CHAPTER ONE: THE KENDOR DOCKS

[doctorx]

CHAPTER ONE: THE KENDOR DOCKS.

The buckets of water empty across the cobbles with a resounding splash, sending a miscellany of silver scales, red innards and mournful-looking fish-heads sluicing away into the waiting waters of the harbour below. It is high tide at the Kendor docks, and the weathered-skinned, sharp-eyed fisher-folk of the town are cleaning away the last remnants of the morning fish market, brought in at first light from the grey expanses of the forbidding Faerie Sea, the once-impenetrable barrier separating the Isle of Faerie from the world beyond. But there to the West, at the furthest-most extremity of the harbour wall where it plunges into the water of Kendor Bay – The Wizard Light: The grim iron tower bearing the great lantern that burns through darkest night and fog-shrouded day – last in a line of beacons raised by Sorcery and set amongst the jagged rocks to guide the passage of the ships that now sail from the mainland to this, the Northernmost outpost of the Empire of Man.

High tide brings the boats; the skiffs and the gigs, the luggers and lightermen – the small vessels that ferry cargo, commerce, passengers and prisoners to and from the big ships that lie at anchor in the bay beyond. Here, a body of dwarfs labour to unload a cargo of coal into a line of waiting carts, their bearded faces and brawny arms stained black, their necks marked by the iron collar of the slave. Their deep voices roll in a low, booming song that guides their seemingly tireless motions. A number of armed guards stand idly by, loaded crossbows resting easily in their hands, their tunics emblazoned by an emblem depicting a swan-like bird picked out in red. There, a barge laden low in the water with plump sacks begins the slow journey out into the bay to where the anchored vessels wait to receive her cargo. Gulls shriek and flap wildly as they battle over fish guts or wheel in the air imperiously, their mournful cries ringing out as their wide, white wings guide them inland.

And inland lies KENDOR – a bustling, ramshackle sprawl of wood and stone rising gently up from the water into a clutter of crowded rooftops issuing forth threads of blue-grey smoke from countless cooking fires. The occasional taller building stands apart from its lesser neighbours – away to the West a glitter of gold and white marble marks the holy site of the White Temple. To the East towered, dark storeys speak of the presence of the shadowy, all-pervading Mage Guild. To the North, an ancient, rambling tower, surely on the verge of toppling over given the odd angles and rambling inclines that make up its structure, pierces the skyline.

And above them all, at the peak of the rocky headland overlooking the town – CASTLE KENDOR – seat of the Lord of the Faerie Marches – a squat, unlovely but formidable looking keep, its banners - a black snaking dagger set against white for the Empire, a white ship on a blue field for the House of Kendor – billow and snap in the brisk breeze.

There is a clatter and a laugh as a gang of street urchins rush by, knocking over lobster pots, the curses of the fisher-folk floating impotently in the air after them. An imperious merchant stalks past, an elegantly dressed Hobb servant scurrying along in his wake. Hawkers cry their wares, carts roll and rattle, the air is alive with bustle, shouts, curses and songs.

The sky is blue and studded with white clouds, the breeze is fair. It is morning in early spring and the ISLE OF FAERIE awaits.

Ladies, gentlemen; such is the scene. Please insert yourselves into it! The game begins...

[danhem]

Banoc stepped off the rocking skiff and onto the dock. He was happy to be on solid ground once more. A life on the seas was not for him.

Taking in the scene, Banoc looked around for any other passengers that might be more familiar with the Isle; perhaps they would know the best places to go.

Banoc tucked his small pouch of coins into the front of his trousers; safe from most pickpockets there. First things first, a place to stay, a meal, and maybe a drink. Then find a way to make some more coin. What he had was not going to last long.

He steered clear of the armed guards and sought out a fisherman. Finding one he asks, "Pardon me, but do you know a decent place to get a meal and a room?"

[nebless]

Captain Lyeth - "Not only are you the sorriest piece of dung guards-man I've ever laid eyes on but ... but ..... My superiors might think being sent here is punishment enough for you but oh no. You deserve so much, much more. Are you listening to me!!!!!"

[Nebless] 'hic' "whaaa? I mean yes sir, ahhh YES SIR!"

Captain Lyeth - "As I thought ...... while I can't throttle you outright like I'd wish to, maybe I can achieve the same goal."

"Guards-man Nebless; the next group of adventurers that take it into their head to court certain death by going into the faerie realm, you will accompany them as the official Imperial observer. Is that clear?"

[Nebless] "ahhh Go into the Mists, Yes Sir. Right away Sir."

Captain Lyeth - "Not right away you drunken sot! When the next party leaves. Until then you're on double duty down at the docks, your post will be the fish market."

"Now get out of my SIGHT!"

And so with a wandering gait Nebless slowly makes his way towards the docks and his new post. "Ahhhh but it was worth it" thinks he with a smile on his lips.

[kwll]

Master Ho is still here at the tavern, as he has been too often during the past few days, contemplating his empty mug. He is looking at it impassibly, but with a hint of regret knowing that it might be the last one -- he is now almost completely broke, and will need to find some kind of occupation if he wants to stay longer in these parts.

For a while he closes his eyes, concentrating, looking for inspiration from the spirit plane. But he only sees the pour drunken souls of a couple of dead beggars drift away and leaving him in a resounding silence. Sometimes he wonders if he made it to this place for the good reasons, or if what led him here was just an unquenchable thirst for exploration.

When he opens his eyes again, he sees a freshly arrived man enter the main room and ask for a room and a meal. His face is scarred and his health looks shaky, but his spirit is strong. For no good reason he could think of, Master Ho smiles at him.

[devadasi]

Ruby Red climbs out of the abandoned chimney that serves as home to one of her lovers, ( the chimneysweep Ebeneezer Blackbairn). She checks to make sure her clothing is still on the roof where she left it, not wanting it to be covered in coal dust, thus sullying it's brilliant crimson hue.

Nevermind that Ruby is herself covered in coal dust. its always like that after a romp with Ebeneezer. She sits on the steeply angled slate roof, in the morning son and puts on her hat. Then her stockings. Then her red petticoat(finest spider silk!)... then her velvet dress, then her "ruby slippers".

In that order.
Always in that order.


The smell of the fish rising from below rather churns her stomach, but this is where Neezer lives, and she sure doesn't want his dirty clothes staining the red fabric adorning her SECRET lair.

Anyways, always best to go to the man's lair. Mother even said so. Bless her dear lost heart.

And "always best to leave him sleeping, that way you don't have to cook."


Thus does an oddly comical figure..... black and covered in coal dust.... save for her clothing, strangely tailored, make her way down to the streets, hoping to scare some silly man into giving her a cup of tea in exchange for not being "cursed".

[grrraall]

Young de Morsac was sitting on a crate when he saw a soldier [that's how Banoc looks to him] stepping off a skiff, desperately trying to hide his purse. De Morsac smiled, and thought to himself: "Looks like an adventurer from the continent, just like me."
De Morsac knew he would not make it on his own, so he approached the man as he was getting directions to the next tavern from a fisherman. Discretely listening to the directions a few steps away, de Morsac waited until the fisherman walked away, and said: "Hello, my friend. I overheard you asking for directions. I'm an adventurer from Khamad. May I join you?"

[doctorx]

May 28, 2012 17:14:57 GMT -5 danhem said:

Banoc stepped off the rocking skiff and onto the dock. He was happy to be on solid ground once more. A life on the seas was not for him.

Taking in the scene, Banoc looked around for any other passengers that might be more familiar with the Isle; perhaps they would know the best places to go.

Banoc tucked his small pouch of coins into the front of his trousers; safe from most pickpockets there. First things first, a place to stay, a meal, and maybe a drink. Then find a way to make some more coin. What he had was not going to last long.

He steered clear of the armed guards and sought out a fisherman. Finding one he asks, "Pardon me, but do you know a decent place to get a meal and a room?"

"Decent place?" cackles the grey-haired, keen-eyed fisherman as he restacks scattered lobster pots; "You want decent places boy, back on your boat an' make for Khamad, Esilldor, High Acroan - they're decent enough, or so I heard. This?" He looks around and grimaces; "This is Kendor."

He continues with his labours, muttering; "Decent places," under his breath and shaking his head.

"Arr, quit yer mumblin', ye old lugworm," scolds a massive, red-faced fish-wife with biceps big enough to arm-wrestle a Troll; "Pay no mind to 'im, dearie - town's all right if ye keep yer wits sharp an' yer coin well-stowed. An' I don't mean there!" she laughs, pointing with an unnerving accuracy at Banoc's crotch; "Why, there's girls I know work the docks as'll 'ave that gone in a blink of a fairy's eye while promisin' ye all sorts o' sweet nothin's as ye'll never see!"

She rocks back on her swollen heels, shaking with laughter for a few moments, before wiping her watering eyes and giving you an appraising look.

"Let's see now," she muses; "There's the Silver Mermaid yonder down the docks." She points off Westwards along the sea front; "That's a fair enough hole for a drop of grog and a bunk for the night. Mainly caters for sea-farin' folk, mind. And see you steer clear of old Morgern - got some funny tales to tell, that one, an' I never 'eard of 'em doin' nobody no good."

"No," she says thoughtfully, "All in all, I reckon it's the Eye you're wantin'."

She stubs a massive finger towards the Easternmost of the three main streets leading away from the harbour.

"Up Castle Street. Second turn on the right takes you to the Plaza o' Hidden Knives - don't let the name baulk you, it's safe enough in th' daylight hours. Ye'll see the place I mean straight off. "

With a cheery "Good mornin' to ye!" she returns to the task of washing away the last traces of slaughtered fish from the harbour front.

[nebless]

May 29, 2012 16:04:09 GMT -5 doctorx said:

"Arr, quit yer mumblin', ye old lugworm, scolds a massive, red-faced fish-wife with biceps big enough to arm-wrestle a Troll; Pay no mind to 'im, dearie - town's all right if ye keep yer wits sharp an' yer coin well-stowed."
"Let's see now,she muses; There's the Silver Mermaid yonder down the docks."; All in all, I reckon it's the Eye you're wantin'."

She stubs a massive finger towards the Easternmost of the three main streets leading away from the harbour.

Finally arriving at the docks & fish market, Nebless is just in time to hear the fish-wife's directions to the Mermaid. Knowing that the 'maid is a light touch for food and drink, he wander's up to the two adventurers while thinking that a) it's about time for a morning cup and b) if the 'maid won't grease his palm with a drink, these two should be good for one.

[Nebless] "'Mornin'; new in town are you? Well the Silver Mermaid is just the place for you. And seeing as you are new I'll escort you to see that you make it there in one piece. Can't have anything happening to the tourists, now can we?. Give the place a bad name it would."

Nebless figures that Captain Weasel can't fault him for assisting members of the populace.

[danhem]

"My thanks to you good lady," Banoc says to the woman.

Having finished with getting some directions away from the harbor, Banoc suddenly finds himself approached by another who looks out of place.

"Khamad?" Banoc asked eying the warrior suspiciously. "I have heard of it, but have never been there. What has brought you to THIS place?"

Just then a dwarf of all things approached and interrupted.

"No, I believe the Eye sounded more to my liking," Banoc said to the gently swaying dwarf. "I am certainly not a sailor and I'd prefer to get away from the docks. I was told that it was this way," Banoc points to the easternmost of the three main streets. "Castle Street I believe. You two are welcome to come if you wish. This does not look like the sort of place to wander alone and you," he says pointing to the dwarf, "have the look of a local."

[devadasi]

Just as her most wicked sounding cackle, and most imperious threats were working their magick on a bayside tea vendor, Ruby had to pause.

Tea forgotten, she lturns from the grimy wooden stall to follow behind three men. At least two foriegners by the look of them. And a Minuteman gaurd. But he's drunk, and probably useless.


Its not the men themselves she's interestred in of course. Men are of no consequence to Ruby. But the one......

The one carrying the scimitar so elegantly curved. But its not the scimitar Ruby is interested in. She probably couldn't even lift the thing. Its the crimson vest and matching pantaloons!

Such a poetic spectacle that fine man makes! The red color is subtley different than the scarletts Ruby is used to seeing on cloth on the Isle. Some other dye, some foriegn hue!

"Well, I simply MUST have those clothes!" Ruby exclaims in leprechaun, leaving the teaman sure he's been cursed.



She follows behind the men, creeping from shadow to shadow, though everytime she steps into the light, her clothes shine like a garnet, so her "stealth" is questionable. She knows this. She doesn't care. Nobody catches a leprechaun that doesn't WANT to be caught.

One of them is drunk anyway. Piece of cake. red cake.


the foriegner will go to some Inne surely. he's handsome ( for a man) so he probably bathes as well. Good. Good.

As soon as those pretty clothes come off, this foriegner will learn why Kendor has a reputation of leaving one "high and dry" despite proximity ro the sea..


She will leave him his gold of course. ( if he has any). Clothes, humans can go without, but taking their gold makes them vengeful. Human vengeance a thing being best avoided.

She imagines making the brokade vest into a pillowcase..... the pants..... perhaps taken in a few feet?

[nebless]

May 29, 2012 22:27:11 GMT -5 danhem said:

Just then a dwarf of all things approached and interrupted.

"No, I believe the Eye sounded more to my liking," Banoc said to the gently swaying dwarf. "I am certainly not a sailor and I'd prefer to get away from the docks. I was told that it was this way," Banoc points to the easternmost of the three main streets. "Castle Street I believe. You two are welcome to come if you wish. This does not look like the sort of place to wander alone and you," he says pointing to the dwarf, "have the look of a local."

"The Eye?" (by the great Hammermaker's dirty balls! The Eye pays direct to Captain Weasel and it won't be easy to cage a drink there, thinks Nebless)

"Well if you've a good chunk of change you're willing to part with I guess the 'Eye' is OK."

"But if you've a mind to save your coin and eat beyond the week, I'd suggest the 'maid. Sure it's a fisherman's dive, but the locals won't mind you none and you'll get a cheaper berth than at the 'Eye', stretch out your coin, what?"

I'm Guardsman Nebless by the way.

[grrraall]

May 30, 2012 11:20:03 GMT -5 nebless said:

"Well if you've a good chunk of change you're willing to part with I guess the 'Eye' is OK."

"But if you've a mind to save your coin and eat beyond the week, I'd suggest the 'maid. Sure it's a fisherman's dive, but the locals won't mind you none and you'll get a cheaper berth than at the 'Eye', stretch out your coin, what?"

I'm Guardsman Nebless by the way.

Well, I probably shouldn't say that, but I'm flat broke anyway, so there is no way I'm going to spend any more money in the 'Eye' than I would have in the 'Maid'. Besides, since I'm looking for a job, I'll probably find better opportunities at the 'Eye'. Unless of course I already found an employer. De Morsac the tracker turns to the approaching leprechaun lady.

[nebless]

"So be it, 'tis the 'Eye' it is."

[to de Morsac] "What's you looking at? Oh; just ignore it and maybe it will go away."

(paah! One's broke and caging a drink at the 'Eye' will be nie on imposable, and now some red twit's come to bother us. This just might have not been the best idea I've had this morning; thinks Nebless)

Once de Morsac finishes with the Leprechaun, Nebless will lead them to the 'Eye' as they wished.

[devadasi]

*traces toe along ground and looks away whistling.*

[ProfGremlin]

WhisperFlick [Fairy Wizard Lvl: 1 Att: 2d+11 / +23 Def: 6 ST: 3 IQ: 7 LK: 17 CN: 3 DX: 24 CH: 32/32]

The early morning sea breeze brought the scent of brine to Flick's nose as he danced along it's currents. The river lay behind him gurgling by in seeming unconcern that one of his kind had ventured so far south. He suppressed a pang of homesickness and tried to focus on the task ahead. Get to Kendor. Find help.

The town lay ahead, it's rooftops bathed in the golden glory of the morning sun as the ugly block of what-passed-for-a-castle glowered down upon them from the headland. Lord of the Faerie Marches... Flick snorted in derision as he swooped and swirled with the playful breeze Just goes to show what little he knows of Faeries! We have wings we don't march anywhere...!

The little fairy zipped and looped through the tree line rimming the northern edge of the town. Bursting through the last of the sun dappled leaves the sight of the town stunned him. Flick came to a sudden stop in midair and dropped a good two feet before his wings whirred to life again. So... many... humans... He shook his head to clear it, the last admonishing words of the Grææ echoing in his mind. I'm going to need a guide... he thought with no little trepidation.