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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Joshua Randall" data-source="post: 733231" data-attributes="member: 7737">Both Marrero and the Kestrels stared at the two pieces of parchment. There was a moment of panic while the group worried about explosive runes or other magical traps, until Banda informed them of the negative results of her arcane investigation. Quaddla gingerly picked up the map, while Marrero retrieved the letter and read it—aloud, this time, much to Bilt's annoyance.Edward,I write to warn you about the latest activities of our friends. That rascal Porfirio is up to no good. He’s delivering goods to those who shouldn’t have them. When I confronted him about his latest plans, Porfirio ejected me from the group.You must warn the Baron immediately – take whatever steps are necessary and use my name if you have to. I know that you will do this, for I know you love your country as much as I do.I have very little time left to me, but perhaps we will meet again in a better world.Yours,AlessandroThe conversation degenerated into a confused babble. "Why is Alessandro sending you a map?" demanded Madrak. "Who's Porfirio?" wondered Banda. "Who's the Baron?" asked Quaddla.Marrero raised his hand. "Calm yourselves, I beg of you," he said. "It appears I have much to explain."It turned out that Alessandro was the leader of a group of pirates, the Sea Ghosts, who operated near Lof. Porfirio was a mage of modest ability whose magical skills were nevertheless crucial to the pirates' success. Apparently, these pirates had perfected a less violent method of seizing cargo from unwary trading vessels, smuggling the goods ashore at a secret location.Marrero didn't know why Alessandro was "ejected" from the Sea Ghosts, nor why Porfirio had taken over. He speculated that "delivering goods to those who shouldn't have them" was a reference to running weapons to the Ice Barbarians. Sensing the group's confusion, Marrero explained. The Ice Barbarians were a savage people who lived across the ocean to the north in the frozen wastes of Kalte. They had no contact with the rest of Magnamund save through their trading post at Ljuk and through occasional raids upon Sommerlund and Durenor. Normally, the governments of those nations were willing to overlook these raids and trade with the Ice Barbarians, exchanging refined metals for valuable furs and pelts that were much in demand among the nobility.The past year, however, saw the most vicious Ice Barbarian raid in recent memory. The Durenese city of Lof was badly damaged, with many ships and men lost. For that reason, the King had forbidden further trading of metals with Ljuk, under penalty of death. "No more shall the Ice Barbarians attack us with weapons forged from our own steel!" was the cry among the people of Durenor.Marrero cleared his throat. "Apparently, Porfirio has taken the Sea Ghosts in a new direction. He's running weapons now, rather than just smuggling." Marrero looked at the Kestrels. "Alessandro is right: Porfirio must be stopped. Journey to Lof and meet with the Baron, impressing upon him the necessity of stamping out this threat to the safety of Durenor.""A moment," interrupted Quaddla. "You appear to know quite a lot about the activities of a group of pirates." Staring at Marrero, realization dawned upon the Knight of the Moon. "Are you also a member of the Sea Ghosts?"</blockquote>

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