Chapter 1: Arrival at Deepwater
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 2:41 am
You set sail from the south nearly 3 weeks ago for what you thought would be a relaxing sail in the usually calm waters of the Deepsea. 5 days out of port, a sudden squall turned into nearly 2 straight weeks of foul, unpredictable stormy weather. Two days ago during the worst of the storms the cargo shifted and some of the boat's seams started to work in the waves - letting first a trickle, then a torrent of water into the boat. For two straight sleepless days and nights you've joined the rest of the crew and passengers in helping bail the water and/or plug leaks. A day ago the water level continued to rise, and all but the most pious on board resigned themselves to a watery end. Then just like that, the skies cleared, and as the sun rose you found yourselves in sight of land! Once the captain got his bearings, you learned that you were only a couple hours from port, and with luck - some warm, dry clothing and food and drink.
As you wearily gather your soggy belongings, you hear the clang of the ships bell, and hear the cheers of the crew - "LAND HO!" By the time you make your way back up on deck, you see a series of long wharves jutting out into the water, and behind them, a small seaside village of mostly single story buildings, and roughly a dozen tall structures resembling warehouses. The boat ties up across from a pair of small schooners that are being loaded with freshly cut timbers, provisions and other cargo items. As the boat creaks against its mooring lines, many of the crew start opening hatches and going about the business of unloading. As the gangplank is run ashore, the handful of other passengers rapidly disembark, clearly anxious to be far away from the boat and the sea. As you make your way toward the dock, the captain approaches you and some of the other more hardy passengers from this voyage - adventurers, like yourself. The captain manages a tired smile and says "Thanks for lending a hand during that blow. We'd be resting on the bottom now if it weren't for your help. By the looks of ya, I'm assuming you are looking for some gainful employ? You make your way to Snug Harbor - it's the biggest warehouse toward the end of town on the waterfront. You'll know it when you see it. It's a place for sailors to rest and clean up when ashore. You find the host, Martha, and you tell her that Captain Stitch said to put you up for a couple days and get you on your feet, okay? She can help you get on your way. Good luck to ya! Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to get this boat fixed up and out of here, we're behind already!"
As you step off the boat and onto the busy pier, you take in the sights and smells of this seaside working town, and you catch a glimpse of a large building at the end of the dock area at the edge of town. It's an old warehouse that looks like it's seen better days, and with faded yellow wooden letters spelling out "_NUG HARBOR". Only a faded area on the sign where a letter S used to be.
You see a wide cobblestone street leading from the wharf to the warehouses (to the right) or you can proceed straight ahead into the town proper. You see a small town square with a cluster of wagons in it, all laden with timbers destined for the docks. You also see a lone two story structure near the center of town with a brightly painted sign showing a dolphin with a frothing tankard held in each flipper and the words "The Drunken Dolphin" boldly painted below the image. While a small town, the shops and small homes are crowded side by side, and all sorts of people are rushing about, heading to and from the docks.
You've all seen each other on the boat, but aside from your shared agony of the voyage, you don't know much about each other, aside from the obvious - that you're adventurers. Standing about and looking around, your eyes all meet - and you realize you're all tired, hungry, and thankful to be ashore.
Actions?
As you wearily gather your soggy belongings, you hear the clang of the ships bell, and hear the cheers of the crew - "LAND HO!" By the time you make your way back up on deck, you see a series of long wharves jutting out into the water, and behind them, a small seaside village of mostly single story buildings, and roughly a dozen tall structures resembling warehouses. The boat ties up across from a pair of small schooners that are being loaded with freshly cut timbers, provisions and other cargo items. As the boat creaks against its mooring lines, many of the crew start opening hatches and going about the business of unloading. As the gangplank is run ashore, the handful of other passengers rapidly disembark, clearly anxious to be far away from the boat and the sea. As you make your way toward the dock, the captain approaches you and some of the other more hardy passengers from this voyage - adventurers, like yourself. The captain manages a tired smile and says "Thanks for lending a hand during that blow. We'd be resting on the bottom now if it weren't for your help. By the looks of ya, I'm assuming you are looking for some gainful employ? You make your way to Snug Harbor - it's the biggest warehouse toward the end of town on the waterfront. You'll know it when you see it. It's a place for sailors to rest and clean up when ashore. You find the host, Martha, and you tell her that Captain Stitch said to put you up for a couple days and get you on your feet, okay? She can help you get on your way. Good luck to ya! Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to get this boat fixed up and out of here, we're behind already!"
As you step off the boat and onto the busy pier, you take in the sights and smells of this seaside working town, and you catch a glimpse of a large building at the end of the dock area at the edge of town. It's an old warehouse that looks like it's seen better days, and with faded yellow wooden letters spelling out "_NUG HARBOR". Only a faded area on the sign where a letter S used to be.
You see a wide cobblestone street leading from the wharf to the warehouses (to the right) or you can proceed straight ahead into the town proper. You see a small town square with a cluster of wagons in it, all laden with timbers destined for the docks. You also see a lone two story structure near the center of town with a brightly painted sign showing a dolphin with a frothing tankard held in each flipper and the words "The Drunken Dolphin" boldly painted below the image. While a small town, the shops and small homes are crowded side by side, and all sorts of people are rushing about, heading to and from the docks.
You've all seen each other on the boat, but aside from your shared agony of the voyage, you don't know much about each other, aside from the obvious - that you're adventurers. Standing about and looking around, your eyes all meet - and you realize you're all tired, hungry, and thankful to be ashore.
Actions?