Walpurgisnacht, 30th April, also called Hexennacht, or Witches Night in the Holy Roman Empire...
On Brocken Peak, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains of northern Germany, a coven of evil witches that worship Lucifer meet for their Black Sabbath, at which they have revel with the Devil and his demons and devils, engaging in orgies and vile rites of animal and human sacrifice!
Margery Jourdemayne, the Witch of Eye Next Westminster, accused of treasonous witchcraft against the King of England, but recently escaped from the Tower of London, is high priestess of this coven, and leads the wicked rituals and fornication...
Wednesday, June 1st, in the Year of Our Lord 1437:
After a brief respite from adventuring, the Champions are reunited in Rome to report on the state of things in their various homelands, and to continue again the crusade against the Church of Lucifer!
The next step before them: A quest for the Lost Mines of King Solomon!
Toshiro teleports home for a while to tend to his people, but is soon drawn back to England by a tugging sense of duty, confirmed by his own Divinations and reading of entrails.
Something dark is coming, and his new friends require his aid more than the people of Japan, whose lives are slowly settling from the devastation wrought by Gojira's passing.
The figure stands on a hill overlooking Rome, fist clenched as he takes in the damage to the Holy City dealt by the dragon Wormwood. He burns in anger, but also shame as he remembers where he was the night of the attack; hundreds of miles away in relative safety.
So he had been ordered by the heavens to lay low and protect his own for years after the crusade against the Antichrist, forbidden from interfering in current events. Questions of why were met with silence.
So was he ordered, but he didn't need to like it. There was evil to slay near his home in England, and people to protect, even those very near to him, but he chafed against the confinement and burned to seek out the greater evils in the world and end them before they could cause harm to untold numbers of people.
Word of simultaneous attacks across Europe reached his ears mere days after the events, and he seethed further. "I could have helped! I could have saved at least some! Why do you hold me back?" he cried to the heavens.
Hours later, when Vitelleschi was slain in a cowardly sneak attack, he got his answer.
"Our champions are rare and precious. The Bishop was a powerful force for good, and served Heaven well all his life. His death is a grave loss, but better one be slain by the dragon's retaliation than two, or more. Consider your confinement lifted. Go, walk once more and be our Hand of Justice." the emissary of the heavens intoned.
Alphonse was only too glad to agree. He armored himself, strapped Foereaper to his back and knelt.
"I swear on my life that I will avenge the lives lost this night or die in the attempt. I will not rest until those responsible lay in the grave, or I do. If I must take the fight to Lucifer himself to finally rid the world of the thrice-damned dragon Wormwood, so be it."
The angel nods. "So the Oath of Vengeance is sworn. Carry it out, with our blessing." it says, and disappears.
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It takes Alphonse months to arrive in Rome,lacking help from friendly magicians to aid his travel. His appearance may turn some heads as he strides into the city; his armor gleams white and silver in the sunlight, white feathers adorning the pauldrons, complementing his blonde hair and hawkish features well. In contrast, on his back is a scythe of deep green that is almost black in every light but the fullness of the sun, and is set in a shaft of dark oak, bound in gold and studded with numerous gemstones. On any normal weapon it would look gaudy, even tacky, but this weapon somehow evokes an aura of faded majesty to match the riches used in its construction.
In truth, Alphonse did not know who he was seeking; he had only had the feeling he needed to come to Rome, as close as a direct communication from Heaven as he usually got. He had spent extra time cleaning and polishing his armor to remove the grime and blood from travel and the few monsters foolish enough to attack him on the road here just before his arrival for the express purpose of drawing the attention he hoped he was getting. Whoever he needed to speak to would surely get the message and seek him out themselves eventually. And if not, well, it shouldn't be hard to track down any heroes of the city. Even in such a grand city as Rome gossip about such figures don't stop falling from peoples' lips mere months later, surely?
Indeed, Alphonse Veritas soon hears the names of the Champions from the people's lips in the plazas and vias of Rome, and learns that they frequent certain taverns of the city, and the Palazzo D'Borja, for the adventurous and inquisitive Cardinal Lucius D'Borja is said to be one of their number, possibly their leader, in fact...
He waited until they where alone and then bowed.
"My name is Bernardo di Niccolò Machiavelli, I am to the commoners, just a lowly legal Secretary, to sickly to take up my posts as full guild layer. But to those like yourself, I am just Deacon in the order illuminator. But to a few, just a very select few, a am the grand inquisitor of the order. My task to protect mother Church"
He sits and waits for that to sink in.
"And to this end I have come to you Cardinal Lucius d'Borja, and the matter of the plans of the beast and its off-spring, and your part in defeating them of late"
he dose not say their names.
Mwikali toiled in the House of d'Borja. She aided in getting a portal from Rome to Africa and toiled away at some casting projects.
When not doing that she enjoyed talking to and comforting molly, Zags' lover and now hers'. She would make sure the Orcish warrior's woman was well kept and not ignored as she had seen women in Europe given.
Ihrin worked on the secrets of her tattoos as well as continued to train Autumn in her duties. When not doping that she trained with a few of the Papal soldiers.
She did have some pages send letters to her bother in hopes they would reach him and tell them of her escapades.
Indeed, Alphonse Veritas soon hears the names of the Champions from the people's lips in the plazas and vias of Rome, and learns that they frequent certain taverns of the city, and the Palazzo D'Borja, for the adventurous and inquisitive Cardinal Lucius D'Borja is said to be one of their number, possibly their leader, in fact...
Ah, perfect! A man of the church already leads them.
Alphonse makes his way to Cardinal D'Borja's and politely presents himself to the guards.
"Hello! I am Alphonse Veritas, Paladin of the lord. I have come to speak with the Champions, and lend my aid to their cause if they'll have me."
Indeed, Alphonse Veritas soon hears the names of the Champions from the people's lips in the plazas and vias of Rome, and learns that they frequent certain taverns of the city, and the Palazzo D'Borja, for the adventurous and inquisitive Cardinal Lucius D'Borja is said to be one of their number, possibly their leader, in fact...Ah, perfect! A man of the church already leads them.
Alphonse makes his way to Cardinal D'Borja's and politely presents himself to the guards.
"Hello! I am Alphonse Veritas, Paladin of the lord. I have come to speak with the Champions, and lend my aid to their cause if they'll have me."
The D'Borja guards escort Alphonse to Cardinal Lucius D'Borja's study, where the Inquisitor is displaying a map of North Africa showing Morroco, Egypt, Nubia, and Kukuanaland, the region of Ethiopia where King Solomon's Mines are said to lie. Other Champions are present as well, studying the map.
The guards announce in Italian: Sir Alphonse D'Veritas, of England, and of the Lusty Fools adventuring company!
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"A Lusty Fool?" Lucius asks, clearly wondering what tricks his god has in store for him, then remembers the (in)famous adventurers and their exploits.
"You are welcome, Sir D'Veritas." He says, stepping forward and offering his ring. "I hope you have come to offer us the benefit of your experience, we travel soon into Africa and the advice of a seasoned man such as yourself would be most welcome."
Bernardo greets the Sir D'Veritas, and Alphonse Veritas, Oathkeeper.
"Greetings, I am Bernardo, the Cardinal's secretary"
When Cardinal Lucius d'Borja is ready he will show them the map he bright with him.
Machiavelli's map shows an accurate coastline for North Africa on the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Red Sea. The Maghreb is mapped, encompassing the Muslim Sultanates of Morocco, Algiers, and Egypt, the entire Mediterranean coast of Africa. Along the Red Sea lies the Coptic Christian Kingdom of Ethiopia, and to the south of the Ethiopian Highlands, the heathen Kingdom of Kukuanaland.
Cities dot the map along the route from Morroco to Kukuanaland: Marrakech, a friendly starting point for the expedition because it is governed by Emir Landry of Orleans, Cardinal Lucius D'Borja's loyal cohort, and because teleportation circles linking Rome with this city have been established during the past couple of months...
Cairo, capital of Egypt, nearby the ancient Valley of the Kings, where the Great Pyramid of Cheops and the Sphinx hold secrets and mysterious wonders within...
How much overland travel the Champions wish to do is up to them. They could use the teleportation circles to arrive in Marrakech, and then plot a course of teleport spells from there to the junction of rivers shown on Landry's map of Kukuanaland and the Lost Mines, bypassing the many dangers (and experiences) travelers would normally encounter, or they could seek out those traveling encounters and experiences, taking longer and risking more danger, but also seeing and learning more about the world outside of Europe, and potentially becoming richer for it...
The Kasbah Mosque in Marrakech looms over the bustling bazaar, where camels and horses can be purchased for a long overland journey, should the expedition need to buy mounts. Here also can be purchased provisions and water (Johann took Rumplestilskin's rucksack with him to the Black Forest, which contained the party's spoon of nourishment and decanter of endless water, unfortunately) for a trek through arid desert lands. Feed and enough water for any mounts purchased will also be required, if an overland journey is to commence. Of course, if the expedition takes the chance of casting teleport spells to save travel time and bypass potential perils, far fewer provisions and water will be needed, and mounts will not be practical, as they would count as teleported subjects.
Mwikali emerges from a workshop ins a sheer thin see-through white dress with thigh-high slits on her sides with mid-lower arm sleeves and a deep v cut on the neck that is reinforced with a string. The longer braided dreadlocks of a myriad of White, Black, Brown, Blue, Orange, and Green as well as her two different colored eyes that look at the new comers and blinks.
"Hello Strangers?' She says looking at Kiku who shakes his head.
"Ah so these are the ones you were talking about. Apologies I have been busy aiding in the construction of the gate and as well as giving orders to another wizard so he may learn to make some things for us to better communicate as well as understand each other and beings we talk with." She says letting the bird fly over to her and then land on her shoulder.
"Now we can return to Mother Africas' Busom with just a mere incantation! She will receive us and from her safe embrace, she can lead us to the treasures of her body, rich mines with wealth to help not only my people but you Europeans. Such cities in ruin form dragons are utterly dreadful and what kind of ally would I be if that money didn't help those who seek to help me in freeing Africa and its people from the oppressive chains of the slaving Arabs?' She states with a smug and satisfied look on her face.
"Before we depart I must retire to my quarters, Molly awaits me" She says leaving the workplace with the bird on her shoulder. She tacks no qualms she left little to nothing to the imagination, Working magics into items was taxing mentally and physically. She wore as little as safely possible her clothing wet with sweat.
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In Marrakech, Mwikali dons her Dress of black, white, green, yellow and red. In her hand is her spear, a magical artifact granted to her by Mother Africa herself. Her head currently is covered by her cloak. She smiles as she drinks some of the coffee and tea offered as well as then feeds Kiku a bit of fruit she pulls off a vendors table before placing down two copper for a grape.
"I say we should outfit ourselves with some provisions as the journey will not provide many stops. I might also suggest a guide"She says grabbing a bit of fruit and placing down a silver.
Ihrin dressed in her traveling attire, curtseys to Bernardo and Alphonse."Greetings I am Princess Ihrin Ardlean Dracul, Daugther of the Dragon, Sister to Vlad Dracul. I am pleased to meet you both and welcome more hands to aid us in the endeavor of fighting the evils our world currently faces. For that I thank you" She says rising and smiling.
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In Marrakech, she adjusts to her new weapons, her two blades on her back with another at her hip. it was still awkward after a month but she could move unrestricted. Though she was wearing her traveling clothes she mystically donned the guise of a local male warrior of her build. She winks and chuckles in a low alto voice.
"Good to be back here, I am excited to see what mysteries we will unravel on this journey"She states before she lets out a more hearty chuckle striding confidently as if a young headstrong man.
Bernardo nods to the new comers and keeps going with his map explanation.
Wednesday afternoon, 1st June, Marrakech:
In the serpentine alleys of the Kasbah, the adventurers haggle over mounts and provisions, and fill their waterskins at a well. Sufi mystics twirl and spin to Moroccan music played by Berber musicians amid the many souk stalls, snake charmers, beggars, and travelers...
You can find any mounts required. You could ride elephants to the mines if you have the gold.
Alphonse blushes and averts his gaze from the indecently dressed African woman as he pointedly gives his full attention to the Cardinal.
After kissing the ring, he slowly introduces himself to everyone who's coming along, and offers his experience.
"It might be better to go the slow way. Should one or more of our number die, particularly those with the teleportation magic, we would be in quite a bit of trouble trapped in the wilderness with minimal supplies."
Turkish: Camel or horse too banal for a gentleman of your taste, aye? Hehehe! I do have war geckos from the Underworld, trained by the dark elves...
Machiavelli and the Beast Master haggle over a combat trained gecko, and Machiavelli gets the snake charmer down to the standard fair market price of 400 golden shekels (or ducats or florins, et al).
Sir Landry Du Orleans, Emir of Marrakech, and cohort of Cardinal Lucius D'Borja, greets the expedition warmly, glad that worthy heroes with better capability and armaments are picking up the quest that he and his brother knights Templar first attempted but failed.
To Cardinal Lucius in French: Greetings, Your Grace. Welcome to Africa! I hope that Our Lord and His angels keep you safe from evil or accident on this expedition to King Solomon's Mines. May God almighty bless you and speed you on your way! But before you go, I should warn you of the perils my brothers and I encountered on the road to those fabled mines.
Landry's face seems to pale as he recalls the harrowing ordeal that he alone of six Templar Knights survived...
There are strange monsters dwelling in Africa, My Lord... Dark beasts with mysterious magic... A shapeshifting bird as big as a man who can call lightning bolts from stormy skies... Terrible predators like great, six-legged tigers, called bandersnatches!... And a beast that combines the worst features of elephant and cobra called the grootslang!... Great lizards that swim in the rivers and lakes, monsters from an earlier eon...
"I fear not the creatures of my homeland Sir Landry.MOther Africa is watching not only me but those with me. As for now, she has not seen any horror you wish to bring to me or my people. You seek the same goal as too remove the Arabs from our lands and thus free our people from bondage. So worry not." She says curtsying to Landry before she stops.
"Oh Sir Landry did some Kunari people come to Marrakesh? I sent word for them to come and join in the campaign for freedom? Some should have gone to Safi as well?" She asks with a smile happy to be home.
Ihrin curtsies to Landry and smiles."A pleasure to meet you again Sir Landry, I hope you haven't had too much issues here while under your rule? Maybe you could before we take off discus your day to day while eating." She says with courtly grace dropping her disguise before assuming it again.
"I would not worry, Sir Landry. The blessings of God will protect us on our travels across the Dark Continent. That and the skills of our company will carry us through."
Toshiro is curious about some of the creatures.
"These are strange animals you speak of. Can they be communicated with?"
"I fear not the creatures of my homeland Sir Landry.MOther Africa is watching not only me but those with me. As for now, she has not seen any horror you wish to bring to me or my people. You seek the same goal as too remove the Arabs from our lands and thus free our people from bondage. So worry not." She says curtsying to Landry before she stops.
"Oh Sir Landry did some Kunari people come to Marrakesh? I sent word for them to come and join in the campaign for freedom? Some should have gone to Safi as well?" She asks with a smile happy to be home.
Your friend Wulfgar, the Northman, sent a letter by raven from Safi, reporting that some Kunari have approached Safi, led by the Talking Tiger, and friendly relations are being facilitated between the monks of Safi, the Kunari, and the Portuguese, at least for now. Some Kunari have also come here to Marrakesh, to see the infamous Arena of Death and the menagerie of monsters below... They were welcomed and given a tour of the Arena and the menagerie... They might still be here, at one of the caravanserais in the Kasbah or the Medina... While you are here in Marrakech, you are my honored guests, and are under the protection of the Emir himself! Landry smiles at Mwikali and bows.
Ihrin curtsies to Landry and smiles."A pleasure to meet you again Sir Landry, I hope you haven't had too much issues here while under your rule? Maybe you could before we take off discus your day to day while eating." She says with courtly grace dropping her disguise before assuming it again.
Emir Sir Landry orders his servants to prepare a feast for his esteemed guests. The cooks of the Royal Palace of Marrakech prepare a grand feast of skewered lamb kabobs, goat kabobs, fried herring, goat cheese, dates, steamed snails, nuts, exotic fruits, and various tarts, cakes, and other confections. As the adventurers dine and wash down their meal with cold ale or wine, Landry describes his daily routines.
A great deal of my attention is spent managing the Arena... The people demand at least weekly matches to wager on, and wealthy sheyks and emirs with monstrous menageries or stables of gladiator slaves frequently bring their champions here to settle disputes in the Arena, or simply to place wagers on matches... The rest of my time is taken up arbitrating petty disputes between citizens, or attending to municipal matters...
Toshiro is curious about some of the creatures.
"These are strange animals you speak of. Can they be communicated with?"
Some of them can be spoken with, I suppose... The impunundu, or "lightning bird", the shape-shifter I spoke of... They can speak with voices like men... They sometimes serve as familiars to evil sorcerers and witch doctors... But some, like the bandersnatch and the grootslang... are just dumb, savage beasts without language...
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To Cardinal Lucius in French: Greetings, Your Grace. Welcome to Africa! I hope that Our Lord and His angels keep you safe from evil or accident on this expedition to King Solomon's Mines. May God almighty bless you and speed you on your way! But before you go, I should warn you of the perils my brothers and I encountered on the road to those fabled mines.
"The blessings of God upon you Emir Landry. You do his work here and most well!" Lucius has visited Marrakesh numerous times over the past few months since the teleportation gates were completed but he and the Emir have both been so busy that they have had little time to exchange pleasantries.
"These are great trials indeed, but we trust in the Lord. His might will see us through." Lucius nods sagely. "As you can see Emir we have new companions, the famed paladin Sir Alphonse D'Veritas has journeyed from England to join our sacred mission! We are in the Lord's favour."
The Cardinal does not purchase a mount himself, Seraphim and its tireless enchantments serve him well in that regard, but he does purchase some new clothing, more suited to the desert heat than his cardinalate robes (although still in the appropriate red!)
Mwikali is able to find a band of her Kunari tribe staying in Marrakech. They are pleased to meet a hero of their tribe, and honor her with blessings and small gifts of ivory, spices, and ochre. They report to her their visit to Safi and interactions with the Portuguese there...
Kunari to Mwikali: Though their Prince first greeted us politely, the Portuguese soldiers later inquired whether we were slaves or free men and women, and what the going prices were for Kunari slaves in the Arab markets... It was as if they were appraising us, my lady! It felt very uncomfortable... I do not think these Portuguese will be good neighbors for long... The Tiger told us your plan for a free Africa, Lady Mwikali... But I am not so certain these Portuguese plan to honor that vision any better than the Arabs!
Shaka the awakened tiger confirms the Kunari warrior's assertion.
Kunari to Mwikali: I fear that overthrowing the Arab Slave Trade will merely make way for a Portuguese Slave Trade, Lady Mwikali. They speak of making forays to the hinterlands to seek "viable trade stock", as they say...
Bernardo follows Cardinal d'Borja where ever he goes, His scribe table always ready to take notes and letters. Doing what the Cardinal asks. He carries only a simple travelling uniform dagger and blade and well made but small back pack.
When the get their mounts he looks over the geckos, seeming to know a lot about them, and talks to the locals in thier own languages. He seems a bit of a polymath.
As the cardinal needs new clothing so he will get anything the party needs, they need only ask him.
Once done he has stabling sorted in a house rented for the group.
Servants are waiting and food and rooms are ready for them.
Bernardo follows Cardinal d'Borja where ever he goes, His scribe table always ready to take notes and letters. Doing what the Cardinal asks. He carries only a simple travelling uniform dagger and blade and well made but small back pack.
When the get their mounts he looks over the geckos, seeming to know a lot about them, and talks to the locals in thier own languages. He seems a bit of a polymath.
As the cardinal needs new clothing so he will get anything the party needs, they need only ask him.
Once done he has stabling sorted in a house rented for the group.
Servants are waiting and food and rooms are ready for them.
After enjoying a Morrocan kabob feast and sleeping one last night at the Royal Palace of Marrakech as Landry's guests, or at a room in the Kasbah's caravanserai arranged by Machiavelli, the adventurers awaken the morning of Thursday, 2nd June, break fast at either palace or caravanserai, and prepare for the long ride east along the Mediterranean Sea, and then south down the Red Sea. They anticipate a journey of several moons, so with beasts of burden and mounts laden with rations, feed, and waterskins, the expedition sets off on the road east out of Marrakech toward Algeria, traveling until the sun sinks into the dunes to the west, then camping for the night.
The first day of travel passes without incident...
... as does the night.
The second day of riding also passes with no encounters, nor is the camp disturbed that night...
Friday, June 4th, the expedition continues riding east...
That night, weary from the day's ride, the adventurers camp near a tuffet of tough desert grass...
Large tents around a fire, with the Pack and riding animals between the tents.
I would think.
Bernardo, dose not seem to sleep much and is working at the start of the night to get everything in place, Then looks after the pack animals, before sitting by the fire, He rests around 4am for 2 hours.
So, Mwikali's camel and donkey are tethered between tents, along with Machiavelli's war gecko and whatever steeds Alphonse, Ihrin, Toshiro, and Ogon Fox are riding...
In the darkness outside the glow of the campfire, something watches the expedition... Something huge, yet sleek, an apex predator...
...its eyes glow blue in the darkness...
...it crawls on its belly over the dunes, at a safe distance of some hundred feet or so, prowling and preparing to pounce...
During their time in Marrakech, the Fox finds buyers and sellers of magical items...he sells his belt of incredible dexterity +4 and buys an amulet of mighty fists +2 .
As the group travels, the Fox finds plenty of time to chat with Bernardo Machiavelli during the nights, as he has a similarly reduced need for sleep.
He rests around 4am for 2 hours.
"I see, seems we may have another enemy in our midst. Appraise them as well, if they wish to have us as slaves then we shall make them work for it. However, until they strike observe, learn and use their tactics against them. For now, they are allies, should that change My there God have mercy on their souls for what we shall do. Africa is ours..not there's!"She says in Kanuri. If these Portuguese think that they can just take over and subjugate her people because they feel it there right for freeing them of the Arabs then they will know the wrath of MOther Africa and her many Children!
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Mwikali grabs a Headscarf and during the day works on her little-stuffed teddy bear that resembles Johann. At night she sets up a tent and sets up a nice place to lay out. She communes with Kiku every evening naked in her tent.
Ihrin rides her carpet of flying as she drops her disguise after she leaves Marrakesh. She too dons a headscarf and smiles enjoying the ride.
At night she eats and reads some of the notes from her journal in reply to her tattoos. When not doing that she practices with the new swords trying to see if she can figure out who to use these exotic swords.
Alphonse will take the midnight watch. He is not a particularly observant man, but perhaps his new horse and faithful companion, Shadowchaser, will help him keep watch!