Of Crabs & Fen
The group was startled one more time in the fading light of the day as a large swarm of bats drops out of the ceiling. There was nothing particularly special about them, just normal sized regular bats. Their roost was high out in the middle of the cavern so they weren’t near nor disturbed the party and made next to no sound.
The cloud of creatures streamed out of the opening high in the opposite wall and dispersed into the coming night. Fen watched with interest while the rest of the companions simply kept a wary eye on them until it was obvious they were gone. With that, the day concluded and the cavern went almost entirely black save the party’s small campfire.
Over their meal they divided up as much of the loot as possible, so as not to slow anyone down too much.
All told, the take from the discovered treasure trove included:
250 gold, 500 silver, and almost 700 copper coins. Most were the common minted Freelands’ currency but some Grinlian and R’Hathi coins were mixed in.
There were also several pieces of jewelry in various metals and semi-precious stones totaling 1,500 gold pieces in value. Alaria took a particularly fine silver necklace set with five amethysts and a pair of matching earrings. Trihna politely declined any of the jewelry but said she’d be happy to receive some as a donation to the temple upon their return to Shoal.
A variety of gems, mostly sapphires and emeralds, none more than 50 or 60 gold in value but totaling 2,000 gold in value, some cut some raw. A palm-sized diamond that Duor supposed to be around 500 gold by itself was almost overlooked.
Haelan made sure to retrieve it from the dwarf when he seemed to be stashing it on his person…”For safe keeping!” the dwarf defended but still returned the gem to the pot.
Other items included a gold plated chalice set with jet and amber, some silver flatware and 3 goblets intricately inlaid with bands of copper, silver and brass. While not worth more than about 5 silver a piece, the goblets were particularly well-crafted, delicate and beautiful to behold. Erevan confirmed for all that they were obviously of elvin make. “So maybe we’ll get 10 silver for them then.” added Duor with a smile.
Duor managed, rather easily, to unlock the small brass-banded coffer to find the box lined and padded in vibrant blue velvet. Set within the lush material were three vials: one cut crystal or glass, one a silvery metal (yet not silver) embossed with ivy vines, and the third appeared to be a rose quartz vial with a shining silver stopper shaped like a teardrop. Duor identified the vine flask as "electrum."
Alaria and Trihna had been scanning the mound for magical auras immediately noticed the mystic glow emanating from the chest.
“Potions.” said Alaria, Haelan and Braddok in unison. “These will require closer examination.” Alaria added.
Otherwise, Alaria’s magical detection noted that the small shield was mildly enchanted. It was little more than a buckler, really. “Well made. Must be dwarvish work.” remarked Duor. Since it was much too small to be useful to Braddok or Coerraine, the group was happy to let Haelan have it to replace his somewhat beat up wooden shield.
Also, in the cache of jewelry, there was a ring of steel set with a triangular piece of hematite. Alaria grabbed it out of Duor’s hand as he intended to put it on.
“Fastest way to see what it can do.” Duor defended himself. His attempt to mimic some of Haelan’s natural innocence failed miserably.
“Fastest way to be ensnared in an irreversible curse,” Alaria countered. “Until I’ve had time to properly assess its sorcery, the ring…and potions…are off limits.”
Duor exhaled, disappointed.
When everyone had taken what part of their share they could easily carry, it was decided that Erevan would use his magic disc the following morning to return the rest to the ledge to be retrieved in the future. The coffer of potions was added to Coerraine’s pack for safe keeping until Alaria would have time to properly identify them.
A watch was established and the group settled into their evening. Over their meal, Fen was the topic of conversation. Braddok in particular was eager to hear this half-elf’s story.
“Tell us, ‘Fen’, how you came to Dragonbone Isle. You said you were sent?” Braddok began.
“Yeh, you obviously weren’t born here,” added Duor. “How long have you been here?”
“Indeed,” chimed in the normally quiet Redstar Knight. “What of these goblin pirates you claim to have witnessed? What were their numbers? Are they currently on the island?” Coerraine did not like the coincidence of hearing about a force of goblins popping up twice in three days.
Haelan, thrilled at the prospect of learning about the newcomer, piped up. “Oh yes, Fen. Tell us about the druids. Mother Sarran knew a druid back home. He would come by every so often and visit. They said he could command the weather and speak to the animals. I know some of the elder Hilltenders could do that too. But you do not worship Faerantha, do you Fen? Mother Sarran said the druids were ‘the Ancient Order’ but still friends to the Hill Mother and the daelvar. Is that how you could talk to the giant birds? Could you teach me that? I’m sure you must have some wonderful stories. Have you ever talked to a mule before? We have…”
“Haelan.” Alaria interjected, “Let the man speak,” the R’Hathi wizard was also curious about the druidic tradition and knew a little of their mystic secretive order. But more importantly, she believed he had information about the island that could help them. Alaria did not share some of her companions’ apparent mistrust.
Fen chuckled at the halfling priest’s barrage and ran a hand through his fine orange-red hair. He cleared his throat and began his tale.
“To answer your question, master dwarf, no. I was not born here. Though not so far away, which was part of why I was assigned to come here.
“I hail from the Laklans where I had a pleasant enough childhood. My mother was of your people, kiili <elvin: a common elf term of familiarity; roughly “cousin”>” Fen gave a nod to Erevan. The elf nodded a polite acknowledgment. Fen continued.
“My father was a woodsman in the forests near Lake Entent from the village of Claringdown.
“I left my parents and the Laklans in my seventeenth summer, when ‘the Calling’ came upon me and made the journey across the bay to the druidhold of Moonglade in your lands, my lady.” Fen smiled at Alaria who was avidly paying attention, “There, after much training, I was eventually initiated in the ways of the Holy Order of Mistwood.
“As my first official task upon receiving my cloak and spear, the Lord of Ash bade me here.”
Braddok interjected, “That is all well and good. But how long have you been here? What was it you were sent here to do?” Braddok wanted to get to the meat of the matter. He wanted to determine just how much friend (or foe) this half-elf, who literally dropped out of the sky, would be to them.
“I returned to the elf depot up the river D’Evand, purchased a simple rowing boat and arrived here…” Fen stopped for a moment, wanting to be sure he was being accurate, “just over two weeks passed. This is my fifteenth night on the island.”
“And your purpose?” Coerraine reminded. The normally well-mannered and easy going young paladin was particularly curt with the nature-priest. Though those in his lands held the Druids of Mistwood in high -if somewhat cautious- regard, he had never encountered one himself. And, thought Coerraine, they were a long way from Mostrial or Mistwood. The Redstar Knight held the opinion of druids (from stories he’d heard in his homeland and travels) as potentially wise men, the magical equivalent to a “hedge wizard” perhaps. But they did not venerate the gods of the “civilized” realms and so were still godless and thus “heathens” to his eyes.
Fen gave Coerraine a charming grin, looking at the blond paladin as one might look upon an ignorant child. “The purposes of the Grove are their own, sir knight, and not for the ears of Men. Suffice it to say, we seek to maintain and support the balance of all Orea.”
“It does not ‘suffice’ at all.” began Coerraine.
“Coerraine!” Alaria exclaimed. She shot the Redstar Knight a disapproving look. “Fen aided us against the harpies and helped retrieve our friend. What more proof of his intentions do you need?”
“Apologies, milady. But if the heathen is to keep his secrets then we should not trust him.” Coerraine stated bluntly.
“I’m with Goldilocks.” said Duor plainly.
“Perhaps,” interrupted Haelan, “if you share with us a bit more of your two weeks here my friends would be a bit more at ease.” He liked Fen just fine and was somewhat saddened by his companions obvious impoliteness.
“It is fine, friend daelvar.” Fen said with a calm smile at Haelan. “The ways of Mistwood are not for the followers of the gods of Men.”
“So you do worship Faerantha, then?” Haelan asked with his signature innocence.
Fen smiled at the halfling priest again. “Alas. No, Hilltender. I should have said ‘the uninitiated’, daelvar included. Though, as your wise Mother Superior pointed out, we are…’friends’ of your people and ways and those of the human’s goddess, Sylari…and the elf god Syar and many others.”
Fen looked to Coerraine. The paladin’s face had not softened. Fen continued.
“Though we do not worship your Red Star, paladin, nor,” he turned to Alaria, “the Blue Star of your Manat, my lady, nor indeed the Sea Mistress” with a nod to Trihna, “we do recognize the power and influence of their being. The Holy Order or, as you call it, the ‘Ancient’ Order of Mistwood venerates the power and balance of Orea itself. The gods of those outside the Holy Order are of no concern nor consternation to us.”
Receiving no rebuttal or rebuke for this statement, the red-headed druid continued. “This island has a power and a balance that must be maintained for the power and balance of the rest of the realms. That balance, as I stated previously, has been disturbed …corrupted, in fact. There is an evil festering within the bowels of this place. That, sir knight, is why I am here. To determine the nature of this disturbance and, if possible, end it.”
“There Coerraine.” Alaria stated plainly. “We are of a common purpose. Does that but your spirit at ease?”
The Redstar Knight made no response.
“Well, I feel better about it.” perked up Duor. “Any help we can get to finding this pearl will be welcome in my book…er um…and he can carry some more of the loot too.”
Fen chuckled. “I am happy to help in your cause, if you are happy to help with mine.” Fen offered. “And though I have little concern or need for riches, I am happy to share the burden.”
“Ya see there,” Duor nudged Braddok in the ribs. “I knew this guy was carved from good stone. Ya had nothing t’worry about.” The dwarf turned to Fen and smiled broadly.
Braddok gave Duor an annoyed glance and rubbed his bruising side.
“My thanks for the lesson in religion, Fen. But now, what can you tell us from your time here? What have you found and what of the goblins you mentioned?” Braddok offered politely enough.
“Well, I had noted the presence of the harpies. Though they, in and of themselves, were obviously not the cause of the disruption.” Fen began. “Still, their removal from the island will certainly be a help to the balance.
“There is an unnatural taint surrounding the waters here.” Fen turned again to Trihna, “Surely you have noticed it?” he asked.
The Waverider nodded her agreement. “Indeed we were set upon by some giant crabs at our arrival. My sway over creatures of the sea had no effect on them.”
“I too,” Coerraine interjected unexpectantly, “noted the taint of evil upon them.” The Redstar knight conceded. If this heathen was to be joining their cause, Coerraine thought, then the least he could do was verify the half-elf’s observations. Seemed the druid was not, in this instance, attempting any deception.
Fen grinned and nodded an acknowledgement to Coerraine’s input before continuing. “I spent my first week here searching the length and breadth of the island. The creatures of the air and land were somewhat helpful. They warned me of the harpies and so I was able to steer clear of their hunts. The sea-birds also mentioned crab-creatures they said had returned of late and had been sighted in the shallows of shores.”
“Oh! We’re after the crab men! Tidemaster Kama sent us here to destroy them. He said they’re terrible evil creatures who worship a demon!” Haelan cheerfully interrupted. Then in his ‘barely taking a breath” way added, “Have you seen any?” and more concerned, “There isn’t an actual demon here is there?”
“Haelan…” Alaria was becoming exasperated with all of the interruptions, particularly from the halfling. The night was deepening and she needed to get her rest to revitalize her mind for working the arcane energies she required for spellcasting. As a second thought, Alaria realized Trihna and Haelan need to also, for that matter.
“It is quite alright, mages.” Fen smiled. “I have not, my good priest seen any of these ‘crab men’ nor, thank the oak, any demons. But if what you were told is correct, then that could easily be the source of this island’s trouble.”
The discussion went on for a bit longer into the night. Alaria and Braddok relayed the party’s original mission to Welford, their arrival in Shoal and their presence on the island. Haelan helped, of course, piping in multiple times to add colorful commentary.
Braddok asked again about the goblins. Fen could only say they had arrived by ship a few days prior. A band of goblins and a few bugbears rowed a longboat from the ship to the island and trekked with some chests and other bundles into a cave in the northern portion of the slopes of the western mountain. He had followed them as best he could but did not dare to venture after them, opting instead of sit in wait at the cave mouth. Before the sun set the following day, they immerged, though in fewer numbers than they’d entered and returned to their ship and sailed off to the north. He again, stated, that he had not heard any of their grumbling conversations nor had he heard of anyone, in his time on the island, named Tresahd.
All questions asked and answered, the group set up the guard rotation (excluding Alaria and Trihna) and went to sleep. It was some time into the night that Haelan was roused from his slumber by sounds of splashing and motion in the water below. He looked around cautiously and tapped Erevan’s ankle.
The elf, already awake, turned to the halfling and put a slender finger to his lips. Erevan then, nearly silent and moving very slowly, grabbed his bow and drew an arrow from the quiver that lay beside him. Haelan slowly and as quietly as possible adjusted his position, still laying, to be able to glance over the ledge’s edge.
Haelan’s night vision was not nearly as good as Erevan’s. But in what little moonlight filtered in through the natural openings across the cavern, the halfling could make out what appeared to be a humanoid, rising out of the water to stand on the, now submerged a few feet, ledge below their camp. The figure seemed to be carrying some large and round shaped things in either hand, but Haelan couldn’t be sure what they were.
Then he heard a soft…what was that sound? Clacking?