User blog:MMetzner/Session 15 - The Eastward Voyage

Recap:

The first day of the new month was a long one for the Guardians of Hogstone. After defeating Gordyn Greyship and the Lizardbeast Hunters he had brought from the north, the group stopped the remaining ships from returning to their home island of Breihlin and saved their own burning ships in the process. While searching the Greyship vessels, Kyanna found a new companion, a newborn flumph that appeared to have been parted from its family.

Ronan and Gauner interrogated Ben Greyship, the flag bearer grandson of Gordyn Greyship, and learned of rumours that Gerion Mutt, the fourth son of King Valon killed during the Sack of Hogstone, had been resurrected after a deal involving the King and another party.

Maiya performed a ritual beside a great oak in the forest of Hogstone, and became imbued with a warm radiant light and a sense of calm and peace she had not felt for a long time.

Meanwhile, Farrus had descended far below Hogstone Keep, to perform his own ritual in the Chamber of the Sekken Steiner, where he attuned to the Scholar Statue upon the tomb of King Erryk I. However he had little time to enjoy his new found power when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest and the familiar terrifying voice of the hag Beezor Rotthorn, "So that's where you are Farrus" she told him, "You're a long way from home, but why the Thousand Islands? Why Hogstone? Never mind, we'll have you home soon, back on my table where we can complete our work".

2nd October 420

After hearing the terrifying voice of his hag tormentor and knowing what had happened in the past few weeks, Farrus decided to take his weapons and roll them in his cloak before heading back up the stairs and interrupting Maiya making breakfast. Farrus relayed what he'd heard in the vision, and his worry that Rotthorn could be coming here imminently. The group decided to talk to the wizard Mannaphi, to see if there was a way of dispelling the magic, while Gauner went to inspect both the catapult taken from the Greyship invasion.

The Guardians were welcomed by Mannaphi at the Wizard's Tower. Excitedly Farrus caught Mannaphi up on the Rotthorn story, the words tumbling from his mouth as he asked the wizard for advice. Mannaphi asked to see Farrus' brand, and upon seeing it became very angry that Farrus had not thought to tell him about it sooner, accusing Farrus of bringing a curse to the island. Taking his spellbook he asked Farrus to come closer, and laid his hand on Farrus' chest, attempting to dispel the magic. After a minute or so Mannaphi let go, exhausted, unable to dispel the evil curse that clung to Farrus.

While Farrus and Mannaphi spoke, Ronan looked from the window of the wizards tower with her spyglass, and caught a glimpse of a single sailboat pulling into the docks. Farrus climbed to the top of the Guardians Tower to remove himself from any potential mind control problems as the rest of the group approached the docks. Nearing the figure it became clear that the single rower was Lorin, the merchant they had saved from a shark attack who had sold slightly broken or incredibly circumstantial magical items to them afterwards and taken an investment from Farrus in a bid to buy additional items. On seeing the group Lorin asked if Farrus was with them, Ronan called him down from the tower using Algie, and soon he joined the group. Lorin told the group that he had spent the past few days in Sailor's Wyk and had been drinking with Rusty, a blacksmith on the island that the Guardians had met briefly, He passed a wicker basket to Farrus who opened it to reveal a beautifully made piece of adamantine armor. Lorin then told the group that he also had news from Sailor's Wyk, and hinted that he would like to be paid for said information. Ronan attempted to negotiate with him but Lorin wouldn't be budged. When the group paid, he told them news that they were fully aware of, that Landon Mutt was dead. However he also told them that guards on the island were denying the news, and telling the people of Sailor's Wyk that Landon was alive and well. Lorin went on to tell them that there were rumours of a map, and of a pirate, Fabio Rigo, son of Vasco Magelos' First Mate Francisco Rigo, who was prepared to pay 5,000 gold pieces for it, while Yostix, a gnome on the island, had his group of urchins looking for it. Ronan made a mental note to investigate the map more closely. Gauner asked Lorin if he could keep an eye out for any potions of invisibility for him, and invested 100 gold pieces with the merchant. Farrus gave the adamantine armor to Maiya.

The Guardians began planning their next steps, agreeing that finding the whereabouts of the Tabaxi cleric Gifted Hand was imperative. They knew that to do so they would need to sail to Growing Shower and meet with Gifted Hand's assistant Razza al Haq, who is the only person who knows the location of his master, and would not disclose the information to the group via message. As Ronan pulled out her map, a few drops of rain started to fall, revealing a gold underlay at a point in the Burned Lands.

Together, the group decided that cutting their journey in two and taking rest on the island of Silverstreams, on the east of Brightwater Bay would be the best course. They set about telling people on the island that they were leaving for a while, but were careful not to say exactly where they were going. Ronan spoke to Inga, and then Big Tim and Pervara, who was interested in the life of an adventurer but resigned to making jewellery. Farrus visited Danny and Alyn to let them know, and asked that if there was danger, to let Mannaphi know so that he could send a message to them.

Maiya went to speak to Mannaphi, to let him know of their intention to travel to Growing Shower to seek out Razza Al Haq, and that if they were needed, to send a message.

With that, the Guardians set out on their journey to the island of Silverstreams, sailing east out of the harbour, around the north coast of the Cannibal Islands to calm winds. As they rounded the north-easternmost island of Brightwater Bay, Maiya felt a vibration in one of her satchels. Pulling the Cube of Sea-Searching to her ear, she could make out a dangerous sounding hiss. The group barely had time to discuss whether to speed up or stand and fight before a giant snake burst out of the water, Its eyes dead and full of hate. Maiya unfurled her wings, flying high above the snake before crashing down with her greatsword with two huge swings, making the snake recoil. It immediately retaliated, lunging its thick body and wrapping itself around Maiya before diving back beneath the surface. Shocked, the remaining Guardians aboard the Proud Pelt didn't know how to react. Farrus attempted to fire arrows into the sea but succeeded only in hitting Maiya.

As Maiya broke loose of the snake, Gauner, showing incredible bravery and selflessness, dived into the sea. Reaching out he managed to grab Maiyas hand and help bring her back to the surface. With her wings back in play, Maiya grabbed Gauner and flew him back on to the deck of the Proud Pelt. As the snake emerged again Kyanna let out a stream of lightning, electrifying it and causing it to shriek in pain. It hissed at Kyanna before coiling around Farrus and diving back into the water. Farrus managed to break the grip of the snake but immediately had another problem, in that he can't swim. This time it was Maiya to the rescue, flying over the point where she saw Farrus and the snake go down, grabbing Farrus under his arms and bringing him back above the water. When the snake re-emerged, Ronan was ready and waiting. Aiming her weapon she fired two blasts directly down the snake's throat, killing it instantly. As it began to sink back into the sea, Ronan dived into the water, severing its head with another well placed shot before grabbing the head. Farrus threw a rope into the water which Ronan managed to grab hold of, pulling herself back onto the deck.

Composing themselves, but troubled by the undead creature they just fought, the crew of the Proud Pelt continued on their voyage to Silverstreams.