Session 2: Into Kilead Report
General Summary
Our story continues with our party sailing into the merchant's harbor of Kilead, a major merchant town in the land of Tolava. As the "slightly battered" sloop makes its way into the harbor, two Kileadrian Navy patrol ships flank, as the ship looks really sketchy. As they pull into the harbor, Rothgar, Andry, and Vadania discuss what they should do with the treasure that they found on the sloop after defeating Silvio and his crew. Rothgar notices an unusual sight at the end of the dock: it's a bedazzled man! This man appears to be waiting for the Party, who slowly disembark the sloop, with Andry and Vadania hanging towards the ship. This bedazzled man steps ahead of the rest of the group (a bunch of guards) and calls out to Rothgar, asking where Silvio is. The Party comes to find out that this bedazzled man is actually the captain of the Kileadrian guard, and is absolutely baffled when Rothgar admits that Silvio is dead, him and his crew defeated by three people. The Guard Captain puts the Party into custody, pending a full investigation into the circumstances of Silvio's defeat. The Guard Captain also puts the ship under the custody of the Kileadrian guard, much to the annoyance of the party. The Party looks to each other, realizing that this custody issue could cause problems for them and their exploration of the city, and they turn to the Guard Captain and let him know that the captain of their passenger ship can vouch for their story. The Guard Captain then turns and walks away, seemingly to look into the Party's story. From another part of the docks, shouting can be heard: "Silvio the Bastard! They got him!" The Guard Captain comes back with Captain Brego, who vouches for the Party, calling them heroes. The Guard Captain asks if the Party is staying in the city, with an affirmative response received, although the Party wasn't sure where they were going to be staying. While the Party is talking with the Guard Captain and Captain Brego, a group of the city guards had explored the ship, but found nothing to report. The party turns to the Guard Captain, inquiring about a reward for turning in the pirate ship and killing 7 pirates. The Guard Captain, who the party learns is named Captain Elric Trebond, states that they will have to inquire at the Guard Headquarters. Hearing that, Andry heads off, seemingly leading the group, even though she has no idea where she is going. Captain Brego comes up to Rothgar and Vadania and offers to lead the three of them to the Guard Headquarters. On the way to the Guard Headquarters, Andry whispered that she was suspicious of Brego, but nothing more is able to be discussed since at that moment, the group makes it to the Guard Headquarters. They go up to the front desk and speak to the receptionist, Maryweather, asking about the reward for Silvio's death. Maryweather looks at them skeptically, asking for Silvio's head, as per the bounty requirement. When the Party doesn't have it, they quickly state that Captain Trebond sent them here. Given Andry's concern about Captain Brego, Rothgar rolls insight on Brego, but there is nothing suspicious about him. Maryweather then takes Captain Brego to an interview room and gets his story, which confirms what the Party has already told everyone. Because Maryweather buys the Party's story, each member of the party receives 15GP. They then ask Maryweather for a recommendation for an inn to stay at, and are told about the Aquamarine, a really fancy place, the Mariner's Rest, a mid-level place, and the Sapphire Grove, which is on the other side of the city. Brego recommends the Goofy Seagull for drinks/food after they visit the Smithy, as the Party decides that the Smithy would most likely know where a reputable pawnbroker can be found in the city. The Smithy is around the corner from the Guard Headquarters, and the Party walks in, seeing the Smith (Avani Roti), who immediately turns and levels a crossbow at Rothgar's throat. She calls out Rothgar about his seax, but finds out that Rothgar inherited it from his great-grandfather. She then finds out that Rothgar is from the Husnar region in the mountains, referencing Reagan, the famed smith who has been dead for 100 years. Reagan was Avani's master, much to Rothgar's surprise. Avani then mentions that Rothgar's family is cursed, which is concerning to the rest of the Party, because sketchyyyyyy. Avani then takes Rothgar's seax and chucks it into a wooden beam, turning to him and telling him to get it back. Without walking up to it. Rothgar is visibly confuzzled. As soon as he actively thinks that he wants it back in his hand, it comes flying back to him. DUN DUN DUN. Avani then asks if the Party wants to talk business, to which the Party responds that they are looking for a pawnbroker. Avani thinks about it, but recommends Samorra Nighthawk, who owns the Gold Crown Pawn on Shadow Ridge Road. As the Party leaves the Smithy, they come across an older man (Elcas Barudoor), who has a pipe and short beard, and appears to be walking in a hurry, yelling for the Party. Rothgar turns to him, Vadania keeps farther back with her hand on her rapier. Everyone in town is apparently talking about the Party and their defeat of Silvio and his crew. Elcas' organization is interested in people like the Party. For all kinds of work. The Party asks Elcas if they are looking for mercenaries or contractors, and he replies that they are looking for new members. The group is the Circle of Tulisija, and membership into the Circle pays really well. The Party seems interested in a trial run, which Elcas says he can offer. He then says they can find him at the Temple of Moradin on Fletcher Lane, but warns them to avoid or be very cautious around the Eye of Corvus. Elcas then asks the Party if they are given a reward ahead of time would they be able to do their trial immediately? He offers to buy lunch and discuss the trial. (CAN ANYONE SAY SKETCHY???) The Party offers to listen, and the group goes to Pivo's Tavern. During lunch, Elcas explains that the guild is a primarily merchant guild, although there are people from other classes in the group. Several ships recently, with one in particular, have been disappearing. A message was received from the specific ship when they were a few hours from the city, but that message came two days ago. That would have put that ship at the cliffs south of Kilead, but the Circle doesn't think that Silvio was involved. The Kileadrian Navy claims that they haven't seen or engaged with pirates south of the city, only to the north. The Circle is concerned because the city will stop running if they can't get the materials that they need. What's bad for the Circle is bad for Kilead. Elcas then states that they have been engaged with the Eye of Corvus, but it's not like a gang war. The Eye will stop at nothing in pursuit of power, and Elcas/the Circle believes that the Eye is trying to wipe out the Circle. There is some clarification that the Circle is not a cult, but more like a church. The Eye is a group of followers of the Raven Queen, and it is believed that they are involved in the ships going missing. The Circle needs proof of their involvement before they can go to the city guard. Rothgar then asks if this mission is required to be started today. Elcas states that yes, because if the ship didn't sink, it's against the cliffs, which is also very dangerous. The Circle is willing to hire the Party as combat specialists. Franz, the waiter, with a pronounced butt wiggle, comes to take their order in the middle of this conversation. Elcas tells the Party that the trip is approximately 2 hours by ship, but 6 hours by foot. Rothgar appears interested, but needs sleep first. Andry has already looked to Elcas and stated that she will take the job. Vadania is hesitant. She tells the rest of the Party that she cannot guarantee that her skills will be used against the Eye.... Elcas lets them know that if they join the Circle, they will get a pin. At level 1 of the Circle, they will be able to get a discount with any merchant in the Circle. He also lets the Party know that the reward for this job is 25GP each. Elcas also asks if anyone in the Party can detect magic, with a resounding no in response. Elcas explains that one of the key traits of the Eye is their use of enchanted projectiles on their weapons, but it is unknown how the projectiles are enchanted. He shares that one of his friends was killed by a crossbow bolt, fired from at least 500ft away, which is seemingly impossible. Elcas pulls out a Wand of Detect Magic (3 charges, 1d4-1 rechard at dawn, min. of 1), which Vadania takes. Elcas asks another question: "Can anyone here heal themselves??" Andry can, but no one else. Sighing, Elcas offers to add something to help for the trip, pulling out a flat, palm-sized greyish disk. It's a Salubriator. Rothgar wants to confirm this task: the Party is being asked to find the ship and look for proof that the Eye has caused the wreck, to see if there is any evidence of magical projectiles that match what the Circle already has in evidence. An offer for membership into the Circle is not rescinded, even if they can't find the ship, since the Party is a group of heroes! With that, Elcas takes his leave, leaving the Party to eat their lunch. After Elcas takes his leave, the Party discusses the mission, and how sketched out they are by Elcas out of nowhere offering them this job. Vadania also states that she has no intention of joining the Circle. The Party then leaves to see Samorra, the pawnbroker, but decide not to trade the jewels they had for gold, as Samorra offered too low of a price. Vadania did buy a satchel, though! Andry was disappointed that she couldn't find a staff that was what she wanted. Upon leaving Samorra's shop, the party begins their journey southward towards the shipwreck, having left the city via the King's Road.
Character(s) interacted with
Elric Trebond, Captain of the Guard; Elcas Barudoor, their POC for the Circle of Tulisija; Maryweather Plank, the receptionist at the Guard Headquarters; Samorra Nighttank, the owner of the Gold Crown Pawn shop; Captain Alessandro Brego, captain of the Argyle.
