Lasthaven
The Dwarven trade caravan approaches. It is big! We split up. Bale, Berdyn and Maud clean up the White Star compound with the assistance of the remaining White Star staff. Simon and Codex go to the Tower to collect Cynthia, Roland, the Steward, and Vestian.
The team at White Star discover that in the previous evening, some of the White star staff robbed the compound, taking some of the valuables and fleeing into the wilderness. The more hardened criminals are out there, somewhere. The most honest staff, mostly locals, are there to assist in burying the dead.
The Dwarves arrive. At the front are two huge Polar bears ridden by Dwarven warriors in full armor. Behind them are several wagons, smaller ones pulled by rams, larger ones pulled by horses, and then one pulled by two mammoths, a huge three story stone building on wheels.
A dwarven woman heads the caravan, named Eramel Goldbringer. She is a cleric of Moradin of high rank. Berdyn mentioned that she is sensitive to Dwarven slurs. She was once Faithlighter, but was adopted into the Goldbringer Clan.
Next to her is the scarred legendary warrior Obryn Fangweaver. She oversees the security for the Caravan.
Riding on a pony alongside the caravan is a richly dressed Dwarf by the name of Farvir Goldsinger, the official representative of Thane Taragyn Ironthrone.
As the Dwarven caravan approaches, Bale and his group meet with Eramel. Eramel recognizes Berdyn as the son of Thoradin Silverchaser. She tells Berdyn that most thought Berdyn to be dead.
Eramel has a curious way of referring to the races by their connections to their Gods of reputed creation. Humans are the sons and daughters of Pelor, Gnomes are of Garl, and so on.
The dwarves set up a palisade and defenses. The massive 3-story building they brought is set up in the center of the palisade. They begin to unload their goods. However, they are on high alert, many concerned about Talia Hooks not being present.
The Tower
Meanwhile Codex and Simon reach the Tower and load up Rolad, Giliran (the Steward), Cynthia and Vestian. Mouse and Brute are asked to stay behind with Electrum and the Hippogriffs, looking after the Tower until we return. We head back to town.
Lasthaven
Back at LastHaven, Eramel and Bale discuss the exchange of gifts, which causes some concerns. The Dwarves had a gift for Hooks that was no longer appropriate, so they arrange for a nice pelt of polar bear hide and Bale hands over some casks of Apple Brandy from White Star’s storehouse.
The delegation then has lunch in the White Star trading house. Bale lays down the situation in Everlife and the Undead threat. Eramel and Obryn take note as they eat.
One of the discussions during lunch is the issue with White Star Leadership. Bale is no longer a part of White Star, so the Dwarves cannot open official trade until they have an actual full time member of White Star open trade. The only full time member of White Star that is still alive and still in the city is… Katla Liondark.
It seems that trade negotiations are somewhat stymied until a new agreement is made between Representative Farvir and Stewards Giliran. Bale does tell them that the “Law” Hooks told them about heading further south doesn’t actually exist. They were suspicious of this law for a while, and are not pleased to have it confirmed to be made up.
Meanwhile Codex and Simon return to town. We take Cynthia to her mother at the Inn, and take the Steward to his house. Roland and Vestian will take care of him and help him recuperate.
Codex takes a look at the record of laws in the Steward’s office, looking for Berdyn’s crimes. He finds it. According to human law, Berdyn was charged with drunk and disorderly conduct at the Inn, and he broke a chair. He was given a fine of 4 silver coins, which was paid by White Star. Berdyn didn’t kill anyone, Talia Hooks lied about this and likely drugged Berdyn that evening so that he wouldn’t remember.
The group reunites at White Star and discuss. We are aware the undead will become more of an issue as they wander out of Everlife and head towards us. We don’t have a means to build a wall, but Simon suggests an Earthworks, digging up the ground around the town. In order to do something like this, we would need labor, and a lot of the dwarven caravaneers are sitting idle. Perhaps we could pay them to build the defenses?
Bale wants to create his own trading company, taking the White Star Compound and making it his own. Right now “Bale’s Bondables” is the winning suggestion.
We also still want to create the explorer/adventuring guild, called “Wardens of the North”.
Finally we get Berdyn drunk and while he is passed out, Bale cuts the brand off of his arm. Codex heals it, and the brand of servitude is gone. Berdyn is free!