The Port
The party continues sailing down the river to Prytania. As they get close, they see beautiful, hand-painted welcome sign. Captain Tayne takes this time to explain the river splits into three, and they need to decide how the party wants to enter town:
- The center branch flows forward over a massive waterfall (not recommended)
- The right branch leads to THE ORB, a large, pearly geodesic dome that serves as the main entry port to the city, but involves a checkpoint run by local government
- The left branch that would bypass the government checkpoint, but has potentially dangerous rapids and other shifty characters
The group eventually decides to enter via The Orb, but Brin, who wishes to enter anonymously, disguises himself. They go through security, where they must provide their name and length of stay, which is presided over by a striking elf woman named AERRATH and a halfling named BEADY. Brin, Kor, and Remy all provide aliases. Beady’s talent is, like, looking at people and remembering them for later, in case of shenanigans.
While going through security, they learn of the upcoming Red Night Festival, which commemorates a battle in Prytania during the Unspeakable War, where orcas rose from the sea to defeat the Valon’dai soldiers (aka “The Battle of Red River”). The party asks for recommendations on places to stay, and Aerrath suggests two options:
- THE PURPLE ORCA, located in the Merchant District, which is more fancy (tiny soaps in the rooms, etc.)
- THE MIDWATER TAVERN, located in the Arts District, which is more modest, and is also a tavern
The Orb sits atop a cliff, over the massive waterfall where the river ends, and provides a stunning view of the city and the lighthouse connected to the mainland by bridge. The Orb is part Epcot-style scenic lookout, part museum, and part airport gift shop. From various murals and signage, the group learns that the current mayor is a red tiefling named SIR TYRAN WULFRA. Many of the exhibits are provided by THE ORINS, a very prominent family comprised of siblings HOMES, SABEL and ISAAC, all members of the city council, and children of the former mayor.
Captain Tayne left to dock the boat downstream at the harbor. The party bought (and stole) some tchotchkes before leaving the gift shop area – including a red tricorn orca-tail hat for Dango, and a “Prytania Forever!” novelty mug for Kor – and descended a winding staircase down to city level.
Prytania is clearly a very busy, major port city with ocean traffic through the world. It’s reminiscent of Venice; there are cobblestone streets and not much vegetation, as it was built on a rock shelf at the edge of the sea. The different city districts are separated by canals and are spanned by a variety of slapdash bridges.
The party decides to get rooms at the Midwater Tavern. Brin has business elsewhere and leaves. The rest of party continues and secures lodging. The tavern is larger than it seems from the outside, and it’s doing a roaring trade.
They finally get Ikki to open up about the prophecy, which is about her brother KEERK. He was on a trading mission to a human outpost, and has gone missing. She’s set out trying to find him.
Brin meets with his sister FELICITY at the family store MORAL MORTIE’S in the Merchant District. She gives Brin a valuable necklace, and he asks her to keep an eye out for any “bird people” in the city.
Upon meeting the group back at the Midwater Tavern, Brin clearly looks… prettier. He tells them he checked with his family, and they haven’t seen anyone like Ikki; he also asks them to call him “Hanne Measure”, his alias of choice. The party splits up to do more recon, see if anyone has seen Ikki’s brother.
Remy talks to a couple other tavern patrons, an older man named BRIX and a dragonborn named TELLA. Tella says she’s seen bird people, but Brix insists she’s just drunk. Nim plays some music, which is real nice.
Dango and Ikki go shopping, and also ask some questions while they’re there. Dango sold some shitty wolf pelts and gold necklaces taken from the Brice mansion. The two of them visit BLOODBATH & BEYOND, checking prices on weaponry for Kor (50gp for a scimitar). The owner seemed a little cagey when asked about “bird people”. They also visited Moral Mortie’s, but learned nothing new.
Kor and Brin go to check out the festival grounds. Brin notices that few ships are coming in from the sea; there’s really only river traffic. The rumor is that the city council invited QUEEN CERULE of Forlon to Prytania for the festival, but merfolk are pulling ships underwater. This is not normally a place for merfolk, and everyone’s upset. There is a swarthy sea captain who is especially distraught, and Brin overhears him mention that he’s in need of a crew for a big job.
Back at the tavern, that same sea captain comes in and orders a LOT of drinks. Brin sees an opening.
~ end of session ~
Random Notes
- Nim wrote a poem for the Red Night Festival:
When lanterns light
The water bright,
As night falls on Prytania.
Remember those who’s spirits rose,
and those who were saved by orca.
Valon’dai came, riding on wind
To take arms against a brother.
Forlon’dai stood and kept his place,
His feet bold in the water.
When all seemed lost,
And the wind weeps loud,
And friend and foe were dying
The Forlondians came from beneath,
And tore holes in flocks of ravens!
The river ran with blood and tears
As Volondai fell, defeated!
The orcas came, and blessed us all
And so, we do remember.