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Yin Hu nods sagely, with a subvocalized chuckle. "Thank you. Here, let me give you something before you head on out. Maw"ud, you have access to Ramakhet's palace on the island of Okeno. You, great gnoll, would probably find this axe of use." She pulls out a pair of slippers. "You, dear cat, your people are not yet lost, and Ramakhet still considers you too far beneath him to bother to exact revenge. Take these, you will find them useful at just the right time." "And you, little one," she continues, turning to Javi, "you have the wrist sheaths, but you'll have to keep a close eye on things. This should come in handy." She approaches Panchatantra. "And you, storyteller, you will need to learn much in the coming days. This book will contain secrets which will reveal themselves to you, over time. Keep it safe." "Now, out! All of you! There is a world to save!" She turns back to tend to her stall. She stops to look at her assistant. "You, too. Go!" She points at the calendar stone. "Look at the time! Your six months are over, you are free to go. And, from one survivalist to another, keep this close. Now off with you!"
"No... it can't." "But neither can it be simply destroyed. Destroy the bottle, and the army goes free. No, it is vital that the bottle still exist, for it can hold all the fiends and their allies. And should they be freed, they can be captured again. I have been around long enough to know that this sort of thing cannot hide forever... It must eventually be found... compromised by those who would sow chaos and destruction. It is not in the bottle's discovery that we are doomed. We will only suffer if we do not act to retrieve it." Yin Hu then turns to Panchatantra. "So yes, I am here to arrange for the recapture of the bottle when it falls into the wrong hands, among other things. As for my role in the war? Clever you are. That is a very good question with a very interesting answer! The price for that story is five teeth from Rovagug's maw." "The question remains... will you retrieve the bottle? Find any escaped monsters? Return them to their prison?"
Maw'ud:
Yes, it is a masterwork falchion. "Then listen, and listen carefully. A long time ago, in a desert far from here, the gods went to war. It was not a battle of good versus evil, or law versus chaos, but of the entirety of existence, or its destruction. In the plains of Gormuz, armies of angels and men and devils and genies--even armies of gods--all stood against the combined forces of horrors that could make even the foulest demon recoil. They stood strong against one who would have consumed... everything." "Well... I could tell stories about the war, but you know what happened. We won. Gormuz is a foul pit and prison. Ninshabur is corrupted, but it is a small price to pay to keep the stars and sands and oceans and... well, you get the picture. But what you may not know is that evil thought it would be a good time to strike, just after the war and the Rough Beast was defeated. Demons and devils and evil genies and other, more bizarre forces struck against the forces of good and justice. Yet you see, life and kindness may be gentle, but they are not stupid. Good was prepared." "Their greatest diviners hunted the celestial halls, the libraries of the Boneyard, teased forth the secrets from the darkest recesses of the Abyss. Holy watchers, with eyes more precise than an eagle's, combed through the sands of all the deserts, searching and choosing only the most pure and perfect grains from billions. The most devout craftsmen labored tirelessly by forges heated by the sacred radiance of the purest hearts, melting the grains into the finest glass. In this way, they created the perfect vessel." "Then, as the hordes of carnage bore down on the weakened forces of light, they gave the vessel to a blind orphan boy. Unable to see the horror advance upon his position, he remained calm as he held the vessel aloft. The diviners approached him and recited to him a long, long list to speak, and speak these words, he did." "The words were the true names of every individual soldier in that vile army. And with every name spoken, each dark myrmidon in turn was summoned, pulled into the vessel. As the very last blackened soul was entombed, the vessel was stoppered, and the army was no more." Yin Hu's voice wavers, with something approximating fear. "The bottle, that is the vessel. Each nacreous, sparkling grain you saw inside is a loathsome fiend. And Ramakhet... You, storyteller, you arrived sixth to repay the stranger's debt. Ramakhet arrived first. He bartered with me for a very long time, to receive a gift. It cost him dearly--his station in Osirion's court, his true love, his ability to feel satisfaction in his life. And yet, in return, he received a terrible gift... the ability to free outsider servants from their fetters."
Handing the falchion to Maw"ud, the nobleman turns to Delahmbra and smiles warmly, no hint of malice in return. "I have many people who serve me. Many, many indeed!" He rubs his thumb along the neck of the bottle. "Perhaps you should come, and see them, for yourself! There are catfolk among them, yes, as well as a large lizard-man servant, a scaled beauty with a poisonous kiss, an exotic elf-golem from the frozen wastes of Avistan, and many more! Why not come, and see for yourself! Maw"ud, please, feel free to relax, enjoy the market for all you have done this day. I shall take my prize home, and you can meet up with me there." He turns to look at Panchatantra, his hand at the tent flap. "You may follow, storyteller, but be warned, I travel quickly! Be swift, or you shall not be able to even find the dust of my passage!" The nobleman steps out of the tent. Yin Hu lets out a bark like an angry dog. "Shaggar you are called, yes? You should join up with the storyteller and those traveling with him. You will find them worthy pack mates, even the little one. You can be swift and follow Ramakhet, that noble, but Maw"ud will know where to find him if you are not. For if you stay, I will tell you, I will tell you all, what that bottle holds, and why you have been brought together."
Yin Hu shrugs toward Shaggar. "Pact mates, perhaps?" She turns to Maw"ud and hands the bottle to him. "We have a deal. You would not like the bottle empty, anyway." Stepping into Yin Hu's tent, almost as if in response to the passing of the bottle, a tall and imposing man, every bit the picture of an Osiriani noble, strides forth. His skin is deep bronze, and he carries the scepter of an asp. His clothing is of the cleanest white, the trim a true golden, and the azure of his headdress can only be lapis lazuli. The faint aroma of myrrh and mushrooms follows with him. Yin Hu lets out a mild growl as he approaches. The noble does not respond in the slightest. "Ah, Maw"ud! My good fellow," he speaks joyfully. "I see that you have met your goal with success! You are truly commendable. Isn't that pretty, the bottle? How the light catches the pearl sands inside? Now then..." The noble casts his eyes around the tent, knowing just what to look for. He moves a rusty shield aside, revealing a damascene falchion. "There we are! A suitable trophy for one as worthy as yourself. Yin Hu, I will accept this as suitable recompense for our earlier agreement." "So be it," she intones, an undercurrent of wariness beneath it. "Excellent! Now then, Maw"ud, what do you think? Look at the craftsmanship of this blade! I offer this falchion to you. A reward for services rendered, for bringing me the bottle. I knew I could trust you!" Maw'ud: This is Ramakhet, the Osiriani noble.
Returning his attention to the exotic seller, Maw"ud continues, "Honored lady, I am more than a little surprised. I was tasked by my master to ask for a certain bottle. I was not tasked with making empty promises. If you care to explain your meaning, perhaps you would find me amenable to exceeding my authority." With a sarcastic, false obsequiousness, she replies, "I am but a simple peddler, Sayyid. I buy and sell the things I find in this store. I can only sell to the people who are here, before me. If you buy this bottle, it will be yours to do with as you wish. Turn around, sell it yourself, that is your business. If your master wished to buy the bottle from me directly, he would be here, himself, not you. Perhaps he fears what I would ask of him." Addressing the group at large, she adds, "But I like this group before me. I am giving you all the most amazing deals. I ask nothing of any of you that you will not find possible to fulfill. In fact, you will all find that the prices you pay result in grand benefits! For example, you, little one, you want to see something completely new? Stay with the storyteller. Do this, and you will see and witness things you never thought possible. And for you, Sayyid, filling this bottle is very easy when you can see that it is already filled!" She holds out the bottle for Maw"ud to inspect. The blues and golds and iridescence of the glass makes it hard to view its contents, but it appears to be filled with shimmering sand. And yet, the grains yet appear suspended somehow, as if the gods took wisps of smoke, turned them to pearls, ground them to dust, and filled the bottle with that. It is a curious bottle indeed.
Shaggar:
True, for the most part. Keep in mind the law of Katapesh: "Do what you will, but do not interfere with trade." That's the entirety of the law. The Duskwalkers can get away with a lot and still not officially be a "criminal" organization. The big thing is to make sure that the trade flows smoothly in the Nightstalls. You've got a lot of leeway here. Yin Hu emits a guttural growl toward Delahmbra. "No refunds!" Calming down a moment. she adds, "What I gave you will prove to be of excellent value." "As for you," she adds, turning to Maw"ud, "The price for this bottle is simple, Sayyid. It is yours, if you promise to fill it." Without skipping a beat, she gestured toward Javi and continues with, "I can provide proof of your innocence if you like, but perhaps you would be interested in these..." She lifts a damask cloth from a small display case. Inside, on a satin cushion, are a pair of small wrist sheaths. Spring-loaded wrist sheaths.
Yin Hu accepts the bottle. She looks to Delahmbra and responds, "I fortunately heard of a tribe of catfolk falling prey to slavers not long ago. They live still, but they are not here. Despite the countless forms of flesh that pass through the Nightstalls, this is not the largest slave market around. That, precious dear, would be on the island of Okeno. Indeed, they are now in the service of someone very close. In fact, I expect it to be the very next person to step into this tent." A glance to the tent's entry... reveals nothing. No one enters on cue. Turning to Panchatantra, the shopkeeper adds, "Now, yes, to follow the bottle means to follow me, while I own it, but I do not suspect I will be its owner for long." Gazing at Maw"ud, she adds, "Will I?"
The shopkeeper lets out a cackle. "I've been asked if I was far worse. You flatter me." She then turns to Delahmbra. "I can give you the knowledge you seek. Your tribe, where they are, how to find them. The price? You should find it perfectly reasonable. Your price is that bottle you found. Kitchikez, bring it here if he agrees."
Shaggar:
You have that right, brass is a great metal for many applications, but holding an edge is not one of them. A brass weapon--especially a brass sword--would be rather poor indeed. The old woman looks at the gnoll. "You want him to talk, then, is that it? So much silence around here. You'd think there was a funeral." When Panchatantra speaks, however, her voice takes on a much happier tone. "Ah, finally, some communication! Yes, indeed, there is a story that will pay off his debt. Long ago, he came into my stall. He stared at my wares. That calendar stone, in the back? He wished for it, but refused my price. This golden kris? He yearned for its possession, but would not do as I asked. The rug you stand upon? He would have moved heaven and earth to claim it for his very own... and yet found he would not lift a finger in my direction. No, he decided that what he wished for, more than anything, was the power to see the future. And for this, he was willing to pay the price. And once he accepted the gift, he recognize what the price was, and wept. Oh, how he wailed! He wandered as a beggar for seven years, lamentations his sole company." She pauses a moment before adding, "Quite annoying, actually. He'd have been far better off if he had just stuck to his end of the bargain. But, he's the one who sees the future, he must have known he'd have been useless for the next seven years. But his price? He was to find and send seven people to me, and for each a task would be set, and to each a fortune would be granted. And, you, you poor benighted soul, will be the sixth." Yin Hu leans backwards, lowering into a divan with far more grace than one might expect. "But what does this mean for you? What indeed? You must follow an object. It has a story to tell. Thousands of stories. And someone must learn them. That will be your task." She scans the room, making a show as if her choice is random. She then points a gloved hand toward Delahmbra. "There. The catfolk carries a bottle. Follow the bottle, learn its stories. Do this, and greatness will be yours."
"That was by Ninshabur," a voice creaking with more age than ancient Osiriani tombs calls out. "Although I don't keep it in a bottomless well. The well by Ninshabur leads to only one place, and that place is very forlorn indeed." The soft staccato of a cane tapping the dusty ground calls out to announce the coming of the proprietress. Stooped over, holding a bamboo stick carved in myriad arcane symbols, and wearing an ultramarine burqa embroidered in gold with invocations of peace in a dozen scripts, the diverse assembly in her tent might not see her eyes, yet nonetheless feel her gaze. Outside the tent, Shaggar notes a scent. He notes that it was on Tawid's tent, and that it now leads into the tent at the end of the alleyway. He leaves the scene, Tawid blubbering inpotently, lowering his falchion. "Uh... Yes, very good, I would not want to reveal my skills as a master swordsman to a peasant thief!" Following the scent, Shaggar enters the tent, realizing that the smell comes from the fig-seller standing inside. Yet this little man is clearly not laden with brass. Maw"ud similarly notes that the catfolk fled into the tent as well, and follows. "Now then," the enigmatic Yin Hu proclaims, "You are here because you want something. Something to buy, something to sell. You are here to browse? Come, look and see. You want a weapon? It is here. Some perfume? Makes a nice gift for your woman. Or maybe you want a woman to love you? So? Tell me. Or maybe I pick something for you, huh?"
Agreed, those extra links were awesome! Thank you! They're part of my style--I like adding music, pictures, and other media to help flesh out the world. Feel free to do the same! Choose theme music for yourselves, post stuff you find, or even just post whatever you like in the OOC thread for enjoyment. I'll work on moving things forward shortly...
Shadows grow long as the blazing sun sets over the western mountains. Darkness descends on the tents and caravans of the Lower City of Katapesh. One small figure perched above a sea of canopies watches intently, looking for one stall in particular--a place that promises the possibility of buying anything. Yet peel back that layer of canvas, I say, and all about is activity! Because here is Katapesh, and here, commerce is everything. The open-air souk brims with shopkeepers, stalls selling all manner of wares--food, tools, weapons, even the occasional slave can be found here. And there! Even the feral and bestial gnolls come here not to fight, but to barter, and in the case of one Shaggar, to watch and protect. "Kitchikez, night has fallen. Open the tent. Wide, tonight. Others must see who we are, tonight. It is written in the stars." It is spoken by the mysterious Yin Hu, a frail old woman. Some say she is a gnoll, others an angel, others a demon. No one is sure what she is, but those that know her know that she can offer the best deals in all Katapesh, if you are not afraid of a little hard work. Yin Hu, swathed in dark fabric from head to toe, shuffles about the tent, arranging various bottles, pans, braziers, silks, cabinets, far more items than one might think she has the ability to watch. A small distance away, there is a storyteller, Panchatantra. He has ducked into the tent of a brass-seller, a scrawny yet hungry fellow named Tawid. He examines a lamp, remembering stories of all manner of beings to be found in one. He rubs it for luck? For the hope of the story? Tawid calls back, "Careful!" And thus, as if summoned by the lamp, our perched figure from the beginning, a young halfling named Javi, loses his footing and snags the tent canvas, tumbling to the ground and taking half of the brass-seller's tent with him. To the deafening clatter of falling plates, ewers, lamps, idols, and trays, Tawid bellows, "Ah! Thief! Thief!" swimming through the fabric to pick up a brass falchion. The cry for alarm and the sudden brass cacophony startle a hungry, forlorn catfolk named Delahmbra, who loses step with the merchant's throng. His pack shifts, and out pops a beautiful ornate bottle, rolling forward, still intact thankfully, but threatened by a hundred customers traveling in every direction. This does not go unnoticed by one passerby, a human named Maw'ud, desperately seeking Yin Hu for this bottle. Could it be? Would it be in the hands of a nomadic catfolk, and not held by someone of greater stature? And this is when the ratfolk Kitchikez throws back Yin Hu's tent flap, down a tapestry-seller's alleyway, noticed immediately by those people I have named. For it is destiny that has brought these disparate people together, and you shall see how great that destiny is...
Working on the post... but I might end up falling asleep before I post it. So here's an opening act.
Long distance is whatever makes sense for the story. In a dungeon, there is (almost) no long distance. It could be miles in the distance, it could be across to the other side of the battlefield. Since I'm not going to always have battle maps, a specific measurement is not going to be so helpful. I'll get the game started this weekend; I'm running around quite a bit right now, so it might not yet be today. I'll have final questions on PCs posted, but I won't let it stop the action.
Kitchikez:
No, I mean hiding caravans or tents, as in concealing small structures. Yin Hu moves around a lot and you've learned how to take down our pt up a tent without anyone noticing. And yeah, I liked your applications, you stayed the whole way, you can pick up healing that works, and I thought, these guys cover all the bases just tightly. Also, I have to think for a bit about the spring loaded wrist sheath... It's quick draw for some light weapons, not sure about all the consequences yet.
All right, here are the choices! You made it tough, and I kept going back and forth between different characters. The party will be: Shaggar Shaggar's Trait: Nightstall Enforcer:
The sinister Nightstalls are considered lawless by many, but in truth, they are as legal as the local baker. They too receive protection, if in a rougher form. The enforcers, members of a group called the Dusk, are known by reputation.
Shaggar receives +2 trait bonuses to Diplomacy and Intimidate checks when speaking with shopkeepers and patrons in the Nightstalls. Shaggar is also automatically successful at detecting hidden messages in Bluffs between Nightstall shopkeepers and patrons. Javi the Wasp Javi's Trait: Touched by Fate:
For reasons beyond the understanding of mortal men, there is reason for you to be here, at this place, at this time. Fate smiles on you.
Javi receives a +1 trait bonus to Will saves and Sleight of Hand checks. Maw"ud alWawi Maw'ud's Trait: Agent of Ramakhet:
The bitter nobleman who took you in is Ramakhet, claiming kinship to an ancient lineage in Osirion. He has entrusted Maw"ud with a task: seek out Yin Hu in the Nightstalls, and ask her for a certain special bottle. She will know which bottle it must be.
Ramakhet provides Maw"ud with four Potions of Cure Light Wounds, a Potion of Heroism, and promises further riches upon completion of the task. Kitchikez Kitchikez's Trait: In the Employ of Yin Hu:
Yin Hu found you recently, and made a quick bargain with you: she will feed and protect you, for your service of six months. In the time past, you have learned how to be a nomad among the hustle and bustle of the city, and of how to be ready to sell or move at a moment's notice.
Kitchikez receives a free skill rank each in Sense Motive and Appraise. He also receives a +2 Stealth or Bluff bonus for hiding caravans and tents, and a +1 Stealth bonus for hiding in crowds. Delahmbra Praxios Delahmbra's Trait: Desert Explorer:
You have searched high and low for your kin, and have found your way into hidden places throughout the desert during your searches. Running low on funds, you think that this pretty bottle you found out in the desert might fetch a nice price, and you have heard the name of a person who will give you an honest value for it: Yin Hu.
Delahmbra starts play with an ornate bottle found in a small chamber out in the desert--he forgets where. He also gains a free rank in Survival, Survival is a class skill for him, and he may have a total number of ranks in Survival equal to one greater than his character level. He gains a +1 bonus to Perception checks for spotting things in the distance. Panchatantra Sandhi Panchatantra's Trait: Paying A Debt:
You know to seek out Yin Hu. You have stories to bring her, services to perform... remittance to receive. A strange man with a strange pipe has dispatched you, and wishes for you to hear a story from her. He says that the story will free him from what he must do for Yin Hu.
From the stories to hear and tell, Panchatantra receives a free rank in each of Knowledge(History) and Knowledge(Planes), and a +1 trait bonus to both skills. He receives a +1 trait bonus to the DC for attempts to Fascinate. Thank you, everyone for your interest! I'll start a Discussion for the PCs so that we can make sure everything is in order for the characters.
Going through the apps: lifeisaparody: Sorry to lose you, great to hear from you! Rowan Keeganson: Got enough to work with, here. No CMB, no equipment, but that's easily fixable. Jericho Fiendaxe: Looks good, but the background needs a few tweaks to put you in Katapesh instead of the Shackles. Mindy Panotti: Missing equipment, but the basics are there. Kitchikez: I like what I see so far! Flesh it out. Delphina: Looking good. I'd like to see her as a human, but there's nothing that looks to be a problem otherwise. Shaggar: Complete application, Terrific, no questions! Monty Hail: Also complete, no questions! Maw'ud alWawi: Missing equipment, animal companion, and background/appearance. Looks quite interesting so far! Javi the Wasp: No problem on refluffing the ninja, it will work just fine. Still needs equipment. AdamWarnock: The Luca Shatterstone format will work. Delahmbra Praxios: Looks complete, nothing bothering me. Panchatantra Sandhi: Beautiful story! Beautiful! Looking forward to the crunch. Za'to Lago: Background and base crunch are good, finish it out. A lot of good, strong applications! I'll keep things open until Wednesday, 6PM EST.
Regarding races and extra feats, etc. for everyone: I've mentioned what I'm looking for above. I've given a race list, and asked for PRD besides. If you want to add to it, it'll be easiest if it's small, straightforward, in theme for Arabian Nights, and available via d20PFSRD. So, that's why I'm willing to say yes to the blackened curse and no to the periblooded aasimar. I'm not sure what to think about the dhampir, but if there's a good way to make it Arabian Nights themed, I'll think about it. Right now, I'm inclined to say no. Also, remember that you're trying to get chosen over other possible characters. The easier it is for me, the easier it is for me to pick you. I'll be reviewing and asking questions of PCs during the week next week.
Everyone: On formatting: although I find the stat block presentation useful for an NPC or monster, I find it less valuable for a PC. I like being able to trace how the character was built--especially with a spelling out of where all the bonuses come from. It's a bit more work in putting together, but it's very convenient for review, whenever you gain a level, and when certain conditions apply--you can tell at a glance what needs adding or subtracting. I'll post a sample character to show you my preferred layout.
Aasimars are allowed? I assumed only the races you listed were allowed. I didn't say aasimars are allowed. I've just been presented with an aasimar as a possible PC. DaWay, I would prefer a human. Also, just to let you (and everyone else) know, the blackened curse isn't in the PRD. It's in the d20PFSRD and it's straightforward, so I'll allow it, but I did stipulate PRD.
Okay, so here's who we have so far: DaWay: Delphina, Aasimar Flame Oracle
Also showing interest:
I'll start reviewing and answer questions. Don't worry, applications will be open at least through the weekend, plenty of time to get your concept together!
PbP game, right here, starting at first level. Posting once a day. My style is cinematic and RP-heavy, even in the midst of combat. I will endeavor to provide combat maps, but cannot always promise them. So combats will be a bit more on style than substance. I like to vary the challenges in many different ways, with chases, combats, skill challenges, tough choices, anything that gets the blood pumping. As far as style, in this case, I'll be going for an Arabian Nights feel (as the title suggests). I'm also a big believer that heroes are made from the choices they make, not necessarily from the outcome of those choices. Although I'm not restricting alignment, I'm looking for PCs who are ready to be heroes. Hope this helps!
Hidden among the back alleys and tent stalls of Katapesh, there are tales of one Yin Hu. Precious few ever see Yin Hu coming or going, and her stall often moves throughout the bazaar. She is small--many say she must be some kind of gnome, although others describe her as looking like a stunted gnoll. They rarely describe her as that twice. Most of the time, however, she keeps herself tightly cloaked, looking like some kind of hunchback. And yet, the various descriptions of her appearance, and the inconstancy of where her shop is located, increase the allure of her destination. Yet even though this is enough for the seasoned adventurer or dealer in chance, it is not all that make her sought out by noble and commoner alike. She is reputed to have some of the best deals in all of Golarion. This is because although she will accept coin, she prefers to deal in action. If you find something you like in Yin Hu's stall, and you haggle, she is likely to make you an astounding offer for merely a pittance! But for every deal, there is an action. She will require that some service be performed. Some of them are small, such as buying meals for the next ten beggars you meet, and some are great, such as slaying a local group of cultists to Rovagug. What will she offer? No one knows. Character Generation: Ability scores: 20 point buy. Race: Human, gnome, halfling, suli, gnoll, catfolk, ratfolk. For the gnoll, we will use John Mangrum's version. Note that they get -2 Int, NOT -2 Cha. The catfolk and ratfolk are rare, but present. If you must try a different race, I'll listen, but don't think that this means you can let in anything. Class: anything from the PRD will be considered. Equipment: average starting. Languages: "Common" in this case, will be Osiriani. Kelesh, Vudrani, and Polyglot will also be human languages of importance. Traits: Choose 2 traits from different categories. I will give the chosen players a third campaign trait, based on how they will fit with the campaign start. Basic background: The adventure will begin in and around the wandering stall of the eccentric Yin Hu, purveyor of odds, ends, antiques, trifles, and if the rumors are correct, services that seem to be impossible. Questions, hopes, characters? |
