Born into this hostile world, you each have struggled relentlessly to survive despite the best efforts of many men and mutants. Each of you has a long story to tell of a childhood amongst the ruins of a time your forebears don’t remember, the shattered remains of the Ancients standing alone and devastated in a world gone dry. The elders say water once flowed across the ground, and even fell from the sky regularly. These fairy tales of long ago are well-known lies, told only to children and the followers of ignorant cults. Remembering back to siblings who were killed during the hunt, or caught by the disease gods as they sifted the sands to separate the weak from the strong; you have learned, and lived. Through their weaknesses you have grown wiser and remained strong.
You now find yourselves in a dusty chamber, lit only through portals blocked with slowly rotating blades, allowing a little circulation into this dirty room. Around the walls sit chairs bearing delegates from the most influential communities of the area: Bazaar (the town hosting the council), Dry Fort, and Spilunk. You have been introduced to a few of the representatives, standing in a group in the center of the room, being examined from all sides like animals ready for sale.
“They looking like not much, eh?” states the tall yet withered, viscously pale form of Elder Vilic of Spilunk. “Are you sure will do?” he says with a look of worry easily discernible on his hideous face, seemingly composed of a mass of chunky tumors and subtly misplaced features.
”More like grubs than bronze, eh?” says the handsome and cleanly white-clad Trademaster Gorgel of the merchants.
“Trash. All of them trash. You have wasted my time, Gorgel,” mutters Captain Ulz, an apparent veteran soldier from the settlement of Dry Fort, his proud bearing marred by deformations and hunched back; clearly a mutant as well from his withered nose, jagged teeth, and misaligned eyes.
“They answered the call. No others. Our future may depend on these scags.” These words come from Trademaster Gorgel of Bazaar, standing now to address all present. Standing in one of the beams of light, you see his bald dome of a head appearing as if it has never grown hair.
“You may have come seeking profit or to answer the duty of your various communities. You may or may not even be from the Trade Lands – I do not know. But I will tell you what is happening. Raiders have been much trouble over these many years. Time and time again junk has been taken, homes destroyed, furniture – our women - stolen. This cannot continue. We, the people of Bazaar, Dry Fort, and Spilunk comprise a secret alliance of towns unwilling to suffer this humiliation any longer.
“You...” His voice lingers for a moment, as if he too were on the verge of reconsidering. “...are to help us win our freedom. Simple, no?”
“Ahem...” cuts in Elder Vilic. “About the...”
“Yes, I will get to that,” interrupts Trademaster Gorgel, holding up his hand, revealing his short, stubby fingers. “As we do not know the true strength of our enemy, we cannot risk the raiders thinking you work for us. The Wastelords, as they are known, are legendary for their brutal reprisals. You will be ‘simple wanderers’ or ‘phantoms’ if you fail or are captured. Understood?”
“I can see worry on your faces. We must survive and trade is important to survival. If you help, you will get much. If you do as needed, we are willing to give you each five hundred chunks of corium. In addition, the leaders of the communities will give you more...maybe.”
“What do you say?”
A vast expanse of dry desert skirting the eastern edges of the Big Rocks, the “Forbidden Lands” are known throughout the Twisted Earth as a chaotic region. This is a land of canyons, gorges, dry rivers, and at times even seas of seemingly endless dunes. The region has long been a haven to the dozens of raider gangs that make the Forbidden Lands so treacherous, keeping away the encroach of even the most well-organized and fortified merchant groups (the only exception being the Cartel, and even they have been cautious in their forays into these wide open lands beneath the shadow of the distant Rockies) – and thus the foothold of any possible civilization.
Despite the threat of horizon-spanning raider armies, smaller gangs of outcasts from the settler tribes and clans, and many natural dangers/predatory mutants (in particular, the sandmen that dwell in unusual abundance beneath the surface of the region), life goes on in the Forbidden Lands. People, usually traveling in small, violently xenophobic groups, cling to life through a nomadic existence that keeps them on the move, always a step ahead of the more powerful raider gangs. Life is harsh, pitiless, and cruel in the Forbidden Lands. Everyone and everything serves a practical purpose; those that do not are cast out as junk (whether person or object), for the predators to do with as they will, and buy time for the rest to get away.
In this bleak and brutal land, communities are seldom permanent; transient tent cities, temporary encampments, and open “oasis” where no one stays long are more likely features of the region. Though few groups welcome the sight of others here in these wastes, every now and again the various tribes, clans, or gangs do get together at temporary “towns” (again, just tent cities or camps) to do trade for the vital things needed to keep this fragile way of life going: food, water, ammunition, weapons, gasoline, vehicle parts, and women change hands frequently at these much-anticipated gatherings.
Still, though the nomads of the Forbidden Lands do sometimes find a time to celebrate and join with their fellow man in brutal entertainments (e.g. gladiatorial games) at such gatherings, their guard is never down. The raider gangs are ever-present, ever watchful. Inevitably the gangs hear of these camps, or stumble upon them in the desert, and their brief but important contribution to nomad society and interaction comes to an end.
But such is life in the Forbidden Lands. Few things are permanent. And nothing lasts forever.
’Do not appear afraid, that’s what the elders told me. They said there may be a mutant that can smell it out. The hive knows, we have ‘prov’s that can, so they might too. Be one of the volunteers. Help defeat the ‘Wastelord.’ Try to live to tell the tale. It’s easier to read a mind when it’s still alive. That’s what they told me. I didn’t know there were so many different …types of what do they call themselves Mutants? How odd, don’t they have a breeding program? I need to look like I'm here like every other wandering guide. Look like I need supplies. That will be a good start. It's a good plan, since I do; it's not a lie, so there will be nothing to smell.'
Standing in the ancient room with the others, concentrating on his own thoughts. Navarre, smiling to himself, looks up just as the one called ‘Trademaster’ finishes his sales pitch.
As he moves, the blue light from bioluminescent skin causes the shadow of his poncho to dance across the floor and walls. the shadow fading and reforming as it mixes with the light from the bladed holes. Releasing his grip on his garment he moves one blue hand out from under the poncho, grasping the wood trimmed small school slate hanging on his neck. In his left hand he produces a piece of chalk from his pants pocket, writing on the slate, then holding it up for the ‘Trademaster’ to see.
Watching carefully to attempt to read the mans motivation.
$
Now
or
Later
?
Rose looked surprisingly like one might have thought an ancient human might have, his body and proportions all human without horrible growths or scars from wasteland visible. Of course he was covered neck to toe in a long leather jacket with a shoulder slung quiver with a compound bow and on his left hip hung an exotic looking curved sword. His narrowed eyes took in their surroundings as he listened to the offer of the council.
"You hire us to kill the bandit lord who harasses your settlement, what proof do you require to allow us to collect our reward? Do expect the head of each Wastelord?"
Rose looked over at the bio-luminescent mutant as he considers if they even have the strength in the current group to accomplish this feat. They will definitely need to better equip themselves before this.
Tomas has been half listening, too used to zoning out when old farts started getting boring. Mention of Corium gets his attention though.
"That's a lotta territory to cover. Maybe you could get us some type of vehicle to use?" He asks hopefully. "No use to you or us if you send us out bareassed is it?"
Trademaster Gorgel looks to the bug mutant first and reads the chalk board. "Half now and half when completed."
"If you wish to drag heads around with you that's your business but trophy of their deaths are fine from their possession." looking to Rose.
"Unfortunately no vehicle is available." he turns to Thomas.
'Half now, Half later. That's good, we can gear up a little. Interesting, is this Trade master that rich, or does he trust strangers enough to not run with half or are they that desperate.' Nodding, Navarre gives a brief smile; making sure he keeps his lips tightly press together so his mandibles don't show. He quickly erases the slat-board with the edge of his poncho and writes on the board again. Turning the board over to show the 'trademaster' at the same time he extends his right hand to shake.
Done
Turning from the 'Trademaster' he looks at the others standing there. He then quickly erases the board again, writing quickly, holding it for the other assassins to see.
Navarre
Tracker
Guide
He lets the slate board hang from the rope around his neck as he points to himself with his left hand, and reaches his right out to shake theirs.
'Oh well. Better than nothing.' Tomas mentally shrugs. Noting the mutant had written something on a board he looks it over.
"Tomas. I fix things, and handle traps'n locks." He responds, shaking Navarre's hand.
The man nodded to the council. "I find your terms acceptable."
He then turned to Tomas and Navarre.
"I am Rose. I am just a wandering swordsman looking to cultivate my skills."
The Trademaster seems like he's telling the truth and they need your help with this matter although he may be hiding something from you.
"So, any tips on where we should start looking for the Wastelords?" Tomas gets around to asking. "If we can pick off some of the smaller gangs we can supply ourselves and get info that can hurt the bigger groups."
"The Wastelords come from the southwest; they must have a village of their own over the mountains. But there are other areas here that would make good forward bases for their raids."
"But the envoys of two other communities, Ebb and Sandyville, did not come to the council meeting. You must find out why. Go to these towns and discover why their envoys have not made the journey first."
'So we have a fighter, a fixer and I'll be the finder. I wonder if there is a fourth, perchance someone who might know what our new employer isn't telling us.' bowing his head respectfully to each of his new associates, Navarre looks around to see if any others in the crowd step forward to help fight the 'Wastelords'.
Not seeing any immediate movement he turns back to the 'Trademaster' watching the man. Eyeing him until he squirms a little. Pulling his piece of chalk out of his pocket, turning the board, he frantically writes, then turns the board over.
# of
Men ?
Vehicles ?
Weapons ?
'Take smaller raiders for their gear. That's actually a good idea.' Looking at Tomas Navarre nod's his head approvingly.
'Investigate the other towns, that doesn't sound like it's in the original contract. The elders certainly don't care what happened to them.' Navarre flips his slate back and begins writing again, then turning his slate over, he again resists the urge to smile.
How much pay
For secondary
Assignment?
"We guess two hundred or more, over the mountains. But the Wastelords only come to the Trade Lands in small groups. Vehicle parties assembled to cross great distances or attack caravans often number only ten men or so. So if your looking for a vehicle you could possibly take one from them when you do what you do."
"As for the other villages as I stated earlier they will surely compensate you when the mission is completed as well on top of what we agreed will be paid for you. And if you do this you will be heroes to the villages as well as the Traders here."
Captain Ulz walks over as your talking to the Trademaster and a lot of the people start to disperse.
"Here is a Map of the area to help you on your journies" he says a little begrudgingly.
Bazaar Map
A. Gates
B. Guardhouses
C. Stables
D. Sleeping Hall
E. Common House
F. Hovel
G. Gunsmith
H. Carpenter
I. Store
J. Armorer
K. Caravan Hall
L. Merchant Lodge (Where you are)
M. Home and Junkyard
N. Home
'How much do I want to press, this? Our original contract was to hunt the 'wastelords, I'm sure he has more money to give, there are only three of us, he would have hired a dozen.' Furrowing his brow, Navarre shakes his head, no. Giving the trademaster a disgusted look. He turns his slate back toward himself, and erasing with his poncho, writes again.
not spend or
eat promises
$ to hunt
Not to help
pay more
'We may have to pass through the towns, but we don't have to send word back if they don't pay us to. However, I will need to tell the elders that this man adds to contracts at his convenience.' Frowning, at the 'trademaster' Navarre erases the slate again, writing more, he turns it back.
2 contracts
1 payment
Bad trade
Tomas isn't impressed, he's been studying the maps but looks up when the Trademaster ends the argument.
"He's right you know? This extra job wasn't part of the agreement, and you think you kin pile on more without paying? You know what they say about getting what you pay for. Clutching the corium too tight just means you die rich."
The trademaster shakes his head.
"I think you misunderstand me. We do not know exactly where the Wastelords are and the agreement was to protect all the villages in this trade route which includes Ebb and Sandyville. I suggest you check the other two villages as they were supposed to send representatives here to represent their villages but perhaps the Wastelords intercepted them and gives you a chance to do what your being paid to do."
Tomas wracked his memory, admittedly he hadn't been that attentive when the deal was being discussed, but this guy was trying to pack two tons of s&*! into a one ton bag!
"I dunno? Vague words get vague results. You tell us our job is to free you from these Wastelords. Then ya start throwing orders as if we should jump an do whatever ya want? Howsabout you stop holding the info as if it were corium? Ya send us off blind and we might just wander off and get lost!"
Seeing the discussion going a little sideways Elder Vilic makes his way over to the group.
"Gentlemen please this is a dire time and your help is greatly appreciated."
He reaches into a bag and pulls out some vials of blue liquids.
"Please take these to help you with the mission and a token of our gratitude in assisting the trade routes and villages."
He hands each of you 2 of these potions.
'That is reasonable, he has offered more for our secondary task, that is a fair trade.' Nodding his head approvingly, Navarre erases and writes quickly,
Fair
Trade
Then accepts two of the potions, tucking them in his pocket beside his piece of chalk.
'To speed up our search, I should purchase food, so I won't have to hunt. Probably more bullets as well. We should expect fighting.'Turning to leave the old building, Navarre waves at his fellow adventurers, holding up one of the pieces of corium and a bullet, then shaking the corium again, and gesturing to his mouth. Attempting to indicate that he needs to buy ammo and food.
Rose accepted the coin and juju potions putting them away as he studied the map briefly. He motioned to Elder Vilic before he could step away.
"A moment of your time Elder...I am no cartographer but looking at the map of the area you come from the north west of here...did you not pass through Ebb on your way here to the meeting? It is most odd you did not see or join travel with the other representatives. What also can you tell me of Black Stump and Two Trees?"
He doesn't seem to notice the insect mutants gestures as he probes for some clues to what might await them to the south west.
Elder Vilic turns to Rose.
"The elders have been here for some time trying to come up with a plan to deal with these wastelords. Your group here was already in Baazar when the notice was sent out but those we expected from the other villages never made it that would be accompanying you."
He sighs a bit.
"Black Stump is just a land mark used by the trade routes so it's easy to find our destinations. It's a shelter spot and way station of sorts you will pass on your way to Ebb. Two Trees is similar used as shelter for the convoys and animals for the evening and elements."
"Good luck on your journeys and will pray for your success."
Nodding politely to the 'Trademaster' Navarre pockets his share of the corium. He exit's heading north to make sure he keeps his bearings. Then then begins slowly movin around town, in a clockwise motion.
'That's the gun shop, I will need to come back there and purchase bullets, once I secure food and a pack.'Seeing the sign on the first building north he makes a mental note of it, realizing he'll need to return later.
'No reason to tempt fate.' He continues clockwise, staying near the lodge, wanting to avoid what appears to be hovels. Passing a large house, he sees two more buildings, the further appearing to be an armorer, the nearer a store. 'Armor would be expensive and time consuming. The store seems to be what I'm looking for.
He walks into the store near the hall and lodge, walking around looking at their wares. Eventually He pulls his chalk piece out and writes on his slate board:
Road
Food
?
Navarre
You start making your way around the town. Most of the buildings do have some sort of sign indicating the type of shop if it is a shop.
As you pass by the building labeled N you see a woman outside dressed in robes and trinkets all around her neck. She kind of resembles a witch doctor of some sort. On the table near her you see potions, tablets, syringes and all kinds of weird things. The building she is at is in very good shape compared to some others near by.
The shop labeled L resembles a pre-war "fruit market" made of shoddy wood and painted in the gaudiest colors. You see some prices from a distance and they are quite ridiculous!
The witch lady stops you when she see's your sign.
"I would stay away from that store" pointing to location L "and head to the home of Dust-walker." she points in direct of location M. "There you can find cheaper canned foods that will last you longer on your journey I'm sure and at a much more reasonable price."
Rose prepares himself for the journey ahead by following Navarre, eager to get some supplies like food and water.
"Thank you miss that seems good advice based on his prices."
Rose waits a moment to see if she has more advice before heading in the direction of M.
'Canned fruit would be a good thing to have, I wonder if this 'Dusk-Walker' has jerky as well.' Nodding his head in agreement with Rose, he waves politely to the witch lady. As Navarre turns to leave, 'The one named Rose is waiting, maybe she has more to say.' Realizing that Rose has delayed for a moment, Navarre also waits until Rose begins to move, taking the time to examine his new associate. 'Odd, a bow and exotic sword, both weapons of barbarians, but his clothes and demeanor would infer he is not.'
Once they begin moving again, Navarre pulls his chalk out and quickly scribbles on his board. Turning it over for Rose to see, he holds it out, turning his left hand over in an inquisitive gesture.
Where
From
Rose
As Rose shares they continue walking, entering the building the 'witch lady' indicated.
The Witch Doctor lady shows you her goods. Some of the potions look like the ones that Elder gave you. Beyond that she doesn't seem to be that much talkative just trying to make some coins.
Most people seem to be minding their own business as you make your way around the town.
Rose looks over the potions and nods checking the prices for later before moving on with Navarre. He sees the bug man writing a note on his chalkboard and takes a moment to read it. Where he came from...now that was a question Rose wanted to avoid.
"The wastes are vast and a single speck of dust has no beginning or end to its origin. It is less important where we come from then it is where we are going."
Tomas held on to his corium for now, aside from rations and water he planned on getting his wish list from other sources.
An eyebrow rose at Rose's statement. That's a pretty way to say 'Don't ask!' He thought, keeping his mouth shut wisely.
'I'm not sure how well her medicine will work on me. Besides I better save my corium for food and bullets.' Nodding politely Navarre continues toward the store she indicated.
'A vast single speck, ok, so no people or he doesn't want to talk about it. I'm not sure why I expected it to be otherwise.' Nodding sagely, Navarre uses his poncho to erase the board. Then he looks at the sky turning a little to his right, he looks at the sky again. Then tapping his chest, he gestures towards the West. Then waving his hand in a scooping motion pointing at the ground.
'That's nice of gear, his tribe must be rich.' Navarre, turns and looks at Tomas, he scribbles on he slate. Then showing it to the Mechanic, raises an eyebrow.
You
Sand
Too
?
As the conversation contiues, Navarre makes his way to the store the 'witch' indicated Walking in and looking around.
Dust-Walker sells Canned Foods (Military C-Rations) cans for 5cp each. Each can equals a full meal.
Gunsmith sells ammo at below prices.
5.56 (20) - 30cp
.38 special (50) - 40cp
BP Pistol (20) - 30cp
BP Rifle (20) - 30cp
The armoror if your interested only sells leather jackets (25cp and leather armor (40cp)
Water you can get for free here may just need to buy some skins if you don't have already.
Rose buys a small supply of rations and looks at the small group who seem ready to risk their lives for some coin and fame. He also drinks deeply of the water and refills his canteen. You never know when you'll have another chance.
He nods slowly and speaks, "We best head out along the main trade road. Unless one of you is hiding a wheeled vehicle somewhere I assume we are walking."
Tomas reads Navarre's question and grins easily. "Nah, I'm a local boy. Grew up here scrabbling to make the ends join. Mostly by fixing things when some scraphead bolloxed them up. I'm wearing about everything I own in the world right now."
He shrugs, "I was planning on leaving to find a place and some corium of my own anyway. Chance comes to do that, along with getting paid and two others with enough nerve to do the same. Be crazy to let it go by!'
Tomas picks up another 10 days rations, and buys another canteen, he drinks deep and makes sure his are filled.
Either of you two wanna try picking up a longarm, I'll put in some of the cost." He offers, "Further away you shoot em, the better for me!"
Rose considered the offer and then shook his head. He touched the hilt of the master-crafted katana sword on his hip.
"Guns are noisy, expensive, impersonal and if we have the luxury of that much distance I will use another option. "
A local boy, that makes sense.' Nodding his head, Navarre follows behind Tomas also purchasing rations, a container to carry water in and a bag to carry the food in.
'I think a rifle would be nice, but I don't trust these pipe guns.' While they are at the armory looking at the firearms, Navarre, isn't real impressed with the selection. When Tomas offers to help purchase a pipe gun, Navarre shakes his head no. He then spots a crossbow, smiling he goes and picks it up. Turning to Rose he lifts up the crossbow, showing it to the swordsman. He then puts his finger over his lips "Ssshhhhhh" smiling at his selection he purchase the weapon and bolts for it.
'Rose is right, the main road will get us there the quickest.' As they exit the shops, Navarre nods his head in agreement with Rose, but when the Cutter inquires about a vehicle. Navarre stops, setting down the bag of food, and slinging the crossbow over his shoulder. He makes a show of patting down the front pockets of his pants then pats the back pockets of his pants, as if looking for something. He then turns to Rose, shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head no. He smiles and makes a small clicking noise that has a similar cadence to laughter, and then points toward the south west and begins walking.
After they walk for a few miles and are well out of sight from the village, Navarre again sets the bag of food down, this time dropping his poncho on top, revealing for the first time that he has large wasp-like wings. He gestures to Rose and Tomas making a 'one' using his finger. Then flying straight up about a hundred foot hovering for a moment, he looks around and then lands. Recovering his gear.
As Navarre takes to the sky he can see heading out from Bazaar along the same path he and his allies took a massive form.
The man, clearly a mutant has strapped to its back a large sword and he wears armor just as archaic consisting of chain links. He carries no backpack but has hanging over his broad neck four waterskins and a heavy sack tied to his waist.
The creature is ugly, ugly in a way even a man that looks like an insect can appreciate. He appears to be tracking, your group!
'That is a huge man headed this way from Bazaar.' Even before Navarre lands, he is scribbling on his slate board. Looking from Tomas to Rose, using his first two fingers he points to his eyes, indicating what he saw, then he points back the way they came, holding up the slate board.
Large
Man
big
Sword
Then dropping the slate board to hang around his neck, he checks the quarrel on his crossbow, holding the weapon, towards the ground. 'I guess we'll see what this fellow wants.'
As Navarre lands and writes on his board about the big mutant making his way toward the group the ground shifts and erupts below the group!
A mass of writhing, segmented centipedes comes scuttling up from the depths, looking for prey to consume!
The Giant sees the earth erupt and begins to run towards the disturbance.
Initiative
Xoknus charges at the fray drawing his large greatsword, clearly an archaic weapon and of great craftsmanship, he bellows a challenge at the centipedes, "Flee before I squash you like the bugs that you are!"
"It is an ambush! Cut them down and the ugly one if he is with them!" Rose places his hand on his katana and crouches preparing to draw and strike as the chaos erupts around him.