Passing time in the trade fortress

[Deleted]

If Khuv desires the dagger, Mak will not make a claim on it as he's not personally skilled with dagger use.

He is happy to accompany any of the PCs into the market to use divinations on their behalf. [Let me know how many Detect Magics or other magics are needed so I can keep track]

With his free time, Mak will walk among the refugees, seeking to understand them and their circumstances, eager to strike up a conversation. He will also walk about the outskirts of Altaruk on the far side from the sea of silt to a distance of 1 mile. He's specifically looking for arable land or any sign of agriculture (previous or current).

[Attilius]

When Mak is ready to telepathically speak to the other Urn, HurK will be there with his Tower of Iron Will.

[Deleted]

Nov 18, 2020 8:19:05 GMT -12 Attilius said:

When Mak is ready to telepathically speak to the other Urn, HurK will be there with his Tower of Iron Will.

Mak won't contact the 2nd urn for 2 days after making contact with the first urn, but will seek the same assistance with mental defenses when he attempts to do so. In the meantime he's focused on Altaruk and potentially working with the refugees (or getting the refugees to assist Hurk in clean-up).

[DM Bob]

Laahk can get everything he wishes custom made in three days time for 2 silvers. The leather worker, Len (a human with a slight stutter), is very happy for the commission.

***

The refugees here are mainly ex-slaves. They took the opportunity to leave the city with little but the clothes on their backs among the chaos of Kalak's death. There are at least thirty that hail from Tyr... perhaps 5 or 6 families and a few irregulars. They tell of the festival time and games, a fouled ritual, crimson portals above the arena, stampedes of regular folk and a mass exodus of the aware.

One, a young male mul, states, "I left later. One of the few." He gestures to the ramshackle camp. "Strange men and women dressed in foreign garb took over the templarate. Women were taken away; half the men vanished. I lucked in with some from Urik and eventually I turned away here. Too risky being on the front lines, your hear?"

***

The mercs that Hurk speaks to are simply lazy. Altaruk doesn't always get giant attacks and the pay is decent enough to watch the silt. You have them working. Tsk, tsk. Perhaps this was Tellamon's plan all along. At least they'll be mad at you and not the garrison master.

***

Andras is reluctant, but offers his help securing another mage if another decides it worth pursuing.

"I am but a scholar. But maybe another will bite. Give it a few days... I take it you have plenty of resources for such a hire to draw on?"

***

Belial has a few oddities on hand.

"I have a ranike club - best used for subduing insects or kreen, it makes them sleepy... for 70 silvers.

Three iron trikals of templar make, 3 gold a piece.

Seven bone shaft, but iron tipped javelins (also from Tyr), 7 silvers a piece.

And lastly, if you have 20 gold coins? You can have my personal blade."

She draws a bit of steel from her scabbard - it's a steel longsword, well worn, but deadly in it's own right.

(not to mention most stone, bone or obsidian normal weaponry)

***

More tomorrow concerning fights and noble hob-nobbing.

[Attilius]

Nov 18, 2020 15:08:13 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

The mercs that Hurk speaks to are simply lazy. Altaruk doesn't always get giant attacks and the pay is decent enough to watch the silt. You have them working. Tsk, tsk. Perhaps this was Tellamon's plan all along. At least they'll be mad at you and not the garrison master.

36' tall B'rohg-HurK can't believe the whining:




...then yells at them to suck it up and double time it!

[Deleted]

After meeting with the refugees and hearing their stories of the fall of Tyr, Mak will walk the surrounding environment outside of Altaruk that is away from the silt to a distance of 1 mile. What's the environment like and is there any sign of agriculture or former agriculture? Any grazing animals?

[DM Bob]

There *is* evidence of prior farming, mainly in the squarish sections of rough grass and faint furrows that parallel the silt shore. You are pretty sure that the majority of smaller stone blocks were from an irrigation system of some sort, now long impossible to reconstruct or fathom. Crodlu and erdlu graze, in fact, there is a heavy mounted contingent of defenders, often drilling and patrolling the area. The militant types tend to wear inix leather cuirasses and carry long mekillot or crodlu bone lances or long spears. While the environment is dry, the old peaks seem to keep the worst of the winds from affecting the port proper. You would guess that the groundwater is sufficient, but possibly underutilized.

***

You feel no one wishes to mess with the moody pseudo half giant. (As a side note, after looking at the party's general alignment, I want you to choose between Neutral and Good, Markus.)

***

The Bloodsand arena is an interesting theatre of violence, no where near on par with a City State's colosseum. Built of repurposed stone and bone, there is slightly elevated sitting room for a hundred and perhaps standing room for half that. Rizla gets the proper tour, and a free fighter given free reign. There is a section where 6 gith are seen penned together... you take it that they are the crew you will be fighting. The lizard-elf-like humanoids look at anyone passing with shifty eyes.

There are also a few other pit fighters, a half giant and particularly savage looking mul.

Another couple of caged pens contain large, hairy brown spiders and a single giant black carapaced scorpion.

It is still a bit early if you wish to converse, Rizla.

***

Coden learns that the limited nobility in Altaruk will be attending the games tonight. It's not often a backwoods fort gets a hairy mul fist fighter from Nibenay in town.

***

And about the time Rizla is investigating the field, Hurk is surprised by Shardivan's mental knock as he drops his last load of stone for the day. His mind voice sounds younger, stronger.

<"Hurk. There is much to discuss. I feel I will not be able to return as soon as I hoped. As you have probably guessed, I was at one time a member of the Order. I still am, but since my unsuccessful retirement... things have changed and much for the worse. I will need to take a side here and soon, for threats even bigger than the mind worms loom in the horizon. Mainly due to Kalak's fall.">

[Niachi]

Was Laakh able to buy 20 steel or iron bolts? 2nd choice bone.

To Belial:

"Fine offerings, weaponmaster. My skills won't allow for any of 'em in these hands. How bout you keep eyes and ears open for dagger, crossbow bolts, or wrist razors with enchantments, haha. I know they exist. We hunt game which shrugs off normal blades. Maybe the inbound Celik caravan might have a customer who'd trade for a very special gythka or datchi club? We have a glad' among us, who could use anything, so I won't reconsider the ranike club, javelins, or trikal-they'd all just add to his pile of victories. Just not now.
...so a 20 GP sword, eh? I could Read it's history...?"

To Andras:

"Hiring an agent might be too pricey, aye. So if I wanted to put word out that I'm looking for some "special" kind of weapon or defensive gadget vs them worms, any nearby camps? Might be a poor ex-Tyrian bastard outside the gates with something they'd part for if they spend a bit of coin in your place? That is if we can keep 'em from swarming over the walls. Maybe I go ask them. Any harm in that?"

When the next Telepathy into any urn is planned, he will be there, with Tower defense ready. Might be open to contact if the other one isn't so agitated.

[Attilius]

And about the time Rizla is investigating the field, Hurk is surprised by Shardivan's mental knock as he drops his last load of stone for the day. His mind voice sounds younger, stronger.

<"Hurk. There is much to discuss...">

<"There is indeed elder..."> He says reverently 

<"I feel I will not be able to return as soon as I hoped.">

<"What is your guess for time? Do you need transport? We could fly to your position immediately then wormhole back to North Leo?">

<"As you have probably guessed, I was at one time a member of the Order...">

<"It was a hunch but I have only heard whispers and guesses at the Cerebran about your organization and know little 'real' facts...">

<"I still am, but since my unsuccessful retirement... things have changed and much for the worse... I will need to take a side here and soon, for threats even bigger than the mind worms loom in the horizon. Mainly due to Kalak's fall.">

<"WHAT BIGGER threats Elder?! Regardless You can count on us to help! We may have something to aid in these future conflicts... 'IF' they can be steered in the right direction... Two powerful 4,086 year old spirits or "Zhen?" from the Obsidian lands of the south. They were mighty lieutenants of one King Harkor in life AND undeath. One 'Manion Shom' found their containment urns some time ago and brought them back to the stone city. Ultimately Gallard had them locked up under his city. We don't have all the facts yet though on these two Narakasura and Shurpanakha.">

[Deleted]

Nov 19, 2020 11:27:55 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

There *is* evidence of prior farming, mainly in the squarish sections of rough grass and faint furrows that parallel the silt shore. You are pretty sure that the majority of smaller stone blocks were from an irrigation system of some sort, now long impossible to reconstruct or fathom. Crodlu and erdlu graze, in fact, there is a heavy mounted contingent of defenders, often drilling and patrolling the area. The militant types tend to wear inix leather cuirasses and carry long mekillot or crodlu bone lances or long spears. While the environment is dry, the old peaks seem to keep the worst of the winds from affecting the port proper. You would guess that the groundwater is sufficient, but possibly underutilized.

Mak will make mental notes of the agricultural areas and his best guess as to areas where fresh water might be accessed. He'll head back into town and hit the market looking for whole fruits and/or unroasted nuts and if any of the merchants have any bags of seeds that might do well in these parts. He'll also hit the wineshop looking to pick up some empty wine bottles. Lastly he'll inquire as to the value locally of timber and wood products. Seeing as there's no forests nearby, he's hoping there is a good market for raw timber. He hasn't parted with any of his 5 silver yet, but he's got an idea to use it to put the refugees in a better position with the folks of Altaruk.

[AthasianLaborer]

Nov 19, 2020 11:27:55 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

***

The Bloodsand arena is an interesting theatre of violence, no where near on par with a City State's colosseum. Built of repurposed stone and bone, there is slightly elevated sitting room for a hundred and perhaps standing room for half that. Rizla gets the proper tour, and a free fighter given free reign. There is a section where 6 gith are seen penned together... you take it that they are the crew you will be fighting. The lizard-elf-like humanoids look at anyone passing with shifty eyes.

There are also a few other pit fighters, a half giant and particularly savage looking mul.

Another couple of caged pens contain large, hairy brown spiders and a single giant black carapaced scorpion.

It is still a bit early if you wish to converse, Rizla.

***

Rizla will observe the competition, focusing on the mul.  He will study the mul's face to determine if he will be killing a sibling (at least in his perspective).  The half-giant will get a cursory glance, definitely giving an impression that he's not too worried about the half-giant.  The gith get studied intently enough to telegraph concern (though if he is observed psionically, he isn't worried in the least).  Once he believes his points have been made, he sits and meditates (not for PSP's, just for appearances) until fight time.

[DM Bob]

[Closing thread.]