You continue on your way along the north bank of the Columbia River. You make slower progress, though, for this road is in poorer shape than the Elven Coast Road. The marshes abate for some miles, but then they return, as you approach the delta. During the afternoon, the river - and the road - curve more to the northwest.
Gonzo, for lack of anything to beat up on or to otherwise entertain himself with, practices making faces with his hat of disguise.
Late in the afternoon you come to an intersection with another lesser road, running south down to the river. There is a signpost -
Southeast: To The Elven Coast Road and Kolumbus Bridge.Northwest: To Koltalla and Eagle Cliff.
South: To Drugger's Rush and Frisco.
A few hours after passing this intersection you would normally stop and camp for the night, but Valdar wants to press on.
"We can be spending the night at The Singing Mermaid in Koltalla if we can keep going for a few more hours," he says.
You all agree that this would be more comfortable than spending a night camped in a marsh in the rain, so you keep moving.
However, it is another four hours before you arrive in Koltalla. It is a small fishing settlement located on a small cove facing the Pacific Ocean. The waters around the Columbia River delta are rich with fish...especially during the salmon season. Loggers and trappers also use it as a transhipment point as well. It has one temple (Heimdall), an inn: The Singing Mermaid (an establishment of excellent quality, you discover), a tavern, a guildhouse and a few sundry small businesses.
Valdar leads you straight to the inn, which is located directly across the road from the town wharf. There is another signpost right outside...
North: To Eagle Cliff and the Victoria Peninsula.South: To Drugger's Rush and Frisco.
You dismount, and a swarm of lackeys descend on your mounts and wagons, taking them into the stables adjacent to the inn. Robert oversees them, while the rest of you head inside and book rooms for the night. Your party takes every room in the inn.
Before settling in, though, you make for the common room, for you are all hungry and thirsty.
It is quiet in there, with only a few fishermen and one other person still present at this hour. This last person stands out because he is the only elf present...excepting those in your own party. He is a tall and burly mature male grey elf, with silver hair and blue green eyes. He could be considered somewhat dashing, if he cleaned himself up a bit. He bears a tatoo of a sea serpent coiled about his right arm with its head ending on the back of his hand. His left ear lobe is pierced with a small ruby stud and around his neck hangs a small jade stone hangs on a silver chain. He is dressed in black leather pants, a long sleeved white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a brownish cloak. He also wears high soft black boots and carries a cutlass for a left hand draw and short sword for a right hand draw.
He regards the lot of you with interest.
Putting down his mug, he wipes his mouth on his sleeve and belches, as he deliberately makes his way toward Valdar, pushing a few people who happen to be in his way.
He then stops, eyeing the elf-lord critically for a moment, before bowing deeply. "Greetings, Lord Valdar." he says. "What brings one of the great elf-lords...(eyeing the party) and his entourage...to this humble fishing village?" he continues with a hint of scorn and sarcasm.
Eyeing Darian he guffaws "Perhaps teaching one of his men to swim?"
Darian, apparently still a bit muddy around the edges, looks surprised.
"Excuse me!? How would you know anything about that?"
Niko grins "Let's just say, shorty, that you're more than just all wet behind the ears."
Darian looks at him quite confused. "I've no idea what you're talking about."
Niko grins "Then maybe I'm clairvoyant..."
Darian's eyes narrow and then widen. "You're psionic?"
A petite female half-elf, sitting next to Darian looks up at the newcomer. "Indeed." she says, and smiles, "See dear Darian, there are more like you and you are not strange or an outcast."
"Nah! Nothing like that. You just look like you've been thrown in lake or river. Must be the way your clothes hang on you."
Darian shrugs. "Whatever... I'm Darian Trist."
Valdar eyes the grey elf for a moment before replying.
"We have business in these parts," he finally says. "And yourself, sailor?"
The elf replies "Nikodemus Ebrenheart's the name. So, you have business in these parts, eh? Don't tell me the elf-lords have finally decided to do something about the pirates in these waters here. Harumph! Better late than never, I guess.
"By my count, you're a few days too late. Several days ago, pirates came out of nowhere and killed my crew, stole my cargo, and sank my ship. The last two losses I can deal with, but my crew (clenching his fist)...well, they weren't angels, but dammit, they were my men! The best damn crew any captain could ask for.
"So you'll excuse me, milord, if I'm feeling bitter and in a bit of a foul mood, but I'm itching to get home and there are no pirates in this fishing village here to take my frustrations out on."
He executes another bow and storms back off toward his drink.
As he storms away he suddenly falls flat on his face and lies there on the floor.
Someone has tied his shoelaces together.
The fishermen, who have been watching this encounter with interest, start to laugh.
Valdar replies to the prone figure as he almost succeeds in keeping a straight face.
"Well met, Nikodemus Ebrenheart. Your anger is understandable. However, being a seacaptain, you must be well aware of the risks you take in plying your trade. The powers of the Elf-lords officially end at our borders, and, on the seas, when our lands drop below the horizon. Be that as it may. I am here of my own accord with this party of adventurers, to deal with the pirates. We are travelling north. If it is revenge you seek, then you may want to accompany us."
Niko curses something fierce, as he sits up looking around for the perpatrator. Turning red, he deftly unties and then properly re-ties them.
Niko considers Valdar's words, as he rises and then belches. He nods and replies seriously "If you travel northward to fight pirates, then I will gladly join you. If only to find out which of your party members has the great sense of humor. May I buy you and your crew a round of drinks?"
"Yo! I'm there!" a tall scraggly blond human says. "Gilstrock the Mighty, at your service."
Niko takes note of Gilstrock's weapons "That's quite a selection you have there, but I hope you don't plan to wear all of them while you're at sea. You'd sink faster than a dwarf!"
"Chaoschaoschaos..." mutters the attractive young female cleric of Thor, though there is no reason to believe that she was the perpetrator of this act.
Niko beams a smile at the cleric as he steps forward. Bowing down to kiss her hand, he looks up at her and says "Nikodemus Ebrenheart, at your service, milady. And you would be?"
"Tracy, cleric of Thor," she answers, clearly enjoying the attention and casting a glance at the ponytailed mage.
"Ah! If not for my recent misfortunes, I would have taken you on my ship and shown you the great city ports along the Amrica. Cities whose beauty is only rivaled by your own!"
"Wow!" Gilstrock says. "Show me, too, would you?"
Gilstrock looks over at Occa. "How much do we have in the community chest? Can we buy him a new ship?"
"I don't think we can buy one here. Doesn't look large enough. Niko, are there any towns around here big enough to be making and selling ships?"
"Arghhh! I'll not be taking any handouts. Anyway, the nearest shipyard is hundreds of miles south of here...and they couldn't reproduce my ship. Ah...she was a grand ship...magical, you know. I could take her with me in my pocket!"
"Size and Mass reduction?," asks BrightAxe. "Astonishing, I don't think our community chest could cover that."
He then looks appreciatively at the female half-elf "Another beautiful lady in this party! Will wonders never cease? And what is your name, my love?"
Jesse frowns at the newcomer, "My name is Jesse, not my love," she says a bit sarcastically.
Darian frowns, but says nothing.
Niko sighs and winks at the half-elf "Yes, but I can always dream, can't I,? Ahhh...I bet the bards must make epic poems about yours and Tracy's beauty!"
"Only mine!" says Tracy tartly.
"Now, now..." Niko says, sliding over toward Tracy to put his arm around her waist "Just because you're beautiful, doesn't mean that you can't share the spotlight with others! Selfishness is so ugly, don't you agree?"
"Bah, more mushy stuff," Gilstrock says. "Where's the food?"
Niko grins at Gilstrock "Ah, friend Gilstrock. You are so lucky to be able to survive on food and drink alone! I could not last but a few days without drinking in the beauty of the women the gods have blessed our world with!"
Niko pauses a moment "Although, good friends, good food, good ale, and a good stogie are also necessary. Not to mention a good game of dice or cards!"
Jesse laughs. "You are the flatterer. Yes, Niko, you may dream." the bard smiles to Darian and then continues, "However, it is considered improper for a bard to describe themselves in a poem or song, so I remain the narrator of the stories I write, undescribed."
Niko feigns hurt "Flatterer? You wound me! Tis a shame. I'd write one, but I doubt I'd do you justice. You see, I'm a writer, not a lover!"
Niko winks at Jesse.
"Yeah," Gilstrock says. "You gotta be careful being cheeky with any of us, because the rest of us are apt to dogpile you. You should see the last six or seven guys who tried that. Not counting Al, of course, who is here as a way for various gods to get back at us for miscellaneous acts of minor blasphemy."
Salaam smiles and says to Gil, "I may believe in the same pantheon as our departed friend Alhamet, but he and I are quite different," he says in reference to Al's voluntary departure from the group. "Niko, well met, I am Salaam Benshel Thothemon, high priest of Thoth, and I would watch your tongue with the young lady, she may rip it out before you know it and if she doesn't, I might have a mind to teach you about the righteous fury of Thoth, if you don't behave," Salaam says with a curt smile.
Jesse laughs loudly. "Thank you Salaam, but I am sure that I can take care of myself, Niko seems nice enough."
Niko nods "Well met, Salaam. As for my behavior...<BRAAAACCCCCCCKKKKK."
Niko belches loudly
"...What's wrong with it?" Niko then proceeds to wipe his mouth on his sleeve. "I've done nothing but pay her compliments. And if she wishes me to stop," he shrugs, "then I shall. But until then..."
Niko grins at Jesse.
"And as anyone knows, women love complements. At the same time, as long as the line is clear Niko, I am content," replies Jesse lightly, reaching out to touch Darians hand and then leaning over to whisper into his ear.
Gilstrock shakes his head, looks at Pharian, rolls his eyes, and turns away muttering something about the food being too expensive and the portions being too small.
Darian grins and chuckles. "I don't know. Jesse, have you ever written an epic poem about your or Tracy's beauty?"
"Not that I would argue. You're quite beautiful as far as I'm concerned."
Valdar smiles.
"Well, if everyone agrees then you may accompany us. As for the drink, I am sure that no one will refuse that offer!"
Niko shrugs. "What will be, will be. If not with you, then with someone else...assuming there are any pirates left after you're through with them."
"He's a bit strange, but I guess that means he'll fit in better. And we may need someone familiar with ships. I've no objections other than he needs a bath."
Niko seems offended "A bath???!!! I'll have you know, I just took one in the ocean not two days ago!"
Darian holds his nose. "Perhaps you should take another one, then. It might just be the drinking, but you smell a lot like dead fish."
"Nah! That's the way I always smell! Must be the air. God I love that smell!"
"Tell us your story, Niko," requests Valdar, as you all take seats and the drinks arrive.
Niko takes a seat next to Tracy. He clears his throat and begins:
"Ah! My story is but a simple one. My crew and I were two weeks out of Dale's Bane carrying a small but highly valuable cargo of white arctic fox pelts. You know, the fur coats that are all the rage with the elf-maidens of Aldacan this season. Anyway, we were headed for The Havens, when one night we were attacked by pirates.
"It was a stormy night, and they took us by surprise. It's very strange how they were able to find us under such conditions, though. It's something I plan to figure out, too. Well, I was on watch, when I first heard the creaking of ropes and blocks off to starboard in the night. Suddenly the sky was lit up by a forked lightning bolt blasting into the masts and rigging. Both masts came down and a spar hit me over the head.
"I awoke to a slap of a wave to my face. My ship was sinking, her decks already awash. Amidst the tangle of sails, broken masts and rigging, I saw many of my crew and mates lying dead. The good lads, the didn't give up without a fight!
"As my ship slid under the waves for the last time, I jumped overboard and drifted around until the grey dawn arrived and I saw land to the east. Being familiiar with this part of the coast, I knew that just north of where I was lay Koltalla.
"The people here greeted me with open arms, as I was not the first shipwrecked sailor to arrive here under similar circumstances. Everyone up and down the coast has been feeling the effects of the marauding pirates for almost two years, now." Niko glances over at Valdar. "However, the small towns such as Koltalla are too weak individually to try to deal with the problem, and too far separated from each other to mount a coordinated effort."
After Niko's tale of the pirates, Gilstrock says, "Ah, the blackguards. Point us at 'em! We'll take care of 'em."
"That's us, pirate slayers. No more dragons around, so we got to find another line of work."
"For the last few days, I've been talking to a fisherman named Horatio, hoping he could give me a glimpse of information about the pirates. Alas, he could not help me. Now, Lord Valdar, it seems that you have set out to strike out at these pirates. Might you know where they nest?"
Gilstrock rubs the stubble on his chin. "Hmm, named Horatio, eh? Well, no surprise that he didn't know anything. Chances are that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in his philosophy."
"We are heading north to find them," the elf-lord replies. "We shall continue on our way tomorrow."
Niko nods his head "Then I shall join you, if there are no objections. Fair share of the treasure, I presume."
"Excuse me, but aren't we going to need a ship at some point? I mean, pirates use ships to travel, right? Even if we find out where they come ashore, we still won't be able to destroy them without sinking their ships. Now, I suppose if we get lucky and are able to take one of their's, we don't need to come up with one on our own. But, how likely is that?"
"You may be right," says Valdar. "I was hoping that our air power would suffice...but that is only of limited range."
"And not to sound pessimistic, but how do we sail one? Even with Niko acting as the captain, he'd still need an experienced crew. I've been on a ship, but other than serving as a lookout, I don't know anything about sailing. And I was only on one for about a week."
Jesse raises her eyebrow, "I have a plan. One worthy of Occa even."
Darian smiles. "Spill it or I'll tickle it out of you."
Jesse then smiles at Darian, "You can tickle some other secrets out later."
Darian blushes.
"We discover their hideout by using a crystal ball, looking for something that our newcomer would have had on his ship. Then we pop over there, take out the crew by charm and guile. Then we have a ship, recovered the loot and a crew to sail it."
"Good idea, Jesse. Lord Valdar, what do you think? We have enough magic-users to charm the crew."
"It's worth a try!"
"Do you have a crystal ball?"
"Stiff has one," says Valdar, motioning to the mage with the arrow in his hat. "He hardly ever speaks...but he carries an awfully big stick."
Gonzo tips back his ale and regards the newcomer out of one eye.
Gonzo is a dwarf, wearing leather armor, a floppy hat and a leather girdle.
"Me dinks da sooner weez gits ta some action, da sooner weez kin find out what kinda mettle dis one iz made o'. Kin ya fight? Wanna arm wrestle Mr. Fish?"
You pass a pleasant few hours in the inn. Everyone but Gilstrock finds the food to be of excellent quality and the portions ample. Of course, no portion is ever enough for Gilstrock.
You sleep well overnight...your first in awhile in real beds.