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Post by xerxez on Apr 3, 2024 2:21:02 GMT -6
I have quite forgotten about our other Salarv'yani...Mi'kimu's loyal friend Fi'ru1
Fi'ru was not present at the boarding of the pirate ship but he stands nearby this conference.
"I can guide you to H'kit's teahouse, Master. I'm all too familiar with this harbor...and I'm sick of this boat. I'm no sailor like you and Balesh."
A cloud comes into his dark eyes but he shakes it off.
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Post by xerxez on Apr 3, 2024 1:49:44 GMT -6
Well, on this occasion, Mi'kimu is overwhelmed by the sights of this strange city and its wondrous architecture, being so close to the sea and offering so many stunning vistas. Instead of drinking himself into another drunken punch-up (as much as he now admires the Shen), this evening he determines to drink hot tea under the moons and wander the city-ways with any of his companions who would join him. In addition to the rest of the party, he prompts the Ren'yu, Do'shi, to join him, with Wise Sister's permission. "I believe you saved our lives back on that pirates' ship, small furry one! And you suffered a grave wound to boot! Your loyalty shall not go unpaid, la! If tonight you feel up to joining us, you shall eat to your heart's content of the victuals this city has to offer — the better to nurse you back to health!" Do'shi 's tongue falls out and he begins breathing heavily and becoming animate as if restless and eager to join Mi'kimu and Balesh. Amiyala laughs. "It seems our Ren'yu finds your suggestion quite appealing," she says. " Especially the mention of victuals. Might I also join your party? I could find some posh inn where they would affect ingratiation to honor a Tsolyani land owner, but I think I would rather wear my hood and become but a nameless sea farer and enjoy your company, tribal princes!" Bak Suul claps Balesh upon his shoulder. "I'm with you, Balesh..." he growls, giving a sidelong slitted lizard eye towards the Nuroabite. "Mi'kimu needs looking after. It's any Shen's guess what mischief he might sniff out like a Ren'yu. And I agree our Loyal Follower deserves reward and succor, so our night's enjoyment shall spring from the purse of Bak Suul, and no argument." F'sal grins. "When a Shen opens his coin purse, you know you've made a friend. I have some business to attend in the Upper City, so I cannot joinyou, apologies. You will find things in the Undercity of the harbor more lax than back in Jakalla...foreigners are free to wander, though our soldiers are every bit as quick to deal with trouble makers as any who serve your Tsolyani Emperor. No one without citizenship in our own Empire or good documentation from another is permitted into the Upper City, so take care not offend any officials should you meet them. A coin in the palm is a balm to smooth all irritation. And if its tea you are wanting, on the Third Street of the Red Dancers, that is, on the third level up from the harbor, there is a wonderful tea house run by a Pe'Choi named H'kit. Two other of The Listeners live and work there as well and they brew a tea from the leaves of a plant in the Pan Chakas which soothes body and soul and brings pleasant dreams to the sleeper." He looks at Bak Suul. "A Shen in a Pe Choi tea house..." he says, and permits himself a short chuckle. "Take care with your tail." Bak Suul growls, perhaps insincerely.
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Post by xerxez on Apr 1, 2024 13:24:38 GMT -6
Only a day later you have reached Point Hri'chaku and sail around its tip to land in the port city of Chame'el in the nation of Salar'vya. I am guessing it is pronounced CHOM AY EL...The smoke of the city's many temples can be seen rising heavward, and soon you see the mighty spires and domes of the metropolis, the sea peppered with many vessels going to and from the harbor gates. These gates are in the center of a great cliff which rises from the waters and appears to be split in two, allowing vessels to enter into a harbor you can tell right away must be vast. Chame'el in its own way is nearly as impressive as Jakalla...as you draw near you can see walls and parapets on the cliffs. Each parapet is adorned with massive black obelisk, and the walls carved with the largest friezes you have ever seen by skilled artisans of old. However upon closer view you realize that they depict ghastly horned, tusked and long fanged demon faces devouring men and ships. Amiyala is mesmerized and somewhat shocked at the sight. "Strange, it is," she says, pulling her hair from her face against the sea wind."I would think to see such a sight upon the walls of one of your Liv'yani cities, Karunaz, seeming more befitting of the Shadow Gods." Karunaz smiles. "The Stone Demons of Chame'el are an ancient ward against the Sea Peoples, Mistress. And those obelisks are held by legend to be great conduits of magical energy capable of blasting a great vessel into splinters." To your amazement, you pass through the gates and find a bizarre layout of a city that looks like the inside of a tower with no roof, with many porticos and arches surrounding circular docks and each successive level of the "tower" holding streets, shops, and myriad stairways that rise in labyrinthine patterns higher and higher to take one to the upper city. The stone work is of varying ages and colors and is decorated everywhere with statues of the gods, and terraced gardens of plants which can endure the sea spray are throughout it all. Summary: After paying fees and necessary bribes, the Nyari's captain alerts them about your special prisoners and you learn they are to be taken by soldiers to a fort further up the coast where a particularly nasty prison is situated. There is a standing reward for them in fact. After some period of misery in forgotten chambers of stone they will suffer a very public and unpleasant death in Tsatsa'yagga.
F'sal announces the crew of the N'yari will be permitted one night of liberty.
How does each character choose to pass the night in the Port City, whether aboard the ship or about Chame'el?
For on the morrow you set sail for your mysterious destination.
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Post by xerxez on Mar 30, 2024 11:54:52 GMT -6
MOhammad asks, " so why were you prisoners on the ship. ? Rolling for reaction I got an 02 for Mohammad--even modified for existing hostility at being captured and watching their ship burn, that's still a very good roll and Hi'june feels some inclination to reply.HI'JUNE: "I never was a prisoner on my ship, only on yours! We had food, drink, treasure and a lass we took from those insufferable Liv'yani. Had they dropped sail and let us take what we wanted from their vessel they would have their miserable lives still. I don't fear to tell you...its the High Ride for us, Southlander."
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Post by xerxez on Mar 29, 2024 13:18:52 GMT -6
Tethwan likewise draws his silver dagger and follows his companions into the chamber...
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Post by xerxez on Mar 27, 2024 15:30:57 GMT -6
MOhammad will check their medical condition and make sure they are fed. He will then like to question them What does the Priest pf Qon ask them?
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Post by xerxez on Mar 27, 2024 13:37:54 GMT -6
This is the plan undertaken. Safely bound and under sword point Hi'june and a few of his crew are set free from stasis, along with the blighted sailor who was carried below. Mi'kimu finds the Eye quite easy to use. Those at the table laugh at first, right where they had left off before their long pause; the laughter turns into sputtering and then cries of alarm, as though you were all ghosts materializing instantly before them. Their expressions are like as one caught rising from the privy after having failed to latch the door. "By the Poison Paps of the Black Mother!" bellows Hi'june. "What is this!?" He falls silent, as do you all, as a hideous croaking moan rises from the sea ravaged pirate. Hi'june and his men look in horror with the rest of you at the man as he writhes in agony upon the floor, emitting more muffled sounds which you realize are intended to be screams from a decayed throat and lungs which will no longer permit screaming. His agony is cut short as Bak Suul's iron tail lashes from behind him like a serpent and sends the man off to the Isles of the Dead with a fatal blow. "No point in taking this one," the Shen growls. Loading the remaining crew to be delivered to the N'yari, Tekar begins to set the innards of the ship alight, seeming to take grim satisfaction in the act. The tattered sails are the last thing to be lit as you all escape. Once back, the Captain, F'sal, the crew and your party all watch as the pitch and timbers begin to burn. Somewhere there are explosions--oil kegs perhaps missed in the search. As the deck begins to become an inferno even as it drifts away, to your amazement, a figure appears! It looks like an old man, perhaps in priestly garb. He stands at the railing, lifting his hands to the sky and screaming maniacally as the flames take him. Somehow, you missed him in the search. But a few of you notice Tekar the Flame Warrior of the Legion of Red Devastation watching the ship...and the man...become a conflagration, soon to be extinguished by the Deeps. He is smiling faintly...and for those who notice, you wonder if Tekar did indeed "miss" the mad priest during the search... As you now resume course to Salarvya to make port and deliver your prisoners, during two days that takes, is there anything anyone wishes to do concerning the prisoners?
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Post by xerxez on Mar 26, 2024 10:46:52 GMT -6
I misunderstood Mi'kimu's original intent--at this point its really up to your party, free them or kill them or haul them as cargo in suspended animation.
I didn't mean for the encounter to delay our main quest so much, I guess I mishandled a random encounter a bit.
I had kind of hoped the sea voyage might be like a mini-Odyssey jaunt but I have not pulled off Homer here Probably time to hit FF and get to the Ahoggya lands.
I have reached out to see if we still the party roster remains active.
If you want to sink the Bismark and send em' to a watery grave, they are murderous scum, so its as you will!
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Post by xerxez on Mar 24, 2024 17:42:54 GMT -6
Mi'kimu regards the ravaged face of the pirate. "He'll have a terrible shock if we free him, what with his eyes gone, and the skin of his face tearing away. If we do decide to free him, I suggest we drag him below into the galley, tie him up like the others, and free as many of them as we can with one charge. By my count there are eight of them all told." He muses for a moment. "Hmm — now that I think on it, maybe we needn't revive this entire crew. Perhaps we should only revive the captain and a few others, and bring the others back to the Nayari, frozen as they are. Otherwise we'll have to feed them, haha! We can revive them later, as long as I don't drop the Eye overboard. "What say we?"
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Post by xerxez on Mar 23, 2024 22:46:33 GMT -6
"I see," says Mi'kimu, somewhat dubiously. [OOC — he has INT 18, haha.] "Well, if indeed this Mi'halli you speak of could travel the bethorms, perhaps it used this strange medallion to do so? Perhaps these strange signs and markings on the medallion represent the knowledge required to select and traverse a particular Nexus Point? If I were to dial it this way and that, thus and so" — he says, miming the gesture, not actually dialing anything — "might we open one of these bridges? A terrifying thought, unless we knew what lay beyond!" [OOC — I'm totally imagining a mini Stargate.] "In any case, let us return to the ghost ship. We left much rope there, I can find the strongest remaining to bind the pirates. Then we will break the spell that holds them suspended so, and return them as prisoners to the Nyari." Karunaz winces a bit when Mi'kimu pretends to use the strange medallion, as if expecting something to happen, then laughs. Gasbelly eyes it hungrily. The Shen looks apprehensive and says "Careful with that, Jungle Crawler! Enough places to travel in this world without running off to endless others! I'm glad the priest caved in the Cat Thing's skull. Just like cats to go creeping about time and space, up to gods know what-- you'll never find a cat in Shenyu-- unless on the end of a cooking spear! " KARUNAZ: "It is all beyond me, good Nuroabite. But it is of great interest-- I would accompany you and our party even through Nexus Points--for a risk is the keen edge of a fine blade; it can do many things but only when tried. Let us interrupt a dinner party, now." Upon return to the pirate vessel Mi'kimu first confronts the pitiful figure of the the pirate frozen in flight, possibly from behind as he fled up the stair. Does he use a charge of the Eye to free the man from his immobility?
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Post by xerxez on Mar 20, 2024 15:04:43 GMT -6
Not quite yet, I think, but I will do the math today.
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Post by xerxez on Mar 19, 2024 16:14:47 GMT -6
"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."
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Post by xerxez on Mar 19, 2024 10:26:12 GMT -6
Also, reminder of your location:
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Post by xerxez on Mar 19, 2024 8:48:53 GMT -6
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.
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Post by xerxez on Mar 11, 2024 22:18:10 GMT -6
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.
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Post by xerxez on Mar 11, 2024 19:42:42 GMT -6
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.
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Post by xerxez on Mar 10, 2024 19:20:45 GMT -6
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Post by xerxez on Mar 10, 2024 19:10:23 GMT -6
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.
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Post by xerxez on Mar 10, 2024 18:35:55 GMT -6
Tethwan moves to bind the wretch with rope.
He cuts a strip of cloth from his cloak and tries to stuff it in the man's mouth as well to hopefully stifle any outcry.
"He knows this place, we may get something out of him that could lead to further secrets and perhaps a treasure room...but I will follow your wishes."
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Post by xerxez on Mar 10, 2024 0:17:18 GMT -6
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.
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Post by xerxez on Mar 9, 2024 13:26:26 GMT -6
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...
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Post by xerxez on Mar 7, 2024 7:36:21 GMT -6
Thanks flightcommander, I was just looking for this. I'm going to try and get fresh character sheets up soon.
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Post by xerxez on Mar 7, 2024 7:10:34 GMT -6
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...
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Post by xerxez on Mar 6, 2024 13:40:39 GMT -6
The item has no visible latch or hinge.
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Post by xerxez on Mar 3, 2024 22:12:59 GMT -6
For reference, not exactly what it looks like...take away the dial and the chain and middle decoration and replace the outer symbols with weird etched cursive and it's smooth and copper...
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Post by xerxez on Mar 3, 2024 22:08:44 GMT -6
Mi'kimu hands the other Eye to Karunaz to investigate. "Perhaps one of these Eyes was used to arrest the sailors in place, and the other to render this elegant warrior invisible to us. What then might this be?" Mi'kimu asks, and shows the others the strange medallion. "Is this writing around the rim? To me, it is more chicken-scratch ..." Looking at the medallion [OOC — I'm picturing this as a sort of figure-eight shape] Mi'kimu tries to determine if the two plates are welded together, or if they might be articulated in some way, like wheels or pulleys. Mi'kimu can discern that it appears from the crack between the plates that they are not welded together...there could be a movement between them. No one present has a clue about the strange symbols. It looks more like a closed metal watch exterior than a figure eight-- granted your characters are unaware of watches but this is to give you as a player a better picture. Like a copper plated watch on a chain, minus the dial and chain.
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Post by xerxez on Mar 3, 2024 16:07:15 GMT -6
"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.
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Post by xerxez on Mar 3, 2024 6:41:26 GMT -6
Amiyala has bound up her Renyu's slashes, stroking his head.
Balesh receives the blade and the warrior in him feels a thrill at its heft and quality.
Karunaz accepts the eye and looks it over.
"This Eye has a faint inscription upon its back," he says. "Its in the ancient Ilyani characters. I have no skill in it beyond knowing its general shapes."
Mi'kimu nods as he searches the fallen attacker.
Opening the leather cuiras on its upper body he is surprised to see that in spite of the creature's imposing build its upper body consists of three pairs of breasts, like the underbelly of a mother cat.
Inside its vestments hangs a buttoned leather pouch.
Inside the pouch is another Eye, a strange brass cylindrical device with apertures on either end covered by glass, and a strange copper medallion which looks like two plates placed together at their rims.
It is nearly as big as Mi'kimu's palm.
Bizarre but elegant flowing glyphs are delicately scribed in a circle around the edges of it, and while a durable item well crafted, it looks to be very old, slighlty scuffed and pitted with small marks though obviously lovingly cared for.
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Post by xerxez on Mar 2, 2024 21:14:27 GMT -6
Does Bálesh have steel weapons? If I recall aright, only Mi'kimu has an iron dagger he took from the dead S'su. I scrolled through the posts from their previous adventures and did not find anything, though I had a faint recollection of an iron weapon but it was probably the dagger I'm thinking about. I'm very certain Balesh uses a sword of Chlen hide. Iron is extremely rare on Tekumel...
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Post by xerxez on Mar 2, 2024 20:22:54 GMT -6
Recognizing it, and assuming it is safe to handle [although I don't think he can use it], Mi'kimu retrieves it and will show it to the others in a moment — but first, he goes to inspect the strange warrior and the blade it dropped. Mi'kimu sees the sword and scabbard are of of very alien artifice...as is the leather armor which the creature wears. The armor is sculpted in a combination of shapes and patterns unlike any the warrior has seen before, almost like something like intricately carved wood decoration, but of leather... while the sword and its sheath would rival any of a high smith. Looking upon the warrior he is taken with a strange sort of admiration for the sleek furred cat-being...it's fur is yellow and striped and spotted and it's glittering blue eyes, even in death, hold a fierce dignity. It appears to Mi'kimu that the leather vestments upon it's upper body may conceal some kind of pouch, as a strap around it's neck is visible, whatever is attached to the strap being tucked away.
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