Namtar nods, and silently hefts the bag, readying himself for danger.
** spoiler omitted **
Tribim and Namtar take the long way, ducking behind buildings and avoiding the busier streets as much as possible as they leave the Peck. Between discretion and having to wait for passing eyes to finish passing, it took them a quarter hour to return to Zummabu's tower.
Trib leads Namtar out the door and down the hall, getting out of the hotel by the shortest route possible, Heading back carefully to Zummabu's compound.
Namtar glowers when Tirb talks about not having slaves, or not being called master. As you wish. He puts his kilt and sandals back on, and hefts his bundle. How do we leave?
"I'm sure you know the explosion,"
Amarekashu raised his cup to the new entrants with a small smile, watching them with his oddly coloured, slitted eyes. It didn't look like the people they were looking for were here, but that did not mean they had not been here.
"I'm sure you know the explosion,"
Arundel knows that Stirgenest was a god-tomb among the others about Dalath and up in the foothills. Shortly after it was first breached, it exploded in some kind of magical conflagration.
Amarekashu raised his cup to the new entrants with a small smile, watching them with his oddly coloured, slitted eyes. It didn't look like the people they were looking for were here, but that did not mean they had not been here.
The patrons took no notice of the newcomers, quietly keeping to themselves and their dice.
Trib leads Namtar out the door and down the hall, getting out of the hotel by the shortest route possible, Heading back carefully to Zummabu's compound.
Trib and Namtar made it back to Zummabu's without incident.
Realizing that none of the others had returned yet, nodding toward the house Trib asks. "Hey Namtar lets see if Zummabu wants ta take a look at this map we 'acquired'." Going to the entrance of the house Trib finds a high ranking servant "I realize it's late but could you inform Master Zummabu that we have something of interest, a map, and we wonder if he would like ta see it."
Namtar grins. "Master will be most pleased" He steps into the house. His room (he still had a hard time believing he had an actual room) was in the basement of the tower.
'I wonder if anyone else was as lucky as us' Tribim nods his head in agreement, "I hope your right Namtar, I hope your right." Looking at the big man he continues. "Tha question now is if we gather enough information ta beat them ta tha crypt or if we are going ta need ta follow them." He smiles, as much to himself as to his new friend. "Well at least we know what they look like." Then winking, "But we want ta make sure they don't see us. I don't think that big belt wearer will be happy with either of us." Smiling wider he continues, "Course if tha big guy sees us you'll get a chance for your match with him, that you surely will!"
Realizing that none of the others had returned yet, nodding toward the house Trib asks. "Hey Namtar lets see if Zummabu wants to take a look at this map we 'acquired'." Going to the entrance of the house Trib finds a high ranking servant "I realize it's late but could you inform Master Zummabu that we have something of interest, a map, and we wonder if he would like to see it."
Iva hurried and fetched Zummabu, who came down from his gaming parlor. He looked carefully over the map.
"Gods be praised, this is very good news! If this marks where they plain to go, then these people are no concern to us."
"I'm sure you know the explosion," Kassu said as he moved his first piece. He then began a lengthy, quite technical, disquisition about the ways powerful magical discharges might interact with standing effects and spell-fields, or empower long-depleted sources of energy whilst also twisting their Art in unpredictable ways. It might have sundered wards, broken illusions, or otherwise revealed new parts of the tomb.
"It's probably a fool's errand, but you never know until you look. Have you been out there yourself?
"I am familiar with the explosion, naturally, but I also know that it happened some time ago. I haven't been out myself, largely because I've always figured that explorers since then would have already made those discoveries in the years since. However, I certainly understand striving for the unlikely. For me, I hold on to the fools dream of discovering a new tomb, heretofore unknown, and being the first in untold years to step foot in it. It is one of the reasons I devote myself to historical studies; in the hope of discovering clues among the histories. I must sound the fool to you, I'm sure, but it is what it is. Know what i mean?"
'I wonder if anyone else was as lucky as us' Tribim nods his head in agreement, "I hope your right Namtar, I hope your right." Looking at the big man he continues. "Tha question now is if we gather enough information ta beat them ta tha crypt or if we are going ta need ta follow them." He smiles, as much to himself as to his new friend. "Well at least we know what they look like." Then winking, "But we want ta make sure they don't see us. I don't think that big belt wearer will be happy with either of us." Smiling wider he continues, "Course if tha big guy sees us you'll get a chance for your match with him, that you surely will!"
Namtar chuckles and cracks his knuckles, grinning down at the little master. "Heh, I will win that belt, and prove that I am the greatest to be given to the Father of Victories." He sets the sack down at his feet, flexing to loosen his muscles. Staying still for so long was annoying. "And, we shall beat them either way. They will feel my steel, or their bones will crush beneath my fists. Either way, my master will be pleased."
"I am familiar with the explosion, naturally, but I also know that it happened some time ago. I haven't been out myself, largely because I've always figured that explorers since then would have already made those discoveries in the years since. However, I certainly understand striving for the unlikely. For me, I hold on to the fools dream of discovering a new tomb, heretofore unknown, and being the first in untold years to step foot in it. It is one of the reasons I devote myself to historical studies; in the hope of discovering clues among the histories. I must sound the fool to you, I'm sure, but it is what it is. Know what i mean?"
"A new tomb? You are hopeful!" Kassu said, smiling. He waved the notion off. "I think you may be desperate, my friend."
Regin gets a drink and asks the keep the same question. I'm just in from the Two Tears and I'm looking for some purple I spotted on the road... he says with his best description of the others.
"A new tomb? You are hopeful!" Kassu said, smiling. He waved the notion off. "I think you may be desperate, my friend."
Arundel considers how much he could bluff the wizard at this time,
and decides he probably couldn't, so decides to stick to some true, if somewhat omissive, honesty.
"I know I am!" he says with a laugh "as I said, it is one of my foolish desires. My personal studies on the subject have led nowhere, unfortunately. I have often considered, though, that I would jump at the chance to participate in an expedition to an unexplored tomb, even without pay, just to have that experience of stepping into it. There is just something about that idea that has a way of driving out all others."
Looking at the wizard, Arundel adds "I normally am more embarrassed to talk about these hopes, but I get the feeling you understand. You became a lot less focused on our game the second I mentioned the subject." he says with a wry grin on his face.
Regin gets a drink and asks the keep the same question. I'm just in from the Two Tears and I'm looking for some purple I spotted on the road... he says with his best description of the others.
"That big one a friend of yours?" the third or fourth patron Regin asked said. "He's not welcome in these walls. Pissed on 'em, he did. Like he was a god himself."
"I know I am!" he says with a laugh "as I said, it is one of my foolish desires. My personal studies on the subject have led nowhere, unfortunately. I have often considered, though, that I would jump at the chance to participate in an expedition to an unexplored tomb, even without pay, just to have that experience of stepping into it. There is just something about that idea that has a way of driving out all others."
Looking at the wizard, Arundel adds "I normally am more embarrassed to talk about these hopes, but I get the feeling you understand. You became a lot less focused on our game the second I mentioned the subject." he says with a wry grin on his face.
"You can't throw the undiscovered in front of anyone in our craft and expect indifference," Kassu said easily. "Just what inspires the hope for you?"
Amarekashu turned, raising a neatly trimmed eyebrow. "That...sounds like a man who cannot hold his drink. What other acts of foolish debauchery did he perform?"
I know he hurt some girls over at the Bed. I'm beginning to think I may have to find this man and have a word with him... Regin regards Amar as if he was just another patron, hoping the conversation week draw in more comments.
"You can't throw the undiscovered in front of anyone in our craft and expect indifference," Kassu said easily. "Just what inspires the hope for you?"
Arundel laughs at that, and says "too true, too true; we are all of us curious creatures reaching into the unknown."
Once more, the elf considers the tides of time, feeling out his next words.
and feeling much better about his chances, seeks to extricate himself from this line of questions.
"For me, simply living in this town drives my interest; so many tombs had been discovered here in the past, it drives a certain level of curiosity. I've yet to find any information about any tombs, but one can hope just the same."
Seeking to press his luck, he again seeks to feel out his chances at some diplomacy.
Feeling very good about his chances, he presses on. "What about you? Have you ever heard any rumors of any undiscovered tombs? What drives your interest?"
'I wonder if anyone else was as lucky as us' Tribim nods his head in agreement, "I hope your right Namtar, I hope your right." Looking at the big man he continues. "Tha question now is if we gather enough information ta beat them ta tha crypt or if we are going ta need ta follow them." He smiles, as much to himself as to his new friend. "Well at least we know what they look like." Then winking, "But we want ta make sure they don't see us. I don't think that big belt wearer will be happy with either of us." Smiling wider he continues, "Course if tha big guy sees us you'll get a chance for your match with him, that you surely will!"Namtar chuckles and cracks his knuckles, grinning down at the little master. "Heh, I will win that belt, and prove that I am the greatest to be given to the Father of Victories." He sets the sack down at his feet, flexing to loosen his muscles. Staying still for so long was annoying. "And, we shall beat them either way. They will feel my steel, or their bones will crush beneath my fists. Either way, my master will be pleased."
As Zummabu looks carefully at the map, Trib nods his head at Namtar, "I believe you will my friend, I believe you will, I look forward to seeing it."
Trib, looks at the big man, shuffling his feet he observes, "I've been to the local tombs but I've never been far away from town, have you?"
Namtar shakes his head. No, I have never left this city. Until Master bought me, I had never walked the streets before. I was carted to the fighting pits in a wheeled cage.
"For me, simply living in this town drives my interest; so many tombs had been discovered here in the past, it drives a certain level of curiosity. I've yet to find any information about any tombs, but one can hope just the same."
Kassu's brow rose ever so slightly. He smiled, moving a piece, "That is how it is. The your gods and mine both like to curse workers of Art with our curiosity.
Seeking to press his luck, he again seeks to feel out his chances at some diplomacy.
Feeling very good about his chances, he presses on. "What about you? Have you ever heard any rumors of any undiscovered tombs? What drives your interest?"
"I'm sorry to say that drew the same lots in our research."
Amarekashu turned, raising a neatly trimmed eyebrow. "That...sounds like a man who cannot hold his drink. What other acts of foolish debauchery did he perform?"
"That was the last he did here. Took four of us to throw him out. Saw him stumbling off toward the Bed after."
Dommer hears "more" about the man and he knows, more than ever, he's trouble. In silence,!he pays close attention if something is being hidden or lied.
Kassu's brow rose ever so slightly. He smiled, moving a piece, "That is how it is. The your gods and mine both like to curse workers of Art with our curiosity....
"I'm sorry to say that drew the same lots in our research."
Arundel nods his had sympathetically. "So it goes, unfortunately."
Looking down at the dragonchess board, the elf frowns ever so slightly. "Here I was, so engrossed in our conversation, I seem to have made a tactical error in our game. I may not be the best player, but I can recognize when I'm beaten. Good game, sir."
He sits back and says "The game and the conversation have been fascinating. Good luck in your exploration of the Stirgenest; perhaps you will find something useful after all."
Looking down at the dragonchess board, the elf frowns ever so slightly. "Here I was, so engrossed in our conversation, I seem to have made a tactical error in our game. I may not be the best player, but I can recognize when I'm beaten. Good game, sir."
"And to you," Kassu said amiably. The game had never been close.
He sits back and says "The game and the conversation have been fascinating. Good luck in your exploration of the Stirgenest; perhaps you will find something useful after all."
"I live in hope."
Kassu emerged not long after Arundel. He walked straight to the God's Pit, where he remained just a few breaths before emerging and making for Sleeping Peck.
Arundel makes his way back to Zummabu's tower to meet up with the others. He requests a meeting with Zummabu, and says first thing: "You may want to put scrying protections in place, just in case."
Once precautions had been taken, Arundel presents his report. "I spoke with their wizard, Kassu, at some length; he beat me handily at a match of dragonchess. According to him, they are here to explore the Stirgenest, hoping that the explosion shook loose some discoveries that had been previously missed. I have my doubts, to be honest - the explosion happened some time ago, and this Kassu seems smart enough to not hang his hat on such a thing. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Stirgenest is simply a cover for their real target. He seemed honest enough when talking about it, but the situation just seems weird to me. I mentioned wishing that I could find an undiscovered tomb; a simple and common enough dream I would think - but his interest immediately became very sharp, though he tried to hide it. I think he might have known I was fishing for information about their business; he played things rather close to the chest. After I left, I hid out and watched his movements; he went to the God's Pit momentarily, then went to the Sleeping Hin."
Arundel makes his way back to Zummabu's tower to meet up with the others. He requests a meeting with Zummabu, and says first thing: "You may want to put scrying protections in place, just in case."
Zummabu employed his scrying wards again.
Once precautions had been taken, Arundel presents his report. "I spoke with their wizard, Kassu, at some length; he beat me handily at a match of dragonchess. According to him, they are here to explore the Stirgenest, hoping that the explosion shook loose some discoveries that had been previously missed. I have my doubts, to be honest - the explosion happened some time ago, and this Kassu seems smart enough to not hang his hat on such a thing. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Stirgenest is simply a cover for their real target. He seemed honest enough when talking about it, but the situation just seems weird to me. I mentioned wishing that I could find an undiscovered tomb; a simple and common enough dream I would think - but his interest immediately became very sharp, though he tried to hide it. I think he might have known I was fishing for information about their business; he played things rather close to the chest. After I left, I hid out and watched his movements; he went to the God's Pit momentarily, then went to the Sleeping Hin."
"It can't be helped, but do take care. He may simply be suspicious by nature, an affliction common enough in our calling. He might wish only to beat you to the punch. He may also mean you ill now, perhaps by letting you do the dangerous work and coming in when you have what he wants, but have spent too much Art and blood to resist his company."
"I will be careful. So what do we do now? Are the others back yet? Have they learned anything?"
"I will be careful. So what do we do now? Are the others back yet? Have they learned anything?"
Amarekashu sneered at being told the man had attacked some women. "Weak waste of flesh. He gives into to wanton emotions and desire. Ill disciplined and foolish." He shook his head. His dislike for such 'men' was notable, and he made no effort to conceal his utter disdain. Anyone who assaulted those weaker simply to make themselves feel powerful was a useful being, unworthy in the Bronze's eyes.
Regin nods. I guess I'll keep asking around. Thanks.
He departs and heads back to the tower to see if anyone else had checked in. No point in investigating a location twice.
Regin nods. I guess I'll keep asking around. Thanks.
He departs and heads back to the tower to see if anyone else had checked in. No point in investigating a location twice.
Amarekashu, Dommer, and Reginreturn to find Zummabu in conference with Arundel, Trib, and Namtar.
Regin gives his report quickly. All we could find was that the big one is cursed by the goddess and banned from the bars die to his extraordinarily huge ego and disregard for proper behavior. The singer he's removed from the equation the better.
"I will be careful. So what do we do now? Are the others back yet? Have they learned anything?"
Trib, nods at Arundel, then winks at Namtar. "Me and Namtar are back we had a run in with a couple of tha adventurers, but we'll wait till everybody is here ta talk about it, no need ta tell tha same story twice, right Namtar."
Trib smiles and nods at Namtar, "Well, we ran inta tha one your callin' "Tha Big One" an he ain't that big. Namtar could whip him. Ain't that right, Namtar."
Trib dumps out the bag with the big guys stuff. "Namtar and I went ta tha "Garden of Wonders" and got a tip from a bartender that a lady was lookin' fer a knife throwin' game. So we headed ta tha "God's Pit" where we found tha big guy drunk on a table an' this lady throwin' knives, pretty bloody good. Her name was Tirra."
Winking to Namtar "Well she whipped me good, best two outa three, while in tha process practically told us her life story, will at least tha part we wanted ta hear. She told us her an' tha big guy were hired by a fella name o' Kassu. they was gonna be gone a couple o' days crossin tha river head over near tha Stirgenest. Then me an' Namtar, cause we're such good sports.' Again sinking at Namtar. "We, well really Namtar, carried tha big guy home fer her. They was stayin' at a place called "Tha sleeping Peck" Tribim spits at the name of the place, and continues his story.
"Where we put tha big guy ta bed and then robbed him. We took his gear, his gold and his potions." Pointing to Zummabu, "An' we took tha map showin' their destination, that tha big guy had, too." Trib smiles a smile large enough for a ogre and winks at Namtar one last time.
You robbed him? What in the Slaver's name...? - asked Dommer in his low voice, showing obvious anger.
He stood up, approaching Zummabu and questioning.
What's going on here, old friend? I'm afraid you selected some questionable characters for your journey, and I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this "by all means necessary" thing.
You robbed him? What in the Slaver's name...? - asked Dommer in his low voice, showing obvious anger.
He stood up, approaching Zummabu and questioning.
What's going on here, old friend? I'm afraid you selected some questionable characters for your journey, and I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this "by all means necessary" thing.
Region also looks concerned. You may have tipped our hands by that action, friend.
You robbed him? What in the Slaver's name...? - asked Dommer in his low voice, showing obvious anger.
He stood up, approaching Zummabu and questioning.
What's going on here, old friend? I'm afraid you selected some questionable characters for your journey, and I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this "by all means necessary" thing.
'Do I detect a little jealousy of a job well done?' Trib smiles, turning to Dommer, "Don't see it as stealin', friend. See it as deprivin' a foreign aggressor from tha tools he's tryin' ta use attemtin' ta rape Dalaath of her natural gods given resources."
Turning to Regin, "Do not worry Regin, can I call ya Regin? We were not followed and no on will associate me or Namtar with Zummabu. No offence Namtar, I know ya take great pride in servin' Zummabu."
Namtar stares at Trib in open confusion. The man talked so fast! How didn he even know what he was saying?! "Master said the other party must be stoped. We stoped them."
Namtar stares at Trib in open confusion. The man talked so fast! How didn he even know what he was saying?! "Master said the other party must be stoped. We stoped them."
You robbed him? What in the Slaver's name...? - asked Dommer in his low voice, showing obvious anger.
He stood up, approaching Zummabu and questioning.
What's going on here, old friend? I'm afraid you selected some questionable characters for your journey, and I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this "by all means necessary" thing.
Zummabu pondered the situation.
"It might have been best that I not know about the...procurement. I have a sacred duty, by the Code of Enlil, to see offenses against the law punished. It would be a traitorous sin for me to do otherwise."
"Tribim, Namtar, did you do harm to this man? Did he do anything to you?"