23 Sek, 637 M.Y.
Harliss Javel. I have written it down, so she shall not be forgotten. Her story has more holes than her ship, the
Fast Facet, which now lies in the silt. As she tells it, the woman is the sole survivor of the savagery committed here.
Harliss was hired to transport a black pearl of some magical power to Kraken’s Cove. By whom remains a mystery to me. I assume this was so Leemo Varand could investigate it. As it turns out
Vanthus Vanderboren was privy to this information, happened to stow away on her ship with his lover, and attempted its theft coincidentally with the
Fast Facet’s arrival at the cove. Harliss caught and confronted him. They fought. By coming into contact with the pearl, the blood Harliss drew from Vanthus initated a curse causing many of the cove’s inhabitants to mutate into caustic smuggliwug creatures. She, nor Vanthus, of course, did not. Amazingly, he was able to escape with daring feats of leaping and swimming. Harliss now informs us that this pearl is also a rare religious artifact to bullywugs. Whom, of all habitations in Thricia, just so happen to dwell not too far from this cove. Convenient. Enraged Harliss sent her first mate, a half-orc named
Drevoraz, who luckily also escaped the magical smuggliwug curse, to convince these bullywugs that Vanthus has stolen their precious pearl. He must be one charismatic half-orc pirate. Fortunately, Drevoraz knows just where to find these bullywug fanatics and happens to have another ship waiting in the wings somewhere, since now the
Fast Facet has sunk. Supposedly, they are all now en route to the Vanderboren manse to deliver Harliss’ revenge upon Lady Lavinia and any other poor unfortunates whom they may find there. As it happens, should we leave right away, we may be able to catch them. Circumstantial at best. This is the story that Harliss has convinced Telemakhos and Markos of. These are the words of a confessed criminal, that we throw caution to the wind for. This is the pack of lies that we risk the life of Laarus for. Another eight hours and we would be at our full compliment again. Timotheus sees nothing left to kill, so is ready to flee. But, I am astonished that Victoria does not stand with me in this, even granting Harliss her sworn shield. How can she believe that Harliss is conveniently going to spoon feed us all of this time sensitive information, despite viewing us as a threat to her plans for vengeance? That is hardly worth transport to Quillton proper. Something is amiss.
And still there are many questions. Why does Markos admire Harliss, and seem to revel at the prospect of Lady Lavinia's murder? Was the red ship we spotted possibly her first mate’s ship? Confirmation as such would lend proof to her fable. Who would trust a smuggler and a pirate to transport a rare valuable relic? How would Vanthus happen to stow away on her ship? If I am to believe who Harliss says she is, she would not only know every hand on her own ship, but the mold in every hold. As we anchored in the ocean for near two days, how did we fail to notice Drevoraz or a ship laden with bullywugs pass by? Does Harliss seek to hurry us from the cove, knowing the imminent arrival of those she would rather protect? Are there records of otherwise reputable ships in the recovered ledgers that Markos, and I, believe she holds? Their perusal would also lend more answers. Does she seek to claim this cove or other uncovered booty for herself? Do I trust the hushed tones passed between Markos and this mistress to piracy? I am certain there is more to be learned here.
Either he performed an amazing feat of strength or he lies to aid his pirate kin, but after Markos’ plunge into the coves waters he resurfaced with the tale of having found this black pearl’s broken pieces. Too bad he did not cleverly think to recover the shards. Their delivery would have gone a long way to convincing any such bullywugs posing a threat to the Vanderboren manse; and me of Harliss’ tall tale.
‘I see it as my duty to show things as they are, not as they should be.’