As the last session began, Douglan and Nightingale were standing on the street just outside of the Luck and Fortune House of Smoke. Elim suggested that the party would find good accommodations at The Tall Tale Inn just a short walk to the west. He said to make sure to tell them that he sent you. With that, the party headed to the inn for a short night’s rest knowing that they would have to get up early to meet with Commander Ranier Aldawin before heading to the docks to catch their ship to Vargas.
The party awoke early in the morning and headed straight to The Vanguard Keep. Ranier was updated on the situation with Lord Falmorn Riovar, and he promised that he would not get involved with the situation at Castle Evendor unless called upon. As promised, Ranier gave the party Vanguard amulets that they could use to enlist the help of The Vanguard anywhere their travels took them. The party departed and headed straight to the eastern docks.
As the party arrived at the eastern docks to board the Raven Song, they had their first look at the other passengers that would be joining them. The first was a clean-cut, nicely dressed dwarven man, the second was a slightly disheveled elven man, the third was a very attractive tiefling woman, and the final, a human with a large dog.
Shortly after the passengers settled into their mid-deck cabins, Lafferty Jones knocked on Nightingale‘s room door. Nightingale, disguised as Braffass Bellfor, answered. Lafferty explained that he figured that Braffass was Nightingale. He told Nightingale that he was hired by Anton Tionchar to help them find the sickle. Nightingale called on Douglan, disguised as Jespers Pennyless, to confirm that Lafferty was who he said he was. Lafferty told him that Anton said to tell Douglan that “Jackie was looking down on him”. Nightingale and Douglan were convinced that Lafferty was a friend.
As the three continued their conversation, Darrom Moltenmane, the dwarven man they had seen boarding the ship, knocked on the room door and invited the group for a drink in the common room. Nightingale, Douglan, and Lafferty headed to meet him. As they entered the room, they found Darrom and the tiefling woman talking. She introduced herself as Diza. After a few drinks and a little discussion, Diza excused herself to go on deck for some air. At that same time, Landis Von Tenebrin entered. After a brief discussion, Landis asked Douglan if he could speak with him in private.
Douglan and Landis went to Douglan’s room where Landis explained how he had come to be on the ship. He showed Douglan the book that his grandfather had given him and the picture inside. Although Douglan did not fully understand what he was seeing and hearing, he accepted that Landis was somehow a part of the events that were unfolding.
The trip to Vargas was mostly uneventful. Nightingale, Douglan, Lafferty, and Landis got to know each other as they tried to get to know their fellow passengers better. Highlights of the two-day voyage include a fine dinner with Captain Benton “Gray” Tattersall, Diza confronting Nightingale about being in disguise, the Raven Song flying a black flag in response to the approach of another vessel, and a request from Darrom to have the party accompany him to Coldhorn acting as his bodyguards.
Finally, just after 5 PM on the second day, the Raven Song made its way into Vargas. A city built into an enormous sea cave. As soon as everyone was ashore, Darrom headed out to prepare for the party’s arrival for dinner and discussion about their trip to Coldhorn. As Diza prepared to leave, she was approached by two half-orcs who stated she had unfinished business with their boss. Diza looked to the party for help. Nightingale was able to convince the two to leave without incident, but it was clear that this was not over. Diza confessed that she owed a large sum of gold to a half-orc in Whalespell and was trying to hide until she could figure out how to pay it back. She asked to continue to Coldhorn with the party which they agreed to.
As the conversation finished up, a young man named Malcolm Pederin approached the party and asked if he could provide some guide services for the party while they were in Vargas. The party agreed and Malcolm arranged transportation to their accommodations. Diza staying at the Storm’s End inn with Darrom. The rest of the party headed to the Good Knight’s Rest inn. After settling into their rooms and removing their disguises, Nightingale, Douglas, Lafferty, and Landis headed to the Storm’s End inn to meet Darrom and Diza for dinner.
Upon arrival, Nightingale apologized for the disguises and explained that they were actually Nightingale and Douglan. Darrom confessed that Diza had told him about the disguises and that he had suspicions himself. With the air cleared, the party settled in to enjoy dinner and discuss their business arrangement for the trip to Coldhorn.
As today’s session begins, the party is seated around a large table at the Storm’s End Inn with Darrom and Diza. Darrom has ordered food and drinks for all as they discuss their travel plans to Coldhorn. Darrom has reminded the party that although he will pay the tab, they need to book their own passage to Coldhorn. A passage that they will be making on the Dragonfly owned by Windwalker Travels.