Session 20211223 Report
General Summary
Venusday, 13 Ascending Wood 768 (Calendar)
Mid afternoon pulled into the harbour at No More, greeted by a rowboat with 2 pilots (navigating the harbour is tricky due to the debris of the old breakwaters and bits of the city in the water), then by Dockmaster Skyfire (a ghost), who examined the ship and invited all thew crew and passengers to dinner at her clan house, with a warning to get there before sunset (guided them from the harbour). PCs explored a little, determined the small settlement a few miles down the coast is "Stinktown" and it guts fish and makes garum sauce - which is used on every meal. Told if looking for magic they really need to go to the Raiton Academy, which was the plan anyway, they learn that education there is expensive, takes several years and also involves a period of service after the education is complete. Stormcrow works out before they get to dinner that the rest of the city comes back at night and it's dangerous to get in its way (the roads are safe, as is being inside a still existing building part).
Dinner is friendly, though the food is bland (even with garum) and through conversation the PCs learn a bit about the island. Get the story of the destruction of the city as part of supressing the Five Tigers. Arranged for a guide to the Grey Hermiitage, and one for Hallow to the Academy. People stay despit ethe effects of the Shadowland because: it's all they've ever known; not enough ships ever visit for much of the population to leave; and (forgot to mention in the session) here they can easily interact with family members who have passed on, which many people would do almost anything to achieve. Met Half House Wren (city prefect) and her retinue, she was interested in Matthias and proffered and open invitation to the opera for the pair.
Slept in the upper floors of the clan house, obviously were awakened before dawn. Welcome to stay here for longer, but must provide their own food.
Saturnday, 14 Ascending Wood 768
Hallow went to the Academy (he was attempting to convince thje ghosts of the city to pass on, didn't look like leaving him there would be a good idea). PCs Travelled through desolate wastes to the Grey Hermitage, talked with the priest and delivered the scroll from Storm Mother Agaderak. He has been in corespondance with her for a long time, she suggested Nightfall Island for his experiments in creating "Exotic Materials" for Artifact crafting.
Determined a way to turn spy ring into a cult that provides Essence. Have agreed to deliver his manuscript to a copying house in the City of the Steel Lotus (along with a bankers draft to pay for it).
Returned to No More, went to the opera, and set up scheme to bring a ghost cast (including living director and current lead signer) to Dragon's's Jaws to perform the whole opera (they need to learn the rest of it). Will need to arrange for investors here as the PCs do not have enough cash on hand to pay the advance costs.
As part of brainstorming exports for the island (both the Dockmaster and the Prefect are very interested in expanding trade, the harbour is usually empty apart from fishing boats) Marag-ang hit upon the idea of making clothes based on the designs of the audience haunt of the opera (so the height of fashion from the end of the Shogunate). Current plan is to have An-Teng silk sent to No More where it can be made into garments and shipped back (and possibly to the Realm). In order to drum up orders and interest the PCs need to acquire a specific centuries old painting that shows the audience in sufficient detail (Wren knows who owns it and will introduce them).
Mathias considered the possibilities of strange underworld fish as a trade good, some local harpooners will go out on the Passing Glory some night to see what can be caught, and Captain Grey Feather will try trading runs between Dragon's Jaws and No More, though he thinks long term it will work better with sailing ships between No More and Earlsport, then galleys up the Channel of Precarious Prosperity.
Mathias spent the night with Wren, leading to a loud arguement in the morning with the member of her staff who delivered breakfast (and who Mathias' had already twigged fancied her as well). He realised she was a literal "Drama Queen" (aspect) who is deliberetly creating as many emotion heavy relationships as she can, in an attempt to improve her chances of remaining as a ghost after death. Matthias stole a Hearthstone Amulet (with a normal ruby currently in it) from Wren's jewellry box.