On Our Way

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Episode no.	Episode 44
Date	2009
Game Master	Abbe
Characters	Dorothea Gloriana Honeypot Nell Velicia
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The mayor of Magnimar had need for heroes so we were sent for. It turned out that an outpost called Fort Rannick had been out of contact for some time. The mayor wanted us to go there an see if anything had happened as he was about to send supplies there for the winter. It would be sent by barge along the river, but that way would take to long time so we decided to ride. The mayor payed us an advance of 300 gp for the mission. I thought that it wasn't very much, even less than what Brodert Quink payed us just to come with us to Thistletop that we already had cleared of most of all dangers. I think Xanesha was right in him being greedy. When Shalelu heard we would leave town she wanted to join us. She was very happy about it too. When she heard we were going to Fort Rannick she definitely wanted to join in.

We left an early morning and rode in sunshine on a beautiful autumn day. The leaves were turning yellow and red, decorating the trees and farmers were working in the fields, harvesting. Soon the harvest festivals would start. I'm really looking forward to those. We rode for several days stopping for the nights at the taverns in the small villages we past along the way. There were some rain but mostly the weather was good. Creampuff seemed to think that now that Shadowmist is far away, he is the new leader of the pack. A palomino replacing the black.

We heard some noise from ahead. It was happy voices and sounds of celebration. We continued and found a group of fauns having a pick nick in a clearing next to the road. They made a suggestion.
"Have some wine with us!"
"Drinking with fauns?, I don't think so."
"I don't drink, anyway." I said.
"You don't? But I've seen you drink wine."
"No. You've seen me holding a glass."
"Here, free wine to all of you!"

Honeypot distracted them by suggesting a music competition. One of the fauns and Honeypot played at the same time and we and the other fauns were supposed to dance. The one whose music most dance to win. I never was any good at dancing. I can cling to someone who dance, but dancing on my own I never learned. Instead I did some somersaults and flips, but I don't think anyone minded. Honeypot was the winner and we prepared to leave. The fauns protested and said that we should stay and celebrate the victory. The others talked in that strange language draconic that all but me apparently speak. I'm sure that the fauns know it too, even though they didn't show it. Then Velicia drew her sword and pointed along the road.
"We will continue that way to Fort Rannick. We are brave and powerful adventurers that are going there to save them from any dangers!" and while talking her sword lit up with magic. The fauns seemed impressed. I thought that there might be trouble and put my hair into a plait to keep it out of the way if there would be fighting. There were some tense moments while we mounted and readied us for continuing. Two bugbears appeared in the edge of the trees as we left.

After a short while Velicia said
"We should turn back and kill them."
"Why?" I asked.
"They may rob and kill innocent travelers. Remember the supplies that will be sent to the fort too."
"That will go by barge up the river. Besides it will be protected." Gloriana said.

We continued on our way until late afternoon when we reached the little village called Pendala. We got rooms at the only inn where Olam Keeche, the owner, made delicious cranberry turtle pies for dinner. Well satisfied we sat on the porch and looked out over the Claybottom lake and the mist over the swamp of Shimmerglen. At the northern end of the lake we could see a barge lit by colored lights slowly making it's way here and there. We asked Olam what it was and he said that it was some barge that entertained visitors. He thought that strange people lived in Turtleback Ferry and they had way to many parties.

In the morning, after breakfast with more pies and a few more brought for lunch, we continued on towards Turtleback Ferry. After a short stop for an early lunch we reached the little town at the northern edge of Claybottom lake. It was set at the mouth of a river and had a small harbor. We took the time to ask around about Fort Rannick. We didn't get much information but that they usually came down about once a week but hadn't for a month or two. They thought that it might be due to the rain. It had been raining every afternoon for a long time now. It's autumn, but it's still a little strange. So far we had had a warm and mostly sunny trip. It had actually been pleasant even though it was outside city walls where I usually prefer to be.

Honeypot asked about places where you could have fun. We got to know that most party at the Paradise's Doors. It turned out to be the colorful barge we saw last night from Pendala. Honeypot said
"Let's go there."
"You have to be a member."
"I think I can get in anyway."
"Hey, I recognize you. I saw you in Magnimar."
"You girls should work there." another one added and nodded menande...
Velicia got angry and told him in no soft words that we were there to help Fort Rannick if they were in trouble and we were in no way helpless. She has become much more domineering lately. She used be more quite, but nowadays she has a lot more bite.