[Pathfinder] Return of the Runelords, part 10: A Good Night's Rest

 

The deck of the Tyalee's Whim fell silent after both Viraline and Corla dropped. Viraline was genuinely dead, sadly, but Corla had only been rendered unconscious. Captain Sursha was still under the magical compulsion that had caused her to order the water barrels emptied into the ocean. This didn't cause her to turn on us. She simply followed the suggestion she had been given and sent a few of the remaining crew to the island to fetch enough water to last until the ship reached Magnimar.

Before Corla revived she was stripped of her weapons and armor and the pack she carried by Hunter, assisted by some of the crew. When Corla regained her wits, Hunter questioned her. His first question was how she and Viraline had intended to escape the ship after acquiring the sword. Corla said that Viraline had some means to 'teleport' them away. This led to a search of Viraline's body, but that uncovered no teleportation device in her possession. Corla claimed she didn't know how Viraline would achieve this, only that this was what Viraline had told her.

Fox and I then went to Viraline's cabin to search, discovering to our surprise that the cabin was empty and the large trunk she had arrived with was also empty. We returned to the upper deck in confusion, to find that the pack Corla carried was actually a capacious magical container into which they had placed all of their possessions so they could 'teleport' with everything. Would that we could have such a container, as we might be able to hide the sword within it, but the spell on Captain Sursha had worn off by that time and she told us all of the womens' belongings should be handed over to the authorities in Magnimar when we arrived. 

Backpack of Holding

Hunter had continued questioning Corla while I was below deck. Corla didn't actually know much about the arrangements Viraline had made, but she did explain that a strange cult of people in bright clothing had contacted Viraline. As I returned I heard her say that they worshipped a bird. When I asked if the bird was a peacock, she claimed not to know what that was. According to her tale, Viraline had been cursed by the jealous wife of a paramour and had been unable to find anyone who could remove the curse of ill fortune that plagued her. The cultists had claimed they would remove the curse if Viraline acquired the sword for them. Corla seemed to be speaking truthfully and appeared truly grieved by Viraline's death, though some of my sympathy for her was lost when we found she was carrying several vials of poison. 

Captain Sursha was upset that Viraline had betrayed her and shamed that her passengers had come to harm. We discovered that Viraline had used a tea to place her under the 'suggestion.' 

The following day we sailed into the port of Magnimar. I have never visited there before, though of course I have heard you speak of it, Master Taeral. It is quite an impressive sight, particularly the remains of the ancient bridge that looms over a portion of the city. Hunter says Magnimar is divided into various districts, each of which is specialized in a particular type of business or habitation, which are much like separate cities in many ways. 

After the ship docked, Captain Sursha told us that should we need passage elsewhere in the future we could rely on her. She intended to remain in Magnimar for some time.

We decided together that we should visit the Council first, as our mentors all serve on it and they will know best what to do about a Runelord artifact. The Council lies in the Alabaster District and is also the headquarters of the local Pathfinder Society. With Magnimar being such a large city, it took a long walk to reach the building.

The man who met us at the door wasn't welcoming at all, at first taking us for mere adventurers who desired to join the Pathfinder Society. Even when we told him who we are he didn't lose his dismissive manner. Fox and Lonn resorted to bribery to persuade him to get us an audience with the person in charge, Lady Heidmarch of the Pathfinder Society. 

Lady Heidmarch knew and cared who we are even if her factotum did not. After we told her our story and showed her the Sword of Pride, she immediately recognized it and was shocked that it hadn't been destroyed. At first we considered handing the sword over to her for storage in the Council's vaults, which are so secure that anything contained within them can neither be removed nor detected. 

But as we continued our discussion we all began to feel that keeping the sword will help us to find out who is trying to bring back the Runelords. Lady Heidmarch didn't disagree with this. She also offered to repair the false blade and have it enchanted with an aura that will make it appear to be as powerful as the real sword, so that we may use it as a decoy. 

We also allowed her to hold the real sword, protected by the gauntlets, which she found fascinating and unique. When she held the sword she knew immediately that it is awakening, which she explained means that its master is still living and is waking from whatever slumber or stasis they've been in for these many millenia. We don't know if that master is still Runelord Xanderghul. Lady Heidmarch suggested that it could perhaps be his apprentice.

Our mentors weren't present in Magnimar when we arrived, but Lady Heidmarch did state that she expects some of them to arrive soon, though she couldn't say who would come as they're protecting themselves by keeping such knowledge secret.  

Lady Heidmarch told us that we could stay at an inn in Alabaster called the Gryphine, which is frequented by the members of the Pathfinder Society. Hunter is looking forward to seeing his family. Lonn asked Zinovia if she had met Hunter's family, and she and Hunter cheerfully explained that she had, as the two of them had first met in Magnimar. I haven't yet learned how Zinovia came to Magnimar to begin with, or why she was being mentored by a mage.

The Gryphine Inn

Fox complained about having given up some of his small supply of gold to bribe the clerk at the Pathfinder Society when Lonn had also given the man coins, mentioning it even before we parted from Lady Heidmarch. I think that fellow will be in for a tongue-lashing as Lady Heidmarch appeared quite annoyed. We had to explain to Fox that once a bribe is given one should never mention it again. He only knew that his former master had often bribed people, but he hadn't really understood how bribery works. He is terribly naive.

We didn't go to the inn immediately, as we had promised to accompany Audrahni to perform the ritual to lay her friend's spirit to rest. She took us to a building, where we climbed up on the roof. Audrahni laid out her ritual implements and began to perform a dance in honor of Ashava, the Empyreal Lord she served before she lost her faith.  

Dance for Ashava

We didn't have to participate, so we stood by and kept our eyes out for trouble. Lonn and Zinovia began attempting to follow Audrahni's dance to aid her. But trouble found us soon enough - just as the heavy feeling on the roof began to lift, a darkness fell over us and a floating creature appeared. I recognized it as type of undead known as a choking shade. I could recall that it was an incorporeal undead capable of inflicting negative energy harm and warned my companions. After I said what it was, Lonn remembered that it had the ability to suppress magic around it, and that it was vulnerable to strong winds. It's a pity that I don't know any wind spells at present, but I wouldn't have had any prepared in any case. I was still concerned with protecting myself against living enemies.

Hunter attempted to cast a spell and was thwarted by the shade's magic suppression aura. I also failed to cast my missiles at it. Fox managed to cast 'mage armor' on Hunter, realizing that incorporeal creatures can't get through magical armor as easily as corporeal armor. Zinovia tried to hit it with her enchanted sword but missed her first strike. Hunter manifested his blade and warned Fox to step back, but Fox remained where he was, intending to cast his spell on Zinovia next. I attempted to scorch the shade with a fiery ray, but although I was able to overcome its aura to cast my spell I missed my aim and the flames shot over the edge of the roof without touching the shade. 

Fox and I backed toward a chimney, Fox pulling Grumble toward safety with him. I stepped closer to the edge of the roof and sent a bolt of lightning at the shade. It hit but the shade avoided some of the energy. I realized I was exposed and withdrew to take cover behind the chimney. Fox kept doggedly trying to cast 'mage armor' on Zinovia until he finally succeeded, but at that moment she struck the shade two blows and it disintegrated into a cloud of ash.

Audrahni had managed to maintain her concentration on her dance ritual this entire time, and shortly after the shade was destroyed she ceased dancing and began to pray. We all joined her in prayer. I prayed to Pharasma as I know more of the tenets of her faith than of Ashava. 

Beams of light fell on the rooftop, accompanied by lively music. The lights fell at our feet and we sensed a positive energy surrounding us, which I thought might be similar to the effect of a priest's 'hallow' spell though of course I don't know divine magic so well as arcane. I felt as if Ashava had touched me with her blessing. The spirit of Audrahni's friend could finally rest. I was glad we'd been able to keep the shade away from her so she could complete the ritual.

We were all tired after our long day and made our way to the Gryphine after that. Audrahni confided in us on the way that Ashava had restored her clerical powers to her, which we were very heartened to hear. 

Audrahni

When we reached our rooms at the inn, we all discovered that in each room was a parcel tied with a black ribbon. Fox and I were both immediately suspicious and took a moment to check the packages for magical auras, but Lonn and Hunter opened theirs and Lonn was engulfed in a cloud of green smoke that poisoned him rather badly - not a fatal poison, but one that left him foolish and clumsy. Zinovia shouted out a warning and that kept Fox and I from opening our packages after we found no magic. Lonn and Hunter both took antitoxins, but we had to appeal to Audrahni to use her newly restored priestly magic to help Lonn as he'd inhaled so much of the gas. The gas dissipated quickly afterward.

The other items in the parcels were candies and tobacco, which were not magical and as far as we could determine not poisoned either. Each of the packages had also included a note describing us as the "New Heroes of Varisia" and telling us to enjoy the items enclosed. Fox and I had no desire to enjoy these gifts and would have burned them, but the others entreated us not to, saying that we could use them for bribes or sell them. We handed our shares over to them. 

Grumble had also been poisoned by the green gas as he stayed in the same room with Hunter and Zinovia, so Lonn volunteered to care for him overnight once his own weakness had been largely removed by Audrahni. Fox went downstairs to complain to the inn manager. We decided to set watches that night, Fox taking the first watch, Zinovia the second, Hunter the third, and I the last. Fox assumed his fox form and settled down in the corridor outside our rooms.

Grumble

I was resting in my room when noise from the hallway roused me. There was a flash of light visible from the gap under the door. I got up and looked cautiously outside to see a bugbear facing Fox, who was now in his human form. There were scorch marks and bits of ash on the floor. Fox shouted for help. The bugbear vanished for a moment, then reappeared as he attacked Fox. Then Zinovia's door flew open and she rushed out, her face flushed with fury. She swung her sword once and the bugbear fell.

Bugbear 

When the bugbear's body was searched, we found a short note from someone named Hira Doss. It read: "once we return from our duties in the Forsaken Mezzanine.” The brevity of the note confused us until we realized it was probably a response to some other message, similar to a conversation held through a 'sending' spell.

Fox wanted to go and complain to the inn staff again, but a few moments of discussion made us all recognize that a dead body in the scorched hall could look very bad for us. Zinovia grabbed the bugbear's corpse and took it downstairs after we packed up all our belongings with the intent of seeking another inn. The manager was horrified and very apologetic. In the course of this Fox commented that the bugbear was a ninja, as he had a sword of a kind found in Tian-Xia. Zinovia thought ninja were only a tale until I assured her they were genuine warrior-assassins. 

Lonn explained what had happened to the guardsmen who served the inn. We decided not to remain there in case whoever sent the bugbear ninja had other assassins in their employ. The manager gave us a writ good for healing at the temple of Sarenrae as an apology for our experience. I was very annoyed at being disturbed because I wouldn't have any opportunity to write any new spells in my spellbook, and I'd been prevented from doing that during most of our sea voyage as well. Zinovia was concerned about moving Grumble, who was still recuperating from the poison, but she decided that since the goblin was no longer in danger of dying, moving for our own safety was more important than his rest. We took everything we had and the goblin and went off to find another place to spend the night. I don't even recall the name of the second inn. I did manage to get enough rest to be able to prepare spells the next morning.

The next morning we discussed what we should do about assassins pursuing us. Who could have sent the ninja? Were there other ninjas seeking us? Hunter wondered if it had anything to do with the Brotherhood of Seven that had slain most of Audrahni's fellow clerics. Audrahni unfortunately knows little about them. We decided instead to try to find out about the Forsaken Mezzanine mentioned in the note the ninja had carried, as well as about Hollow Mountain where the Runelords were supposed to rest during Earthfall. Hunter's sister is a librarian, but he suggested that the Council's library is the most comprehensive, so we returned to the Pathfinder Society Lodge to seek it out. 

When we arrived we found the council chambers shut. Welben Orry, who had been so rude to us the previous day, greeted us with more courtesy this time. We were told that members of the city government were meeting with the Council regarding something serious that had just happened, and that we wouldn't be allowed to go in. Hunter tried to intimidate Orry into opening the doors for us but he wouldn't. Finally we told him to send for us as soon as we could speak with Lady Heidmarch and went off to research in the library.

We split into two groups, myself with Lonn and Fox to look for information about the Forsaken Mezzanine, and the rest seeking to know more about the Brotherhood of Seven. It took some time, but my group eventually learned that the Forsaken Mezzanine was a tomb on the southeastern side of Hollow Mountain, which had no known entrance. A research team had gone to Hollow Mountain a month earlier to seek a way in, but hadn't reported back during that time. We also thought we now know where Hollow Mountain is - to the north of Magnimar near a bay or cove known as Old Man's Launch, which lies almost as far from Magnimar as Roderic's Cove, though it is on the opposite side of the Varisian Gulf. 

The other team had abandoned researching the Brotherhood and instead looked for information about the Peacocks, since they seemed to be more than just an organization of people in Roderic's Cove. They learned that the Peacocks have existed in Magnimar for a century as a secretive group, at least some of them known to be prideful and quick to anger, but it seems not all of them are such. The location of their meeting place or headquarters isn't known. 

Just when we had garnered this information, a messenger came from Lady Heidmarch asking us to go to the council chamber. 

Characters are now 6th level.

Next: part 11, Old Man's Landing

[Star Wars] New Centurions, Episode I: "Graduation Exercises"

On Dantooine the new apprentices at the Jedi Academy settle into the training routine. They join others in observance of the Jedi ideals, and in service to bringing justice and light to the dark corners of the galaxy. 

Mastering new skills and the Jedi Code, they find the instruction challenging and rewarding. As the 1st year ends, they begin to learn the use of the iconic Jedi weapon, the lightsaber….

Jedi Academy

Planet: Dantooine

Location: Training Academy of the Jedi Order

Trainee Assessment

Compiled by: Jedi Knight Kin-Ya Dosun

The cohort now code-named Century Flight have completed a training skirmish on the training grounds, observed by Masters Grakon Del and Beq-Abig. 

Master Grakon Del

Master Beq-Abig

Trainee Ashretta has been observed exhibiting excessive anger and will spend additional time in meditation. Trainee Ouda has also offered to spar with Ashretta. I have been given responsibility for Century Flight.

Jedi Academy training ground

Location: Varvrona system

Mission Report compiled by Jedi Trainee Elashi Tanisho, Century Flight

We were in pursuit of  Ace of Flasks, a ship suspected of conducting slave transport activities on behalf of the Kazarac guild. We located the vessel in orbit near planet Varvrona. 

Ouda Secura sent a transmission to the Ace of Flasks instructing them to stand down. They responded by claiming they were traders but appeared to make little effort to be convincing. Weapons fire did not do any serious damage to their vessel. They also inflicted some minor damage on one of our starfighters. Dihan deployed the ion cannon, after which they stood down.

Century Flight boarded their vessel, finding that they were transporting the enslaved persons in carbonite. One member of their crew claimed they were merely transporters and were not responsible for enslaving those individuals or attempting to sell them as property. Dihan warned that this person was attempting to distract us. 

One individual attempted to fire a slug-thrower at our group. I stunned him with my blaster pistol. After a brief firefight we were able to subdue the slavers and place them under arrest before handing them over to the Rangers of the New Republic. Among the individuals preserved in carbonite were also several persons who had outstanding warrants from various law enforcement agencies. We also found Bivo Snuko, the individual we had previously rescued on Dantooine, among their prisoners.

Ace of Flasks

Jedi Starfighter

Slaver

We have been asked to review the tenets of the Jedi Order and meditate on the events of our mission after Trainee Yaz expressed romanticized views of fighting while we described our combat with the Kazarac slavers.

Jedi Trainee Elashi Tanisho - personal log

I have completed my Trial of Spirit, facing the Dark Side in the Mirror. I had always thought myself fearless, yet the Mirror held something to cause fear in me. I would not welcome experiencing that again, but I have passed through the trial. My fellow members of Century Flight have also succeeded in overcoming whatever fears the Mirror made them experience. We have not spoken of what we saw in the Mirror.

We traveled next to planet Illum to seek crystals for our personal lightsabers. Ouda did not go with us, as she has a lightsaber that once belonged to her grandfather. He was not a member of the Jedi Order, but there is no requirement that the possessor of a lightsaber be a Jedi.

Illum

The crystal I felt through the Force lay in a location that required me to leap across a crevasse in the ice and climb a stalacmite to reach it. I miscalculated the jump over the crevasse and fell to the bottom, suffering some painful bruises. I spent a few moments meditating to compose myself and I was able to resist the extreme cold enough to work my way along the bottom of the crevasse until I found a place where I could climb out safely.

Crystal cavern

Once I climbed up a stalacmite to the crystal I had intended to claim, I found it was still out of my reach. Then I realized that there was a second crystal that was closer, and this was the crystal the Force had actually been guiding me to. 

Personal journal - Jedi Knight Kin-Ya Dosun

While most of Century Flight were on Illum acquiring their crystals, trainee Ouda Secura was invited to a private visit with Master Taanar. Ouda has not spoken to me of what Master Taanar shared with her, but it's my understanding that Master Taanar told her stories about her grandfather and Choj's grandfather and certain events that occurred while they were members of the Antaran Rangers. 

They then began to meditate together, and Ouda then heard an unusual sound which caused her cease her meditation and look to see what had caused the sound. She found that Master Taanar was gone, but her robe and lightsaber lay on the ground where she had been sitting. Ouda stated that just prior to this occurrence, her sense of the Force became much more intense. 

Master Taanar Ryl has become one with the Force. 

a 

Jedi Master Taanar Ryl

[Pathfinder] Return of the Runelords, part 9: An Eventful Voyage

 

In preparation for our journey to Magnimar, we purchased several wands that had less than the maximum amount of of charges for a typical wand, as acquiring under-charged wands is cheaper than fully charged wands. I didn't purchase one of these myself. 

Zinovia was very determined that I should be able to cast a 'fly' spell on her, and insisted that I should acquire a scroll of said spell to copy into my spellbook after I explained to her how that works. I also suggested that a 'haste' spell would be a good idea, and purchased scrolls of both. 

In addition I bought a spellbook that I can copy spells from. I think Zinovia would have locked me in my room at the inn for a week and expected me to spend every day and night copying spells were that possible. I had to explain to her that copying spells can be costly as well as time-consuming.

Spells

4th—beast shape II, calcific touch, confusion, dimension door, stone shape

3rd—arcane sight, dispel magic, explosive runes, lightning bolt, greater magic weapon, slow

2nd—alter self , flaming sphere, knock, pyrotechnics, resist energy, see invisibility, whispering wind

1st—animate rope, charm person, color spray, erase, floating disk, mage armor, magic missile, protection from chaos, unseen servant

My first attempt at copying the 'fly' spell failed, and I was afraid I might need to flee from Zinovia when I had to tell her that I would need to wait a week before trying again. But at least I was able to copy the 'haste' spell successfully.

Before our departure, Hunter did his best to ensure that Kynae Fromperton was taken care of, his father having been slain by the Horned Fangs. Though I would not say that his father was doing much to care well for his son while he lived. I wonder what will become of the boy. 

But Zinovia is determined that Grumble will come with us. I don't know what benefit she derives from looking after the peculiar goblin. I also wonder what would happen to the goblin if Zinovia was not looking after it. 

For our trip to Magnimar we are taking a ship captained by Audrahni's friend, Sursha Antefalle, who we learned is one of my and Audrahni's people. Captain Sursha will give us passage free of cost as a favor to her friend. 

As we began to board Captain Sursha's ship, Tyalee's Whim, our attention was drawn to the arrival of a small wagon, from which disembarked a very well dressed human woman and her companion, a halfling woman who appeared far less well-dressed and wore a patch over one eye. Hunter immediately recognized the human woman as a famous entertainer. When he mentioned her name I recalled that I had heard of her before. She is Viraline Barvisai and her unusual companion is Corla. Some of the crew members appeared to know who she was and greeted her with enthusiasm. 

We and the other passengers had boarded and chosen our cabins - I had to remind the others that if they want me to have more spells in my arsenal I need a cabin of my own where I can study and scribe in peace. The day wore on and the sun began to set, yet we didn't weight anchor. When asked, Captain Sursha said that she was awaiting one more passenger who had yet to arrive. Then a large dark wagon appeared, and a human man came from the wagon, asking that his large crate be transferred to the ship. 

With everyone finally aboard we set off, and Captain Sursha invited all the passengers to dine with her in her cabin. Her dining table was larger than I would have expected on a small ship like Tyalee's Whim. Her cabin also seemed to be less affected by the motion of the ship than our own cabins, which are quite small. Viraline had the largest passenger cabin. It was at dinner that we were introduced to the man who had caused us to depart so late in the day. His name is Beckwood Roos, from Ustalav, setting off to explore the world and perform his research. As I was seated next to him I asked what he researches, to which he replied, "Flesh." I didn't know what to say to that, but that knowledge was useful later.

As we were all introducing ourselves to him and to Viraline, we mentioned where each of us comes from. I had already known that Hunter is from Magnimar, and Zinovia comes from somewhere in the far north, but at dinner I learned she is from the lands of the Linnorm Kings. Lonn also mentioned that he hails from Korvosa. But much of the conversation was taken up with the Captain encouraging Viraline to give an impromptu performance for us, and Viraline talking abou her preference for Taldan opera over Chelish opera. I know nothing about either. Is Chelish opera devoted to praising their demonic lords or boasting of how they'll consume the world? If so it's no surprise that she would prefer Taldan opera to that.

Viraline gave in to the Captain's request after a bit of false modesty, and to our surprise she went out onto the deck and climbed up the main mast! She sang a song that she said came from a particular opera, then startled us all by appearing to faint and fall from the mast!

Zinovia leaped toward the mast to catch the falling singer, but as she did so it became apparent that Viraline must have some magic aiding her as she was gently floating toward the deck. She managed to adjust her trajectory slightly to fall into Zinovia's arms and then kissed Zinovia on the cheek. Lonn applauded her enthusiastically. Fox was confused by what happened and I had to explain it to him. 

Our first night aboard Tyalee's Whim passed uneventfully, as was the following day. Hunter demonstrated his knowledge of sailing by assisting the crew. But afterward it seemed that our very presence on the ship was drawing trouble to it. 

During the second night, we were all disturbed by a scream outside our cabins. I cast my armoring spell and rushed out with everyone else to see what the matter was. I was the first to observe a fleshy mound on the deck that appeared to be in the process of consuming a sailor. I realized it was some form of ooze creature, though not of the more familiar varieties. I advised my companions to avoid being grabbed by it and that they wouldn't be able to flank it as it had no eyes and thus wasn't limited by awareness of what it could see.

Hungry flesh

Despite my warning, Hunter got too close to it and it grabbed him and infected him with a flesh-eating disease. But a combination of spells and Zinovia's and Hunter's swords slashing it to ribbons slew it fairly quickly. We had to warn Fox not to use his fire spells on a ship so he used a wand he'd purchased. Zinovia of course dealt it the final blow. While the others managed the ooze I suddenly recalled what Beckwood Roos had said about his research and ran to his cabin to wake him. He admitted that he had brought the ooze aboard, though he had though it immobilized in his crate in the hold. He was very upset that it had died. He got little sympathy from any of us or the Captain, and Fox angrily cuffed him on the back of the head while he mourned it. Captain Sursha ordered him confined to his cabin and took all of this equipment away from him. He hadn't filed the proper paperwork for carrying such a creature on her ship and of course it had also slain a sailor. 

Captain Sursha gave us some of Roos's potions as a reward for eliminating the ooze. Along with a curative potion and one meant to neutralize poisons, this included three doses of something called oozeclot unguent, which can immobilize an ooze. Roos may have been using it to hold the ooze in his crate, but he had underestimated how strong the creature was.

Fortunately Lonn's skill at healing is much greater than mine and he was able to treat the disease afflicting Hunter. After that was settled Hunter went into the hold and made a horrific discovery: the ooze had eaten five more sailors who had been looking after the cargo! Captain Sursha assured us that she still had sufficient crew to manage the ship, but those of us who had any useful skills offered to assist the remaining sailors where we could.

The next evening Audrahni took us all aside and asked us what we recalled of her history as she'd told it to us the night we laid Sir Roderic's spirit to rest. She hadn't mentioned then that she had lost a dear friend and mentor and there were rumors that this person's spirit still haunted the place where they had died. She hoped that we would be willing to assist her in a ritual to lay that spirit to rest. We all of course agreed to this. As we spoke about how Audrahni had helped to slay the members of the Brotherhood of Seven who had killed her friend, Lonn commented that we didn't know the Brotherhood was entirely gone, only that those who had killed Audrahni's friend were dead. Audrahni found this thought disturbing.

Audrahni

At midnight that night the next of our trials arrived in the form of a powerful storm that Tyalee's Whim could not avoid. First Mate 'Elbows' Eddi gave us warning that we would have to weather the storm, and Captain Sursha gave orders to drop the storm anchor and bring down the mainsail. The storm was a mighty one and raised great waves that immediately washed four of the crew overboard. Zinovia ran to help drop the anchor, while Fox threw a life preserver to one of the sailors. Everyone was drenched by torrential rain. I thought I would surely be washed over myself, but Yuelral took pity on me and I not only kept my feet but managed to help rescue a fallen sailor and tied a rope around Fox so he wouldn't fall overboard.

On the following morning, after we had recovered from our exhausting hours of trying to keep the ship afloat and everyone safe, we learned that the storm had damaged the ship's rudder. Hunter immediately offered to get in the water to try to repair it, and Lonn, Zinovia, and Fox all offered to help. Captain Sursha warned that sharks weren't uncommon in these waters. I decided to remain on deck and keep a watch for the sharks. 

Repairing the rudder

It seemed at first that the repairs would go well, though Hunter and Lonn kept having to come up out of the water to breathe so the work wasn't going quickly. Then a group of sharks approached. They didn't appear to be aggressive, only exploring. I was prepared to attack them with spells and some of the crew had fetched harpoons. Then suddenly the sharks sped away. The Captain had mentioned that these waters were also known to hold a monstrous fish-creature that preyed on the sharks, which we suspected was the reason for the sharks' departure. Everyone who had been working on the rudder prepared to climb out of the water. Then a massive fish swam up and rammed the ship!

When the ship was struck everyone who was standing at the railings fell overboard, including Audrahni and I and several sailors. I am not unacquainted with swimming and was able to swim to the rope that had been let over the side and climb back up. While I was about this the monstrous fish swallowed a poor helpless sailor and bit Lonn. Hunter cast a spell that momentarily stunned the beast, allowing him to shout at another sailor to get out of the water. Audrahni also managed to clamber up to the deck. Fox had got on the ship as well and tried to burn the monster but his ray of fire went wide. I sent a bolt of lightning at the creature but it didn't seem to do it much injury. Fox tried his flames again and this time burned it, and I followed his example and burned it again. 

The monstrous fish evidently didn't like being burned, as it turned around and swam away. I realized then that I had never given any thought to determining what kind of monster it was. We were concerned about resuming repairs on the rudder in case the sharks returned, but the captain and crew doubted they would come back after being frightened off by the monster. Hunter and the others resumed work on the rudder and in about an hour's time had it repaired sufficiently for the ship to sail for the nearby harbor at Sandpoint to seek better repairs by professional shipwrights.

Route to Sandpoint from Roderic's Cove

With all of that trouble out of the way, Zinovia gathered us together and advised us to watch Viraline's companion Corla. She had observed that Corla had seemed unusually out of breath when she ran up on deck to see what was happening after the monstrous fish rammed the ship, and when Viraline had climbed the mast to sing Corla had been nowhere in sight. Lonn wondered if perhaps she and Viraline were thieves, to which Hunter objected as Viraline was a famed entertainer. But Lonn reminded him that Viraline hadn't performed during the past year after some scandal affected her popularity, and she might have taken to thievery to earn her keep, distracting her victims while Corla committed the actual thefts. He was so concerned about this that he went off to warn the first mate. 

Sandpoint

A short time later we arrived in Sandpoint, which is now infamous for the Runelords' catacombs that were found beneath the town and the skeleton of a dragon that is visible in the harbor. Hunter was eager to see a museum there. He told Fox about something called the Sandpoint Devil, which he described as a fire-breathing horse. Fox was quite excited by that until he learned that the Devil had been slain by the Sihedron Heroes. He had been hoping to see a living fire-breathing horse. 

Sandpoint Devil

But Fox's disappointment was soothed by learning about an inn that was owned and had once been operated by an empress from Tian-Xia. We decided to stay the night there and Fox liked seeing the guards who were armored as warriors are in that part of the world he comes from.

The next morning as we prepared to board Tyalee's Whim again and sail for Magnimar, First Mate Eddi told Lonn that he hadn't seen Corla do anything unusual, but he had overheard her talking to Viraline about a "brotherhood" and expressing staunch loyalty. When Lonn shared this with Audrahni she was quite alarmed. 

Before we returned to the ship, Lonn went out to the marketplace and acquired two scrolls for me to use, one of 'arcane lock' and the other of 'alarm.' After the altercation with the sea beast all of our belongings had been in disarray from the ship being rammed, but Lonn had discovered that his trunk was open and he said it looked as though someone had been interrupted while searching it. He wanted me to use these spells to protect his things, most particularly the Sword of Pride that he carries. Since then he has been keeping it in his haversack and keeping the haversack with him constantly.

We left Sandpoint behind and headed off toward Magnimar, but we were soon diverted when Captain Sursha announced that our water supply was tainted and all the water barrels would have to be poured out. She intended to visit a nearby island to get fresh water from a spring there. The sailors didn't question these orders, but Hunter was suspicious. He borrowed Beckwood Roos's alchemical equipment to test the water and found that there was nothing wrong with it. Meanwhile, Fox noticed that Captain Sursha had traces of an enchantment aura around her, which concerned him and he attempted to warn everyone. I regret that I thought he was being overly suspicious and tried to disregard his misgivings, which caused him to go and sulk at the prow of the ship. After all, enchantment isn't itself inherently bad and there are spells of enchantment that can be beneficial. But when Lonn questioned the captain her behavior hinted that she had indeed been ensorceled. Her usual cheerful demeanor was absent and she couldn't remember who had told her the water was bad. She could only recall that the person had a beautiful voice. Lonn suspected that she was under the influence of a 'suggestion' spell.

At that time Viraline and Corla came up on the main deck, and Viraline again climbed up the mast, singing loudly that she must be given the sword. She attempted to use the same magic against Lonn that she had apparently used on the captain, but because she wanted Lonn to give up the sword her spell failed to affect him since he wouldn't have considered such an action a reasonable one, though we didn't realize at first that he was unaffected. Corla climbed up the mast after her companion. Lonn pretended to be willing to hand over the sword and took out the false sword with the intention of handing it over, which frightened Zinovia and she tried to catch hold of him. But the talisman he wore prevented her grip from restraining him. Fox and I blasted Viraline with magic, though we didn't dare use fire.

Viraline cast another spell, this time binding Zinovia in place. Zinovia's face turned red and the veins in her neck stood out as she struggled to free herself. Hunter clambered up the mast after the two women. Lonn used a wand he'd brought to coat the mast in grease, hoping to impede the women. The spell didn't stop Hunter. Corla tried to stab him and he punched her, then manifested a warhammer in his hand. I felt there wasn't much I could do to help but I did pelt Viraline with missiles of force. Corla jumped down from the mast to attack Lonn and Viraline floated down as well. He took the chance to swallow a potion and both Corla and Viraline attacked him. Viraline appeared to be using a fan rather than a weapon though it wounded him all the same. Lonn drew out another potion and swallowed it then vanished from my sight.

With Corla on the ground, I climbed the steps down from the aft deck to cast a spell of 'enfeeblement' on her. She managed to stab me before she fell, as I hadn't wanted to take the time to protect myself. My spell caused Corla to collapse from weakness. 

Zinovia broke free of paralysis just as Hunter leaped down from the mast behind Viraline and struck her a fearful blow with his hammer, dropping her to the deck. Lonn reappeared, kicking the fallen Corla.

During this entire altercation the crew had been gaping at us, unable to decide whether to aid the famous singer or the group of strangers who had helped to prevent their ship from falling to the monstrous fish.

Next: part 9, A Good Night's Rest