Melvaunt

[Warlord]

Melvaunt, City of Swords

Melvaunt squats on the Moonsea's northern coast, lit by a thousand forges. It is a city of metalsmiths and merchants, where slaves are traded on the open market but laws are made behind closed doors. Smoke from the workshops hangs like a black curtain over the city.

Melvaunt is cold and clammy, with a persistent mist that defines the city in the eyes of many foreigners. This moisture mixes with the smoke and ash to kill most traces of vegetation and it leaves an oily residue on buildings, ships, and people.

Melvaunt Docks

The Melvaunt docks are not the largest on the Moonsea but are probably the most organized and tightly controlled. No ship enters the docks without being examined and taxed, although the three major families all have ways around the system if needed. Inspectors can be found here day and night, and a special retinue of soldiers is under the direct control of the chief inspector. As the primary loading and unloading point for all seagoing mercantile activity, the docks are lined with warehouses and sleeping quarters for sailors.

Ships find their way into the docks with the help of the Finger of the Gods, a 120-foot-tall, cast iron lighthouse that stands at the western end of the docks. A magical light shining through its lense guides ships to port.

Sitting at the center of the docks is the Melvaunt Shipyards where the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Shipwrights builds all of Melvaunt's ships, both warships and trading vessels. It easily the most heavily defended area of the city and this fact is easily attainable on sight.

((DM))

You have arrived in the city of Melvaunt, which sits on the north-western shore of the Moonsea. Melvaunt has a reputation for being a place rife with danger and intrigue, and ripe with potential for adventure, wealth, and fame. You carry with you the seal of Woarsten Nanther, patriarch of a powerful and influential noble Melvaunt family. The seal has gained you free passage into the city, though not without a thorough inspection by the town watch (they seem particularly suspicious). Once inside, you observe that Melvanut is a dirty city with labyrinthine streets, smoke-clogged air, and grumpy locals. Best be on your guard!

[Warlord]

The young boy Norroar Silentread had hired to keep track of such things had been true to his word, and the silver crown the Wood Elf had paid him for the service, by bringing the word that the Sable Drake had been sighted closing with the docks. The boy had even found out what dock the ship was slated for before running all the way up to the inn to inform the warrior that his party was arriving. Thus, he was able to guide Norroar to the very dock just before the Sable Drake was pulled to.

[Norroar]

Norroar slowly walked down to the harbor, watching the ship dock before unloading. He knew he would have questions to answer when he informed them of who he was, but the sight of a ship reaching port as the waves lapped at it's hull left him speechless and quickly wiped such worries from his mind. Finally deciding that it would be rude to idly stand there, like some peasant gawking at a lord, he raised his hand in a light wave, smiling as best he could.

[Warlord]

Aboard the Sable Drake the sailors were in a flurry of action, running through the paces required of them to make the delicate process of docking go smoothly. It was all too easy to cut the sail too early and come to a stop before they got close enough to moor, or too late and impact with the dock damaging both it and the ship. A few feathers floated down amidst the rigging as the pseudodragon, the familiar of the vessels current resident wild elf, struck yet another seagull for amusement. Light blue to blend with the sky, he was amusing himself while watching the goings on below.

There's another pointy eared two legs awaiting you on the wooden peninsula, girl. He idly broadcast to Ilyrana.

Meanwhile the captain came down from the command deck where he'd been personally overseeing the crew's efforts to properly bring the ship in. If the vessel took damage during standard operation it would be his sole responsibility and those who oversaw him didn't believe in passing the blame either up or down the ladder of authority. He wiped his brow with a piece of clothe from his pocket as the vessel was being pulled in to sidle up next to the dock and tied off, before straightening up and snapping his heels together as he stood before the gathered Elves he had transported.

"Aside from that little misfortune regarding the corsairs, we have arrived safely in the city of melvaunt. I am having your entry handled as we speak with the token you have provided me, m'lord Melarn." He gave a short bow to Kal'esril before continuing. "Now, I will be in port, if not in dock, for just about a tenday to resupply and see about repairing the smidge of damage we took during the boarding attempt, as well as take on some cargo of note if there is any to be found. After that I have reason to believe the Drunk Duck, a vessel run by a near friend of mine, will be along a few days after that. I trust in your abilities, my lords and ladies, but should you require anything I might provide I ask that you not hesitate to let me know."

If they were smart they would know that meant anything from a handful of sailers handy with their cutlasses to a quick ride the Nine-Hells out of the city. It was just about then that a lone sailor came back up the gang plank and rushed a folded piece of parchment into the Captain's hands. The Captain waved the man off and opened the piece of paper to quickly scan it, mumbling something about terrible human handwriting. He finally looked up with a unreadable smile for a mask. "They aren't happy about not getting to search you all, but that seal has gained you unmolested entry into the city. Also, I believe you have a fifth companion awaiting you at the terminus of the docks, a Wood Elf if my midshipman's eyes are to be trusted. Lords Melarn and Cloud, Ladies Duskshine and Sevayni... Good fortune and smooth sailing to you all." The Captain remained where he was for the moment, presuming to stand watch as his passengers disembarked.

[Kal'esrïl Melarn]

When the Captain joined them Kal'esril was just finishing securing Fir'us with its own materials, the dog being more than large enough to carry his own rations in pouches secured to a special harness that saddled the weight across his back. There were other things in those pouches but they had remained undiscussed thus far. Kal'esril didn't seem to react to the arrival or the first bit of the pronouncement. All was going as it should thus far, he kept his own council on how well the journey had gone, and he was already aware of the nature of the Drunk Duck. He didn't relish the idea of having to ask for safe passage aboard the House Baenre vessel. "You may return to your duties as usual, Captain. We will be leaving this place by other means and I doubt the matter that brought us here will keep us over long."

Kal'esril then grabbed his gear and headed for the gang plank, a wave of his arm sending his cooshee ahead of him. Fir'us, a green colored hound with black markings the size of a small pony cleared the plank on sight and trotted down without hesitation, though his head and ears swiveled back and forth to inspect those who occupied the pier. The absolutely massive Drow that followed was the one that got all the looks however. A unique suit of black studded leather armor, sturdy boots, and a black hood that he lifted over his stark white hair as he stood for a moment on the high ground to be silouetted by the sky behind him. A pair of wickedly designed short blades were hard strapped to his upper thighs, a third sword of longer make rested across his back along with the sling pack that carried the lion's share of his gear, and a smattering of other pouches about his belts filled out his appearance. A handful of small crossbow bolts on the front of his left thigh intimated a hand crossbow was amongst his possessions as well.

He finished his survey of the area and headed down the plank, turning toward land sharply and making his way without hesitation toward the armored Elf that awaited them there. His eyes were guarded by a pair of darkened lenses strapped in place around his head in a leather appearing band. As he moved he had the appearance of a living shadow, given substance and intent by some profane deity. He came to a halt before the Wood Elf and looked down, the Drow apparently far outside the mold for his sub-race when it came to size. "I am Kal'esril Melarn. You are here to join the Elven Alliance?"

[Ilyrana Sevayni]

Out of her element, entirely. If the ship had served as a discomfort, the city, with it's mist, smoke, smell of metal, and altogether lack of trees was a prison. Here she was about walk right in on purpose. She kept her expression unreadable as possible as she scanned the docks, distracting herself with watching the hustle and bustle from a safe distance. Nikxor's message floated though her brain and she immediately began to search out the one he told her was awaiting them. Another? I was unaware someone else would be joining us.

She wasn't even entirely used to the group she was with, and now there was soon to be another. This day could certainly use improving. Her chain of thoughts was interrupted by the snap of boots, and she turned from her position facing out to hear the captain's words. She nodded slightly as he reminded them he would be in docks for a short while, and then a friend would be with another ship. The Drunk Duck hardly sounded like a vessel she would tread a single step upon, but she said nothing on the matter.

The note was passed and Ilyrana breathed a sigh of relief when their passage without being searched was assured. Strange oily creatures from the city touching her belongings would have been intolerable for the young elf. Small victory to be treasured.

He mentioned the one awaiting them was a wood elf. Knowing that she glanced down and spotted the one waiting for them almost immediately. He was armored, so certainly not an arcane sort. It was a nice way to round out the party, she suppossed, keep it all in balance.

As the captain bid them farewell, Ilyrana waited for Kal'esril to speak. He seemed confident they wouldn't need the boat and that this would be a quick task. Both were comforting, if they were true. She came to the captain afterwards, giving a slight nod to him. One wouldn't call her expression a smile, but it wasn't unpleasant. "Thank you for seeing us safely here. Good journey to you."

With that said, she collected her pack and left the ship after the drow. Ilyrana was clad in her usual boots, a cropped brown leather top and short skirt, split and adorned in banded feathers. The freedom of movement was crucial to her, looks were secondary. Her staff was carried in her right hand as she disembarked. With a glance upward towards her companion, she shot him the message to stay close as he could.

She stopped just to the side of the tall drow and eyed the stranger. Kal'esril had introduced himself and asked a question. Ilyrana was patient enough to wait for him to answer before speaking. A few eyes were on the group as they descended, and the wild elf contented herself with warily sizing them up, should it mean trouble.

[Lysan Cloud]

Though rank with the odors of 'civilization', Melvaunt was still a draw to Lysan's curiosity. Having lived his life in the withdrawn and insular ways of his people, he had only read about the cities of the humans. "Although,"He thinks to himself, "the descriptions in the writings do no justice to the pure stench of this city."

Lysan opts to walk down the gangplank rather than jump to the dock, as he normally might. Clad in his Chain-mail, with sword on hip and bow and quiver on his back between his wings, he knows he will be drawing the eye of everyone he passed without being too showy and this was the time for staidness and diplomacy, rather than flamboyance.

Also, in the back of his mind was a small worry about why someone would hire a pirate ship to attempt to stop them, as well. Who would know about them and their mission. More importantly, why would they want to stop them?

Lysan stops just a couple feet behind Kal'esril just in time to hear the comment about this person joining the elven alliance and quietly inspects this newcomer.

[Auroa]

Auroa walks down the gangplank with her prisoners in toe. Each bound to the other at their wist, both of which were bound together. Though the binds seemed unnecessary as the pirates followed her in a daze. As she alights upon the pier she passes the armored elf. Going straight to talk to the local port authority that has came to receive her guest. Anxious to get this over with She hands off the lead to the Guardsman. Who claps them in irons and handing back the rope drags the pirates to the brig.

Coming up behind the new ally she says "Sorry about that. Just a bit of unpleasant business to take care of I'm Auroa" and holds out hand in greeting. Typically she'd just hug friends but as she was out of her home and unsure of not only the local customs but also that of this new member to the group. Now that she was unencumbered by her charges the Wood Elf can get a good look at her standing there is simple traveling clothes yet on her they look stunning. Simple yet elegant in a stone gray that fits in nicely with the city. One thing stands out upon her form and that is the golden heart worn on top of her chain shirt. Her hair is plaited and hanging over one shoulder.

Auroa barely noticed the city as it melted into a grey haze with all the hustle and bustle of their arrival. Finally having a moment to take it all in while her companions welcome their new ally. She notices the shroud of mist wrapping the docks like a thick blanket, The Slate grey of the shops near by just begging for some color. The scent of the town had so many odd qualities that she wrote off the stink as normal, since she had smelled worse.

[Warlord]

As the four erstwhile companions departed the vessel they found a group of guards watching them hawkishly from the far side of the wide dock. A few seemed more than passingly impressed with the hound that appeared but all thoughts of it disappeared with the appearance of the Drow. They all looked midly discomforted and yet didn't seem so put off as to indicate that Kal'esril was the first Drow they'd ever seen. In fact, they'd seen more than they'd ever wanted to since the Dark Elves had aquired their vessels.

The guards looked Ilyrana over briefly as she disembarked but seemed to consider her, if not unthreatening, more normal for the par. Her clothes were a bit off par for the course but it didn't seem to bother them. The youngest one, upon seeing Nikxor, blurted out an exclamation. "It's a wee dragon."

It's a wee dragon. Nikxor projected back at the boy, and Ilyrana incidentally, in a mocking tone. As shocked as the boy looked, it looked far more surprised upon hearing a voice in his head. Nikxor returned to ignoring the boy from his perch on Ily's shoulders. Honestly, such bumpkins... couldn't we have gone to a place with a mage's guild? They always appreciate my presence.

If they had been disturbed by Kal'esril, and surprised by Nikxor, then the reaction Lysan got was outright awe. A giant, winged Elf seemed to be a bit much even for the commanding officer who merely stood in mute wonder at the spectacle of just such a thing walking down the ship's ramp.

Hands frozen, jaws slack, was how Auroa found the soldiers. Her presence was rather a surprise as the guards shook themselves back to the present and took custody of the prisoners. There was even a little confusion as to what to do with them for a few moments before the highest ranked finally made a command decision, ordering they be taken to the gallows. Piracy was apparently a hanging offense in Melvaunt. Considering the number of prisoners the guards were forced to move them along, leaving the spectacle of so many Elven subraces in one place unobserved for the moment.

Meanwhile, the boy who had guided the fifth Elf to the correct dock attempted to fade into the background but remain an onlooker.

[Norroar]

Norroar stood, a bow slung across his back, along with a quiver of arrows neatly fastened to his elven chain, a gift from the blacksmith, in hopes of a safe return. As the group stepped off of the ship, he silently began attempting to memorize faces and figures. Knowing your friends as well as your enemy's was crucial, in the event one day they changed sides.

Watching the elf followed by a line of chained men, Norroar turned to Kal'esril, deciding that now was as good a time as any to answer his question, given the groups presence. "I am indeed." He said, pausing for a moment to watch the ship. "I would say I hope you had a good voyage, but the prisoners in tow suggest otherwise. If you would like to rest before we converse, there is an inn not far from here where I have stayed. It is not royalty by far, but it's difficult to deny a bed and a roof after a long journey."

Turning to the other two elves behind Kal'esril, Norroar slowly bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet you all, I am Norroar Silenttread, a fifth to your group."

Having barely finished his words, Norroar turned to look upon the elf that had walked up behind him, quickly taking in her apperance as he slowly shook her hand. "I am Noroar, it's a pleasure to meet you madame."

Slowly turning to in order to see both sides at once, he nodded lightly before speaking. "I was unaware if you wanted to get straight to business, or rest, so I came with my basic gear and bow, just incase. Whatever you all wish to do is fine with me."

[Kal'esrïl Melarn]

"As you come to know me, you will find that what happened on our voyage was well within my definition of pleasant. The prisoners are an oddity, to be sure, but when one is in a fellowship one lets others have what they desire from time to time." Kal'esrïl shot a telling look toward Auroa while she was handling the prisoner turnover, a look that was meant to indicate to Norroar about whom the Drow was speaking. The whole back and forth was meant to introduce himself, gage his new companion, and figure out which route he wanted to take regarding the suggested inn.

It took only a moment for Kal'esrïl to plot the entire thing, an enigmatic smile coming to his face as his Drow-esque planning came to a close internally. "Yes, we should go to this inn of yours. We need to introduce ourselves properly to one another, figure out where we all stand in this endeavor. Maybe find a passable glass of wine..." The Drow had a inn already set up for the group to stay in, it would do no harm to make others think they were going to be staying the night in the one that Norroar had booked. It would give them at least a few hours of rest come evening before anybody could do something foolish.

"Business can wait an hour or so, I think." It'd already waited most of a tenday after all. Kal'esrïl turned to look at Lysan and Ilyrana... or at least the best he could do considering the two existed at such different altitudes. They were the least likely to have had any dealings with humans, or even most other humanoids for that matter. "Stay close, watch your valuables. And keep an eye out for trouble Lysan, you and I are going to attract it sooner or later." He turned and gave everybody a chance to finish up their greetings before indicating it was time to go. The human child had been casing them the entire time and it would be easiest for everybody if they were away before he was able to pass the info along to his fellow sneak thieves.

[Ilyrana Sevayni]

As Nikxor answered the boy's exclaimation, Ilyrana schooled her features, resisitng the urge to chuckle. For some, magic and the creatures like dragons were not the norm. She could tell the youth was entirely shocked by the telelpathy. I imagine they might call us the 'bumpkins' as you say. What I wouldn't give for a mage's guild, friend. If I am not allowed to complain about my predicament, neither are you though. We'll just have to appreciate one another for now.

She smiled as he perched on her shoulders. His weight, despite the claws was a comfort to her when she would much rather not set one foot in this city. The newcomer's words were courteous and he was well spoken at least. Ily breathed a quiet sigh of relief at that and gave him a nod.
When he brought up the prisoners, and Kal'esril remarked about allowing others their whims, she smirked. It was useless to keep those prisoners, but he had been rather accomodating to the Star Elf.
Speaking of the other female, Auroa went right to him then, and put out her hand. Ilyrana guessed that was a good way to play at diplomat, but her people did not shake hands in greeting in that way, but she understood the gesture. Briefly, she met his eyes with her teal ones and quietly offered her words, not her hand. "You may call my Ilyrana, Norroar. Welcome."

The drow then said they were going to this inn to introduce themselves and discuss their business. More time in this place that made her throat dry just breathing it in. Fitting.
But perhaps the inn as he called it wouldn't be so bad. Then he told them to keep an eye on their valuables and also trouble. The wild elf nodded slowly to him and made sure her pack and pouches were secure. A talented theif would be a challenge to notice, but she was going to keep a sharp eye, and hoped her companion would serve as a deterrant while he stayed with them. An inn promised food, and he knew he would be given plenty if he stuck around, no doubt. Once she was set, she waited with Kal'esril trying to not pay attention to the gawkers hanging around, though she was curious as to which thing bothered them more. They were an odd party, to say the least.