Voyage of the Nyari

[flightcommander]

[OOC — ah, so it opens like a clamshell? Our characters would be familiar with that ]

[makofan]

Mar 3, 2024 16:07:15 GMT -6 xerxez said:

Mar 3, 2024 8:58:56 GMT -6 makofan said:

"We seem to have some valuable finds here, but I am content with this sword, if every one agrees" says Bálesh

xerxez I added the steel sword in the information in my signature. We're still first level?

2nd Level. You leveled up in the beginning adventure. I need to update my records and keep a new notebook. My original was lost in a move.

I thought we had, but I cannot find the post where it happened

[chicagowiz]

It's a latching, hinged clamshell cased item.

[xerxez]

The item has no visible latch or hinge.

[flightcommander]

Ah. So two discs or plates, face to face, with what appears to be writing around the rim. Mi’kimu guesses that one face can be rotated in relation to the other, perhaps to effect some purpose identified by the writing. He dares not test this hypothesis.

[flightcommander]

Mi'kimu gestures toward the Eyes. "I think we know how this warrior was able to suspend these sailors, and also how it rendered itself invisible. It used these Eyes.

"But how did it arrive on this vessel? I think it used this device to ... travel. I do not know how.

"This was an elite warrior — and I think it was alone."

Mi'kimu surrenders the clamshell object to Balesh, and moves to inspect the door opposite the entry. He stuffs his axe in his belt and prepares the weird S'su blade for close work. He's about to open the door, but listens at it first.

[xerxez]

Mar 6, 2024 22:27:32 GMT -6 flightcommander said:

Mi'kimu gestures toward the Eyes. "I think we know how this warrior was able to suspend these sailors, and also how it rendered itself invisible. It used these Eyes.

"But how did it arrive on this vessel? I think it used this device to ... travel. I do not know how.

"This was an elite warrior — and I think it was alone."

Mi'kimu surrenders the clamshell object to Balesh, and moves to inspect the door opposite the entry. He stuffs his axe in his belt and prepares the weird S'su blade for close work. He's about to open the door, but listens at it first.

At this point Baak Sul the Shen and Gas Belly the Ahoggya join the group from aloft.

The Shen looks the frozen crew over.

"Sea raiding scum," he growls. "But what a haul!"

Gas Belly walks over to the table and looks around, then under.

Finding a desiccated moldy leg of bird dropped from the table at some point he emits a ghastly chortle and snatches it up tossing it into his maw, swallowing it, bones and all in a single gulp followed by a foul belch.

Amiyala censures him: "Shhh! Let Mi'kimu listen!"

Mi'kimu puts ear to the crack of the door but hears only the sound of the sea and the groaning of the vessel...

[flightcommander]

Mi'kimu regards Gas Belly with a bemused scowl, then listens again at the door. Hearing nothing, he readies his shield and opens the door.

[makofan]

Bálesh notices Mi'Kumu about to open the door, and strides over. "Allow me to lead, old friend"

[xerxez]

Balesh opens the door and it swings inward...it leads to another short corridor.

To his left is the inner side of the ship's hull, to the right another door, likely a cabin entrance.

On the left side the corridor ends where wooden steps descend down into the bowels of the vessel, undoubtedly dropping into berthing spaces for the rank and file and probably also the the holds...so Balesh and Mi'kimu guess, knowing what they do about boats.

Block and tackle can be heard swinging down below, and the reek of a musty hold wafts up to your nostrils...

[flightcommander]

[OOC — I'm assuming there's light, but if there isn't, I guess we'll grab one of the lanterns.]

"The silence here unnerves me, Bálesh — nothing like a Nuroab ship, full of sailor-song", Mi'kimu confides. "Nevertheless, let's check this cabin first, then look in the hold."

[makofan]

Balesh checks the cabin

[xerxez]

Balesh opens the cabin door, finding it unlocked.

It swings inward to reveal a relatively comfortable room, something fit for a captain.

There is a bed, a wardrobe,and a secured table under a window overhung by round lamps.

On the table are writing implements, a number of books, and, most conspicious, an open book with writing on its pages.

There is leather armor upon a special peg, and a Chlen hide sword resting in a corner.

There is a wooden smoking pipe and fuel next to the book-- the aroma of the pipe weed stll hangs in the air, recent smoke.

[flightcommander]

"Ach, more writing," bemoans Mi'kimu. "Would that I could read it — I suspect it might be important."

[makofan]

Balesh glances at the page that is open, to see if it means anything to him

[xerxez]

Balesh's command of Tsolyani scripture is rudimentary but he can discern a general narrative.

The book appears to be old but the most recent entries are in fresh ink.

From what he can gather, this vessel overtook a Livyani vessel and attacked and plundered it.

The journal relates that it was a small vessel but the crew were Livyani soldiers and even a priest of the Shadow Gods.

Of particular interest is the portion where the captain recounts putting the crew at sword point and interrogating them.

Amiyala enters the cabin and reads it aloud, assisting Balesh.

"The captain was a defiant man and was tight-lipped save for a warning that they bore forth to Livyanu an important prisoner and if we interfered our children and their children would pay dearly. He tried to bribe me- his bribe I took, and then some, as well as his life.

We did find a cage in the hold, closely watched by the Priest and several guards but there was only a half starved young woman in the cage who appeared as still as a statue in a lotus position- they put up a fight but are dead now.

The Priest carried two Eyes upon him, one of which he tried to use on us, but wasn't fast enough..one of my men being a disgraced scribe, now Nakome, of the Temple of Thumis had knowledge of the Ilyani script upon the back of one Eye and related it's power.

I used it to free the pitiful prisoner from her state--for she will provide some amusement for my crew.

We also took a strange chest containing a magnificent steel sword and leather armor of most curious design, as well as a strange medallion of sorts. And of course all the treasure on board.

I cannot forget the strange look of the Shadow Cult priest as he looked on his last moments as I freed the girl...he smiled and his eyes fixed on me as if some demon stared into my very soul and foretold my doom.

No matter.. we are all doomed to the sea or an Imperial stake perhaps one day.

One day, though, after I, Hi'june, am a ghost, this book will bear my fame and be told in all the Five Empires, the tale of the greatest pirate who ever terrorized the Deeps. "


There follows a complete inventory of the take.

OOC: I will consult tables and give you a proper list.

[xerxez]

[flightcommander]

"La! So much for Hi'june, whose 'ghost' will be smoke on the water in an hour's time, if I have my say. But let us take his logbook in any case. Thank you, Wise Sister, for deciphering it for us.

"Should we descend to the hold, Bálesh? I think I understand what happened here — but there may yet be something below to enrich our understanding, or our wealth."

[makofan]

"I fear that half-starved girl might be some demon who brings fate down on people, and waits below, but I will not let you face fate alone. Onwards!"

[dtspurrier1]

Mohammad follow alongs and asks, " once we complete this should be scuttle this ship or try to tow it back."

[flightcommander]

Mar 11, 2024 6:56:42 GMT -6 makofan said:

"I fear that half-starved girl might be some demon who brings fate down on people, and waits below, but I will not let you face fate alone. Onwards!"

"That half-starved girl was, I suspect, a guise of the creature we have just slain. How it might have changed its aspect, I do not know. But as you say — onward!"

[xerxez]

A safe and thorough examination of the rest of the doomed vessel turns up nothing much beyond a supply cache within the bottom hold containing many casks of wine, dried food stuffs, grain and the like...it all looks intact and edible, suitable for transferal to the Nyari.

The berthing compartment has fifteen racks and some odd treasures are found there, ferreted away or held in small locked chests easily broken open. Kaitars and jewels and bits of jewelry are among them.

The most interesting rack is one with a treasure of books and a box of scrolls and religious tokens and fetishes.

It must be the bed of the Priest Hi'june's log told of--

The books are mostly treatises on languages, but one has a cover with a typical illustration of the gentle God Thumis depicted with demonic features and the heretical title The Proofs of the Singualrity of K'sarul and Thumis.

In his rack you also find a journal, mostly filled with mad ravings about Thumis, K'sarul and delusions of being the spiritual leader of the crew and captain...in his mind, the voyages of this bloody lot were all in pursuit of some bizarre religious quest.

His final entry is interesting -- one line.

Fools...you have brought aboard no harmless girl. Only I remain pure now.

There is little now to do but retrieve what you wish to take and return to the ship and relate to F'sal and the Captain what you have encountered, and continue on your voyage.

[xerxez]

You guys can relate your actions once back aboard the vessel and tell me what you say to F'sal and the Captain. Also please state your intentions as to the items.

[makofan]

I am away this weekend. I am happy whatever the party decides to take. Obvious valuables, and the two highlighted tomes seem like a good start

[flightcommander]

Mi'kimu suggests we recover the following and bring it back to the Nyari:

* The two Eyes
* The medallion
* Balesh took the sword from the feline creature but we should also take the leather armor, if only for historical/forensic/curio purposes
* Every book we can lay our hands on (Mi'kimu can't read a word of them but so far they've seemed important)
* Any loot that seems valuable
* Any stores that might be of use

Once back aboard the Nyari, Mi'kimu and the others relate to F'Sal what has transpired, to the best of their understanding.

"We arrived aboard the vessel to find it apparently unoccupied. However, this was not the truth of the matter.

"We entered the sterncastle but were surprised on the stair by a sailor in combative stance, and decrepit in appearance. But after a tense moment we noticed the sailor did not move, and in fact was frozen in place by some magic. The Shen took the initiative and removed this obstacle, la! We continued our advance into the hull.

"Once below, we found a ghostly galley with the remainder of the crew, all frozen in place as well, in the midst of their merriment over these jewels and coins. As I child I once watched a shadow-play with more life in it; we shivered in fear.

"It was then that Do'shi entered the galley and immediately sensed a presence we Men could not. Something dropped from a hiding-place in the rafters and attacked us, wounding Do'shi gravely. But we were unable to see this foe! Nevertheless, Balesh, Do'shi, and Amiyala landed blows against it — though it was Mohammad who landed the killing blow.

"Upon its death, the foe was revealed to be of humanoid shape but feline aspect. We recovered some if its possessions, along with the other booty you see here, as well as two or more books that provide clues to what happened aboard.

"There is more to tell. But we are tired and wounded, if not also unnerved.

"The pirate crew on that vessel will not be released from their current state without more magic. I say we release them. I say we fire the ship and depart."

[dtspurrier1]

Mohammad does not know any powerful magic and suggests, " unless we tow the ship back where we came there might be a magician that could help. This will delay our journey. Otherwise I can say some words as we set fire to the ship and scuttle her. I will do my best to make sure this is done properly so we don't get cursed by the sea goddess. Especially if this magic was casted by her or one of her servants."

[xerxez]

Mar 15, 2024 23:43:21 GMT -6 flightcommander said:

Mi'kimu suggests we recover the following and bring it back to the Nyari:

* The two Eyes
* The medallion
* Balesh took the sword from the feline creature but we should also take the leather armor, if only for historical/forensic/curio purposes
* Every book we can lay our hands on (Mi'kimu can't read a word of them but so far they've seemed important)
* Any loot that seems valuable
* Any stores that might be of use

Once back aboard the Nyari, Mi'kimu and the others relate to F'Sal what has transpired, to the best of their understanding.

"We arrived aboard the vessel to find it apparently unoccupied. However, this was not the truth of the matter.

"We entered the sterncastle but were surprised on the stair by a sailor in combative stance, and decrepit in appearance. But after a tense moment we noticed the sailor did not move, and in fact was frozen in place by some magic. The Shen took the initiative and removed this obstacle, la! We continued our advance into the hull.

"Once below, we found a ghostly galley with the remainder of the crew, all frozen in place as well, in the midst of their merriment over these jewels and coins. As I child I once watched a shadow-play with more life in it; we shivered in fear.

"It was then that Do'shi entered the galley and immediately sensed a presence we Men could not. Something dropped from a hiding-place in the rafters and attacked us, wounding Do'shi gravely. But we were unable to see this foe! Nevertheless, Balesh, Do'shi, and Amiyala landed blows against it — though it was Mohammad who landed the killing blow.

"Upon its death, the foe was revealed to be of humanoid shape but feline aspect. We recovered some if its possessions, along with the other booty you see here, as well as two or more books that provide clues to what happened aboard.

"There is more to tell. But we are tired and wounded, if not also unnerved.

"The pirate crew on that vessel will not be released from their current state without more magic. I say we release them. I say we fire the ship and depart."

I will first provide an amount of treasure items and then relate response to Mi'kimu and Mohammad's responses. I hope to become more active in posting- my shift at work has been constantly changing and with that and split days off I sleep in shifts and have to also accommodate chores and errands, thus I am often fatigued. I had to give up "normal" daily life and normal weekends to take my position with my employer...however, I think my shift is back to a steady start time at the moment so I can be more regular in posting. Hopefully we have retained all players.

Treasures:

One known Eye: (From the pirate captain's description and with discussion with F'sal and the Captain after returning)- Excellent Ruby Eye. Use of a charge suspends the animation of 1-6 beings in a common area INDEFINITELY. They will not die but consciousness is also stopped at the moment of "freezing". Karunaz has also used Eyes and gives instruction on it's use. Use of a further charge is needed to release the captives of a Ruby Eye. Karunaz instructs how to read a small node on the back of the Eye which indicates charges remaining- The Excellent Ruby Eye of suspending animation has 16 charges remaining.

One Unknown Eye, suspected to be a means of Invisibility. This is uncertain as some other magick may have rendered the being invisible. Only attempted use will reveal it's nature and unlike the Ruby Eye there is no charge indicator.

21 Jewels worth on average 45 Kaitars each

1,138 Gold Kaitars

12 Gold rings averaging 20 Kaitar value each.

6 Gold arm circlets worth about 10 Kaitar each.

5 necklaces averaging 20 Gold Kaitar apiece.

The ships stores need no inventory.

The Suit of Armor: The creature's strange armor is somewhat adjustable and would fit any larger size figure. It's value is unknown but likely high owing craftsmanship.

Treasure Experience Points: 2,243 total, 570 each to Tekar, Mi'kimu, Mohammad and Balesh.

Combat Experience Points: The creature was Hit Dice 5, 50 XP per H.D. so 250 XP which is awarded to Mohammad as he landed the killing blow.


Back aboard the Nyari, F'sal and the Captain and crew listen raptly to Mi'kimu's account.

The Captain orders the stores moved below decks by his men and stares greedily at the assorted treasures.

CAPTAIN: "I know we have no arrangement for such an incident, good F'sal, but I think each of my men will desire some trinket and a small share in coins, though of course the bulk should go to the boarding party who risked all."

F'SAL: "But of course...this would be honorable."

KARUNAZ: "Aye, but though Mi'kimu has humbly offered surrender of these Eyes, I think they are his to keep or give as he will. He and his brethren may be nakome' but still they displayed the courage of the Hero King and are as suited as any of the rest of us to carry the Eyes. For now he should also carry the strange medallion, if he will."

F'SAL: "I offer no objection, noble warrior. As for this tale of a feline being...it calls to mind legends I have heard in my land of Salarv'ya...tales of shape shifters who travel the bethorms freely at will, passing trough time and space as easily as we would walk our clanhouse. I have always believed it to be only a myth...but there is a name for them...the Mi'halli they are called in our tongue. Not to be confused with the human tribes of the same name from that region of Tekumel, though by legend that was the cat-folk's first land. By the lore, it is said that a single Mi'halli can live in several different bodies upon varied bethorms all at one time. But that is, of course, absurd.

You have all done well. Our next stop will be the port at Point Hri'Chaku in my land, and thence to our secret destination, and when we are underway after port I will reveal our destination.

Now, I do think your suggested course of action is wise, Mohammad and Mi'kimu; I suggest you bind the pirates in some manner and then use the Eye to free them...when we make landfall in Salarv'ya we will turn them over to our Imperial soldiers. They will pay dearly for their depredations but most likely, since they interfered with and murdered an entire crew of Liv'yani officials they will be properly interrogated first...I'm curious about the original mission of that Liv'yani crew."

KARUNAZ: "I cannot say...I know nothing of why our Kings would desire such a being...we have our own ways of traversing the bethorms. No matter..let us return once more to the pirate ship and Mi'kimu can use the Eye. We will bring them back, setting fires as we leave."

Please relate any responses to this dialogue and/or your actions following.

[xerxez]

Also, reminder of your location:

[flightcommander]

"La! When I proposed to 'release' the pirates, I meant to end their terrible state by firing the entire vessel and sending them to the sky.

"But — knowing now that this Ruby Eye might revive them — I agree with this plan to recover them as prisoners for interrogation! And the body of this Mi'halli to boot!

"Alas I must confess, Karunaz, that your instructions in the use of the Ruby Eye fuddle me. I am afraid of such magics, should I freeze either myself or my companions in my fumbling attempt to employ it. Perhaps it is safer in the hand of Wise Tek for now?

"But tell me, Karunaz, what are these 'bethorms' you speak of? A system of roads?"

[xerxez]

Mar 19, 2024 12:42:22 GMT -6 flightcommander said:

"La! When I proposed to 'release' the pirates, I meant to end their terrible state by firing the entire vessel and sending them to the sky.

"But — knowing now that this Ruby Eye might revive them — I agree with this plan to recover them as prisoners for interrogation! And the body of this Mi'halli to boot!

"Alas I must confess, Karunaz, that your instructions in the use of the Ruby Eye fuddle me. I am afraid of such magics, should I freeze either myself or my companions in my fumbling attempt to employ it. Perhaps it is safer in the hand of Wise Tek for now?

"But tell me, Karunaz, what are these 'bethorms' you speak of? A system of roads?"

KARUNAZ: "Do not worry, my friend...the Ancients were quite skilled in their strange arts. You have only to point the Ruby Eye in the direction you wish its beams to go and use your thumb upon the back nodule to activate its magick... only if your allies are within its gaze will they be affected.

My understanding of the nature of bethorms is somewhat limited but essentially they are other dimensions inaccessible save through magic or devices...picture a multi-faceted translucent jeweled orb held up to a candle light or the sun through a window and imagine its scintillating beams cast about it...and then imagine if each individual beam were another world beyond this one and all others.

Some are as tiny as a clanhouse room, others as vast as the desert upon the bethorm of Tekumel which we call the Planes of Glass.

There are doors and bridges connected to these bethorms called Nexus Points. When traversed, it is as though a traveler were a walker on the surface of our supposed jewel stepped away from its surface onto one of the planes of light which then take on all the solidity and reality of the orb he has just exited, whilst the previous orb is gone to him and become as one of the beams of light.

Bethorms can be empty...they can be populated. And know this and fear it...some can only be entered, never exited. And horrible beings reside in many of them. Thus such journeys are perilous. But it is said that some Temples have knowledge of the more, shall we say, well traveled bethorms and Nexus Points...maps, if you will, visual only as symbology and mathematical formulae.

When we traveled time in the Tomb to the days of old N'gallu, we were likely upon another bethorm, though it could also have been a powerful illusion."