• PCs discuss the Blades of Khazari with some Northern Syndicate merchants at Port Yulia.
• PCs give root samples to Salefna the scholar and Heiko the apothecary.
• Aiduin tells the PCs about the scattered Gilded Saints, and of powerful weaponry on Bladestorm Isle.
• PCs agree to escort Oskin to his shire, and protect him from a strange pack of animals.

The return

PCsReginald & Sir Ares return to Port Yulia. They book the Wise Owl’s deluxe rooms for themselves and their retainers, who they allow to seek other work.

Merchants

The PCs speak with several Northern Syndicate merchants in the Wise Owl’s fancier common room. They learn the Blades of Khazari are causing trouble southwest of Port Middlemond, and guard work for merchant ships is readily available.

They also learn the Fanatics have taken over Iladence, stranding a contingent of Iladener soldiers southwest of Port Middlemond.

The PCs tell the merchants about the strange root growths on The Crescent. The merchants are willing to buy and distribute, should the PCs gain enough supply.

Root samples

The PCs meet a group of scholars studying coastal life, led by Salefna. They show her the root, and convince her to bring a sample to her academy in Ebaris. She says the botanists there will plant the sample right by the source of the River Yule.

The PCs visit Heiko, the local apothecary. Keen to turn the root into a drug, he trades a sample for some experimental potions:

• Funworld (2): makes everything appear lovely and harmless (may nullify certain vision-based effects, like a basilisk’s petrifying gaze).
• Behind the Veil (2): reveals secrets through solid objects.

Gilded Saints

The PCs visit Aiduin of the Gilded Saints at the docks. He seems deranged, and speaks of abandoning his comrades on Bladestorm Isle. He also says the island’s hostile inhabitants wield powerful weapons.

Oskin

The PCs speak with Oskin, a halfling salesman. Oskin was travelling home to his shire in the north, but fled back to Port Yulia after encountering a bizarre pack animals, which included owlbears, wolves, and giant badgers.

The PCs agree to escort Oskin home for 1000gp each, and the promise of experimental ranged weaponry which Oskin’s shire specialises in.