It's already noon when Henricus is finally woken up by accordion music coming from Reidan's cabin. A bell rings on deck. Don't these people ever sleep ? Hearing Henricus stumble through his cabin, Reidan comes over with a very strong brandy. One shot is enough to convince Henricus to leave brandy to the dwarves. Reidan isn't aware of any changes in the condition of the girl the crew fished out of the water last night, so Henricus decides to get dressed and check with the captain.
The captain also reports no changes in the girl's condition. Herkul van Poros said she had a number of bruises, but no visible wounds. The captain also informs him the girl is under guard since the crew is quite superstitious about having a woman on board. The trip will last another day and with some luck, they should arrive in Absalom's harbor this evening. Henricus decides to check out the girl's room and indeed finds a guard who also reports no activity inside the room. Listening at the door doesn't bring much news either.
Henricus then decides to return to his cabin and work some more on the sketch he started the night before. After a few hours one of the cabin boys informs him that Absalom will be reached that evening so he decides to check out the situation on deck. It has started raining so Henricus joins the captain for a moment who tells him about Absalom's harbor area.
Henricus moves towards the front of the ship where an old sailor is telling the cabin boys stories about Aroden and Azlant. During his stories the ship is maneuvering through several big rocks sprouting from the sea on which remains of a tower can be seen, Azlanti architecture according to the sailor.
Near Harbormaster's Grange, the ship waits for a pilot to maneuver through the Flotsam graveyard. Fort Tempest and Starwatch Keep loom over the sea from their vantage point on top of the rocks. While several fishing boats pass by, the pilot, a muscular black man in pirate dress, including earrings and golden teeth boards the Trident, shows the captain his documents and takes over the helm to guide the ship through the naval graveyard.
Henricus looks on in awe when the Trident glides amidst the wreckage of ships. They pass a wreck splintered on the rocks, still partly above water, with metal cages sporting skeletons dangling from one of the masts. This coupled with the old sailor's story about the different sieges that occurred in decades past makes it an awe inspiring moment for Henricus. And then the numerous lights of the docks district come into view.
Then suddenly in between the rocks and wreckage, Henricus catches a glimpse of a hippocampus with a rider, Absalom's sea cavalry. Moments later a griffon with rider glides through the air and circles the ship. Then the Trident finally docks and Henricus sets foot on Absalom's shore. The docks area is a melting pot of colors, smells, and cultures as Henricus looks around for a city official to point him towards a messenger service. Once that has been located, he sends a runner riding an axebeak towards Scion Lord Celedo of House Morilla, to inform him of his arrival. Then he and Reidan look for a quiet place to get some food and spend the night.
While walking through the docks area, Henricus checks out the different inns, one is even in the form of a ship built on top of a tower. Reidan guides him to a quiet plaza with a few more classy inns. Henricus leaves his horse in the stables and checks in for a meal and one night's stay. After the meal Reidan and Henricus take a bath and a stroll through the docks area. Close to the inn there's a tavern complex in the basements of a housing block where some gambling and drinking is going on. After playing some cards, city guards arrive to break up a brawl and it becomes clear to Henricus that the guards are not to be messed with. About two hours after midnight, they return to the inn. In a few hours, adventure awaits.
Memorable moments of roleplay- Henricus listening at the door of the girl's room, hearing creaking noises. After a surprised look on my part, the DM added: The ship's creaking.
- The DM asks if I know something about 'Asland' after which I start thinking where on earth (literally) that would be located. It took me a while to figure out he meant Azlant in Golarion.
- The pilot boarding the ship. If Mongoose would publish The Quintessential Pirate, this guy would be on the cover.
- Henricus looking for a city official and when the DM starts describing one with Qadiran traits, he goes : Never mind, I look for another one. The next one described by the DM had blonde hair and blue eyes.
The story so far
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