[b][u]Day 22 Continued[/u][/b] [i]As we followed the muddy road south through the marshes, we spotted light from a fire ahead of us. It was a small camp of about five Imperial soldiers. Most likely sent by the Sorceress to deter travelers. We considered killing them, but that might set things off in the Crossroads and they’re actually keeping people safe by keeping them away from the legion of undead so… we snuck around them instead. Another hour or so on the road and we decided to rest up for the night. We’d only just gotten our fire lit when a stranger approached form the south. He had the copper hair and pale skin of a Neran and the attitude to match as he greeted us with a large smile and asked to join us by the fire for the night. I immediately didn’t trust him, mostly because I noticed the faint glimmer of illusory magic around his face. I recalled the witches warning about vampires on the road and fluttered over to Marias ear and whispered my suspicions…and I guess he heard me because his smile, and illusion, dropped as he rose his hands, “Yes, little one, but I mean you no harm. I noticed your group coming from the north and seek only knowledge about this supposed plague in the Crossroads.” Gabby muttered something I didn’t quiet catch about ravens and a king and the vampires smile returned, “Ah! Your code is out dated, but I’m a bit desperate to produce results for my employer so…may I sit?” And against mine and Marias protests, she INVITED the VAMPIRE to sit with us and told him about the Imperial Sorceress, her army of Black-Eyed Zombies, and the siege of the Crossroads. He sat and listened to our story, then was quiet for a bit as he stared into the fire... Then he rose, “Thank you for this information,” he reached into his coat and produced a large bag that jingled as he set it in Gabbys small hands. “For you. All of you. I need to return to my master at once. You should be safe for the rest of your journey to Darkwater.” It occurred to us after he departed that the letter from Emaree might have reached its destination faster if we’d given it to him as well. Oh well, at least we go Twenty gold a piece! The rest of the night was uneventful. Nothing but the Wisps in the marshes. [/i] [b][u]Day 23[/u][/b] [i]We awoke to a bright, partially cloudy day with zero bite marks on anyone’s necks! Yay! We set off on the road again heading for the Heodoni Sea and the port town of Darkwater. The further south we got, the further away the patches of land and grass sticking out of the water became. Soon the dirt road was replaced by wood plank bridges between old stone platforms until we eventually arrived in Darkwater. The original town was built on a small patch of land in the center of the delta where the Darkwater River and the Heodoni Sea meet, but more was added around the edges over the years. There are more ships here than I’ve ever seen, even in Sarenport! From the looks of some of it some of them are grounded and have been converted to homes, shops, or taverns. The people here are a lot less upbeat than those in the Crossroads. We’re mostly ignored but we get occasional tough guy nods or grumpy grunts. The Nero’s Grin tavern is one of those old ships, a Galleon if I remember the proper terms correctly, that wrecked in a sand bar off the edge of Darkwater long ago. Now it lies closer to the center of town as Darkwater was expanded around it over the decades. The deck of the ship was protected from the elements by a large, tattered tent that extended from the railings on the sides to the tips of the masts and the railings of the upper deck, which was left open. There were tables for dining and drinking spread about the deck, mostly empty considering the time of day. The tavern keeper greeted us with a raised eyebrow and a grunt from a bar built in front of the captains’ quarters. Stubbles suggested he talk to the man alone considering the size of our group so we found ourselves a few empty tables and get some food. Stubbles came back to say we needed to meet another guy under the pier in about an hour. Until then, we discussed our plans for after this business is done. I want to return to Sarenport and find out who was responsible for setting me up before the trail gets too cold but… everyone else seems intent on going to Atamar to investigate the Cult and the plague. Maria wants to check on her old village, Drahg has more names on his list, Timmy wants to check on his old branch of the Cult, Stubbles and Gabby agree with them, and then Kenjin doesn’t care… It’s decided then. The time came to meet…whoever, I wasn’t really paying attention. Kenjin suggested Stubbles, Maria, and Timmy go… I was confused why until after they left and he turned back to us with the largest smile I’ve ever seen and said, “So. How do you lot feel about stealing a ship?” We all smiled back. [/i] [b][u]Day 23 Continued[/u][/b] [i]Kenjins plan worked. I’m writing this from beneath the docks as they sail off into the sunset now. So…let me explain… So, I snuck onboard a smaller Imperial merchant ship, the Serenite. “It’s Small enough that we should be able to crew it alone!” according to Kenjin. My job was to locate the paperwork and change the name of the owner to him, hide it somewhere the current crew wouldn’t be able to find, and make note of the cargo. Meanwhile, he and Drahg would make a scene to distract the dockworkers and the guy in charge of the ship registry so that Gabby could sneak over and change the name there as well. Everything went perfectly, obviously. Gabby and I are professionals! The ship was empty, so it really wasn’t that difficult to be honest. These idiots deserve to be robbed. I even managed to find a few barrels of illegal spices from the desert nation of Ahmenatep, how very naughty! After everything was prepared, we regrouped back at the tavern. Stubbles gave the letter to a man in a dark cloak and received yet another pouch of gold from the totally not real Blood King. Then they were jumped by cultists. They managed to kill them all with the assistance of the cloaked man before they went their separate ways. That takes care of that. Kenjin then told the others he’d won us a ship in a game of cards! Stubbles and Maria were unconvinced until Gabby spun a tale of bullshit about how amazing Kenjin is…I think she may be sweet on him! Kenjin then suggested we depart immediately in case they try to back out of the deal, so off we went. We got to the ship and it appeared to still be empty. Kenjin introduced himself to the dockmaster as the captain of the Serenite and he believed him, even joked with him about Drahg and his little fake fight from earlier! …I’m going to miss these idiots… As the group, my friends, walked on board the Serenite and prepared to cast off, I told them I had decided to go my own way. I told them what I needed to do and how my plans didn’t align with theirs anymore. I apologized and they understood, Drahg most of all. We said our goodbyes, very dramatic, lots of tears, then they set off. I heard the shouting of an Imperial man behind me so I ducked under the dock. Normally a marks angry shouts would cheer me up, but not today. I sat and watched the Serenite and the sun set below the horizon before returning to the tavern. I’ll rest here tonight and find a ship headed for Sarenport tomorrow. – Goodbye my friends, Bitterblossom. … Something very odd just happened! As I was flying back to the Nero’s Grin, the dark sky suddenly lit up for a moment! Then there was a deafening crack of thunder as ball of fire streaked across the sky towards the south and vanished in the ocean! Another moment later and there was another crack and all of Darkwater rumbled… I hope my friends are ok…[/i]