D&D Campaign One: Scalebreakers - 004
The smuggler's artifact
After a hard-fought battle in the swamp and the hasty concealment of the bodies, the adventurers moved on to the warehouse, which appeared deserted, though not without danger. As Arrin crossed the threshold, he triggered a Glyph of Warding that paralyzed him for a moment. The warning was clear: this was no ordinary place. Amidst the dust, crates, and shadows, Keithara discovered clues pointing to something larger, a marked city map, a letter containing the name "Vorell," a hastily sealed pouch of gold, and a scrawled note: "Tell Ardyn the sextant is too big for them. I had to hide it. E."
Blood trails on the floor led into a dark cellar vault where a thief by the name of Elar Trow lay half in the shadows. Wounded, beaten, and silent. Only well-meaning words and healing berries calmed him, yet even then he remained cautious, eventually going his own way in silence, though without hostility. The tracks led further to the docks and a simple, seemingly abandoned boat. The group decided to act: using a rope on the pier to dive down, they discovered a magical presence pulsing beneath the boat’s wooden paneling. However, the water brought no peace, but enemies. A falcon circled above the harbor, followed by an arrow cutting through the air as Myriad agents attacked from the shadows. Among them was a general of the Myriad, Gavin Talros, a cold-hearted hobgoblin with a poisoned blade.
A fierce battle ensued, where tactics and magic united against steel and poison. Skarn, Ran, Keithara, and Arrin stood together, fighting with courage and determination. Gavin eventually fell to a precise arrow from the Kenku, who had been watching from a distance and sank the shaft into the opponent's collarbone. After a brief inspection of the boat and Arrin’s discovery of a secret compartment, the group secured a small chest, though it was sealed with a high-quality, complicated lock. After a short consultation, they set the boat ablaze and vanished into the bustle of the city, heading toward Central Stilben and the Goldleaf Inn.
Back in the safe shadows of the Clasp headquarters, the four adventurers found an hour of respite, during which they made a futile attempt to pick the chest's lock. Another Clasp member soon sought them out to convey that Ardyn was expecting them. Upon arriving at his tent, the adventurers reported Ebram Karr's death and the recent events, including the discovery of the note reading, "Tell Ardyn the sextant is too big for them. I had to hide it. E." Ardyn initially showed no reaction, though Keithara sensed there was more to his stoicism. He took possession of the murder weapon — the dagger used to kill Ebram that Ran took — and the Edelweiss-Medallion, and a brief, opaque moment hung over the conversation.
Ultimately, Ardyn remained silent regarding the deeper implications, accepted the evidence, and rewarded the group with magical gifts. A Guardian's Emblem for Arrin, Nature's Mantle for Ran, an All-Purpose Tool for Skarn and the Staff of the Python for Keithare. Also, new tents awaited them. Larger, sturdier, almost a sign of respect. Between steaming plates of food and quiet fatigue, a sense of safety spread among them for the first time. Yet, even in the glow of the campfire, several questions remained: What was meant by Ebram Karr’s final note? Why was the sextant too big? And for whom, exactly?
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