First Day in Newbowland

These bloody privateers! Incompetent bilge rats one and all!
Not only did they leave the prisoners unattended for several days, but they also let some carnivorous creatures run rampant. If this was my ship, I would have had them keelhauled by now. (As an aside, the shadow creatures taste surprisingly good. A bit like chicken, and a bit like fish, with just a hint of madness and despair to really spice things up.)
 
Anyways, the other prisoners are a mixed bunch. Most of them carry themselves like killers, but half of them seem wrong in the head. Of the lot, the half-orc seems the most level-headed, so I decided to work with him to get out of this pinch. The bugbear like to throw his droppings everywhere (probably an ape in his ancestry). The midget seems off though. Those monsters only showed up after he started doing some weird ritual. (The ritual seemed to not be affected by the collar it wore. It seems others have found a way to bypass the nullifies as well. Unfortunately, the winds were quite during that battle, no way to overcome the effect of the dampener.)
 
The other hob in the party seemed to be sharing a lot of looks with the summoner. (Some kind of connection there. Possible lovers?)
 
 
After the battle, we were handed off to some pompous oaf and his militia. They seem like a decent threat, less so if me and the others were armed (I lost my boot dagger in the fight with the shadow beasts).
 
The local mayor made us sign some kind of magic contract. I tried to muddle it a bit, but the contracts seemed aware of my deceptions. No way to know how strong a hold it has on me until its authority is tested. (According to the contract, I have to obey the mayor's orders absolutely.)
 
After that, he provided us some basic equipment. I got my hands on a crossbow and some torches (I also grabbed a leg from one of those shadow creatures). No bolts though. I'm working for the local smith. He offered some bolts if me and the half-orc cut some wood for him, so that's what we're doing. If he tries to cross me, I'll rough him up a little.
 
The quartermaster also offered to trade some ammunition for a favor, but I didn't like the look in his eye. I'll take him up on his offer when I am properly armed.
 
We have a mission from the mayor to investigate a nearby work camp. Apparently workers have been going missing. Might have to gut a few creatures. Might also have to gut a few workers if it turns out they were running off. (Note to self, keep crazy goblin in meat shield distance.)
 
No sign of that traitorous bastard around here. Makes sense, not much worth stealing from a town like this. The mayor seems savvy enough. I can work with a man like him, if it means an opportunity for vengeance.