Session 6 - Stirring the Pot
19th Day of Huren (Fall) 1611 (continued) - Silvered Weapons!
Josef - Performs an Artisian's Blessing and creates as silver coating for some ammunition (2 crossbow 8 arrows).
20th Day of Huren (Fall) 1611 - Mushika, Booksellers Watched, Iron Spikes
Thurgood suggests going to the Blue Portage jail and speaking with Mushika. The speak with Captain Tendal Rhimes and it is arranged. Mushika is willing to talk provided he gets something in return - the party dangles the incentive of an "upgrade" from the oubliette he is in to a proper cell. They learn Mushika was afflicted with Lycanthropy after being forced out of Blue Portage (I think in a subsequent visit they learn that Ayron the half/orc is responsible for his scars). Mushika warns the PCs that the Amberdune Books merchants are dangerous (they got "the eyes" he says). Lane gets fed up with Mushika's negotiations and threatens him with the toll of "the bells" (the spell Toll the Dead). They learn Mushika was with the merchant caravan at some point and driven out between Dragonhorn and Lorcaster.
In the market the PCs see the Amberdune Books have returned and set up their stall as usual. Taraxacam gets some food from one stall, tries to get the lay of the land and when he goes to pay for is food he is several coins light - it seems he's been pick pocketed by the "urchins" he's seen running around the place. He lures one of them close and starts asking the boy questions when a gruff voiced, stern looking half/orc (Ayon) approaches him and tells him to leave the boy alone. The Orc has a tattoo of an iron spike on his left cheek below the eye (so did the urchin). There is some discussion and a meting is arranged after dusk at the Gray Shoals Inn.
Lane speaks to Captain Tendal Rhimes about Amberdune Books selling "dangerous books" - The captain says he'll "put a man on it" and to check back after a day or two.
One of the PCs (Lane?) sees a soldier of rank, Sargent-Investigator Den Worgus, and two privates approach the Amberdune Books' stall at the shift change. Worgus and the leader of Amberdune Books are seen speaking - he appears to be asking questions and she appears to be answering. The merchandise is looked over by Den Worgus, he makes some notes in a ledger and then leaves them.
The PCs watch Amberdune Books pack up their books in the evening. Korfel goes to have dinner with Gemdal Yarinthol and Selma Yarinthol at the Blue Shimmer Inn. The pair speak of their time in the caravan, The Loop Merchants, a man named Rorigan is the caravan organizer) who travel from Lorcaster, to Blue Portage, to Wingrealm, to Dragon horn and back to Lorcaster in a loop. Korfel speaks of his origin. He performs (quite well) one of the Halfling songs for Selma Yarinthol. They bid each other good night.
The PCs rendezvous at the Gray Shoals Inn - its in the rough and poor part of town outside the walls of Blue Portage. In the area are at least five other "scruffy" types possibly with an iron spike tattoo. Inside the Inn they see three other "scruffy" types with iron spike tattoos, along with Ayron (the half orc) and another Human sitting next to him (later introduced as "Hammer"). Eager to make friends, Taraxacam buys drinks for everyone in the establishment and tells Ayron about Mushika.
Korfel tells Ayron about Amberdune Books selling "dangerous books". Ayron listens carefully with little emotion patiently waiting for the "deal" to present itself. After Korfel explains the dangerous / rare books are being sold for 250gp, Ayron and Hammer exchange a thoughtful look and tell the two to "leave them" for now and after moving out of earshot, draw the curtains on the booth. Soon Ayron and "Hammer" emerge from the booth. They thank Korfel for the "tip" and the ones bearing the iron spike tattoo leave the Inn - there is an palpable "relief" after they leave.
One by one the PCs return to The Swift Inn & Tavern for the evening
21st Day of Huren (Fall) 1611 - Iron Spikes interact with Amberdune Books
The PCs watch Amberdune Books open up their stall again in the usual manner. At noon however Ayron and "Hammer" approach the stall. The Amberdune workers look nervous. Their leader seems calm. From the distance its looks as if Ayron is doing most of the talking. The Amberdune Books leader pulls out a coin pouch and gives it to Ayron who inspects it and then leaves. The Amberdune Books members huddle up clearly something in their natural rhythm has changed. They soon back up a crate of books and leave (a soldier is apparently cajoled into watching their stall while they are away).
Taraxacam lures one of the urchins to him (they seemed to have been avoiding the party for some reason) with 13 sp. The boy listens and agrees to create a diversion to draw th soldier away from the Amberdune Books stall - the manage to lure the soldier away "Poor William is bleeding! Come help!"
While the stall is empty, Taraxacam grabs 3 books. Korfel ritual-casts detect magic in a common latrine and then scans the stall - no magic (previously there was). The group follows the Amberdune Books members, Taraxacam from about 60 feet away, Thurgood 60 feet behind Taraxacam and Korfel 60 behind Thurgood. Lane has left for his temple and Josef goes toward the city gates.
The Booksellers are on high-alert as they move through the city and spot Taraxacam following them (True to Mushika's warning they seem difficult to sneak up on), they slow and there is a confrontation. Taraxacam says they are walking into a trap / ambush and the female leader says "she knows" and to leave them alone... The booksellers begin making their way to the gates using the alley ways, Taraxacam tries to pursue and two of the Amberdune Books members come at him - one "shows his eyes" (to no effect) and the other says "he's an Elf you idiot, it wont affect him"... Taraxacam says he will not follow... something similar happens with Korfel (and he opts not to pursue). Thurgood casts magic in the street, makes nearby citizens a bit nervous and draws some minor chastisement from two guards who happened to be near by. Lane arrives at the temple and finds it empty - unaware of events, the goes to the inn.
Josef, who was also headed to the gates is just moments behind them (his plan included gathering up Lane but the shrine to Fharlangan was not on they way). Josef follows the Amberdune Books members outside the walls of Blue Portage and into the outlying sprawl where they enter a one story square structure that is likely a storehouse / warehouse of some kind (no windows, one door).
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