Wait, since 'we' were in Tyr? What does he mean by-
Jin blinks.
Ah. I remember him now. Name sounded like the city- what was it? Tyro? Tyren, that's it.
"Well, don't just hold *that* over my head. How far is 'very far?' Be a shame if I don't get to taste the salty mulled broy at the Obstinate Baazrag for a while. Stuff's addicting."
This seemingly trivial complaint is actually a coded Veiled Alliance recognition signal- an invitation to introduce yourself as an Alliance agent and speak freely if circumstances permit, or for a response containing the phrase 'stubborn baazrag' if there are those present who would make that inadvisable.
"Ho there, you must have struck your head on the way out of wherever it is you just came from, stranger! Our inadvisable company finds itself in the far south western corner of the Great Alluvial Sand Wastes, very, very far from the lush valley in the northern Ringing Mountains which is the site of your claimed home in the recently renamed Free City of Tyr."
The alchemist experiences what can only be a flashback -- images of a dark Tyrian night and an exploration of a suspiciously silent tannery... strange, reptilian creatures seemingly erupt spontaneously from the chill night air as a small party attempted to understand what was apparently a workshop for human flensing.
Well they came from a city, plenty of opportunity to struck your head there i guess. Maybe i should visit there one day. If it's really that lush, there should be plenty of opportunity and plenty to take.
Amunet-Ra laughs with these words, lovely and intimidating at the same time.
So the two of you - Tyren from Tyr and i don't remember you giving your name yet - think it is a good idea and time to reminisce about Tyrian food specialties right here and now? Not suspicious at all. Unfortunately we don't have the time to give you the chance to participate in traditional rituals where you could prove yourselves, so we're stuck with black or white here untill further notice. I suggest you open up a bit more and abstain from suspicious behavior.
Jin responds with a wry and somewhat perplexed smile.
"Do you suspect me of anything in particular? I'll grant that these circumstances are confusing, but being discovered, asleep, in a cave that you happened to be exploring, is an idiotic way to ambush you. And if I'd been sent to spy on you, I would certainly give a less preposterous explanation for my presence.
At any rate, the name is Jin. I'm a mercenary alchemist, mostly working for the Tyrian government but with occasional jobs for the Wavir merchant house as well as the Free. That's when arms dealing isn't paying the bills: if you've been to a weapons market and seen the shelf-stable pots of alchemist's fire with the green glaze, or the premium giant wasp poison with the pale red tint, those are mine."
Oh and you're deep under the ruins of Kalidnay here.
The half-elf winces.
"That is a hike. Damn it. No way to get back fast enough to have any hope of completing my last assignment. My employer will be pissed."
"Ho there, you must have struck your head on the way out of wherever it is you just came from, stranger!
[...]
"Well they came from a city, plenty of opportunity to struck your head there i guess."
"That was the first thing I thought of, actually. No headache, no bumps or tender spots, no blood in my hair. If someone concussed me, they took the unusual and expensive step of finding a magical healer for me before somehow dumping me here."
The woman frowns.
"I think a telepath or enchanter is the stronger possibility. But...I mean, I do have enemies who'd have access to those kinds of resources, but I can't think of one who'd be merciful enough to just wipe my recent memory and dump me far enough out of the way that I couldn't bother them, rather than simply leave me dead in a ditch."
Gu is my animal companion, a tame wolf.
Jimbli rises up to the ceiling of the cavern. He focuses on listening and watching rather than engaging for the time being.
"You understand the need for caution, friend. Tyr especially these days is.... uncertain in it's attitude. Devapala says, running a finger over her Trishul, frowning slightly. "But.. we cannot discount forces we don't understand at all involved here. These are strange times, after all, so I am willing to be your friend, for the moment. she says, moving towards Jin En Mok and offering a hand.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+17
[dice=local]1d20+12"You understand the need for caution, friend. Tyr especially these days is.... uncertain in it's attitude. Devapala says, running a finger over her Trishul, frowning slightly. "But.. we cannot discount forces we don't understand at all involved here. These are strange times, after all, so I am willing to be your friend, for the moment. she says, moving towards Jin En Mok and offering a hand.
The half-elf Jin Ein Mok is clearly holding something back, though it seems that she is being mostly honest. That something seems to have some connection to the organization of freed slaves known, simply as 'the Free'.
Jimbli rises up to the ceiling of the cavern. He focuses on listening and watching rather than engaging for the time being.
[dice=sense motive vs Jin]1d20+12
[dice=perception for hidden threats in the cavern]1d20+16
The half-elf Jin Ein Mok is clearly holding something back, though it seems that she is being mostly honest. That something seems to have some connection to the organization of freed slaves known, simply as 'the Free'.
There are five exits from the cavern, leading out on four sides of the underground space, with one side having two 'stacked' exits, one on top of the other, leading down parallel tunnels.
The luminescent green and purple lichen casts enough eerie light to see by, revealing a fairly large space of about seventy five foot spans in length and breadth, and approximately the same in height, as the overall shape of the entire space is roughly spherical, with the floor of the cavern representing a gradual leveling out of the ovoid's bottom.
Jimbli can discern on some of the walls decorations that appear to be carvings of some sort.
So the two of you - Tyren from Tyr and i don't remember you giving your name yet - think it is a good idea and time to reminisce about Tyrian food specialties right here and now? Not suspicious at all. Unfortunately we don't have the time to give you the chance to participate in traditional rituals where you could prove yourselves, so we're stuck with black or white here untill further notice. I suggest you open up a bit more and abstain from suspicious behavior.Jin responds with a wry and somewhat perplexed smile.
"Do you suspect me of anything in particular? I'll grant that these circumstances are confusing, but being discovered, asleep, in a cave that you happened to be exploring, is an idiotic way to ambush you. And if I'd been sent to spy on you, I would certainly give a less preposterous explanation for my presence.
At any rate, the name is Jin. I'm a mercenary alchemist, mostly working for the Tyrian government but with occasional jobs for the Wavir merchant house as well as the Free. That's when arms dealing isn't paying the bills: if you've been to a weapons market and seen the shelf-stable pots of alchemist's fire with the green glaze, or the premium giant wasp poison with the pale red tint, those are mine."
Oh and you're deep under the ruins of Kalidnay here.The half-elf winces.
"That is a hike. Damn it. No way to get back fast enough to have any hope of completing my last assignment. My employer will be pissed."
"That was the first thing I thought of, actually. No headache, no bumps or tender spots, no blood in my hair. If someone concussed me, they took the unusual and expensive step of finding a magical healer for me before somehow dumping me here."..."Ho there, you must have struck your head on the way out of wherever it is you just came from, stranger!
[...]
"Well they came from a city, plenty of opportunity to struck your head there i guess."
.
So the two of you - Tyren from Tyr and i don't remember you giving your name yet - think it is a good idea and time to reminisce about Tyrian food specialties right here and now? Not suspicious at all. Unfortunately we don't have the time to give you the chance to participate in traditional rituals where you could prove yourselves, so we're stuck with black or white here untill further notice. I suggest you open up a bit more and abstain from suspicious behavior.Jin responds with a wry and somewhat perplexed smile.
"Do you suspect me of anything in particular? I'll grant that these circumstances are confusing, but being discovered, asleep, in a cave that you happened to be exploring, is an idiotic way to ambush you. And if I'd been sent to spy on you, I would certainly give a less preposterous explanation for my presence.
At any rate, the name is Jin. I'm a mercenary alchemist, mostly working for the Tyrian government but with occasional jobs for the Wavir merchant house as well as the Free. That's when arms dealing isn't paying the bills: if you've been to a weapons market and seen the shelf-stable pots of alchemist's fire with the green glaze, or the premium giant wasp poison with the pale red tint, those are mine."
Oh and you're deep under the ruins of Kalidnay here.The half-elf winces.
"That is a hike. Damn it. No way to get back fast enough to have any hope of completing my last assignment. My employer will be pissed."
"That was the first thing I thought of, actually. No headache, no bumps or tender spots, no blood in my hair. If someone concussed me, they took the unusual and expensive step of finding a magical healer for me before somehow dumping me here."..."Ho there, you must have struck your head on the way out of wherever it is you just came from, stranger!
[...]
"Well they came from a city, plenty of opportunity to struck your head there i guess."
Tyren perked up at the mention of Giant Wasp poison. While his primary occupation was that of a gravekeeper, his fellows in the associated knew him by a somewhat different title; bard. In particular, he was bard for whom a man could always rest assured would get the job done, should they be able to prove their mark was a ranking member of a Xxyth cult. My, it's been some time since I've met anyone else who found use for poisons! By the sounds of it, however, I doubt he uses Hypertoxins. Come to think of it, Giant Wasp poison isn't a half-bad base, and Jin here apparently does many types of alchemical items. I should see if he's capable of some of the more exotic kinds?
But that would have to be for a later time. For now, it looked like the others were considering making camp here, which was fine--Tyren just needed to go ahead and find his friends, so if they were going to be here a while, he'd need a more secluded spot to perform his...Ritual. Well, I can bide my time on that. For now, it's best if I wait on using any magic.
Rokan is a bit apprehensive about the suggestion to stay in the cavern overnight.
I'm not sure what difference night or day makes down here, and I have doubts our sleep will be restful. However, perhaps our new "friends" need a bit of time to orient themselves and come to terms with their sudden appearance here. Hopefully, we can make a quick return after.
Ri'Kli'Klek notes that most of the party has gone above. Looking at Cae, he states, "Perhaps it is best we not stay down here alone."
He makes his way above in time to catch the discussion about resting. "It is true that this place is dangerous. However, it seems it may be best for this group to rest and agree on goals, now that it has been joined by so many. Perhaps it is not necessary to rest for a night, but at least long enough to discuss what common goals we may have."
Jin appears to be sincere, though there is assuredly more to her communication than meets the eye.
"Well, if we're going to make camp here, which I still maintain is not a very clever idea considering what we've learned thus far about this complex, including, might I just remind you pointedly, the thoroughly dispiriting fact that our dead opponents will at some time rise again and likely seek out a renewed melee, it would behoove us to establish a defensive perimeter, as well as some kind of guard detail."
"Fortunately, our present numbers should be sufficient to accomplish this task -- so the question now arises who shall contribute what means to our common defense, and who will serve as a sentry while their companions rest?
"Tyren of the Free City of Tyr -- it appears as if you are possessed of a number of a companions that might assist in the first task of establishing a safe perimeter for this subterranean camp of ours. The only question is, then, whether you will contribute their strength to our nocturnal defense?"
"I welcome other suggestions from among our number to make the most of this precarious situation."
"Well, if we're going to make camp here, which I still maintain is not a very clever idea considering what we've learned thus far about this complex, including, might I just remind you pointedly, the thoroughly dispiriting fact that our dead opponents will at some time rise again and likely seek out a renewed melee, it would behoove us to establish a defensive perimeter, as well as some kind of guard detail."
"Fortunately, our present numbers should be sufficient to accomplish this task -- so the question now arises who shall contribute what means to our common defense, and who will serve as a sentry while their companions rest?
"Tyren of the Free City of Tyr -- it appears as if you are possessed of a number of a companions that might assist in the first task of establishing a safe perimeter for this subterranean camp of ours. The only question is, then, whether you will contribute their strength to our nocturnal defense?"
"I welcome other suggestions from among our number to make the most of this precarious situation."
"I concur with our bard -- we must prepare our defenses if we resolve to halt our explorations at this juncture. Who knows what other dangers might beset us in these perilous halls whilst we attempt to regain our strength?"
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+17
[dice=local]1d20+12"You understand the need for caution, friend. Tyr especially these days is.... uncertain in it's attitude. Devapala says, running a finger over her Trishul, frowning slightly. "But.. we cannot discount forces we don't understand at all involved here. These are strange times, after all, so I am willing to be your friend, for the moment. she says, moving towards Jin En Mok and offering a hand.
Tyren nods to this suggestion. It's entirely reasonable, although it'll take a moment for him to locate all of his companions regardless. Come to think of it...Captain Alexander should be easier to locate. Perhaps I'll be fortunate, and Shines Against the Dark will be with him. I suppose it would be problematic to bring an entire army with me, however, so for the time being, I'll limit it to just him and his Guardsmen. "I imagine my companions are searching for me as we speak. Should they arrive, it'll be an older gentleman, wearing a rather elaborate-looking suit of armor. He should be flanked by two soldiers, each with much larger replicas of my own equipment."
Tyren nods to this suggestion. It's entirely reasonable, although it'll take a moment for him to locate all of his companions regardless. Come to think of it...Captain Alexander should be easier to locate. Perhaps I'll be fortunate, and Shines Against the Dark will be with him. I suppose it would be problematic to bring an entire army with me, however, so for the time being, I'll limit it to just him and his Guardsmen. "I imagine my companions are searching for me as we speak. Should they arrive, it'll be an older gentleman, wearing a rather elaborate-looking suit of armor. He should be flanked by two soldiers, each with much larger replicas of my own equipment."
"At the very least we should establish common cause before venturing forth, even if we do not sleep the night," Ri'Kli'Klek states. "Though fighting free of this place is as dangerous as resting. If any of ye need to recuperate, it is better to do so now when we may defend ourselves."
"As to causes, I will be clear. Mine is to see to it that those who sleep here are never awakened. Thus it is my goal to see you and all other interlopers leave these tombs as swiftly as possible... but I have no means by which to do so. I suspect that all of ye will leave when your purposes are fulfilled, those who have any here, but I have no reason to believe I may sway the others."
"At the very least we should establish common cause before venturing forth, even if we do not sleep the night," Ri'Kli'Klek states. "Though fighting free of this place is as dangerous as resting. If any of ye need to recuperate, it is better to do so now when we may defend ourselves."
"As to causes, I will be clear. Mine is to see to it that those who sleep here are never awakened. Thus it is my goal to see you and all other interlopers leave these tombs as swiftly as possible... but I have no means by which to do so. I suspect that all of ye will leave when your purposes are fulfilled, those who have any here, but I have no reason to believe I may sway the others."
Hamza Mīnakshi wrote:
Seb, how big is this cavern? You said it was 'rather large' I believe, but that's kinda vague.
It's about 75' round. If you look at the battlemaps, there are 2 slides that show this complex. The cave you are in is the one with the circular hole in the center. The 2 slides show 2 'levels', because one set of corridors is stacked on the other, the branch towards the bottom of the page.
Ri'Kli'Klek notes that most of the party has gone above. Looking at Cae, he states, "Perhaps it is best we not stay down here alone."
He makes his way above in time to catch the discussion about resting. "It is true that this place is dangerous. However, it seems it may be best for this group to rest and agree on goals, now that it has been joined by so many. Perhaps it is not necessary to rest for a night, but at least long enough to discuss what common goals we may have."
Cae gives Ri'Kli'Klek a half-bow in acquiescence and follows him up into the cavern. He is intrigued by the thri'kreen's clearly noble intentions and the corresponding frustration that he exhibits.
Listening to the rest, Cae willingly agrees to be part of the defense. He also restates his intent to rescue the two ladies that he is looking for and ignores Raxus' disapproving grunt at the word "rescue".
The strange elf seems to sigh as he regards the motley band,
"Well, if we're going to stop here, I might as well help to pass the time.
Slavathras inhales with unexpected force, as if trying to swallow something from the air, before continuing in a slightly conspiratorial tone paired with a raspy whisper,
"Who among you has heard the mournful tale of the Twelve Champions of Celik? For I intend to tell it."
Ri'Kli'Klek is just debating about settling down when something said earlier finally sinks in.
He whirls to Cae and asks, "What didst thou mean by the '"Red sun's light'? Surely thy words were... poetic?"
Still shrouded in the darkness of the cavern, Hamza offers "I will watch over those who wish to sleep. Should something attempt to ambush us, they will have hard time fighting what they can not see."
Still shrouded in the darkness of the cavern, Hamza offers "I will watch over those who wish to sleep. Should something attempt to ambush us, they will have hard time fighting what they can not see."
"When I have finished with my tale, they may sleep as they wish, merchant, but not before!"
Devapala takes a seat across from Slavathras, crossing her legs to await the story, head tilted curiously.
"Come ye seekers far and near, and hear a tale of the days of yore, before the sun turned red and the wide blue oceans silted over, in the distant Green Age of the world."
"In that time, the great city of Celik stood on the shores of the Dragon's Tongue, the highest and finest jewel of the Estuary's southern arm."
"In those days, Celik was ruled by the Sulṭāna Esmeray Khuban, a powerful seer. The eldest daughter of a savage horse warrior chief who had conquered the teeming city, she aided her sire's conquest through her spectacular visionary abilities before assuming the mantle of kingship upon his death."
"A long trade route, called the Golden or Yellow Road, now forgotten and unused, connected the bustling markets of Celik with other city-states whose names remain on the tongues of living men, such as Kalidnay, Balic, and Yaramuke, and others who do not, such as Angara and Kük Török. The Yellow Road reached well beyond the Tablelands, all the way to the dominions of the Kreen Empire, as well as many lands beyond."
"Blue agate and peerless sapphire and ocean-hued jade and other exotic stones came to Celik from the distant mountain climes of Tantanistān, while groaning black behemoths, the siksinááttsiwa, whose mighty roars it is said that could silence armies arrived from the sweeping reaches and fetid swamps of Ko'komíki'somma -- the Plains of the Moon."
"And so the treasures of the world poured into Celik, and were presented at the Court of Submission. This was the title given to the grand portico of the Sulṭāna Esmeray's Gilded House, a great palace set at the gates of the city where envoys from foreign lands could present their wares personally to the ruler or her representatives."
"One day, a haggard messenger strode into the Court of Submission..."
"Come ye seekers far and near, and hear a tale of the days of yore, before the sun turned red and the wide blue oceans silted over, in the distant Green Age of the world."
"In that time, the great city of Celik stood on the shores of the Dragon's Tongue, the highest and finest jewel of the Estuary's southern arm."
"In those days, Celik was ruled by the Sulṭāna Esmeray Khuban, a powerful seer. The eldest daughter of a savage horse warrior chief who had conquered the teeming city, she aided her sire's conquest through her spectacular visionary abilities before assuming the mantle of kingship upon his death."
"A long trade route, called the Golden or Yellow Road, now forgotten and unused, connected the bustling markets of Celik with other city-states whose names remain on the tongues of living men, such as Kalidnay, Balic, and Yaramuke, and others who do not, such as Angara and Kük Török. The Yellow Road reached well beyond the Tablelands, all the way to the dominions of the Kreen Empire, as well as many lands beyond."
"Blue agate and peerless sapphire and ocean-hued jade and other exotic stones came to Celik from the distant mountain climes of Tantanistān, while groaning black behemoths, the siksinááttsiwa, whose mighty roars it is said that could silence armies arrived from the sweeping reaches and fetid swamps of Ko'komíki'somma -- the Plains of the Moon."
"And so the treasures of the world poured into Celik, and were presented at the Court of Submission. This was the title given to the grand portico of the Sulṭāna Esmeray's Gilded House, a great palace set at the gates of the city where envoys from foreign lands could present their wares personally to the ruler or her representatives."
"One day, a haggard messenger strode into the Court of Submission..."
"Ah, good minstrel, I thrill at the mention of the bahamūt, long extinct land whales of the distant north and and the unbounded plains. My order has records of these creatures, which include evocative drawings. They are among the many genera we hope to one day resurrect to this broken world..."
Rokan contributes his offering to the defenses overnight.
While I have no personal companions, I myself can man a segment of the duration with my watchful eye, after this tale.
He listens as the bard begins. I wonder, is this truly a simple tale to pass the time or can one learn about the bard and his intentions through them? He is clever, so I don't believe he will project so easily or carelessly... Still, he resolves to listen for unintentional clues or intentional messages between the spoken lines.
A haggard messenger to the finest court in the tablelands. Surely this foreshadows a test in disguise for the Sulṭāna.
"These are strange times, after all, so I am willing to be your friend, for the moment. she says, moving towards Jin En Mok and offering a hand.
Jin blinks, makes a swift calculation of the risks of exposing herself to a touch effect vs. those of appearing paranoid and standoffish, and extends a hand to clasp Devapala's.
"Kalidnay is no place to go without allies. If only Gu had-"
wuff
A mottled gray rock abruptly stands up, shakes itself, and licks Jin's hand. She stares at the wolf in unconcealed delight.
"Did...did you roll in dust to look like a rock? Good boy, clever boy. I never taught you that. I wonder if you remember how we got here?"
"Perhaps it is not necessary to rest for a night, but at least long enough to discuss what common goals we may have."
The half-elf, caught in the middle of picking up her spear, pauses thoughtfully.
"Mine are, happily, simple enough, and simple enough to make work with yours. Survival and escape from this place, first and obviously. Knowledge of how I came to be here, which can hopefully be gained by exploring with you. In the medium term, a means to send my apologies, and my retainer, back to my employer in Tyr: I may be far enough that I can't be expected to complete my assignment, but vanishing without explanation is unprofessional. And work, obviously. For the moment, I'll ask for nothing but to share the dangers you face together with you without being asked to leave, and that won't change unless and until we see battle. Once we've seen blood, if I've acquitted myself as well as any of you, I may ask for some portion of the spoils, details to be negotiated once we're altogether out of danger and not before. Enemy territory is no place for petty squabbles over coin.
Does that sound fair?"
...including, might I just remind you pointedly, the thoroughly dispiriting fact that our dead opponents will at some time rise again and likely seek out a renewed melee..."
"Ugh. The walking dead? That's never a pretty or an easy fight. Still haven't figured out how to make the zombie venom stay stable for longer than fifteen seconds. What kind of undead- capabilities, numbers, origin?"
The only question is, then, whether you will contribute their strength to our nocturnal defense?""Certainly. I feel well-rested enough. I'll take the first watch, Gu can take the last, as he's been trained to do."
Jin settles down to listen to the bard's tale, putting her back to a sizable rock and paying close, respectful attention.
Ri'Kli'Klek is just debating about settling down when something said earlier finally sinks in.
He whirls to Cae and asks, "What didst thou mean by the '"Red sun's light'? Surely thy words were... poetic?"
There is sympathy in Cae's tone when he responds:
"It is not a simple turn of phrase,
Dragon Kings set the world ablaze,
Using the land to augment power,
Without concern they did scour.
The Blue Age was over and done,
No greater symbol than the sun,
Somehow turning the color of blood,
Heat pouring down, a twisted flood."
For the first time, Ri'Kli'Klek shows visible distress. He steps back a pace, then sits down, his upper hands covering his face as he tries to take it all in.
His allies... all he had left behind... and Rajaat and his champions were the ones...?
But... at least if it had been Rajaat, they had truly stopped the Red God... yes? And life... life still existed. Somehow, with the sun turned red, and the seas dried up, life still existed.
That... that would have to be enough.
"Ah, good minstrel, I thrill at the mention of the bahamūt, long extinct land whales of the distant north and and the unbounded..."Come ye seekers far and near, and hear a tale of the days of yore, before the sun turned red and the wide blue oceans silted over, in the distant Green Age of the world."
"In that time, the great city of Celik stood on the shores of the Dragon's Tongue, the highest and finest jewel of the Estuary's southern arm."
"In those days, Celik was ruled by the Sulṭāna Esmeray Khuban, a powerful seer. The eldest daughter of a savage horse warrior chief who had conquered the teeming city, she aided her sire's conquest through her spectacular visionary abilities before assuming the mantle of kingship upon his death."
"A long trade route, called the Golden or Yellow Road, now forgotten and unused, connected the bustling markets of Celik with other city-states whose names remain on the tongues of living men, such as Kalidnay, Balic, and Yaramuke, and others who do not, such as Angara and Kük Török. The Yellow Road reached well beyond the Tablelands, all the way to the dominions of the Kreen Empire, as well as many lands beyond."
"Blue agate and peerless sapphire and ocean-hued jade and other exotic stones came to Celik from the distant mountain climes of Tantanistān, while groaning black behemoths, the siksinááttsiwa, whose mighty roars it is said that could silence armies arrived from the sweeping reaches and fetid swamps of Ko'komíki'somma -- the Plains of the Moon."
"And so the treasures of the world poured into Celik, and were presented at the Court of Submission. This was the title given to the grand portico of the Sulṭāna Esmeray's Gilded House, a great palace set at the gates of the city where envoys from foreign lands could present their wares personally to the ruler or her representatives."
"One day, a haggard messenger strode into the Court of Submission..."
The elf rolls his opaque pupils in a slightly unnerving cascade, effecting an expression of at once crazed ecstasy and exasperation, the latter as if to say that clearly wasn't a major plot point you insufferable dolt."
Slavathras, also known as Silan Tilak, of the Clan of the Thoughtmakers continues his narrative,
"Know, oh my hearers, that in those days the armies of Kalidnay and Celik strove one against the other and mightily for power over the riches of the Yellow Road. Their clashes were many, and those remembered were twelve, the last of which was the stories battle of Qeteš Gitai. Here, the Scarab and Scorpion Legions of the Pharaoh Amenhersemif Tuau of Kalidnay, their hardened warriors fighting astride the lumbering great scarabs whose size exceeded that of an elephant, clashed with the cannonade of the Sulṭāna Esmeray Khuban's father, the Kakaɣan Yagmur Khuban. The latter's cohorts of mechanically adept Yeñiçeri inflicted devastating losses on the Kalidnayan legions even as their great siege weapons and redoubtable brothers at arms were torn apart by the Pharaoh Amenhersemif Tuau's seemingly endless forces. The two great armies fought to a stalemate, and resolved to do so no more, and erected a monumental stela to commemorate the both the Battle and the Pact of Qeteš Gitai. The two rulers resolved to offer tribute one to the other at the Harvest Moon every other year to renew the peace between the cities, and forestall the further shedding of blood."
"The messenger, according to his proclamation, had journeyed from the 'king' of Oscalgarum, a large town on the Yellow Road between Kalidnay and Celik famed for its seemingly ever blooming orchards of white apples."
"The domain of King Tarranat, the messenger explained, and in particular the hill fortress of Skeltarlim from which the orchards of white apples were surveyed, had been violated by the forces of the exiled king's son Gelboras, who had been cast out for a plot against the life of his father and older brother Osaridus."
Amunet-Ra takes out a masterfully woven carpet with snake motives in different colors, spreads it on the floor in a suitable spot and makes herself comfortable in a pose which is relaxed and shows great agility at once.
Listening to Slavathras tales and the different conversations, she watches the newcomers and comments every now and then.
It is a wise decision to rest. Let's share some water.
She takes out a gourd filled with water and a cup, offering it to anyone who wants to drink, but not before drinking from the water herself, to show it is good to drink.
Slavathras, what kind of tales are you telling there and what even is a whale? Or an elephant?
As she sees Ri'Kli'Kleks dispair when he hears about the sun turning red, the empathy is visible on her face.
Poor Ri'Kli'Klek! There you were asleep for so long, trusting your former allies and then you awake to hear how they turned to monsters themselves. Perhaps this was the corrupting power of the Red God? Do not despair, Athas may be a harsh world, but it is still beautyful. Running through the endless deserts under the Red Sun or the night sky is a true expression of freedom and only the worthy survive it. Can you tell some tales about your time and the people back then?
Perhaps after Slavathras finished his tale. she adds quickly.
Our new friends could tell something about their city or wherever they come from as well!
She looks at Devapala, Jin En Mok and Tyren.
Did you bring that animal for food? she points at the wolf.
..."Ah, good minstrel, I thrill at the mention of the bahamūt, long extinct land"Come ye seekers far and near, and hear a tale of the days of yore, before the sun turned red and the wide blue oceans silted over, in the distant Green Age of the world."
"In that time, the great city of Celik stood on the shores of the Dragon's Tongue, the highest and finest jewel of the Estuary's southern arm."
"In those days, Celik was ruled by the Sulṭāna Esmeray Khuban, a powerful seer. The eldest daughter of a savage horse warrior chief who had conquered the teeming city, she aided her sire's conquest through her spectacular visionary abilities before assuming the mantle of kingship upon his death."
"A long trade route, called the Golden or Yellow Road, now forgotten and unused, connected the bustling markets of Celik with other city-states whose names remain on the tongues of living men, such as Kalidnay, Balic, and Yaramuke, and others who do not, such as Angara and Kük Török. The Yellow Road reached well beyond the Tablelands, all the way to the dominions of the Kreen Empire, as well as many lands beyond."
"Blue agate and peerless sapphire and ocean-hued jade and other exotic stones came to Celik from the distant mountain climes of Tantanistān, while groaning black behemoths, the siksinááttsiwa, whose mighty roars it is said that could silence armies arrived from the sweeping reaches and fetid swamps of Ko'komíki'somma -- the Plains of the Moon."
"And so the treasures of the world poured into Celik, and were presented at the Court of Submission. This was the title given to the grand portico of the Sulṭāna Esmeray's Gilded House, a great palace set at the gates of the city where envoys from foreign lands could present their wares personally to the ruler or her representatives."
"One day, a haggard messenger strode into the Court of Submission..."
The little druid is seemingly locked in determined concentration on the elf's story, but the presentation of this apparent focus is quickly dispelled by the interpolation of another, un-looked for comment,
"And the black bahamūt, these suiáhkyaiyo(a) siksinááttsiwa of Áwahsini Ko'komíki'somma, the Plains of the Moon, were they tribute from Kalidnay to Celik, or Celik to Kalidnay? I do wonder how the other would meet so wondrous an offering."
..."Ah, good minstrel, I thrill at the mention"Come ye seekers far and near, and hear a tale of the days of yore, before the sun turned red and the wide blue oceans silted over, in the distant Green Age of the world."
"In that time, the great city of Celik stood on the shores of the Dragon's Tongue, the highest and finest jewel of the Estuary's southern arm."
"In those days, Celik was ruled by the Sulṭāna Esmeray Khuban, a powerful seer. The eldest daughter of a savage horse warrior chief who had conquered the teeming city, she aided her sire's conquest through her spectacular visionary abilities before assuming the mantle of kingship upon his death."
"A long trade route, called the Golden or Yellow Road, now forgotten and unused, connected the bustling markets of Celik with other city-states whose names remain on the tongues of living men, such as Kalidnay, Balic, and Yaramuke, and others who do not, such as Angara and Kük Török. The Yellow Road reached well beyond the Tablelands, all the way to the dominions of the Kreen Empire, as well as many lands beyond."
"Blue agate and peerless sapphire and ocean-hued jade and other exotic stones came to Celik from the distant mountain climes of Tantanistān, while groaning black behemoths, the siksinááttsiwa, whose mighty roars it is said that could silence armies arrived from the sweeping reaches and fetid swamps of Ko'komíki'somma -- the Plains of the Moon."
"And so the treasures of the world poured into Celik, and were presented at the Court of Submission. This was the title given to the grand portico of the Sulṭāna Esmeray's Gilded House, a great palace set at the gates of the city where envoys from foreign lands could present their wares personally to the ruler or her representatives."
"One day, a haggard messenger strode into the Court of Submission..."
The elf snaps at the halfling,
"If you must know you doddering pedant, the black behemoths, whose names, which I cannot but correct as siksinááttsiwasuiáhkyaiyoa in the language of the Ko'komíki'somma Áwahsini, and not suiáhkyaiyoasiksinááttsiwa, as your records have clearly confused the gramatically correct position of the adjective, were gifts of the Niitsitapisiksikaitsitapi Tribes to the horse archers of the Qirgünqüq Qazaqliq who conquered Celik under the leadership of the Kakaɣan Yagmur Khuban, recognition of honorable opponents in their clashes on the open planes of the former's homeland. The siksinááttsiwasuiáhkyaiyoa were kept in the menagerie of the Kakaɣan's great arboreal palace in Celik, the çiçek sarayı. They have no further part in this tale, so perhaps you will either curb your overweening curiosity or depart for premature slumber if you cannot savor the matter's heart, and not it's extremities."
Not knowing what to say, but wanting to do something, Cae puts a hand on Ri'Kli'Klek's shoulder in a likely futile gesture of comfort.
"And so the messenger, having relayed his message to the Sulṭāna's representative in the Court of Submission, presented also the cracked tablet upon which the King Tarranat of Oscalgarum had ordered his request for aid to be inscribed to Esmeray Khuban, the ruler of Celik. In the course of his travels, the clay tablet and its envelope had been sundered by the assault of wild Oğuz Ozjolaji horse archers, a savage remnant of the Qirgünqüq Qazaqliq horde that had refused to take up permanent residence in their people's new possession of Celik."
"The emissary of the Sulṭāna observed the epistolary artifact and issued a summons to the divers peoples present in the Court of Submission, merchants, mercenaries, slavers, bounty hunters, vagabonds, minstrels, bankers, scouts, sages, and many, many others. To those that would take up the cause of King Tarranat on behalf of the Sulṭāna, they would be rewarded with a portion of Kalidnay's tribute, soon to arrive at the Harvest Moon. The ruler of Celik was inclined to offer aid, in the expectation that the greater part of the bounty garnered from the splendid white apples of Oscalgarum should be deposited in her own coffers. However, she was unable to send her own forces, lest the Pharaoh Nathifa Nes-maut Tuau, daughter of Amenhersemif Tuau, should view such as a violation of the venerable pact between her own royal father and that of the Sulṭāna."
"To the emissary's call, twelve answered, whose names are forgotten, but whose titles remain,"
"Storm Cloud, the great archer of the Niitsitapisiksikaitsitapi, who rode one of the bellowing black beasts known as the siksinááttsiwasuiáhkyaiyoa, and carried a bow that could launch a hundred arrows in one volley."
"Fleet Hands, a banished entertainer of the Sulṭāna, driven from the palace for indecorous comments regarding the ruler's husband."
"Grey Cowl the Silent, a master of the arcane arts, tutored by a sage of Celik after he was caught pilfering food from the master's tower. Though he was mute by birth, yet his numerous writings made great his fame."
"Sun Fear, the handmaiden of the blazing eye of heaven. She married the fiery miracles of her mystical rapport with the Elemental Stronghold of the Sun to the cool death issued by her twin hand cannons."
"Death Talon the assassin, a man said to be 'without a face' who lived half his life as a shadow. His was among the highest sought contract among the disputing nobles of Celik."
"Red Tusk the gladiator, a brutal man reputed to enjoy tarek blood in his veins. He was among the greatest champions of Celik's storied arena."
The elf continued the list of the Twelve Champions of Celik,
"The healer known either as Basalm or Venom Kiss, the apothecary to the Sulṭāna's vizier, who was on occasion also an assassin."
"Three Fangs the tracker, whose blinding speed permitted him to wield three scimitars with two hands. He often escorted caravans on the Yellow Road."
"Whisper, the public identity of a mysterious masked man who represented a strange artisanal cult that venerated occult images of the deceased Qirgünqüq Qazaqliq Kakaɣans."
"Skullsnapper the pugilist, a famed brawler reputed to enjoy the advantages of troll blood who left a life of tavern combat to pursue a higher path as a concubine of the Sulṭāna's Great Harem."
"Shivers, a master of the mental arts who had perfected the installment of terror."
"And last, but not least, a traveler from the distant Kreen Empire known as the Rune Teacher, a tohr-kreen whose chitin was inscribed with elaborate tattoos, all of which produced remarkable effects."
"The Sulṭāna's emissary gathered Storm Cloud, Fleet Hands, Grey Cowl, Sun Fear, Death Talon, Red Tusk, Basalm, Three Fangs, Whisper, Skull Snapper, Shivers, and Rune Teacher in a circle around the broken tablet of the messenger from Oscalgarum."
"He spoke to them as follows:
"You are bound not by the will of the Celik's ruler, who cannot partake in this task herself, lest the Pharaoh of Kalidnay take umbrage and the Pact of Qeteš Gitai be thereby abrogated, but solely one to another in this endeavor."
"Therefore, you shall swear one to another upon this talisman -- never shall you break your fellowship as like the sundering of this tablet, lest you yourself shall suffer the same penalty. You must alone be loyal to one another and your task, not to kings, or queens, or creeds, or any other powers."
"And so the Twelve Champions swore, one to another, on the shattered tablet of the messenger of Oscalgarum. That so they should be rent themselves if they should break their troth to their fellows."
The elf then produces a diminutive ceramic shard from some recess of his voluminous ebony robes, or that is what they appear to be... the outside surface is slick, like a wet hide. By contrast, the lining of his garment is a dense sea of some kind of purple material, perhaps... organic. From the folds of this mysterious garment the elf produces the small piece of ceramic. It is apparently inscribed with some of kinds of runes.
"Behold, fellow travelers, a shard from the broken tablet of the messenger of Oscalgarum!"
"At least, that was its claimed provenance in the market place of Celik. I acquired it from a merchant in the teeming markets of the Living City, the quarter of the vast ruin which House Maraneth of Kalidnay, driven from the ancient metropolis, like House Vordon, by the devastation of the ruins above, has reclaimed for its own purposes."
"We have come, our motley party, from many quarters, many races, many lands, and embrace many creeds and destinies. We are united, strangers, by naught but our pledge one to another to survive the terrors of these ruins."
"Let us seal the pact, one to another, with the ancient pledge of the Twelve Champions of Celik, that we shall be loyal one to another, and that alone, and that we shall suffer the fate of this shattered artifact lest any trespass the Pact of the Broken Tablet. Let us swear this binding oath and be known henceforth as the Company of the Broken Tablet."
"Know, strangers, that the spirits of the ancient worthies Storm Cloud, Fleet Hands, Grey Cowl, Sun Fear, Death Talon, Red Tusk, Basalm, Three Fangs, Whisper, Skull Snapper, Shivers, and Rune Teacher, who bound themselves to the same oath, shall observe and maintain our oaths, and punish those who forsake them."
"In the swearing of this oath, you shall each take upon yourself an oath name to bind the pact."