A Warlock Alone, Island Empire solo game

[Scotley]

Breakfast at the House Upon the Strand

Pausing in his dinning only with some hesitation, Gustav replies, "Well, houses such as this one rarely come upon the market. Truely a unique place." He sighs as a pair of nymphs run along the beach playfully tussling over a particularly fine shell. "There is a place I know though I hesitate to mention it..." He clearly feels some reluctance and pauses a moment before starting again. "There is a place, a former plantation, largely lost to the swamps now. It was never more than a marginal piece of land really just a chain of small islands in the fen that had been built up. Legend has it the place is cursed and to be sure it has seen more than its fair share of misfortune..." Again he hesitates, whether because he is loath to speak of it or because some sight on the beach distracts him Michael cannot be sure. "The place, called 'Fendragon Hall' is in considerable disrepair. I could tell you more if a serious fixer upper is to your tastes." He drains a winecup and attacks a pastry while awaiting your answer.

 

[J. Alexander]

Conservations

"Yes please do" MIchael replies "At the very least it would offer some employment to the locals and be a worthwile effort"

 

[Scotley]

Fendragon

"Well, let's see where to start. The first so called 'Lord of Fendragon Hall' perhaps? He was a human, perhaps of Wheelander stock, but I think perhaps he was from further away, maybe from Waveborne Hold, it was generations ago and the stories very. Anyway, the fellow showed up here with a chest full of coin looking to make a home for himself and claiming nobility. A landless lesser child or some such. Most think he was a pirate looking to go legit. There weren't so many humans here in those days. He asked the locals about available land. They told him of a place in the swamp where their was some dry land. He translated the name of the places as Fendragon, but I think 'cursed lizard of the swamp' might have been a more accurate take on it." He pauses for wine and continues, clearly beginning to warm to the story. "It seems the locals didn't much trust this fellow, and so had sold him on a piece of land that they avoided. The oblong main island was shaped vaguely like the body of a lizard or dragon with promenences not unlike legs. There was another much smaller island were a head might be and a string of small tufts of land curving off in the other direction like a tail. He set to work turning his gold into drainage channels, dikes, ramparts and even a wooden palasade though in those days he was unlikely to suffer attack here. I must assume he thought enemies from his past might find him. He really must have had quite a pot full of gold. He married a fair daughter of a local farmer of some standing in high style and settled down to making children. He died within 10 years of a fatal wyven sting when a group of workers he was supervising accidentally stired up a nest of the foul things as they cleared one of the little tufts of land in the 'tail'. He really must have had quite a chest of coins for the family continued on for several generations trying to make a go of the place, dike building, pumping and farming. The old wooden house burned and they hauled in stone for a bigger place, but the weight of it sank it into the soil within another couple of generations and they still had money to burn. Dwarven engineers were called in and a new more elaborate manor was built over the old. It is a dark and brooding place. Lots heavy stone. It sits on stone peers sunk deep into the soft earth and these keep the stone cool. In the warm humid air of the fen there is constant condinsation inside and out giving the place an appearance of tears flowing. Finally they had raised enough land about the place to raise decent crops of sugar cane, tobacco along with meat, vegetables and fruit to feed the family and the workers." He takes a dramatic pause to light a cigar as the meal is by now finished. "Then of course came the plague. The family seems to suffer particularly unfortunate mutations and changes, with some becomming maddened beast like horrors, while many others died and rose to become undead. The family line was wiped out and many of the laborers as well. By the time the waves of plague had left Tregere the swamp was well on its way to reclaiming the place. I think your lad Chandar has some knowledge of the place. He and his rangers went there a couple of times to defeat the beastial horrors and undead during and just after the plague."

 

[J. Alexander]

Conservations

"That is a woeful tell indeed. I may be interested in the place if for nothing more than to enusre that the efforts of so many generations are not in vain. Please look into the possiabilty of how we can secure legal title"..then taking a sip of coffee, Michael turns the conversation, "As i briefly mentioned last night, we are perhaps 12 to 18 months away from becoming total operationaly here on Tergere, during the construction of the complex, I would consider it a personal favor if you would consult with an architect and my factor here on the appropriate size and configuration of the sattelite office that you may use when duties call upon you to be present to inspect the ships and cargos. I had thought to attach a residence to it on the upper floors that would provide a view of the harbor. Do you think that is possible"

 

[Scotley]

"I would be happy to consult with your man here. I do believe such a building would be possible. It would be a matter of finding a suitable piece of land for the construction. There is a fellow here who might be able to help with the aquisition of Fendragon Hall and any other properties you might find useful."

 

[J. Alexander]

Conservations

"That would be most helpful indeed, I shall leave it in your capable hands" Michael replies. Michael will then make small talke until the meal has come to an end.

 

[Scotley]

Grond has mopped up the last bites of his meal and Gustav has long since abandoned his for a cigar. "Shall we make our way to the bank Captain?"

 

[J. Alexander]

Conservations

"Yes, that would be fine"...concerned at the wording of his statement MIchael will sense motive on the harmor master

1d20+10-> [4,10] = (14)

 

[Scotley]

Oops!

OOC: Hee hee, that should have been 'bank' not 'back'. I've corrected it above. Sorry for the confusion. I suspect that will change your action.

 

[J. Alexander]

Conservations

"Yes, I think a pleseant trip back is just what is in order, especially after such a fine meal" Having seen no bill etc, Michael will simply take out one of the purses containing 10gp and leave it on the tabel.