The Wrong Side of the Bedlam

## **Synopsis**

In Chapter 94: The Wrong Side of the Bedlam, Orba and Graven finished up their business at the Mailhouse and took the opportunity, while still in Na-Garwas, to have a couple quick conversations – first with the nonplussed Llewelyn Hoggs (who had a skewed impression of our association with the Mollefaires) and then with Lem Stonehand who had put out a contract with the Broken Crown.

Safira, meanwhile, was walking along the Tall Ports after a productive conversation with Mohan Fowler when she spotted a familiar face – the same tiefling that she'd collided with earlier that day in Na-Upa.  After having a friendly chat with one of the dockworkers, he discarded a note that Safira snatched up and took back to All Hands on Deck where Erland was waiting and mulling over the possibilities for Marvyn's rescue.

After hearing his description, Erland identified the tiefling as Shekar – a consistent thorn in our side that had set Erland up in Lipatro and was clearly up to something new after making himself known to Safira.  The note inferred that Shekar would be stopping by the Mycrawl Den in Wampurani-Na later today – but we were convinced this was a trap and vowed to steer clear as we had more important things to put our efforts toward.

When Graven and Orba returned using the Steederway, they did so while avoiding a flustered Thorsten Ramaker – who undoubtedly had made little progress investigating the murders since Graven had his run-in with Mr. Two.  It simply wasn't a good time to revisit the cases, so we assembled as four at the bar and set out with a loose plan in place to scout the area where Marvyn was being held – assuming we could locate it to begin with.

The trip started by backtracking to the Crabber's Community some 30 minutes south of town and it was there that we dismounted to travel more quietly on foot… a decision that would quickly pay off as we evaded a lookout sent to scout the area – and shortly after a Girallon that was foraging for food in the woods.

Following the audio clues that Erland had picked up while pretending to be unconscious, we traced a route back to a secluded area where over a dozen armed guards were scattered around the vicinity of a small lodge.  It was difficult to envision a scenario where we'd be able to sneak into the camp unnoticed so we hunkered down to wait and watch – hoping that if the convoy ever split up, we could ambush them in smaller numbers.

During this observation period, however, a rustling of leaves and darting shadows in the distance made us concerned that we'd been followed – though it was challenging to determine by what without giving up our position.  Despite the protests of his companions, Erland crept away from the group hoping to catch our pursuer by surprise – but when Graven went to reel Erland back in, a tiny bit of noise distracted us enough to lose the trail.

Keeping an eye on the camp, Safira spotted someone emerge on the far side of the clearing – and with a spyglass we confirmed it was none other than Shekar… who apparently had come to throw a wrench into our plans.  Using some kind of wand he produced a crackling flash of light that alerted the guards below – sending the entire area into utter pandemonium as the carts were loaded up and the prisoner was secured.

For a while we followed the captors from a distance – hoping they might stumble into danger that would open up a window to strike, but the closer they got to the main road the less we liked our chances… so in desperation Erland revealed himself and tried to bluff his way into a negotiation.

Volley after volley of crossbow bolts made it clear that the time for bargaining had come and went – and Graven had to pry Orba away from making one last futile attempt to free Marvyn from his bindings.  As Erland shouted in frustration and we watched the cart rattle on into the distance, we began a tense trek back to the city.

## Trivia

* Natural one count: four natural ones were rolled in this Chapter. 1 by Anthony, and 3 by Riley.