Jade Regent: Brinewall Legacy 1.1 (Patreon)

Kolgrim

“And here we are!” Sandru Vhiski declared as the first wagon entered the small town. “Sandpoint! Home to the best tavern in Varisia!”

I and a few of the other hired guards chuckled at his declaration, though his enthusiasm was rather infectious. As the caravan reached the building its goods were destined for, most of the guards stood around looking mean. But some of the crates looked pretty heavy, and I'm both tall and strong, so I helped unload and put away the goods.

As we finished, I took in the small town atmosphere. It was so different from Urgir, the city I grew up in, back in Belkzen. But to be fair, in the years since I left, only other Belkzen cities were anything like Urgir. It was years off, but finding a small town like this would make for a nice retirement home, assuming I lived that long.

Shaking my head, I meandered through the town, just enjoying the quiet atmosphere as I slowly headed towards the tavern that Sandru wouldn't shut up about on the journey here. I believe he called it the Rusty Dragon? Either way, any pub with dragon in its name was worth a visit at the very least.

Yarzu'ul

It took far too long, but my math was accurate, the ratios and reactions between the various ingredients had been triple checked, all was ready for the final stage of the experiment. Carefully adjusting the heat, I picked up the scalpel from the pot of boiling water and held my arm out over the vial of simmering, jade green liquid. If my abyssal blood expressed itself in the normal fashion, this would be much easier; alas, eagle talons for hands makes drawing small amounts of blood an annoyance not worth the effort.

The three drops of blood from my upper forearm fell into the vial, the fluid within turning into a shade of blue approximately three degrees off from azure. Smirking, I took the vial off the heat and placed a stopper in it. Fifteen months worth of careful research and experimentation, and assuming all my calculations were correct, which they were, the liquid within the vial would provide a noticeable increase in mobility, flexibility, hand-eye coordination, and general nimbleness.

Reaching into my vest pocket, I pulled out my pocketwatch and checked the time. Seven minutes after the eleventh hour, Miss Kaijitsu should have opened her tavern by now. The busy time wouldn’t be until approximately thirty two minutes after the seventeenth hour. More than long enough to get a drink and a meal to celebrate my successful experiment. There was supposed to be a caravan arriving today as well, some of the hired guards might cause trouble… not my problem, and Miss Kaijitsu can take care of herself.

Still… I have not left my shack in three days, some social interaction with one of the few tolerable people in this ill-educated backwater would not be disagreeable. Miss Kaijitsu may not be an intellectual equal, but I’d yet to encounter one that I could call such. Though I suppose Madame Mvashti’s blood drinking ward came close. His fascination with blackpowder limited him, but he still understood the basic principles behind proper experimentation and checking one’s numbers.

Ellara

'Let me out,' the Voice whispered, smokey and seductive in my ears, disturbing my trance. I did my best to ignore it, but opened my eyes and stood from the makeshift bed I’d been given.

The actual bed was empty, my savior had offered to let me use it, but I felt bad enough that she was taking me into her home and refused. She hadn’t known I was cursed, otherwise… I shook my head, pushing the guilt down. Now wasn’t the time, I’d deal with that twisted bundle of emotions later.

“I am glad to see you have risen,” my savior’s voice spoke from behind me, making me jump nervously, reflexively tightening the bonds keeping the Voice bound. Turning around, I relaxed, even as she looked apologetic. “My apologies, I’ve spent so many years moving silently that it has become habitual. I brought you something to eat, it is not anything particularly fancy but…”

“It’s okay,” I interrupted, taking the small plate of mushrooms, onions, and jerky. “Thank you.”

She nodded, “Once you have eaten, I will take you to Sandpoint. It is the closest settlement, a friend will help you get on your feet from there.”

Swallowing the mouthful of jerky, I said, “Thank you, for everything.”

Taran

Leaning in close, I slid the last piece into place, before tightening the screw that would hold it firm. Pulling back, I removed the protective goggles from my eyes and looked over the results of my work. I’d need to test it to be sure, but if the schematics I’d purchased on the last trip to Magnimar were correct, then this should be a perfect replica of the muskets that had been developed in the Mana Wastes.

A glance at the windows (curtains drawn to keep too much sunlight from entering), let me estimate it to be roughly midday. Mother and Sandru should be returning today, I think I’ll go meet them and we can head to the Rusty Dragon. It had been a while since the three of us were in the same place, though that was mostly on me.

Sandru’s caravan company had proven relatively fruitful, and Mother had taken to going with him on his journeys throughout Varisia. I, on the other hand, had chosen to stay in Sandpoint. My fascination with guns and blackpowder meant that my studies into the arcane weren’t as developed as the stuck up twats in Magnimar that started teaching me wizardry would like, but I’d found several ways to combine the two disciplines together. But first I needed to finish carving the runes into the musket’s stock. Shouldn’t take too long, and I’ll head down to the warehouse after, Sandru’s caravan should be unloaded by then.

Varash

Today was good. Sun bright, fluffy clouds drifting like shimmer fish in river. Ameki open soon, said yesterday going to try new food today. Ameki good cook, good humie. Not like humies in cities, where kick and spit because small and scaly, not big and fleshy.

Ameki open door, see me, bare teeth in scary-happy way humies do, “And how’s my best customer today?”

“I’m good!” I say, as enter Ameki big-warren-home. Humies weird, make big warrens out of wood, then invite strangers in. But Ameki best humie, forgive me for saying name wrong, and say I can call her Ameki.

Ameki move behind counter, pours drink into wood mug, places in front of me. Mug nearly as big as me, and not tiny kobold. Full three humie feet tall. Why use feet to measure? Different people feet different sizes. More humie weirdness, thinking about humies too much makes head hurt.

“So, I’m guessing you want either your usual or the new recipe I found?” Ameki ask, lips stretched, but not baring teeth.

“New food! Important to try new things!” I say, nodding firmly before picking up mug and taking drink. Humies strange, but Ameki good cook, good humie, good friend.

Elsbeth

I knelt before the small altar, mentally reciting my morning prayers to the Lord of Hope and Light. The altar wasn't much, but it was more than most towns, and even several cities, had. I tried not to let it bother me, the Lord of Hope had only ascended to divinity a scant number of years prior, with the closing of the Worldwound.

Morning prayers finished, I stood and stretched, feeling the joints in my shoulders and back pop. Letting my holy symbol rest atop my jerkin, I left the alcove and entered the church proper. With the Lord of Hope’s close association with Desna, the head priest didn’t mind the altar’s placement within their church, but I still eagerly awaited the day when I’d stand within a church or a temple dedicated to Him.

For now, I think I’ll go visit Auntie Koya. Her oldest son’s caravan was suppose to reach Sandpoint today, and being perfectly honest, you youngest son’s kinda cute.