TL;DR - Owl dream, met Rinaldo, went to City Hall, found books in library and desecrated statue downstairs. Saw name drawn for sacrifice and different name selected, got more information and two gold from the captain. Headed out to docks and got a pair of boats - found the lost fishermen's boat near a cave in the mountainside. Were attacked by a pair of harpies that nearly killed Helvetica as several people fell into the water. Killed the harpies, and decided to take a short rest in the cave to rest and rejuvenate.
As the party rested at the Sleeping Lady Inn the night proved restless for Xyrmoira, her dreams haunted by a giant snowy owl with dark rams horns. But morning came, as it must and with some tea and kind words from Tishmyl the party headed downstairs for some breakfast.
The Inn was bustling with activity - and after serving them platters of fresh bread and fish Bartaban the innkeeper attempted to ply what had happened the previous night. He was interrupted by the Bard who introduced himself as Rinaldo, and offered that if the party were seeking answers to questions - he would be holding a seance in the inn that evening to commune with the White Lady, and they would be able to ask her what she has seen of Easthaven and perhaps find some answers.
Sated and ready to face the day, the party decided to investigate the library for clues and also seek out Imdra, the captain of the town guard for more information on the missing fishermen she had mentioned previously. Conveniently, both the captain and the library could be found at the town hall. When they arrived, there was a thick crowd and inside there was a pimple-faced clerk attending to visitors.
The teenage boy was able to, unenthusiastically, point out the direction of the library. He was also able to let the fiendishly stealthy Zojo know that he could go into the administrative room if he wanted to... and Zojo did exactly that.
In the library (book room may be a more accurate description), Helvetica and Dirk researched thoroughly despite the meager offering. Dirk found detailed notes on fishhook and net construction, while Helvetica found several books - one about Auril, another about the Crenshinibon, and one book of poetry that Xyrmoira and Dirk were able to ascertain had illusion magic cast on it. Alerayas decided the best thing to do was burst into a room the sole 'librarian' had asked him not to and read the unfinished manuscript called 'lost in lavender pearls'. When he confronted the librarian about their novel in progress a few social missteps lead to a permanent library ban.
Meanwhile Zojo, Saffi, and Tish wandered the main floor encountering admin staff and waiting lines. Through the doorway they found a room with a large black statue- a masthead of a demon - that exuded a sinister presence. Down the hall- Saffi deftly entered the Speaker's chambers unnoticed, and found Imdra and the Speaker, Danneth Waylen, drawing names for the evening's sacrifice. Saffi's sharp eyes noticed that the Speaker drew two names and handed one off to Imdra - who turned to find Saffi at the door, and assumed she had come to discuss the fishermen.
A few moments and some classic Zojo fishsticks later, the party made their way together to the docks; the dim morning light reflecting off ice that stretched far into the lake. The fishermen were more than willing to rent a pair of boats instead of risking their lives on the waters fishing for knucklehead trout.
It didn't take them too long to find an abandoned boat. Helvetica was scouting ahead, soaring above the freezing waters when she spotted it and called out for everyone to come- they heard her, and so did a pair of Harpies perched on the cliff.
A siren song rang out, captivating Helvetica, and the rest of the party watched as she turned and flew towards the monsters. Tish acted quickest, leaping from the boat and taking aim, her bow burying an arrow deep in the singing harpies shoulder - but it wasn't enough. While some tried (and several failed) to make it ashore, the singing harpy tore into Helvetica - and she began to fall.
Galvanized, they sprang into action. Tish abandoned attacking to catch the falling Helvetica, saving her life. The harpies were pelted with arrows, javelins, and bolts of fire and decided to flee; only to be cut down from the skies. Quickly, they stabilized Helvetica and headed into the nearby cave mouth for shelter, bringing some scraps of wood from the abandoned vessel to make a fire.
They tended to their wounds in a cavern, where the moaning wind blew frost across their bruised shoulders and ice glittered on every surface. A faint set of footprints led deeper into the darkness... what waits within?
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