In this game, our heros buy a few travelling supplies, find out a little more about their upcoming 'job' and meet Naia... Ah, Naia. How to categorize her? Important NPC? Definitely. She had that halo of thorough description that marks all important NPCs. But who is she, and why is she important?
(8) GM: The morning sunlight glistens through the dry air.
(8) GM: Our heros are standing below the gangplank.
(8) GM: Merdmira is following behind.
(8) GM: (Ok, last game, you guys had the dream, and awoke with sand grains near your feet.)
(9) Merduk: "This dream stuff is getting annoying."
(10) Laj: (Yes, the Ariane beckoning us closer.)
(9) Merduk: "Hey, Merd, are you getting the dreams too?"
** (10) Laj nods solemnly. "Sorcery." **
(8) Merdmira: "Dreams are omens, they're always omens to a witch."
(8) Merdmira: "Question is, what do they mean? That's always the trick. When the farmers have dreams and want to talk to a witch about 'em, it's easy. I just tell them what they wanna hear."
(10) Laj: "Do they believe you?"
(8) Merdmira: "Course. And sometimes they even pay the bill."
** Merdmira chuckles. **
(8) Merdmira: "And when they don't, there's the shovel.
** (9) Merduk remembers asking Merd as a teenager if he would ever get his Danuvian sword teacher to marry him. She always said yes. **
(8) Merdmira: (Ha!)
(8) Merdmira: "Let's get to the market and see what they want to buy."
** Merdmira hefts her bag of charms. **
(10) Laj: "The Djaffir may aid us--a little."
** (10) Laj readies himself to go to the market. **
** (9) Merduk follows to the market as well. **
(8) GM: The agora is east of the shipyard, past large plain adobe buildings. The colorful tents spread seemingly to the horizon. The Kasmirans sneer at Laj disdainfully.
** (9) Merduk mutters to Laj. "I don't know if you should take that 'job'. We want to continue to be welcome in the Seven Kingdoms, after all." **
(8) GM: Most of the tents are simply stalls, but nearer the center are fully enclosed tent shops. You see quite a few selling supplies, but eventually you find one being run by a Djaffir merchant.
(10) Laj: "Haven't seen the job yet."
** (10) Laj greets the Djaffir in Nomadic. **
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "Brother of the sand, welcome. You are truly brave to walk in this city. Do not let the moons see your path."
** (9) Merduk just stands there. He only speaks Low Talislan. **
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "My shop is open to you, please come in and acquaint yourselves with my goods."
** Merdmira gives him a good squinting at, and walks inside. **
(10) Laj: "Come on Merduk."
(8) GM: Inside the shop, dimly lit through the tent fabric is a curious assortment of statuettes, idols, trinkets, empty waterskins, dried food, and aht-ra grain meal.
** (10) Laj thanks the Djaffir in Nomadic. "It is a strange path we tread. I have questions and a favor. I will ask your guidance and compensate you for your time." **
** (9) Merduk goes in and looks around. **
(8) GM: The shade is welcome, even this early in the morning the heat is significant.
(8) Djaffir Merchant: (In Low Talislan) "What can a humble merchant offer you today?"
(9) Merduk: "Just looking."
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "Something for traveling? Perhaps a god image to help you through the tough times?"
** (10) Laj rolls his eyes at Merduk's lack of manners. "We shall need waterskins, grain, some food, and your advice." **
(9) Merduk: (Showing off that lovely -2 Charisma.)
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "Advice is free, of course. What sort of supplies would you require?"
(10) Laj: "As you said, I am brave--or perhaps fated--to walk in this city. How would such a path be hidden? Perhaps a mask might help."
(8) GM: Behind his sculpted leather mask it is impossible to sense his expression.
(10) Laj: "Three skins, enough grain for a week for two steeds, and dried food for three for a week."
(10) Laj: "I also ask your advice concerning work here...traditional work."
(10) Laj: "Work of my people, so to say."
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "The supplies I have here. A disguise is a wise investment. I may be able to help you."
** Djaffir Merchant 's slight laugh is almost indaudible. **
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "I think I understand. What would you like to know?"
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "If you were to ask of the profits of such an endeavour, I do not know, but given the customs of the Kasmirans, there is coin to be made."
(10) Laj: "There is an opportunity. I wish to know the climate should I undertake it--drizzle, rain, or downpour?"
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "There is a significant risk, however. Let us say your reputation precedes you, and the Kasmirans take a dim view of the eternal rest of one of their own being violated."
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "If you feel you would not be apprehended, then the reward should be great. Be certain, however, the greater the reward, the greater the risk. The trapsmages charge a fair coin for protecting a tomb, and they earn their money."
(10) Laj: "Apprehension is the problem. My trust lies not with the contact. He is Cymrillian."
** (10) Laj speaks in Nomadic briefly. "Had the opportunity come from you and yours, I would not hesitate." **
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "There are many Cymrilians here. Most are here honestly. But a few are not. There are names I know, but could not repeat. There are some that I would not have business with."
** (10) Laj searches his mind for the names of the windrigger smuggler and the bar contact. **
** (9) Merduk wanders the shop, browsing the merchandise. **
(10) Laj: "Cymrillians have many names. Names such as Darandor. Or Tolin."
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "I know both names. May Tolin never set foot in my shop. Darandor, however, is on occasion a supplier. I do not ask where he gets his inventory."
(8) Merdmira: "Supplier? You mean the statues?"
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "Those, and other charms, yes."
** (10) Laj nods at the Djaffir. He rolls his eyes at Merdmira. **
(10) Laj: "It is unlucky to ask the origin of something."
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "Very."
(8) Merdmira: "Then you won't ask the origin of these. What price for the lot?"
(10) Laj: "One last thing. Has anyone heard of an Ariane in the deserts these past weeks?"
** Merdmira pours out the luck charms on the table. **
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "These are luck charms, yes? On occasion I have need for one. Perhaps I only need three of them."
(8) Merdmira: "There's eleven there, and they go together, or no discount."
** (10) Laj stands back as Merdmira gets ready to be Djaffir-ed. **
** (9) Merduk likes watching his big sister be tough. **
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "Let me be frank. The Kasmirans scoff at such as these, they do not believe in luck. It is only the foreigners who would have interest. It is no offense to you, but I simply cannot sell many."
(8) Merdmira: "Twenty five lumens for five of them, then. And that's a low price."
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "I can offer you no more than twenty lumens for five of them. There simply is not much demand."
** Merdmira considers a moment. **
** (9) Merduk shakes his head at the idea that people might not believe in luck. It's like not believing in air or water. **
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "Let us first return to grain, dried food, and waterskins."
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "I can accomodate your traveling needs for 50 lumens."
** (10) Laj nods. "Your price is met. That is our agreement." **
** Djaffir Merchant nods. **
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "The moons bless the sands this day. I have all you require here."
(8) Merdmira: "Very well, I'll take your offer. How much for a weeks worth of graymane meal?"
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "I'll pay you ten lumens plus a weeks worth of grain for an equus for five charms."
** Merdmira frowns, then nods. **
** (10) Laj arches an eyebrow. The Djaffir strike again. **
** Merdmira grudgingly hands over five charms. **
(8) GM: A Cymrilian woman comes in the tent, and starts looking over the statuettes.
** Djaffir Merchant begins bagging the food and supplies in a large cloth sack. **
(8) Cymrilian woman: "Pardon me, but do you have any more of these?"
** (10) Laj carefully pays the Djaffir ten gold pentacles. **
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "The statues? I should have some soon. Please allow me a just moment to finish this transaction."
** Cymrilian woman nods and smiles at you. **
(9) Merduk: (Me?)
** (10) Laj realizes that the fix is in on the tomb. **
(8) GM: (Smiling generically at Laj and Merduk.)
** (9) Merduk tries to smile back in a casual friendly manner, and fails due to charisma failure. **
(8) GM: (Laj, you get the impression that he indeed knows Darandor, and has purchased his wares before.)
** Cymrilian woman is dressed in a long blue dress, hair tied behind her head with a silver clasp. She carries a small beige cloth bag. **
(10) Laj: (I figured that. Whether the Cymrillian woman is an accomplice of Darandor or just a harmless shopper remains to be seen.) :)
(8) Cymrilian woman: "I couldn't help but notice you are buying food. Are you traveling, by chance?"
(10) Laj: "Nomads."
** Cymrilian woman has a quiet, soft voice and seems exceptionally attractive. **
** (10) Laj is immediately suspicious. Any attractive woman talking nicely to a Yitek sets off alarm bells. **
(8) Cymrilian woman: "In the desert? I wish to travel east. If you were going that way, I would like the safety of not travelling alone."
(8) GM: (Yeah, I guessed that.)
(10) Laj: "Have your own mount?"
(8) Cymrilian woman: "I am called Naia."
(8) Naia: "Yes, I have a graymane."
(9) Merduk: (Cool! Another h4wt b4b3 who will inexplicably fall in love with Merduk! Bring it on!)
(10) Laj: "Been in the desert before?"
** Naia laughs softly. **
(8) Naia: "Yes, I have traveled under the hot sun before."
** (10) Laj looks at Merduk. **
(10) Laj: (As if to say, "Whaddaya think?")
(8) Naia: "Well you allow me to join you?"
** Naia smiles almost demurely. **
** Merdmira sniffs loudly. **
** (9) Merduk shrugs, as if to say, "Why not?" **
(10) Laj: "Become a burden and prepare to ride alone. Guide fees apply."
(8) Naia: "Very well. What sort of fees?"
(10) Laj: "Two lumens per day. Bring your own food to share and feed for mount. Personal safety not guaranteed."
(10) Laj: "Destination?"
(8) Naia: "I accept the risks, and your offer."
(10) Laj: "Be aware--not easy. Starvation, thirst, demons, and Za in the desert. And those are just the normal hazards."
(8) Naia: "I travel to Akmir, first. Possibly to El Aran after."
** (10) Laj smirks at the soft Cymrillian woman. **
(10) Laj: "Very well."
(8) Naia: "I can be ready to leave tomorrow morning, if that will fit in with your schedule."
(10) Laj: (Clarification: Are we riding from Kasir or taking the windship?)
(8) GM: (Terevelos' journey stops here, so you'll have to ride, or hire another windship, which might prove expensive."
(8) GM: (In fact, He's probably started loading his return cargo already.)
(10) Laj: "In luck. Leave before dawn."
(10) Laj: "Make that just after dawn."
(8) Naia: "Very well. Shall we meet at the East Gate?"
** (10) Laj thinks about time tables. **
** (10) Laj nods. **
(10) Laj: "East gate. Just after dawn."
** Naia smiles her endearing smile again. "Very well. I'll see you tomorrow morning." **
** Naia bows politely toward you both, and leaves the tent. **
** (10) Laj has a bad feeling about Naia, but then again, he has a bad feeling about most things. **
(9) Merduk: (Awww, yeah! Merduk's gon' get hisself some green-tang! Awww, yeah!)
(8) GM: (HA!)
** Merdmira snorts. **
(9) Merduk: (Probably not. :) Merduk actually has more of a taste for the bad-ass warrior chick type.)
** Merdmira smacks Merduk's shoulder. "Stop gaping, brother, it's pathetic." **
(10) Laj: "Probably an assassin. Or a Tanasian. Or a pseudomorph...."
** (9) Merduk shrugs. "Not my type. Too scrawny." **
(8) Merdmira: "That silver clasp is magic, but then damn near everything on a greenskin is magic."
(8) Merdmira: (s/clasp/hair ring/)
(10) Laj: "And the disguise you mentioned, cousin?" Laj looks uncomfortably at the Djaffir.
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "Indeed. I cannot sell you a mask such as would fool one of my people, but I can sell you something that will fool everyone else."
(10) Laj: "That is more than enough."
** Djaffir Merchant produces a leather mask that resembles a Djaffa's mask. **
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "And here is a robe that will complete the ensemble. Provided you avoid Djaffir, myself excepted, you will be taken as one of us."
** Djaffir Merchant produces a sandy colored robe similar to the one he is wearing. **
(10) Laj: "That is exactly what I had in mind, cousin. I will not abuse this gift."
** (10) Laj takes the robe and mask. **
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "If a Djaffir takes offense because he believes you are trying to impersonate one of us, he may do violence. Do not annoy my people, please."
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "And for the low price of 35 lumens, it is yours."
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "Will your companions require such disguises as well?"
(10) Laj: "This is a brief matter. I will avoid your people. Hmm, they might. Again, it is a brief matter."
(10) Laj: "Want to be Aamanians, my friends?"
(9) Merduk: "You know, not even a little?"
(10) Laj: "Easy disguise--shave and powder."
(9) Merduk: "Why are we in disguise again, anyway?"
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "A truly unhappy state of existence."
** (10) Laj laughs hollowly. **
(10) Laj: "Better them than us, cousin."
(8) GM: (Laj had the best Aamanian name ever: Aazol)
(8) Merdmira: "Don't wanna be no whitie. Might get into more fights than a Marukan would."
(10) Laj: (LOL. It was mostly inadvertent. Freudian slip.)
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "Aamanians are certainly not popular here. There was a fellow built a temple to Aa not long ago. Not many converts."
(10) Laj: "Your sister could clamber on your shoulders and you could be a bargain model Ahazu warrior."
(10) Laj: "No wonder, cousin. Zealots."
** Djaffir Merchant grumbles at Laj. **
(8) Merdmira: (dangit.)
** Merdmira grumbles at Laj. **
(9) Merduk: "Can you imagine what their music is like? It probably sounds like 'Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.'"
(9) Merduk: "Second verse, same as the first. 'Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.'"
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "It is wise to believe with your heart. It is foolish to force others to believe with your heart."
** (10) Laj nods. **
(10) Laj: "One more thing. The Ariane--have you heard of anything?"
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "A few of their kind travel here. They buy so little, but are almost always welcome anywhere they go. It is not unheard of for one or three to be in our city."
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "There was an Ariane here, a seeker. He purchased food with ancient gold coins."
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "That is the only one who has graced my stall."
(10) Laj: "How long ago?"
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "Months, at least six months ago."
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "I had forgotten, until you mentioned Ariane."
** (10) Laj nods. "Many thanks. **
(8) Djaffir Merchant: "May you sleep on warm sands."
** Djaffir Merchant bows slightly but politely. **
(10) Laj: "May your water be sweet and cool."
** (10) Laj bows slightly in return. **
(8) GM: The suns outside shine down brightly, and you feel thirsty just returning to the bright sunlight.
(8) GM: There is no sign of Naia outside.
(10) Laj: "Find the Cymrillian. Nap. Pack for trip. Ready mounts. Meet, open, loot, run. Out of Kasir by first light."
** Merdmira squints in the bright light. "I'd forgotten how brightly the suns shine in the desert." **
(10) Laj: "Get used to it. More coming."
(9) Merduk: "Sounds like a plan."
(8) Merdmira: "Hrmph. I'll live, always do. Maybe some of these mercenaries believe in luck charms."
(10) Laj: (I'd say we return to the foreign quarter tavern, find the Cymrillian thief, set a time, get to the tomb early, etc.)
(8) GM: (Merduk, anything else you want to look for in the agora?)
(9) Merduk: (Not really. We have the essentials.)
(10) Laj: (While in the agora, Laj remains dressed like a Yitek.)
(8) GM: (Then we'll return to the shipyard tavern?)
(8) GM: (Laj, do you want to sneak into an alley and change?)
(10) Laj: (Wise suggestion. Why draw attention to the Cymrillian--and to us?)
** (10) Laj finds an alley--a deserted one. He quickly dons the robe and mask. **
(8) Merdmira: "Hrm, looks good enough to me."
(10) Laj: Nearly forgetting, he pulls off his gauze gloves, revealing nimble brown hands.
(10) Laj: "Good. Lead on."
(8) GM: On the surface, the mask looks genuine. Looking closely, however, it lacks the fine detail that a real Djaffir mask would have.
(8) GM: There are none of the fine tool marks, or delicate stitching that marks the true article.
(9) Merduk: (If a lot of Djaffir sell fake masks, they may keep quiet out of respect. Like "I know he's fake, but I'll pretend he's real, or no one will buy my fake masks!")
(8) GM: (heh, a point Laj is betting his life on!)
(10) Laj: (Laj trusts the Djaffir--more than anyone else. Besides, that Djaffir merchant probably suspects that his next shipment will come courtesy of Laj Yeto.)
(10) Laj: We make our way back to the shipyard tavern.
(8) GM: The tavern is much as it was before, dimly lit, a wide variety of sailors and cargo handlers and mercenaries.
(10) Laj: "See him?"
** (9) Merduk looks around for someone familiar. **
(8) GM: The serving girl still seems to be running to keep up.
(8) GM: The shady Cymrilian is over in a corner, talking to another Cymrilian in fine robe and gold jewelry. Two Thralls stand nearby, armed with greatswords and wearing garde armor. They look somber and grim, obviously bodyguards.
(8) Darandor: "That's it? What happened to the rest?"
** (9) Merduk looks to see if there are any female Thralls around. :) **
(8) Cymrilian: "Hey, you were late. That's what happens when your late, there's a late charge."
(8) Darandor: "But I've got a buyer lined up and everything!"
(8) Cymrilian: "Then pay me what it's worth, and it's yours."
** Darandor grumblingly hands over a tidy sum of lumens. **
** (10) Laj has a very bad feeling about this. He suspects that the rich Cymrillian is Tolin. **
** Cymrilian smiles, and hands over something wrapped in beige cloth. **
(10) Laj: "Hold back until he's alone."
** Darandor takes the package. "I'll see you next week with the rest of the money." **
(10) Laj: (Can we get a look at the object? Relative size, possible weight, rough shape, anything like that?)
(8) Cymrilian: "Do not be late again."
(8) GM: (Observation rolls)
(10) Laj: [1d20+7] -> [15,7] = (22) Observation
(9) Merduk: (Man, you and your Observation!)
(8) GM: (Good grief, Laj! Nothing escapes your eyes!)
(8) GM: The object has some weight, it's about one and a half feet in length, probably roughly cylindrical. By the way he is holding it, it's heavy enough to be stone. He grasps it near its bottom, which make you think it might be a statuette similar to the ones in the Djaffir's tent.
(10) Laj: (Understood. Thanks. I have 78 points to spend, too!)
(10) Laj: "Wait for the moneybags to leave."
(8) GM: (Good gods!)
(10) Laj: "Merdmira, any magic on him?"
** Cymrilian gets up, and motions the Thralls to follow, which they do. He leaves the tavern. **
(8) Merdmira: "Like sand in the desert."
(10) Laj: (How about Observation +10 for the low, low price of 36 points?)
(10) Laj: "Figures. He's trouble."
(8) Merdmira: "Looks it."
** Darandor drinks a whole ale without stopping. **
** (9) Merduk continues to watch quietly. **
** Darandor notices Merduk, and walks over. **
(8) Darandor: "Hello, where's your friend?"
** (9) Merduk becomes apprehensive. **
(9) Merduk: "Friend?"
(8) Darandor: "The uh, professional."
(10) Laj: "He'll meet you. Name the time and the place."
(8) Darandor: "South gate, before sundown. Gate closes at sundown, so we'll have to sleep out there."
(8) Darandor: "Sound acceptable?"
(10) Laj: "Come alone."
(8) Darandor: "I plan to."
** (10) Laj nods, indicating that we can leave now. **
(8) Darandor: "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to meet someone, and try to get at least half of my money back."
(10) Laj: "Tough sale."
(8) Darandor: "Sometimes. This one's worth it. Foreigner, leaving tonight. Gotta catch him before he leaves."
** Darandor nods at you, and leaves the tavern. **
** Merdmira snorts. **
** (10) Laj waits until he leaves. **
(8) Merdmira: "That guy gets on my nerves. Reminds me of this dung merchant I used to know."
** Merdmira takes advantage of her time at the tavern and orders a tall ale. **
(9) Merduk: "So what do we have left to do today?"
(8) Merdmira: "Wanna buy a luck charm?" she asks the waitress.
(10) Laj: "He's off to make a sale. Maybe to Torin. Maybe to Trevelos. Who knows?"
(10) Laj: "Nap. No sleep tonight. Ready mounts. Meet at sundown."
(8) Merdmira: "Ok." She drinks her ale quickly.
(8) GM: (You guys rent a room and nap until time to leave?)
(10) Laj: (Or do we stay on the boat?)
(10) Laj: (That's where the mounts are, correct?)
(8) GM: (Didn't you stable them this morning?)
(9) Merduk: (I think we did.)
(10) Laj: (Never mind. My bad.)
(10) Laj: "Rent a room or go camp in the desert outside the city. Either is fine."
(8) GM: (Your choice, Merduk)
(8) GM: (When he decides, it's a good place to stop for tonight.)
(9) Merduk: "I'd prefer a room, but outside seems more convenient."
(9) Merduk: "Let's do outside. Make sure we have blankets. The desert is cold at night."
(10) Laj: "My preference. Fewer people who see us, the better."
** Merdmira looks glum, but at least she has her ale. **
(8) GM: (And that's where we'll leave it.)