Date: 27th Midspring, 4E 1396
Location: Woods outside of Ankley → Coastal waters near Ankley → Pirate Island
Current Goals:

• Investigate the suspicious island spotted offshore.
• Determine whether its inhabitants are Firebrands, pirates, or another hostile group.
• Test whether the galley-wagon can function as a boat and use it to reach the island.

Leaving Ankley & Camping Outside

After being expelled from Ankley, the party set up camp just outside the city walls. Fenric Vale put his survival skills to work, quickly constructing a well-organized campsite that bordered on glamping. During the long rest, everyone had the chance to pursue personal activities:

• Fenric searched the nearby woods for medicinal herbs, finding Iron Root (used for bone healing) and Whisperleaf / Silverbloom (a balm for burns and irritations).
• Draak gathered stones to recreate the tavern fight scene in miniature, reflecting grimly on what had happened.
• Silithane received a scouting report from his hawk, which had flown to the small offshore island. The hawk reported ruins, signs of habitation, tents, chests, and at least eight armed figures (some with bows, one tossing fire between his hands). The island also had perimeter alarms — ropes with bells tied to stakes in the sand.

The hawk’s description stirred debate among the party: were these Firebrands staging an outpost, or were they independent pirates/bandits? The red clothing matched Firebrand colors, but the lack of tattoos or brands suggested otherwise.

Setting Sail for the Island

The group decided to investigate. The galley-wagon was rolled into the water to see if it would float. Though untested, it managed to function as a crude boat, and the party set out across the mile-long stretch of sea toward the island.

The journey was tense but uneventful — until they neared the island’s cove and spotted movement among the rocks.

Confrontation with the Pirates

As the party approached, they were ambushed by the camp’s inhabitants — pirates dressed in red coats and bandanas. A skirmish broke out on the shore:

• Magra Greysong and Ashlyn waded straight into melee combat against sword-wielding pirates.
• Fenric Vale focused on the archers, closing distance quickly and forcing them to split their fire.
• Lash provided chaotic support, alternating between reckless weapon swings and improvised distractions.
• Silithane and his hawk worked in tandem, scouting positions and disrupting enemy coordination with spellcasting.
• Draak, imposing as ever, broke enemy morale by physically overpowering one of the front-liners and sending others scrambling.

The fight was tough but decisive: the party defeated the pirates and secured the camp.

Exploring the Island

After the fighting, the group examined the island more closely:

• The ruins appeared ancient, perhaps once belonging to a long-abandoned settlement.
• The pirates had scavenged stone and timber from the ruins to build crude shelters.
• Chests and crates suggested they had been stockpiling loot, though details of what was inside were left for later inspection.
• Alarm systems with bell-traps confirmed this was meant to be a defended base, not just a temporary stopover.

The outcome raised further questions: were these pirates acting independently, or were they somehow tied to the Firebrands? The mystery remained unsolved, but the island was now cleared.