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Our party, spread throughout the lands of Faerun, each receive a letter from one Syndra Silvane, a famed, now retired, adventurer. A mission of the utmost importance and a request to meet her at her home in Waterdeep.
They were;
A Human Cleric by the name of Garth, although whilst his demeanour matched that of the kind hearted soul expected of a Cleric, Garth wore armour of black and silver; adorned with skulls. A tribute to his Deity, Myrkul - God of Death.
A Human Bard who goes by Reksus, usually. Supremely charismatic as he spoke with a curious accent hinting of lands far away. Not to let down his garish personality, Reksus garbed himself in brightly coloured, fine silks; a feather in his cap and bongos to his back.
A Half-Orc Fighter named Gorg. An ex-gladiator and it showed. Gorg was powerfully built with an array of terrifying weaponry strapped about his person. A new acquaintance would be smart to decline the inevitable challenge to a fight, but let this not detract from his wonderful sense of humour - as he is rather partial to a pun.
A Goliath Barbarian, Uthal. Towering in height above the rest of the party - and most humanoids for that matter. Uthal's mighty great axe and array of menacing javelins are seldom far from his reach. And don't allow his quiet demeanor and dry sense of humour to fool you, as to challenge Uthal's strength or power would be to stoke a raging fire in his soul.
And so this was how our party came to meet. Or at least for the most part, as after a quick exchange it became apparent that Garth and Reksus were once well acquainted, although neither had seen the other for at least a year. But details could be discussed later about the last time they met, each adventurer was here for a reason and Syndra had come to greet them.
Syndra was at Myrkul’s door and here she explained why; a curse was upon the land. Resurrection was no longer possible in the world and those who had once been resurrected themselves were dying, rapidly.
As far as she was aware, the curse was centralised to the peninsula of Chult and was linked somehow to an artefact known only as the Soulmonger. The party’s quest, was to find the Soulmonger and to lift this curse.
The party accepted and Syndra swiftly teleported the group to the docks of Port Nyanzaru. Syndra would be staying in the port with a friend, Wakanga O’Tamu, should they need her.
With little information to kick start their quest, the party decided to spend some time in the docks, speaking with locals, and perhaps attempt to ascertain some more information on the Soulmonger.
Garth and Uthal spent some time mingling with the nearby merchants, however to their surprise, not a single one seemed to share a language with the pair – despite speaking several between them…
Upon separating with the group, Gorg swiftly forgot the task at hand and struck up a conversation with the Harbourmaster. Following a little back and forth he landed himself a job as a day labourer - Good work Gorg.
Reksus’ experience was of a little more use, as his time speaking with a local Dragonborn resulted in the knowledge of a great treasure in a place known as Needles Bones, near the mountain temple of Kir Sabal.
Blindly deciding this was the direction they would take, the group attempted to purchase supplies for the road to Needles Bones, before being stopped dead in their tracks by the merchants who informed them that they must be approved by the Merchant Princes before they were permitted to buy goods in Port Nyanzaru. One such Prince - Wakanga O’Tamu.
The party located the villas of the Merchant Princes and learned which house belonged to Wakanga – gaining entry by revealing they were friends of Syndra Sylvane. Wakanga welcomed the party, explaining the intricate systems of Chult and what is expected of an adventurer here. Seven Merchant Princes controlled all economy within the region and approval must be sought from each if an adventurer wished to utilise all local merchants and services. Additionally, if a party wished to traverse the jungles, a Charter of Expedition must be obtained from the Flaming Fists, who had a foothold to the north; Fort Beluarian.
Utilising Wakanga’s advice to the fullest, the party made acquaintance with every Merchant Prince in the complex, receiving their approval to use the services they oversee. In the process, they also hired a guide to take them through the jungle, very carefully selecting the one which would be free of charge – provided the party would assist the guide in a minor quest of their own.
They met their guide, Azaka Stormfang, a fierce looking Chultian woman, on the outskirts of Nyanzaru.
The party was eager to set off immediately, however Azaka recommended that they rest in town for the night and set off at dawn; it was a long journey. There were two local taverns – The Thundering Lizard, described as a raucous venue, where perhaps the rougher characters about town may attend, or Kaya’s House of Repose, known for a more pampered experience enjoyed by those with a taste for the finer things. Azaka, recommended the Thundering Lizard and the group made to set off before a second thought crossed the Chultian’s mind; as travellers, inexperienced in jungle traversal, perhaps it would be best to ensure the best night rest possible. Kaya’s House of Repose it was to be.
This tavern, although truly to call it a tavern would be a great insult, oozed sophistication from the moment the party stepped through the doors. A maître d' sat at a desk in a long corridor. The party asked for four rooms for the night and how much this would cost.
The price is negotiable. Payable upon leaving.
A handful more attempts were made to ascertain a rough cost before the party was ushered through a set of doors into a great hall, none the wiser. A stage stood at the back of the room, performers playing music and dancing upon it, and many tables and chairs were set before it, filled with happy punters. A long bar also lined the front of the stage and the group made for the nearest of the bartenders – a male dwarf. The group asked how much for a drink?
No payment. All expenses are payable upon leaving.
The party ordered water.
An uneasy feeling began to settle. Something was off about Kaya's House of Repose, but none could quite put their finger on it. Garth finished his water and decided the safest option was to head straight to bed. He bid goodnight to his companions and head upstairs. Finding his room, modest in size but grand nonetheless, he couldn't help but notice the enormous bath tub inside. It had been quite some time since he had enjoyed some of the luxuries of his past...
A bubbling bath was ordered.
Feeling far more relaxed, he climbed into the bed, placed a bag over his head (Garth can sleep in nothing but total darkness), spoke a few words to the Lord of Bones and slipped into a peaceful slumber.
Meanwhile...
It was still rather early, and while Garth had retired for the evening, the rest of the Party were still feeling lively and wished to enjoy some of the joys that the "tavern" had to offer. So, naturally, Gorg challenged the Dwarven barkeep, Jopa, to an arm wrestle. Jopa accepted, but just as they were gearing up, the maître d' flew past and swiftly reminded them that such activities were not tolerated on the main floor; they should move to the back room instead. Jopa, in particular was scolded for attempting such activities on shift, again. A glance to the seven bouncers, goliath's and minotaurs now surrounding the group and no argument was made.
The back room, they found, was a sophisticated gambling hall, with many eager (drunken) patrons cheering heartily as they won or lost the last of their coin on the outcome of the multitude of activities before them. Gorg and Jopa wasted no time in setting down to a battle of biceps; not to be missed by resident bookie, who riled up the crowd into another bout of gambling. Sadly, the Dwarf overpowered our Half Orc friend and won the cheers of the crowd (and a fair amount of gold). Curiously, Reksus also seemed to pocket a bag of gold on the outcome - very interesting considering his party member lost the duel...
The mighty Uthual, not wanting to miss out on the action, then challenged Gorg to an arm wrestle. Bets were placed. Muscles were strained. And, this time it was Gorg who would emerge victorious.
The remnants of the party bid farewell to their Dwarven friend and the cheering crowds and made their way upstairs, Uthal taking a minor detour via the canapes table, devouring an entire tray. Reksus found his room to be much the same as Garth's, however Gorg and Uthal were surprised to find their rooms were in fact suites on the top floor..
A night's rest.
Screaming rang throughout the building. Garth awoke and left his room to find the screeching was originating from a monkey like creature; quite the wake up call. He made his way to the front desk to settle up his share of the bill while the rest of the party rose.
The bill will be provided as a whole. We will await the rest of your party.
Gradually, Reksus, Gorg and Uthal joined Garth before the maître d'. The man produced a scroll - the bill.
He smirked as he unravelled the paper, which grew.. and grew... and then hit the floor...
2 Rooms
2 Suites
4 Waters
Entertainment fee
Bath water fee
Bubbling bath fee
Bath tub cleaning fee
Not tipping the maître d' fee
Not tipping the bookie fee
Not tipping the bar staff fee
Rudeness fee
Lighting fee
Heating fee
Attempting to arm wrestle on the main floor fee
Bed sheets fee
Cleaning the bed sheets fee
Furniture usage fee
Wake up alarm fee
Food, including an entire tray of canapes...
The list went on. and on. For 679 gold pieces worth of fees and expenses, it went on.
The party contemplated their situation, between them they surely had less than 100 gold pieces and fighting their way out was increasingly unlikely as they became aware of the number of security staff nearby.
However, in that precise moment, a member of the staff whispered something to the maître d', whose expression changed swiftly from concern, to frustration, to amusement.
The entertainment for the day had cancelled and the venue was in need of performers. The party would be given the opportunity to work off their debt.
Garth was bundled away to the first floor balcony to serve as collateral, while the remaining three planned out their act as though their lives depended on it...
The time came and Reksus stepped out upon stage to introduce their show. As he did so, Garth performed some minor illusions from his vantage point; thunderous booms punctuated the words Reksus spoke, the lights flickered and the earth trembled. All eyes on stage.
There was juggling, there was poetry, there was UTHUAL, THE DANCING GOLIATH.
They were magnificent and the patrons adored them.
The maître d' gathered the party post show, their debt was cleared. And, whats more, each member had actually earned 10 gold pieces. An invitation was extended to return as performers any time - but surely they would need a troupe name?
THE REEZLANDERS, Reksus declared.