Episode 1: The Great King's Wharf

The Great King's Wharf is the first episode of the podcast, posted on June 17, 2018. It is available on platforms like Spotify, iTunes and YouTube. Since it is the first episode, it begins with the player's introducing themselves and their characters, Br'aad, Taxi, Velrisa, Sylnan, and Mountain.

Episode Description
"Hey you boys, Come listen to the first Just Roll With It adventure as we journey uh, somewhere. Are you sold yet?"

Storyline
Br'aad has stowed himself inside a crate in the hold of a boat heading to the eponymous Great King's Wharf. Taxi and Velrisa board the same boat, having paid for their ride, unlike Br'aad. The two stand out in the crowd, since they are some of the only non-humans present.

Meanwhile, Mountain is travelling by foot towards the Wharf. In the Wharf, Sylnan and Hilltree have returned to their home above the Rat King after a long day of scamming people.

As the boat prepares to leave port, Taxi takes several double-takes towards Velrisa, the most unusual person on the ship besides himself. The boat leaves port and Br'aad sneaks his way upstairs inside the crate he hid himself in. Taxi and Velrisa remark to each other on his antics. He is discovered and scolded by the captain of the boat, a hunchbacked halfling, but is otherwise ignored. Br'aad makes conversation towards Velrisa, learning of her task as a grave cleric, and shares that he is traveling to the Wharf to find his brother Sylnan. Br'aad also explains how he and Sylnan have a routine where he distracts people and Sylnan steals from them, not realizing how loud he is speaking. Many of the people on the boat give Br'aad distrustful looks as they hear this, and Velrisa distances herself from him. Br'aad then attempts to converse with Taxi, asking him what he plans to do in the Wharf. Taxi dodges the question, but introduces himself to Br'aad. Br'aad mishears Taxi's name as Saxi and gives him an odd complement, and Taxi disengages from the conversation, baffled and slightly amused.

Br'aad tries to engage with Vel again to no particular avail before leaving, and a nearby teenager remarks that Br'aad is perhaps not quite right in the head.

Mountain, having now arrived in the Wharf, finds his way to a nearby tavern. He orders a tankard of ale from a barmaid as Sylnan and Hilltree also enter. Mountain notices Sylnan watching him, becoming slightly suspicious, but keeps to himself. Sylnan approaches with Hill tree and offers a game of dice, intending to con Mountain, but Hilltree coughs out black mold across the booth, prompting Mountain to leave.

After twelve hours of travel, the boat arrives in the Wharf. Taxi, Velrisa and Br'aad disembark and Br'aad makes conversation with Taxi, who is disgusted by the rotten smell of the city. Br'aad says he's used to it, since he has lived in the Wharf all his life. Learning that Br'aad knows the city well, Taxi asks him what the most popular place in the city is, and Br'aad suggests a number of locations (though through the voice of the dungeon master). He also ropes in Velrisa, who attempts to ignore him unsuccessfully. As the three of them are talking, Br'aad sees Sylnan walk by in the crowd and calls him over, introducing Taxi and Velrisa to him. Br'aad talks about their intentions and how Vel is looking for "dead people" while Taxi wants to find a populated area. Taxi then corrects him, and says that his real plan to to find someone who looks like Velrisa- a tiefling. Br'aad asks Velrisa how she looks, and she replies that he can see her better than she can. Br'aad feels a little existential, although Taxi is doubtful he even knows what the word means. As they banter, Taxi draws attention to Hilltree, and after further introductions they decide to head towards the castle.

As the group walks, Br'aad tries to catch up with Sylnan, as it's been a year since they've seen each other last. They share an embrace before Br'aad tells his brother about his new fear of cows and Sylnan relates how he saved Hilltree from a group of rats, causing the goblin to follow him everywhere. Br'aad checks in with Vel and Taxi and offers to "Febreeze it up in here" to help with the smell of the city. He asks Taxi what his favorite scent is, calling him "Saxi," which leads to them arguing further over the pronunciation of Taxi's name. Taxi finally gets fed up and scares Br'aad away by mooing, although not before Br'aad magically creates a strawberry air freshener hanging off Taxi's nose.

Sylnan overhears that Taxi is looking for an "Oriana", but doesn't know her. They make their way to the square in the upper districts, and Br'aad suggests to Sylnan that they try their old routine. Sylnan points out a child holding a coin purse as a target. They deliberate back and forth about the implications of stealing from a literal child while Vel and Taxi both question why they are hanging out with these people. Br'aad tells them that it will be a good magic trick, and Taxi scoffs, and reminds them that he wants to find a toddling, not watch two adults rob a child. Hilltree says that he's seen a dead tiefling while he was robbing graves. Taxi asks for Hilltree to lead him to it, and the goblin agrees to in exchange for one copper. Taxi throws it at him and says "that's a magic trick", but Br'aad is not impressed.

Hilltree ducks into an alleyway for a minute, and while they wait, Mountain passes by and Sylnan and Br'aad decide to pull their scheme on him. Br'aad strikes up a conversation and distracts him with a Snockers while Sylnan takes his coin purse. However, Mountain realizes that they stole from him and decides to secretly follow the group.

Hilltree returns, and leads them through back alleys into a wooded area behind the cemetery. They follow him to a staircase to the morgue, which is full of covered corpses set out on tables. Hilltree says that the tiefling was on one of the tables, but it is currently empty. As they debate where the body could be, an older gentleman enters and introduces himself as the Embalmer. He glares at Hilltree, who he apparently recognizes, and explains that he had previously caught the goblin defiling the dead bodies.

Taxi asks the Embalmer if he has buried a tiefling recently, and the man says that he embalmed one recently, named Lyna. Br'aad starts to leave, assuming that they have found the person they were looking for, but Taxi stops him and says that it's not the right name. The Embalmer adds one of the dead tiefling's friends mentioned that they were looking for somebody named "Orina" or "Orona," who was kidnapped in a tavern downtown, and Taxi agitatedly confirms that she is the person he is seeking. The Embalmer tells them that the friends are staying at the Slaughtered Ox tavern, near the castle. Taxi asks the man his name, which is Anders. Anders then asks for them to stop trespassing and to let him get back to work, so the group gets ready to leave.

While the other characters were talking, Mountain has set a beartrap at the exit to get revenge on Br'aad and Sylnan for stealing his money. Taxi asks Hilltree to lead the way, and as he goes up the stairs, he stops, returns, and says that there's a trap. Sylnan manages to disarm the trap it with his hand, and when it goes off, Mountain runs out with a pike and charges them. Sylnan throws the stolen coin purse back at Mountain and concedes, to try and diffuse the situation. Hilltree has walked off at this point. After tensions lower somewhat, everybody introduces themselves to Mountain, Mountain calling Taxi "Cat", and Taxi calling him "Gnome". Mountain tries to confront Sylnan about stealing from him, but Sylnan pretends that he has no idea what Mountain is talking about. Suddenly, Hilltree comes running back saying he's seen a tiefling. He points Taxi in the direction and collapses exhausted due to his damaged lungs. The group runs towards the location, Velrisa staying to help Hilltree. She casts Lesser Restoration on the goblin, and although it helps slightly, it is evident that he will need long-term medical attention to fully clear up his problems. Hiltree falls asleep, and Velrisa goes to follow the others as the sun begins to set.

As Sylnan, Br'aad, and Mountain follow Taxi, who is much faster than all of them, they hear a bloodcurdling scream. They arrive at an alleyway where a pink-skinned tiefling is slumped against the wall, blood pouring from a wound in her chest. Taxi recognizes her as Oriana and runs over, casting Cure Wounds before frantically asking Br'aad if he knows where to find a doctor. Br'aad replies that Velrisa is a doctor, as Vel, having heard the shout, heads towards the group. Taxi tries not to cry, but Br'aad Prestidigitates tears onto his face anyway. As Velrisa arrives, Taxi asks her to heal Oriana, and after inquiring who had been screaming, Vel obliges.

While Vel examines Oriana, Sylnan decides to investigate the alley for signs of the attacker. Rolling a Nat 20, he sees a bootprint in the pool of blood as well as a bunch of scuffs that move up a wall. He and Br'aad approach the wall, which appears to be difficult to climb as it is made out of tight cobblestone which becomes wood 15 feet up. Br'aad offers to use Eldritch Blast to boost Sylnan into the air so he could reach the wooden part, which would offer better footing, but Sylnan wisely declines. Seeing the brothers dithering, Velrisa tells Taxi to go try and help them. Br'aad still insists on blasting Sylnan, to which Taxi shouts that "this is no time for plans!"— a sentiment which even Br'aad finds rather stupid.

In the middle of all of this arguing, time stops.

Br'aad is the only one who remains unaffected as everybody else slows down and comes to a halt, frozen like statues. He hears a small ding, and turns to see Ob'nockshai with stirring a cup of tea, observing the situation as he makes his way down the alleyway. Br'aad says that this is not the right time and asks if he can get back to what he was doing, to which Ob'nockshai says that he can, but only in due time, as he is in the mood for a game. He asks Br'aad if he is interested and Br'aad says it depends on the game. Ob'nockshai sits on one of frozen Taxi's raised arms, explaining that if Br'aad can beat him in the game, he'll tell him who attacked Oriana and where to find them and where to find them. Ob'nockshai seems uncertain about what to do if Br'aad loses, and Br'aad offers having to tell Ob'nockshai his crush before Ob'nockshai settles on having Br'aad use Hilltree as fishing bait. Br'aad's short attention span leads to him not hearing what Ob'nockshai decided, but he agrees to the game regardless.

Ob'nockshai's game is revealed to ba a coin flip; if it's heads he wins, if it's tails Br'aad wins. Br'aad counters him with his own proposal: that he flips his own coin, and if it's heads Br'aad wins, and if it's tails, Ob'nockshai loses. Ob'nockshai says that it's not wise to try to trick a trickster, but lets Br'aad flip the coin anyway. As Br'aad tries to figure out who wins for what, Ob'nockshai appears standing him and watching over his shoulder. Br'aad, having completely confused himself at this point, flips the coin, which stops for a moment at its apex before descending into Br'aad's hand. When he looks at it, it has landed on heads, but the design has become Oriana's head with X's for eyes. Br'aad says that the flip seemed a "a little bit bullshit" but also that he doesn't know who won. Ob'nockshai says he was always going to let Br'aad win, and Br'aad thanks him.

Br'aad asks who did this, and Ob'nockshai replies that it starts with a story. He moves time back 15 years, changing their surroundings. The scene in front of them is still frozen, but they are now at the port of the Wharf, which looks much happier and healthier than it is in the present. He points out a barber with a buzzcut and butcher's apron, and says that this is the man who attacked Oriana, a travelling barber who has a vendetta against the area. They snap forward 2 more years and are now on a ship in the middle of the night, surrounded by drunken sailors. They can still see the Wharf from the boat, and the barber being pushed off the edge of the deck into the water by the intoxicated crew members. Other shipmates notice but pay the man overboard no mind. Br'aad asks how the barber dying here leads to him gutting people 15 years later, and Ob'nockshai responds that this is where things get interesting. The world moves around them, and they arrive next to the barber as he sinks under the water. In front of them is a ginormous dragon turtle, mouth open, about to eat the barber. The dragon turtle's mouth snaps shut and the action sends violent ripples of displaced water moving around them. The moonlight fades, and everything becomes dark.

Time snaps back to the alley, but everyone is still frozen and Br'aad is no longer able to move. Ob'nockshai paces around him in circles while Br'aad recaps what he gathersled from the vision. Ob'nockshai says that the barber most definitely was killed by the dragon turtle. He points out a few questions that he thinks Br'aad should be asking— how did the barber come back from the dead, and why is he killing tieflings? Br'aad thanks Ob'nockshai for the information, and says that he'll "catch [him] on the flip side." Ob'nockshai doesn't understand the pun, and although Br'aad urgently asks him to stay so he can explain the joke, Ob'nockshai vanishes and time resumes.

Br'aad interrupts the others before they can continue the argument and recounts the story, who are confused as to how Br'aad came across the information since no time has passed for them. Br'aad says that he tripped balls, "if the balls were like an eldritch— he's a little bit of a dick, but he shows up, and he has a few goofs, and it's hard to explain, but he kind of fucks with me." They seem doubtful of the explanation, especially coming from Br'aad, who has already proven to be not the most reliable person. Taxi Spider Climbs up the wall, seeing no one but feeling a dark presence which unnerves him. He comes back down and says that after feeling wrong up there, he might believe Br'aad a bit more about what he said. Br'aad, having already forgotten the information, asks Taxi to remind him what it was he had told them.

Taxi asks where he can take Oriana, and Sylnan offers his and Br'aad's home, the Factory, which Br'aad says is a 3 on a scale of 1-10 for safety. They also suggest that their roommate, the Rat King, might have information on the Barber, since he knows lots about what goes on in the city. They make their way to the Factory, which is a rusted metal building. They climb the exterior scaffolding, which Sylnan and Br'aad had made to get to their second floor room without encountering the Rat King. After situating the unconcious Oriana, the group briefly debates who should be the one to talk to the Rat King, and finally Taxi is chosen. Taxi nervously heads downstairs to see what the Rat King knows.

The first floor is completely covered by rats and Taxi is unable to walk through without stepping on them. In the centre is a wooden crate on which sits the Rat King, who is rocking back and forth with unblinking eyes. After introductions, Taxi asks him about the Barber, and the Rat King, after a few roundabout discussions, tells him all that the rats know about the Barber, who he calls Lupin. The Rat King beckons Taxi closer, and then suddenly reaches out and holds Taxi’s head, and tells him to close his eyes. He cautiously does, and begins to feel very small. He sees through the eyes of a rat as it runs into an alley and watches Lupin repeatedly stab into the chest of a tiefling.

Taxi jolts back to his normal vision, and is momentarily out of breath while the Rat King tells him that Lupin doesn’t like non-humans, such as Taxi and Oriana. He reveals that Lupin killed non-humans even while he was still alive. Taxi heads back upstairs with a giant headache.

While Taco is relatiing what the Rat King has told him, the party hears the Rat King starting  to laugh unsettlingly below them. Br’aad says that he’s sure the Rat King is cool once you get to know him, but Sylnan says that in the past year, he had been desperate enough to try and hang out with the Rat King, and he was "not a good time."

Mountain asks Taxi about who Oriana is to him, and Taxi says that she’s his lover, although he knows it’s not normal for tieflings to fall in love with tabaxis. Br’aad remarks that the party is an open-minded group of people.

Mountain asks Taxi about who Oriana is to him, and Taxi says that she’s his lover, although he knows it’s not normal for tieflings to fall in love with tabaxis. Br’aad remarks that the party is an open-minded group of people. He brings up that the people of the Wharf don’t like outsiders, and that the city is made up of mostly humans and some half-elves (which are treated semi-okay). Taxi, Vel and Mountain comment on how they definitely have been getting odd looks since they’ve arrived. Mountain asks who would go on a murder spree just out of racism, and Hilltree says that this guy might have something fueling him.

Taxi is troubled at the thought of someone dead walking around with the living, and Hilltree says he thinks he knows how the Barber is around— there might be something else in him, not a soul. Br’aad comments that that was a really good guess, becoming suspicious of Hilltree's knowledge about Lupin.

Taxi is troubled at the thought of someone dead walking around with the living, and Hilltree says he thinks he knows how the Barber is around— he must have something unnatural in place of a soul. Br’aad comments on how that was a really good guess, becoming suspicious of Hilltree's knowledge about Lupin. Everybody becomes distrustful of Hilltree, and he tries to leave, but Velrisa casts Thaumaturgy to slam the window shutters closed. Taxi and Mountain try to intimidate Hilltree into talking, and he reveals that he saw the Barber kill a dWharf weeks ago. He claims that he thought Lupin was just a normal fisherman, which Taxi doesn’t buy as an answer. Hilltree says that he may be a fish devil, confusing nearly everybody. However, Sylnan confirms that there are rumors of a cult of fish-worshippers in the sewers. He had assumed they were an urban myth, but Br’aad figures that checking the sewers might be a better bet than checking random alleyways for a murderer.

Sylnan decides to go talk to the Rat King himself. Br’aad follows behind and watches Sylnan wade through the waves of rats. The Rat King says he’s definitely seen people in the sewers, and Br’aad says that he probably doesn’t need to do the “hands-on-the-head thing” to prove it. The Rat King continues, babbling about the sewer people having books and bringing in sacrifices. Sylnan asks him to show them the way, and the Rat King says that he can do it tomorrow, and is too tired today. They thank him and then go upstairs to tell the rest of the group. When Taxi asks about a plan and information on the fish people, Br’aad tells him that even if they don't have a plan, they should Just Roll With It.

Transcript
DM (Narwhal): We’ll start with the whereabouts of one Br'aad, currently-

Charlie: Oh, fuck. [Laughter] I don't even know where I am. Okay-wait, tell me.

DM: Yeah. You, um, have already stowed away deep below on the under depths of this boat. You have found a very small crate to kinda weasel yourself into. Um, suspecting that none of the crew saw you, you managed to get down into this--into this area and store yourself away no problem. You can still hear the footsteps atop of people who actually paid for their ride. You can hear them now, boarding.

At this time, as well, there is a, uh--one Velrisasia and a Taxi, who are both currently, uh, boarding the boat.

Charlie: Do I know this? Did they, like, shout out their names when they board?

DM: No, no, I'm saying it so that that way they know that they're also currently boarding the boat because they're, um-

Grizzly: [sarcastically and loud] Hello! My name's Taxi!

Charlie: I better write that one down.

[Collective laughter.]

DM: But. So, you currently already stowed yourself away. Um, atop, in the view sight now of Taxi; you have paid your coinage to hop on this boat on the way down to the Great King's Wharf. There's only eleven other people that are hopping on this boat. The boat itself, um, probably the most chanty one in port right now, some of the wood kinda rotted and falling off--but it was a cheap ride, so you kinda just went with it. Being a druid, you don't have much coin to your name.

Now, Velrisa, on the other hand; although you do have the coin, you have always known to spend it wisely, so you go for, usually, the cheaper options, hopping upon the boat as well.

Definitely, the two of you stand out more than everybody else, the rest of the passengers being humans and a couple of half-elves. Uh, a tiefling and a tabaxi kinda definitely are sore thumbs in this situation. So, you're getting a lot of side glances, a lot of eyes are on you, but you kinda just-sorta keep to yourself and try to avoid the eye contact too much.

Current whereabouts now of one Mountain. Um, you yourself are on foot travel right now to the Great King's Wharf. You, uh, haven't--you've been wandering all day. It's been uh, quite a long one, to say the least. So, uh, seeing that there is, uh, a road heading towards a city in sight, you are eager to get somewhere to finally take a rest.

Sylnan - you are currently with Hiltree. You're in your guys' current establishment, second floor, and you have just finished getting your daily--daily bread for today. You've scammed you need to, you've picked the pockets you need to, and you've gotten food for the day for you and Hiltree.

Condi: 'Is the Rat King around? I need to know if I hear this man right now.

DM: Oh, you do. He is the-he is downstairs. You hear it.

Condi: I'm just gonna scoff to myself, "Fuckin' Rat King. Hate that guy."

Charlie: Should we get, like, a little background on what-the-fuck is going on?

DM: Not yet, not yet, not yet. It'll come.

Charlie: So I hope that all made sense. [Slight wheeze]

DM: It'll come. That's the beauty of it.

So, currently, is there anything that Velrisa or Taxi would like to do now that you guys have boarded the ship and it is now getting ready to leave--you guys haven't left port yet, but it's preparing. Sails are being lowered, anchors being raised.

Grizzly: I kinda glance over at her, uh, too many times, you know. Too many tries, too many double-takes, you know?

DM: What's your perception, Velrisa?

TripleMCWheatie: It is... Uh. Hold on. It is, uh, three.

DM: Three. Ummm. How obvious do you make these double-takes? Like, how much does it happen.

Grizzly: I'm--I'm trying not to be too obvious... Trying.

DM: Trying is a.. very generous word. Um, at this moment now, the ship has now left port. It is sailing; you guys have about half a day's travel ahead of you. Br'aad, you can--even down in the crate, you can feel, like, the push off, and you can now feel sorta the weightless of the water and you start to move as the boat itself begins its travel.

Charlie: Is it, like--is it, like, a little nauseating? Is it comfortable?

DM: Umm. You're used to it.

Charlie: Okay. So I'm--I'm doing great.

DM: At this point, you can decide whether or not you'd like to stay in the crate or if you wanna try and break out, move around the ship and act like you are one of the ones who paid.

Charlie: Ooo! Um, am I like--I'm in the bottom of the ship, right now?

DM: You're in-you're--you're in the stow, yeah.

Charlie: Okay. Yeah, I'll--I mean, I'll pop my legs out of the crate. And, uh, you know, just in case while I'm still down there I need to sneak back in. Um, I'll pop my legs out.

[Incoherent babbling along the lines of where Velrisa and Taxi are.]

DM: You guys are on deck.

Charlie: But keep the-keep the crate around me and kinda try and, like, move towards the stairs.

DM: So, like, Sullen Snakes style?

Charlie: With a--[wheeze]--a little bit of middle gear. Middle gear, not so solid.

DM: Alright, go ahead and make a stealth check.

Charlie: Alright.

DM: First roll of the session.

Charlie: Rolled a twelve plus--that's a seventeen.

[Collective "not bad."]

DM: So you're gonna make your way towards the staircase looking up towards the deck. [In the background, Charlie jokes with "It's a crate roll."] Um, there are a few sailors down here but they've already seemed to uh, started to pour the tankards, get drinks ready, and they're already celebrating way too early. So, you make your way past no problem. Nobody really seems to pay you any mind.

Charlie: Mhm.

DM: And you make your way to the staircase.

Charlie: So now, I'm at the bottom of the stairs, still have the box on me-

DM: Yes. And you are now looking up the staircase. You can see the clouds ahead, um, well above. You can see one of the edges of the sails kinda wave through the wind.

Charlie: It's--and-it's a beautiful sight, and I want to just-I want to go up those stairs, but I want to forget to take the box off cause I'm just taking it all in.

DM: You're gonna just go up there with the box on? [Wheeze]

Charlie: Yeah, I mean. The clouds, the sky, the smell of the--uh-

Grizzly: Alright, now do I see him?

The captain comes onto the main deck and says: well hope y'all have a safe trip if you need me I’ll be downstairs the boys are having a drink already, your rooms are right down below as well there are a few bedrolls across the floor there is no real room.

Velrisa looks at Taxi and says looks like we got quite the show here ey

Taxi: seems like a swell old man

Crew member: Nah a bit of a prick

Taxi : oh, thats my bad then

Br'aad now back inside the crate:(muffled) he seemed nice

Velrisa: is that man in the box talking?

Taxi: should we help him?

Velrisa: in not quite sure actually, I don't think I want to

Br'aad once again opens the crate but now fully leaves it and kicks it downstairs like it never happened, Br'aad now starts to admire the view the skies were a bit cloudy but that was normal, a few seagulls fly by you hear them chirp

Br'aad starts to chirp back(figure out what that would sound like)

He takes notice of the teafling and the tabaxi, now eager to make conversion he walks up to Velrisa

Br'aad: what brings you here?

Velrisa: well I don't know, what brings you here?

Br'aad: oof I asked first

Velrisa: I’m looking for an area called the great king’s wharf

Br'aad: oh man, is that where we are going, that's actually where I'm head to the area you're looking for, you know that's the area I grew up

Velrisa: oh you did

Br'aad: yes

Velrisa: then what are you doing out here?

Br'aad: I umm ran into a few issues but I would like to know more about you first before I put all of myself out there on a plate you know what do you doing going there?

Velrisa: i'm a grave cleric

Br'aad: what the fuck does that have to do with anything?

Velrisa: well I figured the king’s wharf  situation  over there with all the crime and death with my abilities as a grave cleric I figured I could help a few people out there quite needed over their

Br'aad: what actually do you do as a grave cleric I’m dying to know

Velrisa:(snickers a little bit) I help pass people to the afterlife you know give them a safe passageway

Br'aad: oh you know that's actually pretty cool is this your first time doing this or have you done this a couple times before

Velrisa: I never quite left my town

Br'aad: I understand see I heard they haven't been doing too well as a job I thought the business was kind of dying

Velrisa:(snickering again)all right well what about you what are you after?

Br'aad: well I'm off to see my brother, I'm off to see my brother sylnen, and I've lived with him my entire life but I don't know if that's how you pronounce it, sylnan

Velrisa: what do you plan on doing?

Br'aad: oh we've got the little routine him and I, I dance I do a little jig he gives the peddlers coins a diddle you know the usual

Velrisa: I don't quite understand

Br'aad: well... I distract people and he steals their money

Velrisa: oh... oh I see

Br'aad: you know that kind of thing

As he says this out loud a lot of the ship hand turns their attention to Br'aad

Br'aad: in a polite way, in a nice way, its conscientual,  its conscientual thievery

Velrisa: I don't quite believe you but I see where you are coming from

Br'aad: we always ask

One of the men kind of near them moves his coin pouch to the other side of his belt

Velrisa: you should probably keep it down there

Br'aad: I literally didn't know I was talking this loud

Taxi is now chucking to himself

Br'aad walks over to taxi

Br'aad: nice forearm and nicer staff, whats your name? I'm Br'aad

Taxi: you alright their

Br'aad: yes I'm quite, my; my name is Br'aad still

Taxi: did you drink a little in that crate?

Br'aad: no there was literally nothing in there besides me, what brings you to the great king's wharf

Taxi: well we are not actually their yet so I don't know

Br'aad: but what would bring you their beside the boat; silly

Taxi laughs: you're a funny guy I like you

One of the crew members lets out a long drawn out sigh

Taxi: the names taxi put er there

Br'aad: The names? What the fuck, Saxi.

Taxi: Taxi. The name's Taxi.

Br'aad laughing:Taxi! There was no T.

reaches out and shakes his hand

Br'aad: Nice hairy and or fleshy hands, so whats does bring you this way actually you still haven't said

Taxi: Well. I'm looking for someone.

Br'aad: You are? Who is that who you are looking for?

Br'aad still hasn't let go of the taxi's hand

Taxi looks at Br'aad with wide eyes: I'd rather not say...

Br'aad: You would rather not say, hmm? I'm looking for my brother, Sylnan. I'm going to the Great King's Wharf to look for my brother, Sylnan. We grew up together.

Taxi: Is he--is he just like you?

Br'aad: He isn't-- no, God no.

Taxi: That's good to hear, that's good to hear.

Br'aad: thank goodness you would rather not say though

Taxi: could you let go of my hand, please

Br'aad: yes you would rather not say who you're looking for though, can I get a little whiff a sniff of what your up to here

Slightly letting go of taxis hand but still lightly grasping his hand

Taxi: why are you asking

Br'aad: I just want to get to know people, it's not too weird, I know I just crawled out a fking crate but come on

Taxi: how bout this why were you in that crate?

Br'aad: I'm sure you can guess the cats out of the bag per se

Taxi: you can't make cat jokes

Br'aad: sure I can, oh shit is that racist if so sorry

Taxi: ima, ima go downstairs and kinda sleep

Br'aad: and that's cool but I really would like to know a little more about you, I hope I'm not coming on too strongly here

Taxi: it was nice to meet your bra... Br'aad brad

Br'aad: I go by brad it's great to meet you too saxi

Taxi walks off and looks at the teafling with the widest eyes.

The teafling walks away to try and ignore the entire situation

Taxi now down bellow he hears tankards being slammed together cheering and laughing

Taxi moves on and rolls up a blankets lies down

Velrisa now looking  off the deck keeping to herself looking sad and slightly depressed

Br'aad to Velrisa: excuse me I don't think I caught your name

Velrisa : the names Velrisa

Br'aad: my name is... shit not sylnan that's the brother I'm looking for my name is brad you said your name was Velrisa

Velrisa: you can call me Velrisa if it makes it easier

Br'aad: oh but I'm quite sure I said that right. What brings you here

Velrisa: you already asked this

Br'aad: did you tell me, oh yes wait I remember you are a grave cleric and you are looking for oh shit dead people

Velrisa: ’sigh’ yes yes I am

Br'aad: oh how wonderful I think we go along great and I would love to chat more it is a long boat ride and I'm not saying that to be weird I'm saying if you ever need someone to talk to I'm always here

Velrisa: ill let you know if I need something

Br'aad: oh I'm sure you will

Br'aad heads towards downstairs

Velrisa facepalms extremely hard

A young human walks up to Velrisa

young human: quite the handful eh

Velrisa: I'm not sure what to expect during these travels but it seemed quite interesting

young human: my mom says people like that are dis...disabled I think she said

Velrisa full out laughing: I can say he is, yes

young human: mum says we have to be nice to them but frankly (starts whispering) I think they are a bit stupid

And after that encounter, our heroes just lay around until the ship comes to port

By this time mountain has now made it to the king's wharf walking in he can smell the salt of the sea and an underlying rotten smell like carcass a dead fishy animal smell takes over the entire city as mountain walks into a tavern most of the people looks disgusting. Missing teeth rashes dirty grease across their face straggly hair everyone here looks disease-ridden unhealthy not kept in any way

People there have eyes down in their ale not making a fuss as you would imagine

As he walks in a female a more kept people he's seen walks up to you

Barmadin: not likely we see your kind around here what do you need food, drink, the bed we, got it all?

Mountain: yeah, bring me some ale

Barmadin: ok sit at any table you'd like and ill bring it over

Mountain sits at the back corner of the tavern and after a few min the barmadin brings out a tankard of ale

Barmadin: we keep tabs just pay later

As Mountain starts to enjoy his drink he sees a half-elf come into the tavern but what is bazaar is the little green creature that's accompanying him somehow shorter than mountain

As sylnan enters the tavern

Sylnan: let's go grab a seat hilltree

Hilltree in a raspy voice: yes

Sylvan grabs the closest empty seat the barmadin looks over at them nods and go grabs their usual

As sylnan looks around he sees the usual people the like the sailors the minors but then he sees in the corner he sees a dWharf keeping to himself and his drink

Barmidin comes by and places their drink down

Barmadin: anything else you guys want for tonight

Sylnan: I'm ok thank you

He grabs his drink and approaches the table the dWharf is on. Hilltree limpers behind

Sylnan: do you fancy yourself a gambling man

Mountain: on occasion

Sylnan: how would you feel about a game of dice

Mountain: alright

Sylnan pulling up a seat puts 1 arm on the table. (Hilltree just sits on the floor)

Sylnan: you've ever played kraps before

Mountain: yea I've taken a crap before

Sylnan: I mean...well I hope so, but this is something completely different

Mountain: uh no I haven't played

Sylvan: well how bout I teach you with a quick practice game before we get into it

Sylnan pulls out some dice and proceeds to teach him the rules

Mountain looks at the goblin he’s sees a bulging growth coming out of his head looking as if pus was coming out of the bulge the way  it contorts his face it pulls the right eye slightly up

Mountain:uuh is that yours

Sylnan: yes but ignore him

Mountain: I have to go…. To do something … yea I gotta do some errands

(mountain runs out of the tavern)

Sylnan: god fucking dammit hilltree you've scared off another one

Hilltree: ah fuck

As sylnan walks out of the tavern we pan over to Br'aad taxi and Velrisarisa as they are coming off the boat

Taxi smells the carcass of some dead whales

Br'aad:aaahh smells like home

As a sailor walks by seeing taxi looking disgusted

Sailor: you’ll get used to it

Taxi: Is that right I'm sure

Br'aad:saxi what do you think of the place

Taxi: Do you not smell this

Br'aad: oh yes I do but you'll get used to it if you’re like me and lived with it your whole life

Taxi:Br'aad brad

Br'aad: I do prefer to go by brad I use your real name I'll prefer it if you use mine, that is very very disrespectful saxi

Taxi: alright you’ll call me saxi and ill call you Br'aad

Br'aad: I don't understand where you're coming from at all but yes it does smell real bad

Taxi: you said you were born here yes

Br'aad: i was yes

Taxi: can you do me a favor

Br'aad: absolutely depending

Taxi: can you bring me to the most popular place here

Br'aad: that would be near the king's castle and the most populated place would be here by the harbor

Taxi: you see I'm looking for somebody and I need somewhere

Br'aad: yes yes you were just as vague about it on the boat so what one are you looking for

Taxi: I'm looking for a place… auccialy I don't know what I'm looking for

Br'aad: how are you not sure

Br'aad(now shouting): Velrisa, Velrisa can you come over here saxi is having a hard time

Velrisarisa pretends to not hear him

Br'aad: oh but you did now come over here

Velrisa looking defeated she walks over to Br'aad and saxi

At this point, sylnan spots his brother in the crowd of people by the coast

Taxi: listen brad I need to go somewhere where there's a lot of people can you please help me

Br'aad: ok so you want a lot of people and Velrisa wants a lot of dead people, I don't see a real ground for compromise here

Taxi: I don't even know who Velrisa is

Br'aad: Velrisa is … shit...I forgot…..um I think she said she is really into dead guys go ahead and correct me if any of that was the wrong Velrisa

Velrisa: well go ahead and say that's right

Taxi: the names saxi put ere their

Br'aad: he did it again yes this is my boy saxi

Velrisa awkwardly reaches her hand out for a handshake

In the distance, they hear a very muffles glark as hilltree coughs up some black mold

Velrisasisa quickly puts her hand away thinking it was taxi making the noise

Taxi: it wasn't me who made the noise

Hilltree:grarg, ah fuck

Sylnan: Br'aad is that you I haven't seen you in forever

Br'aad: oh SYLNAN, this is my brother I've told you all about him. come meet my friends this is Velrisa and this is Saxi

Taxi: did you say, friends

Sylnan: well it's a pleasure to meet you. he says as he reaches his hand out

Velrisarisa: well I don't know if we are quite friends

Taxi looks at sylanans hand and looks back up at him

Br'aad: Velrisa is into dead people and I think I'm absolutely killing it right now

He says as he nudges taxi

Taxi: the names Taxi not saxi, so stop calling me saxi

Br'aad: so one of them is looking for dead doods and the other is looking for a populated place and also sylnan it's good to see you I kind of forgot to talk to you. Seeming that we haven't seen each other for a year also how are you doing

Sylnan: I'm doing well

Br'aad: are you doing whale

Taxi: how can anyone do well in this place

Sylnan: by the gods, I don't remember you being so eccentric

Br'aad: fuck, me neither

Sylnan: what the fuck happened in cresentcock

Br'aad: I not really sure

Taxi looks at Br'aad to check if he is on drugs and sees nothing wrong with him

Taxi: I'm so sorry sylnan it's very nice to meet you but I need to get to somewhere where there might be a lot of people can you help me

Br'aad: we've been super over this

sylnan: yea we can go out by the castle where people are usually

Br'aad: what did you say you were looking for maybe if you can't stand me you can maybe tell my brother sylnan

Taxi: actually I'm looking for someone who looks like Velrisarisa

Br'aad: are you fucking kidding me you tell my brother but...alright she is right here

As Br'aad points at Velrisa

Taxi:Br'aad I’m not looking for Velrisa I'm looking for someone who looks like her

Br'aad: someone who looks like… Velrisa who looks like you

Velrisa: I'm not quite sure what you mean by that

Br'aad: look in the fucking mirror I don't understand how to elaborate

Velrisa: you can see me better than I can right now

Br'aad: oh god

taxi: she’s got a point

Br'aad: it just felt a little bit existential for some reason I don't know why

Taxi: do you know what existential means Br'aad?

Br'aad: no I have no clue, well we should absolutely go to by the castle

Taxi: you know I might be able to find this castle my self

Br'aad: no really I lived here and my brother has lived here we've lived here together with our entire lives

Velrisa: may I ask why I am still talking with all of you

Br'aad: no, come with us, Sylnan she seems rad she looked off the boat and she looked cool while doing it

Velrisa: I didn't quite catch your name the brot

Br'aad cutting in:Br'aad

Taxi: the names taxi the tabaxi

Br'aad:Br'aad

Velrisa: no not you the other guy

Br'aad:saxi?

Sylnan:i’m sylnan nice to meet you

Velrisa: you are the brother of this Br'aad character

Sylnan looks at Br'aad: yep

Velrisa: you seem very different from him are you sure your brothers

Br'aad: we are like the same person just in two different bodies, what the fuck is that by the way coughing up black bile how have we not addressed the elephant in the room also it looks adorable.

Hilltree looks up at Br'aad: goblin

Br'aad: oh fuck yeah

Taxi kneels down and squints at the goblin

Taxi: what an unnatural creature

Hilltree: ill fucking clock ya

Taxi gets up as quickly as he can and jumps back towards Velrisa

Taxi: don't go near that thing

Sylnan: yeah he's pretty standoffish

Br'aad: oh that was hot

Sylnan: are you alright Br'aad

Br'aad: you know my circumstances, better than anyone, and because of consequences I am super into goblins, it not something I can help, he does seem to be a bit gross, lets go

Hilltree: wot

Sylnan: alright let's leave for the castle

Velrisa follows the party with no clue why

Taxi is standing next to Velrisa and keeping distance with the goblin and Br'aad

Br'aad: I know you think I'm real gross but this one a doozy ain't he. A different kind of nasty

Taxi: hey Velrisa

Velrisa: what do you want

Taxi: Velrisa im looking for someone i don't know if your going to know her, she's a tiefling like you do you know her

Velrisa: i can tell you i don't know anyone from here

Taxi: she's not from here but she's suppose to be here somewhere and your here as well so you might know her

Velrisa: so you're saying because i'm a tiefling and shes a tiefling ill know who other tiefling are

Taxi: no, sorry forget i asked

Velrisa: no its ok

Br'aad: sylnan this gives us time to catch up,sylnan how have you been the year i left

Sylnan: you know nothing ever changes in these parts, so what happened over in wherever the hell you were

Br'aad: ok so something happened but all you need to know is if you see a cow give me a heads up if you hear something like a cow cover my ears

Hiltree: moo

Br'aad: aahhh fuck, oh shit listen that shit realy fucks me up

Sylnan: hiltree don't do that ok

Br'aad: i have real beef with that ha, but no seriously don't ever do that again it was tough but i came to terms with my issues until i was comfortable coming back here

Sylnan: sound like you had an interesting trip

Br'aad: by the way where did this ucky yucky thing come from

Hiltree: me mom

Br'aad: that a pretty good one from a little gross stinker like yourself

Hiltree: uh wot

Sylnan:i found this guy going eaten by some rats and i chased them off and he just follows me around now

Br'aad: is he useful at least

Sylnan: sometimes but this morning i was trying to scam a guy with a game if dice and he scared them off

Br'aad: so the opposite of useful, also whats is his name

Sylnan: he’s name is hiltree

Br'aad:what do you do what's your gig

Hiltree: breathe

Br'aad: you breathe we all do that's not something special

Hiltree: ah fuck

Sylnan: yeah he's interesting

Br'aad: yeah no he's really growing on me like a tumor growing on a goblins head, no i like him more than i thought i would, carry on now

Taxi: oi Br'aad are we almost there

Br'aad: we are not almost there, sorry and tell me if you need anying

Taxi: some fresh air would be nice

Br'aad: oh air uum breathe wait no the air sucks here

Hiltree: i can

Taxi: wait what you can produce fresh air

Hiltree: aye

Taxi:wait lemme see

Hiltree farts on taxi’s face

Taxi: god dammit

Br'aad: i called him a little stinker earlier he really lives up to the name, let me put my finger kind of near you nose and breathe in when i tell you to, and also what scent do you want

Taxi: you know what i fancy i want the smell of fresh milk

As Br'aad prestgates the smell of milk

Br'aad: oh wait milk comes from cow

Br'aad starts running away and regroups with the party in a couple minutes

Chapter 2

As the party comes up to the richer district the people here dress a bit more posh but they aren't that much better kept than the lower district, just a couple fancy things here and there couple people with wigs but thats it

Around the area its a bit more populated a few market stalls, a couple general stalls, and a brick road that leads to the castle

Taxi :hey sylnan can i talk to you for abit

Sylnan limps along to the back of the pack as hilltree follows

Taxi: you wouldn't know a person that would know everything would ya

Sylnan:a person that knows everything

Hilltree cutting into the conversation: (blark) cough me

Taxi: you know what im talking about

Br'aad: i am prob the  opposite of the person your looking for

Taxi: you know right, how bout you goblin do you know anyone

Hiltree: yeah its me, i know everything

Taxi surprised: wait you know everything

Hiltree: right

Taxi: do you know everyone that lives here

Hiltree: i

Taxi leans down: do you know someone named Orinaia

Hilltree: i don't rightly know

Taxi tilts his head back and sighs

Br'aad: sylnan did you overhear anything

Sylnan: not really, all i know is he's looking for a Orinaia

Br'aad: oh ariania, i don't know her

Sylnan: ya looking for an Orinaia ay

Taxi: do you know her

Sylnan: no, no i don't

Taxi: well your no help are ya

Sylnan: well it is a big city

Br'aad: here ask the goblin mby he’ll fart at you again

Sylnan leans towards Br'aad: how are you into these things

Br'aad: how am i, it because i have no choice, i don't really have a choice it's like the cow thing

Sylnan: i respect you

Br'aad: why would you respect that

Sylnan: ok i won't respect it then

Br'aad: you would you not respect it i'm your brother

Sylnan: i'm getting mixed feelings here

Br'aad: just don't respect it, every part of me doesn't want to like goblins but i totally do