Re: 1A - TiNH - Part One: A Noble in Need
Now that the entire party is seated around the table, Lavinia also sits down and begins her story.
"As I mentioned, I inherited my parents' estate about a month ago. Along with this fine house and a plantation, came a fine amount of debt owed to the Dawn Council, the harbourmaster, and quite a few guildhalls. It seems like my parents, for all of their success as adventurers, were not as skilled in finance as one might expect. If I’m to get these taxes paid, I’ll need to access my family’s vault under Castle Teraknian where they kept the treasure from their adventures."
"Oh Kora, the tea! Thank you. Please start with Madam Lidu, anybody else for a cup?" Lavinia starts fidgeting with a paper napkin as she speaks, folding and unfolding it countless times.
"So, my goodness, where was I? Oh, so that’s the problem, you see. The vaults are magically locked—keyed to special signet rings. Both of my parents had one of these rings, at least, until recently. My mother lost hers a few months ago. She arranged for a replacement, but it won’t be done for another month or so, too late for me. Which leaves my father’s ring. He never wore it — he had a thing about men wearing jewelry. He kept it hidden somewhere on his ship, the Blue Nixie. The problem there is that the harbormaster’s seized the ship until someone pays for the last four months of mooring. I’ve paid the fines to the man the harbormaster’s put in charge of my ship, I think you have heard of him... he is a brute named SOLLER VARK."
Lavinia starts folding her napkin with more purpose, making it into a shape.
"So after I paid, I went to claim my ship but Vark’s men wouldn’t let me board, claiming that I hadn’t yet paid the fines. I spoke to Vark again, but he just laughed and denied ever receiving my payment. My complaints to the harbourmaster, have fallen on deaf ears — Keltar Islaran is a doddering old fool and deathly ill to boot. He says he trusts his men, and won't help. I think he knows death is close and just can't be bothered."
"Vark and his men are up to something on my ship, I know it. What I need is to find out exactly what they’re up to. Unfortunately, Vark’s not the type to react well to diplomacy or logic. I need people who... speak his language. Which is where you come in. After my SECOND COUSIN told me of your successes against Vark yesterday morning, I though you would be the right people to tackle him. If you can find out what he’s using my ship for, or even better, recover the money I paid him and get my ship back, I’ll pay each of you... two hundred gold. Would that be acceptable?"
Lavinia pauses, and places the folded napkin on the table. It is the same strange flower as half the napkins on the table. "Of course I can't give you anything right now. And you'll have to help me access the family vault so I can recover our family reserves after you're finished on the boat."