Episode 1: Fake Beards & Broken Necks

Listen here

*In the sleepy port town of Scarroll’s Cove, three strangers are brought together by chance, fate and the lack of seating space in a cramped bar. When privateer (not a pirate!) halfling Corzin Horhace, drow bard Celestia Stardust and mysterious bearded stranger Scamp become aware of a series of brutal murders, danger lies overhead…*

## Summary

In this first episode of the podcast, the Trio meet in a crowded pub. Scamp is originally disguised as a dwarf, but removes their disguise to hide from the angry head of the local guild, who’s ring they have stolen. Celestia plays some songs & there is an argument over a bit of treasure map that Scamp has.

As Corzin is headed back to the Charlie’s Regret for the night, he witnesses a shadowy figure apparently push a sailor off a roof to her death. Due to a series of similar deaths, no ship can leave town, so after securing places for Scamp & Celestia as new members of the crew, the Trio heads off to investigate. In addition to their investigation, they stop at the offices of Hikari Saito, a local slave trader, where Celestia asks after some highly trained slaves particularly those with a Rothenal brand.

Later, as they are walking along the street, Corzin suddenly finds himself hoisted off his feet with a noose around his throat. The shadowy figure holding the other end of the rope giggles & recites a rhyme & the episode ends

## Introductions

Where a handful of mad actors will attempt to navigate the tricky waters of Dungeons and Dragons.

*There were no nicknames for this episode.*

## Plot

#### Scarroll’s Cove, 7th of Falling Leaves, 1797

Corzin & a few other members of The Charlie's Regret’s crew are having a drink at the Bosun’s Arms when a figure covered in a cloak, with a scraggly grey beard, likely a dwarf, enters in a hurry & also finds themselves at the same crowded table. Just as they are ordering a drink, Celestia makes a dramatic entrance. Due to the crowding in the bar, and the fact that a few of Corzin’s crewmates have left, they all find themselves squeezed into a table together. Scamp, orders milk & successfully drinks it without showing their hands or face to their new friends.

Golder Spoon comes in searching for his stolen wedding ring, and offering a generous reward for its return and the punishment of the perpetrator. To stay hidden, Scamp immediately removes their disguise, revealing that they are in fact a bright pink tiefling with ram’s horns and silver hair.

There is a bit of a scuffle between Celestia & Scamp over an apparent treasure map that Scamp has, but after a few low level spells are thrown around, the map is returned and they settle their differences. Celestia plays her ophicleide a bit, and they discuss the fact that Corzin is a privateer and there might be births on the ship available for the other two.

Celestia checks the inn’s notice board for any information on slave trading happening in Scarroll’s Cove and gets the name of Hikari Saito as the main dealer in town. She and Scamp stays at the inn for the night,

As Corzin heads back to the Charlie’s Regret, he is followed by four human figures, who want to find out about the “dwarf” they saw with him earlier. He is able to get away, but hears a scuffling in an alley, where he discovers a crumpled figure on the ground. A human woman, probably a sailor, but no one he knows. He sees something moving across the rooftops from where the woman fell, but loses track of it when he tries to chase it and heads back to the Charlie's Regret.

#### 8th of Falling Leaves

Corzin wakes up to an argument between members of the Charlie’s Regret crew, Captain Brandy, First Mate Vyig Petrovitch, Bosun Salder and members of the local watch, in maroon Wendish uniforms. No ship is allowed to set sail, as a few sailors and a member of the watch have been murdered in the last few days.

As Celestia & Scamp head to the Charlies Regret, they are followed by a dock worker, who is also looking for the dwarf. Scamp convinces him that the dwarf left town. When they arrive at the ship, Vyig doubts that Scamp has enough knowledge to be a gunner, but they prove him wrong & even impress him. Celestia plays for him and both are given approval as new crewmembers.

They go to investigate the murder site, as the Charlie’s Regret cannot leave port until the murder is caught. Celestia & Scamp distract the guard while Corzin investigates the rooftop. There is some evidence that there was someone there, and he again sees the shadowy figure and tries to follow but again loses him over the rooftops.

Next, they go to talk to Hikari Saito, the dragonborn slave trader and meet her child Hiro as well. Celestia asks after a “more bespoke” sort of slave, specifically those that are Rothenal branded and are trained in music & language tutoring. Saito is unable to help them, as she does not disclose information about her clients’ business. However, they do find out that there was a slave ship with a few Rothenal slaves that left a few days ago.

They go back to the docks to speak to the harbor mistress about the recently departed slave ship, but don’t get much information. They also talk to one of the dockers who was following Corzin the night before & find out that one of his fellows was also killed, found with his neck broken & gouges taken out of him.

As they are walking along they get caught up in a cart whose horse bolts spilling a load of apples. As Corzin gets pushed back against a wall, there is a moment of shadow above him. Suddenly, there is a noose around his throat. He is dragged into the air & looks up to see a crouched figure holding a long rope with a noose & wearing a watchman’s uniform.

The figure giggles & rhymes; "Tricksy tricksy little meat, stopping me with all your feet, but soon enough the time will be done and in shall have you in my tum"

## Ending Song

In Scarroll’s Cove our tale begins,

Of silver beards and stolen rings

Three souls will find the destined deck,

But watch your back and watch your neck