Shadows in Zachalas Session 1

*Game Played: August 4, 2021*

*GM: ThomJTK*

## Synopsis:

The festival of Safeguard is beginning in the city of Zachalas, and several mercenaries from the Whispering Cutlass formed a small company to travel the twenty-three day journey from Abishot. Upon arrival, they partook in festivities, acquired lodgings, encountered several members of the various mercantile factions, and took on an overhire job from a local mercenary.

## Mercenaries:

* Sqriggles McHopper (he) - Rabbitfolk Barbarian, lv. 1
* Markris (they) - Wood Elf Rogue, lv. 1
* Colletta Farblaze (she) - Halfling Peace Cleric, lv. 1

## Adventure Summary:

Coming from various backgrounds, the oddly assorted party of mercenaries from the Whispering Cutlass chose to travel the twenty-three day journey together both for company and security on the long road to Zachalas. Sqriggles the rabbitfolk sought to partake in the festivities - from the food and dancing, to watching entertainers, and possibly bringing home some alchemical fireworks to show to his family. Colletta was on a run of bad luck, with the family business currently going under. With a single gold coin left to spare, she has come to Zachalas with hopes to earn her fortune, either through adventuring or by securing a trade deal with one of the merchantile factions. Markris may be a skilled rogue and locksmith to pay the bills, but their true passions are in performing, entertaining, and the occasional act of minor pocket larceny, and have come to the city for both purposes!

Arriving at the gate, there was a line of people waiting to enter the city through the open Eastern Gate. Several soldiers with spears lounged near the entrance, wearing tabards of blue, white and yellow; embroidered with the emblem of the city on the front. Beyond the gate they could see the cobbled streets of the new city choked with people arrived for the festival, dressed in their best clothes - many sporting brightly cultured outfits. Jugglers and fire-eaters are scattered throughout the crowd. The noise from whistles, drums, singing, and happy chatter made normal chatter difficult; and forced the group to keep close together to hear one another among the crowd. As they finally got to the guard, they were informed it was eight copper for the toll into the city. Utilizing the crowd and commotion, Sqriggles darted between the masses of people to bypass the gate toll while Markris 'accidentally' was pushed into the guard, knocking a few copper pieces loose from his coinsack. Utilizing the 'borrowed' funds to pay the toll, they caught the guard skimming three copper off the top as they passed through the gate, reassuring Markris that their deed had been the correct choice. Unaware of the skimming off the top, nor her allies actions, Colletta innocently paid the toll and proceeded along through the gate, failing to notice that in the commotion of their entry she had also been pickpocketed of four silver coins in the process.

Utilizing the rest of their ill-gotten copper, Markris purchased an assortment of sugar-salt stickybuns while they got their bearings in the eastern market square.

## Adventure Rewards:

* Sqriggles was paid a satchel of 20 silver to be on retainer
* Markris pickpocketed several pieces of silver and copper from fairgoers' pockets
* Markris acquired a Scroll of Cure Wounds as thanks for saving Reeve
* Advancement to level 2 for Sqriggles, Markris, and Colletta.