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The ancient, rune-covered arch known as the Cyphergate rises 100s of feet into the air from either side of the harbor's entrance. #GPTG
You gather your things as the ship you’ve booked passage on sails under the massive structure. Welcome to Riddleport.
#GPTG #Pathfinder
#GPTG #Pathfinder
Not long ago you decided that you could no longer do nothing as the tyrant, Grokka the Cruel, amassed more power. This is because:
This is the first time you’ve been to the pirate city of Riddleport & don't know anyone here. You do know of a resistance & have a contact.
A cold breeze hits you as you step onto the dock. In front of you there are numerous, run down taverns, shops and brothels.
This section of the city ends at a mountain ridge to your right. To your left, the dockway continues until it reaches the mouth of a river.
The city continues on the other side of the river and quickly ends at the side of another mountain. The sun is setting and docks are busy.
Salt hangs in the air. Beyond the district in front of you rises an imposing brick and steel building billowing smoke from numerous stacks.
You've been told that your contact w/ the resistance spends time at the Publican House, a large tavern. You do not know where it is located.
As you decide your next move, 2 crewmen from a ship flying a pirate flag turn their attention to you. They begin to move towards you. #GPTG
You knew you'd have trouble in this city. This is because:
As they approach, you brace yourself and get ready to:
The larger of the 2 pirates, a half-orc, grabs a leather sap from his belt. The other, a human, wields a club. "Der's a freshy, eh Pozz?"
The half-orc replies "Yeh, the cap'n will 'pressiate us bringin' her a new 'cruit." Press-gangers. They step closer and try to flank you.
The scoundrels move in to attack! Surprise dawns on the pirates' faces as your sword and shield appear much more quickly than they expected.
Tie breaker!
In 1 smooth motion your torso twists & steel flashes in an arc across your body. Blood sprays from the half-orc's neck after a fatal slash! 
The human pirate's jaw drops and color fades from his face as he watches his ally's limp body tumble over the edge of the dock into the bay.
He steps carefully back then turns to run, shouting "Pozz is dead!" Others on the crowded docks lift their heads to see what's happening.
As the pirate flees down the dock way, do you chase him down, hurry out of there, or shout out your own name for all to hear? #Pathfinder
You raise your bloody scimitar to point at your fleeing foe. "Yes! Run, coward!" Standing tall, you throw back your hood, revealing your...
You are a tengu! To suggest a name for our PC choose a name from this pic or come up with your own & share it below. Look for a poll later!
We have 3 name suggestions for our tengu PC thanks to @Tomaidoh, @DougMichelComix & @thunderduck360! 1 hour to vote!
@Tomaidoh @DougMichelComix @thunderduck360 You snap your scimitar to the side to fling off the half-orc's blood, then raise it high. "Death awaits those who would test Ruk Chuko!"
@Tomaidoh @DougMichelComix @thunderduck360 Onlookers murmur as you stride along the dock towards the city. The wind ruffles the black feathers on your head & forearms as the sun sets.
Gas lamps burn along the streets as you enter a busy area of shabby taverns, inns and brothels. Most passersby give you a wide berth.
You can get directions to the Publican House and go now, or try to get some rest, food, drink or companionship and go in the morning.
Raucous laughter and the sound of breaking glass escape from the Gaudy Goat, a decrepit two story tavern adjacent to an unlit alley.
The tavern grows quiet as you enter. A dozen humans & two dwarves populate the room. Part of the ceiling is rotted out and is collapsing.
What was once long ago an expensive looking chandelier lies on the floor in the center of the room, its candles lighting the entire tavern.
A board w/ the word "Games" written in faded blue paint hangs by the bottom of a staircase. With the room silent you hear voices upstairs.
The bartender, an imposing old woman, snaps at you. "Ale's all we got & it's 1 copper a mug. If ya ain't buying, fly outta here, beaky."
With that, the majority of the crowd goes back to their own conversations. The dwarves continue to glare at you in silence, however.
As a tengu you're bad at sensing the motives of dwarves but you do know they generally hold contempt for your kind. One spits on the ground.
This pair looks as if they had climbed out of a chimney stack & tried to wash the soot off with ale. What now? You've got about 200 gold.
You step to the bar. "An ale for me and one for the dwarves. Actually, one for everyone in here. Let's raise the spirit of the room a bit."
You hand the bartender 3 silvers. She yells "A round on the crow!" & starts filling mugs. You get a few pats on the back & words of thanks.
The dwarves don't drink the ale brought to them, but for now they seem content to continue their conversation and scowl at you occasionally.
One filthy human man, all skin and bones under the grime and missing some teeth, pauses on his way out the door to say something to you.
"I knew a crow-folk once. Thievin' bastard. Head got smashed in by an orc before my eyes. Can't say I was upset. You ain't so bad, though"
You down your drink quickly. It is warm, rancid, and probably the worst ale you've ever had. It is oddly satisfying, however. What now?
#DnD
#DnD
You head up the precarious staircase. The few people here are all gathered around a single table. Leaf smoke hangs heavy in the air.
The center of the floor looks ready to collapse at any moment. The only light in the room comes from a few candles near the occupied table.
Two of the five faces turn to look at you. The others are preoccupied with the cards in front of them. One man gives you a devious smile.
A gold tooth flashes & he turns back to the game. Relative to the lowly crowd downstairs this bunch looks like they have gold to spend.
Each of them has a weapon visible on their person, & a large knife is stuck in the table among piles of cards & coin. One slams a fist down.
A long bearded human w/ a pair of swords on his hip barks at another player, "Keep your hands on the table where I can see em, priest!
The accused, hidden by a blue cloak, speaks in a calm, measured tone. "You'd be wise to mind your own cards instead of worrying about me.
"ARGH!" The bearded man howls. "Cheater! I've had enough of you!" The man next to him rolls his eyes & calmly stands up to face the accused.
The bearded man now stands as well as a woman who reaches for a handaxe. The accused cheater says "Falsehoods! I am no cheat!" He leaps up!
The priest steps back quickly & grabs a sleek, silver trident propped up against the wall. The bearded man & his allies draw their weapons.
His hood now down, you see the priest has sea-green skin and ears that look like fins. He wears an amulet of the god of weather and oceans.
The 5th player grabs a handful of coins & dives under a table. Do you follow his lead or get involved?
#PATHFINDER #DND
#PATHFINDER #DND
Before the others have a chance to act you lunge forward to disarm the closest foe, but at the last moment she dodges. She then attacks you.
You lean back, able to avoid her handaxe. The bearded man grabs the knife from the table and throws it at the priest, gashing his arm.
The man w/the gold tooth slides to the side of the priest and stabs him with a glowing dagger. The priest is cut but avoids heavy damage.
Shifting away from the man w/the magic dagger, the green skinned priest flourishes his trident & jams a point into his ribs, dropping him.
The other two are not deterred and press the attack. You realize they are playing for keeps. The woman's face begins to fill with pure rage.
You lash out w/your scimitar and pierce her shoulder. She returns your attack screaming but misses. The bearded man steps to the priest.
He slashes at the priest w/ both swords & connects w/ the 2nd spilling a lot of blood. The priest groans, steps back & stabs the bearded man
Both men are now bleeding profusely, but the priest swiftly puts his hand to his amulet, shouts a divine word & magically heals himself.
The floorboards groan under you as you prepare another attack. Perhaps you can use this raging, axe wielding woman's momentum against her.
You risk taking another step back towards the center of the room. "You are really pathetic with that axe. You couldn't even butcher a pig."
"I can carve bird, crow!" She charges. With a bit of panache you parry her attack, twist & drive the pommel of your blade into her back.
She stumbles onto the rotted floorboards behind you. A series of cracking sounds echo in the room and the axe lady's face goes white.
The floor drops & so does she. Her scream ends abruptly as she lands on the chandelier in the suddenly dark room below. "That'll do! Caw!"
The last foe, blood seeping from his wounds, is panicked. "It's not your day, pal." The priest says, trident at the ready. "You should go."
He pauses... then reaches for a pile of coins. Bam! The trident slams down upon the table. "Leave that, unless you want to finish this."
The bearded man hustles to the stairs, clutching his wounds. The priest relaxes, but only slightly. He looks to you. "Nice work... friend."
"I am Onrendaz, and I am grateful for your assistance." The green skinned priest is an undine, a humanoid with a water elemental heritage.
The man who dove under the table sticks his head out. "Yes, thank you very much!" Onrendaz looks down at him, rolls his eyes and relaxes.
"And thank you so much, Taehlan, for guarding that handful of coins while I was assaulted." The sarcasm is heavy in Onrendaz's voice.
The rotund young man stands up, smiling wide. "Of course, sir! Mind you I was on the lookout for an opportunity to trip up your opponent."
"With the efficiency of your defense I dare say the moment never presented itself." He turns to you. "Taehlan Basterpomp at your service!"
The priest sighs. "That's enough, Taehlan. New friend, perhaps a split of our foes' remaining coin would be a good reward for your help?
There looks to be nearly 300 gold on the table. Taehlan moves to the slain man and picks up the dagger that was glowing during the fight.
You gesture to the dead man. "When I first walked in, this one tipped his hand to me with a look. They planned to rob you from the start."
"I've no problem stopping thieves and murderers from doing their evil deeds. But I cannot knowingly profit from assisting another thief."
"So tell me truthfully, priest. Are you a cheat?" Onrendaz, betraying no emotion, simply answers "No." Taehlan, however, becomes furious.
"Incredible! Your denseness astounds me, crow!" Fire rises in Taehlan's face. "You saw for yourself Onrendaz's true fury at being accused!"
"Onrendaz is a true saint! He pulled me from the sea after I'd been lost and already accepted a grim fate! I'll not stand for such slander!"
The priest puts a hand on the small, round man's back. "Taehlan, it's fine. This tengu clearly only wishes to keep her conscious clean."
Nothing in either persons' demeanor gives you a reason to disbelieve them. "Truly, how could I doubt such a spirited defense as that!"
You introduce yourself to the two men as Onrendaz collects the coins from the table and hands them to you. He takes the dagger for himself.
You gain 300 gold! Onrendaz asks you to join them for a drink but suggests finding a different establishment. You ask about the Publican.
He tells you the Publican House is a huge, rowdy tavern on the other side of the river. The owner is a devout worshiper of Cayden Cailean.
In fact, it used to be an open temple to the drunken god. But Grokka the Cruel now encourages his vilest lieutenants to frequent the place.
Worshipers of Cayden Cailean resolutely value freedom, which goes against the self appointed pirate king's unrepentant use of slavery.
By keeping the tavern occupied with his men, Grokka is able to keep the place from becoming a center for any resistance to his power.
This information is disheartening to you, and apparently it shows. "My friend," says the undine priest, "I can see that this troubles you."
You speak up. "Onrendaz, what do you think of this man, Grokka. Are you ok with him holding unchecked power over this city, and the region?"
The priest looks at you for a moment before speaking, weighing his thoughts & words carefully. "Ruk, Riddleport is a city built on piracy."
"Here it is a way of life. I myself am no champion of freedom, nor do I even condemn piracy. I do believe in the survival of the fittest."
Onrendaz's voice softens. "But Grokka the Cruel is not the one most fit to lead. He's disrupted the code upon which this city has thrived."
"Riddleport is the home of piracy in the region, but it is not a city of lawlessness. It did not survive this long by cannibalizing itself.
"Grokka and those loyal to him are eating out its heart. His eyes are on Magnimar and beyond. He doesn't care if..." Taehlan stops him.
"Sir." Taehlan gestures to the stairs. The proprietor had reached the top of the stairs in complete silence. She stares daggers at Onrendaz.
There is no telling how long she's been there. She speaks in a steady, measured tone. "Well, who's going to pay for all this trouble then?
Onrendaz brightens up. "No trouble, ma'am! I'm sure some of your customers would be happy with a bit of gold for helping with the cleanup!"
He hands her 30 gold. "Come now, friends! We must get going." Onrendaz leads Taehlan & you down the stairs. The woman's face doesn't change.
As you hurry to exit the tavern, a few customers are helping the axe wielding woman off of the grounded chandelier. She's alive, but barely.
You notice the dwarves as you leave. You'd swear they're giving you the most subtle smile and nod. They both take big drinks of their ale.
Outside, Onrendaz asks where you want to go. He'll go to the Publican w/ you but warns that starting a fight there will get you both killed.
"It is a relief to hear your stance on the tyrant, my friend." You look up at the tall undine priest. "His demise is my first priority."
"I was told a while back of someone who could lead me to a group of resistors, and that I could likely find them at the Publican House."
"The news you've shared with me of Grokka's lieutenants frequenting the tavern worries me, though. What if they've driven off my contact?
Onrendaz shrugs. "Well, Ruk, if this person is gone we'll just have to find others willing to stand up to the self declared 'pirate king.'"
You raise an eyebrow at the priest. "Does this mean you'll join me in my quest to see him defeated?" Onrendaz smiles and once again shrugs.
"Let's just say that for now you've piqued my curiosity." he says. On your way, Taehlan stops at a small building and says his goodbyes.
"I'll call it a night then, sir." he says to Onrendaz. Chunk needs his supper, and I've had more than my share of drink for the evening.
"Chunk?" you ask. "Taehlan's cat. Resembles a blowfish." Taehlan frowns. "Sir, that's not too kind now. Chunk's had a rough life for a cat."
"Ok, sorry, Taehlan. See you soon." Taehlan leaves. You look at Onrendaz as you cover you feathered head w/ your hood. "Cats. Awful beasts."
• • •
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