Session 21

Back - Next

This session was played on September 26, 2017. It lasted four hours, 23 minutes, not including the extra side sessions.

## Synopsis

Cole explores Bellbury a bit by heading to the temple and having an uncomfortable exchange with Tor, the Knight of the Cleansing Flame that arrived with the caravan.

She then heads south to try to catch up with Ryleigh, the much more friendly paladin.

Cole and Ryleigh found Poni’s teleporter and joined the others on Seifer’s fishing boat where their appearance set everyone on edge. The sailors decided to let Hux, the law in the city, deal with them instead and ferried them to land while Cole and one of the sailors flirted much to the dismay of… everyone.

After some conversation with Hux, he barred them from the city for the night unless they could stop the noise coming from the Point near the lighthouse on the cliff.

When they investigated, they found a crying ghost who possessed Urrak for a short time to show her how she died. With the need to expose her killer in mind, the group headed down to the base of the cliff to find her body, but not before Urrak and Seir had a reconciliation.

## Trivia

* Everyone in Bleakmourne had a name, even if it wasn't mentioned. The ship's name was The Banbury and its sailors were the Captain, Flint "The Wall" Seifer, Bellamy "Landlubber" Stevens (the skinny boy), Onslow "Devil's Grin" Jaymes, Whistler "Swab" Arch (the boy with the missing sister), Elaine "Savage" Penny (eyepatch), and the flirt, Danna "The Rat" Karayan.
* The ghost's name was Bristol.
* When this arc started, the DM had some vague ideas to incorporate, but not really a way to make it into one cohesive storyline. After each session, more threads were able to come together so that it was all one big plotline. Most of this arc was created on the fly or the day of the session at hand.

## Transcript- Cole's exploration

You followed a caravan from Riverrun into the town of Bellbury where you were introduced to several strange people… though you’re not unaccustomed to strange yourself. You were given the ability to explore the town at your leisure with the halfling Andry, though they seem to have disappeared into thin air on your way towards the temple of Takara. Now, though, you have the opportunity to get your bearings however you wish to do so. What would you like to do?

[5:11 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole looks around, scratching at her head a bit at the sudden disappearance of her new halfling companion. "That building over yonder, it looks like...a temple?" Cole walks toward it.

[5:14 PM] DM: Being from Vyon, you do recognize the temple as one to Takara. She's a goddess of nature, fertility, and agriculture. It's made of stone at the bottom with wood walls like the other buildings you've seen around, and the pillars out front are carved to resemble tree trunks. There's a large center room that takes up most of the space inside with several simple wooden benches. The heavily armored person in grey steel is standing inside, looking through a bookshelf.

[5:17 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole, noticing the huffy holy paladin, puffs up as if with hot air and strides towards where she is perusing the bookshelf... (Cole would like to interact with the paladin if possible.)

[5:19 PM] Cole (Molly): (Understood!!) Cole taps the armored person on the shoulder. "Greetings!" she inclines her head slightly.

[5:20 PM] DM: The armored person takes a big, intentional step away and turns their head to face you. You hear a voice that sounds young and feminine, but like it's trying to speak in a lower register. "Do you need something?"

[5:22 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole takes the other person's obvious apprehension in stride, as she is used to her fair share of funny looks. "Hello, I'm new here! I mean no harm, just looking to get a better idea of this place. Are you a local or otherwise?"

[5:25 PM] DM: "I am from Riverrun." You can see the armor's shoulder-plates are engraved with stylized flames, the same flame that's emblazoned on the shield on the person's back. Roll a religion check for me.

[5:27 PM] Cole (Molly): (7)

[5:27 PM] DM: You know the symbol is religious, but you can't place its meaning.

[5:29 PM] Cole (Molly): "From Riverrun, you say? I've just come from that way myself! Met some adventurers, but they're off to... Well, who knows where, honestly." Cole laughs at herself to fill the very, very awkward silence. She clears her throat, quickly recovering. "Tell me, does the name Fierna mean anything to you?"

[5:30 PM] DM: "Should it?"

[5:32 PM] Cole (Molly): "You tell me!" Cole laughs again, stepping to the side and around the armored person. "It was just on the outskirts of Riverrun that I happened upon a cult of hers. Interesting times, to say the least... And your armor, it's religious... I know just enough of Fierna to know that she would appreciate such a gesture..."

[5:34 PM] DM: The person tenses. "I serve Mirran, god of order and law."

[5:36 PM] Cole (Molly): "Ohh, huh," Cole stops in her tracks and shifts her trajectory back towards the door. "God of order and law, you say?" She smooths down her hair, willing it back into its more human-like form of hair rather than flames. "That sounds like a bit of rip roaring fun! At least we have a love of fire in common, eh?"

[5:38 PM] DM: "You're suddenly much less comfortable. Do you have reason to fear the Cleansing Flame?"

[5:43 PM] Cole (Molly): "I fear no flame," Cole says, standing her ground. "Nor do I fear kiddos who play in armor, acting too big for their britches. What's your name, and what are you looking for?"

[5:43 PM] Cole (Molly): (Would this be an appropriate time to roll, say, an intimidation check?)

[5:43 PM] DM: (If your intent is to intimidate, sure!)

[5:43 PM] Cole (Molly): ((9))

[5:46 PM] DM: "My name is Tor and I am a Knight of the Cleansing Flame. Not a child." She shuts the book in her hand like she's punctuating her sentence. "My business is my own, but you should consider watching how you speak to those sworn to serve."

[5:46 PM] DM: She puts the book back in the shelf and walks out.

[5:48 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole glances at Tor as she walks out, but does not follow. Instead, she goes to the shelf and inspects the book that the knight just placed back on the shelf.

[5:50 PM] DM: The book was just a religious tome that details the rituals used to encourage fertility of trees and other flora.

[5:53 PM] Cole (Molly): "Interesting," Cole mutters. "Fire and flora aren't typically friends..." She puts the book back on the shelf and turns away, leaving the temple. She looks around the square for Tor.

[5:54 PM] DM: You can see, just outside the mansion across the square, that Tor and the other heavily armored person, Ryleigh you recall, just finished talking. Tor headed toward the mansion's doors while Ryleigh disappeared down the main street headed south.

[5:56 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole runs towards Tor. "Tor!" she shouts. "If you're looking for things to cleanse, I think I can be of some assistance!"

[5:56 PM] DM: The knight stops short of the door and turns. "What?"

[5:59 PM] Cole (Molly): "Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Cole, and I've just happened into town. I met a group of adventurers, and I'm hoping to meet up with them again. And in my experience, it's almost always helpful to have such a sturdy, possibly well-intentioned--" she raises her eyebrows at Tor "--knight such as yourself along for the journey. In case of our running into any ne'er do wells, you know."

[6:01 PM] DM: "I am not an adventurer. I am here under orders and will follow those orders. If you want someone 'sturdy' go chase the Asten that headed south."

[6:03 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole mockingly salutes Tor and says, even as she's turning to run after Ryleigh, "It has been absolutely no fun whatsoever meeting you! Good day, sir!" She runs in the last direction she saw Ryleigh disappear.

[6:06 PM] DM: Unfortunately, it takes a good bit of time trying to pinpoint where the black-armored paladin of Asten disappeared to, but after a while, you can see her heading out of the slummy part of town back to the main north-south road.

## Ryleigh

[6:06 PM] DM: So it's about 8 in the morning on Mirdan, the 10th of Jaqmont in the year 3Y20. That would be the equivalent of Monday, near the end of spring and beginning of summer. You've just met a bunch of possibly insane people in the Cracked Cask, and they're talking about going out to do some shopping before getting on with their mission, but you figure this might be a good opportunity to slip away and complete your own mission.

[6:10 PM] DM: As you remember, there are eight guards, a mix of Moonstream guards and militia from Riverrun guarding the carts. The captain of the guard went into the fancy Moonstream building, and that Mirranite went to what looks like a temple of Takara across the way. The genasi and halfling headed in the direction of the temple, and the others keep walking in and out of the Cask for some reason.

[6:14 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh heads to the fancy Moonstream building.

[6:18 PM] DM: The building is easily the most ornate in the area, and you know from your time in Vyon that it serves as both home to the ruling Moonstream family of the area and the seat of government. The symbol of a crescent moon and river is embossed in stone, embroidered in blue and silver on draperies, and embedded in the floor in the entryway. Once you open the large double doors, you can see the doors inside are open as well, revealing a long room with two long tables with a heavy oak desk and bookshelves at the other end.

A half-elven woman with the stereotypical pale skin and silver-blonde hair of the Moonstreams sits at the desk, writing a letter while the Captain of the Guard, the man with the burn scar you'd traveled with, stands on the other side waiting.

[6:22 PM] Ryleigh: "excuse me, I hope I'm not interupting." Ryleigh gives a slight bow.

[6:24 PM] DM: The captain turns your direction and the woman glances up, but quickly returns to the letter.

Captain: "Baroness Moonstream, this is... Ryleigh, right? Of the temple of Asten in Riverrun."

[6:27 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh nods, "Yes sir." she pauses a moment trying to gather her thoughts, "forgive me if I speak too freely, but I couldn't help but notice the townspeople - or lack thereof  - as we entered town."(edited)

[6:32 PM] DM: Captain: "Yes... Baroness Moonstream was explaining a little about it, but wants to get these letters written quickly."

You hear a voice, small, with an accent you can't quite place: "You wouldn't be able to understand it anyway, you great rutabaga."

[6:33 PM] DM: Eloise: "Mr. Ningel, I must ask you to stop insulting every person who walks in, or you'll spend your time in a desk drawer."

[6:34 PM] DM: She seemed to look up and over at the table when she said that, but all you see over there is a metallic looking rod made of some sort of pearlescent material that shimmers in the light.

[6:39 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh raises an eyebrow, "did that staff just call me a vegetable?" she asked the captain. "I would have expected better insults from an inanimate object who has nothing but time."

[6:42 PM] DM: The captain just kind of sighs and shakes his head as the rod starts blustering. "What did you say, you knotty-pated clotpole? You probably aren't even smart enough to craft the simplest prestidigitation trinket, let alone a Quantum Riftshift Slipstream Teletransmitter, you knuckle dragging colonoscopy bag!"

Lady Moonstream stands, walks over to the rod, and puts him in a desk drawer. You can still slightly hear the muffled curses inside.

[6:43 PM] DM: Eloise: "My apologies for Mr. Ningel. He's... a bit rough."

[6:43 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh chuckles slightly, then clears her throat, "forgive me, m'Lady. I instigated it."

[6:44 PM] DM: She sighs and waves off your apology. "It's been a rough week for all of us. How can I help you?"

[6:45 PM] Ryleigh: "I was curious about your....predicament...here."

[6:49 PM] DM: She looks up at you like she's actually looking at you for the first time, her eyes skirting over your armor and the crest on your shield. "I could've used you a day or two ago," she says with a slight smile. "The short of it is that Mr. Ningel isn't as smart as he thinks he is either, and he's caused a magical catastrophe. My people have been scattered to the winds and there are visitors popping in and out at random. Some of them have been helping Mr. Ningel to rescue us and fix the problem."

[6:56 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh looked completely unfazed by this news, "I see. I'm sorry." And she truly means it. "and Mr. Ningel..." Ryleigh motions to the drawer, "does he know what caused all of this..unusualness?"

[6:57 PM] DM: Eloise: "He says it's his... very complicated name for a teleportation device. Something went wrong, as it always does, and it exploded. He thinks finding the pieces and putting it back together should  stop the random teleportation and bring my people back."

[6:58 PM] DM: Eloise: "He was a gnome last week. The explosion killed his body and forced his mind into the control rod for the teleportation device."

[7:04 PM] Ryleigh: "And you have no idea where the townspeople went?" Ryleigh observes Eloise closely.

[7:06 PM] DM: Eloise: "Not specifically. Mr. Ningel told me about one who was being hunted by the undead. Another was charmed by a dryad. I myself was prisoner in a drow slaver camp. I have to hope at least some of them have had an easier time than that."

[7:09 PM] Ryleigh: ((15 insight))

[7:11 PM] DM: She seems really tired, like she's been up all night. She's a bit disheveled with bags under her eyes, but her last sentence did sound like she really hopes at least some of the people who are missing are in better shape than the ones she's heard about.

[7:18 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh's expression softens slightly at Eloise's words, "I was curious if you had come across a half-elf woman by the name Safika?"

[7:19 PM] DM: She shakes her head. "No, apparently she asked some of the... I'm not sure what to call them, but my rescuers. They said she had a message for me from Queen Nyota, but I haven't seen her myself."

[7:23 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh nods in understanding then says abruptly, "I would like to help, M'lady."

[7:26 PM] DM: She nods. "There's no shortage of things that need to be done. I haven't had time to walk the town and see if there's damage or... well, there could be a whole bandit clan moved in over the last week. The people who rescued me are also planning to seek out more pieces of this teleporter... soon, I hope." Her eyes flicker to a couple trinkets sitting at the edge of her desk. "I think they're using the Cask next door as a sort of home base. If you're up for a bit of travel and danger, they could probably use your arm."

[7:33 PM] Ryleigh: "I've already met the bunch you speak of, I will certainly offer my help to them as well. Would you like me to walk the town for you and report my findings? Please, I mean no offense, but it looks as though you could do with some rest, M'lady."

[7:36 PM] DM: Captain: "I can send some of my men to help patrol."

Eloise nods. "I'd appreciate it. Unfortunately, rest will have to wait. If you'll excuse me, I need to finish these letters."

[7:37 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh bows, "certainly" then turns to leave.

[7:37 PM] DM: So you leave!

[7:39 PM] DM: The whole city stands before you. Behind the mansion is an extensive citrus grove, well-maintained and in neat rows. You can see the group of adventurers stocking up in the smith across the square. The halfling and genasi are wandering down the road, and the Mirranite from earlier seems to be walking towards you... or maybe the mansion.

[7:46 PM] Ryleigh: "Hello Mirranite. Did you find out anything from the temple?"

[7:47 PM] DM: "No. It is empty. Except for the two loud ones, but they said they don't know anything either."

[7:52 PM] Ryleigh: "I just met with Baroness Moonstream, she's requested that a few guards walk about the town, just to report damage or clear bandits..."

[7:53 PM] DM: "She's here then? That's good. The town needs order."

[7:56 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh barely restrains rolling her eyes at the Mirranite's comment, "right...so did you want to come with?"(edited)

[7:58 PM] DM: "We would cover more ground if we split up."

[8:05 PM] Ryleigh: "Agreed. I'll see ya around, Mirranite." Ryleigh gives a short wave and walks off.

[8:06 PM] DM: Ok! Where are you headed?

[8:07 PM] DM: The town square is at the junction where two roads from the west converge towards Riverrun. There's a major north-south road as well that you guess probably goes to the river.

[8:10 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh starts walking in the direction of the slums.

[8:13 PM] DM: So you start walking south and... it's really disconcerting just how quiet this town is. As you leave the relative bustle of the town square behind, it's downright creepy how quiet it is. You walk down several blocks until the buildings start to change in style. Instead of the dominant Vyonese style, you start seeing houses that look elven or halfling or dwarf inspired... and then you find the burned out husk of what used to be a gnomish home. To the other side of the road, you can notice a distinct downturn in the quality of homes. They're small, in disrepair, and crowded together.

[8:39 PM] Ryleigh: A feeling of familiarity washes over Ryleigh, she'd been one of these people not so long ago.

[8:45 PM] Ryleigh: Before the feeling can bubble into anger, Ryleigh moves toward the burnt out husk to get a closer look.

[8:47 PM] DM: There are some walls still standing, but the majority of the house is collapsed in on itself and turned to charcoal. Luckily the other buildings seem to be unaffected. The rubble's been cleared from a stairway headed down into the basement and there's also a round hole in the ground on the other end of the house.

[8:49 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh walks toward the hole in the ground.

[8:50 PM] DM: You can see down into the basement below from here. There's a strange metallic base on the floor directly under the hole, the same kind of pearlescent metallic coloring as the rod that had insulted you before.

[8:52 PM] Ryleigh: She stands and walks towards the basement to investigate further.

[8:53 PM] DM: Once downstairs, you realize you’re in a mage’s workshop. There are shelves and benches full of arcane and metallic contraptions and books. Most of them are in pieces, some half built, some half un-built, some appear to have been blown up. Against the wall on the far side is one of the latter. A huge scorch mark marks the wall in the shape of an archway, but whatever once stood in that space is gone. Only a base remains, about four feet wide and two feet deep, made of a metal that seems to shimmer through the different colors of the rainbow. There are a handful of matching pieces sitting on one of the tables nearby.

[8:57 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleighs walks up to the handful of pieces and reaches out for them.

[8:58 PM] DM: They don't bite. lol

[9:01 PM] DM: They look like they've been set here, mostly just haphazardly piled.

[9:09 PM] Ryleigh: She continues to move around the basement, seeing if there's anything the other might have missed.

[9:11 PM] DM: There's a shelf of books and all the other stuff previously mentioned. The floor is remarkably clean compared to the clutter on the shelves. You'd think an explosion would mean debris, but there really isn't any besides the stuff that fell down the stairs from the fire.

[9:13 PM] DM: You also figure that this is probably the teleporter, and the others will probably be headed this way soon, so unless you're ready to follow them wherever they're going, you should probably vacate and come back later.

[9:15 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh leaves and goes to the slums(edited)

[9:15 PM] DM: roll a perception check for me

[9:20 PM] Ryleigh: ((19))

[9:22 PM] DM: Great! You think you saw a shadow move through a window up ahead.

[9:27 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh draws her battleax and moves to the door of the place where she saw the shadow.

[9:28 PM] DM: If you're trying to be sneaky, roll a stealth check.

[9:29 PM] Ryleigh: ((16 stealth))

[9:30 PM] DM: Ok! You sidle up to the door. It's cracked open just a little.

[9:33 PM] Ryleigh: In one motion Ryleigh pushes the door open, with her ax prepared to strike if needed, and lunges into the house.

[9:34 PM] DM: You hear Safika's voice from the other room. "It's just me."

[9:36 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh lets out an audible breath, "thank the gods, I thought you had vanished with the rest of the townspeople." She also puts away her ax.

[9:38 PM] DM: She comes out, dusting her hands off on her pants. She's wearing the dark colored leathers and cloak you've become accustomed to seeing her in. "They were gone when I got here. It's a lot harder to find out about things when there's nobody to talk to."

[9:39 PM] DM: "Also... you make a lot of noise. You know that?"

[9:43 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh chuckles, "well, heavy armor isn't the best when trying to 'step in silence' but it seems to get the job done." Ryleigh closes the door to the house and turns back to Safika, "So you're alright?"

[9:43 PM] DM: "Yeah, why? Did they send you to check up on me? How sweet."

[9:50 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh quirks her head to the side and gives Safika a slight smile, "I'm aware that you don't need anyone to check up on you, but we were worried for your safety with all the rumors surrounding this place and rightfully so." Ryleigh sighs heavily at the thought of the vanished townspeople.

[9:54 PM] DM: She leans against a wall and smiles. "You're always so serious. You should learn to lighten up a little. Anyway... I found some paperwork in Eloise's files. Had some names I'm looking into, but I've got a whole lot of nothing so far."

[10:04 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh nods in agreement, "I should, but forgive me, I've always found it to be a difficult task when innocents are paying the price for their leaders mistakes. Of course, I can't be sure the leaders here are at fault just yet, but I will eventually. I assume nothings turned up because there's no one to confer with?"(edited)

[10:08 PM] DM: "Yeah. I've got names and addresses, but nobody to talk to but the couple people who came to Riverrun to complain. I ran into a couple of the out-of-towners  that are trying to figure out the.." she waves her finger around to indicate the bigger issue. "Thought I'd use the chance to get a head-start before Eloise got back. I'm guessing she is?"

[10:12 PM] Ryleigh: "Yes, the out-of-towners rescued her from a drow prison, i believe. I spoke with her before heading here. She seems sincere in her distress for her people, but then again, nothing seems to be a solid lead."

[10:16 PM] DM: "Drow prison, huh? Ouch. Yeah, I'm honestly glad to hear you say that about her though. I don't want to believe she's mixed up in any of this. From what the guys were saying, it could've all been a middle-man situation. Supervisors taking from the little guy and the baroness none the wiser." She looks at you for a second then pushes off the wall. "Anyway, I'm here. I'm fine. You supposed to head back?"

[10:31 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh looks at Safika, her features soften, her voice becomes gentler, "I'm glad you're alright. When I arrived I was worried you had been expelled from the city along with the townspeople." Ryleigh then straightens her posture, her voice returning to its normal tone, "I am technically supposed to report back on your safety and the situation here. However, my duty is to the people of this town, to uncover the truth, and to do that I need to help these out-of-towners fix their teleporter. So no, I won't be returning just yet. There is work to be done here."(edited)

[12:34 AM] DM: She nods. "I'm going to poke around a little more, but I'll see about getting word back." She cringes a little when she remembers something. "I... might have fucked up my cover. Told them I had a message from the queen... but I'm not sure I really want Eloise to see me. Any ideas on how to get out of that one?"

[12:44 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Ah, that was mentioned to me when I asked Eloise about you." Ryleigh thinks for a moment, her hand coming to rest on her chin, "You could simply avoid Eloise, you're excellent at becoming a shadow, and i'm not sure she'll be leaving the mansion anytime soon, she seemed busy. As for the out-of-towners....I'm not sure. You could lie? Tell them you already delivered you message. Or maybe they won't ask." Ryleigh sighs, realizing she's probably not being helpful. "Excuse my rambling."

[10:50 PM] DM: She chuckles. "I'll figure it out. I'll let you know before I leave, or at least leave a message, in case you need to send word back for anything."

[5:59 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh gives Safika a subtle nod, "I'll take me leave, then. And Safika... don't be a stranger." She turns to leave the house.

[6:02 PM] DM: She chuckles. "It's all I know how to be."

[6:08 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh looks over her shoulder as she opens the door to exit. She says, "it doesn't have to be that way" and flashes a bright smile, then leaves and heads up the street to the wrecked house.

[6:08 PM] DM: So you leave the house and the slums and head back towards the burned out husk... where you find that flame-haired genasi from before, on the main road... and in side\_group1.

## Cole and Ryleigh

[6:08 PM] DM: Cole is headed south down the main road, Ryleigh's headed east out of the slums district back to the main road.

[6:08 PM] Cole (Molly): "Hello there! Ryleigh!" Cole waves at the paladin as she approaches, a bit out of breath from running up and down various streets in search of her new acquaintance.

[6:10 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): At the sound of her name, Ryleigh turns to greet her new companion, "oh, hello. Cole, wasn't it?"

[6:12 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole smiles. "That's me! Say, two questions for you: any idea what is up with that stick-in-the-mud Tor? Also, where the heck have our new friends gotten off to, do you know?"

[6:12 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh raises an eyebrow, "Tor?"

[6:14 PM] Cole (Molly): "It took a bit of...charm on my part, but that knight in grey armor -- her name is Tor. Not the friendliest person I've encountered recently." Cole tilts her head, pondering. "But not the least friendly, either..."

[6:17 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): As realization hits Ryleigh responds, "Oh! the Mirranite. Ha, well I must say I'm impressed you got her name. As a follower of Mirran, she's likely all about business and no play - don't take it personally." Ryleigh then points to the half blown apart house,  "I believe the teleporter our comrades spoke of is this way."

[6:19 PM] Cole (Molly): "Excellent!" Cole claps her hands together and a bit of ash-colored dust falls to the ground. "Shall we?" She courteously (albeit dramatically) bows, gesturing for Ryleigh to proceed.

[6:19 PM] DM: The house she's pointing at is a burned-out shell of what was once a gnomish house.

[6:21 PM] DM: Inside, there's rubble that's been moved away from a staircase headed down to the basement, and in the basement, you realize you’re in a mage’s workshop. There are shelves and benches full of arcane and metallic contraptions and books. Most of them are in pieces, some half built, some half un-built, some appear to have been blown up. Against the wall on the far side is one of the latter. A huge scorch mark marks the wall in the shape of an archway, but whatever once stood in that space is gone. Only a base remains, about four feet wide and two feet deep, made of a metal that seems to shimmer through the different colors of the rainbow. On another surface lie a pile of pieces that look like they're made of the same material as the base.

The teleporter, however, is now active. An image stands over the base, its edges frayed with wild magic, and in that image, you see what looks like some of the people you’d met that morning on a fishing boat. They're soaking wet and seated or standing near a pile of fish with some sailors standing around them holding harpoons.

[6:22 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole squints at the teleporter curiously. "Well, that's a trip."

[6:23 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "It looks like they've landed themselves in a precarious situation"

[6:24 PM] DM: You can see the orc step away from the elf and the dwarf cleric you'd met to talk to one of the sailors.

[6:25 PM] Cole (Molly): "That orc has all the grace of a tea kettle. Do you think we can get there before those harpoons meet the bellies of our new friends?"

[6:27 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh looks at the device, "I have no idea how to use this thing...maybe there's a switch or something to teleport us?"

[6:28 PM] DM: Let's say straight intelligence because I'm not sure there really is anything. But you can assume your conversation with everyone this morning gave you the basic working knowledge you might need to figure out that you can step through the portal.

[6:29 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole strides forward with a confidence that belies the lack of knowledge she has about the rather intimidating contraption. "Why don't we just--" she reaches out and touches the image, but before her skin makes contact with the image, she touches her fingertips to those of the paladin...

[6:30 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh was already moving forward to grab Cole, because touching magically things is hardly a good idea, just as Cole's fingertips make contact with Ryleigh.

[6:31 PM] DM: As Cole passes through the plane of the teleporter, you both find yourself standing behind Ravaphine the elf on the fishing boat. And you can head to ic\_main after I put you there.

[6:09 PM] DM: DAY 6 10:30 AM BELLBURY TIME

Lady Moonstream escorted you to the teleporter where, after a brief hiccup as Seirixori broke one of Poni’s crystals, you checked in on her wife and daughter. Then you saw a woman Eloise recognized as a Bellbury harbormaster, Nira Hageder, hiding a component away in a warehouse. She urged you to continue collecting components, so it was that you teleported into… a bay. A fishing net to be specific. You were pulled aboard a fishing vessel and surrounded by sailors who you threatened. Now, with Seirixori sitting next to a near-drowned Gunnloda and Ravaphine eating raw, whole fish, you’ve noticed that the sailors are passing around harpoons. Aaaaand action! Seirixori disappears.

## Seirixori's time home

[4:08 PM] DM: So it's morning... day 6, somewhere around 9 or 10 am? and one second you were coughing on salt water, sitting next to Gunnloda on a fishing boat and now you're sitting in the middle of the road in Omubagi back in Ardabeh. It's been a while since you were back home. a few days at least.

[4:11 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori looks around her in a second of confusion, but she recognizes where she's at pretty quickly. "I was kind of hoping to never be here again." She stands, shakily, her body still recovering from however much water she swallowed.

[4:12 PM] DM: There are a few people on the road, traveling from farm to market or back, and they kind of look at you oddly until they notice you looking back and then they turn their gaze away quickly.(edited)

[4:17 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: It hadn't been long but she almost forgot that most people are not fond of her presence. Seir sighs and makes her way off the path, she just wants to rest and she isn't sure if going to town is a better choice than going back to the druids.

She has coin, so maybe whatever place with a bed won't turn that down and she heads towards the town, hoping to just get a room and be left alone until she gets shoved back into Bellbury.

[4:22 PM] DM: There's a single inn in Omubagi, The el-Mustafa Inn, named for the family that operates it. Inside it is a young-ish human man at the desk, bronzed skin and dark hair that covers much of his face and the arms you can see. He double-takes when he sees you, but offers a smile. "Welcome. You look like you could use a rest. Only three coppers for a bed."

[4:27 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori blinks, surprised, but nods, "Yes... Uh thank you." She reached for the amount but shrugs and hands him a silver piece instead.

[4:33 PM] DM: "A private room, then? And a meal if you like mutton with onion and potato."

[4:38 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "that would be great, thanks." She swallows, tears burning. She suddenly very much needs to be alone, the thought of food reminding her of Gunnloda and the situation they had just gotten themselves into.

[4:39 PM] DM: He nods, oblivious. "Upstairs, door to the left. Your food will be ready in an hour and if you don't want to come down to eat, Ceren will bring it to you."

[4:55 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: She nods, turning quickly and making her way to where he indicated. Once she's in the room she shuts it quickly and falls to the floor, not even making it to the bed. She sobs, almost choking when she tries to stop. It only gets worse when the random male elf that should have been her mother pops up and she can't breath. Urrak's words play over and over, clearly shadowing anything Gunnloda had said to her before that and she yanks off the cloak, like it was choking her.

[5:02 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: She isn't aware of how much time passes but the sobs lessen to sniffles and hiccups, and she isn't on the verge of passing out anymore. It takes her longer to stand, her legs shaky and weak, but she manages to get to the bed and plops face first onto it. She's physically tired but she hasn't been up for long so she turns over and stares at the ceiling.

[5:10 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori eventually gets up and heads down to the food she was promised.

[5:12 PM] DM: The common room downstairs is pretty empty. You expect this inn probably doesn't get much traffic except at the end of the day for dinner. You can easily find an empty chair and table, and before long, a human woman- a little on the heavy side with the same nose and hair/skin color as the man at the desk- comes out with a plate of meat, onion, and potato as promised. "Would you like mead or water?"

[5:15 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "Water, thank you." Her voice is rough and her throat hurts, she can feel the tension behind her eyes, the last time she let herself cry this much ... She shakes her head, trying to dispel the image from 4 years ago.

[5:17 PM] DM: She tilts her head a bit as she looks at you, then leaves. She comes back several minutes later with a cup of water and a cup of tea with herbs. "This might help. Let me know if you need anything else. Just call for Ceren."

[5:21 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori nods, reaching for the tea as she stares in surprise at the woman, "I... thanks." she whispers, keeping her head down now, not wanting the attention. She's just glad she can sit here in relative peace, unsure of how to respond to the people here who aren't actively avoiding her or being rude.

[5:24 PM] DM: Ceren nods and heads back to the kitchens.

[5:30 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seir pokes at the food, she feels all out of sorts. She shifts uncomfortably and realizes she doesn't have the bow and while she was angry, confused, earlier now she's just sad all over again. It's been in place on her back for nearly all of the four years and she just... left it. She shivers and stands quickly, making her way back up the stairs quickly, grabbing the cloak she left on the floor and hugs it to her body. She can't find the nerve to put it back on, but it's the only thing that holds any kind of comfort now. She makes her way back down and sits back in her place. She places the cloak on her lap and stares at the food. She pushes it around, positive it won't taste anything like Gunnloda's but she shoves it in her mouth anyway. "I hope they're ok." she says to herself.

[5:32 PM] DM: Gunnloda would probably be offended if a small-town inn could make food like she does. Not to say this food isn't good... it's filling and has a bit of spice to it, but there's something about Gunnloda's cooking that's exotic and feels like home at the same time.

## Back on the ship

[6:11 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak watches the men closely, noting the harpoons in their hands. "I suggest, for now, we all be very, very civil-like, Looks t' me like fightin' ain't gonna end well fer us"

[6:12 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "I really hope they did not see Seir disappear and they start asking questions...but I agree. Let's just do what they ask and try to avoid trouble. We just need to grab the component and head back"

[6:12 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: ((how much further till land))

[6:13 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Aye, the sooner we can find that damn hunk o'...whatever it is, the better."

[6:14 PM] DM: (Roll survival if you want to take a guess.)

[6:15 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: ((14))

[6:15 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: ((9))

[6:16 PM] DM: From the speed of the boat and the distance to shore... you guess it'll probably be about 20 minutes to land? But it's hard to tell. Everything's so grey and misty and foggy and... depressing, really.

[6:18 PM] DM: Grey waves meet grey skies at the horizon behind you, but ahead, you see grey cliffs and green hills. There looks to be a lighthouse at the top of the cliffs, a small bit of buildings with stone and wood fencing at the docks, and a half-crumbled fort at the top of the hill.

[6:18 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak whispers to Ravaphine, "Say, maybe we can offer one o' them a bit of coin t' tell us about this Hux fella. Bet these soggy souls only made a handful of coppers a day"

[6:18 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Might be good t' know what we're walkin' in to"

[6:20 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "I bet we can find out some information. They aren't looking to fight, so might as well be friendly. I have some money we can use" Ravaphine gives Urrak 5 gold pieces

[6:22 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I'm not sure I'm the persuasive type...but I suppose I can give it a shot." Urrak slowly walks towards one of the shipmen, making sure as to not come off as a threat. "Say there, if ye don;t mind me askin', how much do ye make hauling fish outta the big grey sea?"

[6:23 PM] DM: Which one do you want to ask? There's a couple closest to you- the woman who first suggested bringing you in, a skinny boy who said he agreed because he wanted to go home tonight, and a third holding his harpoon tight.

[6:24 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: ((skinny boy))

[6:25 PM] DM: Boy: "I shouldn't really be talkin' to you. Never trust something from the sea."

[6:26 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Relax, boy-o, I'm not 'ere t' hurt ya...though I admit we started out on the wrong foot. I only ask cuz," she jingles the coins in her hand softly, "I got these here gold pieces and I'd love t' hand them over to a hard-workin' lad such as yerself in exchange for a little...information. Think we can make that arrangement?"

[6:27 PM] DM: Roll persuasion.

[6:27 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: ((16))

[6:29 PM] DM: He eyes the coin, but hesitates and shakes his head. "The sea promises many things, but all it brings is death."

[6:30 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine approaches with a small wave, "Good thing hardly know how to swim!" she attempts to joke with the boy

[6:31 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Aye, the sea giveth..." she stuffs the coins in her pocket "And taketh away. Shame really, a figured a guy like you could use that money for some good things. Or maybe even some better equipment. Anything to keep the sea at bay." Urrak makes a motion to walk away, "But, there are other men on this boat who'd like a little boost I reckon."

[6:31 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Come, Ravaphine, he ain't worth our time."

[6:32 PM] DM: As you turn to walk away, suddenly the genasi and the black-armored paladin from before appear behind Ravaphine. There's a sudden cry of surprise and the sailors near the aft end of the ship all come forward, pointing their harpoons.

Captain: "What kinda devilry is this? And where'd the other one go?"

[6:33 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Ye two really could not have a picked a worse time." Urrak says, smiling slightly

[6:34 PM] Cole (Molly): "Devilry?" Cole practically blushes at the perceived compliment. "You flatter me so..."

[6:34 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak turns to the Captain "No need to panic! There's no devilry here. We lost our devil, it seems."

[6:34 PM] DM: They might, but they don't appear to be reacting to it at the moment.

[6:34 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "How's about I give ye each a GP t' put them harpoons aaaaalll the way down?"

[6:35 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Despite appearances, we do come in...relative peace."

[6:35 PM] DM: Captain : "Explain yourselves, now. How do you appear out of the air like that?"

[6:35 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh steps forward and says to her companions, "Please let me..."

[6:36 PM] DM: Gunnloda stands and takes a spot close to the rest of you as well.

[6:36 PM] Cole (Molly): "Like our dear, tusked friend said: we come in peace." Cole moves to stand slightly behind Urrak and Ryleigh, smiling in what she intends to be a friendly manner in the captain's direction.

[6:37 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I do hope yer tin can of a travelin' partner can calm these salt-hounds down..."

[6:38 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole whispers to Urrak, "She's intimidating in a scary sexy kind of way, am I right? Let's see what she can get done for us... If she fails, well... We're cross that bridge and all that."

[6:39 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "A soild plan as I've ever heard..."

[6:39 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "Gentleman and Ladies" Ryleigh nods to the women on the ship "please forgive our intrusion on your voyage. Although I'm not entirely sure how we've come to be here, we don't mean you any harm." Ryleigh glares back at her comrades, "we've lost an item that will return us to where we came from and all I ask is that you allow us safe passage. We will pay our way if necessary, or work since we are clearly a burden."(edited)

[6:40 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "That last part is tenative"

[6:40 PM] Cole (Molly): "Work?" Cole mutters under her breath, scoffing.

[6:41 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): The look Ryleigh gives you all is one that could kill, an anger so strong you feel it, pulses off her in your direction, "hush" she commands.(edited)

[6:41 PM] DM: Captain: "I want you lot to go take a walk to the bow and wait there 'til we reach land. No more disappearin' or reappearin' or you all get pushed off into the deep and the waves take you. You may be able to disappear, but I doubt you swim in that getup."(edited)

[6:41 PM] Cole (Molly): "Yeah," Cole breaths, shuddering a bit, "scary sexy."

[6:42 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh bows gracefully, "thank you, Captain. We shall do as you ask." She then turns to her companions and orders them to the bow.

[6:44 PM] Cole (Molly): "Aye aye," Cole says, giving both the captain of the ship and Ryleigh a miniature salute as she leads the way to the bow.

[6:44 PM] DM: For the record, there are two women on board, the one who suggested taking you to Hux is a big human woman with an eyepatch and tangled blonde hair. The other one is dressed a bit more androgynously with short black hair and what looks like a tattoo peeking out of her clothes.

[6:45 PM] DM: The sailors all appear to be human and mostly suntanned/sunburned pale skin with a mix of blonde and black hair colors.

[6:46 PM] DM: Gunnloda heads up to the bow as well. "Well, at least we're going to land... if we don't upset anyone."

[6:46 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Aye, hopefully we make it. Doubt I can swim in the new chainmail..."

[6:47 PM] Cole (Molly): "Upset anyone?" Cole chuckles, then leans cautiously over the railing of the bow, glaring a bit at the water below. "What makes you think any of us would upset anyone?"

[6:47 PM] DM: Three of the sailors, the two women and a young man with gold teeth, each holding harpoons, stand between you and the rest of the crew and ship.(edited)

[6:49 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole turns away from the water and towards their...guards? She grins at the girl with a hint of tattoo peeking out from under her clothes. (Do I have to roll if I want to unabashedly flirt with the semi-hostile fisherman person?)

[6:50 PM] DM: Ha. I'll let you know when you need to roll.

[6:51 PM] Cole (Molly): "Hey there," Cole unabashedly flirts with the semi-hostile fisherman with short black hair and barely revealed tattoo. "What's your name?"

[6:51 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "And here I thought Brimeia had no shame" Urrak whispers to Ravaphine

[6:52 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine chuckles "I hope they're doing okay, haven't seen that tiefling in a while"

[6:52 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "Is it okay if I ask who this Hux person is?" Ravaphine asks the woman, "We don't mean any harm. I know some of us are very large, but we are just travelers"

[6:52 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh watches with a mild interest, more concerned that Cole is going to get them kicked off the ship than with the actual flirting.

[6:53 PM] DM: She looks Cole up and down and shakes her head with a scoff. "And here I thought I was bad. You'd best just keep your eyes forward. Don't make me poke you with this thing, though I bet you'd probably like it."

[6:54 PM] Cole (Molly): "Are you threatening me with a good time?" Cole chuckles. "You are a much finer sight to see than the foggy waters. Do you disagree?"

[6:56 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole leans back against the railing with her elbows propping her up, attempting to look as non-threatening as someone with fire hair can.

[6:56 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak holds back a groan

[6:56 PM] DM: "Oh, I know I am." She turns to Ravaphine. "As for Hux, he's the law in Bleakmourne. You'll meet him soon enough if you keep your noses clean. Otherwise," she looks at Cole again, "I guess we'll see what happens when you get wet."

[6:57 PM] DM: The woman with the eyepatch mutters, "Dammit, Rat."

[7:01 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole outright laughs this time, pleased at the woman's -- Rat's -- verbal sparring abilities. "I'm not worried about the lawman. What I am worried about is getting to shore without knowing more about... well, you, and this fine establishment you find yourself employed upon." Cole glances at Ravaphine. "Oh, and uhh... I guess if you could tell us more about Hux, I'd be cool with that too."(edited)

[7:03 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh shakes her head at Cole's antics.

[7:04 PM] DM: Rat: "Tell you what... if Hux lets you in, you come find me at the Oyster and I'll give you the chance."

Eyepatch: "Dammit, Rat, don't you listen to any of the stories? It's a wonder you ain't been dragged off by the voices of the deep by now."

[7:06 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole fistpumps. "Yesss. It's a date." She winks salaciously at Rat before turning to the eyepatch wearer. "What stories are you referring to, friend?"

[7:08 PM] DM: She frowns. "I'm not your friend, and you know the stories... like don't trust women that come from the sea promising things. Ignore the cries, the screams, the songs, or you get dragged under and are never seen again."

[7:11 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Ha, come on now, Sirens? Pretty fish women who's sole purpose is t' murder sailors? You got one thing right, they are just stories." Urrak's face is alight with an incredulous grin

[7:11 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole bumps her shoulder into Urrak's side. "I'm with you, Urrak. I'll believe it...when I see it."

[7:13 PM] DM: The sailors' faces all drop into frowns. Man: "They ain't stories. They took my sister."

[7:14 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urraks smile grows uneasy "Come, now, ye must be pullin' one over on us."(edited)

[7:15 PM] DM: Rat: "It's not just sailors. It's the sea. Everyone knows the rules. Make land before dark and before the storm. Stay in the walls. No matter what."

[7:16 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "You weren't kidding about the sea bringing the unpredictable"

[7:17 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): intrigued by the comment Ryleigh asks, "Excuse me, but was it always that way?"

[7:17 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole edges away from the railing, once more turning to eye the sea warily. Her hair flames upwards a bit as her apprehension increases. "Rules... I don't normally abide by rules, but..."

[7:17 PM] DM: Eyepatch: "For generations."

[7:18 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Sounds like a yes t' me..."

[7:19 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): She nodded her head in understanding, she then looked at the woman who lost her sister, "I'm sorry for your loss." and continued to look out over the ocean.(edited)

[7:21 PM] DM: The man replies, "Everyone's got a story like that. Someone who heard a baby scream and went to help or got caught out after dark. My sister... she just didn't come home."

[7:22 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole looks contemplative as she recalls her departure from her own village several years before -- it had been full of fanfare, of course, because why wouldn't it be? But for someone else... "Are you sure she was lost to the water?"

[7:23 PM] DM: You see the captain raise a black flag as you're pulling into the docks ahead. You can see now that the buildings by the water are all inside a fence made partly of collapsed stonework and partly out of nearly whole tree trunks fitted together. There's a gate made of iron that's open at the end of the docks.

[7:23 PM] DM: He looks at you oddly. "Everyone's lost to the water eventually."

[7:24 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Well, I've had my fill o' ominous fishermen," She looks to Eyepatch and Rat "And women, but uuuh ooh look, land, gotta go."

[7:24 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole leans over and whispers in Ravaphine's ear, "Dramatic much, am I right?"

[7:25 PM] Cole (Molly): All the same, she gulps and looks anxiously towards land.

[7:26 PM] DM: As the boat comes into the docks, you notice there's a bit of commotion as some people start heading down the docks with weapons bared to meet the boat. A horn blares from the bottom of the hill and is answered by one at the top.

[7:27 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Quite the uh...entrance."(edited)

[7:27 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole looks toward Rat. "Am I wrong to think this might be a...welcoming party?"

[7:28 PM] DM: Rat: "Heh. You might call it that. The black flag calls the guard. The horn's calling for Hux. He'll be down to meet you soon."

[7:29 PM] DM: The boat pulls alongside the docks and the other sailors hop off to tie the ship to the pier. Three armed guards in leather armor wait halfway up the dock, between the ship and land.

[7:29 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak suddenly doesn't know what to do with her hands. After minor internal struggle, she crosses her arms in shaky defiance

[7:30 PM] DM: Eyepatch: "Just do as you're told and wait for Hux. He'll decide."

[7:30 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole takes a step closer to Rat. "On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being absolutely certain... how sure are you that I'll meet you at the Oyster later?"

[7:31 PM] DM: Rat: "I haven't a clue. It ain't every day we pull a bunch of people outta the sea."

[7:32 PM] DM: The captain comes up behind the other sailors. He's got a nasty looking cutlass, but it's currently at his hip, not in hand. "I'd like you all off my boat now. You can wait on the docks."

[7:32 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Y'don't need t' tell me twice." Urrak shambles off the boat and onto the docks

[7:33 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine whispers to her companions "I don't think there's a chance for us to run away from this one"

[7:33 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole throws a saucy wink in Rat's direction as she follows her companions off the boat.

[7:34 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole trips over uneven shipdeck boards as she's trying to be flirtatious.(edited)

[7:34 PM] DM: You catch eyepatch smacking Rat in the back of the head when you look over at her.

[7:37 PM] DM: You're not waiting too long before you see a man in leathers headed your direction. He's got silver hair and blue eyes, but he doesn't look like he could be much older than 35. There's another three guards following him.

[7:38 PM] DM: The guards part to let him through, then they all stand behind him, blocking your path to land. "Seifer, what's going on here?"

[7:40 PM] DM: The captain of the boat: "We were haulin' in our catch when these ones all fell outta the net. There's another devil looking one, pink skin, great curved horns. That one disappeared and these two," he gestures to Ryleigh and Cole, "appeared outta thin air on my deck."

[7:41 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I never can get over how crazy all this sounds when ye say it like that..." Urrak mumbles mostly to herself

[7:42 PM] DM: The man steps forward and eyes you all. "What do you want?"

[7:44 PM] Cole (Molly): "Let me explain--" Cole says, stepping forward and spreading her arms wide in a peaceful gesture. She realizes she doesn't actually know how the hell to explain and pulls the elf Ravaphine forward. "--by giving my good friend Ravaphine the floor."

[7:45 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine looks surprised but clears her throat "We don't mean any harm. We were simply just looking for a way to get back home, and your crew happened to stumble across us in the sea when our boat got destroyed"

[7:47 PM] DM: Roll deception.

[7:47 PM] Cole (Molly): "What she said," Cole says with a broad grin, clapping Ravaphine on the shoulder.

[7:47 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: ((8))

[7:47 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak sighs deeply

[7:47 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole's grin tightens.

[7:48 PM] DM: The man's eyes look up to the captain.

Captain: "We didn't see any wreckage and the little one was hacking like you'd think she drank half the sea."(edited)

[7:48 PM] DM: Gunnloda mutters,  "'m not little."

[7:49 PM] Cole (Molly): Cole looks down as if just noticing Gunnloda for the first time. She startles a bit. "No, no of course you aren't."

[7:50 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Forgive my friend here, she's a little delirious, sea sickness and such. What she meant t' say was..." Urrak pauses, trying to put the crazy situation into a more sane framework

[7:50 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "by boat I mean  a...figurative magical boat. You see, we are not from here and kind of appeared like what your captain saw with the other two" ravaphine explains sheepishly

[7:51 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Aye, we're a band of traveling adventurers, y'see."

[7:51 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh steps forward speaking directly to Hux, "Forgive my companions, Sir. They are travelers, not warriors and the amount of guards you've brought has clearly shaken them. I can assure you that we do not have any mal-intent. We're searching for an item that will transport us back to where we came from, that is all we're here to do."

[7:52 PM] DM: Hux scoffs. "Not warriors? Your big friend there has a sword the size of you strapped to her back."

[7:53 PM] Cole (Molly): "Haven't seen anything...strange about, have you? Besides us, of course." Cole asks, stepping forward as well (though she is sure to keep at least half of Ryleigh's body between herself and the...mob).

[7:53 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "Do you not travel with weapons? We live in dangerous times, and we must protect ourselves."(edited)

[7:54 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Y'never know when ye might encounter somethin' intent on makin' a meal outta ye'."

[7:56 PM] DM: Cole disappears and everyone's shocked and amazed again. Half the guards reach for their weapons.

[7:56 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Just...the worst timin' with that one, truly..."(edited)

[7:57 PM] DM: Hux: "What kind of madness is this?"

[7:58 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "It's a real long story, sir."

[7:58 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "We'd be happy t' explain, but I reckon you'll think us all mad."

[7:58 PM] DM: Hux: "It's already looking that way."

[7:59 PM] Kyris - Brimeia: Brimeia pops in abruptly.

[8:00 PM] DM: Hux shouts over his shoulder. "Seal the damn gates!"

[8:00 PM] Kyris - Brimeia: "Seems like you've all found yourselves a good time already."

[8:00 PM] DM: The iron gate at the bottom of the hill slams shut with a great clang.

[8:00 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs

[8:01 PM] DM: Gunnloda just shakes her head and chuckles.

[8:01 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh sighs. "Fantastic."

[8:01 PM] Kyris - Brimeia: "What. Did I interrupt something?"

[8:01 PM] DM: Hux looks at Ryleigh. "What is it you're seeking?"

[8:02 PM] Kyris - Brimeia: Brimeia looks around at all the people.

[8:04 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "We are searching for shard, it's metal or like but it glimmers in multi color. Until the pieces are united, people will continue to teleport at random - it's happened to an entire town - we're here to stop this madness from continuing."

[8:05 PM] DM: How about persuasion.

[8:06 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): (24) ((sorry I clicked it twice))

[8:07 PM] DM: He looks at you then shakes his head. "I haven't seen anything like that around here and I can't let you in the walls. I don't trust anything from the sea."

[8:08 PM] DM: Rat: "Hux, you can't leave 'em out over night. What if..." she trails off.

[8:08 PM] Kyris - Brimeia: "The sea?" Brimeia crinkles a brow. "I'm not from the sea."

[8:11 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh nods then says, "I understand your situation Sir, you have a people to protect, but I have a job to do that includes the protection of people as well. Would you be willing to escort us around your city, to ensure we are not here for nefarious reasons."

[8:11 PM] DM: Hux: "With you people going invisible and popping in and out as you please? No. No minions of the deep will come within these walls while I have a say in it."

[8:12 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "How can we convince ye we aren't a band of Merfolk?"

[8:13 PM] DM: You see a man in scaled armor approaching, blue skin and green wavy hair with a trident in his hand. He's the first non-human you've seen here so far.

[8:13 PM] DM: The man says "You clearly aren't merfolk. Most of you aren't nearly beautiful enough for that."

[8:14 PM] DM: He seems to have bare, webbed feet and fins along the outsides of his calves.

[8:16 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: ((do any of us know what race he is))

[8:16 PM] DM: I'm gonna go with no. There aren't any on your world.

[8:16 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh walks forward, addressing the man scaled armor, "I'm Ryleigh, and I apologize if my friend offended you, what she meant to say" Ryleigh looks back Urrak "is how can we prove we aren't creatures of the deep."

[8:17 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I'll tell  ye  what I meant t' say" Urrak grumbles under her breath(edited)

[8:18 PM] DM: The fishy looking fellow looks you over and turns to Hux. "They aren't my people and with the things they're wearing, they couldn't be minions of the Deep either. They'd never swim that far."

[8:19 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I'd sink like a stone, truly."

[8:21 PM] DM: Hux: "You know the law, fishman. Nobody comes inside without prior knowledge. They stay outside."

[8:21 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): ((is there somewhere thats NOT the town we could make camp? like surrounding area?))

[8:22 PM] DM: Sure. They just don't want you going inside the walls.

[8:23 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Anger flashes across Ryleigh's face, but she pushes it away, "Very well, we'll make camp outside the city walls. If we are still alive by morning, will you allow us inside?"

[8:26 PM] DM: Hux: "If you're minions of the deep, you won't have trouble staying alive until morning."

Fishy guy: "Captain Drakkar, the minion's been here for at least two weeks. These aren't them."

Hux: "You want to prove yourself? Go to the point," he points up beyond the lighthouse on the cliff. "Stop that creature from crying out all night. It's making my people squirrelly."(edited)

[8:28 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Some kind o' monster? Sure, we'll take care of it. No problem." Urrak cracks her knuckles and grins

[8:29 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "I don't know if that's such a great idea"

[8:29 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "Finally something we agree on Urrak."

[8:29 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "but if that's the only way we can prove ourselves, we will do it"

[8:30 PM] DM: Hux turns to the fishman. "And you. You can stay with them since you're so eager to vouch for them."

[8:30 PM] DM: He tells his guards, "They don't set foot inside the walls without my permission." Then they all start to walk back towards the gate.

[8:34 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh scoffs, "if this is what must be done, then let's get started" she stares at the fishman, "we appreciate your efforts to vouch for us, I'm sorry you are now in this mess."

[8:35 PM] DM: "I am Lord Zunis Pumanath of Thalaria, and it is my sacred duty to protect the world from creatures like the one they so charmingly refer to as "the deep"."

[8:36 PM] DM: Zunis: "I heard you mention something about an object? I seek an outsider. Someone who serves the creature. Perhaps we can help each other."

[8:38 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "What type of creature is this?"

[8:41 PM] DM: Zunis: "The deep? A creature of immense power and greater evil from the plane of water. Near a god among mortals, but fear not. My people will prevail. We've traveled to this realm to destroy it, but first, I must find this... minion who spies on the people of this town for it."

[8:42 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Might I ask, just who yer people are? Forgive the ignorance but I don't think I've ever seen someone like yerself."

[8:43 PM] DM: Zunis: "Of course. We are called Tritons in your tongue, though it is quite a bit more pleasant to the ear in Aquan."

[8:44 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I imagine so. Most things sound better'n in their mother tongue. So, Zunis, was it? Do ye have a plan to deal with this 'minion'?"

[8:46 PM] DM: He holds his trident up. "I do."

[8:46 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "How can we help assist?"

[8:47 PM] DM: Zunis: "I'm just having trouble finding them. But if all of us are looking for something out of place, we're more likely to come across it."

[8:49 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Not t' be a smart arse but this all seems outta place t' me."

[8:50 PM] DM: Zunis: "You all seem out of place as well, but if you help me, I can promise a reward from my lord's treasures."

[8:51 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "Alright, so what are we looking for that 'out of place'?"

[8:53 PM] DM: Zunis: "It'll be a person. One who looks like they blend in. But they're actually minions of 'the deep'. They can change their shape to a hideous creature with tentacles and a gaping maw, and they can transfer their memories to their master if they're submerged in water through a scream. That's how I was alerted to this one's presence in the first place."

[8:54 PM] DM: Zunis: "I have a suspect, but it's been difficult proving it."

[8:56 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "We'll just have t' press the squid-monster till it shows its scales I suppose."

[8:58 PM] DM: Zunis: "First, I think we need to get you all within the walls. Assuming you're telling the truth about this situation you're in."

[8:58 PM] Kyris - Brimeia: "Huh. Squid monsters. That's new," Brimeia muses.

[8:59 PM] Kyris - Brimeia: "I thought we were punching up some screaming monster thing?"

[9:00 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "we are, but first we have to locate it."

[9:01 PM] DM: Zunis: "Ah, yes. The Point. It's an outcropping of rock past the lighthouse. There's been some... wailing recently. Has many of the townsfolk on edge."

[9:02 PM] Kyris - Brimeia: "Is that related to your mystery screaming spy or... no?"

[9:02 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: ((19 insight check for Zunis))

[9:04 PM] DM: Zunis: "Unrelated, I'm afraid. The creature's influence causes many dark things to make their way nearby. Outside the walls of town can be a very dangerous place, but they aren't all under direct influence. It's like the world around it is rotting and all the carrion crawlers come out to feast."

[9:06 PM] Kyris - Brimeia: "Sounds lovely," Brimeia deadpans. Then more energetically, "Looks like we're in for some good fights then!"

[9:06 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "You seem like you genuinely want to help your town, so we are here to help you. What is the best way to get inside the walls? I have the ability to cloak one of us, but once they are inside, we wouldn't know where to go"

[9:06 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "It's a human town, any one of us would stick out like a sore thumb."

[9:05 PM] DM: Seirixori appears and falls backwards onto her butt as if she had just been sitting in a chair that was suddenly pulled from beneath her.

[9:06 PM] DM: Gunnloda reaches her hand out to help Seirixori up. "Glad to see you back."

[9:07 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "Seirixori! Welcome back. This is our new companion, Zunis. We have been banished from the town unfortunately"

[9:07 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "Ow..." Seirixori groans and looks around. She grins widely, accepting Gunnloda's help.

[9:09 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: She startles a little, finally looking around. "So, our typical fanfare?" She turns back to Gunnloda, "Thanks."

[9:10 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "You're welcome. I hope your time away was more pleasant than this."

[9:07 PM] DM: Zunis shakes his head. "Subterfuge would not be our ally here. If we are to enter, we must do it on their terms. Otherwise they're likely to send you all to meet the deep."

[9:08 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "We've tried askin' t' be let in already. Far as I can tell, sneakin' in is our only shot."

[9:09 PM] DM: Zunis: "Have you never heard of a favor for a favor? At the very least it will buy us from the time the gates open until they close."

[9:10 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "I'm not great at being quiet. In case you have noticed, my armor clanks."

[9:11 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "So, we take out the lighthouse monster first, then they'll let us in?"(edited)

[9:11 PM] Kyris - Brimeia: "Heh. What's not to like about screaming monsters in the watery deep?" Brimeia laughs

[9:12 PM] DM: Zunis: "That's what Captain Drakkar implied, anyway."

[9:12 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "yes, we should do as they ask so we're granted entrance."

[9:12 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "I don't know, I kind of like where I am." She mumbles and clears her throat. "it wasn't as... Bad as it could have been at least."

[9:13 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Well then let's go get our hands dirty."(edited)

[9:14 PM] DM: Ryleigh disappears.

[9:14 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine explains to Zunis, "See, it's just a phenomena that we can't really explain"

[9:16 PM] DM: Zunis: "Unless you have a skilled illusionist among you who can cast invisibility, perhaps." He eyes Ravaphine.

[9:19 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "Like I was saying, I do have the ability to let one of us enter into the walls or the lighthouse unseen. But how do you know about that kind of magic?"

[9:20 PM] DM: You all start to notice that while you could never see the sun through the thick clouds that coat the sky, it's definitely getting darker. The gate to the docks was sealed against your entry, but now you also notice that the lower part of the city is emptying out completely as they travel up the hill to the town proper.

[9:20 PM] DM: Zunis: "Magic is not unheard of among my people. I have the ability to use some myself."

[9:21 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I suggest we get movin' before it gets much darker. This place gives me a bad feelin'"

[9:22 PM] DM: Zunis: "Indeed. Come, there is a path to the top of the mountain."

[9:22 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Rav follows

[9:22 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak follows close behind

[9:23 PM] DM: He leads you away from the docks and around the thick tree-like walls of the lower city to the path all the villagers had taken up to the top. The gate at the top slams shut as you approach, and he instead turns past the partially collapsed stonework bulwark between the town and the sea and takes the path towards the lighthouse.

[9:24 PM] DM: Before reaching the lighthouse, he points to the west. "The Point is that direction. I don't know what we'll find there. Best to be ready."

[9:28 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori stays close to Gunnloda, she adorns the cloak she had taken off. "I don't actually know what's going on..." She whispers.

[9:24 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Oh I'm always ready. Let's hunt  a monster." Urrak draws her sword

[9:25 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "Sounds fun..."

[9:26 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "Do we keep watch until the creature shows its true self?"

[9:27 PM] DM: Zunis: "I'm not sure that won't be necessary," he says pointing ahead. The ground here is all rocky clifftop and up ahead in the gloom, you can see the faint figure of a woman wailing into the night.(edited)

[9:27 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Well that's horrifyin'..."

[9:28 PM] DM: Speaking of horrifying, everyone make a wisdom save.

[9:29 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: ((16))

[9:29 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: ((nat 20))

[9:29 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: ((also nat 20, 27 total lol))

[9:31 PM] DM: Brimeia takes a half step back in fear as everyone realizes what you're looking at is an honest-to-goodness ghost.

[9:33 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Gods..." Urrak is both slightly frightened and deeply curious

[9:36 PM] DM: She's formerly human and slightly transparent. Ethereal. Her cries carry over wind and wave and are haunting, chilling you to the bone.

[9:37 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "I think I might actually prefer running into lizardmen and spiders ..."

[9:38 PM] DM: Gunnloda pulls her warhammer out.

[9:38 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "At least I'd know how t' fight a lizardman or a spider...can't imagine I'll be much help here...''

[9:39 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Any suggestions, Zunis?"

[9:40 PM] DM: The ghost turns and faces you suddenly.

[9:41 PM] DM: It starts coming closer, floating towards you with tears that vanish running down her cheeks.

[9:41 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak freezes in place, a chill shooting down her spine

[9:42 PM] DM: You can see now that she has a great gaping wound in her chest.

[9:43 PM] DM: Zunis: "I don't know. Can these be killed? Reasoned with? I have no experience."

[9:44 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Generally a little bit of both." Her shield hand comes up to cover the holy symbol on her armor, ready to call upon her divine power if necessary.

[9:44 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "That uh, that looks... Painful." Seir grabs her staff in her left hand, unsure of how to go about this. "Do you... Need help?" She says loudly.

[9:44 PM] DM: The ghost shifts direction just slightly and starts towards Seirixori, reaching out a hand in her direction.

[9:45 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "Wow that is creepy as hell." She rushes out, taking a step back

[9:46 PM] DM: Gunnloda takes half a step in front of Seirixori.

[9:45 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "alright, how do we console moaning myrtle" Ravaphine whispers to Zunis. "Do you think magic will work on any ghosts?"

[9:46 PM] DM: Zunis: "As I said, I have never encountered these. I am out of my depth, as you might say."

[9:47 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "Excuse me, Miss," she says to the ghost, "is there anything we can do to help?"

[9:47 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Do ghosts speak Common...?"

[9:47 PM] DM: She points instead at Ravaphine, coming closer with her hand outstretched.

[9:48 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "Ok so if you're gonna eat us do continue forward, if not maybe stop... Moving forward? Please?" Seirixori's voice gets higher pitched.

[9:49 PM] DM: The ghost stops coming closer, but keeps her arm outstretched. She's sobbing uncontrollably, her face screwed up in pain and anguish.

[9:50 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "I did not expect that to work. Okay. Um... How do we help a ghost????"

[9:50 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Maybe we can..." Urrak reaches out her hand to meet the ghost's

[9:50 PM] DM: Roll a charisma save.

[9:51 PM] DM: You watch as the ghost seems to disappear into Urrak.

[9:55 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "Urrak, nooo!"

[9:55 PM] DM: Urrak falls to her knees as the ghost disappears. Her eyes are glazed over.

((You feel an unnatural chill as the ghost possesses you. You feel a deep sense of grief wash over you, so powerful that it brings you to your knees. You see faces swim before your eyes. You see two you recognize. Two of the sailors from the ship. The one that lost his sister and the captain. You see yourself walking to the Point with the captain, feeling so much love for him... and then he's angry and you're confused... then he's pulling out a dreadful dagger and burying it in your chest. He pushes you off the cliff. And there, you know, is your choice. She's held here because nobody knows where she went or how she died. She needs closure. Find her body, bring her killer to justice. But you also know you can kill her, defeat her in combat and she will be forced away.))

[9:56 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "Crap, Urrak?"

[9:58 PM] DM: The ghost reappears in front of Urrak, her sobs and wails carrying through the air again.

[9:59 PM] DM: Gunnloda steps forward and puts a hand on Urrak's shoulder. "Are you alright, dear?"

[10:00 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak shudders a bit as she comes to, her eyes and cheeks wet with tears she didn't know she was crying. She feels both cold and sick. She coughs and wipes her face, hands trembling. "I saw...I saw...I-I understand..." her legs still feel to weak to stand, so she stays, kneeling in the cool earth.

[10:00 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine sits next to Urrak. "Are you alright?"

[10:01 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori goes to step forward, but hesitates and settles for hovering behind and silently worrying.

[10:03 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: A hand moves to cover he gut, nursing a sour stomach. Her chest also stings from a wound that isn't there "I know who killed...her," she fumbles as she nearly says "me", her mind still trying to shake the shared consciousness. "We have to...help find her...the actual her...her body. No one knows that the Captain of that damn barge we landed on...killed 'er in cold blood."(edited)

[10:04 PM] DM: Gunnloda frowns. "Unfinished business, that."

[10:04 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "That captain didn't seem like good news"

[10:05 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "do you know who she was?"

[10:05 PM] DM: The ghost turns and floats back to the tip of the outcropping to cry at the sea.

[10:05 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "of course it's wasn't going to be easy..."

[10:06 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "No name....just flashes....but she and the Captain, they were together. And that other man on the boat, the one that said he lost his sister to the sea..." Shakily, she stands up, still holding her middle "She's his sister. Wasn't the 'sea' at all..."(edited)

[10:07 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "Just terrible. We must find her some peace"

[10:08 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori's eyes flash in anger and she growls, surprising herself with the sound, "Shoulda knocked them out when I had the chance."

[10:10 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "He kicked her off the edge of that cliff near the Point. That's where we'll find whatever's left of 'er." Urrak furrows her brow in thought "But how can we prove it was the Captain...? He needs t' face justice."(edited)

[10:11 PM] DM: Zunis walks over to look over the edge of the cliff. When he returns, he says, "It's a long way down, but there might be a way around from the docks. Maybe she washed ashore."

[10:11 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "The sea hasn't taken the body?"

[10:12 PM] DM: Zunis: "It's possible."

[10:14 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "All we can do is look...and...excuse me." Urrak scuttles over a few paces and loses most of her lunch

[10:14 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "Shall we then?"

[10:16 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: After a few brief moments of sickness she walks slowly back to the group. "Ok, now I'm ready."

[10:17 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori walks slowly towards Urrak and holds out her waterskin, "here, might help." she says quietly, not quite looking at Urrak

[10:19 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak pauses, a look of sad contemplation on her face. Slowly, she takes the waterskin "Thanks, Ser...and...I'm sorry fer blowin' up at ye earlier. I've no excuse. Y'didn't deserve that." she takes a few gulps of water and hands the skin back. "Friends?"

[10:22 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: She shrugs, "Maybe I did," she takes it back and hugs it to herself, smiling shyly. "Yeah, f-friends."

[10:23 PM] DM: Zunis looks back and forth then says, "Right." And walks off towards where you came from.

[10:23 PM] DM: Gunnloda tries to stifle a smile, but pats Seirixori on the back as she follows him.

[10:24 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak follows behind, searching the foggy memories the ghost shared with her for clues

[10:25 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori grins and coughs trying to hide an excited giggle, and she scampers after Gunnloda and the dude. She's pretty sure she doesn't know his name.

[10:32 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Rav shakes her head and chuckles at her companions while following them close behind.

Back - Next