"I rely on you all to get us through the jungle. Quickly what do we need to buy? food? drink? trinkets for the monkey goblins? . . . ."
At the mere mention of monkey goblins, Skittle becomes enraged, spitting and standing up to his full, modest, height, the gnome sputters and yells, "Trinkets?!? Trinket?!? The only trinket I have for any of those savage little beasts is cold steel!"
I can name a few places where we can stay quite safely for a night. If you guys don't mind going into the lesser parts of the city. I spent my youth there and most of that without a permanent place to stay. the young Rogue slyly suggests.
"Its fine by me. Thank you Lotus."
"GAAAAHHHHHHHH," skittle screams as he draws his short sword, turns from Bedu and starts hacking apart a wooden crate that is lying in the alley with some other refuse. All the while, he mutters to himself rather loudly, and although it's largely unintelligible, the others can make out the words monkey, goblin, jungle, and family scattered throughout. After a few minutes, when the crate is reduced to splinters, the gnome collapses amid the mess. He drops his sword and punches the ground a couple of times before he finely stops. After a few seconds, he picks up his sword, stands, and resheathes it, looks at the others and says, with a shrug, "Okay, let's go."
Indo wipes his blade before returning it to its simple scabbard.
I agree..we cannot stay any where we might be expected. A flop for the night, and then into the jungle.
Eyeing the Legionaire gear, he chews his lip before saying, It is a dangerous business to even consider. But if we hide these things, they may prove useful to us later. Perhaps we should consider a way to transport such things?
"these may be our way to gain re-entry back within these walls, I had a hovel out in the jungle, I would like to go back "At any rate we should start moving"
With everybody ready to go, and the hobgoblins stripped of their belongings, Lotus leads the party into the slums. There she finds a miserable looking boarding house named "Goblin's Tail" and leads them inside. A quick word and some coins to the owner secures them two rooms to bed down in. This will have to do for tonight. After that we need to slip out through one of the gates and into the jungle. There Hammurabi will have to take the lead.
"What do we need to buy? Remember I am not a wealthy dwarf of business anymore?" Bedu finds a corner of floor and begins to brush it clean with a hand.
"200 Ranis...if I ever meet with that beggar's spit Tanish. He will pay. Doesn't he know I am a dwarf?"
Then Bedu goes to sleep muttering, "perhaps some morsel of help for our journey will fly to me on the wings of dreams and sleep."
Don't we have enough money left over from the catacombs? I think I have some money left for supplies, but I don't know what we'll be needing.
Your night at the Goblin's Tail passes uneventfully, and while Cerulean Sisters and Crimson Legionnaires featured prominently, they were fortunately only in your dreams. Samir's map shows the way to a hidden valley deep within the Viridian Jungle, but you estimate the journey shouldn't take more than a couple of days.
"I was out in the jungle, following up on some leads, looking for a new score. And I found it! I stumbled on this hidden valley, with a tomb inside. Old tomb, really ancient. Two god-kings, brothers, Takshak and Haatim the Cinderborn. Legendary. But someone else was already there, excavating the tombs. Jungle tribes, using slave labor. I managed to get in, see the place, even found a few choice artifacts. Getting out was the problem. They saw me, and attacked, and I was damn near burned to a cinder. Jumped into the river, swam downstream, made my way back here." Samir smiles. "But I made a map."
"If you're looking for whoever is responsible for the burnings, you'll find him at the tombs."
Looking back through the items you found in Samir's sanctum, you notice the book found in his bedchamber. Finally taking a look, you realize it records the history of the god-kings Takshak and Haatim the Cinderborn. Perhaps it might be useful once you reach the tomb.
RPG Superstar 2013
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Sorry. I took a new job and have been busy studying for licensing and such. I have been paying attention, but didn't have time to post unless it was pretty important. I should be doing better now.
I'll try to make a list of things Indo wants to buy, but I don't think it'll be much. I'll review his funds and see if there's something to splurge on.
Should we pitch in for a bag of holding if we can find one? That way we can load up on fresh water and such, just in case.
Should we pitch in for a bag of holding if we can find one? That way we can load up on fresh water and such, just in case.
Bedu wakes refreshed and ready for breakfast.
"I have 8 worn coppers to my name. How much wealth can we put together before we start spending it?"
The dwarf pulls out the thin pouch for all to see. "Maybe there is a caravan we could join that travels towards Samirs valley."
"Perhaps we must sell the legionaires gear to help pay for some of the things we need. Lotus, does your fence take such items? I look to you, Indo, and you, Skittle, to get us to the valley."
I'm sure I could move this stuff through him. Though I don't know if I can get top price for it on such short notice. I'll see what I can do. After that she takes out her money pouch and counts out her money to add to the pile. I come to 12 gold rani, 13 silvers and 8 coppers.
If we're pooling gold for supplies, I have a little over a G. But as the ancestors say, still-living-ness is next to godliness...
"We should travel at night, things are less likely to find unaware, as the beasts become active at night in the jungle"
Alright, so we travel at night. We'll need some sort of illumination then, cos I don't see to well in the dark.
Bedu wait for the answers he seeks....
"I knew a safe path that the Charlatan's kept to escape into the jungle, we may be able to use it to get to where we need to go, Its called the Yellowed Path, named for the pilgramage we make once a year and the amount of yellow robes on the trail"
Indo tries to help Hammurabi plan a route through the jungle, but after sharing some information with him, says This is not a place I have been to, my new friend. It seems that much past the Serpent Vineyard, our fate is in your hands.
The big tribesman surveys the small bits of gear before him and determines what will help his friends survive in the jungle.
In the morning, you follow Hammurabi's "Yellowed Path," taking the secret route out of Muiu Thral and avoiding the crowded gates where guards check the papers of anyone entering or leaving the city. After passing through the narrow fields surrounding the city, the green wall of the Viridian Jungle looms before you. While the tall trees might offer you shade from the burning sun, they also block any cooling breezes, and the air is thick and close as the boughs close above you. Soon, you are deep in a world of dark green shadows and strange noises (especially to those of you from the city). Looking at Samir's map, you try to find the best route to his "hidden valley."
Lotus keeps the party on course, with that effort however she forgets to take care of herself in the heat of the jungle. She stops to drink a bit of luke warm water from her skin.
DC 15 Survival check to stay on course (1d20-1=16)
DC 15 Survival Check for heat (1d20-1=0)
DC 15 Fort save for heat (+3 normal, -4 for armor) (1d20-1=11)
Bedu is quiet and miserable all day. The armour makes his face flushed and neck brick red.
The going is hot and uncomfortable, but relatively uneventful as you make your way deeper into the jungle. Fortunately, Lotus seems to be keeping the group on course with Samir's map. The day gradually draws to a close, but the uncomfortable humidity remains. Perhaps it's time to find a good place to camp for the night.
Hammurabi wipes the sweat from his brow, "Ah to be home again" he sighs as he swats the insects from his tender skin.
Survival 18 fort 12(14), 5(7).
Lotus becomes clearly affected by the heat of the jungle as the day proceeds. We gotta stop some time soon. I can't seem to handle this heat at all.
DC 15 Fort save for heat (+3 normal, -4 for armor) (1d20-1=11)
Bedu also takes his armour off. "By the Seven Giant Sandals that have walked across my body this armour is burning me up. Monkey goblins or no, I need to find somewhere cool and rest."
"After we have eaten, of course."
"Really?" Liet asks as he pauses at the front of the column to look back at his weary companions. He inhales a deep breath to catch all the amazing scents of the jungle. "I find this invigorating!" he announces, "It's like I could go on forever. Clearly, the god-kings favor our journey."
He hoists his pack into a more comfortable position and peers more deeply into the jungle vegetation while everyone takes a break. It's almost as if he expects to catch sight of some rare bird or plant he can draw and and document in the journal he purchased before leaving town. Disappointed that nothing immediately interesting appears, he finally looks once more to his companions.
"You know," he offers, "Faith in the god-kings can provide a great many boons. For instance..."
He steps closer to Bedu.
"...with but a touch..."
Liet places his hand on the dwarf's shoulder and a calming sensation sweeps through him.
"...the god-kings can refresh our minds and bodies," the priest explains, "And thereby prepare us to do greater things than we ever imagined we could achieve on our own."
He smiles encouragingly. "Better...?" he asks.
Provided the others are amenable to the blessings of the god-kings, Liet continues to offer his calming touch to help everyone recover from their exertions.
"So..." he finally looks around, "What's for dinner? I'm starving..."
"You know, this whole camping outdoors thing is a lot more fun than I ever knew..."
A small jungle clearing seems as good a place as any to make camp. When you stop, Liet's ministrations provide welcome relief from the day's journey and oppressive heat. A little while later, you are able to your ease with fresh water and bland but filling rations. The smoke from a small fire helps to keep the insects (mostly) away, as the jungle's night chorus begins warming up.
Bedu places a large rolled blanket down and sits upon it gently with a large smile, the meal finished.
"Liet, I may not have said it often enough before, but you and your healing touch is like the sweet kisses of the harem on the first night. Gentle and generous and very welcome."
"So we have not seen any monkey goblins. Perhaps our large numbers keeps us safe and sound? Should we keep watches this night? I mean it is not beyond the bounds of possibilities that someone may visit us in the night, is it? Perhaps a certain Cerulean Sister knows where we head and is on our trail."
"The wisest course is for us to adopt some precautions against the jungle and our adversaries, yes? How about myself and Skittle first, then Indo and Lotus with finally Hammarubi and Liet greeting the dawn?"
"Indo, I have been meaning to ask if you would mind wearing or bringing some magical protection over yourself at the beginning of a fight. Liet and I were kept busy healing you against the guards and undead before. It seems that you attract wounds like flies on a piece of melon. Well can you preserve your skin better? Has Hammarubi or anyone another suggestion to help keep our warriors in one piece when the goblins start dropping out of the trees covered in daggers and clubs and axes."
Bedu listens to the growing cacophony of insects and birds, the whooping of whoever and the cackling of its neighbour and he decides to put his armour back on.
"I'm quite happy to provide what help I can, Bedu...but those blessings truly emanate from the god-kings," Liet responds, "And it's always good to have them on your side."
He takes another bite of his rations and washes it down with the water summoned to fill his flask again.
"Unfortunately, Iskandria suffers needlessly under the harsh hands of the Cerulean Sisterhood and the Rani," he courageously continues now that they're out of the city and away from eavesdroppers, "It's common knowledge Sephrilara usurped our priesthood's guidance and governance of the people. And in its place, she's installed a mockery of justice and a culture of intolerance."
"I served for a time in her bureaucracy, you know?" he confides to everyone as they're gathered around the fire, "A good scribe is valuable no matter how he learns the trade. I had hoped to work from within...to provide the blessings and teachings of the god-kings through my actions and words regardless of those above me...but it was all for naught. The flaws within the system imposed by the Rani are too large and too numerous. Corruption and cruelty exist at every turn. Her hobgoblins and sorcerous sisterhood stand ready to lash out at anyone suspected of undermining her rule. And they seize upon everything good which others take the time and patience to build, claiming it to satiate their own greed for power."
"I would see them gone someday," he admits, "I'm tired of living in fear and pretending I don't. Sephrilara may have slain Zbad VII, but the god-kings still favor their devoted followers...and I am one of them. It's my hope this journey we undertake may lead to enough riches and lore of the god-kings to inspire something better. And, of course, hopefully it also has the immediate benefit of solving this mystery of burnings and immolations throughout the city, too."
He nods towards Indo in agreement with Bedu's suggestions that the arcane warrior protect himself better. "We're not without our own resources," he says, "All of us. Working together, I mean. I sense there's much we could accomplish...if we applied the right leverage to any problems that come our way. We all just have to search ourselves. Figure out what we can bring to the table. And then, once we're all in agreement on what needs doing...we all pull together in that one direction. Like a focused...punch!"
He emphasizes his point by throwing a fist outward to bring down an imaginary foe.
"Bedu's right, Indo," he goes on, "Use your magic when you can to armor yourself better against your enemies. And maybe I can find a way to be a little more attentive in battle...rather than waiting until the fighting's done and just looking to help the injured."
Lotus refreshes herself with the water and the rations. Then she gladly accepts the ministrations of Liet's so called God-Kings. The rogue listens to Liet as he loudly protests the rule of the Rani. She nods along with him and any others that join in. In the end she quietly adds. The rule before the Rani was one of oppression for the poor just the same. However, the Rani have made it clear that I am no longer welcome in the city while they rule. So I will do anything to assist the downfall of the Sisterhood and their Rani ruler. What will come in its place however? Will that be any better for those in the slums like me?
"Unfortunately, it is part of the human existence that some are born into squallor and others into luxury...while most fall somewhere in between," Liet notes, "It is the way of this world, until we pass on...into the halls of the god-kings."
"Even so, I like to believe we're all capable of taking each situation and making the best of it. For those in the slums, it means working your way out of them without resorting to crime or falling victim to resentment. And for those in the palaces, it means working to improve the lives of those less fortunate rather than excluding them or abusing one's power to take advantage of them."
"My priesthood -- and our faith in the god-kings -- serve as a conscience for those who forget their social responsibilities...both the lowliest of the low, and the highest of the high. Have I done anything but show you kindness?" he asks, "I don't just say these things and claim some greater form of wisdom over all others. Rather, I try to live these things as much as I can. It is the only way I've found to make a difference that is within my ability to control."
"As I said before, I attempted to live these things while working with Sephrilara's bureaucracy." The priest shakes his head and stares once more into the fire. "But either I wasn't strong enough in my faith to see it through. Or the god-kings have something else in mind for how best to achieve this vision I have for their return."
Indo drinks lightly from his water skin and wrings the sweat from his topknot. He appraises the wilderness beyond while Bedu and Liet speak.
It is as you say, my friends. I can protect myself better, but the spell only lasts an hour or so. It often feels that a moment spared to call on the aid when I need it is a moment that cannot be losed.
He takes a longer draught of his water skin. Magic is a funny thing. Even for a tribesman who studies old secrets, there is always more work to do - another layer of the mystery to unlock. Perhaps I can practice with the spell and learn to increase its duration.
6 extra waterskins (6g) 6 sunrods (12g)
6 extra blankets (3g) 12 days' trail rations (6g)
2 shovels (4g) 3 ropes (3g)
4 hooks and lines (4s) 10 candles (1s)
flint and steel (1g) grappling hook (1g)
small iron pot (5s) 10 empty sacks (1g) gold cost: 38
We'd discussed shelling out 2500 for a bag of holding. I can contribute 1000gp if we can make up the difference. Otherwise, I guess we have to carry everything the old fashioned way.
Finally, every day I'll cast endure elements on the person that seems least able to survive the environment (Bedu? Lotus?) I will cast mage armor during my watch if I have not cast it already in the day. I'll try to do that at the first serious sign of trouble.
Indo listens to everyone speak. He nods empathetically while Lotus and Liet share their tales. When all have been quiet for a few moments, he begins in his trademark low whisper, as if sharing stories with his people around the fire.
My people have taken from, and given back to the land for many generations. They descended from those who left the great cities in the jungle, and wander from place to place, keeping the old places safe, learning from the writings they have left behind, and living in peace.
Indo whispers strange words and the smoke and embers begin to dance in concert, illustrating the tribesman's narrative. The wind and pops from the fire serve to imitate, simply, the sounds of war and cries of his people.
When the rani sealed the borders and began to look inside her new lands for those who might oppose her, she grew paranoid of our freedom. Though we lived far from her oppressive cities, she determined to silence even the potential threat. We had no allies, we knew little of affairs outside our lands. My grandfathers fought, but were unprepared.
Her goblins drove us from the best lands so she could desolate them in her search for more power. When she learned that some of us could read the ancient words and practiced simple magics, she commanded what my people called il ratbi - a cleansing. We use that word to describe the eradication of cannibals and monsters from our midst. They put old women and children to the sword. Because our women are fierce warriors, we did not have generations ready to replace our fallen. My own father, here Indo hefts his fine sword and looks along its blade, as if appraising a new gift, gave his life so that I and my cousins might escape. If we can return to our people with knowledge of the rani or how to defeat her, or with power reclaimed from the ziggurats of our ancestors, we will enter as kings and lead them against the rani.
Indo appears to come back to the present, a somber look on his firelit face. The sounds fade and the fire and smoke return to normal.
When my people regain their strength, it would be wise of her to leave these lands forever.
Liet silently contemplates Indo's tale while taking in the entertaining magic used to illustrate it. He can't help but recognize how Sephrilara and her supporters have touched them all. And, once the arcane warrior runs out of words, the priest feels compelled to fill the silence.
"You have a talent, my friend," Liet clears his throat before continuing, "Fierce and wild...and free. And a spirit to match, too, no doubt."
His eyes search the faces of everyone else seated by the fire.
"I pledge to you all...especially because of the things we've experienced together...but also because of our shared dissatisfaction with the Rani," he solemnly swears, "For as long as spirits of the god-kings favor me, you will have my support in overthrowing her. And, should my priesthood again be called upon as caretakers of the cities, I'll do all within my power to do what's right by you and your people."
"In the meantime, let's turn in for the night," he finishes, "And tomorrow, let's see what we discover in this temple-tomb of our ancestors. I sense the god-kings are somehow leading me there. And that it's no coincidence we've all found one another along the way."
"There is one thing I would add to all this, I am a dwarf from a far city, I came here because of a family misunderstanding and I stayed to barber and find more of life. For me this an adventure, with ruins, treasure, burning queens and skeletons and maybe the odd goblin."
"As for the Rani her plan is one of power, and your faiths and vengeance count for little until you can face her strength. Many adventures to come. Good night all."
Bedu rolls over to sleep. Soon his tired snores rise and fall, the scimitar close by.
After listening to his companions talk by the campfire, Hammurabi feels glad to have met them, as they all go to sleep or set up watch, Hammurabi pulls the yellow robes and habit from his pack and pledges, "I will wear these once more I promise" Hammurabi smiles as if remembering a long forgotton life, as he folds the garmet up and places it lovingly into his pack he sighs, "just not yet" as he closes his pack and uses it for a pillow on the welcomed jungle floor.
Everyone: