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Previous Episode: Voyage of the Cursed Dawn - S02 E22
A full year had passed since the party's victory over the Western Kingdom's fleet and their acquisition of the Red Titan. What had once been a wandering crew of adventurers had now become something far greater: the Shopkeepers, a growing maritime trading company with influence stretching across the Arafora Sea. During their year of downtime, the party established New Port as their permanent headquarters and center of operations. The settlement had developed into a thriving base, with the local population becoming increasingly friendly toward their new neighbors. The Shopkeepers had also expanded their commercial presence by establishing several trading outposts across the surrounding islands:
- Port Gnomus, far to the west.
- Cain Outpost, just south of New Port.
- Red Cove, a little east of New Port.
- Port Rasa, further east of New Port.
- Juulia's Cove, their easternmost trading outpost.
Their growing network required a fleet to support it. The company now operated four trading sloops and two trading brigantines, alongside its own formidable collection of vessels. The party themselves now sailed aboard a new brigantine, the Sandsnake. Red Flint retained command of his mighty frigate, the Red Titan, while the Cursed Dawn had become Captain John Cutter's personal ship.
The Shopkeepers also commanded the loyalty of several experienced pirate captains: Marella Thorne, John Cutter, Captain Jack, and Barbossa. Together, these captains formed the backbone of the company's naval strength. Overseeing the day-to-day business operations was Mr. Gibbs, who managed the company's trading network and suppliers. Lord Maximus also remained with the group. However, despite their considerable success, trouble was already brewing. The Shopkeepers had established relationships with twelve suppliers, but six of them had recently been lost to a rival organization known as the Black Smoke Syndicate. This was no ordinary competitor. The syndicate appeared to be deliberately undermining the Shopkeepers' trading operations, threatening the commercial empire they had spent the past year building. Determined to learn more, Rasa Arziki and Juulia Troski used Rasa's Obsidian Ring of Teleportation to travel to Khar Benidir, where they sought information through the city's black market. Access to the underground marketplace was restricted. To gain entrance, visitors needed to know a peculiar secret phrase:
"The magician's shop is always around the corner, but the shoes of moles have no laces."
Armed with the correct password, Rasa and Juulia successfully entered the black market and began investigating their mysterious competitors. What they discovered revealed that the Shopkeepers were dealing with someone far more powerful than a typical merchant rival. The Black Smoke Syndicate was connected to William Kidd, a notorious figure better known as the Pirate King. Even more surprisingly, William Kidd was the father of Billy Ryler, whom the party knew as William the Sly. This revelation connected their new commercial troubles to figures from their earlier adventures. The Shopkeepers were no longer simply competing with another trading company. They were facing an organization controlled by one of the most influential pirates on the Arafora Sea. Meanwhile, back in New Port, the rest of the party discussed how to respond to the loss of their suppliers and the growing threat to their business.After a year spent building their company, expanding their fleet, and establishing a home, the Shopkeepers now faced their first major challenge as a maritime power. The Pirate King had entered their waters. And the Shopkeepers would have to decide how to deal with him. Session ends.
Next Episode: Voyage of the Cursed Dawn - S03 E02