Mwikali laughs as she sees the Northman blush and smiles at the Marid."Thank you so much, Habor Master, I hope to see you free!"
"Killing the Sultan seems a good way to get us a faster means to our mutual end. It would also spread our tale" She says with a broad smile.
Mwikali feeds Kiku and pokes about the ship. In the end, she makes herself comfortable below and sleeps.
She will head out and seek out a place to buy scrolls and a wand.
Mwikali feeds Kiku and pokes about the ship. In the end, she makes herself comfortable below and sleeps.
She will head out and seek out a place to buy scrolls and a wand.
In Arabic: Behold! The famous rope trick! Alms for your amazement are much appreciated!
This fellow may have what we are looking for, ‘Kali! KAROOOOK!!
"Nice trick" She says with a smile to the man in Arabic."Tell me do you have scrolls and wands for sale? I have a list I would love to procure?"
"I do not wish the death of the innocent children either, but sometimes politics is a bloody business, In my kingdom right now too many Heirs and warlords vie for power. They kill each other, and the merciful unfortunately have found that the heirs can rear their ugly head. Now babies or the very young can be taken elsewhere and molded but those who are older will have to die unless you wish to have an enemy rear its ugly head years later." She is fierce and sad all at the same time looking over the water before she looked to Wulfgar."Its Politics"which comes out almost disgustingly
Does the party want to try to hire a few sailors in Anfa to help them sail the Anaqilis to another port?
"Nice trick" She says with a smile to the man in Arabic."Tell me do you have scrolls and wands for sale? I have a list I would love to procure?"
Yes, My Lady! What are you looking for?
The Swami rummages through his bag of holding pulling out a variety of wands and scrolls...
Scrolls:(2nd)2250gp(total)Aggressive Thundercloud, Alter Self, Blindness/Deafness, Burning Gaze, Enthrall, Euphoric Cloud, Glitterdust, Haunting Mists, Hold Person, Ice Slick, Ironskin, Touch of Idiocy, Summon Swarm, Scare, Spectral Hand
The morning of January 9th dawns on Morocco.
The weather is cool, being the dead of winter... The Atlantic Ocean is relatively calm today, and their is a bit of fog a few hours before dawn that burns off with the rising of the sun...
The criers cry that all is well in Anfa, and business is thriving as usual in the bazaar...
Mwikali spends her days teaching spells to Kiku to save
Vanna heads to the market to upgrade her gear.
She goes directly to the armorer and weaponsmith for finely crafted gear.
Good day, my good sir. I was wondering if you have some items I am interested in buying. A shirt of silent steel, a finely crafted iron blade and a very light buckler. I understand the shirt might require adjusting due to my...dimensions. I can wait a day or two for the aforementioned alterations
"Ah So it was strong enough for a man but not made for a woman." Mwikali said with a smile as she held up her burlap sack of scrolls and a slender red-yellow tapered stick.
"I got a lot of new spells and a wand"
In the morning Volreg follows Vanna and talks with the armorer and weaponsmith, pointing out what he would like to buy, also offering a few of his weapons as trade. Satisfied, he then makes his way to ask about wands so to help with his travels. Making his way back, the man smiles as he flicks his wrist and a want pops out.
"I got myself one's as well. Hopefully they'll work well!"
'What a wonderful creature.' Smiling Wulfgar turns to the others, "I would say that went well. Does anyone know where Atlantis is?"
He dose not take a water breathing postion.
"I went there once long ago, when it was not so wet, now, you would have to be as fish lad to live there"
He chuckles to himself as if to a privet joke. Then he pulls from his Magic bag a blue gem ring.
"I will be back shortly."
And with the he takes to the air flies over the water to where the Jin was just and dives in with a small splash.
HE swims down to the lady having no problem breathing underwater
"My lady while in the market I found this ring of blue stone, that shows your the stars, when you pass you hand over the stone, it gives of a blue light, see they have etched into the stone the constellations and stars of the night sky. So if you stand in a cave they project onto the walls. When I saw it thought of you, and blue of your eyes. I would give this to you, to show our oppression, respect, and to think you for myself, for bringing beauty in my company."
He bows deeply, and offers it.
If she takes it, he will bow once more and leave saying.
"I hope we meet again, give my regards to your Queen, fair Lady of the sea"
He comes back up and helps with the inventory.
Altin looks up at the returning shoppers from where he reclines in a hammock on deck. "Very nice," he compliments their purchases. "I have naught but a bit of gold. But I'd be more than happy to take anything you all have as collateral if anyone's interested in a game of dice later on!"
'What a wonderful creature.' Smiling Wulfgar turns to the others, "I would say that went well. Does anyone know where Atlantis is?"He dose not take a water breathing postion.
"I went there once long ago, when it was not so wet, now, you would have to be as fish lad to live there"
He chuckles to himself as if to a privet joke. Then he pulls from his Magic bag a blue gem ring.
"I will be back shortly."
And with the he takes to the air flies over the water to where the Jin was just and dives in with a small splash.
HE swims down to the lady having no problem breathing underwater
"My lady while in the market I found this ring of blue stone, that shows your the stars, when you pass you hand over the stone, it gives of a blue light, see they have etched into the stone the constellations and stars of the night sky. So if you stand in a cave they project onto the walls. When I saw it thought of you, and blue of your eyes. I would give this to you, to show our oppression, respect, and to think you for myself, for bringing beauty in my company."
He bows deeply, and offers it.
If she takes it, he will bow once more and leave saying.
"I hope we meet again, give my regards to your Queen, fair Lady of the sea"
He comes back up and helps with the inventory.
The Harbor Master is surprised and delighted by the sprite lord’s gift, and blushes a lovely deep azure in her cheeks... Smiling, she takes the ring from the little lord, and leans closer to him, pursing her large, lovely lips for a kiss that Lord Perpireen could bury his entire face in due to scale...
You are gracious and charming, Little Lord Perpireen! A fit ambassador for Queen Titania and King Oberon! Give your lieges my fondest regards, and know that you are ever a welcome guest in my domain, the Atlantic Coast of North Africa, as are your noble escorts!
Altin looks up at the returning shoppers from where he reclines in a hammock on deck. "Very nice," he compliments their purchases. "I have naught but a bit of gold. But I'd be more than happy to take anything you all have as collateral if anyone's interested in a game of dice later on!"
"I do not wish the death of the innocent children either, but sometimes politics is a bloody business, In my kingdom right now too many Heirs and warlords vie for power. They kill each other, and the merciful unfortunately have found that the heirs can rear their ugly head. Now babies or the very young can be taken elsewhere and molded but those who are older will have to die unless you wish to have an enemy rear its ugly head years later."
'Wow, I did not expect her to justify the killing of innocent children, I'm glad I didn't infer that 'woman' shouldn't be killed as well. Since I know full well they are as dangerous as men. But Children, I would rather take the chance of being killed by them later, than have innocent blood on my hands.' Looking sadly at Mwikali, he responds, softly. "Yes, that's what tyrants and evil men tell themselves, but they don't sleep better at night do they. I have enough nightmares, I'll have no part in killing innocents, and I will stop anyone trying to do it if I can. Good night."
In the morning, Wulfgar tries on the exquisite breastplate. Leaving his pack on the boat, he arms himself, including the scimitar he took from the dead slaver, and gathering his old armor follows Giovanna to an armorer. Dropping the old armor on the table, he waits until the Lady has made her request,
When the merchant is ready be begins to bargain, "I am going to sell this Persian amror and I need to purchase armor to protect my arms and legs that will work under this, lovely breastplate, something made from scales or fine chain, it doesn't need to be overly fancy or light, but I need it to do it's job." He gestures at several of the gladiator sleeves that the merchant has displayed.
...
Ah, yes, my big friend! I have such a cloak that would look quite fitting for a fellow of your considerable stature...
Pulling from his bag of holding a long cloak of vermilion lined with the shaggy fell of a winter wolf around the shoulders, and a golden ravens’ claw clasping a moonstone.
Chuckling at Altain's offer to gamble, Volreg wave a hand before pulling out a wand. "Think you can use this? I have some talant, but sometimes it'll take me a couple of tries. I don't understand as to what the wand is labeled as, but from the man's gestures, I think it's okay to use." Handing the wand, there is golden markings on the side of the wand reading علاج الجروح الخفيفة. "As for a game of dice, I'd probably lose, but I do have a fair amount of gold no me now, so I wouldn't mind if my purse lightened a bit. Though, I think maybe finding Wulfgar and helping find a temporary crew for the next port could be beneficial."
"Wands are great and scrolls even better. I say we should maybe find a way to hire a crew. Though we may have to show that this old boat is not haunted" She says enjoying the night on the deck in her almost see through purple diaphanous gown.
"Besides look out there the sea is such a beautiful and mysterious place.I will miss it when I return home" She smiled as she let her bare feet feel the wood beneath it and her body moves to the gentle motion of the water. It was almost therapeutic to feel such beauty like this.Especially when they would soon have to do dark and bloody deeds.
"I think giving a tour of the boat to would be crew is a good idea, and maybe a holy man to "bless" the boat from evil spirits also a good way to make sure we can even hire a crew. As for the views of the sea," Volreg breaths the night air in deeply before speaking further while closing his eyes. "We all could visit each other after this is all done. Traveling further than I have ever traveled from home, I think inspired me to see more of the world. The cultures are different, as are the people and languages, and I would quite like to experience as much as I can." Weight shifting at the slight movement of their temporary shelter in the harbor, he looks into the night sky before shaking his head and turning towards the woman, "I don't doubt that there will be more hardships in the future, but with you and the others.... I think we'll be okay." Leaning on the railing of the boat, back towards the water, he crosses his arms, thinking for a moment. "Maybe, after this is done, I could visit your home and meet your people, though if they are all like you, I could get into a fair amount of trouble if I don't keep my wits about me."
"Sounds like an interesting journey for you Volreg. I too have enjoyed seeing and experiencing other cultures." She says as she smiles and feeds Kiku a bit of dried fruit.
"My homeland is currently at war with itself. too many vie for control of the Kingdom and many are sold off as slaves or go to capture people as slaves to work.I do wish to go back and throw out not only the leaders but the Muslims too. I want my people to go back to the old ways or at least be given a choice. I also want to combine our strength with our neighbors be it peaceably or through force to ensure my people will not be enslaved again.I may not be able to keep my hands as clean as they are now in doing so. I hope with you and whatever riches and power we get from this journey will aid me in my quest." She said honestly knowing that without more power and allies she would not succeed in freeing her people completely. Unlike Wulfgar she knew that she would have to bloody her hands and taint her soul just enough to get the job done. She didn't like the way the Northman had finished thier conversation but she had to let out the cold truth. For her if she had to kill a slaver and his family to free her people so be it. Would she sleep with the image, yes she would have too. She also would shoulder the burden for the others if need be.
"I don't think any of us will have unstained hands by the end of this. It'll be whether we can live with ourselves after the dust has settled, then, when it's over, I'll lend my aid." Stretching his arms and yawning, Volreg slaps his face and reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small stone. Muttering a word, the stone begins to float around his head, emitting a torch-like light. "I think it's time for my watch to begin, though I don't think anything is going to happen. It seems that the locals have taken heart to the little Lord's ghosts, and are staying a fair distance back."
The problem of finding crew to sail the dhow down the coast stalls the adventurers, and the 9th of January comes and goes...
No one will come near the “haunted” ship for fear of her grim reputation, and the adventurers are too few to manage her alone...
It is the morning of the 10th of January, and the sun rises over the desert and the port of Anfa...
Altin says to the others, "Perhaps we need to advertise exorbitant rates. Instead of 3 silver a day, perhaps 3 gold a day? We can certainly afford it. And I'm keen to get moving. This boredom is killing me."
I think I might have a way to get a few sailors to work for us. Let me try something. Mwikali, your seamstress skills are needed. Come with me, please... Vanna says as she heads to a stateroom. I don't have all my...fun clothes here with me. Can you quickly whip up a bustier and a short dress so I can help "convince" a few sailors to help us? I can use my charms to sway a few I think...plus a few coins in their hand too.
I think I might have a way to get a few sailors to work for us. Let me try something. Mwikali, your seamstress skills are needed. Come with me, please... Vanna says as she heads to a stateroom. I don't have all my...fun clothes here with me. Can you quickly whip up a bustier and a short dress so I can help "convince" a few sailors to help us? I can use my charms to sway a few I think...plus a few coins in their hand too.
As night falls on the 10th of January, a strange potential solution to the adventurers’ lack of crewmen presents itself...
Word has gotten about of the “haunted dhow” docked at Anfa, reaching even the ears of some desert tomb raider ghouls in the area, who pass it on to their associate...
A “skeleton crew” of six animated skeletal sailors creep up to the quay of Anfa and present themselves at the dock of the Alanqilis!
A silver raven sits upon the shoulder of one of the skeletal sailors, and in Arabic, it croaks: Our master, the Necromancer Maldezar of the desert tombs, sends his regards to the captain of this ghost ship, and offers our services to ye as sailors! All that he requires of ye in return is that ye hold to thy word that you owe him a favor, should he ever ask it... Say ye aye, or nay?
Meanwhile, in the secret subterranean sanctuary of Nero Antichrist...
The Lich gives commands to his favorite witch, Striga Lucrezia, in Infernal: Take heed, my pet! Do not fail me as you did before, when the accursed Lucky Fools butchered your comrades and you teleported away to save your sweet little rump! I want you to take command of a mining operation in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco... I need a lot of flawless diamonds if we are going to resurrect all of your incompetent playmates... AND Frostfløyen... The white wyrm’s resurrection will require a great number of flawless diamonds of the finest water!
I shall not fail you this time, My Lord! I work better by myself... No distractions or arguments like with the Hounds... Their death was their own fault, not mine... They were arrogant, impatient, greedy imbeciles... This time, when we bring them back from the torment of Hell, they will appreciate Lucrezia’s wise counsel a little more, I think... They will be humbled, which will make them more compliant to our plans, My Lord...
Yes, I am sure the tender mercies of Hell have softened their hard hearts and broken their proud spines... They will be desperate for a chance to escape that unbearable torment and better serve their masters!
A mirthless grin splits the decrepit emperor’s near-skeletal face as he contemplates the punishment the fallen members of the Hell Hounds are suffering in Hell, and imagines their eagerness for a second chance to serve, and how humble and broken they will be after a few years of infernal anguish...
"Walking Bones?" She says as she grips her spear.
"What sort of favors does your master usually ask for?" She says looking at the others her hand up to make sure they don't just attack these skeletons.
"Walking Bones?" She says as she grips her spear.
"What sort of favors does your master usually ask for?" She says looking at the others her hand up to make sure they don't just attack these skeletons.
That’s not for me to say, My Lady... I only speak the one message... So crows the silver raven perched on the lead skeleton’s clavicle...
"Your, companions.... They aren't natural." Sparks crackling around the air, the man holds out his hand in a defensive manner, but not striking.
"Let us know as to how you knew about our ship. The haunting was but a farce, performed by a friend of ours. There are no ghosts here."
"The Speech is limited on this bird, which is bad, unlike my Kiku here he is limited to what his master tells him."She says eyeing the odd bird.
"I Suggest we discuss your offer before we say wether or not we are going to take it."
She looks to the others."I suggest if we don't take the deal we do not attack the Skeletons, I do not think to have a Necromancer of this ability on our bad side for now. However, I do not think we should take his offer either.The dead may never tire and may be quite capable in doing the jobs we require, I doubt we would wish to have this as our fate one day." She says thinking back to the mummy and wondering if she were Queen if she would enture herself in the same vein?
Altin nods at both Volreg and Mwikali's words. "I agree, I'm not really comfortable with these creatures,"[b] he responds to Mwikali. [b]"However, I am keen to get moving, and they do present a solution to our dilemma. Also, this... Maldezar may be quite powerful. I think we should consider the possibility that refusing his offer might anger him, even if we don't destroy his creations." He looks to Wulfgar. "What do you think about it? They're pretty freaky looking."
"Your, companions.... They aren't natural." Sparks crackling around the air, the man holds out his hand in a defensive manner, but not striking.
"Let us know as to how you knew about our ship. The haunting was but a farce, performed by a friend of ours. There are no ghosts here."
What? This isn't a real ghost ship? But the ghouls said... Nevermind, then... We'll see ourselves back to the master's cove... Sorry to have bothered you...
To the skeleton crew: This ain't a real ghost ship, me boys... Turn about and flip-flop back to the cove!
The skeleton crew creeps away into the dark of night...
The morning of the 11th, the adventurers visit Anfa's bazaar again to purchase slaves and offer them freedom in exchange for sailing the Alanqilis. For five hundred golden shekels, they can buy the five slaves with experience sailing needed to teach them how to sail the dhow. For a thousand golden shekels, they could free a whole crew to sail her for them.
With the remainder of their loot, the adventurers free a crew of seaworthy sailors who’d been sold into slavery following their capture by pirates. Grateful for their freedom, these men, all from Córdoba, are happy to sail the Alanqilis for the party to whatever port they desire.
So the adventurers set sail around noon of the 11th of January, skirting the Atlantic coast of Morocco as they make their way to the next port...
One of the Córdoban sailors asks Wulfgar (assuming he is the captain): ¿A qué puerto navegamos, capitán?
Lord P had been out of sight for some time.
He had set up his little magic home, below decks and head been writing down all that had happened in his journals. He had been a little shocked to here the Jin use his king and queens true names. It has been so long since he had heard them spoken.
Now done he came up on deck and inspected the new crew.