My second PbP character
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A thousand pardons sahib!
Well, I was the first PbP character he had!
Hey, what are you two doing lurking around my thread?
Marwan leans into Shulim and whispers in his ear "There is more to this story than we are being told. The nephew is holding something back, as is Sulivar. Tread carefully."
Marwan stays silent, but his bright eyes scan Sulivar and his nephew intently.
Marwan perks up when he hears gems mentioned. "Master Milush, although I still think that we are being unfairly flayed of our profit, perhaps since the noble Sulivar is more familiar with the going prices in the port we should gracefully acceed." Marwan looks over at the merchant. "Perhaps you could elucidate what exactly would be entailed in retreiving these gems, noble host? As the Book of the Navigator says, 'Foolish is he that sails with half a map.'"
Marwan takes on an air of effronted dignity "Master Mulish, I would advise that we perhaps find another who could appreciate the fine silks you have brought. Clearly this offer is an insult to your intellegence! We know these silks are worth at least three times what he has offered you. To be offered such a paltry sum for such wonderful silks is ludicrous!"
"Nabil, ZimZaam, and Aliph assist me please, Marwan bows to Shulim "Of course effendi, your slightest whim is my bounded command" Marwan accompanies Shulim
Marwan keeps up his nonchalant inspection of the nearby stalls, but keeps an eye on the toughs summoned by the merchant.
Marwan assumes an air of a bored man at arms, idly inspecting the nearby stalls, meanwhile keeping an eye out for any familiar faces among the crowd. He tries to stay in the background as much as possible.
Marwan is enthralled by the sights and smells of the souk. He nods at Shulim's advice. "Indeed noble Milush, you are wise and canny both! Nabil al-Kerah will be at your side to help." Marwan whispers "Not TOO obvious, but there."
Marwan is distracted by a brightly-plumaged jungle bird that squawks by his head. Marwan nods at Fazaam's suggestion "Indeed noble Fazaam! Despite our momentary lack of funds I do not wish to start our expedition on the cheap. Come fellows! Najm favors the bold, and we are the boldest! I feel a fresh wind of Fortune filling the sails of our Fate!"
Marwan runs a hand over his brow and sighs "Thank the Navigator for favorable winds!" He mutters
Marwan winces at Shulim/Milush's tone. He addresses the stranger: "Truly noble one, we did try to assist, but the Winds of Fate blew against our sails and we were unable to catch the wily fugitive. I can see that you needed not our help in any case! We do humbly beg your forgiveness in not assisting you better."
Marwan looks at the scene in bemusement. "Truly the Navigator tests our skill with shifts of course and an inconstant wind."
Marwan nods to the group "Good suggestions all. I would also have us keep in mind exactly what Zerea picked up from the ruins on that island. There may be problems in Musushlat as we speak. We must be wary."
Marwan nods "I think anyone not a former crewmember should be our scout. I know several crewmembers I would not wish to run into on the streets."
Marwan sketches a bow to Vorond "Indeed it is always wise to have information of the shoals ahead of you in life's travels, as my friend Milush says. Does not The Book of the Navigator say: 'Plot your course through life with greatest care, and listen to the wisdom of your surroundings as well as your navigational charts'? Any news of interest would be appreciated, friend Vorond. Perhaps we can find a few coins to reward you for your time."
Marwan approaches the man genially "Good farmer Vorond! Thank you for your information. I am Nabil al-Kerah, a traveller in these parts and this is my companion Milush." Marwan gestures over to Shulim. "We and our companions were a bit off course, these jungle paths you know, but thankfully our destination is in sight! Praise The Navigator and his sea-drenched Father!" Calls to the others. "Fellows we are near. This fine farmer has set our feet on the proper path, may abundant crops spring forth from his plot as long at the Sun rises above the horizon!"
"Geez Marwan, mate, we've been off Morah's boat fer what? A few hours? You gots ta start passing yer self and learning ta live wit out da silk under yer feat and someone pealing da grapes fer ya." Marwan shudders "My good and noble Shulim, a day spent without the touch of silk or the taste of a grape peeled by a willing woman is a day of bleak prospects in my most humble of opinions."
Seeing the farmer, Marwan nods at the others. "I will go ahead and speak with this man fellows. Shulim would you like to assist me?" Marwan walks out of the jungle and slowly towards the farmer, his hands outstretched "Excuse me my good friend! I and my associates were heading to Musushlat! Perhaps you could tell me if we are heading the right way?"
Marwan smiles at the thought of civilization "Ah a well-cooked meal and a soft pillow to sit on. A nargeelah filled with good tobacco and a glass of date wine. By the Navigator's Compass I have missed the pleasures of civilization! Onward to Musushlat!"
Marwan emerges from the dim catacombs and inhales the muggy salt air. "Ahh, truly it is good to feel Krakis's Kiss on my face again!"
Marwan ponders Fazaam's request. He looks intently at the spikes "Hmm, let me examine it further noble Fazaam and I will try to discern its workings ...hmmmm"
Marwan shakes his head "It seems to me that we are flouting the will of the gods. How could Hettama not want us to take these items? To make it any plainer she'd have to come down in person and hand them to us. As the Book of the Navigator says: 'A wise man gathers the coconut on the sand before climbing up the palm.'"
"Indeed noble Shulim, it is time we set course for safer shores." Marwan heads out of the room after the others
Marwan lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding "By the grace of the Navigator, his Briny father and Hettama the Fiery!"
Marwan glances nervously at Fazaam as he grasps the items. The bell-like tone makes him twitch. He mumbles a quick prayer "By Naj ... errr ...by the grace of Hettama, noble goddess! be gentle with this most excellent elf!"
Marwan looks at Fudrick in distress. He goes over to put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps it was a more savage time when Siracus served Hettama, noble Fudrick. The gods change as people do, just over aeons rather than decades. Perhaps Hettama in her youth was more bloodthirsty that the peaceful goddess you worship today." Marwan looks at the items in the room. "Still it might be better if we didn't don the raiments of a sacrificing priest. Is there any way of divining if these items hold the taint of evil?"
Marwan addresses Fudrick. "Indeed Fudrick, I share your hesitation and that of Shulim as well. As the Book of the Navigator says, 'We mortals are all small fish in the vast ocean of the universe, unable to comprehend the vasty deeps.'" Marwan ponders a moment. "But think. We chase Temusa and whatever demon she invited onto the Sea Witch. They are travelling to a populated area with Ghari's sister in bondage. Perhaps you can pray to the exalted Hettama and ask if we are meant to take these items to prepare us for the battles ahead. Perhaps it is not Siracus." Marwan flashes a quick smile as he pronounces the name at Fazaam. "That these items await. Rather it is the new champion of Hettama, called upon to do battle with the supernatural evils these runes speak of."
Marwan squints at the Elven runes "Noble friends, I'm not sure if I am deciphering this correctly, but it seems that this chamber is dedicated to an Elvish priest of Hettama named ..." Marwan sounds out the runes. "Siracus or Shiracus can't quite make out the umlaut there." Marwan reads further "His followers pray he will one day return to rid the world of the night hag and her cold and twisted servants." Marwan pauses "This is beginning to sound very familiar, no?"
Ahh the summertime doldrums. Alack and alay I shall wait by the computer for my gaming friends to return :)
Just doing a bump (no dot on the chat thread)
Marwan squints at the hieroglyphs that decorate the room's walls. "This is an interesting chamber indeed! Hettama is a most puissant deity to have such a chamber of womders. Perhaps you are right, noble Fazaam, and the runes point to navigating through this danger. As the Book of the Navigator says, 'A wise captain knows how to read a chart correctly'."
Marwan shakes Shulim's hand "Indeed most noble Shulim, your dexterity is as an angel dancing on a grain of sand! A thousand praises to the Navigator that we are through that rocky shoal!" Marwan wipes the sweat off his brow and bows to Yrar. "After you most noble Yrar."
Marwan searches feverishly for the mechanism of the trap "Najm guide me through the shoals of ignorance to the port of knowledge!' He prays as his tools probe the workings of the door. "Shulim, my erudite friend perhaps your knowledge could be of assistance here. Have you ever seen something like this?" 5 Search rolls: 1d20+6=14, 1d20+6=16, 1d20+6=25, 1d20+6=23, 1d20+6=15
Marwan peers at the glowing door cautiously "Interesting. It seems to be recharging after trying to barbeque Fazaam. This could take some time to disarm."
After seeing Fazaam's misfortune, Marwan moves back from the chains "I can try to disable whatever this is, I just need some time."
Marwan takes a closer look at the silver chains. Intrigued by the construction he takes out a set of well-crafted picks and small tools wrapped in a well-oiled leather roll-up case and begins tinkering with the device. Disable Device: 1d20+10=28, Search: 1d20+6=22
Marwan spots the holes by the door "By the Sextant of Fate this looks interesting!" Marwan inspects the silver chain and the holes
Marwan looks at Fazaam after a muttered conversation with his scholarly diminutive friends. "It seems my good friend Fazaam, that these pictograms depict an ancient sun-worshipping ceremony. Shulim has suggested perhaps the angularity of the humanoid figures here," points "Would suggest the beings depicted as elves. Whatever it portends, the carvings are extremely ancient." Marwan continues to study the wall as well as check the area for any irregularities.
Marwan descends the srairs gingerly, feeling his way and allowing his eyes to adjust to the gloom. "Allow me to check for any surprises my friends!" Marwan begins to look about for any traps or irregularities in the area. He also examines the carvings on the wall Spot: 1d20+2=5, Decipher Script: 1d20+4=16, Search: 1d20+6=22
Marwan peers down the hole over Shulim's head "Do you need us down there?"
Marwan fidgets. "I think that Najm has steered our course to this place. Who are we to second guess His motives? Perhaps there will be something inside that will allow us to combat the Witch more effectively."
Marwan looks down the descending stairs "By the Navigator's Compass! A hidden ruin!"
Marwan attempts to move to the spider through the thick underbrush.
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