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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rybaer" data-source="post: 360163" data-attributes="member: 118">Session #13.1 – Through Water Break Having finally agreed to start hunting down the Shadow for both revenge and to recover Nigel's stolen gear, the group decided to leave Lohna's the next morning.  Their lovely hostess bade them farewell and wished them luck and safety against their recent nemesis.  Lohna coyly reminded Nigel to return anytime he wished.  Nigel felt there was the beginning of a wonderful relationship with the Countess, but as they were both elves it was bound to be a long courtship. Much as the group did not want to go back to Water Break they had little choice, as it possessed the only bridge across the river for several hundred miles.  Zalman could fly the party across, but not the horses.  They did have one potentially useful stop to make while going through town, though.  Kisty, upon her departure from the group, told them that she'd snoop around for dirt on her sister Misty's involvement with the Shadow and any possible connection to Kladish.  If she found information, she'd leave it with Helga Vie, the proprietor of the Archebus & Battleaxe. The group slipped in through the city's north gate, trying to maintain a low profile.  They had no interest in a confrontation with either the Red Cult or Misty's guild of thieves.  A few inquiries led them to the docks where they found the Archebus & Battleaxe, a small rundown tavern that catered to sailors and dockworkers.  As it was still late morning, the only customers in the dark interior were a trio of sailors who were still passed out from the previous nights revelry.  Helga Vie, who appeared to be an average human woman in her late forties aside from her shockingly bright blue skin color, was busy cleaning glasses behind the bar.  She waved them to a table and took drink orders.  The group did their best not to gawk at her unusual skin and she, in turn, did her best to pretend not to notice their efforts not to gawk. When she returned with drinks, Nigel inquired after information that may have been left by Kelly, Kisty's assumed name.  Helga nodded, commenting that they certainly fit the description of the group "Kelly" had mentioned.  She fetched a wax-sealed scroll from the back room and turned it over to Nigel, who tipped her generously. The note from Kisty was short and contained little they didn't already know.  Rumor floating around the Guild was that Misty had been associating with some powerful wizard, but on non-guild business.  The Shadow had been involved in some way, but again details were sketchy.  Kisty, finding no other useful information, had decided to leave town, though she left them with no details on just where she had planned to go. The group promptly left through the city's west gate and pushed their mounts through the muggy late summer afternoon to get as far from Water Break before dark as possible.  The next day and a half on the road was uneventful, though they kept a close watch behind them for possible pursuit. They reached the small village that supported the Thunder Guild just in time for dinner after their second day on the road.  Everyone had whiled away the trip daydreaming about dinner at Happy's, and they were not disappointed.  The exuberant halfling welcomed them back to his establishment and cleared a table large enough to hold the six of them.  Large plates of spit-roast mutton, potatoes soaked in butter, carrots, onions, radishes, and steaming bread were brought to their table before they had even settled into their seats.  While the meals at Lohna's had been excellent in a refined taste, the food at Happy's was especially satisfying in the "hungry-after-a-long-day-on-the-road" sense. Over ale, wine, and coffee, along with several helpings of Happy's famous bread pudding, the group recounted some of their adventures since last they'd seen the halfling.  He and the other tavern patrons were enthralled at their tales of daring and battle.  The stories were largely watered down, but were more than enough to astound the locals. Eager to get on with their quest, the group begged off early and took advantage of the last bit of twilight to make the mile-long hike to the Thunder Guild's estate.  The groom opened the gate for them, taking their horses and welcoming them back.  He indicated that Jamus Tobus, the guild's leader, would likely be in the library or his private quarters. In the main house, one of the apprentices led everyone to the guest rooms where they deposited their gear.  They were then taken to the library and presented to Jamus, who welcomed them back warmly.  Late into the night they recounted the tale of their adventures through Kladish and the wizard listened in rapt attention.  He probed for details on every oddity, magic item, and creature they had encountered along the way. When the story wrapped up, Jamus rose from his seat.  "Well, that is a fascinating tale and I can't say how glad I am to see you all again.  I, however, have been a selfish host.  Here you are, falling asleep after a long day of travel, and I'm begging you for stories.  Please, retire for the night and we will speak more in the morning." Most of the group took his advice and returned the guest rooms, quickly falling asleep in the soft beds.  Zalman and Nigel stayed behind for a minute, though.  "We do have a couple bits of business," Zalman said.  "Some of which may be easier to deal with if done so in a timely manner." "Tell me," Jamus said. "For starters," Zalman said, "we have a number of new magic items that we need identified." "Easy enough," Jamus said.  "I'll have the apprentices start first thing in the morning.  What else?" "The Shadow," Nigel said.  "He's been a thorn in our side for months, not to mention all those he's slain in his role as a bandit.  We've decided to hunt the vermin down once and for all." Jamus raised an eyebrow at the elf’s seriousness.  "I see.  And how does that involve me or the guild?" "We need help finding him," Zalman said.  "We'd like your help scrying him.  I'm no good at divination, but I was hoping someone here is." Jamus looked back and forth between Zalman and Nigel for a long moment.  "I can scry, though I'm not especially gifted at it.  I do have a decent mirror to use.  Let us get some sleep and in the morning I will prepare the necessary spells.  I won't offer to join you on this quest of yours, but I'm willing to give you a little help to get you started." "Thanks," Nigel and Zalman both said, then joined their companions in a good night's sleep.Next session:  Scrying and lots of heads.  *LOTS*</blockquote>

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