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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Broccli_Head" data-source="post: 21798" data-attributes="member: 105">onto Westgate25-29 Alturiak , 1373 Year of Rogue Dragons: Setting Sail for Adventure For the next several days, The Company of the Blue Wolf (according to Cormyran registry) prepared to depart for the Lake of Dragons via the ship, Wave of Destiny that Aris had commissioned. Alberia and Benito screened the crew. First they would stop at Westgate to drop Aif at the Abbey of the Blinding Truth, the new temple to Tyr located in Faerun's Sin City. Next they would sail across the lake to Suzail, and then travel overland across Cormyr, over mountains and across plains to their eventual destination: Evereska. Mourn would be found!Since Lord Danwick wanted nothing to do with the child the heroes--well, Benito--wanted to leave him in the care of the Temple of Justice.  He felt that history was repeating itself. Aris, however, had other ideas and in a private conversation with Brother Gippetto conviced the cleric that the child would be safer in Ilighon, protected by the Emerald Enclave. Gippeto saw the rationale and agreed. The innocent would be safe.   The half-elven ranger, Oakenbow, that had been rescued from the underground temple to Tharizdun decided to stay in Turmish. In agreement with Aris, he would check in from time to time at the inn. The Great Axe itself would be under the watchful eye of the druids of Ilighon. Already landscaping at the inn compound was rivalling every noble villa in the Jewel of Turmish.  By the 29th of Alturiak, with a favorable wind the Wave was ready to set sail. On board came Aris, Benito, Ellysidell, Grim, Variak, Babu, and Alberia, and Aif/Kith.  The ship was crewed by 20 fine sailors all hailing from in and around Alaghon and captained by Jamison Firth, a Cormyran-born traveller, with letters of recommendation from the consulate of Cormyr in Alaghon.  Aris had invested in glassware and grains to export to Westgate and Suzail and had put out a call for high passage to the Lake of Dragons in the more reputable inns in the city. As the crew were making final preparations and loading the last bits of cargo, three would-be-passangers approach the gangplank. Variak, on lookout points them out to Aris and Benito who stroll down the ramp to meet them....Their red cloaks billowed in the breeze. All three were human men and wore ornate black-laquered armor. Two were tall barbarian types with greatswords scabbarded across their backs. The third led the way, a jewel-hilted longsword at his side. The leader bowed, "I seek passage to Westgate for myself and three companions, and would be honored to sail with the heroes that stopped the Zhentarim invasion of Alaghon. Any enemy of the Zhentarim is a friend of mine."Aris was flattered at first, but Benito was cautious. He touched Salazar and called upon the will of Tyr to sense evil in these men.  Variak folded his arms at the ship's rail and stared at one of the barbarians. The tall warrior stared back and grinned wryly. Variak thought he saw him mouth the words, "You're dead meat..."Benito determined that all three were evil and that the leader was about as evil as he was good. It made his stomach a little queasy. He diplomatically apologized to the leader and took Aris aside, conveying his misgivings.  Aris agreed and claimed that he had taken on extra cargo and thus the rooms dedicated to passengers were now going to accomadate sailors. The armored man looked at Aris with disappointment. "Are you sure you do not have room? We would really enjoy the company of you and your companions." He paused for a bit not seeing Aris or Benito changing their minds and then spoke again with more persuasion to Aris, "I think I should accompany you on your journey. That way we could discuss tactics to better defeat our common enemy." Aris replied, "That sounds like a good idead!" with much enthusiasm. Alarm bells went off in Benito's head and he took Aris aside again. Variak and one of the barbarians still stared at each other.  Ell, Alberia and Babu joined him at the rail.  Benito took Aris aside again and convinced him (after magical confirmation) that he was under a spell. Aris did not believe him at first but his trust for Benito won out. He allowed the cleric of Tyr to speak for him as he excused  himself and walked away, back up the gangplank.  The Holy Justice of Tyr with impeccable diplomacy, smoothed things over well. The almost passenger smiled and bowed congenially to Benito."Alas, I was hoping we could become good friends. May the Dark Sun not bring wrath upon you for dismissing his servants."Benito forced a smile back while in his mind he screamed Cyricists! and imagined plunging Mano into this evil man's gut.  The barbarian bodyguards laughed and the trio turned and walked away. Benito watched them as they travelled down the docks to the next berthing and said a prayer to Tyr that all the captains on the wharf this night would be wise and deny them passage. ======The Wave of Destiny set sail soon after.  No one saw the floating body of a fellow crewman drifting lazily under the dock as the cog pulled away or the harried expression of one of the sailors as he tried to figure out what he was supposed to be doing, as if he had forgotten all he salty knowledge.....Next time: A blast from the past!</blockquote>

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