On the Road Again

The Fateful 8 determined that Port Solaris should be their next destination. Beldor noted that there is a slavery ring operating out of Port Solaris that he would like to investigate. It's rumored that the Sun Trading Company is forcing children into slavery to help build their ships. Mr. Fahrenheit grew gravely concerned as he had grown up in Port Solaris and his father worked at Sun Trading at one point. Buck voiced his support for freeing the slaves and indicated he would like to speak with Mr. Fahrenheit's father. Before embarking on their new quest, members of the party finished up what business they had left in the town.

Mr. Fahrenheit was interested in seeing what Bodo could do to improve his glaive. He traveled up to Madame Morraine's to enquire about purchasing a crystal so Bodo could place a magical effect on the weapon. Bodo put some of his finest work into the weapon and it was so well balanced that Mr. Fahrenheit shed a tear over the beauty of the craftsmanship.

The Fateful 8 set off on the southern road out of Lakewood, turning to the east at the crossroads where Mr. Fahrenheit and Dreld lost their cart. After traveling about a week, the wind started to pick up, and the skies began to darken. Mr. Fahrenheit and Buck recognized the approaching storm as an arm from The Maelstrom. The Fateful 8 leapt into action and began to dig a trench to help shelter them. Bodo and Mr. Fahrenheit saw a second caravan about a mile away and rode out to meet them and see if they needed help to shelter from the storm. They didn't ask for help perse, but they did allow Bodo to attempt to use a magic bean to help them.

Bodo planted the bean, and suddenly, a wild Bullette sprang up from the ground and attacked! The Bullette rampaged through the caravan, destroying two wagons and eviscerated 5 of the travelers before Mr. Fahrenheit was able to bring the creature down. The survivors refused any further help from Bodo and Mr. Fahrenheit.

Meanwhile back at the Fateful 8's camp, Beldor planted a number of trees while Dreld dug a trench. Frodo cast plant growth on the trees so their roots grew deep into the walls of the trench. Buck put blocks around the wheels of their wagons so they wouldn't roll away and Rigline ran rope from tree to tree, essentially creating a net above the trench. The storm came and the Fateful 8 hunkered down in the trench, managing to survive the storm without any real damage. Mr. Fahrenheit was nearly sucked out of the trench by the storm but got tangled in the ropes. After the storm passed, Bodo mentioned to Mr. Fahrenheit that he had heard voices in the storm and asked if the halfling had ever heard those when he had seen the Maelstrom in the past. Mr. Fahrenheit said he had not.

As the party continued on their way to Port Solaris, Dreld shared the story of why he left Crowmoor. Dreld is a member of the Assembly of Raddoch, with outposts in Crowmoor and Port Solaris. Crowmoor is run by a bunch of merchants, and one day, Dreld used his power to control the mind of a merchant that was hurting a child. The merchants grew angry with this display of magic and the Assembly decided it was best to send Dreld away. He noted that the purple mist that comes out of him after a being passes away in his vicinity might be a curse or it might be helpful, but it's a part of him and he's not sure if he wants to get rid of it.

Buck then shared that he never cared much for bullies. When he was a child he spent his time using his size and strength to protect the weaker kids around him from bullies. Buck was raised by gnomes and joined the Justicars when he came of age.

Beldor mentioned that he found slavery to be the most heinous of crimes.

Froderick was kicked out of his town in the feywild for committing too many pranks against other townsfolk. He hasn't seen his family in ten years.

About a week away from their destination, the Fateful 8 made camp. They saw another group of travelers make camp not far from them. During his watch, Beldor cast clairvoyance and surveyed the second camp. He realized that the camp was deserted, but made up to look like they were sleeping. Beldor awoke the other members of the group and they moved to hide and observe the approaching strangers...