Blue Rose: RUN!

Last night, we played Blue Rose. Also had empanadas, which was nice.

Last time, which was way back in the heady days when people still went to school and a simple cough didn't cause meerkat-like "DANGER" reactions, the characters got into a big fight on the Dark Isle. Now, they survey the carnage and realize that they need to get gone before that sorcerer comes back with help.

Arlen casts a Cure spell on Whirlpool to stabilize and save him, and they start heading out. Kisha runs ahead to push the boat out and get it ready to go, but the others have difficulty. They can't seem to make any progress running while carrying the chest, and no one wants to leave the chest (or whoever's carrying it) behind. Eventually they see the sorcerer coming in the distance, along with Qinis and a bunch of pirates carrying torches. They're badly outnumbered, and they need to hoof it.

Arlen casts a Move Object spell and flings the chest to Kisha on the boat, who manages to catch it. Dobbin stops and fires a couple of arrows into the ongoing mob, and then keeps moving. They all pile into the boat and Whirlpool casts Water Shaping to push them out into the bay quickly. They don't have lights (most of them can see in the dark), and the pirates are left on the shore, looking for them.

After getting out of sight, they decide to head around the islands to Mashae and hook up with the Tempered Heart. That takes most of the night, but in the morning, feeling a little better, they arrive at the docks of Mashae, and realize that the Heart isn't there. They beach their stalwart craft, and Kisha casts Psychic Contact on the High Priest Mav. Fortunately, he knows that spell as well, and therefore is able to converse. He tells them that, unfortunately, the Heart was ordered back to Jarzon. Admiral Pov disagreed with the order, but it is an order, so there's nothing he can do about it. They can try and come back to get the characters, but it might be months before they can. Kisha says that she'll find other transport and thanks Mav for his help.

The characters discuss what to do. They don't fancy the chances of taking a rowboat back to the Teeth, not with the Sweet Blossom looking for them. Kisha mentally contacts Shira, the captain of the Misery (the ship that brought them here), and Shira agrees to come get them. It might be a couple of days, though, so she advises them to find lodging and lay low. Mashae has rules against pirates killing or stealing from each other, so as long as they don't start trouble they should be OK. Arlen also remembers that members of the Finest aren't really welcome here, so they need to find other apparel, too.

Whirlpool and Kisha go into town and find a cheap inn. Kisha pays for a room, and the party takes up residence. They go out (in shifts) to buy clothes in the cargo market (and note, with no small discomfort, that there's a slave market here, too), and then find some food at a better establishment. Kisha and Arlen are eating when a group of people walks in, led by none other than Qinis. He sees them and smiles.

Next time, we'll see where this goes.