Although confused at what is going on, Auger allows Granophyre his time to think as they walk. After Granophyre speaks, Auger shares his own thoughts.
"The Red Cypress attempted to stop you in Kalahata. At any cost it appeared. It appeared to empower the individuals who fought us without them truly knowing how. Then just now, through its connection to its adherents it was able to change the form of the young flagbearer. Just to communicate with you. Now it wants to meet. To ease or obstruct. Sounds like a negotiation of some sort. All for... an axe?"
Auger pauses and tries to recall the Dowager's words back at the oasis...
“I don’t know if any others survived. I don’t think so, Auger. None have ever come near enough for me to sense them since… since the cataclysm.
“I think you will find a way of telling our story, but Auger: it may be best for all of us to leave the past in the past. Some memories lost are best left untouched.
“Few Seekers have traveled beyond what you call Anshin subprefecture before. But Auger. You mustn’t go back yet.
“I did not send you to find Brenneth. I sent you to find and help the scholar. I need you to stay near him. He follows a curve through time, through chance, through fate. It’s not the curve, it’s not about that either. But there… where he goes… I need you to go there too.”
“Something is happening Auger. Something… important. I will not say more. But, for your family, and for me. I need you to move in his wake, follow the scholar. See what he sees.”
Yes, when Auger learned of the horrible history and interplay between the Old Mystics and the Pixies, the Lady had sought to reinforce the importance of what Strewn was doing. Following a curve through time. But the curve does not matter. Only the destination. I must see what he sees.
"Well, as we have seen, there are multiple forces interested in what you are doing Granophyre. This Red Cypress would speak with us at least. Perhaps there could be an advantage to gain from meeting this Red Cypress in its haven. I think we should go this place and meet it before we confront any others at El Harrouch. If we can gain its favor, perhaps it can lend assistance. Can you tell us again, Granophyre, what is the significance of the axe and of what we might learn from the person who found it?"
OOC: We can proceed back to the boat and towards El Harrouch as far as I am concerned.
“I agree, we should commune with the Red Cypress Tree, it would be folly to disregard it. Especially as it seems to be the one symbol that the people of the Vale will unite under”, Snow adds.
”I do not believe this boils down to an axe, rather than what the axe represents. It is a link to the lost clan, right? A link to the past, and if my Father was in the Vale, potentially a link to the Old Mystics”.
He walks with renewed vigour, the effects of their recent defeat being replaced by renewed optimism.
"Or, alternatively," Varielky warns, "an opposition we could not fight against. If this becomes a war between gods, we are less than ants whose path to food happen to cross their battlefield.
"I've heard you and Ednyss speaking your legends. Some dispute between Demesh and Demsha. The gods I know have their tensions as well. It is very possible that this journey of ours might lead some gods on the warpath.
"Just think about what we've been through so far: On one side, some god or other entity keeps us alive, for whatever reason, and has brought us back from the dead twice now. On the other hand, some other god is trying to stop us. Gargantuan crabs, undead Dwarves, posessed mages of nature and mountain spirits that roll boulders to crush us to death. Those are only a few of the obstacles we've encountered, and none of them could be tied to the empire. If something goes wrong and we make an enemy in this meeting, rather than an ally, I'm afraid we risk getting in over our heads. There is only so much us mortals can do."
Varielky sighs. This was way beyond her. She was also aware of the fact that refusing to meet a powerful god - entity, guaridan... whatever the Red Cypress truly is - could lead to the exact outcome she fears. Therefore, she does not oppose the idea as much as she goes over the risks, as she understands them, to make sure the decision is made with more than mere curiousity in mind. But in the end, she'll follow Strewn whichever way he chooses. She trusts he knows better.
You arrive in another ninety minutes back at the marina in Outghal, and find the Animu Borongo moored where you left her some days ago. Granophyre hands Snow gold to pay the mooring fee, and you are soon on your way. “Look out for orcs,” the marina attendant tells you, grimacing, as he throws the mooring line to Snow. “I heard that a corps of orc riders on giant hyenas flying the Jenghen banner passed through the gates yesterday. Then they turned around, heading southeast toward the Amazigh lands.”
As you head south toward Akarra on the Sebu River, you see no orcs, and in two hours you’re only a mile north of your goal, just before sunset, as a light mist begins to hover over the river, the smell of a cooking fire drifting from somewhere on the eastern bank. From here, you are close enough to El Harrouch castle to see Akarra at its feet, lantern-lit roads of old red stone leading up to the enormous gilt castle gates, banners flying from minarets, and the tram line up to the aeries, now hidden in clouds which have sat upon the mountaintops throughout the afternoon as you have approached. The setting sun throws no colorful rays over the heights; instead, there is a slow cooling of the air and softening of the light, as if your own eyes were weary and drooping at the day’s end and all the world transformed through them into a blue-toned watercolor.
At this moment, Py sends to Auger, ‘The imperial garrison you met after the falls… they are heading north on the road on the western riverbank and you will soon be seen by them if you continue downstream.’
The old dwarf holds a hand out to take the book from Snow for a moment, opens briefly to the second page, a corner of his lip pulls upward slightly, then he closes the book, hands it back to Snow. He sighs, and then seems to journey through memory for a long moment before settling into the following narrative, told in a conversational yet serious tone.
“It was several years ago, when an elderly woman in Orraca u Shia, named Adilah El Idrissid, took her last shuddering breath, after a long and active life, leaving behind two children grown to adulthood and a small estate. Her belongings included a small Dwarven axe, which she bequeathed to her son, Omar El Idrissid, a scholar of history at the College of Orraca,” whose name rings a bell, “who possessed a small collection of weapons and other objects from all corners of the lands and seas -- a rapier from The Kingdoms, two Elven arrows, an old Orcish scimitar, an old Indallian longsword. The axe, Omar knows, was given to his mother as a gift, when she was a young ranger, by a goat herder, a then-young woman in the Vale of Deshar called Safiya.
”An old friend of Omar El Idrissid’s called Adekite, a dwarven Priest of Sashia,” (God of knowledge and artisans), “visits not long thereafter for a feast celebrating Omar’s son’s apprenticeship in a small printing shop near the Arena. Adekite is drawn to the axe, and examines it closely, remarking that its engraving is in an unfamiliar pattern. Omar is curious about the weapon’s background, and unable to identify the piece. Adekite asks permission to make a relief sketch of the engraving, and send it to an old friend in Core of Amethyst, a professor of ancient dwarven lore.” He motions to the book. “Granophyre Strewn. Omar agrees, the sketch is made and the letter sent, and some weeks later, in his underground home in the Dwarven Islands, this Granophyre Strewn opens the note and looks for a long moment at the drawing.
“He — Strewn — believes he recognizes the markings, but does not trust his memory. He visits the great Dwarven Library in Core of Obsidian, and, comparing with an ageless tome, confirms that the sketch matches the sigil of an ancient family, lost for centuries, Clan Scoria.
”Clan Scoria, according to legend, possessed a mountain realm far from the center of Dwarven civilization, called Core of Dacite. The axe, Granophyre believes, was created there, and his curiosity is piqued — insatiably piqued — by this connection to the lost kingdom. He determines to venture to Orraca u Shia, to see what else might reveal itself.
”The thought of rediscovering Core of Dacite is incredibly tantalizing. But, realizing that political forces might be interested in the treasures, both technological, and historical, embodied in such a find, our Granophyre Strewn determines to make the trip quietly, in the guise of a cultural excursion to see the famed Opera performer from The Conquest, the beautiful Kieu-Lan Trinh, who was scheduled to perform in Orraca u Shia. While Strewn is there, in Ishi Ammah, he will hire a crew to transport him to the Vale of Deshar.
“He arrives with his Valet and companion, and two brave cousins, who act as his protectors, and takes up residence in an Orracan villa, Safi Meknes. With Adekite, Granophyre visits the home of Omar El Idrissid, and examines the axe. Holding the artifact in his own hands confirms his research without a shadow of a doubt. The axe was made by Clan Scoria, and is in far better condition than it should be.
”Our Granophyre Strewn makes it known publicly that he will be following the great Diva to her next performance, up the Rainbow Coast. He in fact has other plans.
“Through his friends at the College, Granophyre arranges for a guide to the Vale, and his companion, Tuff, arranges for transport, and contacts an old friend recently retired from the Jenghen Provincials to coordinate quietly hiring a handful of brave defenders for the journey. And in time, Strewn arrived here in Kalahata, with every hope to continue his journey to find the lost Dwarven kingdom.
”Meanwhile, the Jenghen Empire, in the form of Governor Ulloz, had taken a great interest in his doings, to the degree that a false accusation of attempted regicide creates a convenient excuse for a city-wide lockdown in an attempt to entrap him, and, it seems, other enemies of the empire for good measure.
“That brings us to the present moment. I… hope you can see, one student of history to another, that this Granophyre Strewn simply doesn’t have time to attempt the murder of the Shian Princess, nor the motivation. Indeed, close nearby are two individuals who would kindly speak as witnesses to Strewn’s having been… quite occupied at the time this supposed murder attempt took place.
”And as for the goal of my journey to the Vale...”
The old sage falls silent, observing Snow’s reaction.
Auger relays Py's announcement with one additional detail to remind all who they are facing, "Py tells me a garrison of Imperials approaches on the road over there. Apparently it is the same ones we met after the falls, and had to bribe to get by. They will see us soon. I suggest we go on about our business unless you see a way of avoiding them entirely, Captain."
Can you see a way around them, perhaps if we sailed to the eastern bank?
If Py responds with a possibility then Auger relays that information as well.
"Not the Warlock, Dairiku Sorakayoshi? I have never felt as slimey as I did in the presence of that wretch. I would gladly never meet that man again!", Snow says with a look of distaste on his face as he remembers Constable Mohand identifying the man.
He starts to move the Animu Borongo towards the Eastern bank. "Maybe if we hug the Eastern bank they will not spot us in the fading light", he suggests.
"Do you think you could get Py to spy on them some more, find out what they are travelling North for? I worry for the folk of Outghal, for Ayyur and Jabu and for the Red Cypress soldiers we met. There is nothing good that will come from crossing that man's path".
For good measure, he reaches for his violin and plucks it one handed, focussing his magical energies on the chamber within once more, and causing a miniature vortex inside the instrument to consume all light and sound around them.
(OOC: Pass Without Trace is different from Invisibility, of course. It gives a big bonus to Stealth rolls. If Snow can make a piloting roll and state how he’d like to hide the Animu Borongo from the Imperials’ view, he can then also make a Stealth roll for the boat. Are the players actively hiding on the deck?)
Py buzzes off invisibly toward the far riverbank and the garrison fighters.
(OOC: The spell describes a veil of shadows and silence. I was hoping it would help us escape notice in the fading light. Other than sailing as close to the other bank as possible, I expect he would drop the sail and use the current alone for momentum).
Vehicles (Water): 4+5=9
Animu Borongo Stealth: 15 (rolled flat d20, not sure what bonus to add for a boat)
Snow furls the sail as the others take cover in the cabin or crouch on the deck, and the sloop drifts downstream on the darkening waters.
One of the imperials turns and stares pointedly towards you, holds up a hand to halt the company, then focuses a looking glass in your direction. But the Animu Borongo drifts softly through shadows and the rising mist, and the man frowns, drops his looking glass and motions for his company to move forward.
Py returns to sending range eventually. ‘They are seeking the Animu Borongo, I overheard. Just before their lieutenant raised his glass, you disappeared from view. Their captain is not with them, but they are moving under his orders. Where are you? I cannot see you.’
We’ll assume Auger directs the Fey Alyasub to you, and relays its findings to the team.
From a distance, you see the Imperial company carry on northwards on the western riverbank. You are now on the far side of the lake from Akarra. It would take no more than 20 minutes to reach the marina by sail or by rowing. On the other hand, you also see some empty slips on this side of the lake where fishing boats are settling in for the night.
“They are searching for the Animu Borongo?”, Snow repeats in a little bit of shock. “Why would they be after her?”, he asks of no-one in particular.
“That being the case I wouldn’t want to moor in the village, they may have left people behind to keep an eye out for her”, he says pondering the best course of action.
”If they only have a description of the boat and not us, we could moor here and walk over the bridge into the village. It’s a little risky, but Py could scope it out, or I could go in disguised maybe. What do you all think?”
Auger is as shocked as the rest that they are sought for some reason and then thinks a moment and says, "The Red Cypress soldiers we ran into, at one point the flagbearer called us 'the heroes of the vale' and mentioned hearing about us from the towns to the south. Our adventures have also created some Imperial attention it appears. To them we might be... agitators." Auger pauses and shakes his head. Memories of trying for a low profile now make him smile.
"Well so be it. We are agitators. Or something. Regardless, I like the idea of mooring on this side of the river, so at least the boat itself has a chance to remain available for travel and does not give our presence away. As for crossing over, I think we should stay together and see what comes. Py will be able to scout for all of us. At least until we run across another of the building that wards against it."
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Granophyre frowns thoughtfully, pulling slowly at his beard as he ruminates upon the question of why the Animu Borongo is being sought, his eyes following the delicate curves of his golden bird’s metallic form, currently at rest upon the cabin roof.
“Perhaps, as you say, word of agitators has reached the garrison, and Captain Sorakayoshi drew a connection to us,” he allows, weighing his next statement. “But we learned Sorakayoshi is a warlock. Might he have had magical means to spy upon us after your ‘dealings’ with him?”
Regarding where to moor, you have several choices. Close by, there is a small marina upon the northern shore of the lake facing the town of Akkara. You also make out a fishing hamlet on one of the small islands in the lake within a mile of you. And there is another village, you recall, at the southern edge of the lake near the bridge over the Sebu.
Auger finds he has no particular instinct to rely on for the choice of where to moor so he suggests the spot near the bridge. The islands might work for observation purposes but they would still need to take the Animu Borongo, or perhaps borrow a rowboat to get to El Harrouch. As Auger recalls the map he remembers that the eastern shore was part of Amazigh territory but he sees no way to avoid them at this time.
OOC: Boat master's choice on where to moor, and Py can go scout any location if that is desirable.
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Snow looks across to the Western bank, trying to judge distance. "I am not sure mooring the Animu Borongo on the river's edge, where it can be stumbled upon, is a good idea", he says looking at the fishing hamlet on the island.
"With it being the target of the search, the Jenghen could have spies keeping an eye out for it. It is unlikely that the soldiers would have gone to the trouble to row across to the island though. I think that will be safest, and we should at least try there. I know escape will be complicated if the need arises, but if they find her...", he adds speaking of the Animu Borongo.
He starts to head for the island but looks to the others in case they disagree and want further discussion.
(OOC: nothing bad happens with this choice so I’m going to move you along)
Drifting closer, the smell of fish is profound and hits you like a double shot of Dwarven whiskey. Blinking, you see that the hamlet, in the hour before sunset, is a hub of activity, located on the western shore of a rather flat, wooded island several hundred yards long and perhaps one hundred yards wide. The small marina has a dock master busily seeing to ledgers and payouts as fishermen and women moor small boats and bring in their catches for the day, while stevedores load a raft with the best fish and ready it to travel the quarter-mile across to the Akkara marina laden with this bounty while rowboats clip back-and-forth bearing messengers or fishers heading home for the evening.
A dock manager catches sight of you coming in unexpectedly like a shadow materializing from the dark water, rubs her eyes, then shakes her head, earrings jangling, presuming her own fatigue was responsible for the sloop’s ability to pass Without Trace so nearby, and points to an empty mooring at the far end of the marina away from Akkara where you can put in. She — the dock manager, a stout middle-aged human wearing a Tahesian toga, meets you to discuss terms and then leaves you abruptly to see to other matters.
"So," Varielky starts after the dock manager is gone, "do we have a plan for this operation? Even if they truly only know the looks and name of the ship, and not ours, I'm sure getting into the place wouldn't be too simple. And, more importantly, once we're in, are we just looking for the school, asking people around? I'm not too sure how normal it is for strangers to be looking after a school, especially when those strangers are armed, and most of them are men. Not to mention having no ties to any of the girls studying there."
Or maybe, the plan was to simply go in and manage each obstacle when it arises. Still, when surrounded by empiral soldiers, Varielky has a feeling their visit will be short, one way or another. No school would want four strangers covered in blood to walk its halls, she imagines.
Snow looks out across the lake to the West, trying to pick out El Harrouch Castle in the fading light.
"Very good questions. Going alone I would suggest subterfuge, but together as you point out, that is slightly more difficult. I assume the truth is not palatable either, what with the Jenghen sniffing around?", he says as he looks back towards the others and raising an eyebrow.
"It may be we have to make things up as we go along. Either way, should we not first try to find the Red Cypress Tree?", he continues, still intrigued by the invitation for Strewn to commune with the Tree and attempt to get it's blessing.
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Although confused at what is going on, Auger allows Granophyre his time to think as they walk. After Granophyre speaks, Auger shares his own thoughts.
"The Red Cypress attempted to stop you in Kalahata. At any cost it appeared. It appeared to empower the individuals who fought us without them truly knowing how. Then just now, through its connection to its adherents it was able to change the form of the young flagbearer. Just to communicate with you. Now it wants to meet. To ease or obstruct. Sounds like a negotiation of some sort. All for... an axe?"
Auger pauses and tries to recall the Dowager's words back at the oasis...
Yes, when Auger learned of the horrible history and interplay between the Old Mystics and the Pixies, the Lady had sought to reinforce the importance of what Strewn was doing. Following a curve through time. But the curve does not matter. Only the destination. I must see what he sees.
"Well, as we have seen, there are multiple forces interested in what you are doing Granophyre. This Red Cypress would speak with us at least. Perhaps there could be an advantage to gain from meeting this Red Cypress in its haven. I think we should go this place and meet it before we confront any others at El Harrouch. If we can gain its favor, perhaps it can lend assistance. Can you tell us again, Granophyre, what is the significance of the axe and of what we might learn from the person who found it?"
OOC: We can proceed back to the boat and towards El Harrouch as far as I am concerned.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
“I agree, we should commune with the Red Cypress Tree, it would be folly to disregard it. Especially as it seems to be the one symbol that the people of the Vale will unite under”, Snow adds.
”I do not believe this boils down to an axe, rather than what the axe represents. It is a link to the lost clan, right? A link to the past, and if my Father was in the Vale, potentially a link to the Old Mystics”.
He walks with renewed vigour, the effects of their recent defeat being replaced by renewed optimism.
"Or, alternatively," Varielky warns, "an opposition we could not fight against. If this becomes a war between gods, we are less than ants whose path to food happen to cross their battlefield.
"I've heard you and Ednyss speaking your legends. Some dispute between Demesh and Demsha. The gods I know have their tensions as well. It is very possible that this journey of ours might lead some gods on the warpath.
"Just think about what we've been through so far: On one side, some god or other entity keeps us alive, for whatever reason, and has brought us back from the dead twice now. On the other hand, some other god is trying to stop us. Gargantuan crabs, undead Dwarves, posessed mages of nature and mountain spirits that roll boulders to crush us to death. Those are only a few of the obstacles we've encountered, and none of them could be tied to the empire. If something goes wrong and we make an enemy in this meeting, rather than an ally, I'm afraid we risk getting in over our heads. There is only so much us mortals can do."
Varielky sighs. This was way beyond her. She was also aware of the fact that refusing to meet a powerful god - entity, guaridan... whatever the Red Cypress truly is - could lead to the exact outcome she fears. Therefore, she does not oppose the idea as much as she goes over the risks, as she understands them, to make sure the decision is made with more than mere curiousity in mind. But in the end, she'll follow Strewn whichever way he chooses. She trusts he knows better.
Varielky
You arrive in another ninety minutes back at the marina in Outghal, and find the Animu Borongo moored where you left her some days ago. Granophyre hands Snow gold to pay the mooring fee, and you are soon on your way. “Look out for orcs,” the marina attendant tells you, grimacing, as he throws the mooring line to Snow. “I heard that a corps of orc riders on giant hyenas flying the Jenghen banner passed through the gates yesterday. Then they turned around, heading southeast toward the Amazigh lands.”
As you head south toward Akarra on the Sebu River, you see no orcs, and in two hours you’re only a mile north of your goal, just before sunset, as a light mist begins to hover over the river, the smell of a cooking fire drifting from somewhere on the eastern bank. From here, you are close enough to El Harrouch castle to see Akarra at its feet, lantern-lit roads of old red stone leading up to the enormous gilt castle gates, banners flying from minarets, and the tram line up to the aeries, now hidden in clouds which have sat upon the mountaintops throughout the afternoon as you have approached. The setting sun throws no colorful rays over the heights; instead, there is a slow cooling of the air and softening of the light, as if your own eyes were weary and drooping at the day’s end and all the world transformed through them into a blue-toned watercolor.
At this moment, Py sends to Auger, ‘The imperial garrison you met after the falls… they are heading north on the road on the western riverbank and you will soon be seen by them if you continue downstream.’
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: a reminder for @Zzozz)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Auger relays Py's announcement with one additional detail to remind all who they are facing, "Py tells me a garrison of Imperials approaches on the road over there. Apparently it is the same ones we met after the falls, and had to bribe to get by. They will see us soon. I suggest we go on about our business unless you see a way of avoiding them entirely, Captain."
Can you see a way around them, perhaps if we sailed to the eastern bank?
If Py responds with a possibility then Auger relays that information as well.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"Not the Warlock, Dairiku Sorakayoshi? I have never felt as slimey as I did in the presence of that wretch. I would gladly never meet that man again!", Snow says with a look of distaste on his face as he remembers Constable Mohand identifying the man.
He starts to move the Animu Borongo towards the Eastern bank. "Maybe if we hug the Eastern bank they will not spot us in the fading light", he suggests.
"Do you think you could get Py to spy on them some more, find out what they are travelling North for? I worry for the folk of Outghal, for Ayyur and Jabu and for the Red Cypress soldiers we met. There is nothing good that will come from crossing that man's path".
For good measure, he reaches for his violin and plucks it one handed, focussing his magical energies on the chamber within once more, and causing a miniature vortex inside the instrument to consume all light and sound around them.
Auger agrees with Snow's suggestion and sends Py to keep a watch on the garrison as the Animu Borongo moves to the opposite bank.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(OOC: Pass Without Trace is different from Invisibility, of course. It gives a big bonus to Stealth rolls. If Snow can make a piloting roll and state how he’d like to hide the Animu Borongo from the Imperials’ view, he can then also make a Stealth roll for the boat. Are the players actively hiding on the deck?)
Py buzzes off invisibly toward the far riverbank and the garrison fighters.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: The spell describes a veil of shadows and silence. I was hoping it would help us escape notice in the fading light. Other than sailing as close to the other bank as possible, I expect he would drop the sail and use the current alone for momentum).
Vehicles (Water): 4+5=9
Animu Borongo Stealth: 15 (rolled flat d20, not sure what bonus to add for a boat)
Auger suggests Strewn head into the cabin and then he goes about his business, helping Snow as needed to help the boat move smoothly, and quietly.
A stealth roll for Auger, should it be needed: 16 +2 +10 for 28.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Snow furls the sail as the others take cover in the cabin or crouch on the deck, and the sloop drifts downstream on the darkening waters.
One of the imperials turns and stares pointedly towards you, holds up a hand to halt the company, then focuses a looking glass in your direction. But the Animu Borongo drifts softly through shadows and the rising mist, and the man frowns, drops his looking glass and motions for his company to move forward.
Py returns to sending range eventually. ‘They are seeking the Animu Borongo, I overheard. Just before their lieutenant raised his glass, you disappeared from view. Their captain is not with them, but they are moving under his orders. Where are you? I cannot see you.’
We’ll assume Auger directs the Fey Alyasub to you, and relays its findings to the team.
From a distance, you see the Imperial company carry on northwards on the western riverbank. You are now on the far side of the lake from Akarra. It would take no more than 20 minutes to reach the marina by sail or by rowing. On the other hand, you also see some empty slips on this side of the lake where fishing boats are settling in for the night.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
“They are searching for the Animu Borongo?”, Snow repeats in a little bit of shock. “Why would they be after her?”, he asks of no-one in particular.
“That being the case I wouldn’t want to moor in the village, they may have left people behind to keep an eye out for her”, he says pondering the best course of action.
”If they only have a description of the boat and not us, we could moor here and walk over the bridge into the village. It’s a little risky, but Py could scope it out, or I could go in disguised maybe. What do you all think?”
Auger is as shocked as the rest that they are sought for some reason and then thinks a moment and says, "The Red Cypress soldiers we ran into, at one point the flagbearer called us 'the heroes of the vale' and mentioned hearing about us from the towns to the south. Our adventures have also created some Imperial attention it appears. To them we might be... agitators." Auger pauses and shakes his head. Memories of trying for a low profile now make him smile.
"Well so be it. We are agitators. Or something. Regardless, I like the idea of mooring on this side of the river, so at least the boat itself has a chance to remain available for travel and does not give our presence away. As for crossing over, I think we should stay together and see what comes. Py will be able to scout for all of us. At least until we run across another of the building that wards against it."
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Granophyre frowns thoughtfully, pulling slowly at his beard as he ruminates upon the question of why the Animu Borongo is being sought, his eyes following the delicate curves of his golden bird’s metallic form, currently at rest upon the cabin roof.
“Perhaps, as you say, word of agitators has reached the garrison, and Captain Sorakayoshi drew a connection to us,” he allows, weighing his next statement. “But we learned Sorakayoshi is a warlock. Might he have had magical means to spy upon us after your ‘dealings’ with him?”
Regarding where to moor, you have several choices. Close by, there is a small marina upon the northern shore of the lake facing the town of Akkara. You also make out a fishing hamlet on one of the small islands in the lake within a mile of you. And there is another village, you recall, at the southern edge of the lake near the bridge over the Sebu.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Auger finds he has no particular instinct to rely on for the choice of where to moor so he suggests the spot near the bridge. The islands might work for observation purposes but they would still need to take the Animu Borongo, or perhaps borrow a rowboat to get to El Harrouch. As Auger recalls the map he remembers that the eastern shore was part of Amazigh territory but he sees no way to avoid them at this time.
OOC: Boat master's choice on where to moor, and Py can go scout any location if that is desirable.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Snow looks across to the Western bank, trying to judge distance. "I am not sure mooring the Animu Borongo on the river's edge, where it can be stumbled upon, is a good idea", he says looking at the fishing hamlet on the island.
"With it being the target of the search, the Jenghen could have spies keeping an eye out for it. It is unlikely that the soldiers would have gone to the trouble to row across to the island though. I think that will be safest, and we should at least try there. I know escape will be complicated if the need arises, but if they find her...", he adds speaking of the Animu Borongo.
He starts to head for the island but looks to the others in case they disagree and want further discussion.
(OOC: nothing bad happens with this choice so I’m going to move you along)
Drifting closer, the smell of fish is profound and hits you like a double shot of Dwarven whiskey. Blinking, you see that the hamlet, in the hour before sunset, is a hub of activity, located on the western shore of a rather flat, wooded island several hundred yards long and perhaps one hundred yards wide. The small marina has a dock master busily seeing to ledgers and payouts as fishermen and women moor small boats and bring in their catches for the day, while stevedores load a raft with the best fish and ready it to travel the quarter-mile across to the Akkara marina laden with this bounty while rowboats clip back-and-forth bearing messengers or fishers heading home for the evening.
A dock manager catches sight of you coming in unexpectedly like a shadow materializing from the dark water, rubs her eyes, then shakes her head, earrings jangling, presuming her own fatigue was responsible for the sloop’s ability to pass Without Trace so nearby, and points to an empty mooring at the far end of the marina away from Akkara where you can put in. She — the dock manager, a stout middle-aged human wearing a Tahesian toga, meets you to discuss terms and then leaves you abruptly to see to other matters.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
"So," Varielky starts after the dock manager is gone, "do we have a plan for this operation? Even if they truly only know the looks and name of the ship, and not ours, I'm sure getting into the place wouldn't be too simple. And, more importantly, once we're in, are we just looking for the school, asking people around? I'm not too sure how normal it is for strangers to be looking after a school, especially when those strangers are armed, and most of them are men. Not to mention having no ties to any of the girls studying there."
Or maybe, the plan was to simply go in and manage each obstacle when it arises. Still, when surrounded by empiral soldiers, Varielky has a feeling their visit will be short, one way or another. No school would want four strangers covered in blood to walk its halls, she imagines.
Varielky
Snow looks out across the lake to the West, trying to pick out El Harrouch Castle in the fading light.
"Very good questions. Going alone I would suggest subterfuge, but together as you point out, that is slightly more difficult. I assume the truth is not palatable either, what with the Jenghen sniffing around?", he says as he looks back towards the others and raising an eyebrow.
"It may be we have to make things up as we go along. Either way, should we not first try to find the Red Cypress Tree?", he continues, still intrigued by the invitation for Strewn to commune with the Tree and attempt to get it's blessing.