Shadows in the Harbor Session 25
General Summary
Anywhere But Here
The party headed out of Castleport in the general direction of the Veleta Woods. They were careful to avoid any patrols by guards or South Wind Trading Company members. As they headed southeast, Fel'Shu spotted a farm in the distance and made their way over in search of shelter. The monk was practically in heaven as they walked through the apple orchards. The party headed toward the far end of the farm towards a barn. They scouted it and entered, but Fel'Shu felt the honorable and proper thing to do would be to ask permission from the family. He headed over to the farm house across the field to find out. Fel'Shu knocked on the rustic, wooden door. A minute later, a middle-aged human man, looking groggy and somewhat put off, partially opened the door. He appeared worried that a stranger had come knocking at his home so late at night. Fel'Shu explained his situation to him, but the farmer wasn't overly interested. Another voice - a woman - called out from behind him. She came down and the door quickly closed. Fel'Shu could hear the two discussing a matter behind the door, but it was too muffled to understand. The door opened again; this time a middle-aged woman in a nightgown stood there confidently. She said that she talked it over with her husband, Eldric, and that they had agreed to let the party stay in the barn overnight provided there was no trouble. But, she added, they would have to show up bright and early to help pick some apples. Fel'Shu agreed to the conditions and he left to inform the party of their arrangement."Now you be here bright and early to help with the chores." - Elowen ThornfieldFel'Shu kept the first watch that night. The party was weary given the return of Natalya Danamark earlier in the evening. He noticed a strange fog approaching over Knightstone Bay in the direction of Castleport. Oddly, it stopped several miles offshore. He wasn't sure what to make of it; fog was fairly common this time of year, especially over the bay. However, it was unusual in the sense that it was a fairly dry night and the conditions weren't really conducive to a large fog bank. In his down time, he worked on his magic chair summoning ability, working up the power to summon a very nicely formed chair with a flower pattern cushion, only to drop it on the ground where the wooden parts shattered. Perhaps Elowen would at least appreciate the cushion...? Malark took the next watch. He perched up on the roof, keeping a view over the night. He, too, noticed the strange fog. Half way through his shift, he noticed something else. Off in the distance, toward Castleport, he saw a small fleet of ships depart. Further, he noticed that they each flew the colors of the South Wind Trading Company. It could have been a normal trade convoy headed out in the direction of the western cities such as Arrowport or Middlerich. Malark didn't trust the South Wind, but without more information he couldn't make a determination one way or the other. Keck took the next shift. As he sat there pondering his next move, he heard a scratching down below. Having learned caution, he peered over the side of the roof to investigate the noise. He saw a small fox attempting to clawing his way into the barn. Perhaps it smelled food or had a litter inside. Keck called out to it. The creature looked up, its bloodshot eyes staring blankly at Keck. The foam from its mouth dribbled down its jaw and splattered all over the place as it furiously tried to claw its way up the barn. That was all the savage orc needed. He drew his hand crossbow, grabbed the ledge of the roof, and lept down to the fox. He sent a bolt through its skull with a pull of the trigger, ending the creature's miserable life. It fell to the ground, impaling the new hole in its skull with the broken remains of Fel'Shu's chair. With style and grace, he pulled himself up back on to the roof. The rest of the night went smoothly, with no further interruptions. Fel'Shu knocked on the door in the morning. Elowen, now wide awake and ready for the day, greeted him warmly but succinctly. She directed him to several baskets nearby and told him to fill them up with apples before they left and they would be square. Fel'Shu handed the baskets out to the party and it took them about an hour and a half to fill all the baskets. It was the least they could do for the hospitality they'd been shown. Their task complete, they headed back into town. Hopefully they'd run into Thaddeus Courtwright who could give them the key to their new estate.
Under Siege
The party took the Southport Road into town. They watched the fog slowly roll in in the direction of the city. People on the road largely ignored the fog, and the adventurers, as at least one of them was a common site, while the other would often bring trouble. Soon enough, though, they encountered a traveling merchant who identified himself as Ezekiel Thistledown. Intrigued, the party approached him and asked about his wares. He declared that he had several potions for sale, as well as some glowing crystals, some mirrored amulets, maps, and weathered books. They purchased a glowing crystal for the human member of their party, Baron Deeplight. Fel'Shu inquired about the books, and as it turned out Ezekiel had a history book on the Phasnosh. After a bit of negotiation, they agreed to grant Ezekiel unfettered access to the head of a warforged in exchange for access to Ezekiel's collection of books on the Phasnosh. Roughly an hour later, the party entered the familiar gates of Caslteport. The fog maintained its presence in the harbor, even growing closer to the city. Regardless, the party headed towards Hardingham Keep in search of the courtier, Thaddeus Courtwright, who would be able to present them with the key to their new estate. It didn't take long to find him zipping around the castle courtyard. He looked relieved to see them, almost as though a task had been completed. He guided the party to their new home, a stately residence in the heart of Castleport. A modest garden with several statues flanked the entrance to the two-story house. Thaddeus began to provide the party a tour, showing them the parlor, the stairs, and the kitchen. The party asked about taxes, which Thaddeus eventually replied that the previous occupant paid roughly 1000 gold pieces every few months in taxes for the estate. They gulped; that was a large amount of money for the party and they would have to up their revenue stream. As they began to ask ever more questions about the taxes, the estate, and everything else, a bell rang out. Castleport was under attack! Thaddeus exclaimed that he must get back to the castle to help ensure the safety of the Viscount. The party, meanwhile, decided to head in the direction of the docks. They headed out into the streets. By now the fog had rolled in and settled over the city like a blanket. Visibility was down to a few dozen feet. All around them they could hear screams, shouts, and the familiar klang of steel. The party crossed the bridge over Atibel Run to West Castleport, but were blocked by several pirates that were in the process of setting fire to a nearby house. They could hear one of the pirates ordering the others to take the women hostage and to bring them to the ship. Heroism got the better of the party and they attacked the pirates! Bolts flew, slings were thrown, and swords were brandished. It only took a few seconds for the party to dispatch the ruffians. Damakos and Baron Deeplight were particularly viscious againts their opponents. Keck took the time to search the bodies, recovering their armor, some weapons, 11 gold pieces, and a set of orders to find and capture the Viscount. The party knew they had to find and protect him. They raced to the castle...Rewards Granted
- 11gp for the party
- 80xp per player for defeating the pirate raiders
- 300xp per player for advancing the plot
Character(s) interacted with
- Eldric Thornfield
- Elowen Thornfield
Report Date
29 Mar 2024
Primary Location
Secondary Location
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