Gerrard:

"Councilor Farbern, Fossie was a good and capable guard.  I was hoping she escaped the battle safely, but it appears she has not.  Fossie brought us in quietly to the pirate's ship and we boarded, taking them by surprise!  However, one of the enemies escaped--the ship's mage.  I lost sight of him when I went below decks to continue the fight, but when we didn't hear from Fossie and the skiff was gone, I feared the worst," said the young noble.  "Master Fenwader, I seem to recall you saying something about Fossie's abrupt disappearance at the time?" he adds, encouraging Peri to speak up.

Quote from Mithdraugaer >>

Peri:

Peri still doesn't acknowledge Farbern but speaks to the rest of the Council. "That's right. She sailed us up under her port beam nice and quiet, and it was well done. But she stayed with the boat per your orders. Early in the fight one man went into the sea from the crow's nest to escape the burnin' sails. Then Lord Feldern here blasted their magician overboard. Both went over the starboard side, away from the boat, so we weren't too worried about them. But while we were still fightin' I saw a flash out to port, and when I looked our boat was headed away. I called out, but no answer came, so I tried holin' her hull but missed. Our guess was that the mage had survived fallin' into the water and snuck up on Fossie. She was armed, so if she'd seen him she'd have likely killed or captured him herself."

He turns to Farbern, a glint in his eye that could be mischief or challenge. "But while we're discussin' missin' guards and boats, whatever became of your man -- Farley, I think it was. Somehow he made it back to port but that fool Seth and the boatload of contraband went missin'. Ever find out where they disappeared to?"

Gerrard:

After Peri and Farbern’s detente is resolved, another comment on the main topic:

Farbern seems to accept Peri's testimony regarding Fossie without expression. Regarding Farley, he responds, simply, "That is still an open investigation."

Owland asks Peri, "Tell us more about this magician who may have escaped."

Moving onto the other matter of the Lizardfolk, Owland responds to Gerrard. "Your reasoning seems sound. And obviously, we're interested in peace. However, giving th' Lizardfolk the weapons is not an option. You may have th' painted shield as an offering, that's all. Your job is to scout the lair and determine their intentions. Let us do the negotiating."

"You can approach the lair by sea - we'll provide a keelboat an' a pair of guards to help you pilot it, if you like - it'll take a just few hours of sailing. Or, you can approach by land; it'll take a day or two to hike along the edge of the marshes, and you'll need to ford the Dunwater. A little more dangerous, maybe, but maybe less visible."

Peri:

Peri snorts audibly when Farbern mentions the "open investigation." To Owland he just shrugs. "He was some sorta wizard or warlock. I think his name was Punketa? He left behind some nice boots when he went over the rail. Anything more, you'll have to ask your prisoner." He nearly mentioned Elbin, then thought better of it. Best they forget he was part of that mess.

"We'll let you know whether we're goin' by land or by sea. But if you'll excuse me, my belly's growlin' like a beast tryin' to escape -- I thought there'd be cakes; there were cakes last time, weren't there? Anyhow, I'm goin' back to the Goat for a hot meal, a bath, and a well-deserved rest. And maybe my pants've turned up." He hadn't really intended to say that last bit out loud, but no matter. He turns and walks out, muttering, "And if I'm lucky, maybe they'll be in the hands of a friendly lass..."

Primwater smiles at the talk of cakes. "Oh, there'll be cakes and ale! My baker worked all morning on them. Tortleberry with honey. Delicious!"

Owland nods and smiles, but admonishes in good humor, "First we have to get through the graduated tariff rate offsets."

Dwal

"I should be at me cabin studying or getting some rest." Dwal mutters to himself. 

At the mention of tariff rates, he rolls his eyes. Dwal has a good business sense, always has. But when others want to influence businesses they don't have a hand in, it gains his irritation. Such talk makes him feel as if he is in a den of thieves rather than a council meeting. "Fer all purposes ye are," he thinks to himself. "The most successful thieves are those that put themselves in charge."

Dwal fidgets a bit, then starts pulling over some spell he is trying to figure out. Forgetting where he is at, Dwal will cast {spell]Prestidigitation[/spell] writing small formulas made of light in the air before him. (if you will allow the spell to be used that way).

Kei

His boredom clearly visible on his face. He has always hated meetings. Especially those that involve authority figures. When Peri turns and walks out he quickly falls into step with the little man. "So, 700 gold. That's a sizeable reward. I think I might shout Elbin a bit of a upgrade in his living quarters. That young man is doing me and his ma proud." He continues his praise of his nephew as the walk. The talk inevitably turns to how Kei will spend his reward. "And I think it's about time I got myself a fancy weapon like your spear mister Peritwinkle. Do you know if there's somewhere in town that sells such things?"

Dwal

Seeing their part is complete with the meeting, or he thinks so due to Peri's exit, Dwal will get up, bow once to the council then depart. He will make his way with the rest of the party, listening as they go. 

Gerrard:

”Thank you, councilors, for your gratitude and reward.  We shall strive to resolve the issue with the Lizardfolk peacefully.  May we be excused?” asks Gerrard.

Gerrard makes sure that, after the reward is received, he speaks with the others on the way out, saying, “Yes, let’s celebrate tonight and divide the fruits of our labor, then head out in the morning to retrieve the perished sailors.  Who will tally the shares for us tonight?”

OOC:  Gerrard will try to pay for the diamond dust out of his share, but it Dwal insists he will not reject his offer of 50 gp from earlier.  He will also insist Oceanus gets his share for the foray to the Dwarven citadel (though not from the ship battle, since he didn’t join until afterwards).

Owland seems mildly annoyed that you are leaving in the middle of their agenda, but holds her tongue. "Yes, yes, fine, fine. See the bailiff for your payments."

In the back of the Council Room, the bailiff, an old guard of nearly ninety years, takes forever to locate and hand over a sack with 400 gold pieces, all the while muttering something lengthy and incoherent about muffins. Another man, a portly gentlemen whom Gerrard vaguely recognizes as a port official in Seaton, hands Gerrard a small chest with another 500 gold, payment for the recovery of the cargo. "Your service to the crown is greatly appreciated," he says, and bows slightly.

The five of you exit into the cold night air. Oceanus looks at the loot with an air of satisfaction. It's clear he expects a cut, also.

Gerrard:

Smiling in thanks to the bailiff, Gerrard watches him hand the payment over to one of their number.  When the port official hands him the chest, his smile widens and he says, "Thank you, servant of the crown, your appreciation is sincerely received," bowing in response.

Dwal

Dwal refuses to take any money he already paid to help with Gerrard's restoration. 

"Eventually", he says "We won't have to go to another priest to do those things." 

Dwal will wait around till the treasure is split. He will then head to his apartment and secure his part, giving Bjorn a portion for his hoard. Then Dwal will check on the progress on the cabins on the shore.

Peri:

Once the matter of paying out shares is settled, Peri will return to the Wicker Goat to eat himself into a food coma. He'll inquire about any halfling-size pants that may have shown up since a couple of nights before, then have a single ale and go to bed fairly early.

((I'll deduct 2 gp for this day + tomorrow's living expenses))

Unless there is further business, the party calls it a night – Peri and Gerrard at the Goat;  Kei under the Empty Net;  Dwal at the Mining Company HQ. Everyone except Dwal should pay their Lifestyle expenses.

Lankus reports that no pants have turned up, although he can send his boy to fetch you a set of new clothes if you like. (5 sp for a set of common street clothes.)

Dwal finds that construction is going well at the cabins at Cottages Cove. They'll be habitable after three more days of construction, maybe two. The retaining wall is finished; the crabs are out. Bats swarm at night in the area, unnerving the carpenters. The mast of the Sinker is plainly visible offshore.

Gerrard:

Given how difficult he found it to distribute shares last time, Gerrard makes a concerted effort to at least get the gems appraised.  He will leave the total of six scrolls to the magic-using people to deal with, and he tries to get what he can for the plate armor pieces from the armorsmith (convert to coin, as I don't think anyone needs plate armor in the party).

He will try visiting Winston at the General Store for the gems, but may try Captain Xondros at Iuz for the rarer gems if needed.  If there are less expensive magic items that may be of use there, Gerrard will take note of it.  The Dwarven Anvil seems good for the armor pieces.  

Some Persuasion checks if needed:

15

10

10

**** Day 14 (I think)  ***

You wake up to gusty winds rattling the old buildings, and spitting rain outside. It's a little warmer than it has been, at least.

Gerrard wakes up early and takes a trip across the still-waking town to visit old Winston, who is delighted to see him again. Winston pulls out a weighted scale and a viewing glass, and takes long looks at each of the gems. He is able to identify each one, and offers to buy them at value:

The opaque, neatly-cut, black gemstone is obsidian. Winston offers you 10gp for it.
The beautiful blue jewel that was wrapped in silk is the big prize - a star sapphire worth 500 gp.
The pair of matching blue stones that accompanied it are blue topazes worth 90 gp each.
The opaque light blue-green jewel is turquoise, and valued at 10 gp.

Gerrard:

Taking Winston at his word, Gerrard sells the gems and returns with the coin to his comrades, having their shares ready for them at breakfast (see OOC discussion in messages).

Gerrard:

After he hands out the loot, Gerrard makes sure the scrolls and tools get a good home (please take them/identify them, friends).  "When do we set sail to get the bodies of the sailors?  I have a few more errands to run this morning if we have time," says Gerrard, adding, "and I could use some help picking out a new horse."

OOC:  Gerrard is hoping to find an exceptional steed, and perhaps use the plate armor pieces he salvaged as a base for some good barding (perhaps at the Dwarven Anvil) so it doesn't meet the same fate as his last horse...

Dwal

(DM: how many books would Dwal had been able to carry out in his pack?)

Dwal will work to Id the 2 unidentified scrolls.