Session 407 – Pirates
General Summary
The Story So Far
Ash - An expert in the occult and a skilled monster hunter. Ash uses his talents and budding alchemical expertise to battle what people fear most for a price.
Ryobi - A monk of the embattled Order of the Warriors of Mameka. Ryobi is given an important mission: retrieve the holy blades containing the souls of his brother knights, which were lost in the recent Rethemi civil war.
They are joined by Vinzent, a bard with a morbid demeanor and a haunted past.
This is the continuation of Session 401 – Hungry Cargo.
20th to 30th Nolus (Summer) 728TR
After a botched mission, the heroes become outlaws, wanted for mass murder, robbery, and blasphemy. They have fled the Kingdom of Rethem on a secret mission for the Agrikan Primate of Harn, intending to learn the fate of a holy Weaponsmith's family in the distant desert continent.
On the next stage of their lengthy voyage, they have arrived at the Port of Tarkain. From there, they must book transport to the Hepekerian Port of Isynen, the largest settlement in the Isynen Autocracy.
Location - Sailing across the Gulf of Ederwyn and into Port Isynen.
Part 1 – Pirates
At Tarkain, the heroes board the Karejian merchant galley and the Andraste en route to Isynen. The voyage is uneventful until the Hepekerian continent comes into view. A day later, a dozen small ships swarm the galley. This is a well-planned pirate attack waiting to ambush a lone target.
The pirates are a mixture of tribesmen from the southern coast with a motley collection of Ivinian raiders and optimistic Azeryani criminals swelling their numbers. The heroes join the Andraste's defenses and hold their own. Some pirate ships move close to the Andraste intending to board while others keep at range, peppering the defenders with arrows. Ash creates smoke bombs, which obscure the view of the lightly armed enemy archers, forcing them to engage in melee with the heroes. The courageous crew and heroes fight valiantly and repel this vicious attack. But the Andraste would likely have been captured for the skilled adventurer's invention.
Part 2 – Locating The Mamaka’s Family
A few days later, the Andraste arrived at Port Isynen, the capital city and largest settlement of the Isynen Autocracy. Ryobi then sets about locating Thiri 'aqah Sisloss, the mother of the holy weaponsmith, the Mamekan. All he has to go on is that she intended to meet with a cousin Ongi 'aq Stazatro, a notable metal merchant, who should be forwarding messages to Ryobi’s Monastic Order of the Warriors of Mameka. No messages have arrived in over a year.
After some questioning of the locals, the trio soon discovers that Ongi has been murdered. After learning the address of his former residence and business, they pay a visit.
A cloth merchant has taken over Ongi's former shop. Vinzent casts a spell that helps Ryobi communicate, and the monk dazzles the elderly woman with his charm. She knows little about the previous owner, except it is rumored the assassins wore skull masks and were hired by a boyhood friend, the baker Calbi. She purchased the property in an auction, as Ongi had debts and no heirs. The property and all its belongings were transferred to the state.
After giving the helpful cloth merchants a generous donation for her time, the heroes visit the office of the city’s magistrate and officials. Several bribes later, an official goes over the records. All of Ongi's possessions were sold, including a slave named Zott. He was sold on to the tanner Tazolis 'aq Oman. The heroes decide to visit the tanner and speak to the slave.
Part 3 – A Nervous Tanner
On the outskirts of the huge city, the heroes find the tannery, which is well-guarded. Tanner Tazolis is expecting rivals to attack, but Ryobi persuades him that they are of no threat and let him question Zott, the former slave of Ongi.
Slave Zott is nervous but does not appear to be mistreated. He tells the party Mistress Thiri visited and stayed in the city for a week before leaving by caravan to Pyateq, the Numec holy city, deep in the Hepekerian desert. Mistress Thiri agreed to send Ongi's letters, which he would pass on, but he was murdered before any letters were received.
With this information, the exiles consider joining a caravan across the deep desert to Pyateq.
Part 4 – A Berserk Viking
The heroes spend the next few days trying to join a trade caravan to Pyateq but have no luck.
Severan of Tanzek profusely thanks the heroes; he is a trader from the Kingdom of Trierzon who has sadly fallen on hard times. "He is forever in the character's debt," but sadly has nothing to pay them for their valiant deed. His cargo, which the berserker and his clan guarded, was lost. The Ivinian was the only survivor and demanded payment for services. “He failed in his duties,” Severan says, “Besides, I have not the coin.”
But the enthisaric Severan declares, “You three look capable. If willing, I have something in mind to restore my fortune.”
To be continued.
NPC Interactions
Various merchants and slaves.
Severan of Tanzek - A Tierzeri Merchant with a dubious reputation.
Created Content
Nothing this week.
Related Reports
Nothing this week.
Player Characters
Ryobi - Human - L9 Monk
Background - Temple Guard.
Archetypes - Barbarian/Fighter.
Ash - Human - L9 Thaumaturge
Background - Weaponcrafter.
Archetypes - Alchemist.
NPC Companion
Vinzent - Human - L9 Bard
Background - Cursed.
Archetypes - Blessed/Disciple of Thalia.
Next Session
Session 410 – A Simple Thievery Job.
NPC Companion
Vinzent
He is a skilled minstrel who is infamous for his depressing performances and bad luck.
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