After returning to the bustling city, the group can pick up Sir Aberlayne from the Adventurers' Guildhall and go on to Volsh's promised feast.  There are several fine inns, and Sir Aberlayne (being a devotee of Yondalla, a goddess known for watching over hearth, home, and kitchen) recommends the Griffon's Table as one with an excellent cook.

She greets Volsh with a hearty hug when she meets them, seeing the smile on his face and knowing what it means.

"I am very proud of you, Volsh!  The hearth fire I kindled for you burned bright, every log, so I knew that was a good omen for everyone," she says.

The feast is a satisfactorily hearty one, with roasted ham, fried and baked fish, seaweed bread, wheat bread, and fresh herb salads with bright dressings of vinegar and oil.  There's chowder with clams, fresh cream, and vegetables, roasted mixed roots, salted and spiced nuts, several different wines, ales, tonics, teas, and juices, berry tarts and fruit salad dressed in honey, even pieces of chocolate to share about.

Sir Aberlayne listens to everyone's stories as the meal progresses, of the resources of the Conclave, the spells that Haazheel and Dellas were able to find, the ritual for Volsh and how the others aided him, with careful attention.

"A good ending and a better beginning!" she says.  She'll wait until the meal is over and everyone is enjoying a last glass of wine or bit of chocolate before telling everyone what she's been up to for a week.

"So I've been looking into Selbian Dross and whatever mysterious buyer wanted Pearl so badly that they were smuggling items in casks of wine.  The Magistrate said the Watch had some cases of other missing items over the course of the last couple of years that fell into similar categories: unusual magic items or magic components, rare oddities, old and valuable texts, even the occasional exotic creature gone missing.  Most of the missing items were chalked up to basic thieves, as they were often things being sold by adventurers or busy merchants.  But since Pearl belonged to Madam ilk'Vale, who resides in town, she could make more of a fuss about it and could afford to pay adventurers to look into it.  I asked the Guildmaster, and she said that not every adventurer made a full tally of their odd loot, and even if they did, not every one of them was going to quibble about one little odd statue or bone going missing.  Those who made a report about it unfortunately didn't stay around long enough to pursue the issue, so the Watch didn't end up spending resources chasing thieves of items whose owners had moved on and might be back sometime next year or never."

She sighs as she continues.  "I understand that there are only so many hours in the day, but those who were thieving (Dross and a few fellows who aided him in some sleight of hand) were careful to target mostly folks who would have difficulty in pursuing.  But as to who hired them, and where things were going...  That is where we come in.  The wine was shipped out on a few different ships, but they had a common port, Gajin.  Now, some of the captains also made port at a few islands further out to sea, so that could be a place where things were being sent."  She spreads her hands, inviting questions.  "So, a thought I had was that we could hire a ship, perhaps the Sea Lady, to go where those ships went and see if we can figure out who was intent on depriving the folk of Port Lyalee of their odd treasures."

Bruenor, his belly full, was in a better mood than usual, but frowned in thought.
"It's not our usual bit of Adventure, but i suppose it's a good and noble enough cause"

"The old tales always have some nefarious villain as the responsible party," Farian says. "Surely this is a area of darkness in need of the Light!" She's thoughtful for a moment. "To be on the safe side, the ship should be large enough to bring our horses. Our final destination may not be a port, after all. I believe the Sea Lady is such a ship, is it not? And, if memory serves, it was hiring adventurers as well."

"The Sea Lady hasn't left already?" Lantamori asked their esteemed halfling.  What was taking Hubert so long to get going?  It had been nearly a week since she'd left them.  More than a week?

"Hubert left with Morrie for a shake-down cruise and a short run to Port Jarlo and Benshay and back.  And since the Sea Lady came back in one piece and with both of them, all went well.  I've been working with the Watch to find out what I could around here, but I wasn't about to go haring off into the sea without the rest of you!" Sir Aberlayne says.  "But now that we have the names of ports, and wines, we have a better idea of where, what, and who to look for."

Haazheel listens and, when Pearl is mentioned, goes blank as if trying to recall what or who Pearl is.

Volsh is in good spirits at the end of the feast, laughing and enjoying all the fine food he'd bought for everyone.

He listenes to Sir Aberlayne's report on the smuggling and all of that.

"I don't understand smuggling and all that, but my main question is... how long would we be at sea? Would I have to undergo a change on the ship?"

"Otherwise, I'm all in favor of bringing smugglers to their knees."

Noting Haazheel's expression, Farian fills him in. "Pearl is a magical construct which Averdante and I were able to rescue from the smuggler thieves. Oh, and Prreet too," she adds, noting Averdante's pet. "So sorry, Prreet! You were instrumental in our success after all!"

"Finding the thieves isn't going to be through the Guild?" Lantamori asked Sir Aberlayne.  "Or is it a secret now and a Guild mission if we succeed?"

She wasn't sure if they were even supposed to accept contracts outside of the Guild.

Travel by sea? That sounded like something interesting to try. Dante couldn't imagine giving up forests to live like a sailor, but as a brief sojourn, he'd like to experience it.

"If we take a ship, who is responsible for hiring it? Does the Watch pay, since they're hiring us?"

Another thought struck him at Farian's words, and he reached up to stroke Prreet. "I would need to buy something for Prreet, if we're going to go by ship. Something to keep him afloat so he can be rescued." For all that Prreet was "alive," he was still a solid weight on Dante's shoulders, and in water would likely sink quite swiftly.

"Oooooh an Adventure on the Sea" Dellas exclaims excitedly over mouthfuls of food "When do we leave? Oh what Should I bring?" Dellas grabs a couple of chocolates and berry tarts and begins to pack up his things as he's going over the list of items "How do wizard's protect their books from so much water?" He mumbles to himself.

Narthian will give Dellas and Haazheel tips on waterproof packaging. For books, he suggests finding a well made brass box and sealing the joints with liberal amounts of wax or lead, then a heavy wax seal on the lid. "That's the only thing that will resist long term full submersion. Tightly wrapping them in layers of oiled leather or tight woven wool and a layer of cerecloth will do for a short dip or heavy rain."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:02, Wed 08 Apr 2020.

Haazheel thanks Narthian and opines Wax, since we'll probably need to get the books out to study up. (With Dallas), he goes shopping.

"If we take the Guild job to explore islands with Hubert and the Sea Lady," Lantamori proposed, "we won't need to hire a ship and I'm sure Captain Hubert will allow us some leeway if we find a lead on our other project.

"We don't have a deadline in order to find these smugglers, do we?"

She was less worried about accepting a contract outside the Guild if they were also on a contract with the Guild that ran along parallel paths.  Just as long as they got paid for their trouble.

Sir Aberlayne shakes her head.  "Not as long as a moon.  Most of the islands are only a day's sail out, maybe two. Most of the time we would be on land, looking for any evidence.  And Gajin is only a week's sail away directly, so I doubt you'd have to change at sea."



"The city is hiring us through the Guild, to make all things proper. Pay is good and fair, fifty gold per week, loot rights as normal. The city is looking for evidence of smuggled items," here she pulls out a list of things determined to be stolen, "And they want those that are in charge, either alive and back here for trial, or solid evidence of their guilt with papers, underlings, witnesses, or whatnot if it wasn't possible to take them alive."





"City would pay, but like Lantamori said, we can combine two jobs in one and save ourselves dealing with middlemen.  The Sea Lady can take all of us, easily.  And I went hunting for something to make our mounts, um... portable.  It's a spell that some wizards use, apparently, if they go somewhere dangerous where they don't want to risk their familiars.  It will turn a creature into a little statue until you say a command word.  It's not a spell I could cast, but Dellas and Haazheel could.  The Temple of Boccob will sell us scrolls for it, if people want.  I don't like being separated from Valiant if I don't have to, and I didn't want to risk losing any criminals just because they could beat us in a footrace!  Maybe that spell could help Prreet?  Or maybe the Boccob priests have something that could do it.  Or you could get a really big piece of cork?" Sir Aberlayne says.

Lantamori wasn't sure how she felt about turning Cloud into a small statue.  It seemed wrong to shrink and petrify a living creature before stuffing them into your pocket for later.

Volsh takes a look at the list, but as there are no pictures he just passes it on to the next person who can read.

"I guess anything on that list won't be part of any loot rights?' he replied.

"We could pay for Haazheel and Dellas to get that spell. I'm about as fast on foot as Eagle, but I'd like the oomph if we need it."

Like Lantamori, Bruenor wasn't sure how he felt about shrinking Demon to some magical doo-dad.  He couldn't imagine the powerful horse would be thrilled with the idea.
Still, it might be safer than a horse, even one as smart as his, on board a ship.

Haazheel is dubious about the statue idea. For one thing he says we don't want to be on a ship and crew that cannot accommodate a horse.

Sir Aberlayne nods.  "The Sea Lady's big enough to take the horses if need be, I was just worried if there was a storm or pirate attack that the horses could be hurt being jostled around in their stalls in the hold.  The statue idea was one another adventuring group I met the other day suggested, as they'd done it when traveling to Port Xialar before."

Bruenor nodded, though he still looked dubious
"i suppose if there's a storm, this bit of magical craziness might be preferable to possibly losing a good mount"

"I can see to the care of the animals in transport," Narthian offers. "But my powers are not the equal of a Great Druid. In addition to keeping the animals calm, I can influence the water about the ship, perhaps affect the wood of the ship to prevent sinking. These things may make the stone scrolls unnecessary. But! The scrolls may be a useful contingency should all other efforts fail. How about I go ask them, to see how they feel about the idea? It may be that they prefer being stone to being on a ship. If I can properly communicate the idea to them."


Edited because I forgot that I already had Speak with Animals prepared!
This message was last edited by the player at 14:10, Tue 14 Apr 2020.

A laugh escapes from Farian, as if she had just thought of something amusing. "I am sure that The Shining One will also grant his servant the power to keep the ship above water. But also," she adds with a smile, "Perhaps more. Can you imagine Demon and Lux and Valiant, at the least, charging across the surface of the sea? Or Cloud running among the clouds?" She half giggles, half chuckles at the pun. "These are all things Pelor might make possible through me."

Volsh laughed with Farian, "Eagle may enjoy running in the clouds. I am not sure that I would enjoy that... if the magic fails it is a long way from the cloud to the ground. And the ground is very hard the last time I checked."

Haazheel contributes an idea. If a storm is coming, two loops of rope, with padding, can be placed around the horse's body. The ends can be secured to the side of the  stall.

"I'll get a scroll as Narthian suggested," Lantamori said, grudgingly.  "Just in case.

"Let's go accept the Island job at the Guild.  Then we can visit the captain of the Sea Lady to see what plans he has."

Narthian smiles at Farian's comments as well. Those would be interesting sights. "It is a shame that you were not bitten by a were-eagle then Volsh! I will go talk to the horses, let them know what is coming and ease their fears."

"For certain Hubert would appreciate such spells!  And it would be indeed nice to know if the mounts are up for a sea adventure or would rather be stonily asleep during that time," Aberlayne said.

Narthian can head off to the stables to talk with the Leafblade Company's herd.  When asked how they would prefer to sail around the coastal waters, and offering them various options (being asleep as a statue until they were needed on land, being strapped protectively in a stall until landfall, possibly running on air or water if there was need for a short while), the horses seem to consider this strangeness for a moment before answering.

Demon, snarling - "I fear nothing!  I do not need to be asleep like a foal!  I will meet the sea and challenge it!"

Feather, tossing her glorious pale male, "Would the straps bruise or muss my fur?  If they will make a mess of my coat, then I will stone-sleep instead."

Eagle, shivering her coat as if to rid herself of flies, "Being in a wooden box with no sight of the sky?  That sounds horrid.  If I could walk amongst the clouds or upon the water, I would do that, else I would stone-sleep."

Honeybee, chewing her hay thoughtfully, "I'll stay awake.  Better to eat while you can."

Cloud, looking over at the others, then back at Narthian, "I will stay awake in the stall.  Someone needs to keep Demon in line."

Demon trumpets a challenge at that, but Cloud ignores it.

Mask, shaking his head and twitching his ears, "If Prreet can be stone, I can be stone, that way I will not be bored waiting."

Valiant, nickering at Thunder in greeting before answering, "I will sleep in stone, that way I am ready with Aberlayne needs me."

Lux Aurea, dancing in place nervously, "Stone-sleep! Else I won't be able to sleep at all in a wooden box that floats!  That sounds very unnatural!  I will stone-sleep!"

Haazheel asks that Feather be told that she will be well-padded if necessary. Also, If it's allowed, she'll be able to walk on the deck some of the time in fair weather.

Danta shakes his head, mildly amused at Sir Aberlayne's ideas. "Prreet is already stone," he reminds her, sliding his hand over the cat's smooth, cool surface. "I'll see if they have something that would let him walk on water in the morning." Mask, though... "How small will the spell reduce the horses? I imagine it would have to reduce their weight."

He didn't see a problem with simply leaving the horses behind. The guild master would certainly know someone who could be hired to keep them exercised if need be. While he'd gotten used to riding on the journey, it was hardly a necessity.

Since everyone was making plans for their next jaunt already, and seemed likely to scatter first thing in the morning, maybe he'd best mention what the fortune teller had told him now. They might want to pick up something to prepare for that problem before leaving town.

"There is something else all of you need to know," he tells them in a pause in the conversation. "I met a fortune teller, and what she foresaw is... disturbing. The shadows we fought in the mountains, they are hunting me. Perhaps all of us, but definitely me. If I'm with you, you will face them again -- and if I'm not with you, I probably won't survive."

Volsh stood and walked over to where Dante sat. The big human clapped a hand on the elven archer's shoulder with a flagon of wine in the other, which he raised high.

"Just as you all faced my trials with me, we will face your shadows with you!" he said somewhat loudly, his huge heart and mouth magnified by a bit of drink.

"And if they come for us, we will walk in the light of Farian's god to keep the away."

In reply to Averdante (msg # 31):

Breunor was less dramatic and sentimental, but no less adamant in his agreement with the big man.
"I don't know what kind of magical shenanigans you got yourself involved in, my friend, but you're One of Us, and that makes Your problems Our problems.    'Never turn your back on a Traveling Companion', as my old teacher used to say."

"The shadows with the druid?" Farian asks, furrowing her brow. "Your arrows made a most unusual sound, as I recall. I think now that I overlooked something. I did not have the feeling at the time that they were undead, but rather some magical or extra-planar creature. Nonetheless, they were evil and creatures of the Darkness. On the morrow, let's visit High Priest Leparion and see what guidance he might give. Do you have any of the arrows? I wish to examine them."

If Dante has any of the arrows, she will use her skill with enchanting weapons to examine them, assuming that they've already been Identified. Guessing that a Spellcraft check might help... 07:16, Today: Farian Raymellie rolled 28 using 1d20+11 ((17)).

Haazheel exclaims Excellent thought, Farian!

A bit surprised by Volsh's emphatic support, Dante doesn't really have a chance to offer his thanks before others chime in. It does much to bolster his spirits.

At Farian's question, he nods. "Yes -- the shadows with the mad druid we fought in the mountains near Fort Cross. Or, well, I don't know that they're the same shadows, or if the druid is still involved. But you are right about the sacred arrows -- they are specifically crafted to affect creatures not natural to the world. That is why the small god in the swamp took such harm from one, as well."

He fished one out from his quiver. "I worked with the Grove Warden here to make another six of these arrows," he told her, passing her the arrow to look at. "Eventually I can learn to craft them myself, but only a priest of Ehlonna can imbue Her blessing into them, and it is the Moonbow I bear which activates that power when they are loosed."

Looking around the table, and up at Volsh, he told his companions, "Thank you for your loyalty, my friends. The fortune teller's words weren't clear as to whether the shadows pursued only me, or all of us, but it was clear that I would need your help to overcome this threat."

With another nod to Farian, he adds, "I'd much like to speak to the high priest. I need to learn what I can about them -- and discover if there's some protection against their attacks I can acquire."

Dellas hadn't been really pay attention as he was imagining the ride on the ship, the pirates they would fend off, the hidden treasure they may find and all the different foods he may get to try. Little did he realize ship fare was never all that good, otherwise it wouldn't last.... He finally looked up to the others "We should get that wax chest and such to protect our books and maybe some scroll cases with a wax seal to protect our scrolls better"

While the others were haggling over the rediscovered items yet to be claimed, Lantamori left to go speak with Captain Hubert about his plans.

Feather gives that some thought, and relays through Narthian that if there is ample grooming included, she'd rather be awake so she can admire and be admired.



"Oh, small," Sir Aberlayne says, gesturing with her hand to indicate a size a few inches high, small enough to fit in a belt pouch or pocket.



"Any evil that would try to get to you would have to deal with me and the rest of the Leafblade Company, Sir Aberlayne says fiercely.



Farian examines the arrows carefully. 



The Mages' Guild likely will sell waxed book covers, slipcases, small waterproof bookboxes, as well as selling the enchantments necessary to protect books from water, fire, or other elements more directly.

--



Heading down to the Blue Docks, Lantamori can find the Sea Lady tied up at the end of the dock itself.  Mad Morrie, easily identifiable by his huge pile of tangled hair and beard, is bustling about on deck, coiling up some rope.  He gives Lantamori a wave, and upon hearing that she wishes to talk to Hubert, bellows out the captain's name.  After a moment, the large turtle appears at the gangplank and with a nod of his head indicates Lantamori can come up to talk.

When asked about the Sea Lady's exploration of various islands, and the city's need to find someone behind smugglers, Captain Hubert says, "Ah good, I'm glad you're all taking the job.  Sir Aberlayne said it was likely the group would be by sooner or later to talk.  So!  I am quite fine with going to all three of the island ports, and Gajin, but there are some smaller isles on the way that Morrie caught sight of that are out of the usual shipping lanes that we'd like to map and at least get an overview of."

"That sounds like it will work for us," Lantamori replied to the Captain.  "We're planning on bringing horses if that's all right.  We're not sure if we'll need them, but we'd like to have them, just in case.

"Do you know when you'll be ready to sail?"

Haazheel goes shopping (with Dellas?) for sailor's sea chests and waterproofing wax to, when necessary, rub along the cracks.

"This makes sense," Farian says, looking closely at Averdante's arrow. "The blessing bestowed by Ehlonna's priests would likely do the same thing, whether your target was not of this plane of existence or an undead. The charm it for the destruction of the unnatural! Very cleverly done!" She hands it reverently back to him.

At the prompting of the others, she tries the phylactery, but immediate removes them. "These are useless to us," she growls sternly, a shocking and sudden change in her demeanor. She drops them into a handy sack so she no longer need touch them. "" She turns to Dellas^?. "You have studied the making of such wondrous things. Can you also unmake them?" Her muscles and face are tense, tembling, as if a pot with a clamped lid over too hot of a fire, barely able to contain the eminent explosion.

^?: I'm trusting my memory on this one. I apologize if it's actually Haazheel that has that feat.

Volsh raised his hand awkwardly, "bet I could... unmake them with a hammer Farian. Give me enough time and a strong enough hammer and I can probably smash 'em for you."

Haazheel does spend some time grooming and petting Feather.

When he hears about the phylactery, he suggests giving it (them?) to the local clerics of Wee Jas to take to their monastery to destroy (or whatever).

Dellas nods to Haazheel "Yes we should go find some wax boxes and such. The guild as Sis says seems like a good place to start." With that Dellas turns in his excitement and half begins to run towards the guild to gather the items. After running halfway down the street he turns and gets Honeybee and waits for Haazheel to be ready...

"Leave a device attuned to necromancy to a temple that flaunts it necromantic abuses?", she says too harshly, giving Haazheel a withering look. "If it can be unmade by us, the better! And if not, then it will be purged in the Eternal Light of the Dawn Sun! Ever will it smite the darkness brought unto this world by the Hater of Life!" In her fervor, she dumps the phylactery onto the floor, points her finger at it and releases a pair of golden rays of bright light at it.

Scorching Ray: 12:51, Today: Farian Raymellie rolled 21,13 (first attack) ,8,15 (second attack) using d20+4,4d6,d20+4,4d6 ((17,6,2,2,3,4,2,5,2,6)).

Not that he was nervous about magic explosions or anything, but Bruenor took a casual step back away from the cleric and her fiery death, just in case

A speechless Haazheel backpedals, hopefuly showing laudable speed.

Seeing Farian's emphatic reaction to keeping the pair of phylacteries from inspiring more mischief, Dante backs quickly away, too. While he agrees in principal with what she'd said, he's not certain her way of dealing with the matter is entirely... safe.

"Easy, Farian," Narthian says soothingly as Thunder jumps up and growls. "We'll see this thing destroyed. One way or another."

Volsh just laughed when Farian started blasting the magic items with fire.

"I guess that works too... " he said. "I can still get a hammer, yeah? Seems a bit... safer than starting a fire here."

Dellas eyes widen, a smile escapes his face as he watches the barrage of fire magik upon the phylactery. He watched with satisfaction as he stood holding onto the reins of his mule, Honeybee who tried to back away. Once that was done, he turned to leave and go hunt down the necessary items to protect his books and scrolls.

The Adventurers' Guildhall

The Guildmaster Kuraja jumps up when Farian destroys the phylacteries with fiery doom, grabbing a ash sweep from the fireplace and batting it into the fire before it can set the floor ablaze.  She points the sweep at Farian with a scowl.  "Fire magic practice on stone surface only!  Hearth or courtyard out back, not on the floor!  That's coming out of your dues."  She sweeps the floor over the scorched mark once more for emphasis, goes to get some water to toss on it just for good measure, and glares at Farian again.  It's clearly not the first time something of this nature has happened, adventurers being adventurers and all, but obviously the Guild wants to make certain their Guildhalls don't burn down on a regular basis.

--

Market Square



This being a port town, and one with a school for young magicians within it, finding waterproof chests for books is not difficult at all.  Captains, sailors, and merchants often find such things useful as well.  Several booths sell anything from large trunks for cargo to small chests suitable for traveling to handled, domed boxes suitable for anywhere from two to a dozen books.  Made of tight-fitting wood, well-waxed, lined with oilcloth or even the skin of certain sea creatures, the smaller boxes range from 5 to 50 gold depending on the relative size and fanciness of the product desired.


--

The Blue Docks



"Should be ready to sail tomorrow afternoon on the tide!  Give me the final tally of people and beasts I have to stock the larder for by tonight, and all should be well," Captain Hubert says.

Farian takes a few moments to collect herself, although she is still trembling from the adrenaline rush. "Sorry, Guildmaster Kuraja. And you, Haazheel. I... It's just... There is no excuse. I will endeavor to limit my fervor to the proper place."

Haazheel nods his acceptance of Farian's words. You are a person who does what she thinks is right he says.

Volsh laughed and slapped Haazheel on the back good-naturedly

"You got that right. Thank the gods large and small she's on our side eh?"

"So Ser Aberlayne, do we need to do anything else with the watch and guild to head off or is it as soon as Lantamori can talk to the ship we can head off and out?"

"There are nine of us in the Company," Lantamori replied to the Captain without having to count.  She was an elf, after all.  "All but one of us has a horse and two of those are ponies.

"We shall arrive in the morning to ensure all is stowed before your scheduled departure.  We're looking forward to sailing with you.

"Unless you have any suggestions, I'll let the others know what our plans are."

Haazheel, after getting the sea captain's consent, buys a large, top-quality chest, one different enough so it can be recognized as his. He places it on the ship as assigned.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:47, Wed 29 Apr 2020.

Seeing Farian back in control, and knowing the horses' wishes, Narthian goes to see about getting a couple of the 'figurine' scrolls.

Farian nods to Haazheel. Prior to setting off on the voyage, she pays a visit to the tailor commissioned to fabricate the pennon.

Dellas bounces along excitedly around Haazheel as they look up and down the market at the various boxes. He settles on a couple of wax sealed scroll cases and two smaller boxes, while plain they are well protected, for his books and scrolls. "Oh that's a big one for you. Guess if it's just be stored in the hull." Dellas said to Haazheel as he picked out his container, he himself had decided he wanted something he could carry on his mule if need be, so a couple smaller chests with handles.

OOC: Doesn't need to be super fancy. Functional and waterproof and large enough to hold a couple tomes and a stack of scrolls.

At a time, Farian and Haazheel can be seen conversing.

Farian can be seen giving a humble nod to Haazheel.

And the two go their ways, amicably enough.

With Farian preoccupied, Dante makes his way back to the Ehlonna's Grove to begin his search for items to help insure his future safety, and Prreet's.

At the Grove, he will speak to the priestess available. After telling her about the warning he received about the shadows hunting him, he says, "I have the arrows made here a few days ago, but now that I know I face this specific threat, I feel a need to seek some sort of defensive protection that would be helpful specifically against these creatures. I don't know enough about the creatures to know what that would be, and if it's something best sought from a priest, or if I can get something from the mages' guild. So, perhaps I also need to learn more about such creatures. When my company fought them, they were working with a mad druid. I don't know if the shadows need someone to summon them, or if they can come into this world on their own. They seemed able to cause harm with cold, but I don't know if it did more than that; if the cold comes from life energy being stolen, then some form of protection from cold won't work."


Before leaving the grove, he'll say, "My company will be setting sail soon. It will be an interesting experience, but I'm worried about a mishap with Prreet. If he fell of a boat on a river or lake, he could walk to shore, but I don't think that's often an option in the sea. I was thinking of trying to find something like a ring of water walking. I don't know of anything else that might work to keep him from sinking. Are there vendors who specialize in such things, or should I ask at the mages guild for such a thing?"

Haazheel and Dellas can find chests in the size they need, with no particular fancy-work or exotic materials for 20gp each.

Hubert says he will have ship stocked with enough fodder and food for a fortnight, and they'll be ready to sail by sundown.

Guildmaster Kuraja will have the contract ready for the group to sign, the city hiring the group to locate the originators of the thefts by Selbian Dross and his ilk, and the group assisting the captain of the Sea Lady in exploring two isles.

--

The Sacred Grove of Ehlonna



Grove-Warden Shallan considers what Averdante tells her about his foes.  "Such things sound like shadows or shadow-demons, undead creatures who drain life-force and health from their victims, and can bring a lethal chill with them.  The most secure way to fight their touch is with a death ward.  If you have a priest with you, one skilled can cast such a spell.  I can cast such a thing as well, and could give you a token that would protect you.  It doesn't last long, but if you thing they are close, it will last long enough to fight them, or to flee if you must.  I only have one token to give you, as they are not easy to make, but as Ehlonna has already shown her favor by bestowing the Moonbow upon you, I believe it is important enough.  Now, as for protecting Prreet, there is a curious little goblin fellow that makes makes some rings from unusual woods which wash ashore as driftwood, and they allow a wearer to float easily in the water.  He was raised by a pair of dryads from as baby, and has a respect for his craft and their magic.  I must compensate him for his work, however."

Shallan brings out a token of golden wood wrapped in dried herbs and grasses that she gives to Averdante, and then a ring made of carved and woven driftwood that she holds in her hand.

"The ring I must pay him a thousand in gold for," she says.  "It will not allow you to swim any better, but it will keep the wearer from going under in all but the worst conditions."

--

The Next Evening

With items gathered, contracts signed, and provisions acquired, the Leafblade Company and their mounts can head down to the Blue Docks to board the Sea Lady.  The figurehead turns and greets you with a smile as Hubert waves a cheerful, "Hello!" from the ship's wheel.  Mad Morrie, looking considerably more sober, though his hair and beard are as wild as ever, seems to be in good spirits as he helps people get their things on board and their mounts situated.

"Everyone ready?  Then let us cast off and begin our voyage!"

OOC: Everyone please move to the Investigation At Sea thread.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:06, Tue 05 May 2020.

Dante very gratefully accepts the token offered, and willingly pay the coin for the ring for Prreet. After offering his thanks, and another donation to the Grove for the kindness and care they've shown him, he leaves to do a bit of research before packing up for the trip. A bit of conversations with a bowyer or a fletcher on how to properly pack his extra arrows, a filling lunch -- just in case his stomach takes time to adjust to travel on the sea -- and then he's ready to put the advice he's received to use and pack for the journey.