Sapphire:Sessions:20150801
Shawna, riding back toward the village of Eimoor after her errand, observes a ship run aground on the beach. Drawing nearer, she sees that the ship's name is Gold Compass, and Chalker and Ahn-Lee are on the main deck along with a dwarf whom she recognizes as Mononel Stonecrusher (she'd met him 150 years ago)... and a tiger. On the beach a little distance away she sees merfolk tending to a couple of prone figures, so she hurries over there. Both of the injured people are mages, one a merman named Erlis, the other a goblin called Barak Firehawk. As Shawna casts healing spells, another merman explains that the ship had been carrying four kidnapped mages, including their kinsman Erlis. Chalker and his associates had led them in taking over the ship and freeing the captives.
Yasser searches the cargo hold, finding a small paychest, a crate of swords, an assortment of armor, several sets of shackles, and exotic spices worth about 200g.
In the captain's cabin, Chalker and Ahn-Lee locate the ship's log, which indicates that the Gold Compass had been bound for Sapphire. The ship's manifest lists various cargo such as agricultural implements and spices. Figuring these documents are falsified (and wondering where the captain stashed his fortune), Chalker searches further and finds a secret drawer containing papers written in a language with its origins in the southern Coastal Kingdoms around Malprin. He also finds a chest containing 60g.
A search of one of the dead mages' corpses turns up a powerstone ring and an iron ring set with a crystal. The iron ring has a "slimy" feel to it, and engraved on the inside in Common with what appear to be random letters. In his money pouch are five gold pieces and change.
The other dead mage is human. A quick autopsy reveals that his heart is ruptured, his blood tainted; he appears to have a mild sunburn, and Chalker gets the impression the man was unlucky. On one finger is a ring such as a necromancer would wear. Chalker removes the finger as well as the ring; he will destroy both later.
The tiger leaps gracefully to the sand, then suddenly changes into a man of medium height who appears part Elven. His new ring speaks repeatedly in Branamin's mind: "Put me on!"
Chalker briefly evaluates the rest of the crew. The first mate's Aura shows that he is very greedy, and has a touch of Aaoo. Under questioning, he admits that he hid the four wands that the two dead mages had been using. The second mate's name is Blade Torr. When the wands are finally located despite the first mate's attempts to give secret orders to the crew, Chalker "fires" the first mate and promotes Torr to that position.
Shawna rides on to Jacinto's house, and the others arrive within the next half-hour. Jacinto tells them that he knows where Tholadan the Tower Mage is located... well, not precisely, but within a two-county area in Crenshaw Duchy on the northern coast of Smorshal. It seems that the four captured mages, each with a different elemental specialty, were intended to be taken to the Tower Mage. It has also come to Jacinto's attention that there is "something not exactly alive" in the capital city, and he will need help dealing with it. He proposes that two of the rescued mages accompany him, and Erlis (the merman) and Stonecrusher (the dwarf) volunteer. The other two mages, Branamin and Barak (the goblin) will stay with Chalker's group. Branamin, in fact, seems greatly excited to get to go adventuring.
Shawna and Erlis set out for the beach to talk to the merfolk. To the south, Shawna notices that a third of the lamps on the ship and two of the campfires on the shore have been extinguished; odd noises are coming from the ship, and she sees people writhing in pain. Sensing what has happened, Shawna rushes back toward town.
At the inn, Ahn-Lee is settling into his second floor room for some much-needed reset when there's a knock at the door. Resentful of the disturbance, he nonetheless feels compelled to step out into the hallway. Standing there is the ex-first mate, a crazed expression on his face; he demands, "Where are the rest? I can't find them..." Ahn-Lee slashes at XFM's hand, but XFM grabs Ahn-Lee's wrist.
Shawna appears at the top of the stairs, sword drawn, and suddenly XFM's feet are glued to the floor. Ahn-Lee slugs XFM in the jaw. XFM grabs Ahn-Lee and slings him at Chalker, who has also reached the top of the stairs and is charging toward the melee.
XFM tries to turn, but his feet won't move. Shawna stabs him in the ribs. Yasser, wielding his axe, storms up the hallway and is only a few steps away from the fight. Branamin, his face alight with excitement, nears the top of the stairs. Ahn-Lee opens a gash in XFM's face. Chalker draws his sword and slaps XFM hard across the belly.
Ahn-Lee slashes XFM's arm. Yasser swings his axe, barely missing. Branamin pauses at the top of the stairs. Suddenly feeling very depressed, Ahn-Lee steps back from the fight. Chalker smacks the flat of his blade on XFM's forehead. Shawna commands "Begone!" and as XFM's body collapses, the avatar of Aaoo that had taken him over withdraws upward and dissipates.
Shawna stomps angrily downstairs, out of the inn, and into the woods. Chalker: "I'm going to have to have a talk with Aaoo... which is always pleasant for her." Ahn-Lee pulls on a shirt and goes downstairs for a beer, followed by Yasser. Branamin casts a light spell as Chalker checks XFM's corpse; he finds no medallions, artifacts, or magic beans. Chalker remarks to Branamin, "This is not as unusual as you think."
Branamin goes to his room to begin studying the wands. He discovers that one of the wands enhances the power of Air, acting as a "force multiplier."
Ahn-Lee: "Yasser, ever think it was a mistake coming along with this crew?" Yasser: "Sometimes. Then I have a drink and I'm over it." To Barak, the goblin, Yasser says, "You'd better get to your kennel."
A guard captain finds Chalker, who tells him, "That guy was possessed by Aaoo; he made people to be in pain and insane. I think he was going after our beautiful companion. That's one story. The feel-good story is that he was after revenge for us taking his ship away, so he opened himself up to Aaoo." The guard captain will send guards and healers to the ship.
Chalker goes to Eimoor's Temple Row. Not surprisingly, Aaoo's temple doubles as an insane asylum. Chalker approaches the altar and gives observance. As he concludes, a priestess slips into the room and greets him. Chalker takes her hand and begins walking slowly around the room.
Chalker: "Why would you make such an un-strategic move? Tonight you moved against one of Delsa's children."
Priestess: "She is not speaking through me..."
Chalker: "I'm talking to her, though."
Priestess: (insanity sparking in her eyes) "My lady is not disposed to talk to you."
Chalker: "I'm trying to understand, so I don't get in your way. When you feel like talking, let me know -- but it's not necessary to send an avatar."
Chalker releases the priestess's hand, gives observance again, and departs.
After her very unsatisfactory communion with Delsa, Shawna goes out to the ship and checks everyone for links to the Chosen. Torr, the new first mate, has a connection to Jarooth; some of the fighters worship Gauder; many of the guards lean toward Santash and Solash. Torr reports that the repairs are proceeding rapidly and the ship will be seaworthy in time for the next high tide. The Gold Compass is registered in Bicarn, but its country of origin is Malprin.
Shawna goes with Erlis and speaks to the leader of the merfolk group. Whales will help tow the ship if suitable cables are provided.
It is 3:00am on Feast Time 9.
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