STATIC 1: Contracts Signed & Market Bound
General Summary
Wherein a new threat emerges and our adventure begins
Regardless of the name for this motley group, they met with Rare and Messelum, determined the details of their contract (check in at least every month, either party can end the contract at any time), and signed their names on the dotted line. It was time, then, to earn that 100 gold advance provided by the city and do some investigation vis a vis this whole Displacement thing.
We Begin in Dream
Our promising adventurers arrived in the city of New Carydam in the Free Cities of Marlock, intent on answering an advertisement promising lucrative contracts for dangerous work. They are to report to the Fickle Fortune Palace of Entertainments on the morning of 10 Ashes for more information. That happens to be tomorrow. Before that meeting, however, our heroes dreamt. Even the most cynical of people know that dreams hold portents and augurs. Some tell of moments of the past, while others conjure what is yet to be. Others, still, allow for meaningful dialogue with entities beyond our understanding. It was such a dream that was shared by our compatriots. They found themselves in a kind of arena, hurtling through the cosmos. At the end of their arena was a gate. And through that gate came creatures with harmful intent. Before the fight commenced, our combatants had the chance to give each other the once over. Here's who was arrayed against the coming foes:- Tridge, a harengon cleric very much invested in exploring Altered states as a way of invoking the divine
- Corinna Himmelswander, a taciturn ranger
- Nero, a monk with self-excellence and recognition of that excellence
- Hypatia, a studious artificer and ambitious chronicler
At the Fortune
As much as some of heroes would like the time to fully come to grips with what that dream meant, there was a summons to answer. So, they--individually--headed to the Fickle Fortune Palace of Entertainments to get more information, and possibly, a job. Once there, they were escorted to the Hornback state--one of the smaller stages in the Fortune--and told to stand by and to help themselves to the provided refreshments. Tridge and Nero decided to do just that, with Tridge loading up on the tasty mini-quiches, slightly touching hands with Nero as she reached for the last one. Instantly, they recognized each other. At the same time, Corinna, always alert and aware, found each of her dream comrades in the crowd assembled before the stage. Clearly, that dream meant something with immediate consequences. No time to ponder that further, however, as the Freeholder of New Carydam, Rare Zoramar, took the stage. He explained that they are here to investigate, and, ideally, put a stop to the phenomenon known as The Displacement and he is prepared to offer good money for those that wish to do this work (cf. Intrepid Adventurers Wanted!). One of the key conditions of that contract is that it is only offered to groups. So, interested parties will have to group up. Perhaps that was what the dream was about? Some unknown force pulling them together? For good or for ill? Who knows? After some initial trepidation, it was agreed to heed this dream and team up for this endeavor. Some might call this a "Dream Team." But, then again, some might not.Regardless of the name for this motley group, they met with Rare and Messelum, determined the details of their contract (check in at least every month, either party can end the contract at any time), and signed their names on the dotted line. It was time, then, to earn that 100 gold advance provided by the city and do some investigation vis a vis this whole Displacement thing.
The Investigation Commences
Tridge immediately had an idea as to where to start this detective work--what if we went and checked out a place known to have "blinked in" from some other plane of existence--Stonks Savings and Loan. This bank, staffed by ghosts, might provide some initial points of investigation. So it was off to Quayz to talk with some phantom accountants. On the way there, however, they were accosted by a rival adventuring party--one that is insistent on having the contract offered by Rare be exclusive. A fight happened with the attacking party thoroughly underestimating the capabilities of our assembled adventurers. After witnesses assured the Minders--which is what passes as a police force in New Carydam--that they acted in self-defense, our now battle-seasoned heroes resumed their journey to Stonks. Doing so, however, was not as fruitful as was hoped, as the employee they talked to revealed a much different understanding of the "Blink" than most Carydamians. All was not in vain, however, as a wealthy merchant--one Frugameer Brightdoom--overheard their inquiries and offered them some information about the Displacement, provided they would do one thing for him--end the feud between his family, Brightdoom, and the family Volmir. Both are influential merchants in The Greenshale Market. If our investigators could find some way to squash the beef between these families, Frigameer would be delighted to share some information that is surely of assistance in understanding the Displacement. Well, okay!The Greenshale Market
So it was off to The Greenshale Market, the rowdy, crowded open-air market in the north of The Library. The community of the Market seems to be rather circumspect with "outsiders," with both the matriarchs of the feuding families refusing to go into detail about their grievances, other than to spout vitriol about the other party. Shandala Brightdoom, the daughter of Isafric Brightdoom, and Farzi Volmir, son of Afna Volmir, might feel differently than their mothers, but conversation came to a quick close as our heroes were asking too many questions for those not "of the Market," meaning having the respect of this strange community of merchants and entertainers. One way to earn that respect is to compete in the Market Challenges, which a series of events designed to prove worthiness to this community. The first trail was to be a battle with the giant centipedes that provide the protein for Brightdoom's famous ramen. The people of the Market (and, especially, the Brightdooms) have a complicated relationship with these sentient insects (see of the Giant Centipedes of New Carydam for more context) and this combat is viewed as a important rite of passage in the Market. So, our adventurers decided to test themselves against the might of the centipedes and emerged triumphant. But this was the first of several challenges. Next up--Pyre's Pepper contest, in which our heroes must answer the question: "how are you with spicy foods?"And That's Where We Left It
We'll see if our adventurers become "of the Market" during our next session.Varied & Sundry Details
- While mingling around before meeting with Rare, Tridge heard a voice in her head warning her of the danger posed by the bandits that attacked the party. Who or what might this voice be? What could that mean?
- The gnome our crew talked with at Stonk's seemed to believe that the bank has always been here. It is actually New Carydam that has changed, has become different. Well, that's odd.
Rewards Granted
Level 2!
Character(s) interacted with
- Messelum, general manager of Fickle Fortune Palace of Entertainments
- Rare Zoramar, Freeholder of New Carydam
- Frugameer Brightdoom, estranged son of the family Brightdoom
- Isafic Brightdoom, noodle vendor in The Greenshale Market
- Shandala Brightdoom, her daughter
- Afna Volmir, produce merchant in the Greenshale Market
- Farzi Volmir, her son
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