Just a dot here, for now!
Dot
The hours while away in the busy streets of Katapesh, and the nature of the crowds shift from women carrying out the day's shopping to men looking for a night's entertainment. The crowds grow more unruly, and the city's guards begin to move in patrols. Nonetheless, the dust and the noise doesn't begin to slacken off until the blood-red sun drops below the horizon. It's not until near midnight, however, that there's a timid-sounding yet urgent knock upon each of your doors. Nalini, the woman from Prem Gadhavi's home, stands at the door, flanked by a pair of turban-wearing and well-muscled guardsmen.
"My uncle has deliberated long and hard, and he has decided that you will serve his purposes admirably. I will be taking you to theHasa Arundhat tonight, as soon as your gear is assembled. Please do hurry, the Maurya-Rahm wishes to begin this endeavor as quickly as possible."
Nalini cuts through the somewhat-less-crowded streets of Katapesh, heading for the ports. There, among the myriad other ships, sits a two-masted, curve-prowed vessel with lanterns burning nearby and a dark-skinned woman standing near the bottom of the gangplank. As Nalini approaches with the party, the woman shouts, her voice barely concealing a tone of annoyance. "It is about time. Bad enough you send me to that profit-sink, but to make me wait until the smallest hours of the night? Your uncle must be mad."
Nalini smiles. "Lady, gentlemen, the foul-tempered woman is Gauri Iyer. She's captain of the Hasa Arundhat, and she'll be taking you across to Jalmeray, and more specifically, Padiskar." Gauri scowls and nods curtly in greeting.
Turning to Nalini the colonel smiles, gives a short bow, and says "Thank you, ma'am."
Straightening up and turning towards Gaurl, he asks "Colonel Tipper reporting! Permission to come aboard, Capt'n?"
Mirode’s eyes snap open as soon as Nalini knocks on her door. Years of being a medic has taught her to fall asleep and wake up at the drop of a hat. She answers the door, scimitar in hand, an eyebrow raising when she sees Nalini.
Sneaking out makes sense to her; news of the girl’s disappearance must be kept under wraps. Mirode quickly packs her things and follows the guards down to the docks. After curtsying to the captain she studies the others. This must be the rest of the rescue team. She nods her head in greeting. “Captain. Gentlemen. It’s lovely to meet you all.”
The colonel turns and nods. "Pleasure is mine, ma'am. Should be quite the adventure, wot?"
Raseed grabs his pack at the knock on the door. He listens to Narini and replies "as you say Sayyeda, it best we move quickly. It's a pleasure to see you again" . He nods respectfully at the burly guards. He looks around in the dark with a sense of trepidation as always.
At the docks he eyes up his companions and is impressed with their bearing and manners.
"Friends, well met and may the Dawnflower light our journey and make it a success!" he shakes their hands and introduces himself to all of them.
Finally he turns to the captain Captain Gauri, your ship is a beauty, I look forward to sailing with you"
A tall, broad-shouldered man sets foot on the ship. Wearing a shined breastplate over a colourful shirt and pants stopping at under the knee, he's quite the sight. A straw hat lies on his head. Colonel, huh? "Good evening, everyone. Captain, pleasure to make your acquaintance."
While awaiting permission to board, Colonel Tipper exchanges pleasantries with the others.
While chatting with Raseed, he asks "Oi! Where abouts you from, chap?" I do so hope he isn't one of those Qadiran fanatics.
"Born, raised and have spent most of my life right here in Katapesh. Truth be told, chap" trying out this new word and enjoying the feel of it "I'm a bit anxious about being surrounded by that much water regardless of how nice the ship is. And where do you hail from?"
"Taldor!" he exclaims with pride. "Haven't been there for awhile now, but it's still home. Mustered out of his majesty's service and been all about since."
"Oh! I hear its very civilised, hardly any abominations. Always wanted to visit Oppara, though I hear its a small place. It must have been exciting to travel so much, all that different food to sample" he looks away dreamily.
(Raseed hasn't been to any other city than Katapesh, he thinks all cities should be as big as Katapesh)
Perplexed, the colonel puts both hands atop his cane and leans on it as he looks at Raseed. "Small? No, I wouldn't consider Oppara small. Over one hundred thousand people live there, plus the crowds of sycophants coming and going."
Smiling, he adds "When most people think of Oppara, it is for the posh settings like the opera, not the grub."
With a glare, Gauri gestures to the gangplank and the ship behind it. "Further introductions will have to wait until we have left port. I have a clear space in our hold for you, near the silks, but do not damage them. If you must be up into the night, be quiet. I have shifts of men sleeping above your rooms." She turns and marches up the gangplank, sauntering over to the helm and shouting commands at the currently-awake crewmen.
Nalini returns Colonel Tipper's bow and holds out a hand to the ship. "Please, get to know each other aboard the ship. It should be a quick journey, and Gauri has agreed to land at the village of Chauri. It's the largest settlement in the Padiskar area. Maybe you'll be able to learn something there." With a swish of her sari, she turns and vanishes into the dark, her two guards following closely behind her.
Mirode waves at the departing woman. "Farewell Nalini. May the Everlight watch over you." She picks up her bags as starts heading up the gangplank.
As the group moves through the ship she turns and smiles at Raseed. "Greetings brother. It's wonderful to have another of the faithful on this expedition. I do a prayer and meditation service at dawn, you are more than welcome to join me."
The colonel gives a quick "Cheers!" to Nalini as she departs.
Grabbing his gear, he makes he way along the plank and down into the hold. He allows the others to each claim their space before setting up his bedroll.
After people are somewhat settled, the colonel says "Be a good idea to get some shut-eye during the trip. I don't know this captain or crew, so it might be worth it to set a watch." With a wry smile, he explains "I find it helps keep things honest."
Tereus sits down, nodding at the colonel. "Untrusty people onboard ships, ready to sail at midnight? Hopefully the crew doesn't hear you, sir, or their feelings might be hurt." Leaning on the back of a chair, he takes what appears to be three sticks, made of green metal from his flank, and puts them in his lap. The blond one is a cleric, it would appear. Mentioned a god. Doesn't look that strong or quick physically, yet wears heavy armor. Good to know. The halfling is... inscrutable, and it's hard to judge a military man on first appearances. "I'll take the first watch, if you'd need time to prepare, pray or whatnot." Setting his hat on the chair next to him, he turns towards the others. "I didn't introduce myself earlier. Name's Gosk, Gosk Tereus, and I'm from Nex. I'm guessing I'll be here if you need anything heavy lifted. And, other things." He smiles at everyone, giving the Taldan a curt nod as well.
Returning the nod, the colonel responds "Colonel Tipper, Retired from Taldan Exploratory Services. I can take the next shift."
He spends a few moments checking the straps on his bags and putting his bow in easy reach of his bedroll. He then takes some light armor out and checks it over before putting it back in his bag. He makes several small adjustments to where everything is placed. "There we go, nice and tidy!"
"al-wadá Nalini, it was a pleasure, no matter how brief".
Following the others up the gangplank and through the ship he eyes them up a little more the big fellow looks like he can handle himself in a fight, size of him he gives far more than he gets, The Colonel seems like a genial sort, don't know much about our elven companion y... Just then Mirode speaks. You honour me sayyeda. It's been some time since a priestess has led me in prayer, I would love to join you".
In the hold Raseed sets himself up in the corner of the hold, to have a wall on as many sides as possible dark down here, damned bloody dark, and I didnt bring a lantern. He stows his backpack and takes off his armour, draws his scimitar and places it blade bare on top of the armour. He stands and walks over to Gosk.
Pleasure to meet you Gosk. he extends his hand upwards, barely reaching waist height Raseed, native of Katapesh. I like to think of myself as a ghoul hunter though truth be told they always seem to find me rather than the other way round.
If you care to join Mirode and I in prayer tomorrow the spirits tell me they can make your sword arm faster. Now, if it's all the same to you gents I'd prefer first watch, i'll not get much sleep at any rate down here in the dark.
The small space in the hold of the Hasa Arudnhat is neither large nor comfortable, but it is quiet. As the party prepares to bunk down for the night, there are sounds of shouting from above and the dhow begins to move, slowly leaving the port of Katapesh and heading for the open waters of the Inner Sea. After perhaps ten minutes, Gauri pokes her head into the hold. "Are you getting on alright here? Good. Now, I have only a handful of rules. There are three crew-changes. An hour after dawn, in the middle afternoon, and late in the night. Stay out of the way during them; it's chaotic enough with that many on deck. Second, no fires. If you can live with those and manage to avoid hurting my crew, we'll get along well enough." She looks up at the ceiling. "Tomorrow I will have Abhay talk with you. His wife lived in Chauri Padiskar for some time, and he may know who to contact about your task."
Raseed throws a rough sketch of a salute "aye, aye, cap'n, I'll keep out of your crews way, I don't want to find myself getting accidentally knocked overboard by a disgruntled sailor!" he grins at her with what he hopes is disarming charm
"anything Abhay can tell us will be greatly appreciated captain, thank you for your offer"
Gosk grins as the captain pokes her head inside. "Rules sound sound to me, Captain. As long as I'm not in the same room as alchemical devices, I can promise the lack of fires as well.", he gestures towards a small burn mark on the side of his face. "Thanks for your hospitality. Can we pop outside now, for a little stroll?"
"Quite right!" the colonel exclaims in response to the rules.
He quirks an eyebrow and gives Gosk a questioning look when he makes mention of alchemical devices.
After the captain has left, Colonel Tipper turns to Gosk and says "What was all that about alchemical devices? Sounds like a story, there."
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The broad-shouldered man takes a straw out of his hat and begins chewing it. "Well, Colonel, I'm from Nex. We pride ourselves on being one of the best in the arcane arts and alchemy, so everyone gets to study them a bit as they grow up." He leans back further. "Though, my alchemical studies were cut short due to the laboratory exploding. The teacher said he'd never seen two inert components react, and never wants to see me again, either. Don't know why. I think his hair started growing back in a few months, and green is a lovely hair colour."
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The colonel gives a thoughtful nod. "Getting normally inert substances to react can give really impressive results. Could it be one of your classmates was playing a prank and coated one of your tools with a catalyst?"
Not much of a teacher if the chap didn't try to recreate the explosion.
Gauri nods curtly at Gosk. "It is a week's journey to Padiskar, so you will be sick of the sea by the time we arrive." She marches back up the stairs without so much as a good-bye, clearly having something important to do.
Mirode’s made a ‘nest’ for herself out of some cargo and her belongings. She lies down on top of it and yawns. “Mirode Sharo. Citizen of Katheer. Ah, that’s in Qadira. Priestess of Sarenrae.”
”Would it be alright if I slept for a few hours? Not too long, I’ll be up with the dawn. I can keep an eye out then. I very much want to learn about you all but I’m not much good if I’m half asleep.” She smiles sheepishly. ”If you want to keep talking that’s fine, I can sleep through anything.”
The colonel smiles. "Quite right, ma'am! Time for some shut-eye. We have the whole journey in which to acquaint ourselves."
With that, the colonel settles in for the night.
"sweet dreams to the both you, I think I'll read for a while". He takes his battered copy of Birth of Light and Truth from his pack and wills a small, dim, dancing light into existence above the book and settles with his back to the wall.
Hearing the colonel's suggestion, Gosk shrugs. "Well, maybe. Thought about it. Even then, I'm still horrendous at it. I know a thing or two about arcane theory, however. Surprising how few people outside of Nex consider it part of common knowledge." He continues chewing on his straw. "So, what's the Exploratory Services like? Probably better than digging ditches all day?", he inquires the Colonel.
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"Aw, and here I was hoping for an all nighter card game of something. Guess we still got a week ahead of us.", says Gosk, pulling his hat over his head and falling asleep mere seconds later.
The dhow sails on smoothly throughout the night, borne east by the winds ripping off the hot Katapeshi desert and over the Inner Sea. When the next morning's duty rotation is over and the captain allows you abovedecks, a large, round man waves you over.
"Abhay." The man bows perfunctorily to each of the party members. He's wearing a loosely-wrapped turban, linen breeches, and a vest with a handful of bulging pockets, and he offers a quick smile before continuing. "Cap. Gauri 'asked' me to have a chat with you after duties. My wife's from Kolta. It's a little village across Old Padiskar from Chauri. It mostly just farms. Chauri's the biggest of the Padiskar villages, and it's where we'll be putting in. I'm not an expert by any means, but I could give you my wife's family name; could help you find a place to stay. I also know a few of the superstitions about that place, and quite a lot of Jalmeray's customs. If you have questions, ask away." He looks at you expectantly, fingers playing with a little pen-knife.
The colonel smiles at hearing they will have a local contact. Only a family name, but that is still something. Much better than starting from ground zero.
"I have never traveled the back-country of Jalmeray. What are the customs as a visitor and guest? I want to put my best foot forward in any exchanges with the locals."
Mirode taps her chin. "You know, I never bothered to ask. Do we have a cover? Surely whatever group stole her is watching out for rescue parties. How much will we stand out? I have some ideas if we don't have an established cover in place."
Gosk puts his hand on his chin, nodding. "Hm... Good idea, to be honest. Do we actually know who stole her? We got suggestions or leads? Or are we simply being tossed in the dark?" He shuffles, turning towards Mirode and smiles. "Also, I'm always in a mood for a cover, what's the idea?"
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Some sort of cover? If the girl is well-liked, I think that would only keep the honest folk away.
The colonel softly harrumphs and then says "आप में से कितने भाषा बोल सकता है?"
Looking around, he adds "If such chicanery were really needed, I should think they would have looked for natives."
Abhay looks Gosk up and down before smiling a wide smile. "With the right outfit, you, at least, could pass for a native. Jalmeray, it is an odd mix of cultures. Most of it, at least. Mostly Vudrani, my people, but a lot of Nexians as well, and a few other outlanders. It is not like Katapesh, with all the different people there, but there are a few. More in Niswan, in the south. Padiskar, though. Padiskar is different. The Nexians never settled there much, so it's all my people, not yours."
He continues, this time with an appreciative look at Tipper. "I agree, but many in Jalmeray have a sense of humor about these things, and might play along with your farce just to be polite, all the while laughing when you left." He thinks for a minute, stroking his chin. "You would be, let me see... You would be atanpratta, that is explorers, or padaprajna, or warriors. That is most of the Vudrani you have seen, probably. Others, everyone on this ship, would be kezavazresthin, merchants. Any of these castes are quite powerful in Jalmeray. You will probably be treated well by the villages, and I would encourage you to take their hospitality. In general, you would be asked to make a purely-ceremonial offering of flower-petals to the goddess whose name this ship bears as a sign of your peaceful intentions, but that may not be required for a task such as what the Captain say s you're doing.
Those by Padiskar are a very superstitious lot. My wife took years before she would conduct business after dusk or before dawn, and still spits most uncouthly at the walls of Niswan. They tend to be insular in their humor, and like their inside jokes, but there is an edge beneath it. By the time we arrive, many of the villagers in Chauri will have accepted this girl's disappearance as the latest in the misfortune of those living in the shadow of the old city, and most won't want to talk about it."
"आप में से कितने भाषा बोल सकता है?"
Looking around, he adds "If such chicanery were really needed, I should think they would have looked for natives."
Gosk smiles at the colonel, quickly replying, "ई चान पुल्ल् इत ओफ़्फ़्.जुषत गिवे मे अ तुर्बन अन्द् अन्द् इ''लल बे ओने ओफ़् थे नातिवेस!"
"I can pull it off. Just give me a turban and I can pass for one of the natives!"
, only the slightest traces of an accent detectable in his speech. "The Legions got decent training.", he retorts to Abhay. "Well, then. We've got a lot of dealing with superstitions in the past. If you're good enough, unlike myself, you could convince the natives that your presence, just as every other thing, is fortold or something as well. Could be hard to pull off, but we could try. It's not like we'd be wrong or anything.", chewing another straw from his hat. "As for Vudrani hospitality, I've heard tales and I'm glad they were true. Good food, too, if a bit of a kicker." He taps his foot for a second. "So, obviously, I believe our first step should be gathering information on the girl's disappearance. If we can get the villagers to like us, more power to us, too."
"The Legions got decent training.", he retorts to Abhay.
The colonel tips his hat to Gosk, obviously glad to have at least one other that speaks Vudrani.
"So, obviously, I believe our first step should be gathering information on the girl's disappearance. If we can get the villagers to like us, more power to us, too."
"I want to avoid any obvious gaffs." Nodding towards Abhay, he continues "Trying to trade while it is dark would be one such example."
"Atanpratta or padaprajna, either would fit my training."
Looking towards Mirode and Raseed, he mentions "If they have such taboos during the night, perhaps they would consider any presence by faithful of Sarenrae a good omen."
its going to be a mite hard for me to pass a Vudrani human I'm thinking, aye? Especially as I don't speak the tongue.
I'll pass as a servant in a pinch or as pradaprajna, but I won't be a slave my friends, not even as a mummery. Raseed taps on his chin gathering information, now that i can help with if any of you has anything that'll help me speak the language... And speaking of information, a little of this places dark history wouldn't go amiss my friend. .
Colonel, Gosk, if we have spare time do you mind teaching me the language? I'm a quick study! A thought occurs to Rassed and he looks sheepish.
Although the Dawnflower has seen fit to give me the gift of spirit talking, I've known those who were suspicious of the powers...it might be best if we pretend I'm of the soldier caste and keep my abilities under close guard if the villagers are as suspicious as Abhay here suggests
"Teaching the language is no problem." the Colonel replies. "If need be, I can pass you a tonic that allows you to understand it for a short time. No help with speaking it, I fear, but at least you would know what the folks around you are yakking about."
At mention of spirit talking, a perplexed look crosses his face. "First you might want to clue us in on exactly what that is."
"it would be a kindness, colonel, if at a time we really must know whats going on if you could lend me a tonic" Raseed inclined his head then puts his hands behind his back as professorially as he can manage and coughs
"So, spirit talking. Spirit talking is a benign art, really. You must have items, possessions, things that are precious and dear to you, no, Colonel? Your attachment to that object creates a psychic link, an attunement and I can read and hear that link. The longer a person and an object are together, the more intense their passions and feelings in general, the easier it is for me to read. Especially traumatic or important events, especially a death, make a person's history bare to me. To be blunt my friend, I can channel and use the skills and knowledge of the dead provided I have something of their's, and I can read an items history with a thought and s touch."
Raseed looks around expectantly, hoping his nee companions understand. "There are others whose gifts deal directly with the spirits of the dead, who can cast out haunts or invite them into themselves but I am not they and it walks a little close to dark necromancy to me"
The colonel nods his assent when asked about the tonic.
"Some sort of divination that needs a personal item as a focus?" he asks. "Sounds like it would work better on a wedding ring or lucky jacket than a reference text." He looks towards Raseed, trying to judge if he is on the right track.
"Exactly so, exactly so. The helmet that saved a guardsman's life" he gestures to the jingassa around his neck " the favoured prayerbook of a priestess" to his prayer book "the first stolen purse of an amateur pickpocket, filled with his elation at the theft, and, erm, actually I'll save that one til I really need to use it. It's a little macarbre for decent company
Gosk nods as he's explained the works of the halfling. "Magic's weird, eh?", he says, looking at Raseed's items. "To be fair, though, necromancy's not any worse or better than any other magic, I think. Conjure a monster to kill your foe, make them jump off a cliff, burn them to a husk or take their breath, it's all the same.", he says, leaning back on his chair. "Then again, I do neither of those. Stick on the head does the job just as well.", he says, patting his staff, shining with green.
"Teaching the language is no problem."
“Oh that’s wonderful! I can’t speak Vudrani but I’m good with languages. Give me long enough and I can suss out the words.”
Mirode listens to Raseed with rapt attention. She’s never heard of someone who could channel the dead like that. ”Your abilities sound quite remarkable. Tell me, do you ever have trouble with items. Say, like, if you pick up an item in a shop and it’s had a violent past. Would it be a problem for you? We’ll be going to places full of items such as the ones you carry. Your ability will be extremely important but if it may cause you problems I want to be in a position to help you.”
Abhay looks at Gosk and Tipper, obviously pleased. "Oh good, they didn't send fools. Some of you have the language, although your accent could use work. It wouldn't surprise me if the Rajah in Padiskar had made it very public that you were coming, and in any case, you don't exactly look like the natives. I would attempt to be respectful, and as for your faiths, the Vudrani do not often proselytize. It's one thing to be religious, even openly so, but the last thing many of them need is another god! Ha!" He laughs, holding his belly, and listens as the discussion swings toward Raseed's powers. "I will not say 'do not use this', but I would be discreet about holding your, um, 'spirit talkings' in the center of town, or at dusk." he grins again. "Anything else? My wife's told me many rumors of what creatures lurk behind the walls. Asuras or Rakshasas, maybe. Fiends. Or poor trapped souls, unable to leave one way or another."
"Asuras? Unless they are known by another name I don't think I know of them." The colonel lays his cane across his lap and looks towards Abhay.
"Please, tell me of more."
Chuckling at Mirode and Raseed in a hearty manner, Gosk interjects. "I know, right! It's always the odd and useful sorts of magics that are viewed with the most suspicion!" His attention caught by the colonel, he raises his eyebrows. "Do you also got the one that makes you all massive, thick skinned and lets you lift boulders? Because those are awesome!", grinning enthusiastically.
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Gosk puts his hand on his chin, scratching the stubble around the groomed beard. "Huh. I haven't heard of either of those. I guess local beasties?"
"Tonic that makes a man the size of an Ogre? Sorry, still haven't found a proper recipe for that one." the colonel replies to Gosk.