The Sixth Ferry
It was the sixth crossing on the Lesk River, and the river dried up eleven years ago, leaving the ferry landing a half-mile from water.
Read aloudA rowboat hangs upside down from the rafters, and a bell above the door clanks once as you enter. The room smells of smoked fish and wet cloth, and under the talk you can hear a faint slosh from somewhere beneath the floor.
Behind the bar
- Dagny Ostrowe, Widow who inherited the ferry license and the tavern when her husband drowned in the last flood. — Rings the ferry bell for every new arrival and charges each one a crossing toll of 1 cp, which she drops in a jar labeled DEBT. Full NPC →
On the board tonight
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Smoked perch — Whole fish on a board with black bread and mustard. | 4 sp |
| Lesk stew — Barley, onion, and whatever Dagny caught in the cellar pools that morning. | 3 cp |
| River ale — Pale, sour, and cold from the cellar tap. | 2 cp |
| Flatbread — Warm, dry, and better than the stew. | 1 cp |
Common floor sleeping roll 5 sp. Private room above the bar 1 gp per night, with a window facing the empty riverbed.
Who’s drinking
- Mirela Castellan, Salt factor from Brackwater, dressed for travel but with no luggage. — Wants the party to frighten off the deed clerk who is due in town at dawn. She pays 25 gp in advance and will double it if the clerk signs nothing. Full NPC →
- Ebbe Tharnquist, Former surveyor's chainman, drunk since noon, carrying a rolled map case with no map in it. — Has the true survey of the Lesk bed showing where the water will return. He will sell it for 15 gp, but only to someone who will walk the bed with him at night. Full NPC →
- Anselm Greave, Traveling cleric of Lathander, sleeping in his chair with a bandaged hand. — Was called to bless a body found in the riverbed three nights ago. He will not say whose body, and he asks the party to go look before the next flood. Full NPC →
- Pim Harrow, Ten-year-old stable boy who is supposed to be asleep. — Saw a lantern moving in the bed last night, rowing a boat with no water under it. He will guide the party for a copper and a bowl of stew. Full NPC →
Rumors (truth for the DM)
- The Lesk will flow again before the spring thaw. half-true
- Dagny's husband did not drown in the flood. He was pushed off the landing. true
- The salt factor is buying land on the dry bed for a canal. half-true
- A ghost rows the old ferry route every night at midnight. false
- The county surveyor has been paid to leave the riverbed off the road maps. true