Yort Li stays behind
Yort Li reflected on the toll of the recent fights — the aches and pains were worse than usual. He decided to stay behind in Brackenford to help Dear Li grow up while he still can.
Garron Drex cleared his throat and reverently placed citizenship forms in front of him. Yort Li poured his last vial of acid on the papers. Garron was SHOOK. He pulled out an even larger ledger and dropped it on the table with the others.
Garron asked if Yort Li’s shell qualified as a permanent residence. The answer: “concealed carry.”
Yort Li stated his purpose as raising his son until he is grown. More forms followed, covering local laws and ordinances. Yort Li signed by literally scratching his signature into the paper.
The party also decided to leave Hal in Brackenford with Yort Li.
One last attempt at Stormeye
Cisco floated freeing Stormeye by using the eye to enter the trap. The party entered Stormeye’s cabin and found him sitting with the eye already in his head — Cisco realized the plan wouldn’t work. Stormeye closed the door and we left.
Old Briar’s intel
We headed to Old Briar for intel on the route to our next destination.
- Greyhaven — stone walls, iron gates, the largest riverside city. Hustle and bustle inside, but outside it’s like life stops and waits. Word is the city is turning people away due to capacity, and slums have grown up outside the gate.
- Find Marbel Kest at the ledger office to help us get inside. She says: “The river took another one.”
- Three Weirs Tavern sits on the lowbank in the slums.
- Old Briar doubted the Harrow’s Wake could make the trip — the boat/carriage option made the most sense.
- The western side of the Fernshade River has Briarhollow.
- The eastern side sees little man-travel — heavy moon elf presence.
- Estimated 5–10 day journey.
Cisco told the temple girl (Morella) he was leaving, blowing off her concern. She didn’t believe he’d write.
The party stocked up — supplies, rations, any potions, etc.
Elijah’s vision
Elijah J. Lucas had a vision. He saw it. He mentioned he knew they would find him eventually. He is stronger now than when he left, and is resigned to meeting them.
Steed and carriage negotiations
Preparing to leave:
- Lorien Painbearer called out his celestial warhorse steed (gifted by Ilmater).
- Cisco clapped and said “Gobble” to summon his carriage.
- Elijah used Animal Handling to read the situation.
The steed and the carriage stared at each other, sizing each other up:
- The steed is proud, haughty, and independent.
- The carriage is dependent and servant-like.
They began discussing their differences. Cisco gave a speech urging them to work together. A contract appeared in a fiery flourish, offering to extend the carriage to 8 hours if they cooperated. Cisco grabbed an appearing quill and started striking out any liabilities to himself and any caveats. The two carriage entities said they’d take it up with the union — but for now, they would act in friendship.
Cisco reached out a hand. The horses made it awkward by forcing him to approach.
Lorien spoke to his horse, who was utterly indignant at being shackled — a celestial steed gifted by Ilmater — to a carriage. Lorien pledged to honor the horse as he does Ilmater. The horse walked off mid-speech.
The party hitched up the horses; Elijah accidentally smacked them with the reins.
Leaving Brackenford
The air in Brackenford felt different — life had resumed. It felt like Brackenford could finally go on without us.
- We waved to Yort Li, who was busy with Dear Li.
- Old Briar was curmudgeonly but welcomed us back.
- Morella (the Mousey Woman) gave Lorien Painbearer something and essentially told him to stay strong. Lorien felt Jeffrey’s presence and said nothing.
- Garron Drex started yapping as we rolled by — we are temporary consultants, the hag threat is done.
- Stormeye was visible in the distance. We swore we saw something wave at us out of the corner of his eye.
Day 1 — road to Greyhaven
Trees ensconced us as we left Brackenford. We journeyed until nightfall and made camp.
First time in a while we felt like we were at a normal camp. No immediate threat. Unpacked the tent and ate rations. Watch order: Cisco, Lorien, Ruasar, Elijah.
We realized all of a sudden where the lost souls escape to.
Day 2
In the morning we broke camp and hitched up the horses. Elijah felt very prideful of how well he handled the carriage that day.
We passed small shrines of unclear purpose — safe travel? honoring someone?
At night we camped by the steady river and its gentle curve. We saw a thin smoke stream in the distance from a well-kept cabin — winding path running east, cabin to the south below a few short cliffs. Fernie circled the place; we moved on due to wariness and a lack of any real activity.
Set up camp again with the same watch order. Cisco asked Lorien about the tome from Alric’s mansion; Lorien said it’d be fine. Rest. On Cisco’s watch, Ruasar came out and sent Cisco back to bed.
Day 3
Broke camp and summoned the horses. Cisco tried to name the horses Tom and Jerry; they were insulted by the overstep. Elijah once again felt proud of his day with animal handling.
Travelers passed muttering that the way is shut, no entry, etc. Others mentioned a waylaid carriage. Cisco asked the distance — a few days away. Additional warning to stay careful and keep eyes out. Cisco asked if it happened in the city or outside, and the guy couldn’t remember.
We passed additional shrines, more travelers. Easy weather, made camp.
Day 4 — Greyhaven
Broke camp. The steeds now showed approval instead of indignation as Elijah proved his skill. More diverging and converging paths appeared. More settlements appeared.
Around midday we finally saw Greyhaven.
Description TBD
At the gate
A massive long line stretched at the barred entrance. We decided to ignore it and shoulder past.
A wealthy merchant was waving his hand in disgust at a dismissive, guarded clerk. The merchant left; the clerk asked the next party to step up. The next caravan was dressed nicely too, but much calmer — handed over papers and was moved along inside. Once the carriage was gone, the gate slammed down and the clerk waved again — next.
Elijah J. Lucas looked around for other dragonborn and was out of his element. Lorien Painbearer was also out of his element.
Cisco’s gambit with Gregory
Cisco broke off to find someone with legit papers. He spotted a solitary merchant with a small satchel of papers — Gregory. Cisco was friendly, asked where he was from like a fellow traveler. Gregory showed his wares; Cisco deflected as an importer.
Cisco asked to see his papers; Gregory was wary.
Cisco bluffed — took off his wide hat and the hat underneath, revealing the hat of rats. Intent: show he had goods to trade. The crowd scattered because of the rats; one guard in particular noticed Cisco.
Gregory was not impressed and tried to shut down the conversation. Cisco tried once more and convinced him to look at the papers in exchange for a chance to peruse his wares. Cisco did this stealthily so the guard didn’t notice.
Cisco studied the document and clocked the port of bearing, address, and other key info. Considered a forgery. Gregory’s name is Gregory — Cisco said she is a Gregory too. Rolled a 3 → 20. Nice.
Three Weirs Tavern
The party made our way to the Three Weirs.
Description TBD
Smaller than we’re used to; appears to be built right against the city wall. Cisco ordered ales for us and water for Lorien. Asked about lodging — out of luck, too crowded. Maybe cots to the east, but it isn’t safe. Ruasar said “thanks ma’am” from Old Briar but she missed it.
Cisco started laying out his forgery — general outline, required fields left blank until he decides who to fake on the document.
The beggar
Eventually someone in old, worn city guard garb stumbled in — a beggar with a tin cup, moving from table to table. Came to our table:
- Cisco gave a copper after Ruasar showed he was broke and Elijah glared at the beggar.
- He was insistent, so Lorien gave another copper.
- He eventually left.
Time passed; we bought another round. Cisco asked about the beggar and was told he means no harm. What war was he in? Who knows — he’s delusional.
Delayed observation
Ruasar was also writing something down at the tavern, but we didn’t find out what.
Forgery planning
We discussed the plan to get in. Cisco explained his plan with the forgery.
- Suggested using Elijah and Fernie as merchandise. Elijah flipped — never put Fernie down on a legal document as merchandise.
- Ruasar asked why Cisco is here. “Searching for.”
- Cisco admitted he isn’t sure about the merchant details.
- Maybe pose as buyers?
- Long discussion about what to do — knock out guards and sneak in? Debate about Lorien’s violence vs. forgery acceptance rank.
- Cisco wrangled us by starting to lay out his forgery plan to make it plausible.
Asking Alric
Cisco realized we could ask Alric for advice. Lorien reached inward asking for Alric’s experience with Greyhaven:
- Scenes of lots of soldiers under many banners, trumpets, cheers for the return of victorious soldiers.
- Alric within the throng of soldiers, bearing regal armor.
- Dated memories from another lifetime.
Elijah was frustrated with the generality and asked Lorien to be more specific with his inquiries. Lorien lost the connection.
Once again we are back to forgery.
End of session
We decided to camp in the woods tonight.