A Push of the Fates.... Zakhara... You Jewel!

Game Master Insnare

Hafiz moves to one of the desks and pulls out an extremely large tome, he then says, "This tome right here has the location of the next nexus that will bring you to the Great Dismal Delve. It also has the formulae you would need to tell you when and where the Nexus is to bring you back. I did the calculation for the next nexus as I was losing my abilities. So all you have to do is read the formula at the right spot and you will go there. However the return trip, you will have to figure out the equation or ask dao to help."

He hands you the tome The
Calculus of Magical Regress

Zairiah looks at the tome uncertainly and says

Erm... are we sure that we *can* figure out the equation? I don't want to go and get stuck.

Hafiz says, "It might take more time. Eventually, you should be able to figure it out."

"It's just a few numbers, how hard could it be?" Frackit says with a big, assured smile.

Fadilah accepts the book and is about to open it and take a look when Frackit makes his wisecrack, so she wordlessly holds it out to him.

Frackit takes it. He sets it on a nearby stand and adjusts his goggles to bring down the varied lens. He stares at the numbers and then brings up his fingers and begins to count them as he looks down. Taking a few minutes, he then shakes his head and rubs his eyes.

"Okay, what is all of this? My illusion intensive wasn't like this. What in The Sparkling Wit's name is this? This isn't like balancing a ledger or simple recipe measurements?" Frackit rubs his temples his Gold conical cap shifting.

"Brain hurts" He says as he hands it back to Fadilah.

"Well, it seems we're in this together, for better or worse," Paritosh says with a wry smile, folding his arms across his chest. "I must admit, the idea of dealing with a genie... again... leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I’ve long since learned to avoid their contracts. Magic, especially of the arcane and planar sort, is tricky enough without involving creatures of smoke and fire."

He glances at the tome in Fadilah’s hands and then at the others, his face turning thoughtful. "As for this whole equation business—well, I’ve never been much of a mathematician, nor a fan of convoluted calculations. The last time I tried to balance my accounts, I ended up with more holes in my purse than answers. And magic? I’m no wizard, much less some conjurer of complex formulas."

Paritosh lets out a long sigh, clearly not enthused. "That said, I’m hardly one to abandon my companions when the stakes are this high. If you’re all willing to face down a genie and its tricks, I’ll stand with you, though I’d prefer a more direct route. But mark my words: once this is done, I’m done with any dealings that involve genies. I’d rather face a dragon at this point."

He shifts his weight, looking more amused than worried. "I’ll follow along, but if things get too complicated—well, I’m better with my blade than a chalkboard."

Fadilah chuckles and says, "If you don't want to deal with genies, you're on the wrong continent."

"Yeah, stick with me, and maybe if we find some way to do it, I can show you my homeland. Where genies are rare and mysterious!" Frackit says as he chuckles.

"Though we may or may not have to fight more evil wizards, Beholders, Maybe Drow and such who knows"

Nura remains silent. She knows when she is in over her head, and this is one of those times.

Zairiah says

Okay, well, let's find the the where and when for this Dismal Delve, which doesn't sound ominous at all... We just have to be certain that we can get back because we have a meeting with the Calipha coming up, so we need to make sure we make that... and take Qasim... I think that the Amakin's descendant is either the Calipha, or she will know who it is.

And at some point While we are here, we probably should clear out, or get some help to clear out, those undead we were unable to face previously. I don't want to leave them to harm anyone else, if we can help it.

Rasul says, "Mine master and I hath calculated the next nexus and tis on the morrow in the afternoon about 10 miles northeast in the desert. The return shall require calculations from the text. This afternoon, I shall purchase maps of the Delve and meet ye in the morning and we shall move towards the Nexus if ye agree to come."

Fadilah sighs. "Very well. I shall do what I can."

"Let's be sure to ask our genie friends if they want to sit this one out. The Delve may not be friendly for them."

" Or at least be our way out" Frackit says, adding the fact that the Genies may now have a way out aside from the math.

Rasul claps and says, "Ye hath agreed to assist mine master, tis a delight. Shall I pick you up at your ship on the morrow? So as to arrive at the Nexus location."

Yes, that should be fine.

Hafiz thanks you for the assistance and you finish your kebabs and tea and you leave his abode.

Do you go shopping or do you want to skip to your meeting with Keraji?

We need to go to the meeting with Keraji. I was more bringing up shopping so that we had a space where we could clean up the loot sheet, identify stuff, and also upgrade equipment for anyone that needs it. I don't have time to upgrade mine right now, and not sure if even this weekend will work with it being a holiday here, but maybe this is a space where if we do get something soon we can say we picked it up in Muluk... but it doesn't have to be on screen necessarily. Except if we could just pay someone to identify everything magic we currently have, that might speed things up.

Good point. Hoping that we can do that,

In this edition, buying magic items outright is rare. Upgrades are mostly going from cheap armor to expensive armor and that's about it.

Right, I figure I'm about as maxed as I can be. You end up with piles of unusable loot, which can be sold, but if it doesn't fit your build, or need, then it's just ornamental on a loot sheet.

SScrolls and potions and spell components are usually my bag of tricks. Also maybe suffience foodstuffs and water light scources due to the magical realmw we will be stepping into.

You go shopping and then you go to Keraji's home at the allotted time in the afternoon.

He is there and welcomes you warmly, looking in much better sorts than you saw him yesterday. He says, "Well, you shall be pleased that I have started on your magic carpet of fighting, I shall be finished in about two weeks time."

That is extremely generous of you, Keraji, thank you.

Keraji says, "Your group has saved my head from a spike. The Caliph, may she reign one thousand and one years, would like to meet your group and I a week and a day from the Princess' birthday celebration, which will be 12 days from now."

Okay, we need to be back here in 12 days. Thank you for arranging the meeting. We are looking forward to that honor.

Keraji smiles and says, "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

I just don't have time to sort through everything right now, but we could start with the things on this list that say they are magical, but aren't identified:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PE5hpz0COGxMsQ8EBSLNVUIryhCXs4c3HHh bVzw3S-o/edit?gid=1432856087#gid=1432856087

You leave Keraji's and you go pick up the stuff from the sage.

I will go through it tomorrow at work. When the cat's away the mice will play.

You go back to the ship after getting some food for dinner. In the morning, an hour later than he came the previous morning. The Messenger Djinni. Looks like he is ready to depart.

I have put some of the magical items ids on the form. I have not done everything yet. It has been a bit hectic at work.

The genie says, "Shall we depart?"

Assuming you agree, your group leaves the city crossing the bridge to south and start moving in a south-easterly direction at closer to a direction towards Umara than Talv. You continue for an hour or so but off in the distance you can hear some howling, a strange choking howling.

No rush. Thanks for updating.

Zairiah turns to their guide.

What is that sound?

" Wolves with a smoking problem?" Fraxkit asks as he scratches his mustache.

The Genie says, "There are many creatures that wander the Land of Fate. I am a Genie not a veterinary Pulmonologist. Ye haveth time to reach the Nexus"

"I feel like that was funny and I don't know why."

The Genie says, "There are many creatures that wander the Land of Fate. I am a Genie not a veterinary Pulmonologist. Ye haveth time to reach the Nexus"

"Nice one" Frackit laughs at the absurdity of it.

Zairiah chuckles, but isn't sure if there is something affecting her emotions. She continues to follow the genie unless the coughing sound shows itself.

The sounds gets closer.

Nura draws her weapon, prepared for combat.

Zairiah also draws her weapon, uneasy about the nearing sound.

Paritosh draws his weapon and moves to stand by the ladies. ”Another dance!”

"Great, Now they are comedy critics...Sigh" Frackit gets out his sling and loads it. As he does he scans about getting close to Fadilah, his other hand ready to grab the Battle Axe at a moments notice.

Coming from area where the sound came from over a sand dune, you can see a fairly attractive woman, making her way towards you. She is wearing a brocaded red chador with many dangly pearls and gold leaf carrying a parasol.

"Um is that normal" Frackit says pointing to the woman.

"Happens to me all the time, in my dreams."

"I should say not!" Nura answers Frackit.

To the party Zairiah says Red. Could be brotherhood of flame. Stay alert.

Zairiah walks closer to the woman, trying to engage her in conversation before she is close enough to engulf the whole party in flames... just in case.

When she gets closer to the woman she calls

Good morning. It's unusual to see such an outfit in the middle of the desert. May I ask the story?

As she gets within conversation range you can tell she in her middle-age and she has a musky perfume.

She says while winking at Zairiah and looking at Paritosh and Frackit, "Praise be the Lo-ore Giva, Dahling its all the ra-yege in Huzuz. Su-wuh. What mightn't you like to kno-wa?"

Fadilah

"Why, we are merely making our way across the desert, much the same as you. I must say, I am charmed by your parasol. It is very practical on a sunny day such as this," says Fadilah politely.