Adventure Log #62

THE CHARACTERS

Ross-Rogue-Former soldier of The Red
Estryellia-Sorcerer-Newly come of age
Garu-Elf Ranger-Tool of elvish revenge
Ming Hau-Martial Artist-Former soldier of The Red
Fion-Bard-Misunderstood “Elf Beater”
Karieen-Last priestess of Chaldisaya-Future wife of the Emperor of Deserata

Part of the group has set sail for Sorroth in the north (Estryellia, Roscoe and Ming) the rest are waiting to see what happens in Sylvia’s Rest. The group on the ship is enjoying the sites of the southern coastline, which is much rockier than the northern shore. After several hours Roscoe (Who has sailing skills) notices that the crew is getting restless and the captain is paying a lot of attention to something behind them. Fearing Imbarrian Pirates Roscoe watches and sees what develops.

A sail is soon seen and is catching up as if the merchantman is standing still. The ship is identified as a cutter from Sylvia’s Rest. The captain hails the vessel, which asks him to stand by to be boarded. Three Deseratan officers come aboard and ask Van Estryellia if she will come back to Sylvia’s Rest. The mage says "no" so the Deseratans tell the ship to head back to Sylvia’s Rest.

As the ship heads back to port Roscoe tells Ming that perhaps he acted hastily in asking her to move to Sorroth. He tells her that he has visited the future and he saw there a world overrun with vampires. He says that he has been thinking that maybe he should help the fight rather than run away from it.

Once in the harbor the ship docks and a high-ranking soldier come on board. they say that by order of the Emperor Junico I, Estryellia is to come with him to talk with the Emror. A palanquin awaits and although unhappy about the turn of events she follows him to her transport.

Ming and Roscoe are approached by the captain who informs them that he’s going to have to wait in port until he’s released by the harbormaster. Ming and Roscoe decide to go in town. Once off the boat a man wearing nice clothes approaches them. He seems to know who they are and talks with them at length. The three of them decide to walk the stalls of the open-air market. Their new friend who has identified himself, as Ivan Fean seems to know something about every stall on the street.

He motions them down a side way where they pass more stalls. Eventually they come to a door wedged in between a fish stall and a grocer. Ivan heads through the door and up the stairs. Ming feels how rickety the stairs are as they head up them. At the landing they come to a large empty room overlooking a marsh. Ivan points how nice the place is (it isn’t) and how much can be done with it. Ivan tells them they can have the place for ONLY 35 gold a month (most inns charge a copper a night and there are 10 copper to a gold). Roscoe tells him that it’s too much and they could never afford that rent.

Ivan replies that the local shopkeepers will be willing to help with the cost of the house and anything else Roscoe gets from them he can keep (in excess of 35 gold). Roscoe ponders running a protection racket with the thieves guild.

In the manor Karieen talks religion with her assistant Dalcimer who seems not to know (or care) about the church. Karieen decides that in place of the three cemamonies a day like the church use to do (when there were tons of priests/priestesses) she will have on in the late afternoon.

She hears muffled talking coming from the other room and goes to investigate it. Garu and Fionn are still discussing Fionns punishment; although they were told to hold off on it the two are talking about what they should do. The obvious choice would be a whipping, however since elves are held in such low esteem the site of a human being flogged by an elf might cause a riot.
Karieen enters and they have lunch of cold peck peck and cheese.

Estryellia is fuming mad as she walks up the steps to Jun’s rooms. When she enters he dismisses his attendants so they are alone. Estryellia demands to know why he had her brought back to Sylvia’s Rest. She points out that she is a free woman and shouldn’t be treated so. Jun tells her that she is a free woman but it is tradition if one is a personage of note that she should have asked his permission before leaving court. They move on to other topics. He mentions that Karieen will soon (tomorrow) attempt to put the old temple to rest and he is worried for his future bride. As the only mage in the area he asks her to stay long enough to see her through the process. Estryellia agrees to help before leaving.

After lunch Karieen ask Dalcimer to have handbills passed out in the area of the new temple to tell locals that there will be a worship service in the evening. The service comes and goes with Karieen doing a good job. In the distance the characters see the form of Van Linda and her charges standing and listening. After the service Roscoe informs Karieen that he wishes to become a chaldite (stunning both Karieen and Ming). He takes the oath of understanding with the lady.

That night Garu has a dream that he’s standing in a burning elvish forest. When he wakes up he can smell the burning wood on his clothes.

Roscoe wakes up in the middle of the night to find him naked on a huge stage similar to the one he was on in the Dark Future. Out of the darkness he can see the audience of vampires watching him. As they rush the stage he runs for the back door but falls through it waking up when he hits bottom.

The party travels to the old temple near the docks. Even thought the area had been made into a shrine there have been no offerings left. Armed with the Tears of Chaldisaya the party enters the ruins.