Ports' Gambit Session 8
General Summary
Are You Looking to Make Some Money...?
The party had arrived at Qi'faren Elesh's shop late in the day and the elf alchemist was eager to get his requested items. The eccentric shop keeper eagerly took possession of the ingredients and commented on the small size of one of the wolf gall bladders. Spruce Springstream quipped that the beast was sickly... Regardless, Qi'faren reached into his pocket and produced the 10 gold pieces as promised. The elf then told the group that it was getting late and he was about to close up shop and began to usher the adventurers out of the building. He quickly had a realization and asked them to close the door first. He offered them an opportunity to make some money, if they were willing to help. Intrigued, the group discussed among themselves briefly and then asked about the job. Qi'faren told the group that he needed a book called Alchemical Transmutations, an ancient tome written by a legendary beholder long ago. He went on to describe that the book was located in the restricted section of the Castleport Library and that he didn't have access to it. The shopkeeper offered 5 gold pieces each to the party for its acquisition. Seeing the obvious danger and moral murkiness of breaking into and stealing from the library, Xolos countered that it would cost twice as much. Chupa Saltamontes added on that there would be likely be various costs associated with it and requested that half be paid up front. Having a need for this book sooner rather than later, Qi'faren agreed. Five gold pieces up front, five upon delivery of the book. Xolos continued to push and asked for additional payment, but Qi'faren countered and commented on Spruce's new lute. Spruce mentioned that he had found it while in the Hastlet Woods. Qi'faren offered to identify it for the bard in lieu of additional payment, since the process was quite expensive. They agreed, and a bargain was struck. Qi'faren produced a single pearl and an owl feather. He combined them over the lute in a flame of blue and white that filled him with new knowledge. He informed Spruce that the instrument was what is known as the Doss Lute, a wondrous item of uncommon value that would need to be attuned to in order to use. Ever the investigator, Kregsmum inquired about the Trumpet Toadstool and if Qi'faren knew anything about it. The elf didn't have any information on it, and Kregsmum's brief examination of the room didn't turn up any either. It was a little after 6pm and the light was fading, so the group then headed out in hopes of heading to the library. But first they decided to stick around for a bit and keep an eye out on the shopkeeper since he was starting to seem somewhat sketchy.A Bunch of Lookey-Loo's
A hoarse cackle could be heard in the distance down the street. Curious about this, Penguin headed over in that direction and let out a nearly identical laugh using his kenku mimicry skills. The voice in the shade, somewhat feminine and elderly sounding, called out "what's that? Are you mocking me?" Penguin and the others approached; a purple skinned tiefling woman stepped out from between a pair of small thatch-roofed homes. Her stark white hair hung matted over her shoulders and the age spots on her face gave away her age. Xolos asked why she was laughing at them and Spruce added in that she should mind her own business. The tiefling woman snapped back that they were doing a poor job of spying on Qi'faren and added that she sees everything that goes on in the area. The group went back and forth like this for a few more moments, when Kregsmum thought to ask maybe she'd seen something and would perhaps like to share with the group. The woman finally introduced herself as Ea Amarzian, just a poor old woman who "don't leave much." She said she'd be willing to share information... for a price. Xolos told her they'd like a sample first, and so she offered some information. Ea told the group that men from the South Wind Trading Company regularly come by, maybe two or three times a week. He's even visited by their manager, Medarin Clubs, about once a week. Sometimes they'll come by and drop off a large man-sized crate for a few days and then take it away back to the docks. Finding value in this line of inquiry, Kregsmum offered to pay five silver pieces for more. Ea was more than happy to oblige. She told them that she recently noticed a marking on one of the crates: a bright red rose about the size of fist on the bottom corner of the crate. Spruce offered up another five silver pieces to keep her eyes open. The old woman cackled with delight and accepted, just before returning to her home for dinner. The group returned to Chupa Saltamontes, who was attempting to listen in at window of Qi'faren's shop. She could hear the sound of clinking metal and smell the stench of rotting eggs. As she attempted to peak inside, she hit a magical barrier of some kind that lit up with blue and golden light while letting out a deep and ringing drone. Seconds later Qi'faren appeared and gave a gentle sneer at small kobold and told her to scram. Embarrassed, the clumsy rogue scampered off and rejoined the rest of the party.I Have Something I Need to Tell You
The group headed toward the Castleport Library and just as they arrived at the outskirts they were approached by Matilde Carson. She approached the group hurriedly and slightly out of breath, her blue hood draped over her auburn hair. She told Xolos that she had thought about his offer from earlier in the day and that she's got some important information to tell them, but she wants to go somewhere else less... public. They headed over to The Sterling Beaver and sat down for some drinks. The tavern was largely empty that night, despite it being a particularly nice night. Matilde sat at the head of the table sipping her ale. She took a deep breath and began to explain. The South Wind Trading Company was little more than a front company for an organization named The Society of the Silk Rose. She didn't know what their master plan was, but the company itself was run by a woman named Zelda Bens located in Arrowport. As the head of logistics, her job was to have all the details for all the shipments coming and going using company resources - things like . But there were some crates that would come that she was given specific instructions - by Medarin Clubs - to put the bare minimum information in the logs. This included the initials "BR" which she explained stood for "Black Rook." Kregsmum took vigorous notes and the entire group was locked into what Matilde was telling them. The hobgoblin and Chupa asked if she thought she was in danger. Matilde replied that currently she didn't think she was and that she would try to meet with them in the next few days with a copy of the ledgers. It was getting darker outside and Matilde felt that she should leave before it became too unsafe. As she got up, Xolos and Spruce told her to be safe.The Villain Revealed
Spruce's finely attuned ear just barely heard it: a gentle whistle, reminiscent of something he'd heard just a few days earlier. Ever cautious, given the atmosphere, he and Xolos stepped outside and were soon joined by the rest of the party. Chupa recognized it first. It was the same whistle she'd heard when she and Penguin had followed Natalya Danamark that night in Beachdenn. It was coming from the southwest and the group immediately headed in its direction. Naught but two minutes into their follow did they hear it: a loud, masculine, and agonizing scream from the north. Xolos, Penguin, and Spruce, believing this to be the work of the killer, darted in that direction, leaving Chupa and Kregsmum to follow Matilde and Natalya. Wedged in the darkness of an alley between two houses, a large, dark figure hunched over a lifeless body. Xolos could see it carefully poking, prodding, and cutting away at the flesh, seeking something. As Spruce and Penguin both arrived on the scene, a pair of glowing red eyes flashed at the party from the void. It dropped the body with an audible thud, blood dripping from its hand. It appeared to tuck something away behind its back while maintaining eye contact with the adventurers. It was as if... it was studying them. It darted up the side of the house in a smooth and swift climb. At the top, it looked back at the group, its eyes flashing red once more. It turned and darted into the night. Xolos gave chase, attempting to climb up the building but slipping and falling on a barrel he used to boost himself. He pursued through the alleyway, keeping an eye on the creature as it effortlessly jumped from rooftop to rooftop in the darkness, as if guided by some kind of preternatural rope. It dashed into a nearby alley where it picked up a crate and threw it at Xolos, hitting him square in the chest. It knocked him down, but he quickly recovered and continued the pursuit. Xolos quickly cast magic missile at the creature, sending three magical shards whistling through the night and letting out a metallic tink! on impact. The creature seemed unphased as it dove into a group of passing civilians. It snatched up one of the children by her collar and used her as a human shield. The creature's gaze never once left Xolos' eyes the entire time, and their glow had only gotten brighter. The elf sorcerer once again sent a trio of magic missiles hurling at the creature, just barely missing the child, and letting out another audible metallic tink! as they impacted. It was enough to get it to drop the child and scurry up the side of the nearest building as the crowd below it started to scatter. Xolos, once again, feeling weary at the chase, shot one final blast of magic missile at the creature. They impacted square in the chest, sending it back a bit. Its eyes flashed a bright red once more, and then it darted off into the night. Chupa and Kregsmum had caught up to the whistling assassin, and could see that she was striking range of Matilde. They were too far to engage in hand-to-hand combat, so the barbarian hurled her javelin at the blonde. It missed and went skittering along the ground. But it was enough. Matilde and Natalya both swung around. Quickly judging the situation, Matilde took off running. Natalya brushed her strawberry blonde hair from her face, gripped her dagger, and began to close the distance to the pair of adventurers, a look of irritation on her face...Rewards Granted
- 60xp per player for returning the items that Qi'faren Elesh requested;
- 50xp per player for learning of the connection between Qi'faren Elesh and the South Wind Trading Company;
- 50xp per player for learning about the existence of The Society of the Silk Rose
- 75xp for Xolos for successfully convincing Matilde Carson to provide information;
- 7gp per player (2gp for the quest reward, 5gp as a down payment for the next quest
- Doss Lutefor Spruce Springstream
Missions/Quests Completed
- Of Men and Machines: I Need Some Items...
Character(s) interacted with
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Report Date
29 Apr 2022
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