Winedark, Chapter Three
General Summary
Wherein the Vastblasters do some Taxblastin', add to their crew, and set off for Awa for various and sundry reasons.
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Their spirts buoyed by a successful interaction with the illicit Pale Oak lumber trade, our crew is somewhat demoralized to learn that the "receipt" they coaxed from the pirates may not be enough to dismantle this illegal organization. Further complicating things is the fact that the VastBlaster, the arranged meeting place for the sting operation, is currently in drydock. Many different ideas were floated to deal with this circumstance, including hauling the VastBlaster out and staging a wreck and "making a small boat look like a BIG boat" through magic! After venting frustrations that Bleak Gardens doesn't have any "loaner boats," the Blasters decided on asking Captain Kevin of the HMS Kevin to borrow his vessel for a tiny bit. Luckily, Kevin Kevin-Kevin (of the very famous and prominent Kevin-Kevins) owes Rhalyf a favor so he agrees to hear our heroes proposal. Pitch makes a very impassioned speech appealing to Kevin's civic responsibility. That, coupled with the fact that Pitch will "owe him one," allows the crew to use the HMS Kevin as a stand in for the VastBlaster. Nice! All that was left to do was spring the midnight trap. The pirates came aboard and the deal was concluded. A slight hiccup occurred, however--the Blasters forgot to change the name of the ship, raising both the suspicions and ire of the smugglers. And thus, combat commenced. It was a standard brutal affair, with one stand-out: Kasula Neristina, the avowed pacifist, detonated the Pirate Captain's chest with thunderous energy. It sounded somehow frothy and rumbling at the same time. Kharlo, being closest to this very wet explosion, was smacked in the face by a Grass Carpet, a neat little magic time. Gross! With that, the Cooper's Council had all the proof they needed to put this operation out of business for good, and the TaxBlasters became the VastBlasters once again.Downtime in the Garden
The Blasters earned themselves a rest, which was fortunate, given that their vessel is still undergoing repairs that will take at least until the end of the tenday. Our adventurers spent that time in various ways. Kasula found herself tempted to assuage herself of guild through alcohol. Luckily Kharlo Chondricht and Irk were there to, if not help, then at least distract. Kharlo also found the time to learn a bit about cooking from fellow Selachii] Vzrek, cook aboard the HMS Kevin. He learned how to make "shitty seafood soup." Tasty! Rhalyf approached the gang as the VastBlaster was apparently re-christened after repairs and gave them both 200 gold for their troubles and asked them to head to Awa to let the Waterspeaker Emon know about the smuggling. Turns out, that was a probably destination anyway, as several crew members have business there and have overheard rumor about a Gathering featuring all seven Waterspeakers, a rare occurrence indeed. Rhalyf asked all of them, who were saved from destruction through the grace of Otuna, to "Remember the Gardens" when destiny reaches its zenith for each of them. Then, with an appreciative look toward Water, Rhalyf went on her way. Before they could set sail, it was time to meet the rest of the crew that Maltina had recruited to allow the VastBlaster full functionality. There's Jerrie, a human merchant "currently between ships" and eager to earn coin aboard this vessel. Siscony, a seasoned half-elf with complex purple tattoos on his hands, seems to know his business. Palehook, a mute tiefling, seems very accomplished with the titular pale hook that finishes his right arm. And then there's Trumm Lebarr, an inquisitive halfling who makes it his business to know information. Some of what he knows might come in very handy. Their vessel now competently, if minimally, staffed, it was time to brave The Vast once more, and seek out Awa.To Awa Harbor
Sailing the Vast is a dangerous, complicated matter. This became quite clear early on in the short voyage. Some of the food stored away in the brand new Pale Oak barrels was apparently spoiled and gave all aboard a very unpleasant case of proto-dysentery. Fortunately, through the levelheaded guidance of Captain Pitch, the moral-boosting efforts of First Mate Irk, the trained eye of Ship Surgeon Kasula, and the culinary "ingenuity" of Cook Kharlo, the shipmates were saved from disaster. It was a very uncomfortable journey for most, however, and the crew lost a little of its esprit de corps because of the outbreak. Awa Harbor is the capital of the Drembari Isles, and the Isle is named after the city. It is a far cry from Bleak Gardens, with its bustling, crowded streets and busy docks. The Blasters were able, however, to negotiate this chaos and make their way to the Gathering Hall. The Hall itself is a remarkable chamber, intentionally flooded in places with The Vast. There, they located Emon. They filled in this taciturn satyr in on what's been happening in the Gardens. As a zealous pirate hunter, he seemed to appreciate the violence visited upon these scofflaws and agreed to take them to see Loshi Saltbloom, the Sea Sibyl. The Blasters were ushered into a small antechamber and found the elf closely examining some documents. She looked up and offered our heroes an inquiring "Yes?"And That's Where We Left It
We'll see what this conversation holds during our next session.Rewards Granted
Grass Carpet, a magic item
Character(s) interacted with
- Rhalyf, shipwright and member of the Cooper's Council
- Kevin Kevin-Kevin, Captain of the HMS Kevin
- Vzrek, cook of the HMS Kevin
- Jerrie, a human merchant turned VastBlaster crew
- Siscony, a tattooed half-elf VastBlaster crew member
- Palehook, a mute tiefling with a "pale hook" for a right hand. VastBlaster crew.
- Emon, Kalope Waterspeaker
- Loshi Saltbloom, Bragaki Waterspeaker and Sea Sibyl
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