A retelling of Mysterious Tides #10 from Callast Nilas Orkan's point of view. On-going GURPS adventures set in the beautiful and evocative Bay of Spirits setting by Randy M. at Roan Studios.
GURPS: Mysterious TidesSession 010 - Nilas
From Nilas' Point of View
231115Cast of Characters:
* Callast Nilas Orkan (1/2 elf) Stormpriest of Calla (Me)
* Jens Marko: Nilas's friend, captain of the Kittiwake a sloop or schooner
* Ragnar Rogan: Mountain man and Ranger, questing to find his father's murderer
* Brother Robert D'Nagien, monk of Enibria
* Carmel, cleric of Enipria (NPC)
**Villip Astelin, captain of the Osprey (Starling lords officer, NPC)
We last left three of our companions they had rescued Liam the Oyster-diver from a terrible fate in an underground grotto trapped by an evil sea hag. The companions then made their way towards Grebechyr and were stopped by a sailing patrol from the Starling Lords. The man in charge, Villip, invited the companions to their camp for the evening.
A long story short, Villip had informed Nilas and his friends that Grebechyr was infested in plague and disease upon the crops and people. Villip also informed Nilas and his friends about the Crimson Talons, an Assassin Guild in the area as well as a nasty place of scum and villainy called the Sinker.
Nilas and his friends tried their best to settle in with the Starling lords men and camp. Nilas even tried to sing some songs to break the ice. Information gleaned from Villip and a few others was of the trouble brewing in Grebechyr and that their job was to steer people away from the port and the current mess of disease and trouble there. Another crew had arrived at the camp, led by a man named Jarik. It was another blockade crew and their captain was not happy about Nilas and his friends being there in the camp. Villip handled it as he outranked the man and seemed to stem any trouble for the time being.
There was one man in Villip's blockade crew that did wander near the fire and he muttered something to Nilas about having family in Grebechyr and that he was concerned for them and what was happening there. However, any time that Nilas tried to approach the man, he would wander off and be standoff-ish. It was clear that the men of the Starling Lords did not care much nor trust outsiders. No one was openly rude to Nilas or the others, just that they avoided any real contact or communication.
Nilas was still happy that they had a safe place to bed down for the night and get some decent food while on their journey. Nilas and the others sat around the fire and chatted with Villip more. Villip went on to mention about a malignant fetor that rooted itself around the village and that a blight upon the crops had spread to the townsfolk as well. Nilas was still curious and wanted to know more. He was enjoying learning so much more about the world around him, the other towns, their culture and the people. He asked Villip to explain more about the Starling Lords, their land and other towns. Villip did mention a joke about a village called Greylough and that it was a "shithole" of a town. Nilas laughed at his jokes.
Nilas learned that the Starling Lords and their people like to keep to themselves and do not care much at all for "outsiders" and people coming into their lands who are not from their section of the Bay. Villip told Nilas of a small town called Larkton and its Laird, Adwena Lark and a few other places. The companions also enjoyed some drinks and food and relaxed the rest of the evening.
During the time of the companions sitting around the fire, Nilas had opened up about his family and his upbringing and how he lost his family. He also made it clear to Ragnar that he vowed to keep his word and help Ragnar avenge his father's death once more. It seemed that everyone was bonding on this matter. Jens Marko, Brother Robert D'nagian and Nilas all committed themselves to Ragnar, and even the rugged ranger was teary-eyed at the support of his new friends.
During the evening the young sailor who had commented to Nilas was nodding to him later in the night. Nilas wasn't sure if the man was trying to speak with him or entice him into some other type of rendezvous. Nilas was clueless and figured if the guy avoided him earlier when he wanted to speak, why bother now?
In the morning, Nilas was able to meet up again with this young sailor as he was performing his morning prayers and rituals to Calla. The man explained that his name is Irlen and he appeared about 17-18 years of age. He was from Grebechyr and was concerned for his mothers who lived there, Lirael and Branwyn Moss, and that they lived on the inland side of town.
Nilas and his friends discuss their plan of action. First was to go to the dreaded spot called "The Sinker" and see if they could either find the assassins there or gain information about who they were and why they were hired. Then their plan would be to probably go to Larkton or Merchant's gut, or just go right into Grebechyr. It was even discussed that they could possibly help Grebechyr with their plague as well. After all, there were two clergy of Enibria in the group and this would be something that they should be concerned about.
Once settled after camp, Nilas and his friends made for the Kittiwake and set sail for their next location. Nilas and Brother Bob helped Jens Marko sail his ship and eventually they found the hidden alcove to where the path to "The Sinker" must be. Rain started up and it was getting wet. Jens Marko made anchor and there were some smaller ships and 2 larger ships in the hidden port. After much discussion it was agreed to let Carmel remain behind on the ship and lock herself inside the cabin and keep guard on the ship. While everyone was concerned a bit, it was pretty much decided that the other four should go to the Sinker and see what was up in the area. It was a bit of a walk, and Nilas used his powers from Calla to create Umbrella spell shields to protect both himself and Brother Robert from the rain. Jens and Ragnar said that they would be fine.
As the companions (Fongs of Fate) walked they could see a large structure, a large two-story building, wood and plaster, some of it painted white, with a large black anchor set up outside. Several chimneys dotted the roofline and smoke puffed out from them. There were some lanterns lit upon the porch and entryway. It was still morning yet and the band of adventurers approached the building and the large double doors that led to the main entry room.
The main hall was large. Several tables and chairs filled most of it. A large fireplace with a welcoming fire was against the back wall. A sizable bar with an older bartender was standing by it with another man. There were a few people, merchants perhaps, playing a game of card and talking. Nilas was drawn to some bookshelves to his left and started looking at those. He couldn't shake the thought of impressing Lady Sabeen with an old book or something of that nature, and he started looking around.
Nilas looked at the books and turned around slowly at times, trying to scan the room and pay attention to the conversations. Jens was at the bar and found out that the bartender was an old grumpy man named Borris and the other man seemed to be managing the establishment and his name was Derrin. Jens Marko was inquiring about cargo and jobs, as that would be the group's "cover story" as to why they were there.
Nilas joined Jens and asked Derrin about the books. Derrin let NIlas know that he better order something. Nilas went to the bar and had some Skulpin rum, which is a trademark brewed by Callast (priests of Calla). Ragnar was at the fire warming up and drying off, while keeping an eye on the rest of the group. Brother Robert had no issues at all walking up to the bar and ordering a drink. Brother Robert was surprised to find that one of his family label drinks was being served under a different name.
Not long after, there was a bit of a comotion from the folks playing cards. The woman yelled something about "You Ricard, are a Bastard!" and slapped the man. Another man threw his cards up in the air. The man who must be Ricard just laughed. Another man got up from the table and followed the woman who stormed off holding her clutch. Ricard then took up his drink and walked over to the fire and sat down by Ragnar and started to converse with him while calling for more Icewine from the bartender.
Nilas was curious. This scene just got more interesting. This Ricard fellow may be someone of importance. But it was back to the books to see if he could find an old or rare book to impress Lady Sabeen with upon his return to Piper's Quay.
Session Notes
Here is an in-character retelling of the events from our 10th session of the campaign. I offer players bonus points for writing up in-character session logs and Nilas' player, Mike, takes advantage of this. I definitely enjoy the retelling from the point of view of the players! Thanks Mike!Cast of Characters:
Brother Robert (Bro Bob) D'Nagien, a young Enibrian monk and archer - played by Amergin KCallast Nilas Orkan, a young priest of Calla the Storm Goddess - played by Mike B
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