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Authors notes:

A little while ago I developed two characters, Juliette Rougemont and Melodie Croupier, the first a sassy rogue, the second an impulsive bard, using Tales of Argosa RPG. I then dropped the two characters into the Bay of Spirits world.

I had not got far into the adventures when I came to the conclusion that the characters and their background just did not sit comfortably in the either the Bay of Spirits setting or the gritty Tales of Argosa rules. Everything I had written about the two had a very strong French vibe and the characters felt like they lent themselves to a more “swashbuckling” style game.

I took the decision to abandon that adventure and look to use the characters in a different setting with different rules.

7th Sea published by Chaosium seemed a better fit. With its world Théah being basically an alternative 17th century Europe and Montaigne an almost ‘France’, Juliette & Melodie sound like they have fund their spiritual homeland.

I have never played 7th Sea before, neither with a group nor solo, the rules at the moment seem a little abstract to me, a very different system to what I am use to, so I am going to have a big learning curve and I will make mistakes. That said, the rules do seem to lend themselves to a narrative style of solo play, so I will see how I get on.

In this part I am simply detailing the village I intend the adventures to start from. In the next part I will develop the two protagonists and perhaps a little extra background. Fingers crossed its going to be fun, let see how I get on and as always I value your comments, thoughts and input.

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Introduction

Nestled between jagged cliffs and the restless tides of the northern coast, Larmes-sur-mer is a picturesque yet enigmatic fishing village, shrouded in the mists of legend and the salty spray of the stormy Widow’s Sea. Its name, meaning “Tears-on-Sea”, is whispered in the candlelit corners of taverns—spoken with a mix of reverence and wary respect.

Geography and Layout

Larmes-sur-mer stretches along a narrow crescent bay, protected on either side by steep, sea-battered rocks. The village’s cobbled streets wind haphazardly uphill from the small harbour, weaving past weather-beaten cottages with blue-shuttered windows and mossy slate roofs. At the heart of the village stands the ancient stone church of Saint Emeline, its bell tower a beacon for returning fisherfolk lost in fog or tempest.

On the southern cliffs, a crumbling watchtower overlooks the sea—a relic from older wars, now home to nesting gulls and the occasional adventurous child. To the north, the dense Bois des Ombres stretches inland, rumoured to be haunted and seldom entered after dusk.

The Harbour

The harbour is the lifeblood of Larmes-sur-mer. Small, brightly painted fishing boats bob beside a weathered wooden jetty, their hulls perpetually slick with brine. Fisherfolk mend nets and salt their catches in the open air, while children chase crabs between piles of driftwood and tangled rope.

Twice a week, a battered merchant sloop from the nearest city docks, bringing spices, news, and, sometimes, trouble. Smugglers slip in with the fog, their cargoes destined for hidden coves beneath the cliffs, away from the prying eyes of the king’s excise men.

The People

The villagers of Larmes-sur-mer are hardy and weathered, shaped by the elements and the ever-present threat of the sea. Their clothing is practical—woollen cloaks, high boots, and brightly coloured sashes for luck. The air is thick with rustic dialect, mingled with laughter, song, and the ever-present roar of the ocean.

Despite—or perhaps because of—their isolation, the people are fiercely loyal to one another. Outsiders are met with cautious curiosity, and every villager can spin a tale of shipwrecks, sea monsters, or the legendary “Weeping Maidens” said to haunt the shore on stormy nights.

Culture and Life

Life in Larmes-sur-mer revolves around the rhythms of the sea. The dawn bell calls men and women to their boats, while evening brings communal meals of fish stew, black bread, and strong apple brandy. Festivals are held in honour of Saint Emeline, with torchlit processions, masked revels, and wild dances that last until sunrise.

Stories of pirates and privateers are told by firelight. Some whisper that the village once harboured a notorious corsair, and that secret tunnels beneath the cliffs lead to forgotten hoards of gold and forbidden relics.

Notable Locations

• La Sirène Égarée: The village tavern, known for its raucous atmosphere, hearty fare, and walls adorned with trophies from the sea—strange shells, battered cutlasses, and the occasional mysterious map.
• The Chapel of Saint Emeline: A centre for both worship and refuge, its candlelit nave filled with votive offerings from generations of storm-tossed sailors.
• The Old Fishmarket: An open square where fresh catches are traded, and rumour travels faster than the tide.
• The Caves of Lament: Gloomy sea caverns beneath the cliffs, said to be haunted by spirits and coveted by smugglers and treasure-seekers alike.

Legend and Mystery

Larmes-sur-mer is a place where reality and legend blur. The villagers believe the sea demands a price for prosperity—leaving offerings at the water’s edge to appease the spirits. Some claim to have seen phantom ships in the mists, and the bravest (or most foolish) still search for the lost bell of Saint Emeline, said to ring out as a warning before great storms.

Conclusion

With its windswept beauty, secret-laden cliffs, and blend of hardship and hope, Larmes-sur-mer stands as the perfect backdrop for swashbuckling adventure—a place where heroes, villains, and legends are born anew with each restless tide.

The Tavern, La Sirène Égarée

The tavern in Larmes-sur-Mer, known as La Sirène Égarée, is owned and run by Mira, a young woman, with wind-tossed curls and a linen apron dusted with flour. Her smile is warm, but her eyes flicker with something unreadable. She is known for her hearty cooking and uncanny knack for remembering names, debts, and dreams. Roumour has it she once sailed with a pirate crew – or was it a royal expedition?
Mira keeps a ledger bound in eel-skin—names, debts, and dreams. Some entries are written in blood.

La Sirène Égarée itself is a tavern of salt, stories, and simmering secrets Location: Larmes-sur-Mer, a coastal village where the mist rolls in like memory and the gulls cry like old ghosts.

Social Layout:

• Common Room: Open and noisy, with a central table for dice games and storytelling.
• Private Alcoves: Shadowed corners with curtained booths or side rooms for secret meetings.
• Staircase: Narrow and creaking, leading to upper rooms with straw mattresses and shuttered windows.

Atmosphere:

• Raucous laughter and clinking mugs echo off sea-worn timbers.
• The scent of garlic, wine, and woodsmoke hangs thick in the air.
• Candles and oil lamps flicker in iron sconces or hanging baskets. The smoke drifts lazily towards the rafters.
• Walls are cluttered with trophies: barnacled cutlasses, faded maps, and shells that hum if held close.

Signature Dishes & Drinks:

• Vin des Échos: A deep red wine aged in shipwrecked barrels. Tastes of salt, plum, and memory.
• Mira’s Firecakes: Spiced flatbreads cooked on a stone hearth, rumored to contain protective charms.
• Soupe des Brumes: A smoky fish stew served with black bread and a drizzle of saffron oil. Said to reveal truths if eaten during a storm.

Rumours:

• An empty chair is always kept at the corner table. No one ever sits there. No one dares.
• It is said the tavern sign once hung on a ship known as La Sirène Égarée, lost in Frothing Bay. Some say it sails still.

The Chapel of Saint Emeline

Location: Perched on a bluff overlooking Larmes-sur-Mer, its bell tower leans slightly, as if bowing to the sea.

Architecture:

• Weathered stone walls streaked with salt and lichen.
• A single stained-glass window depicting Saint Emeline calming a storm with outstretched hands.
• The nave is narrow but deep, lit by iron candelabras and rows of flickering votives—each one a prayer from a sailor, a widow, or a child.
• The floor is uneven flagstone, worn smooth by generations of kneeling boots.
• Behind the altar, a carved wooden reliquary holds a lock of Saint Emeline’s hair, sealed in glass and silver.

Atmosphere:

• The air smells of beeswax, brine, and old incense.
• Shells, knots of rope, and miniature ships hang from the rafters as offerings.
• During storms, the chapel fills with villagers and sailors alike, singing hymns to drown out the wind.

Father Thibaut Marais — The Priest of Saint Emeline

• Voice: Gentle, raspy, with the cadence of someone who’s spoken more last rites than sermons.
• Backstory:
  • Once a ship’s chaplain aboard La Grâce de l’Étoile, he survived a wreck in Frothing Bay and washed ashore clutching only his prayer book.
  • Took his survival as a sign from Saint Emeline and rebuilt the chapel with his own hands.
  • Rumored to have once exorcised a drowned sailor’s ghost using only salt and scripture.
  • Keeps a secret journal of storm warnings and relic sightings.

The Old Fishmarket

The fishmarket in Larmes-sur-Mer is a sensory storm of salt, sweat, and shouted bargains—an open-air theatre of survival and tradition.

Location:

• Nestled near the harbor, where boats bob against worn piers and gulls circle like impatient customers.
• Stalls are rough-hewn wood, patched with sailcloth and netting. Some are permanent, others lashed together each morning.
• The ground is packed dirt and crushed shell, bleached by sun and stained by brine.

Sights & Sounds:

• Fishmongers shout prices, argue over weights, and swap gossip with the speed of seasoned sailors.
• Children dart between stalls, chasing crabs or helping haul baskets.
• Gulls scream overhead, diving for scraps tossed from gutting tables.
• Catch of the day: gleaming sardines, bloodied mackerel, ink-stained squid, and the occasional monstrous deep-sea specimen that draws a crowd.

Smells & Textures:

• A pungent mix of salt, fish guts, seaweed, and vinegar.
• The air is thick with humidity and the tang of iron from rusted hooks and scales.
• Hands are calloused, aprons stained, knives flashing in practiced rhythm.

Let’s populate Larmes-sur-Mer with characters who feel lived-in, layered, and ready to stir drama, mystery, or comfort. These NPCs can serve as allies, informants, antagonists, or atmospheric flavor—each with a secret, a skill, or a story to tell.

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Some Notable Characters of Larmes-sur-Mer

🐚 Lisette du Sel — Shell-Monger & Whisper Collector

• Sells whispering shells and sea charms from a tide-warped cart.
• Claims to have heard the most beautiful aria echo from a conch.
• Knows who’s been doing what in the village—but trades information for secrets, not coin.

Marius “Three-Toes” Gallet — Retired Harpooner

• Lost two toes to a sea beast he refuses to name.
• Lives in a shack built from shipwreck timber.
• Keeps a map of Frothing Bay carved into his table.
• May have smuggled relics in his younger days.

Colette Marchand — Seamstress & Mourner

• Repairs sails, uniforms, and hearts.
• Wears black every day, though no one knows who she mourns.
• Has a locked drawer filled with letters from a mousquetaire, possibly an old lover and possibly one of the kings mousquetaire.

“Little” Rémy — Street Urchin & Informant

• Sleeps in the fishmarket, steals from the tavern, and listens everywhere.
• Knows every shortcut, hiding place, and loose floorboard in town.
• Idolizes Mira and always tries to follow her.

Sister Éloise — Keeper of the Lantern Shrine

• Tends a cliffside shrine where lanterns are lit for lost sailors.
• Believes the Hierophant is a divine being.
• May offer cryptic guidance—or a warning disguised as a hymn.

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