A Tide arrises......

[haldir]

 

Dungeon Magazine #139

October 2006 Volume 20 Number 10, published by Paizo Publishing

 

Trademark related to Dungeons & Dragons brand, including Dragon & Dungeon & D&D are trademarks belonging to Wizards of the Coast inc, a divison of Hasbro, Inc.

 

Savage Tide Adventure Path

There is No Honor... Act I of XII

Author- James Jacob

Artwork Ben Wootten

Maps by Robert Lazzaretti

 

the following posts will be dedicated to a online play by post adventure of the above Dungeon Magazine by Paizo Publishing. The starting date will be December 16th 2006 (changed due to the DM is a lazy oof , ha ha ha).

 

the players in this adventure will be

 

DM

Haldir (Randy Mendoza--me!!)

 

Players

Outkast Samurai-- Yarrin, human druid

Rylek-- Zaak, wood elf ranger

Vinny --Veita, human fighter

Cuculain42-- Gilhurst, gnome thief

Voladilk -- Tolan, human warlock

styates-- Malrae Rilynnlylth, half-elf fighter

unglef -- Helegar,dwarven fighter

 

thanks to Reaper for the forums & also thanks to Kit for allowing access to this part of the forum to run the game.

 

Haldir- Randy Mendoza

[haldir]

I hope everyone that is playing has downloaded the Player's Guide to the Savage Tide, as it pretty much gives through detail of the city & the surroundings. The first post of the game I'm gonna give a little background to the home city of Sasserine, hopefully this will help set the setting & give some background info for browsers to the game. Thanks!!

 

The City of Sasserine

Sasserine began not as a city, but as a woman. Over 700 years ago, a cleric of Wee Jas named Sasserine woke one night after a particularly vivid dream of a hidden cove, protected from the sea by vast cliffs and from the land by steaming swamps and jungle. In this vision, she beheld a thriving city and a glittering spire of scarlet stone, and knew Wee Jas had visited her with a prophecy.

Sasserine called together her followers, including her lover Teraknian, a soldier and worshiper ofKord, and set out to find this hidden cove. Diseases, accidents, and monsters took their toll, and near the end, despair gnawed at Sasserine's pilgrims. Finally, their numbers reduced to less

than a quarter of their initial strength, these pilgrims emerged into a bounteous stretch of land with fertile soil and fields of exotic plants sheltered by twin shoreline cliffs. Sasserine recognized the landscape at once, but Wee Jas had not warned her of the black dragon that had taken the cove as his territory. Mere hours after the pilgrims had thankfully fed on the abundant plants and had only just begun to hope they had found their new home, the dragon Zelkarune struck. Enraged at this final trial, Sasserine stood her ground against the dragon and defeated it-but at a terrible cost. For in delivering the final strike, Sasserine had been forced to step between Zelkarune's claw and Teraknian; the blow meant for him instead laid her low, just as she called down a bolt of fire from the sky to slay the dragon.

In the days to follow, the survivors turned to Teraknian for leadership, who vowed to found a city in Sasserine's name. It was the year -124 CY, and over the seven centuries to follow, Sasserine would mature into one of the great hidden wonders of the south.

 

SASSERINE IN BRIEF

Sasserine is located at the westernmost edge of the Amedio Jungle, nestled in a sheltered harbor. Most travelers come to Sasserine via ship, as overland routes are fraught with peril. From the sea, Sasserine isn't much to look at; two ragged cliffs of stone jut from the coastline, their faces home to seahawks and gulls but little else. Then a vast rent in the cliff slides into view, its summit crowned by the shattered remnants of an immense stone bridge. Sailing between the slowly eroding stone pylons that once supported the bridge above, a visitor passes from open sea into a thriving harbor of commerce, whaling, and intrigue. Certainly the smell of the city is breathtaking-a tremendous riot of exotic spices, smoke, humanity, and sewage that assaults the senses. Perfumes and scented candles are popular commodities in Sasserine.

Sasserine is split into seven distinct districts, each with its own personality. These districts are separated by inner walls, by networks of canals or rivers, or simply by age. Friendly competition between the districts is common, especially during festivals, yet the citizens of Sasserine do not hesitate to come to each other's aid. Perched at the edge of civilization, Sasserine is (and has always been) often the target of assault from land and sea; the pirates of the Crimson Fleet, the navy of the Scarlet Brotherhood, the froglike bullywugs of the surrounding marshland, and even gangs of ogres and giants from the nearby mountains keep the city on constant alert, yet to date the fiercely proud city has fallen to the enemy only once, and even then only through the act of the city's most notorious traitor.

Sasserine (Large City): Conventional;AL NG; Population 15,650; 40,000 gp limit;

Assets 31,300,000 gp; Mixed (77% human, 6% half-elf, 5% half1ing, 4% gnome, 4% dwarf, 2% elf, 1% half-ore, 1% other).

 

Sasserine's History

For 150 years after its foundation in -124 CY, Sasserine experienced phenomenal growth. In 30 CY, Sasserine had its first conflict with the notorious assassins and slavers of the Scarlet Brotherhood.

Brotherhood wizards and clerics managed to destroy the stone bridge known as Teraknian's Arch and burned much of the waterfront before the defenders managed to repulse the attack. Over the next four centuries, Sasserine would be variously assaulted by the Scarlet Brotherhood, the Great Kingdom, and local tribes of giants and bullywugs once or twice a decade, so tempting were the vast plantations of coffee and spices the city protected. Yet with each assault, the soldiers of Sasserine grew more adept at defending their city. Teraknian's Arch was rebuilt and destroyed nearly a dozen times. The final decision to abandon the bridge entirely and leave it in ruins marks the only remaining physical scar from years of warfare. Over the years, a line of lord-mayors descended from Teraknian ruled Sasserine in conjunction with advice from the churches of Wee Jas and Kord. In the year of 480 CY, Orren Teraknian ruled the city. For the first time in centuries, the church of Wee Jas was stripped ofits power when fabricated charges of devil worship led to the arrest, imprisonment, and even execution of its faithful. Just as Orren's rule became unbearable, a great fleet of ships arrived-representatives of the Hold of the Sea Princes to the north. Promising an end to Orren's cruel rule, the invaders were aided in their assault on the city from within as the citizens rose up in rebellion. Orren Teraknian was overthrown and the Sea Princes claimed Sasserine as their own. Over the century to come, Sasserine's resources were savaged. The Sea Princes kept Sasserine a secret from the rest of the world, hoping to hide the valuable port from invaders by destroying any references they could find to it. Spies infiltrated cartographer guilds and libraries throughout the world, altering maps and sea charts with magic. Ship captains who knew the route to the city were bought off or murdered. Sasserine suffered in these 100 years, but the underlying spirit of her citizens did not die.

Their prayers were finally answered in 584 CY, when the Scarlet Brotherhood assassinated nearly all of the Sea Princes. The resulting turmoil threw Sasserine into chaos. Without the support of their homeland, the leaders of the city were overthrown in a fortnight.

In the decade since their emancipation, the people of Sasserine have rebuilt their city with astonishing alacrity, but they still work to restore their navy, to re-establish trade routes with lands to the north, and to heal the rift of hatred between the churches of Kord and Wee Jas. Burgeoned by events in their sister city of Cauldron (which recently survived a disaster of its own), the city of Sasserine seems to be perched on the edge of glory.

 

Sasserine's Citizens and Enemies

Sasserine is governed by a council of seven noble families known collectively as the Dawn Council. Decisions are put to a vote amongst the city's citizens, and their appointed representatives among the nobility take the results of these votes to guide their leadership in the Dawn Council.

Money once again flows into the city coffers as the trade routes are reestablished, bolstered by the trove of absconded funds recently liberated from the Sea Princes. Dress style in Sasserine ranges from rags to riches, but the one thing that applies across all classes is the fact that in this hot, humid city, less is more. Public nudity is generally frowned upon, but it's not uncommon to see outfits that leave little to the imagination (for better or for worse).

After a hundred years of oppression, the law in Sasserine has finally relinquished its stranglehold on the citizens. Murder, arson, treason, assault, theft, and other violent or destructive crimes remain illegal and are severely punished by the Sasserine Watch, but lesser crimes (drug trade, prostitution, gambling, vagrancy, and similar offenses) remain unrestricted. Many come to Sasserine precisely because of the fact that their vices may be pursued here without fear of legal repercussions. Some public groups (in particular, the church of St. Cuthbert) are attempting to rally the Watch back to more conservative ways, but for now the income generated by visitors and the recent memories of repression serve to keep the majority of the city's populace open-minded and accepting.

Each of the seven districts of Sasserine is represented not only by an appointed noble, but by an allied church. Traditionally, the seven churches of Sasserine have been on good terms, but unfortunately the last 100 years have placed an undue strain upon them. In particular, the faithful of Wee Jas and Kord have suffered. The terrible rift of suspicion and hatred that formed between these churches during Orren Teraknian's rule exists to this day. The remaining four primary religions include Olidarnmara (in the guise of a fictitious patron saint of merchants named Worgul), Pelor, Fharlanghn, and St Cuthbert. The final church is in fact comprised of the worship of three sea deities: Osperm, Procan, and Xerbo. Numerous smaller shrines can be found in Sasserine, each dedicated to different gods, but these shrines rarely have congregations of more than 50. There are few evil religions operating in the shadows of the city. Vecna & Nerull are most notable.

The Scarlet Brotherhood has traditionally been an enemy of the city, but times may be changing. A diplomatic monk named Anteki Alresian represents the Brotherhood in Sasserine. Anteki's methods are a bit unorthodox for the Brotherhood-he openly acknowledges his allegiances and asks the same of those who serve under him.

 

What Do You Know

Sasserine

The City lies perched on the edge of the known world, the last stop before endless expanse of the Amedio Jungle. It is a hub for trade and home to more than fifteen souls--a bastion of civilization in a realm plagued by piracy, disease, violent weather, and monsters.

 

here is a link to a map of Greyhawk--

 

the World of Greyhawk

 

(it loads slow for me, so be prepared for a slow download)

 

Sasserine lies in the cove where the E is in the Dungeon copyright is, the Amedio Jungle is the big green area on the point after the N in Dungeon.

 

Sasserineitself is governed by group of seven noble families called the Dawn Council, each representing one of the city's seven districts. Likewise, each district has a common faith shared by many of its citizens.

 

Sasserine is in every way a city of industry. All seven districts feature large mays of shops ranging from simple groceries to specializedi buildings like potions shops, dagger sellers, exotic pet shops, & magic item bazaars. There is little that cannot be purchased openly somewhere in Sasserine with the exceptions of hard drugs, dangerous monsters, slaves, and other criminal services. Someone who seeks illegal wares can still find them for sale in the city's seedier sections, but this requires a DC 15 (or higher) Gather Information check to learn the location of the city's numerous black markets.

 

The Noble families & their district & their patron deity

Islaran (Azure, Osperm, Procan, Xerbo)

Lorchester (Champion's, Kord)

Taskerhill (Cudgel, St Cuthbert)

Arabani(Merchant, Fharlanghn)

Lidu (Noble ,Wee Jas)

Dracktus (Shadowshore, Olidammara)

Knowlern (Sunrise, Pelor)

 

Azure District

The Azure District is Sasserine's true waterfront. Consisting of two sections, the east & the west, the Azure District also houses the majority of the city's lower-class citzens. The western section of the Azure District is primarily concerned with the city's waterways, while the eastern section is where the city's whaling industry is located.

 

Champion's District

The Champion's District is a district of soldiers, gladiators & mercenaries who followi n the footsteps of one the city's founders, the priest of Kord, & one-time King, Teraknian. The Champion's District has a not-so-friendly relationship with the Noble District, & citizens see themselves as the rightful leaders of th city.

 

Cudgel District

The Cudgel District is primarily a residential district. Due to the v igilance of the local watch & the church of St. Cuthbert, it's also the safest district in Sasserine. The citizens of the Cudgel District know this, & yet they are not a soft people, they remain ever vigilant to the threat of attack.

 

Merchant District

Sasserine's heart, and perhaps even its soul, is lodged firmly in. its Merchant District. The first district visitors reach, it's often the only district visitors need ever explore. Little can't be found in the Merchant District's shops and markets, and its taverns host the finest range of food and drink within the city walls (publicly, in any event).

 

Noble District

Although rule of Sasserine has always been handled in Castle Teraknian, the city's Noble District has traditionally been thought of as the city's ruling district, despite Orren Teraknian's treachery & the resulting years spent under Sea Prince rule. The other districts view the Noble District as a place of decadence & eagerly await the district's fall under its own excesses.

 

Shadowshore

Although relatively small, Shadowshore is perhaps the most notorious of Sasserine's districts. This strip of land nestled in the shadow of the Champion's District has long been a haven for thieves & criminals of all kinds. Generally, the only people who live here are the poor or those who can ably protect their property. The city watch has all but given up on Shadowshore, so long as a general state of peace remains.

 

Sunrise

Like Cudgel District, Sunrise is primarily residences, yet the citizens of Sunrise are generally a bit better off then their neighbors, in no small part due to the fat that many of them have stakes in the numerous plantations that dot the region surrounding Sasserine.

[haldir]

the following takes place immediately after each starter paragraph for each character, as described in the Gathering section of the forum. EDIT---- Also I forgot to mention this but the time is around noon & the season is Summer, going into Fall, think August or so but the air is humid, there are clouds in the sky & such & there have been rainstorms in the last few days.

 

Vinny--

 

"Greeting Sir, I am Kora Whistlegap, I am employed by Lady Lavinia Vanderboren, a minor noble that lives in the Merchant Section of our wonderful city, she knew of you & your past exploits, she says your skill on the sea & in the heat of battle may come in handy for a job needs done." & she hands you a scroll with a wax seal with e stylized V imprinted upon on it. "Please arrive by 7pm tonight." She also gives you directions to the house as well. "Thank you, Sir Vieta, it will be well worth your time" & she turns around & walks away.

 

 

Outkast Samurai

 

The rowboat approaches the broken arch that you are sittiing upon. In the rowboat is a gruff looking sailor & a well dressed female gnome, the Sailor says nothing, but the gnome says to you, "I'm sorry to disturb your prayers, young druid, but my employer may need your services. Forgive my manners, my name is Kora Whistlegap, I am but a humble servant & messanger for my employer Lady Lavinia Vanderboren, she requests your present at her manor house in the Merchant District & she hands you a scroll with a wax seal with e stylized V imprinted upon on it. "Please arrive by 7pm tonight." She also gives you directions to the house as well. "Thank you, Yarrin, son of Procan, it will be well worth your time" & the sailor starts to row back to the shore.

 

Maceswinger

 

"Ah there you are." "Greetings, Joran, or should I say "Berserker Jo.", my employer has heard of your exploits in the arena & she first would like to say, Congrats on your matches, you were one of her father's favorites to watch & he knew he could count on you for a monetary gain as well." "The reason I'm here is to deliver a message from my employer, Lady Lavinia Venderboren." She needs your strength & battle prowess" After she hands you the scroll, she says "Her house is in the Merchant District & gives you directions to the place. Before she turns she adds "Please be there by 7pm, It'll be worth your time." & walks away out of the the Catapulter.

 

Rylek

 

The female gnome comes up to you & says "Please accept my employer's & my humble apologies to the death of your parents, Sir Zaak Moonshadow." "Sorry if I startled you for knowing who you are but my employer Lady Lavinia Vanderboren requests your presents at her Vanderboren Manor tonight by 7pm." "She could use your skill in the bow + your skills at tracking" and she hands you a scroll with a wax seal with a stylized V imprinted in it. "Thank you & it was nice to meet you", upon saying that she turns & walks away.

 

CuClain42

 

"Greeting Sir Gilhurst , my employer may have a opportunity for you." She hands you a scroll with a wax seal with a stylized V upon it. "I am Kora Whistlegap, I am employed by Lady Lavinia Vanderboren, a noble in the Merchant District here in Sasserine, she requests your presents due to your skills in well I won't say that here, but your "specialized" skills, if you know what I mean." "It'll be worth it, please be there by 7pm". She gives you directions to the manor house & turns around & leaves you to what you were doing before she met you.

 

This is the note that Kora gives each of you, it is the same for each person. Also in some cases it looks Kora hands the note & turns & leaves, sorta of snooty feeling (at least I think so), in all case Kora is very nice in speakin to the character, & is very courteous before & after handing the note.

 

Wonder why that isn't linking?? if it doesn't show this is what it says

 

Greetings, and I trust this missive finds you in good health!

 

My name is Lavina Vanderboren, and I humbly request your attendance at dinner at my estate on Festival Street & Blue Skink Lane tomorrow evening. I think that I can present you with opportunity uniquely suited to your skills. Please inform the carrier of this letter your response to this invitation, and I hope to be speaking with you soon!

 

Lavinia Vanderboren

 

Again thanks for hanging in there for this, really have wanted to get this off the ground, espically now that I have 4 parts to the 12 part adventure series, it sounds like this will be a fun one. Might be a month after the "official" start date but better late then never!!!!

 

Reply posts on my part will defiently be more frequent then what they have been, so keep a eye on this thread!!!

 

Also I noticed I really botched some things, normally the time of the dinner & such, so if you want to edit posts regarding this, please do so, Kora does stay a bit to hear your responses to the invitation before she leaves.

 

Also note, the color of the text, out of context will be red from me, in game stuff that has been editted will be the dark blue.

 

thanks

Randy Mendoza

Savage Tide DM

[Vinny]

Vieta stands leaning against a pile of dock crates, enjoying the salty ocean air and the sight of sailors scurrying back and forth across the dockworks when he notices the little she-gnome walk up to him. Taking the note, he barely manages a response when the little woman walked off, leaving him alone.

 

Sir Vieta, eh? That's got a ring to it... he muses to himself as he breaks the seal and opens the letter. His lips mouth the words silently as he read.

 

"Vanderboren," Vieta mutters when he was done. Flipping the document around, he stares at the seal, fingering the "V" emblem on it.

 

Nobility. Job need doing. Vieta's fairly simple nature performed the simple connection: Good money.

If that wasn't enough, the "sir" part stroked his ego just the right way.

 

Pocketing the letter, Vieta looks up at the sun for the time or, if a passerby is closer, asks someone what time it is. Then, if there is enough time, he waits for whoever was to meet him for his last job's pay. Gold is gold, after all.

[Outkast Samurai]

Yarrin stands as the gnome approaches.

"No need for appologies lady Kora. We are all messengers here in our own way. I will humbly accept your employer's invitation." Yarrin takes the scroll from her tracing his thumb over the seal feeling the embossed V trying to sense if there is any malicious aura about the mysterious message. Wondering how she knew his name he asks, "You haven't happened to see a Sea Elf recently have you?"

[Rylek]

Rylek was sitting down sipping some ale as Kora approached and was taken by surprise. Especially since she said something to reference his father and mother. Alot of emotions began to run rampent in his head as well as alot of questions, but before he could get a question off he turned and Kora was gone....

 

Rylek thinks to himself, " Hmmmmmm Lady V ehhhh."

 

He opens the letter. Immediatly this letter strikes a spark. Rylek thinks to himself again, " I shall have a few questions ready for Lady Lavinia Vanderboren (as a tear runs down his cheek)."

 

He places the letter into his pack finishes off his ale checks the time and starts off on his way thinking to himself, "This may be the break I was looking for after all those months have passed."

[haldir]

(from now on responses will to character's names)

 

Vieta--

 

you watch the little gnome walk with a noble gait & dissappear into the crowd of Sasserine, she seemed to be in a hurry...

 

you get back into line for the paymaster, wasn't much of line in the first place, but enough that you lost a couple spots. After awile, the paymaster hands you a small pouch that jingles with much anticipated cash. "Good t' be havin' yah aboard, Vieta, ye be one hell o' a worker, thar a bit extra in thar fer yer troubles, hope t' be seein' yah on th' docks again, nereknow what I might come abroad" "Watch yer aft ou' thar, ha ha ha" "NEXT!!!!"

 

upon opening the pouch you count out the coins & they are 50 Gold & a small of very shiny ruby.

 

Yarrin--

 

As Kora boards the small craft, she says "No I haven't, then again I don't get out of the Merchant District that much, much less the docks & such, sorry I couldn't be more help, Milady Vanderboren may be able to help thou, but I can't guarantee it thou." & with that she tells the gruff sailor to head back to the docks.

 

Also the currents within the bay aren't too strong, you can swim back to the shore, if you stay close the arches & such.

[Vinny]

"Uhh... ha ha?" Vieta manages a polite but inevitably sheepish laugh.

 

Gods, that was a bad joke... he thinks as he walked away with his pay.

 

Opening the pouch, he counts out the coins then took out the ruby and looks at it closely by the daylight, making sure it was real. Then, he mentally divides his reward.

 

20 for mama. 10 for food and supplies. That leaves 20 and the gem for myself. Hmmm...

 

Bar, booze, and brothel were the first things to come to his mind.

 

With a satisfied grin, Vieta puts all his earnings back into its pouch, seals it, and tosses it into a canvas sack he carries. Slinging the sack over his shoulder, Vieta walks off to the nearest sign post and tries to remember the direction to the Market District. If he has time, he keeps his eyes open for any outdoor market stalls or peddlers who deal in jewelry for him to cash in on the ruby.

[Outkast Samurai]

After a refreshing swim to shore, Yarrin reads over the note once more trying to deciper exactly why this Lady would desire to see him.

A soaking wet mound of fur suddenly impacted against Yarrin's legs. "No, Tag," he says to the lively otter bounding in circles around his legs. "I'm pretty sure that they didn't have you in mind for this get together." Yarrin leaned down tussling the otter's fur. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere without you." Standing up once more he heads toward the merchant district.

[CuCulain42]

Gilhurst reads the letter stroking his beard. He looks at the messenger as she dissapears down the street and smiles.

 

This could be lucrative and at least it's a free meal, he thinks to himself. I'de probably better case this joint while I still have a few hours.

 

Gilhurst heads out following the directions he was given. When he gets to with in a block or so of the manor he starts to scout out the surronding neighborhood and finnally will try to unobtusivly wath the manor til the guests arrive, he assume he is not the only one to recieve an invitation.

[haldir]

Been waiting for Maceswinger to respond, but I'll go ahead & post further stuff later today, also put up anther character slot/want ad as well--no reflection on Mace's decision

CuCuclain42--- I didn't see the next day for the meeting, so if you want to change your post, go ahead, if not then you can hang out there if you want to, ha ha

 

RM

[haldir]

I'm gonna change the day of the dinner meeting to tonight as everyone response is toward the initial posting, sorry about the FUBAR on that one. Also gonna continue on without Maceswinger, as I haven't gotten a response from yet.

 

Vieta--

 

You recall the Merchant District being in the middle of the city, approximately directly South of you (your in Shadowshore right now), thus you find a ferry costing a couple coppers, nothing fancy but it does it's job. After reaching Merchant District you come across a Jewlery store, called Gim's Gewels. At first you think Gewels G?? but the store front looks pretty nice & such & inside the store window there is a small figure huddled over a table.

 

Yarrin--

 

Tag gets that big sad eyes look & lowers his head & feels like he just lost his best friend, but upon noticing a couple other sea otters frolicking in the waters, he scampers off to play with them.

 

Gilhurst--

 

Upon reaching the bridge that runs across the channel you see a 7 foot tall stone wall that surrounds a towering, gothic, three-story house that dominates the grounds within. Looking down upon you & the rest of the passerby are leering gargoyles & capering nymphs festoon the eaves of the manor's roof & several trees provide a buffer zone from the the bustle of the street. From your view point you can't see much of the house, but what you can see the building looks like your typical manor house from the outside. There are a few small buildings in front of the main gate that you could possibly hide in & around & not be seen, at least from street viewing.

[Outkast Samurai]

Smiling to himself knowing that Tag will be waiting for him when he gets back Yarrin makes his way to the Merchant District. Along the way he takes in the surrounding bits of nature that has found its niche in the urban setting. There are mysteries to be solved and in some ways Yarrin is as curious as Tag.

[Vinny]

Whistling a sea chanty to himself, Vieta checks his own hazed reflection on the store window glass, straightening the collar of his dirt-soiled shirt and adjusting his sweat-drenched bandana, before pushing through the door. He walks in, feignting a slight interest in the merchandise being sold, occasionally gazing over a particularly attractive piece before he goes and he finds the storekeeper, his hands producing the money pouch and extracting the ruby.

 

He shows the store person the gem, saying:

 

"Hey mate, how much ya think I can get for dis thing 'ere?"

[haldir]

Vieta--

 

Upon entering the store you hear a "ring" as the door strikes a shopkeer's bell behind it. Even with the funny name it appears to actually be a gem & fine jewelry store with wares behind a glass counter. The store appears to be kept clean & well tidy. Sitting behind a table appears to be a dwarf with his long grey hair kept back in a ponytail, he has a full beard as well in the same shade as his hair. He is wearing typical clothing of the city, a loose white shirt & a pair of loose breeches & some sandals. Hanging on his desk is lantern & in his left eye he has a monocle & he is or was looking at something, probably a locket or something.

 

"Ah, well good afternoon to you sir, I'm Gim Gewlstone of Dumadan, in the Duchy of Urnst, but now call Sasserine my home, & welcome to my shop, Gim's Gewls." "Ah! I see you have a gem that needs appraised!" He gets up quite quickly off his stool & walks over to you & asks to see the gem. Upon giving the gem to him, he walks back over to his table, upon turning around to sit back at his table to examine the gem, he says "oh I'm sorry for my excitement but gemstones are my hobby & profession, my father Darrin Gewlstone taught me all there is too them, fascinating items, so many little things to them!!!"

 

He sits down & puts the monocle back in to look at the gem, when the bell rings. "I'll be with you in a bit, I'm helping a customer" "Hey Gim!, how's it be......" says a gruff looking human with long black hair, wearing a dark purple silk shirt & patch over his right eye. Standing beside him is an extremely buff & tall half-orc with a shaved head & a Fu-Manchu style mustache, he too is wearing a dark purple shirt but his is sleeveless (arms being ripped off in this case) & on his on his right arm he bears a tattoo of a dragon wrapped around a lotus flower. He lets out a low "he he he"......