Author: Nox

ae’Nyx Riva

DDB | Page

Ashbourne

The weather is still cold, but it’s slowly getting warmer with Spring well on its way. The day light hours are as long as those of the night, but the nights are getting shorter. In the Wellsorrow Region, the Shadowfell despair is fading in its cycle. The people of Ashbourne and surrounding areas are feeling happier and it’s easier to shake the despair, and harder to fall under its influence. There is a half moon in the night sky tonight.

Shadowfell Despair Check: DC 9/15

It was so real. Like it was only yesterday when I opened my eyes and found the broken and bloodied body of my mother. The only person I knew in my entire life, and the woman who locked me up for my safety. At least that was what she said as she spat in my food and shoved it through the grate in the door.

I should feel relieved, except for the blood on my hands. Kor-gyral had freed me in the way the thing knew how — by shredding her body with my fingernails, snapping her neck with my hands. The aftermath haunts my dreams. Sleep is no longer restful, not that it ever was in Diremore, and even less so on the road to Ashbourne. I had to get away from there.

I didn’t even bother to make another vial of Tranquil before I left, and I regretted that the closer I got to Ashbourne. I had 5 days worth left or Kor-gyral would take over again. I shuddered to think what he might do if released into a town of so many.

Locked in a room, he could only hurt me. At least until he broke out. I wasn’t sure why he took the Tranquil willingly. Maybe it was just knowing he’d torture me with he had done — what I had done.

Ashbourne was with in sight and my body was weary with exhaustion. But 5 days of Tranquil wasn’t enough. I didn’t like being so low. But I was so tired. I had collected the plants I would need to make the potion, but I Boggle’s didn’t like the wilderness, not enough mischief and mayhem to be had. And we were getting further from the Leech with each step we took to Ashbourne. There had to be a better way to get sticky Boggle oil. If only I had a Boggle who would supply me. I tired of capturing them, sometimes even having to kill them as they tried to flee for their lives. I needed their oil. But either way I wouldn’t let withdrawal rekindle Kor-gyral’s hold on me. Not again. If ever if I could help it.

What should ae’Nyx do?

Post your choice in the comments!

1. Befriend a Boggle
2. Capture a Boggle
3. Find a place to stay
4. Hole up in a corner to sleep

ae’Nyx Riva | al’Zand Elovar | Alushtas Maskan | Miranda Elovar | Rosana
The Riva Contingency | Discord channel

---

The Riva Contingency is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved and/or endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast.
©Wizards of the Coast LLC

Alushtas Maskan

DDB | Page

Ashbourne

The weather is still cold, but it’s slowly getting warmer with Spring well on its way. The day light hours are as long as those of the night, but the nights are getting shorter. In the Wellsorrow Region, the Shadowfell despair is fading in its cycle. The people of Ashbourne and surrounding areas are feeling happier and it’s easier to shake the despair, and harder to fall under its influence. There is a half moon in the night sky tonight.

Shadowfell Despair Check: DC 9/15

This was a strange new world. The colors were so vibrant, yet the town’s folk he’d talk to said the opposite. Everything was so drab and boring. Back home there was no color, unless you counted shades of gray color.

This place was happier, and brighter and the people were more energetic. The monsters hid in the darkest shadows, but those were few and far between. Alushtas felt the despair of home fluttering about his skin, but he felt so alive, so at peace with this world. It was no wonder his father never wanted to leave.

Maybe after he found the boy, he’d stay — do the Queen’s bidding like his father. But that was for later. Today he would reach Ashbourne. His trail had led him here and now it would be difficult to find the strange boy he sought.

The trip out of the Leech had been eye opening. The first thing Alushtas saw had been the towering windmill whose wooden slats spun like a soft flower. The wind was warm and smelled of the salted sea, but they were still too many miles away to see the river or the Great Sea he’d heard so much about.

They spun tales of the material plane throughout his childhood, a fiction made up by those who knew not what they spoke. He’d traveled a week and thought those tales were just as he’d thought — false. Until he’d stepped out of the Forgotten Pass into the foothills of the Lost Mountains. The entire world shed a new light. Trees and flowers of full color. A house in the distance with a little red roof and green doors caught Alushtas’ attention. 

It was a splendorous sight.

And when the city of Ashbourne drew into view, the excitement of the city drew him in. There were so many things to see. So much to take in. The people looked at him as though he were the foreigner he was. They steered clear of him, but Alushtas didn’t even notice as he wandered through the city.

A raven above caught his eye, and the awe and excitement fled his system. He had a job to do. But there was so much to see. How would he even find this boy? Where would he even start?

What should Alushtas do?

Post your choice in the comments!

1. Ask the traders in the market
2. Seek out the Macabre Genesis guild house
3. Explore the nearest tavern/inn
4. Wander Ashbourne

ae’Nyx Riva | al’Zand Elovar | Alushtas Maskan | Miranda Elovar | Rosana
The Riva Contingency | Discord channel

---

The Riva Contingency is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved and/or endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast.
©Wizards of the Coast LLC

Rosana

DDB | Page

Ashbourne

The weather is still cold, but it’s slowly getting warmer with Spring well on its way. The day light hours are as long as those of the night, but the nights are getting shorter. In the Wellsorrow Region, the Shadowfell despair is fading in its cycle. The people of Ashbourne and surrounding areas are feeling happier and it’s easier to shake the despair, and harder to fall under its influence. There is a half moon in the night sky tonight.

Shadowfell Despair Check: DC 9/15

It wasn’t hard sneaking aboard the Cardiff. And it wasn’t hard changing my appearance as the days stayed off their stow away radar. I was just another crew member or a ghost they thought they saw.

I wasn’t looking forward to being so close to the Leech. I could have taken the direct route and gone south from my last guild house. But it would skirt me past the Leech. Or even through the Leech. The soul sucking, depression making crater of the Shadowfell too close to the Material plan. Some said that it was all in Shadowfell, that it was no longer a tear in the fabric of existence. Many a writer wrote tales of adventures heading into the Leech to find glory and honor. But there was never any truth to it. 

Only the Shadar-kai left the Leech. And even those few who did returned home — except Riva. Riva stayed and founded the guild. The Macabre Genesis. It held some meaning to him and the great Riva gave us purpose. A purpose that only guild members knew, and even fewer of us have said to have met the man. I never had. Nor did I want to. Men wrapped in myth and legend were always a letdown.

But my mission came first. At the bottom of the pier, I stood and looked out into the town of Ashbourne. The pressing in of Shadowfell felt like an irritating rash against my skin. How people lived here was beyond comprehension, but they did, and here a boy lived, and made a potion that removed the despair. My mission. But where might a boy go if Boogle’s were on your list of ingredients? 

I could seek the guild and ask their advice. Or maybe the Dock handlers knew something? But asking about a Boogle might raise suspicion. I could just head to the nearest inn and listen for rumors of strange creatures living nearby or wander the city? 

All I knew was I couldn’t stand here forever.

What should Rosana do?

Post your choice in the comments!

1. Ask the dock handlers 
2. Seek out the Macabre Genesis guild house
3. Explore the nearest tavern/inn
4. Wander Ashbourne

ae’Nyx Riva | al’Zand Elovar | Alushtas Maskan | Miranda Elovar | Rosana
The Riva Contingency | Discord channel

---

The Riva Contingency is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved and/or endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast.
©Wizards of the Coast LLC

Miranda Elovar

DDB | Page

Ashbourne

The weather is still cold, but it’s slowly getting warmer with Spring well on its way. The day light hours are as long as those of the night, but the nights are getting shorter. In the Wellsorrow Region, the Shadowfell despair is fading in its cycle. The people of Ashbourne and surrounding areas are feeling happier and it’s easier to shake the despair, and harder to fall under its influence. There is a half moon in the night sky tonight.

Shadowfell Despair Check: DC 9/15

“I’ll miss you most.” she said, wrapping her arms around Captain Hellsway. He was a young sailor who inherited the ship from his father the only way pirates know how — by killing the man. It was over some treasure, but the men all knew the truth of the matter Senior Hellsway was getting too old for this shit.

“Take care of that young pup. He’s got a problem and a half.”

Else smile and giggled behind her hand. “Oh, don’t I know it.” And she did. It was the whole reason she was here — to return to her master what he’d stole from him. So far, he had nothing to take. She’d have to remedy that. She’d hate to have to take her master his head. al’Zand had such pretty blue eyes.

Else watched al’Zand disembark and speak to the dockmaster and knew that wherever blue-eyes went, she’d find him. But it couldn’t be like she was following him. A short redhead walked the gangplank behind him and soon disappeared into the crowd. She’d been on board? Odd.

But she had a man to follow.

“Take care, my lovely.” The captain waved. The wave had turned into a swat. The blow landed on his opposite arm squashing the pesky mosquito that harassed him. He’d been fun. Not as fun as al’Zand or even the deckhand. The captain had preferred al’Zand. Seemed many of the men on The Cardiff had. But she hadn’t lacked for any action.

Once Else was down the pier and at the dockmaster, she put on her best smile and sashayed towards the dockmaster. He took notice immediately. His mouth hung open as her breasts bounced in their deep cleavage. It was the entire pirate wench outfit that pulled the whole look together, and Else rolled her eyes in her head. Men were such easy fucking targets.

“Hey sugar.” Else said in sickenly sweet voices. “I was hoping you might tell me where my fella got off too? He was just here a moment ago. Dark inky hair, a set of eyes that are bluer than that there sea out there. And a fine fine…” She blushed and covered her face in mock embarrassment. “Oh, I can’t even say it.”

The dock master put his hands on her shoulder. He smelled of damiana root and rum and nothing at all like the sea he stood watch over. A big disappointment. “Oh dear, don’t… he asked about the nearest inn. And that would be the Scared Horses.” He gave Else explicit directions, all the while pointing the way. “I could walk you. Let me..”

Else interrupted. “No, sweetheart, that’s just fine. I can manage on my little own self.”

She didn’t wait around for him to insist. The last thing al’Zand needed was to see her with another man. He wasn’t the jealous type, but he was the ‘I don’t want the leftovers’ type. Secret debauchery had been the name of her game. And it had been fun. 

Else couldn’t go by her real name here. Sadly, the Captain actually knew her and had let al’Zand on his ship for next to nothing. The gambling bard was an easy mark and Hellsway hadn’t regretted it the moment he saw those baby-blues. Everyone was a sucker for those eyes.

She needed a new name. Miranda was pretty. She could even shorten it to Mandy in a private social setting. But what was her back story? It needed to be tied to al’Zand so he couldn’t ditch her without breaking the story. And who would believe him over her? His wife would work.

Miranda Elovar pushed the doors to the Scared Horses Inn open a new woman. She was drop dead gorgeous and all eyes near the door turned to her. The men’s jaws dropped, and the women sneered. That’s right ladies, you got some competition now.

al’Zand was chatting with the barkeep. He wasn’t getting anywhere. Time to step in.

“I’m Miranda Elovar, and this is al’Zand, my husband. We are the Great Elovars. Maybe you’ve heard of us? We could play a few songs tonight, entertain your crowd for room and board?”

She brightened the man’s demeanor with a smile and her heaving bosom. “Sure thing, sweetheart. We can fit you and your husband in for the night.”

Miranda turned lovingly to her new husband and smiled. And the keep handed her a bowl of the most foulest smelling gruel she’d seen on any side of the Great Sea. But it was hot, and would fill their bellies better than any of the slop on the Cardiff. 

They sat down at the table near the bar and al’Zand began his questions. But he accepted the reason and Miranda was grateful. He’d have to get used to the new name as well. He hadn’t even blinked at the change. Or even the story, really.

It was something to think about, but there was not enough time to finish her awful dinner before they hauled them up on stage. Perfect place to ferret out any other marks and find a few extra coins or a plump man or two to shag before the night’s end. A few extra coins from the lad’s coin pouches would be a decent payment for the horrid gruel she had to endure tonight.

But it wasn’t far into their impromptu show that a man slunk away with their things. 

What should Miranda do?

Post your choice in the comments!

1. Chase the Bandit
2. Complain to the Tavern Owner
3. Ignore al’Zand and chat up another in the Tavern
4. Keep playing

ae’Nyx Riva | al’Zand Elovar | Alushtas Maskan | Miranda Elovar | Rosana
The Riva Contingency | Discord channel

---

The Riva Contingency is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved and/or endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast.
©Wizards of the Coast LLC

Dumia 20th, 1217

Initiative: 19 + 1 = 20 / 17 + 1 = 18
Shadowfell Despair: 8 – 1 = 7
Effect: 2 – Apathy
Flaw: “I don’t believe I can make a difference to anyone or anything.”

al’Zand Elovar

DDB | Page

Ashbourne

The weather is still cold, but it’s slowly getting warmer with Spring well on its way. The day light hours are as long as those of the night, but the nights are getting shorter. In the Wellsorrow Region, the Shadowfell despair is fading in its cycle. The people of Ashbourne and surrounding areas are feeling happier and it’s easier to shake the despair, and harder to fall under its influence. There is a half moon in the night sky tonight.

Shadowfell Despair Check: DC 9/15

The boat finally docked and Else had closed her trap long enough for us to disembark The Cardiff, but that didn’t stop her from flirting with every sailor as we left. It had been a long trip, but she was at least decent company. Not that there weren’t a few attractive men to bed down with. 

The captain put his hand on my shoulder as I walked the gangplank down to the dock. “Good luck outrunning your debt. I never saw you.”

“Your tune will change when he finds you. But hopefully I’ll already be gone and you won’t have a clue where I’m going.” I said.

The captain had been good to me. Too good, actually, one of the few sailors I had spent the night with. Too much rum, too much gambling and I swung from the captain’s bed one too many nights. Company was good, the sex was better, but it was the distraction that meant the most. Even Else was good for that.

With the captain’s good will at my back, I looked upon my final destination. The only city in Wellsorrow wasn’t like every other city in the world. Where the docks should be full and bustling, they were not. A few ships were in the docks, but no men loaded or unloaded cargo, no man or woman shuffled from the passenger ships. It was quiet. The only true noise came from the seagulls screeching above and the lapping sound of the waves on the hulls of the ship. Even The Cardiff’s men were sullen behind me. 

The buildings were dingy and dull. The sun and sea had not weathered the paint. A man dangled from a nearby building laying on a fresh coat of red paint. It should be the color of blood, but it was washed out and gray as soon as it touched the wood. The whole place was bleak.

I shifted my back on my shoulder and asked the dockmaster, who stood at the end of our pier. “Where is the nearest inn?”

The man looked me up and down and glanced at the Cardiff behind me. “The Scared Horses is down thata away.” He pointed down the coastline. “Follow it till the juncture. Can’t miss it. ”

The name didn’t sound promising, but I was ready to sleep in a proper bed, have a hot meal and maybe a different sort of companion for the night. Or a game of dice. Cards weren’t my thing, and that was all the sailors had played, even if I suggested dicing.

The dock master was right. The Scared Horses stood out amongst the other buildings on the corner. Not only was the sign obvious with its fleeing horse statue swinging from the roof, but music flooded through the slats in the walls, the door opened, and the sounds of revelry flooded the streets. 

How could a drab city like Ashbourne had a place so full of life?

I pulled open the door and slipped inside. It was warm and bright, like every tavern in every inn. I pushed my way past the doors through the crowd that watched a man on a lyre with the personality of a goat sing his baudy song of sailor’s delights. I could play better than that!

And that was the plan. Sing for my supper. I waded through the crowd and found a thin man drying a mug behind the bar. “I was hoping I might catch a few songs, make enough for a hot meal and bed for the night.” I hefted my lute above the bar to show the man what I came to do.

He glared at me. A hand on my shoulder made me turn to look, and I saw those green eyes and blonde hair I’d spent so much time with. Else gave me a bright smile and offered the man in front of us her hand. “I’m Miranda Elovar, and this is al’Zand, my husband. We are the Great Elovars. Maybe you’ve heard of us? We could play a few songs tonight, entertain your crowd for room and board?”

She brightened man’s demeanor with a smile and her heaving bosom. I rolled my eyes. “Sure thing, sweetheart. We can fit you and your husband in for the night.”

Else gave me a bright smile when the man handed us a bowl of leftover steak gruel and she headed off for a table near the stage. A proper stage not some make shift place the entertainment set up. Else sat in front of me and I gave her a pretty smile. “Miranda? my wife?” 

She smiled sweetly at me. “They don’t like strangers here. We need to stick together. And am I really that bad to be around?”

I sighed and shook my head, “No, not that bad.”

I had barely scraped my bowl clean with the man behind the shooed the lyre playing man away. “We have a treat tonight. The Great Elovars from across the Great Sea are here to play for us.”

The crowd booed and hissed and Else, no Miranda, stepped up on the stage with her lute and I followed her. This wouldn’t end well. But Miranda started playing a song, and I followed along. It was a song the sailors on the Cardiff had sung many times, and it had stuck in our heads. We played, the crowd changed their tune and were singing the baudy pirate songs right along with us.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Except as we started the fifth song, I saw a small slip of a man pick up my bag and steadily sneak towards the door.

What should al’Zand do?

Post your choice in the comments!

1. Chase the Bandit
2. Complain to the Tavern Owner
3. Ignore Else and chat up another in the Tavern
4. Keep playing

ae’Nyx Riva | al’Zand Elovar | Alushtas Maskan | Miranda Elovar | Rosana
The Riva Contingency | Discord channel

---

The Riva Contingency is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved and/or endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast.
©Wizards of the Coast LLC