Mia hears the response of Draahzin. Shrugging her shoulder;
"I'm only saying it's a possibility. But you are very right, right now we can't do anything."
It is quite a prosperous town considering the lack of markets and trade going on. It has a lot of people doing their best to stay busy and productive.
A lot grows here and there is definitely a life unlike any you have seen elsewhere. The people are friendly and seem very optimistic. They greet you cautiously at first but quickly open up when they realize you are of no threat.
The weather outside is harm and a bit humid. You cannot feel the heat of the sun though. Most people are wearing loose or little clothing as it seems they have no need to guard their skin from the sun.
While walking about the town you see a good number of Oreads roaming about. These people are half-breeds of the Shaitan genies. Every third person you meet is an Oread. They are strong and stoic people and seem to make up the defenders and heavy workers of this town.
There is a wall being constructed around the city. It seems there are a good number of people overseeing this project. Many of the Oreads seem to be using earth magic to speed along construction.
On your trek you learn of five very important figures in town.
Azamad: He is working on the wall. An eleven foot tall Shaitan Genie. A sight to behold. He is directing and aiding the project to build the wall. What you are told is that he is branded a deserter and a traitor by the Shaitan nation. He chose to ignore the call to war to stay and protect this town. He has been their strongest defense against the Anubite threat.
Yaline: The most beautiful woman in the land. She is also intelligent and cunning. She is the person everyone goes to see when they need something. She knows a lot about most things and is the closest thing to a scholar this town has. From what you can tell, she is sought after by many men but has not given herself to any. She is open and friendly and would be considered the greatest prize to any man lucky enough to possess her.
Fazan: He is the governor of this town. He is also an Oread. He is a strong, proud and stubborn man who is best known for his unbreakable integrity. He holds law and citizenship highly and upholds them well. He is a man of his word and does not easily back down from a challenge. At times he can be intimidating and difficult to approach. However, people know that this man is immune to stress and any kind and will never crack under pressure. He has been a strong and valuable leader to this village.
Hadule: The militia leader. Hadule is famed for turning this towns meager population of strong men into a fighting force to be recognized by any foe. When the Anubite threat became apparent, Hadule trained as many men as he could pull in such short notice to defend the town. Azamad had commended Hadule's skill at leading troops even with no prior experience. Hadule is now in charge of the towns "military". He is a resilient man who leads by example.
Lady Sianna: The wealthiest person in this town. Her father passed away just recently and left the family fortune to her. However, she is under the condition that she must wed to a good dependable young man by seasons end or the money goes to the town treasury. Before her father died she was little more than a bombshell bimbo flaunting her father's money and good looks around town. Her father was an accomplished silk salesman and has his own silk shop and factory. It had been in the family for three generations and now it was passed down to his relatively incompetent daughter. Now she is in trouble. She has not wed and even though she comes with wealth and beauty, none of the good men in town wish to court her. She is a wild child that is said to be very difficult to control. Whatever man marries her would have to know how to run the business AND manage Sianna's habits. She is becoming desperate but the choice of marriage partner isn't up to her, but the factory head Miss Sabina. Whatever man Sianna wishes to marry must first meet Sabina's approval per the conditions of the will. It is one of the hottest topics in town.
Yuria The herbalist. He is an odd man who works with the plants that grow around town and the river to creature various herbal remedies. He often works at Yaline's Tavern where he seasons the food with these ingredients. Early in the day he runs a herb shop. He also sells them on the side at the Tavern. He is a very busy man is friendly enough.
These are all the people of importance or interest in town.
As to the comments about the Anubite leader Yaline does respond. "We know there is a new leader. As to who this leader is, we have no idea. We have not seen or heard anything about this character's identity. We hope that once the wall is finished, we can send out scouts to try and find the answer to that riddle."
Time passes and you do what you do to keep busy throughout the day.
After hours soon come. The sun is beginning to set though you cannot seem to make it out in the distance.
The Tavern shuts down it's dinner time and those of you who wish may meet the herbalist.
He is a middle aged man with a pointy goatee and squinty eyes. He looks at you as you enter. "Ah, good evening. You must be the newcomers I have heard about. What can old Yuria do for you?"
Yaline:Desired as a bride huh? Haha, she could play a game with this.
Fazan & Hadule:Efficient, people who are capable.
Sianna:Hahaha....what a joke. Your fortune would be well spent improving a town's capability.
Mia arrives with Lilith at the Herbalist. She takes in the sight of the man with a neutral yet curious look in her eyes. She takes a small step forward to start the talking.
"Greetings mister herbalist. Thank you for having us. Yes, we're new to these lands.
I am an apothecary's daughter and would like to know more on foreign herbs. Since we are not going home any time soon, it's good to spend my time learning than worrying."
Mia tells about the basic herbs they use at the shop. Simple stuff commonly used by one who works in such a shop. Such as anti-fever salve and bruise healing herbs. Perhaps Yuria knows of more efficient herbs to improve the recipy.
Tolus is friendly and warm on his walk in spite of the dull ache in his bones. His body is not used to this level of exertion and abuse. Loose desert robes of cotton and silk flow around him. His walking pace is lazy as he observes quietly. He makes mental note of all the town's important people. It's not what one knows, after all, it's who.
He doesn't wander without purpose, however. As the day wears on he makes a nearly total mental map of the town, taking special note of important buildings and anything to do with Lady Sianna. He thinks, I grew up serving people just like her. Maybe my life was no waste after all.
Raine busies herself with her camel first, as per her words. She brushes out Simoom's hairy pelt as best she can, sees her fed and watered, then leans against the camel's flank and warily watches the town.
She has never been in a town such as this. Her tribe are relatively few in number. The scratched-dirt human town where the caravan met is nothing like this. She finds herself ill-at-ease, and suspicious as well: if it seems too good to be true, perhaps it is.
The Oreads draw her attention: such strange people. Born of the desert itself.
When night comes, Raine will sleep in the stable, curled against Simoom's warm flank. All her life has been spent under open stars or under the hide tents of her people-- she feels no desire to go lie under a roof, even when the people have been so kind to her. She makes her apologies to Yaline, pleading that the way of her people is to not leave her soul-companion, her camel. Through the night she observes comings and goings, curled up against Simoom with her robes over her like a blanket.
In the morning she enters the common room to find the others.
Lilith walks into the herbalist and begins walking around the shop. "Mm, yes. And I'm a practiced alchemist. I was hoping there was much I could learn in a place I've never formally read about."
Lilith then goes around looking at the shelves doing her best to identify various herbs and plants. She would take note of each of the names that she doesn't recognize and ask or otherwise research their uses at a slightly later date.
"Learning is the only thing that keeps my mind at bay." Lilith spoke this line almost as an addition to her last line, but it was said at barely above a whisper, as if she was talking to herself.
-----
Not sure which is more relevant, or if you need either, but here you go? :P
It's a bit tough for a person so short to have a close look at the shelves. So Mia will have to look at the lower stuff.
After a possible given explanation by the herbalist:
Yuria looks at Mia intently for a moment. His brow furls as he ponders for a moment. "Not an ordinary little girl I see. Still, I will not turn away someone wishing to learn no matter who or what they are. Well, Anubites are definitively excluded. "
He moves over to several plants, roots and other items you have not seen before. "Aradina and Aridia's plant life comes from the strongest magic known to the world. I know a few things about the herbology from the lands beyond to know that most of my plants don't exist where you come from."
He begins to array several types of herbal ingredient before you. Some of which are incredibly rare. Others you have not seen the likes of before.
Many of these herbs or produced by the magic of this land and the mind of our god Daiga. They were abundant before the war. Now without the support of the Genies in Aradina, it is only a matter of time before we cannot grow these herbs anymore. If we want to save our future, we have to find Daiga and replace him at the top of Aridia again. If not, then all the magic that supports this land will be gone forever."
He looks to Mia. "Now, what would you like to know.
Mia showed no reaction at Yuria's perception.
Keen senses mister, but this matters not.
She follows Yuria as he walks towards the collection of items. Luckily this table is low enough for her to see what is on it. Mia's eyes sparkle with curiosity as she sees the unknown items.
Ah! Some of these rare ones, i've only read about those in the apothecary encyclopedia. They are thought to be extinct in parts of the land.
Hearing the news of the potential loss of such herbs she looks slightly down, but looks back up after his question.
"Mister, i'd like to know if there are herbs in these lands that can produce more powerful remedies than those in our lands.", she takes out a few small herbs, the same one she shredded into dinner and a few others. "This removes bruises over an hour, this one fights fevers and this one keeps people from getting exhausted easily."
She then points at the ones unknown to her, "But i'm most curious about those, what kind are those?"
At some point, Raine will also check out the wall that is being built. She's not exactly an engineer, but as a warrior she is intrigued by it.
Tolus, whilst strolling along on his lazy walk, spots Raine near the wall and makes his way over. He makes no attempt to hide his approach and glides up next to her with a contented smile.
Interesting, isn't it?
Raine registers movement from the corner of her eye and turns, warily-- but it's only Tolus. No threat.
...well, the council is still out on that, actually. He may not strike at her physically, but Raine is far from decided that he poses no danger. He makes her uneasy, with his words of silk.
She offers him a nod: they have fought together, he deserves that much.
"'Interesting'," she echoes with a frown. "This word is not big enough. Everything here is very-- interesting. My people have a saying: waiting for the wind to shift. It is like... when you think things are going too well, and that something bad will happen, like a storm."
Alright, yes, they're stranded in the middle of a town of strangers gods-knows-how-many-miles from their own people, with the rest of their caravan presumed dead... Raine still counts it as 'too well'.
She pauses.
"You acquitted yourself well in the battle."
Tolus lowers his head humbly, I'm afraid that was probably more than a little luck. My skills are better used when noone knows I'm there to use them. You, however, were quite a sight, charging forth as you did astride your handsome camel.
He lowers his voice a little as he says, I do agree with you that things have been at the very least least fortunate for us all. The sand should have swollowd us. However, I plan to seem blissfully ignorant for now. Why that happened will reveal itself in time to be fate or design. Until then, what can a serpent do but make a new home?
Raine's lips twitch slightly with pride at the praise of Simoom. It is true, Simoom is a beautiful creature!
She scratches at her chin, squinting sidelong at Tolus. He will pretend ignorance, in order to learn more? It's not a tactic that would occur to her. She simply does not think that way. She is nothing if not direct.
But, grudgingly, she supposes it might have merits.
She asks again the question that has bothered her since Yalandere spoke of such, her voice pitched too quiet for the builders to hear.
"Do you believe there is any truth to these... words of destiny, of prophecy?"
Tolus's tone turns a bit sad, as if the memories he is experiencing are dark, but he continues in body language as if they are conversing pleasantly in contrast to his tone.
I have been destined before, though not by an oracle or prophesy. I was destined to be and so became the greatest prize of the Flesh Markets of Kataphesh. How I ended up trekking across a great desert is a long story, but suffice to say that its not the prophesy of greatness you have to be wary of, it's what happens afterward.
Mia, returning from the herbalist with Lilith, noticed Raine and Tolus talking. She quietly walks up to Raine and Tolus. As Raine spoke her mind about the prophecy and Tolus responding, Mia stood at the knees of them both, looking up at the two whose eyes and attention were focused at each other.
In a tone mixed between a whisper and casual talking she suddenly says:
"That means we have to be careful if we want to see our homes again. Quite a large wall by the way."
Tolus smiles genuinely. It is a rare thing to sneak up on him. Hello, little one.
Toous looks around to the group. In order to avoid suspicion, I suggest we head back to the inn now. New comers gathering near the wall is bound to draw unwanted eyes, given time.
Raine listens to Mia with furrowed brows. Sometimes Mia's phrasing, and insights, do not strike her as things a child says or thinks-- but Raine reminds herself that she has never been around human children. She has no conception of their relative maturity or thought processes at various ages, and trying to apply elven years and expectations would surely be folly. At forty years of age she had been about Mia's height, and capable of reading, but without the patience to read any but the shortest texts-- so there is no comparing their species.
She nods slowly at Tolus's words.
"Will you tell me of Katapesh?" she asks as their little group strolls back to the inn. "I have read of it, but I have never seen it." Which Tolus had likely already guessed.
Tolus nods his assent and thinks for a moment. Where to begin?
It is said that it is Kataphesh's destiny to become the greatest trade hub on the Inner Sea. Cash is king there, and commerce the dominant religion by far. Over 200,000 sould dwel within her sandstone walls, and each one wants to sell you something. Almost everyone owns a stall or store of some kind and most of those people live in that store.
But it is magnificent on a good day. The smells of roasted meat, fresh breads, perfumes, and just about everything else you can imagine all mix in the streets. It gets a little better in the the Nightstalls. You can get anything there, and most of the merchandise isn't cooked, making the aromas are more muted. Subtle.
He pauses for a moment, but doesn't break to imply he is done.
Of course, free trade has its ugly side. I spent a good amount of time in the Fleshfairs being auctioned to the highest bidder. I can't really complain though. Fate provided me good masters who taught me useful skills, His eyes get a little darker and his voice drops a bit, and one bad one who taught me more.
----In the Herbalist's shop----
The herbalist nods at his collection. "As I understand it, outside of Aradina, these herbs are difficult to grow. They require some of the purest nutrients you can get. Also, many of them require magical essence that the land of Aradina and Aridia provide. I do know that it may be possible for druids or Sylvan or Verdant sorcerers to grow these with ease."
He begins to list off the properties of many of the herbs. They seem to be potion supplements in herb form. His favorites to season food with acts as Cure light wounds, instantly removing damage folks have suffered throughout the day. In addition he has others that relieve fatigue, even exhaustion. He has some that act as lesser restoration. He has herbs that remove disease, curses, poisons, and some that will bolster saves and such. These herbs do cost and they cost quite a bit.
He will give Mia a free sampling of the herbs that do the following, 5 CLW, 2 Lesser Restore, and two remove ailments. The remove ailments cover Disease, poison, and curses all in one.
----At the wall----
As you guys are looking over the wall, the Shaitan known as Azamad notices you and moves over to you. He is a staggering 12 feet tall and towers over you.
He smiles and bows politely. "Greetings travelers. I must say It is unusual to see outsiders in as good of health as your lot has arrived in. Usually they are far worse off. You must have the blessings of Daiga with you.
Tolus spins on his heel when the giant being addresses him and slides into an exquisite bow befitting such a lofty person of authority. Luck was with us, my lord, and possibly Diaga as well.
Mia merely stands there, looking up to the towering figure in front of them. She will have to remember something like this for when she gets home, she had not read or heard of such beings before.
Dryly she comments:
"Maybe we need to speak louder or scream, there's a much larger hearing distance than between us..."
Azamad chuckles. "Screaming is not necessary, I can hear you fine. I suspect you may be here on behalf of Daiga. He is a misterious individual with a lot of power. Even the combined efforts of my ilk could not do away with him even when we were working with our most hated enemies."
He takes a breath and looks at the construction of the wall. "I hope Daiga returns to power soon. Without him on the throne, Aradina won't survive the coming threats. The other genies continue to prove their lack of leadership and i fear they will lack any power to support the rest of these lands as Daiga did. Also, I can say for certain they won't care the same as Daiga did."
Tolus is impressed with the genie's tone. You speak most highly of him. Rarely have I heard such praise for a lord, even indirectly.
To add to that question, Mia is curious about this being.
"You've said Daiga is powerful, but what kind of personality does he have?"
If the conversation is over, i guess we head back for the inn.
That is a mere guess... :)
Azamad looks to you. "He is more than a mere lord. He is practically a god. No living mortal I have heard of commands such power. None. Though I have never met him personally, I have witnessed him afar many times and the magic he wields and the deeds he has performed are impossible to ignore. I hear he is a strict person and is very decisive and even cunning and clever. That is all I know of his person I am afraid. Enjoy your stay my friends."
You all roam a bit more and then retire to the inn for the night.
The next day you are all aroused by the sound of a clanking bell and the shouts of warcries.
It doesn't take much guessing to realize there is a battle taking place. You look out from wherever you have taken refuge to see the Anubites have come in force. There are a good number of them. More than the town militia can handle on their own.
There is a small band that storms into the inn.
You have a choice, enter combat, or escape the fray.
That night, Raine dreams of golden Katapesh as best her subconscious can construct it from Tolus's words. It's a poor likeness, but she is incapable of fathoming the sheer number of people and buildings in the city of which he speaks. It is just as fantastic as dragons, or gods.
In the morning...
Raine wonders if she should begin sleeping in her armor, but, as she did not do so the night before, she rolls out of bed and grabs for her weapon. A glance through the room's door reveals trouble. More of the jackal-men. She is certainly going to fight them.
"Tolus! Draahzin! Lilith! There is trouble!" Raine calls, moving unarmored into the inn's common room, her long spear-like weapon in hand.
When Raine bursts out of her room, Tolus is already at the top of the stairs. He didn't have time to don his armor either, but he has a quiver of arrows at his right hip, a short, slightly curved sword at his left, and a short bow in his hands.
Good morning! He says cheerfully with a dashing smile. Don't you love the sound of battle in the morning? Braces the nerves nicely.
Lilith wakes up to the sounds of fighting, something not new to her. She was prepared to deal with an ambush in her room at least to the best of her abilities. She moved out to see the anubites after hearing her name called, so she fished out of her things her mutagen and drank it.
"I'm beginning to grow tired of these things."
-------
The serenity of his dreams shattered by Raine's shout, Draahzin wakes up, grab his shield and a weapon from his bundle. What's that? A flail, good!
'Thanks Raine! But I prefer a kiss than a blade in the morning.
Before going to sleep, Mia took notes on the new things she had learned at the early start of the journey.
The knowledge of the herbs certainly was a good start, with the mentioning of the Shaitan and Tolus' serpentine race interesting additions.
She slept reasonably well, but in the morning she somehow woke up earlier than usual. As she decided she wasn't able to get shut-eye anymore, she heard the bells. Grabbing her doll, she quickly went into the hallway towards the stairs to see what was going on. Just as she saw the first anubite, Tolus came out. She pointed down;
"More dogmen."
This battle will be better with mapping. Unfortunately I cannot make maps at work so you guys will have to wait until I get home from work in about 9 hours. I will be posting the maps on Photobucket.
Okay, I have you guys gathered at the top of the stairs to kick this battle off. I will try and update twice a day but I may only be able to do so once a day.
I will be using this Album in Photobucket to track your battles.
For now there are two levels. The level you guys are on are is the upper level and the lower level is where the battle is.
Now, take your turns. All characters are where they are at the start of this round.
On the lower level the squares are numbers A to O and 1 to 30. Put down the Letter and number of the tile you will end your moves at and the number and letter of the tile you wish to attack.
Tables and chairs and other visible obstacles are Difficult Terrain.
The map: Seductive Sands Battle Map
Round One
Your turns.
As the party arrives at the top of the stairs, an Anubite engaged with another human stumbles into view. Tolus knocks, draws, and looses.
"Hai!" Raine calls, as if Simoom were there to heed her. The camel is not, of course. She vaults down the stairs, long spear gleaming.
Draahzin hurls himself across the stair straight on the first Anubite in view and crushes the knee of the beastman with his flail.
I will await til tomorrow Noon
Ugh...Alchemists are so difficult to deal with. I'm afraid I must keep Lilith's actions simple.
So Mia, Lilith will not be moving this round. I will await your post then.
Mia will head for e20. Since Draahzin is in front of me.
Adjusting Map Please wait......
Round One Results
Between Draahzin and Raine, the Anubite at C20 Goes down.
The Anubite at the entrance moves to C20 and attempts to attack Draahzin and scores a hit with his Khopesh doing 5 damage. The Militia at C19 attacks C20 Anubite and misses.
Battle ranges on throughout the inn.
The rest of you miss your targets.
The Anubites are now aware of your presences and no longer flat-footed.
Mia you cannot move behind Drahzinn seeing as Raine is in the way.
Map = Seductive Sands Battle Round 2
Round Two Begins
Your turns.
If Tolus moves, Mia will take his spot. If he doesn't Mia will go to F23 on the stairs and wait for an opportunity to get down a few squares to get a view of downstairs.
Draahzin is now in the path of her spear. Raine's brows furrow, and she darts a look towards the other stairwell, where Tolus's slim figure is all that stops the Anubites from charging up to them.
Raine's teeth flash white in her face as she bares them. They must hold the high ground. If she cannot effectively do it here, she will do it on the other stair.
Draahzins cringes, those guys mean death this time. He stares at the wide gash across his shoulder. One more like that and I'll lose a limb. Two more and I'm done for.
He tries to get to a better position by circling his opponent, so he and the milician will have more opportunities.