vault backup: 2024-12-27 15:30:24

The Accursed Voyage of The Mariner's Fortune/Miscellaneous/Diary of James Davenport.md

@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+# The diary
+
+The diary of [[James Davenport]] was gifted to him on [[First Day]] in the Year of the Wolf by his wife [[Sara Davenport|Sara]] and their sons [[Isaac Davenport|Isaac]], [[Nathaniel Davenport|Nathaniel]], and [[Jacob Davenport|Jacob]]. It contains diary entries from Hoarfrost 1 1724 until at least Hoarfrost 11 the same year. 
+
+# Content
+
+The diary contains a drawing of a sailboat braving the sea, with a man wearing a captains hat on the bow of the ship. The drawing is signed "by jacob".
+
+![[Drawing by Jacob Davenport.jpg]]
+
+## Preface
+
+ > [!quote] 
+ > To my love James
+ >-X-
+ > Sara
+ > isaac 
+ > NATHANIEL 
+ > jacob
+## Hoarfrost 1
+
+ > [!quote] 
+ > Today, we celebrate First Day, the beginning of the Year of the Wolf. Sara and I stayed up all night, watching the stars fade into the sunrise. The children hung their paper wishing stars on the old oak tree in Saffir Park. This diary was a gift from them. I promised to write in it every day.
+
+## Hoarfrost 2
+
+  > [!quote] 
+  > The docks were incredibly busy today. All the cargo for the upcoming journey was hoisted aboard with uncanny efficiency. Things are very tightly run, not even so much as a glance at the contents of the shipment or a friendly chat with the workers. And rightly so.
+
+## Hoarfrost 3
+
+   > [!quote] 
+   > It's been a long dat of reviewing manifests. This one, short journey had more paperwork than all of my career combined it seems. But when dealing with politics and bureaucrats, I suppose it's better to be thorough.
+   > 
+   > Yasmin, as always, is one step ahead of me and seems to be dealing with the paperwork better than I am. I'm glad to have her on my side for this one.
+
+## Hoarfrost 4
+
+ > [!quote] 
+ > If I didn't know better, I'd say this mission was for a king's ransom. Marcus delivered yet <u>another</u> stack of sealed letters this morning, directly from House Aelerion. I just hope all this cloak-and-dagger doesn't stir up rumors among the crew. They trust me, and I don't want to give them a reason to feel otherwise.
+ 
+## Hoarfrost 5
+
+ > [!quote] 
+ > We set sail from Varlaine with a full hold, weather fair, spirits high. The crew knows the importance of this mission: we are determined to see it through to the end. 
+ > 
+ > Though I miss Sara and the boys already, I take comfort in knowing that I will be back soon, and likely will not be at sea for a while after.
+ 
+## Hoarfrost 6
+
+ > [!quote] 
+ > Encountered strong winds today, but the Mariner handles beautifully. Though I always miss my home, the sea always feels like a welcome sight.
+ 
+## Hoarfrost 7
+
+ > [!quote] 
+ > A thick fog has settled over the water, lingering longer than expected. Navigation is still on course and the weather is otherwise calm, so we press on.
+ 
+## Hoarfrost 8
+
+ > [!quote] 
+ > The fog persists. The crew grows uneasy. They seem agitated, though I cannot say by what. I cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong; but this mission is too important to abandon on just a hunch.
+ 
+## Hoarfrost 9
+
+ > [!quote] 
+ > A crewman jumped overboard in the early hours of the morning, claiming we are cursed. We tried to stop him, but it was as if he had been more fearful of us than of the waters below. Some of the crew petitioned for us to turn around. We discussed it among the senior staff but ultimately decided against it. We thought perhaps we had caught something from the tinned food, as these strange occurrences started after consuming some of it. We tossed it out, instead choosing to rely on our fresh supply. With rationing, it should last us until the day of our arrival. Once in [[Cap Lumière]], we will all undergo medical evaluation.
+ 
+## ~~Ha~~ Hoarfrost 10
+
+ > [!quote] 
+ > The fog has grown ~~he~~ heavier. I consulted with Yasmin, if perhaps she had any visions that could help us. "**All I see is blood**" she told ~~m~~ me
+
+## Hoarfrost 11
+
+ > [!quote] 
+ > I have no fear  .
+ > The veil has been pulled from my eyes  .
+ > How have i been so blind!
+ > The song I hear is not of madness — it is a calling.
+ > A purpose greater than we could ever imagine.
+ > 
+ > The voice from the depths is no nightmare:
+ > 
+ > it
+ > is
+ > <u>Salvation</u>
+ > 
+ > THIS PLACE IS NOT A CURSE — IT IS A <u>BLESSING</u>
+ > 
+
+## The last pages
+
+The last pages of the diary are an assorted collection of single sentences, all on their own page. The handwriting is no longer messy.
+
+> [!quote] 
+> We are not lost. We are found.
+
+> [!quote] 
+ > there is nothing to fear
+ 
+ > [!quote] 
+ > We go now
+ 
+ > [!quote] 
+ > to fulfill what is meant to be.
+ 
+ > [!quote] 
+ > Where the cliffs
+ 
+ > [!quote] 
+ > meet the storm's rage.
+ 
+ > [!quote] 
+ > This is not the end.
+ 
+ > [!quote] 
+ > It is the <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">beginning.</span>
+

The Accursed Voyage of The Mariner's Fortune/Sessions/Session 004.md

@@ -32,35 +32,35 @@ summary:
 
 ![[Caelmire (by Cyril Tahmassebi).jpg]]
 
-At six in the morning on the 25th of Hoarfrost the party arrived in [[Caelmire]]. [[The Mariner's Fortune]] was docked in its harbor, seemingly deserted. A carrier pigeon named [[Olivièr]] was sent towards [[Varlaine]] with the news that the Mariner had been found, and the investigation would begin shortly. If in 3 days they had not heard from the party again, they should send another envoy.
+At six in the morning on the 25th of Hoarfrost, the party arrived in [[Caelmire]]. [[The Mariner's Fortune]] was docked in its harbor, seemingly deserted. A carrier pigeon named [[Olivièr]] was sent towards [[Varlaine]] with news of the Mariner’s location, and that the investigation would begin shortly. Instructions were left to send another envoy if no word was received from the party within three days.
 
-Crofton climbed into the crow's nest of [[The Interceptor]] and surveyed the surroundings. Besides a few people starting their day it seemed calm and peaceful. When looking at the Mariner there were no signs of life. On the docks a group of 5 people approached The Interceptor, consisting of a dockworker and 4 priests. [[Maxwell McKinlay]] was asked to join [[Magnus Brand]], [[Marie]], and [[Crofton Dudley]] in exploring The Mariner's Fortune, since his knowledge of a ships condition could prove useful in determining the status of the ship and her crew.
+Crofton climbed into the crow's nest of [[The Interceptor]] and to survey the surroundings. Besides a few people starting their day, the village seemed calm and peaceful. No signs of life were seen aboard the Mariner. On the docks, a group of five people approached The Interceptor: a dockworker and four priests. [[Maxwell McKinlay]] was asked to join [[Magnus Brand]], [[Marie]], and [[Crofton Dudley]] in exploring The Mariner's Fortune, since his knowledge of a ships condition could prove useful in determining the status of the ship and her crew.
 
-Exiting The Interceptor the party is welcomed by dockmaster [[Corvin]] and [[Elios|Father Elios]]. Magnus greets the cleric with the customary Greeting of the Arisen. Corvin explains that the Mariner had docked in Caelmire late at night on the 12th of Hoarfrost. Captain [[James Davenport]] asked the dockworkers for help in repairing the ship due to an "incident". However, the ship seemed perfectly fine to him from the outside. Some of the sailors went into town for a bite to eat, and the next morning when providing the ship with the asked for material the entire crew had disappeared. When asked if the crew of the Mariner acted erratically at all, Corvin dodged the question.
+Exiting The Interceptor the group was greeted by dockmaster [[Corvin]] and [[Elios|Father Elios]]. Magnus greeted the clerics with the customary Greeting of the Arisen. Corvin explains that the Mariner had docked in Caelmire late at night on the 12th of Hoarfrost. Captain [[James Davenport]] requested repairs for an unspecified "incident," though the ship appeared undamaged from the outside. Some crew members ventured into town for a bite to eat, but by morning the entire crew had vanished. When questioned about any unusual behavior from the crew, Corvin evaded the question.
 
-Corvin and the town elder went onto the Mariner to look for people, but they found no-one. Caelmire has a neutrality position between the houses, meaning that they have an agreement with [[House Aelerion]], [[House Renaux]], and [[House Guissard]] to not interfere with any business of theirs, and in turn they will treat Caelmire as neutral ground. This agreement includes a clause that Caelmire is to help any of the house equally when it comes to emergency situation, like the Mariner requesting aid. Due to this position Corvin and the town elder could not force any locked doors on the Mariner, and thus were unable to continue any more than the top deck.
+Corvin and the town elder boarded the Mariner to investigate, but they found no one. Due to Caelmire neutrality position between the houses, meaning that they have an agreement with [[House Aelerion]], [[House Renaux]], and [[House Guissard]] to not interfere with any business of theirs, and in turn they will treat Caelmire as neutral ground, they could not force any locked doors on the Mariner, and thus were unable to continue any more than the top deck.. This agreement includes a clause that Caelmire is to help any of the house equally when it comes to emergency situation, like the Mariner requesting aid, while prohibiting them from asking any questions.
 
-Father Elios, a cleric of [[Grand Cathedral of the Arisen]], said they sent a letter to Varlaine on the 13th of Hoarfrost, 12 days ago. They assumed that that letter was the reason The Interceptor was here now. That message never arrived in Varlaine however. Magnus feels uneasy in the presence of the clerics.
+Father Elios, a cleric of [[Grand Cathedral of the Arisen]], mentioned that they had sent a letter to Varlaine on the 13th of Hoarfrost, twelve days ago. They assumed that that letter was the reason The Interceptor was here now., though that message had never reached Varlaine. Magnus feels uneasy in the presence of the clerics.
 
-He also explained a bit about the plague that had the island in its grasp at the end of the previous year. It's origin was most likely a sailor that docked in Caelmire. When someone got infected they would display symptoms including stomach pains, vomiting, and dehydration. In total 5 people died, but the entirety of the island has since been vaccinated. It's been a month since the plague had been cured, but a fatigue still looms over the island.
+Father Elios also recounted the plague that had afflicted the island late the previous year, likely brought by a sailor. Symptoms included stomach pains, vomiting, and dehydration, claiming five lives before a cure was distributed. Though a month had passed since the plague’s eradication, a lingering fatigue still hung over the island.
 
-While Magnus and Marie were conversing with Corvin and Father Elios, Crofton slipped away and entered the office of the dockmaster. There he found a log entry describing the arrival of the Mariner just like Corvin described, including the request for materials for hull repairs. He also found a note from [[Sithka|Doctor Sithka]] with a recipe for medicine for a to Crofton unknown disease. The medicine consisted of ginger root, elderberry, rose hip, and thyme.
+While Magnus and Marie conversed with Corvin and Father Elios, Crofton slipped away to the dockmaster's office. There, he discovered a log entry describing the arrival of the Mariner just like Corvin described, including the request for materials for hull repairs. He also found a note from [[Sithka|Doctor Sithka]] with a recipe for medicine for a to Crofton unknown disease. The medicine consisted of ginger root, elderberry, rose hip, and thyme.
 
-When Crofton returned to the group they were making their way to the Mariner to investigate the mystery.
+When Crofton returned to the group they grabbed some fried fish for breakfast, and proceeded to investigate the Mariner.
 
 ## The Mariner's Fortune
 
 ![[The Mariner (by Andy Walsh).jpg]]
 
-Entering The Mariner's Fortune by way of the gangplank, Magnus is struck by another vision. The faint, mournful cry of a raven, and the sound of wings beating against the wind. He smelled woodsmoke and ash, and the distinct iron tang of blood. The silhouette of a person came into form, their appearance obscured. A knife is held in one hand, while the other drips with blood onto a beach of white sand. Wherever the blood falls, dark tendrils spread like creeping vines, reaching ever closer and closer. The form reached their bloodied hand out to Magnus and all at once the dark tendrils rushed forward. Just as they are about to touch him, he was encased in the dark wings of a giant raven, and the vision faded. Magnus shares this with the group.
+Boarding The Mariner's Fortune by way of the gangplank, Magnus is struck by another vision: the faint, mournful cry of a raven, and the sound of wings beating against the wind. He smelled woodsmoke and ash, and the distinct iron tang of blood. The silhouette of a person came into form, their appearance obscured. A knife is held in one hand, while the other drips with blood onto a beach of white sand. Wherever the blood falls, dark tendrils spread like creeping vines, reaching ever closer and closer. The form reached their bloodied hand out to Magnus and all at once the dark tendrils rushed forward. Just as they are about to touch him, he was encased in the dark wings of a giant raven, and the vision faded. Magnus shares this with the group.
 
-The deck of the Mariner is pristine, and Maxwell confirmed the ship has been left in immaculate condition. The 2 entrances continuing to the Captains Quarters and to the lower decks were both locked. Crofton masterfully lockpicked the Captains Quarters.
+The Mariner's deck was pristine, and Maxwell confirmed the ship has been left in immaculate condition. The entrances continuing to the Captain's Quarters and to the lower decks were both locked. Crofton masterfully lockpicked the Captain's Quarters.
 
 ### Captain's Quarters
 
-The quarters were lavish and neatly organized. The Captain's hat is still here, as is a key to the lower decks of the ship. On the desk lied an open logbook, documenting the ships journey, describing the wind, speed, and weather per day. The logbook contained entries up until the 8th of Hoarfrost. The [[Diary of James Davenport]] was also found on the desk, painting a sinister descent into madness starting on the 8th of Hoarfrost, and culminating in a collapse of sanity on the 11th. The diary ends with a strange calm spanning multiple pages.
+The quarters were lavish and neatly organized. Davenport's captain hat was still here, as was a key to the lower decks of the ship. An open logbook documented the Mariner’s journey until the 8th of Hoarfrost, noting daily wind, speed, and weather conditions. Nearby, the [[Diary of James Davenport]] detailed a sinister descent into madness, beginning on the 8th of Hoarfrost and culminating in complete mental collapse by the 11th. The diary concluded with several pages of unsettling calm.
 
-At the helm, the ships wheel was locked tight. Maxwell explained that this is proper etiquette when docking the ship.
+At the helm, the ship's wheel was locked in place, a standard practice when docking according to Maxwell.
 
 ### Kitchen & Crew Quarters
 
@@ -68,17 +68,31 @@ Entering the belly of the ship the party first entered the kitchen. It had also
 
 ### Cargo hold
 
-The cargo hold seemed undisturbed. No canon balls had been used, suggesting the Mariner had not been in a fight at sea. Magnus and Marie took it upon themselves to search the crates for the stowed away [[Embersteel]], while Crofton and Maxwell inspected the rest of the ship for any damage. 45 minutes later they found the ember steel, consisting of enough to outfit a platoon of 25-30 people. The Embersteel consisted of:
+The cargo hold appeared untouched. No cannonballs were missing, suggesting the Mariner had not engaged in combat. Magnus and Marie searched the crates for the stowed [[Embersteel]] while Crofton and Maxwell examined the ship for damage. After 45 minutes, the group located enough Embersteel to outfit a platoon of 25-30 soldiers. The hold included:
 
 - Armor (grieves, gauntlets)
 - Scimitars
 - Greatswords
-- Arrows with Embersteel tips
+- Arrows tipped with Embersteel
 
-Meanwhile, Crofton and Maxwell's investigation lead to the conclusion that the Mariner had no excess damage anywhere on the ship. Maxwell returned to The Interceptor while Crofton went down to the cargo hold to help Magnus and Marie.
+Crofton and Maxwell’s inspection revealed no structural damage to the Mariner. Maxwell returned to The Interceptor while Crofton went down to the cargo hold to help Magnus and Marie. They returned all Embersteel to its original place, while Magnus made sure to remember which crates had Embersteel and which did not. 
 
-They returned all Embersteel to its original place, while Magnus made sure to remember which crates had Embersteel and which did not. 
+Back aboard The Interceptor, the party conferred with [[Oscar Viago]] and [[Eleanor Darrow]]. Details of the Embersteel were kept confidential, and a small rotating detail was assigned to guard the Mariner.
 
 ## Longhouse
 
-![[Caelmire Settlement (by Patrick Jensen).jpg]]
+![[Caelmire Settlement (by Patrick Jensen).jpg]]
+
+The party ventured into the village proper. A small square was nestled between the trees bearing way for an assortment of shops, inn's and homes. Crofton buys a second dagger for himself.
+
+At the end of the square is located a building made of sturdy driftwood and dark stone encapsulating the Elder's Longhouse and the [[Temple of Three]]. Inside, three alcoves lined the back wall, each dedicated to a different spirit. 
+
+- [[Ymros, the Raven King|Ymros]]’ alcove was dark and solemn, lit only by the faint glow of silver lanterns. A carved raven’s skull rested upon a black stone pedestal, surrounded by offerings of feathers and small, carved figurines.
+- [[Sedna]]’s alcove glimmered in the light of polished shells set into the wood. A shallow basin of water reflected the faint blue glow of a pearl that rested at its center. Small tokens of gratitude—fishbones, beads, and strands of seaweed—were scattered around its base.
+- [[Moran]]’s alcove felt alive, draped in moss and crowned with antlers. A living tree root twisted up from the floor, encircling a slab of amber embedded with an ancient insect. 
+
+At the temple's center stood a circular stone altar adorned with carved depictions of ravens, waves, and entwined branches.
+
+The village elder, [[Nannouk Innana]], greeted the party. She explained that on the 12th of Hoarfrost she was performing an offering on the beach when the Mariner docked in the harbor. Their arrival was unexpected since most visitations of ships this size should be announced in advance.  She met Davenport as he disembarked, and got an uneasy feeling from his and his crew's demeanor. 
+
+Messages from Varlaine sent on the 20th of Hoarfrost inquiring about the Mariner’s whereabouts never reached Caelmire. Similarly, messages from Caelmire sent on the 13th to Varlaine also went undelivered.