Re: Chapter 6: At the Taverna Mythos
November 1, 313
Poseidon had smiled upon their journey.
Or, at least, the bad-tempered God didn't delay them any longer than they might ordinarily expect, and did not curse them with bad weather, or becalm the winds. The party, both new members along with the old, watched as the sailors had loaded barrels of goods to be sold at the Great Market of Argos, and eventually a courier had arrived back with a small sum of money and a note for the captain, courtesy of the Dimas family, satisfying the captain that his newest passengers could indeed pay their fare.
The first day had been slow going, hugging the coastline as they sailed to the southwest. They passed various ships going to and from Thena, occasionally with the sailors calling back news to one another. The next few days then they were on the open water, crossing the middle sea to the large island of Seriphos, where the fourth, and smallest of the city-states, Minea, lay. Stopping over for a night, the sailors load additional barrels of goods from Minea to be sold at the Great Market.
The rest of the time then was fighting the winds to make their way back to the northeast now towards where Argos lay. As passengers, they were asked to stay out of the way as this was the most difficult part of the journey, with respect to finding favorable winds.
November 5, 313
Finally, they approached the great city of Argos, where Poseidon himself - in large statue form complete with trident and flanked by two horses - welcomed them as the ship sailed into the harbor. Bright blue banners flew over the harbor, emblazoned with symbol of a golden fish, symbol of Argon the Proud, who was King of Argos.
The city itself appeared from a distance to be quite different in character from Thena. It was smaller, to be sure, but the homes and other buildings they see are quite beautiful and exuded wealth. The Argoseans loved the sea, and private boats, both fishing but also yachts, lounged in the great harbor, enjoying the protection of a impressive military fleet patrolling the waters. This fleet blew anyway anything they they had ever seen in Thena.
Upon their approach, two of the blue-sailed ships come and move into a pattern to escort their merchant ship into the harbor. As the party climbs to the deck to watch, they are warned by the sailors not to, at any point, jump into the sea to swim to the docks or even around the boat. "We had a boy try that once. We were waiting for our turn to dock, the sun was blazing hot, and he wanted to swim. They shot him dead in the water and fined us for violation of the law. The Argoseans are crafty merchants, but they abide no trespassers or rulebreakers."
Another warning also provided: "Do not openly flaunt your magics, should you know any. Healing is one thing, they honor Asclepius most of all, save for Poseidon and Hermes, and the priests of all Gods are welcomed, but other magics are viewed with far more hostility then you'll receive in Thena or Heraklia."
After waiting what seemed an eternity, their ship is finally escorted to their docking area, where the captain pays a small fee, and the group watches as city guards board and inspect the goods on the ship. Not so much caring for them though, fortunately, after being told they were simply passengers to the city. Finally, they are given the all clear and you are free to leave.
The captain wishes you well as you depart the ship. telling you that they will be in town for the next few days before heading back to Thena.
They are now free to move about the city. It was still early enough in the day to beeline it straight to the Temple of Asclepius, if they wish, though it lay on the city's eastern edge. The Great Market, which was closest to them on the city's southern edge and just inland from the docks, was a draw for almost anybody visiting the town, and around the market itself were numerous inns, taverns, and other sights, if they had a mind to travel. It would be unlikely that they could visit any of the Nobility here without invitation, which lay on the hill dominating the city's center, having no prior connection with the Noble houses here.
Where would they go?
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:15, Mon 19 Oct 2020.