Session 1: Loadin’ Up the Icebreaker

Vanifer nods as Agna accepts the package, and, even though the orc does not demand payment for now, she adds a few extra coins "To help with the travel" she says as she turns back to the camp fire.

As you discuss where to go next, she turns back. "You're going to the Host Tower of the Arcane?" Vanifer takes an empty parchment and starts verbalizing something in a strange language. You see small fires ignite on its surface, leaving burned letters on its surface. "You may need this to walk past Close Guard Island, Ship Kurth's stronghold" She handles you the parchment adding "The spell can only be contained until Dusk. The license will burn as soon as the moonlight reaches it."

"I am sorry for putting this burden on you. I wish you good luck and hope to meet you soon. Now, if you don't need anything else, I'll to continue my preparations" Without looking back, she sits by the fire, grabbing a book from the old cracked floor

You make your way out of the crumbling ruins of the ancient city, finding the sun still high in the sky. In the narrow streets and mold filled tunnels of Illusk, you almost forgot what the warmth of the sun on your skin felt like. You are immediately greeted by another shouting crowd as it becomes clear that the winter ritual has found it's way to the south bank. You turn away from the mass of people and cross the bridge into Close Guard Island, halfway to the Host Tower of the Arcane.

As soon as you step onto the island, you immediately notice what Vanifer meant. Rough types stop to look at you, measuring you up, before continuing what they were doing. There is not a moment on the island you don't feel eyes on you. These are probably Ship Kurth's pirates and you are on their turf.

A few steps in and you notice a human with an acrobatic physique and a wide-brimmed hat scanning the area. His gaze settles on you and he arches an eyebrow in interest as you approach. He quickly moves to block your path. "Oi you there! You have any business here?"

The human leans forward to check the letter Agna presents, and then gasps theatrically. "Oh my! One of them mages aren't you?" He moves his finger in a fake magical gesture, laughing childishly. "Well then mates, why won't you be nice and show me some fancy trick or two and I'll float you to the north shore?"

"Ooohh we all know what the Brotherhood can do! No fee for friends hein?" the man replies a bit nervous. His expression turns curious as he adds "Wait a wave there! You saying you're delivering thing?"

The man walks you to the other side of the island and across the bridge ans he continues to ask all sort of questions about magic. Seems like he is easily impressed, though you get the feeling he can't tell an illusion from cheap trick.

On the other side you see the Hosttower of the Arcane, a tower that seems to grow out of the ground like a crooked, skeletal tree. It looks just as organic as it does artificial. Standing at the entrance is a brutish-looking guard with an athlete’s build and wearing a leather skullcap. He glowers at you as you approach.

The guard turns to Izuhn, blank-faced "What do you want with the... Sister, commoner?"

"Never heard of them. Why don't you let Maccath in peace. She has important stuff to do." He looks Izuhn in the eyes, unblinking. "Stuff beyond your understanding for sure."

The guard steps back as Agna towers over him. "She sent for you herself?" He asks, his voice faltering as he shakes his head, as if countering the orc's magic, "No need for your wizardries here. I guess you're not as commoner as I thought." He steps aside to let you enter the tower "Though if you're interested in joining the brotherhood, just be sure to not go anywhere you're not supposed to be"

As he opens the door, he turns to you with a mischievous smile while gesturing some strange arcane sign "Hey, and don't forget to tell Maccath that Earnest did his job"