Session 1 - Riverside Town

As the first light of dawn filtered through the cracks in the wooden walls, Sethie was jolted awake by the familiar sound of barking and clanging from the market outside. It was just as it had been for weeks now—an unchanging routine. She rubbed her eyes and gazed at the barren inn wall, feeling the monotony of the past weeks hanging heavy. Though the townsfolk were friendly, the lack of news and excitement made the days blend together.

Sethie had been filling her time helping Arabella with her potions and earning a few coins assisting Luella at her flower booth. It covered her basic needs but left little room for anything else. Luella, an elderly halfling who had been gravely ill for years, was in a steadily worsening condition. Her husband, Martin—a burly dwarf who tended to the stables—appreciated Sethie’s help but could offer only minimal compensation. Despite the boredom, Sethie found solace in the simplicity of village life and the kindness of its people.

She dressed slowly, savoring the leisurely pace that the town embraced. It was a refreshing change from the city's frenetic pace. As she stepped into the courtyard, which doubled as the town’s market, she greeted the usual faces and picked up some pastries for breakfast before setting up at Luella’s booth and waited for the day to begin. An hour passed without any sign of Luella, then two.

Worry began to creep into Sethie’s mind. She spotted Sheriff Jenna, a tall elven woman with flowing blonde hair and a stern demeanor and asked for her to check in on Luella. Jenna reassured her that might simply need rest and advised Sethie to take the day off. Sethie, though still anxious, accepted the advice and headed back to the inn for an early lunch.

Inside, the inn’s familiar ambiance welcomed her. Freya, the half-elf, half-goliath bartender with sun-kissed skin and fiery orange hair, called out from behind the counter. “Ah, Sethie! Ready for lunch?” Her imposing yet graceful presence was something Sethie had admired since their first meeting.

“Yes, please. Thank you!” Sethie replied, making her way to her usual spot at the bar. Her attention was caught by a new patron seated against the wall, swirling a glass of dark wine. The stranger’s long white hair obscured her face, and her pale skin glistened in the sunlight. Intrigued, Sethie approached, noting that high elves rarely mingled with tieflings and cautiously took a seat beside her. The woman turned and nodded hello with a warm but cautious smile, her red eyes flashing against the sun. She had no sign of malice or distrust in her eyes, Sethie relaxed at this sight.

“Hello,” she said cheerfully, extending her hand. “I’m Sethie. You must be new here!”

The woman looked her over, her sharp eyes meeting Sethie’s with an unreadable expression. “I’m Sumayya. I arrived this morning.” Sumayya held her breath for a moment, watching for Sethie’s reaction. 

Freya placed a plate of food in front of Sethie. “Heading to Ysora for the festival, I suppose? That’s the usual traffic we see this time of year. You’re a bit early though. It’s only about a thirteen-day trip from here.”

Sumayya swished her wine thoughtfully. “I’m actually going there for work. I’ve taken a job in the city.”

Sethie’s eyes brightened. “I’m from the city. Maybe I can show you around!”

Sumayya returned the smile. “I’d appreciate that.”

The two continued their light conversation, over their meals.

As the early morning creeped onwards, Coada exhaled deeply, cresting the final hill and seeing the small town of Riverside come into view. After two weeks on the road, the sight of the town was a welcome relief. She yearned for a warm meal and a comfortable rest.

As she approached, she noticed a pair leaving town: a stout dwarf leading a small horse carrying a frail woman bundled tightly in layers. “Good morning,” Coada greeted as she drew near. “Is everything alright?”

The dwarf glanced at her with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. “Everything’s fine. Just heading to the city,” he grumbled, continuing on his way.

Coada fell into step beside them. “I’m a cleric of the church. Perhaps I could offer some assistance?”

The dwarf hesitated before nodding reluctantly. “If you insist. Though I’m not sure what can be done.”

Coada dismounted and approached the woman, her trained eyes assessing the situation. The woman’s pallid, wrinkled skin and glazed eyes spoke of a grave illness. “The Wasting,” the dwarf explained. “We’re hoping for some proper treatment in Ysora.”

“Visit the Healing Church in the Ten Spires,” Coada advised. “They will provide the best care available. Tell them Coada Aba sent you.”

The dwarf’s eyes softened with gratitude. “Thank you. I’m Martin, and this is Luella.”

Coada shook his hand and offered a solemn nod to Luella. “Travel safely. I’ll visit once I’m back in the city.”

Martin nodded and continued on his way with Luella. Coada watched them until they were out of sight before turning her attention to Riverside.

As she entered the town limits, Coada straightened her posture, ensuring her church insignia was prominently displayed. The townsfolk’s wary glances and subtle avoidance made it clear that her presence was unusual. Undeterred, she made her way down the main road to the stables, where the elderly stableman—surprisingly small even for a gnome—took her horse with practiced ease. Coada then headed to the small chapel at the town's center.

The chapel was modest and worn, its simplicity making it resemble a house more than a church, marked only by the inscriptions of the Three Queens on the door. Taking a deep breath, Coada pushed open the door. Inside, a firbolg man with long, loose hair and a deep blue complexion lounged on the altar, puffing lazily on a pipe.

“Welcome!” he greeted with a mixture of suspicion and amusement. “You must be the big city girl they sent.”

Coada’s expression tightened at his casual demeanor as she approached. “I’ve come to assist with the church and serve this town.” She extended her hand. “I’m Coada Alba.”

The firbolg took a leisurely drag from his pipe before shaking her hand. “I’m Tanston. Not sure what help is needed, but you’re welcome to stay. The beds are up in the attic. Get settled and then explore the town.”

Coada climbed the narrow, steep stairs with some difficulty, her armor and tail making the ascent awkward. She dropped her pack in the small, sparsely furnished attic room before heading back downstairs. Tanston remained lounging on the altar, still puffing away. He gave a nod as she passed; she offered no response.

With the sun now higher in the sky, Coada ventured to the market, engaging with shopkeepers and familiarizing herself with the town before heading to the inn to warm up and relax.

As she entered the inn, her gleaming armor drew every eye. She scanned the room, noting the patrons—early drinkers, travelers, and workers on their lunch break. Her gaze met Sethie’s, and a flicker of recognition passed between them. Her attention then shifted to Sethie’s companion, a high elf, which made her stiffen with concern.

Taking a seat at the bar next to the pair, Coada was met with a respectful greeting from Freya, who acknowledged her authority with a curated tone. Sumayya watched with keen interest, noting the tension that followed Coada’s arrival. Yuan-ti were clearly less common here.

Sethie broke the silence with a warm smile. “Just arrived as well? I’m Sethie!”

Coada returned the smile. “Coada. I’ve been sent to assist with the church.”

“Sumayya,” the elf said, nodding in greeting.

Coada was intrigued by Sumayya’s casual demeanor and her apparent connection to Sethie. As Sethie shared her knowledge of the town, Coada regaled them with tales of her travels. Sumayya listened quietly, engaging just enough to absorb all the information.

As time passed, more patrons came and went until Jenna arrived to officially greet the town’s newest priestess. Though her face soured at the sight of Coada, she maintained professionalism. During introductions, they were interrupted by a small halfling woman with fiery hair and large, rounded glasses. She burst in, urgently pulling Jenna aside for a whispered conversation before they both hurried out, leaving an uneasy silence in their wake.

Coada stood, addressing Sethie and Sumayya. “I’m going to see what’s happening. If you’d like to join me, you’re welcome.”

Sethie eagerly agreed, and Sumayya, after a moment’s thought, nodded in agreement. The three headed to the government building, a small but sturdy structure. Inside, the same halfling attended the front desk. “Oh, h-hello! Welcome!” she said with a cheerfully curated tone. “How can I help you?”

Coada spoke first. “There seems to be some alarm. As the new priestess, I’d like to see if we can be of any assistance.”

The halfling examined them briefly. “We did have an incident last night. If you’d like to speak with Jenna, she’s with the Mayor now.” She gestured to a long hall on the right. “Go down this hall and take the first door on your left. Wait there, and they’ll call you in.”

Coada thanked her and led Sethie and Sumayya to the waiting room. From there, they could hear muffled voices in conversation for several minutes until the door opened, revealing a small, exhausted halfling man. “You’re here about the theft, yes?” he asked.

They nodded.

“Good, I’m Alf Sorver,” he said, opening the door wider. “Mayor, come on in.”

The party entered a small office. Sumayya and Sethie took the two available seats while Coada remained in the doorway. Alf sat behind his desk. Beside him, Jenna stood with a dark-skinned woman in Lauthrian armor, and in the corner, a stout dwarf leaned back, puffing on a pipe.

Alf addressed Coada. “I understand you’re the new priestess from the capital church. Welcome.” He turned to the others. “And I assume you two are here for a potential reward?”

Sethie spoke up. “No, I’ve been here for a few weeks. I just want to help!”

Sumayya scanned the room, her eyes revealing a hint of calculation. “I just arrived this morning, but I’d be interested in any rewards.”

Alf nodded. “We had a major theft last night—the entire cash of the king’s share of our crops was stolen. With the king’s collectors due soon, we’re offering a substantial reward for the return of these goods. If you’re interested, Jenna can show you the scene.”

The three exchanged looks and agreed. Alf sighed in relief. “Good. Jenna will take you to the storage building.”

Jenna led them to a large storage building and silently unchained the door. While there was no visible damage, faint wagon tracks led north into the woods, barely noticeable in the dusty courtyard. “Was there any damage to the lock?” Sumayya asked.

Jenna shook her head. “Nope, the door was locked just as it should have been. We didn’t realize the theft until we checked.”

The storage room had been picked clean. Coada surveyed the area. “Who has access to this building?”

“Myself, Captain Armont Leval, Leonard Swiftfoot the stablemaster, and Erie Wusernind. Why? Are you suggesting it was one of us?” Jenna’s brow furrowed.

Coada remained focused. “It’s possible. We’ll need to question everyone. The stablemaster and Erie manage the grain and horses, so they have reason to be here. But their keys were accounted for.”

The group fell silent. “Well,” Jenna said, gesturing toward the door, “if that’s all, I need to get back to work.”

They bid Jenna farewell and returned to the inn to discuss their findings. Sumayya remained quiet, contemplating what she had seen the prior night. Coada drew her from her contemplation. “We should follow the trail north and see where it leads.”

Sethie and Sumayya nodded in agreement, and the trio ventured into the sparse woods. Coada tracked the trail for about an hour before it began to fade, leading them to a small clearing. There, a dwarven man—whom Sumayya recognized as the one who had ferried her in the previous night—emerged. “Best turn back now, nothing for you here,” he warned, training his bow on them and mouthing “traitor” at Sumayya.

The group held their ground. Coada growled at the dwarf, just as a dart flew past her, missing them by inches, signaling the start of a skirmish. Sumayya vanished into the shadows, spotting the robed woman she had seen earlier and dashing towards the hideout.

Coada charged the dwarf, while Sethie threw a dagger. The dwarf dodged and swung at Coada, narrowly missing. As Coada and Sethie pressed the attack, Sumayya pursued the woman, just too late to catch her as she slipped into the hideout.

Coada and Sethie’s assault left the dwarf barely standing as Coad grappled the man, coiling her tail around him, and pinning him to a tree. “Where’s the grain?” she demanded, her voice a low growl.

The dwarf spat defiantly at her. “You’ll get nothing from me.”

Her tail tightened around his neck until his face turned blue and he lost consciousness. Coada released him and turned to join Sumayya, who signaled towards the hideout. The three pressed forward, flinging open the door as Coada charged down the stairs, she was hunting now.

Coada descended the stone steps with urgency, as Sumayya and Sethie followed closely behind. At the bottom, Coada halted abruptly. Before her stood a modest chamber furnished with benches, a desk, and a bookshelf. Seated casually at the desk was Morland, a man with an untroubled demeanor and an affable smile. The robed woman was nowhere to be seen.

“Quite the dramatic entrance,” Morland observed, his voice laced with an insincere warmth. He inclined his head towards Sumayya. “Hello again. Your friends left hours ago… What brings you here?”

Coada's voice cut through the air. “You stole from the town to the south. We’re here to collect what’s theirs.”

Morland reclined in his chair, considering her words with a casual air. “I don’t think that will be happening,” he replied with a nonchalant grin.

Sumayya stepped forward, grimacing as she loomed over Morland. Her gaze was fierce, her fangs subtly revealed. “You understand the importance of keeping this place off the map,” she said, her voice low and dangerous. “A theft like this will attract unwanted attention. We both know that’s something neither of us desire.”

Morland’s expression hardened as he assessed her. After a moment’s contemplation, he activated a hidden switch beneath the desk. The bookshelf slid aside, revealing a concealed passage. “Looks like no scuffles tonight,” he announced, gesturing to the shadows of at least six figures emerging from the corridor. “Fetch the grain and load it onto the cart. This matter’s no longer worth our trouble.” He then gestured to the benches. “If you’d be so kind as to wait here, this will take some time.”

Sumayya exchanged a glance with her companions before leading them to the benches. They settled in as bags of grain and dried meats were methodically transported out of the hideout, each member of the crew casting them wary glances. The process was slow.

When the last bag was finally loaded and the final member—a burly, hooded figure—had nodded to Morland before disappearing into the depths of the hideout, Morland turned to the trio. “That’s settled then. I trust you’ll uphold your end of the bargain, Sumayya. Keep our location discreet.”

Sumayya nodded, and the group departed, setting off with the cart toward Riverside Town.

The sun had long dipped below the horizon by the time they returned. Captain Armont, upon receiving the cart, dispensed their reward. The party then retreated to the inn, eager to unravel the mystery of who might have aided in the theft. As they dined and drank, patrons came and went, their conversations barely registering over the clamor.

They questioned a few townsfolk including Erie with little success until Ruby, the baker with auburn hair and dark green eyes, joined them, her concern for Sethie evident. “Now that Luella has left town, will you be managing the flower shop?” she inquired.

Sethie’s face went pale. “Luella left? I didn’t know she’d gone… in that condition?”

Ruby nodded solemnly. “Yes. Martin came into some money apparently and took her to Ysora for better treatment.”

Coada’s eyes narrowed. “And where does Martin work?”

Ruby hesitated, taken aback by Coada’s intensity. “The stables. Why do you ask?”

Understanding dawned on the trio. “Thank you,” Coada said, her tone clipped. “We need to discuss this in private.”

Sethie offered her room, leading them away from the bustling restaurant.

Once in the quiet of Sethie’s room, the gravity of the situation settled over them. Sumayya and Sethie sat in silence as Coada spoke, her voice heavy with concern. “If we tell them Martin is responsible, it will destroy their peace and leave Luella without her husband.”

They pondered the implications before Sumayya offered a solution. “We’ve retrieved the grain—that was the main objective. We can tell them the culprits were dealt with in the woods.”

Sethie and Coada nodded in agreement. “I’ll inform them tomorrow,” Coada said softly. “For now, we should rest.”

The trio parted ways to their rooms, to the promise of rest from the long eventful day.