Editing Wreck of the Venerable Drake (section)

==Return to Luminaux==
The Merfolk, though, proved to not be the only others interested in the chest. That night, camped alongside the river, the Companions were callously assaulted as they prepared to sleep. Assailed from 3 sides, they faced a rain of arrows and the storming of their camp by men with strength and speed unmatched by any but Kimo. These attackers, with the abilities of [[The Fist of Reverence|Fists of Reverence]], were clearly not of [[Pelor]]. Bounding through camp, diving completely over the wagon, and tumbling beneath the legs of a moving horse, they harassed the Companions. Possession of the chest changed hands repeatedly, but the attackers were eventually routed, and a number captured. A few managed to escape into the darkness and underbrush, including an archer of uncanny ability.

Subsequently the party realized that the attack was a coincidental strike by 2 separate groups -- the monks and one of the assaulting [[sorcerer]]s were [[Blood Fists]], and the others (two warriors, an archer, and a sorcerer) were a mercenary band called [[Cabot's Crew]]. 

Returning to Lumineaux shortly thereafter, the Companions returned the chest to Lady Dara. Lady Dara also offers to house the captives for a time.

===Blood Fists===
The monks were captured, the arcanist killed.  Note that the Blood Fists seemed interested only in retrieving the amulets, not outright killing the party.  However, they showed no hesitation damaging anyone who got in their way.

The monk Baelwren (no relation to [[Baelwren SummerStorm]], who has yet to be introduced to the party) survived and told the party the following information:
*She mentioned some sort of [[Overlord|over-god]], and said that the Blood Fists were his followers.
*She said that they were carrying some sort of “focus” (which, given their actions, you believe to be Kimo’s amulet), and implied there was one in the box as well. 
*Told the PCs that they were not worthy to carry it, and that others would be coming for it.
*Undead walk the earth because no One cares for them.

The monk Ulgen reiterated what Baelwren said and then committed suicide after bursting his bonds.
*Ulgen appears to have been a master of both the ''Wrestling Gorilla'' and ''Grasping Lobster'' styles of hand-to-hand combat (he was trained initially at the Monastery of the Intercepting Fist, in [[Luminaux#Temple_District|Luminaux]]).

Jericho comes back the next morning, and casts the spell Speak with Dead on the sorcerer’s corpse.  He gets to ask three questions, which are below with their answers:
;Where are the Blood Fists based?: We are everywhere and nowhere.
;What is your purpose?: We protect the Foci and ensure the will of The OverGod be done.
;How did you know we had the amulets?: We watch and listen from within and without.

===Cabot's Crewe===
The two fighters were captured, the sorcerer blinded but escaped with the Archer.

The fighters – Kerrlin and Dorn – spilled their guts (figuratively).  They gave up the following information: 
*The name of the mercenary group
*The names of the other members, Cabot Wherriwhindle and O’erlander Wolfkin.
*They used to work in the southlands around [[Maxaen]], but recently moved north.
*The [[Amber Dragon]] (or someone using that name) hired them.
*Their mission was to kill the Companions and bring back their stuff.
*They did not know where or when the drop-off and payment was to take place.
*They had solid intel as to the composition of the party and their abilities, and their likely location.


===Lady Dara===
* Gave them a list of known mortals from history and currently who might have had the power to create Salem. It’s a {{pdf|Lichlist.pdf|short list}}.
* Also produced a nice set of thief’s tools from her desk drawer (Jericho confirmed later that they are enchanted) and opened the box.
* She purchased the box and contents sight-unseen from a broker in Mt. Daneasus, with the understanding that it was an important family relic to an elven family, and that she would be able to sell it at a sizable profit. 
* Finally, she noted that they had coinciding interests and the party might benefit from continued collaboration. As such, Regina became a de-facto member of the Companions and traveled with them thereafter.
* Lastly, she promised to deal with the captives in an appropriate manner. 

===The box===
* The box contains an [[Heart of the Endless Sea|amulet]] very similar to [[Breath of the Four Winds|Kimo’s]].
* It has a platinum chain and a blue-green crystal with a faintly etched wave pattern.
* It radiates intense cold.
* The mermen referred to it as the Amulet of Gos, and appeared to think it was a holy relic of their kind.
* FYI, Kimo’s amulet is on a copper chain with a clear crystal.  It has a faintly etched fractal pattern, like a lightning bolt, and radiates electricity.