Debarkation

With the gutter runner defeated, we continue our voyage. I suggest to the captain that although we have enough rations to make it to our destination, if anything happens again, we might not. I suggest fishing to cover our ration losses that the gutter runner destroyed. The Captain takes some thought, then agrees and has his idle crew hands to handle the nets.
 
The trip across this accursed lake is finally over. We arrive at Emberholde and the harbor is pretty much empty. This is unusual. Not only is there not much activity, typically there are armed guards investigating and searching arrivals. A city that is mostly populated by Tieflings, seems to be less bustling then normal. This is our of the ordinary, and quite worrisome.
 
We all repeat our investigations as we did at our previous location. For the most part, we all find there is a consistency of rumors. People disappearing, the local law enforcement being understaffed, and the military is also short on troops. This city is ripe for the picking
 
The Chaos Gods pre-war strategies appear to be working. This sort of cooperation from the Gods was worrisome before, it is a bone fide problem now. After meeting and sharing our information, we take a trip back to the Brine Leviathan to see if we can get additional information. Unfortunately, the Captain is not available and is making his ship available for refugees. Wise decision. There will be many once the war begins.
 
We head back to our previous tavern when suddenly, a body falls from the roof and lands on Freya. Rory looks up and sees a shadowy figure and immediately take flight to catch them. I check on Freya, who incurred very minor injuries. During Rory's pursuit, I check the body. He appears to have law enforcement identification. Kemurial attempts to heal the corpse. I shake my head. You cannot heal the dead. You have to bring them back to life then heal them. For a Paladin, his lack of experience with his abilities. I question again, in my mind, The Irons decision to put him in charge.
 
The priest Friar Karl appears to know what to do. He casts a spell and the officer begins breathing again. People begin gathering and I feel this attention can only hurt our efforts. I suggest we go inside. He tells us he is Captain Rederic Vayne of the Emberholde law enforcement agency. His appreciation for his life seemed insubstantial in our discussions but that is not a surprise for one who serves his community. He buys us all a drink in thanks, then begins to question us.
 
Kemurial begins to tell him that we were sent here by The Iron and I cough to interrupt shaking my head. Kemurial then elbows me to do the discussion. Wonderful, our fearless leader doesn't even know how to gather information.
 
I tell the Captain that we were a group assembled from interested parties in the southern part of the continent. They are aware of the Chaos Forces war and are following with great interest. We were sent to investigate, assist where we can, and report back. The Captain is not totally convinced. During the discussion he presses for more information. I have to emphasize that we were sent to investigate, assist where we can, and report back several times.
 
I then tell him, considering the crowd, if we didnt want to be the center of attention, we would have left him for dead. Rederic sips his drink, stares into my eyes and then agrees that assisting would bring unwanted attention and concedes my responses as truth.
 
I ask the Captain if he can share any information on what is holding together the army of the Chaos Gods? This level of cooperation is unheard of. He shared that he believes a Cult might be partially if not the responsible factor in this effort. He was on the tail of one when he was surreptitiously disposed of.
 
The Captain shares his information and I look to Kemurial for leadership decision. He, in his wishy washy way, concedes we might want to check this out and begins a discussion of how we go about it. The Captain gives us his information on possible location and head home to rest from his ordeal.
 
We decide to hit a tavern nearby that location when Rory, Freya and Kemurial discuss options. Freya's patience wanes during the discussion. I stand up and slam my palms on the table. The Iron made you leader. Lead!!!! Make a decision!!!!
 
Rory in a sarcastic and disrespectful voice says, well Lim Dul, you seem to have all the answers, what do you suggest?
 
I sit down and look over to the dragonborne barbarian. As skillful with a weapon as anyone as I have ever seen, but thinking! Thinking is a skillset he lacks.
 
Fine I say. We need some rest and information. 2 people will keep watch from here. Every 4 hours, 1 of the 2 returns to the inn for rest and another replaces them. This means there is no watch greater then 8 hours, we get round the clock surveillance, and everyone gets all the rest they need.
 
Rory gets a puzzled look on his face. "wow, that is a good idea" he responds. He should know, never enter into a battle of wits, when you're unarmed.
 
Freya offers some recon prior to our entering the hide out. She turns invisible and polymorphs into a spider. She is able to recon quite a bit but has to return before her magic wears off. We get some valuable information and then the discussion begins all over again.
 
Finally Freya has had enough and suggests we get going.
 
I am glad I am not the only one who is frustrated by the over planning from the under experienced. When....If... we return to the Iron, I will definitely question their decision to make the Paladin leader.
 
Things go smoothly until we arrive at a ladder. We are ambushed by swarms of Nurglings and a Skaven throwing a poison of gaseous cloud. I escape the cloud with minimal effect by climbing the ladder. This also provides protection of our flank and it is 25 feet higher then the landing. Friar Karl casts a Guardian to protect the other flank. The Nurglings swarm Freya who misty steps to my location. They are handled easily by the guardian, Rory and Kemurial. We are no worse for the wear, but, they know we are here now.
 
We meander to a huge chamber with several raised areas. At the southern end is a hallway. We take time to look for cavern interlopers like Piercers and Ropers. Rory talks of running across those before in this environment. We then head up a hallway and there appears to be a rut in the middle. This is oddly familiar to me. We get to 2 huge wooden doors. There is a loud noise of metal and fire behind the door. I take a few steps forward looking at the rut and then it hits me just as the doors fly open.
 
I turn to the party and yell........ RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!