The party had been aboard Ephor’s Ship, The Howl of the Demon, for nearly two weeks. During that time, they passed by small islands, spotted another ship and avoided a huge wave. For the most part, they traveled southeast, including a run of triple speed with the wind of a fierce storm. After a few days of clear skies, another storm pushed them back towards Slateholm (northwest), but soon another storm helped push them south again. Ephor reported that food in the hold was down to about two weeks’ supply. He announced his intention to put in at the next island to gather food.
Two days later (1/18), the cry of “Land, Ho!” was heard from the crow’s nest. The small galley circled the island and spied a village on the north shore. The island was approximately 25 miles across. Tall peaks in the center, capped with snow, swept down to fertile grasslands. A harbor at the village was built next to a wide river.
The ship anchored and most of the party rowed a longboat into the harbor. Aderian and Ylindar remained onboard. At the wharf, they were greeted by villagers of the major races (human, dwarf, elf and halfling), all with tanned skin. A portly official introduced himself as Rufus and welcomed them to the island. The village was not expecting a ship, as they usually were visited only twice a year. The island was colonized by the empire a few decades before and was slowing growing it’s agriculture and fishing industries.
After learning of their intent to purchase six weeks of food for 100 men, Rufus became quite accommodating, offering rooms at the one inn. He described an ideal climate where crops of all kinds grew well. They reached the inn to find it decorated in a motif of fire, carved wood painted in bright reds and yellows. Rufus as most excited to describe the patron deity of Bedmer, called Popiziri. The village leader described the being as an “angel of the Anointed One” that protected the island and to whom the villagers made many offerings.
When questioned about location, Rufus pointed to the tall peaks of the central mountains. A road from the village wound its way up to a place where the priests delivered food and valuables. At this point, the party began openly discussing how they intended to explore and perhaps confront this supposed holy being. Nate doubted the villagers’ adherence to the true faith. This talk angered Rufus who called the plan to visit preposterous. He forbade them to meddle. The food would be ready for loading on the ship in three days (1/21). They were welcome to say in the inn until then. He stormed out.
As the leader of Bedmer exited, a silverhaired man approached. His long hair cascaded around a face full of wrinkles that evoked a spider’s web of unnumbered intrigues. A chain hanging from his dapper vest held a monocle. He introduced himself as Silverfish Imperetrix. He had overheard their conversation about exploring the mountains and wondered if they might help acquire his lost monocle glass.
Naturally, the party recognized the name given by Arianna as he of uncorrupted eye might help them look through a telescope to find the Neh Rod. Despite some hesitance from Ollie, Tienarth quickly explained their quest and Silverfish was impressed. Almost to himself, he muttered, “of course, of course.” He went on to explain how the villagers’ obsession with their god and gaming led to the loss of his dark lens that was formerly in his monocle frame. He held up the empty frame as proof.
Ollie displayed a deep distrust of Silverfish, doubting his authenticity. He asked for proof of his identity. He demanded a fact that only he and Arianna would know, offering a sheet of paper. The ancient wizard made symbols in the air and words appeared. Ollie and Ferris returned to the ship where they first told Ephor to sail in to the harbor because a load of food would be ready soon. It would be six weeks of food for 100 men, costing 4000 gp. Afterwards, they approached Arianna who was dismissive of the dwarf’s suspicious nature. “Why do you think I sent us here if not to find Silverfish?” she asked. “Find the lens.”
Back in town, Urgesh and Jerker purchased kegs of ale and wine which they had stored in the hold of the ship. Then they went to a beach with Saul and his lion to catch fish with a net. After some time, Jerker plucked a small fish from the net while Saul cast a spell so that he could speak to the fish. A few questions were posed about the island, but the fish has little experience outside of the local waters. “How are you feeling?” Saul asked, and the fish replied that it could not breathe, having been pulled from the water. Perhaps understanding that a simple fish would not give them much useful information, Jerker tossed the fish to the lion. Saul thought he heard the fish make a quick exclamation of terror before the lion swallowed it whole.
Tienarth peered into his crystal ball, trying to find the dark lens described by Silverfish. After most of an hour, he came to view the lens on the top of an immense pile of treasure, and on that treasure was a red dragon, apparently asleep. The scene was within a dimly lit cavern. Afterwards, Tienarth transformed into a hawk to survey the island. He followed the road out of the village to a moutain peak where whiffs of smoke escaped into the clouds. The road ended at a large tunnel entrance where two giants with reddish complexions stood guard. The old mage wheeled around to report his findingings.
Late into the night, the party talked over many plans. One plan involved Ferris sneaking into the dragon lair under an invisibility spell. Saul offered his own spell to hide smells and footprints. Perhaps Ferris could do so while transformed into a flying animal. Another plan was a frontal assault. The prospect of a battle with a fire-breathing dragon and at least two giants inspired terror and then a sad acceptance of death and destruction.
Would the dragon turn its rage against the village if it discovered the stolen lens? Regardless, Tienarth did not want to merely take the lens. He wanted all of he dragon’s hoard, which implied killing it. He pondered many spells and strategies, reading and re-reading from his spellbook. Could they instead negotiate with the dragon? If that negotiation turned sour, it ended in battle without the advantage of surprise. Ollie, ever suspicious, wondered if Silverfish already had the real lens. Was the dragon some sort of trick?
They retired that night with heads made heavy with an overabundance of thinking.
End Notes
- Days
- 12/29 – 1/6 Sailing
- 1/7 Battered by storm
- 1/8 – 1/11 More sailing
- 1/12 Fierce storm blowing due northwest
- 1/13 – 1/15 Sailing south
- 1/16 Storm blowing south
- 1/17 Sailing
- 1/18 Bedmer island spotted. Make land. Scouting the island and planning. 10,000 xp may be gained by sharing the discovery and location of Bedmer to Slateholm.
- Treasure: none
- Combat: none
- Characters
- Aderian (stayed aboard the ship)
- Ferris
- Hocuspo
- Jerker
- Nate
- Ollie
- Saul and Lion
- Tienarth
- Urgesh
- Ylindar (stayed aboard the ship)