Stormreach
It's a ruin.
This is your first thought as Stormreach comes into view: The city has been destroyed by some terrible disaster. You see crumbling walls and squat, shattered towers. then a moment later, you realize how far you still are from the city, and you notice the smaller structures clustered around those broken foundations. These ruins must be the work of the giants, buildings that fell long before humans came to this land.
It might not be a ruin, but Stormreach is a ramshackle city. As you draw closer, you see that the buildings are an astonishing assortment of architectural styles and materials. Some of the inhabitants have constructed their homes using stone quarried from the ruins themselves; others are partially built from driftwood or the hulls of broken ships. The Flamic architecture of Thrane stands next to a thatched hut that would seem more at home in the Shadow Marches. The city is a tapestry, hinting at the diverse range of people that have settled here.
From what you can see, Stormreach is spread over a wide area, flowing down along a river valley. Barges and passenger skiffs drift between the harbor and the depths of the city. Vegetation-covered cliffs surround the valley with a curtain of lush green.
As a boomtown devoted to extracting Xen'drik's riches, Stormreach will never be mistaken for a capital city or a paragon of architectural splendor. The climate seems agreeable, though, and the place holds an air of ancient mystery. You can see why so many choose to stay in Stormreach long after their expeditions have staggered out of Xen'drik's interior and returned to civilization.
[D]aa[/D]
"Aye lads, circle the town once, to give our passengers a good look at the only civilized town on Xen'drik."
The ship veers slightly to the west, while shedding some altitude and speed. You fly over the city, drinking in the sights. Several open markets, bazaars, and compounds are seen. Continuing past the heart of the city,
With Dalwir looking on, the helmsman slowly circles the landing pad once before setting the ship down upon solid ground once more.
"I cannot thank you enough," Dalwir says
,"I don't know how we would have survived those elementals without you."
He nods to each one of you.
"Good luck -- and stay safe, I've heard all sorts of horrible stories of what goes on in the jungles..."
The landing pad area is nothing more than a clearing on the outskirts of town, with giant-sized cobblestones appearing here and there, with grass growing up between them. From your view on the way in, the center of town can't be more than a 15 minute walk.
You all collect your gear from below, and disembark from the ship. A half-orc is resting against a large stone block, along with two humans, about 10 yards from the ship, looking over the group as you make your way down the gangway. They are all clad in maroon cloaks over studded leather, with the crest of Tharashk prominently etched and colored on the chest.
The half-orc approaches your group,"
Welcome, I am Barrak, I was dispatched to find and return you to our enclave. Come."
With that he turns and signals to the two humans, who quickly fall in step.
A hard to read map of stormreach is located here:
Stormreach Map
