Session 5

10/02/23

## A Deal to Seal

In the lower level of the Swayback, as the gang is still grappling with the hallucinogenic effects of Wormsbreath, a group of bandits unexpectedly barges in. These bandits are on the hunt for drugs, and Shuupo engages them in conversation to learn more about their intentions. The bandits are nearly identical in appearance, all wearing similar clothes, although one is dressed slightly less conservatively. Poe has a hunch that they are all close friends, and he even feels a vague sense of recognition towards their leader. Tarlok swiftly takes action, swinging at the bandits and knocking one unconscious. Bellamy tackles another, pinning him against the ship's wall and delivering a solid punch to the stomach. Meanwhile, Honey Heart wields his Great Axe effectively, causing damage in the confrontation. Bellamy showcases impressive agility, making a long, graceful leap across the room and hurling a dagger at a fleeing bandit who carries a box of considerable value. Poe, in the midst of the chaos, bonks the bandit leader with his sling. Honey Heart and Bellamy find themselves grappling with a bandit at the top of the stairs leading to the ship's deck. However, Honey Heart notices that the fleeing bandit is heading directly for a makeshift bridge connecting the Swayback to the next canal. He calls upon Polly, the parrot, to chase down the escaping bandit. Both Honey Heart and Bellamy rush towards the makeshift bridge, but the bandit manages to throw the valuable box to the remaining members of his group before making his escape, leaving the gang to deal with the consequences of this daring encounter.

Turner wakes up to discover two unexpected visitors: a gnome dressed in elegant silk robes and a peacock feather-adorned hat, and a strong-looking woman donning steel plate armor with an emblem featuring spices. The gnome, Eldrich Fairhaven, questions the gang and seeks to strike an equitable deal. Eldrich offers the gang 25 gold for information on the ship's owner, aiming to gather some dirt on them. However, they decide to decline the offer. With members of the Tribunal present, Eldrich is persistent and informs the gang that they won't be allowed to leave unless they pay a 10-gold fee to clear their names or risk being taken into custody. Eldrich then presents an alternative: a job that involves delivering goods to Whisper Hill, a city north of Lumberlight known as "The City of Crime." The catch is that they need to produce the seals and claim they came from Vincent Swayback's ship, intending to incriminate him slightly. Eldrich's motivation stems from his dislike for Vincent, who is trying to build a relationship with Vincent the Dragon. Whisper Hill is a day's travel north of Lumberlight, and this new task presents the gang with both an opportunity and a moral dilemma as they navigate the intricate web of allegiances and rivalries in the region.

The gang finds themselves in a warehouse where they are questioned about their knowledge of Whispering Hill. Within this space, they come across a wagon covered by a large green tarp, and a tall and slender orc woman is busy loading it. The wagon is marked with a sign that reads "Green Huts Dirty Travels," and it's being filled with beehives intended for Thistlemeade, a city that's the equivalent of Bankse and renowned for its rarity and quality. Their new job is to act as security for the wagon and its valuable cargo during the journey to Thistlemeade. The gang gets acquainted with the two individuals in charge of the cargo: a halfling named Benny and the orc woman named Orry. With their roles as protectors, the gang embarks on a mission that involves safeguarding precious cargo while navigating the intricate challenges of the road and the City of Crime, Whisper Hill. The gang arrives at Whisper Hill just as the first light of dawn breaks over the port city, situated on an island just off the coast, easily accessible by water. The town features mostly low-rise buildings, and three prominent structures stand out amidst the rather neglected urban landscape. Whisper Hill exists outside the protective gaze of the Owl Sentinel, and as a result, it doesn't appear to be well-maintained. One of the large manors they encounter is peculiarly boarded up, with planks covering every window, creating an appearance of abandonment. Two individuals sit outside, leisurely drinking and seemingly unconcerned by the state of the manor. To fulfill their mission, the gang heads to a bar called "The Loose Goose," intending to make an exchange with the bartender, a man named Finnick. However, they find the bar closed upon their arrival. Two unhelpful drunk patrons engage with them briefly. Shuupo, Tarlok, and Poe venture to the back door of the bar and hear the sound of crying coming from the cellar. They discover a gnome named Finnick, bathing in a barrel of booze while clutching a feather. He confides in them, revealing that he needs "glimmer" for his ale. The feather he holds belongs to his friend, who was kidnapped the previous night. Glimmer, the goose, had followed the man holding a box, presumably containing their stolen seals. Finnick offers a deal: he will help unload the apiaries into his cellar but won't deliver the goods to the brewer until Glimmer is recovered. It turns out that Finnick is a nudist, adding an extra layer of peculiarity to the situation. Orry assists the gang in locating Glimmer the Goose's whereabouts using a contraption she had been working on earlier. By combining the stray feather and a picture on the wall, they are led to the water's edge, where they can see "Corpse Island" and Glimmer the Goose, beginning a new chapter in their journey through the enigmatic city of Whisper Hill.