"I'm not yet sure I know how Mr. Connelly fits into this, truth be told. We found a log of Easthaven's ships and cargo under his pen name. It was hidden in Derrick's old lodgings."

"If I showed you the manifest would you know which ships had been sunk? Or would I have to make inquiries in Easthaven to learn that?"

Speaker Siever looks over the proffered documents but is unable to comment on them other than to say he wasn't too sure why a ferryman would be making notes of ships and cargo. "More like the work of a harbormaster," he reasons. Mr. Connelly runs a simple ferry service, sailing passengers between the towns and sometimes across the rivers feeding Lac Dinneshere, usually in the summer, when folk from distant lands visit.

Finally, he only knows how many of Caer-Dineval's ships have note returned to port: 5, not including the Howling Fiend. He doesn't really know about Easthaven or Caer-Konig's ships.

Morgrim nodded. "We're not indifferent to your plight, Speaker Siever," Morgrim said at last. "I think if I twist some arms we may even be able to help you," he added, eyeing Thane askance before returning his attention to their host. "But this is a dangerous endeavour, and a blight Caer-Dineval has brought upon itself. Any assistance the town is willing to offer would be appreciated... starting with paying the wages of the ship that has agreed to take us out onto the lake in the morning to hunt down your pirate."

Speaker Siever agrees to cover the cost of securing a vessel to Easthaven, assuming the adventurers are going to chase down Derrick the Drownder and haul him back to Caer-Dineval, dead or alive. "Doesn't matter much to me either way, though I wouldn't mind seeing him suffer a bit!" he blusters.

Morgrim nodded. "Does anyone else have further questions for the Speaker?" Morgrim inquired. "Otherwise I suggest we let him get back to his business, and we can discuss ours at The Uphill Climb. I wouldn't mind having a look across the lake at Easthaven from on high."

Thane looked surprised at Morgrim's subtle change of intent.  ~I didn't know he had booked passage on a ship with the purpose of tracking down the pirate!~ he thought to himself.  He accepted the change as nothing more than a clever negotiating tactic on Morgrim's part.

"Ahem," he broke in, having something more to say.  "Another question, and I'll be done.  It's practical," he hedged, sensing that Morgrim wanted to go and maybe taking note that the Speaker was not in the mood for lengthy discussion.  "What's known about Derrick's ship?  Is she sail-bound, or can she also move by oar?  Makes a difference for laying plans to take her out." 

~Hunh,~ Arnan thought when Morgrim sweet-talked the Speaker into paying for a vessel to use for pirate-hunting.

~I thought that he hired the boat to ferry us across the lake to Easthaven. Although, I suppose that anyone who lives in the area knows that they run the risk of running into Derrick and the Howling Fiend when they sail out onto the lake. I wonder if the ferryman will be willing to venture out of port during the times that Derrick and his crew normally attack, or whether we will have to hire another ship -- and most likely pay them some sort of 'danger pay'?~

Keeping his thoughts to himself, Arnan maintained his silence, standing with his back against the wall and his arms crossed across his chest.

The Howling Fiend is a fast single-mast sailing ship, though she is outfitted with oars as well for those all too few days where the air is still. True to this land's name, the oars are not used very often!

Having completed their business with Speaker Siever, the party departs the caer and pays a visit to The Uphill Climb. This tavern is perched just below the caer, with spectacular views of the lake and the docks below. There is a good mix of locals within, their mood decidely reserved and tense given the recent calamities on the lake. The proprietor is a rugged and handsome man named Roark.

Roark promptly greets the adventurers and takes their orders. Standard fare consists of fish chowder and beer, though the tavern has a wide variety of spirits and foodstuff on hand, though prices are somewhat inflated so a bit of sticker shock is to be expected. Such is the case in places well off the beaten trail.

In any event, the adventurers are soon seated at a table near a window, the setting sun glinting off the expansive lake below.

Morgrim orders a bowl of chowder and a round of beer, before thinking better of it and ordering a second. "Can't talk on an empty stomach," he says as he slides into a seat facing the window. Though his demeanour is pleasant his eyes look distant as he peers across the open waters of Lac Dinneshere.

He's out there, Morgrim thought. Biding his time.

Any strange boats on the water?

Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 16 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 11.  Perception.

Kira seated herself to where she could see out as well as in, like Grim at first focusing more out on the water to see if she might spot anything.  She ordered some bread, meat, and cheese ... nothing special but was also being a little cautious.

---

20:06, Today: Kira rolled 13 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 7.  Perception.  *grrrr*

Thane plopped down heavily on the bench, across the table from Kira.  He looked over at Grim.  "Some pretty clever talking you did back there," he affirmed the dwarf.  "I wonder how the captain is going to take a change of plans?"

He asked for the same mix of food as Kira: meat, cheese, and bread, with something light to drink.  He turned to gaze at the lake.  "Does that thing ever freeze over?" he pondered out loud.  "And does it have any islands?  Could be the pirate would base himself there."

"We ask them what they want in terms of danger pay and then inform them Siever has agreed to it," Morgrim said, shrugging. "Unless someone puts a stop to this, Derrick is going to sink them sooner or later anyway. No boat, no knuckleheads. No knuckleheads, no coin. I'm not worried. He'll come around."

Arnan ordered some chowder and beer, thinking that the "Daily Special" actually sounded pretty good, then joined his companions at the table.

Glancing over at Thane, he remarked "I liked your idea about hitting Derrick's boat with flames of some kind. Too bad your idea didn't work out . . . but I wonder if I can figure out a way to make some flaming arrows?"

"I guess maybe a bucket with some hot coals or fire aboard our own ship -- along with plenty of sand in nearby barrels to keep our captain from wetting his breeches -- and some rags soaked with pitch or something that'll burn readily tied around the head of the arrows. Should be pretty easy to hit the Howling Fiend's sail and hopefully set it afire, and maybe put some flaming arrows into her deck, as well."

"If we have sail-power and they don't, we should be able to avoid getting rammed, and we should be able to outmaneuver them, too. Plus, if the fires aboard their ship get out of control ... well, too bad for them."

OOC: Shane, are flaming arrows a possibility?
This message was last edited by the player at 05:08, Wed 18 Oct 2017.

There are no strange boats out on the lake and really, very few boats on the lake at all at this hour save for a few vessels near the harbor. There are a few small islands here or there, particularly near the lake's north and south ends, though those in the north are mostly huge floating blocks of ice.

Flaming arrows are certainly a possibility as these are reasonably simple to come across or make.

"Maybe we could catapult some jars of oil or something too, follow them with flaming arrows so it's harder to put out the flames," Kira mused quietly as she stared into the northern section of the lake.  "Don't know if those chunks of ice move around a lot, but if they didn't and they knew how to navigate around them, might be they're hiding in that area."  She shrugged and looked back at the others.  "Though they're probably bold enough to just pull into any port for a warm meal and an even warmer bed."

"I was thinkin' along those lines, too," Thane supported Kira.  "A catapult won't work since the boats are too small to carry 'em, but we could make some simple flame bombs that we throw by hand."

"And I know just who can put flaming arrows in the right spots at the right time," he nodded at the two archers at the table.

Thane looked again at Morgrim.  "So, looks like we need to do some stuff.  Gather materials and such.  But the biggest thing is to get the pirate's attention and see to it that he attacks us on our terms.  How d'we do that?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:33, Fri 20 Oct 2017.

In reply to Thane Harkensen (msg # 97):

Dal hadn't throw anything in a long time and got a worried look on her face.  Finally she looked over at her brother and the others around her.  "I'll help with the throwing but I should warn you, I throw like a girl. Grim always said the safest place was to stand in front of me.  I'd never hit him then."

Morgrim roared with laughter. "Girls can throw plenty fine, Dal. You throw like you've just found the bottom of a cask of brandy, and a rotten one at that!"

Wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, he nodded at Kira and Thane. "I agree. He'll be anchored to the North. There's nowhere to hide between here and Easthaven besides."

"Either we sail out and find him amidst the icebergs, or we set up to go fishing. Derrick has been attacking boats indiscriminately. We just have to make ourselves a target. Personally I'd suggest the former. His speed is an asset on the open waters, not amidst the shifting ice. And we may be lucky enough to catch him unawares."

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 99):

Arnan smiled at Morgrim's comments. "I always prefer to be the hunter, as opposed to the hunted."

"And if we can't find the bastard, we can always just to fishin' and see what we can catch."

The party is able to source 4 vials of alchemist's fire within Caer-Dineval, each costing 50 gold pieces. Rigging up basic flaming arrows should not be too difficult and will require a nominal fee of 10 gp to outfit a quiver (20) arrows for such a purpose.

The captain of the sailing vessel has agreed to ferry you to Easthaven and is rather reluctant to go out on the open waters in search of The Howling Fiend. Particularly, presenting his ship as a floating target is off the table. The captain is willing to sail to the iceberg fields, if that is what you intend on doing, but is extremely skittish about the proposition.

In any event, he is ready to depart at first light, preferrably taking you to Easthaven rather than the iceberg field. But he will reluctantly agree to the latter, if the party insists.

Morgrim thanks the captain and agrees to meet him on the docks come morning light. As Amaunator's last light fled the skies and gloam fell upon Lac Dinneshere, Morgrim set his tankard down. "An early night for me I think," he states. "Its been a long few days and I'd rather not tumble over the bluff on my way back to the inn from fatigue or drink."

"We've a big day ahead of us. Dress warm."

Pocketing a bit of bread for a snack later, Kira likewise finishes off the meal and drink.  "Probably best we all tuck in early.  Hope there's some breakfast ready well before dawn," she stated, wanting to make sure her belly was full of something warm and lasting.

"I'm going to excuse myself as well," Arnan remarked, after the group had acquired the necessities for what they hoped would be a nasty little surprise for the lake-pirates on the morrow.

"I want to get in a little archery practice with these new-fangled arrows before I turn in -- not light them aflame, just testing the different weight and balance. I feel certain that they will fly a little differently than normal arrows, and I need to understand how to adjust for that."

"All good advice.  I too shall retire.  Dress warm.  Is there any other way to dress in this area?  I will need to chat with my Goddess to see what spells she thinks I will need for this expedition."

Dalgura chuckled as she gathered up snacks for later.  One never knew when it would be good to have food on hand.

Thane chewed the last of his bread.  "Makes sense to get some sleep.  Indoors.  In a warm bed," he agreed with the group consensus.  "Say your prayers, sharpen your blades, tend to your armor.  Tomorrow will be interesting, I'm thinkin'," he cautioned.

He stood up and set the requisite silver on the table to cover the cost of his food, plus another for the serving lass.

---

OOC: So what do we each owe for the cause?  170 gold split five ways  is 34 gold per?