Post by hubertbartels on Feb 12, 2024 13:42:25 GMT -5
Scurvy Town
The evening was still young as we left the lights of the Docks for the shadows of Scurvy Town. As we walked through the narrow roads, the only illumination came from the open doors of the seedy bars and taverns. It was crowded even at this time; sailors heading up to get drunk, orcs hurrying to their work and whores at every corner.
Ahead, almost blinding us with light was a building with a brightly lit depiction of a wheel of fortune with the goddess Dame Fortuna affixed to the walls. This was a temple to the goddess as well as a gambling casino. We entered to find a bar serving drinks in the front of the two story structure and the gambling tables at the rear. The staff all wore vestments and bore the holy symbol of Dame Fortuna – a gold coin. Each of them were tattooed with the symbol of a wheel of fortune on their foreheads.
Cassander began chatting with one of the wait staff while others made small side bets. Alessa tossed 20 copper pieces into the offering box. From his chat, Cassander learned that Barnacle Joe was a frequent patron of the goddess. During the daytime, he would be found working at the Freeport Net Guild. They were located up the road, across from the Temple of Aegon the Unyielding.
The followers of Aegon the Unyielding were priests, known to be strict and devoted hunters of evil, finding the hidden monsters among us. The temple was a stone fortress, barred windows and deep prison cells. As we got closer, the front portcullis was illuminated by two glowing swords. Across the street was a two story building, home to the Freeport Net Guild.
A woman’s voice, loud and stride, came from inside the guild. “Joe… lazy… layabout…” was all that Alessa could make out. Cassander went up to the door and knock. It was answered by the woman. By claiming he had money he owed Barnacle Joe, Cassander was able to get her to call Barnacle Joe to the door.
Barnacle Joe was a drunken deadbeat, defeated by the world and ready to give up. He looked like he needed another drink so he led us to the Dead Pelican bar near the waterfront. Downing a few drinks, he was ready to tell us about his time on the Thrice Lucky.
Barnacle Joe told us how sailors in a storm would secure themselves to the ship with belaying lines. That night on the Thrice Lucky, the belaying lines of Master Tercel and his son failed, washing the two overboard. But Barnacle Joe caught sight of those lines – and someone had cut them. The bosun on that journey, a man named Silas Snakeye, ordered the sailors away from the belaying lines before untying them. Silas Snakeye was Prisco Alder’s right-hand man who would do anything that Prisco asked. Barnacle Joe was sure that Silas Snakeye killed Master Tercel and his son.
Our focus turned to Prisco Alder – we learned that he was a careful man who liked to keep records and notes. Would he be a man who recorded what happened that night as insurance against Madame Tercel? After pondering this for a while, we went over at noon the next day to the Nightingale to speak with Merix again.
Merix told us that Prisco Alder lived in a row house in the Merchant District. An upscale neighborhood, it was well patrolled by guards. Prisco is a widower, having lost his wife a few years ago. There is a daughter, Sophina Alder, now 15 years old. Prisco is quite protective of her, bringing in tutors and schooling her at home. The house at 12 Silver Street is a street away from the main street and served by back alleys that connect the back yards. Deliveries are made by small, hand-drawn carts. Alessa spoke up at this point, mentioning that she could supply us with laundry carts from her landlord, Tinge Merkerbar. We would go in after lunch when Prisco Alder was at his office. We would overcome any guards and try to find any information that could help Lisette.
The evening was still young as we left the lights of the Docks for the shadows of Scurvy Town. As we walked through the narrow roads, the only illumination came from the open doors of the seedy bars and taverns. It was crowded even at this time; sailors heading up to get drunk, orcs hurrying to their work and whores at every corner.
Ahead, almost blinding us with light was a building with a brightly lit depiction of a wheel of fortune with the goddess Dame Fortuna affixed to the walls. This was a temple to the goddess as well as a gambling casino. We entered to find a bar serving drinks in the front of the two story structure and the gambling tables at the rear. The staff all wore vestments and bore the holy symbol of Dame Fortuna – a gold coin. Each of them were tattooed with the symbol of a wheel of fortune on their foreheads.
Cassander began chatting with one of the wait staff while others made small side bets. Alessa tossed 20 copper pieces into the offering box. From his chat, Cassander learned that Barnacle Joe was a frequent patron of the goddess. During the daytime, he would be found working at the Freeport Net Guild. They were located up the road, across from the Temple of Aegon the Unyielding.
The followers of Aegon the Unyielding were priests, known to be strict and devoted hunters of evil, finding the hidden monsters among us. The temple was a stone fortress, barred windows and deep prison cells. As we got closer, the front portcullis was illuminated by two glowing swords. Across the street was a two story building, home to the Freeport Net Guild.
A woman’s voice, loud and stride, came from inside the guild. “Joe… lazy… layabout…” was all that Alessa could make out. Cassander went up to the door and knock. It was answered by the woman. By claiming he had money he owed Barnacle Joe, Cassander was able to get her to call Barnacle Joe to the door.
Barnacle Joe was a drunken deadbeat, defeated by the world and ready to give up. He looked like he needed another drink so he led us to the Dead Pelican bar near the waterfront. Downing a few drinks, he was ready to tell us about his time on the Thrice Lucky.
Barnacle Joe told us how sailors in a storm would secure themselves to the ship with belaying lines. That night on the Thrice Lucky, the belaying lines of Master Tercel and his son failed, washing the two overboard. But Barnacle Joe caught sight of those lines – and someone had cut them. The bosun on that journey, a man named Silas Snakeye, ordered the sailors away from the belaying lines before untying them. Silas Snakeye was Prisco Alder’s right-hand man who would do anything that Prisco asked. Barnacle Joe was sure that Silas Snakeye killed Master Tercel and his son.
Our focus turned to Prisco Alder – we learned that he was a careful man who liked to keep records and notes. Would he be a man who recorded what happened that night as insurance against Madame Tercel? After pondering this for a while, we went over at noon the next day to the Nightingale to speak with Merix again.
Merix told us that Prisco Alder lived in a row house in the Merchant District. An upscale neighborhood, it was well patrolled by guards. Prisco is a widower, having lost his wife a few years ago. There is a daughter, Sophina Alder, now 15 years old. Prisco is quite protective of her, bringing in tutors and schooling her at home. The house at 12 Silver Street is a street away from the main street and served by back alleys that connect the back yards. Deliveries are made by small, hand-drawn carts. Alessa spoke up at this point, mentioning that she could supply us with laundry carts from her landlord, Tinge Merkerbar. We would go in after lunch when Prisco Alder was at his office. We would overcome any guards and try to find any information that could help Lisette.