Nestled in a coastal valley between two looming cliffs Sets a small town called Otari. To the west, the cliffside rises to meet a well-cared-for graveyard. To the east, a fantastic feat of engineering draws the eye—the trestle supporting a wooden loading chute extends down from the clifftop to a loading platform built into the harbor. This ingenious construction swiftly delivers lumber processed further inland at the mill to waiting ships below. The people of Otari are friendly and welcoming for the most part, although they tend to react with reticence toward those they suspect hail from Absalom. Trade with Absalom is important, but the townsfolk are proud and feel no need to accommodate visiting “city folk.” People in Otari typically subsist on fish along with vegetables from local farms (primarily potatoes, carrots, and other root vegetables), but more unusual fare isn’t hard to get from Absalom.
This story begins on a bright starry night as a small creature rolls out from a small, swirling, indigo portal. The green colored creature lays on the ground holding its head. After a few minutes he gets up and looks around, Snag doesn't realize just where he is. The sound of creaking wood echoes in the night as well as the sound of rushing water. He turns his head to the west and sees the object producing the creaking sound. A huge wooden wheel turns near a river. Beyond that is small town. Thinking to himself, he decides to build a small fire and wait till daylight to approach. After all, a goblin isn't welcome in many places thanks to the likes of his people.
The next morning Snag breaks camp and begins his short journey to the town to hopefully figure out where he is. As he get closer the water wheel get much larger and he can now see the river rushing to the south and curve back around up the the north, and then westward. There is a long wooden chute that runs down from the North toward the huge wooden wheel. Thinking a moment he figures out that this must be a lumber mill of sorts. Smiling, Snag continues on toward the town. It is still early in the morning, but he finds men a some young boys headed out toward the big wooden wheel. They stare at him as they walk by, but no-one gives him any hassle. Smiling again he thinks everything will be fine and that he accepted here. Snag makes his way to a large bridge that crosses the water that he saw flowing west. It gradually flows back down to the south. In the distance he can hear waves crashing against a shore which must mean he is near a very large body of water. Snag finally makes it to the edge of the town and two guards stop him. They're dressed in leather armor both brandishing shortswords. They ask him
his business in town and Snag tells them the story about how he ended up here. The guards tell him to head into town but they will be keeping an eye on him. They turn away and continue on patrol. Thinking to himself, he dodged the sword this time, hopefully his luck doesn't run out and continues on his way.
Snag walks down the Roseguard Road a short ways before seeing a large shop, the sign reads "ODD STORIES." curious, he wonders inside. This looks like a large book store. There are shelves upon shelves of old books, tomes and scrolls. A bald middle-aged man sits at a desk, looking at some old, dusty scrolls. He turns and looks at the peculiar goblin and speaks. "well, well, what do we have here?" he says with a grin. "Me Snag!" replies the goblin. "You have many, many books and scrolls. Who is you name?" he asks the man. "My name is Morbilint, I am the owner of these fine books and scrolls, as well as the high ranking wizard of Otari." Snag's eyes grow larger, if that's even possible for a goblin, and he says to the wizard. "Me is a magic user too, but me is a sorcerer!" Morlibint looks at him curiously. "Oh are you now? I haven't seen you around here before." Snag tells him the story of the portal and his coming to be here. The wizard then asks Snag, "Where are you from?" "Me from a place called Barrowood." replies the goblin. "Me not sure, but me thinks it's very from from here." Ribilint tells Snag "I'm not sure exactly where that is, but I will do some research and let you know when I find out, okay?" Snag smiles with his mouth full of razor sharp teeth and say "Okay!" He then has a look of curiosity and asks "Would you be looking for help in you's store of books and scrolls?" Morlibint replies "No, I don't get a lot of business to pay for a helper, but if you come across some interesting books in your travels, I would be willing to pay you for those, as far as work, you should try Wrin Sivinxi. She has a shop on the northwest side of town. You go straight out my door and go to the end of the street, then turn right. Keep walking till you reach her shop. It's called Wrin's Wonders" With a smile and a nod, Snag turns to leave. As he gets to the door, he turns and waves to the wizard, then makes his way to Wrin's Wonders.
Upon entering the unusual domed building, Snag sees shelves full of adventuring gear and some other items he isn't sure of. He casts a simple spell which causes the items to give of a magical aura. A bit more curious he wonders around looking at the items, until he is greeted by an even more curious looking figure. "And who might you be little creature?" she asks. "Me is Snag, Snag the Shadowcaster." Holding her chin, she smiles at him. "Where did you come from? You don't look like someone I've seen in these parts before." Snag replies, "Me not from here no. Me is from a place called Barrowood, very far from here me thinks. The wizard Morlbint said he would research Barrowood and let me know where it is." The figure nods and tells Snag "If anyone can figure it out it would be him. Are you here looking for something in particular or are you just browsing?" "Me is looking for work!" replies the goblin. "Me likes to be helpful." Thinking a moment, she says she could use someone to help out in her shop as well as accompanying my caravan that makes its way to and from the city of Absalom. With a large toothy smile Snag agrees and asks if there is a place where he can sleep. She offers him a place here with her until he can find other accommodations. Snag asks what her name is and she replies, "My apologies Snag, I am Wrin, Wrin Sivinxi." He asks about the ram-like horns that protrude from the sides of her head. She tells him that she is a tiefling and comes from a small town called Glitterbough which is located in the Kyonin region far, far from Otari.
A few days pass and Wrin's caravan is preparing to depart for Absalom. Snag is ready and rearing to take his first trip to a large city. Accompanying the goblin is a large half-orc male dressed in leather armor. He's got a shortsword strapped
to a belt and he eye's the goblin curiously. "well met my friend, I am Badhru and I am leading this caravan, are you ready to depart?" "Me name is Snag, Snag the Shadowcaster. Me is ready to go!" Along with the half-orc is a female elf also dressed in leather armor, armed only with a dagger and a crossbow. She greets the little goblin saying, "I am Dhruva Ven and this is my travel companion Diana. She may be just a dog to you, but she can be furious when she needs to be." As you're about to depart another odd looking creature approaches the caravan. This creature resembles a large bird and seems to be dancing as it approaches. It's wearing studded leather armor and carries many weapons. you notice a thin bladed sword, a whip, a dagger, a shortbow a sling. Snag wonders if the caravan is heading through a war or not. The bird creature speaks and introduces himself as Akka Dak. Everyone introduces themselves while a guard and a cart driver along with two hired hands board the three carts. Everyone else has a horse to ride but, Snag and Dhruva's pup ride in back of the third cart.
You all set off on your three long day journey to the city of Absalom. The journey there goes by rather well, as you only come across a small group of kobolds, but they scatter at your approach along the road. You make it to Absalom with all your cargo intact late in the evening. The hirelings begin unloading the crates and barrels as you all make your way into the city. Absalom is more lively than some of you have ever seen. Wrin has made arrangements for you to stay at a fine inn with fine food. Snag is in awe having never been to a large city before. He takes in all that Absalom has to offer in an overnight stay. Akka Dak takes the stage at one of the taverns and entertains the patrons for a few hours. City dwellers really seem to enjoy tengu entertainment. Badhru disappears into the city as the night sky swallows the sunlight. Dhruva and her pup wander the streets as she's only been here once before and didn't get to see much of it.
As morning breaks the group gets a large breakfast meal to tide them over for a while. Everyone is a little tired, but spending the night in Absalom was well worth it. The group walks to the loading docks where the cargo handlers complete their job securing the new boxes and barrels that are headed back with you. Your finish get your gear settled on your horses. Snag and Diana ride in back of the rear wagon just like the trip to Absalom.
The first day goes rather well, a brief rain shower travels over you, but it was brief. You stop as the sky darkens and set up camp. The whole group has things to talk about that they saw while in the big city. You get a full nights rest, eat and break camp for your final day trek back to Otari. Half way you enter a familiar spot in the road. Trees almost choke the road in this area. Dhruva yell's up to the rest of the party, "Careful here, this is where we encountered the kobolds on the way to Absalom." Her warning came just as a large javelin flies from the tree line and sinks into the front cart.
Dhruva
Snag
Hammid
Creature(s)
Badhru
Akka Dak
Snag cries out in anger, "This not nice!" He then giggles and waves his hands as a thin sphere of energy appears to protect him. Then with a wave of his hand the Javelin pulls free of the cart and flies back the way it came.
Snag comes out to where the carts are with a few bundles that Wrin had asked him to place in the second wagon and looked around at all of the big folk moving around the carts. He heads towards the second cart giggling to himself and smiling up at some of the big people who pause to notice the goblin looking up at them. Seeing one stop to look at him a little more closely, Snag lifts up his bundle and says,""Hello. Snag here to help!"
Akka-Dak, lute already in hand, starts strumming a lively tune. You all find the beat driving and quite inspiring.