"don't fish near the tannery outflow," says Sarusa absently, almost forgetting to scowl. Almost.
With a few helpful directions from the locals, you make your way to the Explorer's Arms, a fine, four story building near to the docks but upwind of the tannery, stone below and pale wood above. Bright lanterns illuminate the street, as well as the sign above the door, crossed blades before a kite shield, with an open book below. A gaggle of stableboys and girls wait expectantly near the hitching posts, all knobby elbows and buck-toothed grins as you approach.
Sounds of genial merriment drift out of the windows, though the large oaken door, banded in iron is closed. A copper plate, mostly free of verdigris, is bolted to the wood. It reads: By order of the Council of Galduria, all visitors must declare any and all magical accoutrements upon entry at any public house. Undeclared magical items are subject to forfeiture.
Tekk glances at the boys and girls, and gives them a stern look. Leaning down, he frowns, "Hmmm. Well, here's the deal boys and girls. We have a couple of animals that are very dear to us."
He pulls a few coppers out of his pouch, being sure to give one to each child. "So we expect them to be seen too with care and love."
Tekk pulls out a silver for each of the boys and girls, then smiles and winks, "And if you all do a good job with our animals, you'll get two more of these when we leave. My name is Tekkis, and I'll be staying here for a bit. If you need anything, you just ask for me or my friends. Fair deal?"
As the children agree, he hands each of them a silver piece, then pats both Dodi and Plod on the head.
-----
As he reaches the door, he grimaces. Opening it, he prepares to give an accounting of his magical equipment. No sense provoking anything without reason.
Sarusa looks at the copper plated sign and shrugs, shucking off her armor far more rapidly than Tekk's bulky plate, then rummages through her neatly arranged pack. "Earplugs, earplugs...no, the thunderstone is alchemical only...but the dustburst? Oh cloud-ear fungus." She takes a moment to Detect Magic on her own possessions, chuckling to herself, and eyes Gellig, then shakes her head, and bundles up the magic items within the chestpieces of the armor.
"It's a good thing I wasn't wearing a magic robe...no one has magic smallclothes, do they?"
With a laugh, Tekk winks and claps Morin on the shoulder, "Some of us don't have any smallclothes! Eh, Morin?!"
Obviously disturbed to part with his possesions, Karo quietly begins setting his gear aside while making a mental catalog.
Morin's knees buckle under him as Tekkis' meaty paw drops onto his shoulder. Recovering his equilibrium, if not his pride, he looks up at his friend and laughingly says "Tekk! There are ladies present! Though I guess Sarusa was the one what started you talkin' about smallclothes, eh? There, now you've got me doing it too!"
Morin laughs and starts to assess what magical items he'll have to declare, thinking, My armor, some arrows... but his train of thought is interrupted. Turning back to Sarusa, he asks "What do magic smallclothes do?"
"My friend, there is a little spell called prestidigidigtation. Or something like that. Very handy little spell as I understand it - can keep you clean and dry."
With an exaggerated wink, Tekk gives Morin a knowing nod.
"I-it's a shame none of you know it. I would imagine... that some of your smallclothes smell like something of a nightmare..."
Chloe adds, pulling out her bag and pointing, jamming her entire arm through a side pocket to demonstrate extradimensional space to the employee in charge.
"The ones that... Tekkis apparently removed from Morin (or that don't exist...) n-nonwithstanding."
She then pulls out her two remaining cure potions, and then puts up a hand to demonstrate that is all.
"...this does beg the question of how much of a mint someone could make off of... of magic smallclothes, though... I'd fork over a small fortune for a bedpan of similar nature... Save me a world of work with the patients, poor dears..."
She puts a hand to her chin.
"If Morin is all you've looked for in...in the cuddling compartment, Tekkis, I question your dedication.... to the finding of the big spoon... that I prescribed."
The children accept Tekkis' coin with wide-eyed solemnity and carefully lead the animals by their halters to the stables next door.
Inside the Explorer's Arms is well lit and pleasant, with the strains of flute and lyre drifting down from above. The innkeeper looks on in bemused silence as you produce your enchanted goods and dutifully notes them all in a ledger, but when Karozekas mentions the paradox box but is unable to reveal the contents, the man grimaces through his sandy moustache. Might not be a problem if ya don't stay too long, but give the Academy enough time, and they'll send someone over to have a look at yer box, and take it for study if they think it's in the town's best interests.
The rooms cost two gold for the night, but the mattresses are of excellent quality, and the doors have sturdy locks. On the top floor, there is a great lounge with padded chaises and a lakeside wall comprised of large, open shutters that give an excellent view. Points of orange and red light flash out on the dark waters in ones and twos, although sometimes large strings of light flash together and in succession, creating strange symbols of unknown meaning. Wine and ale flow freely from the bar as merchants rub shoulders with mercenaries and sailors make rude comments to scholars. Most seem uninterested in the light show on the waters, although occasionally, one will drift out of conversation and stare, mesmerized at the lake for a few moments. You can see steaming bowls of stew, tender lamb chops with mint jelly, herbed potatoes and vegetables and flaky white filet's of fish on other diner's plates. Serving men and women, dressed in clean, white smocks circulate among the crowd, taking orders and delivering food and drink.
When one of the servants stops at the table, Tekk asks about the lights, "Your pardon, but what's with the light show on the lake?"
The waitress pauses briefly at Tekkis countenance, but composes herself quickly. Those are the embers of our Ember Lake, ah, gentle orc. She smiles nervously and tucks an unruly chestnut lock behind her ear before returning her attention to you. No one knows what they truly are, but they are lovely to gaze on, don't you think? Is there anything I can get you? Drink or victual?
"No one? They are either magical, or some creature, or both. Hmmm.". Sarusa peers out at the lake to see if there is a pattern to the lights that indicates living creatures are making them.
"...I'm more of a student of ley lines than animals," she confesses. "But has anyone gone for a swim to take a look? Do the lights recede if encroached upon?"
Well, maybe someone from the Academy could tell you, but most folk are smart enough to stay off the lake on the nights when they're about. The waitress looks slightly exasperated, but keeps a cheerful smile on her face. I'm sorry I can't tell you more about the embers. I just like to look at them, and don't have much time for night swimming anyway.
Chloe sulks.
It's a subtle thing, really, a withdrawing of her hands into a perfectly ordered fold on her lap as she stares at nothing with exceptionally slow breathing patterns.
Normally, she wouldn't dream to grasp beyond the magical sight granted to her, but...
"Could someone... describe the lights?" she asks quietly.
"Oh... and for dinner, I'll take water with a special."
Sitting close to Chloe as he often does, Morin hears her quiet request. Cursing himself for a clod, he responds, "Ah, Chloe, lass, I'm sorry! We spend all day together on a horse's back, me telling ye what's on the horizon, keepin' a weather eye out for both of us in case the wind backs, and we get down off dear Dodi and I forget to describe the natural wonder that's bobbin' right off our starboard beam."
Standing up on the low bench they're seated on, so he can see over the heads of his companions, Morin looks out the large open windows at the lake and considers the lights a moment before describing them. "Well, it's a bit like little fires swimmin' about the lake surface. Lots of little lights flashing in'n'out, red and orange, sometimes just one, sometimes a couple that look like little eyes for a mo - oh! There went a whole string of 'em! Like those paper lanterns people say are from Tian Xia, but lit up quick and then dark again."
Turning to the waitress, he goes on, "You say folk don't go on the lake when the lights are about? Well, perhaps we'll be the first and bring back a tale to tell! In the meantime, I'll have some of that nice lake fish, fried up hot and crisp. And the first round of drinks for my friends is on me - don't let 'em tell you any different, even the big handsome fella there!" he says, pointing at Tekkis.
Sarusa chews on fish and vegetables absently while observing the lights.
"Perhaps a...constitutional stroll...after dinner," she says.
Chloe closes her eyes and tries to imagine the running lanterns. She'd seen one once, unlit, in a peddler's cart when she was very young. The rest is purely imaginative, however. Like candleflames superimposed in little paper carriages, running on little firelegs.
"Thank you, Morin." She places her hands back onto the table, placated and happy. "For two reasons, now..."
"A stroll...? To the lake, right...?"
Karo, who had only picked at his plate of greens amd sipped at his tankard of stout while staring intently at the motes of light on the lake, looks up to his companions. It's surprising that the arcanists of the Academy have not found the source of these lights. As much as I would like to visit the Academy, I certainly don't want the box we found confiscated. The elf nibbles absently at a piece of kale. Maybe a trip to the lake is in order. Are we staying in town tonight ?
The food proves to be hearty fare, and the portions are ample. Nothing compared to the exotic spices and flavors available in Magnimar, but still tasty and filling. The fish is especially good, obviously caught fresh that day.
The light show continues in the inky depths of the lake as evening descends. As the stars come into full view, the reflected constellations create an amazing backdrop for the ochre hues of the aquatic luminescence, which in turn seem to dance, orange and red among the white. The hooded lanterns in the lounge are turned low, and most of the guests fall into silent witness of the display before you. This vision will never slay a foe, or tap into the potence of creation, but nonetheless, you feel a power in it, as though it were calling out; a message of unknown provenance, of indecipherable need.
--------------------
From your vantage point, you can see the docks reaching out into the lake, with several boats anchored for the night. The stout wooden walls of the town reach the shoreline, but could be swum around if one were inclined to hazard the journey. Pairs of watchmen appear at long intervals, holding lanterns that burn with the unmistakable odor of fish oil.
Eventually, mists rise from the lake, shrouding the cryptic lights.
Sarusa detects magic and extends her spirit sense.
"...Morin? You feeling seaworthy?" She keeps her eye on the mists.
Sarusa's spellcasting draws some curious and pointed glances from several of the patrons, most of whom are dressed in scholar's robes.
Oblivious, Chloe probes her plate with her fork for any errant food she may have missed and promptly eats what's left.
"I am... I mean, I can swim well enough in... in still water. Morin's a better swimmer though... Or were you meaning a boat?"
Tekk leans in to his friends, "At the risk of being a stick in the mud, I suggest we refrain from anything that would draw attention to ourselves. Karo is right, I wouldn't take kindly to them confiscating our goods just for staying in their town."
He growls low and looks around, "Frankly, I'd just as soon move on tonight as stay here. Something seems off..."
"....oops," says Sarusa, chastened. She gives a weak smile at the frowning faces, and whispers to her companions. "Well...that was a bad idea. No spells in here. Maybe we can leave the mystery a mystery."
"But I... I don't really care about the mystery... Sarusa, I just want to dip my feet in the lake."
Chloe looks to Tekkis, and then stares sightlessly in the direction of several other patrons for a few moments before finishing off her sixth glass of water.
"It's either that or I'm doing more laundry, though I am in no position to... to complain. I'm nearly out of-of gold, myself... If we end up leaving town, we end up leaving town..."
"some can take a stroll."
Her face darkens.
"some of us stay and guard our possessions."
Perhaps we should just be on our way? I certainly don't won't any trouble with the town of the Academy. Karo state as he finishes his food and drink.
Tekk looks over at Chloe, "What's that, Chloe? Come on then, let's at least make sure you get your toes wet."
The half-orc stands up and stretches, waiting for Chloe to rise. Looking around the table, he asks, "Anybody else want to get a closer look?"
Karo quaffs another tankard and wipes his mouth on his sleeve. Why not? Let's at least go take a look. The elf says starting to feel the effects of his tankards.
Chloe smiles and gets to her feet. She doesn't have much money, as previously noted, but she will proffer one of her last two gold pieces if it is needed to contribute to the tab.
"Thank you." she chimes with unusual clarity.
A short walk to the docks results in the discovery of a fine, low pier, perfect for toe-dipping. The waters are warm, surprisingly so for this early in the spring, considering the weather you've had. The gentle lapping of the water against the wood serves as a fine counterpoint to the ongoing light show.
The warm waters of the lake, combined with the cool night air are what gives rise to the night fog.
Still a little heady from the stouts he drank, Karo begins in a professorial tone. This fog is the product of the warm lake waters intermingling with the cool night air. The colder air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air, hence the forming of fog.
Sarusa, her faithful frog beside her, scans the dock for suitable boats.
Chloe cautiously makes her way to the end of the pier, where she drops down and places her now-bare feet, making contented humming sounds as she sees what water it is possible to take in. The warmth of the water tempts her to go in further, but..
"Is that so...? Beautiful... I can feel it on my skin..."
Sarusa spies several keelboats moored to the docks. Their ramps are well lit, sails are furled, and sailors keep watch on deck. Further south along the waterfront, you can make out some sheds which might house rowboats, although you'd have to investigate to be sure.
Despite the late hour, you can see small groups of sailors, making their way to the all-night pot houses, or drunkenly stumbling along with dockside whores. You do not see much in the way of a presence by the city watch though.
"I can give one of us Barkskin and use an oar as a magic weapon, if need be. Better to cast those on shore rather than in the water, though," says Sarusa quietly.
The seconds and minutes tick by, fewer sailors and dockhands prowl the taverns, and the sounds of revelry begin to fade.
Morin is pleased to see his companions enjoying being near the water, and contemplates the gently lapping waves at the lakeshore, so much smaller and quieter than the true rollers of the sea. After a contemplative pause, he responds to Sarusa "Seaworthy? I was born seaworthy, and hope to die so - though not too soon, mind ya. But I was a bit distracted by seeing actual boats, even if they're floatin' on a little make-believe sea, and not sure I followed all you were saying." Lowering his voice, he continues "What did you all have in mind? Makin' off with a boat to investigate them lights? Sounds interesting enough, but I'll point out that when you steal a boat, it's often not a good idea to sail it right back to the port ye got it from. The previous owners are like to be waitin', and none too happy."
Sarusa looks at the keelboats, then the tempting sheds, then back to Morin, her face wrinkling in thought.
"..." She kicks at the shore. "We can't do this through surreptitious means, can we. What do you say we just walk up to the guards and ask how much to rent a boat around here? Money talks, doesn't it? And ask if anyone goes out onto the lake when the lights are out, and why not."
Not entirely listening to her companions, but picking up on the tone as she lowers her legs further into the water, contemplating jumping in for a swim, Chloe adds a sidelong, "I'm not sure... what's going on, but if it involves lowering Morin from a cable into the lake, know that I... I preemptively disapprove."
As you discuss the various means of accomplishing your goals, a muffled chorus of off-tune voices reaches your ears. The muted glow of torches and lanterns resolves through the mist, as a crowd of men, at least a baker's dozen if you had to guess, makes its way along the docks, heading toward the small pier you are currently perched on the edge of. They have the rolling gait of sailors on shore leave, and as they grow closer, you can make out the words of a lusty sea shanty whose subject is a singularly accommodating woman and an ever increasing number of men treating her in a fashion that could certainly offend sensitive listeners.
Morin nods his head at Sarusa's wise suggestion of renting a boat, rather than stealing one, and he chuckles appreciatively at Chloe's caution on his behalf. He is just about to speak up when he pauses, cocking his ears at a sound in the distance. After a moment, he hears the gentle roar of sailors singing their hearts out. He listens closely to the song as the throng of sailors approaches, trying to recall if he knows this one.