Chapter 1: Camp Galfer

Sardonius gave a sidewise icy glare to the dancer after her comment.

If I remember correctly we met you cordially outside the camp. and asked you and your group to stay put while we talk to the commander of this camp to let you in with proper protocols. His features then softened a little bit remembering the fight they had gone through, I am thankful for your group's assistance against the recent attack. I guess you are all capable in a fight regardless of how you look. However, I don't like how you let these people brandishing makeshift weapons to just go through the camp without authorization. I don't know how it works where you're from but singing and dancing your problems away or letting certain ''emotions'' get in the way of order doesn't work here...

Besides, all we have for assurance is your words that you were the survivors of the supply ship supposed to be here a while ago. You could be spies sent to scout out the defenses and state of the camp. I also find it quite convenient that at the same time you arrived here, we were attacked.

Sartorius left the almost-question hanging in the air the sense of tension almost palpable inside Lord Korsak's office.

"Damned right it was 'convenient'. If we hadn't made it in time and rushed to your aid, there would have been nothing left here but your charred bodies - if those didn't wander off on their own. Let's all us civilised folk agree to trust each other and keep the monsters at bay, yes?"

And I thanked you for the assistance...however 'trust' is a currency we have in short supply here and we don't dole it out to every person that comes along. Especially from those who can't follow basic instructions like 'stay put'.

Melianne doesn't seem very impressed by Captain Tenebra's reply, not very discreetly rolling her eyes before speaking up: "You caught us, Captain Gumshoe! We're actually the secret society of very talented spies, allied with that gnoll gang we viciously dispatched earlier. Or maybe it was all a ploy to get into your good graces? My, perhaps we were actually sent here by the skeletons, to prevent you entering the temple!" She huffs, but then all the sarcasm in her tone dissipates and the dancer sighs. "I understand your suspicions earlier, and my fellow passengers weren't in the right back there either. But now, don't you have some sort of a record about people who should've arrived on Jolly Wanderer to check?"

She then glances over at Krenmuth. "We don't know what exactly happened to the ship. As far as I remember, it just... dropped down suddenly? Like into a pit? And then, water rushed around the deck, and we all had been swept by it." Melianne waves her hand agitatedly, trying to indicate the general chaos of the scene she's describing. "I'm not a sailor, but I think it was something unnatural. Some people thought that it was caused by the frog people we encountered later, though the consensus ended up being that it was some other man..."

The dancer pauses, then looks at Korrin and Annika. "Um, I don't think we ever investigated the tracks of this man with an animal, right? What was it... a wolverine? A wolf? I completely forgot about this with the whole Emporer nonsense later..."

Korsak gets up from his desk and raises his hands

Let's not lose ourselves in petty squabbles.
Captain Tenebra. I really appreciate that you care about the security of the camp. I conducted my own research too. I talked to some of the survivors and as far as I can tell all of them where onboard the Jolly Wanderer and many of them were from Bridgeton. Their stories add up and they have knowledge of the local customs and locations.
Additionally some debris was swept up at the dock. Debris of a ship that would fit a vessel like the Jolly Wanderer
So as far as I can tell I think we can trust our guests
He turns to the others
As for your other question: Of course I don't expect you to go into the temple immediatly. You can enjoy a meal, rest and I'd suggest to start tomorrow morning
Lastly he turns to Melianne as she tells how the Jolly Wanderer sank. He crosses his arms and furrows his eyebrows.
This... is troublesome. If someone has the power to sink our ships... We should be extra careful. I will send a letter to the city council of Bridgeton.
His eyebrows unfurrow and he sits down again.
Well.... if you don't have any more questions I'd suggest that you enjoy a well deserved rest

Again I defer to your judgment m'lord. if you see fit for me or any of our men to work with these-- ''newcomers''. Then I will comply , Sardonius said after giving a stiff bow.

I still have to make some rounds to see if any of our defenses were broken in that last fight and see if it can be fixed. If that attack is anything to go by, more will be forthcoming especially when those ruins have already opened up. Some of us don't have the luxury of resting just when we want...

Without looking at the adventurers he gave another bow to Korsak turned sharply on his heels and strode out of the office.

Melianne watches Tenebra go with a small frown, before leaning towards Krenmuth and whispering to him: "Is your colleague always this friendly with new acquaintances, or is it just because of earlier attacks? This amount of paranoia doesn't seem very healthy. Or advantageous for our missions..." She taps her finger against her chin in thought. "Think he'll appreciate some tunes later to smooth over our disagreements? Or perhaps a good old game of cards, military folk do love some gambling in my experience..."

She yawns again, and rises to her feet. "Anyway, I have no questions, Sir Korsak, though I'm not sure why you're including me in this team - but I don't mind," the dancer makes a small half-bow towards the room at large. "I shall go and get some sleep, this was an exhausting day."

Krenuth responds quietly to Melianne before she stands. "Captain Tenera is . . . driven. If he has any hobbies or outside interests, I haven't seen them. Although I must say that in his short time here, discipline among the soldiers has improved greatly."

After Melianne leaves, Krenmuth turns to Korsak. "Sir Korsak, would any of the archeologists be willing to accompany us to the temple? I would prefer some guidance if there are runes or symbols on the outside. We would not expect the volunteer to join us inside, of course."

This is a great idea Wavewarden Krenmuth! I will assign some workers and two archeologists to your team. I hope you don't mind but I will ask you to leave now. I still have some thing to manage around here. We will see each other tomorrow! Korsak says and begins to rummage in his desk.

You all leave the house. While you try to orient yourself in the raging thunderstorm a man wearing a hooded cloak and holding a wooden hammer in his hand approaches you and informs you that tents have been prepared for the newcomers.
While these tents wouldn't be impressive under normal circumstances, they seem like the lodgings of a travelling king to those of you who just passed the swamp.

You all can sleep well, especially as the storm subsides during the night.
You wake up, fully rested at the next morning