The Merchant Spy
The sun sets behind Calista’s Citadel as you take your evening stroll on its calm shores. The salty breeze of the ocean invigorates you, drawing you further and further from the Citadel’s embrace. A moment of worry creeps in as you glance back, wondering if you have strayed too far. You should probably turn back. Just as you begin to retrace your steps a strange metallic glimmer catches your eye amidst the rolling waves. “What in the heck is that?”, you think to yourself. You ponder for a moment, is it safe? Is it worth braving the tide? In an instant a strong wave washes the item ashore, almost as if The Brine was forcing your hand.
Naturally you approach the peculiar object to study it. The object is rectangular and heavy. Upon further inspection it looks to be a book of some sort. Its cover was likely once constructed from a supple, light brown leather. There’s a large metal emblem embedded in the cover, engraved in it is a Gigas Hornet. It must be what you saw glimmering in the sun. In your hands the book is a vestige of what it was once. Dark brown and tattered, hardly hanging on in some places and cracked in others. The Brine has not been kind to it. You touch the cover to examine the extent of the damage. Your finger glides across something smooth beneath a section of worn leather– a wax undercoating. This is most definitely what protected the contents of the book during its long voyage. Evidently, the book’s creator was determined to protect the book. A hushed whisper escapes your lips, “Could this be the fabled Voynich manuscript?” Examining its pages you realize that although it’s not the fabled script it is just as interesting… Stay awhile the books beckons… Read me.
Entry 1
I find myself on a merchant ship, I’ve been slowly infiltrating their ranks. Working my way up from a lowly Seaman to Boatswain. I have a few under me but no one is aware of my mission. I’ve been tasked by a client to track down a rare and unique specimen that’s been stolen from them. I’m not sure whether or not they’re lying to me about the stolen part but a job is a job. We’ve been sailing all around The Brine, from Aldo’s Isle to Purple Wizard Pavilion. The sea has been kind to us, so far no heavy storms we’ll see about that as the cold wind blows.
Entry 2
It’s been some time since I’ve last written a status report. The Chief Mate is beginning to suspect me so it’s been difficult to get away. He’s been assigning me tasks left and right just to keep me busy. The whereabouts of the specimen are starting to become clear. It seems like the Captain is navigating to The Spike to meet another party there. It’s a bit strange as The Spike is crawling with Liches, they cling to it like moths to a flame. Seems risky to me, unless the payload is worth the risk.. From what I’ve been told by my client the specimen has pink feathers and blue fur. The only specimen I’ve known to have such distinct features is Brosaurus, who I briefly saw in a BlackSands race last I was there. Therizinosaurus’ are extremely rare, I doubt it’s another of those or the same one for that matter. It sure is a sight to behold. The specimen I’m tracking would drive immense interest if it were similar. In two days time we’ll land at The Spike.
Entry 3
We set sail from The Spike heading towards BlackSands with a handful of common spices, some magic infused artifacts, and one large mysterious crate that makes odd sounds every time the ship dips. Could it be that the once simple merchant has turned into a smuggler? I suspected him from the moment he brought me on this ship, of course my intel gave me a heads up as well. This must be the specimen. The Captain set the crate at the very back of the cargo hold. I still have the Chief Mate sniffing about, I believe it’s time to act before he gets wind of what’s going on. Then we can put the bow on this job and on the crate.
Entry 4
I’ve finally rid myself and the ship for that matter of the Chief Mate. The man was no fool and was beginning to confirm his suspicions. While we were departing from The Spike we were reveling in our newly acquired goods. I went to go fill a few mugs of Dragon’s Breath Ale. I offered to spare some Dragon Pepper from my personal stash, which is what elevates the drink and gives it a little kick. No one could resist. When it went to the Chief Mate’s mug I swapped out the Dragon Pepper for some dried Dreamroot I stole from the cargo hold. He quenched his thirst as we continued on for the night, while the potent herb started to activate. Some time after I noticed the Chief Mate was a little sluggish and drowsy, I took my shot when he went to relieve himself. Come morning there’s chaos looking all over for him. Eventually they call off the search, deeming it an accident, just a man overboard. The Runiverse is a dangerous place, men disappear into the ocean all the time. The Chief Mate’s suspicion sunk to the ocean floor with him. Now we’re on The Brine, about another day or so before we cross into The Salt and finally dock at BlackSands.
As you flip to the next page it’s hard to make out the words from the smudges to the missing pieces torn out. You try your best to read it:
Entry 5
Finally … carg in tow … BlackSan … hooligans to start … fir … ship. … plenty of time to take the crate … small controlled fires .. not to harm anyone …
You flip to the next page to find giant claw slashes that dig deep into the book. They go very deep, those talons must have been sharp. The rest of the pages are empty. You wonder what might have happened to the creator of the book. If the book is any evidence, things did not go as planned. As you close the book you’re left with more questions than answers.
Entered by: 0x0Ccc…5Db6
