Blood, Plunder and D&D

  As the first born, and only, child of a relatively wealthy, if reclusive, family, Vincent had enjoyed every luxury in life. While she grew up far from civilization, her mother and father had still made sure she had all the trappings of wealth and power; the prettiest clothes, the finest foods and most importantly the best tutors their not inconsiderable assets could afford. When she had demonstrated a talent for the arcane, they had spared no expense on her magical training, indulging her passion for wizardry with teachers and books, nurturing her talent in every way they could. After spending her whole childhood on her home island, without any hope of seeing the rest of the world, she decided to leave her home and family. Not with bad intentions but probably forever. She realised that her parents where too scared of losing her to let her go, so she went on her own, breaking her family apart. Little did she know that her parents had every reason to stay hidden, and be afraid for ...

 "We could just let it pass us by" remarked Dakhir. "Just let it sail on about it's business" Ricmo looked at Dakhir like he was insane. "But...treasure" he finally sputtered out. Whisperleaf lowered the spyglass "Looks like some kind of funerary barge, but it's completely uncrewed. The oars seem to be moving by magic" he reported. "I can see a stone sarcophagus amidships, a collection of other stone chests, and artifacts. The prow has a statue of a raven, those animals are powerful psychopomps"  "Fascinating" said Tello. "I wonder by what strange art the oars are moved?. Magnetism perhaps. Or springs." "Like I said, we could completely just leave it be" said Dakhir. "Large stone chest at the feet of the sarcophagus" continued Whisperleaf. Ricmo's ears perked up at that. A huge smile spread across is face. "We're going to go board that ship and open that chest aren't we?...

  From the stage, Fantastic Freddy looked out at the sea of faces. The Contest of Song was one of the last contests of the Solstice Festival, and was always well attended. Hundreds of people swarmed Cathedral Square as the four remaining contestants performed their final numbers. Freddy was scheduled to go on last. Over to his left , he could see the three masked and robed judges watching him from the second story balcony of the Customs House. He smiled and waved at them. On of them, the woman, blew him a kiss. Freddy was pretty sure that was Bella Bell, under that mask and robe. As his eyes scanned over the crowd, reading them and trying to judge what tune would go over the best, his eyes were drawn to a fourth masked figure, a tall, regally dressed woman in a plumed formal masquerade mask . Not one of the judges, but the masquerade ball was tonight so masks were not exactly an uncommon site. Still, there was something special about this woman. She stood at the head of a small gro...