Wardens of Heroes Gate

A Night Spent at The Cutlass

] You are in Luskan looking for a wilderness guide named Shenthrik Spinedelver. He was referred to you by your teacher, Riandyl, to aid you in reaching Tentowns in Icewind Dale. She only knew that he once lived near The Cutlass Inn and that you might ask there for his whereabouts. You are heading to Tentowns to take part in the annual Frozenfar Fray Games – also at the suggestion of Teacher Riandyl. She thought you might also be able to learn something of your own history in Icewind Dale. You have arrived in Luskan a month early to give yourself plenty of time to travel the  remote location and also do some investigation.

] Last Shadow is still a few hours away as you walk westward from the South Gate. While still several blocks away, your extraordinarily keen smell detects rotgut alcohol and an alleyway of piss and shit. You also smell at least one dead body somewhere just ahead. As you reach the street sign that reads Half-Moon Street, you can see the long narrow sign which reads The Cutlass Inn. Gathered in a circle in the street in front of The Cutlass is a group of young looking drow men dressed in ragged leathers and throwing dice.

Dawndra] I double-check to make sure all my belongings are secured tight and that my coin pouches cannot be see or touched under my robes. I walk to the front of the inn.

] The young gamblers take notice of you and cat-call you, but in a language you do not understand.

Dawndra] I ignore them completely and enter the inn.

] The entrance is just open, there is no door on the hinges. You see nearly twenty small tables – half of which appear to have been broken and patched back together with thin iron slats across the top surface in haphazard fashioning. In the back of the tavern room, there is a small cot tucked against the wall surrounding by several piles of wood – broken pieces from tables and chairs and even, it appears, chunks from the front door. There are maybe a dozen patrons sitting at tables or the bar – most of them too elderly to raise any concerns for safety. The interior is dark with only a one lantern on either side of the room and no daylight due to the fact that the front window has been boarded up. The right side of the room is lined with what looks like a once-nice bar. A short section connects to rounded longer section – behind which is an oven and several kegs. There is a middle-aged human woman pulling something out of the oven.

] “Welcome friend.” She yells across the room. “I know its a muck-bucket right now, but I promise ye… taste our ale and some stew and you see right past the current wreckage of The Cutlass.”

Dawndra] I go stand by a stool at the bar. “I’ll take your word on the stew, but skip the drink thanks.”

] She pulls a deep bowl off the shelf in back and opens a large kettle of steaming meat, vegetables and spices. As she sets it down in front of you with a spoon, she says “Anything else for you pet?”

Dawndra] “I happened this way thinking I might find a room for a night or two, got any available?”

] “Certainly do. 1 gp a night – and the stew is covered too.”

Dawndra] I reach into my pack and and pull the ‘public’ coin pouch from my pack. It has only about 20gp in it. The rest I keep lashed to my body under my clothing. I give her 5gp. “Here, in case I’m in Luskan longer than expected… and if I’m not, consider it my thanks.”

] “Kind and gracious of ye. I’ll return the favor and give you room on the corner with the new locking door.  Peregrine Vicolia is my name, but folk call me Rigger. Here’s the key to your room – you let me know if you need anything?”

Dawndra] “Maybe you know who I’m looking for. I was told there was a top-rate wilderness guide that lived around here. Goes by Shent. I’m hoping he is available for hire.”

] Rigger “Sure, all of us around Dragon Beach knows Shent. Quiet man… unless he’s in his cups too deep. I’ve not seen ‘im in a tenday or so. If’n he’s around, you can find his ship in the docks around the corner.”

Dawndra] “Thank you – that was easier than I thought it would be. How will I know his ship? It have a name?” I ask Rigger

] “The Mudbuckle” says a cloaked figure at the bar. He smells like he has been sleeping in a sewer nustled up with a colony of rats. He turns his face to you. “He calls it the Mudbuckle.”

] Rigger “You sure Kleyt? I thought it was some Dwarven name or something.”

] Kleyt “Yup… I’m sure Rigger… its the old Mudbuckle. If its in dock, Shent’s probably down below, just go on aboard.” The smelly man downs the remainder of his drink, snaps a coin on the counter and stands from the bar. “Maidens Boons to you ladies”

] Rigger “Next time Kleyt. Stay on your toes out there.”

] Kleyt says in a sullen way “Always do.” and exits The Cutlass

] Rigger “Believe what you will… I recall Shent telling us he named his boat something I could not even say. But maybe I was in my cups that night.”

Dawndra] I finish my stew and tuck the room key into my pack. “My thanks Rigger. That is indeed some fine stew.”

] Rigger “Come on back if you get hungry, I keep it simmering all night. We’ll have some morning meal hot and ready with First Shadow.”

Dawndra] I gather my pack and exit the Inn to go down to the docks to look for Shent.

] As you exit, the small gang of gambling drow all turn their attention to you. “What kind of woman are you?” one of them says in common. “My kind of woman!” yells another with a laugh.

Dawndra] “I’m the kind that can hurt you if you don’t leave me be.”

] There is more laughter… “Ooo” they say. “Don’t hurt us giant girl!” One says mockingly. “You can hurt me, I like it that way.” another says.

Dawndra] I walk away towards the wall of the city. As I turn the corner, I press up against the building to see if they are going to follow me. I set my pack down and ready a fist for the first one to run around the corner.

] You don’t wait long before you hear them coming after you.

Dawndra] As the first one turns the corner (Mugger01), I put my weight behind knuckles and then I take the Patient Defense

] Your fist surprises the young drow as it puts a dent in his chest. There is laughter from the others. “She got you Vinth!” and another  “Now lets gets her!”

] The one they called Vinth (01) pulls a dagger and attacks you. [()] He misses, giving you an opportunity attack

Dawndra] I take it

] “She got you again Vinth!” one says while attempting to circle around you. A drow to your right (02) leaps in with a dagger attack [()] but fails critically, giving you another opportunity attack.

Dawndra] I use a side kick to attempt to punish his failure

] The drow leaps back out of the way of your massive leg.

Dawndra] I position myself closer to the wall of the building so none can get behind me. I consider pulling out my ice pike but decide I don’t need to kill these dumb hooligans. I strike at another (03)

] Your punch catches the thug full in the face, snapping his neck back. He folds backwards to the ground bleeding and groaning

Dawndra] I use flurry on the next closest (04)

] You snap kick and then leap into the air and deliver a spinning roundhouse that catches the drow in the rib cage with a surprising blast of Cold. Everyone hears the cracking of bones just prior to the thug screaming like a baby goat.

Dawndra] “Enough? Or do you still want more pain?”

] The first one, Vinth, decides to make a grab for your pack and run [()] while the other tries again to stab you [()] futily.  Vinth is about 20 feet away after you dodge the short blade.

Dawndra] I pull my hair pin and extend it to full length and attempt to spear Vinth before he can get too far.

] Your ice spear flies through the air and sinks into the back shoulder blade of the running drow, killing him instantly. He and your pack tumble to the ground.

Dawndra] I go to retrieve my pike and pack.

] As you turn and start to run, you give the armed thug an opportunity to try once again to slice you [()] but he looks at Vinth lying on the ground with a spear through his body and thinks better. He runs off the other direction, towards the docks. The other two stumble behind him. You successfully retrieve your things.

Dawndra] I pin my hair back up and then search the body of the fool thug

] You find:

1. a Amethyst worth 100gp
2. A pair of knucklebone dice
3. 10 gp in coin.
4. a necklace of animal teeth
5. Whistle

Dawndra] I pocket the gem and leave the rest. Now… what to do with the body… I look around – do I have any onlookers?

] No one has observed the events as far as you can tell.

Dawndra] “Well… I wish you hadn’t died Vinth… For your sake sure… but especially because I don’t know what to do with your corpse now.” I drag the body over and prop it up against the wall and walk away.

] You depart with the sense that this isn’t the first time this has happened on this street… probably not even the first time this tenday.

Dawndra] I go down to the docks and look for a ship called the Mudbuckle

] At the third pier you see what looks like a fishing vessel in dock with the name Mudbuckle carved into the bow. The ship hardly seems seaworthy but the stench of fish tells you it has been recently out at sea and using the large nets you see hanging to dry on deck.

Dawndra] I call out from the pier “Shent? Shenthrik Spinedelver?”

] You receive no answer.

Dawndra] I climb up on board and lean down inside the hull “Shent?” I call down

[()]

] Suddenly the nets are falling down over you [Dexterity Save]

Dawndra]

] You are trapped under thick wet fishing nets. Five men appear on deck from nowhere and begin to kick you.

Dawndra] I try to rip the nets and free myself. [Athletics Check]

] You fail to free yourself from the net. [()] You take a total of 25 damage from the cloaked men stomping you. You hear one of the men say “Don’t kill her,  the Knout ain’t gonna pay us for her corpse.”

Dawndra] I keep trying to rip at the nets [Athletics Check]

] Another boot heel lands on your head and you fall unconscious.

Dawndra] Great… That will teach me. I feel like I got plenty of warning too. It must have been that Kleyt character… set me up… when I wake, I’m gonna hurt him.

] When you awaken you are still trapped under a thick net but you are down in the hull of the ship. You can feel the ocean waves rocking you and assume you are no longer in dock at Dragon Beach. You can hear a steady wind outside [Constitution Save]

Dawndra]

] You experience moderate sea sickness (Speed is halved and Disadvantage to all Dex saves and skill checks)

] There are two round windows in view – beyond which is only black so you assume it is night.  One of the men who beat you is sitting in a chair a few feet away digging through your pack. You feel for your hidden pouch – it is gone. You suddenly realize your clothes are also gone – they have stripped you naked. Your hair, however, is still held with your ice pike.

Dawndra] I try to formulate a plan. Can I get my ice pike in hand while feigning unconsciousness? Or should I let him know I am awake and feign a panic? I think I will try the sleeping option. I attempt to slowly bend my head forward and reach for my ice pin. [Stealth Check]

] You manage to get your ice pin firmly in hand without alerting the human to your presence.

Dawndra] I aim the needle-point for the heart of the brigand and attempt to extend the Ice Pike to full ten-foot length and stab him.

] Your plan is flawless. The enchanted ice pin extends to a ten foot pike and you shove the needle-tip straight into his chest. He makes only a faint gurgle sound as his head drops forward and arms fall into his lap – his body still seated in the chair.

Dawndra] Now I need a blade of some sort to cut thru these nets. I try to look around for a dagger or a sword or anything I can use.

] The dead man has fishing knife lashed to his right hip. Before you can make any attempt at it, you hear boots on wooden stairs behind you.

Dawndra] I return my ice pin to small and feign unconsciousness again.

] “Dongill. Hey no time for kip… we need you up here… Dongill?” The man steps over your trapped legs and tries to shake the dead man awake. The run of blood from his chest has become obvious. “What the!”

Dawndra] I do the same as before – attack by extending my ice pike

] Your ice pike spears the man in the back killing him instantly. He falls forward on top of Dongill and they both flop to the ground.

Dawndra] Can I reach through the net to the fishing knife?

] You cannot fit your hand through the netting but there is enough slack that you can grab hold of the mans boots and try to pull him toward you [Athletics Check]

Dawndra]

] You manage to pull the body close enough that you can get ahold of the fishing knife. Seconds later you are cutting through the wet rope and minutes later you have cut enough to free yourself.

Dawndra] I look for my robes and my belongings.

] Your robes are in a pile in the corner. On the table you find some of the items removed from your pack but not your valuables. You see an open medium-sized chest on the opposite side. There is a pile of coin pouches inside – yours are right on top of about 7 others. Everything still seems to be there, except for the Amethyst you took off of the drow. The Coin of Tymora and the braclet from Alnetha are in the pouch she gave you and the gold you need to hire Shent and enter the Fray Games is all there.

Dawndra] I empty the chest, moving all of the pouches into my pack. These guys certainly won’t be making use of the wealth. After I restore my clothing and things, I search the bodies of the two dead men.

] You find: 2 pp, a animal tooth, a wedge of cheese, a flask of rotgut, some lacy womens undergarments, and a Amethyst – presumably the one taken from you.

Dawndra] I take back the gem, and the 2pp for my trouble. I’m tempted to shove the panties up his breathless nose… but I don’t want to touch them.

] A large wave rocks the ship and you hear shouts from the deck.

Dawndra] I prepare myself and get my ice pike in hand, about the size of a staff for small quarters fighting. I slowly climb the steps enough to peek out onto the deck.

] You see one human at the wheel of the ship. He is yelling something to someone off to your right.

Dawndra] It suddenly occurs to me… I don’t know much about sailing or navigating in open waters. If I take out all of my captors – I may be lost at sea. I at least need the guy who is manuevering the ship right now. I decide to target the unseen guy. I jump up and charge in the direction I think he is at.

] As you leap out of the hull and onto the deck, you see a second captor working ropes along the port side. He does not notice you but the guy at the wheel does.

Dawndra] I rush the one port-side and attempt to shove him overboard with my ice staff.

] The human is quickly thrown overboard by your shove. You hear a splash and a series of yelps which quickly trail the ship and then fade away.

Dawndra] I go over to the wheelman and point my ice pike in his face. “Turn us around or join your friends.”

] “How did you… you mean they are all…”

Dawndra] “Yes they are all dead. Your only chance at seeing another sun is to return me to Luskan… now!”

] “How do I know you won’t kill me anyway once we get there?”

Dawndra] I push the needle tip of my pike thru his cheek and into his mouth. “That is dumb question. You don’t want to ask another. Now turn us around.” I yank my weapon back and circle the wheelman. I remove any weapons I find and throw them overboard.

] He had a dagger and a fishing knife – both lost to the sea now. As he navigates the ship around you can faintly see lights in the distance.

Dawndra] “Is that Luskan I see?”

] “Yes. That is Luskan.” the man says with blood dripping from his mouth. “With this wind, we will be there soon.”

Dawndra] “It took five of you, at least, to capture me. Where is the fifth?”

] Helmsman “He stayed behind in Dragons Beach.”

Dawndra] “Kleyt was his name? How do I find him?”

] Helmsman “I don’t ever try to to find Kleyt, he’s just always around. I suppose you’ll have the best luck finding him at The Cutlass. You gonna kill him? I mean its okay with me if’n you do. I’ve wanted to me self. More’n once. ”

] The wind calms for a moment and you think you hear repeated banging from below decks.

Dawndra] I threaten the Wheelman again with my pike “What was that? Who else is on board?”

] Helmsman “No one.” He says calmly, without looking your way.

] The banging sound continues.

Dawndra] “That’s not rats in the hull. Who it.”

] Helmsman “Others. Cargo…”

Dawndra] “You mean stolen people? Captives like I was?”

] Helmsman “Yes. Other captives… women…. But not like you.”

Dawndra] “Free them! Now!”

] Helmsman “Can’t. That compartment is locked.”

Dawndra] “Locked? Then where is the key?”

] Helmsman “You just threw it overboard.”

Dawndra] “Arghhh… ” I go back down below and try to find the locked compartment.

] The banging is coming from beneath you towards the bow.

Dawndra] I search for hidden doors [Investigation Check]

] The banging continues and you can hear the sound of fearful crying but you cannot tell how to get to the hidden compartment.

Dawndra] I go back up to the deck to force this Bodak Jaw to tell me where it is.

] As you are climbing the stairs you hear a splash off the Starboard side. When you get to the deck, you see that the Helmsman is gone. He has lashed the wheel with rope and apparently jumped overboard. The ship is still running full speed with wind at its back.

Dawndra] I turn to bow to see how far away Luskan is

] You discover the docks are only seconds away. The ship is about to crash full speed into Dragons Beach.

Dawdra] “Dretch Balls.” I leap overboard

] You splash into the icy cold waters. Moments laters the ship slams into Dragon Beach, destroying the ship, several piers and another boat besides.

Dawndra] I swim to the shore as quickly as I can and search for any survivors.

] You do not find any sign of survivors. Others from the city have also run down to the docks and join you in the search with torches and lanterns but after some time it is apparent – none are saved.

Dawndra] I drag myself back to The Cutlass, hoping my room key is still in the pack on my back.

] You enter the doorless tavern area and find it is dimly lit and empty except for the sound of light snoring from the back of the room and the sound of water drops still falling from your clothing. You cannot quite see, but someone is sleeping in the cot you noticed earlier. As you move towards the back to climb the narrow staircase to the second floor, you notice some of the wood piles around the cot begin to move.

Dawndra] I step closer to see what is causing the movement… perhaps rats?

] You get within 15 feet of the cot and recognize that it is Rigger there sleeping. The scraps of wood all around her suddenly pull together into Golem which stands directly between you and Rigger. You feel threatened and assume you are, indeed, meant to.

Dawndra] “Hey now. No harm intended.” I back away with my empty hands showing. “I’ll just chat with Rigger in the morning.”

] The Golem is silent and does not advance on you. It just stands as sentinel over the owner of The Cutlass. You feel it watching you, eyelessly, as you climb the stairs to the rooms.

Appreciation & Collaboration