The Cant of the Keep, Act II

Sky Day, Virgo 13th, 576CÆ, Year of the Tiger

Players: Rathar the Brash (Carolingian Frank, Berserker), Xaraxar Rhaan (Hyperborean, Paladin of Apollo), Iodas (Ixian, Barbarian of Yig), Frakki (Viking, Shaman of the Musk Ox totem), Aeltrin (Viking, Assassin of Rel), Wulfweard the Sly (Anglo-Saxon, Legerdemainist of Rel)

At the Golden Lamprey, Xar talked to three sailors from the Foamy Wraith—Zyl, Gunfen, and Renchi. Their ship had been docked at Atigan Wharf for three weeks because Captain Vendall refused to sail without his carved stone idol, Lady Luck—dark soapstone, ivory eyes, moth wings and crescent moons at the base. It went missing from his locked cabin while he was at the harbor master's office. Rathar, Iodas, and Frakki arrived during the conversation. Rathar concluded the idol was probably in the warehouse chest. Zyl led the party to the Foamy Wraith. Vendall offered 500 gp for its return. Xar shook on it.

Meanwhile Aeltrin, watching from the Sharktooth attic, saw the skinny guard (Tartor) emerge from the warehouse, apparently discover the Mu's body in the alley, notify the rest of the gang, and drag the Mu's body back into the warehouse. About an hour later, Tartor left again in an oversized cloak. Wulfweard tailed him to a dive bar and then to the Broken Tusk, where Tartor recruited two men: Dorrec, a Kimmerian riverman, and Sivuq, an Esquimaux trapper—both previous opponents of Rathar's in the fighting pit. All three returned to the warehouse.

In the morning the full party gathered at the Sharktooth. Wulfweard briefed the count: five inside. They did a perimeter walk. Found two ventilation gaps on opposite sides of the building, 2×2 ft, 12 ft up, rotted slats. No windows, one entrance. Wulfweard peeked through a vent: two nearly-spent candles, large open main floor, rear storage rooms, loft with a ladder. Snoring audible.

Plan: Aeltrin on the roof to shoot through the west vent. Wulfweard to enter through the east vent on a grappling rope. The other four to take the front door.

Wulfweard silently removed the vent slats and lowered himself in behind a large crate. Aeltrin, on the roof, saw Sivuq sitting by the lamp whittling. He shot and missed. Sivuq whistled. The others kicked the door in.

Rathar released Chum and Boyo. Chum hit Dorrec. Boyo fumbled, bit himself for 6 damage, and went down. Haas and Coss moved across the room to block the doorway. Iodas had first strike due to reach—killed Coss with a slash to the throat. Xar engaged Haas and wounded him. Rathar raged and finished Haas with two savage strikes of his war pick. Chum killed Dorrec. Aeltrin's crossbow had already hit Sivuq in the calf; Iodas charged him twice, missed the first time due to Sivuq's erratic movement, then took his hand and his head on the second. Frakki put an arrow into Tartor. Nera and Tartor surrendered. Rathar, still raging, killed both. Boyo whimpering on the floor pulled him back.

Haas had a key around his neck. The rear storage room held the chest: the Lunaqquaan idol, 399 gp in mixed coin, and one bronze counting house jetton from Rook & Rook (crow on a crenellated tower). Wulfweard identified it. Bodies were looted—Aeltrin kept Haas's gladius. Remaining weapons sold at a third of list.

The party returned the idol to Vendall. He paid 500 gp. Rathar asked for 50 more for Boyo. Vendall paid 550 total. The party headed straight for Rook & Rook without letting any time elapse.