3. The Yarn of Kima Falstaff

The Yarn of Kima Falstaff


  • Kima Falstaff is no longer the woman she used to be, gone are the riches of being the daughter of Master Neverwinter Merchant, Sir Reginald Falstaff, high-trader, ear of the King with known motivations to move into politics and up in society. It all ended, when political enemies and friends who held a tighter hold to the Kings ear, brought her world all crashing down.

    Assassins were dispatched, during the darkest of night to kill the Master Merchant, and all of his family, burning their mansion down to hide all evidence of any crime. However, the Master Merchant had heard rumblings and took action, his number-one man (Declan) would take his only daughter, get her to the docks, and send her to a place that only he knew, because if Kima is not killed, then she will be hunted to kill off the bloodline.

    Declan was the first to teach her to swing a blade, fire a bow, and the life lessons he taught her were to follow her heart. “Let Oghma guide you, you have a great thirst for knowledge and a talent to inspire others,” he would tell her during their daily practices. “To your father you are a bright shining star the will not be put out.”

    She was woken, and hastily told to gather what she could, time is of the essence. When she asked… Declan simply answered: “The wheels have already been put in motion, if you want to live, you will follow me right now.”

    Out a secret exit, the two stayed in the shadows, she had so many questions, but none would be answered. As they approached the docks, she looked back at her lifelong home and it was already in flames, a hand was over her mouth to stifle the scream that was coming. “Be quiet girl, they never had a chance, but you, do. Your father made many enemies, but one true friend is all that was needed to get you too safety.”

    They approached a modest sailing vessel, and he tossed a large pouch of gold to the Captain, “He will keep you safe, and now listen to what I have to say. Your parents were killed by assassins sent by either the King or someone close to him. My life is over to as soon as they know you are gone, but I plan to flee the city on horseback to give you a chance. You are going to a place called Narfell. It is a brutal land, but I think you will be safe, but always keep your guard up.”

    Her eyes were fixed on the burning house, and the fire alarm was raised as townsfolk were awoken by the commotion.
    He looks at the Captain. “You must go now, time is short and the window may be closing.”

    Her last view of Neverwinter was her family house collapsing as she was ushered below deck. Gone was everything she ever knew, she would no longer wake in her bed, walk the splendid merchant streets where she was a noted face. Her true future now lies before her and it is hers to make.


  • We find Kima Falstaff tucked away at the Bard College, seemingly not the same bright-eyes bushy tailed as when she first stepped foot in Narfell.

    I have been so lax in my writing, I used to fill page after page, but now times have changed… but the silver spoon is definitely gone. The things I have seen in the last few months show how good I really had it back home. I rarely think of home anymore because it is all gone, and I have my hands filled trying to stay alive.

    The adventurers here are amazing. They face death each and every day and they do so willingly. It is nothing to them. They grab their swords, ready their spells without a second thought. I have seen gnolls,
    hobgoblins, umberhulks, orcs, ogres and the list goes on. I have only seen just a little of the lands, but my eyes are wide open. One must always be on guard when leaving the safety of Norwick or Peltarch.

    With these new dangers I have meet so many whom I can call friend, mentor or just a sell sword. I also have seem to have a talent for singing, and here I was always self-conscious of myself in public, but here no one cares. I performed for a group in Peltarch recently it was for one of the Masters at the Bard College Master Lycka… instead of worrying about how nervous I was… I just let the music flow… and flow it did…. With the performance I was accepted into the college… which is great news… they have a huge library, huge theater… and my own room. No more listening to that infernal racket at the Norwick Inn at all hours of the night. I have even been asked to start to perform at the Mermaid a few times a week… why not a little extra coin in the pocket is better than a hole.

    It is funny that I am also learning a trade… an Elf named Elessar has taking me under his wing and taught me the basics of hunting, skinning, cooking and overall tanning of hides. I met with one of the masters of the Crafter¢s Union by the name ¡Z¢ and I am beginning an apprenticeship there as well. And here I thought I would struggle to fit in… just the opposite has happened… accepted and welcomed and even protected. I have shared my tale of escaping Neverwinter and the possibility of being pursued… I do believe that will not happen now and if it does I will be more than protected or even in time be able to take care of it myself… that would be something in time… revenge…

    I have been looking toward Oghma for some guidance, but as father always told me… “they hear ya lass, but sometimes it is better to be under their vision instead of the focus of it.” He always had little sayings for such occasions.

    As for now, I accept my positions with the college and union, but have had several other offers that must be contemplated… I did meet a rather impressive bard named Romulus, he is in charge of the Legion and we did speak of the possibilities, even though he was a scout… which I could never be… I can honestly say sneaking is not something I can ever do… clumsy is more like it…but it was good to hear of the Legion. He offered a tour sometime, so I will, just to see the tower. I look at it every time I travel past it…

    Well I am prattling on when I should be reading one of the books in the college.. she closes her journal, puts her quill down and opens one of the books from the Bardic Library.. Just the beginning of another new adventure.


  • We find Kima Falstaff, taking time to relax and decompress to all of the events that have surrounded her life since she was forced to flee Neverwinter. She sits at a corner booth at the Norwick Inn, takes out a journal, one of the last gifts her father was able to present to her before she left. Taking a sip of wine, she contemplates what exactly is going on in her life.

    I am not sure on how even to start… it has been a whirlwind for the last few months. I have found a seemingly safe haven in a land called Narfell. I gained citizenship to a small hamlet called Norwick; it is a nice, remote place to lay low for a while, as I try to figure out what my next step will be. I have to admit, the welcome I have received from the inhabitants was rather surprising. I seem to have been accepted as I am not the only one in the same situation. I seem I have found the “Island of Misfit Toys,” and old story one of my mentors told me. So I am not unique, but instead we seem to stand for one simple goal… Survival.

    I also have much to learn, but at each step, it seems help is right there. From Aerr, Silver, Gnarl, Kuln, Jimmeh, Abigail, Cray, Shasarai and Raryldor, help is available to me if I need it or even have questions. I know I am leaving some out, but there are so many that I need to thank. The adventures and things I have seen, I realize my life of wealth and privilege in Neverwinter is long forgotten and I will have to work for everything I do, which includes survival.

    It seems I have slipped into a pretty simple routine, as I was tasked to collect coal for a merchant in Silver Valley; I need to find my weight, his weight and perhaps the weight of a cow in coal. He said he needs enough to blow up his own house…., damn inventors…they do not even realize their own power and decisions at times…. But for a little coin it is something I will do, as a task is a task, I have well over 100 coal pieces so far… will try to surprise him with 200, just to show when given a task I will go beyond what was asked.

    I forgot about the Bard College in the City of Peltarch (a bustling city much like Neverwinter). I am looking for a Master Bard named Lycka or one of the other masters to see if I deserve membership as apprentice bard… I find this very exciting. I was able to use what coin I had to purchase one of the most wonderful and finely tuned harps I have ever seen. I will need to give her a name, but that will come with time. I have been told the private library at the college holds much information on the lands and myths. I went on an adventure with several others and we found a five-pointed pentagram in blood, I drew a picture of it and perhaps I can find more information of it. The goblin lands south of Norwick holds much mystery that I would like to unlock. I hope I can find information in the library. One never knows.

    I also met a great mage called Mad… she is not Mad, per say, more like her mind works beyond the limits of my comprehension. She tasked us with figuring out two riddles, one while fending off wave after wave of undead. The group I was lucky to be part of fought with more bravery than I have seen in my life. Shesarai took me aside before we left and told me to stay safe and sing my heart out before we left. It was good information and I even felt like I contributed. The second riddle involved six defendants in a trial and all were proclaiming their innocence. We were able to deduct who was guilty and it brought me great joy to be part of that team. We ate chocolates afterward… I had almost forgotten about the simple things in life. It is the simple things and more that make me smile.
    I feel safe with the group of friends that I have met so far, and feel that if any attempts on me were made from those in pursuit I would be more that safe…. It is facts like this that I have finally been able to sleep through the night.

    As for now, I just need to keep my focus simple… survival and gaining knowledge. Father always told me that Oghma was a fickle god and his ways of teaching are not always crystal clear… much like Narfell, one must decipher the facts from fiction.

    She closes the journal, takes a deep breath and sees her glass is empty. She leaves a gold piece to the waitress and heads upstairs to the softest bed she has found in months and falls into a deep, deep sleep, with an actual smile on her face.