OOC: Ready to advance once the next action is determined. At this point it sounds like we just need to decide the method of transport back to Phlan.

I think we leave the same way we came, on the large raft.  Otherwise we have to leave the horses which are not ours.  If there isn't enough space then we tow the long boat behind.

Arnald hates to just leave the two long boats. Thinking they'll be worth selling back in town he attempts to find a way to take them but if he's out voted he'll concede the point.

OOC: The boat can be given as a payment for ferrying us back to mainland or used for transporting 2 men and 2 horse and cut some payments. To transport it all the way back to Phlan we would need a carriage or makeshift wheels.

I thought we decided we are leaving by the ferry and Uragum even already offered the boat as a payment?

The horses will definitely be more comfortable on the ferry, so that's the mode of transport Sylyra says they need to take.

The sea has calmed beneath the morning sun, and Warsh is back to his position running the ferry between the small island and the Iron Route. More than willing to tote the Outsides back to the mainland, the strange man mutters an occasional curse at the behavior of his vessel with "all this danged weight" on it, but delivers you safely to the shoreline. A brisk but sunny day's travel is uneventful and deposits you in a place that to you is quite familiar, but is to the young Elisande a world full of new possibilities.

You cross the gates of Phlan on an even warmer morning. The stormy night and intense battle seem even further in the past with the everyday life of Phlan in motion before you.

OOC: Removed 2 days of rations from each character's inventory. Ola does not have any (neither does Elisande for the day of travel), so I subtracted an additional day of rations from everyone else to make up for those evenly.

"Ah, Phlan, its good to be back...  I spose we best be delivering the horses back and what not," Uragum says.  He stops scratches his head and says, "Actually, do ya guys mind takin the horses back or just waiting a bit?  I think the various groups we work with might want that journal and notes we found.  Rather than pickin who gets em, I could take some time and make some copies.  Plus, I'm interested in what's in em too."

If in agreement Uragum would spend some time and money on parchment and ink and making reasonable copies of the journal and notes found.

OOC: Ola did have rations (see Notes in her CS)  . 

 Ola did not object to idea. "We can all meet back in The Laughing Goblin, clean up enough and then return to Doomguide Yovir, unless you think we have to inform Officer Burral about our findings first. But before I go anywhere, I need to return the mule and Jakobe's remains to the family".

And she followed her plan: first, returning the mule, the remains with explanation about the accident and leaving 10gp for the funeral. Then she would return to the tavern, to clean up herself, Elisande (and getting her proper clothes too), after that she was ready to visit their employer.

Sylyra appears to contemplate Uragum's suggestion of making copies of the written materials, then nods in agreement. "If you would like some help to speed up the process, I can do that." He motions to the statue. "And what of this? Would your temple want it?" he asks Ola. "And what of her?" he asks, his lip curling a bit as he looks with disdain upon Elisande. "Where does she go? It's not like you can take care of her." he opines rather rudely.

Ola shrugged Sylyra's rudeness off like a bad but recurrent weather. "Our life style is not for a child, of course. But before I fined a permanent home for Elisande, she needs a few things - like washing a clothing, for example. Do not bother yourself with such details, the girl is my responsibility. As for the statue, I'd expect Doomguide Yovir to be most interested in it. And also capable to decide what to do with the thing."

OOC: Thank you for pointing out Ola's saddlebag inventory. I've subtracted 3 from that (2 for her, 1 for Elisande) and returned one to each of the other members of the party.

Subtracted 1 gp from Uragum's inventory for materials to copy the notes and journals.

Over the course of the next few days, Uragum pores over Ixas's journals. All written in Draconic, which the goliath fortunately understands, they speak of a schism within the Cult of the Dragon. One group, to which Ixas belonged, seeks to remain true to the Cult's true purpose of creating a class of undead draconic rulers while another instead seeks some favored Dragon Masks that they plan to use to usurp the Cult and lead it in a new direction.

Ixas had been chasing rumors and divinations that there was once a Dragon Mask in this region and a coastal town contained a tome that told of its last resting place. Given a boat by his master that could glow and shed fog, he concocted the story of the ghost ship, hoping to deter investigations by both the authorities and splinter faction cultists.

He speaks of the statue in his quarters as an evil relic of the Cult, using it to feast on the memories and thoughts of all the captives from the coastal villages, hoping to find some clue. The relic, however, drains itself every time it is used, and does not function again until the next phase of the moon. Once fully charged, a great storm gathers near it until it is used.

Thus, Ixas had used his resources and those of the old guard Cult to search for the mask, hoping to prevent the splinter faction from their goal.

All told, there is enough information to split amongst a few who would want it.

Elisande looks like an entirely new human once cleaned up by Ola. Still teeming with excited energy, the girl is clearly loving her time away from home, asking many questions and speaking fervently about every new sight. Jakobe's family is naturally devastated by his death, but receiving enough gold to give the man a proper burial well above his station will surely provide them some peace in time.

OOC: Removed 10 gp from Ola's inventory. We have downtime coming up, but we'll get that started after the party has had a chance to check in with Doomguide Yovir and Knight Burral. Let me know which order you wish to do that in.

I say Burral then Yovir.

Technically we are hired by Yovir, Black Guards only provided us with information, afaik.

I'd say Burral first since it should go quicker... right?

I have no preference, as Uragum isn't affiliated with any group.  I may want to change that though.  Connections may help in finding/obtaining rare materials for maging.

At the outpost of the Black Fist, Knight Aleyd Burral busily hunched over a desk full of paperwork when you arrive. The tired human woman forces a smile onto her face at the sight of your return.

"I am happy to see that you've returned unscathed. I have heard no reports since we last spoke. Were you able to find any leads on this ghost ship?" she asks.

"We did better than leads," Uragum begins.  "We figured out the pattern in its strikes, made it to the next island to be attacked, protected the village, got aboard the ghost ship took care of the threat and last we saw, it ship itself was burning."  He lets out a deep hearty laugh and begins to rummage in his pack until he can pull out a copy of the journal.  "Turns out it was all from a member of a dragon cult.  He's looking for a dragon mask and that's why he was causin trouble.  It should all be here in this journal.  I made copies for all of us."

"Have you ever heard of a ship by the name of Audacity?" Sylyra asks.

Ola was silently waiting for captain's reaction - Uragum explained everything, there was no need to add anything more.

Aleyd leafs through some of the notes and releases a heavy sigh. "Thank you. I will be honest...I had my qualms about working with adventurers. Those I have met in the past have been...brash, to put it mildly. I find your type to be reckless and ill-mannered, difficult to work with and demanding. The number of times I have offered work, and been met with impetuous requests to increase my offer have..."

She sighs again and collects herself, continuing, "Suffice it to say it has been a pleasure to work with you. I am happy to see that the Black Fist, and Phlan, have assistance when they need it."

"Audacity..." she thinks, "I have not. Was that the name of this ghost ship?"