Orithyia stepped off the ship, chin held high, but nothing to her name save for her practical dark blue sailor's outfit. Her supple leather boots made no sound as she strode purposefully to shore feigning an air of confidence that for once in her life was unsubstantiated. Pausing at the end of the dock to straighten the belt around her waist, she took in the sight of the port town around her. Workers hauled crates of cargo in and out of warehouses, hardy laborers wielded construction equipment that would clearly be used to build up the budding town, and a few pedestrians hurried to one of the few shops spread out beyond the harbor.
Unsure what else to do, Orithyia set out to find a new job. Her only coin was some loose change in her pockets and her last meal was some stale bread tossed into the brig before the ship went to port. She scanned the harbor for an authority figure and settled on a half-elf woman with a clipboard. Upon being approached, the woman spared Orithyia half a glance before checking her notes. Looking up from her clipboard with a worried look, the woman questioned "Aren't you from the Sea Dragon's Wings? Your ship just left!"
With an awkward cough, Orithyia cleared her throat and replied "No. That is no longer my ship - I was actually hoping you would know of a crew looking for a navigator. I've been sailing all my life and -"
However, Orithyia was interrupted by a young silver dragonborn who exclaimed "Hey! Sorry to interrupt, but that gnome over there wants to talk to you."
Excusing herself from the half elf, Orithyia followed the dragonborn over to the indicated gnome who was in urgent conversation with a severe looking man in a black jacket and tricorn hat. The man held up his hand to pause the conversation when Orithyia and her dragonborn escort walked up. He scowled at the newcomers and said to the gnome, "Please. No other intervention is necessary - I assure you I will find the cause of these strange sounds; such a task is trivial."
Nodding earnestly, the gnome explained "Yes I have full faith you would be able to do so Mr. Aldermann, but the mayor insists this investigation must occur with utmost speed. He also believes it'll be dangerous which is why I am hoping to recruit these two!" Shifting his attention to Orithyia and the dragonborn, the gnome introduced himself as Jorheim - assistant to the mayor of Carlio.
The dragonborn offered a quick bow, blue and purple chainmail rattling as he did so, and explained his name was Krux - cleric of Istus. With a nod and a questioning tone, Orithyia indicated her name as well.
The man wearing black - Mr. Aldermann apparently - regarded them both with a frown and rested his hand on one of the many pistols on his belt, but gave no further protest as Jorheim began to explain that women and children have gone missing from town and so far the only clue is strange noises reported from a nearby cave. He was unable to spare any of the town's small force of guards to investigate the cave so he wanted to hire adventurers to help.
Krux immediately agreed to help, but Orithyia was hesitant. After a moment of consideration, she explained to Jorheim "I'd be happy to help, but I'm a sailor. Caves aren't exactly my expertise."
Bobbing his head in understanding, Jorheim procured a bag of gold. "I can pay!"
She couldn't argue; she needed the money. "Alright. Where's the cave?"
Jorheim gave directions to the cave just outside of town through the nearby forest. So the party set off in hopes of investigating this cave before the sun set.
The walk to the cave was uneventful, but awkward. The trio did not have much to say to each other until Krux tried to start a conversation. "Hey Orithyia, was it? Those are some nice tattoos." He waved a scaly hand in front of his face, indicating his interest in the purple patterns tattooed around Orithyia's eyes.
"Thanks." Orithyia did not care to elaborate - those tattoos had once indicated her rank amongst the Ocean Striders. Her emotions were still raw from her departure from the Striders so she changed the topic, "You have some fancy armor. Not as fancy as the embroidery on Mr. Aldermann's jacket though."
At the mention of his name, the tall man who was leading the party paused and turned to address the other two. "Reinhardt Holz von Aldermann: witch-hunter and devout servant of Ulrich. Later, you may call me Reinhardt, but right now we are approaching the cave and it would be in our best interest to be silent." He drew a pistol and lightened his step, moving with practiced stealth. Orithyia had no trouble mimicking Reinhardt's motions, but Krux in his chainmail could not be silenced.
Orithyia thought she heard Reinhardt mutter "Damn lizard" over the tinkling of Krux's chainmail.
Not long thereafter, Reinhardt raised a hand to bring the party to a halt - they had arrived at the cave. It was an inconspicuous rocky hollow on the side of a hill; not a soul was in sight. Cautiously, the party approached the cave and were surprised to find it was incredibly shallow and empty. The only thing in the dimly lit cavern was a strange bowl sitting atop a rock.
Reinhardt took to scanning the surrounding forest for threats, leaving Krux and Orithyia to investigate the bowl.
"Think someone was having lunch here?" Krux asked Orithyia while she weighed the large clay bowl in her hands.
She turned it over and inspected it for any markings - there were none. Then she shook her head and said "It's a bit big for soup. But it does seem suspicious doesn't it?"
Krux shrugged and Orithyia closed her eyes to focus on how the bowl felt in her hands. It felt wrong, somehow. She couldn't help but think it was evil so she handed it to Krux to see if he felt the same thing.
"Maybe?" Krux concluded after turning the bowl over a few times.
That was enough for Orithyia so she took the bowl back and threw it against the ground where it shattered.
Reinhardt came rushing back from his scouting, pistol and saber drawn, "What was that?"
Orithyia explained that she wanted to see if something happened if the bowl broke because it felt off.
"It felt… off," Reinhardt repeated flatly and sheathed his saber. Pinching the bridge of his nose he questioned, "Why would you break the only thing of note in this cave?"
Embarrassed, Orithyia used some magic to mend the bowl and handed it to Reinhardt who took it with a look of disdain. He put it back on the rock and asked "Did either of you notice the coloration of this rock?" When Krux and Orithyia both shook their heads, he pointed to a dull copper patch: "Bloodstains."
Krux perked up and asked, "What kind of blood do you think it is?"
Reinhardt didn't know but he explained that some nefarious individuals use blood offerings to power dark magicks. Orithyia suggested they try leaving an offering to see what happens. Reinhardt narrowed his eyes at the suggestion but then aimed his pistol at the forest canopy and promptly shot a squirrel out of the branches. Without hesitation, he picked up the squirming creature and snapped its neck over the bowl, letting the squirrel's blood drip inside.
Moments after the blood hit the bottom of the bowl, the droplets disappeared. Then, markings on the bowl began to glow in a script Orithyia didn't recognize. The same script began to glow on the back of the cave wall and the outline of a door appeared.
Resolutely, Reinhardt unsheathed his saber once more and opened the door. Krux quickly followed him into the secret passage and Orithyia gathered her courage to follow suit. She wasn't armed or armored like the other two, but she hoped the storm growing within would help.