On the Rim - Next Session Primer

Perswell Port

Perswell Port is a major thoroughfare for northeastern Tigris, and a fine city in its own right. It is not technically part of the Nurtland Kingdom, but it owes a great debt to its ruler for aiding them in the Tribal Wars.

It's the tail end of autumn in the greater bay area. Julian fills the party in on a few details about the area, and tells them they can find lodging in the Port at his guild's tavernhouse. He mentions breifly the coming Midwinter Festival, saying that by the time he gets back from his next trip he hopes he can sit down for a drink with you all.

News has been coming in, albeit slowly, of a stirring amongst the orchish tribes in the wooded hills to the west, though about what no one can tell. It's been eight generations since the Red Knights' hard-won victory over the invading nomads, and since then the disparate orcs have been too obsessed with their tribal infighting, they haven't been able to really strike back. There's talk that some tribes farther to the north, near Gaea's Many Faces (a large and abrupt cliff face that effectively splits the land into southeastern Enlil and northeastern Tigris,) have recruited into their ranks tribes of Yeti, though this is mostly vague rumor and heresay. Still, it's not something to take lightly. Perswell Port, though well protected from atack by sea by a veritable fleet of guild ships ready to lay down their lives to protect their livelihood, is virtually defenseless from the mainland. Red Knight patrols venture to the port every once in a while, but they are now more concerned with protecting Nurtland's recent ventures into the wildlands of Enlil.

There is also this news about some outlying island villages in Midgard being razed. Cultural bias and historical precedence points the finger solely at the Jordelfen, though there has been talk of one or more packs of feral Lupines wreaking havoc in that frozen land. Of the handful of survivors of these attacks, a few of them recount seeing serpent-headed ships flying under blue canvas, a trait not unheard of for some clans of Jordelfen. However, the Jordelfen clans who might do such deeds have not been seen outside of their icy iron holds for more than two hundred years. The few clans that do not have a reputation for murderous war have also been rather quiet for a while, though this is not unusual. It may be a sign of something more dire to come, or it may just be isolated cases.

The Vigilant enters into the Bay, presenting Perswell Port. The city rises up the hills to the north. Leaves cling desperately to the trees that cover the countryside, carts, wagons and caravans line the streets with the last harvest and goods to trade. Many ships are moored in the bay, more still up at the docks. Gigantic chains rise up out of the waters, hung from unseen anchors high up in the clouds. The brick-laden roads of Perswell Port are covered in fallen leaves, and many of its citizens are enjoying the last of the warm weather before the looming cold sweeps in, bringing heavy snow. Stepping into the Merchant Horizon tavernhouse, they are told many stories of the city's recent joys and recent troubles.

For instance, there was a great celebration when the third prince of the Nurtland line held his wedding ceremony in the cliffside Temple of the Sea, and in the summer there was the slaying of the wyrm Nylffund, who had terrorized the outlying farmlands for decades. Though, with his death, it seemed a greater threat moved in to fill the gap. Many of the orchards responsible for the city's considerable wine and cider exports have wilted to nothingness by a pack of roaming sappers, led by a great beast said to stand 18 feet high when reared, and covered in a thick hide that shines with a wicked glint. There's also that business in the Cliffs. Many children and women have gone missing, and some suspect it might be trolls. A pack of trolls is one thing, but if it's the size it's rumored to be, there might be cause to panick.

____

So there you have it. I'd like to jump right into playing next time we meet. If we can game this weekend after Dark Knight, all the better. If not, we can figure out the time and date whenever it's convenient. Edit: Added a quick sentence. I thought I wrote the chains bit for another city, but it seems I was mistaken.