Session 47 - Setting Sail

28/06/5-10

Gohti began casting Legend Lore again, and as he did Sapphira and Cassini noticed a very faint spectral arm manifest behind Gohti and grab at his neck. The Wizard seemed not to notice, the grotesque, undead-like appendage grasping at him. As he finished the spell, the hand vanished. He described the vision as odd, saying this was not an artifact, but perhaps the part of one. Its history was too fragmented to piece together without the other parts, though he found it deeply connected to Selune.

They thanked him for his help and Gohti invited them to stay for a drink, but they refused. As they exited the tavern, Cassini asked what they were going to do, now that they knew all of that. Valeyo said it didn't change their immediate plans and Otto agreed. Valeyo and Milivoj decided to take a walk around town, while the others headed to the Copper Puppy. On the way, they went past the Platinum Chapel and an interesting tavern called the Twilight Taproom. Looking through the windows, they found it quite dark and stars could be seen on the ceiling. They walked past a few other taverns, before heading in for the night.

29/06/5-10

During breakfast, Otto brought up using the spell Divination to find more about Professor Berkinsail's location. Valeyo told the group that he was headed to the temples, starting with the Sea's Gate.

Arriving at the temple, Valeyo found the yard overgrown with tropical plants, almost like a small jungle, at the end of which stood a tall, stone building. At its front were the statues of two women, holding large shells with the swirling symbol of Melora. The temple was calm, in the early morning, with only a couple sailors praying. At the far end was a blue-skinned person preparing an altar. Their hands were webbed and where their ears would be, were fins - Valeyo recognized them as a triton. He went to approach the person and as he did, noticed a layer of mist present in the temple. The person bowed at him and asked what brought him there on this fine day. Valeyo told him he was a tourist, interested in a temple to a god, which is not often worshipped these days. The triton told him that the sea is treacherous and sailors still pray to her. He introduced himself as Noglos, the master of this temple. He told Valeyo he lived in town and there was a settlement of triton north along the coast of where the river joins the sea. Valeyo went to leave, saying he might be back, as there is a trip in the near future. The man offered to give him a blessing now and after a short prayer, handed him a clam shell, bearing the symbol of Melora. Valeyo thanked him and headed to the Mill.

Approaching the large building with the windmill, Valeyo found it very busy. Priests were taking care of believers, handing out flour to the less fortunate. The mill stones were still being actively used for processing grain. Stained glass windows lined the central hall, depicting heroic deeds of champions of Erathis, long gone. At the back of hall, were double- doors leading to the large garden surrounding the building. People were sitting around on the grass, having breakfast and relaxing and a number of priests tending to the actual gardens. Valeyo spent a little while walking the grounds and watching the priests prepare for a ceremony, but there was nothing out of the ordinary.

In the tavern, Shiek was reading one of his books following a short shopping trip. He opened the journal of the blackguard defending the rulers of Almasuan. Most of it was mundane activities, breaking up fights and rationing water, due to the shortages. Over the months, the water becomes more scarce and the rationing more severe. Near the ends, it mentions a face-changing ceremony in the near future, which he would participate in. Throughout the book he refers to the king as "The Malakagta". It also talks of a wizard called Abi-Dalzim, trying to resolve the drought. The final entry read "The fountain has erupted. I am not sure we will escape."

Nearing the Platinum Chapel, Valeyo found a much simpler and quieter building than the others. The structure was cobbled together, more functional than grand. The symbol of Bahamut at the main door seemed to have been vandalized and repaired multiple times. Approaching Valeyo could hear arguments from the inside and saw a piece of paper on the floor, saying they were closed and to come back later. The sounds of the man and the woman talking became louder. Valeyo couldn't make out what they were saying, but heard multiple languages switching from Ikovali to Draconic and Velindese. From what little he could tell, the conversation centered  on telling someone to return home. Valeyo opened the door and saw a half-elf woman vestments of Bahamut, with long white hair. By her, was a human with rough dark hair, dressed in simple clothes and sandals - a monastic look. The man looked at Valeyo and asked if he had seen the sign, but Valeyo simply feigned ignorance. The man then went to leave, saying they would continue it later. The woman shouted goodbye after him, calling him Adelfos.

Valeyo asked her about the temple being there and she explained that she had innate magical power, which the Conclave was interested in, so they arranged for this temple to exist. Valeyo told her, he is from Velinde and she revealed that she was, as well, hailing from Covanport. Her name was Penelope and Adelfos was her brother, he was trying to convince her to return home. He offered to help her out if she needed him to speak to anyone and she thanked him. Valeyo spoke of his experience, as a "missionary" of democracy and she called him a glutton for punishment. After chatting for a while, Valeyo told her he would clean her sign and said goodbye.

In the tavern, Milivoj was approached by a halfling, asking if he was the shipmaster's acquaintance. Milivoj confirmed and was told that the shipmaster had arranged for a sit down with a captain about the trip, though they would need to stop in Topinal. The halfling told him they could find the captain in the west docks and to find him if they needed anything, introducing himself as Oswald. Otto asked where they could hand in the trade goods they had and was directed towards the back of the Town Hall.

Soon, Valeyo returned to the Copper Puppy and filled the group in on his day. Otto mentioned, Oswald's visit and Valeyo decided to join Milivoj in visiting the docks. They took the walk to the westernmost one and found a moderately sized sailing vessel called the Seacleave. The two of them walked aboard and one of the crewmates shouted "Roger, they are here for you!". Out of the captain's quarters, came a gnome wearing a thick leather coat with a tonsure and stubbly unkempt beard. He told them to follow him and once inside a room, sat down and asked what they needed. Valeyo asked if he was the captain and the man confirmed. Milivoj told him they needed to get to Skalenvru. Roger told them he could get them there, but it would cost them, with the cost of passage was increased following the announcement of the train. The cost per passenger would be 3gp with 10gp per horse or cart. The trip would take 31 days and they would stop to pick up fruit in Topinal. For an extra 5gp, the captain agreed to have the crew ready to go on a short notice. With that, the two of them left the docks.

Back at the Copper Puppy, Otto had just returned from the Town Hall, having brought the silks to the traders. He began his Divination, asking if the trip to Skalenvru would bring them closer to Professor Berkinsail. He focused on the ritual and was told "Nor by land, air or sea, will travel bring you closer to him.". This made Otto think the man was either on a different plane, or dead. He decided to use Sending and ask the professor his status and whether he had any clues to his own location. He received a response telling him he is in a windowless room, where a door appears every few days from which a food is thrown in. This sounded like an Extradimensional Space and he might ask the Conclave about it.

30/06/5-10

At around noon, a message arrived in the tavern from Saeed saying that the Whipchain was finished. The party headed to the blacksmith where they were greeted by Saeed. He presented a fine box and said the weapon in longer than it looks, stretching to hit targets further away, packing an extra punch when doing so. It had a carved wooden handle, wrapped in red leather. On the end of the pommel was a symbol of a shield - the same featured on the store. The chain links were larger than usual and the end of it looked like a very smooth metal ball with small gold grooves. When asking the price, Milivoj was quoted 2.5k for the flail. Valeyo asked after the speak and was told it is around 7.5k gold. Valeyo suggested that they could look for jobs before leaving to see if they can afford any of the items.

Sapphira decided to search the taverns for notices, Valeyo the temples. One board offered to pay for protection while travelling to the mountains. Some of the sailors also mentioned a fog bank to the west, which swallowed ships, never to be seen again. There was also trouble up in Yamitae with an underground creature they have dug into. Dissatisfied with the jobs, the group decided to leave for Skalenvru. When going back to the Copper Puppy, they went to the Puppy statue and asked it for their cart. The puppy did a spin before opening its mouth and releasing a small version of the cart, which grew to its full size. Valeyo managed to sell the cart with some effort and the group made their way to Roger and the Seacleave. They were surprised to see them so soon, but the ship was ready. Roger asked them how many of them had been on a ship before and if any of them were willing to help out. He told them, it would be about 16 days to Topinal and there will be no stops until then.