Rise of Drekis: Chapter 3 Episode 02

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==Synopsis==
The party continue their journey to Ayu. They cross the river and then the ocean with a raft made out of bamboo, and reach the island city of Ayu. There they meet the matriarch of the city and exchange stories and information. Also, during their stay in the city, the party gather vital information on the area that could be helpful for the invasion efforts. After hearing the parties' stories, the matriarch of Ayu provides the party with a canoe and some soldiers to escort them to their next destination. 
The next stop for the party is the elven city called Solvang.
==Recap==
=== Crossing the River: November 25, 1517 ===
On their journey to Ayu, the party find themselves on the wrong side of a 900-foot-long river. Sunny asks Bill if he can build a raft to cross it. Bill says he may be able to but would need to have access to lots of bamboo. He explains how he could shave the bamboo into twine and use that twine to tie several planks of bamboo together. The party agrees to this plan and heads south to find a bamboo forest.
The next day, the party make their way south along the edge of the river and, as they journey, they spot dozens of alligators all throughout the river. Eventually, the party reaches the bamboo forest and Bill builds a raft.
With the raft built, the party attempts to sail across the river the following day. Sunny takes charge, acting as if she knows what to do, but it quickly becomes apparent that she does not as the raft is swept away by the strong current of the river. The party is pulled down the river and eventually comes across some rapids that almost knock them off the raft. However, after some close calls, the party makes it out okay and reaches the other side of the river. Having successfully crossed, the party disassembles the raft and has Hank’s magical donkey carry it. A few hours later, the party reaches the ocean and sees the town of Ayu, 2 miles out in the ocean. Bill resembles the raft but Maada doesn't want to come. She explains that the people in Ayu don’t like her kind. Hank is able to convince Maada to come by casting on a rock and using it to chill some water. He tells Maada that this cold water is a sign from Dub and Maada agrees to come with them to Ayu.
=== Arriving in Ayu: November 28, 1517 ===
With their raft, the party set out over the ocean towards Ayu. On their way there, they spot a boat heading towards them. Hanks goes to the front of the raft and waves at the people on the boat while singing a song. The boat comes close and a woman boards their raft, pointing a spear at Maada and asks, “Who is this scum? Have you brought us a sacrifice?”
Hank tries to calm the situation and explains that Maada is a friend and a guide for them. The woman tells them that they must send the goblin back, but Hank offers her a different solution. Hank claims he will take full responsibility for the goblin and if she were to do anything, Hank would bear the punishment. The woman who calls herself Umpalla agrees to this arrangement. The party introduce themselves to her as people from a faraway land that were shipwrecked in Bastian. Umpalla instructs the party to follow her to the docks on the northwest side of the island.
The party is brought inside the walled city of Ayu and are escorted through the streets as the people of the town watch. Among the citizens are several goblins, but unlike Maada, these goblins are clean and wear nice clothes. They stare daggers at Maada, who visibly shrinks. Sunny asks one of the city goblins why they are staring at Maada and they explain that she is a dirty goblin. 
The party is led into a room with 6 people seated around a table. The central figure, a human woman, speaks to the party.
“Dear strangers from far away, we welcome you with open arms to Ayu. We welcome you to the empire of Arcadia, centered in Yaka, led by the four great rangers. We ask that you pay tribute as a sign of your generosity of spirit and good intent.” 
Hank explains that although they have no physical items to offer, they do have stories about the far away lands they come from. The woman accepts this offer and tells the party that they will feast tonight and share stories tomorrow. As the 6 leaders leave, Sunny says “praise Dub”, causing everyone in the room to stare at her. Hank apologies on behalf of Sunny and the human woman warns Sunny that the name she just said brings ill tidings wherever it goes. 
=== Gathering Information ===
That day, each party member spends their time on Ayu gathering information.
* Bill spends his time socializing and gathering information on how Ayu came to be and its history.
* Sunny goes clothes shopping for Maada to make her look more like a city goblin as cover to scout the defenses of the city. 
* Hank spends his time trying to find the leader of organized crime in the city with the objective of bringing them to Drekises side during an invasion.
* Daniel spends his time mapping out the island and the city of Ayu. 
What the party learn in Ayu:
* Locations of two different dwarven outposts where trading is done.
* Obsidian is a commonly used material for weapons.
* Where the gates of the city are located. 
* The number of soldiers, clerics, and wizards/sorcerers. There are way more spellcasters by proportion compared to Arcadia.
* The names of the different monsters on Bravo.
* The rocks that make up the wall surrounding Ayu were imported from the mainland in canoes.
* For a short period of time, there is a land bridge. Connecting Ayu to the Bravo mainland.
* The Rangers of Yaka are the strongest beings in Bravo and wield magical weapons.
* Hank finds someone who could help them get an army through the walls of Ayu.
* Power structure of Ayu. 
=== Conversation with the Matriarch of Ayu: December 1st, 1517 ===
The next day, the party is brought before the matriarch of Ayu. She is a half-elf named Opal. Opal asks the party to describe Arcadia to her and they oblige. They tell her stories about the McGary brothers, the dragons, the queen of Drekis, and the population of the empire. Sunny tells Opal that she is a princess of Solum and when Opal hears this, she apologizes for being rude and offers to talk to her in private. Sunny agrees. In the private chamber, Sunny explains how she was on a journey to Arcadia to make diplomatic relationships when their ship was destroyed. Opal advises Sunny to head east to the Eleven lands. The elves have been seen sailing ships and might be willing to bring Sunny to Arcadia. Opal offers Umpalla and several warriors as an escort.
==Experience==
Everyone gains 512 Exp.
Category:Rise of Drekis Episodes
Category:Rise of Drekis