Kragnir shrugged, as happy to miss work he wouldn't be paid for as he would be to have a good scrap.
Mihai shrugs also "I would sooner save your talents if we were attacked rather than risk them wasted in false errand. Let us walk... and if they come, we shall be ready for them."
Nim sighs. What is it with us that we risk unnecessary danger like moths are drawn to a flame?
If I am not to use a fraction of my abilities, to set the field of battle in our favor, how is it that we are ready for them?
We have been informed that the creatures have been active in this area as recently as a few days ago. Disregarding the warning and just strolling in seems unnecessarily foolish.
I can summon the pony or ponies with the least of my spells. There has not come a time when I have been taxed to my daily limits yet. I fail to see the reservation...
Balani feels the need to add, If we have to deal with none at all or even just one fewer the spell would not be wasted. At the very least it gives them more targets to choose from, making our chances better regardless.
The group wanders through the odd looking landscape with an eye out for trouble. Several times Nim summons a pony until he finally gets the interest of one of the Arachnid type creatures that bursts from a hole, noly the spray the pony with what you find out later is acid...the poo thing only suffers for a moment before dying.
Unfortunately, the ploy ends up being none too effective. The Ankhegs seemingly have claimed this strech of land as their territory and you find out soon after that there are a number of them. A battle ensues as 4 of the creatures scurry from their holes and attack.
Kragnir uses his hammer to good effect cracking a carapace or two.
Balani peppers several of them with arrows.
Nim battles one of them to the death in his dinosaur form.
Tragershen uses haste and several other spells to fend off one of them that atttacks the guards.
Mihai tends to several wounds and burns when the creatures attack from all sides.
Corbrius also fends off one with his talking sword, saving the life of another guard.
One of the pack animals is killed in the battle, along with all 4 creatures. The supplies it was carrying are quickly switched to the other animals and you continue to your destination...Kalabuto.
The morning of your 13th day out of Eleder, the city of Kalabuto comes into view. Surrounded by pineapple fields and date palm orchards,
the city of Kalabuto perches atop a low hill overlooking the River of Lost Tears. An ancient pile of vine-choked, crumbling ruins, Kalabuto existed long before the arrival of the native Kalabuta tribe, whom the Chelish colonists discovered living in the ruins when they reached the
Sargavan interior. Finding a settlement seemingly readymade for them, the colonials took over the city after numerous clashes with the indigenous inhabitants.
Sense motive vs. DC
While native Kalabuta inhabit the majority of the city’s
ruins, a small minority of Sargavan colonials rule the
city and have claimed the highest buildings with the
best views for themselves. Racial tension is thus rife in
Kalabuto. But the city also serves as Sargava’s first line
of defense against the city-state of Mzali. In this role
Kalabuto has suffered greatly, and has been sacked by the
Mzali forces on several occasions.
As it stands, the city appears to be overgrown by the
jungle, with a large collection of shanties and warehouses
along the riverbank. Kalabuto is a center of trade with the
Mwangi interior, serving as a trade hub between foreign
colonials, foreigners, and indigenous tribespeople. Over
the years, overland caravans have declined in favor of more
efficient river barges. To accommodate the increase in
vessels, the city erected a snaking boardwalk connected to
an elaborate tangle of docks. Warehouses make up the bulk
of the structures along the water’s edge. Further inland,
the ruins of the original ancient city begin, climbing up
the hill to the more lavish private colonial residences.
Dozens of small kiosks line the riverside boardwalk,
while eager-eyed youths scamper about peddling wares.
Most sell local products or services, while others ply the
hospitality trade, entreating visitors to stay in their homes
for only a few coppers, rather than in more expensive
lodgings. The majority of the kiosks belong to native
Kalabuta catering to incoming vessels. A few trading
companies own kiosks as well, though theirs tend to be
larger, permanent structures in locations near their
warehouses. Each morning, the kiosk vendors wake early
and rush for prominent positions on the boardwalk. They
work long hours and some keep their shops open into the
early evening.
Once the sun drops, Kalabuto slips into dark shadows.
The streets grow quiet and the city becomes far less
hospitable. Opportunists wait to lure unsuspecting
visitors into the clutches of thugs or even slavers, and
prostitution and the sale of illicit substances run rampant
amid the smaller shanties. While plenty of taverns offer
safety to drunken drovers and barge-hands seeking revelry
after their long journeys, those who carelessly wander the
crumbling streets often fall to the city’s many predators.
Kalabuto
N large city
Corruption +4; Crime –5; Economy +3; Law +7; Lore +5,
Society +1
Qualities insular, prosperous, rumormongering citizens,
racially intolerant (Mwangi), superstitious
Danger +10
Demographics
Government overlord
Population 11,340 (11,200 humans [700 colonials, 10,500
Mwangi], 140 other)
Notable NPCs
General Alban, governor of Kalabuto (male human fighter)
Commander Ursel, Praetor of Kalabuto, commander of
the Kalabuto militia (male human ranger)
Tabansi, Kalabuta foreman (male human rogue)
Marketplace
Base Value 10,400 gp; Purchase Limit 75,000 gp;
Spellcasting 5th
Minor Items 4d4; Medium Items 3d4; Major Items 2d4
Anything up to 5200gp there is a 75% chance of bring available, 50% up to 10400. Above that will only be the items rolled for.
Where to start...ah yes you were supposed to meet a contact at the Shrunken Head tavern, a dwarf named Cheiton.
You ask around and get pointed in the right direction. Kalabuto is a city overrun by the jungle aiwth little or not order to it so finding the tavern isn't the easiest thig to do. About 15 minutes into the city you are approached by a local beggar/urchin.
A young Zenj girl, no more than 10, approaches you and speaks fair common, Good sirs, are you interested in charms...charms to protect you from the spirits of the jungle? I need food, I made these myself. These will protect you and jungle tribes will know you are protected!
Please good sirs, only 3 coppers each!
The young girl seems nervous...come to think of it you think you may have spotted her several times at various points after you entered the city...hmmmm...almost like she has been following you. Maybe you look like wealthy foreignors, but you are not sure that is it.
Knowledge (history)
Knowledge (local)
When the first signs of the city start to become apparent, Tragershen launches into a lecture about the city, its history and its inhabitants. The lesson is rather meandering and not presented in nearly as captivating a way as the elf obviously thinks it is. But it isn't long before his fellow travelers start to get an idea of what the city before them has to offer.
When approached by the urchin, Tragershen's first instinct is to ignore here. In a city this size, he muses, if the beggars get the idea you are a soft touch, there will be no end to the wave of humanity that will besiege you.
Responding to the girl, but not yet reaching out for a charm, Mihai speaks in Polyglot "Kungani ukuthengisa ingane charm, hhayi nje bacele abahluphekile? Izinhlamvu Three zethusi ukuze uthole ward umoya Kubonakala phansi kakhulu akunjalo?"
You speak my tongue, that is good. Then you must know our plight. This is a dangerous city, many children, many of us starving. People not give much, but if you get something in return, maybe you are okay giving to poor child like me?
From her mannerisms her story is true but you feel like there is more to it than that...she makes you...wary. But you do believe what she is saying on the surface is true...she is an hungry child trying to get you to buy her charm for money, but there is probably n more to it than that.
Maybe if you no like charm you need guide in city? I know city like back of hand! she shows you the back of her hand...she is quite cute...and she is doing a good job of tugging at your heart strings.
She certainly looks poor and hungry.
Nim listens to the little girl and Mihai's exchange before asking her, Ngubani ngempela owenziwe ingane charm? U othile ekunika ngikufundise silunikwe?
Nim looks at Mihai directly, Someone could be hoping to use the charm as a focus for scrying against us... or to locate us at least.
Following the exchange, Tragershen seeks to confirm Nim's concern.
Tragershen will use the Vudrani Spark ability to cast Detect Magic as a Still spell in case they are being watched. He'll check the trinket and the girl for magic auras.
Mihai shrugs as he waits for his companion's thoughts.
In response to Nim,
She puts on a pouting face Not nice, I make this and offer it to you to protect you!
Tragershen: You don't detect any magic in the area other than your own. The charm is mundane and there is nothing on the child that detects as magical either.
Kragnir was clearly quite impatient with the child and even more so with the native babble that he still hadn't managed to pick up.
Leeches like this in every city. Tis a sorry state, but you have to be firm with them.
he threatened with a raised voice and a raised arm.
Balani speaks softly and with mild amusement to her companion. Are you so battle starved you seek to frighten a child!
Growing up knowing many of the lowest a city has, she states. This city is like a maze, and I'm sure the child does know it well. She could get us to this tavern quickly. She looks directly and the girl and says sternly in polyglot, hhyai swarwana.
Mihai hears what is said, but allows it to wash over him. Looking at the child he asks "I will buy a charm... but the color I pay for it depends on what else comes with it. Copper for the charm... but gold for words as to what brought you to us..." seeing if the small girl is able to be twisted with greed.
She seems to consider Mihai's words...then a slight look of fear comes over her before she turns and tries to sprint off.
Nim makes no move to grab the girl. Instead he watches as she starts running and says quietly, I'll see where she goes and who she talks to, before transforming into a bird and takes off after her.
Kragnir shrugged at Balani's query.
Not fond of being accosted on the streets as a rule. But I could do with a good scrap, aye.
Kragnir looked on as Nim flew away after the child.
Huh... Strange man. If we're done having our time wasted, lets go find a watering hole?
Is the rest of the party going to continue on to the Inn or wait for Nim?
Following her in this jungle of a city is no easy task. You watch her look over her shoulder several times as she wanders through overgrown alleys, and various slum areas. She seems to be making her way towards a nicer are towards the top of a large hill where you can see a number of nicer buildings. About 30 minutes have passed, do you continue?
Nim's path:
Although difficult to follow Nim's sharp eyes lead him to the outside of a more wealthy looking tavern and inn were the girl stops to talk to a man standing outside of it...you notice that the area seem to be relatively free of natives, other than obvious slaves. She whispers to the man.
I have done as you have asked, I think they have just arrived in the city. They matched the description you gave us. I approached them as you told me to trying to become their guide in the city but they were too wary.
Ertiru is following them now as I would raise more suspicion. Is there anything else you want me to do?
The man responds.
No girl, be gone now. Be glad you are not to be punished for failing us. the man clenches his fist and the girl cringes but he does nothing else. The man then looks around before entering the place called the Colonial Arms.
The parties path:
You wind your way through Kalabuto asking a few people on your way through town where to find the Shrunken Head tavern you are looking for. People are wary and a bit rude in the town but you can feel it is not personal.
You make your way to the center of town near the river. The area consists of a number of boardwalks.
You get there in the late afternoon. The Shrunken Head tavern lies on a stretch of riverside boardwalk wedged between an exotic hardwoods warehouse and a small copper foundry. A former warehouse, the tavern’s ground floor sits upon old stone ruins, while the remainder of the structure has a wood frame and plank walls.
Inside, customers crowd the dimly lit hall. A haze of smoke from guttering tallow candles fills the room, and on every table, dark-skinned dancing girls dressed in brightly colored veils work the house, occasionally dipping into the pockets of leering patrons. Once sacred spirit dancers, they’ve been reduced to little more than exotic curiosities who make their money entertaining drunken foreigners by performing bastardized versions of their ritual dances on bar tables.
You ask about the dwarf you are supposed to meet, Cheiton. He frequents the place often but is not here yet. He suggests you buy a drink and enjoy yourselves while you wait on him.
Balani buys herself a drink and, surprisingly perhaps, seats herself in the midst of the chaos. Her half closed eyes roam from the door to the other patrons and back. Her sharp ears listen to all that is saidaround her. While she lifts the tankard to her lips often, it does not seem to empty.
Tragershen will order a small platter or two of fruit/bread/cheese that we can linger and snack on while we wait for the dwarf to put in an appearance. He'll ask for ale or wine to drink, using a quick presdigitation to cool the beverage before savoring it.
The PARTY: The scantily dressed serving wench gives you a bit of a snort at the request of fruit and cheese.
About five minutes later another girl brings you a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread, Your food and drink...milord. If you need ANYTHING else please let me know. She gives you a rather provocative look as well as lets her hand slide over your shoulder.
NIM: The man is dressed for combat. The armor is on the lighter side but he has several weapons on him. He has the gait of a professional. You haven't seen him before but he isn't dressed like someone important...more like some kind of soldier or mercenary.
THE PARTY: A dwarf with a number of tatoos enters the place. He walks over a takes a table pinching a girl on the bottom as he goes by...she seems to know him.
Nim flies off to locate the Shrunken Head Tavern and rejoin the others...
You go over and tell Cheiton who you are in hushed tones. He is a jovial but typically gruff type of Dwarf.
Ah yes, we need to get ya all sorted. As much as I would like to enjoy the fruits of this...labor we should talk in private.
He grumbles a bit and then tells you to follow him.
Nim lands just as you are exiting the tavern and joins in the group.
He leads you back to his house, not far from the Shrunken Head, and invites you in. He tells the guards and animals to go into the ally to not be so obvious.
Well it is good yer here. I have a little information for ye. Looks like the Aspis Consortium is ahead of you for sure. They passed through town about 5 days ago. I think you made up a little time on them, they didn't expect you for another 2-3 days at least. I don't know anything else about their group but I wouldn't expect them to be nice to ye if ye run into them.
So what can I do for yous? Need new animals, foodstuffs, mundane equipment? I can also arrange for a place to stay or ye can stay here?
Do you tell Cheiton what you saw with the girl and the unknown man?
Nim lands and transform back into his human form, immediately relaying his findings, Our arrival in Kalabuto has been noted, and expected, for some time. We are being followed. I followed the girl to a tavern called the Colonial Arms where she reported to a mercenary. She also mentioned that someone by the name of Ertiru, likely another street urchin, is keeping tabs on us as we speak.
It is likely they intend to... disrupt our plans.
Cheiton's eyes arch at the mention, Well that was quick. Looks like one of the other groups is going to play dirty...doesn't suprise me. Tell me how ye want to play it and how I can help!
Suddenly there is a soft knock at the door...
You draw your weapons and Cheiton pulls out a Pik, he peers out his window.
Single human women, farily non-descript. Don't see anyone else.
He opens the door and the women walks by Cheiton into his house. The Dwarf gets ready to strike as do the rest of you when a magical disguise suddenly drops and Chivane, leader of the Mantis is standing there.
Dwarf, I am a scout for this group. I need to report to them...privately.
After some grumbling Cheiton leaves the room. You have been marked. My advanced team is nearby. Do you want me to eliminiate the child who is following you? He is watching this building right now but I don't expect him to stay long. Or we can capture him and you can torture the information out of the him.
Before Nim can even respond to Cheiton, the knock comes at the door.
Nim looks on as Chivane reveals herself. Does anyone not know where we are and what we are up to? Nim says to no one in particular.
Addressing Chivane directly Nim asserts, Capture the boy but do not harm him. Bring him to us and we will deal with him ourselves.
Do you have anything else to report?
If you wish to help us further, you could investigate the Colonial Arms for us. The one who sent the child to follow us is there. I suspect they intend to interfere sooner than later.
She looks like she is about to say something back to Nim at his requests...but then decides better.
But then speaks up anyways, but her voice isn't angry just more matter of fact, I have decided not to kill you Nim.
Sasha speaks highly of you but says you are a blunt, and very direct. Not many speak to me so..or at least live long afterwards. It appears she was being very truthful. We have been following you for some time and move quickly as you approached the city catching you as you entered.
As far as people who know about your group...your group is one of the most famous throughout the region now. After it leaked out that someone, meaning all of you, may have the location of Saventh-Yhi...its quite the discovery...you became a huge target. By now half the region knows of it and a quarter of them are looking for you or being paid to spy on you. she grins. You are famous! she chuckles in a cruel manner.
She turns serious, We will leave the child unconscious in the alley, better that your allies don't suspect anything. We won't hurt him...permanently. 5 minutes.
Remember, if you involve us you will live with how we operate...you might not like the results, just remember you opened that door.
With that she turns back into the women and leaves.
Nim does not respond to Chivane's threat. It is her nature... he thinks to himself.
If so many are aware of that which we possess and what we seek, it is no small wonder that someone hasn't taken us out by now. Surely there are more powerful entities interested than we have encountered so far. Ones whose power we could not hope to defend ourselves from, he muses further as she speaks.
Nim responds finally as she turns to leave, Act as your nature dictates... and I will do the same. You do not know me well enough if you believe I will be troubled by your methods or the "result". And when I said help "us", I meant we and you. An enemy of ours is also an enemy of yours... such is the nature of our alliance.
You think she is used to people deferring to her and being afraid of her from your conversations with Sasha. She is a group leader of a sect of the Mantis Assassins so you know she at least thinks she is powerful.
You think speaking so directly to her she almost thinks you ordered her to take care of these things for you...but maybe she realized it is just your direct manner.
Yes we know all about "we and you". We have already killed several on your, I meant "our" behalf...they were getting too close so we made them disappear. Some of them now know you have powerful allies...some are just to stupid to care...but they will learn. she smiles a predators grin.
Seems yer a right popular bunch aye? Right band of celebrities... Kragnir muttered with a hint of bitterness at all the fuss. Beating off adoring fans and managing your adorin' camp followers ain't part of my package. Or handling these bloody urchins your attracting. That'll be extra, like hazard pay... savvy?
The irrepressible Dwarf leered up at Chivane and gave a fearless grin.
Much appreciated on all the killin', but could you maybe let a few more through once you've softened them up, eh? I could do with the practice and its been way too quiet on the road. If thats yer doing, I reckon you owe us. Let a good scrap come our way next time, alrighty?
Nim looked at Kragnir after Chivane left. Our "fame" is not by our choice, believe me. You are right though, your services are not required in dealing with our adoring fans or the street urchins. You will earn your loot share like all the rest of us, and if you are to charge extra for "hazard pay", then we will have to charge the same back to you. I dare say, being around you, and with your attitude, it is likely you are going to draw hazard to us as opposed to drive it away. Nim smiles and gives the dwarf a slap on the shoulder.
Cheiton's eyes arch at the mention, Well that was quick. Looks like one of the other groups is going to play dirty...doesn't suprise me. Tell me how ye want to play it and how I can help!
Suddenly there is a soft knock at the door...
Do you guys want anything from Cheiton or just normal re-supply?
Let me know what shopping you wish to do in the town, some of you (Corb and Trag) have some gold to spend. I will move the story forward tomorrow to give those folks a little time to get that together. Check the knowledge post on the previous page for item rules in this city. In the city spoiler.
Kragnir/Balani this is when you can spend your signing bonus. 4000gp.
Balani, you want to do anything in town with regards to finding your family?
Nim spends his time in quiet commune with nature... searching the Green for a suitable replacement form for Wic.
Balani asks Cheiton if he has heard of, or knows anyone who may know of, the people of the Zenj village she is looking for.
Unfortunately my information is sparse. I know only the names of the chief from many years ago and his son. The chief was called Shokat and the son Hansi. The name of the village is not known to me but its location was near the northern Sargavan border in the Mwangi Expanse. It was deserted not long before I got there and I tracked a group into Sargava but then lost their trail. I would appreciate any information you have.
I will ask around and see if we come up with anything.