The walls of this stone-floored room were lined with weapon and armor racks, many of which were empty. Still remaining on the shelves were a silvery bastard sword, a light crossbow, a glowing dagger, a suit of studded leather armor, a light steel shield, and a small wooden coffer. The wooden coffer lay on its side, the lid open and its contents (several vials and a pair of boots) strewn on the floor. Slumped on the ground nearby was what appeared to be a recently slain dwarf.
This hidden armory is where the Vanderborens keep several spare weapons, stored here in case of an emergency. Unfortunately, neither the Jade Ravens nor Lavinia were able to reach this room in time for its contents to make a difference during the bullywug attack.
The dwarf druid Kaskus Kiel managed to hide in this room after the other Jade Ravens were captured. Unfortunately, the wounded druid didn't know about the trap that once warded the coffer of healing potions, and in his frenzied attempt to get to the contents he triggered the trap and was nearly slain. As fortune would have it, the dwarf stabilized naturally. Graim and Tolin healed him, and he frantically recounted the battle for the manor (including a tearful account of the death of his animal companion Brunthus at the hand of that damned half-orc).
The weapons and armor in this room were of masterwork quality. Four of the potions that were once in the coffer were smashed, but four healing potions survived intact.
While waiting for Graim, the rest of the Tropic Thunder finished exploring the last door leading off the basement. This chamber contained several twisting pipes and a large water container.
The mansion's water supply is stored here, and can be pumped up from the container into the kitchen above as needed.
Meanwhile, Lavinia and Zan seeked help for the Tropic Thunder. Without concrete proof that bullywugs had invaded Sasserine, the city watch had little time or resources to aid them in their task. With the Wormfall Festival in full swing, they had their hands full keeping things in relative order as it was. Fortunately for them, they happened upon Alaric, a crusader of Pelor, who was willing to lend a hand.
After the Tropic Thunder had found all surviving members of the Jade Ravens, they had little desire to flush out the rest of the bullywugs, and decided to wait for the city watch. The watch took the prisoners off their hands (although Alaric, a junior member of the Dawn Council, and Cyq, with his new status as an Initiate of the Witchwardens, were allowed access to them), and subsequently cleared the manor of the remaining bullywugs. Bua Gorg was eventually executed, while Drevoraz escaped the noose due to his willingness to provide the Council with information on the Crimson Fleet.
After things returned to normal, the adventurers learned of the assassins who attacked them during the Wormfall festival. Angered at the shame the Tropic Thunder brought upon her daughter Rowyn, and furious at the loss of income generated by the Lotus Dragons Thieves' Guild, aging noblewoman Heldrath Kellani had hired a group of specialized murderers and killers to strike a blow of vengeance against the heroes. They were led by a dangerous woman named Diamondback.
Diamond is a deadly performer, late of the Talventa Academy before she decided there was more money in murder-for-hire.
The captured rogues and Diamondback readily gave up the identity of their employers when interrogated. Legal action against the Kellanis was unfortunately a bureaucratic nightmare, but this assault combined with evidence the Tropic Thunder uncovered in the Lotus Dragons Guildhall two months ago went a long way toward stripping the Kellanis of their noble status.
At the end of these events, the Tropic Thunder are no closer to finding Vanthus, yet they had made an important discovery - although they did not realize it. The black pearl that was the apparent cause of the madness which gripped Kraken's Cove could have been one of the greatest threats Sasseirne had ever faced, were it to activate within its walls.
For now, however, the Tropic Thunder had earned a break. Further impressed with their ability to act under pressure, Lavinia rewarded the heroes not only with monetary wealth (using the monies she had gained from the various guilds and nobles who had finally paid back the debts owed her family she granted each adventurer a reward of 100 pp) but increased their monthly stipend from 100 gp to 200 gp.
The Tropic Thunder enjoyed their time off. They used this time to shop for new gear. Vanthus never returned to Sasserine, and as the months went on, Lavinia's need to see her brother face his crimes went from a burning obsession to a quiet brooding anger.
In Kraken's Cove, the remaining savage creatures quickly died off as their violent nature sent them into constant battles with the dangerous creatures of the region. By the time the Sasserine militia reached the cove, they were gone, and all that remained of their passing was an empty seacave littered with well-gnawed bones. Stories the Tropic Thunder spread quickly become part of the region's rumor-haunting tradition.
By the time the itch for adventure strikes the Tropic Thunder again, Lavinia was ready for them. She had finished reading through the strange notebook recovered form the family vaults a month ago, and reported that they were, in fact, penned by her own mother during a trip to a place called the Isle of Dread. Further, it would seem that one of her parents' last accomplishments before their untimely deaths was to establish a colony on a relatively safe islet near the Isle of Dread. According to the notes, her parents planned on returning to this colony, called Farshore, with supplies and additional colonists, but their deaths put an end to that plan. With the heroes' aid, Lavinia hopes to travel to Farshore, resupply the colonists, and nurture the settlement into a living monument for her parents. The trip, she warned them, will be anything but short and safe, but the prospects for adventure and wealth should overweight any fears the adventurers may have. All she needed was another ship to aid in the voyage. Perhaps one of the pirate vessels that survived the fire in Kraken's Cove might fit the bill?
As mentioned above, after the harrowing events two months ago, the Tropic Thunder had a chance to relax. When they were ready to start adventuring, they received a message form their patron, Lavinia Vanderboren, inviting them to a meeting at her manor house.
The atmosphere of Vanderboren Manor gave the place a busy, vibrant feel. Not only had Lavinia retained several workers to repair the damage done to the manor after the bullywug attack two months ago, but as her fortunes slowly recovered, she had hired a new staff of servants to tend to the manor's needs. Having finished a funeral service for her last major-domo Kora Whistlegap and her beloved Harold (who died two months ago) and washed her hands of capturing her scoundrel brother Vanthus (who had fled to parts unknown), Lavinia was eager to turn to the future. And for Lavinia, that future encompassed a long sea voyage.
When the Tropic Thunder arrived, they found Lavinia in the main dining room, pawing over a number of nautical maps, sea charts, and a large journal Graim recognized as the one they recovered from the family vault three months ago. When the heroes made their presence known, she smiled and invited them to sit at the table.
"Do you recall this journal we recovered from my family vault? It turns out that it was my mother's. My parents, may the gods rest their souls, were brave - foolish and rash some would say, but I have never been one to criticize an adventurous spirit - On the contrary -" she cast a wry smile at them all. "I admire it. In any event, it would seem that about four years ago, my mother and father undertook a risky endeavor. They sailed the Blue Nixie, along with a ship full of colonists, down south across the Vohoun Ocean to a place they refer to as the Isle of Dread."
"You may have heard of this place - if you haven't, it seems apparent from reading my mother's journals that the place is aptly named. A jungle-covered hell infested with immense reptilian monsters, feral savages, and peril at every turn. Yet the southern peninsula remains relatively sheltered from the menaces on the isle mainland, and it was here, among the villages of several friendly locals, that my parents founded the colony of Farshore."
The Isle of Dread represents an untapped trove of resources - exotic lumber, spices, animals, foods, and even minerals like silver and gold. Once Farshore was up and running, the influx of trade would have guaranteed my family a relatively uncontested flow of wealth. Yet before mother and father were able to return to Farshore with supplies and more colonists...my brother made his move and left me in the state you found me a few short months ago."
Lavinia indicated her mother's journal. "Since we recovered this journal, I have not been idle. If Farshore fails, then my parents' last legacy fails. I intend to carry on their work, and have planned for a journey south to the Isle of Dread to resupply and join the colonists at Farshore for the rest of the year. I have the Blue Nixie readying in the harbor to take fresh supplies to the colony, but I find myself a vessel short." Lavinia's face broke into a glowing grin as she continued, "You wouldn't know of anyone with stout hearts who might be interested in helping me mount this expedition, do you? I fear the journey itself might grow dangerous at times, and there's no way of knowing what state or condition Farshore is currently in, but I suspect that danger is a vice you have."
Lavinia plans on taking her family ship, the Blue Nixie, to Farshore, and was already in the process of hiring a crew, outfitting it with supplies for the voyage, and recruiting additional colonists. Yet the amount of supplies she calculated Farshore needs greatly exceeded the amount she can haul with a single ship - she needed another sizeable vessel to accompany the Nixie south. Fortunately, the Tropic Thunder knew of a perfect candidate - the Sea Wyvern. This former pirate ship was moored at Kraken's Cove two months ago, and while the Dawn Council claimed it for Sasserine, they are willing to hand it over to the heroes for the purpose of nurturing the distant colony.
The Tropic Thunder agreed to Lavinia's request, and she saw no reason to wait. She'd like to leave for Farshore as soon as possible. The Blue Nixie can be ready to go in a day - all that needs to be done is for the heroes to make the Sea Wyvern ready as well.In addition, Alaric was charged with passing Dawn Council correspondence to Fort Greenrock, one of the few friendly ports of call along the Amedio Coast. Him and Cyq were also advised to seek the representatives of the Dawn Council and the Witchwardens, respectively, that had escorted the Vanderborens on their first trip to Farshore.
The Tropic Thunder were ill-prepared to manage the logistics of a long sea journey. It took a week to prepare for the voyage.
They also needed to consult Amella Venkalie or run the risk of forgetting something critical.Using her mother's journal and extensive charts, Lavinia had already plotted her course out for the expedition. She intends to hug the coast of the Amedio Jungle until she reaches the far side of the peninsula, at which point she plans to sail more or less directly south from there to the Isle of Dread. The voyage itself covers just over 3,000 miles. Including stops to resupply here and there, and assuming fair weather and minimal mishaps along the way, Lavinia estimates that the entire journey should take not much more than three months.
Lavinia needed a second ship to make the voyage; she can't carry all of the colonies and supplies on the Blue Nixie alone. She was looking for another caravel-class ship, but with her expenses tied up elsewhere, she couldn't afford the cost of hiring one (let alone purchasing one for 10,000 gp). The easiest solution to this dilemma was the Sea Wyvern, a perfectly-sized ship that escaped the inferno at Kraken's Cove two months ago. The Sea Wyvern remained moored at the cove, safe and sound, until Sasserine militia went to investigate the cove after the heroes' report of the events there.The Sea Wyvern requires a crew of at lest seven to sail, and can comfortably accomodate up to 30 people on a long voyage (although there's bunk space for 22, an additional 8 can sleep on mats in the galley or the forward hold, if needed). A total of 25 passengers (including the Tropic Thunder, the crew, and colonists) set out on the voyage.
In order to make the voyage to the Isle of Dread, the Sea Wyvern needs a captain and a navigator. Cyq took the role of captain for the voyage, and Grain the role of navigator. Fortunately, Lavinia had already secured a crew and taken on passengers for the voyage.
The Sea Wyvern's hold, storage lockers, and other areas must carry at least 60 tons of supplies for Farshore, leaving an additional 60 tons of space for supplies. Ten tons of this space were consumed by repair supplies for the ship itself. A further ten tons of food, water, and other miscellaneous supplies for the crew and passengers leaves 40 tons of space for the Tropic Thunder to play with. If they don't have any other particular requests, Lavinia suggested using any remaining space to load up on additional supplies for the colony.The Sea Wyvern was not outfitted with any siege weapons. The Tropic Thunder wished to add a ballista to the caravel. The Sea Wyvern can accommodate up to two ballistae or one light catapult.
Amella Venkalie serves as first mate, crew member, and advisor for the journey. A slight but powerful woman with fine blonde hair tied neatly back from her forehead, Amella dresses to fight and sail rather than to please the eye. A thin scar graces her right cheek. Amella is rather foul-mouthed, fond of uttering oaths only heard in the worst dockside taverns. Confident, haughty, and astute, she does not suffer fools gladly.
Father Feres is a clergyman of Heironeous that joined the expedition to Farshore.
Avner Meravanchi, the spoiled son of nobility, represents the primary investor for the voyage south. He is charming, helpful, and brave. Despite the slow recovery of her wealth, Lavinia couldn't quite finance her expedition to Farshore on her own. She spoke with the other noble families of Sasserine, but only one felt the profits for aiding her outweighed the dangers - the semi-notorious Meravanchis. Avner carries with him a vastly inflated sense of self-import. Travelling with Avner are two meek servants (Banaby Chisk and Quenge Asper) who defer to his every need but are otherwise unobtrusive.Skald is a wispy and beautiful elf, with pale skin, pointed ears and almond-shaped but unsettling eyes. Due to his appearance he draws attention wherever he goes, but he has a morose and unfriendly attitude and the tendency to jump at shadows. Skald's gift for navigation and his eagerness to join the expedition (he asked only for room and board for the voyage) were the primary reasons Lavinia invited him along.
Urol Forol is a gnome naturalist who's studied the Isle of Dread extensively, and he also wants to stop at the legendary ruined city of Tamoachan during the voyage. Urol is a bent old gnome who constantly squints when he looks. He carries the odor of the land about with him, an odor that most find not too pleasant. He is talkative and chipper except when the subject of the natural world comes up, whereupon he flies into a frenzy of excited stuttering bliss, expounding upon obscure and often strangely fascinating (to him, at least) bits of lore. Urol has actually been to the Isle of Dread before, although his stay, in his words, was, "Unfortunately short - due to events beyond my control, I might add! We've certainly nothing to fear this time around!" He demanded to be part of Lavinia's expedition when he learned about it, and indeed his knowledge of the Isle could greatly help the colonists of Farshore. Urol has a strange fascination with poisonous creatures.Lirith Veldirose is a member of the crew. A red-haired tomboy who often wears flamboyant scarves and silks, Lirith has been a sailor for the past year. Lirith intends to work hard while she can, then retire early to some fabulous island. Above all, Lirith loves to show off, and her eyes are drawn to precious things.
Tavey Nesk is a young and excited lad, and he is the Sea Wyvern's cabin boy.
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