Session 10

Date: 3/11/2018

Attending: Jake, Dave, Wes, Joey, Aaron

Absent: Justin - Vacation

Start Time: 8:00 p.m.

Having captured the ship and slain Captain Sharkneck, the party has the crate that was stolen from Captain Swanson brought out of the hold and lowered onto the longboat. They row back to Swanson’s ship and return the goods. After a quick meeting in Swanson’s cabin, the decision is made to head back to Raider’s Retreat for supplies, and then to head out to Lemia as soon as possible. They also ask what the intentions of the three party NPCs are once Lemia is reached. Ostar needs to report in to Black Tom and perhaps report in to a leader of his organization, an older gnome named Osgood. Old Jarl plans to buy his own ship with a small crew with his share of the money they have collected so far on various adventures (which is far more coin than Old Jarl has ever seen or had before). Norris is not sure.

Arriving at Raider’s Rest, Swanson’s crew goes about prepping the ship for the voyage. A lone figure suddenly appears and attacks Soromir. The party quickly slays the assassin who is apparently a member of the Cult of the Serpent. Realizing that someone told the cult that Soromir had sold the cult marked armor, the party immediately assumes it was Big Jemma (who Soromir sold the armor to) and head into town to confront her. She denies ratting the party out, but Soromir – not believing her – uses his abilities to curse her as they leave the shop.

They return to Swanson’s ship and the voyage begins.  After a day or so Swanson tells them that they are being followed. The following ship pulls up alongside Swanson’s – it is Captain Salsbur. He hails Swanson and tells him that Big Jemma has put a price on Soromir’s head. If Swanson hands him over Salsbur will split the reward with him. Instead of dealing Swanson uses an enchanted heavy crossbow to blow a hole in the bow of Salsbur’s ship, and Swanson and the party make good their escape.

They sail uninterrupted for 2 weeks. During that time they study, practice, and repair gear. Soromir tries to be helpful and study the sailor’s art. Osbert takes up wood carving, but each night Khalo uses a woodshape spell to return Osbert’s efforts to their original form.

At the beginning of the third week a large storm rises up and blows them wildly off course.  They finish out the week and put in at Riverwood, a small village at the southern border of Jethu. Lemia is still some weeks journey away, but now they need to reprovision.

As they come into the river to dock at Riverwood, they see that the water is brackish and foul, even though it is running freely. Leaving the ship under the command of Swanson’s first mate Henry Tobit, the party and Swanson head into the village.  It is a small community, with only one inn/tavern – the Pine Bough. They meet a few people: Elsa owns the Pine Bough and her sister Susan is the cook, Meridoc is a half-orc who is the town mayor, and the only general store is run by a dwarf named Nels. The Pine Bough is a pleasant establishment which serves berry schnapps and cider.

Questioning the people they find out that the river has been foul for a month and a half or so. They sent several groups of men west to see what is causing it, and they have not returned. Riverwood has one church – a Regian one, and Osbert stops by to tithe and check in. The Priest, Father Clovisson, is convinced that Osbert’s arrival is the work of Regius, and that the party will set the river aright. Asking around they find that there is much differing speculation on what is causing the river’s pollution. Some think it is the neighboring village of Evershade, which Riverwood has had recent conflict over fishing rights. Some think it is related to the old Temple of Nerull in the woods, which was cleaned out by townspeople a generation ago.

Recognizing that they need fresh water to stock up the ship for the voyage to Lemia, and that Osbert feels an obligation to clean the river, they resolve to investigate on behalf of the village. The next morning the party sets out, following the road that runs west along the river. Shortly after lunch they come upon a troll who steps out of the woods suddenly. Jace tries to speak with the troll but accidently insults him instead (1 on a diplomacy check). The troll orders an attack and 6 goblins rise out of the bushes.

End of Session

XP;  75 to Wes for blogging