The six adventurers helped save Captain Javell from the mutated pirates, only to learn that in revenge for what Vanthus had done, the Crimson Pirate had sent her first mate, Drevoraz, to attack the Vanderboren Estate in Sasserine, incorrectly believing that Vanthus would be troubled by the death of his family. Disabused of this notion at last, and partially charmed by the group, Captain Javell has given them a message to Drevoraz, along with one of her earrings to authenticate it. The message instructs the half-orc first mate to hold off on the attack. It may not work on the bullywugs he's recruited to help him. But it's all Javell can do.
Now, the Sea Wyvern drifts on the morning breeze into Sasserine Harbor, and the would-be saviors of Lavinia Vanderboren find that getting to the Vanderboren Estate will not be as easy as expected. The Wormfall Festival, only in its preparatory stages when they left, if now in full swing. Celebrating the fall of the Wormgod a year ago, this festival has been called to honor the heroes of that day and to rejoice at the victory of good over evil. Wormfall, as the holiday has been dubbed by city officials, is to be an annual event, a gigantic affair involving troubles of trained acrobats, marching bands, garish costumes honoring the heroes of Alhaster and Cauldron (as well as effigies of their undead and wormy enemies), and floats constructed in the image of enormous green worms and shrouded skulls. Kites of green worms borne on sticks and strings dance in the air above the rooftops. Green lanterns hang above the streets, ready to bathe the city in an echo of warm sunlight at the exact moment the worms fell and the heroes of Alhaster struck down the foul god.
Not a hundred feet into the harbor, the Sea Wyvern is sent to the nearest dock, cleared out for late arrivals. There is some comment about the fact that you're apparently sailing a pirate ship into harbor. But with the festival atmosphere, the harbor patrol seems to think it's just a decoration. They're firm, however, that this is as far as the heroes can go in their ship. The harbor, it seems, is as busy as the streets. And for the moment, even boat traffic is forbidden as some magical display is prepared for over the harbor, and boats containing many of the nobles of the city are arrayed through out the center harbor. The guards tell the group that they'll have a front-row seat for the display, and that in a few hours, the harbor will be open to boat traffic again.
However, Lavinia will not wait, and so a passage through the streets of Sasserine is required. The route is clogged with entertainers, locals, and visitors, making for slow going. But at least forward progress is possible. And if Lavinia is to be saved, the group can't wait until the harbor opens. The matter is made all the more frustrating by the fact that five to the six adventurers suffer from a disease that is bit-by-bit turning them as savage as the deformed pirates they faced in Kraken's Cove. Time is their enemy as well as Lavinia's. But for the moment, Lady Vanderboren's need is greater than their own, and they press forward into the milling crowds ahead.
