Difference between revisions of "Crescent Moons Trading Company"

Revision as of 09:41, 12 March 2019

To the casual observer, there is nothing special about the Crescent Moons Trading Company. It is one of a half-dozen small, struggling trading houses, a member of the Dirt City Merchants' Guild, trying to make an honest living in a city of thieves. Only a few people know its secret: Crescent Moons is actually a front organization, created to cover the activities of brave do-gooders, heroes dedicated to helping the common folk of Dirt City to the best of their ability.

The Game

Here you can find the latest posts in this game.

Game Background

The election of Liam Kent, the former head of the Woldian League of Adventurers, as the Prince of Dirt City ushered in a two-year period of relative stability and prosperity. That all changed when Kent was either assassinated or died of natural causes, depending on who you ask. A new Prince was chosen, backed mainly by the Teeth and Keys. He lasted all of two weeks before a feud broke out between the Teeth and the Darts. The new Prince failed to act, leading to accusations of favoritism toward those who had gotten him the job. The Prince fled during the night, leaving the position open again. A new man was chosen, thanks largely to the backing of the Dirt City Merchants’ Guild, but he was murdered by his own guards. Since the guards had been taken largely from the ranks of the Knives, this led to accusations of behind-the-scenes manipulation. The next Prince was forced to abdicate when the Keys withdrew their support after a disagreement. And so on. Finally, in exasperation, the House of Knives and the House of Wolves collaborated to elect their man, Argus Fexel.

As Prince of the City, Fexel has succeeded in keeping order, using draconian laws and harsh punishments to discourage anyone from stepping out of line. After months of infighting and instability, the city now knows peace of a kind, but at a very high price. And nobody is suffering more than the common folk, who have no powerful allies to shield them.

Characters

These are the characters, past and present, that have been featured in this game.

Current Roster

Hmerrin - A human fighter played by Mike

Toston Lotor - A gnome monk/gold draconic sorcerer/gold dragon disciple played by Hugh

Wilford Grimly - A human rogue/cleric played by Matt

Gaffer - A human druid played by Courtney

Past Characters

Gilmek - a gnome bard played by Briton

Roy "The Red" Thandor - an elf ranger played by Justin

Broom - a dwarf monk played by William

Ashley Steward - a human fighter played by Nicholas

Avin Fellows - a human wizard played by Thomas

Alizar Alegari - A elf cleric played by Rocky

Talanthrel - A half elf fighter/rogue played by Paul

Var Tuegh - A half-orc ranger played by Tom

Dušan - A human blood witch played by Erik

Asteria Amarante - A human barbarian played by Genevieve

Ethani - A 3/4 sea elf cleric played by Nellie

Lornak - A surface drow twilight ranger played by Frank

NPCs

Abel Boggs is the PCs' primary contact in the organization. He is a very average-looking human man in his forties, with thinning sandy hair and a very forgettable face.

Madri Brightside is the company's receptionist, a halfling woman who is unfailingly kind and cheerful. She can usually be found in the reception area, where she has a smile and a friendly greeting for everyone.

Tombo (Tom) Greenhand is one of the group's tenants, owner of Tavern. Tom is a young man, tall and thin, with sandy red hair and blue eyes. He is dressed in halfling-style clothes: fine shirt, waistcoat, shortened trousers, and bare feet. Of course, his feet lack the thick soles and curly hair of regular halfling feet; they are narrow, and pale, and a little dirty.

Mazea Ironthane is another of the group's tenants, owner of the leatherworking shop. Mazea is a middle-aged dwarven woman, with a long braid composed of roughly equal parts red and gray hair.

Sunny Culpepper is another of the group's tenants, owner of the sewing school. She is a human woman, very pretty, no more than 20 years old. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, and her dress, though simple, is well-made and fits her perfectly. Hmerrin has quite the crush on her.

Brother Elthorn is a drunk acolyte of Ffloy and tender of a small shrine / graveyard dedicated to Ffloy. In his own words he has a 'posisshen' and complains that no one appreciates either Ffloy or him.

Three-Bits is a small-time information broker in the city. Twice now she's helped the group with useful knowledge on what's happening in the criminal underworld of Dirt City, but always for a price.

The Belchmucks Geb and Sabnot Belchmuck are the goblin husband & wife team that own the Goblin's Rest Inn. Their son, Son Belchmuck is the Maitre d', Derx is the head chef, and Nmogaz is the captain of the guard.

Crafting

Poisons and Alchemical Remedies https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IFSx1JIQFFez3MPYfcn4tzy8Eko-AyQSjRfTyKNqmSw/edit?usp=sharing

Geography

This game takes place in Dirt City.

The Crescent Moons Trading Company is located in an uneasy no-man's land between Moontown and the Backstab Quarter. It's a rather shabby, single-story building whose front door and shutters have been painted a hopeful shade of blue. Next door is a sprawling rooming-house; down the alley is a tiny shop that sells the best meat pies in the City Above. Across the street is a rather sleepy neighborhood brothel.

Shale House

This three story building was formerly the property of the House of Silver, until the PCs won it when they defeated that group in the Arena. The building has been refurbished, and the group has moved into the second and third floors.

Shale House

The PCs have rented the first floor to three storefronts:

1) The Buttering Ram. Tavern run by Tombo Greenhand, a human who prefers halfling ways and foods.

2) Leatherworking shop operated by Mazea Ironthane.

3) Sewing school operated by Sunny Culpepper.

Income - 30 gp per month. The three tenants pay 10gp each.

Expenses - The House of Wolves 'owns' this particular neighborhood, and change the group 10% of the rent (ie 3gp/month) as a 'Protection Tax'. The PCs have reluctantly decided to pay.

The PCs have also hired a night guard, Cinzi, for 6gp/month.

AND The PCs are also planning to cover the same 10% on profits tax the Wolves are levying on each of the tenants.

Marsh House

Prior to their current residence, the PCs are rented from the CMTC a large house, called Marsh House, for 40 gp per month, located in DOCKSIDE. The house has plenty of room for everyone, but its architecture is odd to say the least. Complete descriptions can be found in the game's archives, specifically the DM posts of March 25, 26, and 17, 2015. The Tide no longer rent any rooms in the Marsh House

Safe Houses

Part of the cover that the Crescent Moons Trading Company provides is a network of safe houses for emergencies. The PCs were given safe houses and recognition codes, which they had to memorize since none of this information is safe to write down and carry around. There are several safe houses in Dirt City; the following is only a partial list:

• There is a certain bookstore in The Burn. Go in and ask for the autobiography of Liam Kent. The clerk will ask "the abridged or unabridged version?" The reply: "I hear they're both the same."
• There is a certain house in Wardd's Ward. Go to the back door and ask about the mule they have for sale.
• There is a certain inn near the Crescent Moon Market in the City Below. Ask for the Liam Kent special.
• There is a certain flat near the Dock Sewer of the City Below. The key is behind a loose brick in the wall, 20 paces north of the flat. Leave the brick in the center of the walkway, so watchers can report that the safe house is in use.

History

Here you'll find links to all the events and history relevant to this game.

The road so far

Part 1: Undead in Grubbertown

Our story begins with eight separate heroes (Wilford, Avin, Toston, Var, Talanthrel, Broom, Ashley and Gilmek) getting recruited by Abel Boggs. They meet at the Crescent Moons Trading Company main office where Boggs informs the group that there have a rash of undead attacks in Grubbertown and he wants the group to investigate. The group ends up splitting up with Talanthrel, Gilmek, Toston and Wil looking for witnesses and Ashley, Avin, Var and Broom looking for a sight of a known attack. The latter group does not find anything useful but the former group finds a cemetery with evidence of disturbed graves and a shrine. Toston uses his gnome magic to send a signal for the other group. They find it and trace it back to its source as the party reunites at the cemetery. The group investigates the chapel finding a drunk passed out in it, but is interrupted by 4 zombies. The group destroys the zombies but some of its members are injured. The drunk turns out to be Brother Elthorn, an acolyte of Ffloy in charge of the cemetery and the graveyard. Through diplomacy and intimidation the group is able to convince Elthorn to help and heal their wounds. It turns out he needs to renew a ritual to prevent the dead from rising from his cemetery, but there is a hitch. Elthorn requires a measure of powdered silver to complete the ritual. The group sets out to check in with Boggs at the Scrum and then find the required silver but are detoured by cries for help. Our heroes investigate and find a mixed group of skeletons and undead that at first glance appeared to be zombies but actually aren't. An elf ranger named Roy also joins in the battle against the undead. With Roy's aid, the group procures the needed powdered silver, and returns to Brother Elthorn. together, they re-consecrate the graveyard, ensuring no additional zombies will be raised. That night the group took to the streets to hunt the undead, and they tracked down the leader, a Wight. After a daring battle wherein Toston was hit by an Energy Drain spell, the monster is destroyed. With the threat of the undead ended, Roy the Red moves on, as swiftly as he arrived.

Interlude: Marsh House

The next day, Avin assists Toston in shaking off the lingering effects of the Energy Drain spell. At the CMTC offices, the adventurers mention to Boggs and Madri that they are in need of housing, and they are directed to a Mr. Cother, who shows them the Marsh House.

The original, modest, home has had additions built onto it with no regard for asthetics or floor plan, creating an odd, jumbled together mess of a building. A crude floor plan can be found here The adventurers take to it immediately, and rental agreements are agreed upon.

Part 2: The Ghost of Clover Way

Adventure finds our heroes soon after putting the Wight to rest; Abel Boggs tasks the party with investigating reports of the undead, again, but this time in the City Below. Upon entering Clover way, Broom is summoned by his prior masters, and parts ways. The group begins speaking with the merchants to find out more information, starting with a young woman named Wendy at the Alchemist shop. Wendy tells the group that she's been hearing disembodied voices as of late, and saw a glowing figure in an alley one night, but doesn't know much else than that. Next the group decides to speak with Fletch, a Gnome tinkerer that frequents Clover Way, he reports similar sightings of strange glowing lights & disembodied voices. Before the group can investigate the Tailor's shop, they are approached by Three-Bits, the shady information dealer. She tells the group that she has some evidence regarding the haunting, but will only share it if the adventurers help her with a bug problem. Billy, the tailor, and 'old man' Jenkins appear, and are quickly questioned by the party. Billy reports strange vibrations felt in the floorboards of his shop, and 'Old Man' Jenkins tells a bunch of lies.

With the key witnesses questioned, the party decides they should go check out this bug problem that Three-Bits spoke of, taking them out of the City Below, and to a non-descript warehouse. They find that the Half-Orc guard, Clovis, has a giant scorpion locked up in the basement, and is too scared to deal with it himself. Var and Clovis nearly come to blows, but the group gets on with the extermination. The group makes quick work out of the scorpion, with an Enlarged Ashley pinning the creature while the rest of the team whittles away at it. Afterwards, Var does his best to butcher the beast, as to not let it's death go to waste. Making a quick detour back to the Docks to pick up some salt for Scorpion Jerky, the group is ambushed! The attackers identify themselves as "The House of Silver", and warns them to stop poking around in the City Below. The party makes quick work of the attackers, but a were-rat named Anner manages to run away, shouting threats. One of the attackers, a Drow, is knocked out & taken prisoner by the adventurers. Taking him back to the warehouse, the group wakes him up and interrogates him. Rundi, the Drow, knows little about the House of Silver, being just a hired thug. A decision is made to exile Rundi, rather than let him get murdered by someone taking offence to snitching. The drow is escorted to the docks, where Rundi is pressed into service on an outgoing ship. The group also meets up with Boggs, who introduces them to Alizar, an elven Cleric who joins the group.

Returning to the City Below, Three-Bits produces her evidence: a strip of cheap gauze with some kind of glow-in-the-dark paint. Alizar tries to inquire at the tailor as to where someone might get something like glowing paint, and Var attempts to confront 'Old Man' Jenkins on his lies. The party is at an impasse, they are unable to convince the shopkeeps to let them set up a stakeout overnight, so they decide to head back to Marsh House & continue the investigation tomorrow. The next morning the group agrees to check in with the merchants of Clover Way, and are met at the entrance to the City Below by a frantic Wendy. She says that all the merchants on Clover way have been robbed, no sign of forced entry, and only the most valuable items were taken. Checking the scene of the crime, the party manages to spot a spot on the wall that was hastily replaced, and on the other side, a tunnel carved behind the shops by thieves. It seems the 'Ghost' of Clover Way was just to cover up the operation. Investigating the tunnel, the group stumbles into a trap, and are ambushed by the House of Silver! Toston and Var, who avoided the cage, are forced to climb up a wall in order to reach their comrades. The fight is long and brutal, taking Ashely & Avin out of the fight. Luckily, Dusan, Lornak and Hmerrin are nearby and hear the commotion, and aid the party. In the end, the adventurers previal, and the were-rat Anner is taken prisoner.

Interlude: The House of Silver

Anner, unconcious, is taken back to the Marsh House and locked in a secure room for interrogation. He caves into threats quickly, and tells the adventurers the story of the House of Silver. A woman by the name of Selene who organized what used to be a simple street gang, into an aspiring ruling House. Selene, and most of the gang, were lycanthropes, and they named themselves the House of Silver as a sort of ironic joke. After some discussion within the group, it's decided that Anner should be exiled as well, an idea the were-rat is keen to in order to avoid reprocussions from failing Selene.

The group returns the loot that was recovered, unfortunately, Selene had already taken her cut of the goods before the adventurers showed up. The merchants are thankful all the same for having their goods returned, and Billy the tailor offers to make them all custom outfits as way of thanks for aiding them.

Part 3: The Streets of Dirt City

Weeks pass; Winter gives way to spring, and the merchants of Dirt City are excited about an trade delegation from Aisildur. Five representatives arrive via ship, one of which is a Heartseeded woman in service of Ga'al. Everything seems to be going according to plan, when suddenly the market erupts into chaos as a group of assassins attack the Aisidlurian Delegates. Two Dragon Consortium adventurers, Jass of Downs and Ballatime "BeeBee" Brooks, appear from the chaos and begin to work crowd control while defending the trade delegates. The party chases down the three assassins and deals with them, and despite leaving one of the assassins alive, there isn't time to interrogate him. Returning to the scene of the attack, they find the two Dragon Consortium adventurers have the situation under control. After introductions, BeeBee presents the group with a single black & purple glove that was deliberately left on the body of the slain Aisildurian.

The party heads immediately to CMTC headquarters to confer with Boggs. He is able to identify the glove as the calling card of a famous, and dead, Dart named Dema Fahr. The group has little information, but plenty of leads. They split into groups and run down as many contacts as they can, but they don't turn up much. Three-Bits wants to trade information for information, the adventuring party is still an unknown in Dirt City, and all sorts of groups are asking around for them. After a Charm spell, she tells the group what she knows, that rumors the circulating that the Darts were behind the attack. Boggs has a possible lead, a contact within the House of Darts who's willing to meet with the adventurers. A public place is chosen, and the contact meets them while wearing a mask and using the name Nightblade. The conversation is civilized, however, and the Dart does his best to assure the party that his house was not behind the attack. He also confirms the fate of Dema Fahr, that she's been dead and buried for years now. The House of Silver is mentioned, and Nightblade thinks it might be a lead worth looking into.

Upon leaving the bar where they were meeting with Nightblade, the party runs right into an angry mob. Instigators among the mob quickly push things into a full on riot, swarming the adventuerers as well as the Nightblade. Fighting their way out of the melee, the party rescues Nightblade, and breaks away before the Knives come & forceably break the riot up. Some running & hiding in alleys later, the group checks in with Boggs, before heading to the Merchant's Guild to meet with Waverly. Among other things, the party learns that giant rats were spotted on the day of the attack in the marketplace. The group follows the tracks in the marketplace hoping that they'll lead them to the House of Silver; and they certainly do.

Reakos, an insane Were-Leopard wizard and his goons clash with the group, and just when the heroes have them on the ropes, the Knives show up and arrest everyone.

Part 4: The Way It Had to End

The party was processed and thrown into a holding cell, pending trial. Boggs had been notified of the group's arrest, and he showed up in disguise to pay their bails. After they had been released, Boggs took them all to a Crescent Moon safe house, a tiny & drafty room tucked away behind a false wall in a warehouse. It was under this odd circumstances that Asteria, the young firey barbarian, was introduced to the group, and Talanthrel was called away on other business.

The day of the trial comes, and the party finds themselves standing before a bored looking magistrate. After hearing from the leader of the House of Silver , Selene, the party AKA "Mercenary Company 709" plead their case. The Judge, however gives the two groups the same ruling as she had given several other cases heard that day: Fight to the Death in the arena. They are given a few days to make necessary preparations such as obtaining Silvered weapons. As the group makes their final preparations, they are approached by a group of 'investors' who handle bets on the outcome of arena fights. While some in the group are initially shocked by this, it turns out to be a fairly common practice. The investors know very little about the group's strength, and want to gauge what their odds are in fighting the House of Silver. A practice bout is scheduled between the party and a group of ringers, with blunted weapons. The fight is intense and several combatant on both sides get knocked out, but the investors call the match before a decisive victory is reached by either side.

After the match, a messenger reaches the group notifying them that the Nightblade is requesting a meeting with them. The next day they meet at the Blue Eel with Nightblade, who makes them an offer. The Darts have a mutual interest in the party defeating the House of Silver, and the Nightblade offers to lend out a few extra sword hands to help accomplish this goal. The group is hesitant to accept the aid of one of the major criminal houses, and postpone their decision after a lengthy debate. Toston and Lornak are firmly against the Dart's help, while Var and Dusan are firmly in favor, the rest of the group remains undecided. The next day the group pays a visit to a betting house to see what the odds-makers have determined, and they find that they are rated as underdogs in the fight, but not by much. After a final round of debating, Hmerrin and Asteria agree to the Darts, while Wilford and Alizar abstain. The message is passed along to the Nightblade, and the group is assured that help will be ready for them. With nothing left to do but wait, the group drinks and gets as much rest as they can before the fight.

On the day of the arena match the group is met by a group of ringers sent by the Darts, and the lot of them check in for their match. Across from them in the arena, Selene, Reakos and the rest of the House of Silver await. As the match begins, the darts and the were-rats of the House of Silver clash in a storm of claws and knives. The fight is long and grueling; Reakos and Selene are killed, along with a couple other House of Silver officers, and a whole mess of were-rats. Two archers and a Wizard are spared the blade, however, and the wizard turns out to have just been a hired ringer for the group. The survivors are relieved of their valuables and exiled from the city, effective at sundown. Boggs congratulates the group as they leave the arena, and quickly secrets them away to a tavern.

Interlude: To the victor go the spoils

The group celebrates over a few drinks, and discusses the results of the match. There is an interesting note about property owned by the House of Silver, a one "Tower of Silver" that the group must decide what to do with. Concerns are also raised about Hmerrin, who was bitten by a Were-Tiger, and while the young lad claims he feels fine, the group pay a visit to the Temple of Wardd just as a precaution. Toston engages the priest in a game of chance over the cost of a healing, and wins his money back. Inspecting the "Tower of Silver" they find a run down three story building, with dilapidated shops on the first floor, and the third floor is rickety and dangerous looking. Its obvious that if they keep it, some renovations will have to be made. The party is also approached by a young woman who notifies them that her master has requested a meeting with them. She won't reveal her masters identity other than being an important, and private person. Cautiously, the group agrees, and they are led to the back room of a shop set up like an office where a man waits.

He introduces himself as Jeraldh, a high-ranking member of the House of Keys. He offers his thanks to the group for dispatching the House of Silver, and aiding the Darts in clearing their name after the assassination attempt on the Aisidlurian Trade Delegation. He hands offers them a token of thanks, literally, in the form of a heavy iron coin that marks them as allies of the Keys. The group cautiously accepts, unsure of what to make of this development.

The party decides that they'd rather keep the Tower of Silver, and begin searching out carpenters that can fix up the place. They are introduced to halfling brothers who advise them to tear down the third floor and rebuild it, and the rest of the repairs shouldn't be too difficult.

Part 5: Acid Trip

With things in the city being as they are, Boggs recommends that the group 'lay low' for a bit while the excitement over the assassination attempt on the Trade delegation and the very public Arena battle with the House of Silver blows over. An opportunity presents itself in the form of a merchant caravan heading toward Acid City, to reciprocate with the Aisidlurian Trade Delegation. A group from the Dirt City Merchant's Guild is in need of hired protection as they travel along the Western Izen trade road, and Boggs sets the group up with some caravan guard duty to get them out of the city for a few days. The trip starts predictably enough, with a bandit attack on the road. After dispatching the would be robbers, the group makes an odd discovery: a well-made sigil pin in the shape of a eagle resting on a ship's wheel.

After a few days of traveling, the caravan comes to the Goblin's Rest, a Goblin-run Inn along the western Izen trade road. They are stopped at the gate and mistaken for bandits initially, but after some quick thinking they clear up any misunderstandings. The caravan finds the Belchmuck family quite hospitable, if somewhat unusual for their kind. A feast is prepared for the group, which turns out to have been crafted for the Goblinoid palette, and almost indigestible by Humanoids. The group try their best to smooth things over with the Belchmucks, but they maintain their courteous hospitality and assure they group that they will try and improve. At one point during the night, Dusan awakens to find Son Belchmuck attempting to steal from his pack, but he runs off into the night; confronting Geb the next morning, the goblin apologizes profusely for his son's base goblin instincts.

The rest of the trip to Acid City is quiet, and the caravan arrives without further harassment. While out exploring the city, the group is approached by a street vendor with a well made curio box, and offers to sell it to them for 75 gold, which seems low for the quality of craftsmanship involved. Wanting a souvenir, Asteria buys it, however, and is happy with her purchase. Later, at a party welcoming the Dirt City Merchants, Asteria is approached by a man who claims that the box she purchased was actually stolen from him sometime earlier. The group return the man's box, and make a promise to find the merchant who sold them stolen goods. Var spots a man wearing a sigil pin identical to one they found on the bandits that attacked them on the trade road. The man claims that he represents the Shipwell Imports company, a group that is definitely not made up of former pirates. The next day the party retraces their steps, and locates the merchant who sold them the stolen box, and after some "good cop/bad cop/cop that can read thoughts" interrogation, they manage to identify Shipwell Imports as the source of recent criminal activity in Acid City. When confronted, the leader of Shipwell admits to their piracy, and a fight breaks out in their warehouse. By the time that the authorities arrive, most of the high-ranking Shipwell Import officials have been killed, and the rest taken prisoner.

Part 6: ...And Back Again

The Blackbird Lake Trade Alliance holds a party in appreciation of the group's efforts in exposing Shipwell's piracy, and the next morning the slightly hung-over caravan begins the long journey back to Dirt City. Right from the start, things seem off as they pass by the cursed Blackbird Forest. Coming across an abandoned campsite, they find tracks leading off towards the forest that are concerning. Upon further investigation, they find a hysterical man who claims that something took his wife into the woods, but he's too frightened to go any deeper into the woods. The group sends the man back to the campsite, and track the woman further into the woods, where they find a Harpy and a Redcap arguing like an old married couple. Apparently they had lured the woman into the woods, and intended on killing & eating her. After dispatching the two beasts, the find the woman hiding beneath a hollowed out log with only minor injuries, and are able to reunite her with the husband back at the campsite.

Progressing south, the caravan returns to the Goblin's Rest, despite their better judgement not to. Toston presents Derx with some pictogram cookbooks, and helps him prepare dinner for the group, and the caravan is pleasantly surprised to find the food edible. The visit at Goblin's Rest is brief and uneventful, and the caravan continues on it's way the following morning. Things get dangerous again, as signs of recent Orcish warbands begin to show up along the road. The party doesn't have a chance to evade them, as they are spotted and a tide of green begins to wash across the plains towards them. Fighting through waves of the Wolverine Clan's warriors, the party kills their leader, and force the warband into retreat.

Interlude: Home, Dirty Home

At last, the caravan returns to Dirt City, and the group parts ways with the merchants. After getting some rest, the party checks in with Boggs and gives him a report on the caravan, much to his approval. The group also checks in with the Hafling brothers working on the old Tower of Silver, who have finished tearing down the old third floor, and the group gives them the go-ahead to start re-building it. They also decide to retain Cinzi, the night-guard they had hired to protect the property.

The group decides that they should find some tenants to take over the three shops on the first floor of the tower. Using their CMTC contacts, they reach out to a few potential merchants who are looking for room to set up a shop. After interviewing candidates, the group extends invitations to a leatherworker, a sewing instructor, and a tavern owner.

During all of this, the group is given a reminder as to the reality of doing business in Dirt City. A member of the House of Wolves approaches the group, and informs them that they'll need to start paying for 'insurance' on their building. The group is upset, initially, until they realize that this is just how things are done in the city. However, once they verified that the Wolves do indeed control the territory, the party agree to pay under the condition that the Wolves don't bother their tenants; offering to pay for the tenant's share of protection.

Cutting Ties with The Crescent Moon Trading Company Our Heroes have grown beyond keeping the streets safe and have become a more recognized group of heroes that stand to protect the city and not just their neighborhood and streets. As a result, Boggs covertly visited with The Tide at Shale House to sever official ties with the party. Boggs - "I'm going to be blunt and forthcoming here, no insults or innuendos intended. You've grown beyond what is safe and comfortable for the Trading Company. You are heroes, bonafide heroes and real Life in Dirt City requires us at CMTC to maintain relations with those who are not your biggest fans. Overt actions by you to be seen with us, can and will get people killed. it is simply how things work and so I've come here to ask for distance and the utmost discretion in your contact to us." Boggs takes a drink and smiles at you, "No mistake now, I am mighty happy about this. This is a turning point or could be. It has been and hopefully will continue to be an honor to be in your company."

"If we are known as close associates, the Company becomes a target to get to you. The Company could become leverage. Dirt City is still and will be for some time to come, a city run be the underworld. The Merchants Guild has gained some traction as a voice, but I personally think it is just humored by the Houses. CMTC has also gained traction, thanks in great part to you and with you seen as some independent force looking to keep the playing field level so the little guys have a fair shake, CMTC can continue to make strides."

And so the party is moving forward and working through the growing pains of their new roles in the city.

House Knife and Teeth House Teeth and Knife have come to the party for aid. Houses being what they are, neither really trusts the other and so The Tide is a great solution. It seems each House has had property stolen and crimes committed against them and evidence points to an internal job and the culprits have fled into the Wilds. Each House wants their stuff and man back. They look to the Tide to do so.

The Tide tracks their quarry to an old Tower in the Badlands. During the trek, The Tide encounter a group of Dire Hyena riding orcs with Ogre Magi. The Ogres are killed and the orcs are allowed to flee. The group also encounters a WitchFire near the swamp lands they skirt and are unable to kill it, but succeed in driving it off. At the ruined tower, the party finds and prevails in a dangerous fight with the House men and 2 unknown accomplices. However Ethani is killed in the fight and the party discovers 2 others with the House Men and it would seem both House men are under a compulsion spell of significant power.

The men tell a strange and cloudy tale Working on forgeries, but not of what precisely, but certainly the documents were a forgery to appear to come from other Houses, or the Harbor Master perhaps. Olaf remembers more at the water, "I dropped a strongbox over the side of the SeaCrest and into the bay." Jared has some darker recollections, "kidnapped someone, stole them from their bed.....The sounds of cracking bone and gurgled scream and a thunder in my head." Olaf adds more, "I met with the Merfolk, there were sahauguin another time. Money exchanged and then i followed and killed them. I planted Salick's broach on a body." Jared, "there was a run down shack, with trees and i remember a cool breeze. It was late. Olaf, "It was a small room, still. cold. the smell of blood and death." Jared, "Soft fur, blood, begging" Olaf, "crying, pleading" Then both men say at the same time, "A soft chuckle and golden eyes in the shadows."

Returning to Shale House, the Tide deliver the men and their goods and are paid by the Houses. The mystery of what transpired remains. While travelling home through the badlands, the same orcs approach and drop a box which contains some treasure and a map. The party assumes correctly for thanks in freeing the orcs from the rule of the ogre

The Map of the Unicorn Present Day

Field Notes from CMTC Mercenary Company 709

Z is for Zombie

Z is for Zombie, most rotted and foul; use slashing against them and you're wise like an owl

A Beastiary, As written by Var Tuegh

Zombies: Strong. Direct attack. Too soft for arrows, blades work better. Fire? Wizard says once we put them down they're too mangled for a necromancer to use again. Try: Burn bodies; holy water

Walking Skeletons - arrows'll go right thru, blades catch on the ribs. Best if use blunt weaponry. Probably harder to burn?

("Tough Zombies" is written here, and then scratched out) Ghouls - Like zombies, but tougher. more meat on their bones. (several attempts at "paralytic" that have been scratched out) Touch will freeze you up, dono if magic or poison, but will put you on the ground real quick. Very Dangerous.

Wight: kinda like a vampire? messed up the gnome pretty good, drained some of his life. Holy Water: hurts 'em, but not as much as you'd think; burned 'em good - won't be bothering anyone again.

(Gaint is crossed out here) Giant Scorpion - This was kinda fun, the Wizard cast an Enlarge spell on Ashley, who wrassled with the thing! Tough armor and nasty poison. I guess use caution if you don't have an Enlarge spell, or a guy like Ashley with you. Good eats.

Were-Rat - Dangerous little blighters. Use silver on 'em cuz normal weapons don't hurt 'em all that much. Don't let 'em surround you.

Dwarf-Bear-Druid - (There is quite a bit that Var has written here, however most of it is profanities.)

Were-Leopard - Dono if all of 'em are as crazy as Reakos, or if'n all of 'em are spellcasters like Reakos, but they seem mighty dangerous all the same. Same as the Rats, use silver.

Harpy - Bird lady. Sings and makes you crazy, got Asteria, Dusan 'n Wil. The Drow sang to drown out the bird lady, dono if it helped.

Red Cap - mean bugger, did some real damage. not a beast, I guess, but some kinda Fae. Luckily me'n Toston had some Cold Iron on us.

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