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The pleasantly uneventful trip to Buttergroves leads you beyond the woods south of Elmwood and onwards to the estuary of the Duathamper River. This is a fabled river, steeped in ancient history, that’s said to be the last barrier between the old elven kingdoms of Cormanthor and the wider Moonsea. The nature of the river varies by the season, strong and fast-flowing in the main part, but presently shallow and sluggish as the summer droughts reach their peak. Wide mudflats, sandbanks and waterflow channels are scattered across the mouth of the river. Just beyond, on the far shore, lies your destination, Buttergroves.
The cart track winds down to Mother’s Crossing, a collection of ferry huts, with several rough-hewn keel boats beached along the sides of the mainly dry river tributary. A sign above the door of one of the huts reads "Beryl's Boats. Crossings by Arrangement."
Are we there yet? Io asks, only half kidding, looking around at the sights.
With such beautiful country, it is di journey that is important, my friend, Gio responds with a grin.
Shae leans back into her seat and thumbs through some of her bounty notes.
The journey is indeed, important, Giuseppe. However, I too am ready to be done with this trip. There may be information on one of my marks around here.
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"I'm always fascinated with the mortal concept of 'time'; it's like you feel you never have enough time to get things done, but then you waste years of your life breeding and raising progeny."
Mender shakes his head "So bizarre."
”Finally... a town. Shae, this better be worth it.” Those of you who have travelled with Sir Gorum for a while realize that he doesn’t enjoy long stints “on the road” as it were. “Too far from a drink, a warm bed, and someone to share both” he often says.
The half elf is quiet and pensive on their journey, not rude in the least but much more recollected.
Io would be happy to engage in a conversation about the nature of time with Mender, as he would agree on the wasting of life being tied down. Also he knows a peculiar lot about time-based spells, and how that might affect one's concept of linear time.
Giuseppe often runs ahead, throwing a stick as far as he can! His new mastiff, Alberto, charges off to retrieve the stick and soon comes back to the party.
We are almost there, I believe. Though, to be honest, dis is my first time here! The swordsman grins broadly at everyone, before handing his wineskin to Gorum.
With a smile, the cleric will inquire if Guiseppe is part kender.
*woo woo woo*
Near the little shack you hear a big black dog start to go a%++!+#, and it takes Giuseppe's new mastiff companion all its discipline not to bark back. You hear a "Ahhhhhhhh shuuuuuut up...ye bone munchin lout. Them's business. Now be a good pup and we'll find ye a rotten old game quail later..." You hear the dog whimper in acquiescence.
Getting nearer, you see a small crew of carpentry men working on what looks like wooden sections of a larger raft, sections they might eventually link together into a single craft. Beryl's Boats, as the sign says is actually Beryl's Boat, from what you can tell...only a single quite tiny ferry is tied up.
"Ahoy there travelers, looking to cross o'er to Buttergroves? Ol Vance can take ye. Fer a price of course. The old gal aint much to look at but she'll getcha there dry...25 silver a head. What brings you this way?" he's a thickset, burly man with days old stubble. It looks like he has an old crossbow bolt wound in his right cheek, coming from behind out near his mouth.
Giuseppe calls Alberto over, Hail and well met, my friend. What happened to your boats?
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"Ah, Sea hag. B+&%+ of the North, they called her...old elven spirit turned vengeful like, so they say. Likes to rot me timbers on occasion." his dog barks again at Alberto, as it paces around, obviously annoyed at the presence of another animal here in its territory. Vance raises a hand, but only threateningly "...now I done warned ye mutt...down, boy. Heel."
"Eh...what was that? Aye the boats...rotted out that Sea Hag likes em. But eh, we can rebuild. Plenty o' lumber in Cormanthyr."
"What is the mortal obsession with giving inanimate objects genders?"
Io looks around this little dive, yawns, and sits down. This is still boring.
Gorum looks the man over and looks over his shoulder to the crew working on the raft.
Concluding nothing to be amiss, Gorum goes back to filing his sizeable fingernails.
Shae sits back in her seat and gives a nod to the man, but waits for someone else to do the talking.
Gorum, Vance is indeed armed with saber and dagger and armored with studded leather...perhaps not surprisingly so here on the edge of civilization with talk of sea hags about. The 3 carpenters nearby are similar armed.
At Mender's inquiry, Vance just looks him over dumbly "What are ye, some kind of philosopher? Well, price is the same, scholar or no...25 silver. Agreed? Boat can take 3 at a time...who's first?"
Sea hags, eh? Gio unshoulders his sheathed sword, I guess we'd best be ready for battle, eh? Could be a tough one, never fought a fairy tale before... fire beasts and wacko cultists, yes, but hags, no. What say you Gorum? You ever killed a hag before?
Vance narrows his eyes "er...I said hag, not hags. And never been attacked out there...just comes at night, if at all."
"Heh, like yer mum!" one of the workers shouts in jest.
That doesn't make the ferry-man much happier, losing his nerve "What the hell is this anyways, you waltz up and start giving me attitude? How about I charge you 30 silver?" his dog starts growling low.
Another of the boat craftsmen adds "Easy now. Nothing to fear save maybe them damn quippers. Fish of the damned, they are...meat eaters. Don't worry, good ol' Vancy aint scared of em, are ye Vance?" he snickers.
"...if I see any 'quippers'...I will kill them." the agitated man promises deadpan.
Gio laughs it off, Keep your pants on, my friend!
The swordsman fishes through his money pouch, producing 15 gold coins, I was just making sure that you are true. After all, it does seem fishy that all but one raft is broken... That wanted poster has been torn off di board over there... And finally, charging 25 silvers is a great way for bandits to see if their targets have enough money to rob. Especially, a party with as many as us.
Giuseppe di Firenze stands looking the boatman in the eye, a devilish grin growing on his face, But it is all nothing, yes? Adventuring leaves one paranoid.
Giuseppe, you certainly do catch the slightest of flinches at the mention of a wanted poster...and an upturn at the corner of his mouth when the sack of gold is produced. However, if he is hiding something sinister, it seems he isn't going to be the one to take action first...he continues, locking eyes with you "It's nothing. Spring day on the shores of enchantment, friends." Despite the sweet words, you are certainly catching a 'don't f#&~ with me' vibe from his delivered tone.
Giuseppe grins at his friends, Good, we are friends again. Now please excuse me, while my companions and I discuss who will go first.
Shae narrows her eyes at the men, but stays silent, musing to herself inwardly.
He looks familiar... and the ripped poster is suspicious. Could these be bandits who sacked the place and took it over? If so, they’ll be attacking us for our gold, no doubt... and if I’m right, I’ll need a way to alert everyone else, though Gio seems to have the right of it.
Ferry party:
1. Giuseppe
2. ???
3. ???
Land party:
4. ???
5. ???
6. ???
tell me, ferryman, is there anyone here who might be in need of hearing? the cleric asks.
Mender climbed into the boat.
Shae stands, and drops to the ground, lightly on her feet. She gives the man a discerning look, and motions at Mender to stop getting on the boat. She then turns to her companions, and whispers to them about her suspicions while making t seem like she’s discussing who’s going to go in which group.
This isn’t going to end well. This man is dangerous, and wanted. If we get in the ferry, I guarantee they’ll attack us as soon as we’re split up and vulnerable. I think we should expose him here, confirm his identity, and when he attacks, subdue him. We can gather the bounty later. What say you all?
Mender had one foot in the boat when Sha'Lea whispered to him. Pulling his foot out, he turned to the man indicated and says "Surrender in the name of the Gods." while levelling his spear at him.
Shae shrugs.
Well, I guess we’re doing it this way. Surrender Vance. You’re a wanted man, marked by Mulmaster’s Thayan embassy. I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold. Either way works for me.
She jerks her head downward, motioning to the manacles hanging off her belt.
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With the basics of a planned formed, Gorum has heard enough suspicion from his friends to give him probable cause to act on. ”Why don’t we have a look see inside the boat house. That should flush em out. Io, you wanna get inside while I cause a distraction?”
“What do you mean cross here! No way I’m stepping on that boat! YOU told me THER was a ford down RIVER! No FU$@!&G WAY!”
Gio shrugs, So much for subtlety, eh? Mender, my friend, you make things easy sometimes... sometimes make them hard.
When Mender's spear point drops, Vance's dog makes a chomping lunge at the celestial's crotch...
...but the Bounty Hunter had been expecting just such a moment, and had the drop on everyone. Vance could only sputter "Why would I surrender to a little b+%@# like you?"
Round 1:
Sha, Mender, Quen, Giu, Io, Gor <--UP
Enemies
As soon as the dog lunges Shae launches into an attack, striking at Vance’s forehead with the butt, and ten thrust kicking him in the solar plexus, trying to incapacitate rather than kill.
Then she calmly looks at his men and states bluntly.
The bounty is for him. Leave with your life.
Gio draws his blade, throwing his scabbard off to the side, then readies his buckler, Now, now, that is no way to treat a lady!
Vance recoils at the quick strikes of the shadow monk, but seems to be made of heartier stuff. Meanwhile, Giuseppe readies against the impending attack of those still on shore...
Round 1:
Sha, Mender, Quen, Giu, Io, Gor <--UP
Enemies
Io's magical cloak turns a dull grey, and he intimidates no one, pretty sure he hears the dog laughing, while leveling his rapier at green dot's throat.
"Why should you surrender? I would say you shouldn't; that way I can kill you."
Mender gestured, and holy fire comes streaking down at Vance.
With a nod to Shae and no time for a shield, Gorum draws the Greataxe from its back sling. ”I agree with my friend over there. This will be easier if you resist.” As if to accentuate his point, Gorum calls upon Helm to infuse power into his blow.
The cleric will attempt to persuade the boatmen to flee.
This battle is good for no one especially you. There is no need for further blood shed
,
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Near Ionnis, the bandit looks over the devilish cloak... "What..? Am I supposed to be scared you threw some ash on yerself? Thinking rather ye-*QUUAAALLLRRGGG*" the man is cut short as Gorum slices the poor son of a b!@~@ in half, thunderous energy nearly blasting his spine into a million pieces as his fingers and limbs dance randomly much beyond death, being infused with the pure energy of a god.
Vance, balancing on the boat and fending off Sha'Lea's attacks, seems a juicy target for Mender's higher caliber power...
...but the agile captain sidesteps as the celestial flame whizzes past "Heh. Like to play with tinder? Cute. Me I prefer these..." Vance informs the group, flourishing a pair of nasty cutters...
...and Mender falls, caught on the edge of the pier by pure luck.
Vance's trusty dog charges Giuseppe, but the fighter was ready...a loud and somewhat sad *whelp* echoes across the river as the dog is immediately knocked out cold.
The other two men near the construction area seeing their friend cut apart instantly like trash, retreat into the mudflats, setting quarrels on their crossbows as they go.
They draw on Gorum from a distance, never getting within range of Ionnis...
...but their quarrels hit the wood of the office building, only angering the hulking half orc.