Arriving in Redwater

15 Desnus

Having survived a rough wagon ride from Myrton, the team descends from the hills to the small, rough river port of Redwater.  The buildings are all wooden and need paint; numerous masts are visible along the edge of the King's River.

The team meets Bordeno, the human agent of Reeve Edwin, who will fund and accompany the journey.  The party's main task is to plan how to protect the convoy, hire guards, and recruit mercenaries within the budget provided by Bordeno.

After considering several options, the group decides to lease a Ballistae boat, place guards on all four merchant ships, and hire a mercenary human archer, Fynmere.  The group makes several contacts with the townsfolk, who remain wary but offer information on the swamplands.

The Nxton Wetlands appeared 100 years ago when an earthquake occurred, cracking open a ridge and releasing an underground river. There are rumors of haunted underwater ruins and towns in the water.

Several townsfolk report that the main threat are pirates, but the group is also warned to watch out for orcs and lizard folk who are at war.

Rinsor, the craftsman who runs The Crow's Nest Rope and Rigging,  shares his knowledge gained from ten convoys through the swamp and the loss of an arm.  He knows of a Black Dragon, a young one, that rules the area, and he remembers when the Orcs first moved into the swamp five years ago.  He also warns of ghosts near the six guardian islands in the southern portion, providing the group with a sketch map.

Redwater gains its name from the deep red liquid that bubbles up in the river near the harbor. In trying to sample the liquid, Lee Sin barely survives a crocodile attack.

An aggressive wizard also picked a fight with Morodis in the Fat Maiden's Tavern, run by Helgama.  A brief melee ensued which the party wisely broke off, or the adventure campaign may have ended in Redwater.

With their ships' ready, the group awaits favorable winds and enjoys a few days of good food. They will report to Golmix, the Human Portmaster, when ready to sail.