# [[001_20201120 The Adventure Begins]] ## Session Summary Boris lands in Nicodranas and goes to the Lavish Chateau to talk to Asari. There, he also meets the Ruby of the Sea and Lira. The orc that was bothering Asari comes and tries to take her with him, and Boris intervenes, knocking the guy unconscious. Lira gives Boris 10 GP to escort her to Palma Flora, and he accepts. They set off right away and meet up with Orly, captain of the Ball-eater. On the first day of travel, they come across 4 Giant Crabs, whom Orly helps them fend off. ^summary ## Introduction Welcome to [[Wildemount]], on the planet [[ttrpgs/The Slayers Five/World]]. Wildemount is the name of the continent that is separated into four regions. You hail from the region called [[ttrpgs/The Slayers Five/Xhorhas]]. Your given name is "Fang Beartooth". Up until a month ago, you had lived all your life with your tribe of orcs and half-orcs, called the [[Tribe of the Bloody Tooth]] or Aruuth-Uk. You had always been a bit of an outsider in the tribe of the Bloody Tooth. Other orcs and half-orcs in his tribe were chaotic, uncultured, and longed only for the thrill of battle. While you always felt the same desire to fight, you alone in your tribe would temper it with reason. Since puberty, you've had some strange dreams-- always of battle. You don't know what they mean. For this, you grew up being mocked by the other tribe members for what they called cowardice. One day, you were hunting with some other members of your tribe when you heard a yell. Rushing to the source of the sound, you saw your friend [[Hardrak]] being beaten bloody by an orc from another tribe. You knew he wouldn't survive. Jumping to Hardrak's defense, you killed the strange orc. It was only when your bloodlust subsided that you heard the sounds of Hardrak laughing and of a human woman crying over the remains of the orc. The human woman had been travelling with her orc mate when Hardrak had jumped them, and you'd just killed her mate. Hardrak thumped your back gleefully and you returned with him to the rest of the tribe, with Hardrak carrying the human woman back as spoils. The tribe of the Bloody Tooth celebrated your "victory" in a rare show of pride from them, but from that day on, you knew you didn't belong with your tribe. Unable to bear the reproachful gaze of the woman you'd been unable to protect, you killed Hardrak and left your tribe without a goodbye, knowing they wouldn't take well to you killing one of their own. But for you, it was the last straw. You took the name "Boris" and travelled east to the coastline. The woman, [[Vanlinna]], parted ways with you, although she was grateful for what you'd done. There, you traded some metal armor (because you're a blacksmith) that you'd made for passage on a ship to [[ttrpgs/The Slayers Five/Nicodranas]]. (show Exandria map and journey to Nicodranas) You've been at sea for several weeks, and you never really got used to it. So when you step out of the ship onto solid ground for the first time in weeks, it's a relief -- not just because you're no longer at sea but also because you're finally away from your tribe, from that culture you never fit into. This is definitely the farthest you've ever been from home. (show photo of Nicodranas from the sea) As you enter the harbor, you see a lighthouse to the left. It's made of white stone, but the front of it is carved like a woman. There is a window where her chest is and her eyes serve as the beacons of light. (show photo of lighthouse) You disembark, just off the plank from the ship, looking at [[Restless Wharf]] in Nicodranas, an unfamiliar city. All you know about it is that it's in a second region of Wildemount, called the [[Clovis Concord]], and that it gets a lot of trade from the sea. It's about lunch time. Directly in front of you are a cluster of some shops, and in front and to the left you see a few steps leading up to a large archway, which looks like it might be made of the same white stone as the lighthouse, but it is almost iridescent in the sunlight. Like it's been magicked. [[Asari]], half-elf taps you on the shoulder to thank you. You recognize her. Early into the voyage, an orc thug had taken a liking to her and had gotten a bit handsy with her. You'd stepped in, and your presence and the presence of some other crew members of the ship made them keep their distance. Roll for charisma: - 1-10: She tells you to go to the Lavish Chateau, where she works, and tell the bartender that you know her, and you'll get a free drink. - 10-15: drink + She gives you 5 gold for your trouble. - 15-20: drink + an offer of something more. She winks at you, and you see why she had been targeted by the orcs. She's beautiful, in a slight, fragile way. The orc pushes past you, bumping you on the shoulder, and you watch as he's greeted by another orc with a macho hug. - [x] Notice board: "Gladiator tournament on 19 Duscar. Prove your mettle against Nicodranas's finest! Sign up at [[ttrpgs/The Slayers Five/The Withered Bird Inn]]!" ### [[Lavish Chateau]] Current bartender: [[Jacqueline]]. If Boris mentions [[Asari]]'s offer, Jacqueline will give Boris a free drink and offer to let Asari know he's here. [[Lira]]'s performance starts. The [[Ruby of the Sea]] herself stands on the stage, voice magically amplified, and says "Hello everyone. Under normal circumstances it would be me performing tonight, but tonight is no ordinary circumstance. Tonight we say farewell to one of my precious Gems, whom we hope will eventually find her way back. Please welcome the Damali Diamant!" Lira sings a jazz song. Her voice is not as musical as the Ruby's speaking voice, even, but she makes up for it with attitude and swagger. There's a hint of mischief in her eyes and you get the feeling that she enjoys her power over the crowd. At the end, the Ruby hugs her and you swear you see her eyes grow watery, a lapse in her usual composure. After performance, conversation increases again and Asari appears towards the back, her eyes catching Boris's as she begins to make her way to the bar but is waylaid by some admirers. A cloaked figure takes the bar stool near Boris and gives an order to the bartender. (It's Lira) Suddenly you hear a shriek. It's Asari, and one of the admirers has stepped in front of her and is holding her wrist. It's the orc from the ship, and the other orc he met with. If Boris tries to interfere, a fight with the two orcs ensue. Boris's potential allies in this fight: Lira, Asari After fight - Boris notices that the patrons have retreated away from the fight, but the Gems and bartenders have inched closer. Some of them are surreptitiously holding spells, others have their hands where Boris could assume weapons are. Boris realizes that the women of the Lavish Chateau can hold their own. [[Saralire]] has maneuvered protectively in front of the Ruby. - Asari repeats her thanks and propositions Boris. - Insight check 10: Asari is sad. She's homesick and, if Boris prods, will ask him to send a letter to her mother in [[Palma Flora]]. - Lira compliments him on how he held himself in the fight. She tells him that she's leaving the Chateau and would like to travel with Boris as protection. In return, she will heal him. Town crier - "Feral beasts menacing travellers by the Quoraska Jungle!" - [x] "Annual shark tournament begins in Palma Flora! 1000 gold to this year's winner!"