The Abduction of Willow Ulgen - Journal 17

Session 17 - 10/06/2024
***the story so far***
 
<something recap wise>
<<<Bardagi is talking to Roger, and needs Roger to go to Kavios for a big battle.>>>
<<<Bardagi mentions something of value is nearby, related to their past life, made of stone. A captain of pirates is wielding it, and Bardagi is unhappy about it.>>>
 
During my 12 days in the city, Willow and I split an inn, costing a total of 2 silver and 5 copper.
I manage to craft 2 Lightning in a Bottle(s).
During those 12 days, I work closely with Ondska Stjärnman, mostly spending my time in the Heilagan Runes shop, experimenting. One day, Ondska tries to strike up a conversation.
I admit that we've encountered a few scuffles, but that I know very little.
Ondska remarks that they're not supposed to have a standing army, but financial interests have split Promatican forces to assist BOTH Vomethnda and Ezlekh.
Ondska reminds me that Promaticans used to use magic, before they lost it (INTRUGING PLOT POINT), and that they were very impressive.
Ondska comments about Ancient Promatican Tech, and comments how it very closely Mystek.
I probe Ondska about APT vs Mystek. He replies that they both use Runic Magic (important note: Ondska worked to help develop Mystek with Skald Kappi (the very same of the Kappi Research Institute).
I probe further into APT, and Ondska shrugs, mentioning that he tried to reverse-engineer it, but was unsuccessful.
I scribble a note in my notebook "Locate ATP???", and then continue on studying and experimenting with Runic Arts.
After work, I start to eat an evening meal, and realize that Willow is not home for our annual dinner meal. This is odd.
I look around the room, and notice an open window. Willow hates open windows (they cause dust!!)
Investigating further, I notice a smudge on the outside of the window indicating it was opened from the outside. It really seems like Willow just gave up and jumped out the window. I exit the tavern, and don't find a mangled Willow corpse.
I re-enter the tavern, and approach the barkeep. I pay for one (1) ale with 5 copper. A large female dragonborn approaches, and I inquire as to the whereabouts of Willow. The barkeep mentions that Willow hasn't paid rent in a while, and to rectify this I slide the barkeep Willow's portion of rent (5 silver) plus an extra day (2 silver, 5 copper). The barkeep remarks I'm really trying to look for Willow, as I nod and continue sipping the ale.
Diaga finds me in the bar, still sipping my ale. Remarkably, I'm still holding it down. Diaga asks about Willow, and I casually remark I'm not sure where Willow is, but mention the smudge. I show Diaga to the inn in the room, and Diaga immediately notices things I did not notice before. Diaga investigates.
Diaga investigates the damp spot, and comments how it reminds her of a sleeping potion. I feel a little sleepy, but manage to not fall asleep. Diaga investigates the window, not finding much other than the smudge. I Mark Willow's Scent, and sniff out that Willow is headed towards the dock.
Diaga and I split up, Diaga to the Docks and I to the Temple of Bardagi to retrieve Roger. I profusely apologize to Roger for interrupting his training, and implore him to help save Willow.
Roger and I make our way to the Docks.
In our view, we find Diaga conversing with a shady figure, and Willow's lifeless body next to the shady figure.
< BEGIN BATTLE 19 - THE SHADY DOCKS>

The shady figure takes on a ghostly form, and phases right through us. It doesn't seem to do much.

Diaga crafts a Potion of Madness, and tosses it to Roger, who chucks it at the ghost. It seems to do something, but the ghost shrugs it off.

I slash at the ghost with my Amidrakh Daggar. It shrugs off the attack.

Roger strikes the ghost with a Raakatite Scaled Greatsword.

The shady ghost nabs Willow's body, departs into the nearby room, and returns, reforming into a corporal form, and strikes a whip at Diaga.

The shady ghost then pulls out a furry handgun, shooting once at Roger, once at Harvoni.

The shady ghost lands a shot on me. I lose 13 HP.

The shady ghosts tosses a Choke Dust potion, engulfing Roger and Diaga. Diaga falls, incapacitated.

Diaga makes her way over to the shady figure, as the Lioness Paladin tosses a set of Bolas at the shady ghost, grappling the shady ghost.

I transform into a Giant Elk, and charge at the shady ghost. I flank, with Diaga's incapacitated assistance, and land a Ram attack with the Charge.

The shady ghost shakes loose of the Bolas.

Paladin Tru (the goliath), lands a Tracking Bug on the shady ghost.

Paladin Lohk (the lioness), pulls out a Gunlance, and lands a critical hit with FIREEEE.

The shady ghost runs off, to the docks, with Willow's body in tow.

< END BATTLE 19 - THE SHADY DOCKS>
We continue our pursuit, chasing the perpetrator, keeping our pace as we race to the docks.
The shady figure leads us to the Docks, and seemingly, disappears.
I smell for Willow - she's next to one of the large shipping containers. I go to the shipping container, and find Willow on the ground, by herself.
Roger notices a pirate flag that catches his eye.
I scoop Willow's lifeless body up, and carry her onto the boat. Diaga, Roger, and the two paladins board.
As we inch closer to the pirate ship, the pirates shoot back. As an elk, I manage to dodge a few of the shots.
The motors of the ship shut off, stranding us in the middle of the waters.
The glowly blob still lurks around our ship. We load up a harpoon into the cannon, as I aim the Harpoon at the creature.
I land the harpoon shot, and then dive into the water, transforming into a Hunter Shark.
< BEGIN BATTLE 20 - BLUBBY STRIKES BACK>

I bite Blubby, wrenching my shark mouth on Blubby.

Blubby strikes back, missing an attack.

Diaga hits herself.

Paladin Lohk dives into the water.

Blubby batters our party with ferocious hits.

Willow casts a spell that knocks Blubby unconscious.... and also knocks Paladin Lohk and Harvoni unconscious.

Diaga manages to shrink Blubby, and we get Blubby onto the boat.

< END BATTLE 20 - BLUBBY STRIKES BACK>
 
 
< I HAVE TO LEAVE NOW>
I hop out of the water, losing my Hunter Shark form, clearly battered from the bites.
We trudge on back to the dock, small Blubby in a pot, and we come across a group of Hrosan Templars, who are NOT happy to see us.