Wardens of Heroes Gate

Provisioning the Trek to Frozenfar

] You are in Luskan staying at The Cutlass – a shithole compared to the stories you have heard. The keep and owner, Rigger, seems friendly enough, and sincere in her hopes to restore The Cutlass to a fine establishment. You arrived in Luskan yesterday via portal with the goal of finding a wilderness guide named Shenthrik Spinedelver. Instead you found a fair bit of trouble… brawling in the streets with a small gang of drow thugs and then getting abducted to be sold as a thing to The Knout, whatever they are. You managed to free yourself and force the Helmsman of the ship to return you to the Dragon Beach docks… which he did… violently. He aimed the ship full speed towards the docks and then jumped overboard. The result was tragic given that hidden somewhere inside the hull of the ship were other captives. You did what you could but failed to save any of them.

] You did manage to nab, while recovering your own possessions, seven pouches from the kidnappers chest of stolen wealth. Once the excitement was all over, you inspected the contents and found a total of 240gp worth of coin, gems and jewelry which you will need to get appraised (1500gp total value). You also discovered two rings in the pouches that you suspect may be enchanted but will need to speak to a wizard to verify.

] It is Forecrex and the Soln has been in the sky for a couple of hours. You managed to get a good long rest in after last nights excitement.

Dawndra] I gather my things, hiding most of the coin and gems in a pouch strapped to my body under my clothes. I go downstairs to see if there is any meal available.

] As you walk down the narrow stairs to the main tavern area of The Cutlass, the place is much busier than it was the day before. Most of the room appear to be old-timers, retired from hard living and enjoying telling stories of yesterday. You smell that morning meal is still available. Rigger is behind the bar talking with some of the grey-headed customers.

Dawndra] I go up to Rigger and greet her. “Good waking”

] Rigger “Good waking! So there you are! Didn’t see you come back in last nhyx. There is someone here to see you.” She walks around the bar and leads you over to a table against the wall, near the pile of broken wood you encountered last night.

] Sitting at the table is rough-worn Dwarf dressed in leather and scale armor that has been dyed a deep color blue. Two hand axes rest on the table next to a tall flagon of ale. He has a long reddish-blond beard with a thick braid held together by the skull bone of some small horned animal.

] Rigger “This here is Shent. Shent, this is… you know I never asked your name friend.”

Dawndra] “I am called Dawndra. Well met Shent.”

] Rigger “I will be right back with a bowl of meal for you. You want a flagon of our Solnrise Ale? We’re gonna be famous for it!?”

Dawndra] “Thank you Rigger. Just the meal will do nicely.” I sit down and look to Shent

] Shent “I hear you’ve been looking for me?”

Dawndra] “Yes, I wish to hire your services for a trip to Tentowns.”

] Shent “I just got back from Tentowns. I would’ve been back a little bit sooner except that someone destroyed the docks along Dragon Beach… I had to moor in Whitesails and trek across the city. You wouldn’t know anything about that would you? Early rumors mention someone fitting your description – and I daresay – you are not easily mistaken.”

Dawndra] “I can tell the story. Just know I am not responsible for the wreckage… I nearly died in it. Others, in fact, did die. I tried all I could to save them. The Mudbuckle was hauling captives to be sold. ”

] Shent “Well that is a story… and far too believable. I’d tell you to report it to the city guard if I thought it would do any good… they don’t care to take notice of things happening this side of South Gate. So you want to go to Tentowns eh? How’d you learn my name?”

Dawndra] “My teacher, Guide Riandyl, gave me your name and said I could trust you. Do you remember her?”

] Shent “Riandyl? Really? Of course I remember her… I remember Riandyl quite fondly – often it is I think about her.”

Dawndra] “I am here to follow in her footsteps – at her guidance.”

] Shent “Ahh… so you are going to compete in the Frozenfar Fray then. Well and good. It is still nearly a month out, if I recall. When you do you want to depart?”

Dawndra] “As soon as… I was hoping to hire you for five tendays, maybe six depending.”

] Shent “I prefer the long-term hires actually… and now that Dragon Beach is rubble… I’ve got no where else to be for a while. My normal rate is 15gp a day but for a friend of Riandyl, I can offer a deal.”

Dawndra] “Actually… Guide Riandyl requested that I be extra generous with payment – if I could locate you specifically. She gave me a gem…” I lean in and whisper… “a blue star sapphire… worth a thousand gold for your services.”

] Shent reaches for his beard and holds a chain of colorful stones weaved into it. He seems to get lost in memory for a moment, but then snaps back to you. “Well then, lets make this happen. I will need to re-provision before setting sails for Fireshear. You should provision here in Luskan as well… Since Hundlestone fell, the forges through Icewind Dale are twice the cost and half the quality – unless you go to Ironmaster… which you cannot since they only welcome Dwarves.” He reaches down to a pack at his feet and pulls out a scrap of parchment and a chunk of black col-rock.” I will make you a list of things you will want to purchase here. Do you read common?”

] Dawndra “Yes I do. I am prepared to pay for your provisions too.”

] Shent quiets you “We will talk money elsewhere. Now lets see… you will need some warm clothing, some snow shoes… an Ice Axe…” he continues on, largely talking to himself as he scrawls the items down.

] As Shent continues with the list making, you catch familiar and foul smell and look over. You see Kleyt enter the Cutlass and sit at the bar. Rigger pours him an ale and he sits staring into it between gulps.

Dawndra] I lean in to whisper again to Shent… “One of the men who kidnapped me just walked in. If you will excuse me, I need to have a word with the rank dog.” I stand up to go over to the bar.

] Kleyt happens to turn as you are standing up and recognizes you with a look of surprise and shock. He hurries towards the door and exits to the left.

Dawndra] I step outside to see where he goes.

] In the street in front of The Cutlass are the same drow thugs you fought with yesterday – minus one of course. They also see you and start to scramble away.

Dawndra] “Wait… wait… I need some help from you. Want to make some coin? ”

] Drow thug “How much? What for?”

Dawndra] “20gp. Did you see that human that just rushed out of here and turned down that way? I want you to find out everything you can about him. Where he goes, where he sleeps, who he meets with.” I pull out 1pp and flip it to them. “Meet me here just before Last Shadow with your findings and I’ll pay the rest. I will be extra generous even, if you will be extra thorough.”

] Drow thug “Seems easy enough.” The three of them gather up their copper and the dice and rush down the street way after Kleyt.

Dawndra] I return to Shent.

] Shent “Here is your list. The market is right by the bridge to the north side of Luskan. I will meet you back here at First Shadow tomorrow and we will begin our journey. Oh… it occurred to me to warn you… if you want to actually leave town tomorrow, you probably want to avoid any further trouble. I trust you speak true about your involvement in the Dragon Beach thing… but rumors have their own version of truth and it seems they may already have you in their sights. Keep your head down today… and maybe buy an Iceway Robe with a thick furry hood just to be on the safe side. Any questions?”

Dawndra] “Not right now. I will see you at First Shadow.”

] Shent grabs his pack and holsters the axes on his hips and bids you a good day.

Dawndra] I finish my meal and take the bowl over to the counter. “Rigger. Can I ask you… How well do you know that Kleyt fellow?”

] Rigger “Can’t say I do much at all. He’s in here every day and he’s friendly enough with small talk but I don’t know anything him really… except that smell he carries.”

Dawndra] “You were right, by the way… Shent’s boat is not called the ‘Mudbuckle’. I am fairly certain that Kleyt set me up to be captured and beat and sold into slavery. Thought you might want to know.”

] Rigger “So then… the rumors about the white-haired giant destroying Dragon Beach? That was you?”

Dawndra] “No. I mean… I did not destroy the docks. I was on the ship that did, along with… I don’t know how many other captives. I managed to get free. The others were not so lucky. I’m sure Kleyt is no mastermind, but he is almost certainly guilty trying to sell free folk into slavery.”

] Rigger “Thanks for the knowledge. He is not the most dangerous mug south of the South Gate… still… He may be connected with one of the Ships… you don’t want to find yourself in conflict with any of them.”

Dawndra] I nod… “Understood. I want Kleyt to pay for accosting me… but perhaps you and Shent are correct. I will stay away from more trouble.” I decide to change the topic… “So… Rigger… How long have you run The Cutlass?”

] Rigger “Been.. Oh… a year and some tendays I think. My father had it before that… run it into the ground didn’t he. I thought I could get it restored to its original glory but time has been short and funds even shorter… Still hanging on to the hope though.”

Dawndra] I pull two citrine gems from my pack. “This won’t go far, but maybe you can get a door and a window for the place at least. Or refinish the bar. Or whatever is next on your list.” I hand her the two gems. “Here… no strings.”

] Rigger “That is gracious of you. I was worried I might need to close the door that ain’t there… seeing how a lot of my business comes from the docks and who knows how long its gonna take to rebuild. But why would you…”

Dawndra] “It’s but a small gift to name of the The Cutlass…  use it as you wish.” I greet Rigger a good day and make my way towards South Gate.

] There are four guard holding South Gate. Two of them are inspecting a small caravan of merchants trying to enter the city. Behind the caravan there are several others waiting to be allowed entrance.

Dawndra] I decide to go find a nice spot along the river for my practice but leaving the city seems troublesome. I follow north along the inside of the city wall until I reach the river.

] Along your way you pass the Winter Palace – the temple to Auril. It is a grand complex adorned with soaring white spires. Glancing inside as you pass, you see an open court filled with white stone pillars and arches. Just beyond that are the town stables. You notice maybe two-dozen stalls with horses. There are several stable hands hard at work here.  A bridge crosses the river where the city wall meets it. On the other side is the North Gate. There are upper-class homes lining the river front. You find a nice spot for your practice under the North Gate bridge. The river is moving slowly and the air has hints of coming winter.

Dawndra] I begin my flow-form practice. I settle into open stance and center my body and weight. Arms raise with my in-breath and sink with my exhale. Opening, clearing, lifting. I go through the forms which draw energy from earth and sky. I practice for about an hour in total.

] You are mostly secluded but a few passers-by notice you and wonder what it is you are doing – but none approach or comment. You feel refreshed as Ki is generated within (Heavens Orbit +2 Ki)

Dawndra] I make my way back to the Luskan Market. Perhaps I might also find a loremaster or wizard who will confirm the items I sspect as enchanted.

] The market is far busier than the day before and several new merchants carts fill the area. The crowd of consumers is varied. Many appear to be townsfolk in common garb, but you notice there are also many adventurer types in the market – dressed in full armor and weaponry. The busiest merchant appears to be selling arms from the Dwarven Ironmaster forge – as marketed by the canvas sign overhead with a red anvil over a diamond. There are several merchants specifically targeting clientele heading into the frozen north – showshoes, ice picks, large fur-lined cloaks and robes.

Dawndra] I start buying a large pack to carry the new provisions and then begin fulfiling the list given to me by Shent.

] You are able to find, fairly quickly, most of the items on the list. The choice of an ice pick seems tricky – there are many styles to choose from. They need to be strong enough to hold your weight – and thereby save your life. One in particular catches your eye from a stall run by large greying human dressed in furs. It appears to be of a solid metal forge .

Dawndra] I pick up the ice pick to get a feel for its weight and strength.

] As you are inspecting the ice pick, it is suddenly snatched out of your hands

] Half-Orc “And I need this!” she says as she yanks it from your grasp. You see a muscular Half-Orc, nearly the same height as you, wearing only minimal coverings of leather. Her green skin has been painted with dark blood-red stripes. She swaggers through the crowd, shoving and pushing others aside like they were nothing. Thereare two kobolds dressed in green draping canvas robes following her around. “Yazga wants.” one of them says to the merchant and then gives him coin for the ice pick she took our of your hand and then runs to catch up with her.

Dawndra] “I am glad that not all Half-Orcs are so rude…” I say to no one in particular. Then I ask the merchant if he has another ice pick like that one.

] Merchant “I can do even better. That was designed for a human.” He digs under his cart and pulls out another ice pike, larger and thicker than the first. “This is more the strength you will need given your… well.. Size. Finest craftmanship this side of Mithral Hall. Guaranteed.”

Dawndra]  “Well if it does fail… it is unlikely I will be able to ask for my money back.” I say with a smile. I purchase the ice pick and move on to fill the rest of the list.

] As you are just finishing up at merchant cart, the crowd behind you suddenly panics. Many of them, the commoners mostly, clear out of the market area entirely as a fight breaks. You see the hot-headed Half-Orc with red body paint leap into the air and slash with some sort of tri-bladed gauntlet weapon. Her target – another Half-Orc.

] Yazga “Axe! Pax!” She screams – not hiding her irritation. “Git over here!”

] The two Kobolds dressed in green canvas scurry into view. One of them hurls an axe which looks to be made of light, at the Half-Orc woman. It vanishes into her in full armor and her face shows the pain of it. She strikes back, swinging a longblade deftly against the painted Half-Orc, but the attack seemed to have been muted by a shimmering shield generated by the Kobold named Pax. The arena formed by onlookers begins to thicken and you notice several people who appear to be taking bets – one of which is dressed in a guard uniform.

Dawndra] I’m tempted to put a stop to this somehow but Shent’s warning about further trouble echoes in my thoughts. I pull my cloak hood tighter around my face and step further back behind the crowd.

] The battle contines on. A few others have joined the armored Half-Orc, defending her against the red Half-Orc dressed for warm weather. A female Dwarf dressed in natural leathers draws a bow against the screaming mad woman. A creature with horns like a goat and wearing shiny plate casts a healing spell and blue ethereal light swarms around the swordswoman. A halfling in a fancy hat with a book nearly as big as his torso strapped to his back steps in and hurls magical bolts through the air – striking the red Half-Orc square. When yet another friend of the swordswoman steps in, the once again begin screeching the names of the Kobolds… “Axe! Pax!”. If she had her wits she would concede but she does anything but back down. She launches a fresh round of attacks – her metal claws ripping the plate armor of her opponent like it was soft cheese.

Dawndra] I keep an eye on the halfling with the book strapped to his back… he may just be the wizard I was looking for to help me identify these items… if he survives this street skuffle that is…

] The battle does not last much longer. There is another trade-off of blades and fair amount of flying blood but soon the armored Half-Orc falls, her long blade clattering to the pavestones. Yazga, with blood smearing the red paint covering her exposed body stands over her, laughing like a maniac. The crowd reacts with both cheers and disappointment and you watch as money changes hands again. The horned fellow must be some kind of priest because he rivies and heals the fallen Half-Orc. The rest of her friends help her away from the scene of her defeat. Yazga and her companion Kobolds disappear into the re-forming marketplace crowd.

Dawndra] I approach the loser of the match. “Bravely fought.” I say to her.

] Half-Orc “Do you wish to mock me?”

Dawndra] “No. Far from it. I wish to encourage you. You were outmatched this time but your skill with a blade is obvious. Your opponent was fierce and frenzied – it is difficult to practice against that… but if the battle were purely marital skill, you would have taken her down.”

] The Half-Orc flares her own temper at you “And you are some expert in such things?”

Dawndra] “I have taught many in our monastery – my own skill needs more practice as well… however. Like I said… I just wanted to encourage you. My name is Dawndra.” I pull back my hood and extend my arm in greeting.

] Mara “Mara Hornraven is my name. Well met, I suppose.”

] The horned priest speaks up “I am called Penko. I sense your encouragement is truthful Dawndra, but also… you have another motive in approaching us. Is this true?”

Dawndra] “Your insight is trained Penko. I did hope to consult with a loremaster and well… I saw your friend here with the big books shoot bolts of light from his fingers.” I look toward the halfling. “I can pay. In fact, if you have the time, I would like to buy you all drinks.”

] “She thinks she can buy us with drinks?” Says a human male dressed in blackened leathers.

] “She can buy me with drinks!” says the halfling. “Exactly what do you wish to consult about my giant friend?”

Dawndra] “I have been… gifted… a few items of enchantment and well… I am slow to trust such things. I am also slow to trust wizards with the power of governing in their pockets as well… and you seemed… well… you seemed like someone I might trust.”

] Halfling “I am Hoynritt Fiddlewright and I am thirsty. How about you Sentane?” He says to the human in black. He looks to Mara “You could use a short rest and a tall ale, couldn’t you Mara? One-Eyed Jax is just across the bridge.”

] The halflings party all agrees and you walk with them to the North Bank to a tavern and inn called One-Eyed Jax. Entering the front door, you see a fairly crowded alehouse room. The interior is clean and comfortable. You notice, however, that many of the patrons are drow and the rest seem to be either soldiers or sailors.

] Hoynritt “Here’s an open table right by the window. Vari – order us a full round will you?” He says to the Dwarven archer.

Dawndra] I give Vari 10gp from my public coin pouch. “This should buy a few rounds.”

] Hoynritt “Now Dawndra, about these items… You should know that loremastering is not my primary calling… but I can identify if they are enchanted, what the enchantment does, and confirm whether or not you risk a life-long curse by using them.

Dawndra] “Perfect. What will you charge me?”

] Hoynritt “You have already paid in full. Lucky for you I am already equipped with the components needed for the spell… that part can be… expensive… but not a worry today.”

Dawndra] I place one of the rings on the table for Hoynritt to identify. “Here is the first one.”

] The halfling cups the ring and, trying to be discreet, casts a brief spell over it. Moments later he sets it back on the table. “This is a Ring of Evasion. Very handy in fight. It has seen many years and has had many owners – the most recent of which a child who only used it as a plaything. It was forged far from here, in the Deepwing Mountains. I see no threat in its use.”

Dawndra] “Thank you. Here is the second item.” I place the other ring on the table.

] Hoynritt picks up the ring and casts Identify. He hands it back to you and lowers his voice… “This is a Ring of Shooting Stars. It is extremely valuable. Elven made – and not in our world. This ring was crafted in Arvandor for the someone in immediate service of Araleth Letheranil. It is one of 20 such rings created in The House of Glowing Stars. It most powerful capabilities are only going to word for those with elven blood. Count yourself lucky Dawndra, that you can actually trust us as you suspected… a dozen adventurers could retire wealthy with such an item.” He gives it back to you.

Dawndra] I place this ring directly onto one of my fingers and pull out the bracelet given to me by the merchant woman Alnetha.

] Hoynritt once again casts Identify. “This has a Protection enchantment upon it.  It was crafted right here in Luskan – not quite a hundred years. It was passed from father to son and then spent may years unused but cherished. It is not overly valuable on the market but it has aborbed many memories.”

Dawndra] “Then the gifter was telling me the truth. She said it was a keepsake of sorts, that her son… Trestino, had worn it and was killed long time ago. She only wanted me to keep his memory alive.”

] Hoynritt “These kinds of enchantments are sometimes unique. Not only does it have the magic it was crafted with… but it carries something else… memories. I don’t think it is dangerous or cursed – I do not sense hateful or spiteful memories in it. Sometimes those can be as bad as a curse.”

Dawndra] I put the bracelet around my wrist then I pull out two Chalcedony gems. “Here – for your services.”

] Hoynritt “Why thank you. As I said, you need not pay any more than a round of drinks… but I am not one to ever reject gratuities. Kind appreciations Dawndra.”

] Mara “So… What is a Monk doing in Luskan? If you don’t mind me saying… you seem out of place here.”

Dawndra] “I am out of place just about everywhere. My monastery is far to the South – in the outskirts of Amn.” I stop and consider I might not want to reveal too much given the fact that we all just learned I am carrying extreme wealth. “My teacher thought I might learned something about my own history here in the North. I am not, as you well-notice, a common sort of creature. I know nothing of my past, who my people are, or if I even have any people. So I am traveling along the Frozen North in search of myself really. It looks like you were provisioning for adventure yourselves?”

] Vari “We journey east from here – up the Mirar and into the Crags. Ever hear of the lost kingdom of Grimmantle?”

Dawndra] “I have not, but then I know very little of this region.”

] Hoynritt “It’s a fascinating story… hundreds of years old. Lord Gonfrey – the Thief-King – was slain a thousand years ago but there are tales that say he yet lives, and that he has been seized by a dragons obsession with treasure.”

Dawndra] “An undead theif-king? Sounds scary. I hope your adventure pays off a thousand-fold.”

] Penko “Even should we fail to bring home spoils… we shall be well-rewarded just for identifying the location of Grimmantle.”

Dawndra] “I wish you the best of fortunes.”

] After a few more rounds and some small talk, you part company with the adventuring party. There are still a few hours before Last Shadow.

Dawndra] I head back to the Cutlass and my room. I spent a couple of hours meditating with the bracelet and the ring of shooting stars. I consider maybe gifting the ring of evasion to Shent – if he wants it.

] As you meditate on the ring, you find you can easily cast Light on any object. You sense the more powerful spells but the feel beyond your reach. The Bracelet has magically increased your Armor Class (+1) and all Saving Throws (+1). You begin to smell Riggers stew and realize Last Shadow approaches.

Dawndra] I go downstairs and look outside for the drow street rats.

] You find them throwing dice out in front, just as before.

Dawndra] “Any luck today boys?”

] Muagnet “We followed him like you asked.”

] Alanath “Except for down into the sewers , under Rat Alley.”

] Muagnet “But we waited and watched for him to come back out.”

] Rilynath “He would have caught us if we went down there… him or something else.”

Dawndra] Sewers under Rat Alley… why is that no surprise at all… “Anything else?”

] Muagnet “He travels. The Crimson Road.”

] Rilynath “We watched him buy, from a Suljack, then he went down into the sewers. He came back up with eyes blazin – no mistaking it.”

Dawndra] “I’m still not understanding… he bought a road?”

] Alanath “He’s an addict. Travelers Dust is a drug – a very powerful one. Its also a death sentence. No one ever survives their addiction – the only question is how long they might Walk the Crimson Road. Some walk it for years, others die right with the first step.”

Dawndra] “I remember his eyes were oddly red. This is a sign of drug addiction?”

] Alanath “Dead-give away. No one cares in Dragons Beach, but if he were to wander into North Bank they would throw him in a hole before you could say Vith Iblith.”

Dawndra] “You mentioned Suljack – that is one of the Ships governing Luskan right? Do you think he is connected? Like a member? Or just a customer?”

Muagnet] “Can’t say for certain. Seems unlikely he’s actually in a Ship but who knows… They need eyes and ears in the lowest of places so maybe.”

Dawndra] “It seems I’d best stay clear of this fellow regardless. He is stealing people and selling them into slavery – tried stealing me… but I have no authority here in Luskan.” I pull out 20gp and hand it to them. “Thank you for the help. And… I’m sorry our little skuffle yesterday was so… final… for your friend. I regret my reaction.”

] Alanath “We understand I think. Besides… You could have killed us all and didn’t. Culasar chose a quick grab over us anyway.”

] Muagnet “Yeah, I wouldn’t have called him a ‘friend’… who cheats their friends at every turn?”

Dawndra] “Still… the contents of my pack were hardly worth killing over. If I could repeat the encounter, I would have let him have it. Thank you again for your help with this… Traveler. It sounds like he is going to soon suffer without my interference.”

] They go back to their game with the 20gp in the pot. The rest of the evening is uneventful and in the morning Shent arrives as promised. His ship, the Kirn Kuldihr, is moored at one of the few piers still remaining in Dragons Beach. By the time of first light, Luskan is already fading from sight.