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Parker pulls his thumbs from his coat pocket and aims his finger at the leper. "I hate it when folk can't seem to reach a reasonable conclusion, don'tcha?", as he fires a snowball at the man.
A massive shard of ice flies, coalescing from around his finger, and stabs deeply into the leper's chest, as Parker blows off a trail of frozen breath from his finger.
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Parker takes a couple of steps back, takes his hat, which had fallen off in the ruckus, dusts it off, and puts it back on. "I'm guessin' we got into one o' 'em cultural disagreements. But, we was s'posed to be 'ere to pick the Captin up.", he says, staring at the lepers. "An', I ain't a culture guide, but I don' see how anyone would put lepers in charge o' funerals. Someone know more 'bout the folks in these parts?", he asks, looking around the room. "'Cause, if this is one o' them dangerous adventures, I'm 'bout to be very inquisitive of our glorious leaders in the future.", he finishes with a grin.
He claps his hands together. "Right, folk. Get that body movin', and get outta town faster than a magic bean salesman. Don' real wanna get bogged down with the guard. Unlikeable characters, all o' em.", he says, as he points his fingers at the lepers. "Now, we gon' move the man from 'ere, gon' be done with the matter, and y'all go to the library and learn what 'Nirmathan Hospitality' means.", he says with a wink.
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The body is easy to locate. The next step however may be a little harder. The Society made arrangements for camels for each of you, and another for the body. Along with the camels are water and food. However the Silken route is across a sandy desert, and you will need to locate a caravan to join...
Luckily, again the local Society representative points you to the master of a caravan that is due to depart the next day. This particular caravan is run by a dark skinned beauty by the name of Jamila al-Shafah. Dressed in traditional garb, but of exquisite cut and of lovely silks, she cuts quite a striking figure.
Near her are three other people who will be in her silken caravan, an older Taldan gentleman wearing a knights armor; A souk merchant from Katheer and a water merchant from Osirion.
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Whoops!
"My apologies lady al-Shafah! Audyn and Iron feathers are accomplished warriors while Luralee here" he points to the half-orc "has her way with animals. Parker and myself have a way with magics. We are very capable of defending ourselves and others when necessary. However since we do not know our way through the desert we prefer to join an caravan instead of striking out of our own."
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Myrd wrecks his brains a while to see if he remembers what people here think should be done with bodies of the dead.
"We want to honor one of the finest men Lopul has known. Targos Min-Katheer last wishes were simple: he wanted his mortal remains to take one last trip along the Silken Way to his home city of Katheer, there to rest with his ancestors. We are to carry out his last wishes. I do hope that you have no issue with that."
it is at times like these that I wish I knew more...
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AT the words of Myrd and Audyn Jamila nods.
"That is right and proper"
She introduces you to the other people.
"The Taldan man is Gaspar du Mer, a weapons trader" he stands and bows stiffly in his armor. He strokes his moustache and twirls the handlebars. An aging man, he has five camels with bundles of exotic surved swords and daggers.
She points to the next. "Mahmoud, a souk merchant from Katheer. Partner of Gaspar." The man rises and doffs his Fez.
Lastly she comes to the third man "Hokama" she says "A water merchant from ancient Osirion." He has three camels, two drovers and a slave boy with him. Upon his camels are lots of water skins and dowsing rods.
She turns to the group. "We leave at dawn. I suggest you dress for the weather. It'll be hot"
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Parker grins as he sees the caravan leader. Taking a spot next to Myrd, he smiles at Jamila and takes his hat off in a deep bow. "Pleased t'meet'cha, miss. What my friends are sayin', if you don' mind me interruptin', is that we are damn good folk on a noble mission, an' we are fully competent ta deal with all dangers we may bring onboard.", he says, flashing a smile.
He nods as the people are introduced. "I'm sure we're gonna be enjoyin' the company in the desert, gentlemen.", he gives the men a nod. "We got mounts of our own folk? D'ya want me to sell you one?", he says as he leaves, snapping his fingers. A brief moment later, a fully equipped horse appears, and whinnies. He gives Myrd a wink, and says in a serious voice, "No refunds. All sales are final.", before chuckling at his own joke.
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"I think I will be fine in the desert. Well met gentlemen"
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Before dawn the pathfinder team and their camels, equipment, water and the captains body join the rest of the caravan.
Someone once said deserts are hot, but this doesn't feel hot. Those how bought hot weather outfits wonder if they should really be wearing something more substantial. Its freezing. Teeth chatter and the stars glimmer overhead.
Moving is good as it actually gets your muscles going and provides a little warming. And after an hour the sun rises. The first hour or so is not too bad, but then it starts to get hot. And then it gets hotter. Finally you think it must get hottest, but it seems someone forgot the hottest setting as the temperature continues to rise.
Around midday Jamila calls a halt and tents are put up. Everyone thankfully retires to the shade within to rest out the worst of the afternoons heat.
It seems that Jamila is as merciless as the sun, for mid afternoon she drives you all back into the blistering sunlight and heat to repeat the process all over again.
That evening it is a tired and thirsty group of Pathfinders and merchants who set up their tents. Apart from Myrd. He seems to find the heat, if not comfortable, at least nothing like as difficult as the others. Something about it being "dry heat" and "this is nothing compared to the jungle."
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Although miserable, Iron Feathers endures the hellish heat. What warrior would I be to submit to nothing but hot air?!, he thinks to himself.
At evening's rest, he drinks his fill of water, then then checks with the others to make sure they are ok. He then uses some survival skills to use a dual-layer of cloth to trap morning dew to collect some extra water.
Of course, it is his first attempt at doing so, the forested homeland he hails from more lush than the arid conditions he is currently traveling in...
Iron Feathers sticks with Myrd, finding some solace with another tengu and one more sociable than he. "You do well in this heat, quite admirable."
Finally, he goes to Jamila and asks, "Are there any dangers in the sand that may attack us during travel? I wish to be prepared appropriately if need be."
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"Three more days" says Jamila with a cheerful face.
"They say the first day is the worst, just getting used to the heat."
She then shakes her head.
"But don't believe Them. Ever."
To Iron Feathers she looks with interest "The desert has many threats, not just water or getting lost. Raiders, scorpions, quick sand. The heat could drive one of us mad. One must be on watch all the time."
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"Yes, with my expert guidance, you need fear nothing other than a sunburn on your smooth face Audyn. Or a raiders arrow. With so many of us, we make a bit more of a mess when passing. Our dust trail can be seen for miles."
She looks with some concern at the trail left behind the group as the evening closes around the camp site, eventually bringing relief from the baking heat..
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"Thank you Iron Feathers, it is all a trick of the mind. Although I must say that that trip into Sargaava really taught me how to deal with the heat. Did I tell you about that trip? Most scary part of it was that huge dinosaur that wanted to eat us."
In the evening Myrd sits with the Taldan gentleman "Sir, have you been to Kathapeer before? Can you tell me what to expect there?". He will also try to find out more about the man asking at some point in the conversation. "du Mer, isn't that a noble's name?"
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Gasper nods "It is, but I'm a younger son or a younger son, so apart from my name - I'm a self made man." He twirls his mustache and looks pretty pleased with himself.
"As for Kathapeer... it is large, a good place for trade, all the more so because it can be hard to get to. They always need more weapons!"
The next morning, as promised is more of the same. By midday even Gaspar, who refuses to take off his armor and looks rather uncomfortable in it, is pleased for a rest in the tents. Again the rest is all too short, but enough to recover from your worst exertions.
It is an hour after the midday break, when the group gets their first relief. A small gust of wind breaks the monotonous heat. Rather than feeling glad, Jamila looks worried, as clouds start to gather and then sweep across the desert. A sand storm is coming...
Within minutes visibility is close on zero. The pathfinder team huddles together, trying to keep the water sellers camel in sight...
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Luralee manages to keep the group together. After a few minutes he catches sight of Hokama.
You are able to draw nearer to the water seller’s camels during a slight lull in the storm. A cry from the merchant’s young slave rings out as he points into the blowing sand where several humanoid creatures approach, most smaller than humans and all muffled in heavy robes. Each stranger’s head has a great helm wrapped in keffiyehs, and each faceplate has only a small eye slit to keep out the fury of the storm. Each holds a curved sword, and it is clear they are converging on your position!
Status, bold may post:
Parker
Luralee (endure elements)
Iron Feathers
Audyn
Myrd (Fort DC 15 save required for heat)
Bandits!