Zoom 2024-07-09 21:00

Prior to asking Thirson (deceased) our questions, we ask the SARN priest about Thirson's parents and why he chose T'Garth and Sorlor as the targets of his vengeance. Apparently, Willston was originally taken by Rasten and Sorlor together - but it was Sorlor and her Hashandra Hewn who took out the temples in Willston, and so she was responsible for Thirson's parents deaths. Prior to the invasion, the Lizardmen had sponsored the pirates who controlled Willston - providing support and logistics in return for Willston hosting a temple of GARM. However, T'Garth sold out Willston to the Elves enabling/helping the invasion - so Thirson also held T'Garth responsible.
We finally get round to asking Thirson our questions:
# "Tell about your visit to FarHaven with Ghasan when you met Saratak": Thirson gives us Ghasan's prophesy from Saratak - otherwise, not much more info than we already have. They went to FarHaven on temple business, got summoned to Saratak and got their prophecies. Thirson also told us that Ghassan was originally from Willston, working for the street gangs until he got on the wrong side of them and had to take refuge in the Sarn temple.  [This only matters to someone speculating that Ghassan could be the flamboyant dwarf; it means that the Hightower accent would have to be part of a disguise as well as the fancy clothes]
# "Tell us what happened when you went to investigate what had happened to Ghasan while we were in Willston". He investigated with the help of a mage, and saw Ghasan's "dead" body standing still like those of the Shadowclan. However, he now says that Ghasan is "alive". When he tried using the Soul Ring, it hurt him - so presumably whoever has it now is 'not friendly'. 
# "Tell us about your involvement with the Blue Tower". He and Ghasan went there on temple business - and liked the place. They both worked for the Blue Tower for a while (despite Thirson not being a mage) and left on good terms - Thirson was paid a retainer and it gave him useful mage contacts. He says we would have liked the old Blue Mage - he was a bit 'tricksy'.
# "What do you hope to achieve by talking to us?"  He wants us to save his old friend Ghasan. There's nothing in it for us, and yes, Vendor is a dangerous place. All he can do is ask.
The party do not think that saving Ghasan is top of their priority list - but do consider him worth saving if we can, due to his kind treatment of SwanFeather and because he did help us - though for ulterior motives. We decide to go to Stormhaven to witness the contest for the First Sword of Shanah. Before we depart, Joshua does a Commune at the Wyldwood Shrine, a Legend Lore on the goblets (just gives Legends 3, 49 and 81), and commissions research at the University on Malia (the giant scorpion) - leaving 10gp for it to be started. There is more information to be had in Stormhaven and Bristol.
We leave for Stormhaven along Imperial roads - travel is fast, and the Lizardmen have lifted their siege. Garaf and Twoo start recharging the hobbits' Paralysis staves with Enchant Weapon spells.
At the contest, there are four contenders - an Elf, a Native Orc, a Human and a Dwarf. In the first round the Native Orc (Jolbar) easily defeats the Elf (who is very fast - but obviously not fast enough). The Human (Avac) defeats the Dwarf - but it is a close run thing. In the final round, a berserk Jolbar immediately kills Avac with a single blow to the head with his hammer. Jolbar is the new First Sword of Shanah. (Joshua didn't attend - he was at the Wyldwood temple. Hamish tried to find out whether the Barosa temple in Stormhaven had survived the elven invasion, but was only told that "if you were meant to visit it, you would know where to look". )
Without a clear idea of where to go next, the party decides they might as well help the monks find the Golden Pagoda, which they believe is north of DDumas We have two options - take a fast road down to Dalzon and then strike up northwards, or go cross-country due West  to where we think the Pagoda is. We decide to take the fast route to Dumas, and hopefully pick up some maps there.