The Curse Busters

I step off the gangplank onto the dock, happy to be back on land after a long voyage. I've never had much of an issue with seasickness, but I much prefer knowing that the ground isn't going to lurch out from under my feet.

Who am I? Aiden Kalazous, third son of Malken Kalazous. Not that that name really means much, dad was just a minor noble back home, barely above the more successful merchants. I say was, because he died a few months ago. He was a decent enough man, and I will miss him, but I'm not sad to be out from under my brothers shadows.

I heft the coin purse tied to my waist for a second, feeling the weight. More for comfort than to try and estimate what's in it, I know exactly how much I have left from my inheritance. Being the third son, I wasn't expecting much, and that's mostly what I got. 300 gold sovereigns, with the expectation that that would be enough to start up a life and make a life for myself somewhere. What did surprise me, however, was the sword on my hip. I had thought it was going to go to my eldest brother, Jakob. And from the look on his face when the solicitor read dad's will, so was Jakob. He was not happy. Another reason I wasn't too upset to leave home.

It's a good sword, though. Nice balance, good weight, keen edge, though there is a chip near the guard. Dad said it always served him well as a soldier. Now I guess we'll see how it serves an adventurer.

I take a deep breath, smelling the mix of the salty ocean with the muddle of smells common to a clean city. Around me, dock workers and sailors work to make sure the ship's mooring is secure, while porters climb aboard to begin unloading the ships cargo, and a handful of other passengers like me disembark while trying to stay out of the way. It had cost me 20 gold to buy passage here on this thing, but it was well worth it.

Kandis, I think to myself. The biggest trading port in the Sea of Graham. In the world, according to some people. Once nothing more than a pirate port, Kandis had managed to work its way to an honest place in the world, and now stood as one of the biggest and most respected trading cities in the world. Outside the reach of any kingdom or nation, all were welcome here, so long as they abided by one, overarching rule: Respect for the sanctity of sentience. Anyone, no matter how unsavory most people considered their kind, were allowed to come here to try and make a better life for themselves. Yes, you had common races, like humans, and elves, and dwarves and such, but also all manner of fae, orcs, goblinoids, giants, I've even heard a few dragons live here!

I make my way to the end of the dock and set my first step on soil in over a week. Looking around, I'm unsure of where to start. Fortunately, standing at the foot of a nearby lamppost seems to be someone to help with exactly that, as I see a young-looking half-elf talking with other passengers from the same ship and pointing in different directions. I approach him with a polite "Good day."

He looks at me and smiles, "And a good day to you as well! Is this your first time in our fair city?" I nod, and he continues, "Well then, welcome to Kandis, the Jewel of the Sea! Here, you can find almost anything you could possibly desire after a long voyage, and I will be happy to point you the way! Whether it be a bed to rest your head, a drink to warm your belly, or a bath to soothe your nerves. Or even," he winks at me, "something more carnal, if that be your preference."

"Well, I'm planning on being here for a while, so a bed and a drink will definitely be on the list, and a bath sounds amazing, but I also need a good smith I can get some armor from."

He makes a grand bow, as he answers "Simplicity itself! For your bathing needs, nowhere is better than the Crystal Springs, they have the purest, cleanest water in the city! No one is quite sure how they do it, they claim it's some secret blend of herbs, but whatever the cause, no one can deny it will refresh and invigorate body and mind! If you have the coin for it, I recommend getting the Royal treatment, it is well worth it," he winks at me again.

"As for the rest, you have some options. The Scurvy Dog, just up the street here, is a good place for both bed and drink, and is a favorite spot for sailors while they wait for their ships to be unloaded or loaded. Reasonable food and drink, at mostly reasonable prices.

"Or, if you feel you have the fortitude for it, there's the Drunken Dragon, strongest drinks in the city! I have seen dwarves go in, only to stumble out a mere thirty minutes later so drunk they couldn't find their own beard with a map!

"Or, if you would prefer a place where the drink is nice, but the company is better, head down to the Wet Wench. A newer establishment, but quickly gaining popularity due to how friendly and accomodating the staff are," he gives me a sly grin at that.

"If you're needing a place to lay your head, and are short on funds, then the Copper Boot is for you, though I warn you, you get what you pay for. If, however, you have an excess of coin, then check out the Golden Pony, up in the noble district! Nowhere finer in the city, but with a price tag to match!

"And as for your smith request, I suggest you hit up Sam's Smithy. Best blacksmith available, and if you can cover the extra charge, they'll even enchant it for you! Bit of an odd duck, but their quality is second to none!"

I thank him for all of the information, and he tells me that I can use the carriages with a silver gryphon painted on the side to get wherever I need to go for a small fee, and I set out into the city, ready to start my new life!

In the shadows across from the docks, an elf crouches, watching. She has been watching everyone coming and going for days now, trying to find someone who seems a suitable companion to help her solve her little problem. She's beginning to grow impatient.

All of these god damn fat-ass merchants, spoiled and pathetic-looking nobles, and simpletons, not a single...wait! Now he looked like he had promise. Good strong shoulders, short brown hair, posture showing he understood the nobility, but didn't consider himself among them, and that sword he's wearing actually looks like it could be used as one, rather than just the paltry decorations a lot of the upper crust likes to carry around!

She started to slink off to follow him, only to freeze the second she felt a slight tug. Looking down, she saw the hem of her tunic had somehow caught on a loose nail. Reaching down, she carefully freed it, paying close attention to make sure nothing else caught or snagged, then hurried after the new arrival, hoping that this time she'd found what she needed.