Winedark, Chapter Twenty-One

General Summary

Wherein the Blasters commune with the deity of daring, fight off many aggrieved parties, and discover a perceived enemy is perhaps not what they seem.

Kharlo and The Worry

Kharlo Chondricht may have been expecting many things to happen during his amateur fighting debut, but encountering Skirl the Worry was likely not one of them. This, however, proved to be an early anticipated matchup, with a cavalcade of coin changing hands as bets were offer and wagers were made. Captain Pitch got in on this action, cleverly disguised as "Alma Fairweather-Manderbundt," a discreet, calculating noblewoman of indeterminate origins. Pitch had two objectives for this disguise--one, to place a bet without anyone detecting their association with Kharlo, and to finesse an invitation to the high rollers table, a possible place to encounter Nixif. 
With bets placed, it was time for the action. While many spectators anticipated an evenly-matched fight, Kharlo, apparently, didn't get that memo, as he sat stoically while Skirl attacked him. He then loudly proclaimed that Skirl--and the Coffin Nail--were now in violation of the code of Otuna's Favor. Kharlo seemed very pleased with himself as Skril looked, well, bemused, and proceeded to knock Kharlo out. Thus ended Kharlo's amateur fighting career.
Skirl then left the premises, but not before a conversation with Water. He told them that, while Kharlo's actions were unexpected, they were interesting. Water got the impression that maybe Skirl isn't just a bad guy? Hard to say!
Kharlo, meanwhile, awoke in a small room designed to revive unsuccessful combatants. He was greeted his three patrons, currently very unhappy--Weavetouched, Zagman the Famous, and Laz. Apparently, they lost quite a bit of money (and with that, reputation) betting on Kharlo. It is one thing to be bested in martial combat, but what Kharlo did is akin to throwing the fight. And, indeed, the fight is currently being investigated by Chalice authorities. It is not good to be investigated in The Chalice. Kharlo attempted to smooth things over, but his former business partners weren't really receptive.
Pitch, however, was successful in their endeavors--winning both some cash and an invitation to the high rollers' room. Nice! At least some plans are working.

A Visit from Aggrieved Parties

With the fights done, it was time to head back to the VastBlaster for rest. Some of Kharlo's activities, however, caught up with the Blasters already, as our heroes were confronted with several Aggrieved Parties who demanded satisfaction from Kharlo. That wasn't coming in any material form, so a fight commenced. 
This was a brutal battle, with seemingly endless angry gamblers (with surprisingly brutal combat sense) emerging from every dark corner. Just when the Blasters might have been flashing back to their experience with The Ulam, help arrived in an unlikely form--Skirl the Worry. Skirl immediately joined the battle on the side of the Blasters, much to Kharlo's chagrin. Ultimately, our adventurers won the day, but not without Captain Pitch nearly dying. That experience tends to weigh on a person.
After the fight, Skirl decided to make himself scarce, but entreated our explorers to seek him out in Awa Harbor for more conversation. It seems their goals might be similar here. Interesting! 

Chance and The Chalice

After a much needed rest aboard the VastBlaster, it was time to kill some time before heading back to the Chalice that evening in search of Nixif. With only Captain Pitch's invitation as a "solid" approach, it was decided to perhaps pay a visit to Dizmera for spiritual guidance.  So, it was back to the House of Dizmera and to the cleric Ildrama Hollowfader. 
Once there, Irk attempted to reconcile Kogos and Dizmera as perhaps some sort of dual patronage. Success in this enterprise remains to be seen. Kharlo offered payment in blood for dishonoring the goddess of opportunity. Water amazed more folks with sweet skate tricks and Pitch stayed aboard the VastBlaster in silent contemplation of their own mortality. 
Then, evening fell, and it was time to head back to The Chalice in the hopes of encountering this Nixif character, getting his key, and saving the Isles from imminent destruction.

And That's Where We Left It

We'll see how the Blasters finally go about meeting the elusive Nixif Sipplegonz during our next session.

Various & Sundry Details

• Water, exploring more of what Dizmera has to offer her faithful, acquired a skateboard during the visit to the House of Dizmera. It may or may not have latent magical energies.
• The VastBlaster got a new shipmate. Kenku Steve, freshly battered from the amateur fights, has joined the crew. Captain Pitch acquiesced to this happening at the behest of Water, who aims to perhaps teach the kenku a few fighting tricks, and is a sucker for misfits.
• Also, the Vastblasters have a new motto: "NEVER LET THE PARTY DIE." Nice!
• Kharlo got himself a potion of Disguise Self in a place called Elliv's Hideaway in the hopes of perhaps lowering the "heat" he seems to have attracted.

Character(s) interacted with

• Klintok, Chalice Bartender and bookmaker
• Laz; Zagman the Famous; Weavetouched, Chalice regulars and opportunists
• Skirl the Worry, enigma
• Ildrama Hollowfader, cleric of Dizmera 

Report Date

21 Nov 2021

Primary Location

The Chalice