[center][h1] [b]Chapter 1[/b] The Floatilla [img]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bazNfgRPMx4/UTZ6JMieVpI/AAAAAAAAAn8/nxkodGuvM5c/s1600/ArmadaVista3.jpg[/img][/h1][/center] A literal city of ships. Hundreds of them. All of them lashed and planked together with each of their sails catching the Winds of the Sea. The Floatilla is a city of shipment, and trade. Like a guild Caravan traveling the great roads with their trains of carriages, the Floatilla stops within all major ports of the Inland Sea. It stops at the desert port of Gem, trading in spices, jewelry, and glassworks. It brings them to the snow covered Whitewall, which pays in blocks of ice and pine lumber and pelts and trades at every port in between. For a monetary price, and some expected work in the city, a person could cross the entire world in a little less than a year, and the thousand or so sailors of the city have supposedly seen it all so they don't discriminate a traveler. A rarity in this hostile world. If they have a trouble maker, their law is to toss them into the sea, let the ocean be the judge. In fact, despite being a bunch of boats, from dingy to war braced trieme's and dreadnaughts, it feels more like a city. Ships are converted to places of business. Decks are cleared for actual farming planters. Holds billow smoke for forges to craft and repair. Folks wake early to cast the nets and fishing lines or cast out on fishing rafts. Hunters aim high, adding squawking gulls to the food stores. Decks have tables and chairs rather than cannons, where breakfast rations is distributed and grog is poured. Steam balloons and towers hold the magic users that heal the sick or mold the weather, far away from the center lest their experimentation cause a catastrophic fire. The largest ship in the center acts as the church and shrine to the gods, mostly dedicated to the gods of sea, storm, and trade, but it holds many smaller alters for other gods to be worshiped. Again, the sailors do not discriminate. Despite the rocking waves, and the damp wood underfeet all day, the sounds and controlled chaos make the city feel alive. On a repurposed fishing ship near the port bow, a quiet corner of the city, the holds have been fashioned into long houses of bunks, cots, and hammocks and not much else. Over a dozen passengers lay their heads here having paid the fee for transport, though most of their days are spent working for their rations or waiting out the journey in a drunken stupor. This is where the adventurers awaken. [indent] [b]Kiris Trell[/b] following your map, you intend to get to the next port on the Blessed Isle and then set out towards the Sea of Dreams. Supposedly thats where your destination, Sarkus is rumored to reside, but just like everything else about the stupid lost land, its just a rumor. Still your stay on the Floatilla has been pretty enjoyable. Once people got over the presence of you large murder cat that follows you around, they were quite curious about the cat person they were sailing with. You made some friends, whom regaled you with tales from all over the world, places you intend to visit after you become rich. [b]Jacoby Drexelhand[/b] Already on a quest with two companions, the Dwarf Abrih'm and the Human Mari of the Shine. The three of you spent your days asking questions, hearing stories, and pouring over whatever book you could get your hands on. You were supposed to meet with the City Father, but his 'priests' state, just wait for his festival. Still you did find that the City Father was once a demi god of some acclaim eons ago, and has been mentioned to be a great warrior during the Reclamation when the gods beat back the demons that once ruled the mortal plane. [b]Angel[/b] On your quest to save your mistress, you threw her family name around and ended up researching with a Half Elf Wizard named Kalabac. He's a bit unhinged but he's been pretty diligent in his research, having his own space on one of the floating balloons lashed to a ship. He determined that the item you quest for has something to do with Sarkus. The lost continent of myth. But he's been going crazy trying to find more information, something he claims to have tried before, but none of his notes read right anymore. Strange. Still slowly, you're getting a direction to head next. [b]Soltana[/b] While the spirit within you grows impatient, you are making your journey across the sea to learn more from another Chapter whom also had dealings with the beast you hunt. You thought this to be a lonely journey, but sailors here have gripes and stress relief needs just like anywhere else. You spent your days dueling and 'training' with other sailors in mock battles. Each day you end with a few more bruises, but you're not as bad as the other guy who laugh off the fight and offered to buy you a drink. There's supposed to be some tournament during the festival with some coin to the winner. [/indent] Its the 5th day into the journey, and everyone knows that it is the City's Founding Day. There will be no work, no toil, no frowns. Its a day of festivities, of celebration. The inner ships are adorned in rare flowers and decorations, and the sound of work is replaced by sea chanties that ring out from aft to bow. All are welcome to be a part. There are contests of skill with bow or harpoon, fishing contests, bare knuckle fighting pits, insult competitions, songs and dances, all leading up to the welcome of the city's City Father, Cap'n Crossroads, Patron of Sailors who sails the open sea until returning, partying with his people for a fortnight. You each wake up in your cot at random parts of the fishing ship, your belongings nearby. The banging and songs at day break rouse you from sleep.