion Page) took most of my money so there won't be too much to lose on the boat.
Turtleback Ferry is a small township of about 430 souls perched on the rain-drenched north shore of Claybottom Lake. Three distinctive ferries crafted from the shells of giant turtles slain by Autek Lavendy, one of the town’s founders, make Turtleback Ferry the central trading town for the region. You quickly find an inn out of the rain. After setteling your rooms and drying off you spend some time in the greatroom with the villagers. The locals seem friendly enough, although many of them seem nervous and skittish.
This feeling is only partially due to the early arrival of the winter rains, and it doesn't take long to figure out that Magnimar’s worries about Fort Rannick are well founded; there’s been no contact from the Black Arrows for several weeks now. Normally, one or two of the rangers visits Turtleback Ferry every few days for supplies, news, or entertainment, but since the rains began in earnest several weeks ago, no one’s heard from the rangers at all. In addition, the wilds nearby (particularly Kreegwood) have grown more dangerous. Wild animals like bears, firepelt cougars, and boars are becoming increasingly common along the edges of these woodlands, and several of Turtleback’s hunters and trappers believe these predators are being forced from the depths of the woodlands by the increased activity of local monsters like ogres, trolls, and worse. Earlier in the week, a patrol headed north to try to make contact with Fort Rannick, but they never returned.
Anaba
Buchart
Cela
Fernleaf
Rolande
Sekkim
Rolande takes a stroll around town and spots a tattoo on one of the locals, hidden on the small of his back. Exposed for a moment when he bends over to pick up a crate and his clothing slips up. It looks like a seven-pointed star — the Mark of the Sihedron.
She can, but that will involve a hike in the woods.
I report this to the party.
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I love this weather!
Sekkim, clad in his usual pants, cloak, and headband, basks in the falling rain.
-Posted with Wayfinder
It looks like he was working at the cooper's shop a few buildings down from the inn. He shouldn't be hard to find if you want to talk with him. There is no other knowledge than you already know about the rune.
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I will take lead on speaking with this fellow. I can communicate in thuggerish if I need to
I will go to the cooper shop and see what is what. Do I see him? Is he busy?
If so, I will speak diplomatically to him. My goal is to determine anything I can discover about the evil doings around here. I will vaguely hint about how impressive the murders were... probably done by professionals, no? I wonder how folks could become so organized? Must be a powerful leader, I bet. Etc.
No bless going and it would not help with skill checks anyway.
Fernleaf finds the man hard at work soaking timbers and bending them into barrels. There is a good supply of finished product and some older barrels he is fixing or reusing the metal rings. After a few minutes of watching him you can tell he knows his craft. You see no weapons except a knife which he uses from time to time to trim the boards to fit. He is in his late twenties and nothing about his attire would say anything other than he is a cooper. there are some younger lads about, probably apprentices or his children doing various cooper activities as well.
"Hello, governor. New in town ehh, how's about this weather eh? How can I help you? Need some barrels sir. We do quality work I guarantee no leaks."
If so, I will speak diplomatically to him. My goal is to determine anything I can discover about the evil doings around here. I will vaguely hint about how impressive the murders were... probably done by professionals, no? I wonder how folks could become so organized? Must be a powerful leader, I bet. Etc.
Let's see your line of questioning and you can keep the diplomacy roll.
I'd like to see how we get from "How's it going?" to "Great job killing people." Anyone can hop into the conversation and we can make Fernleaf the lead diplomacy person.
He perks up, stands and stretches his back. His hands show the callouses of a laborer. "Yes sir, I was an apprentice under my father, now my sons are apprenticing under me as my father did before." My family has been coopers here for forty years. How many barrels you be needin'"
"Yes, indeed. No word from the Rangers spells bad news for us in Turtleback Ferry. I hope Magnimar sends help soon. Without the fort there is nothing between us and the monsters up north. My wife is already talking about leaving."
"Twenty that would be a fine order sir. 2gp per barrel and a 10% discount for 20(its a good price). We see our fair share of bad here on the edge of the wilds - It's a harder life than the south, but ahh the fresh air and no one tellin' you how to run yer business...besides the misses of course, Ha!"
Sure there's a couple of places in town. Your in Varisia - everyone has some here or there."
He lifts his shirt and has a good sized one on his stomach of a griffon and a turtle