Lavinia has asked us to look into the matter of her brother. As we exit the estate, there is a halfling (and dog) pacing outside the gates. The halfling introduces himself as Rickbin (and the dog is Toto), and he has been sent by the harbormaster to aid us in our investigation.
We get some background on the brother (Vanthas Victor Vanderborn) from Cora. She said he was a good boy, but lately had been showing a bit of temper. She believes it was because he resented being sent out to the fields as punishment for a prank he had pulled. (We later find out from Lady Lavinia that the prank involved a love potion at a party with a lot of nobles - "people were hurt".) His time on the pineapple plantation is the only real manual labor he had ever done.
Andre checked out a local eatery, and discovered that Vanthas had been there in the last week or so (he appears to be maintaining the illusion with the locals that he is still living at the estate). After questioning some people at the docks, it turns out that Vanthas had been seen on several occasions with Brissa Santos, from the Shadowshore district. Some people believe she's an up-and-coming artist, others think she's a thief and a pick-pocket.
After lunch, we went to Shadowshore, where we learned that Vanthas had also been seen with Penkas - an angry, drunken dwarf who is also a known smuggler. The two of them rented a boat (though there was some argument over the type of boat to rent).
We realized we were being followed, and then a kid attempted to pick Bella's pocket (unsuccessfully). He said he was put up to it by the guy that was following us. A fight ensued. Two of the assailants got away, however, we kept one for questioning. He told us we were in over our heads, and that we'd caught the attention of "the guild" (he had a tatoo - a lotus with a dragon), and that the Lady of the Lotus was sending us a message. When Andre asked him about Vanthas, he asked what the Lady's boyfriend had to do with anything. After dropping the thug off at the authorities (in another district), we went home.
The next day, we went back to the boat shop. The owner became very talkative once we offered to pay him for info. Tells us enough to determine that they (Vanthas and Penkas) couldn't have been planning to go too far.
At lunch, we're approached by a human who says he knows where Vanthas is. Used to work for him, but hasn't been paid in a while (which is why he was willing to help us). We meet him at the docks after dark, and head out to Parrot Island.
Guide's name is Barrius, and it turns out the whole thing was a trap. Thing is, Vanthas betrayed Barrius as well, and traps all of us in the caves on the island.
We survive the fight with the zombie pirates, and remove the holy symbol of Oldemarra from the hucuva.
We explore the rest of the caverns, and eventually find a hidden room with Penkas' bloated body (he was betrayed by Vanthas as well, and left a letter cursing the cad), and three large chests.
Andre and Barrius swim out of the caverns, and remove the stone from the entrance, while we cart the goods back. After everything (and everyone) is hoisted up out of the caves, we make our way back home.
Unfortunately, there is more bad news upon our return. Lord Islaran (the harbormaster) was murdered in his sleep. There are lots of rumors surrounding his death (including something about the body being mutilated).
Barrius informs us that the guild is based under the taxidermist shop. Andre goes in and checks out the shop (he knows the taxidermist), and doesn't see any indication of a lower level. We decide to watch the place overnight, and in the course of our snooping, Andre finds an area near a boarded up building that has seen recent traffic. Upon entering, we find a fake-boarded hole in the floor, and can hear sounds of movement from below.
And that's where the episode ended.
Stuff Found:
2 rapiers
2 hand crossbows (1 given to Barrius)
17 crossbow bolts (Barrius)
MW Silver Dagger (Andre)
5 potions of Cure Light Wounds (one to each person other than Bella)
Potion of Lesser Restoration (Bella)
Potion of Invisibility CL 5 (Barrius)
Potion of Barkskin +3 - CL 6 (Arlanna)
Potion of Cure Serious Wounds (Bella)
Elixir of Swimming - 1 hour (Bella)
Pillow of Featherfall (Bella)
Wand of Mage Armor - 11 charges (Arlanna)
100 gp in gems for each party member
180 gp for each party member
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