Around the Campfire: An Adventurer's Journal / Episode 3

Currently discussing the events of Episode 3.

Several years ago the Swordmaster Jand was just a child. As a child he did all the things children normally do, until one day a visitor came to town. This visitor was not just any visitor, he was the River King. Who is the River King you ask? Well the River King is a legend a myth, he is a human, a dwarf, the head of a vast criminal conspiracy, a pirate, some even whisper that he is a horror, and all the tales are true. None know for certain, but one day Jand will find the truth. You see when the River King visited he killed everyone in his village; the last to die was Jand’s father. Fortunately for Jand he got to see it too. The River King ran the child through and left him for dead. Well fortune smiled on Jand again that day, and he got to live. A passing Swordmaster came upon the carnage and found that Jand was still alive. Nursing him back to health he took him as a student, he was pretty sure Jand would have a use for a sword.

What does this all have to do with out tale? Well Jand was busy with his companions celebrating their recent victory, when the Captain of the Crescent Pleasure informed him that one of the prisoners wanted to talk to him. He was a wily T’skrang by the name of Matson Tirkiyan, and he was there that day, working for the River King and he knows where he is now. Jand recognized him then, and while a part of him screamed for this little taste of vengeance, he knows there is only one who shall face his blade. Unfortunately he also realizes it may be long before he can challenge the River King. In return for his freedom Matson and Jand swear an oath in blood to meet in Farram one year from now, and then he will guide him to the recipient of his ire.

The Crescent Pleasure steams along quietly passing by the K’Tenshin, Lake Pyros, and Ban, traveling up the Serpent River to the town of Tansiarda. Traveler’s come and go as it stops to pick up passengers on its route of travel. In this case the companions are the ones leaving. Traveling by foot the party follows the Onman River on their path to Parlainth. Unfortunately they set camp too near the territory of a Brithan and Jand is forced to school it in many ways. Having resolved the argument with the Brithan the companions nod off beneath the crystal clear star studded sky.