Starts on the 4th day of the 7th Month, 5049 OC
Holland has to ask several times for directions en route to the Red Door, it is somewhat off the main streets in the Low City, though not in a particularly bad part of town. Holland finds the corner eventually, noting the Crooked Square tavern (#127) at the corner, he remembers Nilaroo describing this as the favored bar of the shipwrights (the shipyards being only a block or two away). The folk he sees about him on the street seem to be fairly clean cut workers, and one happily points to an alley when Holland asks where the Red Door Boarding House lies.
Walking down the alley Holland comes to the door and prepares to knock when he hears a low chanting behind him. Spinning, he feels a wave of lethargy hit him but fights it off through force of will. As the wave passes he sees a female half orc with long, dirty blond hair. She's wearing spiked leather armor and is carry a club. A shield is slung over her back.
Seeing that Holland has fought off the mystical lethargy, she is pulling more spell components from a belt pouch.
Shaking his head slightly, Holland points his left index finger at the half-human spell slinger while saying a short chant. Two black missiles of pure magical energy fly from his finger, striking the humanoid in rapid succession causing two small scorch mark on the leather armor where the missiles hits. Holland's right hand delves into a pouch as the missiles fly.
She doubles over grunting "Thrice-damned mage!"
Holland starts to move a few steps to his right so the door is not to his immediate back, but he hears two voices chanting from above him. The ground beneath him suddenly becomes very slippery and Holland feels his legs shoot out from under him and he lands on his back with a grunt.
A swarm of blood-red mystical stars shoot down at him from the rooftop, slamming into him. Holland finds himself in sudden, overwhelming pain, as if each star were a red-hot poker burrowing beneath his skin.
Through haze of pain he hears the half-orc chanting again, and suddenly his limbs go rigid, paralyzed.
Staring up at the sky, Holland hears his attackers approach, but can do nothing.
"The bastard's down." He hears the half-orc say, though he can't see her.
"Good." One of the roof top casters answers. "Release the grease, we need to get him out of here. Go get the others."
The half-orc bends over Holland and smiles, "Ill-luck for you today." She quickly and professionally strips his rings, weapons, and any jewelry. Holland cannot see what she does with them.
A man enters the his view, dark-skinned with an odd headdress which leaves the skull uncovered but holds a red gem above the bridge of the man's nose. His face is handsome, if exotic by Sembian standards. A light purple cloak hides his clothing and gear. He watches down the street as the half-orc ties Holland's hands and feet tightly, and then places a gag over his mouth. Finished, she gives each a strong tug, and then darkness engulfs Holland as a blindfold is placed over his eyes.
The two don't speak to each other, and Holland only lays for a few moments in his magically bound condition before he hears the footsteps of several people approach.
Wrap him, and then let's go, Holland feels himself being rolled up in what must be a carpet of some sort. Then he is lifted up. As they do so his magical paralysis disappears, and the pain of the ropes cuts through him. Holland involuntarily jerks, and he hears a man say, "Squirm again and we'll just gut ya here."
Overcome by the pain and the shock of the spells he had been subjected two, Holland passes out.
When he comes to Holland finds himself in a wooden room, about five feet wide, fifteen feet long, and tapering from five feet high to about two feet high at the end. A pair of metal shackles has been bolted to each arm, joined by a foot long length of chain. One of his legs has a three-foot length of chain shackled to the wall. He is completely naked. After a few moments, the slight motion of the room leads Holland to believe he is on an underway spelljamming ship.
Holland sits up and looks around at his surroundings. Burying his head in his hands, Holland breaks down and begins sobbing.
After a few minutes, Holland wipes his face and begins moving his arms and legs. Both exercising his muscles as well as determining how much range of movement he has.
Looking around the cell for any watchers, Holland flips his thumb up against his forefinger and looks at the results.
Holland smiles as he sees the little puff of flame but quickly drops the smile, letting his face become a mask.
Kain's voice appears in Holland's mind. "Holland, we had trouble aship last night, rats swarmed over the WIND. But are you well? And where are you?"
Holland thinks, "I was on my way to the Red Door boarding house to meet with a mage to exchange spells when I was ambushed and kidnapped by at least three spell casters."
Holland continues, "One was a female half-orc priestess with long dirty blond hair, another was a dark-skinned human wearing a head-dress that left his skull uncovered but held a red gem above the bridge of his nose."
Holland thinks, "I was rolled into a carpet and fell unconscious, I am now in an enclosed wooden room on a spelljammer underway, naked and chained to the wall."
"Oh no... Oh no... Oh no... What do we do?" Kain sends frantically. "I'll have those who know Bral search out leads on those characters. Red Door, who is the mage you were to meet? And when we break contact, I know not if I will be able to range you again Holland, you are very far away I think. Anything else you can think of Holland?"
Holland thinks back, "Probably a false name but it was Magister Si Lung of Karatin. They haven't killed me, so they want something. Ask Deigatt about Milken, read my logbook. I could have been sold into slavery, I just don't know. Don't give up on me, I am counting on you to rescue me."
"We will not give up the search Holland," Kain sends emphatically. "I wish I could maintain contact with you throughout, but that is not the way my abilities function. Endure Holland, we will find you," Kain finishes, breaking the mind link.
Getting down into position, Holland begins doing sets of calisthenics. Alternating between various forms of push-ups and various forms of sit-ups, Holland stops after the third set, his muscles wavering with exertion. Lying back down, Holland closes his eyes and attempts to fall back asleep.
Date/time: ? day of the 7th Month, 5049 OC
When he awakes Holland is still in the same wooden room, but during his rest a small bowl of water and an empty bucket have been placed just inside the door and within reach. The slight motion of the room which led Holland to believe he is on an underway spelljamming ship continues.
Sniffing the water, Holland shrugs and then drinks it down.
About an hour or so after he awakens Holland feels the ship come to a stop. A few moments later there are some bumps and clanks which indicate the vessel is either docking or tying up alongside another vessel.
Raising his head, Holland puts his back to the wall and waits.
Another ten minutes or so passes, and then Holland hears some voice dimly through the door, a moment later it opens. Standing in the doorway is the dark-skinned man with the gem headdress on his forehead. Beside him stands Milken, a broad smile on his face.
"Hello, Holland." Milken says sweetly, "Imagine finding you here. I hope your trip was... painful?"
Holland's face turns into a snarl as he launches himself at Milken. His expression turns to puzzlement and then pain as his body is roughly jerked back and he falls to the ground the chain taunt behind him.
Drawing himself up Holland stares daggers at Milken.
Milken shakes his head sadly, "So predictable. At any rate, let's get started, shall we? You will tell me what I want to know about you fellow maggots on my vessel. So, first off, who is likely to take charge with you gone?"
Holland laughs, "Probably no one; you obviously do not know much about us."
Looking at the other guy Holland says, "So, 'Si Lung'. I suppose it wouldn't do any good to offer to pay twice whatever he is paying you for my freedom, would it?"
"Certainly it would. Have you got 10,000 gold available?" the man grins.
Holland says, "Would you accept a marker?"
Milken glances at the dark skinned man with annoyance, "Don't humour him."
"Now," Milken says, quietly "Let's go through each member of your crew and their capabilities. How many of you are there? How many mages?"
Holland shrugs, causing the chains to rattle, "Around fifteen, we were going to hire on more hands. There is only one other mage, I was the principal spell-caster."
"How many priests? What deities?" Milken continues.
Holland says, "We always were short on clerical healing, it directly led to a fatality. We have a druid of Celestian."
Milken nods, but looks at Holland with a curious expression, "I had expected you to be more... resistant. Continue cooperating and your future will be less painful then I had planned."
Holland says with another shrug, "You fight the battles you can win."
Milken continues, "How did you get to the Barre Sinister? Is your group working on their own, or working for someone?"
Holland says, "We learned of the Barre from the first ship we liberated from Laocoon, the WHIRLWIND or something like that," with a smile Holland says, "Our first ship, you remember the STAR don't you Milken? You met it on Shipwrecker." Shaking his head Holland says, "As for your other question we used to work for House Moune but we bought out our contract and now work free-lance."
Turning to face the unknown mage Holland says, "I did let my crew know who I was meeting and where. It is just a matter of time before they start looking for me and follow your trail, if they haven't started already. What day is this?"
The man smiles, "They plan to track me through wildspace, eh? What an impressive feat that would be."
Holland says, "They are persistent. You would be surprised."
Milken says, "But how did you get to the Barre, Holland? We know you were aboard none of the vessels in port."
Holland responds, "We had some difficulties with the STAR and had to scrap together a workable ship. We snuck into the Barre and were able, with little difficulty, to liberate our second ship. We call it the NIGHTWIND." Holland smiles, "You would know the ship. I set up my quarters, sleeping in your bed."
Holland says to the other gentleman, "I know Milken; but I would think that your name is not "Si Lung", might I know what to call you by? I assume that this is your ship."
"'Master' will do for now." the dark man says, "But I doubt we'll have a long acquaintance."
Milken says, "Now, describe and name the other mage in your group. Then describe and name the priest."
Holland says, "Leera is the other mage. Raken is the druid." Holland then physically describes Elmarelena and Galen.
Milken smiles, "Well, I had already planned on letting you live, Holland. Mages sell pretty well on the market; I'd savor this time. Could be the Illithids who buy you, after all."
"My group would probably be willing to pay a ransom, most likely more than you could get for selling me on the open slave market," Holland lets those words sink in before asking, "Incidentally, how much time do I have?"
Milken and the dark man close the door behind them as they leave.
Holland frowns at the closed door and looks down at his chains.
Holland examines the chains for a while and finally begins testing out cantrips on them. Using a refinement of 'fire finger', Holland produces a short burst of flame aimed directly on one of the links on the chain that holds him to the wall. He repeats the cantrip numerous times, but finally gives up, seeing that the chain will not weaken.
Holland remains sitting, his eyes closed and softly hitting his head his head against the wall behind him.
Holland sits for over an hour, from the feeling of the ship it still rests in place, tied alongside whatever vessel Milken came on.
There's some more movement and then the man with the gem headdress reenters the room, followed by a stranger. This new comer wears chainmail, a short sword and has long brown hair framing a rather handsome face. He isn't smiling.
"You will answer my questions," the new comer says, "Honestly, or you will feel a great deal of pain."
He motions with his hand and a pair of large half-orcs moves into the room and descend upon Holland.
Holland says, "Threats are not necessary, I have answered all questions put to me."
As the men hold Holland down, the man answers, "I am not as soft-headed as Milken. But we shall give you a chance... What did you find aboard the NIGHT PROWLER? List everything you can think of, and where you found it."
Holland says slowly, his eyes unfocused in concentration, "We found in the Galley a dwarven slave, whom we gave his freedom. In the Captain's cabin: a lantern, hourglass, and sword. There was a spell book but it exploded and was consumed by the ensuing fire. There also was a chest, it contained the slave's personal belongings as well as a merchant's scale and a sextant."
Holland pauses and then continues, "The next cabin forward of the Captain's [9] we find some clothing but little else. We believe the gnome witch escaped out the porthole when we took the ship."
Holland continues, "The next cabin forward [8] we found some cloaks, another lantern and a hand crossbow."
Holland continues, "Forward of the galley [11] the room was empty. Forward of that [10] we found two meager spell books, some parchment and a healer's bag."
Holland continues, "In the crew quarters we found some minor coins and some heavy crossbows and in storage several hundred days of food. In the Helm we found some spell-trapped papers."
Holland concludes, "That is all I can remember, but to be honest, I may have missed some things."
The man snorts, "Nothing else, no other books or papers?"
Holland is quiet for a second, his face screwed tight in concentration, "As I said there were some papers on the Bridge but they were magically trapped and we hadn't had a chance to disarm them yet," Holland pauses and his eyes go wide in remembrance, "Oh, there was another small thin book but the dwarf slave claimed it as his, I didn't think to look in it."
"Where was this book found?" the man asks.
Holland replies, "In the Captain's cabin, in his chest."
"Hmmmf." He looks Holland over for several long moments, and then he calls over his shoulder. "Send Milken and a couple more men down, please."
Milken and two more sailor types move in. Milken looks at the strange individual, "Get what you needed, Froa?" Milken smiles, "Did they find Dred's clue to Blackjammer's Cutlass?"
The newcomer gets a look of surprise and fury on his face as Milken speaks, "How did you... This is a dangerous game you play, Milken. Do you wish to cross Dred?"
Milken chuckles, "You're not Dred, priest, just his errand boy. We'll bring that prize back to him together."
Froa glowers at Milken but says nothing.
Milken glances back at Holland, and a broad smile crosses his face, "Well, Holland, I think our time together has just about come to an end."
The two new sailors join the other two and add their weight to the others holding Holland down.
Milken draws his shortsword, "See, the mind flayers won't care if you've got a hand when they buy you, that won't affect how your brain tastes. And most others who'll be looking for slave mages will want 'em as helmsman. Don't need a hand for that, either..."
Milken moves forward as one of the pirates holds Holland's left hand out at the ready....
Holland struggles as much as possible with the four bodies atop him. He tries to move his hands but the half-orcs quickly pin his hands down preventing the slightest chance of any spells. Unable to move Holland sobs, "No... Not my hand..."
Milken smiles, "You should have stayed on Toril, Holland, you persistent little prick." He begins cutting with the sword...
Tears of frustration fill Holland's eyes as he watches the blade come down. A sharp stab of pain followed by a wave of crimson, "Ha! He a bleeder!" one of the half-orcs grunts. Holland is spared any further comments as he slips into the oblivion of unconsciousness.
Holland comes to a few moments later. Froa, the man in chainmail, is kneeling over him. "I'm surprised Ares saw fit to heal a coward like you. I suppose he just wanted me to have the slave price for you."
He stands, and follows the rest out of the room. They close the door behind them.
Holland sits on the floor staring dumbly at the stump that used to be his left hand. Gently he runs his right hand along the stump before a shudder passes across his body. Holland finds that pulling the manacle off his left wrist isn't too difficult now that he is missing his hand. Laughing Holland says, "Now if they would only chop off my other hand and feet, I could get free!" Holland's laughing takes on the tone of hysterics before breaking down into sobs.
Rolling onto his side, Holland tightens up into the fetal position, his stump cradled tightly against his chest, tears still streaming down his cheeks as he rocks himself back and forth.
After a while, Holland retains the presence of mind to put the manacle back on his wrist and then curls back into a ball.
Date/time: sometime after the 4th day of the 7th Month, 5049 OC
Five days pass, Holland counts each by the arrival of his daily meal of bread and water, and the sounds of the watch changing. No one else comes to visit; no one even enters the room to feed him. The food is shoved in through the barely cracked door.
On the sixth day, the door is opened and a trio of sailors enters. They unchain Holland and quickly replace the chains so that his legs are hobbled, and his arms chained to his leg irons as well.
Up on deck, Holland can see that the ship has landing on a large ice asteroid. No other vessels appear to be around, and the asteroid appears to be lifeless.
A cheap cloak is tossed over his shoulders, and the half-orc woman who aided in his capture leads Holland and the three sailors over the side onto the asteroid, while the rest of the crew and the man with the red gem on his forehead watch.
Holland is led to a large ice cavern, and taken deep into a series of twisting tunnels. In many places the tunnels are extremely high. Finally, after about five minutes of walking through the tunnels, Holland finds himself in a large cavern with icy walls. His chains are slipped through massive bars of ice, far to thick to melt easily, and the half-orc lays an old wineskin and a hunk of hardtack on the ice next to him.
"I'd eat and drink sparingly." she says, "Not certain when the slavers will show up to get ya." As the sailors turn to leave she drops a very small knife on the ice and scoots it beneath Holland's boot, "I'd use this to deny the mind-eaters a snack, were I you." she whispers. "It would hurt less."
The half-orc and the sailors all leave Holland in the icy tunnel.
Holland isn't certain how long he is there, perhaps three or four hours, when suddenly Kain's voice appears in his head. "We are outside the Iceberg... do you know where you are Holland? And are you able to move about?"
Date/time: sometime on the 10th day of the 7th Month, 5049 OC
Holland thinks back, "I was dropped off on a large ice asteroid by a dragonfly ship. There were no other ships present when I was dropped off and the asteroid appeared to be lifeless. I was led, arms chained to my legs and legs hobbled, into a large ice cavern and then taken deep into a series of twisting tunnels. In many places the tunnels were extremely high. After about five minutes of walking I entered another large cavern with several thick ice bars embedded in the icy walls. The ship landed on top of the broad base, next to a large cave mouth leading into the Iceberg. We went down into the broad base, I think I am still in there."
Holland continues, "I was shackled to one of the bars and given some liquid and hardtack. My kidnappers then left me, stating to eat sparingly because they didn't know when the slavers would be coming to get me. My 'hosts' then left, as far as I know they left the asteroid, and I am still hobbled and chained. That was about three or four hours ago. If you don't see any ships, I think that the asteroid is empty but for me. Who knows when the slavers will get here though, could be any minute."
Holland finishes, "Oh, and they cut off my hand."
"Oh Holland," Kain replies, the pain and anger evident even in his thoughts. "We are outside. Ferric, Ives, Billy, Freneth, Druasnon, Talus, and myself will be coming in after you. I have no timetable as to when we will be there, but we will get to you. You shall not be given over to the slavers."
Holland's reply is simple his mental voice tinged with exhaustion and fatigue, "I will be waiting."
Sitting down, Holland wraps the cloak around himself as much as possible and makes himself comfortable.
After Holland's reply Kain breaks the mind link.
Holland sits for twenty minutes or more after Kain's thoughts leave him, sitting and thinking, hoping that Kain's thoughts were real and hallucination...
Date/Time: 12:55 pm 10th day of the 7th Month, 5049 OC
About ten minutes after the mind link, Holland suddenly remembers his cantrip, and uses it to unlock the manacles. He slips the manacle off of his stump and pulls free from the wall. Retracing his steps, Holland makes his way back to the outside, the blade in his hand.
Holland passes out of the large cavern through and intersection and heads up a curving, climbing ice tunnel. As he reaches the level of the landing field, he rounds a corner spots, just in time to step back, a dozen or more figures, including two giff, hiding around a corner from the main entrance.
Date/Time: 1:10 pm 10th day of the 7th Month, 5049 OC
Holland backs away and then turns around. Holland moves back to the passage to the lower level where he just came from.
Holland bypasses the side tunnel and continues straight towards the light. Turning the corner Holland sees another exit to the outside. Holland carefully pokes his head out, intently listening and looking for any more pirates about. Seeing no one, Holland cautiously exits.
And the rest you know...
