In this game, we pass the border of Kasmir into the west. There's a dirty little border town which scrapes by on ridiculously high prices for water. But where else are you going to get water in the desert?
As usual, there are subtle hints here, but I haven't given away much.
And, just as an experiment, I ended the session on a cliffhanger. The encounter had been planned for a while (since early Chapter 2, actually) but we're just getting to it. Funny how games tend to take a life of their own, even from the GM...
(238) Ganse: Our protagonists travel through the desert scrublands, looking for signs of water.
(238) Ganse: The mid-morning suns blaze hotly in the sky. Merdmira seems to be weathering the heat alright, and Naia doesn't seem overly bothered.
(238) GM: (Forgot my aliases.)
** Merdmira squints toward the eastern horizon. **
(238) Merdmira: "Long way to the border, do you think? I only crossed it once, and I can't really remember."
** (242) Merduk sullenly endures the heat. **
(243) Laj: "Been near here, but not over the border."
(238) Merdmira: "There's a town, not much to it besides water. Sharzad, I think the name is. Wasn't that it, Merduk?"
** (242) Merduk shrugs. "May have been." **
(243) Laj: "Water is better than gold out here."
(242) Merduk: "Sounds familiar"
(2) GM: As the day passes, it only gets slightly hotter. Late in the afternoon, you see a dot on the horizon. It's only a little darker than the sand, but it looks like some kind of settlement.
(3) Laj: "Something ahead."
(2) GM: As you approach, it looks like a desert establishment, sand and dust coat everything, there are aht-ra and various other creatures running about without ties or fences.
** (1) Merduk looks around, mildly curious about the new place. **
(2) GM: Several people in light clothing are doing various tasks, and most importantly, there are a couple of them and an aht-ra manning the well.
(2) GM: The people, mostly Kasmiran, pay you no heed as you approach.
(2) Merdmira: "Yep, this is Sharzad. I remember it now."
(2) Merdmira: "Remember the smell, Merduk? Almost like home."
** (3) Laj nods at the Kasmiran. **
(3) Laj: *Kasmirans.
(2) GM: The Kasmiran looks at you, and seems to see you for the first time.
(2) GM: "Water's expensive here. Double for you. 20 lumens for a gallon. No cart, huh. Guess you didn't bring any food to trade."
(3) Laj: "Depends."
(3) Laj: "Food worth double for you."
(2) GM: The Kasmiran scowls.
(2) GM: (You're not in your Djaffir mask, right?)
** (3) Laj smirks. "Now that we understand each other, have you any news?" **
(3) Laj: (No. No mask. Just your average dishonest Yitek.)
(2) GM: (That'll explain the double price and the scowling, then.)
(2) GM: He says "News from the east or west?"
(3) Laj: "Either or both."
(2) GM: "News from the west is there was a war, but that was a while back. News from the east is the bandits are worse this year. Lots of merchants that left west haven't been back in months."
(2) GM: "Rumors are somebody's got a windship, and using it for thieving."
(3) Laj: "Interesting. Enterprising bandits."
(2) GM: There doesn't seem to be an inn, or even a tavern. When he sees you looking, a Cymrilian runs to an open air tent, and sets some mugs on a table.
(3) Laj: "Thanks for the news." Laj heads for the tent.
(2) GM: "Don't want any water?"
(1) Merduk: "I'll have some water."
(3) Laj: "Aren't leaving yet."
(2) GM: The Kasmiran nods, and goes back to manning the well.
(2) GM: The Cymrilian brightens at your approach.
(2) GM: "What can I get for you?"
(1) Merduk: "Water is good. Not in a drinking mood right now."
(3) Laj: "Same. Tired of Kasmiran hospitality."
(2) GM: The Cymrilian smiles broadly at Naia. "And for you, miss?"
(2) GM: The Cymrilian sets two mugs of water before you.
(2) Naia: "Water for me as well, thank you."
(2) Cymrilian: "Don't mind Nabr, he's grouchy. Especially to a Yitek. No offense of course, but the Kasmirans aren't too fond of you."
(2) Cymrilian: "You probably know that, though.
** (3) Laj smiles widely. "High praise." **
** (1) Merduk smiles grimly, "Try being Marukan." **
(2) Cymrilian: "Traveling far?"
(1) Merduk: "Maybe. We're not really sure where our ultimate destination is yet."
** Cymrilian looks puzzled but doesn't comment. **
(2) Cymrilian: "It's a hard road west of here. The bandits seem worse this year."
(3) Laj: "Flying bandits, we're told. Any truth to it?"
(2) Cymrilian: "Might be. Rajan, more like than bandits."
(2) Cymrilian: "I'd keep an eye out for it."
** Cymrilian can't keep his eyes off of Naia. **
(3) Laj: "Rajans. Hate 'em."
(1) Merduk: (Is it a "Curious, She looks familar" look, or is it a "Check out the babe-age!" look?)
(2) Cymrilian: "Who doesn't? Even Nabr won't deal with them, and he'd even sell water to a Yitek.... Oh, sorry, I didn't mean anything."
(2) Cymrilian: "He just hates Yitek, is all. But he needs the business more."
(2) GM: (It's more of a 'check out the babe!' look.)
(1) Merduk: (Ah, okay. Because, I know she was paranoid about being recognized.)
(2) Cymrilian: "Got any food to trade?"
(3) Laj: "Perhaps. What do you offer?"
(3) Laj: "I'm only a poor, honest Yitek." Laj smiles.
(2) Cymrilian: "I've got water enough, probably do you a better deal than Nabr. But don't let him see you buying it from me. We all have to drink from the same well, and he runs it. you see."
** (3) Laj nods. **
(2) Cymrilian: "10 lumens a gallon, or whatever we can work out in food."
** (1) Merduk , falling back on Marukan style humor, quips, "You guys into cannibalism? We can sell you my sister." **
** Merdmira looks darkly at Merduk. **
** (3) Laj snickers. **
(2) Naia: "Is your price final? I only have a few coins."
(2) Cymrilian: "Well, I might can go 8 lumens. Are you looking to buy enough to go far?"
(3) Laj: "Far enough."
(2) Cymrilian: "You buy five gallons, I'll sell for eight apiece."
(2) Cymrilian: "We have a deal?"
** (3) Laj nods. "Fair enough." **
(2) Cymrilian: "Alright, meet me later this evening, when Nabr's in his tent."
** (3) Laj nods. **
** Naia finishes her water. **
** Naia pulls a silver coin out, but the Cymrilian says "Not necessary, miss. It's on the house." **
** (1) Merduk grits his teeth at the Cymrilians generosity, jealous despite himself. **
** Merdmira finishes her water as well. **
(2) Cymrilian: "All of your drinks are taken care of. I need to get the water together. Will you be camping here tonight?"
(3) Laj: "Nearby."
(2) Cymrilian: "Ah, fair enough."
(2) GM: The suns begin to set, and your stomachs grumble.
(2) Merdmira: "Laj, you and Merduk get the water, Naia and I will ride out a ways and make camp."
(1) Merduk: "Okay. Sounds good."
** Merdmira motions to Naia, and clambers onto Shovel. Soon they are off in the east. **
** (3) Laj nods. "We'll wander and look after the mounts." **
(2) GM: Nabr grows weary of filling water barrels, and retires to his tent with dusk.
(2) GM: The Cymrilian reappears, bearing five fat waterskins.
(2) Cymrilian: "Forty lumens, and they're yours."
** (3) Laj counts out the money. **
(3) Laj: "Divide up later."
(2) Cymrilian: "That woman with you, is she your friend or hostage? I mean, she acts like your friend."
** (1) Merduk nods. **
(1) Merduk: "She puts up with us."
(2) Cymrilian: "I see. She uh, attached?"
(3) Laj: "Taken vows of formalistic abstinence."
** Cymrilian looks crestfallen. **
(1) Merduk: "I say take a chance, man." Merduk looks out over the desert. "You could offer her all this."
(2) Cymrilian: "Yeah, all the sand she could eat. Too highbrow for me, I guess. Well, good luck, and make sure you're gone before Nabr sees you. He'll be expecting to sell you water tomorrow."
** (1) Merduk is torn. He wants Naia, and he wants Naia to be happy. He considers the two to be mutually exclusive desires. **
(3) Laj: "We go. Farewell."
(2) Cymrilian: "May you sleep on warm sands."
** (3) Laj loads the waterskins on his mount and leads her off toward camp. **
** (1) Merduk nods, "Thanks. See you later." **
** Cymrilian turns and heads back to his tent. **
** (3) Laj smiles at the desert farewell. **
(3) Laj: "May you dream of moon-sugar."
(2) Cymrilian: (HA!)
(2) Cymrilian: (Skooma, I believe it was.)
(3) Laj: (Yuk yuk yuk.)
(2) GM: You find Naia's tent about a half hour east of Sharzad. It's good and dark now, and you don't see a campfire, or either woman.
(1) Merduk: Uh, oh. Not good.
** (3) Laj readies his crossbow and reins up short. "Hey! Anyone there?" **
** Merdmira peeks out of the tent door. **
** (3) Laj frowns. "Had Merduk worried." **
(2) Merdmira: "We're here."
** Merdmira leaves the tent, followed by Naia. **
(2) Merdmira: "Eating inside, keeps the sand fleas out of the bread."
(1) Merduk: "What's for dinner?"
(2) Merdmira: "Bread and saltmeat."
(2) Merdmira: "You got the water from that drooling Cymrilian?"
(1) Merduk: "Can you blame him? All he sees is Kasmiran women."
(2) Naia: "Got us a better deal on water, though. It still seems high, but I guess we are in a desert."
(2) Naia: "Hungry? There's plenty to go around."
(1) Merduk: "Sure."
** (3) Laj nods. "Hungry. Early start tomorrow." **
** Naia fetches more food from her tent, and passes it around. **
** Naia eats thoughtfully. **
(2) Naia: "I'd like a fire, but perhaps that's not the best idea near to that town."
(2) Merdmira: "Fires in the desert attract bad things. Animals, bandits."
(2) Merdmira: "I'm tired, let's get some rest."
** Merdmira unrolls her blanket, and places it in front of the tent door. **
(3) Laj: "Agreed. Don't want the Kasmiran to know we're here anyway."
** Naia says goodnight and returns to her tent. **
(2) GM: The night passes uneventfully. In the morning you awaken to see Naia seated outside her tent, staring at the northern sky.
(1) Merduk: "What are you looking at?"
(2) Naia: "I... had a nightmare."
(1) Merduk: "Maruk again?"
** (1) Merduk sits down next to her. **
(2) Naia: "I couldn't sleep after. Yes, it was Maruk. I have to go there. Do we have enough water do you think?"
(1) Merduk: "There isn't enough water anywhere to wash the taste of Maruk out of my mouth. But I think we will have enough to at least get to another source."
(2) Merdmira: "It's not desert all the way. But there's worries plenty without worrying about water."
(1) Merduk: "Naia? I'm sorry you ended up with us. I mean, I'm glad we could help you escape, but you didn't need to get caught up in our weird dream shit."
(2) Merdmira: "What do you mean?"
(2) Naia: (Doh! Wrong alias.)
(2) Naia: "What do you mean?"
(1) Merduk: "Well, you seem to have gotten caught up in our weird quest. Sorry about that."
(2) Naia: "It's much better than the alternative, don't you think?"
** Naia smiles. **
(1) Merduk: "Probably." Merduk looks shy. "By the way, you're beautiful. I can see why some sick merchant would want to brag that he owns you." (This is how you compliment someone with -2 Charisma.)
(2) Naia: "Thank you, Merduk. I don't like being a thing to be owned, but thank you for the compliment."
(1) Merduk: "Well, I'm glad I could rescue you from that. And let me apologize in advance for taking you to Maruk."
(2) Naia: "It's... It won't be bad the way you think."
(1) Merduk: "Really? What do you mean?"
(3) Laj: "We might NOT die there." Laj laughs.
** (1) Merduk shakes his head. "I don't want to die in Maruk." **
(2) Naia: "It's like when you know your past may catch up to you. It's never what you think. Maruk holds danger for me, but I have to go."
(2) Naia: "I simply don't want to die. I'll settle for not dying in Maruk."
(3) Laj: "Pasts have names. Be specific."
(2) Naia: "Pasts have many things. Dreams have even more. My nightmare... I felt like I knew who was there. I don't know his name, but I felt somehow familiar."
** (1) Merduk puts his hand up, as if to touch her shoulder comfortingly, then hesitates, then puts his hand back down. **
(2) Naia: "It's frightening to confront something that seems eerily familiar and bizarrely different at the same time."
(3) Laj: "Person dressed in black?"
** Merdmira looks at the horizon in the direction of the rising suns. "Time to get moving." **
(2) Naia: "Yes, all in black tattered rags. I got such a sense of evil when I looked at him."
** Merdmira rolls up her blanket and stows it on Shovel. **
(3) Laj: "Know him...or her?"
(2) Naia: "I... I feel as though I should, but..."
(3) Laj: "If so, tell us. Nice to know since we're in this together."
(3) Laj: "Father, jilted groom, hired killer? Take your pick."
(2) Naia: "None of those, I don't think."
(3) Laj: "Rival collector?" Laj laughs.
** (3) Laj rolls up his blanket. **
** Naia looks startled, then laughs. **
(3) Laj: "Think about it. We move. Long day."
(2) Naia: "If anything comes to me, of course I'll tell you."
** (1) Merduk loads up, and gets ready to travel. **
** Naia and Merdmira roll up the tent, and climb onto their mounts. **
** Merdmira rides alongside Laj, out of earshot of Naia. **
(2) Merdmira: "You remember when I told you about my dream?"
(1) Merduk: "Yeah?"
(2) Merdmira: "Well, sounds like she had something like it too, doesn't it?"
** Merdmira looks worried. **
(3) Laj: "Why I asked her. Linked."
(2) Merdmira: "I don't like this."
(1) Merduk: "I haven't liked anything that's happened since I started this."
(2) Merdmira: "Just remember to watch our step, that's what we'll have to do."
(3) Laj: "Agreed. Miss the Ariane dreams."
(3) Laj: "And avoid dying."
(2) Merdmira: "Right."
(2) GM: You travel northeast along the road until noon. It's hot. Really hot. You're grateful you have the water.
(3) Laj: "And if you see someone in black rags, avoid completely."
(2) GM: (Observation rolls)
(3) Laj: "Worth the money. Still too much, but worth it."
(1) Merduk: "No problem. Most of the rags in Merduk are grey, with brown stains."
(1) Merduk: [1d20+4] -> [19,4] = (23)
(2) GM: (Wow, Merduk!)
(3) Laj: [1d20+8] -> [10,8] = (18) Observation
(2) GM: Laj, you notice up ahead several riders on aht-ras in sand colored clothing. They're very near, you can't imagine why you didn't see them sooner. At least you thought you were surprised, until Merduk tugs on your sleeve and points behind you at another set of riders.
(1) Merduk: (Are they heading toward us?)
(2) GM: (Oh yes. Rather directly.)
(1) Merduk: (Crap. Getting the sword ready.)
(3) Laj: "Bandits." Laj looks around for a defendable position.
(2) GM: (And that's where we'll leave it for tonight...)