Present Setting - The City of Freeport, once called the City of Free Men, has risen from a poor little port town of less than two hundred citizens to the bustling trade city that it is today. Over it's five-hundred year history, Freeport has continued to grow, expanding outwards and taking control of the desert surrounding it as it did. Nowadays, it is considered a place where people dream to live. Being what many consider a neutral city, Freeport has enjoyed unhindered prosperity, even during the wars that are waged across the Atnam Sea. At least, until recently... People of all races and professions call this city home, and many more pass through this city on a daily basis with ships traveling between the various islands, all returning back to Freeport at some point in their journeys. Most of the population is human, estimated at being about 50 to 60% of the total population being human of one sort or another. The rest are half-elves, making up 30 to 35% of the population, with the remaining amount being various races of Fae, otherkin, and elementals.
Relative Timing/Location - It is several days after the fracas on the dock. It is mid-day.
Notable NPC's - The Duke, The Captain Of The Guard, A Fence, The High Priest, Baelfire the Guild Representative
Other Details - There aren't many plants living in this environment, however there are a few, most notably a rare breed of cactus that has a fair taste to it and fruit that can sustain a grown man for an entire day. The plant has been grown in excess to provide enough fruit for the thousands of people that call Freeport home, and since the fruit keeps so well and works even when dried, a single harvest can last until the next. Several species of desert weeds and other species of cactus also grow near the city, with few being wanted inside the city walls save for a few. The city is not without dangers. Many creatures roam the vast desert, but a few specifically roam into the city to steal food and often kill younger citizens who can't defend themselves. The most dangerous among these creatures being the desert wolves, traveling in packs of four or more, they are often a match for even the toughest guards. However, if pups are found and caught, they are often used for breeding, and over a century of selective breeding has created a domesticated version of these fierce beasts.
***
During the trip, each member of the party would receive a dream/vision.
Neun: Neun's dream would involve him finding a lost, underground city on the side of a crumbling cliff. A deep drop below shows the red glare of magma. During his exploration of the city, he would encounter a wounded black dragon, which would consume him whole in a single snap of its jaws. He would abruptly wake up before he could be swallowed, feeling very warm. This feeling would fade into nothingness in moments.
Myrln: Myrln's dream would involve his wandering the grounds of a Sidhe sithen, covered in a thick layer of dried, grimy fluid. After navigating a path leading to the outside, he would hear a horn summoning the Wild Hunt, stirring deeply-held instincts in his mind to join the Hunt or be the object of the Hunt. Before any choice could be made, he would be impaled upon a lance, and wake up with the echo of pain through his ribs where he was stabbed, which would rapidly fade to nothing.
Tarana: Tarana's usual nightmare would be replaced one night by a vision of her standing before a Great Temple, filled with unfathomable white beings. After kneeling to honor the Eternal Star, she would feel compelled to walk to the altar in front. After arriving, she would light a candle, and then feel a Divine hammerblow to the back of her head, causing her to awaken with a ringing headache, which would rapidly fade to nothing.
Zoah: Zoah would stand alone on the battlefield, lost to the slaughter. After eliminating nearly a dozen armed enemies, he would encounter a man with electric blue eyes and a metallic coat, who would expertly counter his every move. After his weapon was sundered and a beautifully-timed stroke hamstrung him, he would look up to his killer to see a golden torque and an impassive expression on the face of Shin, before the war god disembowled him. Zoah would wake to a burning line of pain from collarbone to hipbone, which would rapidly fade to nothing.
Morgrod: Morgrod would find him/herself standing before a mighty river of blood, staring across the river at a tower made of bone. As the undead attempted to cross the river, a dark-skinned figure would appear before him with a boat, a hand extended for payment. Morgrod would attempt to find a coin, fail to do so, and be blasted into dust, returning to its usual state of awareness with an unfamiliar throbbing in its bones, which would quickly subside to the usual lack of sensation.
***
The party would be greeted by Baelfire, the local Guild representative. Or one of them, at least. He'd have several draft horses hitched to carts, which would quickly be filled up with the party's goods.
"Welcome to the city of Freeport. I take it you've been briefed on the situation? Good. We honestly did not expect you for another day. The Duke sends his regards, and invites you to dine at his castle tonight. He would, of course, understand if you chose to get to work."
He'd give each of the party members a big smile, pass off the horses to the party, and wait for a response. It was his job to help them do their job, after all!
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Topic: Adventuring Party, Act 1: A Tale Of Two Hamlets (Read 37560 times)