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Post by DM Bob on Nov 7, 2020 4:41:09 GMT -12
The silty sandstorm rages three full days.
Three boring days full of wind and attempts at distraction.
Stories with Lilim of the old days of Tyr, when Kalak was younger and the mines were running at full bore. Of her trips to a more vibrant Balic to visit family. And Altaruk, which she describes as a bustling town of stone and dual walls. Her depictions are of a larger community than currently rests to the north tip of the estuary... but you won't learn that until later.
The elves have dice. Druuso has a stone board and bits... one side is for the popular game, Three Armies & the other side has pits for Jumping Stones.
Your water and food stores are getting lower. You're constantly thirsty. The air is devoid of moisture.
The third night, a large (giant) brown bat slams into the mast of the boat and falls to the deck stunned. Desperation, hunger and the storm has caused some bad decisions - but thankfully not for our heroes. The dactyl-like pterran simply bites the animal in the neck and tears into its throat. The storm lets up mid morning, the crimson sun casting pinks and purples through the settling haze. Dried blood, silt and sand coat everything as you attempt to clean the deck enough to once again move on.
After a bit you're able to see the salty flats from the silt shore, with an odd amount of crusty yellows and ochre deposits. High to the sky, flying animals range to the east, following the vanishing storm winds, perhaps looking for other carcasses of stupid beasts that attempted to survive the weather.
You once again get moving, sails raised. Passing the isles where giants are said to live to your left, you estimate the multi-peak mini-range is easily 2-3 times the size of Ledo Isle. There are angry sounds, both animal and not. Abez gives it wide berth and insists on speed.
Late afternoon, you see a rise in the shore. White marble blocks, some ruined, other whole in wall form are seen before a dozen skimmers, a stone dock and the walled town of Altaruk. The dock is outside of the town proper; there are watchtowers - some wood, but more of stone. Mounts frame the city. Grasses blanket the hills behind, crodlu and erdlu - perhaps with riders are seen in the distance.
Horns sound as you approach. Altaruk is aware, vigilant and paranoid of the giants of the isle. Because of this you are to be expected.
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Post by Niachi on Nov 7, 2020 6:01:14 GMT -12
Laakh brings up an inspection of the ship and as long as 'the items' from Nibenay are securely wrapped in Hurk's pack, he asks if anyone has a problem with getting searched, by any means. "If anyone has something that could be considered contraband, now's the time"
eyeing the new party members and elves.
"I've been here once, a year or so past. Fortress town. Regular raids by giants. Seems to be a haven for spellcasters, not the bad kind. We're here to repair any storm damage and seek out my contact Andras, who runs a shop selling ink, parchment...things like that. I need to gather some intel in this wineshop I remember. And I need a new look. Khuv can I see that dagger? He will attempt a dry shave on his thick stubble.
"If The Item are discovered, We now need to agree on our story."
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2020 7:19:35 GMT -12
When asked about contraband Mak simply replies, "What's that word mean?" but doesn't suppose he's got any issues being searched.
To the group in general, "I suggest one of you mention to the leaders here about that island we passed. The giants there seemed angry, and after the storm that just hit them they may be looking to raid others for supplies."
Mak is interested in touring the town and the surrounding area outside of local civilization. If any of the elves in the crew have knowledge of this place he'll speak with them about acting as a guide.
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Post by DM Bob on Nov 7, 2020 7:28:53 GMT -12
Abez shakes his head.
"We shouldn't have much to worry about. I've made this trip a buncha times. They know the Gambit and they know we ain't refugees."
He does add the following statement.
"They follow the Law here though. Altaruk is technically Balic run, but with some oddities like Laahk here said. Bribery is a bigger deal here than most places, heard? They also ain't much for makin' a scene. You feck around too much, you'll be fightin' in the pits or sold into military service."
Also at this point an juncture, the dream spider webs are considered destroyed - due to the amount of silt, dust and sand that adhered to the sticky masses.
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Post by AthasianLaborer on Nov 7, 2020 7:42:56 GMT -12
"Maybe they would pay us to clear out the giants? We could at least ask? I don't believe that I have any contraband, but what possessions do I have aside from my clothes and my hammer?" Rizla states without ceasing his burpees.
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Post by Niachi on Nov 7, 2020 8:25:06 GMT -12
Laakh suggests everyone issued 5 silver to grease any palms and enjoy some R&R.
"Capn' Abez, take 20, we are proud to call you the rightful master of the silt and this amazing craft."
(Yiska still has 20 and Laakh has 20 from previous allotment.)
"Mak, they know the islands and considering the level of magic and Clairvoyance use I've seen here, they're on the brutes. But good strategy."
"Riz, I dunno how many full size giants you have killed in your days, but our combined count is zero and we have a few agendas working already. I like your spirit, save it for the worm people! But in case of a siege, I'm sure we can add our skills if pressed by the locals."
"Abez, any refitting or repairs need doing?" More silver for that if needed.
"Hurk, how are your moods today?" This is not the place to run around a hundred feet tall or whatever cellular mayhem you have planned. Let our coin do its work here."
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Post by Attilius on Nov 7, 2020 9:12:14 GMT -12
The silty sandstorm rages three full days… [LOL I read this without my glasses and thought it said The silly sandstorm… Yes silly indeed Bob!] Three boring days full of wind and attempts at distraction… After the two and half day mark, HurK wakes from his deep deep meditation. He flexes his muscles with a loud yawn and is seemingly bristling with newfound psionic energies “I feel… weird… weird but good. Master Gitmog only taught our class this specific meditation just before we left school and I never had a chance to enact his teachings… If the island giants attack, I’ll be able to focus my energies for a longer period…”Your water and food stores are getting lower. You're constantly thirsty. The air is devoid of moisture… HurK says “When we get into town, let’s fully restock our food and water barrels. I don’t ever want to have to leave the ship just because we’re starving. How much coin do you need to completely restock, Abez?”The third night, a large (giant) brown bat slams into the mast of the boat and falls to the deck stunned. Desperation, hunger and the storm has caused some bad decisions - but thankfully not for our heroes. The dactyl-like pterran simply bites the animal in the neck and tears into its throat. The storm lets up mid morning, the crimson sun casting pinks and purples through the settling haze. Dried blood, silt and sand coat everything as you attempt to clean the deck enough to once again move on… HurK studies the animal thoroughly before letting it get eaten. "Hurk, how are your moods today?" This is not the place to run around a hundred feet tall or whatever cellular mayhem you have planned. Let our coin do its work here." He grins broadly as he stretches his massive arms outward like a 12’ tall cross and takes in a deep breath “I am feeling excellent, empowered and refreshed. As to my metabolic sciences, if the giants attack, all bets are off. Otherwise I agree with you: I’ll make no waves today unless they come to me first.”As the crew prepare to dock, HurK pulls Laakh and Coden aside at the stern and speaks quietly. The half giant hands him the Datchi club and Kreen Gythka “My friend, besides our new weapons, I’d like to have your contacts identity and try to glean more of the lost etchings on the tablets. Learning THAT information will help us determine what should be done with the urns. Once known, maybe the best course is to give the urns to these good wizards to use against the greater fight versus evil? Or have them buried deep in an unknown hole lost to all...” |
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Post by Niachi on Nov 7, 2020 12:20:00 GMT -12
Also at this point an juncture, the dream spider webs are considered destroyed - due to the amount of silt, dust and sand that adhered to the sticky masses.
Laakh wipes the remnants off of his head and asks Yiska, the highest ranking elf among those with us, in his passable Elvish, then again in Common:
<"Any eleven solutions for blocking scrying? Legal or otherwise?">
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Post by Niachi on Nov 7, 2020 12:28:28 GMT -12
Agree with all of Hurk's statements, and along with Coden, Laakh affirms that The Items are not to be brought up until he uses Information Gathering to see if word has spread of our little heist, or bounties on us.
"tread very carefully and pass it on. We collect enemies but this is a good place to find more friends, yes?"
If no objections, hand the gythka to Rizla and Laakh will tie the datchi club to his own pack, hoping he doesn't fumble it.
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Post by Attilius on Nov 7, 2020 12:42:45 GMT -12
Also at this point an juncture, the dream spider webs are considered destroyed - due to the amount of silt, dust and sand that adhered to the sticky masses.
Laakh wipes the remnants off of his head and asks Yiska, the highest ranking elf among those with us, in his passable Elvish, then again in Common:
<"Any eleven solutions for blocking scrying? Legal or otherwise?"> The half giant quickly scrambles to collect all the remaining stored webbing that has been tucked away "Yiska can you grab the other webbing we used up on the roof please?" HurK quickly helps wrap Laakh and Rizla as necessary. |
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Post by Niachi on Nov 7, 2020 15:10:30 GMT -12
Once re-webbed, Laakh repeats his question.
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Post by Coden Rokos (Jesse H.) on Nov 7, 2020 17:49:05 GMT -12
As the crew prepare to dock, HurK pulls Laakh and Coden aside at the stern and speaks quietly. The half giant hands him the Datchi club and Kreen Gythka “My friend, besides our new weapons, I’d like to have your contacts identity and try to glean more of the lost etchings on the tablets. Learning THAT information will help us determine what should be done with the urns. Once known, maybe the best course is to give the urns to these good wizards to use against the greater fight versus evil? Or have them buried deep in an unknown hole lost to all...” says Coden to HurK. "Aside from my family, I am mostly connected with some bureaucrats and some military personnel. This is... outside of my purview." |
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Post by Attilius on Nov 7, 2020 19:44:46 GMT -12
"Understood Coden. Hopefully Laakh's contacts here will be able to uncover the answers we seek..."
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Post by AthasianLaborer on Nov 8, 2020 0:10:24 GMT -12
Rizla will take the Gythka and perform a demonstration with it. (OOC: While entering Rizla's character information, I realized that I had miscalculated a few things, I'll spend one of the extra weapon proficiencies I realized I have for him on Gythka Specialization. He'll be fully entered today.)
"In return for your actions with the magic hole, I willing indenture myself to your service" as he adopts a position just behind Khuv to his righthand side. "Where can we find this contact of yours Laakh?"
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Post by Niachi on Nov 8, 2020 5:38:19 GMT -12
Laakh describes the contact and shop as he remembers. "Andras. Well connected with discretion, An owlish, dark bearded shopkeeper for a store that sells papyrus, papers, parchment and ink. Middle of merchant's row. In his mid 60’s. Musical lilt to his voice. Considering I'm not useful with any of our new gear, I intend to get a value of this datchi club and trade or sell it for something I can use, offense or defense. We can find a meal and a mug and beds at The 4 Bits. Not sure if they can stable the pterrax, so that's the first thing to figure out (making more coin gesture)
Oh and Hurk, Given their history with Large Folk, expect extra guards tailing you. Just local custom. Shall we?"
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