005: Pub Crawling in the City

With all threats seemingly neutralised, the party made a final search of Sea Sprite before fashioning a raft from several of the ship's doors. Piling the bodies of the dead sailors on the raft the party—along with the cabinboy Aake Seppo—climbed into their rowboat and returned to the Valerr.

Once aboard, they recounted their trial to Captain Knut before the Valerr raised anchor and sailed for Languard.

The sun was sinking in the west when the ship sailed into Languard's harbour. Matti Jurva was waiting on the docks and the party once again recounted their adventure before handing over the logbook and charts to Vilutar’s agent. Matti paid the heroes the agreed-upon fee and added a bonus for a job well done. He also explained they would qualify for a salvage payment for the coral and pearls they'd recovered from the wreck. Sadly, however, this would have to wait for a week or so until the items were properly valued.

With their mission complete, the party returned to the Fiddlers Three for a well earned rest. It wasn't long, though, before a small errand boy delivered them a message which sent them back out into the cool Languardian evening. It seemed Arlamen Evdrearn, landlord of the Drunken Sailor, had a message for Horsa.

Making their way to the Fishshambles the party once again pushed their way into the Drunken Sailor's common room. A mere day before they had been almost caught up in a barroom brawl in this very tavern. Now the room was more peaceful.

Horsa found Arlamen and over a round of drinks learnt Laina Eronen had been seen drinking at the Scythe—a Low City tavern with a reputation as a good place to hear live music. The famed halfling bard Dricolen Nimblefingers sings at the tavern, which is a direct competitor to the Fiddlers Three.

Energised, the party set out again into the night--which seemed to be turning into a bit of a pub crawl.

The Scythe was packed. Dricolen Nimblefingers was indeed in attendance and the top bar was packed with his adoring fans. The Scythe had another, quieter, bar and it was here Horsa finally found Elina. The wizard politely enquired if Elina was available to sail them to Gloamhold. She replied that she was busy looking for a friend who had been missing for about a week. The friend—Jalmari Lemmäs—had last been seen in the Scythe (hence why she was here instead of the Drunken Sailor). After a quick conversation, it was agreed: if the party found Jalmari, Elina would sail them across the bay.

It had been a long day, but clearly an investigation was required. The party fell to drinking and talking with the staff and customers with a singular vigour. Artur learnt Jalmari had seen in the company of Akviliina Raita. The paladin accompanied by Grand Silvertongue tried to question the woman, but she seemed distant and uninterested in conversation. She did deny, however, ever meeting Jalmari.

Meanwhile, Luther discovered that some folk thought the Scythe was haunted. Strange sounds had been heard to come from the tavern late at night. Chatting with two low-lifes, the ranger discovered the street people now avoided the area after dark. He also learnt the two he spoke with planned to burgle Raisa's Curios. As the young ranger chatted with the two thieves, Artur returned to speak with Akviliina. He had enjoyed some success with the barmaid after slipping her a gold coin and he tried the same tactic with Akviliina--except he gave her two!

This transformed the woman's interest in the paladin, which had been cool and dismissive up to now. She suggested they "go outside" and the young, naive paladin agreed. Wrestling with his desires and his faith he accompanied Akviliina onto the street. She suggested they duck into a nearby alley for privacy and Artur readily agreed. Worried for their new friend Colzo and Horsa followed Artur, but only as far as the street. They did not intervene; clearly the brave follower of Darlen had a plan...