Chapter 1: First Watch

[OnceUponAnAxe]

In the evenings of fall and spring, when the land and water temperatures are changing, a fog rolls in off The Dragon Coast. The fog is known as The Veil because, like a beautiful woman, it is both mysterious and deadly. It is a time when all good merchants keep close what is theirs, knowing that if they do not it will disappear into The Veil. It is also a time for pirates to slip from their secret caves, found in coves along the coast from Baldur’s Gate to Neverwinter and come into Waterdeep to access Skullport. It is a time of mirth, myth, mystery, and magic!
You, like so many others, have ventured to the city with hopes of finding fame and fortune. Here, you've learned the most valuable lesson of employment — it’s not what you know but who you know. And you know few in Waterdeep. Unable to join guilds or make a place for yourself, you’‘be come to the one place where you think you can firmly entrench yourself: the City Guard. You’’re not sure you want to make this a life-time vocation; but it will give you the “in” you need to get off the streets and into a decent inn. Everyone knows that references from the City Guard are as good as gold.

During The Veil, the City Guard recruits new apprentices to help patrol the shrouded city. Young adventurers travel to Waterdeep in hopes of being chosen for the junior city guard, known as the Night Watch. Members of the Night Watch have no “official” power to enforce the law. They’’re mere peacekeepers, told to handle most problems as well as they can and only to bother the City Guard if they have to.

For therein lies the rub . . . Almost every group that has fallen back on the help of the City Guard has been thanked and dismissed. Honors generally fall only to those who have used their abilities wisely and relied on their own self-sufficiency. A successful stint with the Night Watch allows a person to get employment just about any where in Waterdeep, and raises the price one can ask in response to “Adventurers for Hire” advertisements as well! Five gold pieces a week is a nice bit of change to have in your pockets, too — especially when, right now, they’re empty!

As a prospective Night Watch candidate, you have assembled outside the City Guard Barracks for the Dock Ward. A large gathering of over twenty warriors, wizards, rogues, and ruffians has formed before the entrance to the barracks.

The barracks are comprised of two massive stone buildings. The buildings are identical. Each has three stories plus a cellar. Their entrances face each other, so the occupants can assemble rapidly for parades, inspections, or mutual defense. The buildings are located in the center of town, aside the Plaza de Arms. The Plaza de Arms is the parade grounds for the city and royal guard. El Fountaine de Pax, the Fountain of Peace, resides in the center of the Plaza, a reminder to all that peace is more important than conquest.

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We will start here with your introductions after all sheets are finalized and moved to the Duty Roster.

[Daos]

Barlemus, his boyishly handsome face split into a goofy grin, rubbernecks at the sights, sounds and people.  He stands tall and proud in his chain mail, but instead of a coif on his head, he wears a leather cap with ear flaps (an ushanka).

He leans toward one of the random people next to him and says softly, "This is pretty exciting, right?  We didn't have anything like this back in Torros."  He pauses a moment before clarifying, "Torros is my home village."

[Justin Tyme]

A handsome halfling stands among the group looking dashing in his black leather.  A dagger dances around his knuckles in an unnatural fashion until it suddenly disappears only to appear in the other hand a few moments later.  He listens to the bumpkin and responds, "Torros, you will want to stick close to me, Dirk Perfect, if you want to stay alive, for I am the greatest to have ever wielded a blade."

[Margrave]

Among the group is an elf with a short bow.  This would not seem uncommon save for the strange robes and foreign hair style he wears.  A port town, Waterdeep is used to all sorts of clientele, but it is unusual to see such a sight.  His eyes track the conversation between the two near him, and his placid mask does not waver at the boast of the halfling.  He does not add to the conversation, but waits patiently for orders.

[GreyWolfVT]

Tagon a stout dwarf as most are light brown hair that gets dark brown as it grows out dressed similarly to that of what most would think a woodsman or ranger would wear merely stands listening and looking about at those gathered "Harumph, what a group this time should be easier getting in this time around. We're probably the best candidates in the lot." he says saying his thoughts openly then hearing the elves and halfling chatting "Torros eh? I haven't been through there yet, but I've been about the sword coast chasing my bounties. Should get me a spot in the watch you'd think but no I'm here again trying to prove I'm fit to make the cut again. I hail from Baldur's Gate myself but settled here in the deep figuring it ripe for the work I do. Cased my last bounty to this city and I aint left since." the dwarf chuckles a bit. His crossbow bounces a little as he chuckles, as do most of his weapons sword, hand axe and dagger all strapped to his belt.

[Daos]

Jan 27, 2020 20:51:12 GMT -8 Justin Tyme said:

"Torros, you will want to stick close to me, Dirk Perfect, if you want to stay alive, for I am the greatest to have ever wielded a blade."

"Wow, really?  The greatest, ever?  How come I've never heard of you, though?" Barlemus asks with complete sincerity.

Jan 28, 2020 10:06:46 GMT -8 GreyWolfVT said:

"I hail from Baldur's Gate myself but settled here in the deep figuring it ripe for the work I do. Cased my last bounty to this city and I aint left since."

"The Gate?  I've heard of it.  What's it like there?  Is it bigger than Waterdeep?"

[Kvard51]

A tall, well-dressed half-elf stands a little apart.  He is anxious, although you probably wouldn't know it.  He stands with what could only be called "self-assurance", his shoulders as square as his chin, but without the dimple.  His eyes appear to be looking over the crowd, although they do cut toward the halfling as he makes his pronouncement of himself as the "greatest to have ever wielded a blade", taking him in at a glance.  But they return to the front as others begin talking, staring over the heads of the throng.  

[GreyWolfVT]

(ooc: based on sources and as much as I know Baldur's Gate is similar size to Waterdeep's earlier populations and now would be significantly smaller so depends on what timeline we are in.)

Tagon replies to Daos "Eh probably about the same size I'd guess then again I've been gone from there for a year no telling what's happened in a year."

[OnceUponAnAxe]

As time rolls forward, the night has drawn nigh and The Veil has begun to move in. The large crowd begins to split into small congregations. The crowd seems to hum a bit with excitement. Some people seem to have similar colored tabards, kilts, cloaks, or some other piece of coordinated outfit or clothing. The groups begin to coalesce with like colored members. Seems several of these groups are going for a second or even third patrol. 

A large gate clangs open as two men uniformed as actual guards march out of the gate. One man is considerably larger than the other, and seems to stress the straps buckles on his breastplate. He has a large stump of rolled tobacco hanging from his lips. He chews it as he takes a long assessing look at you all. The other man’s handsome features give away his mixed blood, his pointy ears mean he’s probably part elf.

The larger man calls out, demanding your attention as he and his partner signal for quiet. Gar Saru of the City Guard calls for all to be quiet. “”Form into groups of five and move quietly into the hall. There will be a brief inspection and then you’ll be assigned to a sergeant who will see you to your sector. That is all."

The two men retreat back into the hall as the crowd begins to follow their directions.

[Justin Tyme]

Dirk listens to Barlemus and laughs, "Ahh, Torros.  You have not heard of me as those who have crossed me are unable to tell the tale."  He flips the dagger and catches it and stows it in a sheath.  Dirk listens to the others, making mental notes of names.  When Tagon speaks, Dirk nods.  "I would agree.  We have many of the free folk represented here.  A hearty dwarf, an aloof elf, a humble human, a combination of both, and a handsome halfling.  Come, let us muster and show the others how it is done."

[Daos]

"Ut," Barlemus says in awe.  "By the way, my name isn't Torros, that's my home.  I'm Barlemus Wharfman.  Nice to meet you."  Realizing, a bit late, that he has accidentally been included in the group of five, he quickly moves with the others to the hall, looking to and fro, taking in everything with wide, cornflower blue eyes.

[GreyWolfVT]

Tagon shrugs "A point made if I've ever heard one. Might as well the five of us team up. Whats the worst that could happen?" figuring the others agree he gets ready to head into the hall and stops briefly to add "By the way names Tagon Giantdestroyer, but just call me Tagon."

[Kvard51]

Nobanion smiles at the banter between the group.  If nothing else, they will help keep him awake on the night watches.  He decides to count himself among them and follows the halfling.

[Margrave]

The elf bows deeply to the group and says in accented common, "Q'uan Kaenkaze.  You honor me with your company."  He bows again and smiles placidly.  He follows the group with a serene look upon his face.

[Daos]

"Ut, Giantdestroyer?" Barlemus asks in surprise and awe.  "Wow, what a great name.  How many giants have you destroyed?" he asks.  "I've never seen one before.  Are they really a hundred feet tall?"