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Post by greentongue on Sept 1, 2015 17:29:49 GMT -6
Kumahl: To Huruyan, "How bad are you hurt? Can you see another exit point?"
Pulling on Huruyan's line, Kumahl checks for resistance. The statues line, he unties from its anchor and begins feeding out the line. Kumahl begins taking careful note of how much rope is left for both the statue and Huruyan.
Huruyan: I have covered the Gem with my hands and I'm hoping that when my eyes have adjusted I can see light from somewhere else. To Kumahl,"I have been hit in the arm with a spear and it hurts terribly but doesn't seem to bad." While I'm waiting for my eyes to adjust I'm looking for something for ballast and checking to see if the spears thrown at me are still in sight. Using control of self Huruyan stops the bleeding from his arm. "Kumahl, I had forgotten about the "Eye", consult with Chodo, if he agrees I will try to activate the "Eye", hopefully it still works."
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Post by greentongue on Sept 1, 2015 17:30:53 GMT -6
Kumahl: "Brother Chodo, Huruyan still has the shielding device. If you think it is wise he can try an activate it and then come back out to the well mouth. Otherwise we need to locate the next closest exit for him to come out."
To Huruyan, "Stay sharp. I will heal you once you get back to the surface. Checking with Chodo on using the "Eye"."
To the remaining Emerald Fishers, "Brothers, the water is flowing that way," pointing in the direction that Huruyan's line is moving, "We need to find an exit for Brother Huruyan. Quickly now."
Huntsman Chodo: "The Eye! Good idea! That would protect him from the spears." "I'm not sure how long it lasts if it works, so we will need to pull him up quickly." "Can he see the second rope?"
The guardsmen mill about confused. "What does an exit look like?" one asks.
With Huruyan's Gem no longer shining the grunts and hoots have subsided.
The tunnel the water flows through went as far as the Gem could light. Huruyan has seen no other possible exit beside the passageway now full of humanoids.
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Post by greentongue on Sept 1, 2015 17:32:17 GMT -6
Kumahl to Chodo, "I still have his rope and the statue's rope is still attached."
Kumahl to Huruyan, "Brother come back. Let me know when you are below the tunnel. We will then pull you as quickly as possible past the tunnel."
Looking up from the well, Kumahl looks to the guardsmen, "Water from the streets enters the aqueducts below from somewhere on the street. Hence if there entrance to the aqueducts, then there is also an exit."
Huruyan triggers the "Eye" then, to Kumahl "I have triggered the "Eye" so start pulling me up."
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Post by greentongue on Sept 1, 2015 17:36:58 GMT -6
Kumahl: "Chodo, let us start pulling."
Huruyan: Something finally clicked in Huruyan's mind from his hunters training and he removed the Gem from the net on his chest and tucked it into his loincloth, then he grabs the second rope and begins pulling as best he can.
The Emerald Fisher guardsmen rush off to try and find any other entrance to the aqueduct below.
Huntsman Chodo helps Kumahl to pull up the rope with Huruyan on the other end.
As Huruyan broke the water surface, in the dim light from the well head he saw faces roughly humanoid in shape with long sharp jaws and a rudimentary nose looking down into the water. Some of the large jewel-like round eyes beneath beetling brows shifted to him as he quickly rose up the rope.
Several spears jabbed out with one club making a solid hit. Huruyan swung wildly on the rope as the force of the blow knocked him away. Amazingly he was unhurt and didn't lose his iron like grip on the rope.
Soon he was out of range of the creatures but, could see most were squatting near the water's edge looking down.
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Post by greentongue on Sept 1, 2015 17:38:50 GMT -6
Huruyan watches the creatures closely as they disapear from sight and wonders, WHY are they looking DOWN? He decides that he must talk to Chodo about this strange behavior. Maybe between them they can figure this out. Kumahl is glad his brother has returned. As soon as he is able, he will inspect Huruyan to determine if binding wounds or cure light wounds are best for Huruyan's wound. "Huntsman Chodo, I say we complete the task at hand and return to investigate the well tunnel. What say you Brother Chodo?" Huntsman Chodo: Seeing Huruyan's wounded arm he asks, "How were you able to hold onto the rope with that?" "That looks bad enough that I'm surprised you can use it at all." Turning to Kumahl, "While I am interested in where those creatures came from our first duty is the return of the bracelet." The Bracelet: www.galeriegolconda.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/165.jpgBack to Huruyan, "Thank you cousin for risking your life to retrieve what we lost. We are indebted to you and your clan."
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Post by greentongue on Sept 1, 2015 17:40:48 GMT -6
Huruyan: "You and your clan are welcome, Huntsman Chodo, we are glad we could help. Here take the bracelet,and return it whenever you think appropriate." Huruyan looks at the bracelet and thinks it is quite beautiful, "It is certainly pretty, I can see why the owner values it." While the bracelet is beautiful Huruyan is glad to no longer be responsible for it. "After you have returned the bracelet I would like to talk to you about those strange creatures down there." Turning to Kumahl, "I don't mind telling you my brother that that was truly frightening, maybe that is why it took me so long to think of the egg, I mean "Eye" it still looks more like an egg to me, and even with all my training in hunting it took me forever to realize those creatures were reacting more to the light I carried than to me. Thankfully it is over now."
Huntsman Chodo: "I'm not sure why Grand Administrator of the Armory Ibash of the Iron Fist was so upset with losing it." "Maybe just because it is old? I've certainly seen prettier bracelets than this one."
He looked it over and spun the roller. "I wonder if these patterns mean anything?"
[GM Private to Kumahl: The characters on the roller are Tsaqu (ancient Yan Koryani) which you can read.]
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Post by greentongue on Sept 1, 2015 17:43:49 GMT -6
Kumahl: "Brother Chodo, may I see it? The markings are in a language I seem to recognize."
"There may be some other qualities to this bracelet that give it, its importance."
Kumahl looks carefully at the bracelet. It is heavy enough to be solid gold and the rubies are firmly mounted. [GM Private to Kumahl: "Guarding untold power is He Who Has No Tail" is inscribed on the roller.] The roller is a part of the bracelet and cannot be removed without bending the arms that hold it attached. It looks to be very old.
The Emerald Fisher guardsmen return with an escort. They have found a fountain with a drain that may connect to the aqueduct.
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Post by greentongue on Sept 4, 2015 17:52:39 GMT -6
Huntsman Chodo: "Are you well Huruyan?" asked Chodo, "That wound looks bad." "We need to get that attended to." "Kumahl, do we have any extra cloth to use as a bandage?"
Huruyan: "Thank you Chodo, it is painful and anything that can be done to help would be appreciated." Then turning to Kumahl, "Kumahl, why not try writing the patterns down, that way you can take your time trying to see if they mean anything?"
Kumahl: Casts Cure Light Wounds on Huruyan's arm. 08:33, Today: Kumahl rolled 3 using 1d8. CLW for Huruyan.
Looking at Huruyan,"I am amazed, but I do know what it says. This bracelet is very old. Thanks for your suggestion brother." From his pack, Kumahl retrieves his compact drawing case to sketch the marks and write his translation. He then hands back the bracelet to Chodo.
Also from his pack Huruyan hands Huntsman Chodo a small roll of cloth, "I will need to get some more cloth, this is my last one. May be a good idea to check our supplies."
Realizing that the guardsmen had returned, "Brethren, thank you for returning so promptly. Will you please pull the statue from the well?"
Turning to face the newcomer, "I am Kumahl of the Emerald Fishers, thank you for answering my plea for assistance and information."
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Post by greentongue on Sept 4, 2015 17:53:56 GMT -6
Huruyan: "Thank you brother, my arm feels much better." To Chodo "Thank you as well but it looks like I won't be needing a bandage." Then back to Kumahl, "Please, what does it say, it must be important?"
Kumahl: Double checking his notes and the roller once more.
"Guarding untold power is He Who Has No Tail"
Huruyan: "That is a strange riddle, for none of us have a tail and we don't guard untold power. Are you sure of your translation?"
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Post by greentongue on Sept 4, 2015 17:54:48 GMT -6
Huntsman Chodo: Huntsman Chodo smiles at Huruyan and said, "It is very old, I'm sure whoever carved it was not thinking of us." He returned the cloth back to Kumahl. "You continue to amaze me. Are you sure you are just a clan servant?" he asked Kumahl.
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Post by greentongue on Sept 4, 2015 17:55:43 GMT -6
The Emerald Fisher guardsmen frowned at Kumahl. "We are guardsmen. Lifting statues out of wells is not appropriate duty, please ask a servant to do such." The guard that spoke up slyly glanced at the Iron Fist guardsman that had accompanied them back to the well and saw only the usual contempt for those lesser than himself, not more.
Kumahl's introduction to the Irom Fist guard as a duty-less clan servant did nothing to lessen this contempt. It may even have heightened it.
He ignored Kumahl but seemed to be closely following the discuss of the bracelet.
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Post by greentongue on Sept 4, 2015 17:56:24 GMT -6
Kumahl: Stowing the cloth and his bracelet translations in his pack, Kumahl grabs the rope for the statue and with Huruyan and Chod's help, heaves the statue clear of the water and the well. Settling the statue near the well wall with Huruyan and Chodo's help, Kumahl leans close to his brothers and whispers, "Chodo, secure the bracelet my brother. I do not trust the guardsmen here."
Standing up and without looking to the guardsmen, he disassembles the pulley and braces and stows them in the basket. He begins coiling the rope and separates the 100 foot sections from the 50 foot ones. With Huruyan's help they stack the ropes and poles so things are ready to be carried back.
Walking past the guardsmen, "We all serve. Some just do it better than others. Those who cannot do their job do not need the rewards, whatever they may be."
Kumahl begins walking in the direction of water flow and the aqueducts, "I will find what I need, thank you."
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Post by greentongue on Sept 4, 2015 17:57:03 GMT -6
Huntsman Chodo: After listening to Kumahl's whisper he whispered back, "I warned you about talking to anyone directly." "You haven't been here long enough to know how things are done I can see from your request of your guardsmen, and in public." "It is insulting to treat them like common servants and tell them to do non-military tasks."
"If you insult the Iron Fist guardsman in this way he has every right to challenge you to a duel to the death. Though more likely your clan would just pay blood-money (called shamtla) to have the insult pardoned."
"Insulting the Emerald Fisher guardsmen can be handled within your own clan," he added.
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Post by greentongue on Sept 4, 2015 17:58:09 GMT -6
Kumahl: Looking at Chodo, "Noted. Is there a scroll somewhere with the pecking orders listed.
"By the way, Huntsman Chodo, I respect your willingness to work with my brother and I. Thank you."
"Huruyan lets move out of here." Kumahl comes back and picks up an end of a basket and prepares himself to leave.
Huntsman Chodo: Looking at Kumahl with a sympathetic expression. "I'm sure it is all a bit overwhelming for someone from a far off island."
"Actually there are many such scrolls that scribes of each clan keep." "All the Skills that the clan members have and their rank at those skills."
"For those outside of the clan you can still read their badges and insignia to determine their place in the world."
"Ranks takes some practice I guess since it helps to know the latest fashions but you can guess close enough by how expensive and ornate the outfit."
"It is always better to be polite than to not be," he added with a sharp look.
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Post by greentongue on Sept 4, 2015 17:59:59 GMT -6
Huruyan: Speaking quietly to Kumahl, "When I said we don't have tails, I meant not just us right here but all of us, our whole clan, Chodo's clan, the city full of people. If your translation is correct then I suspect that he who has no tail is referring to someone of a species that normally do have tails. What do you think?"
Kumahl: Leaning over the basket to adjust its contents, Kumahl whispers back to Huruyan, "It is worth looking into. May be something more exciting than capturing lost pets." Kumahl looks up at his brother and winks.
Huruyan: "You are so right!" Whispering back, "We should let the bearers carry the basket." and with that he unobtrusively nods in the direction of the two yellow wheel men with them.
Kumahl: Remembering that there is a place and position in all things, Kumahl looks for the noble porters who brought their belongings to the well. "Brother Chodo, where did we send the porters? Let us be on our way. We have some important people to meet with before the day is through."
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Post by greentongue on Sept 4, 2015 18:00:22 GMT -6
The two Yellow Wheel clansmen hurry over to the basket when summoned.
Huntsman Chodo asked you to wait a moment while he hurried over to the caretaker of the atrium.
The caretaker rattled a pattern on his wooden shaker to summon a servant, who was then sent off.
A small group of servants and scribes came and set up an inlaid wooden table with golden scroll work. They laid out Fine porcelain jars and jeweled writing instruments. After a wait, a finely dressed woman arrived and seated herself. Huntsman Chodo politely showed the bracelet to her. Once everything was in order, a document was drawn up, stamped and given to Chodo in exchange for the bracelet.
Huntsman Chodo remained seated while everything is gathered up and carried off after the woman has left.
Rolling up the document and placing it in his silver tube, he then returned to you.
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Post by greentongue on Sept 4, 2015 18:01:21 GMT -6
Huntsman Chodo: "Well, that went as well as can be expected," he said with a resigned tone.
"I imagine you are ready to get back to your clan house. You should easily be in time for the victory celebration tonight." He sounded wistful as he said it.
With that everyone took there places and headed out of the Iron Fist clan house.
Huruyan: "Pardon my asking,Huntsman Chodo, but you seem disappointed and I thought we did exactly as asked. So why are you not happy, or at least satisfied?"
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Post by greentongue on Sept 4, 2015 18:02:04 GMT -6
Huntsman Chodo: "I am pleased with what you have done. Very pleased." "It is the Iron Fist." "They treated the return as if a servant was delivering a package." "As if this whole incident was somehow my clan's fault and they had handled the Kuruku properly."
"We can't argue the point with them, and others will believe them."
Kumahl: "Should we even concern ourselves with the Kuruku then? I mean, we went after the bracelet, got it, and returned it. If they treat us with such disdain, then we find others to be employed to."
Continuing in hushed conversation with the two hunters, "Besides, the information on the bracelet is more valuable then the bracelet itself. Chodo, be of good cheer my brother. Come join us tonight and maybe we can discuss other business opportunities."
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Post by greentongue on Sept 4, 2015 18:03:11 GMT -6
Huntsman Chodo: "Yes, trapping another Kuruku isn't hard. They can't really be trained so the Iron Fist will just have to accept it." "If they want to have its mind altered for obedience that is up to them," he added with an air of dismissal.
"You think that bracelet may be the key to something?" His face showed interest.
"As for joining you ... I do miss my partying. The Silver Kangal is much more serious a clan," he said with a grin.
"A price to pay for gaining higher status but, only rarely having a chance to party feels like a steep price sometimes."
Kumahl: Continuing in hushed tones, "We will have to approach this carefully. Like you said Chodo, tact is the name of this game. Not certain that we can pursue details right away. We should be able to gather information as we continue our finding and recovery throughout the city."
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