Chapter 1 - The first expedition

[darkhugh]

Information

Day 0 - Sunday

14th of Desnus

Noon

 

A call of a friend

It has been a few years since you last saw Wrin, she was a travelling soul that found herself assisting the pathfinder society on the odd occasion, this is where Victor and Wrin had met. She is a fun loving and knowledge person, always capable of providing insight in recruits decisions, as long as they asked her when the stars were up.

The trip from Absalom wasn’t hard, a number of ships travel up and down the coast, and getting a ride isn’t hard, not expensive.

It is about noon when you step off the boat, the smell of salt, fish and sweating men fills the air, a strong breeze blowing at your coat tails. You walk a few steps off of the dock and find your self in the south-eastern part of the town.

For the most parts the streets are reasonable quiet, which is not unusual for a Sunday. As you glance around, and get your bearings, you spot what you assume to be a temple on the western shore. There seems to be a fare hustle and bustle there, most likely people attending prayer.

You glance down at the note that Wrin had sent to you, the address was 60 Osprey Street, which the note said in the northwestern part of town. With little delay you begin to stride through the town, seeing a few of the locals and other clear adventuring types hanging around the local taverns.

After maybe fifteen minutes of walking you find yourself outside of Wrin’s Wonders. At least you hope so, the address appears right but there is no shop sign hanging above the door to clarify. The structure consists of a ring of what appear to be standing stones arranged in a 60-foot-diameter circle surrounding a 15-foot-high dome of wooden beams covered with triangular pieces of canvas.

“Victor!”

She wastes no time in placing her tea on the table and skipping across to you and jumping in for a hug as she gets close enough. “It is so good to see you, it must be about two years now!” It had been about two years, and last time Wring saw you was in the society…She may very well not know you got kicked out.

“Was the travel okay? Have you eaten, or perhaps you want a drink?”

She is talking fast, faster than normal that is, but she has a beaming smile on her face as she looks you up and down, checking out your armour, weapons and any fine trinkets you have on display.

“You must be tired right, take a seat somewhere and get out of the sun.”

She waves around at her shop, there are a number of chairs dotted around, and you think most of them aren’t for sale. “I just want to say up front, thanks for coming, I know it can be a hassle. But I swear I wouldn’t ask for help if I felt it wasn’t important.”

 

[Enigmatic-Vale]

Victor

"Wrin!" Victor called out as they entered the shop in reply to shop owners warm greeting, a friendly smile flicking across his face. Arms wrapped around the tiefling in a friendly embrace, giving it a few moments before releasing the other and taking a step back. "Been long enough, it's good to see you again." Nodding gently at the offer of a drink, he scuttled over towards the table and leant lightly against it, not taking a seat until one was offered. 

"Other than a couple of storms, but rough weather was never an issue for one born in the Puddles." He looked a little bit worn out however, and while he claimed the open water didn't bother him, he looked a little grateful to be on dry land again. Taking a seat the moment it was made clear these were available for sitting ones ass upon, he glanced over towards the tea."Wouldn't mind a proper brew, you can surprise me with the blend and trimmings" Victor flashed a cheeky grin as Wrin seemed to be getting down to the formalities. 

"Not a problem, you went out of the way to send a courier to me, found me outside some farming village. The least I can do is see what's up and offer my aid~"

 

[darkhugh]

On 4/9/2023 at 7:08 PM, darkhugh said:

Information

Day 0 - Sunday

14th of Desnus

Noon

 

A call of a friend

Wrin smiles a little as you mention the puddles, “I guess you can call your time here in Otari a bit of a holiday then, lets’s say you owe me one for getting you to come to such a relaxing place.” A small laugh leaves her lips as she turns to make the brews, upon hearing she has free reign of the flavor you see a somewhat mischievous smile appear before quickly calming down. You almost feel the hairs on your neck rise.

 

“Good you actually got the message, sometimes I struggle to trust messengers.” You see her fill a pot with water and throw a variety of things within it, the main thing you spot is dried fruit. She pops it on top of a stove and with a click of her fingers sends a small spark of energy to light the hob.

 

“The reason I have you here is I need someone I trust to explore gauntlight, or at least lead a group into it.” She takes a moment to lean up against the table “The ruins have been picked over and everyone says there is nothing left, but at night I see the lighthouse glow.” She shakes her head a little from side to side.

 

“It gives me chills, the lighthouse shouldn’t be lighting up, something is happening there.” As she finishes her sentence the pot itself begins to boil, steam puffing out slowly. She grabs two somewhat… artistic…mugs and throws a few leaves in them from an unlabeled pot.

 

“I think the risk might be too much for one person, but I would like you to lead a few others into the ruins and investigate. See what is going on, and if anything afoul, bring an end to it for me.” She does give a small shrug, “or if you really want you can go alone.”

 

She slowly pours the brew into the cups, giving them a moment to stew before handing you yours. The smell of citrius fruit wafts through the air, but the hint of sweet sugars and subtle teas clearly lay in wait.

 

OOC

Possible allies, rules and some knowledge is in the roll20 site.
Currently no intention of copying things across from the players' guide.

 

Edited April 16, 2023 by darkhugh (see edit history)

[Enigmatic-Vale]

Victor

"A Business Vacation at best Wrin." Victor laughed gently, enjoying this warmhearted moment between the two of them. With life on the road being his main stay recently it was better to take these small moments when you can.

"The lighthouse is aglow at night? How strange.. Maybe a spectral attendant?" Victor joked softly, he wasn't making light of Wrin's concern but simply trying to, at the very least, make her feel at ease talking about it. "Only a mad man would go into unknown ruins by themselves, I'll take a team with me, sure it means dividing up any finds, but I'd rather my final resting place not be inside some ruins on the outskirts of Otari, who would put flowers down for me in such a place?" A cheeky grin spread across Victors face as he eyed up the boiling kettle. 

"Anything you can tell me about the ruins, or the lighthouse?" The more information the better he can prepare for this task.. 

 

[darkhugh]

Information

Day 0 - Sunday

14th of Desnus

Noon

 

The call of a friend

Wrin smiles a little at the idea of a business vacation, “I guess a vacation is a vacation right?” When you mention the possibility of a spectral attendant, even as a joke, she seems to nod with serious contemplation. “I believe a number of people did die there in years gone, it was the home of Belcorra. The individual that the Roseguards defeated…I was to say she was a witch…Or perhaps a general of someone.” She looks up to the clear sky for a moment, clearly trying to remember.

 

“It’s not something I know a lot about, she was not a nice person though. But the ruins use to be her castle, and the light house in the middle.” She takes a slow sniff of her drink, a smile spreading across her lips. “The ruins are an hold castle, I think one floor or so. Mostly picked over now, but I think it has a moat, and is falling apart from what I recall.”

 

She stretches out her arms, a yawn leaving her lips for a second.

 

“Honestly, don’t think anyone has been around there in a while. Lighthouse itself hasn’t been lit in anyone’s living memory though, that’s my worry.” She eventually glances behind, north-west, in the general direction of the ruins. Just beyond the forest you can see a light house poking above the tree line.

 

“There should be a few people in town, think a few locals might join you for the right coin. Or there are a few adventurers passing through, can always try your luck with them.”

 

[Enigmatic-Vale]

Victor

"Belcorra.. Roseguard, fairly certain I recall writing a thesis about something along those lines.." Victor scrunched his face a little while trying to recall any details that might come to mind. During that time however he listened to Wrin. 

"Know of any good drinking dens in town? Adventurers tend to either follow the coin or the flow of ale. I'll be sure to find someone interesting in risking their life expectancy for a few coins here and there. Plus it'd be a good chance to pick up on any rumours~" Victor wasn't much of a people person, but he'd certainly learned over the years that money most definitely talks. 

"So.. to clarify, you want us to delve into the Lighthouse and find the source of the Light at night?" It was good to get the details all ironed out before running amok. 

 

 

[darkhugh]

Infomation

Day 0 - Sunday

14th of Desnus

Noon

Call of a friend

Wrin raises an eyebrow at the mention of your thesis, "well, it might be worth getting ahold of your old papers and seeing what notes you collected. Obviously, all the Roseguards and Bellcora are long dead and gone, but knowing about the fort might be useful." At the mention of drinking dens Wrin nods a few times, "a few places pop into mind, you have the Crook's nook...We did have the Thirsty Alpca, but bless them, that literally collapsed because of the Kobolds I think." She slowly sips at her tea as she looks up at the top of tent, various ornaments spinning around to reassemble stars. "There is also the rowdy rockfish, pretty quiet if I remember...Oh, the blacksmith Carman, runs the Blade for Glades, always boasts about being from a decsendent of the Roseguards, he might know something?"

After a moment she clicks her fingers, "I did some scouting around before you got here, you know, ear to the ground and all that and found the names of a few people that might be worth talking to help you" She begins to dig her hands into her pockets but comes up empty, after a flash of annoyance she begins digging around the shop before letting out a sigh of relief. 

"Eugan, Derlad, Koberic and Taeme. She is a local actually, rest are outsiders. They all seemed interested in work, so might be worth asking for them?"

When clarification is asked for Wrin scrunches up her nose, "I think the light is just the symptom, I think something more is going on. I want you to go in and find out what, and depending what, stop it. Though obviously first we just need some answers to what is going on there." She moves across to a small chest, pulling a key out she unlocks it and hands across a pouch of 15 gold. "This should be more than enough for a good bit of work, if things change we can talk again. You would obviously get to keep what you find, I would even buy items at a reasonable price to make it even more worth you while if you are wanting?"

 

Edited May 3, 2023 by darkhugh (see edit history)

[Enigmatic-Vale]

Victor

Victor blew his own cup of tea slowly, the steam tickling his nose before taking a hearty sip. The liquid was soothing on the throat and helped the wanderer feel a little bit more refreshed after such a long journey. "So many leads." The young man answered, jotting down notes idly on a piece of paper, every little lead and or contact would be followed up, no point denying oneself a new point of view or advantage when it comes down to traversing the unknown. 

"I'll check out those names, I imagine if I asked around I'll eventually end up meeting them, specially if they're looking for work and coin." Victor reached out for the pouch of coins and weighed it by jostling the bag in his palm, yup fifteen coins alright, more than enough to hopefully hire some folks and maybe bribe if needed. "Always good to have a dedicated buyer, I'll be sure to keep you and your coffers in mind if I find anything I am not particularly interested in keeping." Finishing his cup of tea, Victor rose from the chair, and smiled at his friend.

"Feels like I've only just arrived and now I'm running out the door again~" He stated cheekily, craning his neck from side to side. He'd pass his temporary fair wells to the oddities owner and then make his way into town, asking for directions to the closest drinking den to the shop. 

 

[darkhugh]

Information

Day 0 - Sunday

14th of Desnus

Noon

On the Hunt

Wrin nods a bit as you speak about the people being easy to find, "they will be around, not sure exactly where. Taeme might be working the docks, not sure about the rest though." She gives you a wave as you head off, it is clear on her face she was hoping for more of a catch up, but she makes no indication to stop you as you head out of her stone circle into Otarti's depths.

It doesn't take long to find the nearest tavern, "follow the river and looks out for the drunken crows," that was all the guidance you needed. At the moment you find yourself outside a two story building, the sign above the door depicts a group of drunk crows perched on a leaky cask, the name 'Crow's Casks' is written under the sign. 

You open the door into a relatively busy tavern, though not lots of rowdy drinking. Instead it appears a number of locals are enjoying a lunch break from work, a few of them look like dock workers while others appears to be guards or local shop owners. There are perhaps twenty patrons in the building, across both floors with a few staff moving back and forth.

With a few steps you approach the bar, which is being cared for by a female Tengu, her feathers tinted a faint silver at the tips. "Drink, food or both luv?" Her final word has a hint of an accent, though its hard to tell exactly where from. A few of the kegs behind the woman are branded with a number of drunken crows, it appears this place is a tavern and brewery.