Storyboard: Chapter 1
It's a typical Fall day in Basir. The capital is known for it's trading and merchant vessel. Many can see first hand what others seems to have been talking about. It's actually an understatement when it's spoken, words fall short. This is a sight that most need to see to really understand. Most of the merchant vessel lands in the common dock area. Many of the none guild merchants pay a heavy tax and trade with the locals right off the ship.
The merchant ship from Pekal finally reached dry land after a couple of weeks of navigation. Esparam set a content foot on solid ground.
After departing Bet Rogala on his grandfather's quest and a couple of adventures including repelling a few goblins from farming villages, he had reached his home country's main port-city, Baneta, in order to travel south. The first ship to allow him to board was bound for Bet Urala, and that was fine for him.
The trip was uneventful, save for a couple of bad weather days. No pirate was seen, to the relief of the crew. While most of the cargo was not worth much, a couple of barrels contained spices that could get you a good fortune on the black market.
Standing at 5'11" and with a notably good posture compared to the rounded backs of some of the sailors, Esparam clearly looked like he had been at sea. His white robe with grey trim looked in need of a good wash in clear water to get rid of all the salt, and so did his chestnut hair, all over the place from the combination of water, salt and wind. The beard, that used to be neatly groomed, was in clear need of attention as well.
Backpack and crossbow strapped to his back, he knocks his wooden staff against the ground a couple of times, as if making sure he was arrived.
Satisfied, he turned to the ship's captain overseeing the crew already unloading cargo, and waved a salute with a smile, in thanks.
Now, where could I get a good, well-deserved bath in this city, he thought to himself.
As soon as Esparam clears the docks dozens of warehouses line the area before even entering the city walls. The walls are only 8 ft may 9 at best. A few guard towers line the area by the docks and a gatehouse with a cobbles stone road cut through the middle to the city center.
It seems the heavy traffic and largest shops lines the main roadway.
Esparam takes in the sight for a minute, and eventually decide he'll have all the time he needs to explore the city tomorrow. What's pressing right now is getting a hot bath, a hot meal, and a warm bed for tonight.
Still, on his way towards the city center, he looks around, making mental notes of places he should check out the next day. Some scribe's workshop. An herbalist's shop. What appeared to be a stall selling typical Pekalese products - just in case Esparam gets homesick and could use some of good wine from the hillsides of lake Eb'Sobet.
Eventually, he meets a couple of guards patrolling the roadway and asks for directions to a decent tavern.
The guards suggest a couple of taverns nearby. "Then again, if you're looking for a real decent wine, you should go to the One Eyed Ogre, you should," one of them says. "Price's a bit steep, but if you can afford it, that's where you'll get the best drinks here."
Esparam thanks them and doesn't hesitate much. Fine wine, even expensive, also sounds exactly like what he needs right now. And so he follows the directions he's been given to the tavern.
Esparam arrives, at the One Eyed Ogre, ....
It's a simple one level tavern in a decent part of the city. No riff raff along the way, ... nice.
The tavern has a light morning crowd, two dwarves at the bar sitting eye level on the stools speaking with the bar keeper, and one short hobgoblin sitting in the corner alone. a serving maid is cleaning the empty tables and the small cauldron is heating up by the main fireplace. Sitting on the metal are some clay bowls and a copper ladle hangs off to the side.
The smell from the kitchen is pretty intense, as the aroma of pork links permeate the room.
The Maid - "Sit where you like and keep your feet of the table"
"Serve yourself, there is hot porridge by the fire."
"The porridge is a copper and the honey mead is a silver."