Begin a Session
*A pale moon shines over the sea, a lone ship silhouetted against it's reflection. Two men, one youthful and well kept, the other older with his hair starting to grey, rest against the side of railing of the side of the ship, talking.
*The younger one offers a confession
"I've gotta say, I wasn't sure we'd actually make it to the ship before they realized they'd been had and all hell broke loose."
This is met by laughter from the older sailor
"Come now, did you really think I'd do all this without an exit strategy? Worst case scenario we'd have gotten Ben to bust some heads and we'd have escaped anyways."
*This seems to mollify the younger sailor some.
"I suppose that does seem like a pretty solid back up plan. Think they'll give chase?"
*The older man ponders for a moment before replying
"I mean, it seems like a very expensive endeavor to chase us all the way out here so I suppose it'll come down to what's in that codex and how valuable it is to them. I hope it'll prove valuable enough to set us up for ages, but not so much so that we'll spend those ages looking over our shoulders."
*The young man looks over a small wax-sealed map case, turning it over in his hands.
"Seems a lot of trouble for such a small thing but I trust your judgement Captain."
The older man just smiled at his companion and offered some advice
"Whatever happens, just remember what I've taught you and things will work out in the end."
Momentum:6 → 7
I awake in a cold sweat, shivering against the wind. I made a small shelter from sticks and leaves last night but it has proved much less comfortable against the wind than my time sheltering in that cave a while back.
I can't quite recall my dreams, but I recall a snippet of a ship and the sea at night. I grumble to myself out of frustration.
"Remember what you taught me and everything will work out?... I suppose it's just my luck that I don't even remember your name much less what you tried to impart."
I take some time to gather my thoughts before stirring from my shelter. I make a mental note to ensure I never leave home without a bedroll assuming I ever decide to leave civilization again after I reach it.
Back on the dirt road that brought me this far, I continue on my journey. The signs of civilization are increasing. I think I might spy a track from a wheel in the dirt. Wherever I am, it's clear it's the very edge of where people bother to go.
An hour or two of walking later, I spy a column of thin smoke in the distance beyond some trees. A fire! I pick up my pace, my sore feet are no longer anything more than an afterthought as I am eager to reestablish human contact.
Margins(32)Village or outpost Inland(57)Hunting
As I round the bend, I'm greeted by a small village. I guess it had a population of maybe 20-30 people tops. Before I can get much closer however, a large woodsman steps out from the bush between me and the village. He spots me and closes the distance, still holding a large axe over his shoulder with one hand.
Character First Look(73)Swaggering Character Disposition(55)Suspicious
"Who goes there? You don't look like a trader friend."
His words are tinged with equal parts sarcasm and distain. His grip on his axe is as tight as his expression.
I put my hands up in a show of peaceful intentions as I ponder how best to explain my situation.
"Whoa, I'm not looking for trouble. My name is Cyrus, I washed ashore a couple days ago in the jungles that a ways and have been trying to make my way back to civilization ever since. I just need directions and some food before I move on."
Compel(Heart)—3 vs 6|9 Pay the Price(84)You are stressed Spirit:5 → 4 Endure Stress(Spirit)—9 vs 6|1 Spirit:4 → 5
The woodsman is unmoved. He shakes his head but eases his grip on his axe some.
"I'm sorry Cyrus, I can give you directions but you're not going to find much food here in Stoke. We're only just getting by ourselves with the way things have been going. You're better off if you keep going down the road."
He gestures further in the direction I was heading.
"You're on the northern edge of the Vitan Federation, or so they tell me. If you go South on this road you should run into some smaller towns that are more established than ours and could spare you some hospitality."
I'm disappointed in being so close to safety and still coming up short, my spirits that were riding so high upon seeing the smoke come crashing down before stabilizing as I take in what the woodsman is saying.
"I'm in Vitan? In the New World?"
The woodsman just nods sternly.
This is great news: I may not be in civilization proper but this isn't just a single village on some forgotten island somewhere either!
I smile broadly at the man, not letting the internal wave of emotions I just went through show.
"I understand, thank you for the directions. I wish you and your village well in the seasons to come."
The woodsman nods again, a little less stone-faced. "Good luck out there Cyrus, I hope you can get home safely."
While it wasn't my ideal first brush with civilization, I can understand the need to conserve your resources even if it was a disappointment. The main takeaway was a heading and the promise of actual safety being not far down south.
With that in mind, I continue walking South for another half day. I pass a handful of people on the way but none stop to talk, only offering token greetings if anything. Considering that I likely look like a homeless wild man and we were on the outskirts of civilization, I couldn't blame them too harshly for not staying in my presence longer than necessary.
Set a Course(Supply)—10 vs 6|10 Supply:5 → 3
My supplies have begun to dwindle quite harshly. I emptied my flask a while back, the supply of berries I picked are almost finished off too. The heat of the sun is punishing, and my feet are tired from days of walking.
In this condition, I crest a hill and am greeted with a sight that felt like paradise:
Thick stone walls encircle a large town in the valley below and farmers fields encircle the walls in turn. Soldiers patrol the walls, well armed and alert above an open gate. I am certain now that I have found somewhere safe to rest and resupply.
Get to Safety +1 (9/10)
I approach the gates, skirting around a merchant driving a wagon laden with barrels on its way out of town. I cautiously approach the guards flanking the gateway.
"Hello, I'm a shipwrecked sailor who's made his way down from where I washed ashore in the jungles up North, where might I find a hot meal and a warm bed?"
Fulfill Your Vow(track)—0 vs 9|2 Quests :0 → 1
The guard looks me up and down, clearly finding that my appearance supported my story.
"Welcome to Ambervale, you look like you've been on a hell of a journey lad. As long as you've got two coins to rub together I recommend you try to find lodging at The Full Flag-inn"
The guard offers some directions on how to get there, mentioning their white ale is his favorite and encouraging me to try it. I offer my thanks and waste no time heading into the town.
It's overwhelming being surrounded by so many people after having only myself for company for such a long stretch, I catch myself beginning wander before recalling the guard's directions and resuming my intended course.
Finally I see it. The Full Flag-inn is a charming building, mostly white plaster and wood but with a colorful medallion of a stained glass window that dominates the first impression. It's not overly grand in terms of the interior, but as I walk in I'm embraced by the scent of fresh baked bread and ciders that immediately relax me some. My stomach rumbles as if making a request, and I'm all too glad to grant it. I beeline it to the bar and take a seat, the relief on my feet causing me to sigh involuntarily.
"Now you like you've been through the thick of it. Something I can get you son?"
I'm jarred from soaking in the atmosphere by the kind voice of the inn keeper. He's a little stooped, but the his build implies he once labored much harder than an innkeeper should.
"Oh, uh...I'll try the white ale please. And would you happen to have a room for the night?"
The innkeeper smiles as though they were old friends and gestures with his thumb to some stairs a little ways off from the bar.
"Don't worry, we always have a room or two available."
Ducking under the bar, he produces a copper flagon and set to work on filling it.
"Your ale is coming right up. We have fresh bread and roast duck if you're hungry. I might also recommend a hot bath before bed, just let me know when you'd like it and Portia can draw you one."
As if on cue, a young woman exited from the back room holding a platter of meats, cheeses and breads, bringing it over to a booth in the corner seemingly filled with off-duty guards.
I nod to the innkeeper and throw a couple of my scavenged gold coins on the bar. "That all sounds like a fine idea. Would you happen to know where I might outfit myself? I seem to have adventured hard enough to reduce my finery to rags."
The innkeeper thought a moment, then called out
"Fane, got a second?"
A gaunt man in an outfit of impeccable taste at a nearby table turned his head.
"What can I do for you Gregory?"
He gestured at me in response.
"This young man needs a change of clothes, might my favorite tailor be looking for work?"
Fane smiled in response and stood up, taking his drink with him and joining me at the bar.
"Always happy to help a customer in need!"
We spoke as I ate like a king that night, courtesy of the innkeeper's excellent cooking and divine selection of drinks. Following my meal I bathed and found myself with a new outfit awaiting me as I dried off.
It wasn't one to one with my old outfit, but it was a very similar style. I was pleased to find my hat had been cleaned up and given a pristine new long white feather to replace the old and broken one that had been adorning it. My boots had also been resoled to my pleasant surprise and it appeared that anything else I was wearing that hadn't been beyond saving had been lovingly cleaned and repaired. Fane was good, I had to give him that.
As I entered my room at the inn feeling like a new man and was eyeing up the bed for a well deserved sleep, there was knock at my door. I opened it to find Portia holding a razor and mirror, with a towel draped over her shoulder.
She smiled and in a tone very reminiscent of the innkeeper greeted him.
"Hello master Stone, my father thought you might appreciate a trim, he sends these as a token of his appreciation for your patronage."
I smile in return, gesturing for her to set them on the table in the room behind me as I stepped out of her way. "Thank you, but please call me Cyrus. You and your father should be very proud of your work here. I have been in the wilds for what feels like a lifetime and you've offered me the richness I so missed while trying to make my way back."
Portia finished setting her things down and gestured for him to have a seat.
"You honor with your words. I'm no barber, but we should be able to get you presentable without too much struggle."
Make a Connection(Heart)—8 vs 7|5 Portia Whittenmeyer
We talked as she helped tame my hair, and I cut my beard down into a fanciful Van Dyke style instead of the wild, bushy mess it was. I shared what I could of my journey, I showed her the dagger I made from the fang of that spider I encountered as proof. She was an excellent audience, staying after my grooming was complete and politeness no longer dictated she humor me. Truthfully I believe she was genuinely excited to hear of what had transpired. Finally with a yawn from me I failed to hide, she realized she had overstayed.
"Apologies for keeping you up Cyrus, you're an excellent storyteller so I couldn't help but be a bit greedy with your time."
I wave away her concerns.
"Think nothing of it, I confess I was a bit greedy for good company myself. Please thank your father again for me, I'll see you in the morning."
With a polite bow, Portia bids me good night and leaves. I collapse into bed and only a moment or two later drift off to sleep.
End a Session