Goldenbank Harbor, Roc's Nest Tavern – So sorry to interrupt, but after narrowly escaping that rather unpleasant goblin encounter, the crew made a startling discovery, eh! Another stowaway! The young elven girl, Mariipen, had slipped aboard during all that chaos - pardon us for the mess, eh. Though we were a bit wary, if you'll excuse the sentiment, the crew decided to allow her to stay until they reached Goldenbank, eh.
The Fireball Gazette
Goldenbank Beginnings: Pirates, Professors, and a Bit of a Chill, Eh?
July 2, 2024

Upon arriving in Goldenbank, the crew chose a discreet little harbor on the outskirts, being quite careful not to draw too much attention to the Allison &'s vessel, eh? They hired a local crew to repair the ship and remove its distinctive figurehead - if you don't mind me saying. However, we were terribly sorry to find that Wilma and Cecilie had secretly left the ship, leaving behind only a few coins, the Liquid Flux, and the magic ruby. So sorry about that, eh.
Near the harbor, the crew ran into Cordelia "The Lioness," a pirate with a bit of a history with Mad Matt, eh? Now, she didn't mean any harm, but she did warn them of Mad Matt's rather perilous past. She directed them toward the university, sharing some quite chilly tales of Devil Whales and Tritons that had claimed many of Mad Matt's former crewmates, eh. On our way to the university - if you can believe it - Tiyana visited a blacksmith who fused the magic ruby with a shortsword, creating a lovely fiery blade, eh.
The University Visit
At the university, the crew had the pleasure of meeting Lady Levine. She was a little disappointed that they didn't cause the Port Elgin kerfuffle, and I do apologize for that! She shared some details about the increasing presence of Flux on Kenver's shores, often accompanied by those rather unpleasant zombified Husks, eh. Tasked with researching the potential of the liquid - pardon the intrusion - Lady Levine pressured the crew into joining the university as lecturers to make information exchange a bit easier, eh. Despite Mad Matt's slight hesitation, Tiyana saw the opportunity to elevate her societal standing and agreed, eh.
Mad Matt then sought out Professor Kafhiri for help translating the book he found back at the shipwreck. At first, we were terribly sorry to mistake him for a person of student age due to his halfling stature, but Kafhiri was quite gracious and thrilled to assist, eh. Using a dictionary provided by Professor Hisashi of Yufune, Matt could understand some of the Ancient Deep Speech it was written in. It seems to detail the physiology and society of the Marid, a species of rather intense deep-sea creatures that live between Kenver and Midai, eh.
Becoming Lecturers
With Lady Levine's kind recommendation, the crew registered as lecturers for the adventuring course, eh. However, to access the University Communication Network - and I do apologize for the extra work - they have to complete one little adventure with a student. They were assigned Ava, a young half-elf who is quite eager for adventure but struggling a bit with her basic magic, eh.
Given the choice between a seven-day trek through the frost to Kestle Mill or exploring some crab-infested caves on the beach - if you don't mind our preference - the crew opted for the latter, eh. Promising to teach Ava the basics of real-world combat and keep her safe and warm, they prepared for their next adventure in the caves near Goldenbank, eh.
Classroom Confidential: Goldenbank Students’ Anonymous Opinions on their Professors
Collected by the Fireball Gazette Investigative Gossip Department
“I'm so sorry to say, but I had Lady Levine for two semesters, and while her classes were the most challenging I've ever taken, they were also quite rewarding, eh. She has an incredible understanding of monsters and their interactions with elemental properties. Her strictness pushed me to my limits, but I came out with a deep appreciation for the subject and a solid foundation for my future studies.”
“Taking a class with Professor Kafhiri is a bit like being on a bumpy ride through a snowstorm, eh! You never know what tangent he’ll go off on next! One minute we's discussing Elvish poetry, and the next, he's explaining Dwarvish mining chants. His lectures are unpredictable, but it also means he’s incredibly passionate about his subjects. If you can keep up with him, you’ll learn more than you ever imagined about linguistics. Plus, his enthusiasm is just infectious, eh!”
"Pardon me for being blunt, but Lady Levine's classes are notorious for their difficulty, though the knowledge gained is unparalleled, eh. Her expertise in the elemental properties of monsters is fascinating. She's tough, no doubt, and her sadistic streak can be a bit daunting, but I respect her immensely. Her passion for the subject is enchanting and has inspired me to delve deeper into my studies."
"I'm terribly embarrassed to admit it, but I never thought I’d have a crush on a professor, but Lady Levine changed that, eh. Her intelligence and beauty are a powerful combination. Her lectures on the elemental properties of monsters are fascinating, but it's her striking beauty and commanding presence that captivate me. Do you think she’d step on me if I asked her? So sorry for asking, eh!"
"I am so sorry to complain, but I’m really struggling in Professor Kafhiri's class, eh. His energy is amazing, but his fast-paced lectures leave me scrambling to keep up. He moves from one topic to another so quickly that I often miss key points. I need more time to process the information, but he’s already onto the next language nuance. It’s a bit frustrating because I want to learn, eh."
"Classes in the adventuring course have been lovely, but I’m just so ready for the practical seminars, eh!!! We’ve learned a ton about strategy, weaponry, and wilderness survival, but it’s all theory right now. I’m really looking forward to working with real adventurers and seeing how everything plays out in real situations. The thought of applying what we’ve learned in a hands-on environment is thrilling. I know it’s going to be tough, eh, but I’m eager to face those challenges!"
"I've always tried to be quite focused on my studies, but Lady Levine has me questioning everything, eh. Her intelligence and beauty are undeniable, and I can't help but feel drawn to her in a way I've never experienced before. It's confusing but also exhilarating. Every lecture leaves me with more questions about myself... so sorry for the outburst, eh."
"Lady Levine is such an enigma, eh? She's brilliant, gorgeous, and somewhat intimidating, but no one seems to even know her first name. It’s strange, really. You’d think someone as renowned as her would have that detail floating around, eh. I’ve asked a few classmates, but no one has a clue. It’s like she’s this mysterious figure with a shroud of secrets. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s intentional, adding to her mystique and the aura of authority she carries, eh."