edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
|
Post by edsan on Mar 5, 2009 11:12:50 GMT -6
At the Palace of Ever-Glorious War in Jakalla
You have the feeling this might be the day...
For over a week someone of the group has been spending a large portion of the day at the Palace of Ever-Glorious War hoping to be hired for some nice paying job by a Tsolyani or at least an affluent denizen of the foreign quarter.
Prospective employers have indeed come into the halls of the palace, which is build more like a fortress than anything else, seeking muscle for whatever secret designs they hold. A few of you approached one of these on different occasions and extolled the virtues of your band. but so far the discerning customers have chosen to hire another party rather than your heterogeneous group.
It has become a familiar routine. There are cheap mats set in the corners of the great hall where the mercenaries may sit and wait for hours if need be. In the center stands the circular elevated Dias where the scribes and bureaucrats work, or doze during the long, hot afternoons of this summer.
Runners and messengers, mostly young boys from very low clans or none at all are also always present. As are peddlers of food and drink who keep bothering the assorted warriors with offers of their wares. Yes, even unemployed adventurers need to eat and drink but these lowborn merchants are a tad to eager and forceful.
And the hours go on...
* * * * * *
It is Hredarru of Haida Pakala who notices the man first. He is tall and gangly and dons only a pair of sandals and a colored loincloth. His hair is grown overly long for any of your standards and he has colorful swirling tattoos on his arms, chest and face.
Issa immediately recognizes the man has a Livyani. Of low class she suspects given the little time she spent among them.
He stops and scans the room with the eager gaze of someone who needs men-at-arms now and maybe more than most. Your group is the largest in the hall, most of the others are gathered in trios or pairs. For a disquieting moment you think he might approach the some of the other better equipped warriors, but when he notices the part he walks in your direction with a purposeful stride, studies you all for a moment and inquires:
"Ngangmuru! You are mercenaries looking for work are you not? My master has immediate need of the services of a band who is not afraid of danger. It is a fast job and perfectly within the boundaries of the law."
He reaches into a fold of his loincloth(!) and produces a small purse which he opens even as he continues talking. Inside it you see the unmistakable color of gold.
"You will get this just for following me to meet my master Hritsekkash, I cannot tell you more about the mission he has for you because I have not been told more; but I do I believe he has some minor problem with one of his warehouses...what say you, foreigners?"
Hrahyosh and Teregash recognize the name of the man's master as Salarvyani, and Teregash has actually heard of of him personally. One of the wealthiest merchants in the foreigners quarter specializing in the buying and selling of odd artifacts and antiquities. (successful Knowledge rolls)
|
|
|
Post by makofan on Mar 5, 2009 11:18:44 GMT -6
Oippuo is the first to speak.
"By the Mother, let's hear him out. Danger I do not fear, but penury I do!"
|
|
suushih
Level 3 Conjurer
Do?olnar Pretast?ta
Posts: 51
|
Post by suushih on Mar 5, 2009 15:10:58 GMT -6
Taking in the size and complexity of the tattoos (ormuz), Do'olnar is immediately attentive. He gives the man a bow.
"By your ormuz, you bring honor and considerable skill to he whom you serve. You have chosen individuals who are most capable of performing the desired service."
|
|
|
Post by spudcld on Mar 5, 2009 15:59:33 GMT -6
Hrahyosh very quietly mumbles the Pechani equivalent of "Oy ve", smiles and says "I say we hear the man out."
|
|
sham
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 385
|
Post by sham on Mar 5, 2009 18:37:18 GMT -6
Hredarru nods, taking in the stranger's words.
Leaning a bit and speaking out of the corner of his mouth, he says to the others in a hushed tone:
"I've not been paid before to simply meet someone. Seems too good to be true. We'd be fools not to take his gold, even if we don't care to do anything but listen."
Hredarru is ready to follow the messenger once the others agree.
|
|
|
Post by trineshhissanmarin on Mar 5, 2009 19:04:07 GMT -6
Trinesh watches the Livyani while he talks. After Hredarru speaks, Trinesh says
"Let us see what this noble merchant needs from us."
|
|
|
Post by noisms on Mar 5, 2009 19:17:21 GMT -6
Teregash nods, and curls his lip slightly. He's been called foreigner so many times in the past weeks that it's starting to grate - especially when it comes from some simpering merchant's lackey like this fellow.
"Very well," he says. "Though you might rue calling it 'too good to be true', Hredarru. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is." To that end he pointedly hefts his axe, as if to say - be on your guard.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2009 21:32:25 GMT -6
Issa is silent but she stands and shoulders her spear. She gives the messenger a scathing inspection as if she expects the man to suddenly pull a poisoned dagger from his brief garment and attack. She nods in agreement. She will follow the others.
|
|
suushih
Level 3 Conjurer
Do?olnar Pretast?ta
Posts: 51
|
Post by suushih on Mar 6, 2009 10:11:29 GMT -6
"I am Do'olnar Pretast'ta." Pointing at each member of the party, he introduces them. "How should we address you noble Livyani? While your ormuz indicate status, are you also a sorcerer?"
Normally, in polite conversation, he would have also added everyone's clan and temple affiliation. That he could not do that speaks to our being nakome. Given the nature of our party and our prospective employer's wealth, Do'olnar has some real concerns about the likelihood of taking The High Ride (i.e., impalement on a stake before the Palace of the Realm). Clearly, it's not manual labor for which we are being employed.
|
|
edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
|
Post by edsan on Mar 6, 2009 12:03:39 GMT -6
The Livyani seems taken aback by something when Do’olnar addresses him, but when the Haida Pakalyani asks him about his ormuz tattoos he seems to be stifling laughter as he answers. "Your domain of the local tongue is remarkable. It is not often one meets inhabitants of the quarter speaking Tsolyani as fluently as yourself.""You may call me Timhuvaz, I am no enchanter and whatever status you have read in my omuz...let us say it is outdated now. There is no need for overly punctilious etiquette among ourselves; we get enough of that from the locals do we not?""Now, since you agree to accompany me please follow, we have quite a way to go."Timhuvaz hands the small purse to Do'olnar, which he seems to have assumed to be the leader of the party and turns to leave the halls of the Palace of Ever-Glorious War. * * * * * Outside the warm orb of Tuleng is in the west, lazily descending. It is mid-afternoon. Timhuvaz leads you east and as you exit the Palace of Ever-Glorious War you go by the massive walled form of the Temple of Karakan the God of War, to the south. You look with some envy at the warrior-priests keeping guard or milling about in the majestic stair way that climbs the raised pyramid-shaped platform where the temple proper stands. Maybe one day you will be able to afford high-quality decorated armor equitable to their own. Timhuvaz leads you ever eastwards into the winding, thigh passages of the foreign quarter and you realize you are headed to a region of the quarter you've never visited before but have heard about and mostly got told to avoid. It does not have one name but many: "the waste", "shantytown", "the underpeople block", etc. Except for the main square near the Gate of the Black Stair (where you came from) the foreign quarter was never known as an example of efficient city planning, but at least the houses lining its chaotic streets and alleys are colorful, solid and usable. Not here however... The further you walk east the more visual proof you get that Jakalla's Ditlana (urban renewal) is indeed centuries overdue; in fact you are unsure this particular bit if the city received any attention in the last one. Here and there a collapsed dwelling or a pile of rubble attest to the abandonment and poverty this section of the quarter as been a victim of, and the few people you meet on the streets look more like refugees than immigrants. Given his Architect/Engineer expertise it is clear to Do’olnar most of the buildings that are still standing should be condemned, yet there are people living there!
As you cross this scene of dilapidation and hungry eyes Timhuvaz, speaks again. He has kept a brisk pace ever since you left the palace and is not even sweating. It is obvious he is used to walking. "Worry not, there is a lot of indigent scum in this area but they know who I am and whom I serve as well as what would befall them were they to raise a hand against me. We are quite safe."Indeed why would you not be safe? The inhabitant's here are unarmed, appear starved and are composed mostly of children, women and elderly. The Livyani's reassurances are welcome but seem odd... Not so. Teregash and Do’olnar have heard rumors that most of the populace in this section actually lives below ground. If the tales where to be believed there are whole gangs of cutthroats hiding in the subterranean passages under the streets and houses. (successful Knowledge rolls)Finally you seem to arrive at your objective. Near what passes for a crossroad that has been better preserved than most other things here, stands what you think might once have been a clanhouse. It shares certain similarities with the few you saw when you crossed the city of Jackal proper on your way to be dumped in the foreign quarter. There is the customary wall enclosing the large patio but it is such a state! You think a young Chlen-beast could fit in a few of the holes on it. You cross the wall's arched entryway (which lacks a gate) into the patio and see several crude 1-story adobe structures which are clearly slave dwellings The clanhouse building itself stands opposite to the wall entrance. It is a 3-storied structure which has very obviously seen better days. You notice all of the windows of can see from this angle appear to have been closed off by bricks. But the oddest sight on the patio stands toward the right end. A large blackish tent! Not majestic, but certainly belonging to some person of means. To Oippuo the tent reminds him of the ones used by itinerant merchants in his homeland. Trinesh and Hrahyosh clearly recognize it to be of Salarvyani make, having seen several like it before in Pechano.Timhuvaz makes for the tent as as you draw near the sound of womens' wailing and crying reaches you. Indeed, at a respectable distance from the tent's entrance stands a gaggle of females crouching around something, they are obviously slaves given their nakedness, lack of adornments (except for a copper or bronze collar around the neck) and the sameness of their bodies, short-cropped hair, etc. The slaves are crying, wailing, pulling at their hair and reaching their hands to the sky shouting despairingly in some language you have never heard. Timhuvaz makes for them at a half run and the wretches part for him almost unconsciously, but at the same time seem oblivious to your presence and continue their mourning. They are surrounding something on the ground covered by coarse blanket. Timhuvaz hurriedly pulls it back and reveals the body of a young dead woman, from the same ethnicity as the ones around her and clearly a slave herself. A knife, probably a kitchen implement, is buried almost to the hilt in the space between her small breasts. The wailing of the women increases in pitch and intensity as this gruesome sight is revealed. Timhuvaz lets out an angry expletive you can't make out and lets the blanket fall upon the dead woman. Issa and Hrahyosh who are both fluent in Livyani understand Timhuvaz' words: "By the fires of Ru'ungkano! I told those idiots to watch over her!"[/i] He takes you to the tent entrance even as he says: "This will complicate matters...let us haste to my master." (more to follow, don't post back yet)
|
|
edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
|
Post by edsan on Mar 6, 2009 14:15:52 GMT -6
The Tent
Timhuvaz pulls open the black tent-flap and motions you inside. The sounds of the wailing slaves accompany you even as from the inside comes the sound of raised voices having a heated argument. The tent is spacious, cool, decorated in an eastern manner and smells quite nicely of incense. The source of the raised voices are two men in the center of it. Both look Salarvyani but could not be more different among them selves. One is quite tall for a Salarvyani and dresses in clear white garb, unlike most of his countrymen who manifest a predilection for the darker spectra of colors. He is the one speaking (well...shouting) right now and his body language is so threatening you would think he is ready to strike the other. The second man is much more in line with the perceived Salarvyani cliche in both dress and body. Short, stout (potbellied actually) and with a voluminous black beard cascading from his chin to rest in his chest. He is obviously on the defensive of the argument and has fallen back the typical Salarvyani merchant attitude of raising arms in excuse, rolling eyes, etc. You almost expect the smaller man to say "Sir I would be robbing myself if I sold my wares at such low prices...", or something in that vein. The Salarvyani are so enthralled in their discussion they completely missed your entrance. Timhuvaz takes a step forward and clears his throat to call attention and bows his head as both men turn toward you. "Greetings my Master Hritsekkash! As you commanded I journeyed into the Palace of War and have brought a band of able-bodied sell-swords to aid you with your problem."The men immediately turn and the tallest approaches your group, scanning you with the eyes of someone used to appraise both wares and people. "Ah! Welcome back Timhuvaz, it appears someone around here can properly accomplish the tasks I ensure them with. Did you notice the slaves outside? Can you believe those dumb beasts I call clan-cousins allowed that she-dog to kill herself?! I am still wanting to know how she managed to get her hands on that knife..."Timhuvaz: "Master, I did warn those southern continent barbarians sometimes traditionally slay themselves when their mate dies. My people have known..." "Yes, yes, yes! No fault of yours Timhuvaz. Good Timhuvaz who never fails either be keeping the books straight or getting me what or whom I need...Now lets take a look at your pickings."Hritsekkash gaze fall full upon the group and you can't help but feeling like cattle in a pen under the scrutiny of the meat-merchant. Meanwhile, the smaller Salarvyani ambles to the side of Hritsekkash and imitates him in studying you. He mentions something and Hritsekkash replies. Oippuo and Hrahyosh, knowing the Salarvyani language, understand their exchange of words. The smaller man does not seem very impressed with you and complains Timhuvaz brought a bunch of street-magicians and their escorts when he was asked for warriors. Hritsekkash however is not entirely convinced you are totally useless and mentions "the ugly one" (Hredarru) seems to have seen more than his share of fighting.A smile adorns Hritsekkash' face, a strange and sudden transformation as the man seemed to be so pissed-off just a moment ago; and he switches into merchant-mode: "I am Hritsekkash hiFshur of the Clan of the White Garment, out of Tsatsayagga. I don't suppose that means anything to people like you but let me say we are old, honest merchant folk dealing mostly in clothing. Not me however. I hate the stuff! My lineage buys and sells antiquities and the like, curios, old artifacts, coins...the kind of baubles that effete nobles waste their stipends so they can impress their friends at parties."The small round man emits a sound somewhere between a polite cough and a whimper. Hritsekkash snaps back at him. "Oh lay off it Addatheng! We don't have time for niceties or euphemisms. These mercenaries aren't here to trade." then turning back to you he continues. "That building you saw outside is one of my clan's warehouses in this city, my lineage ancestors bought the place ages ago. It's stuffed to the brim and I was sent here to sort it out and make an inventory of its contents. You are here because there is someone inside and I want them out! I don't know who or how many; the "why" would obviously be purloining our wares. Whoever it is has shown a willingness to commit violence. I had two slaves, a couple, sent to and area that has not been dealt with in over 3 generations. The male did not return and the woman ran out totally out of her wits screaming that he had been killed. I gracefully allowed her some time to compose herself even as Timhuvaz was sent for you. But since she took her own life on account of whatever barbarous nonsense passed for her traditions I have lost my only source of information on what precisely took place inside."Addatheng pipes in at this moment. "We also have no idea how the thieves penetrated the warehouse. The building has only one entrance, a strong wood door, that is watched at all times and all the windows are barred by masonry and cement. We even had the servants check the full perimeter in the last hour to verify if there was any sign or method of how entry was gained...nothing!"Hritsekkash: "Addatheng speaks true. Whoever is in has not come out, that much we can tell. It is your job to flush them out. If possible keep one of the dastards alive for questioning, I would like to know who is reckless enough to try to rob from the Clan of the White Garment."Timhuvaz then asks the question prominent in everyones mind: "Master, mayhap this would be a good time to speak of the remuneration you shall reward these mercenaries with?..."Hritsekkash: "Ah, yes. Does a 100 gold Kaitars each sound appropriate? And before you ask, the reason we are hiring you instead of true licensed professionals is that I have no clear idea of the danger you will be facing and do not wish to be bothered with Shamtla payments for any injuries or bereavements of life. Now, do we have a deal?" (post at will)
|
|
|
Post by spudcld on Mar 6, 2009 15:21:56 GMT -6
Hrahyosh says, "Your rats are obviously crawling in and out of the larder from below. There must be tunnels upon tunnels beneath your warehouse and other holdings here. I am not afraid to enter your warehouse and hunt down these rats."
Hrahyosh's eyes would be carefully observing those in attendance when he called the thieves "rats". Wondering if it's an inside job. Of course he wouldn't let on that he was even considering it...
|
|
suushih
Level 3 Conjurer
Do?olnar Pretast?ta
Posts: 51
|
Post by suushih on Mar 6, 2009 16:19:56 GMT -6
Do'olnar looks at his own inadequate dagger and the swords at the waists of some of his companions with a sigh. Scrutinizing the two before him with the same experienced eye, he then responds, "Noble Hritsekkash hiFshur, it is an honor to meet one whose name and virtues ride the lips of all. My noble companion Hrahyosh is correct. This area is a warren of underground passages. Jakalla's tsuru'um (i.e., underworld) is renowned as one of the most vast on all Tekumel. Portions of the city are rumored to extend in all directions for hundreds of tsan. The river itself has changed course many times and there is even rumored to be an underground river even more vast than the Equinoyal. For every man, woman, and child that you see basking in the sun, there may be two or more living beneath our feet."
"The fee you suggest is very fair for going in and, if the robbers are still within, dealing with them. Noble Hritsekkash hiFshur, pursuing them into the tsuru'um is not in that fee. Time is of the essence though; every moment, your goods are likely disappearing."
Do'olnar looks at his companions for confirmation/agreement.
|
|
edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
|
Post by edsan on Mar 6, 2009 17:34:07 GMT -6
Hritsekkash frowns his brow has he answers Do'olnar.
"My ancestors were no fools! They knew very well of the renowned honeycomb that lies underneath Jakalla. That is precisely why this building was selected and adapted into a place of storage."
"It is said it belong to a once-wealthy clan who has since vanished. For whatever reason they designed it to be as safe from any depredation from below as possible. That is why it still stands today, the foundations where made out of adamantine and the floors over them covered in the same substance. It must surely have cost a fortune and I would not be surprised if it was the cause of their ruin."
"The fact is it would take an army of workers to dig an entry from bellow. Still, if by some miracle someone has managed to penetrate our warehouse from below and you must follow them into the Tsuru'um for capture or the return of anything they might have taken, I will generously double my offer...but only if you have to set foot on the underworld to make good the task."
(Note: adamantine is not in any way the typical D&D metal stuff. It is a form of cement that gets bloody hard and nigh-unbreakable when it dries.)
|
|
|
Post by trineshhissanmarin on Mar 6, 2009 18:26:42 GMT -6
Trinesh says "Most noble merchant prince, 100 kaitars per person is indeed a very fair price for entering you warehouse and determining the nature of beings that have killed your male slave and determining how they got in. The fee for entering into the Tsuru'um most be based on what we determine happened in your warehouse. 200 kaitars for each of use would be fair for dealing with local inhabitants or even with Mru'r, however it would not be enough for the more dangerous creatures rumored to dwell beneath Jakalla. Lt us find out what we face, then determine the feeto enter the Tsuru'um if we must."
|
|
|
Post by noisms on Mar 6, 2009 18:45:58 GMT -6
Teregash flexes his fingers around the haft of his axe. 200 kaitars seems fine to him, and anyway he didn't understand much of anything that was just said. So long as he gets the chance to kill, and blood can flow for Chiteng, it doesn't matter in any case.
"Whatever my comrades decide," he says to the Salarvyani in his thickly accented Tsolyani. "We will put an end to your rats."
|
|
suushih
Level 3 Conjurer
Do?olnar Pretast?ta
Posts: 51
|
Post by suushih on Mar 6, 2009 19:50:00 GMT -6
"Noble Hritsekkash hiFshur, I doubt not the wisdom of your ancestors. What I would respectfully ask though is how much time has passed since this warehouse saw maintenance? Stone and cement, particularly this near the river, fails with time. Have the spells and glyphs been maintained?"
Looking at the dilapidated state of the building, the answer seems clear, but he wants to hear it from the man's lips.
|
|
edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
|
Post by edsan on Mar 6, 2009 21:53:25 GMT -6
You can tell from Hritsekkash' tone of voice he is getting impatient, either with Trinesh' attempted bargaining or Do'olnar's sorcerous architecture inquires.
"Time is being wasted...if whomever is inside proves to be a truly vicious foe whose defeat would merit the aid from Hrugga himself then rest assured a bounty will be forthcoming"
"And for our engineer here" he says to Do'olnar "I have only recently inherited my position from my dear deceased uncle. I expect he did all required during his tenure to maintain the warehouse adequately."
Do'olnar senses Hritsekkash has little or no notion of what he inquired. (successful Idea roll)
(Note: Hrugga is a mythical epic hero, sort of like Achilles and Ulysses mixed together)
|
|
|
Post by trineshhissanmarin on Mar 6, 2009 22:32:38 GMT -6
" Noble Hritsekkash', we will trust in your fairness and belief in Noble Action then."
|
|
|
Post by makofan on Mar 6, 2009 23:03:51 GMT -6
"If it's to be done, 'twere best done quickly. Then we'll have money for ale and lodging"
|
|
suushih
Level 3 Conjurer
Do?olnar Pretast?ta
Posts: 51
|
Post by suushih on Mar 6, 2009 23:19:39 GMT -6
noble action ... a Salarvyani ... now that's funny
"Perhaps I can provide knowledge about what is within."
Keeping his thoughts about Trinesh's statement carefully masked, he moves to the side of the building away from any doors or windows.
Cast clairvoyance.
|
|
sham
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 385
|
Post by sham on Mar 7, 2009 1:20:40 GMT -6
Hredarru takes in the foreign phrases and customs, all the while wondering less about payment and more about exactly what might be inside that warehouse.
Perhaps Hritsekkash is correct in his assumption that sappers digging in from below is an unlikely scenario. On the other hand, this is just the sort of confidence that makes targets such as him easy prey for thugs.
Although not familiar with local custom, Hredarru thinks that based on his knowledge he might be able to sniff out any potential rats from amongst the merchant's trusted employees if given the chance.
In the meantime he waits for Do'olnar's findings.
|
|
edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
|
Post by edsan on Mar 7, 2009 1:32:37 GMT -6
Do'olnar Casts ClairvoyanceThe clanhouse-turned-warehouse is a large building wider than it is deep. The Haida Pakalyani sorcerer moves to the best spot to cast his spell. (I'm assuming he would near the right further corner of the building, where it joins the back patio wall. This would be the nearest to the area where Hritsekkash said the slaves where sent one could be on the outside.)(Clairvoyance has a reach of 20ft while underground, I'm going to rule that in the surface the reach is about 20m with some fuzzy perception beyond that.)Arriving at the spot Do'olnar focuses his will and uses the gestures and words he learn at the Temple of Mretten to forth the extra-planar energies that will power the spell. His trained Pedethl (spirit-soul) has no problem channeling the required power and the incantation goes off successfully. He feels his sense of sight increase exponentially and leave the physical limits of his body to center on the area beyond the walls of the building before him. And in his mind eye he sees... darkness. Absolute, total and black darkness... Then he remembers the limitations of this spell. While it can cross physical boundaries as if they were inexistent the image it provides of the area selected by the caster is perceived exactly as it is at that moment. It provides no means of perceiving in the the dark, and the inside of the building is obviously pitch black, having no openings to the outside or interior light source. Ups... Meanwhile...
While Do'olnar is off to do his thing your employer speaks anew. "So it appears we are settled. Timhuvaz, take them to the gate and tell the twins to allow them in."The Livyani servant says "I hear and obey." and leads you outside. Soon after leaving the tent you hear its flap opening again and Hritsekkash head pops outside. You hopes of hearing wishes of good luck or some elevating last minute sentence are dashed when he cries: "And be careful not to break anything! There are many valuable items inside." (Issa has not posted on this scene but I assume she has no desire to bargain anymore about payment. I will also assume Do'olnar joins the group midway and informs them of his lack of findings.)
(Next...the adventure truly begins. Check the [Marching Order] thread)
|
|
edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
|
Post by edsan on Mar 7, 2009 3:45:25 GMT -6
You follow Timhuvaz to the gate of the building. It is a massive thing of dark wood reinforced with bronze beams. Aiding the ponderous main lock there are at least 4 smaller ones where each of the beams joins the stone arch around the door.
The gate is guarded by two thuggish men who look remarkable alike in mannerisms, posture and lack of intelligence on their expressions. Both are armed with large wood clubs with handles strapped in leather. The pair looks quite strong, but their stance and grip on the clubs tells you they are thugs inexperienced in the arts of war. Clearly more accustomed to detracting trespassers by passive intimidation rather than by proper dealings of violence.
The guards where both sitting and chatting and now spring to attention even as Timhuvaz gives orders.
"Maku! Thorda! By order of our master these mercenaries are to go inside and deal with the trespassers. Kindly open the door for them and swift about it!"
As the one called Maku produces a ring of jingling keys and begins working on the locks, Timhuvaz teaches you a special code of knocks and raps you should make when you wish to exit, as the gate will be closed and locked anew after you go inside.
He assures each and every one of you memorizes the sequence by making you repeat it several times.
Then the panting, sweating and apparently much-suffering form of Addatheng is near you, followed by two young slaveboys who look altogether dejected and pathetic in their nakedness and total lack of bodily bristle. Each is carrying a lantern and a small sack.
The fat man attempts to speak: "You...(pant)...will assuredly need...(arf)...lantern bearers while you...(gasp)...make way inside the warehouse."
He takes a white scarf from a fold of his robes and begins fighting a loosing battle with the perspiration conquering his forehead. "These...(wheeze)...slaves are...(cough)...trustworthy and...(uff)...brave, as slaves go. Please, return them back whole of body...they are my favorites."
By now the twin thugs have finished opening the gate. It stands opening into what from the outside appears to be jet-black darkness; looking like one of the the fabled entryways to the Realms of Hru'u the Inchoate Lord of the Deities of Change that are said to exist in the remote and forgotten places of the world.
Your mission awaits...what do you do?
(You will require a light source on the inside. For the 7 of you to act without penalties two torches or lanterns are required at all times, hence the slaves.)
(A character carrying a torch or lantern is incapable of using magic as he needs both hands free and fights at a penalty.)
(If insufficient illumination is not available, but the party is not in total darkness then To Hit bonuses are reduced by half.)
|
|
suushih
Level 3 Conjurer
Do?olnar Pretast?ta
Posts: 51
|
Post by suushih on Mar 7, 2009 12:31:52 GMT -6
Returning to the group, Do'olnar has a troubled look.
"By means of magic, I was able to see within and it is total blackness. It was not a wasted effort. Everyone needs some light to see, even in the darkest places. That either means that whoever was inside has left or that we're dealing with something, perhaps a creature like a dlaqo beetle that doesn't need light. I have heard that such monstrous bugs are common in the tsuru'um and burrow."
|
|
|
Post by noisms on Mar 7, 2009 23:00:39 GMT -6
"Let's get on with it then," says Teregash. "Chiteng waits for blood to be spilled."
|
|
|
Post by spudcld on Mar 7, 2009 23:24:06 GMT -6
Hrahyosh harrumphs and says, "If we are to have the 2 sorcerers and priest in the first 2 ranks of this expedition, I had probably best go in the first rank so that someone can fight beside Teregash if need be." With that he steps up to the gate next to Teregash and waits for the others to join them. He unlimbers a fairly sizable morning star and checks his pack and armor. He looks at Teregash, "I look forward to joining in battle at your side."
|
|
edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
|
Post by edsan on Mar 8, 2009 12:37:04 GMT -6
Into the Warehouse
The slaveboys take a moment to light their lanterns with firekits they take from their sacks.
The juxtaposition of the still bight afternoon sun and the stygian darkness inside don't allow for a clear picture of what lies just beyond the gate. You discern a few squarish shapes which could be large crates. In their chosen formation and with the lanterns lit and ready, the party makes into the clanhouse-turned-storing-space of the Clan of the White Garment.
As the last you enters the building the gate is closed, cutting off the sunlight from outside, and you listen to the muffled sounds of the twins fiddling with the several locks and bars.
* * * * *
It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the light levels inside.
Your first perception of Hritsekkash' warehouse form the inside is of a huge once-open space who has been profusely filled with crates, chests and all manner of containers to such a degree the "walls" and "corridors" you see are delimited by them.
The air is cold, but not uncomfortably so, and filled with the scents of wood and must under-toned by a whiff of....clay? stone?
(Think of the secret government warehouse from the Indiana Jones movies and you won't be too far off. Of course, there aren't any shelves as the crates are stacked on top of each other.)
Surely it will take half a lifetime to explore and catalog tis jungle of goods, you do not envy the task that has been given to Hritsekkash by his clan.
And surely it will be quite easy to get lost in these labyrinthine depths. On queue, as if sensing your momentary and unspoken discomposure, Slaveboy #1 (the eldest of the pair) speaks up in the ever-humble way of those used to eternal servitude:
"If it pleases the Masters I would speak...we where told to lead your honored persons into the place where Ki'ia and Jumtlo had been sent earlier this day. Neither of us has been there previously but we know the way."
It is a odd feeling to be directed by lowly slaves in what might prove a dangerous expedition. For even if you have lost more than most, you still possess your liberty and are free men and women.
The walk takes quite longer than you expected. One could be forgiven for assuming the place is larger on the inside than the exterior led to believe. But no spatial sorcery is present here. It is simply that winding path of twists and turns and curves you are forced to chase consumes time as the fabled Gluttonous Aspects of Lady Dlamelish.
Verily, the further you walk into the interior of the warehouse the more jumbled and chaotic the scenario becomes. While before neat stacks of containers lined your way, now it seems they where no more than tossed about and left to lay in bundles and precarious-looking mounds.
And a few items where not even given the decency of a vessel to rest in. You see statues and household decorations propped against the sooty "walls". The dust you could smell upon your entry has now becomes omnipresent. The crates and accouterments here, having not been touched by human hand for a time known only to the Gods, have acquired an ominous grayish tone, courtesy of the layer of granules and grime that varnishes their surfaces.
On the ground, trails of footsteps can be clearly seen in the dust that carpets it like a cheap rug, no doubt the markings of the comings and goings of the slaves and workers who have labored here of late under the orders of Hritsekkash.
At a certain point in your journey the path is almost blocked by two truly massive wood boxes place so near each other, the cramped "passage" is barely worthy of the name.
The small frames slaves shuffle through easily enough but those of you more hampered by shield, pack or armor are forced to cross sideways like crabs, holding your bulkier possessions in outstretched arms in a somewhat undignified (but comical) manner.
By now the urge to sneeze and clear your lungs in this accursed arenaceous atmosphere is fast becoming overwhelming. But not wanting to alarm any foes with sudden noises you stoically master your bodily stimulus.
At last, after a sharp turn to the right, the slaves stop and the eldest boy points forward and speaks. His voice but a whisper in volume and slightly tainted by fear.
"There good Sirs. If we continue in 'tis direction we will soon reach one of the building' walls. That is where they went today, to verify what lies in that area and bring a report back to our master."
Looking to where the boy is pointing you see only the usual path lined by dusty crates and baubles continuing into apparent infinity. Thankfully the way here is wide enough for you to easily march in your chosen formation.
Footprints can clearly be seen on the dust-carpet that adorns the ground, trailing off into the darkened distance where the slave tells you must go.
What do you do?
|
|
|
Post by spudcld on Mar 8, 2009 13:34:42 GMT -6
At this point Hrahyosh would look carefully at the footprints in the dust. He'd take in all he could. Are they human or not? Are they bare feet or shod? What kind of shoe/boot/sandal/whatever are they wearing (if it is possible to discern)? Other than that, he'll be ready to fight or protect.
|
|
|
Post by trineshhissanmarin on Mar 8, 2009 14:11:00 GMT -6
Trinesh will now start actively searching for traps and secret doors as the group moves out.
|
|