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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Urko" data-source="post: 2347676" data-attributes="member: 30822">Searching the patrol boatThe crew watches in silence as Xavier loots their captain’s body. Borden passes amongst you, dispensing healing and looking for surviving soldiers. Sanae, Xavier, and Erin have done their grim work all too well, but Borden does find one still breathing. The old priest’s healing magic restores him to consciousness. The soldier leans up on one elbow to view the devastation around him. He unleashes a torrent of Riedran. His words are unknown to you, but his tone is venomous.  When Xavier asks to see the captain’s quarters, there is an awkward pause. The first mate finally speaks up. ”Right this way.” She indicates a hatch in the center of the deck, about one third of the way up from the stern. She crosses over and opens it. The crew backs away as Sanae and Xavier approach, keeping as far away as possible at all times. The first mate leads the way down the short flight of steps.  The lower deck is more brightly lit than one might expect. In addition to the sunlight streaming in through the oar holes, there are two everbright lanterns that provide even, almost cheerful illumination. The rowing benches are widely spaced, with hammocks slung in the spaces between. Behind the staircase, at the rear of the boat, is a simple wooden door. The first mate bites her lip as the paladin and scout approach it, then calls out. ”Wait. Don’t touch it. It’s trapped.” She gently pushes Sanae and Xavier aside and stands before the door. She speaks a quick phrase in a lilting tongue while making the same gesture Kajalaketh greeted you with. The door swings open and she goes over to sit on the steps. ”I’ll wait for you here.” The cramped cabin is amazingly opulent for such a small space. The bed has a feather mattress and intricately patterned silk sheets. A beautiful everbright lantern is suspended from the ceiling. There is an open footlocker at the end of the bed. It contains fine clothes and grooming tools, including several bottles of perfume.  A desk and matching chair carved of a deep red wood take up most of the rest of the space. The desk has only one drawer, which is empty save for a roll of sheepskin on which is inscribed a proclamation empowering Kajalaketh to wield the authority of the crown as part of the Royal River Patrol. It bears the seal of the king. There are a few papers on the desk, mostly navigation charts. A few are covered with an unfamiliar script which seems to consist of circles surrounded by swirling embellishments. There is also a small metal chest, about a foot square and eight inches deep. The keyhole is surrounded by four green gems, possibly emeralds.  Tacked to the wall above the desk is a detailed map of Khorvaire, done in full color with most major settlements and national borders noted. Xavier notices that Newthrone is circled in blue, as is Sharn. Several other cities are circled as well: Trolanport and Korranberg in black, Karrlakton and Regalport in green, and Fairhaven and a few other communities in Aundaire and Karrnath in red. Erin becomes oblivious to all else as she immerses herself in examining Kajalaketh’s gear. She detects no magic in any of it, although she feels something unusual from the sword – similar to the feeling she got from examining Aldinis’ rod the night before. She guesses that it may be imbued with psionic power. The material is easier to identify – it is Riedran crysteel. Erin has read about it, but never actually seen it up close. In addition to being almost as strong as metal, it is said to act as a conduit for psionic power. About the nature of the being, Erin is less certain. She has heard of the mysterious kalashtar, and seems to recall that although they come from Sarlona, they are reputed to originally have been refugees from the Plane of Dreams, spirits that inhabit human bodies. Perhaps Kajalaketh was one of them - his appearance and manner of dress are certainly similar.  Borden and ‘he has no name’ note that as time passes the crew seem to be growing more fearful and tense and are becoming restless. Borden’s healing was distributed as follows: Sanae 21; Xavier, Erin, and enemy soldier 13 each.</blockquote>

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