Ch.1 Landfall
"What is a God?
I believe that he is a shepherd to us. Caring for his flock and guiding us throughout our lives. Protecting us from dreaded outside forces. Daemons, Eldritch abominations, and other entities we do not yet have a name for. The Morning Lord nourishes our souls, granting us the strength necessary to stand against the creatures within ourselves. It is he who guides my blade. It is he who gifts me the power to heal the sick and dying. And it is he who keeps my fear at bay."
"Excerpt from the journal of Dawnbringer Nicholas Azure, Cleric of Lathander"
Our voyage was a long one, rife with the taste of salt in the air and the smell of vomit and bile below deck. It seems that not all of my fellow passengers were as accustomed to sea travel as I. Not that I could blame them. I was much the same when I first joined the ranks of Lathander's army. Since then I'd become accustomed to riding the turbulent tides on my deployments from the Western Legion.
Finally I could see the outline of our destination after over two months at sea. Port Peccavi; an island nation resting betwixt the forest filled continent of Soclan and the desert wastes of Breres. An absolute cesspool of a city known for its thriving slave markets and wealth. It was deep into the night when we finally reached the docks and the coal smelling smog surrounding them. I made my way below deck to retrieve my possessions from my cramped room. My status as a Dawnbringer granting me the privilege of such quarters unlike a majority of those aboard.
Paying the remainder of my fair, I made my way across the wooden deck and past some miserable looking woman leaning over the edge of The Majesty. My eyes were immediately beset by throngs of people coming and going from the docks. Most were sailors loading and unloading cargo from their respective ships though a few travelers could be seen as well. I waded my way through the crowd and deeper into the city, careful not to be caught unawares by some two-bit pickpocket. My eyes were pulled away from a child making his way off with some merchant's bauble and drawn to a blemish on a warehouse nearby. A jagged carving of a gull rested above its door, similar to the one found on the prow of The Majesty. The same marking could be seen on several other buildings around me.
Eventually I pushed past the crowds and deeper into the mist surrounding middletown. By luck I was able to stumble across an open tavern promising hearty food and a roof to sleep under. I made my way through the door and past some drunkards enjoying the night air. The Sailfish Tavern was mostly devoid of custom at this hour but the occasional man or woman could be seen drinking the night and their hard earned coin away. Ale, the working man's solace.
"Welcome traveler! What can I do for ya' tonight? Erma was just about to toss the last of the stew to the urchins but we can save you a morsel if you're paying. We even offer room and board to a weary man such as yourself. What do you say? Late night supper and a warm bed to sleep in for a mere two silver!"
Now normally I would have joined in the man's enthusiasm but the hour and the journey were both bearing down on me. I merely paid the tavern keeper, whom I later learned was named Richard Cape, his silver and requested to be left in peace. Now was the time to fill myself with his wife's hearty cooking, not idle chatter. I did eat without interruption for a time but was yanked from my bliss by the sound of the door being flung open and the howl of heavy winds. A robed figure stumbled haphazardly into the tavern before half crawling their way to the bar stool beside my shield arm. She pulled her hood back, revealing a youthful face splotched with freckles. Her red curls were knotted together and soaked by the rain so grievously that I couldn't stifle my laugh in time.
"And what the fuck da you think your laughin' at choir boy? Think it's hilarious for a lady such as meself to be thrown about by the fuckin winds out there?" She glared at me as she said this though the water running down her face only fed my amusement.
"My apologies miss…?"
"O'Hannon. Launda O'hannon." She said through tight lips.
"My apologies Miss. O'hannon. I was merely exhausted from my voyage and sought a place to wallow in my own self pity. But imagine my surprise when someone even worse off than myself stumbled onto the stool beside me. Let me order you an ale as an apology and some of my stew as well". I replied as I waved Richard over and made a new order.
"Ah a learned man are ya? I never bothered to learn to count past how much silver I had in me coinpurse. Us druids are simple folk like that." The bartender slid Launda's wooden tankard over and set down two bowls of lukewarm stew for us. The second helping was heavenly compared to the salted fish and beef I was rationed out on The Majesty.
"A Druid?" Surely she was jesting. All my life I'd been taught that the noble guardians of the wood were both graceful and ferocious. Just as quick to offer weary travelers sanctuary as they were to chase them out of their territory. At the moment Miss O'Hannon was closer to a drowned squirrel. "Aren't Druids guardians of nature? Forgive me if I'm mistaken but there isn't a single tree for leagues. I also see no staff on your person."
"Of that you'd be correct, clergyman. I hail from the Ancient Serenitatem Forest of Jedia. How about we make a trade of sorts? I tell you what my business here is while you tell me what a Dawnbringer such as yourself is doing in this city of sin." Launda said as she eyed me with a curious glint in her eye.
"Oh nothing exciting". I said with mirth filling my voice. "It's more of a welfare check if anything. One of our members has been staying in the city for quite some time and I've been sent to collect him. I hear that he's an old soldier so I'll be searching taverns first."
"Aye, I can believe that, Dawnbringer. A soldier does love their drink, especially an old one. Say, what's your name?"
"My apologies, I must have been distracted by something, Launda". I did my best to ignore the glare she fixed me with. "Nicholas Azure, a humble cleric of Lathander. No more calling me by my title if you would, it makes me feel pompous. Now I believe it's time for you to uphold your end of the bargain."
"Does seem that way. Well my reason for being here is certainly more exciting than fetching some carousing old man. I was asked by my old teacher to speak with one of the merchant nobles of Peccavi. Lord Kolzond has been establishing his logging camps far too close to the sacred forest for our liking. The loud noises have been disturbing the wildlife and it's my job to politely ask him to scram."
"And if he refuses?"
"If he refuses I'll just have to travel back and let my fellow druids know. May the Gods be merciful to those wood chopping fools."
"You'd just allow those men to be slaughtered? For goodness sakes, woman, they're only trying to feed their families!"
"Calm yourself, Nicholas. The response depends on which one of the archdruids hears of his refusal first. Besides, the worst that will happen is that the druids will scare those loggers out of their wits. That is if nothing from the forest gets to them first."
"What do you mean by that?" I asked with close interest. "I've heard nothing about the forest expanding since the time of my great grandfather"
"Things are shifting in the forest, preacher, and not all of them good. The forest isn't expanding as of now but old things have been stirring from the center. Has got everything else migrating away, including more than a few unsavory creatures. We've been spread thin trying to keep everything in check so it's not impossible to say that something may harm the loggers". The bleary eyed Druid paused for a moment. "Damn! Now you're a tricky one! Made me say near everythin'!
"What? I've spoken two senten-"
"No! Enough talkin'. I've tired myself out and I'm soaked to the bone. I'm heading to sleep." She said as she began wringing her hair out onto the tavern floor. Launda then lifted her small pack from the aged wooden boards.
"Yes, I'm sure some rest would do you good. Say, you can't fit much in there, what do you have to change into?" Launda's only reply was a wink.
It was times like these in which I wished I never had taken my oath of sobriety. How many lives depended on Lord Kolzond's reply? Not just the workers but their families as well. Not to mention the people who relied on the camps' lumber. I was again pulled from my thoughts by the door being wretched open. Another figure clad in a chain shirt and guardsman's cloak stepped inside. He immediately strode towards the bar, thankfully a few spaces away from me, and proceeded to collapse on a stool. Richard walked over a few moments later will a full tankard and proceeded to mop up the mess his new arrival left behind.
"Oh, Richard, you're truly too good for this city". Mewled the guardsman once he finally found the strength to raise his head. "Sergeant Marcoth has got me patrolling the border of the poor quarter alone again. He sure as hell wants me stuck in the back, I know it!"
"Well maybe he wouldn't send you alone if you'd stop pestering him about the murders."
"But there hasn't been any progress, Richard! Months have passed but he hasn't found so much as a suspect! How am I supposed to work under a man as incapable as that? I'm not the only one either. A few of the boys and I have half a mind to march down into the poor quarter ourselves and put a stop to it." He grit out the last sentence through clenched teeth.
"Calm down, son, that's dangerous talk. Be glad the churchman down there is the only one left in the tavern." I took a quick glance around and noticed that I indeed missed everyone else's departure. How long had I been lost in thought? "It's late and you're sober. A dangerous combination for you indeed. Now go on and take a nice big drink, Cassius. Erma has got your usual room all ready for ya'"
The now named Cassius took a loving sip from his tankard. "Aye, you may be right there, Richard. I know I tend to get a tad bit passionate when it comes to Peccavi. I'll see you in the morning, old man." He said, tankard in hand as he closed the door behind him.
"You should be getting some sleep as well, Richard. You have a tavern to open in the morning." I mentioned as I began to stand.
"I'll be turning in soon, sonny. Just need to take care of one thing first." The tavern keeper tossed an empty tankard almost casually at the ceiling. He ignored my questioning look as a heavy thud shook the floor. A man wearing a dull, grey tunic had fallen from one of the tavern's rafters and was currently clutching his right shoulder.
"This is my pocket-picking arm you absolute lunatic! You've ruined me! How am I supposed to feed myself now?!" Howled the ingrate.
"By doing honest work? If anything I've saved you from the gallows. You can thank me properly just after you've paid for your tab. Also for a room if you'll be sleeping here again tonight."
"I paid my tab last week you senile, old man. Don't tell me you've already forgot?"
"Aye, but you haven't paid this week's tab. Now cough up the copper, Erick or else you'll need to find another tavern that'll put up with your shit." By the look on his face you'd think Richard was asking the cretin for the shirt off his back.
The thief named Erick then began the painful process of paying for his tab copper by copper until the barman was finally satisfied. He then looked to me. "You wouldn't do this to some poor man, would you? Of course you wouldn't, you's a good churchman. Please, tell Richard what he's doing is wrong, that he should look into his heart and show kindness to a wretched fellow such as myself."
I took a deep breath. "I would say that the only poor decision this man is making is letting you walk back in here you greedy, self entitled, newt. Don't you dare bring my faith into this for I know for a fact that you have not stepped into a church for Gods know how long. Now if you so much as look at me with those beady little eyes of yours again I'll drag you to the courthouse myself with the help of a horse and rope, then proceed to stand over your trial, noose in hand!" I felt that I had spoken my feelings adequately enough.
"Well shit, Erick, I think that was the first time I ever heard you say my name since we've met. You remember, right? The time you tried making me believe that the painted copper you handed me was actually silver?"
"Oh fuck off you cow, I'll take a room. I'll pay in the morning though! I have the right to refuse if I'm not satisfied!" Spouted Erick before he slammed the door behind him.
"Go ahead, just know that if you decide to jump out the window again I won't hesitate to have the guards chase you down and drag your sorry ass back here!" The barkeep called out.
"Now then lad, best you get off to bed now. I'm closin' her up for the night. Erma and my daughter, Silva, will be opening tomorrow so you won't be seeing me. Safe travels to you my friend."
"And to you as well, Richard. You've made my first night in Peccavi quite memorable. Best of luck to you and the tavern." I said tiredly before softly shutting the door behind me. The moonlight streaming in from the window across the hall revealed three doorways on each side of the corridor. Two rooms were left unoccupied on the right, away from the door in which I came in. By old habit I chose the door nearest to the cool air. I could never stand the bloody heat.
I tried my best to quietly doff my chainmail and stashed the heavy metal beneath the cot. Finally, I performed my nightly prayers and placed my mace beside me. Sleep came easily that night and I dreamt no dreams. I hadn't the time to. A ghastly scream pierced my ears and I stood, mace at the ready. It had come from the hall, directly across from my room. After uttering a quick blessing I sped out the doorway and came upon two corpses and a figure masked by shadows. The stench of rot and decay wafted in from room the man stood in, so much so that I was forced to press a hand across my face to keep from wretching. The figure then nimbly jumped out of the widow and sped off into the night. By the time I had raised my mace he was already gone. Fast. Far too fast.
The doors to my left creaked open and out stepped Launda, Cassius, and Erick. Cassius and Erick were in their britches and held daggers aloft. Launda on the other hand wore her still damp clothing from earlier though it was obvious that they were thrown on haphazardly. On her right pointer finger was some form of ring. They all looked to me for an explanation.
"What's happening, priest?! I heard a woman scream!" Shouted Cassius.
I merely motioned for him to take a glimpse at the crime in front of me. "The assailant was a man, about medium height. It was almost as if the shadows themselves kept his features from me. He fled through the window before I could do anything. The culprit is gone but we may find something he left behind." I then took a step towards the grisly scene.
Erick decided to give his input. "Oh fuck no, I know how this ends. The guards come rushin' in here and find two bodies fleshly bled with us brandishing weapons! Sod it, I'm heading out of here." Launda stepped in his path.
"Are ya daft, man? You'll just make yourself a suspect by running off and likely drag us down with you! Let the guardsman and cleric investigate. We need to watch the door. We can't have been the only ones to have heard that scream."
"Mark my words, woman. If you end up getting me hanged I'll haunt you from the beyond, I swear it." Muttered Erick begrudgingly. Strange how he went along with her demands so easily, though it might have been my hand gripping his arm that made him far more agreeable.
"By the Gods it's Erma. She didn't deserve to pass like this." Uttered Cassius behind me.
I examined the wound. "He thrust a dagger into her throat, down into the vertebrae before tearing it out. Damn near severed it even." Her face was left in a visage of terror. The poor woman must have opened the door for some reason, probably the stench.
The first rays of daylight lit up our surroundings. The second body in the room caused my blood to run cold. It was the face of the man I was sent to find, Mathias Silverheart. An old soldier and Paladin of the Morning Lord. One who had even climbed to the rank of Dawnlord. His corpse was long cold and sported a wound identical to Erma's, along with a multitude of lacerations and tears upon his person. The soldier's armor lay in a neat pile at the foot of his cot while his sword rested at his side without a drop of blood staining it.
I offered a short prayer for these unfortunate souls while Cassius and Erick searched the rest of the room. Their investigation didn't bear any fruit. The intruder left behind no evidence besides the bodies themselves. Launda decided to try her hand at finding some sort of clue while both men and I rifled through Mathias' equipment. I decided to not share my connection to him with the rest of the group unless I had to. The head of the Western Sect of the church entrusted me with this task himself. Dawnmaster Lambert instructed me to not share Mathias' rank or history unless absolutely necessary.
We were able to find a journal amongst the Paladin's possessions, along with a hefty coin purse. I kept the coin in a pouch on my side and away from the resident crook who eyed it greedily. I leafed through his journal until I found the most recent entry.
I finally found a breakthrough in my investigation!
After greasing a few palms I was able to gain some valuable information on a suspect. A dwarf has been spotted at the markets purchasing dozens of slaves at a time. Now normally this wouldn't be strange as servants are commonly sent out to pick up batch orders for their lords. But one thing stood out. The dwarf always paid with gold upfront so no written order documents were added to the merchants' records.
I believe that this has some connection to the bodies that have been washing up on the shores of the poor quarter these past few months. It doesn't take a mortician to figure out that most of the wounds inflicted upon the victims were from torture. I followed the dwarf down a few alleys but alas, stealth was never a skill of mine. He was spooked and fled down a series of winding paths until I cornered him at the end of an alley. I took one step towards him and received a blow to the back of the head for my carelessness. When I regained my bearings I was alone.
I hope that Giselle and Amal will soon return with reinforcements. The sooner we get this business with the Custodian over with, the sooner we can focus on these infernal killings.
Erick leaned in to get a better view of the corpse. "Looks like we know what got the poor fuck killed. You never involve yourself in the business of nobility. Never."
"I hate to say it but the man's right. Meddling in the affairs of Peccavi's upper class is a death sentence. Anyone born here knows that as a fact. He seems to be a part-
Cassius was stopped midway by the sound of the tavern door crashing and a rush of footsteps.
A/N: Hey there! This is my first attempt at a story and I chose to base it on a long term campaign I've been running for over a year now. I plan to keep this same writing style throughout all of it with some excerpts at the beginning of each chapter if I can. I'm also planning on keeping each chapter at around 3,000 words. Let me know what you guys think and don't be afraid to leave any questions in the comments section!