STATIC 11: Brunch & Bugs & Boats

General Summary

Wherein the Blinkertons experience betrayal and battle in equal measure

The Station Agent

After dispatching the drunk rowdies that accosted them, The Interdimensional Blinkerton Detective Agency made it to Crackeel Landing's Crackeel Station without further incident. There, they encountered one Tith Jilrad. She was very passionate about her candidacy for Station Agent, proclaiming the current Agent, one Vorgillian, to be either complicit in corruption or coordinating it. Disappointed to learn she could not count on their support as they were not Keelers themselves, she asked them to carry news back to New Carydam about what she's trying to do here.
The Station itself was a busy affair, full of merchants and sailors and merchant-sailors. After Nero Rubicant loudly told the guards that they "weren't gonna do anything," they sought how whomever seemed to be in charge. That was, indeed, Vorgillian, and, upon realizing that they were friends of Fentrix, and hearing they needed a ride to Froggmorden, was more than happy to accommodate them. Transport was arranged with Cherliv, captain of Patrick, a skiff that just so happened to heading that directly. Cherliv needed a few hours to get ready, though, so our heroes decided to take Fentrix up on that offer of a meal.

Brunchtown

It being brunchtime, the Blinkertons decided to take themselves to brunchtown. At the Fentrix Estate, specifically. After explaining who they were and what they were doing here to the majordomo of the estate, Thewarin, they were escorted to a nice banquet featuring a pronounced display of brunch items. This mean was quite new to Sharkbait, who promply loaded the fuck up on all the tasty goods.
Fintrix joined them before long and they adjourned to her study. This chamber was chockablock full of items from The Displacement, so much so that Corinna Himmelswander had a little trouble keeping her composure as she was inundated with Displaced energy. It turns out taht Fintrix is associated with The Panoptic Legion and is equally interested in ending this Displacement. The group chatted about what they knew and agreed to share their information in return for a copy of Fintrix's notes, which was of particular interest to Hypatia. It was a cordial sharing of information.
That done, it was time to meet Cherliv for a ride to Froggmorden.

To Froggmorden

Cherliv said the journey would take at least a full day and a full night. After venturing up the coast without too much difficulty, it was time to make camp for tonight. Unfortunately, Cherliv had other ideas, as he arranged this very spot for an ambush on our heroes. Would-be brigands sprung out from the dark and Cherliv joined their side in the fray. Luckily, our Blinkies are no strangers to combat, even when surprised, and won the battle.

One problem solved (surviving an ambush) can sometimes create another (navigating to Froggmorden), however. With the captain of Patrick dead, our explorers were left to their own devices to navigate the twisting and turning waterways of Sleeper's Notch. They each offered something to solve this quandry:

• Corinna cast Speak with Animals and conversed with a frog.
• Hypatia thought a lot about the maps she has seen of the area and tried to rely on that knowledge.
• Sharkbait took up the pole of Patrick, doing his best to propel the skiff safely.
• Nero, fresh off an encounter with, perhaps, Xun, prayed for divine intervention.

The results were mixed, with their efforts bringing them right alongside a Giant Crocodile who promptly attacked. Further efforts led them upon another skiff locked in combat with a giant froglike creature called a Banderhobb. They came her assistance and she agreed to help them to get Froggmorden, as that's the least she could do.
Alternate guide secured, the Blinkertons prepared to continue their journey to Froggmorden.

And That's Where We Left It

We'll see what the hamlet of Froggmorden holds for the Blinkertons during our next session

Various & Sundry Details

• Nero, having saved the wounded man he came across back in Crackeel Landing from certain death, had a dream of that same individual--Pemb of the Golden Plains, apparently--fighting off agents of disaster from destroying an orphanage. It appears that Pemb is an avatar of Xun, and the goddess is looking favorably upon Nero. He awoke a little bit richer than when he went to bed.
• Whatever is hiving within Corinna seems somehow to be connected with The Centipede's Eye that she wears around her neck. What could this mean?

Character(s) interacted with

• Tith Jilrad--candidate for Crackeel Landing Station Agent, idealistic 
• Vorgillian--current Station Agent, allegedly "corrupt"
• Cherliv--captain of Patrick, betrayer
• Thewarin —majordomo of the Fernhorn Estate
• Fintrix Fernhorn, of the Crackeel Landing Fernhorns
• Hurlburl, a fellow traveler in Sleeper's Notch

Report Date

27 Nov 2022

Primary Location

Crackeel Landing