Fire Trees
The hull of Captain Scrinner's skiff bumps a short dock and sailors immediately get to work tying down the craft. The captain himself stands amongst the crew a package made of thick fabric under one arm. When all is ready he turns to his first mate and says,
"Pay'em and get'em all bedded down." He turns to address the crew,
"One day!" He yells out to be heard.
"Tomorrow you lot unload the boat, then the rest of the day is yers! Day after tomorrow we head back!"
Then the gruff river captain steps off the boat and turns to the group,
"You all follows me then." he says before heading to the stairs leading up to the town.
Fire Trees is a light and although darkness has set in no torches or lanterns are needed to transverse its streets. Captain Scrinner flicks his chin at a one-story building with round tables out front.
"The River's Bend." he says without provocation.
"The boys will drink and sing there tonight, so it's no place you lot will wish to be." He shudders at the thought of his crew singing and continues on. Walking by the building everyone can see new timbers patching up the walls to the tavern.
Which is common for most of the standing buildings left in Fire Trees. The SpellPlague did a number on Unther and its communities, and the war following did nothing to help the country, as lack of men and trade slowed down reconstruction. For every rebuilt building there are two or three the group passes that can only be used for materials. The roofs, doors, chimneys, and anything else that could be salvaged has been taken from one structure to repair another.
People are seen going about their daily activities, as if the light from the trees gives them more time in a day to complete their tasks. Nobody gives the odd group a second glance, mostly due to Captain Scrinner's glare. With no stopping Captain Scrinner leads the group to what must have once been a manor house. It too having been rebuilt from new and salvaged materials. It stands alone outside of the town its grounds given over to a small caravan encampment.
"They turned the ol'manor into a taphouse and inn." Scrinner says not bothering to turn his head to address the group. He hurriedly heads up the steps and then inside. A new sign on a post out-front reads
"The Bright Rest".