Arc of Zimra, Day 17 LA 99
Just as the Heroes entered Baden’s Bluff under the cover of night, they depart the Shadow-haunted city. Led through the dark alleys and sewers of Baden’s Bluff by the insurgents Murdoch Baden and Ensin and the Fell-Whore Jodya, the Heroes finally find themselves on the Worm Docks once again. Two small skiffs are drawn up near the net-covered wharves, the stink of rotten fish heavy in the warm air. Murdoch crouches in the darkness, his voice low. Those of the insurgency must stay behind to see how deep the dealings of the traitor Ibor go. Brunhild and Rowan are now both reluctant to leave the Bluff, worrying too much that their own grip on their resistance cells may become corrupted. Murdoch spits. We spend to much time worrying about our own arses than fully committing to the war against Shadow.
Ensin speaks softly in the warm night air. Word has reached us not more than a few hours ago that Ibor was spotted in Elswier, a black smudge on Erenland. Elswier is located down river of the River El and its stink from oxen and pig butchering and tanning reeks for miles around. It makes sense Ibor would head there: Very few orc patrols. Still, I’ve been to that hole. It is a den of cutthroats and Shadow spies. Tread carefully. Make for the Erelander tanner, Ellard, but do not call attention to yourselves. Or Ellard. Ellard is our contact in Elswier and may have information for you.
Murdoch stands. You must be off swiftly before the sun rises. Follow the rocky shoreline eastward until you reach the River El. Follow the river upstream. You should reach Elswier in a few hours. The sails on the skiffs are painted black and may turn unwanted eyes. Murdoch and Ensin clasp the hands and forearms of each of the Heroes. Travel safe. May your quest be fulfilled. And return to us someday so that we may draw swords against the Shadow once again. Jodya steps forward, her face in anguish, her eyes wistfully drifting over Herger and Starhl. Aye, Northmen. Return to the Bluff and may it be a better time than it is now.
Climbing into the skiffs, the Heroes depart. The insurgents do not wait on the Worm Docks but drift into the shadows and disappear.
The eyes of Valurel are a boon in the night, the Snow Elf in front of the leading skiff. Skirting shallows and hidden rocks, the skiffs quickly turn out of sight of Baden’s Bluff before turning south and heading upstream of the River El. The light slowly breaks through gray clouds, revealing a wide river valley that is reedy marshland near the river with low surrounding hills covered in emerald green beech and oak. Silent stone ruins stand amongst the trees, hiding like some shameful memory of a better time. Where the trees break, green swards stretch wide with long, succulent grasses. These pasturelands are dotted with stones, sheep, and goats. At times, bearded, ragged looking men walk among their livestock, eyeing the traveling Heroes with suspicion and malice.
By midmorning, Elsweir swings into view. Dilapidated mills with blackened waterwheels slowly creek and moan. Homes are nothing more than a ramshackle collection of stone and mortar hovels, many fallen into disrepair. Greasy mud covers the streets and walkways. The small town itself emits a horrible smell; above, crows cry in anticipation for the offal disposed by the butchers outside of town. Turning the skiffs to shore, the Heroes prepare to disembark…
OOC: I will rule at this point nobody sees the Heroes in case the party wishes to land the skiffs outside of the view of town. Also, I assume everyone has any weapons hidden.
Just as the Heroes entered Baden’s Bluff under the cover of night, they depart the Shadow-haunted city. Led through the dark alleys and sewers of Baden’s Bluff by the insurgents Murdoch Baden and Ensin and the Fell-Whore Jodya, the Heroes finally find themselves on the Worm Docks once again. Two small skiffs are drawn up near the net-covered wharves, the stink of rotten fish heavy in the warm air. Murdoch crouches in the darkness, his voice low. Those of the insurgency must stay behind to see how deep the dealings of the traitor Ibor go. Brunhild and Rowan are now both reluctant to leave the Bluff, worrying too much that their own grip on their resistance cells may become corrupted. Murdoch spits. We spend to much time worrying about our own arses than fully committing to the war against Shadow.
Ensin speaks softly in the warm night air. Word has reached us not more than a few hours ago that Ibor was spotted in Elswier, a black smudge on Erenland. Elswier is located down river of the River El and its stink from oxen and pig butchering and tanning reeks for miles around. It makes sense Ibor would head there: Very few orc patrols. Still, I’ve been to that hole. It is a den of cutthroats and Shadow spies. Tread carefully. Make for the Erelander tanner, Ellard, but do not call attention to yourselves. Or Ellard. Ellard is our contact in Elswier and may have information for you.
Murdoch stands. You must be off swiftly before the sun rises. Follow the rocky shoreline eastward until you reach the River El. Follow the river upstream. You should reach Elswier in a few hours. The sails on the skiffs are painted black and may turn unwanted eyes. Murdoch and Ensin clasp the hands and forearms of each of the Heroes. Travel safe. May your quest be fulfilled. And return to us someday so that we may draw swords against the Shadow once again. Jodya steps forward, her face in anguish, her eyes wistfully drifting over Herger and Starhl. Aye, Northmen. Return to the Bluff and may it be a better time than it is now.
Climbing into the skiffs, the Heroes depart. The insurgents do not wait on the Worm Docks but drift into the shadows and disappear.
The eyes of Valurel are a boon in the night, the Snow Elf in front of the leading skiff. Skirting shallows and hidden rocks, the skiffs quickly turn out of sight of Baden’s Bluff before turning south and heading upstream of the River El. The light slowly breaks through gray clouds, revealing a wide river valley that is reedy marshland near the river with low surrounding hills covered in emerald green beech and oak. Silent stone ruins stand amongst the trees, hiding like some shameful memory of a better time. Where the trees break, green swards stretch wide with long, succulent grasses. These pasturelands are dotted with stones, sheep, and goats. At times, bearded, ragged looking men walk among their livestock, eyeing the traveling Heroes with suspicion and malice.
By midmorning, Elsweir swings into view. Dilapidated mills with blackened waterwheels slowly creek and moan. Homes are nothing more than a ramshackle collection of stone and mortar hovels, many fallen into disrepair. Greasy mud covers the streets and walkways. The small town itself emits a horrible smell; above, crows cry in anticipation for the offal disposed by the butchers outside of town. Turning the skiffs to shore, the Heroes prepare to disembark…
OOC: I will rule at this point nobody sees the Heroes in case the party wishes to land the skiffs outside of the view of town. Also, I assume everyone has any weapons hidden.