Episode 0: The Arcadian Rose

It is close to midnight, and by hook or by crook you have found your way to the Arcadian Rose, on the island of Eglar. You have nothing but the equipment on your back, a few coins in your purse, and a passphrase for your Pale Deva handler Rhiann Vequaniel.

The three-story stone edifice rests at an intersection upon a hill overlooking the harbor, its walls covered in a layer of salt and hardy lichen. Unlike many of the homes in the neighborhood, the Arcadian Rose was built to withstand the strong ocean storms that crop up from time to time and has become a landmark for the locals. Perhaps for this reason the Arcadian Rose enjoys a brief area of isolation, her closest neighbor a general goods store across the way. Two braziers flank the main entrance and illuminate the front like a beacon.

You open the thick wooden door and step into a lively scene. As it is near the apex of the evening, most tables are occupied with a few citizens looking for an night of festivity and mirth, mixed with some individuals that seem out of place with their finery unsuited for the docks. The clientele range from human to halfling, dwarf to elf, and even a number of tieflings and gnomes.

Stepping past the orc bouncer at the door, you make your way to the bar where a middle-aged human woman commands the tavern. Her face as hard as the salted air, she maneuvers her girth along the counter like a masterful warship; not so much parting the sea, but the sea itself respectfully getting out of her way. She is dressed in working clothes covered by an apron, her hair bundled under a scarf that hangs upon her shoulders. She meets your gaze with an expression that would tolerate no wasteful time, though she politely asks what you will have.

You place your order. "A side of prawn, buttered. And a room for two," which is the passphrase you were ordered to use regardless if you arrived alone. The woman fixes you with a hard stare, then nods. "Aye, 'tis 10 silver for an outlander like you," she replies, and it is the correct response. This woman is Rhiann Vequaniel.



Rhiann summons a young Turami woman. "Morena, send this one to room three," she orders. The one known as Morena curtsies silently, her skirt barely brushing against the reclaimed wood floor. Morena is also dressed in working clothes and an apron, but her attire fits her frame near-perfectly and accentuates her youth.



The young woman escorts you up to the second floor, where there are three doors leading to individual suites. Despite asking for Room Three, you realize that none of the doors are marked with any numbers. Somehow Morena knows where to go, drawing a key to unlock the door and reveal an empty room. She points out the foot locker for your equipment and says that you may return to the common area where your order will be ready once it has been prepared. Morena advises you to not leave the tavern, for any reason, and heads downstairs.

One by one, each of you performs the same ritual. You are shown to a room on the second floor to drop off your belongings and asked to remain in the common area. As the evening is winding down, there are several tables available for you to choose from. The air has the aroma of steamed crab and pan-fried fish, seasoned to perfection. The flow of wine and alcoholic ciders moves freely from the tap to a number of waiting cups.

None of the occupants in the tavern seem to be paying you much attention. In fact, neither Morena nor Rhiann have acknowleged your presence since your arrival, at least through their own initiative. Morena moves among the tables (except for yours) to deliver food and drink, making light conversation with the locals before moving on. Rhiann addresses those at the bar and occasionally steps into the kitchen through a door behind the counter, either to deliver an order or to bring out a completed meal for Morena to take.

What do you do now?

Gustav looks at the water and blinks. Probably should have expected that. He takes a big gulp of the water and ends with a conspicuous "aaaaah." He makes brief eye contact with Maenor and nods slightly.

A half-orc, temporarily slumped against the counter, perks up at Gustav's audible sigh of relief. Through bleary eyes, the tusked man leans over to inspect Gustav's choice of spirit, then looks up at the human.

"Ha! Refreshin', ain't it?" says the half-orc, a raspy guttural voice like clogged stone. He wears a mis-matched set of leather armor, with a shortsword slung low across his waist. The half-orc leans back and reaches for his own cup, sniffing at the fact that it's now empty. He mutters, "There's a man that likes his juice."

The half-orc looks up. "Mother!" he calls out, slapping his hand on the counter. "Gimme another swig o' that apple. And bring one more for my friend here!" He leans towards Gustav. "On me, for a brother like yer self. What's yer name, pops?"

"Why thank you, son," says Gustav in his thick drawl, "it ain't every day that a young fella like yourself give a simple man of the cloth the time of day. Your hospitality does your generation credit." Gustav extends his hand for a handshake, his prayer beads and a battered symbol of Tiamat dangle from his wrist. "The name's Brother Cluney, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

"I'm Mazdagh," says the half-orc, clasping Gustav's forearm like a warrior. He sways slightly and closes his eyes. "Wait.. Mazdakh. Yeh, that's my name. I'm with the Eglar Eagles!" He thumps his chest and grins lopsidedly. It is common knowledge that the Eglar Eagles are the city guard.

Mazdakh leans in close to Gustav, and whispers conspiratorially, "Listen, you need sumthin', you hook me up. No.. you look me up. I got yer back."

Rhiann exits the kitchen and makes her way down the counter, empty-handed. "You've had enough, Mazdakh," she says, "Besides, it's near time you got on home and get yourself ready for your next shift."

Mazdakh seems ready to deny the facts as they are presented, turning to Rhiann with a frown. However, his eyes focus on Rhiann's expression and something clicks. "Eh, yeah. Yeah, I'm going home. Sorry, mom." Mazdakh slides off the barstool, conveniently into the supporting arms of the bouncer that had silently crossed the room to the drunken half-orc. As he is escorted towards the door, Mazdakh turns and says, "You's all right, Cluney. You's all right."

The orc and his charge disappear through the front door. Rhiann takes this opportunity to survey the common room.

"The Rose is closing, folks!" her voice booms, easily heard above any conversation. "Come on back tomorrow, we'll see if we can steam a few crabs for dinner. Those who haven't a reservation upstairs, out!"

The orc bouncer returns, sans Mazdakh, and holds the door open for those departing. Rhiann follows, and after the last client has left, hands a small pouch to her doorman. The orc smiles and gives a casual salute before departing.

The braziers outside are extinguished instantly before Rhiann closes, locks, and bars the front door.

Gustav, all smiles, squeezes himself in at the table and nods to Rhiann.

The air in the kitchen is heady with seasonings brought high by the heat and mixed with a light ambient smoke. There is a large fireplace adjacent to a gigantic wood-burning stove, both taking up one entire wall and surrounded by brick and stone. Another wall holds the larder: shelves and drawers full of dry goods, barrels and baskets of produce, even a selection of cheese sealed in wax. A long counter stretches across a third wall laden with a variety of crockery, pots, and pans with more in the cabinets below, and racks bolted into the wall above hold cooking implements and several dried spices. Splitting the countertop are two large stone basins currently occupied with used cookware and plates. In the middle of the kitchen is a large island made of stone and a hardwood top. On the side facing the larder are four tall stools, leaving the counter and hearths free of clutter.

Seated at the island, in the midst of light laughter, is the young human and the water genasi. A plate sits between them on the counter, fileted fish drizzled with ginger, garlic, and oil over a bed of rice. Morena abruptly freezes as Coda enters the kitchen, whatever mirth across her face gone as quickly as the morning dew. The water genasi, on the other hand, continues to smile even as she turns to see the newcomer.

Coda notices that the bundle upon the genasi's back is no longer there, yet the material that made up the sling is still worn. The halfling's perceptive eyes note a new occupant, however; a slender serpentine creature of deep blue that rests coiled upon the counter next to the genasi. This tiny creature resembles a dragon with its blue scales, four legs full of talons, a pair of horns above its head, and an elongated snout with sharp teeth. There the similarities end, as it lacks any wings and its snake-like body ends in a large fin that surrounds its tail.

"Hello, Mr. Ostinato!" beams the genasi. "Fire's not out, so I can whip up something else if seafood's not to your liking." As she speaks, the genasi pulls a portion of fish from the plate and coos as she holds it out to the tiny beast. The morsel is instantly snapped up and swallowed, and the creature purrs.

Morena says nothing as she watches the halfling. Even the tiny creature twists its long neck to get a good look.

The water genasi continues to feed the tiny wingless dragon on the counter, but answers the halfling. "Pull up a chair, Coda," she says, her voice almost like a lullaby as she strokes the creature's head.

There is a slight eye-roll from Morena, but she says nothing and looks down at the plate. She stabs a small piece of fish and busies herself with dinner.

"Your meal," says Morena curtly.

The water genasi clicks her tongue, still without taking her eyes off the serpentine creature on the table, and Morena looks down at the counter. "As brusque as my sister is, she has a point," says the genasi. "But you said you could not eat for a battle of your conscience, yes? What conflict rages within your mind?"

The genasi turns to look at Coda in silence. Finally she laughs, deep and full from her core. Even Morena covers her mouth with her hand, though she continues to look downward.

"Was this your worry, that we weren't getting paid?" says the genasi, rubbing at her eyes. "Oh Master Coda, you are a gem! Believe me, we have want for nothing. Keep your coin and fret not about our well-being; the Rose provides."

She pushes the gold back towards Coda. "Now, as mentioned earlier, you need to eat. You have a task before you and long days ahead, so have a full belly and get a good night's sleep. Would you like boiled shrimp?"

After about 10 minutes, a small pot of boiled shrimp (with a few potatoes and bay leaves) is ladled into a bowl and presented to Coda with a few slices of bread. Morena and the water genasi begin tidying up the kitchen and turning down the fire.

Back in the common room, Rhiann refills cider upon request, and generally leaves you to your meal until it's time for you to retire.

Having finished your seafood dinner, you all retire to your rooms. Rhiann and her waitstaff clear your table and secure the tavern, and the night passes uneventfully. With your assignment and passage off the island, your new day will come soon enough with the rising sun.