Report 15: Missing Shipments

Disappearing Darkfoot

Ms. Lendiel found a book with a single faded page and asked for my opinion.
I could find no magical cause, the ink seemed to have simply dried off the page.
We went looking for other records on the same investigator, in reports of items retrieved.
He is in these records, but his name seems to not be used as would be natural.
In one of these books, I see a strange, small wisp of divine magic that quickly disappears.
She find no record of him searching for the Manifold of Mask, even though she finished that mission for him, and her record exists – though with no mention of him.
I ask if I could see the manifold, but she discusses with Mr. Darkfoot and they decide that is not possible at this time.

Ms. Lendiel gathers us all together in The Room to look at another strange book.
It is more of a container than an actual book.
This book was given to the Library by the Grippli in exchange for trade agreements, but the trade has stopped suddenly, so we must open the book and find a solution.
Inside are 3 hollow cylinders and a linen bag with a water droplet embroidered on it.
The cylinders have dwarven markings on the and symbols. The bag holds clay.
Rolling out the clay and then the cylinders on top of them reveals a story
The Frogs and the Serpents: The first cylinder told of the start of trade. The second, of the serpents attacking the frogs. The third of a vacant ruined village with serpents in the temple.
The group decides we must go to the Grippli and save them from the serpents, whatever they are.

Down at the docks, we meet Captain Miter Yans, of The Dog Ear, who last visited the Grippli and found no one to trade with. He offers to take us there in the morning.
Sailing is smooth until we get close, then the weather turns rainy and grey.
We get to the trading post, and Captain Yans disembarks with us to translate.
He calls out for the Pond Mother, and while we are greeted with spears, one runs off and gets us permission for us to come further ashore.
We are taken to see the Pond Mother through the refugee camp which has sprung up around a central building.
After Captain Yans explains why we are here, and Mr. Darkfoot offers her any assistance we can provide, she tells us of the attack.
A pack of Yuan-Ti approached with friendship and religious interests, but then drove them from their home, while keeping the warriors as prisoners.
She then tells us of the paths to the village, through the water, the cliffside, or the crab maze.
The Yuan-ti have taken her home, the temple, and the broodpools, they will not survive that loss.

After much discussion, we decide to go as far as possible on land and then cross the crab maze to approach the village.
Sending Tuppance and Darkwing ahead to scout, we count their numbers in the open: five guard the broodpools, and another nine patrol the rest of the village.
Utilizing the carpet and Ms. Lendiel’s ring of waterwalking, we make our way quickly and carefully all the way across the beach and the maze.
Unfortunately, the carpet is a little too noticeable in approaching the docks and I am spotted.
Combat is joined, but we hold the docks.