Back to Dravens’ Port
Returning to Dravens’ Port the party is forced to anchor the
boat some distance off shore, 800-1000 feet and row onto shore. Ailekk gets
word to Breschka and Oron, by talking to Behyla, who use tunnels beneath the
castle to clear out undead on the northwest side. The castle was built on a
rocky outcrop thousands of years ago, and the area around it is not safe even
for skiffs to land, but they can get towed next to the stone and with the help
of ropes and planks everyone is brought ashore.
Despite the undead in town, everyone except the captain
seems anxious to get off “this Corrive, slave-built, piece-of-shit, floating
graveyard” and onto land. Except for the captain, they all seem to follow Short
Shimm’s attitude and seem more than happy to have the party as their new
bosses. Although a couple of them do, gently, inquire about pay, “Now that they
aren’t slaves and all.” Short Shimm even volunteers to keep constant watch over
the Corrive Agent, whom he seems to enjoy poking with his dagger.
Kaleem on the other hand almost has about 40 heart attacks
between getting on the ship and arriving and Dravens’ Port. He seems unnerved on
the ship and openly talks shit about how the captain is probably going to
betray them and stab him specifically in the eye. Kaleem seems to have little
to no care about the slaves in the lower deck, or pretty much anyone but
himself. He seems incredibly cowardly. He just wants to meet with Oron and get
it over with.
Ailekk’s Meeting with Behyla
Ailekk flew ahead of the party and reported to Behyla. Among
other things, Behyla didn’t seem happy about hearing the Raven Queen’s minions
were in town. Ailekk asked if he could pose some questions about the undead
attack and other things going on in the area. Behyla agreed.
First Ailekk asked about Behyla’s purpose in Dravens’ Pot.
Behyla told him he was here for political reasons, and refused to answer much
more about himself. When asked about Kaleem being evil, he didn’t seem to
understand the question. After all, what is the definition of evil? Who is
evil. And who cares what this paladin of Bahamut says? When asked about the group of saved people, he said that he
wasn’t in a position to say anything. Ailekk should ask Oron or Breschka. Ailekk asked about green dragon, could she have been helping
without Shrave’s knowledge? Behyla was not, at all going to answer this.
Especially as Lady Narlanth (the green dragon), publicly decreed that Shrave
and his courts both knew about Oron & Breschka’s bid on the thrown and considered
it a legal action. Ailekk showed him the note they found amongst the hobgoblins
written in Dree handwriting, it is blank now. It does seem curious, Behyla
explained the hobgoblins were close by in Vinarr to the west. Behyla asked to
keep the note and Ailekk met Nate who appeared on his shoulder and took the
note. Ailekk asked about purpose of the attack? Behyla wasn’t
sure, but the only two people who it seemed to benefit were Oron and Breschka.
Even Queen Lightcrown wouldn’t seem to gain from the undead attack. However,
Behyla pointed out that the true effects of the undead attack wouldn’t be
apparent in the long term for a long time. Politically, historically, and
culturally the historians will have to sort it all out.
Meeting with Oron & Breschka
Breschka seems to be thrilled to see the party. First, she
hugs Ma, it is obvious the two know each other. She shakes the hand of the
dwarf and gnome apprentices. She hugs the Dragonborn of Bahamut. Then she hugs the
entire party, even Rurrick. She clasps Cassius in a firm handshake. She then
thanks all of them for their service, especially Swell and gives him a wink and
says “Mums the word.” She leaves them all with Oron for the debrief.
He thanks the party and tells them they have done an
unmeasurable service by bringing them here. The Acolytes they saved are not
just diplomats, they are respected nobles and diplomats of their realms, who
just so happen to also be novice acolytes. Their presence in Dravens will not
only strengthen their ties with Sehe, Vinarr, and Indra, but will also help
establish the presence of their religions in the city. “Ma” Thornberry is a
little out of her element and is a bit rust in her magic but given proper
resources and accommodations should make a powerful ally. Kaleem is the
wildcard, Oron will reveal that he is in fact a Corrive Spy who was found out
to be a Yuan-Ti, something chromatic dragons (well, pretty much all dragons)
disdain. When he was found out to be a Yuan-Ti, he chose to flee the country
and looked for asylum in nearby realms. Oron promised him asylum in the new
Dravens. He apparently did this weeks ago. Kaleem’s information, contacts, and
intel could prove useful to not only Shrave gaining leverage over Corrive, but
also as a bartering chip with Queen Lightcrown, who will obviously be trying to
assert dominance over the unstable Dravens.
“Captain” Reis meets with Oron privately, he congratulates
him on a job well done and gives him a bonus of 500g for bringing everyone back
alive. He also says he wants him to join with the other PCs, for the time
being.
Oron also meets with Arieth and Urd to get a full run down
of the events. He seems quite interested in Urd’s account of events. No one
will have seen Dedrick, although he is quite well known. He is considered to be
a “free agent” among the foreign operatives of Corrive. He helps their mage
hunters, diplomats, spies, and many of their foreign agents. He thinks it is
quite odd Dedrick did not come to the parties’ aid. Mentioning the Ravens, he
becomes concerned. He is also extremely interested in this “temple” they found.
He wants to return there as soon as possible to investigate it.
Meanwhile the ravens seem to stay with Urd & Swell
pretty much all the time. If fed, they won’t leave their sides, otherwise they
will occasionally leave to go find food. Most people don’t say anything about
it, although some people in the taverns will remark about the “unusual number
of ravens in town” and some “others with ravens on their shoulders.”
In Downtime The agent is delivered to Behyla who takes to interrogation. Rurrick gives each of the slaves 20 gold to start off their
new lives. Cassius gives Short Shimm 30 gold for enthusiastically
aiding in the transition. Breschka offers to keep the gold of anyone who’d like locked
up in her personal vault. Ma Thornberry and her students set up shop in a section of
the tower exactly two levels underneath Ailekk’s alchemy lab. (Urd can get his
sword uncursed) The party notice an orphan has taken residence in Ailekk’s
lab with him. The acolytes have personal quarters near Breschka and Oron.
The Rescued Maewyse “Ma” Thornberry, stout-halfling Cleric of Azuth and
Transmuter wizard from Ralarth. Apprentice Hakrou Mithrilguard from Shevorth Apprentice Froonsnyr gnome of Indra Acolyte Rhograx gold dragonborn acolyte of Bahamut (life and
war) from Barioth. Acolyte Nesfarn bronze dragonborn of Astilabor
(acquisitiveness, wealth & status) from Ralarth Acolyte Naghul, black dragonborn of Sardior (knowledge,
mind, and trickery) from Vinarr. Kaleem, spy from Corrive, known Yuan-Ti. Apparently a
coward. Reis, an ally and trusted sailor from the Free Lands of
Kantun.
The Next Few Days (Day 6+)
By day 6, reinforcements start to arrive from all over
Dravens. Small rag-tag groups of halfings, gnomes, orcs, elves, half-elves,
half-orcs, dwarves, kobolds, Dragonborn, and even stranger humanoids make it
into town. Most are groups of 5-10, but they are rolling in steadily. While
small and from rural areas, the small villages have given their best. Healers,
mages, veteran warriors, and a numerous other number people who were too humble
to attend the “Arrival of their Prince” arrive bringing both spirit and life to
the struggle.
These rural warriors are not just there, they are excited to
be there. Many of them are naïve, but also talented. Their arrival bring a new
sense of urgency to the movement. An influx of shamans, priests, prophets,
scholars, and ballsy warriors begin cleaning up the undead from the ships.
Meanwhile hunters begin setting traps and culling undead beneath the cities.
Shops have started to reopen, and people have started to
return to their homes near fortified parts of town. Some parts are still
haunted or unsafe, but by the end of day 6, Dravens’ Port is more occupied and
supported than it has ever been. Orcs’ Town and Elves’ Town are overflowing,
and the other racial-centric areas are starting to pick up as well. The Nobles’
Quarters unlocks their gates for the first time since the attack.
By day 7, the masses have arrived. Apparently, a day’s pace
behind their heroes and begin to arrive and Dravens’ Port, all wishing to meet
their new monarch and those that made it happen. The city is not quite safe
yet, but it’s getting there.
However, if all these people are helping in Dravens’ Port,
who is guarding the rest?
The Tavern: Cassius’ Hammer of Judgement
The castle tavern has been renamed, yet again and is
beginning to slow down, but only slightly. People are starting to get out of
the castle. With the arrival of folk heroes and champions from around the
realm, the streets are getting safer, even at night. Humans (in common): “You know what, I bet it was the nobles.
They hate us, they have the most to gain from Raffolks death. They just wasn't
expecting them pesky kids to show up.” Humans (in common): “I bet the kids did it. It's a joint
conspiracy between them tree huggers and pig fuckers.” FIGHT BREAKS OUT Humans (in Thieves Cant): “them were rats ain't helped the
thieves guild clear out the tunnels at all. It's like the like all the undead
down there, it certainly makes it hard for the rest of us to get to ‘em.”
