• PCs reach Gregan’s shelter, and find a magical rod.
• Gregan admits to asking around about each member of his crew. He suggests that Zane, Baro, and Eed have a shady past in Marid’s Bay.
• Zane threatens Gregan, and demands to know what’s in his wagon.

Gregan’s shelter

The PCsRandall & Ben chat after the fight. Randall avoids crediting Hal with anything.

Responding to a comment of Randall’s, Gregan again praises his crew, and promises them a bonus once they deliver his goods in Iladence.

They reach a stone ruin in the wilderness. The PCs investigate the exterior, and discover an old metal box. After Hal pops open the new-looking lock, they find a magical rod (3’ long, likely earth magic). They stash the rod in a nearby hollow tree, and then join the others inside the ruin.

Friction

In the evening, Zane asks Gregan about his wares. The merchant evades, and instead talks about Zane doing better than his time in Marid’s Bay - a town which Zane says he’s never mentioned.

Ben asks about Marid’s Bay, and Gregan describes life as tough for the poor there, especially because of prevelant loan sharks. He adds that it’s better Zane, Baro, and Eed are earning an honest wage now. Gregan admits to asking around about his crew members, and he knows Ben is fleeing trouble in Soleme. Gregan says he took a chance on each crew member, and he thinks people like Zane deserve a second chance.

Eed asks about Randall’s spellcasting credentials, and he claims to be self-taught. Zane asks Ben about trouble in Soleme, and Ben explains briefly how he was manipulated by Odran Newgreave.

Threats

Zane again demands to know what Gregan is transporting. The PCs agree to take a look themselves, but Gregan tries to stop them. Zane draws his sword and threatens Gregan. He yells that there’s more to the merchant than his bumbling act, and Gregan now has no choice but to show them his wares.

The tense moment is then interrupted by a knock at the door.