Chapter 02 (Story Arc)

Event & Story Guides (Please Read)

Etiquette

Local Lore

Timey Wimey

Combat

Magic

Wounds

OOC Plot Line

HISTORY: Ever since Solitude was founded as a city, the waters west of Solitude have been important. However, the last time any sort of large, organized authority kept them safe was when the Cyrodiilic Legions marched in Skyrim. Imperial authority has long since collapsed, with Solitude now maintaining authority over these waters. Now, these waters are extremely difficult to navigate. Though powerful, the Blue Palace does not have the resources to send longships to patrol the waters. Instead, it unofficially bribes reavers, pirates, and smugglers to keep the waters open to trade.

As the seas become more and more impassable, northern crews of pirates, reavers, and smugglers seek secure places to hole up during the winter months. One such crew seems to have moved in on the Saebjorn territory, far too close to Hofborg for comfort. The elders of Hofborg have a good idea of what to expect; as this isn’t the first time this has happened in recent history. If asked they will tell tales of attacks on caravans, political kidnappings and black market smuggling.

Summary To Date

News of a particularly large crew near Hofborg has been reported.

The OOC plot line is provide to players so that they have a general overview of what the plot line involves and what likely solutions are available. We provide this because the in character rumors are not always clear enough to fill in the 'what the heck is going on' challenges. We will try to avoid spoilers in this section, but it is better that everyone is on page so the role-play moves along.

Rumors

These are the rumors culled from the #rumor-mill channel in discord, along with any additional suggestions the DMs or staff want to share.

Wed, Jan 25, 2023 (2nd Shift)

Rumors of an "official opening" of the Wharf Rat circulates through town. It's not posted on any public board but the town is a buzz with the idea of free food, free mead and tawdry tales. The villagers know that the Wharf Rat is not the most welcoming of places, but some bold souls, enticed by the rumors consider trying to slip in un-noticed.

Fri, Jan 27, 2023 (2nd Shift)

Rumors from Brygg-bottom reach the rest of the town. An old 'friend' of Baene's, Grjoldr the Sea-Wolf arrived last night, amidst the sounds of explosions. The sea captain has warned the Saebjorn and those of the town who had gone to the Wharf Rats "grand opening" that there is another crew in the area, not to far from Hofborg.

Who this crew is, and what the want is unknown, but not unexpected given this years harsh winter and the freezing seas. What can be done about this crew? Do we go investigate? Hunker down and prepare for an attack? Or try and share the space with them?

Sat, Jan 28, 2023 (3rd Shift)

On this particular night, all was quiet in Hofborg. Save for the sound of wind rustling trees and the occasional hoot of an owl. The sky was clear and the air frigid. A half-moon providing a faint moonlit night. All the while, most slept... Until, a shrill scream cuts through the air. Those that awoke to it would find it appeared to come from a distance outside the town. Followed by the sound of clashing conflict that would be quickly cut short. Of those awoken by the fright, Ysode Snow-Seer rode through town, calling all able-bodied (and awake) citizens to investigate with her.

Mon, Jan 29, 2023 (1st Shift)

As with any town, gossip travels fast. The word around Kyne's Keg is that Ysara, the cartographer of the Saebjorn, has taken on an apprentice. A street urchin of a kid, Eve, who took off in haste from the tavern not long ago—having been accused of theft. The teen, while not cooperative with the town guard, allegedly had nothing to do with the theft of imported spices from Kyne's Keg. To spare Eve from a night in the guardhouse and being drafted to the guard, Ysara offered to take her on instead. Eve has been tasked with running errands for both Ysara and Valeris while she learns a new trade.

Fri, Feb 4, 2023 (2nd Shift)

Baene, determined to meet with the pirates, sets out to travel to where they believe the ships are docked. We will be meeting outside the Great Hall and then heading out to make our way, hopefully finding the pirates in a mood to talk!

Last night, Baene and a good sized party of people from the town set out to locate the reavers and their ships. Early on, the weather turned worse and the trek slowed. During the height of the squalls, a pack of hungry trolls laid in wait and then ambushed the party. After a long and bloody battle, the party emerged victorious, but badly beaten. Mixed with the poor weather, it was decided to abandon the mission for the time being and return to the town with the intention of trying again in the future.

Next Steps

Fri, Jan 27, 2023

This is the introduction event for the Chapter 02 Story Arc. It will be held in the Wharf Rat of Brygg-Bottom during some rumored "grand opening". All players with appropriate backstory or reasonable excuse are welcome. (If your character would not naturally go to this event, don't worry, this story arc will have a wide variety of events for as much of the town as possible.)

Sat, Jan 28, 2023

Starter Quest for Chapter 2 - Shift 3 story arc

Mon, Jan 30, 2023

Starter Quest for Chapter 3 - Shift 1 story arc.

Fri, Feb 3, 2023

Chapter 2 will continue for the evening crowd.

This section will provide a general outline of the DM events planned for the story arc, as well as what players can do on their own with out DM support, as well as with DM support. The first event of the story arc will be to present the situation to the players and have them agree on next steps, these next steps will drive the events we plan.

Wrap Up

Summary of the story arc when it wraps up and what issues are currently unresolved. Some of these issues will be plot bunnies for future story arcs.