Session 61, The Singing Assassins and Hurst Turns Us In
Paldegora
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Session 61 – 2025-10-04
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Summary
In the misty courtyard outside the Blended Mermaid tavern, Company Clandestine planned their approach. Symon stressed subtlety, suggesting they use the name Tinkle to gain the trust of their target, Hurst, and avoid drawing attention. They decided Symon would lead the conversation, Eryn would scout from the sidelines, Cassandra and X’or would stay close for support, and Cal would remain available but not mention his father, John Laroque, due to negative associations with his abusive, drunken past. The group was cautious, aware of the risks of their mission and Cal’s personal history complicating matters.
Eryn slipped into the rundown, crowded tavern first, moving stealthily, followed by the others who spread out along the edges. The Blended Mermaid was a grimy, sea-worn place with scarred furniture and a clientele of sailors and rogues. A halfling trio—Lyra Silvernote on lute, accompanied by Orik and Selene on drums and flute—played “The Merry Minstrel's Tale,” a lively sea shanty about tavern nights, charming rogues, and shadowed dreams. The patrons, including a boisterous man in the corner flirting with a waitress, clapped and raised mugs to the tune.
The Merry Minstrel's Tale
(Verse 1) Oh, gather 'round and lend an ear, We've got a tale you’ll want to hear, Of tavern nights and shadows dark, And merry deeds that leave a mark.
(Chorus) Hey ho, to the ale we go, Raise your mugs and sing it slow, Life's too short to fret and moan, Let’s drink and dance ‘til the night is gone!
(Verse 2) There was a lass from Willow's Den, Who'd charm the hearts of many men, With a wink and blink and sweet, sweet smile, She'd make their nights worth every while.
(Chorus) Hey ho, to the ale we go, Raise your mugs and sing it slow, Life's too short to fret and moan, Let’s drink and dance ‘til the night is gone!
(Verse 3) A dashing rogue from Misty Creek, With nimble fingers and a streak, He'd play his lute and steal a kiss, And leave a lass in sweetest bliss.
(Chorus) Hey ho, to the ale we go, Raise your mugs and sing it slow, Life's too short to fret and moan, Let’s drink and dance ‘til the night is gone!
(Verse 4) So drink your fill and sing with cheer, The night is young, the dawn is near, For we are more than what we sing, A merry band with a shadowed dream.
(Chorus) Hey ho, to the ale we go, Raise your mugs and sing it slow, Life's too short to fret and moan, Let’s drink and dance ‘til the night is gone!
(Outro) Hey ho, to the ale we go, Raise your mugs and sing it slow, With shadows deep and hearts so light, We dance and sing throughout the night.
Symon approached Lyra, complimenting her performance and buying drinks for the trio, tipping the barkeep, Bertie, generously but discreetly. Lyra mentioned it was their last night before moving to another gig. X’or ordered a potent drink at the bar, while Cal’s PTSD was triggered by the rough, sailor-filled atmosphere, reminiscent of his father’s crew. Angelique, Symon, Cassandra, and Eryn identified Hurst, drinking alone but not feared by the crowd, in a tavern marked by signs of frequent brawls.
Angelique approached Hurst, using Tinkle’s name—Zyphalax Thalvandar Tinkledorf—to spark his interest. He was suspicious but intrigued by her mention of Tinkle and a letter of introduction, which she showed him. Hurst dismissed Tim Montague’s Island as a myth, but Eryn’s mention of a map piqued his curiosity. Angelique revealed the map, explaining her father died for it and that only her Blazecaller blood could reveal its contents. Symon warned that many had died for this map, and more would if Hurst didn’t help.
Hurst pressed for their purpose, and Eryn revealed they sought “The Heart of the Dragon,” an item tied to trapping dragons, alongside two other items they already possessed. Hurst, skeptical but convinced by the map, demanded their full story. They recounted their journey: meeting at Three Points Inn, traveling to Dragon’s Vale, facing Matthias, Xantha, Grizollo, and learning of the dragons’ rebirth. At Port Ahn, they were ambushed, rescued Fritz Grimm, sank a ship carrying explosive powder, and were sent to Hurst by Benjamin Blackmoor.
Hurst revealed his ship, The Seeker, was taken by Admiral Silverlight, leaving him stranded. He proposed a plan: they’d attend a hearing on Princess Seraphine’s kidnapping as his advisors, where merchant houses, admirals, and Prime Minister Aerindor Panthanae would be present. A suspicious woman watching Hurst raised concerns, possibly an informant or assassin, given the tavern’s history of trouble. They took rooms upstairs.
At 3 a.m., the halfling trio attacked from the shadows with poisoned daggers. Lyra missed Angelique, Orik wounded Cassandra, and Selene poisoned X’or. A chaotic fight ensued; Eryn, Cassandra, and X’or fought back, but the trio vanished into the shadows, hinting at their connection to the Silent Scourge assassins, suggested by their song’s lyrics. Cal and Symon, alerted by the noise, rushed in, accidentally injuring Eryn while entering.
They discussed concerns leaving their items outside of the meeting. They needed a secure place to put it. Hurst had them stash their gear in his magical chest. Eryn and Symon checked the box and found it to be very secure if not impenetrable. Angelique was given the pass phrase and placed the items in the chest and the bag of holding in a hidden spot in the room. They left for the meeting.
At the Admiralty hearing, protests raged outside against pirates and Admiral Silverlight. Inside, House Raven, Mordecai, and Umbridge testified about pirate attacks, blaming Jessie Jack Johnson, a half-orc with a black flag bearing three J’s. Seaman Gumby recounted the attack on Princess Seraphine’s yacht, describing a devastating weapon and Johnson’s crew, including a deserter, Old Tom, and mentioning “the rooks eye.” Hurst challenged Silverlight’s strategy and Umbridge’s absent captains, Hawthorn and Laroque, causing tension.
Hurst revealed Company Clandestine’s identity, prompting Silverlight to order their arrest, but Lord Valoris intervened, taking them to his chambers. Valoris, with his wife Esmeralda, enlisted their help to rescue Seraphine, offering Hurst’s ship back. He provided Letters of Mark and coins granting authority, revealing he voted for their arrest to control their pursuit, coordinated with Tinkle and Angelique’s grandfather. An illusion would show them in a dungeon, protecting their mission.
Valoris suspected Umbridge’s involvement with the attacks, noting his growing power. The group questioned Johnson’s identity, as Eryn recalled George Mary describing his emblem as three fishhooks on a dagger, not three J’s, suggesting a frame-up. Hurst planned to hunt Johnson from ports, not at sea, and investigate “the rooks eye.” They received amulets to block scrying, and Valoris arranged for their cloaked departure on The Seeker.
The session ended with Company Clandestine transformed from fugitives to privateers, equipped with Valdornost’s authority and a mission to rescue Seraphine and pursue their quest for the Heart of the Dragon, while navigating Umbridge’s schemes and the mysterious Jessie Jack Johnson.
Detail
Company Clandestine stood in the courtyard amid the mist, discussing their approach to the tavern. The faded sign above the door read “Blended Mermaid”. Symon expressed concerns about subtlety, suggesting they avoid drawing attention and use the name Tinkle as a friend to get Hurst to talk to them. They debated who should speak to Hurst, deciding Symon would lead the conversation. Eryn would scout from the side. Cassandra and X’or would stay nearby incase. Cal would remain available. They considered risks, including Cal's connection to his father, John Laroque, and his negative memories of him as an abusive drunk. It seemed best not to mention that connection.
Eryn entered first, slipping in quickly like a cat ready to evade trouble, with the others following. The fighters spread out along the room's edges. All of the tables were taken. The tavern was a rundown, stinking hole—small, with almost all of the furniture appearing to have been repaired. The patrons were mostly made up of sea going characters. Music played from a halfing woman walking around with a lute, accompanied by two more halflings on drums and flute. The song was an old sea shanty called “The Merry Minstrel's Tale”, with lyrics hinting at shadows dancing deep and harsh, and characters who'd steal your heart. The patrons clapped and raised mugs, including a gregarious man in the corner grab-assing a waitress, who responded playfully.
The song went like this:
### The Merry Minstrel's Tale
(Verse 1) Oh, gather 'round and lend an ear, We've got a tale you’ll want to hear, Of tavern nights and shadows dark, And merry deeds that leave a mark.
(Chorus) Hey ho, to the ale we go, Raise your mugs and sing it slow, Life's too short to fret and moan, Let’s drink and dance ‘til the night is gone!
(Verse 2) There was a lass from Willow's Den, Who'd charm the hearts of many men, With a wink and blink and sweet, sweet smile, She'd make their nights worth every while.
(Chorus) Hey ho, to the ale we go, Raise your mugs and sing it slow, Life's too short to fret and moan, Let’s drink and dance ‘til the night is gone!
(Verse 3) A dashing rogue from Misty Creek, With nimble fingers and a streak, He'd play his lute and steal a kiss, And leave a lass in sweetest bliss.
(Chorus) Hey ho, to the ale we go, Raise your mugs and sing it slow, Life's too short to fret and moan, Let’s drink and dance ‘til the night is gone!
(Verse 4) So drink your fill and sing with cheer, The night is young, the dawn is near, For we are more than what we sing, A merry band with a shadowed dream.
(Chorus) Hey ho, to the ale we go, Raise your mugs and sing it slow, Life's too short to fret and moan, Let’s drink and dance ‘til the night is gone!
(Outro) Hey ho, to the ale we go, Raise your mugs and sing it slow, With shadows deep and hearts so light, We dance and sing throughout the night.
A suspicious girl in the lower left corner eyed them directly without shying away. Symon approached the halfing singer, Lyra Silvernote, complimented her performance, and offered to buy drinks for the group—Lyra, Orik, and Selene. The barkeep, Bertie, served them, and Symon tipped generously without flashing wealth. Lyra explained it was their last night before leaving for another engagement, and that they played anywhere.
X’or approached the bar, towering over it, and ordered the strongest drink. Bertie poured a dark liquid that could peel paint, warning him to go easy. The room felt like a den of pirates or sailors, triggering Cal's PTSD flashbacks to his father's drunken crew. Symon, Cassandra, and Eryn spotted the target—a man throwing back ale alone, looking like he'd had a few, but not drawing fear or avoidance from the crowd. Symon's insight check revealed the tables and chairs bore scars from bar fights, confirming brawls were common.
Angelique approached the target, asking if the chair was available. He looked her up and down, invited her to sit, and ordered wine for her from Bertie via a whistle. The room held few women besides the serving staff—Jenny and the three halflings—and the men checked out Angelique and the others without overt aggression. Jenny warned her about his black heart, but he dismissed it lightly. He was burly, exorcised, with grey hair, capable of tossing someone over a table.
Angelique leaned in and asked if he knew Tinkle—Zyphalax Thalvandar Tinkledorf. He crossed his arms suspiciously, asking how she knew that little fucker. She said they'd met and wanted to talk in private. He seemed to think this was private enough. He guessed they sought the ship, The Blade. He had told others to piss off, but Tinkle's name intrigued him. Angelique showed the letter of introduction from Tinkle. He examined the letter, then demanded details. They slowly and reluctantly explained needing the Blade to reach Tim Montague's Island. Hurst brushed it off, telling them that the island was a myth. Eryn responded, “Not according to the map!”.
Hurst asked about this map she'd mentioned. Eryn suggested holding this meeting in a more private place again, but Hurst felt fine meeting here. Angelique pulled out the map and showed it to him. He opened the map and spread it out to really get a good look at it. He studied it thoroughly and asked where they'd gotten it. Angelique told hum that her father had acquired it but was killed for it. It was taken to a temple hidden in the mountains far north of here. Her father had fixed it so that only someone with Blazecaller blood could reveal the maps contents. Angelique identified herself as a Blazecaller. She told him that she is being followed and tracked. Symon told him that a lot of people have died so they could reach him with this map. If he doesn't help them, a lot more people will die.
Hurst asked why they needed to go to the island. Eryn told him there was an item there that they needed. When pressed, she told him it was an item called “The Heart of the Dragon”. He pointed out that the item the sought was also considered a myth. Eryn mentioned that they already have two of the items needed to trap the dragons.
Hurst had the rest of their group gather around the table and huddle up closer and had Jenny bring mugs of ale, and demanded their full story. They told him the full story, from their initial meeting at the Three Points Inn, heading north to the Dragon's Vale and King Lundor, encountering Matthias, the bitch witch Xantha, the dragon Grizollo, little Grish-ta-nak, and learning of the dragons' rebirth. Symon suggest the signs were worldwide.
They continued: arriving at Port Ahn, unable to enter the city, approached by Benjamin Blackmoor's people and the Broke Lance Mob. They brought us into the town. We learned of the plot against Princess Seraphine Valoris involving House Umbridge and Jesse Jack Johnson, but that truly Captain Nathanial Hawthorn is behind all of this. Blackmoor tasked them with rescuing Fritz Grimm and sabotaging Hawthorn's operation. They did rescue Fritz and sank a ship that was to deliver a batch of the explosive powder. They rescued slaves, got healed by Blackmoor, and were sent here. They were ambushed in route by Captain Archer and his cronies—Cal's wounds visible. Captain Archer escaped though.
Symon asked if we were the first to approach him about finding The Blade. Hurst noted a few came with such requests, most seeking his ship for piracy. They sought him because hunting pirates is what he did. He thought Blackmoor was an odd fellow. Cal told him that he didn't like him but admitted that in recent dealings, he proved reliable, though always with an ulterior motive. Hurst told them that Blackmoor, messing with Silas Umbridge's operations, amused him; Silas is scum! Hawthorn is even deeper scum.
Hurst said, “So let me get this straight, you want me to help you guys find The Blade, find this Jesse Jack Johnson, take him out, take his ship, make a heading for this island, which according to this map, does seem to exist! I have a pretty good idea where this area is. There is this area that most sailors avoid. First there is a big wall of fog that nobody ever comes out of. I've never ventured far into it though I have chased pirates into it. Ships that go in don't ever come out. I suspect that's probably where this is. There is one big problem though, I don't have a ship!”. Symon also pointed out that no ships are allowed to leave either. Hurst agreed but told them that his ship, The Seeker, got absconded by that asshole Admiral Silverlight, leaving him stuck here, basically in forced retirement.
Symon asked if the ship was still in the harbor. Hurst told him it was and that it was being refitted, armed for war. He wanted to think about it and then asked if we were this Company Clandestine that everyone is looking for. Symon gave him a quick, “Maybe!”. Hurst said “well, you just admitted to me you were because the emperor dragons got released and that's why you are being chased for treason, sedition, and all kinds of shit!”. Symon agreed, “That sounds like us!”. Hurst added, “You fit what I've read but I don't care about that, but you do have a big monkey on your back, but I have an idea that could solve both our problems at the same time! Are you interested?”. Symon answered, “Absolutely!”, while the rest of the group nodded in agreement.
Hurst revealed being summoned to a hearing tomorrow on Princess Seraphine's kidnapping, with all of the merchant houses, admirals, and the Prime Minister Aerindor Panthanae present. It's at the Admiralty. When you are called to a meeting like that, you are allowed to bring advisors or anyone you want with you. You don't have to be named, you are just my advisors. Seaman Gumby, sole survivor, would testify. Umbridge will be there along with House Raven, the Zakarov's. Mordecai will be there, and the head of the Admiralty, Silverlight will be there. The Prime Minister will be there as well. It might unsettle Silas Umbridge. They agreed to attend unarmed in plain clothes, as magic and weapons would be dispelled.
Symon asked about the woman that sat across the bar from Hurst that had an unsavory appearance. Hurst said that he didn't know her. She'd just been coming in the last couple of nights. Stays to herself and drinks. People who had hit on her, suddenly look a little funny and then walk away. Symon was concerned that she might be someone that would mess with them, or possibly mess with Hurst. He said that it could be possible. He's had people come in here after him so often that he's lost count. He's thrown them through the windows, broken tables over them, “I've put a lot of pirates on the gallows and a bunch of others out of business.”, he said.
Symon told him that the people after them have a lot of magic and can really mess you up. If she is one of them, or even if she is an informant, it tracks that she would have arrived about the same time they arrived. Hurst said that there were a lot of people looking for them and probably some of them know more than you think they know. You've got this map, they want it desperately. They know this map is going to lead to Tim's island and here you wind up in a major seaport. Put two and two together and put a pirate in the mix and there probably keeping an eye on my place. He offered rooms upstairs.
Upstairs, Jenny showed them empty rooms, including a larger one across from the captain's quarters. They took the bigger room, settling in. Angelique and Cassandra shared the bed while Eryn took the table, and X'or guarded the door. Symon and Cal took another room close by. They debated tomorrow. The risks of Cal's connection to Hawthorn and La Roque coming out was real. There was a suggestion that Cal and X’or stay outside of the meeting, Cal invisible with the bag of holding containing their gear. Eryn would also stay out and scout. But concerns arose. If separated, outsiders couldn't intervene due to dispel magic, and gear couldn't be hidden safely outside the Admiralty. Blackmoor was untrustworthy for safekeeping. They considered sending fewer inside but worried about losing everything critical to the campaign. Ultimately, they planned to ask the captain in the morning about how to handle their items. They settled in, using the ring to heal most back to full health.
Around 3 a.m., X’or, on watch, noticed the room darken. Three figures—Lyra, Orik, and Selene—emerged from shadows, attacking stealthily with poisoned daggers. Lyra attacked Angelique but missed. Orik stabbed Cassandra for 7 damage; she saved vs. poison. Selene hit X'or for 4 damage; he failed his save taking 15 more. Selene cast a spell at X'or and he saved, avoiding being held. Eryn attacked Selene for 4 damage. X’or hit Selene for 9 damage; Orik hit Cassandra again for 9 more damage and again she saved. Angelique cast Mirror Image creating 5 of her. Cassandra attacked Orik and did 11 damage. Lyra cast a spell on Angelique, holding her for 20 rounds. X'or kicked the wall to make try and get Cal's and Symon's attention. Then he attacked Selene for 14 damage. He attacked a second time for 15 more damage. Cassandra attacked Orik and did 17 damage.
Cal heard the wall-banging from the adjoining wall and put his ear up to the wall to listen. He heard a commotion coming from the room. He woke Symon and they headed that way. Eryn attacked Selene did 5 damage. Selene shuffled toward the shadows near the wall and vanished. X'or moved over to Lyra and hit her for 17 damage. Orik stepped to the side, into the shadows, and vanished. Lyra stepped back into the shadows and melted away as well.
Eryn went to open the door, expecting Cal and Symon to be coming. Cal happened to be at the door at the time, armed and ready to fight. Seeing the door starting to open, he kicked the door knocking Eryn back across the room causing her 6 points of damage. They explained the musical trio's assassination attempt via stepping out of the walls or stepping out of the shadows and later melting into walls or maybe shadows. Symon didn't witness any of it so he couldn't offer much explanation for it. Thinking back to the song the women had sung earlier, the song's lyrics hinted at shadows. They remembered something about a second assassin group called the Silent Scourge. This may have been them. Angelique's hold wore off after a time and her extra images faded. They set up watch again and returned to sleep.
At 8 a.m., they went downstairs, Jenny prepared to open. The Captain Hurst asked if they had second thoughts. They explained that they had no place to leave their stuff.
As Symon put it, “We quite literally carry the fate of the world. If we can't bring it with us, at least one of us has to stay away! That's dangerous as well! We've already been attacked over night!”.
They explained that the singing group had attacked them. Apparently they are accomplished assassins. He insisted that they must all got to the meeting. They insisted on securing everything they carried first.
Hurst showed them a chest upstairs in his room. It was finely crafted, no lock, solid. Eryn inspected it: she could find a lock and it appeared to have no seams. It appeared to be solid. Symon cast a Knock spell on it and the spell had no effect. Hurst explained it hid valuables safely, sharing the password with Angelique. They stepped out; Angelique opened it, revealing an extradimensional space with his treasures, weapons, gold and jewels from pirating. They stashed everything, including magical items like boots, rings, weapons, and such. All magic items would be nullified by the chambers dispel fields, potentially destroying enchantments.
Cal warned the captain of the assassins' ruthlessness, risking bystanders like burning taverns. The captain chuckled, he was used to enemies. He did noted these focused killers, the Silent Scourge guild, were high-level, not half-assed. Eryn hid basic non-magical thieves' tools in her clothing.
Dressed plainly, they followed him through the rowdy slums to the Admiralty, a fortress like cathedral. Protests raged outside: “Murderer! Hang the Pirates!”, “Admiralty is a Joke,”, effigies of Jesse Jack Johnson and Admiral Silverlight burning, accusations against Seaman Gumby as a traitor. The guards held back the crowd tensely.
The captain announced them as advisors and the guards let them through. Inside, polished marble gleamed. He stressed that they play along, no reactions. They agreed and then entered viewing areas above the hearing chamber.
The court page announced Prime Minister Aerindor Panthanae, who opened proceedings on responding to the kidnapping. He introduced parties: House Raven(Anton Zakarov, Silvia Moonshade Zakarov, Captain Jacob Smythe, Lady Jessica Primrose Smythe); House Mordecai (Harold Mordecai, Elijah Burnside, Captain Hieronymus Jones); House Umbridge (Silas Umbridge, Commander Jones, Randal). Also: Fleet Captain Rogers, Vice Admiral Evans, Admiral Bartholomew Silverlight, the court page, Fleet Mage Mathew Beck, and many guards. Lord Aldric Valoris arrived later.
Anton and Silvia testified first. They talked about how Lord and Lady Primrose were on a diplomatic and commercial interest mission to Greyspire in the Amber Gulf. They were attacked. Anita Primrose was taken captive while everyone else was killed. Two witnesses that survived testified that a large half-orc captain flying a black flag with three letter “J's” on it was the culprit. They saw Anita bound and taken aboard their ship and she hasn't been seen since. That attack was the first instance of the pirate showing up. We have been attacked, repeatedly, and our fleet has been reduced down to the bare minimum at this point.
Harold Mordecai followed. We are a smaller house with unique cargo, We have a small fleet. Now we've suffered a couple of attacks. We've completely lost one of the most valuable shipments we've every had. Another attack damaged a ship, almost beyond repair. If it happens again, it will definitely put his house out of business.
Silas Umbridge followed up last. The pirate took out two of his finest vessels, chased after Captain Hawthorn who managed to escape. Since then, he has attacked us repeatedly at different points, taking our ships out. Recently, some of the attacks have moved over into the Emerald Ocean, outside the Amber Gulf. We need to find this pirate, bring him to heal, all of us are suffering greatly.
Panthanae brought out Seaman Gumby next. He is asked to give his testimony.
Seaman Gumby’s Testimony:
“By the three gods and Ahn’s own breath, I stand before ye with a tale that’d freeze the blood of the hardiest sea dog. I’m Gumby, a deckhand of twenty winters on Her Royal Highness Princess Seraphine Valoris’s yacht, the *R.V.S. Graceful Swan*. A seasoned crew we were, proud to guard the princess during her winter retreat on Taniqua, that wee isle in the Diamond Sea. The *SeaHawk*, our escort from the Royal Valdernost Navy, was moored alongside, her ballistae primed and ready—standard gear for any warship, mind ye—until that cursed day.
It began with a shiver in the air, a wave of energy that swept the sea like a dragon’s bellow. The old salts reckoned it was from Dragons, folks everywhere felt it too, they say, with folk pukin’ and losin’ their wits. An urgent recall came from Port Ahn, orders from Lord Aldric himself, demandin’ we bring the princess back at once. Trouble was brewin’, and the *SeaHawk* had taken a batterin’ from a storm the week prior—her hull was patched, her crew wrestlin’ with repairs. Twelve hours she’d be delayed, so Captain Harrow of the *Swan* decided: we’d sail ahead, straight east toward the coast, then swing north to Port Ahn. The *SeaHawk* would follow as best she could.
The mornin’ of the turn north was a foggy devil—couldn’t see ten yards ahead. We were makin’ fair speed, the *Swan* slicin’ through the mist, when out of the gloom loomed a ship, silent as a wraith. She looked like no vessel I’d ever known—pale as death, her sails in tatters, yet she bore down with purpose. Then came a sound I can’t rightly name—nothin’ like the thunk of our ballistae or the crack of a storm. A flash of fire, a roar that shook the bones, and somethin’ tore through us—somethin’ new, somethin’ devilish. I’ve sailed these seas twenty years and never seen the like; they say it’s some sorcerer’s trick, but I’ll be damned if I know what.
The first blast ripped our starboard side—shrapnel flew, men screamed. I saw Jem, me own brother, go down with a cry. The second blast flung me overboard, and I clung to a plank as the sea took me. From the water, I saw it all—a huge half-orc captain, his face twisted with a grin, boardin’ the *Swan*. His flag flew black, marked with three letter J’s, bold as sin—the same flag I heard tell of from the scuttlebutt ‘round the Primrose attack a while back, when Jessie Jack Johnson struck in the Amber Gulf, leavin’ blood and ruin. I swear I glimpsed Old Tom, a *SeaHawk* deserter, among their crew—traitor’s blood, that one. They bound the princess, her hair catchin’ the fog’s light, and put the crew to the sword—good men, cut down like dogs. Then another of them unearthly blasts, and the *Swan* groaned and sank beneath the waves.
I heard the half-orc mutter somethin’ about ‘the rooks eye’ afore they left—don’t know what it means, but it stuck with me. I drifted, cold and half-dead, ‘til the *SeaHawk* fished me out hours later. I was the only one left, the sole survivor of that slaughter. I’m certain it was Jessie Jack Johnson’s hand behind it—same flag, same ruthless style. I beg ye, council, send the navy after him. The princess is out there, alive, I’d stake me life on it—I saw her taken, not killed. And if them dragons are back, we’ll need her—and every soul we can muster—to face what’s comin’. That’s me story, true as the tides. Do with it what ye will.”
Gumby slumps, tears streaking his weathered face, the chamber erupting in murmurs. High Minister Aerindor calls for order, while Lord Aldric Valoris rises, his expression dark, watching from above.
The murmurs following Gumby’s testimony subsided as High Minister Aerindor Panthanae rises, his voice cutting through the tension.
High Minister Aerindor Panthanae: “Seaman Gumby, your account is grave indeed. Let us proceed with clarity. You assert this attack was the work of Jessie Jack Johnson, based on scuttlebutt from the Primrose incident. What specific evidence, beyond the flag, leads you to this conclusion?”
Seaman Gumby: “Aye, m’lord, it’s the way of it—the half-orc captain’s brutality, the speed of the strike, and that black flag with three J’s, same as the tales from the Amber Gulf. The scuttlebutt ‘round the docks said Johnson left no survivors there neither, just blood and a wrecked ship. I seen the same hand in this—ruthless, precise, like a shark takin’ a seal. That’s me proof, straight from the sailor’s grapevine.”
High Minister Aerindor Panthanae: “Very well. You mentioned an unearthly weapon, unlike the ballistae of the *SeaHawk*. Can you describe its effects more precisely, and have you heard of such a device in your years at sea?”
Seaman Gumby: “M’lord, it was like nothin’ I know— a flash of fire, a roar that rattled me bones, and then the *Swan* was torn apart, planks flyin’ like leaves in a gale. Our ballistae just thunk out bolts, steady and true, but this was wild, like the sea itself turned against us. Twenty years I’ve sailed, and I ain’t heard tell of such a thing—some whisper it’s wizard work, but I couldn’t say. It’s new, that’s for sure.”
High Minister Aerindor Panthanae: “You spoke of a deserter, Old Tom, among the attackers. Can you confirm his identity, and do you know why he might have turned traitor? This could be vital to our investigation.”
Seaman Gumby: “Aye, m’lord, I’d swear it was Old Tom—served on the *SeaHawk* ‘fore he vanished last year, a wiry fella with a scar ‘cross his cheek. I seen him haulin’ lines with the half-orc’s crew, clear as day ‘fore the mist swallowed him. Why he turned? Could be gold, could be fear—men break for less on the high seas. I reckon he jumped ship when the *SeaHawk* was laid up, but I ain’t got the why of it.”
High Minister Aerindor Panthanae: “This ‘rooks eye’ you overheard—can you recall the exact context? Was it a command, a location, or perhaps a code? Any detail might aid our pursuit of the princess.”
Seaman Gumby: “M’lord, it was just a mutter from the half-orc captain as they hauled the princess aboard—‘the Rooks eye,’ he growled, like it meant somethin’ to him. Could’ve been a place, a signal, or some cursed riddle—I ain’t clever enough to ken it. It stuck with me, though, ‘cause it sounded like he was plannin’ more than just the raid. That’s all I got, true as I stand here.”
High Minister Aerindor Panthanae: “Your certainty of the princess’s survival is noted. Based on what you witnessed, can you estimate where this vessel might have taken her, or in what direction it fled after the attack?”
Seaman Gumby: “M’lord, I saw her bound and alive, dragged onto that ghost ship—ain’t no doubt in me mind she’s breathin’ still. After they sank the *Swan*, they turned south’ard, vanishin’ into the fog. Could’ve swung ‘round to any coast from there—maybe even through the Straits of Fury to the Amber Gulf again, where Johnson’s name first turned black. I can’t say for sure, but south was their headin’.”
High Minister Aerindor Panthanae: “Finally, Seaman, your long service suggests you’ve encountered many pirates. What makes this half-orc captain stand out as Jessie Jack Johnson, beyond the flag and scuttlebutt? Any mark or mannerism that might confirm his identity?”
Seaman Gumby: “M’lord, it’s the way he moved—bold and brutal, like a storm made flesh. The tales from the Primrose attack spoke of a half-orc with a laugh that’d curdle milk, and I heard that same guttural cackle as he swung his blade. He wore a heavy cloak, but I caught a glint of a gold ring on his left hand, somethin’ fancy for a pirate—could be Johnson’s mark, they say he plunders the best. That, and the three J’s flag, seals it for me. He’s the devil I’ve heard of, no mistake.”
Aerindor nods and scribbled some notes. The chamber buzzed with speculation. Panthanae excused Gumby to stay here until they could figure out where to assign him in the future. He didn't think that Gumby was very popular to the outside world. Gumby said, “Is true, I don't know what lies are being told but it tweren't me!”. He stepped down and left the room. Aerindor announced a break for everyone to consider what they'd heard. The different groups in the chamber began discussing amongst themselves what they'd just heard.
Hurst turned to his advisors and asked what they thought. Eryn asked of there was a spell to determine if his account was truthful? Hurst wasn't sure if that was possible but knew Seaman Gumby. He'd been around a while. Hurst believed he was telling the truth, what he said was what he saw. He added the caveat that sometimes, things are not as they appear. Symon added, “Illusion is a whole school of magic unto itself. Illusionist can make things happen that didn't really happen. What we are seeing now could be nothing but illusion, we wouldn't know.”.
= = = = = Chris pointed out that Burnside, with house Mordecai, is the Burnside that works for Blackmoor. He is the one who has gotten greedy and is now in the crosshairs of Blackmoor's correction crew. = = = = =
They didn't know why Valoris wanted Hurst here but apparently no one else wanted him here.
Symon questioned Jessie Jack Johnson being a half-orc. Had no one ever seen him before? That name doesn't sound particularly half-orc in nature. They were trying to remember what George Mary told them about the Blade and Jessee Jack Johnson. He never described him physically. He described him as a fierce captain but not particularly evil. He was taking the boy and the cat, Persephone with him to the Blade. Surely he can't think the captain too evil. The Jessee Jack Johnson that George Mary spoke of doesn't sound like the half-orc putting whole crews to death.
Eryn didn't remember George Mary ever saying that Jesse Jack Johnson was a pirate. The description of the of the flag that the ship was flying didn't match the emblem in George Mary's tatoo. His was three fish hooks hanging from a dagger. It seems that they are framing Jesse Jack Johnson. Symon suggested that they may be framing him because he may know how to get where we want to go.
Valoris stood and asked what the plans were to address these things. Aerindor asked the Admiral Silverlight about what plans he'd made. He responded saying that he'd outfitted three warships, stocked them, armed them, and have them ready to go. They should be able to sail within 48 hours. They will head south, hunt down this pirate, give him the deep 6, bring this to a close, and bring the Princess home.
Panthanae asked about the other things mentioned. Rooks Eye, does anyone know what this is? No one knew. The next question, what about this Tom? Silverlight said he would send men to talk to the crew that sailed with him and see what they could find out.
Panthanae asked if anyone from the three houses had anything to add.
Harold Mordecai replied, “I've never heard the term “rooks eye” and I don't know this Tom character, but anything I can do to help, I obviously will!”.
Anton Zakarov followed up, “We've suffered greatly. Our merchant house has now fallen to a lesser house because of the attacks, but we obviously want justice for our family and if possible, find Anita too if she's still alive!”.
Silas Umbridge replied, “Well it needs to stop! I've lost too many ships and too much cargo. If I can help, let me know what you want me to do. I'd also ask why something hasn't been done before this.
Panthanae responded, “We're not here to cast blame upon anybody.”.
Silas Umbridge replied, “Aye, there is probably plenty of that to go around!”.
Panthanae looked to Captain Hurst and said, “Captain Hurst, what do you have to say?”.
Captain Hurst replied, “I can tell you this much, Admiral Silverlight there and his warships will not find anything.”.
Silverlight said, “What the hell do you mean?”.
Hurst responded, “If you are going to hunt for a pirate like that, every seaport up and down the whole coast will know the minute you set sail and they'll know where you are at and avoid you at all cost. You don't hunt scum like this at sea. The trick to it is learning who they deal with at their ports.”.
Silverlight responded, “Well, we don't fool around with scum like you're used to hanging out with!”.
Hurst responded, “If you are going to catch scum, sometimes you gotta hang out with scum, you know? That's why you were never able to catch them, not like I could.”.
Silverlight gets pretty mad and replies, “Look, you brought a stain upon this fleet, upon this admiralty! That's the reason you are retired now and I'm in charge.”.
Hurst replied, “Well, go ahead with it, you'll never find him like that! By the way, I do have a question.”.
Panthanae told him to please ask it!
Hurst turned to Silas Umbridge and asked, “Silas, where is Captain Hawthorn, shouldn't he be here?”.
Silas gave him an angry look, replying, “He is at sea currently! He's escorting some of my ships so they don't get taken by this pirate!”.
Hurst replied, “Oh, really, I think for the past while, he hasn't actually been to sea. Seems to me that after that attack on him personally, he kind of tuck tail and hid in port!”.
Silas responded, “You know very well that the head of my fleet has lots of things to do, operating on import and not being at sea.”.
Hurst replied, “Well, I'm just saying, seems odd to me that he is not here. What about his second, what's his name, oh Captain Laroque, where is he at?”.
Silas responded, “He's doing the same thing, he's guarding my fleet! What are you suggesting?”.
Hurst replied, “I'm not suggesting anything! I think it's odd that they both aren't here!”.
Silas responded, “Well, you can keep your oddities to your damn self!”.
Silverlight stepped in, “That's enough of this!”, looking to Hurst, “I don't know what you can add to this, are you saying you think you can find him?”.
Hurst replied, “Don't know if I could or not, not sure I even want to but you know Silverlight, you're actually a very good Admiral, you're a good commander, you're good at the big picture, but the problem you have is you can't see something right under your nose.”.
Silverlight snapped back, “What do you mean by that!”.
Hurst answered, “Just what I said! Something could walk up and slap you in the face and you wouldn't pay any attention to it. It's just not in your mind set”.
Silverlight responded, “Well, I'd rather have my military mind set than hanging around with scum like you do. All you do is sit around your tavern now, staying drunk and fat and getting in fights!”.
Hurst replied, “Well, I guess I do, but I know an opportunity when I see one!”.
Silverlight asked, “Oh and what opportunity are you talking about!”.
Hurst replied, “Right here with me!”.
Silverlight asked, “What do you mean?”.
Hurst, replied, “This is Company Clandestine, the ones everyone's been looking for.”.
Silverlight jumps up and shouts, “Arrest them! Arrest them all!”.
The guards rush forward and Lord Valoris calls out, “Hold!”, everyone froze.
Valoris followed up with, “Hurst, I would speak with you! Guards, bring him and his party to my chambers! This hearing is adjourned, at least an hour.”.
Panthanae is shocked, “Meeting adjourned!”.
The guards move up to escort Hurst and the Company out. As they looked around the room, they could see Silas Umbridge with a look on his face, as if the blood drained out! He is shell shocked! He is pissed! He is in shock! Hurst looks over at him and gave him a smile.
Escorted to a large chamber with Seaman Gumby, Captain Hurst, Lord Aldric Valoris, Fleet Mage Mathew Beck, and Lady Esmeralda Valoris. Hurst hugged Lady Esmeralda; she was pleased to see Hurst there and told him she was glad that he was helping out with this. Hurst replied, “What are friends for!”. He then turned and said, “Let me introduce you to Company Clandestine!”.
Lord Valoris faced them and said, “Despite what you may think, you are very welcome here! I'm sure you have a lot of questions and I will try to answer them as best I can, but I need your help, I need Captain Hurst's help to get my daughter back!”. He turns motions toward the other elegant lady in the room and says, “This is my wife, Lady Esmeralda Valoris!”.
She stepped up and began hugging everyone. She asked, “Please, please help us! We want to get my Seraphine back!”.
Hurst approached the Company and apologized for the dramatics in the room but asked if they'd noticed Silas Umbridge's face! He asked that with a little snicker and pointed out how shocked and angry he looked knowing that the forces of Valdornost got to them before he did. He added, “That monkey is off your back now, as-far-as he'll know, and all those people that he worked with, you guys are in the dungeon!”. Hurst turned to Lord Valoris and said, “and I assume Lord Valoris that you are going to give my ship back!”. Lord Valoris replied, “Your ship back, and anything else you need.”.
He assured Hurst that he would be fully outfitted and assured Company Clandestine that the illusion that they are deep in his dungeon stays. He pointed out that the rumor is that Seaman Gumby was involved in what happened to his daughter. Valoris said that he knew that was a lie. Seaman Gumby can't hang around the ports. He suggested that he go with Captain Hurst. Hurst said he would be happy to have him. Valoris asked them all to sit around the big round table. After they sat, he suggested that they might have questions for him. Symon noticed the Mage in the back of the room and a magical device back there as well.
Lord Valoris said, “Please, any questions you have for me, feel free to ask.”. Eryn started by explaining that she'd seen an emblem that was supposed to be Jesse Jack Johnson's emblem. It consisted of 3 fish hooks hanging from a dagger on a white background. The fish hooks look like J's. It isn't three J's on a black background.
Hurst thought that was a good observation. He told everyone that no one knows who this Jesse Jack Johnson is but he was sure that Umbridge was behind all of it. He suggested it was strange that his two top captains were not here. He suggested that they were not out guarding the rest of his fleet as he'd suggested.
Valoris said that he'd had suspicions about him for a while now. He'd just not had anything actionable to take against him. Hurst replied, “Aye, he's clever! He's a snake and he's slippery!”. Hurst pointed out though that as the other houses were going down, that even though he was attacked as well, his house has gotten more powerful. Both he and Valoris agreed on this point.
Hurst pointed out that Umbridge is in with these Sahn people but that it couldn't be proven so they could do nothing about it yet. He suspects that Umbridge is behind most of this. Valoris agreed and he is also keeping a double eye on him. Hurst apologized for having them arrested here but that it tells the world that you are now captive here. This will leave you free to do what you need to do.
Valoris passed out some official scrolls around the table. These are Letters of Mark, issued by me, that authorizes you, outside the domain of Valdornost, to carry out whatever military or naval mission that is required. You are now under our flag. The group accepted them. He also passed out coins with the emblem and the mark of Valdornost on them. Valoris told them that with these, you are powerful and as far up in the government as you can be, just under the minister and myself. If you ever have the need, show this coin to any soldier, anyone in the military in Valdornost, political, military, or naval, it tells them that you are operating under my strict orders and they will do anything that you ask or command them to do. Plus, with the rescue of my daughter, I will issue you lands and titles as reward and compensation and you will be forever in our debt.
Valoris added, “Now, there is one problem and perhaps this has crossed your mind already. Why did I vote to have you arrested. Well, I don't know if you know how the high politics works, but the answer is very simple. I did this in consultation with Tinkle and your grandfather!”, looking towards Angelique. He continued, “See, the way the vote count would have come out, Aphobis is the one who brought charges against you, and he had the votes. The problem is, if I hadn't voted to bring charges against you, all of the operations and all of the resources everything involved in hunting you, finding you, arresting you, charging you, and trying you would have fallen under Aphobis. But since I am the head of the counsel, and since I voted with him, which he did not expect, all of those resources stay under me.”
Valoris continued, “My charge has been to get to you first, to protect you, because I do know what your main mission is. I've spoken with Tinkle and I know that you are looking for the Heart of the Dragon. This affects all of Paldegora, not just Valdornost. So it's critical that you succeed in your mission, and it's my job to make sure that you can get it done. Now that I have you arrested, I can withhold the first initial hearings for you guys for at least six months. So you have a six month window to get my daughter back, upon doing that, I will have evidence to go to the counsel with, to get these charges dropped. I hope that makes sense, if I had abstained on the vote or voted to not charge you, I'd have lost control of this. Forgive me for doing it, but it was in the best interest in this plan that Tinkle, Blazecaller, and myself out together.”.
Angelique interrupted and asked how her grandfather was doing. Lord Valoris told her that he was well and that both he and Tinkle were excited to learn that they had made it to contact Hurst. “I spoke with them last night, via magic, and their excited and thankful. We've been one step ahead of our enemies so far but we have to take it one step further. With all of this, I do not know who Jesse Jack Johnson is. That's going to be up to you.”, he told them.
Hurst said, “Well, when my ship, the V.H.S. Seeker is back under my command, I'll find this Jesse Jack Johnson, I promise you and we'll get Seraphine back as well.”.
Symon asked, “Do we know where to start looking?”.
Hurst replied, “I've got a few ideas, I've been around a while. I can tell you one thing, going out and chasing him around the sea isn't going to do a damn thing. No, the key to this is in a port somewhere, in a bar, not unlike my place, and I've got a good idea where to start.”.
Valoris asked, “Do you any idea about this Rooks Eye.”.
Hurst replied, “I've never heard the Rook's Eye before, but I might have an idea what that might be. We'll figure it out and we'll find it.”.
Lady Valoris responded, “Thank you so much Captain Hurst. You don't know how much this means to us!”.
Hurst replied, “We'll get her back and then you'll be able to put Silas Umbridge in chains where he belongs!”.
Symon pointed out, that they'd just been in a room full of dignitaries who now know what they look like. If we go walking around the street, we'll be spotted quickly.
Valoris told him that they'd already planned that out. He called over Mathew Beck and asked if he had the scroll ready to go. Mathew told him he did. Valoris told them that Tinkle had provided them a powerful illusion scroll that will hide the fact that you guys are not here. It will make duplicate images of you guys, so if anyone scries for you, they will see you in a cell. It's a very high level programmed illusion. There is one thing though, and I have to beg your indulgence in this, to make it fully work, I'll need some hair from each of you. And Angelique, I believe we're going to need some of your blood. So what we'll do is we'll take this things, put them in the cells, put the illusion there, so if anyone is scrying and they are trying to track you by your blood, it'll show as you are there.
Then Valoris he had Mathew hand out amulets as proof against scrying and detection for all of you. Angelique told him she already had one so she didn't need one. Cal pointed out though that the one she had came from Xantha, girlfriend of Aphobis. He told her to dump that one and get one of these new ones. She agreed and swapped it out for a new one. Mathew took the old one to determine if there was any curse on it.
Lord Valoris told Captain Hurst that his ship will be ready to sail first thing in the morning. We will take all of you, cloaked, out of a back entrance, no one will pay you any attention, and we'll get you to your ship and you can set sail from there. Then the real hunt will begin.
Symon asked about the coins, do they work anywhere in world or only in Valdornost? Valoris said, “If you encounter anybody, who is an official, miliary, diplomat, or whatever, for Valdornost, it's like you are a personal operative for me. You can't be questioned or arrested, and if you command that you need something, they have to provide it. Other countries will not necessarily honor it but a Valdornost diplomat in another country would honor it.”.
Eryn asked about the Letter of Mark. Valoris explained that it makes them privateer's for Valdornost. It legalizes anything they do at sea. It's why Silverlight doesn't like Hurst. Hurst has this and he is not really a part of the royal navy, but he operates as a privateer. The letters were issued by Silverspire and Valdornost.
Hurst pointed out that they just went from being criminals hunted by everyone to being powerful secret agents.
Valoris told them that he was going to go out to command Silverlight to send his ships to sea, to give the Seeker back to Hurst and let him operate independently, and they are going to make Silverlight the commander of one of the ships to get him out of here because everyone hates him around here. They are burning him in effigy outside in the “mostly peaceful” protests.
Sending him off would give Valoris time to clean things up around here and calm the city by getting the antagonist out of here. He's telling them that Company Clandestine has been arrested and that they are in the prisons. That should make the trail go cold on them.
The party started stripping off their disguises and returning to their normal appearance.
Thus ends the session!
Please start the recorder!
Exp: General 1000 + 100 = 1100
P.S. Don't forget to get their stuff back from Hurst's box.