"Ho! There lads, bring 'er in gently we've come all this way with no damage, be a shame to scratch her now." The captain's call rang clear in the brisk evening air. The sun, no longer visible behind the bulk of the Island of Augury shown just enough light for the "Ashen Mist" to dock at the stone pier. As the various crewman climbed the rigging & swung down from the now bundled sails, the field of figures on the deck still as game pieces for nearly a half hour began to move.

Half a dozen or so figures who'd been clustered on the bow looking out towards the island suddenly sprinted back to the staircase that would take them below deck, their childlike stature belied their nature, each one was barefoot, as halflings tended to be aboard ship. As they disappeared below a chorus of howls suddenly emitted from deck of the ship, the wolves, they'd been caged at the captain's demand for the length of the trip despite their obvious intelligence & obedience.

Across the deck where the remaining two dozen or so figures stood clustered into 5 distinct groups, a man was walking between them giving orders. His dress of a blue robe with a distinct yellow sash across the chest, a purple cloak flowing from the shoulders and an orange turban on his head gave him a chromatic distinction from those around him. He turns pointing at a group of sailors as they were carrying the gangplank towards the side of the ship, he reaches down and retrieves a baton clipped to his belt, he makes a pair of waving motions with the baton, his speak pattern clearly changing to an incantation or verse.

Before your eyes 30 horses appear across the deck, each one fully tacked with a saddle, reins and saddlebags, the ship lurches with the sudden onset of weight tilting away from the stone pier mere feet from the hull. Oi you poxxing son of a whore! Yer gonna capsize my ship if you keep up that idiocy! The captains irritated yell seemed to go unnoticed as the colorful figure gestured again at the gangplank, which having just been secured provided a means of the near listing ship. He barked another command and the figures all hurried to mount the conjured horses.

Before any was ready a scrabbling came from below, with yips of excitement 8 massive wolves leapt forth from bowels of the ship, and made for the gangplank, upon the back of each wolf was a halfling wearing chain shirts, and carrying a war-lance, across the rider's backs were a strangely proportioned shield, a bow and quiver, while a saddle scabbard held a sword and a few throwing javelins. With a few whistles & grunts the troop of little folk & their lupine mounts leapt down the gang plank & took off down the pier.

Over the next minute a procession of riders followed until all but two of the 30 had departed the ship. The turbaned man walked across the deck now still after the departure of the horses & riders, he stopped by the captain, and after a very brief exchange opened a sack at his hip and pulled out a small chest & opened it. Even in the dying light the glint of gold was shown across the captains face, he reached out and took the box, closing it as he did so. He gave the cap solid nod, helped up 3 fingers and turned towards his cabin, the man returned to his horse and remaining companion, both mounted and without nearly as much zeal as the others traversed the gangplank & down the rocky pier.

A minute of so later, the captain having likely deposited his newly acquired chest in his cabin came to the stern castle and opened the door. They're all gone now, sorry to have kept ye in 'er, but I couldn't be risking a fight between you lot during the journey, an' especially when we're tryin' to dock on the stone pier. Couldn't risk my ship or crew in the cross fire of whatever could've been started.
He paused, they aren't happy you lot are here, and I 'spect that some of them wouldn't lose much sleep over seeing you get gutted here.

Spoiler: Knowledge Rolls
Show

Spoiler: Island of the Augury
Show
Island of the Augury - (1) An small cylindrical island in the vast expanse of the Hulkat Ocean the largest known continuous body of water. (2) The island is home to any diviner or fortune teller or predictor of the future, they will tell you the answer to any questions you have for a price. (3) The island is only accessible by ships during a 1 month period each year, due to lunar & thermotic, conditions, the waters recede from the cylindrical island to reveal a cavern that allows visitors to ascend from the sea up the sheer walls of the islands cliffs. (4) Transportation by magical means is blocked by the occupants of the island with most results arriving miles out to sea, while some meriting execution upon arrival. (5) 500gp will gain you entrance to the Island and allow you to ask 2 questions to the Oracles, however after this it is 500 gp for each 2 questions & one cannot ask more than two questions per day.

Spoiler: Wolf Runners
Show
Group 1 - (1) A group of halfling paladins known as the wolf runners, they are a semi nomadic order that roams the lands addressing problems & crisis. (2) Despite using beasts you've heard of no incidents of them falling victim to the tone. (3) They are well versed in various weapons as well as tactics & often fight creatures from wyverns to chimeras.

Spoiler: The Lodge
Show
Group 2 - (1) "The Lodge" - A guild of hunters that rarely kill or hunt anything but the most exotic or dangerous creature. (2) They have in recent years become apt Mage & Bounty Hunters as the challenge of capturing rogue or illicit mages appeals to their interest of a challenging hunt. (3) There are rumors they covertly work as assassins, but such talk to their face is ill-advised.

Spoiler: The Last Line
Show
Group 3 - (1) "The Last Line" - A mercenary company who became famous by accident when a band of giants attacked a town and were brought down by only a dozen men. (2) There is a rule among this guild that if you don't name a replacement prior to your death or have an apprentice, should you die the company will not replace him, so far the total members of the this company is down to 8 members. (3) They utilize team tactics and coordination to bring down foes rapidly and with minimal bloodshed.

Spoiler: The Copper Scales
Show
Group 4 - A group of mage-clerics from the church of the "Copper Scales" - the believe everyone man, woman & child should have the chance to balance the scales or his or her life, especially when outside factors influence them. (2) They will heal, restore and improve the lives of all they can without prior payment, only expecting it when negotiating for future aid. (3) They are hirable to many different factions.

Spoiler: The Scarlet Choir
Show
Group 5 -(1) Members of the scarlet choir - a group of marshals, bards and filled with various military leaders and others of renown. (2) They often accompany military endeavors to keep the troops focused on the goals and moving forward efficiently. (3) They are known for they're cavalry hats with red plumes.

Spoiler: Turban Wearer
Show
Turban Wearer - Mahir the Mountain - A sorcerer specializing in force magic who garnered a reputation for weigh laying armies by himself at times. He has defended his kingdom for 19 years, and is a champion swordsman as well as.