I ended this game on a cliffhanger, and after that, I used the phrase 'I am evil.' Read on to see why.
(503) GM: When we last saw our protagonists, they were in the desert, with six sand colored characters on aht-ras approaching from the north, and six from the south.
(503) GM: The dozen draw nearer.
** (510) Merduk has his sword out. **
(503) GM: The riders stop within half an arrow shot.
** (508) Laj holds his fire. **
** (508) Laj levels his crossbow, but holds his shot. **
(503) GM: The riders study you for a moment. One has a brass medallion, and seems to be in charge. He takes two steps forward.
(503) GM: "You. You are Yitek. Are you their prisoner, or are they yours?"
(508) Laj: "They are allies. Who asks?"
(503) GM: The rider removes his veil, revealing a brown Yitek face.
** (508) Laj removes his veil. **
(503) Nurab: "I am Prince Nurab ab Atar, of the Sotas tribe. These are my sands."
** (510) Merduk blinks in surprise. It's odd to think of Laj having a face. **
(508) Laj: "I am Laj Yeto of the Notas. We seek passage across your sands."
** (508) Laj lowers his crossbow. **
** Nurab nods, and the other riders remove their veils. It is customary to kill only when veiled, so you feel a little safer, Laj. Not much, though. **
(503) GM: The other riders sheathe their weapons.
** (508) Laj nods to Merduk, glancing at his drawn sword. **
(503) Nurab: "These are my sands, as much as they are anyone's. You are welcome to share them. Have you water?"
(508) Laj: "We do."
(503) Nurab: "Share with us your water, and you will have safe passage."
** (508) Laj feels like this is a polite version of highway robbery. **
(503) GM: "How did you know they were not merchants, my Prince?"
(510) Merduk: (Do we have enough?)
(508) Laj: "We can spare two skins, but no more."
(503) Nurab: "They pull no cart, therefore they are not merchants."
(503) Nurab: "Two skins? That will do. Do you journey to your homeland?"
(508) Laj: "We go north, Pince Nurab. Have you news of these lands?"
(510) Merduk: "Unfortunately no. We have to go to mine, first."
(503) Nurab: "You are Marukan, correct?"
** (510) Merduk nods and shrugs in a "yeah, what are you gonna do?" manner. **
** (508) Laj wonders why Yitek are out acting like Za instead of looking for tombs to loot. **
(503) Nurab: "It is a long ride to Maruk."
(503) Nurab: "Come to our camp, and share our warm sands this night."
(508) Laj: "We shall, Prince Nurab. A wandering Yitek and his allies welcome your hospitality. We are your guests."
** (508) Laj emphasizes the word "guests." **
(503) Nurab: "You have shared your water freely, therefore you have my protection. None of my tribe will harm you."
** Nurab allows his comrades to lead the way north, to his camp. He rides next to Laj. **
** (508) Laj bows in his saddle. "We thank you. Do you and your followers search these lands for treasures?" **
** (508) Laj is very glad he didn't put a bolt in the prince's skull earlier. It would have been rude.... **
(503) Nurab: "We were searching for something suitable a few days ago. But we have not found anything in this area."
(503) Nurab: "Have you seen any travelers?"
(508) Laj: "None, save a few Kasmirans, but that was days ago."
(503) Nurab: "We have seen only two. One was a merchant, who did not wish to share his water. He was persuaded."
** Nurab laughs. **
** (508) Laj smirks. **
(503) Nurab: "He shared his supplies as well. I do not know how far he will get without his aht-ra and his cart."
** (508) Laj is convinced that something is very wrong. The Yitek are not usually like this. **
** (510) Merduk nods. The merchant had a marukan's luck that day. **
(508) Laj: "If he stays alert and walks by night, he can make it to Akmir."
(503) GM: You arrive at the camp. The camp is in complete disarray, burned tents and black marks in the sand everywhere. There are many mounds to the east of the camp, and you suspect they hold bodies. There are many more tents than Yitek.
(503) Nurab: "The other traveler... He did this."
(508) Laj: "Death has walked your sands recently, Prince."
(510) Merduk: "What other traveler?"
(508) Laj: "A man in rags?"
(503) Nurab: "This is why we have not found any tombs, and have taken to harrassing merchants."
(503) Nurab: "This one wore black rags, and could call down black lightning. He attacked us without provocation. No tent escaped his burning touch."
** Naia looks very concerned. **
** (508) Laj looks at Merdmira and Naia. "The man in rags is real, it seems." **
** (510) Merduk looks thoughtful. **
(503) Nurab: "I do not know what he sought, but after he decided it wasn't here, he left."
(503) Nurab: "This is why your gift of water was most timely."
** Merdmira climbs off Shovel and looks closely at the burn marks in the sand. **
(508) Laj: "To be frank, when you came upon us, I suspected something was gravely wrong. I see now why. Where did he go, Prince Nurab?"
(503) Nurab: "He continued north, as far as we cared to watch, which was not much."
(503) Nurab: "This was yesterday. The merchant we found this morning.
** (508) Laj nods. **
** (508) Laj thinks that the man in rags is looking for something or someone, and that whatever it is, it has something to do with Naia. **
** Nurab whispers where only Laj can hear, "This one, we could not defend against. He turned our bolts as though they were frightened avir. Swords could not hit their marks against him. He had powerful magic." **
** Merdmira scoops up some of the black sand, revealing black glass below it. **
(503) Merdmira: "Brother, this was Black Lightning."
** (510) Merduk goes and looks at the black glass. "Black Lightning?" **
** (508) Laj whispers to the Prince. "Did he say anything?" **
(503) Merdmira: "It's rare, and very dangerous. I cannot call it, nor have I ever heard of anyone who could."
** (508) Laj shudders reflexively at the mention of black lightning. **
** (508) Laj shudders at the mention of almost all magic, so it's not too infrequent. **
(503) Nurab: "He was maddening in his silence. Some shouted surrender, and he paid no heed."
** (508) Laj is thoughtful. "Did anything harm him?" **
(503) Nurab: "Nothing. Not one crossbow bolt, not one sword strike. We have no one with the Gift among us."
** (508) Laj nods. **
(503) Nurab: "Sometimes, here in the desert, and in the wildlands to the north, the fiercest storms will make Black Lightning. Those who are smart and lucky seek shelter. Those who are not lucky often do not die, and must be slain."
(508) Laj: "I fear that the man in rags is not mortal. Perhaps it was a shaitan. I do not know. Our people died valiantly but in vain against this foe."
(503) Nurab: "Perhaps he was. I would not wish to meet him again."
(503) Nurab: "Come, the women prepare the spoils of the cart. If it were not for that merchant, we would not eat this day. Our supplies were the first things he attacked."
(508) Laj: "I do not think you will. He seeks something or someone. He did not find it here."
** (508) Laj looks surprised. "Of course. Hunger and thirst are the slowest but deadliest foes." **
(503) GM: The cookfire produces a smell that is enticing. You cannot place the odor, but it is meat of some kind, heavily spiced.
(508) Laj: (The rest of the group is probably amazed that Laj can actually speak in complete sentences.)
(508) Laj: (If it's meat served by starving Yitek, don't ask what it is. It could be the merchant.)
(503) GM: The women dole out portions to everyone, showing no favoratism even towards Prince Nurab.
(503) GM: The rest of the tribe takes a break from various repair activities to eat.
** (508) Laj gives little thought to the food, but takes a moment to look over the women. They're Sotas, but hey--brown is brown. **
(503) GM: The meal is very good, the meat tastes like Erd with cinnamon spice.
(508) Laj: "We thank you for your generosity in your time of hardship. Have there been any other strange things out in the desert? I speak in particular of a lone Ariane wanderer."
** Merdmira sniffs at the meal, then eats quietly. **
(503) Nurab: "We came upon an Ariane two weeks ago. He was far north of here."
** (510) Merduk eats quietly, uncomfortable around strangers. **
(503) Nurab: "Is he known to you?"
(508) Laj: "We wish to speak with him. Did he say anything?"
(503) Nurab: "He said little, but they seldom speak much."
(503) Nurab: "My father, Onir of all the Sotas tribes, has decreed that no Ariane should be harmed by a Yitek."
(508) Laj: "Agreed. Still, they have wisdom rivalled by the Xanadasians. Perhaps he has an explanation for the man in rags."
(503) Nurab: "Therefore, he was welcomed among us."
(508) Laj: "Your father was a wise and just Onir. Blessings upon him and his memory."
** Nurab looks at Merduk's amulet. "He wore something similar to your necklace." **
** (510) Merduk shakes his head. "I am starting to seriously dislike this thing." **
(503) Nurab: "Thank you for your blessing. My older brother Nashur has succeeded him."
(503) Nurab: "Nashur the Onir does not have the wisdom of my father, but he will grow with time."
(508) Laj: "Your father's wisdom was passed to you, Prince Nurab."
(503) Nurab: "You shame me. If I were wise, the one in black rags would not have devastated us so."
(508) Laj: "Do not assume so, prince. The man in black rags is a foe beyond measure. You and yours did well against an invulnerable enemy."
(503) Naia: "This one in black, did he have a mount, or did he walk?"
(503) Nurab: "He possessed neither aht-ra nor equus. He trod lightly upon the ground."
** (510) Merduk looks up. "Did he leave footprints?" **
(503) Nurab: "Bootprints, but the wind has taken them. Perhaps some remain in the camp."
(508) Laj: "We will look, if you do not decree otherwise."
(508) Laj: "His face was covered by his ragged garments, was it not?"
(503) Nurab: "You may look if it pleases you. I had not thought to preserve them."
(503) Nurab: "His face was indeed hidden in the depths of his robe."
(508) Laj: "It may be nothing, Prince Nurab, but any remaining trace may hold an answer to this mystery."
(503) Nurab: "Then we shall look together. I can distinguish his marks from those of my tribe."
** Nurab leads you to the north side of the camp, where several bootprints are still in the sand. They lead northward, but away from the lee of the sheltering dune which protects the camp, they are lost. **
(508) Laj: (Is there anything remarkable about the prints?)
(503) GM: The bootprints are somewhat small, unless you were a Marukan. From the shape, the boots would not be out of place in Cymril. They are not deep, whoever made them did indeed tread lightly.
(508) Laj: "Light. Too small for most races. Maybe Cymrillian. Maybe Marukan. Maybe Kasmiran." Laj spits.
(508) Laj: "Possibly a woman? A witch?"
(503) GM: (Too light for a Cymrilian. Light even for a Marukan or Yitek.)
(508) Laj: "Or a cursed thing from the Iron Citadel?"
** Merdmira squints at the prints, then squints northward. **
(503) Nurab: "He was unlike any I've seen before."
(508) Laj: "Thank you for the warning, Prince Nurab. Our journey is decidedly perilous."
(508) Laj: "I cannot say...eh? What's with her?" Laj jerks his thumb at Merdmira's distant gaze.
(503) Nurab: "If your path should cross this one, then you are indeed in danger."
(508) Laj: "He went north. We share the same path."
** Merdmira shakes her head. "Just wondering how far north he went. Maybe he was at the right place at the wrong time, and is waiting for the right time." **
(508) Laj: "Afraid of that."
** (508) Laj nervously fingers his luck amulet. **
(503) Merdmira: "No way to tell, now. Just have to sleep light tonight."
(503) Merdmira: "Brother, what do you think?"
(510) Merduk: "No idea, sis. Sorry."
(503) Merdmira: "I mean, we should keep a watch."
(510) Merduk: "Sounds good. I assume the Yitek will do the same thing."
(503) Nurab: "My tribe will keep a watch, yes."
(508) Laj: "As will we. You can never have too many eyes searching for danger."
(503) Nurab: "In these dark days, that is true."
(503) Nurab: "Come, let us keep ourselves warm by the fires. We'll hear a few songs to lift our hearts as the suns hide in the sands."
(508) Laj: "My allies and I need a moment to discuss our situation. May we join you shortly?"
(503) Nurab: "Of course. You are guests."
** Nurab nods, and walks back to the campfire. **
** Merdmira looks questioningly at Laj. **
(508) Laj: "Rag-wizard is looking for us. No surprise there."
(508) Laj: "Naia, time to tell us everything."
** (510) Merduk is starting to get more nervous than usual. **
(508) Laj: "He looked for us here. Arrived too early. He's out in the desert, waiting."
(508) Laj: "He could be a she, too. Interesting."
(503) Naia: "What do you mean? He's out there, you think?"
(503) Naia: "Or she?"
** (508) Laj nods at Naia gravely. **
(508) Laj: "Footprints are too small and too light to be Cymrillian, probably. Probably not a Yitek either. That leaves either a woman or a Kasmiran. Or something else entirely. Shaitan is my least favorite option."
(503) Naia: "I'll tell you about my dream. I dreamt I confronted him. Or her, or whatever. I don't know why, but I didn't have the fear of being chased. He's evil to his bones."
** (508) Laj nods. **
(503) Naia: "He's after me, I'm afraid, not you."
(508) Laj: "Killing Yitek who gave him no quarrel. Should be flayed alive."
(503) Naia: "I don't know why, I don't think my father would employ such a one. It's too early to have to worry about him hiring someone to track me down."
(508) Laj: "You're our guest, and the guest of the Prince. That means he's after us all."
** Naia looks behind at the ruined camp, and then back at you. **
(508) Laj: "Why too early? And how about the Kasmiran jilted groom? Vengeful race."
(503) Naia: "I only just ran away, remember? So how would father know that I am not in Kasmir, bound as planned?"
(508) Laj: "People in Kasmir saw you with a Yitek. Use logic. Rag-wizard attacked the Yitek camp."
(503) Naia: "It... it could be, I suppose. But, that was only yesterday."
** (508) Laj regrets picking up beautiful dingbat Cymrillian noblewomen with tons of baggage and angry suitors. **
(508) Laj: "Kasmirans often do not wait for something of value to wander too far."
(508) Laj: "Filthy race. And they think Yitek are disgusting." Laj spits again.
(503) Naia: "He's powerful, very dangerously so. Merdmira says that he called Black Lightning. I know what that is, and no one calls it. No one. I've been in the Lyceum, and they can't call it."
(510) Merduk: "You were in the Lyceum? Are you a spell-caster?"
(503) Naia: "I was a guest there, for a while, studying basics. I'm afraid any magic I might be able to use wouldn't be very impressive."
(510) Merduk: "You're probably just being modest. It's more that I can do, I bet."
(503) Naia: "My father's rank had its priveleges, that's the only reason to admit a no-talent like me."
** (510) Merduk chuckles. "A Cymrilian who is talentless at magic? You are unique." **
(508) Laj: "Whatever you have, prepare yourself."
** Naia checks her beautiful dagger. **
** (510) Merduk starts to sharpen his sword. **
** Merdmira pulls her shovel out, and decides it's in good enough shape. **
(508) Laj: "We must rejoin the Prince."
(503) GM: The dusk draws in, and the Yitek gather around the fires.
(503) GM: One of them plays an odd stringed instrument.
** (508) Laj walks back to the fire. **
(503) GM: The Yitek plays well, and their spirits do seem to lift.
(503) GM: After a few songs, the Yitek retire to their burned tents. Several stay awake, and patrol around the camp.
(503) GM: The night passes uneventfully, whatever demons lurk in the night leave the Yitek be.
** (508) Laj loads his crossbow, draws his scimitar, and gets his shield ready, though he doubts that they'll be of much use. **
(503) GM: You have a dream. The ariane stands in trees, his amulet clearly visible. He beckons to you, saying "Come, I will take you to him." The moons are all in the starry sky, and they move together, converging into a single bright spot. You awaken with the dawn.
** (508) Laj wakes with a frown. "He assumes we'll live. Optimist." **
(510) Merduk: "I want to meet this guy. I will ask him politely to let us sleep the night."
** Merdmira blinks away sleep. **
(503) Merdmira: "Wonder why he don't let us get some real rest when we need it?"
** (508) Laj leaves his tent, grabs his weapons, and barges into Merduk's. "Any trees in the Maruk mountains?" **
** Naia emerges from her tent, her face pale. **
(508) Laj: "What's with her?"
** Naia gulps water from her skin. **
(510) Merduk: "Are you all right?"
(503) Naia: "He's.... he's going to kill me. He's going to kill me."
** Naia can't stop shaking. **
** (510) Merduk puts his hand on her shoulder. "Did you have another dream?" **
(508) Laj: "Looks like it."
** Naia looks around, and regains her composure. **
(508) Laj: "Any reason why he'd want to kill you?"
(503) Naia: "I dreamt he killed me. I knew he was looking for me."
(503) Naia: "He didn't say anything, just... just started casting spells from his horrible black hands."
(503) Naia: "I could feel my life being leeched away."
** Merdmira comforts Naia. "Don't fret, lass. He's not here, and dreams are only your fears." **
(508) Laj: "Naia, anything you're carrying that he might want?"
(503) Naia: "I can't think of what, I only have some clothes and my tent, and those two statues."
** Merdmira gets her bedroll rolled up, and piled onto Shovel. **
(503) Merdmira: "Come on, we'll get ready, that'll get your mind off of bad dreams."
(510) Merduk: "My guess is it has to do with the statues."
(508) Laj: "No priceless engagement present from the Kasmiran? No? Figures. Trying to kill you out of spite. We move."
(503) Merdmira: "The Satrap's statues? Who would know she had them?"
** (508) Laj packs his tent and loads Her Grace. **
** (508) Laj pauses. "No one." **
** Merdmira clambers onto Shovel. **
(508) Laj: "What was the line from the tomb? Three curses?"
(503) Nurab: "Ah, awake, and preparing to leave I see."
(508) Laj: "Prince Nurab. We must not burden you further."
** Nurab pulls out a brass coin bearing the same emblem as his medallion. **
(503) Nurab: "Take this. If any of the Sotas tribe accost you, show this to them, and you will be granted safe passage."
(503) Nurab: "I wish you a safe journey, and warm sands to sleep on."
(508) Laj: "I cannot bear to see our people in distress. Take this. May it help you rebuild what was lost. Use it as you see fit."
(508) Laj: "We ride into danger. Here is half of what I own."
** (508) Laj gives the prince 50 pentacles. **
(503) Nurab: "Your gift is most welcome, and I accept it, but only for my tribe. They have suffered much, and this will buy us fresh supplies. You honor me greatly, Laj Yeto of the Notas tribes."
** Nurab bows deeply. **
(508) Laj: "It will be of no use to me where I go, but it will be of use to you and yours. Farewell, Prince Nurab of the Sotas."
** (508) Laj bows in return and turns Her Grace to the north. **
(503) Nurab: "Ride well, and find rich tombs."
(508) Laj: "Thank you. May the riches of the ancients be yours for the taking."
(503) GM: You depart the camp heading north. The sand stretches for miles ahead.
** (508) Laj urges Her Grace onward. **
(503) GM: After about five miles, the dunes are significantly higher. As you round one, you see a figure in black rags with hood drawn.
(508) Laj: "Ration water. Eyes open. Rag-wizard is out there waiting. He'll attack without waiting for an invitation."
(508) Laj: "Speak of the shaitan..."
(508) Laj: "Naia, toss the statues."
** Naia sighs at the sight of the man. "Vixil. How kind of you to save me the trouble of hunting you down." **
(508) Laj: "Vixil? My friends, we've been pawns."
(503) GM: A high squeaky voice calls out, "I did not recognize you with green skin Saranael. It is time for us to settle our unfinished business."
** (508) Laj 's mind is whirling. He knows the name Saranael, but he can't recall where! **
(503) GM: (And that's where we'll stop for tonight.)