The Kasbah of Marrakech is a marvel to behold. It must be the paragon, exemplary bazaar or marketplace. It is a carnival for the senses, with sights, sounds, and smells to both entice and repulse the customer!
Colorful tents crowd the Kasbah, alongside vendor's carts and simple mats, and the bustling crowd is entertained by turbaned musicians playing exotic music on strange instruments, including pipe-playing snake charmers and sufi's spinning in meditative trances to hypnotic and rhythmic beats and melodies...
Lord P moves about unseen
Lord P moves about unseen
Almost everyone in the Kasbah pays the Fey Lord absolutely no attention...almost everyone...
Another invisible creature observes the chaos of the Kasbah... The efreeti Razaad Bin Razaard, bound in service to the Vizier Akhbad Bin Jabaar, a potent wizard in service to the Emir of Marrakech, is flying unseen above his master, who strolls through the bazaar on some private business of his own.
Scanning the crowd below for magic, he detects the auras on the unseen sprite, and is briefly curious, suspecting perhaps an imp or a quasit, but never guessing that its source might be a fey of the Fairy Realm...
As they brows the Kasbah, Wulfar moves beside Giovanna and asks, "Have you given any though as to how we are going to get into the palace? I assume that our ninja and Little Lord P can sneak in. What do you thing about two of us using the helmet and carpet to fly in and the other using ”The Irish Farewell” to teleport in?"
"Flight seems the best method. I also suggest a change of clothes as it might help us blend in"
Moving beside Mwikali, Wulfgar taps the helmet nodding, "You and Lord P have the ability to fly in, I can use the helmet, possibly in bat shape not drawing too much attention. Giovanna can use the assassins carpet and Achiko can use the cloak to teleport in, that way clearing any unwanted eyes from our landing spot." He looks to the ninja, asking all, "What do you think about meeting in the harem?"
Load P's shopping is simple, He sees the price, sneaks in, swops coin for item and is off again.
In this way he gets what he is after and is once more back with the group.
Once all necessary items are procured, and the Desert Jackals are ready to raid the palace, Achiko dons The Irish Goodbye cloak and dimension doors to the harem, where she silences the single eunuch guard with her poisoned blade...
The others fly into the harem room and regroup, ready to assault the throne room!
There are seven newly acquired harem girls here in the harem chamber, which have been calmed and reassured by Achiko, the female ninja having spent some time as one of the emir’s concubines.
Achiko greets the Desert Jackals with a bow as they fly onto the balcony and in through the windows of the harem chamber. She addresses her new masters in Japanese-accented English: These women are the emir’s new harem, honorable Desert Jackals... They have been informed that their cruel master is about to die, and that their sad fate will soon change, and they are eager to be liberated and join the Free Port of Sati under your lordships! She bows again, proudly gesturing to the motionless corpse of the eunuch guard, and adding, The emir’s eunuch has been silenced, Masters!
"Sounds great, the question is is he in the harem now or close by? Also When we do get to him I say we strike fast no mercy" She says straightfaced as she rests on the spear peering through the dark as if looking for something.
In the Kasbah, at the very magic jewelry shop Lord Perpireen bought his magic ring a few minutes before, the vizier and his invisible Efreeti servant have a whispered discussion as the vizier browses...
Whispered in Arabic: Something invisible and magical passed us earlier in the Kasbah, master... Shall we inform the Emir?
Whispered in Arabic: Something invisible and magical passed us earlier in the Kasbah, master... Shall we inform the Emir?
Do you suppose it was the ones the Emir sent the dark elf to kill? He has clearly either failed, or encountered difficulties to delay him past the agreed upon confirmation...
Whispered in Arabic: Something invisible and magical passed us earlier in the Kasbah, master... Shall we inform the Emir?Do you suppose it was the ones the Emir sent the dark elf to kill? He has clearly either failed, or encountered difficulties to delay him past the agreed upon confirmation...
If it is the Desert Jackals, and we fail to report it to the Emir, there will be dire repercussions, master!
If it is the Desert Jackals, and we fail to report it to the Emir, there will be dire repercussions, master!Whispered in Arabic: Something invisible and magical passed us earlier in the Kasbah, master... Shall we inform the Emir?Do you suppose it was the ones the Emir sent the dark elf to kill? He has clearly either failed, or encountered difficulties to delay him past the agreed upon confirmation...
*Sigh!* Very well, Razaad Bin Razaard... Let us return with alacrity to the palace... whispers Vizier Akhbad to his efreeti slave.
Having landed in the harem in bat form, Wulfgar alters back to his normal imposing height. Seeing the good work that Achiko has done, he smiles and gives a polite nod, "well done Achiko, I don't know what we would do without you." Turning to the Harem girls he asks frankly, "Ladies, where would the Emir be at this time?"
"Yes were is he, I wish to be done with this" She says as she glares hoping to catch him unawares and slay him outright.With his head severed from his body to show others he is dead and free would cause panic and the city and the future of all in Africa would one step further from freedom!
Achiko speaks up: I have already found the emir, honorable Desert Jackals. He is currently in his throne room drinking gaveh and awaiting word the return of the dark elf... He grows impatient and worried...
The Desert Jackals cannot shake the feeling of being watched as they prepare their assault on the emir's court...
Smiling, Wulfgar nods, "Good work Achiko, lead us to the door."
When they reached the doors he asks the ninja "can you open the door?"then begins to cast several spells.
Mwikali still does not like the feel of unseen eyes upon them, but she begins her routine of spells.
Suddenly an almost blindingly brilliant light shines through the archway from the harem balcony, as a tall, radiant, androgynous creature of unearthly beauty, with feathered wings like those of a Phoenix, blazing with golden glory, clad in bronze armor of incredibly elegant design, bearing a flaming greatsword in its articulately gauntleted hands!
The glorious creature smiles benignly at each of the Desert Jackals, nodding in almost fatherly recognition of the aasimar Northman Wulfgar, who recognizes this entity as his patron, the Archangel Raphael!
The angel sings in melodious baritone: Be not afraid, champions of Africa! I come in peace from the King of Kings, to bring thee tidings of imminent succor! The servants of the Great I Am send reinforcements, a band of crusaders noble and true, to join thee in the coming battle against the wicked Emir, who hath caused much slaughter and misery among the creatures of Our Lord! Your might shall be doubled, Desert Jackals! Reinforcements shall arrive as soon as I depart! Blessed art thou, brave heroes of Africa and fighters for freedom!
Saying this, the shining golden archangel turns away and launches like a flaming comet off the balcony and into the African sky!
"Who was that and who is this King he speaks. How does he know us and our plan? Where are these reinforcements coming from and why are they being sent now?" Mwikali says in a stream of consciousness like questions after seeing a strange flying man with flaming wings.
"Also an entrance like that does not bode well for us, I mean doesn't scream of subtly. Now the whole palace is gonna know we are here!" She says a bit angered at such a creature thinking now was the time for a chat.
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From the streams of light the Archangel leaves behind steps a figure, clad in the scarlet red robes of a Roman Catholic Cardinal. With a greatsword sheathed across his back, shocking white hair and skin the colour of Mali's most lustrous gold, this man seems almost infused with the Archangel's light.
"Hail, and well met." He greets the company, first in a language none of them know, and then in English. Seeing that this gets more response he continues. "I am Cardinal Inquisitor Lucius d'Borgia, sent by His Holiness Pope Eugene IV to aid you in your quest against the Emir of Marakesh. My companions will join us shortly. They are a... unique collection of individuals, please do not over-react excessively."
Suddenly an almost blindingly brilliant light shines through the archway from the harem balcony...
"Hail, and well met." He greets the company, first in a language none of them know, and then in English.
Seeing his patron Wulfgar drops to one knee. After the angelic messenger leaves, Wulfgar rolls his eyes at Mwikali's questioning, and explains, "That was the Archangel Raphael one of the generals of the army of heaven. The King of Kings he spoke of was the Christian God."
with the appearance of a golden Cardinal, Wulfgar smirks and replies in Celestial, as he gestures towards his comrades. "ghaH 'ej Duvan 'ej revan. Hoch maHvaD motlhjaj ghu'vam Huj je motlhbe' laH Dalegh."
Stepping out from behind the Cardinal is a humanoid with a fox-like head and covered in auburn fur. He wears a fine mithral chain shirt, and over that a cloak decorated with a lightning motif. He bows before the Desert Jackals and introduces himself in English.
"Greetings to you all. I am the Ogon Fox, and it is with joy that I join your battle against evil this day."
"Still does a general not know of subtlety? If I meet this God of yours I shall tell him so!" She days with a furrowed brow then blinks when another appears.
After his introduction she blinks."Yes you are reinforcements. That is welcome, but let them make haste so we can end this and free these people!" she days ready to get this over with
Seeing the others start arriving she smiles. Her homeland will welcome such people and the might they bring. To free her people,all people and make the Motherland a place for all tribes willing to cooperate.
"A fox!" she says a bit unused to such a strange looking being. She fights the urge to pet the eloquent creature as Kiku tsks at her.
Behind the cardinal appears a hulking green man. He stands roughly six and a half feet tall with impossibly broad shoulders and a deep, well-muscled chest. His arms are as thick as a man's legs and end in meaty, calloused fists. His chainshirt bears the scars of battle and he wears a long, heavy sword on his back. His large, tusk-like teeth emerge from a goofy grin that seems jarringly contrary to his build.
After quickly sizing up the strangers before him, the orc notices the nearby harem girls and his smile grows. "Are any of you married?" he asks.
Seeing Raphael's 'help' arrive, Wulgar smiles at the thicker, though similar sized 'green man' and answers, "Officially they are all married. Presently that is. They are very soon to be widowed. So they may be interested."
As Lord P is flying down, a bolt of bright light flies at him.
By the skin of his teeth he just about gets out the way.
He spins in the air shaking his tiny fist.
"YA IDEIUT! Watch where ya going"
He then turns back and flies down to the point where they said they would meet, to find another bunch there with his friends, a fox kin, a green skin and some feller in red.
"Be Jess whats dis all about den, do ya know dis fellers!"
He says zipping about.
"They are slaves to the Emir. For now to have your way with one equals death.Once we kill him these women and Marrakesh will be free people once more. Soon to be part of a greater Africa like the great Mother always planned"She says look at the new arrivals wondering how many there are.
"Tell me how many are there of you, and what do you bring. Are you warriors, spellcasters, shadows, holy men?"
"Lord they are reinforcements sent by the Christian God to aid us. Something about a Popes and what not. All I know is they ruined the element of surprise." She days her brow furrowed as she wonders what now will be on the other side of the doors.
" Also why ask if they are married? You can always challenge fir the right for her to be your bride. Unless you do not wish to marry then I do not know. I personally do not mind a vigorous workout now and then. Spear thrusts, sheathing, heavy breathing." she said pondering the orc a bit before she shakes her head.
”It’s one of the rules,” the orc answers, returning the dark-skinned woman’s appraising gaze, ”’don’t make sex with married womans.’ I kill things for the Pope and I like to make sex. I always like to make sex but this morning I eated a dragon’s heart and now I can’t stop wanting to eat and make sex... Are you married?”
Snorting at Zag's response Wulfgar interrupts, "That one? Ha! No she's not married, but she is … fickle!"
He looks round, "Is this all of you?"
Mwikali turns to Wulfgar with a wicked grin. "I am not fickle Northman. I can always admire and tease. Besides You have yet to teach me those spear thrusting techniques" she said first a bit accusatory, before turning it into a husky pur. Her eyes and lips hint ik ng at more then a playful smile.
"Still we welcome all who seek to help in liberating those from the shackles of slavery. To be free to choose their paths and religion" she smiled with a a determined look as she motions to the doors.
"The next step in this divine mandate is to slay the Emir. A man who seeks to enslave man and beast alike! With him out of the way we will liberate even more and prove to the rest of Mother Africa and the Arabs beyond that we mean business!" she paused and blinked." We could see if he could lift the bonds on the Marid"
As the Crusaders of the Catacombs are arriving in the harem room on the second floor of the west wing of the palace, down in the throne room, the wicked Emir Al'Haaq of Marrakech, slavelord and master of the bloodsoaked Arena of Death, becomes aware of a commotion outside his palace when terrified gaurds rush into the throne room, shouting something about a fiery-winged angel flying away from the palace into the heavens! Much troubled by this sudden interruption of his brooding, and already growing more worried each hour past the expected return of the expensive dark elf assassin he'd sent to eliminate the Desert Jackals and his escaped slaves, Emir Al'Haaq rises swiftly from the throne and draws his magical scimitar...
In Arabic: Where is my vizier and his blasted efreeti when they are needed!?
Almost as if by magic, the vizier appears...
In Arabic: I am at your service, master!
...Along with the efreeti...
In Arabic: As am I, Mighty Emir! I detected something invisible in the Kasbah a few minutes ago, and just now, we saw an archangel flying eastward away from the palace!
What!? An archangel!? Why?? demands the Emir in growing alarm...
We do not yet know, Mighty Emir, but it does not seem to bode well! The people in the streets have fallen on their faces in worship or terror...
Summon the behir Boombada from the Arena! commands Emir Al'Haaq...
Load P likes at the new arrivals,
"Right, from the pope, that's fine then. SO we going to get a fighting because sounds to me like the whole palace is now awake. Best charge in and get to it."
And with that he zips off to see what the hubbub is .
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A large, hairy man stands quietly behind the others, until the Ogon Fox introduces himself. After that, he speaks up in a loud and booming voice. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING SUSPICIOUS ABOUT THE FOX. HE IS JUST A NORMAL TALKING FOX."
He follows this up with an obvious wink to the Ogon Fox.
Got your back, buddy.
"I AM JOHANN KALTGEBOREN. LIKE MY FRIEND ZAG, I ... MAN THE FRONT LINES."
'My lord said that our numbers would double, we are five, these are four, we must wait for the last.' Counting the new additions from Rome, Wulfgar smiles at the bear-like man with the booming voice, "Front-liners, eh? I will try and stay out of your way. I presume there is one more on the way?"
As he looks about he begins to cast corruption resistance against evil in preparation for the lack of surprise.
The orc does his best to follow the exchange between the dark skinned woman and the northman but soon gives up and turns to the cardinal. "Is it okay to make sex with womans who are married after their husband is dead, Padre?"
When asked about one more he looks around and answers, "we have a healer too... he should be here..."
From its spacious lair beneath the Arena of Death, in the dungeon beneath the Emir of Marrakech's palace, the behir Boombada, terror of the Moroccan Desert, slithers up a broad stairway to the ground level of the palace, and into the Emir's throne room...
In Arabic: Why have you called me up here, Emir Al'Haaq!?
From its spacious lair beneath the Arena of Death, in the dungeon beneath the Emir of Marrakech's palace, the behir Boombada, terror of the Moroccan Desert, slithers up a broad stairway to the ground level of the palace, and into the Emir's throne room...
In Arabic: Why have you called me up here, Emir Al'Haaq!?
In Arabic: I fear that the palace might be under attack by formidable foes! Perhaps the assassin failed to deliver my revenge upon the Desert Jackals and the slaves that escaped, and they have returned to strike back at me!
In Arabic: I fear that the palace might be under attack by formidable foes! Perhaps the assassin failed to deliver my revenge upon the Desert Jackals and the slaves that escaped, and they have returned to strike back at me!
Fear not, Mighty Emir! The dark elf assassin came with the very highest recommendations from my trusted colleagues of the Underworld. I am sure there was merely some inconsequential delay, and that he will return at any moment now to report success and collect the remainder of his fee...
In spite of his confident words, doubt begins to grow in the vizier as well, and he strokes his beard nervously...