The group makes a deal with Liam then heads off to the Mid Bay. On-going GURPS adventures set in the beautiful and evocative Bay of Spirits setting by Randy M. at Roan Studios.
GURPS: Mysterious TidesSession 009
Stuck in the Middle With You
231029Nilas, Jens, and Bro' Bob manage to rescue Liam from his perch in the grotto and safely return him to the surface of the small rocky island. There, Ragnar and Carmel wait. It seems that Ragnar is finally getting over his seasickness from the initial voyage on the Kittiwake. The three quickly fill Ragnar and Carmel in on what they found down through the blowhole.
Liam the oyster diver is quite happy to be back above ground and sea level.
Nilas says, "Ragnar & Carmel.....we went down this blowhole full of water.....I called upon Calla to allow us to breathe under water. It opened into a hollowed out grotto. We found Liam the oyster-diver who Maddie told me about the sunken treasure....only it was protected by a wretched sea-hag! We battled her and scared her off. Then the three of us found a hidden room with a huge brass door but it was protected by giant stone magical snakes! We had to fight them. Jens and Brother Robert took care of them. We couldn't figure out how to open the door, so we got Liam and escaped from the grotto. I think that with the tide coming in, it will all flood again"
Ragnar stares wide-eyed. "Wow, that was some adventure!"
Nilas says, "Carmel, can we have you help us get Liam here a bit back to health?"
He tells of how he had been gathering oysters on the shores of the island a while back and was curious about the blowhole. He found it had some oysters and after several days of being curious he finally decided to take a look. He found the grotto and some more oysters in the underground late, but while diving down, he found what looked like some buried or hidden treasure. He tooks some treasure back but could not take much. He came back several times and took a bit more and decided he wanted to get some help. On his last solo trip, the Hag appeared out of the other area and weakened him with her magic. He managed to climb up to the ledge and for some reason, she would not follow him up there, but he has been weakend and without food, and every time he thought he could make a run for it, she reappeared in the pool so he was trapped. He thought he was going to die in there.
Carmel is already tending to young Liam, who has ravenously attacked the Kittiwake's food stores.
Jens Marko says "Should we take Liam back to land? Let the village healer take a look?"
Nilas says, "If he is healthy enough, maybe he can make it back on his own.
Carmel says she's better than the local healer, and since the Callast Zale has been gone, there hasn't been a cleric or priest there anyway.
"Yes, I can make it back on my own, now that I've got a little food and water in me. You don't happen to have anything else to drink besides water, do you?" Liam asks.
"Ive got my boat here, I know these waters," Liam says confidently.
Nilas says, "we can give you something I am sure. Just a suggestion my friend, get back safely. We may return here to deal with that hag another time. "
Jens Marko says "Well, that's all well and good, but what do you want to do about what's down the blowhole? I think we might not be done here. You okay with that?"
Ragnar adds, "Aye, I imagine after what you've seen a bit of ale might be in order."
Carmel sees that Nilas is a bit wounded as well, "Will you allow me to channel Enibria's generous bounty to you and heal your wounds?"
Nilas says, "If you think we can deal with the hag and open that door, I'm all for it after some rest We would have to wait out the tide again. Maybe come up with a plan. She wouldn't expect more of us. But I hope it doesn't take away from our primary mission"
Liam says, "Are you heading back down NOW? That sunken treasure is my find! I staked it, though I am willing to share if we work together," he says.
Nilas blushes. "Yes Carmel, please I would welcome that. I almost forgot that I was injured. It's starting to become a regular thing."
Jens Marko nods. "That's why I was askin'. Just makin' sure we were plotting the same course. We can meet up again and tackle it together later, right, mates?"
Nilas looks at Liam. "You staked it? You would have died had we not found you"
Nilas says, "I will admit, I am curious to see what is down there...."
Jens Marko shakes his head. "Well, I don't imagine anyone else'll be messing around there. We can meet up when we get back, right?"
"Well, yea, but I still found it first. I don't want to have anything to do with that Hag, and whatever you found down that other way, that's yours, I don't have no stake on that part. Just what I found down in the pool.
Bro' Bob says, "I don't think it's going anywhere any time soon; we need to get moving if we're going to have any hope of finding the assassins"
"Assassins? Whaaat?" Liam says, wide-eyed.
Nilas says, "I don't want to lose sight of our mission. The only other option would be to take Liam with us, but I don't know that it would be a good idea."
"No, I don't want to go with you, not if you're chasing assassins! That sounds worse than Hags, and that sounds ridiculous that I just even said that!" Liam says, clearly feeling better.
Ragnar nods. "Treasure sounds well and good but we do have assassins to catch."
Nilas says, "Liam, you didn't by chance see any persons in a boat pass by this way? It is why we stopped here to find you....we thought this was their craft"
"If my friends agree, I will promise you this LIam. We return here and find the sunken treasure and recover any of it, you will get one full share of it. Delivered to Piper's Quay."
"But only the sunken treasure. Not was is in the room we found"
"Well, no, I've been stuck down in that hole for several days, I haven't seen nobody recently," the young oyster diver replies.
Jens Marko raises an eyebrow at Nilas statement, but says nothing.
"Well, I don't know, how bout you come back and find me and maybe we come up with a better deal than that," he says, crossing his arms stubbornly.
Nilas says, "And that includes saving your life, healing you and feeding you and sending you home safely...."
"I mean, we can just as easily put you back down into the grotto"
"Well, that just seems like the neighborly thing to do anyway. Hey, what?" Liam moves back away from Nilas.
Nilas laughs
Jens Marko steps between Nilas and Liam. "Nah, that ain't happening. "
Bro' Bob just shakes his head, "You know, technically we should report the find to Taber, since we're currently employed by him. . ."
Nilas says, "Okay, there are 5 of us.....so seven shares you get 2?"
Nilas picks up what Bob is putting down.
Bro' Bob continues, "But that's just a technicality which is easily forgotten,"
Nilas says, "Yeah, Brother Robert is correct, we probably should report this to Taber Sinann"
Carmel makes a grunting sound, "Um, I'm here, too, you know. I think the kid gets 2 shares and we each get 1." she smiles. "You know if you report this to Sinann, he will take half of it before you get to make any kind of shares, right?"
Ragnar watches the play by play, knowing something is up but not fully sure what.
Jens Marko says "Why don't we agree to meet up back in Piper"s Cove an' figer it out then. Then we might not be employed by anyone and can do this all free and clear.
Liam and Carmel both nod in agreement to Jens proposition.
Bro' Bob chuckles, "Half? If he's feeling generous. That's before taxing everyone's shares"
Nilas nods as Bob speaks. "Aye, we get one tenth a share each after the Laird takes his tax"
Jens Marko says "so whoever is chasing' assassins can stay aboard and I'll raise the sails. Those heading back should be disembarking soon.
"I've got diving gear and experience. I know you all look like pretty experienced adventurers, and you did chase off that Hag, but I know diving and that's what we need down there!" Liam says, beaming. "Yea, Laird Sinan is a good guy, or well, his son is. The Laird is always away to Hawkstone, doing, well, I dunno, doin leader-type stuff."
Bro' Bob hides his smile in his beer mug
Liam takes a little more food and drink and climbs off the Kittiwake, scratching Lady Margo behind the ears as he goes. "Good kitty," he can be heard whispering to her. "I'll see you all back in the Quay in a week or so, then?" Liam asks.
Nilas says, "Alright Liam. When we return, we will rejoin with you and go after this treasure together"
"But the first round of drinks is on you....."
"After we recover the treasure, sure thing!" Liam says, smiling!
Ragnar smiles at Liam
Jens Marko says "And maybe keep the talk of treasure down, lad. Don't want others beating us to it."
"Yea, yea, I know, I will. Gotta keep working getting those oysters, I need a bit more gear before we go hauling that loot out," he says.
The Kittiwake pulls away from the little rocky island and once again starts tacking down the rocky coastline.
Jens sighs in satisfaction as the little ship slips through the water. Good to be at sea again.
Nilas frowns.
Ragnar shakes his head. "I didn't follow all that but I think you handled him well."
Nilas says, "I really wanted to see that treasure. And get back at that Hag."
"We can tell," Carmel says, smirking at Nilas with a raised eyebrow.
Nilas says, "Ragnar.....back when we all met, just a little bit ago....that sailor girl, Maddie I think? With the neck tattoo, was telling me about Liam and how he was looking to get a crew together to go find sunken treasure.....and we found it!"
"That hag attacked us. She must pay"
Ragnar smiles, "I think once we handle our assassin business and find out who killed me Da we can go back. I'd like to take a whack at that hag you talked about."
Nilas says, "Agreed. Ragnar, thanks for keeping me back on target. I seem to get easily distracted and wrapped up in the heat of the moment"
Despite the detour at the small rocky island, Jens is sure that they will be able to reach Larkton by nightfall.
Ragnar nods sagely. "Aye, treasure will do that to most anyone!"
Nilas says, "I'll need to research how to fight hags"
Ragnar looks puzzled. "Whacking 'em don't work?"
As warned back in Piper's Quay, Jens keeps his distance from the coast, though still close enough to keep an eye out for any beached rowboats.
Nilas tries to dry out some of his equipment
Captain Jens keeps to the original plan of bypassing Merchan't Gut and making for Larkton on the far side of Middle Bay, then on to Grebeschyr in the morning.
Nilas says, "So what do you all think that room was that we found? A tomb? I bet we could find something interesting in there for lady Sinann and Elias
Carmel leans over to Bro' Bob and whispers in his ear.
Jens Marko shrugs. "I'm thinking we might want to figure out what them markings on the door mean before we go opening it. Might be something inside worse'n hags."
Ragnar sharpens his axes as he listens to the others
Carmel whispers to Bob, "Your friend Nilas there, he's been smitten by the Lady Sinann, hasn't he. He likes her, that's cute, she's easily twice his age, maybe more!"
Nilas says, "Well, I didn't detect any spirits, but maybe that just meant none were close by the door at the time"
Jens Marko shudders.
Jens sees the Kittiwake is coming up on the area know as Wyrm Cove. Elias warned to give it a wide berth due to lots of rocks and reefs hidden beneath the waves.
Bro' Bob nods and whispers back, "Looked that way. She seemed to like him, or was just needling her brother. What tipped you off to it?"
Jens Marko swears under his breath and steers hard to starboard to avoid Wyrm's Cove
Carmel smiles, "Can't keep her name off of his lips," she says, giggling.
Off to port, along the rocky coastline, what appears to be a wide bay area known as Wyrm Cove. Sea stacks and rocks poke up out of a low-lying fog.
One large rock looks like the head of a dragon coming up out of the water. Some straight lines here and there indicate ruins or man made structures up on the higher ground.
Bro' Bob busies himself cleaning off his weapons, then the rest of his gear
As the Kittiwake passes, something large moves on the top of a huge seastack and splashes down in the water.
Nobody got a good look at it, but the sea stack that it was sitting on looks considerably smaller now that whatever it was has dropped into the water.
Ragnar asks, "Should we be worried about that?"
The energy that Jens is putting into raising another sail might give answer to Bro Bob's question.
Nilas exclaims,"By Calla's breath!"
Nilas keeps extra watch out!
As the Kittiwake speeds up, there is a noticeable bump, as if the Kittiwake hit something, or maybe something large hit it somewhere under the waterline. It is more of a blunt impact, and not like hitting a sharp rock head on.
Ragnar draws an axe with one hand and holds on tight with the other
Jens Marko says "Might be a sea drake. Best steer clear. I think I'll tack north, see if we can cross to the north shore today. There's a lighthouse I might be able to use to guide us in "
Jens Marko gulps. "C'mon, old girl, get us clear o' whatever that was."
Jens plots a course halfway between Merchant's Gut and Wyvern Rock. There are plenty of other boats out on the water in this area, Merchant's Gut is a busy port, and the passage to the Inner Bay near Therys' Island and the capital of Hawkstone is just further on.
Nilas leans into the sails to help his friend Jens Marko steer the boat while Ragnar grabs a rope to hold the sails steady
Jens Marko makes a few short suggestions to get the deck coordinated.
Jens is able to outdistance whatever it might have been bumping the hull of the Kittiwake.
He is able to make it to the far side of the Middle Bay entrance. There a large tower looms with a fiery light burning at the top, though it does not look like a typical lighthouse. It is too far back from the coastline to be a lighthouse, but clearly, the beacon lights up the area quite qell.
It is not nearly nightfall, but as the Kittiwake slides along the shoreline, much shallower and safer here than near Piper's Quay, Jens realizes that they will not reach Larkton by nightfall after all.
Jens Marko says "Sorry, mates. I think I may have misjudged things a bit. We'll have to anchor here tonight and head to Larkton in the morning. "
Some occasional settlements and farms can be seen along the coastline, but no docks or piers can be seen. There might be suitable places to make land if Jens sails a bit closer to shore.
Jens knows it is some sort of mage's tower with a magical light at the top, but nothing more than that it is called the Wizard’s Beacon.
Jens finds a place to drop anchor, a little inlet a ways down the coast from the Wizard's Beacon.
Jens Marko says "Maybe we should keep moving up the coast a bit more. Don' t think anything good will come of getting a wizard's attention. "
Ragnar nods in agreement. "I agree, sounds dangerous."
He is guessing they are about 20 miles still from Larkton. The sun is down now and the moon is blocked by partially cloudy skies.
There are some lights that can be seen along the shore, possibly some homesteads or farms, but no sounds of civilization anywhere nearby. This is a lonely cold coastline of the Middle Bay.
Ragnar says to Jens, "If I can help in any way, let me know. I don't know much about sailing but ... "
While everyone else hits the deck for bed, Bob stays up for the first watch. About an hour and a half in, he hears hushed voices nearby, which is curious seeing that the Kittiwake is about 150 yards from the shoreline.
Jens Marko gives the hunter a big tired smile. "I appreciate it. I will let you know..."
Bro' Bob readies he longknife and moves cautiously in the direction of the voices
The voices are coming from somewhere between the Kittwake and the shoreline.
Bro' Bob crouches behind the gunwale and listens intently
The voices are getting closer, though Bob cannot make out what they are saying.
Bro' Bob calls out loudly, "Ahoy the boat!"
Bro' Bob sheathes his dagger and readies his bow and remains crouching with the gunwale as cover.
Bob shiveres in the not quite cool evening and hears some shuffling around, then a voice calls out, "The Kraken's tentacles are restless."
Bro' Bob replies, "But the red eagle flies too high to reach"
There is more shuffling and some cursing and what sounds like oars splashing quickly in the water.
Jens Marko slips out of his berth and grabs a hatchet
Ragnar and Nilas both sleep through the exchange, though Jens wakes up.
He can hear a rowboat rowing away.
Jens Marko squints into the darkness. He whispers to Bro Bob. "What's going on?"
Bro' Bob whispers back, "Boat approaching""
The boat, somewhere in the dark, appears to be retreating from the Kittiwake.
Jens Marko nods. "Sounds like they're leaving. Maybe they were hoping we were all asleep. Glad you weren't." he says with a smile.
The moon finds its way out from behind some clouds and Jens and Bob can see two small rowboats nearly back to the shore, almost 150 yards away. It appears they had been rowing out to the Kittiwake, then decided to turn around when Bob shouted about the red eagle flying too high to reach.
Jens gets back to bed and the remainder of the night passes without incident.
Morning comes with bright sun and a frosty chill in the air. Some surfaces of the Kittiwake are covered in a thin film of frost and the first few people up can see wisps of their breath as they speak. Once the sun is up over the horizon though, things look clear and bright.
Jens Marko gets to work at first light and the Kittiwake is ready to sail early.
From what Jens knows of their destination, they need to travers the main part of Middle Bay and veer to the north where the Bay narrows. Larkton is only about 20 miles away, but at the back of a deep bay, bypassing that town should cut off an hour of travel, but it will still take the better part of the day to get to Grebeschyr
The downsides of a nice day means no meaningful wind. Jens looks sadly at his sails as they struggle to fill.
Nilas says, "That tower....do we know what it is?"
Jens Marko says "So, what do you think? We can probably make it all the way to Grebeschyr today, but we won't stop in Larkston, so our quarry might end up behind us. Or we can be more thorough, but slower." He starts. "The tower? Some mage's tower with a magic light on top."
Nilas says, "We don't want our quarry behind us do we? We want to intercept them"
"I would think that even with our side trek, by your sailing, we surely would have caught up to them by now"
Carmel, but you don't really know where they're going, do you?
"They had a day's head start, right? They could have rowed 3 miles out of town, pulled up on the shore and got on horses for all we know, right?" Carmel muses.
"I thought you told me you were going to Grebeschyr to follow up on some other leads, and if we SAW the rowboat, we'd snatch them up, but I didn't think you were CHASING them?" Carmel says.
Nilas says, "yeah, making our way to Grebeschyr makes sense. We can take care of our business and then wait and hopefully catch them unawares that we got there before them"
Jens Marko nods, then adjusts the course of the Kittiwake to make for Grebeschyr.
Nilas offers, "I can help with wind if we need"
Jens Marko runs up the mainsail and grabs the tiller. At Nilas' offer, he swallows, then says "If you and the gods are okay with that, it will help us make better time..."
Bro' Bob offers, "If you set your ropes I can tie them off properly while you're setting the next"
Nilas intones, "Calla, breathe your kiss of wind into our sails!"
Nilas assists with the sails again
Nilas calls down some wind and, standing at the back of the Kittiwake, directss it into the sails. The wind is not strong, but it gets the boat moving. With Jens masterful sailing and Bob's help, the small craft makes its way up the Middle Bay. After passing the Larkton bay, most other ships besides a few fishing boats disappear.
Jens Marko asks "Brother NIlas, how much can you control those winds? We're heading into a tricky stretch."
By late in the afternoon, the Middle Bay narrows and angles more to the north. Nilas has to exert more control over the wind spell at this point.
The shores on both sides of the Middle Bay here become more steep and rocky, though with little place to pull in to dock. Jens estimates that they are about 25 miles still from Grebeschyr at this point.
Jens Marko says "Looks a bit tight in places, Brother. Prayers might not hurt." Jens performs a small ritual to appease the sea gods before they enter the narrows.
The Kittiwake sails through the narrower (but definitely not NARROW) area of the Middle Bay with no trouble, moving slowly but surely with Nilas' blessings of Calla's Breath. Other captains of passing boats are wondering how she is moving so smoothly with wind in her sails on such a calm day.
Nilas joyously proclaims, "Praise be to Calla!"
Finally, when Jens thinks they must be getting close, a narrow cutter with rows of oars on both sides comes shooting out from a protected cove heading right toward the Kittiwake. The boat is flying the insignia of the Starling Lords, the local reigning clan in this part of the bay.
A person at the bow of the boat is waving to get Jens attention.
Nilas says, "well, perhaps I should stop the wind?"
"Ahoy, Ahoy, drop sails! Drop sails!" the man at the front of the cutter is yelling, waving his hands frantically.
Bro' Bob watches the boat closely, noting any details that might be of interest to Elias
Jens Marko reefs the sails and heaves to
Jens Marko hails the cutter.
Nilas cancels the wind spell
It is not a large ship, about the same keel as the Kittiwake, though not nearly as wide. There are 6 oars on each side, indicating 12 rowers.
The ship glides in alongside and several ropes are tossed across.
Jens Marko heads to the rail and ties off the ropes
Nilas reaches out to pull a rope. He also waves to the crew
The boat pulls alongside and the man at the head, a stout man in red calls out. "Well met, by authority of the Starling Lords, I ask what is your destination in this leg of the Bay, or are you moving on to the headwaters?"
Jens Marko looks for the captain and greets him. "Jens Marko, of the Kittiwake. What can I do for you fine folks?"
Jens Marko nods. "We're hoping to stop in Grebeschyr. We're in pursuit of some criminals, so we aren't sure if we'll find them there, or have to continue on."
"Ho there, Captain Jens, I am Villip Astelin of the Osprey," he says, patting the rail of the ship. "You cannot stop in Grebeschyr. No you cannot. "
Nilas steps forward. "Excuse me Villip, I was hoping to speak with the local Callast about an important matter”
Jens Marko says "Well, that might need some explaining, Captain."
"Have you come from the Outer Bay? Did you not drop anchor in Merchant's Gut or Larkton? We have posted notices, no ships in or out of that area. Well, actually, I should be honest with you, you are free to GO to Grebeschyr, but if so, you will not be permitted to leave. The village is under quarantine right now. There is some sort of crop blight, but for the time being, you should not stop there."
Nilas looks at Brother Robert and Carmel. "Isn't that your area of expertise?"
Bro' Bob asks him, "Are there no Inebrian clergy to help?"
Jens Marko thinks. "So, you've been patrolling these waters to turn folk away from Grebeschyr? Have you seen anyone trying to get through in the past day or so?"
"It seems the veil of Lady Malady has covered this village. All in the village are sick, except those that are dead, I believe." he explains.
"We have seen plenty of traffic lately, though none going to Grebeschyr. There are plenty of ports beyond, we are just here to make sure all know not to dock there." he replies
Nilas says, "Have there been any strange occurrences? Anything with the dead returning?"
Jens Marko looks to his comrades. "Maybe you could describe our quarry to the captain?"
He turns to Bob, "Aye, some clergy have gone in. I have not seen them return as of yet, though."
"Um, no I have not heard of any restless dead in the area, though I have not gone closer than this to the town. Some supply boats have been floated in to shore. It seems the miasma here started with the crops, the poor folk were first deprived of their ability to grow their own food, then they got sick as well and , ugh," he shakes his head, repulsed just thinking about it.
Nilas says, "Would there be other ports around that may possibly harbor anyone with criminal or secretive mischief in mind? We are chasing some rather bad people"
He leans in and looks at everyone closer, "No coughing, no boils on your skin? No weakness, the shakes? Burning of the skin? None of you have symptoms like that, do you?"
Nilas says, "They have killed at least two people and tried to kill more"
"Well, yes, there are several other villages along the way into the Middle Bay. Of course Starlington is up that way. Larkton a day's sail back that way." he says.
"Killers, aye? Hmm, and you are trying ta meet up with em? Doesn't sound smart, but if I see any folks as you described, I'll have my marines here grab em up real quick like.
Jens Marko nods. "Thank you, Captain. I take it then that you haven't seen any of that ilk trying to pass by?"
Nilas says, "May Calla watch over you and bless the waters you sail upon"
"No I have not, but you could check further along in Oakshore, Heron's Landing, or Gull Hollow maybe, they're awfully small towns, should be easy to find killers there.
Nilas says, "Those sound like promising leads"
May Calla's waves guide your journey." he calls back
Bro' Bob asks, "Do you know of any group in the region wearing red cloaks as a sort of uniform?
Villip ponders, "Red Cloaks, hmmm."
He looks discretely back at his men the asks quietly, "Ask me to come aboard your ship."
Jens Marko says "Captain, can I invite you aboard? She's small, but I think she's quite unique. It's be my honor."
Villip hops over the rail and greets everyone with a hearty handshake. He looks around the boat, making as if he is inspecting it.
Jens Marko says "And the cabin is surprisingly spacious"
Nilas follows jens and Villip into the cabin
Bro' Bob glances around, taking note of the men in the boat before following
Nilas asks, "Ragnar, do you mind keeping guard for us?"
"Well this is nice and quaint. Welcome to the Middle Bay. I don't have any specific information for you, but if you are looking for nefarious individuals, there is a place, not far from here, called the Sinker. There is a hidden bay about a mile on toward Grebeschyr, on the right side. The Sinker is something of a tavern or halfway house. It is along a not well traveled road, about a mile off the coastline. There are usually a few smaller boats, and some this size. It is something of a private club. Huck Lynan runs the place. Greases a lot of palms. You all seem like good folk, so I wanted to do you a solid. But you didn't hear any of this from me. If there's any illicit activity going on around here, there's a good chance it's passed through the Sinker.
Jens Marko nods, glancing around at his friends. "Well, thank you, Captain. That is certainly a useful thing to know."
Nilas nods and thanks Villip
He heads back to his boat, "And make sure you keep those logs annotated correctly. Get your tax stamp from Hawkstone updated as soon as you can, or you'll be responsible for taxes here in the Middle Bay as well!" He winks at the crew of the Kittiwake as he hops back over to his ship.
Bro' Bob asks, "Are you at all familiar with a sort of guild coin displaying an eagle on a crimson background?
He stops in his tracks and comes back. "What you describe is the Crimson Talons. Turn around, go back home. The Crimson Talons are a deadly assassins guild. You want no part in their schemes." His ruddy face has gone deathly white.
Jens Marko nods and tugs his forelock to the captain. "Aye, sir, that I will."
Bro' Bob says quietly, "They murdered Ragnar's pa, Rogan
Nilas says, "Where are they based out of?"
Bro' Bob continues, and another man named Rogan in Pipers Quay, a cooper from Grebeschyr
"I do not know. Probably the South, but I have heard mention of cells operating out of Hawkstone, the capital. I have only heard whispers of rumors, I am sorry that is all I know.
"You say a cooper from Grebeschyr? Rogan, Rogan Naaj? I know this man. He was a good kid. married a pretty little thing and moved to the outer bay, Piper's Quay did you say? Aww, he is murdered, that is dread news. I am sorry to hear this, and sorry for your father as well, Ragnar," Villip seems truly distressed at this news.
Bro' Bob asks Villip, "Can you think of any reason he might possibly have run afoul of them? Or should we just follow a trail of dead Rogans? His and Ragnar's homes were searched and ransacked"
"This is I do not know. Like I said, I only know of the Crimson Talons by name and reputation only. They are highly sought after mercenaries and assassins. Very expensive. Maybe they were hired. Two Rogans dead. That is strange. I think we have more of this to discuss. Would you all like to come back to our base camp. We are here for another week or so before being rotated out. You are welcome to drop anchor and camp with us. We can converse more as time allows. But please do not mention anything I said about the Sinker. I am unsure which, if any, of my men are on Lynan's payroll. I am assuming some are. He is a know entity in these parts and allowed to do what he does since he has many nobles on his VIP lists. Wellborn, you know how they are!" Villip sneers.
Jens Marko smiles. "Why, I think we would love to take advantage of your camp's hospitality, Captain. Does that sound good to you, friends?"
Bro' Bob nods, "I thank that might be a good idea"
Ragnar nods in affirmative.
Bro' Bob adds, "And for whatever it may be worth, Laird Sinaan will likely appreciate the help"
Villip laughs, "I wouldn't mention the Sinann's name around this lot. Me, I'm not a Starling born and bred, but these boys, they are. You are in Starling country now, watch that you don't bring that Outer Bay nonsense in here, they won't tolerate it. They are good folk, a bit insular and prejudiced, but you know, that's how some folk are!" He shrugs. Me, I'm from Therys' married into the Middle Bay, sometimes I wish I didn't. But anyway, come on. Follow us back to the shore, there's a good place to drop anchor for you. We'll get you set up!"
Jens follows Villip's cutter back to the shore and drops anchor. The crew of the Starling Lord's ship are nice enough, though most of them keep to themselves. Villip is more than accommodating. He helps the group set up camp and makes them feel welcome.
Session Notes
After this session, I changed the name of the campaign to Mysterious Tides. I had been trying to come up with something besides Bay of Spirits (the name of the setting) and finally decided on this one, since it has been one big mystery so far. Another great session of interacting with NPCs, exploring the setting, and generally good roleplaying!Cast of Characters:
Brother Robert (Bro Bob) D'Nagien, a young Enibrian monk and archer - played by Amergin KCallast Nilas Orkan, a young priest of Calla the Storm Goddess - played by Mike B
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