Assault from the ruins...

[DM Bob]

You exit the inn into the desert heat. The crimson sun is low and directly in your eyes revealing broken shadows of both ruin & function. The sky is olive and cloudless. The 800 foot (about 2.5 football fields) stone span is wide enough for a mekillot to pass, but lacks much in the way of safety - only thin rope tied onto occasional stone posts provide any reassurance that one simply couldn't vanish over the side.

Voi is almost to the bridge with his dwur's pace.

The giantess is seen heading to your right (north). She has stopped bellowing orders once you've all exited.

Drums and ceramic whistles are now beginning to be heard. There are distant replies from the opposite end of the bridge. House flags are being waved... to some sort of pattern or communication between the posts. Bodies begin to file across the expanse - the guard seems well trained.

Do you follow?

[DM Bob]

Clarification due to request. There is stone wall on both sides of the dry, river gorge. Two towers of mixed construction (stone, wood and bone) can be seen on the far side of the bridge. Other stone ruins can be seen peeking here and there, but the elevation and distance currently makes that hard to get a read on anything upon the opposite side.

From what you can gather, due to the dry gorge splitting the terrain both north and south of Celik, that caravans to the west and or south are actually plodded through the city (both sides). House Maraneth holds the path... but as we can see? That can be compromised, and is currently under attack.

You stand in the south end of the new (eastern) half of Celik - where Maraneth holds complete sway... at least above ground.

[ascieszl]

Aug 15, 2021 14:36:27 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

There is one more oddity here, a law that no one breaks for fear of death. Nothing, no service rendered - no matter how small, could be done without a fee. Even a bit would suffice. If this Law wasn't followed? The Grey Man would appear and throw the offender into the dry river bed and to their death, to be torn apart by the animals and monsters below.

Ibubesi's pace slows as he thinks upon (the above) words he has heard here in Celik. 

"Perhaps we should not offer to assist in the defense unless an agreement is reached first...."

He still follows in the direction of the commotion, simply letting himself hang back (rather than rushing towards it).

[Attilius]

"I'll scout ahead. Anyone with Mindlink, contact me." Says Hawkings as he lays down flat on his belly. Suddenly he's gone with a small 'pop' sound.

[Teleport 19 to the roof of the far right guard tower on the ruins side of the bridge. Rolled 17 = success
Power manipulation 18, rolled 16.
-29 PsP's]

Bob what does Hawkings see from his hidden vantage point?

[neujack]

Baxby will listen with his Detect Noise skill to see if he can figure out what's going on.
(Hear Noise, I have a 30%. And I rolled a 43. D'oh!)

[DM Bob]

To clarify? If you were to help?

They would need to pay *you* some token of commerce (if they were aware of your deed).

***

Hawkings is about twenty feet higher and closer to some of the hub bub.

Stone streets sprawl out almost maze-like, or better yet... web-like in front of him. Behind? A sheer drop off down to the riverbed past the walls. He can make out the bridge to the north in the distance. In between the two bridges? There is a gap in the wall and an odd stone structure like the beginnings of an unfinished third bridge.

The House guard seems to be following the wall to the south - heading away from your vantage point. (That'd be a hard left from the bridge once crossed for the others.)

They have a hodgepodge of weapons, but a lot seem to have been brought from Balic or Altaruk, as there's a lot of erdlu bone spears, javelin and clubs. Their armor? Nigh near non-existent - leathern or hide shield or bucklers at best. Mainly human and dwarf in composition.

Buildings in various states of condition: ancient adobe, stone and brick are seen sprawling as far as the halfling can see in the beginnings of sunset. Small towers and larger structures are seen further in the distance.

The caravan mentioned? That has not been spotted. Nor these "greys".

There is also sound of preparation below the tiny psion. He guesses there's at least one person below him, in the watch tower proper.

***

Quick sketch map. I can't get it to rotate properly after download. Please look to the North compass point before referring to the map. darksuncelikgoldrush.obsidianportal.com/maps/128765

[Sambar/Berf]

Sambar stands up from the table after the giantess leaves, and heads outside. following the commotion, he sees the distant waving flags across the bridge. He looks around for a few seconds, finding a small nook along the way to the bridge, where he slinks in and with a moment's concentration slips into his Chameleon camouflage (power roll: 12) before closing in on the frey.

[Attilius]

Aug 16, 2021 2:58:14 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

The House guard seems to be following the wall to the south - heading away from your vantage point. (That'd be a hard left from the bridge once crossed for the others.)

Hawkings simply watches where the house guard goes and what other high vantage points are at their location

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Valmera stands a bit nervous with all the rushed movement of people around getting ready for what it might come, expecting some more intel about what lies ahead. In the meantime, she looks around, avoiding been pickpocketed with all this closer by chaos

[Niachi]

Moktli keeps pace with Baxby and Ibubesi, wondering about this menace "the greys" ...the unliving? He uncovers the shortbow on his back

OOC: Bob - rolling for Undead Knowledge (Wisdom 0, The Complete Sha'ir's Handbook pg. 123)

Rolled 9 vs. 13.

[DM Bob]

Hmm. Moktli knows of certain dead, supposedly as strong as a salt walker...

That are said to have come directly back from the Grey. Their color is washed, much like a salt zombie.

This could be it. If this is true? Tales of them moving as quick as mortals could be worrisome as well.

[Attilius]

Hawkings quietly begins climbing down the rear of the guard tower to meet up with the group crossing the bridge
[Made a mistake on PsP calculations so now he's got to walk (climb)  ]

[Niachi]

Moktli taps those still near him as they cross the bridge.

"Maybe these 'greys' be Undead. Heard they be quick. Ho! Lookit our little Disappearin' Man comin' back. Uh where the pterrax go?"

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

Calidane accompanies Valmera, similarly uncomfortable with the idea of being the first line of defense against this invasion of... whatever they are.

[DM Bob]

To be honest? It's hard as hell to see the little man - perhaps the flash of pink catches your eye.

Three football fields worth of distance and a 3 foot tall psion don't make for much to see in this light.

If you advance? You can close some distance...

A guard in the tower remarks to another inside as the halfling shimmies down.

"What's that noise? Flatbows to the rear, Syd."