In this year, 1001, in the Age of Awakening, a group of individuals, two dwarves, Harkin Rhaegos and Hjolmir Stoneshield, brothers, are in search of something stolen. A gnome, Sir Mintra Earhart, is eager to explore the world and find what he is searching for. Lord Earthart hired the fierce half-orc, Rakhnar Stonetusk, who is prepared to see the world beyond, and left the grand port of Goldath in the continent of Xarth to make sure young Mintra returns alive. Many months passed, and the strangers became acquaintances. After four long months at sea, they arrived at the oldest port in the continent of Gorathell, located in the land of the seven Sultans, known to most as Zultanus. Here, they spend a few weeks in port, stretching their feet and, for some, their fists and bellies. From there, they traveled to the port of Elquiath in the Queendom of Tal. Four other strangers joined the crew before they made their way to the port of Harlow: two half-elves, one of apparent high birth, with an elven warrior, tribal tattoos marking her face, and a Firbolg. Of these four, only two became acquainted with the crew and the other travelers: Peach, a young half-elf, and Gallow, a Firbolg. After a few weeks at sea, they were struck with calm water and silent sails for the night. During this time, the crew gathered together for merriment and song; the travelers were invited to join, and old Fergus, the first mate, told a tale of the life and death of the famous pirate queen while they enjoyed the food of Bree the Hafling cook.
The next day, the wind picked up, and they were on their final trek to Harlow. Two days from Harllows port, they were attacked by pirates all dressed in grey robes. A half-orc confronted the captain about an item aboard that belonged to his order and warned that anyone who tried to stop them would be dealt with. As one would expect when boarding a ship, a fight broke out—ending in the death of all except for one of the attackers. They learned these attackers could utter no sound from their throats because of a magical tattoo that all acolytes were marked with, showing their devotion. One of the dwarven passengers deciphered the strange finger language that the attacker used. He learned that the Black Pike was carrying an artifact that held dangerous powers within and that they were here to retrieve it. Not long after, the patrol ship that Captain Barbarossa had signaled arrived to take the prisoner and bodies. It was then that the passengers, specifically the two dwarven brothers and the young half-elf known as Peach, decided to inform the captain commander of the patrol ship what the prisoner had said. The Captain commander had the ship searched and discovered a strange small coffin. Disturbed by this, he had the boat, crew, and passengers impounded and imprisoned until they could learn the nature of this peculiar coffine and this Order of Thanoia, which this prisoner belonged to.
Persons of Interest:
Barborosa the human Captain
Fergus, the first human mate
Bree the female halfling cook
Peter the half-orc bosun
Black-dragon born, Captain Commander Lazurus Kalthan of the Imperial Navy patrol.