Port Henry – Tusk’s Docks District.

Port Henry is still under construction, but you can get a sense of what it will be like when it is finished.  A single jetty sticks out into the lake, with boats clustered around and pulled up onto the foreshore.  A large open area, nearby is used to clean fish, clean game, bundle reeds and carry out similar sorts of work -  before the goods are carried off to other businesses or sold directly to the public.   A number of other buildings ring the area - a granary, a leather workshop, a smithy, Tansy’s Tavern and another ‘bar’ called The Bottled Nymph.  There are a couple of cheap tenement blocks, but an awful lot of temporary housing – huts, shacks, tents all jumbled together.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:54, Mon 02 July 2018.

It is a busy afternoon in Port Henry, The fishermen have sold their morning catch and are preparing their nets and basket traps for setting out again in the evening.  Half a dozen people are hawking fish – some are as small as your thumb and can be eaten whole, or just thrown into a stew to give it a bit of flavour.  There are a water-swallows, slender fish that are about four inches long with sweet tasting flesh, and even a small snapping turtle ready to make a fine meal for a family.  However, the bulk of the catch is made up of mud-eels, a dull tasting favourite of the soup-shops and working men’s kitchen.  Other things are on sale as well - rabbit meat, a few eggs, a pile of kale and even a few ramsoms.  A handful of dried barley, some kale and a bit of mud eel in a stew,  will serve as dinner for most of these people tonight.

A fairly normal day, until someone down by the jetty raises a shout.  There is a ship sailing up the lake, coming towards the jetty as if it going to dock there.  While it isn’t a massive ocean going vessel  although it about three times the size of the fishing boats that are normally seen in these waters.  ”It’s a keeler …” someone mutters quietly.

The ship arrives at the jetty and a couple of sailors make fast as others tidy up the sails and put the rowing sweeps away.  Two armed men, dressed in leather armour and carrying duelling swords, step ashore and stand guard at the end of the gangplank.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:43, Sat 30 June 2018.

Wyn steps off of the boat and takes a few paces towards the end of the jetty -  nodding a greeting to the guards as he passes them.  His knee length black coat is neatly pressed, the silver symbols of Pharasma on his collars almost glowing in the afternoon light.  Bare headed his flowing hair almost seems to ripple in the breeze as he surveys the sights before him.

”This’ll be it then …” he mutters quietly.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:14, Sat 30 June 2018.

Cloak billowing as she steps lightly onto the gangplank, Berta looks out at the port arrayed before her.  Tall and strong, the unruly red tresses jammed under a much-loved, wide-brimmed hat can't be made worse by the stiff breeze as she lithely covers the distance to the dock, a pair of blades swinging by her side and her confident expression as she nods to the guards betraying nothing of her feelings.

"Looks quiet enough," she tells her brother.  "Smells of fish, though."

She shrugs and smiles, clapping him on the shoulder.  "I like fish.  As long as they have something palatable to wash it down with."

"Seems we've got the locals' attention too," she tilts her head to bring the interested stares to Wyn's attention.  "Maybe they haven't seen a priest before in these wild lands ?"

Gedd walks down the gangplank a few paces behind Berta but doesn't look around at the scenery until his feet are firmly on the wooden planks of the jetty. Even then he looks a bit disconcerted.

"After so long at sea you'd think I would be used to it by now," he grumbles. "I don't think I'll ever get used to this. I know this jetty is solid, or at least I hope it is, but it feels just like it is moving underfoot like the boat did!"

He sighs and adjusts his grip on the composite longbow he carries in his left hand. He glances at the onlookers then grins at Berta.

"Oh, I expect this place is just crawling with priests. I bet they just haven't seen a redhead in months!"

"I'm wearing the hat !" Berta retorts to Gedd.  "And if you think the locals are staring at me, just wait till Marceline gets down here !"

"Will Winnie be alright ?" she asks Wyn, voice less strident and showing concern.  "Should I go back and help Marceline ?"

"Oh, I'll be fine ... and I am sure that Marcy will as well." Winnie says softly from right behind her sister-in-law.  "Is your hearing still Ok, Berta?" the girl questions mischievously, teasing that Berta hadn't realised that she was right there.

"It is a bit of an ... unfinished ... place, isn't it?  I wasn't expecting it to be quite this basic.  Mind you, that tower up there looks as if it means business." she adds thoughtfully as she notices Tusk Keep overlooking the docks district.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:49, Sat 30 June 2018.

A lithe, cloaked and disheveled armored mess follows the Roths off the boat, red hair messily peeking out haphazardly beneath the hood. Pulling her hood down to get a better view of her surroundings, Marceline huffs a few wayward strands from her face and looks around at the still-being-built town impassively as she fall in behind the Roths, eyebrow tweaked at their banter.

"I am fine, although it is good to be done with ships." she says in her quiet way as she stretches the stiffness out of her arms, giving Berta a look. "If red hair is all it takes, we'll be queens by the weeks end." She quips subtly as she takes in the town.

"Hm. It's very...rustic. Maybe we will cause a stir."

The older, grey-haired man who follows them down the gangplank looks old enough to be the father, or perhaps even grandfather, of any of the three young women. He looks like he would fit right in among the locals staring at the boat.

"Two redheads and a blonde stepped off the boat and stared at the town in front of 'em.
"It's very rustic!"
"It's a bit unfinished!"
"It smells of fish!" they said.

"Ha, you lasses are priceless! That's what a proper frontier town looks like, all right. And the folk here'll be just as rustic and unfinished, too. But don't you go telling 'em that's what you think of the place. They'll be good folk despite how they might look on the outside, but proud of what they are building here and none too happy to hear a bad word said about it. Don't give 'em reason to decide they don't like you before they get to know you - that's my advice as one who's seen frontier towns before and made some good friends there too."

Winnie allows herself to smile gently, and responds to Pete's comments out of the side of her mouth  "And now he is trying to teach me, an ex-barmaid who relied on customer tips, how to schmooze the locals ..."

"Ha, and very good at it you were as well," Pete agreed with Winnie. "But you're not behind a bar now, lass." At that he smacks his lips and adds, "Speaking of which, I wonder what the local drinking hole is like here. I wonder if they've anything close to Poacher's Pale Ale?"

"What an excellent idea." Wyn agrees, before turning back to talk to the boat's captain.  "If you would be good enough to keep our trunks aboard until we return, I'll stand the drinks for your crew tonight."

At the nod from the captain Wyn strides out into the square "It that a bar?" He asks one of the locals, pointing at Tansy's Tavern.  When he gets a nod, Wyn thanks the man and leads the way across to the tavern.

By the time anyone else gets here, there is a crowd of people down by the jetty, looking at the new vessel that has arrived, but keeping well back from the two guards, both armed with Aldori duelling swords that guard the gangplank.

Another small crowd hang around outside Tansy's tavern, some craning their necks trying to see what is going on.

Pipre stops by the Bottled Nymph, letting Thistle find her own way into the back yard. Thistle is often times more reliable about being where she should be than her mistress, Pipre, is. She nods at Big Job, leaning against a crude caryatid column-- still a work in progress-- before squinting down towards the port. "Huh, a to-do. Go grab Serenity for me? We're going to drum up some business. You don't have any compunctions in dealing with sailors, do ya Big Job?"

"Nah, I hain't got any compunctions," Big Job says, puffing his pipe and going inside just as a few girls in lace and expertly placed faces stick their heads out the window nearby.

He returns in time to disrupt Pipre's casual flirting and teasing with the girls.

"Sailors? Brutally uncomplicated most of the time, gives one a sense of a night's work well done to see them line up to head out in the morning. May have to bring in the whole cleaning staff, though."

Serenity takes Pipre's offered arm and strolls down toward Tansy's Tavern as a first stop.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:08, Tue 03 July 2018.

Pipre stops Wyn on their way to the bar, "Good day, sir, all of you. Are you, by chance, recently arrived here by way of that fine ship at port? I'm Pipre, a Councilor of Tusk Town, and would like to greet you properly. We haven't had.. well, any arrivals by the port so far, none that we hadn't arranged with our other holdings at least. Let me ask, what brings you here to our burgeoning town? In other words, how may we welcome you?"

Pipre sends Serenity on to head to the ship and to work her wiles on the captain, promising a safe place for their men to take care of business.

Wyn is just about to follow his family into the bar when Pipre stops him.  He looks her up and down for a moment, and then grins.  "It's OK guys, this lady has offered to buy the drinks ...." then he holds the door to allow Pipre to enter the tavern in front of him.

As serenity approaches the guards, their swords suddenly appear in their hands.  Onlookers could see that they drew the swords, but so quickly and smoothly it almost deceived the eye.  Standing with their swords out they block the way   "The jetty is closed." they say very formally.

Serenity doesn't push her luck and instead goes back to the Bottled Nymph.

Pipre opens her mouth and then closes it in a smile. She moves into the doorframe and then turns around, leaning against the threshold. "Don't excuse my etiquette for weakness. If I offer to buy you a drink you'll full well know it, sir. Now, shall we continue with etiquette?"

18:22, Today: Pipre rolled 31 using 1d20+12.  diplomacy.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Tue 03 July 2018.

Coming in hot on Pipre's heels, Adoven hears the declaration. Pulling his scorpion whip out in a practiced motion that bespoke dueler's training, he says "unless you are declaring yourselves pirates, the jetty is still mine. I determine whether or not it is closed. Now, if you wish to negotiate exclusive use for a limited time, I am open to offers. If you're simply pirates, I've dealt with those before as well."


Intimidate 16 on d20+9.
Diplomacy 18 on d20+9.

From the crowd Silvius pipes up, his voice loud and clear.

"It is not wise to upset the lords of the town you are staying in. Especially when they have a legacy of slaying tyrants and bandit kings."

OOC: Aid another, not like she really needs it but....

19:53, Today: Silvius Cozma rolled 27 using 1d20+9.  aid another - pipre diplomacy.

Wyn grins at Pipre, "You asked how you could welcome us ..  We are going into a tavern after long journey.  Why wouldn't I assume that is an offer to buy us a drink?", Then he shrugs, and continues  "OK, we'll pay for the drinks -  but I certainly don't do hanging around on street corners chatting to young women in revealing clothing.  Well not anymore.  My wife would kill me."

With that he ducks through the door and into the building, so that any conversations happen inside.

At the jetty the two guards  stand firm - without saying a word.  However, the captain of the vessel steps ashore behind them and they part to allow him through to stand in front of Adoven.    He reaches into a pouch and then counts out a few coins, checking them over carefully before holding them out to Adoven.

Speaking quite gently he says "I am Bannar Yitis-Aldori, this is five gold pieces to cover this short stay - and it is more than enough for a week's stay in most ports.  Now, If I were you, I would put up your whip, before my men get twitchy."  He holds the coins out, but appears to smile at Adoven's words, then adds  "Then you are new to the River Kingdoms?  Most people would recognise a Mivonese ship when they see one, and would take particular care around one that carried an Aldori guard.  Any physical threat to this ship will lead to your death, as I have a contract to guard my employers possessions from bandits and pirates.  And you know what the River Freedoms say ....  You have what you hold .... "
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 12:24, Wed 04 July 2018.

Adoven accepts the gold with a smile. "As you say, you have what you hold. This is certainly a generous offer, and I accept. Know only that I too protect that which is mine, both with steel" he says as he recoils his whip, "and with magic, Master Yitis-Aldori." He looks askance at the two aldori swordsmen, then turns back to the ship's master. "Is there anything I can assist you in, sir? Unless some of these men are here to sign up as instructors at my new Sword school. I'm afraid it's still in the planning stages at this moment."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:44, Thu 05 July 2018.

Domitius followed the crowd to see the new arrivals, he stood near Silvius and watched the town elders interact with the newcomers.  As Adoven moved to confront the ships Captain Domitius moved through the crowd to join him should it come to a fight.  He stood five feet to his left giving each other room to fight then waited to see the outcome of discussions.

Andalon walked down to the jetty and made his way through the crowd to join Adoven at the front after introductions had been made.

"Well met, Master Yitis-Aldori. I am Andalon de Lebeda, cleric of Abadar and chancellor of this rapidly growing Tusk Town. Yours is the largest vessel to visit our port so far and the first up from Mivon. We have not explored the river that far south yet, ourselves, so I am doubly pleased to see that you are able to travel here safely. I hope that you will share some of your knowledge of that waterway with us while you are here."

Moving through a crowd of big folk was a practiced art for halflings. Fiddler wove in and out of onlookers until he found a few crates stacked near the dock. He clambered to the top and crouched, watching the exchange between the Chancellor and the newly arrived Captain.

Zirul keeps watch just in case there is trouble.  He hopes things will go smooth.  But is prepared if not.

Zelona hooks her cudgel in its loop on her belt and clambers up a small pile of barrels and netting to get a view of the action at the docks. Though new here, it seemed her place to aid in the defense of Tusk or those that live here, should they need it.

The Swordlord watched the maneuvering in front of him and smiled softly, then waited for a moment before he answered Andalon's question

"I am not surprised that we are the first proper vessel up this way.  There is no reason to come up here, unless someone hires us.  Before I return, I'll have a look around if I may ... "  and then he pauses for a moment to  glance around the around the people gathered.  "You look like you are settling in for the long term.

Mr Roth has offered to buy drinks for the crew, once he has removed his luggage. Then, when I am free that duty,  I would be please to have you aboard for a couple of drinks." he says nodding to Andalon.

He doesn't bother to look behind him, almost as if he knows that his guards haven't moved from their post, and that the crew are standing ready as well.

Safiya finally manages to get through the crowd to see what all the fuss is about. "You'd think these people have never seen a boat before." Though she supposes arrival of the first trade vessel in a new port would be something of a novelty. She takes a bit of time sizing up the ship before wandering back to to barracks, lost in thought.

Adoven speaks up. "I understand that you have shipyards in Mivon, correct? I may have an order or two for shallops in the near future. Have you any recommendation for quality craftsmanship in ship-building?"

"Thank you, I shall look forward to that," Andalon tells the Swordlord. "We certainly do intend to make this a permanent settlement and I am sure many of us would welcome the opportunity to establish regular trade with Mivon in future. Adoven here, is one of our most proactive members in that regard. Would you welcome a few more of our leading citizens aboard to join in that discussion? Or perhaps I should invite you to meet with my fellow councillors in town for that type of discussion?"

The captain is about to reply to Adoven, but pauses to hear Andalon's comment.  "Which ever you would prefer.  Yourself, Adoven and ....  I can fit another couple into the cabin comfortably.  Any more than that, it would probably be better if you chose a venue ..."

Andalon nodded, obviously in complete agreement with the Swordlord.

"I will speak to the others and let you know what would be most suitable. I suspect that half the town would happily join us if we opened the invitation to all, but that would hardly be appropriate. I will return shortly or send word as soon as a decision is made. I will send word to you too, Adoven."

He excuses himself and heads off toward the keep to find Henry, Cass and Pipre.

It is over.  Zirul was glad that there was no trouble.  But one must always be ready just in case.  Not everything goes so smoothly.

Cass arrived at Andalon's request. Of course, wagging tongues had already brought him pieces of the earlier conversation. Much of it distorted and exaggerated. He would see for himself where these visitors stood.

"Good day, Captain. Welcome to Tusk Town, burgeoning capital of the new providence of Midmarch. They like to call me mayor around here, along with a few other things. I am Cass Mordane. Andalon mentioned that you were interested in a conversation."

Cass let his gaze slip past the captain's shoulder to the man's guardsmen. He didn't make a point of showing off his own Aldori sword. Any good duelist would have already recognized it along with the sort of loose, rolling swagger that Cass had when he walked. Much of dueling relied on keeping the hips flexible.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:13, Sat 07 July 2018.

"Hello there." The captain says with a small smile, "I thought I had agreed with Andalon that we would either meet on my vessel or in town, AFTER I have completed the contract for which I have been paid.  I cannot leave the ship, I can't invite you aboard the ship and  I am certainly not going to hold any sort of talks in the street." The captain conclude, with a frown.

Cass gave a grown of his own. "My apologies for the miscommunication.  It was certainly not my intent to compromise your contract."

Cass gave a definitive nod. "When you are freed then. I am sure someone will find me. Until then, expeditious endeavors." Cass gave the captain a formal quarter bow before leaving.

Eventually the Roths return from the tavern, collect their belongings from the vessel, freeing the captain up to get on with any other arrangements and conversations.

After hiring some porters from the  people still hanging around by the jetty, the Roths head off into Tusk Central to stay, temporarily, in a newly built townhouse, one of a row that has not yet been rented out to customers.

The captain and his crew relax once their contract is over and the 'guard' is reduced to a single sailor standing at the entrance to the boat.

A little while later Andalon, Adoven, Pipre and Cass arrived at the jetty and approached the guard.

"Good afternoon. When we spoke to your Captain Yitis-Aldori this morning he extended an invitation for up to four of us from the town to visit him aboard the ship after the Roth family's possessions had been delivered into town. Would now be a convenient time for us to meet with him?" he asked.

Pipre stood nearby inspecting her black-lacquered fingernails.

In a low voice, Adoven says to Pipre "I heard a rumor that certain alchemical creations can modify spells. I'm curious to learn more, when you have time."