Winedark, Red Sails: Of Pirates and Paintings
General Summary
Wherein a notorious pirate crew assists in a righteous battle and makes a dangerous landward excursion
But, of course, their intentions are not purely altruistic. Sekha has been contacted--through intermediaries--by an individual who would request a painting be retrieved from his ruined home in Scaraval. The painting, while not valuable, is sentimental. The frame, however, may fetch some coin. And the crew will be handsomely rewarded for the delivery of the painting. Agreeing as much for the absurdity of it all as the economic windfall, Sekha chose her landing party carefully. It included:
Moving further inland, the pirates discovered what the Vastblasters already knew--Scaraval is utterly fucked with tentacles, especially near the docks. As they navigated this tentacle nightmare--and toward the ruined home indicated on the map provided to them--combat once again found them. This time, it was corrupted bandits, who seemed almost at one with the tentacles emerging from this gooey, spongy ground. This fight enabled the pirates to experience these pulsating tentacles up close and personal, as they were thrown about by these horrible things. The settlement of Scaraval itself fared no better in the DreadSquid's onslaught, as the ruins and destroyed buildings of the town square can attest. In that desolation lay hidden yet more deadly foes, specifically, some beasts of ill omen, who were aptly named. Each blow struck against these strange hounds seemed to fill our pirates with unmitigated dread. Luckily, they fought through that, and on to the designated house.
Easy enough, really. Now just to get back to the ship and to that deserved reward. There were two things standing in the way of that--one, a pack of blue drakes, and two) a new dingy. Both these obstacles were overcome by our pirates, and a good thing, too, as it was long past time to get the hell out of here.
As the Razorfin's red sail billowed out and took to the breeze, the entire landing party was reminded of when they first found that storied cloth. Perhaps that is a tale for another time.
An Unexpected Addition to the Fleet
Just as the "distraction fleet" began the Second Battle for Scaraval--designed to provide a way for the Vastblasters to discover what secrets lay in the Northern Sun--a set of red sails appeared on the horizon. It was the Razorfin, a famed pirate vessel known for raiding shipping lanes all across the Drembari Isles. Instead of taking advantage of the vulnerable ships of the fleet, the fearsome pirates surprised everyone by joining in the fight against the vile machinations of Vo'ku'a, the Many-Fingered. While this is certainly not how the other eleven ships of the fleet imagined encountering Captain Sekha and her crew, it makes some objective sense as to why they might be invested in this particular endeavor. There can't be any pirates without any ships, after all. And Vo'ku'a's plans for the Isles do not seem to include space for any seasoned scofflaws.But, of course, their intentions are not purely altruistic. Sekha has been contacted--through intermediaries--by an individual who would request a painting be retrieved from his ruined home in Scaraval. The painting, while not valuable, is sentimental. The frame, however, may fetch some coin. And the crew will be handsomely rewarded for the delivery of the painting. Agreeing as much for the absurdity of it all as the economic windfall, Sekha chose her landing party carefully. It included:
- Captain Sekha, whose name is infamous;
- Apis, erstwhile stowaway, a bee-man (man-bee?) with a powerful swarm;
- Calliope, Eelsnap survivor, fond of psychic blades;
- Skiff, frog, dedicated healer
A Daring Mission
Before they could land where the docks used to be, our brave pirates discovered just now deep this "dreadgoo" has permeated The Vast, as a kind of corrupted dinosaur accosted their dingy and unceremoniously dumped them into the icy water. Battle commenced, and it was a bloody welcome to the Second Battle for Scaraval.Moving further inland, the pirates discovered what the Vastblasters already knew--Scaraval is utterly fucked with tentacles, especially near the docks. As they navigated this tentacle nightmare--and toward the ruined home indicated on the map provided to them--combat once again found them. This time, it was corrupted bandits, who seemed almost at one with the tentacles emerging from this gooey, spongy ground. This fight enabled the pirates to experience these pulsating tentacles up close and personal, as they were thrown about by these horrible things. The settlement of Scaraval itself fared no better in the DreadSquid's onslaught, as the ruins and destroyed buildings of the town square can attest. In that desolation lay hidden yet more deadly foes, specifically, some beasts of ill omen, who were aptly named. Each blow struck against these strange hounds seemed to fill our pirates with unmitigated dread. Luckily, they fought through that, and on to the designated house.
The Home of Hardwalker
This house was probably rather nice before Scaraval turned into a tentacle wasteland, but now it is just another sad reminder of what was here before. Pacing around the main room of the house was a bizarre individual, lost in thought and armed with a deadily greatsword. This turned out to be Yegvalla of the Broken Wastes, and she wasn't from around here. Or anywhere near here, really. Luckily, Captain Sekha was able to wile her with both her charms and affectious deceptions and combat was avoided. She guided them into the bedroom, and to the painting that they sought. This painting, which turned out to be of a goliath named Hardwalker (presumably the homeowner) and Sardor Gliv, capturing happier times. A giant ettin was staring at the painting, utterly transfixed. Each head of the ettin--one more eloquent than the other--was fascinated by the painting and seemed poised to spring to violence if it were to be removed from its place. Luckily, Sekha is quick with both a jest and a lie, and a gentle reminder that hey, let's just be cool and be friends, right? So the ettin let the painting go to where it belonged, which is wherever Sekha was taking it.Easy enough, really. Now just to get back to the ship and to that deserved reward. There were two things standing in the way of that--one, a pack of blue drakes, and two) a new dingy. Both these obstacles were overcome by our pirates, and a good thing, too, as it was long past time to get the hell out of here.
As the Razorfin's red sail billowed out and took to the breeze, the entire landing party was reminded of when they first found that storied cloth. Perhaps that is a tale for another time.
And That's Where We Left It
We'll visit some other Razorfin adventures during our next sessionVarious & Sundry Details
Character(s) interacted with
- Yegvalla of the Broken Wastes; slayer of the Denied; Bastion of the Third Morning; Who Stood on the Ramparts and Laughed, a lost traveler
- Slothor and Bloatiss, ettin art aficionados
Notes
A description of Hardwalker and Sardor in the Frosted Barley:
Two figures are in the forefront of this painting, seated across from each other at a well-used table. Behind them, a raucous tavern scene—dancing and singing and merry-making a plenty. The taller figure is a goliath, a wry expression on his face, as if he’s telling a secret joke to his companion seated across from him. His giant hand extends out, lightly touching the fingers of the other in a tender gesture. The other figure is unmistakably Sardor Gliv, his head thrown back in laughter, spilling ale out of his overflowing mug. An inscription on the frame reads: Hardwalker and Sardor in the Frosted Barley. A faint artist’s signature is visible in the lower left of the painting: Saltbloom
Two figures are in the forefront of this painting, seated across from each other at a well-used table. Behind them, a raucous tavern scene—dancing and singing and merry-making a plenty. The taller figure is a goliath, a wry expression on his face, as if he’s telling a secret joke to his companion seated across from him. His giant hand extends out, lightly touching the fingers of the other in a tender gesture. The other figure is unmistakably Sardor Gliv, his head thrown back in laughter, spilling ale out of his overflowing mug. An inscription on the frame reads: Hardwalker and Sardor in the Frosted Barley. A faint artist’s signature is visible in the lower left of the painting: Saltbloom
Report Date
01 May 2022
Primary Location
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