Charles smirks at Jack's words.
"What my colleague is trying to allude to, is that we are seeking information about possible Chelish spies and informants operating in the Shackles. Now, I understand that information is never free, but perhaps we could come to some sort of arrangement for the information that we seek...?"
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Of course we can come to an arrangement. There has been such information here as many people share their secrets with the temples sacred acolytes in the heat of passion. You are right that these secrets were shared in confidence and I cannot simply give them away for free.
She leans against the desk arching her back.
There is a ship owned by the temple, the Lady's Sting, that recently
went missing. Divinations have revealed that the ship was attacked by a group of pirates who seem to deliberately lure ships into danger so that they can salvage the cargo of the wrecked ship. Piracy such as this is a fact of life in the Shackles. What I require is that the Lady's Sting was carrying a relic sacred to our faith, a gold plated wasp statue, known as the Golden Vespal. I want revenge on these wreckers who would dare attack one of our holy vessels as well as the safe return of our statue, but have been unable to locate these wreckers so far.
If you can find them Enact the Goddess's revenge upon them with all of your might and vengeance
uncommon hazard in the Shackles, and
finding the specific crew that attacked
the Lady’s Sting will be a difficult task.
However, it’s possible that the Temple of
the Hidden Name in Beachcomber might
have some information that could lead
to the wreckers.
Charles looks questioningly at the others, before nodding.
"I think we can agree to those terms."
Using his knowledge to his favor Jack nods and asks if the lady has any more infos?
Aishe nods as well. "We can; we will retrieve your statue, and make the wreckers pay as best we can."
"We should make our way to the Temple of the Hidden Name, in Beachcomber. They're likely to know where we might find these wreckers."
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Gathering the crew once again the Besmara's Fortune sets sail for the Temple of the Hidden Name.
Following Tessa second lead and Dindreann's request to retrieve the Golden Vespal from wreckers the crew is on a voyage to Bag Island, home to the largest population of halflings within the Shackles.
Beachcomber is one of Bag Island’s rowdiest ports, and many of its inhabitants are rumored to be secret worshipers of Norgorber.
check to get their meaning across with innuendo. If successful, the PCs are directed to a nondescript warehouse in the town’s Lurker District.
Before they leave the Fortune, Aishe informs the others that they should not ask openly about their target. "Leave that part to me." As she makes her way through the port, she occasionally sidles up to suspicious-looking individuals and makes obscure comments. Eventually, one of them nods and gives a set of complex directions. Walking back to the others, she smiles, "We have found our target." She follows the directions, and eventually the group finds themselves in the town's Lurker District, next to a nondescript warehouse.
Aishe smiles warmly. "Well, hello there. We were told, by sources we cannot reveal, that we might be able to find some answers here. Would you be able to help us with this, or take us to someone that could?"
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The Halfling wearing the cherub mask bows and waves a hand in the direction of a small door.
Inside the room is a Halfling sitting at a small desk. Standing he introduces himself. I am....Slip. How can the Temple of Hidden Names be of service to you?
The other Halfling shuts the door behind you and leaves you alone to speak with Slip.
"Well, we do seek answers to some interesting questions.
We have heard... that the chelish navy has a rat somewhere here. Some stinky ugly rat.... We seek that rat. Also... we seek the names of some truly distinguished men... who pray on the captains own ships by misplacing the fires to lure the ships on the cliffs."
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Slip looks at Jack curiously. That is a lot of information you seek. Concerning your spies. The Reaper of Reputation knows much that is hidden, but those secrets always have a price. The Halfling says with a smile. You see the Temple of the Hidden Name deals in information. To learn on of our Temple's secrets you must pay with another secret of equal value. Fortunately for you there is a some information that we seek.
You see there is a famous ship called the Brine Banshee that mysteriously disappeared several months ago. It was said that the Brine's Banshee was the fastest ship in the Shackles, with unparalleled handling for a vessel of it's size. many believed it to be the work of several potent spells woven throughout the ship. Find out what happened to the Brine Banshee and discover the secret of it's unprecedented speed and maneuverability and you shall have your information that you seek.
Shuffling some papers about Slip begins again. Concerning your Wreckers. It is no secret that many such groups operate within the Shackles, but I do have knowledge of one such group that claim to have successfully attacked a Calistrian vessel. For your information I will require another secret from you. The Halfling says with a wry smile once again.
"...and when might we learn what that secret is? We've no desire to waste your time - or ours, for that matter - with repeated visits."
"It is also quite difficult to say what a new secret could be?
For example... would it be a new knowledge for you how to kill whalebone pike?" Or the true story behind... a certain pirates treasure."
"Is there perhaps something else we could offer? We have our crewmen to consider; their well-being would be threatened if certain bits of information were to be bartered or sold."
Sighing Jack tells the priest their story....not without pointing out that they were forced by mr plugg and scourge.
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That is indeed a secret worthy of this. The halfling smiles
The wreckers that you seek are led by a half-orc wizard named Vakarla, and operate from a hidden island base southeast of the Rampore Isles.
The halfling opens a drawer and rummages around a small bit as he produces a small map pointing to the exact isle that you seek.
"Excellent, I love unannounced visits", Viviana mutters as they learn where the wizard is located. Waiting until the halfling is out of earshot, Viviana continues "Do do we plan to go in all guns blazing or subtly with Vakarla?"
"Let us wreck the wreckers day.... And I do not like wreckers... They rob besmara of her due."
Charles nods.
"Let's put an end to them, as quickly as possible."
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Following the lead gained at the Temple of the Hidden name, you set sail for Rampore Isles in search of the wreckers who attacked the Lady's Sting.
With no way of knowing the exact location of the Wreckers the Besmara's Fortune is just left to wander around the expanse of ocean surrounding the Isle.
Still 2 days travel away from the Isle you see nothing but wide open oceans.
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Just at the last minute as you are overlooking the water you look a little closer and all of the group notices that the water's color doesn't seem quite right and some of the waves seem to skip and jump in an irregular fashion.
Aishe and Charles are able to look past the odd waves and realize that it is one massive illusion. Directly in front of the ship is a massive coral reef and the Besmara's Fortune is about to run aground!
"I think the wreckers might be at work here... Hard to port!"
Hearing Charles word, Jack lets the wheel fly, following his comrades word.
using my trait... taking the better roll.
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Hearing about the reef Jack quickly heaves to the Besmara's Fortune. Though the ship still strikes the reef with force he seems to have lessened the damage to the ship as it slams to a sudden halt striking the reef.
The sudden stop throws the entire crew to the deck as anything not tied down is thrown against the rough wooden railings.
A sudden thick fog begins to blanket the deck of the ship before anyone has time to react and a small vessel appears alongside the stranded Besmara's Fortune as if out of thin air.
Quickly four pirates are descending onto the deck of your ship!
Aishe (38/52; need reflex save)
Viviana (45/60; need reflex save)
--------------------------
Vakarla
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Jack (30/45; need reflex save)
--------------------------
Cutthroats
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Charles (45/60 Need reflex save)
"Ok now this is personal!
Viviana easily keeps her balance as she 5 foots into the line of cutthroats, flurrying one with her elbows.
Aishe falls to the deck, but quickly recovers, standing, extending her boarding pike, and beginning an inspiring song.
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Quickly recovering herself Aishe extends her boarding pike in a defensive posture
Moving through the fog Viviana lashes out with fists and elbows at the red orc.
Two of Viviana's attacks miss in the thick fog but she is able to land one solid blow against the orc's nose.
The bloodthirsty orcs roar in the mist as they suddenly seem to begin to move a lot faster than they should be.
Aishe (38/52)
Viviana (45/60)
--------------------------
Vakarla (Haste)
---------------------------
Jack (30/45)
--------------------------
Cutthroats (Haste) (Red -11)
---------------------------
Charles (45/60 Need reflex save)
Charles is knocked flying by the ship hitting the reef.
Weaving a quick spell Jack casts divine favor on himself before drawing his cutless and moving closer to charles... hoping to guard him.
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Jack asks Besmara for a favor as he stands over the prone Charles to protect him until he is able to recover himself.
The orcs fly into a fury as they descend on the captains.
The red orc shifts around Viviana's side and slashes at her with his falchion in a fit of rage.
-Haste ; Pwr attack
-Haste ; Pwr attack
The falchion digs into Viviana's flesh through the dense fog.
The yellow orc follows suit flanking Viviana.
-Haste ; Pwr attack
-Haste ; Pwr attack
Viviana hears sharp blades come within inches of her arms as she feels the hot breath of the orc's closeby.
The blue and purple orcs swarm around Jack as they try to get to the prone form of Charles.
-Haste ; Pwr attack
-Haste ; Pwr attack
-Haste ; Pwr attack
-Haste ; Pwr attack
Jack feels a blade enter his side as he momentarily gasps for breath.
Inspire Courage +2
Aishe (38/52)
Viviana (31/60)
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Vakarla (Haste)
---------------------------
Jack (16/45)
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Cutthroats (Haste) (Red -11)
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Charles (45/60; prone)