Organized Play Line Developer
|
The last time you met Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng was at his horribly messy Absalom home. His office isn't much different...
"Welcome, welcome! Please sit down, there are chairs for everyone." Drandle Dreng announces as you enter. He's a stout and hardy Taldan man with thin, greying hair and a thick, bushy beard. "Don't mind the mess, just brush that off, it's fine... Drinks! Does anyone want a drink? I've got.... Uhhh... Water! Nice and cold -- Nope. Nope, it's lukewarm." He smiles. "Some lovely lukewarm water! Any takers? The cups might even be clean."
Dreng sits in a wobbly looking chair that has clearly seen better days. It's white paint is chipped and faded, black ink smears some of the slats, and one of it's arms is missing entirely. In front of him is an overly cluttered desk, piled high with wobbly towers of paper, books, and at least five dirty cups. Seven other well-worn chairs surround the desk, although each is filled with more paperwork, books, knick-knacks, and even a pair of dirty socks. Rickety shelves line the walls, each weighed down by dusty junk. In the far corner behind the desk is a messy mound of paper, books, equipment and dirty laundry as tall as a man.
"Nice job you did in the Drownyard last month. And I hear your mission down south went just as well. You should be proud!" Dreng says cheerily. He sits down at his desk, and gestures for you to do the same.
|
Amiri stomps into the office, knocking over piles of papers and book. She looks around the room and frowns. Crossing her arms over her chest she growls, "It's a death trap in here." She does not sit down.
At the sight of familiar faces, she gives Enzo, Bunny Paras, Paras and Mr. Ice a nod in greeting. "It's been a long time since Senghor. You ready to fight? Or did you lose your edge while I was gone?"
|
Bunny Paras walks into the crowded office. She is a nice little kitsune with pink fur and eyes. She looks around the office and tries to pick out a chair that doesn't wobble. She moves the papers off of it and puts them onto the desk.
"There!" She says happily. "Water..?" Bunny Paras asks. She looks around at the dirty cups. "Oh, no. I'm fine. Thank you."
When she sees her friends she waves hello. She is surprised to see Amiri!
"Hi, Amiri! It sure has been a long time! Nice to see you!" She laughs. "I haven't lost my edge! Our last mission was very exciting! We had to track down the owners of four illegally smuggled ancient Orisiani artifacts! It was quite the challenge!"
When Dreng gives them a compliment, Bunny Paras says, "Oh, thank you! I am proud! We've turned into a very good team."
|
|
Paras stomps into the room after Bunny Paras. She is a friendly parasaurolophus with pink and yellow scales. She wearing a big pink bow around her neck, and a fluffy pink tutu around her waist! On her back she is carrying some of Bunny Paras' heavy gear.
Paras sees lots familiar faces! She toots out a happy song, and dances in joy. Then she hurries over to Enzo and gives him a big hug. She turns and does the same to Mr. Ice, accidentally piles of books and papers over with her long tail. Then she turns and tries to do the same to Amiri, knocking over even more paperwork.
It is a big mess!
Once Bunny Paras finds a seat, Paras hurries over and sits on the floor beside her, on top of the mess she just made.
|
|
Mr. Ice walks into the room. He has pale white skin and is bundled up in warm winter clothes. He wears a big furry hat on his head and a fur cloak and boots. He is shivering with cold and his teeth chatter loudly. He has a black patch on his cheek from some old frost bite. The man looks big and strong. Clearly, he is Ulfen. He has a beard and a moustache. Under his hat his hair is gray. His eyes are blue. He has a big full backpack on, two short swords strapped onto his belt, and a bow and quiver over his shoulder.
"The cups m-m-might be clean?" he chatters. "As long as it's not c-c-cold! I'm freezing!"
He nods hello to all of his friends. Then he looks at the big mess that Paras made. "Bunny Paras? Really?!" he huffs. Then he starts to clean up the mess. He is not sure where all of it goes, but he tries his best.
He looks for a seat, picks one, and cleans up everything that is on it. Then he sits down.
"I didn't lose my edge!" he says to Amiri. "I'm tougher than last t-t-time we met, for sure!"
He smiles at Dreng. "I am really proud! I'm also hungry. Do you have any food? Toasty warm bread, maybe? Hot soup? As hot as a fire?"
|
Organized Play Line Developer
|
"Cold? Certainly not! Pleasantly room temperature!" Dreng remarks. He slides open a drawer and pulls out a jug of water, then he scrambles around his desk for a cup. He pours Mr. Ice a glass and passes it over to him. "Enjoy!"
Then he gives the jug of water a sniff, as if he's not sure how long it's been in the drawer. He shrugs his shoulders, and pours himself a glass.
He takes a sip, then waves his hand at Mr. Ice. "Oh, no need to worry over the mess! It's fine, it's fine. Relax!" As he waves his hand, water sloshes out of his glass and splashes all over his lap. "Whoops! Ah, no matter. I've got a change of clothes hiding around here somewhere."
"Enzo?" he enquires, holding up the jug of questionable water with a grin.
|
Organized Play Line Developer
|
Drandle shrugs and puts down the jug of water. "Of course, of course."
Ignoring his damp pay and Mr. Ice's frantic worrying, Drandle folds his hands in front of him atop the table, and leans forward. "Now! Onto business..."
“One of my good friends, a merchant in the Varisian outcast’s haven known as Kaer Maga, sent me a very strange letter, which I need you to investigate. The merchant—his name is Horis Collgardie—tells me that the residents of Kaer Maga are very upset about the Society’s plan to build a lodge in their city and even further upset that the agents we sent are making trouble, stirring up the delicate balance of power that exists in the so-called 'City of Strangers.' The trouble is, not the Decemvirate or any venture-captain I can find gave the okay to build a lodge there! We know it would be folly to do so—at least right now—and so the idea that the Society is there and doing just that is worrisome."
He looks at each of the gathered agents in turn, making sure you understand the gravity of the situation. "In exactly three hours head down to the docks and board a ship called Sixwing Drake. It's run by a lovely woman by the name of Zarah Zendrani. She knows you're coming. She'll take you as far as Korvosa, but it won't be a short trip. A few weeks, most likely. I hope you like sailing."
"From Korvosa, you'll need to travel to Harse, then follow the road to its end at the cliffs below Kaer Maga—the so-called 'Twisted Door.' There you must pay the Duskwardens to escort you through the Halflight Path to reach Kaer Maga. Once inside the city, find Collgardie and find out what he’s talking about. If there are Pathfinders in the city founding a lodge, tell them I order them to stop at once! If this is some kind of ruse, get to the bottom of it and do what you can to keep our Society’s good name in Kaer Maga. We may not be completely welcome there, but neither are we unwelcome. Let’s keep it that way. Any questions?”
|
Organized Play Line Developer
|
Drandle smiles and lets out a chuckle. "Oh, no need to worry over the cost, Bunny Paras! I've already paid for passage on the Sixwing Drake, and will provide you with enough coin to cover your trail rations, a few meals and night's rest at an inn, and passage through the Halflight Path. All other expenses will be your responsibility, of course."
He bends over, disappearing behind his desk and the piles of papers, and rummages around in another drawer. After a solid minute he pops back up with a wide grin and plops down a threadbare coin purse bulging with silver pieces onto the desk.
"To answer your other question, Bunny Paras, the Duskwardens are guides and guards. They lead groups up through the winding tunnels that riddle the cliffs Kaer Maga is built upon, allowing access from the lowlands into the city. In addition to making sure no visitors get lost in the tunnels, they watch for underground hazards, brick up dangerous and unexplored tunnels, and protect the caravans from whatever monsters lurk underground. It's quite a dangerous job!"
"Winter?" Drandle asks. "Goodness no! It's autumn. And a good thing, too! The waves get too choppy in the wintertime. It makes the trip to Korvosa a touch difficult on the stomach." He smiles cheerily then looks at Mr. Ice's many layers of fur. "Of course, you'll probably find it a bit cold for your liking..."
As Mr. Ice reminisces over deceased birds Drandle Dreng scrunches up his face in confusion, wrinkling his brow and squinting his eyes. "I don't recall you ever having a bird, Senton... Was this before you came to Absalom?"
|
Organized Play Line Developer
|
"Patience, Amiri, patience!" Drandle cautions the barbarian. "Knowledge can save your life just was well as any armour. Better, in fact!" He scratches his bushy beard and leans back in his chair. It squeaks and creaks and wobbles.... but doesn't break. Dreng doesn't seem to notice.
"Any other questions before you leave?"
|
Organized Play Line Developer
|
You've heard of Zarah Zendrani and the Sixwing Drake. Zarah's a Pathfinder who operates throughout the Inner Sea and along the coasts of Avistan to the North. She avoids going south towards the Shackles and, although most assume it's out of fear of the Eye of Abendego, you know it's because of bad blood between her and some Captains of the Shackles. She was once a pirate, and left the life behind to join the Pathfinders. She is good friends with Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin. The Sixwing Drake is a sleek, fast, maneuverable ship that sticks near the coast. It's rumoured to be one of the fastest ships in the Pathfinder's fleet. It typically operates as a merchant ship, shuttling Pathfinders and intel wherever they need to go along it's route.
Korvosa is a Korvosa is one of two major city-states that rule Varisia. It has a massive port, and is protected by two military units: The Korvosan Guard, and the Sable Company Marines who protect the oceans and skies on the back of hippogriffs. Korvosa was originally founded by Chelaxian colonists, and was built around an ancient monument of Thassilon — a black, flat-topped pyramid. Atop this pyramid they built the palace of their monarch. For many years, King Eodred II ruled Korvosa. Upon his death, his wife, Queen Ileosa took the throne. Unfortunately, she was insane. The tyrant was toppled by a Chelish/Shoanti paladin of Iomedae and a Varisian devotee of Desna. The paladin claimed the throne as his own over a decade ago. Now, King Kadrix Kroft rules Korvosa happily alongside his wife, Queen Gloriana of House Leroung. There are eight powerful noble families who hold council in Korvosa, one of which is House Jeggare. An entire island in Korvosa is named after one of your ancestors who helped found the city. The skies of Korvosa are filled with many pseudodragons and imps, which can be seen battling each other in the skies. It is said that this is fault of the local magic academy, which specializes in teaching conjurations (particularly devil summoning).
Harse is a tiny ranching town located in Korvosa's territory, which sounds horribly boring and filthy.
Kaer Maga is a ‘free’ city, meaning it is one of the few settlements in Varisia that doesn’t owe allegiance to Korvosa or Magnimar. It is a massive city, and very difficult to navigate for outsiders. It is located atop a cliff and inside an ancient ruin of unknown origin which is shaped like a hollow octagonal ring. Structures built inside this ring are completely lightless. Only the centre of the ring is open to sky, as is a section of the wall which was destroyed long ago. Kaer Maga is a known haven for criminals, cultists and outcasts. It is run by gangs and slum lords. The balance of power between them is very important to its survival. There are miles of twisting tunnels beneath Kaer Maga. What they contain and who built them is a mystery. The only safe route into Kaer Maga from below is through the Halflight Path — a series of tunnels monitored by the Duskwardens. This passage takes a full eight hours to traverse and is known to be quite dangerous.
|
“Very good! The Sixwing Drake is one of the fastest ships of it’s kind. I will need to purchase a few new books for the journey. I look forward to seeing Korvosa again. Kaer Maga is a filthy city. Though I’ve heard the city is home to many mysteries. Please tell us more about Horis Collgardie. What does he look like exactly?”
|
Organized Play Line Developer
|
"Horis is a cloth merchant who has been in Kaer Maga for over a decade. He's tall and slender, with brown hair and eyes. He's of Taldan descent, and wears well cut suits. He would blend in with many of the merchants in Absalom, but in Kaer Maga? Well, there he sticks out like a sore thumb! There's not many respectable merchants in a town like that, you know." Dreng nods, causing his chair to creak and sway.
"Kaer Maga is filled with outcasts, criminals and eccentrics." He smiles widely. "I'm not sure where Horis is living these days, but I'm sure you'll find him if you ask around a bit."
|
|
"Outcasts, criminals annnnnndddddd eccentrics! Thaaaatttttttt's bad Mr. Ice chatters.
When the meeting it over, Mr. Ice hurries to Bunny Paras' farm. He helps her get it ready for while they are gone. He makes sure there's some good traps to protect the farm, and that the person who will watch the farm while they are gone, knows where the traps are.
Then he leaves with Bunny Paras to go to the market. He looks around for a familiar satchel and a nice little bird. He finds a parrot with pink and blue feathers. "Perfect! I will train you to sound an alarm if anyone gets near our farm!"
He pays for his bird, and the bag, and some bird food, and then goes to the docks to find the proper boat.
|
|
"Yikes!" Bunny Paras says.
When the meeting is over, Bunny Paras, Paras and Mr. ice go get their farm ready for their trip! She makes sure that the rabbit-farm-babysitters are there and ready to work.
"Don't let any bunnies die! Nope! None!"
Then she goes to the market with Mr. Ice. She helps him pick the perfect bird. She also gets a small bucket, some thick paper, a paint brush and paints. With her new supplies she goes to the boat. She and Paras are ready for their trip!
|
Organized Play Line Developer
|
A few hours later the Pathfinders board the Sixwing Drake. Crafted of dark wood stained a deep blue, with triangular purple sails and a figurehead carved into the shape of a fierce dragon, the ship is as beautiful as it is unique. Sailors scurry around the deck and rigging, while a Varisian woman stands behind the helm barking orders. Her loose blue clothes flutter in the breeze. She wears a bandana on her head and a pistol and a handaxe on her hips.
At the sight of the Pathfinders, the woman strides across the deck. "Are you the ones Dreng sent?" she asks bluntly. "There's a cabin belowdecks for you to share and -- Wait. Is that a dinosaur you're bringing aboard?"
|
|
Mr. Ice sees the ship and gets aboard. "My name is S-s-senton, but most people call me, Mr. Ice." he says. "It's n-n-nice to meet you, Captain Zendrani. Thank you for having us. Your ship is am-m-mazing!"
Then he turns and follows Paras and Bunny Paras into their room. He unpacks, then he helps Bunny Paras unpack. He also gives his bird some bird food.
|
Organized Play Line Developer
|
Captain Zendrani looks at the dinosaur suspiciously. "Fine. But it'd better not wreck my ship."
She examines Mr. Ice, and offers him her hand in a firm handshake. "Yes. It is." She smiles. "Fastest ship in the Pathfinder's fleet, no word of a lie."
Looking at each of the Pathfinders in turn, she adds, "So, you four had better treat my baby with respect."
She gives Amiri a handshake, then looks at Enzo expectantly.
As the conversation comes to an end, Captain Zendrani gestures at a nearby ladder. "Go on. Get belowdecks. You'll be in the way of my crew up here."
---
The ladder leading belowdecks is narrow and steep. Although everyone can maneuver it with some effort, Paras has a very hard time. With work, you get her down the ladder and into the ship.
Your cabin is small and crowded. There are two bunks built into the walls on each side of the room, for a total of four. They're narrow and have little headroom. There's a patch of empty space on the floor in between them, where Paras should be able to squeeze in, and a single porthole opposite the door to let in light and fresh air. Under the two bottom bunks is a bit of space to store your gear, secured with a net to prevent it from sliding around with each rock of the boat.
Soon after you arrive in your cabins, the boat gives a lurch, a rock and a sway... And starts to move.
Your journey has begun...
|
|
Amiri stomps below decks and glares at the tiny cabin.
"Barely room for my sword in here." she grumbles. "Top left bunk's mine."
She tosses her backpack under the bunk, secured behind the net, then unhooks her sword and tries to stick it into her bunk. With some effort she maneuvers it into place, but it's handle sticks out into the room. She scoffs and shakes her head, clearly displeased. Then she climbs up into the bunk with her massive sword. Luckily, she doesn't injure herself.
As the ships gets moving, Amiri peers out the tiny porthole. "This is going to be a long trip."
|
|
"No, it won't! It will be fun!"
Bunny Paras puts her gear under her bunk -- everything except for her bucket and paint supplies. Shen she climbs into the top right bunk.
When the ship gets moving, Bunny Paras says, "Weee! Fun!"
Eventually she pulls out her paints and tries to paint the bucket without making a mess. She paints a picture of Paras, Bunny Paras, Mr. Ice, Enzo, Amiri, Everbloom, Gideon Wren and a lot of rabbits along the outside in bright colours.
She doesn't make a mess, but now it smells like paint in here!
|
|
"Amiri, you should watch that sword! You might stab someone!"
Mr. Ice picks out the bunk above Bunny Paras.
"Nice painting, Bunny Paras," he says. He doesn't mind that it smells like paint in his bed.
He snuggles up under the covers and blankets and pulls it all the way over his head. Under the blankets he shivers and his teeth chatter.
"It's so cold!" he complains from under the blankets.
|
|
“Greetings. Yes, Drandle Dreng has sent us. You must be Zarah Zendrani. I’ve heard very good things about the Sixwing Drake. I’m Enzo Jeggare. A pleasure to meet you.”
Enzo shakes her hand.
Enzo heads below. Enzo pulls out the two books and places them on the bottom left bunk. He tucks his pack under the bunk and gives Paras a pat on the head. Enzo lays down in his bunk. He uses his Wayfinder to create light and begins reading.
|
Organized Play Line Developer
|
After half an hour of slow sailing and consistent turns the erratic course of the Sixwing Drake steadies. It picks up speed, leaving the crowded port of Absalom behind, and enters the Inner Sea.
The journey aboard the Sixwing Drake takes over two weeks. Half across the Inner Sea, and half out on the open ocean, along the coast of Avistan. Each morning starts with an early breakfast of oatmeal taken with the crew in the mess. You have a table to yourselves, but eat alongside the rowdy sailors. After breakfast, the sailors tend to their duties, manning the sails, coiling rope, and cleaning the ship. Lunch is a simple meal of cheese and a biscuit. Although the Pathfinders get to eat in the mess, the sailors eat while working. When dinner rolls around late at night the ship comes to a stop, weighing anchor overnight. A dinner of fish stew is served for everyone in the mess -- sailors and Pathfinders eat as one. After an hour or so of socializing, the crew retire for the night, to their own crowded bunks down the hall from your own.
As the days pass, the air begins to cool, and the waves get choppier. Soon, you will arrive in Korvosa, one of three major cities in Varisia.
|
|
Bunny Paras plays with Paras and practises her painting. She works on plans for the rabbit farm with Mr. Ice. She also tries to help him to train his alarm bird.
She eats her breakfast and lunch each day without complaining, but does not eat her dinner. Bunny Paras doesn't eat animals. Instead she stays in her bunk room and eats some vegetable rations from her bag. She also makes sure Paras eats well to stay healthy.
Because it is so hard for Paras to get up on deck, Bunny Paras does not go there much. She doesn't try to make friends with the crew or help them.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Cold?" Amiri scoffs. "This land is hotter than a cook fire."
Amiri gets very tired of being cooped up in the ship. She spends most of her time on deck, getting in the way of the sailors. Every meal she complains there is not enough food, and that she's still hungry. She brings her sword with her everywhere, even though it is constantly getting in the way in the cramped confines of the ship. After dinner she socializes with the crew, challenging them to tests of strength so that she doesn't lose her edge. And at night she tries to open the porthole to let in fresh air while she sleeps.
She does not like being aboard a ship.
|
Organized Play Line Developer
|
Mid-afternoon on the fifteenth day at sea, the speed of the Sixwing Drake slows, and the course becomes irregular. A peek out the window shows that you're approaching a bustling port. Soon the sound of other ships and sailors can be heard and the flutter of flags and sails. You have arrived in Korvosa.
It takes twenty minutes for the Sixwing Drake to come to a stop in the docks.
When you arrive on deck you can see the sailors are already scurrying about, raising the sails and tying off the ship. Captain Zendrani notices you and strides over.
"Welcome to Korvosa!" she announces with a wave of her arms. "This is where we part ways. You've got your gear? Make sure you didn't forget anything. You won't get it back."
Beyond Captain Zendrani is the city of Korvosa. You find yourself on busy docks, with ships moored all around. The city beyond is filled with large, well-tended buildings. People fill the streets, and beautiful flags hang off the buildings, flapping in the wind. The city sits on a hill, and in the distance you can see a massive, flat-topped black pyramid, upon which is built a fabulous castle.
Red armoured guards patrol the streets, while in the skies fly hippogriffs ridden by people in blue armour. There's a lot of birds flying high up in the air, locked in battle with one another. On closer inspection, its clear that the birds are actually imps and pseudodragons battling through the sky.
|
|
When Mr. Ice sees that they are almost there he packs his bags and gets ready to go.
On deck with Captain Zendrani his eyes widen. "Won't get it back?!? I'll double check!" He hurries down stairs to make sure he has everything, then he goes back up top. "Goodbye! Thanks for the r-r-ride!"
Once they leave the ship, Mr. Ice's teeth chatter. "Brrr!"
He looks around the city. "This place looks nice. Whoah! Look at those things in the sky! Where to, Enzo? I don't suppose that amazing Varisian hero is in town? I think his name was J-j-jaster? He sounds am-m-mazing!"
"I think I would like to spend the night here. We could explore a bit before leaving for Harse..."