The fugter comes in and whispers something to her father.
"The Jarrlo filth you say, they have just dropped a troop close to where I think you got the two off worlders. The Siatch is on lockdown until they go, so please make yourselves to home. We have an small market deeper in. And Rooms will be given you for a day or two. We will take a small bill in water form what you gift. 20% water tax plue logging costs. The water master will being you, your rings later, Do you want some in water true."
He is being honest and open, you have bright them water and hurt a hated enemy.
Realizing the situation had changed and they'd been dismissed, Borak returns the 'spice' to his pack. Picking the pack and his 'stillsuit' up, he nods to their host, "Thank you elder Nillic for your hospitality."
Not sure if they needed water at the moment he looks towards Kasit, letting his elder cousin address the issue. He makes a mental note to head to the small market deeper in the seitch.
Ghir nodded to Nillic and replied, "A kind offer. Oh and if this Siatch or any other has need of warriors, we would be honoured to offer what help we can."
Like the others he was curious to check out the market, but clearly there was plenty of time with the lockdown so he was well content to take things slowly.
Pleased that they were going to be paid and would not be held to account for collecting the blood of the technicians, Kasit rose to his feet and echoed the pleasantries given to their hosts. All told, it seemed like this would be a good day.
A old looking watermaster comes into the chamber. He makes the sign and jungles his Staff, with its water rings on. In his hand is a is a cord with rings on it. Hands it to Nillic, saying.
"Sixty one and nine sixth Letagens of water. Our tax is twelve and 3 sixths of water. Leaving forty eight and three sixths leatagens of water. He takes the water tax off the cord. Nows and then leaves. Nillic bows back and hands you the cord with its water rings on it.
"It seems you have some wealth. let me show you to the market"
Which he dose, in a large chamber is a number of stalls, and above permanent rooms that have more expensive goods in, like household furniture, tools and and cooking processing equipment.
Knowing a dismissal when he hears one, Audi ibn Jad rises, bows and retreats with his Brothers . At mention of taking in the Market, the Trapper shakes his head.
Best keep Borak away from the dice.
Audi laughs.
Nodding in agreement with Ghir's offer, Borak readies to follow the others to explore wherever. Seeing the watermaster entering, he pauses, raising an eyebrow at the amount of wealth they'd collected. Having stored everything else in his pack, Borak reaches out and accepts the cord with the water ring, politely saying, "Thank you elder Nillic."
As they follow the tribe counselor towards the market, Borak chuckles at Audi's comment, turning to his cousin, he jingles the cord, "I would only gamble with my share, I may be reckless, but I am no Wali."
Pausing near the first booth, Borak could smell the Tabara and kaveh. Having just broken bread with the counselor, he didn't want to offend the man by quickly eating. Besides they needed proper gear if they were to survive for a long time in the desert they would need their own kit As they moved he began to look for thinks like a paracompass a Stilltent, Maker hooks a Thumper, Sandsnorks, compaction tools and Oil lens binoculars.
Diplomacy [Bartarr] rolls please for price of the above.
Kasit walked with his kinsmen, and attempted to negotiate prices as best he could. He wasn’t a merchant by any means, but he wasn’t exactly bad at the art of haggling. Mostly, though, what he wanted was spice which could be used to enhance his ability to heal wounds. While there was a water price in any body, he did not want to see a kinsman fall. Aside from that, he fully supported Borak’s shopping list.
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Market traders,
You bartter 15% off the price, you get all you wanted above list for 28.5L of water.
1x paracompass
1x compaction tools
1x Oil lens binoculars.
1x Stilltent [4man] [+Backpack it comes in]
3-sets of Maker hooks
3x Thumpers,
3x Sandsnorks,
Looking at all the new gear, Borak smiles. Turning to the others he asks, "So we each take a sand-snorkel, who'll carry the rest?"
As he asks, he realizes there are only three snorkels. Turing to the merchant, he asks, "How much for another Sand-snorkel and set of hooks?"
Remembering he had the 'gear from the off-worlders, he takes off his pack and takes out the full set of off world comms tools and long-range comps radio unit. Gesturing towards the items, he aks. "Do you know if anyone would purchase these?"
Pausing he turns to the others, "Unless we can use he radio?"
”I’ll carry anything medical related.” Kasit said, indicating that the rest wasn’t his responsibility. ”You all buy what we need. I’ll see if I can get these pistols sold. If anyone wants one, now’s the time to speak up.”
"I say sell them, they're ugly, loud, and useless against anyone with a Holtzman shield." commented Ghir, "However I wouldn't say no to a steel combat knife in case we ever need to do city work."
The merchant looks at what you take out and then, gose and closes his door, pulling down the blinds he says.
"Come into my back office, we will have spice coffee and talk about this."
Nodding in agreement with the merchant, Borak picks up the 'off world' items and follows the man deeper into his shop. As they walked he considered the items they'd found. He recognized tools when he saw them, but had no idea most of their purpose. Even the radio, he didn't know if it was something that they could use or not.
"We were hoping some of these things would be of value, or at least if someone knows what they are." Considering the weapons he adds. "We would trade the weapons for something more similar to what the fedaykin use in the deep desert or at least something that would not be instantly recognized as crafted by House Jarrlo."
he looks them over and makes some notes on a wax slate.
He stops at the word 'fedaykin' a group from feman legend who where supposed to bring death to those who venture into the deep south.
"I don't know about child tales my friend. But I know of a buyer here in the north. He pays well But is may be a trap, risk is the sands way."
He says waiting to see if your interested.
Having heard the stories from his grandfather in sietch Shad, Borak Blushed slightly at the term 'children's tales,' having assumed all the fremen believed the 'old tales.' Mentally shrugging, he smiles, pulling the scar on his cheek, making his eye squint. "Well, if not weapons from ancient tales, at least something a little less conspicuous than these."
Hearing the possibility of a buyer to the north he pauses and turns to his fellows.
Kasit mulled over the thought. On one hand, he didn't like the idea of taking a risk by walking into a trap. On the other hand, house investigators might come asking around to see what came of the technicians. To have already left with the evidence of the 'crime' and to have it disposed of in a way that wouldn't be tracked? That was very tempting.
"What is life without some risk?" Kasit said. "I'd be interested in knowing more about this buyer."
"Only the daring can win." echoed Ghir. He studied the merchant and considered his words and the way he said them, wondering if he and any hidden motives for mentioning this.
he is telling the truth, and thinks this is a good deal.
"There is an off worlder, an ex-spice smuggler, he has a base out inthe Nib at an old Imperial Planetologists site. Got a crew there smuggling and trading with me and other like me. He is always on the look out for off world tech and pays in refined spice. He asked about comm tech a while back. Just this kind of thing. You will get a good price form him. I give you the name and location for 10% of the sale price."
Again he seems to be genuine
Listening to the merchants offer, Borak unconsciously reaching to his face he rubs the scar on his chin as he considers the idea. An off worlder ex-spice smuggler. So, someone who has much to lose if they get caught as any fremen. An off worlder would be more likely to purchase the weapons as well as the technical gear. In the meantime, they could use the pistols and knives until they sell them. Maybe the smuggler would have other jobs that could be done or could introduce them to other likeminded souls.
Looking towards the others, Bharak gives a very light nod. Turning towards the merchant, he double checks, "Ten percent of the sale of the long-range comps radio unit, or do you want ten percent of the sale of the tools as well?"
"All the off world things, He will hold it for me, we trade often."
Then he leans in close.
"I am told he is an outcast from House Limir. One of their men who hates the Harkonnen when they placed the house in servitude. Many left House Limir rather then be under the fist of the Barran. Lord Limir let them go with water in their suits."
That last port is a freman way of saying they were cashed out.
"This one stayed, They say he has a new master, but no one knows who they are. Could be one of the smuggling gang leaders. Now I have wasted enough air, we agree"
He holds his arm out for a clasp of agreement.
if you agree he takes out a map and shows you a location some ways beyond the shield wall. Located on a large rock outcrop.
"6 days walk, or 2 by worm, but don't call a worm this close to the offworlders, you know the law, they must never see"
Ghir comes forward and clasps the mans arm, "Brother so be it, we shall trade our ghanima with this House Limir outcast."
When the worm law was mentioned, Ghir echoed, "Haram hu." It is forbidden.
"His name is Roshmu the smuggler. Tred the sands well."
he says showing you out.
Committing the name of the smuggler to memory, Borak nods to the merchant as they exit his shop. Feeling the excitement of adventure calling, he can't wait until the tribal elder lifts the curfew and lets them leave. Asking the others, "Before we leave, we should stock up on supplies and purchase a water filter device and possibly more weapons."
He smiles, causing his scared cheek to pull the corner of his lip, "And will we really call a worm?"
You talk over warms and what to do over the next three days, Audi leves you that event becouse he found out he knew someone here, The next day he is not back and then on the last day of lock down he comes to find you with a woman and three Kids in toe, The woman looks young.
He sits you down over a meal and explained what has happened.
"I had a sand brother called Wilim, he saved my life 2 years ago from a harkonen hunting pack. I vowed a water deat to him. He and his son whnt out to see what those filth House Jarrlo where upto. They where spotted and laz gunned form a thopter. Thire water wasting in the sand."
Her looks at the Woman and children,
"This is Horika,[Wife] Kilipha,Other son] Rim and little Alisa [daughters]. Horika was Wilim's second wife after the death of Kilipha, Rim and little Alisa mother. He paid good water for her and she is a good mother to her adopted."
She stands arms crossed and the Children mill around her, Looking at Audi.
'She came and found me when she know of his death. And claimed my water debt to Wilim her his children. That I must become their father and marry her. This we do today, I want you both here when we say the words."
Then after he lets you know we will be staying here with his new family.
You both will have bad her should you ever come back.
Ghir was quite surprised and he blinked for a moment before clasping Audi by the arm, "This is an honourable thing you do here..." He looked Horika up and down before adding "I'm sure she'll make a fine wife and in a year or two there will be an even longer trail of children!"
Kasit bowed his head respectfully. "You live with honor." He agreed with his kinsman. "May you and yours never suffer thirst." He added. He'd miss his cousin, but he was also happy for him in that he would have a place to settle.
Smiling at Audi ibn Jad's great luck, Borak nods. "Happy to cousin."
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He grins and is soon wed. There is a small selbration with space cake sweets and spice liqueur. But its soon over. The last day of lock down passes and you make ready as the sitch opens up once more.
Ok you can move out into the wider nib. And seek a place to call a warm. Well away from prying eyes.
The astounding wounder of Dune is all around. Arkus is simple, sand, warms, rock, Freman, air, water and the spice. Interlinked in such a deep level they are all DUNE. From what you know of off worlds they are overly complicated. Water fat off worlders living just for frivolous waste of time. They 'Wast time' Freman know not to wast a moment. Poppered lords with 100s of servenst unable to even dress themselves. A freman knows they have only themselves, no one is comming, you live and sie by your will and what you can do alone. Then slaves, Freman law states the crime of owning another as an object. Yet offworld by and sell each other like cups of spice coffee. Such wickedness. And the strangeness of the witches of the Bene Gesserit things from night mares. Who cast spells on the minds of the weak. The jhated Tleilaxu, who mold flesh itself into evil forms. May the 'Arafel' and the Deathstill take them, fo they are only worth their water.
Ride sand warm DC14 to DC 25, the better the roll the bigger the warm the harder it is to ride.
After the celebration Ghir told the others, "As nice as this seiche is, I'm keen to get out into the desert. Still that trader had the right of it, if we call a worm it must be far from here. A day's walk, possibly two."
Nodding in agreement with Ghir, Borak gathers his gear. Tucking the two off-worlder knives under his pack so he can reach them easily enough to throw, he holds out the two slug-throwers to Ghir and Kasit asking, "Do you want to carry the pistols just in case?"
As they move towards the Seiche's doors, Borak considers the idea of calling a worm. Both excited and nervous, he'd been told the stories but had never called or ridden a worm. Nodding in agreement, "Yes, if we're going to call one it should be far away from prying eyes."
You find a place to call a worm and set out your thumper.
Lets see what comes.
With ease that only came from long hours of practice, the physician went about the tasks of calling for the worm. It was always a stressful event, but there was little choice in the matter. He was just glad that his companions were just as well trained, if not more so, than him.
Ghir did what he could to aid Kasit with summoning a worm, he was familiar with the lore and had some practical experience having traveled by worm several times as a child.
Helping Kasit plant the thumper, Borak got out of the direct path of the worm and got his hooks ready, like his grandfather had taught him so many years ago.
Ghir son of Dranor thumper calls a warm, its not so big but will do the journey, but its Kasit how gets the hooks in 1st and climes up to control it. Børak struggles to when he its some drum sand while running long side the warm. But Ghir grabs him and heaves him up.
Soon you are all on he warm, riding in the now night air.
You spot of air craft and no freeman as you ride.
All too soon you start to get close. Time to get off the worm.
You all jump for it, and rolling come up some ways form the old plamolgest site. Sand walking you head to its supposed location.
Time is just before sun rise.
Shaken by the memory of being rescued from certain death when Ghir had grabbed his packs shoulder strap keeping him from falling from the Worm, Borak, made a promise to himself to learn more.
-----------
Cautiously dismounting the worm, they head towards their destination. Realizing it was just before sun rise he asks the others, "Should we set up a tent, and wait out the sun, or should we press on?"
Ghir was somewhat paranoid about Harkonnens so he replied, "I'm inclined to watch for a while, see if who comes and goes if anyone."
Nodding in agreement with Ghir, Borak whispers, "Good idea." Reaching over to the pack he draws out the Oil lens binoculars and begins to carefully observe the compound. After taking a long look, he passes them off.
"Good idea on the binoculars. See if there is anything interesting. Then I'll see if I can sneak up to get a closer look. Between the two of us, I'm sure we'll have a lay of the land."
As you hid in the dunes and rock you see a small air-craft, Ballon like craft come over the bluff to the west, it comes down and lands as such. Two figures jump out and uses ropes to tie off the craft. Then they start to off load, crates and boxes. Soon three more figures come out and meet them. They seem to talk and then the two figures unite the ropes get in the craft and take off. Leaving the three base dwellers to carry the crates inside.
The craft was a spice smugglers one. The vase dwellers look like two village freman and an off worlder.
"Spice smugglers." commented Ghir to his friends, "I wouldn't be surprised if unofficially they work for the spacers guild. The good news is I very much doubt there's any Harkonens around if they operating. The bad news is we're walking into a den of smugglers, best stick close together eh?"
Watching the activity at the base camp, Borak nods in agreement with Ghir. Certainly, they were spice smugglers and selling the spice to someone, if not the guild, someone who employees them. Rolling his eyes at himself, anyone moving off-world has to 'employee' the spacers guild to do so. At least he'd not stated the obvious fact out loud.
Instead, he extends a hand to Kasit, offering to put up the binoculars and asks. "I agree we should stick together, but do we sneak in as close as possible. Or do we expose ourselves so they can see us from a distance?"
You see move movement this time its someone putting out off cone like devices, with some shock you see green in the center of them.
They seem to be gress or something like it.
2 neet little rows, then they head back in.
Seeing the three base dwellers begin to carry the crates into the buildings, Borak uses the binoculars again. Raising them to his face, he lowers them, blinks then raises them again; as if to make sure he was seeing what he was seeing.
Lowering the binoculars a second time, he adds, "The cone like devices, I think they have grass growing in them."
He looks towards the others, wondering what it may mean.
Ghir was confused and then incredulous, "Grass? What's that? Oh! Surely you can't mean offworlder plants... What?! Bringing something fragile like that to Arrakis seems like madness! Very expensive madness. I think we should watch carefully."
The morning passes and soon midday its, just before it dose, the same figure comes out and collects them, taking the cones back inside.
Soon its quiet again and the day wares on, you wait to see what happons like good freman.
Ad the afternoon wares on, you get the feeling of you are going to head in, now would be the best time before night.