Encounter at Sea #1: Dilemma at Croy!

 

The sun sets as the Dragon boat sails into TInker cove on the southern coast of Croy Isle. The first thing you note is the great Rune Arch that spans the entrance of the cove, you are also surprised at the number of ships that are not only docked here, but the unusual amount that are also anchored just off shoe as well. The crews of many ships hail you as you pass them, "Haloo Heroes!", "It's them! It's them!!", "Save Modron!".

    The port is bustling with activity and you actually have to wait to dock for about an hour, as other merchant craft clear away. Upon docking the Port Master states that you must resupply and ship out in 2 hours since you have no cargo to unload. If you plan to stay any length of time you must anchor offshore and use a smaller boat to ferry crew back and forth or hire one of the many lads with a dingy to do so for you. The docking fee is 10 ten gold coins payable now.

    "Two hours should be more than enough time to get what we need." says Hookah, " Our problem may be cost, I've never seen so much activity here before."

    "Port Master, why are there so many ships here?" asks Alexander stepping onto the dock.

    "Most of the ships are waiting to sail on to Modron, the lot anchored offshore have arrived from there earlier today. Story is a curse has been laid upon the city and its destruction looms near! I heard tell that the Heroes of Eros are even now at sea looking to prevent this terrible thing from happening." 

    The Port Master suddenly steps back as he looks at Alexander, then sweeps his gaze across the rest of the party. " A young Wizard, a white-haired Elf girl, the Scarlet Tiger, a cunning Rogue, Mesha's chosen, Lars the Shark, the Iron Chef Moep, the Hawkswood Trio minus one, and assorted henchmen...... I.... it's YOU!" Taking two steps backwards he cries, "By the pruned balls of Trameron! The Heroes of Eros have landed in Tinker Cove!"

    Everyone in earshot turns to see what the Dock Master is yelling about. Then as if someone set a torch to a puddle of oil, the fact that the Heroes of Eros have landed in Croy blazes across the docks. Within minutes a group of heavily armed Skandiks arrive and shove their way to you past the crowd that has gathered. 

    "I am Onrei," says a tall blonde shield Maiden, "Captain of Croy's battle fleet. Jarl Melrik requests you join him for audience. The Royal Guard are here to escort you all forthwith."

    Leaving Gilligan and Farhoud with the boat everyone else goes to meet the Jarl in his fortress. Walking through the streets you are greeted with much enthusiastic praise as well as a few stares and looks of suspicion. Soon you all find yourselves in a great Mead hall standing in front of Jarl Melrik himself.

    "Greetings Heroes of Eros and welcome to Croy." the warrior-king looks over the group. Neither young nor too old the Jarl of Croy is obviously not a man to be toyed with.

     "It seems the Fates have smiled upon me at last. As you MUST know by now the news of Modron's plight has preceded you here by only a few hours. Three days ago, my Sorceress had a vision that an opportunity of great value would present itself to me. I believe you are that opportunity. You need supplies to carry on and save Modron. I have these things and could ask a hefty ransom for them. I also in my own way, hope you fail in this endeavor. I will not bar you from completing your quest as long as you give me what I want. In return your boat will be supplied and you may leave as wish, or stay till dawn."

    "What do you wish of the Heroes, my Lord? If it is our aid in some manner we will gladly give you a discounted rate, but only after we complete our quest for the Sea-Queen and fair Modron."  says Lars, calculating with his mental abacus how much he may be able to gain from the coffers of Croy.

    Standing, Melrik motions to his left and a blonde woman steps out from a hidden alcove. "Cannar! Do they still have it? I don't see the man you described amongst them."

    "They do my lord, the reek of it permeates them all." Her eyes glow with a soft golden flicker, as the Sorceress slowly circles the party. "There are even those among them who would be glad to be rid of it."

    "If you have not guessed by now what it is I seek from you, then I shall name it!" The Skandik Jarl towers over you like a giant, his ice blue eyes piercing you like a spear. 

    "Give me the Axe of Felan, and I will see you supplied and on your way. Refuse me, and you will be my guests as Modron falls into the sea and Croy becomes the greatest sea port in the Wilderlands."

    Returning to his throne the Jarl tips a goblet of wine to his mouth then looks back upon the group, "I await your answer...."

     DM: after hearing what you all have to say (your comments below), the Jarl rises from his chair and approaches Tyrrian.

    "Young Tiger, I do not fear Sashu's gaze upon my actions. Your courage to speak plainly to me is noted." The big man places his hand on the warriors shoulder and nods to him knowingly. Turning then towards the rest of the party he raises his thick arms to the air and bellows, " IMAGINE yourself with this WEAPON!" Then drawing a stony gaze upon Alexander he continues, " Only a FOOL or a small minded peasant would believe that Felan's Axe will bring one respect and stature among his peers. You seek I think to stoke the flames of ego which do not burn here. Oh you are correct that one will get much treasure, tithe and conquest from its use. Only from those who fear you, and those who would seek to usurp you, while blood stains your hands at the behest of the Lords of Chaos!"

    "You ask me to REWARD you! When I should have you all killed for unearthing it in the first place. But, I excuse your ignorance , for how could you have known what it truly was." The Skandik King turns to face Lars and Sally.

    "As for my generosity, you witness it first hand. My harbor and coast brim with the refugees of Modron, as well as those ships that would have sailed unknowingly into that coming danger had my people not warned all the sea captains once we heard the news. I'm sorry to tell you Bard, but the fate of Modron lies squareley upon the shoulders of you Heroes of Eros. You chose to champion those people, not I."

    Once again Melrik ascends the steps to his throne and turns to face you all. " I want the Axe to destroy it! As should have been done long ago, without it both Chaos and Law lose the chance to embroil us in their endless war. I offer you participation in the rite of destruction after which you may leave Croy with supplies to see you through your quest. Or you can refuse me and go as you came here. The decision is yours."

    Cannar responds to Sally, "Little sister, the Jarl can himself get a bit zealous. Though Trameron is our chief diety, Mesha holds sway here as well. You are welcome to commune with her in the Temple of Trees."

    "Come Heroes, join me for food and drink! Help me settle my mood and cut through the tensions I have raised. Cannar, take the priestess to the Temple and we will await her return." The Jarl signals and tables are set with food an drink.

    "You lot are a bit opportunistic, but I suppose that is to be expected. I had to push you to see where your hearts lie, I needed to understand how deep of a hold the AXE had upon you. As for how one disposes of such a thing, well my little friend. That takes something special, something I have that came to me from the far north. It was discovered buried in the great glacier near Valon. Have you ever heard of the ancient Hyperzephyrians and the fabled Fire Lance?" Melrik eyes you all from the rim of his mead horn, "I possess one and will use it tonight in concert with Cannar's spells and you shall be witness to a rite that has not been performed in a thousand thousand years! That is, as long as your Priestess agrees when she returns from her commune with the Goddess."


DM: Sally soon returned from the Temple of Trees, she agreed to let the Axe of Felan be destroyed. With great haste the Jarl led all those present to a ring of standing stones on the cliffs overlooking the sea. They watched as Cannar the Sorceress started an hour long ritual that began drawing down lightning to the stones. Nearing the rituals completion, the Jarl asked that Sally and Tyrrian place the Axe upon the center stone. As our two heroes complied a long thin ornate coffer was brought to Melrik. He opened it and revealed the ancient Fire Lance. The twelve foot long weapon seemed to be cast from mother of pearl and fitted with

pure silver connectors, it was also inset with dark rubies the size of Moep's fists. The Jarl lifted it from the coffer and was able to grip by a handle much like that of a crossbow. A long flexible pipe of unknown manufacture dropped from the base of the grip and its end was placed in the center of specially prepared mystic circle. Asking everyone to stand well behind him, the Jarl aimed the lance into the air above the Axe. Then calling out in unison with Cannar to the Sea God Trameon, the Celestial Arishem and the Great Balance a bolt of white coruscating energy tore into the sky! The stones themselves were feeding the lightning they had into the sky as well now and a great tear opened in reality, through this hole reached a crimson hand that had a span of at least 100 feet. The great hand reached down and plucked the Axe from the stone altar and it instantly began to turn white hot and melt in the entities grip. The chaos forged metal steamed away into nothingness and a clap of thunder so powerful it knocked everyone off their feet concluded the night!