Session 1:
Loragil, a stout dwarven archeologist has partnered up with Syndra Silvane, an unknown being who has hired a group of young adventurers for a task. Loragil took to the seas to find the perfect people, or goblins, for the job. She enlisted the following adventurers:
a perceptive but quiet elf named Bros Sabre,
a helpful Asamir, Uvrir Hallowtree,
The charming and energetic half-elf, Riff.
Rosenitte Everglade, a sweet but quiet, Satyr.
An annoying Gobo who calls himself Bruce Goose.
Lastly, an aloof human rogue that is much a mystery to himself as he is to the group.
Loragil watches the group silently as they file into line on the pier, Uvrir has already made fast allies with Bruce, treating the goblin with kindness he may not always expect.
Afraid of running late, Bros the light-footed ranger sprints across the docks readying himself to board the ship. Bruce and Bros banter quietly amongst themselves, the elf turning his nose up at his newfound company. As the ship comes into view, a tiny half elf and rogue fly through the group as the large wooden machine docks. Riff twirls onto the ship first, hardly giving a greeting to the party and Swamp safely jumps on second, glad he had made it in time.
Through their two-day journey to Port Nyanzaru, the group passes the time learning more about the other passengers. Uvrir had once been a soldier but turned to religion, still keeping his fighting instincts, and learned how best to move through light as a Paladin.
A performer by trade, Riff sang of her travels and tested new material on her companions, whether it was good or bad. She wanted the taste of a new adventure and was ready to part with her home country to find it.
The ever quiet ranger Bros, always on guard kept to himself, ready to knock an arrow if need be.
Bruce Goose listened attentively to the bard, staying close to his Paladin ally, not revealing too much about himself. Although the crew could hear him mumbling incoherently, some names fumbling out during his slumber.
Our curious rogue wandered the ship, speaking with the crew and his companions. Swamp let the group know he wasn't exactly sure why he ended up here, just that he had to take the place of the other recruit and it was quite complicated.
Loragil eyed the rogue wearily but gritted her teeth, knowing she needed to take whatever help she could for her partner.
"The group steps out of the ship and into the harbor of a tropical city under the blazing sun. The familiar sounds of a harbor — creaking ropes, slapping waves, heavy barrels rolling across cobblestones — mingle with voices shouting and cursing in an unfamiliar language filled with clicks, inhalations, and singsongy words that make it sound almost musical. The aroma of unfamiliar spices and tropical fruit mixes with the wharfside smells of fish, tar, and canvas.
Beyond all that, Port Nyanzaru is an explosion of color. Buildings are painted in bright shades of blue, green, orange, and salmon pink, or their walls are adorned with murals portraying giant reptiles and mythical heroes. Every building sports baskets and clay urns of colorful flowers or is draped in leafy, flowering vines. Minstrels in bright clothing adorned with feathers and shells perform on street corners. Multicolored pennants and sun awnings flutter atop the city walls. A crowd of children dressed in feathered hats and capes races past you, squealing in delighted terror as a street performer costumed as a big-toothed lizard stomps and roars behind them. The whole city seems to be bustling, sweating, laughing, swearing, and singing."
Loragil flashes a silver trinket that shows her allegiance to Syndra, something Bros notices instantly, although he sees there's no hostility between her and the guard as she bribes him for one reason or another.
In celebration of arriving safely and amongst other musicians, Riff takes a deep breath and readies her lute, only to have it backfire immediately. Tired from the journey her lungs do not cooperate with the half-elf and she cracks a high note, her strum a tad too energetic and the string snaps with a resounding defeat.
This catches the attention of the Dwarf and she sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. The guard blinks once before commenting "...Another one."
Loragil lets the party know she'll be in the Merchant's district where Syndra will be ready to welcome them soon. She offers the group can rest at Thundering Lizard or Kaya's House of Repose and trudges away, the only help she'd give the party.
With a smart remark from Bruce, she pauses only for a moment to deck the goblin, as if she was willed by some higher power to land the blow. With that, she disappears amongst the crowd, ready to be away from people.
The group decides to ask the guard for help, giving up on his bribe as he stares at the ragtag party. Swamp persuades the stern guard that they really have no gold if he'd just look at them. The guard relents and tells them to go east, they'll find the marketplace.
Bros decides to use his height as an advantage when they reach the Fish Market, but the sun is beating down too harshly for him to get a good glance at anything "special" around the area. Bruce makes a quip about that seeming fishy and trips, stubbing his goblin toe against the jutted cobblestone. Uvrir takes pity on his friend, offering a bit of his ration, and sensually hands him the jerky, healing the lumps the goblin has mysteriously gained.
The sun is nearly high in the sky and the group has now ventured into the Market Ward, to gain information and buy replacement strings for Riff as a bonus.
THIS IS THE END OF THE FIRST SESSION!
Below is the map:
