Yesterday was a long sort of day..don't even know where to start at this point how to put the last couple of days on paper.
The morning was strange to say the very least. I was wandering the marketplace when a strange old Varisian woman came up to me and pressed something into my hand. Before I could say I wasn't interested, she said 'Take it..you will need it in the places to which you will journey child.. There is darkness beneath the shadow of viridian boy.." and then she vanished again into the crowd. When I looked down at what she'd given me, there was a beautifully made pendant of Iomedae..
First thought was, check my purse..but I still had all my belongings. I'm not sure what it was all about, but..I think I'll hold onto this pendant for a while. Just in case.
Didn't bring me much luck, maybe I should have gone with a pendant of Desna... The day didn't end very well. When I was headed back to the inn that evening, three thugs grabbed me and pulled me into an alleyway. Should have been paying better attention. I managed to wriggle free and get blades drawn, but three on one isn't ever a pretty situation. I managed to bleed one of them pretty well and the other two decided that I was more trouble than whatever was in my purse was worth..unfortunately, turns out that one of them had either poisoned his dagger or just not cleaned it. Not sure which. Wound's been on fire for the past day, and I've puked up everything but my toe-nails..and I've been checking the bucket to see if they came out.
Had to pay for another day, don't want to travel till I'm sure this is over. I think I'll probably take boat tomorrow headed North. For some reason, Cassomir seems to have lost a bit of it's attraction..
The Journey Begins (pt 3 - Cassomir)
Cassomir...heart of the Taldan Empire's navy.. To hear most, heart of all naval activity on the Inner Sea. I've never seen so many shipyards laying in so many keels at once. I hear tell that they launch a capital class ship every week just about, year round. Guess it's a tribute to the amount of pirates and conflicts in the Inner Sea that they haven't put themselves out of work yet. I wondered at first how they managed to get enough wood for all those ships, then I realized that the trip up the Sellen is likely more complicated than I originally thought it would be.
I have to admit that a city sandwiched between a swamp and a harbor doesn't have the loveliest fragrance I've ever encountered. I never really understood why people can't seem to catch on that what they dump in the harbor in the morning comes back with the evening tide..guess some people are just slower than others. Whatever the case, the smell of salt air is a welcome change when the breeze comes in. There was a convenient altar to Gozreh right on the docks when I disembarked, so I made a final offering and bid the God of the Sea farewell. I'm not particularly sad not to be sailing any more, I don't like being cooped up on the ship for so long as I have been. Still, I've made good time so I can't complain.
The next leg of the journey is a long one, and I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to go about it. Travel up the Sellen is fairly normal, but that doesn't mean that it's easy. I think I'd prefer to not be on a boat the entire time, not much chance to learn anything about where I'm headed that way, and talking to the same river boatmen for the length of the journey would get pretty old.
I've settled in at The Inn of the Rusted Rudder, kind of a strange name but who am I to judge. I've gone ahead and paid for two more nights, give me some time to stock up here in town and see if I can't feel things out about the road ahead of me. currently I'm leaning towards taking a boat up to Bellis, near the Kyonin-Andoran border, then going by foot or horseback from Bellis up to Kallas Lake. To get where I'm headed, I'll need to go up the West Sellen, and it should be fairly easy to find a boat from one of the towns near Kallas. I'm definitely sure I want to stick to the west bank of the Sellen, I hear Galt's pretty awful on the best of days, and don't want to find out first hand.
Interesting mix of folks staying in the Inn here, a lot of travelers and chat in the tavern was more than a few talking about the road north as well. Only one that really stuck out was a somewhat down at the heels looking dwarf with the sigil of Torag on his shield. Not sure if it's cultural homage or religious fervor, seemed a nice enough fellow but it's always hard to really get a dwarf talking without buying him drinks, and I was running a bit light on coin.
I have to admit that a city sandwiched between a swamp and a harbor doesn't have the loveliest fragrance I've ever encountered. I never really understood why people can't seem to catch on that what they dump in the harbor in the morning comes back with the evening tide..guess some people are just slower than others. Whatever the case, the smell of salt air is a welcome change when the breeze comes in. There was a convenient altar to Gozreh right on the docks when I disembarked, so I made a final offering and bid the God of the Sea farewell. I'm not particularly sad not to be sailing any more, I don't like being cooped up on the ship for so long as I have been. Still, I've made good time so I can't complain.
The next leg of the journey is a long one, and I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to go about it. Travel up the Sellen is fairly normal, but that doesn't mean that it's easy. I think I'd prefer to not be on a boat the entire time, not much chance to learn anything about where I'm headed that way, and talking to the same river boatmen for the length of the journey would get pretty old.
I've settled in at The Inn of the Rusted Rudder, kind of a strange name but who am I to judge. I've gone ahead and paid for two more nights, give me some time to stock up here in town and see if I can't feel things out about the road ahead of me. currently I'm leaning towards taking a boat up to Bellis, near the Kyonin-Andoran border, then going by foot or horseback from Bellis up to Kallas Lake. To get where I'm headed, I'll need to go up the West Sellen, and it should be fairly easy to find a boat from one of the towns near Kallas. I'm definitely sure I want to stick to the west bank of the Sellen, I hear Galt's pretty awful on the best of days, and don't want to find out first hand.
Interesting mix of folks staying in the Inn here, a lot of travelers and chat in the tavern was more than a few talking about the road north as well. Only one that really stuck out was a somewhat down at the heels looking dwarf with the sigil of Torag on his shield. Not sure if it's cultural homage or religious fervor, seemed a nice enough fellow but it's always hard to really get a dwarf talking without buying him drinks, and I was running a bit light on coin.
The Journey Begins (pt 2 - Voyage of the Taldan Star)
You know, I've heard of the snobbery of the Taldan of course. Everyone has. I never really appreciated it until I was on this ship. Most of the crew are out of Taldan, and even while they're trying to size me up to decide whether it's worth it to jump me or not, they're trying to turn their noses up at me. I wonder if Cassomir is going to be as bad.
I have picked up a bit of useful gossip on the way though..seems I'm not the first one that's been heading towards the Sellen and up it lately. Apparently rumors of land grants in the River Kingdoms have gotten around. Seems like everyone has heard that some or another in the North has started granting titles and recognition to anyone who can carve some order out of the chaos up there and quiet down the borders. It's attracted attention it looks like.
One of the sailors mentioned that this was his last journey on the Star, and that once things are squared away in Cassomir, he's taking contract on another boat headed northwards. Sounds like there's been a spike in banditry and pirate activity along the river, some of those headed north are apparently going slow and supplementing their income along the way it sounds like.
I've also started to wonder about the nature of this shield my father left me. It just seemed like a fancy sort of shield with a seven pointed star motif..but one of the sailors saw it and looked like he was going to be sick. He's practically hid from me ever since. I've never seen a Mwangi turn that pale before.
Anyway, I figured out a way to secure the lock on my cabin at least, and I've checked and rechecked for hidden openings to get in here..including the ceiling and under the little cot.. I think I can risk a bit of sleep. Mind you I'm taking my sword to bed with me, but few things in life are without risk.
I have picked up a bit of useful gossip on the way though..seems I'm not the first one that's been heading towards the Sellen and up it lately. Apparently rumors of land grants in the River Kingdoms have gotten around. Seems like everyone has heard that some or another in the North has started granting titles and recognition to anyone who can carve some order out of the chaos up there and quiet down the borders. It's attracted attention it looks like.
One of the sailors mentioned that this was his last journey on the Star, and that once things are squared away in Cassomir, he's taking contract on another boat headed northwards. Sounds like there's been a spike in banditry and pirate activity along the river, some of those headed north are apparently going slow and supplementing their income along the way it sounds like.
I've also started to wonder about the nature of this shield my father left me. It just seemed like a fancy sort of shield with a seven pointed star motif..but one of the sailors saw it and looked like he was going to be sick. He's practically hid from me ever since. I've never seen a Mwangi turn that pale before.
Anyway, I figured out a way to secure the lock on my cabin at least, and I've checked and rechecked for hidden openings to get in here..including the ceiling and under the little cot.. I think I can risk a bit of sleep. Mind you I'm taking my sword to bed with me, but few things in life are without risk.
The Journey Begins (pt 1 - Absalom)
My mother told me once of the city of Absalom. She spoke of the beauty of the city, and of the amazing variety of people she had seen when visiting there. I'm glad I'll never have to tell her my thoughts on the city.
Absalom is a cesspool.
I should have realized that no city that big could be anything else. There are splendors to behold there, certainly..but it doesn't make up for what the city lacks in decency. Almost as soon as I got off my ship, a boy no older than seven tried to slit my purse. It sort of started the day off right. I decided I'd cut my sight-seeing short at that point, and immediately booked passage on The Taldan Star for Cassomir. The port on the river Sellen is a good place to find passage up the Sellen river..I imagine it will take most of what little gold I have left, but it should get me to the River Kingdoms.
Four hours..that's all I was in Absalom for, waiting for the ship to finish loading cargo and be ready to embark passengers. I have to admit, Starstone Cathedral is a sight I will never forget as long as I live. On the other hand, the slave blocks will haunt my nightmares for just as long. Just another bonus of heading to the River Kingdoms..no slaves. I stopped by the shrines of Desna and Gozreh to make offerings, had a pint at Cayden Cailean's Longhouse afterwards...three brawls broke out in the time it took to down a single pint. I'm guessing Cailean likes it that way.
Just too crowded. I'm looking over the back rail of the ship, watching Absalom fade in the distance..we'll be turning North soon to head for Cassomir. The captain seemed a little less enthusiastic about having me as a passenger when I came on board under arms, probably thought he'd be able to pick up an extra bit of gold and a few trinkets before feeding me to the fish. Ah well, the trip isn't too long..I can sleep when I find an inn in Cassomir. Until then, I think I'll take the time to sharpen father's sword..he always said that sharpening a sword sorta encouraged people that saw you to behave themselves.
Absalom is a cesspool.
I should have realized that no city that big could be anything else. There are splendors to behold there, certainly..but it doesn't make up for what the city lacks in decency. Almost as soon as I got off my ship, a boy no older than seven tried to slit my purse. It sort of started the day off right. I decided I'd cut my sight-seeing short at that point, and immediately booked passage on The Taldan Star for Cassomir. The port on the river Sellen is a good place to find passage up the Sellen river..I imagine it will take most of what little gold I have left, but it should get me to the River Kingdoms.
Four hours..that's all I was in Absalom for, waiting for the ship to finish loading cargo and be ready to embark passengers. I have to admit, Starstone Cathedral is a sight I will never forget as long as I live. On the other hand, the slave blocks will haunt my nightmares for just as long. Just another bonus of heading to the River Kingdoms..no slaves. I stopped by the shrines of Desna and Gozreh to make offerings, had a pint at Cayden Cailean's Longhouse afterwards...three brawls broke out in the time it took to down a single pint. I'm guessing Cailean likes it that way.
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| Absalom Skyline |
Just too crowded. I'm looking over the back rail of the ship, watching Absalom fade in the distance..we'll be turning North soon to head for Cassomir. The captain seemed a little less enthusiastic about having me as a passenger when I came on board under arms, probably thought he'd be able to pick up an extra bit of gold and a few trinkets before feeding me to the fish. Ah well, the trip isn't too long..I can sleep when I find an inn in Cassomir. Until then, I think I'll take the time to sharpen father's sword..he always said that sharpening a sword sorta encouraged people that saw you to behave themselves.
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