Ribannah
Member
Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Castle
Gobs
05-10-2003 12:16 |
The Shoals, on the
beach
The heroes storm forward and catch
some of their attackers, but the bulk of them strafe to the
sides and keep out of reach. There is only one thing to
do.
Regran: "Keep on running! There is the sea,
maybe we can find safety in the water!"
But to their
great relief, the Gremlins are not following them at all, and
stay on the top of the dune. Before the adventurers are at the
shoreline, they are out of reach.
Still panting, they heal
themselves as good as they can.
Vilx: "What now?
The road has stopped."
DaveO: "Let's follow the
coast. The dock can't be too far away, right?"
Looking
out over the sea, the Chedians can see what looks like several
islands in the distance.
After some deliberation, they
start walking to the north. An excellent decision, as it turns
out. Soon, the see some activity ahead, and this time it's not
a pack of Gremlins.
It is, in fact, the eastern dock.
And not only that: a ship is moored at it, and Nicolai
identifies it as a merchant vessel. Near the dock they see
crates and barrels, and people who are busy loading the cargo
onto the ship. A man in his fifties, clad in wealthy
merchant's clothes is overseeing the work and looks up when
the adventurers approach.
Lord Markham: "Hello
there! Can I help you with something?"
Nicolai:
"Lord Markham, it's me, Nicolai Ironfist!"
Lord
Markham: "Well, well. When I last saw you, you were just a
little boy. How you have grown! And just as adventurous as
your father. What brings you here?"
Nicolai: "We are
on a quest, to gain the trust of the Council of Grey. It's
mighty important."
Lord Markham: "If you say so. I
can't say I've done much business with
them."
Arturchix: "Milord, we understand that you
may have the only ship around in these waters, and we are
seeking passage."
Lord Markham: "As you can see I
have not much room left for passengers, but King Ironfist in
the past, and lately Queen Catherine have always been good
customers. I'd be willing to take you to Avlee. I am dropping
off cargo at an island west of the mainland there at regular
intervals. The locals bring it over to the mainland. It's all
to be transported to Emerald Isle from there, where I'm
opening a new business. We sail at noon, to arrive in the
early morning."
Vilx: "Are there any other places
one can go from here?"
Lord Markham: "My ship here
could go to Rigard in about the same time, but that would
delay my new business. Can't do that unless you do something
for me in return."
Regran: "What could we do for
you, Lord Markham?"
Lord Markham: "It is well known
that I've been hunting down Tatalian pirates. There is still
one left, by the name of Wacko, but I really don't have the
time to deal with him now. If you were to, say, sabotage his
ship, the Wastrel, you'd gain me some time and I would take
you to Rigard if you want."
DaveO: "Is there
anything of interest here in the Shoals?"
Lord
Markham: "There is the volcano on Rime Isle in the north.
My ship can't get there because of all the ice floes. But I
wouldn't go swimming either with all the sharks in the sea.
Further, if you continue north on the beach you will of course
find the Faerie Forest when you are past the
mountains."
__________________
If you have no
feet, don't walk on fire.
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