The day of autum equinox is at hand, and as you dust of your clothes from long travel, you look up to the gates of the so called trade city.
Caludar is, at any other time than this a loose community of several dozen families who live within it's palisades and take care of the grounds. Now, however, it is full of tents and makeshift, temporary huts. At the city's center is an enormous marketplace, the din of which can still be heard although the sun has almost set. Several people stand in front of the gate, a crude contraption slapped from planks and branches. They give you a passing glance as you enter the streets, if streets they can be called, of this place.
Children run around laughing and playing, and everywhere, you can se people displaying their wares. Most are human, though there are several dwarves and elves, and the sound of smithing hammers hitting iron can be heard from several places.
After a while and a few questions, you finally find the tent in which the professor is. As the flap of the tent is pushed aside, a rush of warm air strikes you. The tent is big, and dark. Aside from a small fire in the center and several candles burning on a table, there is not much illumination.
You can see three persons standing around the fire. The professor is the tallest of the three, dressed in his traveling clothes, and his spectacles on his eyes. His brown hair has started to go grey on his temples, but his brown eyes seem as alive as ever. Despite being pretty dusty and in need of a bath, his mustache and a small goatee are trimmed and oiled with machine precision.
The other human in the room looks to be several thousand years old. His skin seems to be so wrinkled that even his wrinkles have wrinkles. A long beard is tucked into his waistband, but his had is clean shaven and sports tattoos representing various animals. He is looking at the fire with an intensity of a cat.
The third person is not a human at all, but a dwarf. He is dressed in traveling clothes and has his red beard split down the middle and tucked into two rings sewn to the chest of his shirt. He is holding a piece of paper, and seems to be reading even though there is not enough light in the room.
Narnel quietly enters the tent. He is tall, standing well over 6 feet, and well-muscled for an elf. He can best be described as wiry. A very finely crafted Composite Long Bow is strung across his back, and a Rapier is sheathed on his hip. He has long black hair, a pale complexion and violet eyes.
Narnel makes a head and shoulder bow in the direction of the occupants when he garners their attention.
Hello Professor, very nice to see you again. I came as soon as I received your missive. How can I be of assistance?
Narnel steps closer to the professor, the older gentlemen and the dwarf.
A southerner enters the tent, carefully knocking dirt from his sandals before he enters. His outfit consists of a conical bamboo hat, simple yellow and green linens, held in place by a braided leather harness that holds his bedroll underneath a simple burlap sack. Upon closer inspection, his walking stick proves to have a sharp, black, iron-shod tip.
He bows deeply. "Guru, I respectfully present myself." As he rises, the color of his eyes become apparent--an odd sort of green, nearly yellow.
Tilurn throws open the curtain and strides into the tent. The 6 foot 2 inch tall half orc wears his long flowing reddish brown hair loose below his shoulders. He is wearing human travelling clothes that barely cover the hide armor underneath. He quickly sizes up the others in the tent. When his eyes fall upon the professor, his grim demeanor breaks into a smile and he moves forward to the man.
Professor, it has been much too long since you last visited us in Summeriron. My uncle Tsidor sends his best. He received your letter and urged me to find you as quick as I can.
A dark skinned man enters the tent, then closes the entrance behind him. He is not very tall, but has a fit body covered with many old scars. He is dressed with a multicolored light robe with various trinkets and brass neckpieces, as is the fashion of the southerners, apart from a wool brow blanket over his shoulder. He carries a long polearm with a curved, nasty looking blade, used like a long staff.
Not used to this weather... he mumbles, then he addresses the professor: Greetings, Cornelious. So, this is the tent, I've been looking for it all around this town. He has an exotic sounding voice, with a very vibrant s and an relaxed tone. What do you need me for? Mind if I come close to the fire? This cold is killing me. he asks while he squats down.
A grey cloaked figure opens the flap of the tent and enters, he is accompanied by a black furred wolf with a white patch shaped like a crescent moon covering its left eye. Both move with a serene stance as they move closer to the group. He removes his hood and shows his elven features but with his thin beard its not hard to figure out he is a half-blood. He uses a spear with a leather cover as a walking stick with a light packed satchel on his left side and a scimatar on his right. He wears a light armor of wooden plates that are carved to mimic an old elven guard breastplate which stands out in big contrast to the rest of his simple outfit. Also you notice something wrapped in a cloth on his back. He turns to Cornelious and gives a knowing smile, "So what kind of trouble are you in now? Couldn't be worse then the time I save you from Cres's feral cousins." He pats the wolf on the head and Cres gives a little whine, "I'm sorry I mean when we saved you." The wolf licks Orson's hand in gratitude.
The professor seems distracted, but greets everyone warmly. When it seems that nobody else will come in the tent, he nods to the dwarf and puts his hands on the shoulder of the wrinkly man.
The dwarf goes by you and ties the flaps of the tent together, which reduces the noise from outside somewhat. The old man starts mixing some herbs in a big bowl of boiling water and humming to himself very quietly.
Welcome friends. It is good to see you all again. It warms my heart to see you all answer my summons. I could not go into any details in the letter, because letters can be intercepted, but, this will do.
He gestures to the dwarf who produces a rod made of shiny metal and touches the tent wall while murmuring an activation word. Suddenly, complete silence, besides from breathing and crackling of the fire falls upon you all.
Now, that we are sure that we cannot be eavesdropped, i would tell you a short tale. You are all familiar with the history of the riftwar yes?
Not waiting for an answer he continues
As most of us know, the elven king used the sword of Ianna to somehow close the rift to a place most now call the riftworld. What most don't know is that it wasn't completely sealed. Sure, it could let in very few monsters into this world, but enough that the number of orcs, trolls and ogres did not diminish, over time. However. Just as a door being slightly ajar, this rift can be expanded, and eventually torn open anew. That must not be allowed to happen. What i need you to do, is to travel to the barbarian city of Kashgar, and retrieve some scrolls for me. On those scrolls should be information pertinent to preventing the rift from reopening. It has taken me some time, but i have managed to convince Fashuk here to grant passage to Kashgar to outsiders. Before we proceed, do you have any questions?
Orson responds after the professor is done talking, "How do you know these scrolls have the key to closing the rift and who made them? And....oh wait where are my manners, my name is Orson Vellus." He looks to towards the others as he says it, and then pets his wolf. "And this mighty wolf is named Cres, it is a pleasure to meet other friends of the professor here."
Narnel steps out of the shadows of the tent to the middle of the room. He stares at Orson, and nods briefly in acknowledgement.
I am Narnel Falerathon, and I hail from in and around Borena to the east. Quite an assembly here, Professor, I hope that they are all up to the task. When do we leave, and what exactly is the payout for our services?
The peasant in the conical hat lowers his head when he learns that he is in the presence of a padaprajna.
As his turn to speak arrives, he responds, "My name is Tampalasan. I am from Surdok and of little consequence."
By saying "of little consequence," Tampalasan means that he is a member outside all castes, at the bottom of society. However, it is most likely due to some sorcerous influence in his blood.
The professor dry washes his hands and smiles. He then takes out a pipe, thumbs it full of tobacco and lights it with an ember from the fire.
Well, now that we are all friends, let me answer the questions. What i know of the scrolls is limited. It is rumored that they were given to the shamans of the Kassar region by the head priest of Ianna, the only elf to return from the place of the rift. What little do i know of the scrolls is that they indeed hold the key to keeping the rift closed. I do not know what that key is, but i am pretty certain that once I've had time to study them, i will know for certain what the next step to be taken is. And as for why you should do it, well, first of all, i have caught reports from barbarian scouts that orcs and trolls are massing on the other side of the mountains. That is not good news. Second, i am certain that once we discover where the tools for keeping the rift closed are, there are going to be treasures to satisfy everyone. Also, you would be keeping the civilized world safe. Now, my friend, Farshuk will say something.
He steps back and the wrinkly man, Fashuk by name stands up. He is very tall, at least six foot five, and seems to have been built very powerfully in his youth. A myriad of tattoos and scars cover every exposed piece of skin, including the left side of his face.
(Tilurn, you recognize this as the highest honor that can be bestowed on one of the tribes, and that it means that he has accomplished a deed deemed not humanly possible. Also the tattoos on his forearms speak of him being a shaman of great skill)
Welcome strangers He says in a grating voice I will grudgingly allow this to happen, but, the need is great and priorities can shift. You five are to go to the sacred city of Kashgar and retrieve the scrolls from a barrow mound on the top of the mountain on which Kashgar resides. The journey there should be fairly uneventful, but once there, touch nothing. Do not enter any dwelling if you can and take care not to disturb the protectors of that place. Spirits of the dead are powerful there. I will bestow this upon you. It should help with the spirits of that place, and unless you disturb them, you should pass unharmed. Here, this is my blessing to you.
After having said that, he gives each one of you a small leather sachel filled with various herbs, pebbles and semiprecious gems. Each bag has a different symbol etched into it.
As i see one of our own among you, there will be no need for a guide, so you can rest here for the night, and on the morrow you can depart. Feel free to peruse the market, maybe you find something of interest. Any questions?
Excellent, so we have a guide. The problem's of getting there is solved. Now we just need to solve the one of getting back, preferably in one piece. Oberon thinks about the deed he is faced with. If there is really a major conflict approaching, this would be the best way to observe the events as closely as possible. Wheter it will be war or peace, the Scrolls must play a part. I'm in. I suggest we spend the night here before leaving, so I can get accostumed with my fellow Surdok and my new companions.
Tilurn is in awe at being in the presence of such a great shaman as Fashuk. He reverently takes the satchel from the Fashuk. I will ensure that our great spirits remain at peace. Someday, he thinks to himself, I shall be adorned with a tattoo such as Fashuk's.
When Tilurn hears that he shall be the guide for the group, his heart leaps with pride. I will stay here tonight.
As Orson listens to them he checks the bag trying to figure out what the use is in them.
"Intresting, you can count me in as well. I say we stay here as long as is enough room." He gives a grin and takes a seat with them. He turns to Fashuk, "Thank you for letting us see your sacred land, I am deeply honored." He gives him a bow.
To Narnel, Fashuk says: This satchel holds herbs and other objects that our people consider holy. I have also blessed the whole thing. It's magic will hold the spirits at bay, as long as you don't anger them. Be glad, elf, it is a rare honor that i have bestowed upon the four of you.
Then he turns to Tilurn:Lad, consider this your trial to manhood. If you bring back the scrolls, you will be allowed to tattoo the Sanakha on your left cheek and to let your hair grow longer then shoulder length.
Then he looks at all of you. May the good ancestor spirits guide your path and may your venture bear fruit. I wish you the best of luck. Now i must go. Rest well and come back in health.
With that, he bows and leaves the tent. Professor looks at you and smiles. I am glad that you accept. It lightens the weight on my back. Now if you excuse me, i will go and pester that man some more. He is a treasure trove of information. When you wake, i will greet you with breakfast and help you get equipment for travel in the mountains. It will be on me. The least i could do at the moment. Now, excuse me. There is food in that cauldron, and plates are on the table. Spoons also.
He and Fashuk leave, and then the dwarf who seems to be the professor's assistant looks you up and murmurs something. You catch words 'will do' and 'no choice'.Lads, i have an additional task for you, one that might help the professor in his quest. Between this city and Kashgar, hidden in the mountains is a dwarven repository of knowledge, called Kazel Zalam. There we keep our most important tomes. I am thinking of a one particular tome. It is called 'Of gods and monsters'. It is an ancient tome, parts of it dating to pre-rift years and parts of it being writtend after the rift opened. I am certain that we could find information pertinent to our current situation there. This will grant you passage into the city. He produces a small rock etched with several dwarven runces which mildly glow in the dim light of the tent. I will also make it worth your while. He adds. I know that people cannot live of air. Five hundred in gold each, a hundred now, and another four when you return with the tome. What say you?
@Orson: As far as you can tell, it is a simple charm that keeps non-hostile spirits away from the bearer.
Tilurn bows before, Fashuk, I will reward your faith in me Master Fashuk.
As he watches first Fashuk, then the professor leave, he turns and listens to the dwarf's proposal. When the dwarf is finished, Tilurn says, If this tome you speak of will assist Fashuk and the professor in this quest, then I will assist in its retrieval.
With that, Tilurn heads to the cauldron, dips a bowl into it to retrieve some food, sits on the ground and begins to eat (without using a spoon).
Tilurn turns to face Oberon. Yes, that is my name. I have only been to Kashgar once, about 5 winters ago. My uncle, Tsidor, took me there to learn more about my people. He said I have been touched by the spirits of these mountains and that one day they will embrace me into their fold. The natives of this land travel for most of the year, but each winter, they gather together not only to work together to survive the harsh cold, but to commune with our ancestral spirits and deepen our understanding of this world. You are very honored indeed to be allowed to enter this sacred city. My uncle was made to stay outside while I entered the city that winter. As far as the path to Kasgar, we will need to be wary at all times. Orcs from the other side know of secret passes through the mountain and prey upon travelers and pilgrims alike. Tribes of Orcs will nearly wipe out entire villages if they can, but not before... Tilurn looks down and a dark scowl crosses his face for a moment, it passes and then he continues they have left behind their seed.
Tampalasan turns to Tilurn, with a look of compassion on his face. "Tilurn, do not curse your birth. We are all born to our station with purpose, whether or not we see it. It is important to remember that even the lowliest of us can be great, for reasons far beyond the rules of humanity. Indeed, our twin mission involves forces greater than the people of this world."
For a split second, Tampalasan's pupils appear to become slitted--or perhaps it is but a trick of the light. "You will find your legacy by looking past the dictums of mortals, Tilurn."
Oberon nods in agreement at Tampalasan's words, then he grinningly adds his own view on the subject: And if your or anyone else's fate is to die, wheter in greatness or having accomplished nothing, remember that Lady Death does not care for the colour of your blood. We are all welcomed and well accepted into her oblivion. He gives another look at his travelling mates, then he yawns and gets a blanket. Forgive me, but the journey here was tiring. I will get some rest here if everyone is alright with that. Do go on talking if you wish: I'm too tired to be bothered. He then lies on the floor, close to the fire.
The food tastes good. It is a stew mostly made of meat and potatoes with some spices and tomatoes added for better taste. Since the flaps of the tent have been tied together, warmth from the fire has spread to fill every nook of the tent. The ground is covered in various carpets and there are several folded blankets and a pile of pillows next to it, in one corner.
Morning comes, and it is pleasant. The rising din of the surroundings wake you, just as the professor enters the tent lugging a large tray filled with several different kinds of pastry and behind him his dwarf assistant lugging a big flagon of milk and several mugs.
Awake and ready i see he says with a smile. Well, time is for you to get equipped for the journey. I had the liberty to purchase a mule and get enough provisions to last you a month. The other things i leave to you to acquire. Just to you know, Fashuk has informed me that nights near Kashgar get mighty cold at this time of year and that some winter attire should be gotten. I would also suggest tools for scaling cliffs and some form of light source. Everything you need can be purchased in this place. There are even weapons and ammo for those who didn't think of bringing any. Tell me what you need and i will see to it that you get it.
Oberon, seeing that the wheater is indeed very cold, buys the following:
- Cold-Weather outfit
- Snowshoes
- Simple scarf
- Winter blanket
- Bedroll
- Backpack
- Healer's Kit
- Bloodblock (3)
- Food rations for 5 days
- Waterskin
- Whetstone
- Flint and Steel
- Torch
- A set of fortune teller's game card
And I pay for half of a 2 people's tent, assuming somebody wants to share it with me.
This leaves him with 46 gp unspent: I don't know if we get the rest of the money, if it is "store credit" or if it's a now or never deal. If it is the latter, I will get two more Bloodblock doses.
Tilurn purchases the following items:
Cold Weather Outfit
Climber's kit
Whetstone
Compass
Snowshoes
Winter Blanket
Iron Spikes (4)
Hammers (2)
Firewood (5 days)
Cross Bow + 30 bolts
This will use up almost all of the 150 gp
Tilurn will prefer to sleep outside, even in the cold. He forgoes the light source and will rely upon his dark vision.
Tampalasan will purchase the other half of the two-man tent.
He will also ask for the following:
- Mule (a second one)
- Animal Harness
- Pack Saddle
- Saddlebags
- Climber's Kit
- Cold Weather Outfit
- Snowshoes
- Cleats
- Sling
- 20 Cold Iron Bullets
- Iron Pot
- 50' Hemp Rope
- Grappling Hook
- Shovel
- 3 Pitons
- Hammer
- Waterskin
- 10 Tindertwigs
- Flint & Steel
Orson picks up the following,
-Animal Harness for Cres
-Pulley
-Saw
-2 spools of twine
-Powder(10)
-Magnet
-2 Iron spikes
-Ear plugs(2)
-cold weather outfit
-Shovel
-Hammer
-4 candles
-Steel Mirror
-Winter Blanket
-2 bells(wrapped up in backpack
-2 Sunrods
-3 Acid Flasks
And I will split that tent with you Narnel.
You all have bought your stuff and are ready to go. The professor, the dwarf and Fashuk have escorted you as far as 'city gates'. There they gave you some last pieces of advice (mostly common sense ones).
The trip will take you a better part of a week, if you have no detours. I believe that there will be enough food on the mule, plus, there are enough animals, deer and rabbits mostly, so you won't go hungry. Now, off with you, and may luck be on your side Says Fashuk waving at you impatiently. They stand there and listen to anything you have to say, and then turn to leave.
Soon you leave the smoke and noise of Caludar behind you, and enter wilderness, mountains looming in front of you getting bigger and bigger. At first, you walk upon grasslands, sometimes passing a homestead or an isolated farm, but soon, you leave the very last vestiges of civilisation behind you and start seeing a dark line at the base of the mountains. The famous northern forest. Sun sets, and puts a stop at your first day of travel. You made good progress, and more importantly were undisturbed by anything.
@Orson and Narnel, you notice that the dwarf was looking at you intently, and that unsettled you, although you cannot understand why, since he seemed quite a pleasant fellow.
The night is pleasant, there is no wind, but it is still chilly. The sky is clear and all the stars can be seen, since there is no moon. You hear a distant cry of an owl on the prowl and after that the only thing you can hear is the crackling of the fire and your own voices.
@Tilurn, your ears pick up a snap of a twig near some trees some fifty feet away, and when you look that way, you think you can see several hunched over humanoids. There is a small break in conversation, and you believe you overhear two or three words being quietly exchanged by the creatures. In Orc language, which you have been able to speak since your early childhood, although nobody ever taught you.
Tilurn clears his throat and breaks into the conversation. He speaks in a low voice so that only his companions can hear. Make no sudden movements. I think we are being watched. I just picked up a word or two, but it sounds like Orcs. I can't tell how many exactly, but I think I saw several humanoid forms about 50 feet away trying to hide in those trees. What do you want to do?