Session 1 - Welcome to Gethen

General Summary

After several weeks at sea Captain Vivian Dunley addressed the crew and passengers of the Skylark as they neared the Sword Coast. It was a long cramped couple of weeks as they sailed across the Sea of Ash; they were lucky to make it before the bad storms started. As the captain thanked the crew and passengers for a completed voyage, he asked some of the people what they intended to do when they arrive. As he scanned the crowd, he focused on a small human female; dressed in fairly clean well to do clothing. Silmara meekly spoke up how she was looking to inquire about an estate from her late aunt. As Silmara finished explaining the captain started to warn her about all the natives and other dangers that haunted the Sword Coast. He added more and more dangers to the list, and Silmara started to wonder if coming here was the right decision. But as the captain was finished, she looked at her hired muscle Drazer  - a large goliath who towered over everyone else on deck. The goliath opened his mouth and announced that he was here to gain wealth, and was here to protect Silmara. The captain complimented Silmara on having a very formidable escort. Captain Dunley continued to scan the crowd, and his gaze fell upon Kray  - a new hand he had taken on Kingsbridge. Kray had only just joined the crew, and was unsure how long he planned to stay. The captain asked what he was planning on doing during their layover. Kray said that he was just going to sulk around town looking to get into mischief. Just then one of the crew from the crow’s nest yelled down “land ho”, and immediately the crowd ran to the side he was pointing to get a glimpse of their new home.
As the Skylark docked, there was an immediately a mass exodus to leave the ship that everyone had been trapped on for the past few weeks. But as soon as they left the ship, they were greeted by dozens of people offering jobs or attempting to lure the new arrivals to unsavory locales. As Silmara and Drazer left the ship, they were confronted by one of the individuals pestering the arrivals about potential jobs. As the individual started to talk, Drazer began to growl in a menacing fashion, and the individual quickly backed down. As they continued on they noticed a small crowd around a ferocious looking lizard man who was flaunting and flexing to the crowd. As the crowd oohed and aahed, someone asked who the lizard was going to fight tonight. To this, he - Kothar - just smirked, showing his sharp jagged teeth. Next to Kothar was a much smaller lizard person that seemed to try to not draw attention to himself. Silmara approached the small lizard, and introduced herself. The lizard announced that his name was Bork, and that he helped look after Kothar. Not knowing anything of the new land, Silmara asked her new “friend” to show her and her companion around. Bork agreed for the price of something called 'potato soup' from the Scale and Tail. Both Silmara and Drazer were confused, as neither had ever seen much else seen a potato; but agreed nonetheless.
As Bork took the duo the long way to attempt to show the sights, he walked past the Serene Temple of the Ennead (old religion), the Whitetower (Pelor) and the Courtyard of Fire (Harper sect - also Pelor). As they continued to walk they were being followed by one of the crew of the Skylark, Kray. As he attempted to sneak behind the group, he snapped several twigs, and sneezed multiple times; as a result everyone knew he was following.
Upon their arrive at the Scale and Tail, Bork lead the group to the main table in the middle of the bar. As they sat down and ordered 2 potato soups, a meat stew, and ale, Kray slinked in and sat a one of the side tables. When the food arrived, Bork began to teach his companions about the food of the new land, explaining and showing what a potato was. As Drazer ate the food, he created a disgusting mess, but Silmara properly began to use utensils to slowly eat the food, and talk to Bork about magic, and her aunt’s estate.
After eating the meat stew, Drazer scanned the room, noticing the person that was following them in the streets. As he stood up, ignoring Silmara as she asked a question, he moved his hand to his axe to prepare to fight. Kray noticed the possible coming violence, and to head it off came up to the group to introduce himself. Drazer ordered an ale for himself and Kray, so they could then be friends. Miles Pinter the bar manager, came back to the table to check on the group. Silmara inquired about if Kothar was fighting tonight. Miles gleefully said he was, and that Kothar was the undefeated champion. Silmara offered to have Drazer attempt to fight the champion. Miles quickly agreed thinking he was just going to be another quickly defeated new arrival. After a little bit of time, Miles announced that it was time for the fight to start. The population of the bar quickly moved through a door to sub floor were a large fighting pit could be seen. Miles led Drazer down into the pit, to start the fight.
As Kothar entered the ring the crowd cheered. Kothar quickly took the initiative and attempted to tackle the large goliath. The goliath flexed and pushed him off. Drazer and Kothor began a back and forth slug match that lasted nearly a minute. At times it seemed like when Kothor hit Drazer, he just shrugged off the pain, and the same went for Kothar. As both fighters became battered and bruised, Drazer swung with his left hand and connected, which was the tipping point to cause Kothar to fall. With Kothar’s defeat, the crowd fell silent, unsure of what to make of what had just happened. They began to leave the bar and head to the sleeping arrangements, Kray and Silmara both ran down the people who they had made wagers with and confronted them to get their rewards. Miles told Drazer that after that match the owners of the Merry Mermaid may come calling on him; and to not take its owner's, Alston Salley's offer, as they were bad people. The owner of the Scale and Tail - Ferdous Crugg - was much better, and might be interested in having a rematch between Drazer and Kothar. As Kray asked about a location to sleep, Miles said that they have a flophouse across the street that they can stay in the common room for 5 silver each. Kray, Silmara, and Drazer went there and attempted to recover from their arduous night, as Bork disappears into the night.
The following morning the group reformed, and headed to the notary lead by Bork. Silmara entered the office of Bartholomew Brocksby the notary, and began to discuss the will and estate, the notary informs Silmara that the estate has been vacant for several years, and is believed to be haunted, much to her dismay. As they leave the notary, the group pondered where and what to do next.

Rewards Granted

• Winnings (6 pounds, 15 pennies) from betting on the Drazer - Kothar fight

Character(s) interacted with

• Vivian Dunley
• Kothar
• Miles Pinter
• Bartholomew Brocksby, the town notary

Notes

Writing: loki548 Editing: KoshcheiBessmertnyi

Report Date

14 Jul 2021

Primary Location

Saltmarsh