Day 3 (Returning to Grime, Cadellin is restored)

[trp2fan]

If we go back looking for the prince, then we should do something with the ship. We can sell it (after ditching the drugs, unless someone else wants to risk the penalty of getting caught), or we could turn it into a proper merchant vessel and earn a bit of side income. Calhagn may have some local contacts from his seafaring days. Of course, everyone would be an equal partner in the shipping company.

EDIT: On second though, Cal would like to hold onto the ship, regardless of what we decide to do. Anyone wanting out, would be compensated.

If we forgo searching for the prince, Calhagn can post notices for new crew, and we can try out the two spots, the southern jungle and the island, that we found on the map.

[trp2fan]

Obviously, Cal will want to get in some martial training when available.

[AxeMental]

OK, everyone is back to normal HPs and have complete spells. The party waits till dark before disembarking on their long boat (allowing the x-slaves now crew to offload for some badly needed shore leave). Cal leaves behind the most trusted crew members (offering great reward for staying with the boat) about 1/3 crew stay as guards and will switch out tomarrow night.

The two halflings who want to stay with the ship take out bows and climb up into the mast. "From here cap'n, we can watch for thieves!" one yells down. Just to make sure, Calhagan has Tiberious swim underwater and remove the steering ropes to the rudder, he doesn't want anything happening to this wonderful boat.

The adventuring party loads up their treasure in bags and ride over with some of the pirate crew, all of whom are extremely happy. Calhagan passes out a couple gold pieces to each, so they can be sure to have a good time. When they arrive at the dock the party members disembarking as if they were just more sailors, heading to the all night taverns to drink and be merry.

A covered wagon is quickly aquired and the group throws Zargon in the back of it (in a box). The princess crawls back there as well and sits next to Cadellin (the fighters off to the sides and Sog at the rear).

The group passes threw the lower town winding throughy streets lined with tall stone warehouses, guards peering down from perches up high while warf rats continue to unload and load wagons full of all sorts of goods.

The main avenue with the majority of taverns and hotels is in full swing, with all manner of things going on, from fishermen repairing nets, to knife fights, to drunks throwing up in the street. Scores of sailors and loose women walk up and down the tavern lined street, drinking with no knowledge of what passes by. Some seem to get uneasy, as if they can feel the energy held within this tiny group. The magic alone is awsome.

The party passes "Captain Lucky's" a ship that was rebuilt in town after it crashed on the rocks and sank. Now its the most popular tavern in town, and Captain Lucky himself is in there weaving all sorts of outlandish stories about his years at sea almost being killed countless times.

Subdolus and Tiberious take point and meet the first 2 guards near the gates of the lower fort. One puts up his hand as he sees the group heading for the gate.

"Nobody passes threw the gate unless we do a search" says the guard lifting his head and looking down with some athority. New orders from the Grand council." A short conversation reveals that since you've been gone (over a month) the king has grown ill with grief, and has taken to his bed. In his steed, the town elders reformed the Grand Council (made up of the 12 most influencial powers in town, including several heads of churches, a few knights, several powerful merchants, and the Master of the Yellow tounge order).
The council, they say, is only temporary, until the Prince or Princess is returned to Grime, or until the king recovers from his illness, at least thats what Lord Smythus says. (Now this shocks you, as Smythus your old cleric friend was, last you remembered, eaten by zombies and bitten by a vampire. Wait, you remember now, you never closed that silver gate that lead into that vampire cave. Whoops!). It looks like he may be dead afterall, but still walking.

After more prodding about what else they know of Lord Smythus and what he has to say, they tell you he frequents the lower town regularly at night, often with beautiful women, unusual for someone of his status.

He's particularly interested in a group of criminals he wants captured or killed. "Lord Smythus gave us this order in person, if we see anyone matching the description of any of these fellas we we have to alert the guard" (he then reads off a list of your party and description of each person). "Yep a bug eyed cleric hanging out with a old thin wizard, and a monk type, oh about your hieght, hanging out with a half elf, well of about your height and hair color". The two guards start to look at one another....

More questions reveal that Smythus was one of the people responsible for the reformation of the Council of 12, but oddly he refused to chair the council and took up residence outside town in some old keep. He comes into the lower town now and then, with another man of some considerable intensity. It is rumored that he retired from his church, and is building a new one out near his keep. The keep is 2 miles up the coast overlooking the sea.

What does the group wish to do? (the rest of the party is only 20 feet behind the two scouts. )

[AxeMental]

You also notice that the guards who should be posted on the walls on either side of the gate aren't present. Noise can be heard coming from one of the common buildings of the keep, perhaps a party is going on. Lax security in any event there are only these 2 guards visible at the moment, the ones you talk to. You suspect the others will be back soon.

[subdolus]

OOC: Isn't Smythus hanging out with the undead?

IC: Subdolus looks to Tiberious and gives a slight nod. As soon as he is sure the monk has noticed he makes a move to disable the nearest guard.

[cadellin]

Cadellin glances sharply at Sogothan to see if a Silence spell will be forthcoming.

[AxeMental]

Sog takes the cue from his old friend and casts a silence on a coin throwing it over at the two guards. Tiberious attacks with his axe hitting twice and taking out his guard (bringing him to -5), Subdolus, unable to think of a way to take out the guard without violence (as they are dressed in splint with shield) uses his sword and dagger. The scimitar hits for 8 but the dagger slides off. Fletcher, had already positioned himself closer and swings with his magical blade. He rips through the fellows leg for 10 total and he drops. No one hears the battle and teh bodies are stowed inside the wagon and hidden under some hey. Both guards wounds are bound to prevent them from bleeding to death. Subdolus picks up the coin and stays up ahead with it so the sound of the wagon will be reduced up ahead (but not so close that it takes away the spell casting ability of the MU or cleric.

The group heads up the slave road quickly, and hope the other guards are too busy socializing to notice. When they get to the top gate they find it unmanned. Inside the guard house dancing girls are performing for the men. The usual captain of the guard isn't present, and in his place is a huge drunk half orc. It seems some house cleaning has gone on while you were away, and the good were the ones to be cleaned out. The wagon roles through the gate and past the keep without a search, only some waves from a guard walking the wall 20 feet up, drinking from a tankard. The princess has to stop herself from an outburst of rage at seeing this.

The group leaves the wagon (since its likely someone from the lower town may have figured out what happened) and take Zargon on foot, the 2 fighters carrying the box on foot. The upper town is much cleaner and more orderly then the lower. The citizens walkng here look respectable and some wealthy. Along the road to the Wee Jas temple you look out at the sea, what a spectacular view of the harbor below. The moon dances on the ocean waves far out near the shoals and the lanterns of the ships in the harbor glow like dim little candles on a cake, bobbing up and down now and then (far more boats then Sogathan remembers seeing before).

The group walks past more taverns and outdoor cafees as well as businesses (most are closed). Following Sogs directions you finally reach "The Temple of Light" gate. Beyond Sog says, is an ancient cathedral of sorts located at the end of a long crack in the cliff only 12 feet wide with 30 foot walls.

The guard stationed at the gate is very alert and looks a bit worried. He recognizes Sog after a moment, "we didn't hope to see you again sir". He takes a lantern from a post and leads the way, another guard taking his place locking the gate behind you.

The walk through the rift is of a vast garden with all sorts of plants and vines growing down the 30 foot walls to either side. The city is quickly left behind as many night blooming flowers are visible (by the light of the torch carried by the guard). Finally you reach the main temple and the doors are opened. Within is a small but ancient looking interior with thick stained glass and statues 1,000s of years old. A figure in sleeping robes and hat emerges from a secret door. "Ahhh, Sogathan, why is it that you always show up after my bed time. And what is this guests!" Fenken, Sogs old teacher and mentor is a friendly chap and walks over to shake everyones hands. "You know, your all supposed to be dead, killed by a dragon as Bishop Smythus tells it, he was the sole survivor of the attack apparently...at least thats what I heard he told the Grand Council. And he states the prince and princess were not in the distant keep afterall, now the islands are once again the focus of the search.

When he reaches the girl to shake her hand Fenken almost falls over in surprise and has to sit down. By the stars and moon, it is the dead princess returned!!! This is cause for much celebration. But I give you caution, there are many in the Grand Council that will not be overjoyed to see her return. I have heard assassins have been hired to kill either the prince or princess if they are found.".

The group is lead down a maze of stairs and corridors past all sorts of odd doors and statues, eventually to a small warm dining room with a fire going. A late dinner is ordered up and the group relays the story of the journey threw the forest, the exploration of the keep and dungeon complex, and the final rescue of the princess. Sog then tells of the death of Zargon in the great swamps.

Fenken informs Sog he doesn't have the ability to raise dead just yet, nor does he have a scroll for it. However, he knows the Church of Khaash (another LN church) has a cleric of that level, and it will cost.

[AxeMental]

New Thread, "Zargon raised from the dead".