”All right, all right. This job’s turned sour anyhow. Nobody mentioned we’d be up against defilers and the like.” The thug lets go of his club and puts up his hands in front of his face.
Dai doesn't lower her gouge at all, if anything she moves in closer and keeps the wicked tip under the unfortunate thug's chin. Never takinh her eyes of him, she calls out to Gideon.
Keep an eye on the rooftops and entrances - lets not get caught out."
Then she talks through gritted teeth to the thug, wincing from the pain of her bruised shoulder.
"A wise choice. Now, put simply - talk or join your fallen brethren. This was a "job" as you say, not a random robbery. Who is the patron of this particular job?"
Ready action: Strike with gouge if thug attempts escape.
"We was hired by a half-elf. I dunno the name. He wanted us to beat you up. Err.. uh, wanted us to ‘discourage your affiliation with some woman’ or thereabouts.” He replies, then closes his eyes, deep in memory. ”He had dark hair and, uh, was a half-elf. Very average looking, y’know.” He smacks his lips with trepidation at your next move.
He appears to be entirely honest and does not appear to know anything more about the matter.
Very helpful... are you certain you can't remember a better description?
After which Gideon continues to watch for any who might disrupt the interrogation.
The would be bully contorts his features in intense recollection. "Sorry, I weren't paying the guy's looks much heed, what with the clack he was dishing out."
e: kill him and smoke his meat for jerky
If you cannot remember then you are no use to us, your body will be the template upon which I shall test the power of the Storm itself... I want to see just how much the mortal form can take before the power of the Cerulean Storm consumes it...
intimidate
After putting fear of the Dragon in your remaining thug and sending him on his way, you make your way to the trading house. The Vordon compound is busy during the day hours. Messengers hurry back and forth between the Emporium and the main office, while workers are loading up crates on an enclosed wagon. A lightly built and well dressed man of medium height with short cut black hair oversees the work, while a clerk standing next to him etches an inventory list of what is being loaded on the wagon, on various colored soft clay bricks. A pair of mul guards at the entrance eyes you as you approach. “Halt.” One of them steps forward, his hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword. “State your business.”
Dai places her palms outward in a show of peace. "Easy, friends. We are wishing to hire on as caravan guards. Who do we see?"
”Talk to the caravan master.” The mul replies, jerking his thumb in the direction of a truly massive double decker wagon. “Over there.”
The caravan master nods his head as a response to something the clerk whispers to him as you approach the wheeled behemoth. He is a lightly built and well dressed man of medium height with short cut black hair. A smile broadens around his lips. Then he dismisses the clerk, before turning to address you. “I am Nadar, the caravan master. What can I do for you?” His voice is stern and he gazes straight into your eyes when he talks to you.
Nadar is a scion of House Mericles in Tyr. With the disappearance of King Tithian, that house’s fortunes have recently waned. Nadar is now an up and coming agent of House Vordon.
"Even ground and fleet voyage, Master Nadar. We're looking to hire on with your Tyr-bound train." Daishata begins matter of fact, not trying to curry favor nor stand over the man.
Dai then indicates her companions.
"Big Chumani here is the psi-warrior and the muscle, Rennoc and Gideon are the quicks - Rennoc knows some magic - no defiling mind...and Gideon is.. let us say... sharp."
Dai pats her masterwork gouge.
"I'm the ex-gladiator, and ex-Gulgite nganga. Our salt is settled from a long voyage across the sands, and, as you can see from our recent stoush with some local "friends" we're standing after the fight. We work as a team, so we'll be looking to hire on as one."
Chumani nods to back up Dai's explanation.
Nadar studies you briefly and smiles. “You do look like you’ve seen some action. As fate may have it, I have some recently opened positions on a caravan to Urik. The pay is four ceramic pieces a day each, plus meals. Should you decide to accept, report back here first thing in the morning.”
You all retire for the night to your inn.
What was that? You are suddenly awake. You have to blink your eyes a couple of times to see clearly, and you’re alarmed at the sight that meets you – a fire has broken out on the floor of your room, and it is quickly spreading. You don’t have much time!
Dai screams out
"FIRE!!!"
then calls on divine protection. She then wakes Rennoc.
Swift Action: Judgment - Resistance: The inquisitor is shielded by a flickering aura, gaining 2 points of energy resistance against one energy type (acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic) chosen when the judgment is declared. The protection increases by 2 for every three inquisitor levels she possesses.
Once he realizes what is happening Chumani quickly starts moving, rolling out of bed and collecting his gear as he bellows at the top of his lungs, "EVERYONE OUT! FIRE!" Hoping to not only wake his companions, but any other customers of the Inn. They should not suffer because someone has something against him and his companions.
With no one attempting to quench it, the fire begins to spread across the room. Smoke billows out and you reflexively hold your breath to avoid choking. Other people in the inn begin yelling and running. Through the blaze, you notice broken shards of clay at the fire's origin point.
With nothing to quench the fire with easily, Dai gathers her belongings and vacates the room.
Standard Action Gather gear.
Move Action - Escape.
Chumani makes sure the others are moving, then moves out of the room as well.
Once out of the smoke, he will continue to try and warn people and look for something that might be used to put out the fire.
Rennoc quickly grabs his possessions and flees...
The inn you were staying at is now a raging inferno. You stand in stunned silence with the other patrons who fled the building. The only other soul in evidence is a one armed dwarf beggar leaning against a wall across the street, sleeping.
A few minutes later a water priest arrives to dowse the conflagration before it spreads to other buildings.
That was odd don't you think?
Dai is unperturbed by the inferno currently replacing her lodgings. She is annoyed to have lost important sleep, but relieved to have retrieved her belongings before escaping... Turning to Gideon she replies
"Less odd than premeditated I should think. First the thugs, now this. What is with this caravan I wonder, or our mysterious patron...?"
You find another inn and rest the remainder of the night in peace. In the morning, you head back to the Vordon compound.
The wind blows fiercely today, even in the city. The caravan is just about to leave, when a male half-elf clad in inix leather armor and a brown cape, with a crossbow flung over his shoulder enters the compound. He walks straight up to Nadar, who is busy instructing his animal handlers on which route to take. Nadar eventually turns to the half-elf and they exchange brief words. Nadar gives an affirmative nod, and then speaks to Cratek, his mul bodyguard. The half-elf steps away from the pair, and spotting you, heads in your direction – the wind sending ripples through his cape and throwing his shoulder-length black hair across his face. “So, you’re the experienced mercenaries the caravan master speaks so highly of. The name’s Daimon – it appears we’ll be working together.” The mercenary extends a hand wrapped in black leather straps and throws back his hair.
As Daimon approaches the group, a young human man appears as well. He waits for Daimon to introduce himself and then speaks up. "Lady luck seems to be on your side travellers, as it seems I will be joining you as well. This is a harsh landscape, but I've read the cards and they seem to be in our favor. The names Lucian." he says with a tip of his hat.
Always nice to have another along for a journey, welcome
Chumani nods at the new comer, but other wise stays silent for the time being.
Seeing the half-elf greet the group, he understood that these were the people she mentioned would be working alongside him. He understood giving a name was custom, so he approached as well.
Rahger pointed his thumb to his chest saying,"Rahger. Work together with you." He paused for a moment, noticed the half-giant, and then added, "Careful step. No step on me."
Daishata nods to Lucian. "Well met Lucian - Daishata." She eyes his accoutrements appraisingly. "What's your gift?"
When the diminutive brawler approaches Daishata she likewise introduces herself. ""Geshkla vahto ep kanter visk Rahger - Daishata. Shkraul muat destar i eshpar." Here she grins a feral smile. "Zhbetso apak splaa, sporikna za geizbatza."
She turns to Chumani - "Just working out funeral meal rights"...
Dai takes the half-elf's proffered hand in her own, feeling his strength and balance."Daishata. Well met Daimon."
"My gift? I guess you could say the cards are always on my side." Lucian says with a snicker, conjuring a glowing Ace of Spades card seemingly as sharp as a dagger. "Now onto business, I have been waiting to buy equipment until I'm sure of what the group needs. Any suggestions?"
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Ah a child of love! I heard that happens quite often, yet i don´t see the appeal to it. Do you hear the song in your blood calling to you?
You jump as suddenly a tall and slender elf woman stands next to you, talking to Daimon as if she were standing there already for some time.
Anyway, i´m here to protect this caravan. Let´s start with it, so we can be finished to enjoy and celebrate the now again. She hesitates a moment. Does one of you know who the caravan master is? I was hired through an agent, but i would like to know who of you shortears is in charge here.
Cratek pushes a meaty finger towards Lucian’s chest, intent on pushing the human back to prove a point. The card player is able to sidestep the move. “This ain’t a holiday, pipsqueek. I’d recommend a weapon if you don’t want to be dumped as kreen bait along the way.”
“And welcome yourselves. Don’t mind Cratek there, he woke up on the wrong side of the crodlu sty today.” Daimon takes Daishata’s proffered hand in his own. His grip is about as good as hers. “Charmed” he says with a smile.
Nadar - the caravan master
Lightly built and well dressed human of medium height with short cut black hair. Has a stern voice and an unflinching gaze. Usually armed with a tortoise blade.
Cratek Skullsplitter - Nadar’s bodyguard
Impressively tall and strong mul. Bulging muscles and hands large enough to live up to his name. No tattoos, but decorative brandings on his wrists and chest. Always armed with a carrikal.
Roshan - captain of the caravan guards
Powerfully built human with a commanding voice. Is usually mounted on a kank and armed with a spear.
Daimon - caravan guard
Half elf of medium height and build. He has pitch black long hair and brown eyes. Usually armed with a crossbow.
Cleaz - cook
A dwarf, bald as his kind are normally. Fairly quiet and keeps to himself. Sometimes armed with a knife.
Marat and Berut - animal handlers
These two humans aren’t terribly talkative. They spend their days taking turns sleeping and psionically prodding the mekillots in the right direction.
Aba and Barak - passengers
Elderly Urukite human couple. Seen playing dice with a few of the guards.
Daran - passenger
Young balican human.Fairly upbeat, he keeps a backpack with him at all times, even when sleeping.
Pinara - passenger
Lithe Half elf with dark hair and a coy smile.
Wexchakan - passenger
Human in his fifties with white hair and a spark of lightning in his eyes. Wears a blood stained cotton shirt festooned with sitak feathers and scorpion claws. Wears a petrified bird eye as a necklace. He is so far utterly silent.
The journey is expected to take six days. The wagon itself is a gigantic two story tall eight wheeled fortress pulled by two Mekillots. While things remain safe and uninteresting, your guard shifts consist mostly of walking beside the wagon while the four kank riders scout ahead. In addition to those listed above, there are twenty eight other guards and and three cook’s assistants with the caravan, but none of those people stand out to you.
The Wagon
[urlhttp://www.lomion.de/cmm/animdoa1.php]What you know about Mekillots[/url]
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As the introduction goes on, the elf woman introduces herself too.
I am called Hamailii. You can call me the same. She eyes Cratek suspiciously when she thinks nobody sees it. Fool. As if all would rely on weapons. Probably those who don´t need a weapon always have the better chance at surviving. Then she goes off to inspect the wagon.
Mh i wonder if we all travel on that wagon.
"A pleasure Hamailii. But of course it does." Daimon sings a few bars of an elven lullaby. His pitch is perfect and the tune is haunting. Despite his best efforts to the contrary, even the gruff Cratek even grunts in appreciation. Daimon doesn't miss a beat and tries his best to layer on the charm. "That dashing fellow over their is our lord and master for the next few weeks." He points to Nadar. "But enough about him, lets talk about you. An agent you say? Anyone I might know?"
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Hamailii smiles at Daimon to hide her insecurity. Uh oh, was this supposed to be a secret? I actually have no clue who that woman was and i don´t remember her appearance anymore. Seems you are a better singer than me then, i have to admitt. You ahve to excuse me, i´m still not so familiar with your customs here. There was some woman who told me to come here if i searched ceramics and opportunities, but i don´t even remember her face anymore. Guess she was human, all look so similar with that short ears. And then, i was in what you call a tavern, having quite a few of those interesting drinks here.