Mysteries of the Floating Islands

[GoldenCityBird]

The Stubborn Unicorn inn stands at the heart of Kirkdale, one of the few Rashboldian villages that joined the capital as one of many floating islands. The inn itself is lively enough, with a lot of locals and a handful of visitors eating, drinking, and making merry.

You found yourself sitting at a table near a window that overlooked a large meadow, alongside a few other adventurers much like you. An envelope was left open upon the table, with a short message within:

"If you're reading this, you're one of the adventurers I, the Snide Snake, chose for their quest. Stage one of this quest will occur here on Rashbold. You will seek a key, gold with a ruby handle, which will be necessary later. I know little of who has it - only a "wrathful monarch, sitting upon a throne undeserved". That's what my messenger said, anyway. Good luck."

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[MadameButterflyKnife]

A muscular sand cat sits up straight, looking to the other adventuers. She puts her paw upon the letter, reading through the information. A golden key with a ruby handle, and an unjust monarch.

She understood the type. Sultans, blinded by their greed and putting it above their inherent duty to the people they were obliged towards. And all they had to do was find this key. Hopefully, this key would be at least part of the solution to letting the waters of order and joy flow once more upon this land. A mission requiring haste, lest it be blown away before her very eyes.

As she finishes reading, she looks to the other adventurers. "As I am to understand, you are also aware of the letter sent by this mysterious serpent. It would only be rude to revoke my name from you folk. Hadil Al-Samara. Shall you grant me the satisfaction of giving me yours?"

[Despair's Archon of Memes]

A demonic girl with distinct horns and red hair and eyes is also among the people in the table... wearing what seems to be a maid dress...

Kizuna Itsuki, demonic magical girl and Infernal Savior!

... Too flashy? ... Hehe...

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

An undead being in tattered armor stands up, showing himself to be quite the intimidating presence. Towering over lots of the people here. He wields his sword.

I am Mordecai. Killed in battle sometime ago, but not even death will keep me down from doing what I do best: fighting.

[MadameButterflyKnife]

Hadil looks over her company. Unorthodox, and likely not her first choice for such a task. But she had to put it in this Snake's hands that whomever they were, they had a plan.

"...Thank you for the introductions. I will assume you are here to fight, then, Mordecai. I would like to believe I am here for more altruistic reasons, but to each their own. As long as this quest is completed."

[GoldenCityBird]

(NOTE: In prolonged actionless periods like this, I will have NPCs come to interact with the players, or reveal minor details)

"Good day, love. What can I get you?" A human barmaid, middle-aged with slightly tanned skin and auburn hair, approaches the table. "We've got food and drink aplenty here."

[MadameButterflyKnife]

"Do you offer tea, ma'am? Hadil looks over to the barmaid.

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Nothing for me, thanks. The dead don't need to eat.

[GoldenCityBird]

The barmaid first talks to Hadil. "Of course we do. We started doing it a couple months back - I'm really getting the hang of making it, you know? I could never try the stuff - never agreed with hot drinks - but, of course, one for you once I take your friends' potential orders."

She turns to Mordecai. "Oh! Sorry, I didn't notice. Although, I suppose, one does meet all sorts of strange folks nowadays. First the airship crash survivors, and now you lot."

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

We were summoned into the village for a mission. What is it about an airship crash? It could very well be valuable information to us.

[GoldenCityBird]

The barmaid gestures to a nearby table. At it, a 

turtle-like girlKappa

, a 

stony-looking winged beastGargoyle

, and a 

slender dragon-personLeung / Asian Dragon

, all wearing matching, torn-up engineer uniforms, sit deep in conversation. "Those three are the last survivors of a ship travelling to some other place. I reckon the Dragon Queen had someone take it down. Scary stuff - even King Ed's keeping the army clear of her fort in the cliffs."

[MadameButterflyKnife]

"My condolences to the lost souls. May they find peacd. I will admit, I am unfamilar with some of those terms. She looks to the others, recalling what the letter said about a wrathful monarch. "Are any of you familiar with this "Dragon Queen"?"

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

What happened aboard your airship? Mordecai asks the survivors.

[GoldenCityBird]

The three survivors look at Mordecai.
"Oh, hello!" the kappa says. "I'm glad to see word's getting out."
"Don't dodge the question," the gargoyle replies. "He wants to know about the airship crash."
"Of course," the third member adds. "They all do. And I know the answer.."

The trio stops taking turns, and then speak in unison.

"A dragon burnt our ship down."
"A cannon shot us! From below the cliff!"
"The engine failed."

Silence.

"We've only rumours to go on. But I'm right, obviously."
"LISTEN HERE!"

The trio falls into a disjointed argument. It's painfully clear they're nowhere near agreement or compromise.

[MadameButterflyKnife]

"What do you remember, right before the ship went down."

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

A dragon, cannon fire from who knows where? It all sounds like a good challenge.

[GoldenCityBird]

"What do you remember, right before the ship went down."

"We were all working in the backup engine room. The designer liked having replacements for everything."

"It didn't help much, though. It was a routine day, then we got a distress call from the captain. Something about an explosion at the very top of the ship. We tried to turn the backup engine on, but... yeah, it was too late."

"I actually saved you guys, somewhat. Took most the force of the BIGGEST explosion - main was hit, I'm sure of it - while you got to the escape... things. Sure, my ankle still needs some concrete, but it's all good otherwise."

The kappa stood up. "The remains of the ship are at the cliffside fort - the southernmost point of the island, and the only place not technically governed by the Rashbold Family yet. There might be clues there. Can't say for certain."

[MadameButterflyKnife]

"That appears to be a good start to figuring out what happened. Did you three receive proper medical treatment as of yet?"

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Mordecai pulls out his sword. You can tell he's raring to go.

[TenOfSwords13]

A scarecrow seems to have turned up, and notices whoever's there already.

Oh hello, is this the place to meet that snake fellow?

[GoldenCityBird]

"That appears to be a good start to figuring out what happened. Did you three receive proper medical treatment as of yet?"

"Two of us," the Leung says, gesturing to themself and the kappa. "Some of the locals have been very charitable. Fritz is still technically injured. The only stonemason around isn't keen on helping us, so..."

The gargoyle puts his left leg up, revealing an ankle with a large chunk of stone missing. "In case you need proof."

The trio notice Mordecai's readiness, and nod in unison.

"Good luck."

[MadameButterflyKnife]

"Unfortunately, I am not a stone worker myself. But I shall keep your plight in mind. Hopefully, I can find someone who shall assist you."

She looks to Mordecai. "If you are ready, then I am ready. Hopefully, the others are ready as well. Barmaid: may it be alright if I take a meal to go for the road ahead? A well-made ration of bird meat shall do."

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Then let's set off, shall we?

Mordecai holds the door open, waiting for Hadil to get a meal from the barmaid and to see if the others are coming along.

To Kizuna: You haven't said anything since your introduction. Are you ready to go?

To the Scarecrow: A newcomer to our party. Do you care to share your name?

[SmilyCube112]

On the other side of the door was a Drow Elf having just arrived and, when he notices the door opening, he immediately jumps into a nearby bush, trying to keep himself hidden.

[Despair's Archon of Memes]

Oh, right... Hehe... I'm a bit shy, is all. And yeah... I'm Ready!

Kizuna grabs her stuff...