Fenburn and the Aurore Report

General Summary

Long nights and loss

The party began to pour themselves out of bed after a long journey on the road with new friends. Neoon did her best to console a sobbing Guinevere, still reeling from the loss of her parents. Members of the party began to filter down the stairs, finding their way to good food and drink to compliment the refreshing night of sleep. For most... Randuraas Thombo still nursed a throbbing head and hangover, but soldiered on. Striking out into the town, members split to shop around the city, looking for something to spend their hard fought coin on. Magnus and Jakuul checked out some weapons available at The Incredible Antiquerie, along with Hinto Honiahaka Otaktay Qaletaqa , Anduro Taeri, and Neoon (with Guinevere). Blue shopped for vegetarian rations, Anduro sought a new shield, and Neoon asked about lockpicks and maps of the region. Satisfied with what they had purchased, they set out to the street. Meanwhile, Kico and Randuraas made their way to a jeweller's shop called, very plainly, The Magical Jewellery Shop. Inside, Randuraas and Kico inspected fine jewelry priced well above the means of the local townsfolk. However, Randuraas was in the market for some silver to craft with, as well as the ancient ring that caught his eye the proprietor was repairing. Striking up a deal, he got both the ring and the silver he came for, and they made their way to meet up with the rest of the party.

Reflections of Anduro

Anduro took the opportunity to request Blue allow him to inspect the Shard of the Aethermirror - The Ossuary. After ducking into an alley, of which Jakuul had a peculiar plan for staying stealthy that Blue followed and both failed miserably, Blue gave the shard to Anduro. From the journal of Anduro:

While Neoon finished up her trading, I asked Blue to teach me how to use the shiny pieces of the Aether shards. The rest of the party had gotten to hold it, why not me as well? Granted, I didn't understand the importance at the time, I wanted to know how it worked, and why not?! Blue seemed very confused at first, but taught me to use the shard to commune with the universe... or something. I admit I wasn't really sure what in the world it does or meant to do, but it did change color when I touched it, and it did cure my hangover. Really, I felt like I could do 100 pushups without any sweat, or lift Magnus with my motivation alone.
— Anduro Taeri - Kasbiel 8, 151

Booking Passage

After consolidating the group, the party made their way to the docks where they met with Xinyi Dadan (shin-yee dah-dahn). Standing no more than two feet tall, she commanded the respect of the men loading cargo onto the longboats for the frigate, The Aurore, parked in the bay. Excited at the prospect of booking all their passenger cabins, Xinyi offered to meet the party to make final arrangements at the tavern they were staying at. That evening, the party gathered for supper in the tavern and awaited the arrival of Xinyi. They were surprised when she entered, dragging a human sailor by the ear and tossing him to the floor of the tavern. The sailor apologized profusely for the terrible prank he had pulled, and retrieved a rotting sturgeon from under the floorboards of the establishment. Wellby was quite pleased. After the sailor departed, Xinyi preemptively apologized for her captain, who had joined her for the meeting.

Captain Bonapardt Constantine of The Wellscorne Coast III, Esq. by Ben M

The hulking orc captain dressed in fine, laced formal attire with a large, feathered tricorne hat ducked into the establishment and greeted the party. He reached for words far beyond his vocabulary that he must have read somewhere, and his train of thought seemed to run out of fuel about three quarters of the way down the tracks. However, he was quite amenable to the arrangement Xinyi had made, offered to transport all passengers for 250 gold, and even entered into an agreement that should the party lend any services in defense of the vessel that they could earn some of their passage cost back. Further, Anduro convinced the Captain to part with any magical items that were found during the voyage, that Shades of Blue would be taking them. He agreed, stating that cursed items were not something he had an interest in.

Sailing to Wallsard

We are trying a new journey travel system inspired by the Player's Guide to Middle-Earth, no longer in print. However, the travel system offers great events, three distinct travel stages, and makes for an exciting way to handle long distance travel and granting benefits or detriments upon arrival based on how things went on the journey. Thanks for playtesting this modified system! Embarkation roll: 12 +7

The party was introduced to their accommodations early in the morning of 2nd Kelsdi, the 8th of Kasbiel, 151. After settling in, they briefly explored the ship and came up to the deck to witness the Veil lifting gorgeously over the ocean. As the sun was exposed, the group saw beautiful colors presented on the receding fog wall, and sparkling blue water. Blue, however, longed for his home in the forest, realizing the great burden ahead of him, and wondered when he would be able to return to his trees. During the journey, Kico was able to work with the sailors to capture a large, blue tuna. She and the cooks were able to turn it into a great feast for the crew. Knowing Blue's diet and seeing his saddened state, she also spotted a kelp bed and was able to make a dish exotic to the Firbolg, a great kelp salad with some fruit from the town. Spirits were high as the crew feasted during the journey. However, that evening the boat rocked and thumped. Stepping out onto the deck, the party faced giant tentacles bearing down on the ship, as a large Kraken appeared to assault the vessel.