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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Joshua Randall" data-source="post: 727897" data-attributes="member: 7737">The Kestrels stared down at the unconscious, bleeding form of the assassin."I don't know who he is, but he really wanted our friend here dead," opined Quaddla, nodding at Alessandro. The latter proved reluctant to talk, but after some cajoling by Quaddla and intimidating by Madrak, Alessandro revealed the following. He'd been gambling heavily, and believed that the assassin – a member of the feared Silent Brotherhood – was sent to make an example of those who would shirk their debts to criminal society. The group couldn't decide what to do about the Silent Brother who, true to his name, refused to utter a word. But all debate ended with the arrival of a troupe of Enforcers, the local muscle who applied was passed for law in Ragadorn. A tense stare down ensued until the Kestrels were convinced to hand over their prisoner. They did so partly out of a desire to avoid a fight, but mostly because they learned that the leader of this band of Enforcers was Lachlan, son of Killean the Overlord of Ragadorn. Lachlan and his goons departed, dragging the Silent Brother off to whatever unpleasant fate awaited him.Alessandro, who was nervous before, was now in a full blown panic. "You must leave for Port Bax immediately!" he squeaked. "What happens to me doesn't matter, but you must deliver my message to Edward Marrero." The Kestrels agreed in principal, but wonder what compensation they would receive for their efforts. "We bled for you," Bilt reminded Alessandro (although only Madrak had actually suffered any wounds).Alessandro drew himself up. "I am Alessandro Simovicci. My family is of noble heritage. I shall personally guarantee you 500 Gold Crowns to undertake this task." This monetary inducement seemed sufficient, and the Kestrels accepted Alessandro's "I owe you" in lieu of cash. Hurrying to Ragadorn's eastern gate, they were just in time to catch the coach to Port Bax.= = =Port Bax was a small town near the northern mouth of the Rymerift, the natural water passage that divides the Durenese peninsula from the rest of the Lastlands. The city was quiet, its stone buildings covered with a layer of dark green moss. A small castle sat on a promontory above the ocean. A few ships were in port, resupplying before continuing up the coast of Durenor or through the Rymerift and onwards to the desert empire of Vassagonia.The Company of the Red Kestrel arrived in town after a four-day coach ride. Banda, her tall frame unfit for such cramped conditions and her Vakeros temperament unused to such conveyances, spent a miserable journey atop the coach. Wrapped in heavy furs against the winter cold, she mused upon the differences between the coniferous forests of Durenor and the lush jungles of her home in Dessi, far to the south.Finally, the bumpy ride came to an end, and the group piled out, paid the coachman, and marched up to the gates of Port Bax. "State your business in the city and surrender your arms and armor," intoned a bored guard."We're here to see Edward Marrero," Quaddla announced."That mayor?" asked the guard, incredulous. "What business have you with him?""That is none of yours," replied Quaddla haughtily, her burnished shield and crescent-shaped sword gleaming with the light of Ishir. "Now let us in and direct us to the mayor's office."The cowed guard stood aside and told the Kestrels where to find Edward Marrero. A short time later, they stood before the mayor of Port Bax, telling their story.Marrero admitted that he and Alessandro used to be friends, but said they have not seen each other in a few years. Further, he had no idea why someone would want to kill Alessandro."So…" mused the bureaucrat, "Alessandro wanted you to deliver a message to me?"Quaddla produced the envelop. It was still sealed, and the box that accompanied it has not been tampered with. Amazing, thought Marrero to himself, that a group of adventurers would not even try to open such interesting containers.DM's note: As unbelievable as it sounds, the PCs never opened the envelop or the box, or even examined them. Either they weren’t curious enough, or they simply forgot to do so.Marrero unsealed the envelop and extracted a message, which he read silently to himself. The quick-thinking Bilt managed to read Marrero's lips as he mouthed the words of the message, and the Kestrels learned the following:My dear Edward,Thank you for the loan of your spyglass, which I am returning to you, somewhat the worse for wear. Nevertheless I believe that careful examination will show it to be fully functional.I regret that I am unable to deliver it in person, but I trust that the bearers of this note have performed their duty well. I am sure that you will compensate them for their efforts.Yours,AlessandroMarrero looked puzzled, but he took a key out of the envelop and used it to unlock the box. Inside was a battered spyglass. Marrero raised his eyebrows but said nothing."Do you think it's trapped?" worried Banda. "Probably a bomb," Bilt replied. "What's a bomb?" Madrak asked.Quaddla, undeterred, asked if she could examine the spyglass. Marrero passed it over, and Quaddla ran her fingers along the telescope. Opening it cautiously, she peered through the device, seeing a magnified image of Marrero's office.While Quaddla undertook her examination, Banda stepped to the corner of the room and closed her eyes. Her normal senses folded inward, allowing Banda to attune herself to any magical essences in the vicinity. Concentrating, the sorceress focused her inner sight upon the spyglass. But it was inert, unmagical. Satisfied, Banda opened her eyes.By this time, Quaddla had found two hidden studs on the spyglass. Pressing them both at the same time, she caused a hidden compartment to spring open. Two rolled up pieces of parchment fell out. One was obviously a letter, while the other appeared to be a map of some sort.</blockquote>

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