001 - Welcome to North Port!

[joertexas]

Thirdday, Tenth Month, Year One Hundred and Three (Queen's Reckoning)

WEALTH AND FAME AWAITS THE BRAVE ADVENTURER IN THE NORTH LANDS!
CARAVAN GUARDS NEEDED! TWO GOLD THAYLERS PER DAY!
APPLY AT THE GREEN GRIFFON HALL ON RIVER ROAD IN NORTH PORT!

The broadsheet’s promise has drawn you to leave your homes, whether on the Isle of Princes or in The Islands, and board a ship bound for North Port, the largest seaport in the North Lands.
The ship took you across the Sea of Storms and Lightning Bay, both of whom are well-named, you found. After a tenday’s journey, you step off the ship and onto the dock. The morning is crisp and cool, as it’s Thirdday of the Tenth Month, and winter comes early here, you’ve heard.

The dock is busy with passengers and cargo handlers as they converge on your ship to unload and load it for the return journey.

[Spearmint]

Amistad

A native of 'the Islands'. There are so many a lot are not named at all. Just archipelagos of verdant green jungles or dry savannah. Traders came to take mineral resources, trophy hunt, take slaves (though that dark past has mostly faded as actual practice but not from memory). In return they reciprocated different religions, 'civilization', smallpox and knowledge of crafts, art, magic and war.

Amistad was a man who felt he had feet in both camps. A rural barbarian culture centred on ancestor worship and care for the environs coupled with a personal drive to understand new ways, new tongues, new peoples that 'the modern' world promised to share.

He was an able martial practitioner, if he could keep his more feral instincts under control. As a trade he had picked up his maternal arts in Herbalism and the study of plants, fungi, animal compounds that mixed with skill and blended with knowledge could produce elixirs that restore or empower. A gift from nature than largely remained ignored.

Standing in the dock, his first impression is that you can be lonely in a crowd. So many people, so many "hello, how are you?" but most passed by without interest in answer or questions.

His stomach was almost as empty as his purse, perhaps moreso as he never made a good sailor. Wrapping his cloak he as the stevedores for directions and heads towards to advertised Green Griffon Hall.

[Eris]

Adan still had a job to do!

He had been hired to guard the ship and her cargo until the cargo was unloaded here in North Port, so that's what he would do.

"Green Griffin Hall can wait another half hour." Adan thinks briefly about the job offer he had seen at the last port, "Be good to get back on dry land for awhile."

As the stevedores moved the heavy crates, sacks and such off the ship, Adan positioned himself on the dock his hand crossbow at his belt attached by a hook and strong cord, his shield over his back and his shortsword in a scabbard on his left hip ready for a quick cross draw if needed. The rest of his gear was back aboard the ship, ready for him to pick up and go.

Right now Adan was on duty. His hood was up on his brown cloak shielding his face from onlookers. He stood relaxed as he moved about casually, but his eyes were very active taking in the scene before him. A small smile flickered over Adan's lips as he notices a small boy lift a purse from a fine gentleman's belt, no concern of his, not his passengers or crew. Adan's hand tapped the purse under his armor and shirt resting in an inside pocket next to his chest.

"He'd have to fair undress me to get at my coin." Adan thinks to himself allowing a grin to briefly flash across his face, before turning back to serious business.

North Port had busy docks with several ships along the quay and even more docked out in the bay. It would be easy for thieves to reroute a crate or two from one place to another and he wasn't going to let that happen to his ship's cargo.

Over to the right, Adan notes the barbarian who was among the ship's passengers. "What did he call himself? Amistad? Yes, that was it." Amistad is looking like a fish out of water here on the crowded docks. Adan then sees him approaching some of the stevedores that are shifting cargo over toward a warehouse across from the quay. "What is that all about?" Adan wonders to himself.

Then as Amistad begins to move off, Adan turns and continues to scan the crowded docks to make sure no "hanky-panky" is afoot...

[joertexas]

Amistad

His stomach was almost as empty as his purse, perhaps moreso as he never made a good sailor. Wrapping his cloak he as the stevedores for directions and heads towards to advertised Green Griffon Hall.

One grizzled stevedore stops his cart as Amistad approaches. "Ach, yes, the Green Griffon. Best mind your purse there, lad. Though I think only a fool would try you, and there are lots of fools here, mind ye." He cackles a laugh. "Now, you go that way," he points north toward a square tower jutting up from the buildings, "toward the Keep, and then go left, past the Town Market. River Road is on the west side of the market. Follow it west," he points again, "and you will see it on your left. It's not too far." With that, he turns back to his cart as a leather-lunged voice bellows for "people to move along."

The noonday sun beats down on the townspeople as they go about their business. The brown tile roofed buildings here are of unremarkable stone and wood construction, sturdy and unadorned. To Amistad's nose, there is an underlying hint of sewage, along with the much more noticeable odors of fish and animal dung. For all of the odors, the city seems well-kept, and there are no vagrants or beggars about. The people are simply dressed, but he sees no one in rags.

He does draw a few looks as he walks along, as most people aren't obviously armed. He approaches a pair of men in chainmail shirts with blue tabards, who are armed with longswords. The tabards bear a coat of arms, and people move out of their way as the men walk along. They both observe Amistad closely as they walk in his direction.

[Eris]

Adan let's out a breath he didn't know he was holding as the last of the cargo is carted away from the ship. His job is done!

The crew are already making ready to cast off and be rowed back out in the harbor to make way for another ship waiting for a place on the quay, so Adan hurries up the gangplank and grabs his backpack and other gear. He quickly finds the Quartermaster and gets his pay for this trip. Then it's down the plank and back on the docks.

"Green Griffin Hall? It could be an inn, a tavern, or something else entirely." Adan thinks as he moves away from the dock and into the city of North Port, "If it's not got rooms there, I'll need to find lodging, but first I should find the place itself!"


Spying a man walking down the street by himself, Adan goes over speaking quietly to him, "Pardon, good sir. I'm new to North Port and am seeking a place called Green Griffin Hall. Do you know of it? Could you point me in the right direction?"

Adan will try others if the first doesn't help him. When Adan does get directions he'll stroll along staying as inconspicuous as he can while keeping an eye out for taverns and boarding houses along the way. If the Hall turns out to be a hiring hall, he'll need a place to sleep and some food to eat.

[Spearmint]

Amistad

Ignores the patrolling militia, presuming the uniformed men represent the city watch. He drinks from his wineskin, swallowing the last of the regurgitated food thrown up while sailing. He is glad to explore the North Lands on his feet. Better still on a horse or other exotic mount.

He has visions of his ancestors, majestic on the backs of Smilodons. Such would be a great honour for a noble chieftain. He best he had yet to manage was racing auntie's goats around the kraals as a child.

He smiled, the horned beasts were dragons in his mind back then but they treated him with milk and not fiery breath. He wonders what creatures people hunt in this domain. A Barbarian's nature is to hunt. And to eat what you hunted. He disdains buying meat. There has to be some honour in the chase, the kill, the feast. He looks at the market stalls as he passes by, pigeons, chickens, piglets. Food for the infirm and elderly, pregnant woman and toddlers. He would choose to rather go hungry which was happening now, though not by choice.

Following directions, he takes the River Road west of the market, looking for the sign of the Green Griffon.

[joertexas]

Adan will try others if the first doesn't help him. When Adan does get directions he'll stroll along staying as inconspicuous as he can while keeping an eye out for taverns and boarding houses along the way. If the Hall turns out to be a hiring hall, he'll need a place to sleep and some food to eat.

The passerby points Adan toward the keep towering over the houses to the north, where he is told go then go west to the market. There, he will find River Street on the market's west side. As he walks along, he notes that the tall barbarian ahead of him seems to be going in the same direction.

[joertexas]

Amistad

Ignores the patrolling militia, presuming the uniformed men represent the city watch. He drinks from his wineskin, swallowing the last of the regurgitated food thrown up while sailing. He is glad to explore the North Lands on his feet. Better still on a horse or other exotic mount.

He has visions of his ancestors, majestic on the backs of Smilodons. Such would be a great honour for a noble chieftain. He best he had yet to manage was racing auntie's goats around the kraals as a child.

He smiled, the horned beasts were dragons in his mind back then but they treated him with milk and not fiery breath. He wonders what creatures people hunt in this domain. A Barbarian's nature is to hunt. And to eat what you hunted. He disdains buying meat. There has to be some honour in the chase, the kill, the feast. He looks at the market stalls as he passes by, pigeons, chickens, piglets. Food for the infirm and elderly, pregnant woman and toddlers. He would choose to rather go hungry which was happening now, though not by choice.

Following directions, he takes the River Road west of the market, looking for the sign of the Green Griffon.

The city guards look at him curiously as they pass, but the men don't stop to speak. Most of the townspeople give him walking room along with curious, but not hostile, looks. He spots a young boy who deftly picks a purse from an inattentive shopper at the purse, and then vanishes into the crowd as he spots Amistad.

After a few minutes' walk, he sees a sign heralding "The Green Griffon" ahead and to his left. The cobblestone street is lined with row houses and businesses on both sides, with narrow alleyways between groups of buildings.

[Spearmint]

Amistad

Amistad: perception check [1d20]=10

He meanders along, not too concerned about the pace. He checks the building and the patrons, trying to discern between the cutthroats and the mercenaries. He would hope the recruiter is a merchant with a good reputation. He doesn't mind hard work but figures he wants to know which other potential crew members are likely to watch his back in battle.

He enters the Green Griffon if the way is not barred and looks for any signs or gatherings that would indicate a table reserved for sign on with the enterprise. If nothing if noted he politely asks as barman.

[Eris]

Adan will try others if the first doesn't help him. When Adan does get directions he'll stroll along staying as inconspicuous as he can while keeping an eye out for taverns and boarding houses along the way. If the Hall turns out to be a hiring hall, he'll need a place to sleep and some food to eat.

The passerby points Adan toward the keep towering over the houses to the north, where he is told go then go west to the market. There, he will find River Street on the market's west side. As he walks along, he notes that the tall barbarian ahead of him seems to be going in the same direction.

Aden thanks the passerby and gives a short tug on the front of his hood which is pulled up to protect from the chilly wind and a smile, then moves on.

Seeing the tall barbarian from the ship, Aden slows down and stays about 60 feet behind him. Aden muses to himself, "I wonder if he's going to Green Griffin Hall, too? He looks the sort that would be looking for an adventure."

OOC: Has Aden noted (Passive Perception = 15) any other taverns and/or inns on his walk across North Port?

Seeing the barbarian enter the doorway with the sign Green Griffin Hall above it, Aden stops and begins to look around actively for anything or anyone that looks dangerous.

It if looks clear, Aden will step forward and into the doorway of the Green Griffin Hall. Just inside he will pause and let his eyes adjust as he looks around.

[joertexas]

The barbarian and the warrior step into the Green Griffin's taproom one behind the other. Adan notices that the door is cleverly designed to close on its own after he comes inside.

The taproom is airy and well-lit, thanks to windows set high in the room's vaulted ceiling that is nearly twenty feet over their heads at its highest point. Great hewn timbers support the roof and upper floor, and large wheels fitted with oil lamps hang from them on stout ropes. The bar sits ten paces away across the wooden plank floor, and the far walls are about twenty paces to each side. The room is filled with long tables, each with a chair at the ends, and benches along each side.

As this is the noon meal hour, the place is more than two thirds full. A group of humans and elves sit at one table, their bows and swords propped up on a rack at the side wall near them. At another table are dwarves, the first of these folk that either Amistad or Adan have ever seen in the flesh. They laugh loudly and hold truly massive tankards in their hands as they converse and eat. There are three tables that have mostly empty seats; these are occupied by a mix of townfolk - workers and craftsmen from their dress.

A few people glance in their direction, but none pay them any undue attention. A dozen staff, eight young human women and four men, scurry about bringing food and drink to the patrons. One man steps up to them. "Please, sit where you like. I will be back directly."

[Spearmint]

Amistad

"I am not here for sitting. Where may I find the merchant caravans and the Bossman' hiring." he says to the waiter, holding his shoulder as he passes by.

He pulls out the slip of paper with the advert.

[terrymixon]

Amistad

"I am not here for sitting. Where may I find the merchant caravans and the Bossman' hiring." he says to the waiter, holding his shoulder as he passes by.

He pulls out the slip of paper with the advert.

Amistad and Aden will spot another of the ship's passengers already leaning against the bar, a beer in his hand. He raised the drink and smiled at them.

What was his name? Mirek. Short rangy fellow with quick eyes and quicker hands.

[Eris]

The barbarian and the warrior step into the Green Griffin's taproom one behind the other. Adan notices that the door is cleverly designed to close on its own after he comes inside.

The taproom is airy and well-lit, thanks to windows set high in the room's vaulted ceiling that is nearly twenty feet over their heads at its highest point. Great hewn timbers support the roof and upper floor, and large wheels fitted with oil lamps hang from them on stout ropes. The bar sits ten paces away across the wooden plank floor, and the far walls are about twenty paces to each side. The room is filled with long tables, each with a chair at the ends, and benches along each side.

As this is the noon meal hour, the place is more than two thirds full. A group of humans and elves sit at one table, their bows and swords propped up on a rack at the side wall near them. At another table are dwarves, the first of these folk that either Amistad or Adan have ever seen in the flesh. They laugh loudly and hold truly massive tankards in their hands as they converse and eat. There are three tables that have mostly empty seats; these are occupied by a mix of townfolk - workers and craftsmen from their dress.

A few people glance in their direction, but none pay them any undue attention. A dozen staff, eight young human women and four men, scurry about bringing food and drink to the patrons. One man steps up to them. "Please, sit where you like. I will be back directly."

"Thanks." Aden says to the man, "I'll be having an Ale."

Aden steps left of Amistad and nods to him, "I remember you from the ship."

[Eris]

Amistad

"I am not here for sitting. Where may I find the merchant caravans and the Bossman' hiring." he says to the waiter, holding his shoulder as he passes by.

He pulls out the slip of paper with the advert.

"Same here, but we'll find the man doing the hiring in good time." Aden says, "I'll buy you an ale or beer while we wait for the man doing the hiring to show."

[Eris]

Amistad

"I am not here for sitting. Where may I find the merchant caravans and the Bossman' hiring." he says to the waiter, holding his shoulder as he passes by.

He pulls out the slip of paper with the advert.

Amistad and Aden will spot another of the ship's passengers already leaning against the bar, a beer in his hand. He raised the drink and smiled at them.

What was his name? Mirek. Short rangy fellow with quick eyes and quicker hands.

"Hey, I remember you too!" Aden smiles at the man leaning against the bar, "Mirek, right?"

"You here looking for a caravan guard job, too?" Aden says as he walks over to the bar. Aden glances over his shoulder to see if Amistad follows.

[Spearmint]

Amistad

"Milk. goats milk if they have. Thank you." he replies taking one of the empty seats.

The idea of slurping tankards of frothy ale in his upset and recently violently emptied stomach does not strike him as a good idea. He opts for something more healthy.

He vaguely remembers some of the other passengers, these men Aden and Mirek. He introduces himself. It is a long name detailing his village, the son's son of another distant great grandfather son of.

"Amistad". He had yet to earn a more expansive personal title name, 'the Great Bear', 'the Tusks of Fury', 'Raging Buffalo'. He hoped he could gain that reputation whilst exploring these North Lands.

While he waits he grinds some powder, a maize type flour and some sunflower seeds in a bowl he has with him. He sets his pack by his feet but looks to hang his shield on a wall peg behind him. Customary not to let his skin shield touch the ground.

[terrymixon]

Amistad

"I am not here for sitting. Where may I find the merchant caravans and the Bossman' hiring." he says to the waiter, holding his shoulder as he passes by.

He pulls out the slip of paper with the advert.

Amistad and Aden will spot another of the ship's passengers already leaning against the bar, a beer in his hand. He raised the drink and smiled at them.

What was his name? Mirek. Short rangy fellow with quick eyes and quicker hands.

"Hey, I remember you too!" Aden smiles at the man leaning against the bar, "Mirek, right?"

"You here looking for a caravan guard job, too?" Aden says as he walks over to the bar. Aden glances over his shoulder to see if Amistad follows.

"I am now," Mirek said as he sauntered over and sat. "Originally it was just for the beer. Any idea where the caravan is heading? Or even what lies around here?"

[Eris]

Amistad and Aden will spot another of the ship's passengers already leaning against the bar, a beer in his hand. He raised the drink and smiled at them.

What was his name? Mirek. Short rangy fellow with quick eyes and quicker hands.

"Hey, I remember you too!" Aden smiles at the man leaning against the bar, "Mirek, right?"

"You here looking for a caravan guard job, too?" Aden says as he walks over to the bar. Aden glances over his shoulder to see if Amistad follows.

"I am now," Mirek said as he sauntered over and sat. "Originally it was just for the beer. Any idea where the caravan is heading? Or even what lies around here?"

Aden waits for his mug of ale before following and tells whoever is behind the bar to bring Amistad a glass of milk, goat preferably, and pays for both. Then he sits at the table with Mirek and Amistad.

"This is the broadsheet. Not big on details.", Aden says taking a folded parchment from under his armor and handing it to Mirek, "I saw this posted at the last port I was in. The ship was coming here, so I thought I'd look into it. I was getting a bit waterlogged and fancied dry land for a while."

[terrymixon]

"Hey, I remember you too!" Aden smiles at the man leaning against the bar, "Mirek, right?"

"You here looking for a caravan guard job, too?" Aden says as he walks over to the bar. Aden glances over his shoulder to see if Amistad follows.

"I am now," Mirek said as he sauntered over and sat. "Originally it was just for the ale. Any idea where the caravan is heading? Or even what lies around here?"

Aden waits for his mug of ale before following and tells whoever is behind the bar to bring Amistad a glass of milk, goat preferably, and pays for both. Then he sits at the table with Mirek and Amistad.

"This is the broadsheet. Not big on details.", Aden says taking a folded parchment from under his armor and handing it to Mirek, "I saw this posted at the last port I was in. The ship was coming here, so I thought I'd look into it. I was getting a bit waterlogged and fancied dry land for a while."

"Dry land is good. A way to pick up some coin while we learn the lay of the land is good, too."