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In agreement Alwyn turns back to join the others.
Laughing at short cuts "Yeah I have an uncle like that no matter where he goes it takes him twice as long to get there and he swears it is the shortest route...shaking head before continuing I've never traveled by elephant before, anything we should know about them. Also how long will this trip take?"
Lord Pandisar smiles, "Oh I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. They sway about a lit but there's a seat on top that's pretty comfortable. Just don't stand behind one whatever you do, I hope I don't have to explain why..."
"You wouldn't have to worry about that. We'll stay atop."
......
"Say, have you ever considered mounting a small ballista on its back?
You know, in case anything 'serious' shows up."
Pratavh is stunned at Lilly's suggestion, "Only you would come up with the idea of mounting a ballista on the back of an animal Lilly." He turns to Lord Pandisar, "Surely the creature is not that large."
Crossing her arms, she raises a brow.
"What's that supposed to mean? Elephants are large and strong enough, besides it'd only be a smaller one."
That would actually be cool, as well as effective...to some extend of ccourse.
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Ships have employed smaller balista for ages Pratavh, pretty sure if elephants are as big as you guys are indicating then something like that would be plausible. Granted you would need a platform big enough to re-cock the balista, that might be an issue exposing you to enemy fire.....Anyway we have plenty of time to discuss the merits and issues of Lilly's idea. Looking to Lord Pandisar When do we leave?"
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"Lord Pandisar, there has been mention of a possible dragon and while that might be exaggerated it would indicate that there is something there of a substantial size. Lilly's idea has merit and on further reflection could probably be put to use with a little help from your harbormaster and the animals handlers, would it be possible to hire a couple of the fleet's crew members to operate them. While I haven't seen one before, I've heard a few stories, and understand these animals can push down trees easily. a couple of these may well help us complete the task you have set before us."
Turning back towards the others, "I believe we are supposed to visit Mistress Varusani again, and it might be prudent to do so before we leave. Lord Pandisar might you have any suggestions for items that would be a great benefit on this expedition? Granted, protection from acid would be of great use I do believe against this cult."
Lord Pandisar strokes his beard and considers, "Elephants are very strong indeed, I believe they have been used to carry small siege weapons on occasion in the past. I'll send for Master Bvar form the ordinance. I think he will be best placed to help, although I fear the bore might insist on joining the venture... I'll send word the day after tomorrow, Bala will want to meet you and I think set off either that day or the one after. If you have any last minute supplies you need I'd recommend getting them."
As an after thought, Lord Pandisar adds, "It might be worth consulting with Prince Kanvar, he may know some of the history of Leckumgee. Possibly give you some idea of what to expect there."
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Mohktar considers further the implications of combating a dragon and the followers of this cult. Having dealt with the bird creature and the like, he asks a question regarding magical supplies.
Shiko is interested in potions of resist energy ACID....as well as remove fear.
Any other ideas regarding dealing with a dragon?
A day passes, and a rather familiar runner comes looking for you. Deepa smiles, feeling honored to be delivering messages to the heroes, "Māsṭara Bvar aura māsṭara bālā adhyādēśa para āpa sē milanā cāhatā hūm̐ . Baṛā krŏsabō cīza kē bārē mēṁ tarka kē kucha prakāra uha hai..."
"Master Bvar and Master Bala want to meet you at the ordinance. There's uh some kind of argument about the big crossbow thing..."
Lilly follows the girl's words, yet by the mention of 'big crossbow', she smiles.
"An argument huh, well we'll sort that out when we get there.
Thanks."
Turning to the others,
"Maybe they're having a debate which elephant to choose or how big it's going to have to be."
"Either way we had better go there and find out what they need from us." Pratavh stands with a slight groan, stretches his back carefully, and goes to gather his things.
Shiko purchases two potions of Resist Energy Acid and two potions of remove fear. Total cost is 700GP.
Shiko grouses I believe I am ready to go to this den of vipers and end it.
Deepa leads you to the small naval fort to the west of town. The fort itself is a fairly unremarkable stone building, but it commands and excellent view of the harbour and it's magically enhanced siege engines are able to engage any ship within a nautical mile. You can't see it, thanks to several tall villas in the way, but you know there's another fort far to the east side of the bay.
Several soldiers are guarding the gates and they come to attention when you arrive. A harassed looking lieutenant waves you through. Inside the fort you witness the remarkable sight of half a dozen elephants with great riding baskets on their backs. What's more there's a commotion where a short man with a turban is arguing with a taller well armed man, apparently about how they will mount the large balistae on the elephant.
The man with the turban sighs deeply, apparently the victim of an extended tirade, "Vē basa kē bārē mēṁ abhibhūta karanē kē li'ē jā rahē haiṁ dēkhō, aura pichalē samaya kē li'ē taṅga ki paṭṭiyām̐ nahīṁ kara sakatā. Hāthī nahīṁ lē jā'ēgā. Maiṁ usē darda hō rahā hai, jahāṁ kṣamā karēṁ sāśā, dūra kyā āpa shoved hūm̐. Hama ēka alaga dōhana, adhika paṭṭiyām̐, nahīṁ taṅga lōgōṁ kī jarūrata dēkhō."
Glowing beet red in the face, the taller and immaculately armed and armored man is almost screaming at the smaller man in the turban, "Akṣamatā! Āpa lā'ina mēṁ hai ki jānavara nahīṁ rakha sakatē haiṁ?! Vāstava mēṁ āpa kaisē mujhē yaha mujha para hamalā karanē kē li'ē kōśiśa kara rahā hai jaba saṭīkatā kē kisī bhī ḍigrī kē sātha āga kī um'mīda hai? Aura isa dōhana, yaha Ulma Peiod mēṁ rājakumāra Hakkan li'ē kāphī acchā thā. Ēha ēha. Aisā kyōṁ hai ki āpa kē li'ē bahuta acchā nahīṁ hai? Āpa yaha galata kara rahē hai. Tuma cāhō tō maiṁ thā mērē ādamī... Ōha acchī taraha sē kō'ī bāta nahīṁ hai. Yaha padārtha kē kucha lōga ā cukē haiṁ lagatā hai."
He turns to greet you, and polishes some imaginary dirt off his gleaming bassinet, as he says, "AH! The ones we have heard so much about are here. We shall have to swap stories! I won't bore you with all of my exploits, I'm sure you've heard of my defense of the city in the summer of '06 and later again in '09 and '10 and '11. Oh and there was that spot of bother last fall. I was the main hero of the day, I engaged the pirate lord in single combat and ha I lopped his head off. The girls you know, they can't help themselves."
He sidles up to Lilly and whispers, "Why hello! We should get acquainted!"
Before she has a chance to reply, he steps back and tells you, "We seem to be having a spot of bother with the hired help. This here," he points to the ballista, ", is a mark three naval arbalest. A piece of precision equipment. Able to hurl these javelins through six inches of oak at a range of one thousand yards. The Thackur wants me to mount it on that." He points to the elephant.
Lilly had stood with arms crossed, waiting and following the argument between the two.
She did look surprised at, but not impressed....by the man's attempt at a pass.
..Taking you up on the Varunasi thing..
Also, would it be possible for him to pick up a trio of Javelins of Lightning?.
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Mohktar excuses himself from the group for a time, electing to venture back the garment district to look in on Mistress Varunasi. Though the monk had little in the way of such cultural etiquette when it came to clothing, something told him visiting her would be of benefit. Before leaving he notifies the others, "If you recall, my friends, the Mistress Varunasi the clothier indicated she could provide us with specialty garments. While I had been searching for monk's robes..." Mohktar smiles and gives a chuckle. "I realized my allotment of blessings could not match the cost. But I did remember the clothier's offer. If any would wish to attend, I'll be going there today to see what is available."
Arriving at the shop, Mohktar enters and bows to the proprietor. "Mistress Varunasi, it is my honor to return to your establishment to view your creations. You'd made mention of garments for our benefit. I am humbled to ask after their status." He folds his hands before him and inclines his head once. "You should know that your information aided in us vanquish a great evil plaguing this city. We will be leaving soon to root out this evil at its source."
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Mohktar remains quiet as Bvar runs down his litany of accomplishments. Such bravado is far from appropriate in the monk's eyes but he understands pride does have its place. He presses his hands together and bows the namaste. "Master Bvar, surely a leader and warrior such as yourself, knowledgeable in the use of such fine equipment..." Mohktar gestures to the ballista. "...can humor those with less knowledge of the implement in its proper installation? And no doubt, the knowledge of those who command these magnificent and noble elephants can grant insights into the very same process."
Mohktar bows once more and leans in close to add, "Your endeavors here will aid in the destruction of a dragon terrorizing the people of Leckumgee. A formidable foe who has added to the misery of this great city here."
Master Bvar's eyes go distant at the mention of a dragon, "Ahh but there is glory to be had there! They'll remember my name, sorry our names for years to come... You look a competent man, why don't you see if you can get the hired help to mount this weapon. You may need to speak slowly and use short words however."
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"Mistress, thank you for you previous help when we were here before. Seems you have quite an interesting group of individuals causing trouble here in town these days. Unfortunately we will not be staying in town much longer but should the garments you mentioned before, still be available; they would be a great boon for our company. Which will be traveling to confront the vile cult that has been poisoning your city. I seem to remember you mentioning my clothing to be adequate for last years fashion chuckling but not nearly as resistant to caustic substances as it should be; judging from the numerous small holes things I own are beginning to show, you're quite right!"
Both of the 'gentlemen' appear to be at the wits end with each other, and it is all Alwyn can do, when Bvar begins to apply his charms to Lilly, not to laugh out loud completely. Seeing that Mohktar has taken Master Bvar to the side attempting to calm him down and have him see reason Alwyn approaches the animal's handler.
"Māsṭara Kanash yaha kyā hai? Yaha āpa aura āpakē mahāna jānavarōṁ kā kāraṇa banā hai musībata kē li'ē ka'ī māphī māṅgī. Hāthiyōṁ sabasē ḍarānā jīva haiṁ, abhī taka kēvala havā aura bāriśa dhīrē-dhīrē sadiyōṁ sē nīcē pahana sakatē haiṁ jō parākramī caṭṭānōṁ kē rūpa mēṁ yahām̐ cupacāpa khaṛē hō jā'ō. Kyā musībata hō rahā hai? Hama āyā kē rūpa mēṁ maiṁ paṭṭiyōṁ kī bāta karatē sunā. Maiṁ māsṭara Bvar para apanē Ballista jagaha icchā'ōṁ kē plēṭaphŏrma kā samarthana karanē kē li'ē jānavarōṁ para kāphī baṛī paṭṭiyōṁ dēkhatē haiṁ. Mujhē lagatā hai vaha yaha hai ki hathiyāra kē sātha kāphī utkr̥ṣṭa gōlī māra dī hai samajhatē haiṁ."
Master Kanash is it? Many apologies for the trouble this has caused you and your great animals. The elephants are most intimidating creatures, yet stand here quietly as mighty rocks which only the wind and rain can slowly wear down over the centuries. Whats seems to be the trouble? I heard talk of straps as we came up. I see quite large straps upon the animals to support the platforms Master Bvar wishes to place his ballista upon. I understand he is quite the excellent shot with that weapon.
Bala sighs, "Hām̐ ina saddles itanā vajana lēnē kē li'ē taiyāra nahīṁ haiṁ, yaha ṭōkarī mēṁ chōṭē lōgōṁ kē ēka jōṛē kē sātha ṭhīka hai. Adhika vajana nahīṁ hai lēkina agara isakē bārē mēṁ bahuta jyādā badalāva. Misṭara Bvar paṭṭiyām̐, ēka bahuta majabūta karanē kē li'ē karanā cāhatā thā. Yaha hāthiyōṁ darda hō rahā thā. Maiṁ atirikta paṭṭiyōṁ kē ēka jōṛē kē sātha ēka viśēṣa kāṭhī kē sātha bahuta bhārī bhāra lē jānē kē li'ē prayōga kiyā jātā hai, jahāṁ pichalē hāthiyōṁ mēṁ batāyā gayā hai. Durbhāgya sē maiṁ ḍijā'ina tō maiṁ kyā karanā hai patā nahīṁ hai kabhī nahīṁ dēkhā."
At the mention of an engineer, he sends a runner to fetch Fahad Bin Kalar.
Super tired, will try and write up Varunasi's stuff in the morning.
For one reason or another, you all follow Mohktar and Alwyn to Varunsai's shop, it's late evening when you visit and the shop seems empty and unlit. Yet as you approach the door opens by itself and alight flickers on inside. You hear a familiar voice, "Ah darlings, darlings, darlings! We have been working through the night. Several nights actually."
Despite the dim (lamp?) light, you still can't see anyone and the shop looks empty. There is a pause, before the oddly nasally voice calls out again, "Come come come! Do not be shy, Varunsai has many fashionable things for you to try. Fashionable things that are resistant to acid among other properties..."
Tentatively you enter, wondering what exactly is going on. The door closes behind you with a boom. Suddenly you feel like you are falling, and with a shock you realize the entire room is sliding down. It comes to an abrupt halt and you look around. The shop seems to have descended into a large well lit open room that could almost be described as opulent if it wasn't so brutally minimalistic. There is an expansive marble floor, and over in one corner is a trip of sofas, a coffee table and a wheeled clothes rail with a variety of striking garments. Varunsai is sitting on the sofa looking serene. She beckons you over.
Varunsai suddenly jumps up and hops over to the clothes rail. She selects one hanger and pulls off a particularly striking suit and trousers made of canary yellow leather with a black strip down the sides and also the middle of the jacket. There are several badges sewn onto the jacket but their significance is lost on you. She advances on Lilly with a predatory gleam in her eye.
"You're right, i prefer them seeing my fist or sword as the last thing they see."
Lillly says with a look like this.
Varunsai thrusts the garment at Lilly saying, "The leather is from a type of dragon-kin. Resistant to acid, fire, and highly resistant to damage. Yet it's breathable, darling you will find it doesn't impeded you in combat. See there are metal panels sown in here and here. These will deform from slow movement, such as needed when climbing but are highly resistant to sudden movement such as from a hammer blow."
With a characteristically sudden movement, Varunsai bounces back to the clothes rail and plucks out another garment. This time it's a dark, highly tailored suit with extremely sharp crease lines. She advances on Alwyn, "This looks like it's made of cotton, see it feels like that. In reality it's armor. It has been treated to be highly resistant to fire and acid, and it has other surprises. The cuff links here, are special. If you press them like so, three times a day you will be able to tell lies so smoothly that nobody can tell. There is an inertial dampening system built in, that steadies your aim and reduced damage from ranged attacks."
Is that a +10 overall speed, or stacking.
As in: 10ft extra on round 1, 20 ft total round 2, etc?
Lilly takes the suit from Varunasi.
"Thanks, any extra protection is more than welcome.
I'll bring you a dragon's tooth as a souvenier if we manage to kill it."
Very striking Lilly...
"Indeed, of course you get something very striking too." purrs a voice in Shikyo's ear. He turns around to see her there suddenly in his personal space, brandishing a coat hanger as if it was a weapon. On the coat hanger are some night black silks, made from the darkest material Shikyomru has ever seen.
"Phase spider silk, darling. Very very difficult to obtain. Completely acid proof and it won't burn either. Yet there is more, see how it bends the light? In anything less than full sunlight, you will be hard to pin down. What is more twice a day you may step into the shadows and appear into any other shadow you may see. Use it wisely darling."
Impressive. Thank you mistress. Shiko bows deeply I owe you a debt.
Seeing the equipment being doled out Pratavh finds himself fascinated by the different items. Hirati flits around Lilly as she examines hers and starts singing nonsensically as she flits around. Pratavh, meanwhile, finds a place to sit down for a short bit as Varunasi hands out the various articles of clothing.
.
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Mohktar smiles over at his comrade and says, "Look at you now, Shiko-san. Even the shadows will not knowhat to do with you."
Varunasi turns to Pratavh, and presents him with robes of midnight blue. There are tiny stars artfully sewn into the garment that seem to twinkle in the light. With a start you realize the stars match the constellations in the sky. "Darling this is rather something special, made from condensed moonlight and phase spider silk. Not only does it protect you from fire and acid and aid your void thaumaturgy, it lets you recall any one spell you've cast today and cast it again but stronger. And if you press this button here darling, you'll find the pull of the stars is so strong you can fly for a short while."
Without appearing to move, she suddenly has a woolen orange robe in her hands and faster than you can believe, she's behind Mohktar whispering nasally into his ear, "Last but by no means least. The wool, well it's not really wool darling, it's something much stronger, something that is highly resistant to acid and fire. Among it's other properties it will let you put on a burst of incredible speed once a day, and the powers within will enhance the already formidable power behind your fists and make you even harder to strike. Use it wisely darling, destroy the cult."
Pratavh takes the garments with reverence, "Thank you madam Varunasi, these are truly elegant and wonderful, my word that they will be used well."
You might want to get some more consumables. I think only Shikyo bought anything.
Eventually Fahad Bin Kalar deigns to turn up and haughtily explains that of course a riding saddle is useless for ordnance and naturally an ordnance saddle is needed. Of course an ordnance saddle only exists in books and it will take a day to make one plus a spare. Several master leather workers are called for who work through the day and most of the night under Fahad Bin Kalar's close inspection (poor them).
Finally it's time! There is a palpable air of excitement, as you and your merry band (consisting of Bala, Master Bvar and his man servant Ajit and ten elephants) start the long slow journey south. The elephants themselves are a marvel, up close they are a bit hairy and smelly but they are very very strong and well trained. Taught to bend at the knee to let you climb up (or sometimes they'll just pick you up with their trunks, much to Master Bvar's consternation and Bala's secret amusement). Up in the baskets you are as high as some houses, and the silk parasols keep the worst of the sun off your heads.
Getting out of the city is a slow affair since a sizable crowd has formed to gawk at the sight. It's not every day the heroes of the Yolarati, set off to do battle with the forces of darkness. Well that's what everyone assumes is happening, for rumors are rife, and mercifully inaccurate. Among others in the crowd you notice Mistress Tari and the Fox Girl Pradip have come to see you.
Roll me survival checks please, one and all.
शांति
स्थिरता
मौन
Mohktar watches as the city of his grandfather disappears beyond the natural obstructions of the jungle(?) and seeks to remain silent for a time. It wasn't so long ago that they'd just arrived in the city. Now they marched to do battle with an evil plaguing the region. How grand is the workings of the Master of masters! Your humble servant bows to your wisdom, oh boundless one. Please see to my success by your plan and not mine.
[ooc]just great [/b]
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Alwyn returns to his journal as they leave making sketches of the crowds gathered and the elephant set-ups, laughing quietly as Lilly adroits avoids winding up on the same elephant as the self-proclaimed savior of the city on many occasions.
Riding on the elephant near Master Bala, Alwyn plies the elephant master with numerous questions concerning their care and abilities as well as the path ahead.
to avoid irritating the gentleman
Shikyo, being more of a city dweller, was useless out of doors.
This place is not only cursed. It is damnable hot!
The area outside Niswan is mostly verdant farm land, well tilled and the fields resplendent with exotic produce. So far the roads are excellent and you pass a good many travelers going in both directions, and pick up various rumors on the way. Here and there are log cabins and the homesteads operated by farmers. Trains of elephants are the common mode of transport for rich plantation owners, and your group draws little attention bar the unwieldy Ballista mounted on Master Bvar's elephant. That certainly fetches a few comments like, 'after big prey are we?' Each time Bvar rankles for a moment then remembers himself and suddenly sits up straight, imperious.
As the day goes on the weather starts to turn sticky and Bala comments, "Vālā ēka tūphāna hō. Mujhē lagatā hai mausama kī pahalī baṛī ēka. Śāyada nahīṁ jalda hī dina hai, lēkina karanē kē li'ē."
Bvar is naturally dismissive of these concerns announcing, "Maiṁ ēka chōṭē sē mausama kā ḍara nahīṁ kara rahā hūm̐..."
Alywn jumps into the gap and asks Bala lots of questions about elephants. Soon he knows more than he ever wanted to. For example they weigh the best part of a ton each and can topple a moderate sized tree if they take a fancy to the fruit in it. They can easily carry four men but it's customary to limit the baskets to one or two persons for comfort. The elephant in a week eats twice it's own body weight in food, and produces nearly as much dung.
Repulsed by this, Hirati flies up to see what can be seem and is rewarded with a fantastic view of the train. Like a map she says and she claims to be able to see the green of the distant Segang Jungle and the glint of sunlight off the mighty River Sald which lies in between Niswan and the jungle.
As night falls you make camp in the lee of a hill. It's apparently a well known camp sight for there are several permanent rings of stones for fire and the road is well maintained. Bala starts setting up the tents, and he seems pleased with progress so far, "Gŏna sirpha dō tīsa sē adhika mīla kī dūrī para āja, acchā hai ki jā rahī hai. Bahuta burā hai ki hama usa banā'ē rakhanē mēṁ sakṣama nahīṁ hōgā."
From the top of the hill, you can dimly see the the river Hirati spoke of. Tomorrow or the day after you'll be crossing that. But tonight you can relax, for its turning into a fine evening and there are smells of something exotic cooking in the pot. You hear a few distant animal calls, but nothing that seems to concern your guide.