Aishe says, "The knot is Sargavan naval code; it was used before the colony's independence from Cheliax."
She then sits down and examines the rope intently for a significant amount of time. Finally, she stands and announces, "The orders appear to be, 'Go to nagas, collect poison and information. Deliver both to the captain of the Diamond Star.'"
Jack nods happily."-good work Aishe!"
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"The Diamond Star was captured by the Radadoumi navy 6 months ago; however, her captain, Elliece Farhaven, retired a few months beforehand; odd, considering how young she was."
"She's currently holed up in a small fishing boat moored in the harbor of Quent."
"Perhaps we should go have a chat with her, then...?"
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After traveling back to Motaku Isle, Aishe easily finds the mooring in Quent’s harbor that holds Elliece’s small boat, an unnamed craft with a single tiny cabin. Inside lies the bludgeoned body of a tiny winged devil, well and truly beaten to death with the ichor-stained anchor lying nearby.
Aishe finds a sealed glass bottle with a rolled-up scrap of parchment on the cabin's single bunk. "Any thoughts on this? Should we open it?"
Charles regards it warily.
"Is it magical? If it isn't (or at the very least, it isn't trapped), it might be worth taking a look inside..."
Aishe takes a moment and determines whether the bottle, or the parchment inside, are magical.
Charles' nostrils flare.
"I caught a faint whiff of a strange chemical aroma when the paper was unfurled... perhaps there is a secret message contained within?"
Aishe finds a candle, lights it, and holds the paper near the flame for a few moments, careful not to ignite it.
"That could be lemon souce. It reacts to heat."
"Interesting... Anyone have any idea who this 'Roweena Kellet' is?"
Aishe considers what she may have heard about Roweena Kellet.
"Time to set sails. Hell´s Harbor. Sounds .. plushy!"
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Aishe recalls a Roweena Kellet in Hell's Harbor as a harbor quartermaster in the employ of Arronax Endymion, lord of Hell Harbor and a former admiral in the Chelish navy, now a member of the pirate council. Roweena manages two of Endymion’s smaller trade warehouses.
The group departs once again to the island of of Devil’s Arches and the town of Hell Harbor in search of Roweena Kellet. Tall watchtowers made of limestone flank the narrow entrance to the harbor known as Hell Harbor. The town takes its name from the numerous imps which live in the area.
"Right. I guess we should ask around about where we could find her?"
Aishe attempts to figure out where the captains can find their target.
Natalie attempts to do the same.
"Right then. Shall we go and see if we can find her?"
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The walk takes nearly an hour through the winding boardwalk, until Natalie and Aishe find the warehouse they believe to belong to Roweena Kellet.
The massive warehouse stands two stories tall with a large set of double sliding doors to allow access for a boat to enter and unload all of it's contents.
Charles nods in the direction of the entrance.
"Right then... Shall we go inside and see if she is available for a chat...?"
Aishe nods, "I think that's perfectly appropriate, don't you?" She proceeds to try the doors, after confirming the others are ready.
"Agreed."
Charles nods, and follows Aishe.
Waving a quick spell and empowering himself with heroism, Jack follows.
"Well, that was rather anticlimactic... Where is everyone?"
Aishe shrugs. "Let's check her house; perhaps she's cleared out of town, but left clues."
"Maybe we should check her office first, then, whilst we are here?"
"Good idea... let´s do so!"
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Seeing the warehouse is leading nowhere Natalie leads the group to Roweena's residence. Turning the corner you find a simple looking home with an office adjoining from the side. Taking a quick look around Charles quickly realizes that Roweena's front door has been broken open as wooden splinters lie all about. Peering inside it looks as if the place has been ransacked. Every piece of furniture is flipped on it's end and papers lie scattered all about the house.
"Damn..." Charles whistles softly. "I wonder what happened?"
He then begins to search the building for anything that the previous searchers missed.
"Lets not jump into conclusions, its possible that someone got here first before us, but its also equally possible further trouble still waits for us within this place."
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Charles digs through the piles of papers. None of the many shipping and mercantile papers scattered about Roweena’s office implicate her as a spy or informer though under the overturned couch Charles finds a ledger listing the names of numerous major pirate lords of the Shackles, each with a large number beside it. Of these names, one stands out: Arronax Endymion, whose entry has only a dash, rather than a number, after to his name. Scribbled at the bottom of one page is a single line: “Send with Corlan.”
Aishe flips through the pages of the ledger. "These numbers appear to be bribes, either to have the pirate lords turn traitor, or to have their followers overthrow them. Of course, the fact that Arronax Endymion has a dash next to his name must mean that he has already turned traitor."
Charles shrugs.
"...or it could mean that he *can't* be turned. We really don't know the situation. I am, however, interested in this 'Corlan'..."
Aishe attempts to think of where she might have heard the name "Corlan".
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Aishe recalls that Corlen is a Tengu smuggler that frequently works as an agent for Roweena. Within a few moments of speaking with the locals she quickly finds out the Tengu's address.
Leading the way there Aishe finds a large series of apartment buildings on the edge of Hell's Harbor Tengu Rookery. Corlan’s house sits at a crossroads where two wide streets intersect in a “T.”
"Do we knock, or do we try for something a bit more...subtle?"
Charles shrugs.
"Either or"
Aishe looks for any alternate ways into Corlan's dwelling, including rooftops, alleyways, etc.