5th April, Wild Coast, Highport, midday.
The party pile into Fek's establishment, a small two story residence converted into a shop. A shady looking human stands behind a makeshift counter guarded by a lone half-orc mercenary. Behind the counter a staircase leads up to rubble where an upper floor used to exist. As the party enter the healer glances at the guard who casually leaves through a back door and returns with a couple of re-enforcements. The guards lounge near the healer with apparent disinterest.
The party initially enquire about a cure for poisoning. When Saab explains it is some form of conversion poison Fek informs them it will be costly to cure, tens possibly hundreds of gold pieces. Rondo tells the healer that their friend was poisoned by his rival Feodor and that he has instructed the party to kill him. The guards instantly flank Fek hands on weapons. Rondo and the guards exchange a few hostile words before Fek calms the situation. Fek recovers from his initial surprise and thanks the party for the information but explains that any cure for Aurin will still cost them the usual fee. The party change tack and subtly enquire how Fek would feel about the death of his rival. Fek thinks carefully before replying. "I wouldn't shed any tears if here were to die. But I'm not asking you to kill him. The Slavers and the Evil Eye will not tolerate killings, well, at least not the killing of people of, um, significance." The conversation is interrupted when a customer enters the shop. After taking one look at the armed individuals crowding the small shop the customer decides to come back another time. Fek frowns at the loss of business and tells most of the party to wait outside "Your frightening away customers." Rondo does not like the idea and says words to that effect in his usual abrasive manner. Things heat up again between Rondo, Fek and his bodyguards and ends when at a signal from Fek a fourth bodyguard appears from out back with a loaded crossbow. Tellius and Edgaar volunteer to step outside but there is confusion about who is to stay and converse with Fek and the whole party end up exiting the shop.
Figuring it is just a matter of time before he is forced to fight someone Marcus goes off to spend some of the coin he took from one of the slave galley guards and better arm himself, not to mention put some boots on his bare feet. None of the party accept an invitation to join him. After some discussion the party decide that they should similarly equip themselves. Lucien hands over his gold coins to Edgaar and Tellius who go to buy equipment for the whole party. While walking the streets near the dock quarter they notice in the distance a procession emerge from the direction of the docks and head toward the citadel. Tellius can just make out it is a chained line of slaves driven by slavers. Tellius and Edgaar complete their purchases and return to the party to find a newly equipped Marcus has already returned.
After much discussion and debate the party decide to kill Feodor and steal the antidote to heal Aurin. First Tellius goes to scout out the rear of Feodor's shop. Just out of site of the shop Tellius ducks into a deserted alley and uses his magical abilities to disguise his appearance before approaching the shop. When he get within site of the shop he discovers a crowd gathering at it's very doorstep. Members of three tribes are arguing with each other with weapons drawn and a few dead orcs from at least two of the tribes decorate the street. As Tellius watches re-enforcements arrive for each tribe. From the bits of orcish he can overhear it appears someone has killed Feodor. Accusations fly between tribes and tension increases. Tellius is forced to leave as his magical disguise is short lived and will soon expire. As he leave fighting erupts.
Tellius ducks into another deserted alley removes his magical disguise and hurries back to the party. One the way, heading in the opposite direction, he encounters a company of heavily armed orcs running in formation. The company bear an insignia in the shape of an eye. Human and orc alike scramble to get out of their path. Tellius follows their example. Tellius makes it back to the party and tells of what he witnessed. The party decide to relocate to another hiding spot. They make their way further into the ruined city and hide in the rubbled upper floor of a building in a deserted city block. The party try to figure out if Feodor's death, if he is indeed dead, is a blessing or a curse.