You begin at night. Well, very early morning. The red sun hasn't peeped over the eastern horizon. It is a simple day in Kurn. Oronis has been governing well as a sorcerer king. His templars are asleep, and so are most of the denizens of Kurn.
You have been awake for fifteen minutes. You are also helping loading supplies. It's cold, freezing cold. For the temperature goes low during the night.
Sound off here, and tell me what you're loading on this drive to Guistenal. Also, you may roleplay.
Approaching the caravan area comes an unusual pair. It's rare to see an aaracockra and thri-kreen travelling together. They land at the edge of the area and come in on foot. Neither seems to be armed with weapons beyond what they were born with.
As they approach, Tkk-Tkk will buzz in their version of common. "We were hired as hunters and guards."
Joshua looked at the new arrivals. "Good, the guards are arriving," he said.
He held up a burning torch to read the board around Borak's neck. "Yes, I'm Joshua the son of Azeth. You here to help?"
Food
How
Many
Days
bring
?
Joshua looks at the tablet and reads it. Finally he says, "Bring enough food for a three week trip."
He then turns to the others. "Ah welcome, it's a little strange that a Thri-Kreen and an Arrakocra would be travelling together."
"We both hunt from the sky. He flies, and I jump very well." says Tkk-Tkk. She will jump up ten feet with no effort... and not come down. She hovers there for a moment before drifting down. "From the sky we can see prey... and other hunters."
Elaine approached the caravan’s loading dump slowly, steadily, cautiously, as she did all things when in these small places. The people had been kind, she wouldn’t want to break their things by ill considered haste. She lifted the next crate easily, balanced it a moment and carried it out into the gloom. She smiled, then chuckled, then laughed merrily as she brought the full weight of the crate down gently on the prepared harness. Taking the time to give the sleeping Saurah a gentle pat, she walked back for the next crate. Seeing instead an old elf, and a strangely worn basket.
”Ah, a precious cargo no doubt. What seek you to trade?” she asked the elf. To her surprise, the answer ‘turnips’ was so prosaic and yet perfect she could not do more than nod and proceed to load the basket, which she noticed now was quite pungent. She wiped her hands quickly against her sash, and collected the next load. Tools, then cloths, then jerky, and salt. Each made its way onto the beasts and frames, but o matter how many loads Elaine moved that morn, she still giggled, then mumbled ”Turnips”
Daqas wings enveloped him as he landed. The eyes of the aarakocra were sharp as an eagle's; they danced through each of the present, clearly deeply analyzing them and what kind of threat they could represent.
He was a lot more used to Tkk-Tkk; together, the hunt was more efficient. Hunger was still reality under this Red Sun, yet he reckoned the situation could be a lot worse.
The monk held his silence; he knew the Shaman would voice enough for both of them. Yet, he finally broke his silence towards Joshua and Borak.
I am Daqas Kukiarr. - his accent is common was heavy, hard to understand, and his voice sounded like deep whistles; he let Tkk-Tkk introduce herself.
"Nice to meet you all," said Joshua. "We are going to trade with the Dragonborn. It will be a round trip, so be prepared for anything. Slavers, raiders, anything."
Elaine finished by observing the spread of beasts, and most importantly confirming the water and shade were arranged to her liking, then woke Saurah, and joined the others.
"A worthy journey. Are you our guide then? Which people claim you? I am Aslandaughter, and the water and food is loaded." she adds, at the end jovially with a smile that seems to be laughing at some private joke.
"I am the caravan master, yes," said Joshua. "This is the first time we are making contact with the people of Guistenal."
As the conversation developed, another figure would emerge from the caravan and come in sight of its retinue. Large, imposing, and bearing many scars and trinkets scattered across his body and packs alike, the man would finish loading some supplies into the carts and horses, clap his hands to signify a job well done, and stride forward to introduce himself to the gathering of five.
"First time?" His voice would ring out at Joshua last few words."So your caravan hasn't rode through this route before?"
As the conversation developed, another figure would emerge from the caravan and come in sight of its retinue. Large, imposing, and bearing many scars and trinkets scattered across his body and packs alike, the man would finish loading some supplies into the carts and horses, clap his hands to signify a job well done, and stride forward to introduce himself to the gathering of five.
"First time?" His voice would ring out at Joshua last few words."So your caravan hasn't rode through this route before?"
"Yes it has, just that I am appointed Master of this caravan," Joshua explained. "My father ran this caravan to Guistenal before, and now it's my turn."
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knowledge: geography: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
knowledge: local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Guistenal is one of the city states of the Tyr Region, located on a peninsula of the Sea of Silt. It is said that only dragon-like creatures live there. And an ancient evil known as Dregoth exists under the city. He created the dragonborn, so he could have creatures that looked like himself.
Azeth is the trader house of Kurn. Azeth has eight sons: Joshua, Caleb, Judas, Halc, Timon, Nelza, Loc, and Haldan (who is a mul). Joshua is his first born, and he is set to inherit the house. Haldan is the result of Azeth pairing with a dwarf woman after his own wife died. Azeth supports the Sorcerer King Oronis and his endeavors.
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"Ah, that explains it, my friend. It's good to see a son following his father's steps, respecting the family's business." The mul would reply, a jovial smile on his face.
A smile that fades all too quickly, as Magnus' eyes flicker to Borak for but a second. Years as a caravan guard before settling down in Kurn made it second nature for the Earthshaper to remain on guard at all times, even within allied company. But, it also gave him enough experience to recognize these same instincts in others, and from that, he nodded almost imperceptibly towards Borak, understanding where the gesture came from and what kind of man the fellow Mul was from it alone.
Another glance, this time lingered for more than a moment, and Magnus would take notice of Borak's board, its writ bearing his name, and some simple words with which to communicate. The man's head tilted to the side at this, and he'd lift his bruised, wrapped hands. With an index and a middle finger, Magnus traced a straight line across his palm, before closing his fist and jostling it towards Borak.
It was stiff, not as fluid as it was supposed to be -- Magnus hadn't used the Kurnese hand sings in a long while. Still, he was sure that the gesture still carried the rough meaning of "well met, warrior" it was supposed to.
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Elaine nods, pleased to have a traveled guide at hand. ”Maps are one thing, a guide who has walked the sand another. We are in your care, and will do our best to keep you safe. May your journey return you to the heart of your home.”. She speaks very formally at the end, inclining her head politely. As she does, she catches sight of the two men meeting and pauses.
Elaine then turned her head their way, tilting it this and that, in the manner of a bird. After a minute spent observing the small men and their animated hand gestures, she startles as she murmurs. ”Ah, that must be some language, and now they are friends.” Joining a new caravan was somewhat like a meeting between Antloids, she decided. With less predation, of course. First a period of acclimation, then soon the guards would work together to protect the hive. She nodded to the koa and kreen, then motioned them towards the two shorter mul.
Settling herself comfortably, she began practicing the hand motions, not entirely correctly. Aloud she commented, ”Im afraid you will need to be patient with me, my hands are somewhat over large for this, but it is so graceful. A useful thing, I think.”
Magnus nodded at the interaction, a smile across his face. Ever the jovial, upbeat man despite his advanced age, the mul brawler lifted his hands and made slow motions with his stocky fingers for a few moments, trying to remember how to gesticulate words with the sign language. It did take him a moment for the skill to slip back into place from disuse, but when they did, he allowed his muscle memory to carry him into a conversation with the gladiator.
"Magnus." He said out loud, with a thumb outstretched towards his chest. In part, because it was a way for him to introduce himself to everyone and not just Borak, and in part because spelling names with the silent language was... difficult for the miner, so it was also a way for him to avoid embarassing himself.
Still, the rest of the conversation, he'd continue with signs alone. Lived in Kurn for many years, but born in the Silt Sea. Long way from home, I know. He communicated, somewhat roughly, chuckling at the last part. Long story, but Kurn better than home. That for sure.
And as his gestures ended, Elaine's began, along with a few endearing words from the half-giant. "Ah, and my hands are a bit stiff from mining all day. Don't worry, my friend, if I could learn it, then you'll be fluent in it by the time we reach Guistenal!"
"Hopefully, if we do reach Guistenal," said Joshua. "We'll be gone for a month of travel."
Tkk-tkk will watch the exchange of gestures. Once she sees that some wouldn't work well with her hands, she puts it out of mind and turns to help load the wagons.
The aarakocra observed Borak with curiosity, but let he speak with Tkk-Tkk more freely. He actually directed his attention towards the others, especially the caravan leader.
As a mapmaker, I'll be taking notes and capturing the trail. With some luck, future travels will be made easier.
The wings moved with strength, and the body was taken towards the cargo to help load.
She seems interested that he knows their writing. It's not common for soft species to know it. He seemed to understand speech, so she answers "I am Tkk-tkk" She pauses, not quite understanding the second part. "From the desert?"
Børak will find that he is being watched intently for a moment. "Are you part of a clutch already? ... Or have been?"
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She pauses to think, before continuing in Kreen "I know of no Tik-Lik, "
Elaine smiles, delighted with this new thing. As the caravan comes together, in the natural breaks between one task and the next, she practices the handsign for her name. Eveline It's not right, but it's close enough. Eventually, having secured the last of the caravan's goods and supplies, she approaches the caravan master.
"Joshua we appear ready, if the sands are kind. Today is as good a day as any other to wade in the sea of silt."
There are 40 beasts of burden in the caravan. And somewhere around 25 guards.
Late? Zok admonished himself. Having been fortunate enough to find employ, especially one that involved traveling, it didn't make a good impression to show up late to the gathering. Sneaking in and pretending he was there the whole time seemed a better option. After all, introductions were still taking place, and one only had to be observant to pick up names along the way. He had learned to be observant, it was a painful lesson.
"I am also ready. Noted the halfling who up until a moment ago was completely unnoticed by everyone in the group (probably). Wearing leather armor that had a light tan look, and his sandy blonde hair seemed to blend into the dry surroundings. "I look forward to working with you. From the looks of things, we're as prepared as we could be for the unexpected."
Holding his hands up to display no weapons of harm, his face told a story of a life of pain and survival, with a scar on his forehead, and numerous old battle wounds crossing his bare arms. "You man call me Zok, if you wish."
Joshua at first didn't trust the halfling, since halflings were known to be bloodthirsty cannibals. But perhaps this one was different. "Welcome, Zok," Joshua says. "Are you from the Jagged Cliffs, right?"[/b]
"I haven't been there since perhaps before you were born." Zok answered, being somewhat cagey about where he'd been. "It's been a long time since I've participated in their communal efforts." He stated pointedly, hoping others would get the idea.
He was reasonably good at getting into people's good graces, and it had been quite some time since he'd tasted human flesh. Although, not as long as he would have hoped. Survival was difficult in the prison pits, and many of those within did things they wouldn't have if it weren't necessary. He patted a full pack he'd brought with him, curling up the corner of his mouth in a winning smirk, since he didn't really want to show off his filed, pointed teeth. "Your man who hired me told me what to bring, so I shouldn't have any needs."
"Welcome, tiny predator. Perhaps you might walk with me to start? We can ride on Saurah as we tire, she will hardly notice us. Come, let me introduce you while Joshua finds our path. His task is the hardest, to find the way between water that we might have shade to sleep and soothe our throats. We must simply be vigilant, and sandy." Elaine's jovial greeting ignores the tension. To her, everyone is tiny and fierce, and potentially a cannibal.
Magnus nodded to the interactions and leaned back on one foot, allowing himself to listen as everyone got a little more acquainted and a new face introduced itself to the group. Though Magnus wasn't exactly fond of halflings in his own experiences, he wasn't really one to judge another for their backgrounds, instead letting actions and words speak for themselves. Who knows, perhaps Zok could be a good friend.
"Good, good. The more the merrier, is what I always say!" The miner exclaimed, before clapping once, twice in cheer and leaving the circle to aid with the preparation efforts.
...But, not before yelling out a boisterous question. "Ah, when are we set to leave, my friends? As soon as the caravan is packed up?"
As their caravan Master finished speaking with the halfling, Børak approached the young man. Knowing Joshua would know how many guards were mounted or could fly, he asked. Using the Kurnese Sign language he asked, "How many scouts out front? How many outriders on each side? How many watchers behind?"
Joshua knew the sign language. Being that one of his brothers was deaf. Joshua said, "Five scouts out front, Five watchers behind, eight on one side, and seven on the other."
"The front then is ours. The path be just and cool and the sands firm and stable. Come along, short ones. Lend me your eyes that see so much so clearly, and I shall look over you in turn for things too large for your vision." Elaine gestures to the side the caravan, and then motions the group to head that way.
...But, not before yelling out a boisterous question. "Ah, when are we set to leave, my friends? As soon as the caravan is packed up?"
"As soon as the caravan is packed up," Joshua adds.
Tkk-tkk will nod in agreement. "And we will look for good hunting to sustain us." with this she will begin pitching in to finish the packing.
Zok nodded in approval. This was a good crew. Seemingly competent, although time would tell. Being introduced to the ankylosaur seemed a little more formal than he was used to dealing with animals, butthis thing, solid enough for a giant's mount would certainly help encourage some to leave the caravan alone, He gave a short scratching to the area around the ear pits, "Thanks for the lift."
Zok didn't know the sign language of the Mul, but seeing a five and a half corrected to a six along with a self confident smirk was enough to know that a joke was made at his expense. He smiled too, displaying his pointed teeth. When he was a younger boy, he'd have responded with an immediate display of his worth. But he was no longer a boy.
"Good thing we don't need arithmetic to be good scouts." he responded jovially. "Although if we come upon some treasure we should have someone else split it into parts."
Saurah leans in to the scratching and Elaine, laughing puts her hand against her friend.
"You have doomed yourself now, she knows you can make the itches less. I'll show you where I keep the oil, yes?" She does, indicating one of the saddle bags.
"This is the goods, and that is the feed, and under it all is the water. Do not break the water, while I would miss the drink, Saurah hates being wet. I am good at breaking things, she was good at teaching me not to." She rubs the beast affectionately, then continues around her, satisfied she looks to the sands, waiting for Joshua to signal the caravan should move out.
The signal was given, the caravan was packed. Joshua signaled that they were ready to begin. Joshua got on top of his pack animal and signaled the rest to begin. The team soon left Kurn and followed the road to the Tyr region. The sun was coming up, and soon everyone would be baking. There was shade, what little to give, over the big pack animals.
As the sun was rising, everyone and everything that had to do with the caravan was on its way.
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After helping load, which he was not too bad at despite his difference in size, he was able to still take care of things about as well as some of the human laborers, Zok took Elaine up on her offer to ride the dinosaur. As the sun rose over the bleak landscape, Zok wondered a bit about the legend of the blue and green paradise. Everyone had their own theory, but Zok had his own too. It took a while to figure out, and he did it while in prison. If everyone fought over what they had, they had nothing but death and disease. But if everyone worked to better themselves without exploiting each other, they were meager, but most everyone had enough.
And he'd done both. He knew that fighting over scraps wasn't that important. Making something good was. Perhaps he'd invest his coin into building something good, seeing if he could show what he'd learned at a grander scale, but he'd need allies, friends in high places, and maybe even make a few deals to make something happen. Perhaps he could make some contacts here too, but there was no need to rush. This journey would take some time.
He did have to watch out for an insistent Saurah whenever they'd stop, wanting more scratches, but he didn't mind. It was a mutual thing, and it would be good to foster good will. He looked deeply into the lizard's eyes and spoke to it gently. "You are strong, and resilient. When the weak try to harm you, all they will get is a taste of your resolve."
As people organized to move and Daqas finished helping with the basics, he flew around searching for Tkk-Tkk. When he finally found her, he just landed nearby, silently, and crossed his arms.
This is a much stranger group than I'm used to see. And way too many of them are not blessed by the winds. - he spoke in a low and paranoid tone - Not sure if this is the right play, but I guess the ceramics help.
The aarakocra carried no weapons and used to armor, simply standing on humble monk robes. He carried bags and looked obviously fairly ready for the weather, but not much for fighting.
Two hours into sunrise, there was something ahead.
(Tkk-Tkk and Daqas Kukiarr can make perception checks to see what it is). Joshua sees it, but they are too far away for him to identify it thoroughly. It's sunrise, and it already begins to get hot.