Sequence 2 : Traveling to South Rim
Tika, her monks, Thorgrim and Leon exit the portal into a square stone room. Two Vesfold guards, taken aback at first, quickly regain their composure. They guide the adventurers to the first floor where they meet with Gordanz, the castle head stewart.
« I've been told you are negotiators for merchants of Blackmoor and ordered to help you reach the Great Muddy River quickly. I’ve readied horses for you. Take the main road to reach the port. A caravel bearing the flag of Vesfold is waiting for you. My friend Captain Brenor will bring you to the delta were the Lake of the Mist and the Great Muddy river meet. You will receive further instructions from a local guide named Braden. »
The adventurers take their leave of the stewart taking him for making their journey easier. They ride to the port and board the caravel. Captain Brenor greets them politely but seems preoccupied. He tells his passengers the journey usually takes two days. The mist on the lake is very thick this time of year. They will have to navigate at half speed and use the horn to avoid collisions with other ships. They should reach the delta in three days at best. Resigned to the fact they can’t do anything about that, the adventurers make the best of their three days on board. At first Leon is sea sick but he quickly recovers after praying to Henrin for strength against this humiliating sickness. The caravel arrives at the delta at dusk of the third day. The following morning a large swamp barge arrives at the delta. Using colored flags the captain of the barge signals the caravel. After a moment the captain is satisfied it is Braden and tells his passengers their transportation has arrived. Using a launch the adventurers sail to the barge waving good bye to the caravel and her crew.
« Welcome a board » says Braden. With a large grin he continues « this is my first mate Svir. » Svir salutes them with a series of exaggerated flourishes. «Welcome aboard our spacious vessel. Please put your belongings in the middle of the boat under the small roof. We should reach South Rim in about one week. »
Thorgrim decided he likes the man. He seems franc and has a good sense of humor. Soon Thorgrim learns Braden is a fisherman that also uses his boat to transport goods to and from Vestfold caravel that dome to the delta every month. Fisherman live in small communities of floating houses in the bayou along the Big Muddy River. The barge sails slowly on the river. Svir, at the front of the ship, uses a twenty foot pole to steer the front of the boat while Braden controls the rudder with his left foot and also handles a wooden pole with his arms. Tika is a bit alarmed by this at first but soon discovers the smooth and calm lazy sailing on the swamp has meditative properties. The three monks adopt a lotus position and meditate. Thorgrim and Leon keep watch on the river banks and waters adjacent to the boat.
After an hour of sailing the ship is suddenly under attack. A rain of arrows falls from the sky on the starboard side. Tika almost takes an arrow to the shoulder but catches the missile and throws it back to her assailant and hits. The two monk acolytes are not so lucky and take an arrow in the shoulder and chest. Svir and Braden hit the deck. Throgrim take his bow and shoots. Leon casts spell and makes one of the enemies easier to hit. The adventurers prevail after two rounds of combat. All the archers are dead except their leader who flees from the scene on a horse after shooting two arrows into Leon’s left shoulder. Braden is alarmed by this attack. He has never seen men dressed like that in the region. This part of the river is usually very tranquil. After hearing this the adventurers double their vigilance. No more meditation.
The water troll fight
At mid-day the barge reaches a portion of the river covered almost entirely in reeds. Braden takes his sword out. Svir prefers the short sword. « This region of the river is infested by seaweed pygmees. Living plants who crave human flesh. Prepare yourselves! » The adventurers start scanning the waters weapon in hand. Soon enough the seaweed pygmees launch an attack against the barge. The creatures assault the boat from one side only. The inexperienced adventurers rush to attack and almost capsize the boat because of their weight. Luckily no one falls over board since Braden and Svir rushed to the other side of the boat to help shift the balance. Taking turns the adventurers shift sides and attack the seaweed creatures. Soon seven of the ten creatures have been dispatched. But the activity has attracted the attention of far more dangerous creatures.. two water trolls emerge from the river and attack the boat from both sides ! They launch ferocious claw and bite attacks against the adventurers. Svir and Braden are stricken with fear and cannot move. Mikaella and Kellyann, the two acolyte monks with Tika, are almost killed during the fight. They have to retreat in the center of the boat. Pushed to their limits the adventurers tap into a desperate reservoir of energy and fight heroically until the two creatures are in pieces and can’t regenerate anymore.
« Something is very wrong. We have never seen water trolls East of South Rim! First strange men attack us, now water trolls… » says Braden. Looking at the adventurers one by one Braden seems to be making his mind about something. In a low controlled voice he says « I’m an agent of the Fetch. After seeing you fight its obvious you are not negotiators looking for contracts. Did the Fetch send you to find the Baroness? »
- End of session one -
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