1-First Nights in the City
Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 11:22 am
By the look of the sky, there is a storm coming.
This far in the north, it probably means snow, and by the look of the clouds, probably a lot of it! As you pack up your belongings and step up onto the deck of the rocking ship, a cold wind cuts into your cloaks. There are men scurrying all around the boat, preparing it to dock and for the weather. They busy themselves pulling down the sails and there are men below rowing and signing out a bawdy tune about women from the Dock Ward of Waterdeep and how certain parts of their bodies have scales...
The thrust of the oars drives your craft under a massive stone gate which arches above the small wooden frame of the Salted Eel. Waterdeep has large gates that can completely shut off naval access to the city, a nice thing to have against northern barbarian raiders.
The Salted Eel got you to Waterdeep in one piece thanks to Captain Hagrath and crew. The ship got her name from years of service hauling fish, and eel, until the smell permeated every board, you really aren't sure you'll ever get rid of the smell.
As you look over the bow of the ship, you see a sprawling city, wreathed in the light of thousands of candles and fires, the smoke of which blurs out the streets farthest away.
It seems miles long, a great pile of stone buildings sprawling down the side of Mount Waterdeep, and the windows and smokestacks speak of industry and adventure. What coin and wealth can be had in a place like this, the sight of the place fills you with goosebumps. Most of the buildings near the docks are small squat stone structures, or wooden warhouses, but here and there are some amazing oddities. There are castles within these city walls, villas, wizards towers, temples with gargolyed spires. Even down by the docks is a massive building, where inside you can see men heaving ropes, and lifting massive timbers to build another full size galley ship. Looking around, you notice your companions staring out at the city also.
"Ahem", a gruff voice calls out from behind you.
"Waterdeep is a pretty girl if I ever saw one myself, it's good to be back!" Captain Hagrath has abandoned his faded ship clothes and is wearing crimson and black silks, and a wide brimmed gold hat. His boots are of black leather with silver buckles at the top. The fashion is dated, but the materials are rich.
"I'll be seeing me date tonight in the city, one of em girls from the Lantern at the club. But you gents will be needing accomodations, now wontcha! Only captains are allowed in the club! Dontcha worry now, though, this city's got just about any kind of room yer looking for. The only question is what are ye looking for?"
As he is talking to you, the ship comes up to the dock and men throw ropes over and start hauling the ship tight. The captain leaves you briefly to yell orders at the crew, "Tie this down, batten that.... etc.."
Meanwhile, you notice a group of what look like crazy people, wading out in the freezing cold waters of the harbor. There are a group of men, wearing garmets both rich and poor, who are wading out and then stripping off their garments, and throwing them into the sea! Some of the men are pouring good bottles of wine into the sea! They seem to be singing songs. Then the captain is back...
"With the storm coming in, you won't want to waste time: head off the docks... what are you staring at.... oh, those are just followers of the Bitch Queen, Umberlee."
He says her name slowly, and his eyes squint up a bit,
"Don't you laugh at them. You spend enough time on a ship, and ye'll toss some sacrifices to the bitch too and ye'll hope she pities you!"
"Now, as I were saying! You head off these docks, ye see those streets there... that is Net Street and then you take a left and your are right in the heart of Dock Ward."
He starts to get down to business, and begins to talk faster,
"Now, iffin you've spent all your money on this trip, its the Cookhouse Hall you'll be looking for, you can save your coppers there, but look out for bones in your meal. If you've got cash in your pocket and be lookin for a comfy spot to lie for the night, there are a few nice inns. The Warm Beds Inn puts nice hot rocks in each bed, cozy as could be on a snowy night like it will be tonight! There is also the Blackstar Inn, its like a fortress in there, very safe if you have somebody after you... he he... ahem..."
"If, instead of finding a nice cozy bed tonight, you are looking to party and drink, then shall have the Copper Pot. There will be dancing and drinking there until the wee hours of the morning. Some of the stuff that goes on there boys, will make yer Priest blush! Ha ho! Anyway, you figure out wherin you want to be, and I'll have one of my men take you there!"
With that he storms off to see to other business (paying tariffs and such).
Welcome to Waterdeep, the city of Splendors.
This far in the north, it probably means snow, and by the look of the clouds, probably a lot of it! As you pack up your belongings and step up onto the deck of the rocking ship, a cold wind cuts into your cloaks. There are men scurrying all around the boat, preparing it to dock and for the weather. They busy themselves pulling down the sails and there are men below rowing and signing out a bawdy tune about women from the Dock Ward of Waterdeep and how certain parts of their bodies have scales...
The thrust of the oars drives your craft under a massive stone gate which arches above the small wooden frame of the Salted Eel. Waterdeep has large gates that can completely shut off naval access to the city, a nice thing to have against northern barbarian raiders.
The Salted Eel got you to Waterdeep in one piece thanks to Captain Hagrath and crew. The ship got her name from years of service hauling fish, and eel, until the smell permeated every board, you really aren't sure you'll ever get rid of the smell.
As you look over the bow of the ship, you see a sprawling city, wreathed in the light of thousands of candles and fires, the smoke of which blurs out the streets farthest away.
It seems miles long, a great pile of stone buildings sprawling down the side of Mount Waterdeep, and the windows and smokestacks speak of industry and adventure. What coin and wealth can be had in a place like this, the sight of the place fills you with goosebumps. Most of the buildings near the docks are small squat stone structures, or wooden warhouses, but here and there are some amazing oddities. There are castles within these city walls, villas, wizards towers, temples with gargolyed spires. Even down by the docks is a massive building, where inside you can see men heaving ropes, and lifting massive timbers to build another full size galley ship. Looking around, you notice your companions staring out at the city also.
"Ahem", a gruff voice calls out from behind you.
"Waterdeep is a pretty girl if I ever saw one myself, it's good to be back!" Captain Hagrath has abandoned his faded ship clothes and is wearing crimson and black silks, and a wide brimmed gold hat. His boots are of black leather with silver buckles at the top. The fashion is dated, but the materials are rich.
"I'll be seeing me date tonight in the city, one of em girls from the Lantern at the club. But you gents will be needing accomodations, now wontcha! Only captains are allowed in the club! Dontcha worry now, though, this city's got just about any kind of room yer looking for. The only question is what are ye looking for?"
As he is talking to you, the ship comes up to the dock and men throw ropes over and start hauling the ship tight. The captain leaves you briefly to yell orders at the crew, "Tie this down, batten that.... etc.."
Meanwhile, you notice a group of what look like crazy people, wading out in the freezing cold waters of the harbor. There are a group of men, wearing garmets both rich and poor, who are wading out and then stripping off their garments, and throwing them into the sea! Some of the men are pouring good bottles of wine into the sea! They seem to be singing songs. Then the captain is back...
"With the storm coming in, you won't want to waste time: head off the docks... what are you staring at.... oh, those are just followers of the Bitch Queen, Umberlee."
He says her name slowly, and his eyes squint up a bit,
"Don't you laugh at them. You spend enough time on a ship, and ye'll toss some sacrifices to the bitch too and ye'll hope she pities you!"
"Now, as I were saying! You head off these docks, ye see those streets there... that is Net Street and then you take a left and your are right in the heart of Dock Ward."
He starts to get down to business, and begins to talk faster,
"Now, iffin you've spent all your money on this trip, its the Cookhouse Hall you'll be looking for, you can save your coppers there, but look out for bones in your meal. If you've got cash in your pocket and be lookin for a comfy spot to lie for the night, there are a few nice inns. The Warm Beds Inn puts nice hot rocks in each bed, cozy as could be on a snowy night like it will be tonight! There is also the Blackstar Inn, its like a fortress in there, very safe if you have somebody after you... he he... ahem..."
"If, instead of finding a nice cozy bed tonight, you are looking to party and drink, then shall have the Copper Pot. There will be dancing and drinking there until the wee hours of the morning. Some of the stuff that goes on there boys, will make yer Priest blush! Ha ho! Anyway, you figure out wherin you want to be, and I'll have one of my men take you there!"
With that he storms off to see to other business (paying tariffs and such).
Welcome to Waterdeep, the city of Splendors.