Okay, gonna assume you all return to the village you were staying at. Where do you all go first to gather information?
"I will show Hadule the map, he will at least be able to send the militia to retrieve more arms. And perhaps offer some insight on the likely make-up of the army"
"Hopefully he will be able to spare us a guide. Should we gather supplies and mounts so we will move much more swifter and trust for you Mus'ad to help pick out the best ones."
To Pavok as they enter the town:
"Come and get me when we're ready of if anything is needed. I need to clear my head."
Arik goes to whatever is passing for barracks. He walks in to the place and says:
"Who here's a boxer?"
One or two rounds oughta get the poison outta my veins...
Pavok gives his friend a understanding smile, "Will do my friend and by the way do Forge Father proud. " he gives him a knowing wink.
Moves with the group to collect the supplies and a guide.
Faznir remains distracted, looking over the horizon, as if he would stare enough, he could find what he's seeking.
"My dearest most exquisite of friends, I must defer to your indubitable expertise on these martial matters. Fear not, in that I'll bring the scorching desert sun to our enemies and song and merry to all of you, but I fear I maybe out of my element discussing these matters of strategy and planning."
He smiles and offers a cool drink to the party, but then his gaze returns to the horizon, searching for something he can't see.
On the way back, Mhykir tries to have a quiet word with Faznir.
'Faznir, a few days ago when we were *coughs* stripped of our possessions, I couldn't help but notice your heritage. There is no shame in this, but the elder of this town, Fazan, warned me that if we had an efreet or ifrit in our party we should be careful, and especially stay clear of efreet cities. I felt it prudent I should mention this to you quietly so you may decide what to do with the knowledge.'
After my conversation with Faznir, depending on how it goes, my next action is to seek out Fazan, and find out what sort of city it is we are planning on trecking too.
Pavok will ask around as they make there way to Hadule's to get a general idea who is a good guide or sells the best mounts, but will try and keep up with Mus'ad.
You approach Hadule with the map and what you have discovered. Mus'ad, At first your questions sound like orders but Pavok manages to remind Hadule that this is just how you are.
"I see. So the Neubites have already expanded if they are only three days northwest of us. Used to take near to weeks to before you'd ever have to worry about running into the settlements they controlled. Not sure what this city is. I myself have not traveled much beyond a day from town. Jashia has and so has Yaline. I doubt Yaline is willing to leave her tavern but Jashia is a member of our militia, well sort of. She helps when there is trouble but doesn't work directly with us. I will give you her location here. As for mounts, we can spare a few camels. Go and pick out as many as you need. Thanks again for your help with the attack. I don't believe we could have beaten them without you. If there is nothing else, have a safe journey."
As Hadule leaves, Arik grunts.
"I don't know how to ride a camel..."
He looks hopefully at Mus'ad.
To Arik "Do not fear, the task is easy as long as we do not take the unseasoned camel into combat. Just dismount when you see the enemy"
After picking out sufficient camels to match one per party member with one spare, he suggests: "Is there anyone else you wish to speak to before we leave? We should at least talk to Yaline as she has knowledge of our destination"
Uh yes, I need to make a quick purchase before we leave.
Jen heads to the marketplace and looks for someone that sells trained animals.
Excuse me, but do you have any small birds of prey suitable for riding?
She uses her hands to approximate the size of a regular eagle or hawk.
"I am ready to leave at your word Mus'ad. Just point me at the enemy."
'I would like to visit Fazan, he has been helpful in the past, he may know more of this city'
Pavok thanks Hadule for all his help and wishes him good luck with the oncoming battles with the neubites.
"I just need to stop by the market area and pick up some supplies just incase. Just let me know where to meet back with you all and I will make haste."
You find no birds that can't be ridden. Curious, what kind of cat is whiskers?
You arrive at Fazan's place. He welcomes you warmly. "Ah Mhykir, good to see you back safe and sound. How did your journey go?"
3 Rupia for 6 rations. 6gp otherwise. Values are going to be a little mucked up for this place. They don't value gold as much as those strange black carved stones called Rupia.
Most of the team has headed elsewhere. Guess it is up to you to seek out Yaline.
Arik is following Mus'ad for now.
When he meets Yaline, the dwarf bows and greets her with proper dwarven etiquette.
"May you forever be one with the stone and may it welcome you back at journey's end."
Jen heads over to Yaline, disappointed that the market does not have birds that can be ridden by her cat.
"Do not worry your mind with these small issues, my friend, and let not a little detail like that alter our route. If the need dictates that we have to get into one of those cities I'll just disguise myself and we'll be safely in our way."
After finishing gathering supplies, Pavok will go and try to meet his fellows at Yaline's tavarn since thats where Mus'ad said he was going before they split up. While he is moving through the streets Pavok will kinda watch the people and try to judge the general morale of the city.
Mhykir bows, 'We found the Neubite camp abandoned, but within it there was a device which Jen foolishly enabled.' Mhykir says this with a degree of frustration 'Through this we have learned of a large force planning on mobilizing on this town, they are camped at a nearby city. Wise Fazan, would you know anything of this place?' Mhykir describes its location to the elder.
Perhaps foolish, but now we have gained valuable insight on the movements of the enemy. Without my contact, we would have been left floundering in the sand and caught off guard when the enemy army would have slammed into the city. They might know of our presence but now...now we can act!
We can strike when the iron is still hot, when the sand still shifts! Now the playing field is equal. Now that they are focused on us, we can force them to come to us and fight on our terms, a most assured proposition for our victory.
After some eccentric and verbose explanation, Jen's feet plant back on the ground and she pulls her hood a bit further up to conceal her embarrassment.
Okay the following Characters are at Yaline's place
Mus'ad
Arik
Pavok
Jen
and Faznir
Myhkir is at Fazan's
Jen you are not present to hear Myhkir's statements and are therefore, unable to defend your actions.
So no one respond to Jen's post please. Sorry Jen.
As Mus'ad, Arik, and Faznir approach Yaline, Pavok and Jen show up just in time to catch the conversation.
Yaline looks at the map. "Gracious!" She Exclaims. "Looks like the rumors were true. The Neubite army has move a larger force this far south. I though for sure they would stick to the Djinn territories but I guess that was too much to hope for. It seems they've moved a nice portion of their forces to the city. Many travelers tell that the roads there are not safe and it would be dangerous to head north that way. You see, there is a road that runs to that city, and just along the ways. The city used to be an out layer fortification against the neubites but travelers mentioned it had been overrun. It seems that the neubites have made it there own in the recent years. I used to live there when I was but a girl. I used to know the place inside out. As long as the city topography is still intact, I maybe able to guide you there. Just out of curiosity, what are you hoping to do there?"
Fazan nods. "I see. I have visited this place several times before the war began. A wonderful culture and one of the armies strongest garrisons until all the army was drafted. Not sure what it was like afterward. Seems the neubites took over. I would recommend you visit Jashia, or Yaline. They know the area better than anybody. You know where Yaline lives, Jashia lives here." He points her home out on his map of he city.
Mhykir thanks Fazan and heads back to Yaline, he tells his friends that Jashia may have some information regarding the city as well.
"Simply enough we believe there is information there to help us find our employer and others that we seek. And I don't about the rest of the group, but I believe this is a problem the Forge Father has sent me to help fix. We will be honored to recieve your aid, my Lady." After he says that he puts his hand on the dwarfs shoulder. Then whispers to him, "You'll have to tell me how your fights went. I feel sorry for the lads that took you on."
Mus'ad nods at Pavok's words before adding: "Do the Neubites allow the city to live? or do they choke the life from it? I would know if we are likely to be able to gain entry peacefully or if we would need to fight every step."
Yaline sighs. "From what I hear, the neubites turn every normal person they imprison into neubites. This city is likely filled with them by now and is no longer friendly towards normal people. If we went there, I would recomend sneaking in to find what you need. Unless you all posses a power only the most powerful of Shaitan warriors have." She waits for a response.
Arik lets out a long, low whistle.
"Well that's not good..."
"What do we do about this Mus'ad? I doubt we could take an entire city of Neubites, but if that is your plan, I am with you."
Perhaps it would be wise to skirmish with the enemy before we directly confront them to capture one of the neubites, alive?
I'm sure that we could discover more about their weaknesses by having an...intact specimen to observe and study.
"I agree with Jen, I think we should try to capture one. Maybe we can get a better idea how the magic changed them with a skilled magic wielder such has Jen it should be easy to figure it out. Then we might be able to locate what changes them into the neubites and find a way to reverse it, cause remember our employer was captured by them so he might be one of those creatures out there."
Shrugging "I do not believe it wise to attempt to infiltrate a city where we are the only ones that appear different. We can seek out a patrol to battle if you wish so that you may secure a captive?"
"We could also wear big dog heads and just waltz in through the front door! What do you say?"
"We could also wear big dog heads and just waltz in through the front door! What do you say?"
"HHHmmmm......You might have a idea there Faznir, I've made hide armor before. Maybe if we take out a patrol and give me sometime I could carve an armor from there hide and give us a chance to blend in with the foul creatures since they don't seem that bright and there is so many they might look at us in detail. It is mearly a crazy Idea that Torag inspires within me."
Yes, that is a brilliant idea! Just make sure you scrub them out really well; I don't want to start smelling like one.
Shall we head out?
Mhykir seems bemused by the idea, 'If you guys think we can pull it off...'
If you could see Mus'ad's face it would show a flat expression with a questioning raised eyebrow. However his tagelmust covers most of the expression, so all you get is his piercing gaze that shows no sense of amusement or endorsement at the idea.
Arik's eyes go wide.
So disrespectful...to treat even an enemy so poorly...it invites darkness.
"If it pleases the group, I will help in any way I can. However, I cannot wear the head of my enemies. I am sorry"
"If it pleases the group, I will help in any way I can. However, I cannot wear the head of my enemies. I am sorry"
Pavok looks to Arik, "You have nothing to be sorry about; I myself am not fond of my idea. But I can't see any other way of getting into the city unnoticed. I agree the honorable thing to do is charge in and take them head on, though that would just get us all foolishly killed and not help defeat the scourge of these creatures. I don't know for sure if this rumor that they were once men are true, but what I can tell you is Torag has shown me time and time again that these neubites are all evil. So I will thank you for what help you can provide us, I know we will need your strength and strong soul to help defeat this menace. "
He looks to the group after he finishes talking to Arik, "I think we should build the armored disguises while on our way to the city to save time, so I will need to pick up supplies if you all agree with me. Don't forget our hunting isn't just to get the hides but to study they way they move and act. So let us study our prey before we do the collect our hides." Pavok gives a sour look when we says that, he just doesn't care to skin any humanoid but there isn't any other way to sneak in. He whispers to himself, "By Torag's forge, I hope I'm doing the right thing. And let me know if I'm not."
"Do not doubt your honor because of my stubborn pride, Pavok. It is a fine idea. I just can't do it..."
Mhykir looks at Jen, 'I have heard of many arcane tricks, are you familier with anything we can use to disguise or turn our friend Arik here invisible?'
Not only is it much faster than a horse (it can move 80 ft per round pulled by a horse, I believe), it also provides some form of cover for us.
Well, I have been researching a few new spells to turn him invisible, but I doubt it will last long enough. However, I do know of a spell that might be of use, able to disguise Arik as a neubite. Unfortunately, I do not know how to use it, but it might be available as a scroll in the market. Would that be a preferable option for you?