Chapter 3: Silver Isle, Floating Market

IAN'S GROUP

Valrakas yells your head off,  "Just get her fixed! Do whatever it takes! Now, bugger off!"

With the villagers' help the Kestrel is brought in to dock, and you are able to take whatever supplies you need from the ship.

What do you do now?

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PHILLIP'S GROUP

It's mid-afternoon when you head northward from the village. Once you plunge into the woods it's hard to tell which way is what. Everything here, from the plants to the insects, is strange. Bones crunch underfoot far too often than you feel they should.

As you work your way uphill, the woods give way to limestone formations, and at length, you approach what must be the home of the hillfolk. Gulls fly overhead, and you can smell the sea. The sun is westering in the sky. Nobody seems to be about. What do you do?

THE HILLS

The unusual homes carved into the rock are obviously at least partially inhabited - you see smoke rising from several of the natural chimneys, and there are clothes hung out to dry - but there's no response to Phillip's call.

Grog hears the creak of a door swinging shut.

When Jineer's amplified voice booms across the space, a dog somewhere begins to bark. "Please," a quavering voice calls out, "we already paid Magda the tribute. We beg you not to hurt us!"

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THE VILLAGE

Preparations are being made to refit and resupply the Kestrel. As the sun sets, a tight watch is set up around the village perimeter. "Are you certain your five friends can take on all of the hillfolk?" the elder asks. "Then again, after seeing that one gal deal with the reef guardian, I'm sure they're fine!"

"By the way, if you give us your weapons now, they'll be good and silvered before this time tomorrow."

THE VILLAGE

The Elder looks the baubles over. "Well, these are all very PRETTY and all, but... erm, these gems just aren't worth very... I mean, not nearly enough to cover... may we interest you in this fine bracelet instead?" Nela is shown a plain silver chain.Unexpectedly, Valrakas shows up, complaining of cabin fever. "Need t' stretch me legs. What, no tavern? What kinda shithole's got no bloody tavern?!" The captain stomps around, being utterly rude to the locals, and is only appeased when given a cup of strong spirits with flecks of silver leaf swirling within. "That's not half bad. Gimme another!" the hulking minotaur puts a muscular arm roughly around the elder's shoulders. "Now, I been told ye can silver me weapons." Valrakas snaps his fingers, and Severn, the deck hand, comes forward with the captain's cutlass, harpoon, and two bags of pistol shot. "I'll let ye do these, but I wanna see the weaponsmith."

"We'd be glad to request an introduction to our patron and resident artisan," the elder says, clearing his throat, "but his workshop is near the mine, clear across the island. We can send your weapons now before nightfall, but I'm afraid a meet-and-greet will have to wait until morning. Here, have some more Silver Spirits!"

THE VILLAGE

"Tell you what," the Elder lowers his voice speaking to Nela, as he casts a sidelong glance at Valrakas, who is guzzling a pitcher of the silver-flecked booze, "I like you. You're polite, unlike some of your friends. You can have this necklace if you can convince your captain to NOT visit the Silversmith. Zilar is... temperamental, and I'm worried they might not exactly hit it off."

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THE HILLS

"The tribute...," the voice continues "to leave us alone... to not take our babies. Oh gods, please don't take our babies!" On cue, a baby cries somewhere, only to be fearfully shushed by its mother.