After several days at sea, the Vigilant arrives on Pangea, the breadbasket of Dragonsea. The crew is given shoreleave, except for our heroes, who discover that the Captain has a "special mission for them." Alleran, the second mate informs them that they are to retrieve some special cargo for the Captain and that it must be returned to Dragonsea, unharmed. Our heroes, suspecting this would be far from a simple task, head to shore and their task at hand.

They discover the small village, Sunport, to be a quiet seaside locale with little to no interest, and they head to the expected pickup point, finding it with no problem. Seeing that they have time to kill, and still weary about the apparent simplicity of the mission, the heroes head to the local tavern for information.

The heroes begin to pry information from the local barkeep, who immediately begins to share information after the party uses subterfuge and convince him that Ki-Amar is relative to the local artisan. “A friend of Ydani Erstone is a friend of mine!" earns the party not only valuable information, but free drinks as well!

They learn that the warehouse which they are to pick up their cargo, was mysteriously vacated as it's owner, the aforementioned Ydani Erstone, took all his apprentices and left. Now their meeting place is locked up and temporarily abandoned. While the party does its due diligence, Jaa'lik takes it upon himself to relieve a local merchant of his wares. A throughouly normal event except for the discovery of two "pirate" coins not used in the exchanges of normal folks. An odd sight in this sleepy town, but something they pay little attention to.

The appointed hour rapidly approaching, the party begins to survey the surroundings, noticing not only a sprasely attended morning market of farmers and fruit vendors, but also they see a highborn dragonborn female, doing a bad job of hiding her interest in the very same warehouse they are going to eventually be breaking into.

They approach and quickly learn from the naive lady that she serves a mistress whom the party are to make sure they "take care of" whatever that means. She makes sure that the party is to show her mistress the utmost respect. While they converse with the dragonborn lady, they realize that someone, a tiefling farm vendor is paying quite a lot of attention to her.

Astarte, her curiosity getting the better of her, begins to interrogate the tiefling farmer on anything and everything possible without divulging her own knowledge. As she does this, the rest of the party scouts the area and eventually make their way into the warehouse. Astarte meanwhiles discovers striking similarities between the tiefling victim of her questions, and other tiefling vendors, and begins to find a pattern. Ill-fitted clothing, swordbearer hands aside, she takes it upo herself to question each and every farmer about everything imagineable.

While Astarte provides the necessary distraction, the party heads into the warehouse, ready to meet their mysterious deliverer and take their cargo. They are suprised when after searching the warehouse they find no one. As they wait, the appointed hour passes and one piece of cargo begins to chirp.

Opening the box, they find a small mechanical bird in a gilded cage chirping. Believing they have found their cargo, they begin to discuss the best way to hide the bird and cage and return with them to the ship. The bird, seemingly beginning to become impatient, chirps angrily to "get me out of this cage!"

After angrily responding to a party member's question whether it was the bird or someone talking through the bird talking ("Of course through the bird you fool!" was the response.), the party lets the mechanical bird free, which lands and a black dragon in humanoid form appears.

Er'im, the black dragon, informs the party that they are to deilver her to the Vigilant with haste, but that another crew of pirates, the Bloodscalps, are seeking to get their hands on her as well. Oh, and for whatever reason, she cannot use any of her abilities so it is all up to them.

Seeing to her comfort, which given her attitude was really in their best interest, they begin to sneak their way back to the ship. Zerith informs Astarte mentally they they are on the move and the party begins to head back to the ship.

Through skills in both detection (Gradix), Stealth (Jaa'lik), and distraction (Astarte), they are able to avoid other more obvious members of the all Tiefling crew of Bloodscalps and are able to return to the ship without incident.

Skill Challenge: Sneaky Escape!

Upon arriving at the docks, the heroes find a nasty surprise, all the boats are burning, including their raft back! They easily see the culprits, a contingent of Bloodscalp Pirates, and not just the normal rabble they have been avoiding and eluding all day. Astarte gambles a bit and tries to pass a lie of to the "leader" and discovers the crew awaiting them to be of a particularly lethal type.

Seeing no choice, as the Bloodscalps controlled the only two ships not currently becoming floating pyre barges, the heroes enter into the fray.

Encounter: Brawl at the Docks!

Winning by the skin of their teeth, Er'im rejoins the party ontop of her horse (the one the party rented FOR her comfort). "I guess Sundarathis did know what he was doing when he sent you." Er'im backhanded compliment also revealed information none of the crew had before, Captain Goldbeard's real name.

Returning to the ship, Second Mate Alleeran notices the scrapes and bruises on the heroes. "Any trouble?" He apologized about the threats he thought would be waiting them, but admits that he was under strict orders by the Captain to tell them nothing.

Cleaned up a bit, our heroes are taken to meet with the Captain. They find Captain Goldbear and Er'im enjoying a meal. Pleased by their competence, Er'im offers a gift to the party, treasure, knowledge, or clarity. A quiet discussion amongst them leads them to choosing clarity. Pleased and impressed, Er'im bequeathes upon them her personal blessing.

Special Reward: Skill Challenges now count as encounters for the purposes of milestones!

Dismissing them, Astarte takes a moment to wish Er'im luck on the council, drawing a startled reaction from the normally composed being.

The heroes depart, definetly leaving their mark.