"Well I'd argue with you on that point, but you got my interest. I'm in."
”Good to hear it”, Bjorkus says with a nod.
The minotaur pokes at the scattered cards.
”Know anyone else good in a scrap with some ships?”
"Hmm.. Afraid not, my large furry friend."
Bjorkus leaves rendezvous information with Pierce.
”You still interested in looking for that sword?” Bjorkus mentions to the party. ”Fishing up an artifact is sure to get us more allies.”
"Let's go get it. Especially if there'll actually be fishing or swimming involved."
"What? Taverns and brothels aren't your thing?" the minotaur asks with mock surprise.
The druid rolls his eyes, shakes his head, and grins back at the minotaur.
”Let’s go check out that tower then. It’s been too long since I’ve have a length of steel through my chest. Right Luthor?”
Zirul chuckles and smirks. "Hey now, let's not forget about me, thanks. I could definitely use a good scrap. Gotta get my name out there with you legends."
"As opposed to a bunch of foot-long teeth through mine? Stupid serpent."
"Hey, better you than me. If it'd bit me, I'd be dead. Thanks to your distraction, we put it 6 leagues under."
"Gee thanks. That'll make a great story. Luthor the great and mighty.. distraction."
As you all make your way back to port, you are approached by a well dressed man. "Greetings, I am Chambros Egrossa, first mate of the Tyrannous. I apologize for interrupting you, but my captain, Arronax Endymion, would like to speak with you aboard his ship, which awaits you in the port."
"Gee thanks. That'll make a great story. Luthor the great and mighty.. distraction."
"You coulda come swimming with me and [big-strong-friendly-creature-name]..."
The last word transitions smoothly from Common to a gargling guttural... word? which may or may not be a name.
He shakes his head. "Hey, that bear-man was f$*~ing scared as hell of you. He said you had fists like a mountain. The mountain lives through everything, right?"
"Gee thanks. That'll make a great story. Luthor the great and mighty.. distraction.""You coulda come swimming with me and [big-strong-friendly-creature-name]..."
The last word transitions smoothly from Common to a gargling guttural... word? which may or may not be a name.
"Swimming's your thing, the water doesn't like me and all my metal that much."
Arronax Endymion was the Council member who championed the issue of searching for Cheliaxian spies. He is the current lord of Hell Harbor and a former admiral of the Chelish Navy. The most suspicion of being a spy lies with him of course.
Bjorkus raises a brow and then looks to his friends.
"Alright. Lead the way."
Kal glances over at Bjorkus and tries to catch the minotaur's eye, a curious look on his face.
Bjorkus leans down to whisper to Kal as the group is lead to the docks.
"His boss is the council member that was leading the initiative to smoke out the Chelaxian spies. I'm guessin' he's the one that's been giving Tessa her orders. Even so, this might be a trap. Be ready for trouble."
Chambros leads you all to the Tyrannous and into the Captain's cabin where Arronax awaits you, trapless.
“I know you and your ally Lady Fairwind have been rooting about for Chelish conspirators. You’ve doubtless heard the rumors that I’m one of those conspirators as a result. I assure you that nothing could be further from the truth—my hatred of Cheliax and her devil-besotted fools plumbs deeper than any well of loathing in the Shackles. But still, the rumors persist— in fact, they’ve been spreading of late in my own home port of Hell Harbor. I wish these rumors squashed, but to do so, I need your aid. I cannot directly move against the source of this latest campaign of falsehoods against me, but if you do this for me—if you teach these slanderers a lesson, I’ll reward you with a squadron of my finest warships.”
Kal listens attentively, trying to gauge the man's attitude. "What kind of aid are you seeking? 'Teach them a lesson' could mean kill them all, or... something else. And why can't you move against them yourself, exactly?"
He seems worried and distracted, but he is genuine.
"The slanderers in question are a small group of exiled Chelish performers who have purchased a seaside tavern and have been using it as a cover for their campaign against me. Their performances are quite popular among the citizens of Hell Harbor, and by the time I realized it was they who were slandering me, any overt move I made against the troupe would only martyr them and “prove” my guilt, since it would look like I was attempting to crush those attempting to get the truth out. But if an apparently nonallied group were to infiltrate the theater and reveal the truth, my name would be cleared.I want you to sail to Hell Harbor and to investigate the troupe and find proof of their work against me, or at the very least, proof that they are Chelish agents. If no such proof can be found, then no harm is done, for Hell Harbor has no shortage of entertainers."
The druid scratches his chin-stubble thoughtfully. "Exiled Chelish... assuming they are exiles, what motive would they have for vilifying you? If they're Chelish agents, I can see it... you suspect that to be the case?"
Before Kal's question is answered, Bjorkus interjects.
"You'll swear ships to our cause if we take care of this for you?"
"Yes, I do. Just visit my manor once the matter is settled and I’ll reward you with the squadron of ships I promised. Do we have a deal?"
Kal nods his agreement.
"We'll take care of it", the bull rumbles. "One way or another."
"Let's head to Hell Harbor then. If these sods are agents of Cheliax the sooner we send them packin' the better."
"I suppose the sword will wait... anyone know if there are any good swimming spots around Hell Harbor?" Kal asks, with a glimmer in his eye.
Endymion gives you an address for the old waterfront tavern his enemies have converted over to a makeshift theater, but requests that you time your investigation of the site for the late night or early morning. Not only does this have a good chance of catching those within off guard, but it minimizes collateral damage—Endymion does not want any locals harmed in the pursuit of revealing the truth.
As you approach the tavern in the wee hours of the morning, you find the
site to be relatively deserted. Though as you approach, a heavily armored guard steps out from behind a corner.
"What are your names? You should move along, this building is under the personal protection of Lord Endymion himself."
”We’re here to have a word with the folks running this site. It’ll be quick”, Bjorkus adds.
Well you can obviously tell that theater is not under Lord Endymion's protection. And from the way he walks, who walks like that? Give me a will save.
Hey, that guard? He's not real! He's a phoney! An illusion! A big fat illusion!
Bjorkus waves a beefy hand through the ‘guard’.
”It’s a trick”, the bull explains. ”Illusion magic. Somethin’s going on alright.”
"Damn illusions."
"I think he just invited us in. Isn't that what you all heard?"
You also notice it's an illusion.
As Bjorkus does that, a burst of lawful orderly energy impacts the party.
Order's Wrath
Right after that happens, a barbed female creature appears on the rooftop. “Lord Endymion sends you his regards, fools... now die at his command!” She shrieks.
Zirul stands there. Dazedly dazed.