Seeking to restore a trade route to Osirion, the Pactmasters of Katapesh have mounted an expedition to the old market village of Kelmarane. Since its abandonment twenty years ago, the ruined village has recently become home to a tribe of gnolls in the service of the notorious Carrion King. For this end, a man named Garavel, majordomo to a wealthy merchant princess, has traveled across Katapesh in search of recruits. Having learned of his mission, you have all joined his caravan, each of you with an ulterior motive.
It has been over a week since the six of you departed from the city of Solku on Garavel’s camel caravan. Journeying into the northern scrublands of Katapesh, you have gone over hill after hill, and have experienced several hot days and cold nights. All the while, the immense, gray silhouette of Pale Mountain looms in the distant haze, as though it were a massive gravestone. Not once does your patron say exactly where you are heading. One dreary day however, Garavel turns and speaks to your group.
“We will reach our destination by nightfall,” he announces, his voice as calm and stoic as it has been since the day you met him.
Corneilious counts the last remaining money that he has.
"After I spend this, thats it. My whole inheritance gone chasing a person who might not even exist."
Corneilious rubs a strange looking birthmark on his upper arm that bares strange resemblance to a religious marking.
"Please Ragathiel, tell me this was not a mistake. I am depending on you."
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Garruth a young Calico catfolk man hums as he moves along with the caravan. "Oh good we're almost there."
Noticing Cornelius counting his coin he moves over to the man "Hiya, if you have a little to spare for a good cause. There's an orphanage near Katapesh that can use all they can get." He smiles towards the man "You don't have to of course, just if you have some extra."
The very tall Ifrit stands erect, one hand on his hip while the other holds a naginata with an orange ribbon tied to the haft below the blade. Its butt placed in the sandy dirt. He looks off into the distance first back along the caravan's route and then forward to the final destination. His eyes are dark and intense. One wonders what concerns the Ifrit most, his past or his future.
Hearing Corneilious' mutterings behind him, Alik turns in time to hear Garruth's offer.
"Hungry orphans? That's no good. If I succeed in what I came to do, I will have plenty of richstuff to help them babes when we return."
The word "Richstuff" catches Corneilious' ear like a fishhook that was being reeled in by his words.
He does not finish counting his coins. Rather, he quickly places them back in his coinpouch and stuffs it in his Bletpouch.
"Chasing dreams has left me too short of coin to share with orphans, although it breaks my heart to say so. Tell me, what have you come to do that might provide enough so-called "Richstuff" that you'd be willing to donate it at the mention of a stranger?"
Alik cocks an eyebrow.
"I am here the same as you. I come at the behest of the Pactmasters of Katapesh. We are to rid this border town Kelmarane of gnoll squatters or worse," Alik closes his eyes and breathes deep. "When we succeed, I will be free man. I will ride with caravan trains from Osirion as mercenary and adventurer. Much richstuff in this lifepath, it has been told to me."
"Get your act together Corneilious and remember that you are here to fulfill purposes other than just your own personal journey."
Corneilious shakes his head, as if it all came rushing back to him.
"Yes of course! How forgetful of me."
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Garruth smiles at the two men "That's ok, I understand not everyone can spare much, once you hit the richstuff the kiddies'll be happy for your support.
With a grin he looks towards Alik "One cannot live if they're not free, and an adventurer's life is the way to go, plenty of fun to be had, taverns to visit, new drinks to try, and purrdy girls to meet." His eyes wander away from the two men for a moment "Speaking of which, there goes one now."
As he starts to move away from the two on his quest to meet whomever had caught his eye he calls back "We must share drinks at the next tavern we come across my friends."
The dark figure had been keeping to themselves, beneath the heavy hooded cloak they watch the figures talk. The majordomo's words has sent a line of fire through her veins; 'Soon we will be there, soon...'
The dark gloved fingers run down the creases of the light cloth, a nervous reaction, that she had failed to school herself against over the years. Squatting down and ostensibly watching the horizon there's a slight ruffle underneath the cloth, her companion snuffles under there. Reaching into her pouch, Rui takes a small piece of food and places it out of sight for the creature to eat.
Over the past week, she had spoken to the rest of the caravan her thick orc-ish accent. The others seemed interesting.
Keiko has not been keeping to herself for much of the journey, openly expressing curiosity at every thing that she can get away with (perhaps to the point of obnoxiousness). "Maybe I'll donate later," she pipes up, having been in concentration thinking up some lyrics for possible future performances with her twin sister. She peers towards Garruth and then says, "Hey, you mind if I touch your ears?"
The dark figure rises to it's full height, the head pivots scanning the horizon. Then slowly strides to the human and Ifrit, crunching across the hot sands. Moving with the confidence and swagger of someone of wider build, used to fighting or at least projecting an attitude.
Stopping before them. Around it's ankles there seems to be some movement, causing the dark cloak to billow. From near the hem just poking out there is a flick of ruddy orange fur, the random movements seem discrete from the figure. Reaching inside the robes, before removing the gloved hand.
In front on Cornelius they open the hand revealing 5 gold coins; "Orphans, here." the voice is quite gruff with an under-current of Orcish accent. However the voice is definitely female, and by the approximate shape of the drab cloak one can just discern that she is definitely female.
With another dark gloved hand, it pushes one... then two of the coins forward. The long finger pauses a second in reflection before pushing forward a third coin in offering. 'There, that's it.'
Corneilious reaches forward and accepts the coins.
"Ragathiel smiles upon your patronage."
He then looks in Garruth's direction.
"Would it be better to give this to you to donate to the Orphanage, or would you prefer I do it?"
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Garruth smiles to Keiko when she pipes up, either she was the pretty girl he was intent to meet, or she'd made him forget her. "Giving to the orphans at any time is a good it doesn't have to be now." His smile turns to a grin when she asks to touch his ears "You cutie are more than welcome to touch my ears, you can even give them a little nibble if you want, but be gentle they're sensitive." He leans his head down to let her at his ears.
From where his head is tilted down for Keiko he spots Ruika offering coins to Cornelius "Hey thanks for your generosity ma'am, you can touch my ears too if you want, once my friend here is done."
At Cornelius' question he just shrugs his shoulders "I can take them if you want, or you can hold onto them, as long as it gets to the kids who does the carrying doesn't really matter. I'm not really collecting donations, just suggesting a great place to donate."
The shrouded head cocks at Garruth's words; with a low rumbling laugh at his proposition. There is a sardonic edge to it. Rotating her whole body so that the faces him straight on, drawing up to her full height like an animal showing her prowess. Of course there is a slightness to the width and a feminine curvature that is less intimidating.
She stalks towards Garruth; "Stroke cat-man. Not now." she says simply.
Ifrit raises his other eyebrow to join the other at the ear stroking. Allowing anyone to touch his hair or horns would be a very intimate act, so he is quite embarrassed to witness this display. He reaches over and back to scratch something behind his head while a slight red turns his brassy cheeks more of a rosegold.
Looking down at the sand, Alik says, "Uh, I...wonder what we'll find in Kelmarane."
The hood raises looking up to the inquiry and there is a glint of reflected eyes beneath in the dark folds of the hood. "DEATH!" she says simply. The harsh tone, has subtle inflections that is hardly thought possible with an Orc-ish vocabulary. The figure moves towards their mounts slowly, the hem of the cloak brushing the sand away.
Over the past few days hard journey she has become more talkative, to this point where she'll answer questions. Almost as if she is waiting for something to happen, expectation mounting in her demeanour and thoughts.
"Ears?" Jaykae wakes up from her musings, tunes ringing in her mind as she considers what lyrics of Keiko's she can put this to. Unlike her sister she has been fairly quiet for the whole trip, only taking note of anything when she is handed food directly or spoken to directly. This time she lookes over to the kitsune and bounces with a smile, "Me too please? Me too? I love ears!"
She looks up to her sister who was born only shortly before her but the lady still leaves everything to the elder identical twin. She smiles brightly at everyone even though she has no clue as to what is going on.
"DEATH!"
"I wont let your pessimism ruin the moral around here. We have 2 things with us that will ensure our safety."
Corneilious draws his large sword from the sheath affixed to his back. Holding it in one hand, he holds it out to display.
"The first is this, The Bastard of Blackwall. As beautiful as it is deadly, it will keep us from harms way. The second is the guiding vengeance of Ragathiel, who will guide my blade to smite my enemies."
"Death may be the only certain thing in this world, but I'll fend it off for as long as I can. I plan to die of old age in the company of beautiful women and fine ale. You wont see me departing the mortal realm in Kelmarane."
She stops still, slowly turning towards the human intrigued by his words. A hand slips towards the saddle-bag and she pats it reassuringly. As he mentions beautiful women, her gaze swivels to the sisters stroking the cat-man.
Then back to the impressive sword; 'He knows how to wield it good. I need a firm hand if we are to re-claim the village.' The dark figure considers all of his words then gives a stern nod of confirmation.
"Death may be the only certain thing in this world, but I'll fend it off for as long as I can. I plan to die of old age in the company of beautiful women and fine ale. You wont see me departing the mortal realm in Kelmarane."
Alik laughs, his embarrassment gone. This was talk he could get behind.
"Well said Warrior Blackwell! But I think our hooded companion really meant that no matter what else is in the gnoll-taken town, 'Death' will certainly be found there." Alik spins the naginata in flourishing arcs, the orange ribbon looking like fire trailing the blade.
"I too will boast that it will not be my death we find, nor any of yours, as long as I wield Freaksfire. Whatever dangers we face, I will crush them under my hands."
Keiko starts to touch Garruth's ears, leaning over towards him and tugging them lightly, but sure not to hurt him. She snickers to herself and says, "Catfolk ears are so weird. Soft, though!" She seems quite satisfied, as though she understands what's going on, and then she says to Corneilious, "Maybe she means death for our enemies? I'm sure that's what we'll find. And... well, I hope we'll run into interesting people..." She looks over to her twin sister.
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Garruth smiles towards the cloaked figure of Ruika "Of course, another time then."
At Jaykae's enthusiasm he chuckles and nods his head "Yes of course my dear, you and your sister are welcome to touch whenever you like, just give me fair warning first."
His ears twitch as Keiko first touches them, and he doesn't seem to mind when she tugs lightly even giving a soft purr. "Yes I suppose my ears are a bit weird, but they serve me well, and thank you, I take some pride in keeping my fur nice and soft." When Keiko has finished he turns his head to Jaykae to let her have a turn. "Just be gentle"
"Ahh my friend" He calls cheerfully towards Cornelius "That is the way to live life, with fine spirits, and extraordinary women." His amber eyes watch Alik's flourish and he nods "Yes, I should think the crushing would be left to you, my paws aren't terribly well suited for crushing."
Corneilious walks up to Garruth and gives him the same 3GP that he received from Ruika moments earlier.
Corneilious turns to the silent Garavel and poses the question:
"Say Garavel, do you happen to know why Kelmarane has been abandoned for 20 years?"
Garavel had isolated himself from your group as usual, proving to have little interest in socializing. The no-nonsense majordomo quietly occupies himself with adjusting the harnesses on your camels and making sure that your dwindling stocks of travel supplies are intact. He does not stop working upon hearing Corneilious' question, but he does slightly turn his head to acknowledge the man.
"It would be more appropriate for Almah to answer that question," Garavel replies somberly, as he inspects his handiwork, "She is the one in charge of this expedition." He glances at the sun before turning to face your group. "Come, pack your things and mount up. We are already behind schedule."
Ruika prepares to mount up onto their camels but stops at the question. A considerable stillness overcomes her as she intently awaits the question. However as intent as she is; the small lump at the foot of her sand skimming cloak is moving. It seems to bash against her legs, the hood looks down at her feet and lets out few curse words in elvish.
The first time she has used that language it seems strangely alien in her tongue. Bending over the cloak hugs to certain curves, the dark hand picking up a ginger ball of fluff that mewls softly. Ruika strokes it before gently placing it under the voluminous folds of her cloak.
Apparently the small animal is enough to make her forget completely about the question as she mounts up. If one could see into the dark hood, they would observe a soft caring smile reserved for her furry friend.
Jaykae smiles at Garruth shyly then comes over to him and touches his ears, her smile turning to a gentler one and her eyes going dreamy as she feels the tufts. Her mind drifts to notes as she feels the softness and caresses the curves, "I have the perfect tune for them." The twin says as if in a trance, "We can intertwine it with the fluffy reflections we were working on, Kei."
The younger twin finally lets go of the ears, her tender administrations garnered down to her simple smile, "Thanks Garruth. I needed that to help my memory and thanks for the offer to be able to touch them again.
She turns her head as Garavel says they need to mount and gives a tiny curtsey to Garruth as she turns to hop over to the camel she had been riding.
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Garruth has no hesitation in letting Jaykae touch his ears glad for the chance to get closer to the seemingly much more timid twin. He starts to purr as her fingers caress his ears, very much enjoying the attention, and looks a little dreamy himself. "Yurrr going to write a song about my ears?"
When Jaykae does let go of his ears he grins towards her "Thank you Jay, you've gentle hands, that felt nice. And of course I'm glad I could help." He winks at her.
Cornelius handing over the coins for the orphans snaps him back to the here and now "Huh? Oh yes thank you my friend, I'll keep these safe for the kiddies. I knew all the extra pockets on the pack would come in handy." He puts the coins into an empty pocket in his backpack to keep them apart from his own funds, then hearing Gavarel's announcement he hustles to get to his camel.
"Hey, you're the one with the music stuff, I'm just a lyricist," says Keiko to Jaykae, "I just wanted to check what they were like. They're so different from my totally normal human ears." She grins towards her sister and then hops up to mount her own animal.
She then nods towards Alik and says, "Believe me, I feel a hundred times more comfortable knowing that there is someone on my side who can confidently say things about crushing people with his hands."
Jaykae looks down at her sister's rebuff and sighs, "I wanted to feel them too but when I felt them they were so soft that I remembered that one we were working on. Kei writes the actual lyrics. I make the notes and play the instruments." She smiles shyly back at Garruth, "I didn't want to hurt you." She says thankfully and gets up on her camel glad that it knows what to do because she certainly would not have any idea with this kind of animal.
"Huh? Oh yes thank you my friend, I'll keep these safe for the kiddies. I knew all the extra pockets on the pack would come in handy." He puts the coins into an empty pocket in his backpack to keep them apart from his own funds,
"I only wish I could have been the one to actually make the donation. Ruika is the one you should be thanking. I am merely exchanging the coin into the proper hands. If this venture actually turns a profit for me though, I can promise there will be more coming your way to donate."
Corneilious grabs his pack and supplies. He travels light, so getting ready takes very little time.
Hearing her name, the cowled head rotates and looks to the gentlemen with a slight nod. Realising that her coin has gone to the correct person but they both seem to have good hearts. Her hand inside the deep ridges of the cloak she strokes lightly at the creature hidden underneath. Dark material creating a cool tent for the fuzzy animal. 'Fool Ruika, blabbing your name about. You need to stop being such a chatter-box.' she chids herself. 'They might be mages and a mage finds your True Name.' she shudders slightly.
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Garruth gives Jaykae a charming smile as he mounts his camel "Well even if you're not the one that writes the lyrics, I am pleased to have inspired you. And you certainly didn't hurt me, I might even ask you to do it again when we stop somewhere."
He nods noting that the coins are Ruika's donation "I see, well I wish you much success in our journey, and I'm happy to keep donations from anyone safe until we can get them to the kids."
Looking towards Ruika he waves and calls to her "Thank you very kindly Lady Ruika. You've been so mysterious and hardly said anything so I wasn't sure what to think of you. I'm glad to see you're a really nice person." He wonders about the dark cloak "Aren't you hot in that thing? My dark spots really suck in the heat... I can't imagine being all covered in dark material like that."
"Dark radiates heat. Keep cool in shade." She replies being very locquatious for her.
"If you're getting too hot I could always give you a quick douce to cool off".
Corneilious points a finger to the sky directly above his head and chants some magic words. Water appears from nowhere forming droplets that fall down on Corneilious' face like rain.
Corneilious looks at Garruth:
"Refreshing!"
She looks to the pair as they rumble across the land. With a nod to Garruth over his care for her, but under the hood she smiles ruefully that he believes she needs advice and care. 'Or does he just want strokes from me?'
Jaykae smiles at Garruth again and nods but becomes shy very quickly as her camel starts to move it's feet from one to the other becoming bored and ready to go.
At the sound of rain she turns to look at Corneilious with her eyes wide and mouth open in surprise. One could almost see the gears turning with the sounds for some form of creation. She takes out a flute and pipes a couple of notes making it almost sound like the rain in an unusual manner and then chuckles, nodding with a thankful smile at Corneilious.
She turns and mutters something under her breath while bringing out some paper for notes and lets her camel follow the others as it will. The animal could walk off on it's own with her so focused and it does so, walking away in a different direction with the woman looking at her papers.
"Wow, that was a neat trick!" says Keiko, delighted at seeing the water splashing down on Corneilious's face. "I'll be sure to let you know if I ever need a nice cooling rain." Once that's said, though, she starts mumbling to herself, likely trying to figure out some lyrics.
"Yup, the spell with unlimited uses."
Corneilious points a finger at Keiko's face and says the magic words. He shoots a small amount of water (about 1/2 a cup) in a thin stream in an attempt to wet her.
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Garruth chuckles at Cornelius and shakes his head "That's a great trick my friend, but I prefer to keep my fur dry. My light spots even out the dark ones anyway I'm just thinking of what it would be like in a cloak like that out here, and I think I would be rather uncomfortable."
Seeing Jaykae not paying attention and her camel wandering off he calls to her "Jay? You're going the wrong way." If she doesn't respond he'll maneuver his camel over to her, although somewhat awkwardly as he's not used to riding. "Come on Edwind, let's make sure we don't lose her."
"Gack!" says Keiko, caught unawares by the shot of water, flailing her hands and using one to wipe off her face. "Well... I guess that's kind of refreshing. Still, coulda warned me and maybe I would have been able to try and catch it in my mouth!"
She is distracted when Garruth mentioned her twin is wandering off, "Hey, Jay! You're wand'rin away, heading astray, I'd rather you stay, next to me, 'kay?"
With everyone mounted on their camels, your party (eventually) continues its venture through the scrublands. The last leg of the journey proves to be just as uneventful as those before it. Only after several long hours does the sun finally begin to set. True to his word, as the group ascends a large hill, Garavel announces that you are approaching your destination.
“There it is,” he says as you reach the top of the hill, “The Sultan’s Claw.”
The namesake of the place is unmistakable. Not far in the distance you see a large, craggy tree, practically a monolith compared to the miniscule patches of cacti and grass you have seen thus far. With its long, mostly leafless branches, it more closely resembles a skeletal talon than a thing of wood. Even from afar, you can see that several wagons and tents encircle the tree.
Alik nods his acceptance of the majordomo's request and heads over to the large double-humped camel he had been assigned. The handler had been very clear to tell Alik that "Tulley" was a very sensitive beast, and Alik would do well not to antagonize her.
Alik had been very sure to try and maintain a fairly respectful attitude when mounting the temperamental animal. The first few days had resulted in some spit filled moments, but Alik was beginning to think Tulley was starting warm up to him. He hadn't been loogied for almost two days. Nonetheless, as Alik approached, Tulley eyed him apprehensively.
Slowing slightly, Alik uttered, "Tut, tut!" Tulley turned her head and regarded the Ifrit for a long moment then slowly knelt so Alik could climb on her back. I realize what our arrangement is, but don't think I am not watching you, she seemed to be saying.
Stowing Freaksfire, Alik patted the hump in front of him and said, "Not to worry, big lady, I will try not to be a heavy burden for you." Tulley looked at him with one eye. We'll see, Alik imagined her to say.
Looking around at his fellow travelers, Alik says, "Come then now. Let us go and find Death. And together we will show that we deal death, not accept it!"
Ruika looks up to the land-mark her eyes covered by the dark cloak. Feeling cool in her voluminous costume, 'So they play around, good. It keeps the spirits up." she thinks; then she is awed by tree.
Despite her accute senses she can barely spot the wagons and not make out any figures. 'Is that the gnoll camp?'
"Kelmarane?" she asks her voice thick with disguised emotions, her hand touching a satchel mysteriously.
"We are a ways off from Kelmarane," Garavel says, having heard Ruika, "That is our base camp - Almah and the rest of our expedition await us there."
Jaykae is surprised when Garruth comes up beside her then she looks about in startled confusion, "Oh." She says as she nudges her camel back towards the others, "Thanks Garruth. I get into my work too much sometimes it seems."
She gets the camel back to the group and slips in beside her sister and gives her a sideways look that says she's sorry. The twin has put her work away but that does not mean it does not continue to play out in her mind and now and again she uses her flute to play part of a tune she is thinking of, giving herself a chance to hear it out loud and Keiko the chance to get an idea for lyrics as well.
When they finally arrive at Sultan's Claw she has the flute out and plays a mournful then uplifting tune which indicates a sense of foreboding then elation. She taps the flute on her wrist counting out the measures of what she just played then puts it away again.
Alik looked at the Sultan's Claw in amazement. It's twisted appearance made him think of the terrifying talons of Brachshyna, the hideous hag-blooded woman who had been a fellow slave of his former freakshow life.
"Surely this is not a natural thing," he says in astonishment.
Keiko just smiles brightly at her sister in response to the apologetic look, which means she has no expectation that her sister should be sorry. After all, being distractable is something they have in common.
She looks off silently towards the Sultan's Claw, lips pursed, though she taps the measures of Jaykae's music in synch with her sister.
Shrugging slightly disappointed that they are still far away from their final destination, where she might meet her destiny or maybe demise. She blinks away the thoughts and slight moisture at the corners of her eyes - remembering her lost family.
"Rest?" she queries wondering how many more will join the group. Then she looks to the tree clawing at the sky, desperate and unnatural - a cursed place. As she bounces with the rolling motion of the beast she flicks her hand in a strange ward.