Okay I'm gonna move you all to Gazeem.
Arik places an order for a temple sword to be made but it will not be ready this day.
Pavok, Saiza giggles at your kiss of the hand. She leans forward and gives you a gentle one on the cheek. "Good luck Pavok. Come by again soon." She seem quite taken with you.
The rest of you are at Gazeems or are showing up to meet him and country boy Joe pops the question.
Gazeem seems a bit surprised by the question. "haven't had that question in quite some time. Almost know one cares about the Turval anymore. He is actually known as the "Overseer" by the way. He oversees all of Aridia and Aradina. Keeps watch on the happenings of the place." Gazeem finds a nice place to sit comfortably.
"I know where he is. He is on the EAST side of Aridia on the very wall of the land itself. He has a hut there where he and his predecessors aided Daiga in construction of this world. He is the last member of the old priests of Daiga left and is a very wise and powerful man. Few now remember him or even where he is. I only have the general location but nothing exact. I do know that the EAST side of Aridia is where you will find him. Is there anything else you would like to know. I am curator of the best stocked library in all of Aradina right now. I can answer most of your questions."
"Have you maps that one could buy?"
He nods to Mus'ad. "Sure, I will scribe you a map that should take you to the place you need to be. It will cost you 10 rupia and it will be finished in two hours. It will take you on the best route."
Mus'ad considers calmly before retrieving some of the money used here. Placing a larger pile before Gazeem he states "Take 50 rupia... and make sure that the map will cover what lies to our North and South as we travel."
"Sir, this plauge known as the Anubinites what do you know of them? Is this the first time this scourage has arrived here and from what some of my comrades have found out that an alchemist is behind there creation do you know of any one from this area skilled in alchemy?"
The man has no malicious intent towards you, especially when Mus'ad lays out 50 rupia.
The map he will give you is of all Aradina. Using this map will allow any of you with a positive intelligence modifier to use knowledge Geography untrained and to find certain locations. It also gives a +2 survival to avoid becoming lost.
At Pavok he nods. "Good many years ago Daiga had many priests who helped him create this world. One such priest was Anubis. This priest was jealous of the praise Daiga received from the people. Anubis rounded up some of his own apprentices and started to turn people into Anubite and well as creating some from from nothing. The army grew quickly and so threatened to destroy all that Daiga created. With the help of the Genies, Daiga defeated Anubis's army and slew his treacherous disciple. Now that the genies are gone and Daiga too has not heard our prayers, the anubites have returned under the rule of one of Anubis's chosen, Set. Now they march unhindered into Aradina. We are doomed. As for alchemy. There is someone of that nature. Kemmid. He work with the science. I am not sure what role it played in the anubite creation but I will tell you how to find him."
Gazeem puts Kemmid's address down on paper and hands it too you.
Tellingly even the cold and austere Mus'ad shudders at the talk of perverting men into beasts and a memory of bright scarves in a locked building...
"Is there any difference between those that are turned and those made of nothing?"
Gazeem sigh and solemnly shaking his head he explians. "In beastlyness no. They are both animals and hostile as part of their new nature. The ones made from humans are more intelligent, I hesitate to say that because it doesn't mean they are more reasonable, it just means they are more dangerous."
"How do they turn them?" Tam looks curiously at the scholar.
He shrugs. "We don't know. No one know how to communicate with an anubite and the apprentices commit suicide rather than be captured. All we know is that however it is done, It does not take long and we have yet to find a cure."
"Has anyone tried to take an apprentice by surprise? What about infiltration? It seems to me that much might be learned if we could capture one."
"Aye. that's what it looks like to me, as well. I may not be much into learnin' things, but saving others is always good."
Gazeem shrugs. "Stories tell that the apprentices would be killed by some kind of spell if ever they were captured. They have no control over such matters. If there was away to defeat the anubite, the apprentices surely know it only are set up so they cannot reveal it. Without the genies, we are on full defensive. Vast amounts of military, even human members have been called to Aridia for this obsurd war the genies are having with one another. With Daiga unresponsive, we have been doomed to our fates. There is no hope. The Anubites will continue to spread until all of Aradina is plagued with their curse." The man slumps as though the weight of his own words were resting on his shoulders.
"So the first thing to do is find this Daiga and get him back to work? Seems easy enough." Tam smiles a wide smile, confident that the task is simple and soon to be done.
Catalina bit her lip thinking about the pain and suffering the people went through when they were transformed into animal slaves. She would be in a group of goody-two-shoes though, wouldn't she? The Shoanti rolls her eyes as the more honorable of her companions shout out ideas for the people to defend themselves, while overlooking what the people of this land truly needed. "It seems to me that little can be done without the help of the Genies. Most of them have been called to Aridia, from what I've heard.. Is there anyway to contact them to bring them back?"
"Now don't you be for worryin' none, sir. As long as I live and breathe, I'm gonna do what I can to stop this Nubite folks. Whether or not we can get a hold of these genie folk to help ya or not, I'll be here to help ya." He pats him on the shoulder.
Even though, the expression on Catalina's face practically said word-for-word what she was thinking, she felt it necessary to verbalize it all the same, "It will be a short battle, indeed..." she utters, rubbing her forehead in sheer disbelief.
One way or another, it will be, aye lass. But I agree. We gotta help if we can. Or at least, I will. Joe, yer father taught ye well, I'll give 'im that.
Taking the directions he gives Gazeem a nod of thanks to it, "This could be a start to help defend againist the creatures illness, now after we finish here we can see this Overseer and bring back these genies and Daiga. Though Torag has lent his aid to you all and you can keep some of your faith and hope in that. If you don't have that faith then believe in our success in finding the seer."
The old man looks into Pavok's eyes and nods. "I believe you. Then I will do my part." Gazeem pushes the 50 rupia Mus'ad gave him back. "I will have the map ready tomorrow morning. Consider it my contribution to your cause and save my people are our home." With that he pulls out a stack of partchement, inkwell and a quill pen and gets right to work.
The rest of the day is yours.
Arik the temple sword will also be ready in the morning.
Now I need you all to summerize your day. This is a nice town and they have plenty to buy, just remember my currency rules.
"Thank ye greatly, sir. We'll be sure to put things right," Ricdak says before leaving him to his work. "I'm gonna go see if I can't get a little work done back at the forge," he says to the others once outside.
Ricdak will go back to the forge and ask if he can both use the facilities and use some iron.
Mus'ad leaves the 50 rupia on the table and regards the old man with his harsh eyes "Keep it, I do not walk this path for you or your people." before he moves to leave.
Unless restrained by any of the others Mus'ad assumes they will reconvene in the morning. Sneering at the mass of helpless people pressing into the city, begging others to save them, he mounts Al Gasreed and rides out of the city. Moving swiftly and without much care whether anyone less attentive is knocked from his path he moves out of the city and into the wastes. He spends his day with wind and sand in his face, caring not overmuch where he rides to... but preferring the solitude to the squalid city.
Tam shrugs at the departing man. He thanks the old man and walks outside, savoring the air of semi-civilized life. On his day off, he's going to find an armorer and see about trading his dragonhide for some of these rupias everyone seems so excited by...
As the others make their way out, Joe turns to Gazeem, "We shor' 'preciate this, Mr. Gazeem, sir. Well, I guess I'll just see the sights of this place and get ready for tomorrow. It's gonna be fun! WHOOO! Well alright, I guess I'll leave to your work there, fella. Have a good afternoon!" Joe then turns to leave but stops in his tracks. Turning back to Gazeem, "Hey, you wouldn't happen to know a good place to kick my feet up for the night, would you? And I ain't too familiar with these 'rupia'. Is that what's spent 'round these parts?"
Arik picks up his sword from the smithy and says a final farewell to Saiza, thanking her for the blade. He then goes in search of Mus'ad and waits by the gate with him until the others come.
Catalina?
Kemmid lives in a village along the way to your destination. Gazeem will mark it on the map.
Leaving the library with little left to say, Catalina just rolls her eyes as she thinks about how much she doesn't want to get involved in this countries warfare, but seeing it rather unavoidable to get the riches she desires. The thought of adventure, however, begins to tickle at her mind and her motivation becomes rekindled.
She spends the rest of her day grooming and training with her falcon before before she goes to a weapons shop and tries to sell her Scimitar.
You all prepare for the next day. After gathering gear and a good nights sleep, you all meet Gazeem at the main gate. Gazeem approaches you unfurling the new map. He points to it and begins. "Now this route will take you along the walls of Aridia. The anubites have not made it to those walls yet and it is the fastest most direct route to Turval's place. Now it is important to understand that because of the war, the patrols that usually kept the roads safe have been either recalled or relocated. Most roads now are unprotected and there are very dangerous creatures that roam Aradina and there are plenty of people who would take advantage of an unprotected road. I wish you the best of luck and may Daiga guide your steps." Gazeem sees you off and your journey begins.
---
You travel the grand road for five days until you reach the great Aridian wall. The spectacle of this enormous mountain that reaches higher than the eye can see. You veer north following the road making your way along the wall. You travel for a few hours when you come across a heard of elephants along the way.
They are right in the way of your travels. There are at least four full grown females and one full grown bull elephant, in addition there are two calves and one juvinille. You can attempt to move into them or try and make your way around them.
Make Knowledge Nature Check
Make Perception checks
Perception:
Survival x5: and and and and
Mus'ad eyes the elephants warily, they are larger than he - but he trusts in the speed and endurance of the steed beneath him.
"WHOOO! That's some big ol' elephants ain't they folks?! If I could ride me one o' those that shor' be some fun!" Joe smiles real big as his mind works on the thought of him riding on the back of an elephant.
Catalina turns her gaze up at the great beasts. In curious wonderment and cautious enlightenment she simply observes them go about their business. Their size alone was enough to fair warning, she addresses Joe, "If you try to mount one of those, I see them only kicking you off like a wild horse before trampling you..." She sneaks a smile at the thought, before continuing on her way.
Arik starts at the trumpet from the bull and, without thinking, changes course to go around.
Catalina turns her gaze up at the great beasts. In curious wonderment and cautious enlightenment she simply observes them go about their business. Their size alone was enough to fair warning, she addresses Joe, "If you try to mount one of those, I see them only kicking you off like a wild horse before trampling you..." She sneaks a smile at the thought, before continuing on her way.
Joe scratches his head as he looks back up at the mighty animals. "Yeah you're probably right. But it'd still be fun!" He smiles mightily.
Pavoks is amazed by the great beasts, he has heard stories but never seen them before. After hearing Catalina's warnings he grips his double spear and moves alongside his friend Arik. "Speaking of mounts I am suprise the armies of this land don't dry and use these powerful creatures a destructive cavalry? But Sir Mac, our group aside from Mu'sad are cursed with mounts so it best to heed Catalina's warning hehe."
The the left/west of the herd you notice a pack of wildcats stalking the elephants. It seems the elephants are quite riled up by this.
You know that elephants are highly territorial of there herds and very protective of their young. Approaching this herd would be very dangerous.
You know these wildcats to be lionesses. They would likely turn to attack you if you were to try and move through their field. They would be a really hard fight. Safest way would be to move the difficult road along the Aridian cliffs or take the long way around west. However, the lions would be an easier challenge as opposed to the elephants, you could chance a battle. There are enough of you afterall
"Move around them, or fight. Those are our options. However, look closely, it is not the elephants we would be fighting, it is the she-cats. Pavok. Mus'ad. As ever, I defer to you."
We could move around em, yeh, but if we take the cats down, then that's a fair bit of food, ye know.
Pavoks is amazed by the great beasts, he has heard stories but never seen them before. After hearing Catalina's warnings he grips his double spear and moves alongside his friend Arik. "Speaking of mounts I am suprise the armies of this land don't dry and use these powerful creatures a destructive cavalry? But Sir Mac, our group aside from Mu'sad are cursed with mounts so it best to heed Catalina's warning hehe."
Joe looks to Pavok, confused. Looking around at the others he then looks back to Pavok again. Just about to speak up, "Nah," he decides against it as he realizes there's no way Pavok could possibly be talking to him.
"She-cat? What's a she-cat?"
Mus'ad watches the cats at play for a few moments before nodding slightly and laying his curved blade across his knees. "Any who trust your steed as well as I can come... otherwise I will lead them to you... be ready for them." With that he retrieves his bow from his saddlebags and stringing it. He then sets Al Gasreed to trot out towards the lions...
Arik draws his sword, and looks to Pavok.
"May the Forge Father temper you in combat and reshape you should you fall."
** spoiler omitted **
Tam watches the exchange between the men, not noticing anything beyond the elephants. As the talk continues, he dismounts, concentrates and blurs as his form is enveloped by a white-furred ape with red glowing eyes and a sigil upon its brow. Where Tam the hafling once stood, the beast stands now, Tam an indistinct form inside the ape. The ape nods at Mus'ad and begins to lope with him toward the lions on foot. Tam's mount, meanwhile, has disappeared.
Also, since the dragonhide was a trade good, wouldn't I get the full amount for it?
Ricdak unwraps his dorn-dergar, ready to battle.
"This should be good, lads."
Ricdak is confused by Tam's transformation. "So this is what you meant back in the bar, eh? Whatever works for you, I guess."
Ricdak lets out most of the chain, and tries to find a rock he can hide behind to get the jump on the cats.