Sar 21st Nymm, 998 Y.K.
11.30 a.m.
Having finally reached Solport the Crimson Fist make straight for the local inn, 'The Blue Lobster'. There Lorric, in deference to the fact the group now has three extra members, orders 17 beers. As they drink the group inquire about the island and are warned by the innkeeper that people who have gone into the local forest to travel to the other village on the island have not been returning. Lorric naturally takes this as a challenge.
Captain Nosechewer joins them and informs them that repairs will be difficult because the locals can't get timber from the forest. This confirms the Crimson Fist in their determination to investigate the problem.
Deciding to scout first Kapek takes Hurricane, his faithful Glidewing, with Lorric along as an observer and begins to circle the island. They have travelled around a quarter of the way around the edge of the island when they spot a ship wrecked on one of the beaches. Leading up from the beach they notice paths chewed through the woods. Following the trail of devastation inland they find the other village, Selford, completely destroyed.
Searching the immediate area they come across the source of all this destruction a huge multi-headed monster, that has left a trail of slime wherever it has gone. Kapek decides to head back to inform the others.
After briefing the other members Mirra identifies the creature as a Gulguthhydra. Lorric and Kapek take to the air again and the others set off on foot to deal with the creature.
Kapek and Lorric streak ahead on Hurricane and soon spot the creature. Kapek swings in close to the creature to let Lorric have a crack at it with his sling and then when it persues them to draw them to the rest of the Crimson Fist. Somewhat to their surprise though, the creature flees towards the sea. Kapek takes Hurricane in closer for a better shot but at fifty feet out they gag on the creature's vile stench. Hurricane vomits up half-digested fish in distress and Kapek is forced to quickly pull him up and away from the creature.
Seeing the creature continuing to the sea Kapek takes up position a safe distance away and he and Lorric open fire. The creature is unable to defend itself against these flying foes and they whittle it down until it is slain.
*Ajax comments
Selfish Gits!
*Ajax comments
Selfish Gits!
After a fruitless search for survivors in Selford the Crimson Fist head to the shipwreck. The ship is easily identified as 'The Siren's Teat' a notorious pirate vessel.
The lingering stench of Golguthhydra hangs around the ship. The crew appear to have been eaten by the creature, which appears to have been kept in the ships hold. Though down in the hold there appears to have only been ropes to secure any captives. Kapek and Ajax study the signs intently, eventually coming to the conclusion a prisoner was held in the hold who then transformed into the Gulguthhydra and slaughtered the crew.
They then, of course, loot the place! Among the money and magic items they also find maps, a small wooden coffer containing three vials of red liquid and the water damaged Captains Log.
They return to Solport and report to the Mayor. He is clearly terrified to learn 'The Siren's Teat' is beached on his island and with a little persuasion admits to paying the pirates protection money. He is also makes mention of 'The Monks of the Dire Hunger' who share the pirates secret island. A group who believe they must eat their own kind in order to advance and purchase victims from the pirates.
The Mayor takes the news of Selford with a heavy heart he asks the group to search the sea caves where survivors may have fled. The group agrees to head out tomorrow and do just that.
Captain Nose-Crusher has heard of 'The Siren's Teat' (indeed has been attacked by it) and is very interested in salvaging it. He also identifies the maps as being the charts that show the location of Scuttlecove, including the secret route through the reefs to it. The ching of gold is distinctly heard as everyone realizes how much this would be worth to the Brellish navy.
Sul 22nd Nymm, 998 Y.K.
8.30 a.m.
The next morning the Crimson Fist set out with two sailors in tow. The sailors look over 'The Sirens Teat' and confirm its only lightly damaged. They then head on to the sea caves where they find four terrified villagers who they escort back to Solport.
Mirra eventually manages to decipher the last couple of entries in the log of 'The Sirens Teat'. There is reference that it is delivering a special package from an unknown alchemist to the matron of Porphyry house, in return for a 'week of freebies'. (Which convinces the group that Porphyry house is a high-class brothel).
The last entry tells of the Captain finding a beautiful stowaway, who he notes is vaguely familiar. Maybe he knew her from Porphyry house? The group conclude it must have been this captive tied up in the hold. But how she became a Golguthhydra remains a mystery.
9.30 p.m.
Later that evening, once the setting sun is low on the horizon and the eastern side of the island is in full shade, Kapek is on watch and notices a shoal of around twenty Sahuagin coming in to Solport harbour. The Crimson Fist ready their weapons but are aware the Mayor has contact with them so don't attack. The Mayor marches down to the water-line to greet the visitors. The lead Sahuagin, a bright yellow priestess, demands to talk with one of the new-comers and Kapek heads over to talk to them.
She turns out to be from the 'Boiling Chasm' tribe a rival clan to the one who attacked them earlier, who she identifies as 'The Cult of the Forgotten Tide'. This cult, she claims, are a breakaway sect of her own tribe, the Priestess claims to have heard voices from the depths that led her to retrieve the 'Sceptre of the Dolurrh Trench', an artefact with the power to kill and animate with it's ghostly blue light. The heretic Priestess claims that she speaks directly with Holashner and does his bidding. Which explains the answer the Sahuagin gave under the 'Speak with Dead' spell.
*Ajax comments
Again knowing such powerful entities are talking an interest in them is worrrying. Though very satisfying to the ego.
*Ajax comments
Again knowing such powerful entities are talking an interest in them is worrrying. Though very satisfying to the ego.
She quizzes Kapek on the attack and the events at Bluescar lighthouse. In return she offers advice on how the Ectha can be recognized.
