Vhakizla – Chapter 2

“Qoza. Summer of 67. Second Age. Here’s what the contract said:
‘They who sign this covenant hereby agree that they – and all those under their sway – are to pledge fealty to the personage and power of Vhakizla the Victorious for an interval not exceeding the passage of three moons. They who sign this covenant hereby agree to present themselves at the demense of Vhakizla the Victorious within one moon’s passage and from thence time their service shall begin. They who sign this covenant hereby agree that failure to arrive within one moon’s passage signifies a forfeiture of any claim to compensation for hardships accrued in transit and failure to arrive within two moon’s passage signifies a full and total breach of this covenant. They who present this covenant hereby agree to release they who sign this covenant from any further obligation upon completion of their service.’
For those who don’t read contract, this meant the Wyrm Returned had us over the barrel.”
– Beholder's Log, Athson 58, 67 2A

With no other choice, the Commander's Tent debated how best to reach Vhakizla. In deference to marching overland – either through the Spoils or the Labyrinth Sand – they resolved instead to hire a ship, one of two currently at anchor in the harbor. After putting their very drunk commmander to bed, they split into two teams to find a ship that would take them.
Remorhaz and Mouse sought the merchant vessel – the Tazmorna – and gained an audience with its captain. A proud patriot, Hakanos of Savay was not interested in any work the treacherous Menagerie had to offer. Meanwhile, in the dragon's abandoned palace, Griffon and Umber made a deal with notorious pirate captain Zelene Silvers – passage for Vhakizla in exchange for one unspecified favor at a future date.
While Umber partied with the pirates and Remorhaz fussed over the contract and Griffin wrote a private letter and Mouse crept into Basilisk's tent, the Scorpion's Sting burned long into the night.
It was a two week voyage from Qoza to Vhakizla, sailing along the Spoiled Shore. Remorhaz spent that time in rigorous practice but was increasingly aggravated by the crew's constant interruptions. Umber continued his budding romance with the captain and debated the merits of a piratical life. Griffon tended his hungover mother and helped ease her doubts about her signing Vhakizla's contract. Mouse fell in love with and eventually stole a taxonomical book about dragons from the Saber's naturalist.
Upon arriving at the mouth of the Heartvein River, however, the mercenaries discovered a pair of Pious ships, flying the Sixfold flag, guarding the gateway into Vhakizla.
Rowing out to meet them under a white flag, they made the acquaintance of Shepherd Visiah. The good shepherd informed them that his church opposed Vhakizla, on behalf of the living people who still dwelt under her tyranny. When neither Umber nor Remorhaz could budge the priest, it was Mouse's recitation of the holy orders that came closets to moving him. He offered to allow them passage should the mercenaries be willing to spy on the dracolich but the honorbound Griffon would not have this.
The mercenaries returned to the Saber just in time to see the Speaker in Shreds deliver an order to the Commander – break the blockade.

Campaign: The Menagerie
Game Date: Athson 58 – Gnoson 10, 67 2A
Starting Point: Qoza
Player Characters:

• Griffon
• Mouse
• Remorhaz
• Umber