In this game, our intrepid heros arrive in Kasmir, specifically in the city of Kasir. They meet a mysterious Cymrillian named Darandor, who notices that Laj is a Yitek, and well, they have a reputation for robbing graves and all...
Kasmirans bury their dead with money, just in case there is an afterlife, and they need it.
For anyone who hasn't been paying attention, Merdmira is Merduk's sister. She's also a Witch and a Talismonger. She makes Luck charms, and sells them to people who need luck.
** (179) Merduk gets into character. *mope mope mope* **
** (186) Laj exudes dust. **
(173) GM: Dawn breaks on deck, the lesser sun breaking the horizon first. The eerie morning light casts long, strange shadows across the landscape below. The land is getting more and more dry looking below you.
(186) Laj: (but is oily at the same time.
(186) Laj: (Laj, not the land.)
whispering to Merduk, Is your mount and Aht-ra or a greymane equus?
(173) GM: Both Her Grace and Merduk's Aht-ra seem to be doing better, if hungry.
(173) GM: The aeromancer is still not recovered, so he is not on deck with the rest of the crew.
** (179) Merduk does not exude any dust. Sometimes, he excretes dung, though. It reminds him of home. (He is therefore one of the few people in Talislanta to hope for constipation.) **
(173) GM: The captain calls for the sails to be reefed.
** (173) Merdmira peeks her head just above deck to look at the sky for a moment. **
** (186) Laj feeds Her Grace a small portion, hoping for the best. **
(186) Laj: After feeding her, he returns to the deck.
(173) GM: Her Grace eats, but she doesn't wolf it down.
** (186) Laj is content in the knowledge that his idiotic tatra is growing smarter every day. **
** (173) Merdmira sniffs the air, seeming to smell for something, then goes below deck again. **
** (179) Merduk calmly watches the ship heading toward land. **
(173) GM: The landscape slides gently below. You notice the wind is picking up a bit.
(173) GM: Captain Terevelos calls an officer to take the wheel, then walks over to you.
** (186) Laj grabs his crossbow as the wind picks up. He obviously fears another wind demon attack. **
(173) GM: "As we get nearer the desert, the winds will get stronger. We'll have to sail lower and lower, nearer the ground. In Kasmir, we'll be within arrow shot of anyone on the ground. Be ready, it is not unheard of for bandits to attack."
** (179) Merduk doesn't move visibly, but becomes more alert. **
** (186) Laj nods. **
(186) Laj: "Been out this way once or twice in my youth."
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Men! To your posts! At least two men on watch at all times!"
(173) Captain Terevelos: "There may not be a reason, but we should be prepared. Did you sleep?"
(179) Merduk: "I got a little"
(186) Laj: "Some."
(186) Laj: "Wind kept waking me."
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Your mounts should eat soon. Their stomachs will settle. They'll probably get their sky legs about when we're ready to land."
(173) GM: The winds gust briefly, rocking the ship gently.
(186) Laj: "Fed mine.
(173) Captain Terevelos: "We should land in Kasir in four more days, three if the winds are with us."
(186) Laj: "Faster than walking."
** (173) Captain Terevelos looks over the side of the ship at the land below. **
** (186) Laj wonders if they'll see an Ariane trudging around down there. **
(179) Merduk: (With scimitars! :D )
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Avir, flying north. Can't tell what kind, though. Eyes getting old."
** (173) Captain Terevelos sighs pointedly. **
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Better to die on a sword than waste away," he grumbles to himself.
** (173) Captain Terevelos turns away from the gunwale. **
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Back to work. Keep a sharp eye, lads."
** (186) Laj assumes the captain is contemplating retirement. Either that or his marriage is miserable. **
(173) GM: Merdmira is grumbling below, loud enough for you to hear her. You can't make out the words, but she doesn't sound pleased.
(179) Merduk: "Hey sis! What's going on down there?"
** (186) Laj recoils from the grumbling since it probably has to do with magic. **
(173) Merdmira: "Damn fool boat won't keep still. No way for a Marukan to travel. Walking on the ground, that's for me."
(186) Laj: Feeling foolish, Laj resumes his watch.
** (173) Merdmira keeps losing her concentration. You begin to think that maybe more than the Aht-ra's below are seasick. **
(179) Merduk: "What are you trying to do?"
(173) Merdmira: "Trying to finish these luck charms. Can't think straight with this rolling back and forth."
** (173) Merdmira reminds you of a wet hen. **
(186) Laj: (Lol.)
(173) GM: The day wears on, Merdmira still complaining, the Aht-ra slowly improving.
(173) GM: The winds pick up, and the ship sinks lower and lower, seeking calmer air. The landscape below continues to get dryer, and the vegetation gets sparser.
** (186) Laj is simply glad that he doesn't have to clean up tatra vomit. That and being alive, of course. **
** No match found
(173) GM: On the third day of travel, the ship sails quite low. The land below is mostly sand. Cactus and other succulent vegetation is becoming dominant.
(173) GM: "Captain! Ship ho!"
(179) Merduk: (There's a ship ho? Why wasn't I informed, and how much does she charge?)
(173) GM: One of the crew points aft, and you see a dot in the distant sky.
** (179) Merduk peers for a closer look. **
** (173) Captain Terevelos looks through a spyglass. **
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Looks like a windrigger. Her sails are reefed, she's not trying to catch us."
** (186) Laj stands like a statue, apprehension growing. He's thinking back to enemies they made in Aaman--powerful enemies. **
(173) Captain Terevelos: "She's taking a slight north tack. Either of you make any enemies with a windship?"
** (179) Merduk considers. **
(173) Captain Terevelos: "In any case, we've got more archers than she has crew."
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Hey! Get that weather mage up here!"
(173) GM: The aeromancer stumbles up onto the deck, still looking disheveled.
(186) Laj: "Our enemies don't need archers."
** (179) Merduk attempts to Mystically determine if the other ship has anything to do with us. [1d20+5] -> [3,5] = (8) **
(179) Merduk: (Bleh)
(173) GM: After a terse discussion, the aeromancer starts his ritual.
(186) Laj: (Merduk needs more luck.)
(173) GM: (Merduk, with that roll, you don't get much more than what Terevelos told you: A small windrigger image forms in your mind's eye, some blurry figures, but you're not sure how many, or who they are. More than two, though.)
(173) GM: The aeromancer gyrates wildly, swirling air with his hands so much you can almost see it.
(173) GM: The wind abrubtly picks up, moving the ship along a little faster.
** (186) Laj steps away from the spastic wizard. Whatever is wrong with him might be catching. **
(173) GM: By midafternoon, the dot is left behind, or has steered away from your course. In any case, it's gone. From the foredeck, you see a city on the horizon, a couple of spires stick up visibly.
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Moving right along, we should be in Kasir before nightfall."
** (186) Laj is suspicious, as usual. **
(186) Laj: "Merduk, think we have suitors?"
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Still wonder who that ship was. Can't worry about every apparition you see, though."
** (186) Laj jerks his thumb aft to the spot where we last saw the ship. **
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Suitors? What were you up to in Aaman?"
(186) Laj: "Captain, yes we can." Laj laughs like a hyena.
(179) Merduk: "Do the Aamanians even know who we were?"
(173) Captain Terevelos: "You almost sound hopeful, Merduk."
(179) Merduk: "Just trying to be practical."
(186) Laj: "Thinking of the daughter."
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Daughter?"
(173) Captain Terevelos: "What did you get up to?"
(186) Laj: "Long story, captain."
** (186) Laj raises an eyebrow at Merduk with a "shoud we tell him?" glance. **
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Not left any little fatherless Aamanians behind you, have you?"
(179) Merduk: "Aamanian women have sex? I thought they just prayed, and Aa conceived them all Immaculately, without all that distracting physical pleasure."
(173) Captain Terevelos: "You'd think so, the way they tell it."
(173) Captain Terevelos: "In any case, it's gone now. We'll keep an eye open, at least, in case it returns."
(179) Merduk: "Nah, didn't father any children. We mostly just played in the sewers."
(186) Laj: "Aye. Dark things in those sewers."
** (173) Captain Terevelos raises an eyebrow at the playing the the sewers remark. **
(186) Laj: "Another long story."
** (173) Captain Terevelos smiles. "Must've visited Aamahd." **
** (179) Merduk nods quietly. **
(173) GM: Evening approaches, and the Captain guides the ship gently onto the landing trestles.
(173) Captain Terevelos: "This is where we part ways, friends. Remember what I told you, and if you wish to head west to Kasmir, find a caravan. Safety in numbers."
** (186) Laj makes plans to contact the Djaffir as soon as possible. **
(173) Captain Terevelos: "I've a gift for you, or really Merdmira. She can take one of the greymanes below, so she won't have to try to keep up with the two of you on Aht-ras."
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Gift is too strong a word, call it a loan."
** (173) Captain Terevelos grins. **
(173) Captain Terevelos: "If you wish, you can stay the night aboard, save you a night in an expensive inn."
** (179) Merduk raises an eyebrow. Free equs? Is the captain sweet on my big sister? **
** (186) Laj wonders how far behind them the second windship was. **
(173) Captain Terevelos: (Do you wonder out loud, Laj?)
(173) GM: Another windship leaves the landing trestles to the right of the ship, and tacks west.
** (173) Merdmira looks especially pleased to be back on the ground. **
(186) Laj: (No. Silent thought, GM.)
(173) Merdmira: "See if I get in another windship."
** (186) Laj looks around and tries to memorize the other windships (if any) around them. **
(179) Merduk: "I don't feel like walking back to Cymril."
(173) GM: There are quite a few, mostly galeon sized, in various stages of loading or unloading cargo, even in the dim twilight.
(173) GM: Nowhere do you see a windrigger sized vessel.
(173) GM: The evening smell of the city washes through the shipyard on the breeze: cookfire smoke, meats cooking, provender steaming, a brief whiff of strong ale.
(186) Laj: "Stay on board is my choice."
(173) GM: The air has a slight tang of desert dust, and in the light you see a couple of spires of affluent Kasmirans. Most of the buildings are stark, plain, simple adobe construction.
(173) GM: You see a mixture of races in the shipyard, mostly Tazians seem to be on guard, carrying large, wicked looking swords and decked in garde armor.
(179) Merduk: "Maybe we can go ashore for some food, then come back and sleep."
(173) Captain Terevelos: "Very well, enjoy the night, and return later. The men on watch will recognize you, and let you back aboard."
(173) Captain Terevelos: "I have some business to attend, so forgive me if I do not join you tonight."
** (179) Merduk wonders about Thrall women. He has always had a taste for strong, tough girls. Even before the Arimite girl. His first crush was a Danuvian. **
(173) GM: (Feel the need to tempt fate, Merduk?)
(186) Laj: "As you wish."
(179) Merduk: (Hey, you can't control what does and doesn't turn your crank.)
** (173) Captain Terevelos nods politely, and walks purposefully off into the city. **
(173) Merdmira: "A girl sure gets thirsty waiting for landfall. Let's get something to drink, and drink a lot of it."
** (173) Merdmira clutches her ragged back, which bulges with what must be luck charms. **
(173) Merdmira: (s/back/bag/)
(179) Merduk: (I was wondering!)
(173) Merdmira: "Well, brother? Where do you think a tavern would be that won't through us out?"
(186) Laj: (I liked it better the first time.)
(173) Merdmira: (s/through/throw/)
(179) Merduk: "These are Kasmirans. I doubt they will throw us out before we've bought something."
(173) Merdmira: "Well, if they can tolerate me, I can tolerate them."
(173) Merdmira: "Come on, I'll find a place, then."
** (173) Merdmira totters off, trying to get her land legs back. **
** (179) Merduk follows. Is Laj coming? **
(186) Laj: "Aye. Just wondering how poorly Yitek are viewed here."
(173) Merdmira: "What that captain said earlier, I wouldn't think you'd be too welcome. We'd best find someplace that caters to foreigners."
(179) Merduk: "I'm sure that there are some Kasmirans who deal with Yitek, if only to buy loot."
(173) Merdmira: "Don't care. Thirsty. Looky there, there's a place."
(186) Laj: "Look for a Foreign Quarter."
(173) GM: There's a tavern near the shipyard, several of the crew seem to be headed there. Looks like all types would be welcome.
(186) Laj: "That will do."
(179) Merduk: (How much money do I have? It's been a while since the last game, and my old character sheet went away.)
(173) GM: (Let's see, you did do a stint as a mercenary, so you've probably got a decent nest egg. How much would you have taken with you?)
(179) Merduk: (I started off close to broke, actually. But I got some money from the past adventures.)
(173) GM: (Naj paid you 40 pentacles, and you probably spent a good chunk of that, and you probably got about 30 for your mercenary duty. So in total, you've probably got 50 pentacles worth of money.)
** (186) Laj pays for the first round. **
(179) Merduk: (Fair enough.)
(186) Laj: (Laj has about 100 pentacles and another 40 lumens according to my sheet.)
(173) GM: (Wow!)
** (186) Laj thinks, "Besides, I owe them for getting me out of the sewers when that deep creature attacked us." **
(173) GM: (You guys are getting affluent!)
(186) Laj: (Azradamus was generous.)
(173) GM: (Very! After all, what you're carrying is valuable!)
(173) GM: The tavern is a simple enough building, but it looks like attempts were made to liven the spirit a bit on the inside. The walls are painted with red and blue odd triangular designs, and there's a currently unoccupied stage at one end.
** (186) Laj remembers Aurelie and smirks. **
(173) GM: The serving wench walks up to your table. "What'll you have?"
(186) Laj: "Water and aquavit."
(173) Merdmira: "Something strong enough to forget a ship voyage, missy."
(173) GM: "And you, what do you want?" she asks Merduk.
(179) Merduk: ""Aquavit sound good"
(173) GM: She walks away without another word.
(186) Laj: "Friendly."
(186) Laj: "Bad omen."
(173) GM: Eventually she returns with Aquavit, water, and something that smells awful in a cup, but only after making the rounds of the sailors, who whoop and whistle and flirt with her.
(179) Merduk: (Is the serving wench Kasmiran?)
(173) GM: (No, she looks like a tanned Cymrillian, but you can't be sure.)
** (173) Merdmira takes a sip of her cup and makes a face. "I've had worse." **
(186) Laj: (What does a green-skinned tan look like? Just curious.) :)
** (186) Laj pours his aquavit into his water, disinfecting it. "Luck." **
(173) Merdmira: (Her skin color is tan, it could be a magical accoutrement.)
** (173) Merdmira gulps down her drink, and orders another. **
** (173) Merdmira continues to drink heavily, getting more abrasive with each cup. **
** (179) Merduk sips at his drink, looking at the clientele. **
(173) GM: The aquavit is decent, but you've definitely had better. The water is drinkable, but only after adding aquavit.
(186) Laj: "What a pit."
(173) GM: You notice that none of the other patrons are Kasmirans. There are Tazians, Zandir, Cymrillians, Sindarans, and two Gnomekin.
(173) GM: The two Gnomekin are playing cards, one is apparently winning easily.
(173) GM: The Sindarans keep to themselves.
(173) GM: The Zandir and several other races appear to be sailors or dockloaders.
(173) GM: At least it's quiet, for now.
(173) GM: A brave Zandir climbs up on the stage, and tries to play some bizarre instrument. A moment later, he begins singing. Neither the instrument nor his voice sounds remotely like music.
(173) GM: A couple of steamed provender roots get thrown his way, and he vacates the stage, obviously intoxicated.
(186) Laj: "As I said, a pit."
(186) Laj: "Worried about that windrigger behind us today."
(173) GM: A cymrillian walks up to the table. "You're a Yitek, aren't you?"
** (186) Laj slowly turns to look at the Cymrillian. "What of it?" **
(173) GM: "My name's Darandor. Mind if I sit?"
(186) Laj: "Depends."
** (173) Darandor motions for the serving wench. **
(173) Darandor: "I'll buy you a round."
(186) Laj: "Your coin."
** (186) Laj shrugs. **
** (173) Darandor sits as the waitress brings over more of the same. **
(173) Darandor: "Your lot have a certain, shall we say, reputation. I might have a bit of a business proposal."
** (186) Laj stares impassively at the Cymrillian. **
(173) Darandor: "As you may or may not know, Kasmirans bury their dead with a little nest egg, you know, a little insurance against the afterlife?"
** (179) Merduk watches impassively. He's interested, but doesn't show it. **
(186) Laj: "If you say so."
(173) Darandor: "Anyway, there's a certain fellow who found himself dead a couple of days ago. As tradition demands, he was buried with a decent sum of money. And some nice statues that a person like myself would like to get a hold of. Interested?"
(173) Darandor: "Let's say you keep half the coin, and I keep the statues."
(186) Laj: "And the other coin?"
(173) Darandor: "Mine, as well. I know the location of the grave."
(186) Laj: "So I do all the work and get 1/3 of the take. No deal."
(173) Darandor: "What do you think is fair, then?"
(186) Laj: "All the coin and anything else besides the statues."
(173) Darandor: "What? You don't have near enough wrinkles to be a Kasmiran. 60% of the coin, and anything else beside the statues."
(186) Laj: "Three-quarters and trinkets."
(173) Darandor: "Hmph. Done. You're a worse negotiator than Naj Taraj."
(186) Laj: "Friend of yours?"
(173) Darandor: "Client, on occasion. Sometimes I sell him some interesting tidbit, sometimes I buy. Been a while since he's been out here on an acquisition trip, though. I need some cash to tide me over. Hence the job."
(186) Laj: "Heard of him."
(173) Darandor: "Not surprised, That guy can out-negotiate a Kasmiran. Heard if he's headed back here soon?"
(186) Laj: "Wouldn't know."
** (186) Laj shrugs. **
(173) Darandor: "So here's the deal, I'll meet you tomorrow night after dark, outside the north gate. The gates close at dusk, so we'll have to spend the night outside. But you're desert folk, you must be used to that. I'll lead you to the tomb after it's good and dark."
** (186) Laj nods. **
(173) Darandor: "Allow me to buy another round." He leaves 4 lumens on the table. "See you tomorrow."
** (173) Darandor nods politely, and goes back to his stool at the bar. **
(186) Laj: "What do you think?"
** (173) Merdmira hiccups. " 'bout what?" **
(186) Laj: "That."
(179) Merduk: "Should you be taking this kind of work right now? We don't want to piss off the locals."
(173) Merdmira: "Him? Heh, not my type. Too uppity."
** (173) Merdmira gulps down another cup. **
(186) Laj: "Short time. Caution."
(173) Merdmira: "Hmm? Whatcher mean, Laj?"
(186) Laj: "May have to demur at first."
(186) Laj: "Need to talk to some friends first."
** (173) Merdmira hiccups. "Tomorrow we can make friends. Too drunk tonight. Gotta sleep. Where'd I put me shovel?" **
** (173) Merdmira gets up, and stumbles about, arousing laughter from some of the sailors. **
** (179) Merduk is watching. He doesn't want anyone taking advantage of his sister. **
(173) Merdmira: "Well, brother? I gotta lay down before I fall down. Pay the tab, and let's go."
** (179) Merduk pays the tab, quietly. **
** (186) Laj nods. "Paid, mostly." **