Adventures at Sea in Seaward
Note: dates conflict. Something got screwed up somewhere, but it’s not worth fixing.
11th Casking
We are headed up to Seaward City to sell the miscellaneous treasure, and recruit henchmen. On the way Dismas and Soren cracked the code on the map, and it points somewhere into the Demon Tears.
12th Casking
Molly and I scouted out a ship and crew that would be willing to work with us. The Red Hawk, an armed merchant vessel, with an interesting gimmic, not asking for gold, but for magic items, if any found… or the Happy Lady, a dedicated merchant vessel in debt.
We just need to find stables for our horses, and we will depart in a few days.
15th Casking
We encountered sea elves at sea. I traded some of the crossbow bolts for coral pieces. Got a good deal for them.
Was swept nearly overboard by a fae spirit in the middle of the night. The first mate is something else. Grabbed me with an iron grip, hauled me back up. Admonished us with a warning to take care in the future.
16th Casking
We arrived at the island, and to my surprise it had a protected little cove, and an island that seemed habitable. The question was, what would be on the island? We sent Molly to scout, and it was a shock to see her transform into an actual seal! But before long she returned and reported nothing of deep concern, a wreck of a stone vessel, but otherwise abandoned.
We decided to head ashore, and the captain sent the first mate and two men to collect freshwater from a stream that could be seen from the ship. They were strong, but not to their credit in this case. They reached the shore, and when we weren’t looking something struck at them. Two men were dead and the first mate gone when we looked back around. We rowed harder, and lept ashore, one of Bill’s men and I went to the trail. Wasn’t good, and whatever it was, was fast. We agreed right away to chase up after it.
It went up the stream aways, and then departed. A common trick, but effective. We traveled through the lush forests, following the remnants of a trail, and found the remnants of a village. Tracks led to the springhouse. Before I could advise we do a basic check of the interiors, the creature fell upon the back rank, and fled. The newly hired monk lay twitching, alive, but paralyzed, which was dealt with, but the speed of attack and flight is alarming.
Bill’s veteran spotted the thing at the treeline, and pointed it out, and we got our first real look at the thing. In full sight, it was six and a half feet tall, vaguely human, but with the mix between an ape and a wolf’s skull. The mouth parted all around the skull, and when it panted three distinct rows could be seen. The pattern changed to match the terrain. It would be an effective killer. It fled as quickly.
We checked the springhouse, and found the mate, alive, if immobilized, and Bill found an illusion in the ceiling. It was good. I didn’t see it until they pointed out all the inconsistencies. But it struck us again, and at that I had an idea. I had in my second quiver silvered arrows, and ordered everyone inside. Everyone did, and while a tight fit, we had just enough. I laid out my arrows, and focused just below the spot, defocused just a little, and prepared for the fusillade. As I feared, normal arrows did nothing. The silver arrows did more than enough. As the last arrow cleared, I shouted for silver, and the dwarf finished it.
All stepped back, as the thing melted into smoke that disappeared. A silver scroll case remained, and seeing no one else step forward, I retrieved a cloth and picked it up. Bill began his superstitions and prayers, but if they don’t want it I’ll take it.
We looked around briefly, but with our men alive but not in the best of conditions, we retreated. The island had a fortified look to it, but long abandoned. Still, we would be careful. There was a ghost we saw afterall.
Magic was cast on the scroll and case, and Perisanct insisted we destroy it. Several times. But I insisted, and broke the seal and opened it. The scroll was magical in nature, and would summon a treasure guardian loyal to the one who called. And the creature was abyssal in nature, which was perhaps indeed a cause for concern. But, I unfurled to see what it said. From the east then, a … little, gargoyle creature appeared. It was only a few dozen inches, but it had a scrap of paper, from… someone? Who would give me 2,000 gp for the scroll. I considered. And I rejected. Respectfully. The creature then flew off east again. Perisanct attempted to argue yet again, and I refused. Not at this time. I have it in my bunk, secured away.
17th Casking
We returned to the island, and followed the map to the location to the base of a hill. The door is the last instruction, and is heavy. Magic was cast before I reached the handle, and I was warned it was trapped. Perisanct said use the hinges, and I found it swung easily from there. Stairs sloped slowly up, to a glow. I hung back, and heard words, sort of demonic, and the party retreated to discuss the name that would be the pass phrase. It was Red Ross, and the entity dispelled. Into the treasure room we went. Cautious of illusions, the obvious pile was instead just an cobra made of iron, and the real treasure a boulder off to one side. We collected the treasure all in two trips, and raised anchor and left.
24th Casking
We’ve returned to the mainland, and have departed off. The captain took as his share silver ingots, certain he knew a place he could make good profit on it. We wish him the best in settling the Happy Lady’s debts.
Dismas also was able to identify the items of note, the magic, the spells, and what useful information there was.
A ring of iron cobra control. Likely the same one we left on the island. It would take time to get that back, but he assured, it would get to us.
Ring of shooting stars, but lacking the words to use it.
A mantle of Celestian
Dart of the hornet’s nest
4 climbing nails
Bartlebee’s bag, a sleeping bag that would levitate and go invisibile
Two dozen magic arrows, of great power.
12500 gold and small treasures
stacks of silver ingots (the same paid to the captain)
A spell book with some magics
A map of the Egress to Skull Mountain
A “book of flesh golems”
Strength of a Titan
A vellum scroll that reads
yes, yes, yes, yes, no, no, yes, yes, no, no, yes, no
up,up,up,up, down, down, up, up, down, neutral, neutralm neutral
in, in, in, out, out, out
No one has a clue what it means. For some reason Bill made the sign of the cross and mumbled something incoherent.
And a page that reads "When you get to the Shadow Tavern tell the bartender Joe sent you" None of the party had heard of the Shadow Tavern. We’ll file it away.
Some of this information we agreed are worth cross referencing with the Company of the Dark Moon. We also decided we’d discuss divvying the loot after celebrations. I’m keeping the scroll though.
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