Ka’imi has an uneasy feeling about Idder but wants to give him the benefit of the doubt. He seems like a kid who knows what he knows about the world and is comfortable being a medium sized fish here in his tiny pond.
”I’ve been staying out past the farmland in a shelter, learning how the animals live to better trap them. So far it’s been good for me to get back to nature but I’d like to put myself to more regular work. If you and your father can help me learn to skin an animal and break down the bodies into useful parts I’d be grateful and willing to work for you during the training.”
(OOC - being back with in-person school full time after the holidays is kicking my ass, sorry for the delays)
Ka’imi has an uneasy feeling about Idder but wants to give him the benefit of the doubt. He seems like a kid who knows what he knows about the world and is comfortable being a medium sized fish here in his tiny pond.
”I’ve been staying out past the farmland in a shelter, learning how the animals live to better trap them. So far it’s been good for me to get back to nature but I’d like to put myself to more regular work. If you and your father can help me learn to skin an animal and break down the bodies into useful parts I’d be grateful and willing to work for you during the training.”
(OOC - being back with in-person school full time after the holidays is kicking my ass, sorry for the delays)
(OOC: no worries, first things first! But, also note that I have already posted another update for Ka'imi. Idder's father will let you watch him work, but he'd rather leave the trapping to you and the skinning, tanning, etc. to him. But he does have another offer/request for you.)
Wandering through the city, Dyn Gwelw learns that the East End and Desert District are the location of housing for the kind of folk whose ears pick up 'tidbits' of information thatcould allow a perceptive person to learn a lot about what goes on behind the closed doors of the city's political and merchant class. In other words, a suitable garden for harvesting 'ears', for one of Dyn Gwelw's goals is to set up an intelligence network with which to harvest such information. Throughout his years of training his master's taught him the value of knowledge, it allows insight into the Future, enabling one to discern enemies before they themselves are aware that they are enemies; such information allows one to guide the Future, as it were, shaping the river of time as it flows into the Past. And the Past, now there is something that is malleable in the extreme, manipulation of the Past can cause the Future to become more predictable. Change someones ideas about the past and you will change their 'preparations' in the Now which, in turn, affect how they ... 'anticipate' the Future. One's actions Now, to a greater or lesser degree, depending upon station, wealth, position in life, has a great influence upon how the Future becomes Now. So Dyn Gwelw begins his efforts to build an intelligence network, he is planting an 'acorn' in the soil of Ishi Ammah.
But, beginnings do require various sorts of capitol, coin and adherents for the most part. So he will look for both. Every morning he will be in the Prince's Arbor with the sun to practice his forms (and develop new ones as time goes on); seeking not only to maintain and improve himself, but to attract the curious from which to find potential clients, folk who express an interest in learning what he can teach, from whom he might chose candidates for 'hands' - 'hands' are different than 'eyes' in that cells are composed of 'eyes' under the direction of 'hands'.
As Dyn Gwelw's medical skills are a bit above average, he asks at the Temple of Ritha Demsha about where he might find employment using said skills.
RP #2 Dyn Gwelw
Dyn Gwelw follows the garrison man’s directions, past the Temple Market to the western wall, and there finds a 4-storey common house where, asking passersby, he locates and speaks to an elderly woman and arranges for accommodations, a 2nd-floor room with a small fireplace in its center, sparsely accommodated with floor mats much in need of washing. There is bedding, also horrible-smelling, and some candles and a small low table and a cushion on which to sit before it.
That evening, practicing in the Prince’s Arbor, he draws some attention, as his forms are unknown in Orraca u Shia. He notices some children in the park watching him, and some, accompanying their parents, who chat with acquaintances, mimic Dyn’s movements.
The next day, rising early and starting his morning forms at dawn, while a light rain falls, a few elves, also out and enjoying the cool misty rain, note his presence, and watch.
After completing his forms and meditation, Dyn’s eyes open, and standing in front of him is an Orracan child, grinning ear to ear, his face slick and moist, and he is shivering slightly. The smile is one Dyn recognizes, from his first arrival in Ishi Ammah, two years ago. The boy seems hardly to have aged, and he skips away, still smiling, and disappears quickly from view as people gather for Temple Rites.
Taking advantage of this moment, for the Temple has been mostly inactive, seemingly, up until now, Dyn waits until the rites are completed, an hour of incense burning and prayers, before approaching the Acolyte leading the service, an Orracan woman with long, frizzy hair tied with a feathered cord at her belt line, to offer his services as a medical practitioner. She tells him she will speak to the High Priest on his behalf and bids him good day, but he does not see her or Temple activity the next day, or the next. Dyn knows that during winter months, Ritha Demsha is said to sleep, and her Rites are few at this time of year, though busy indeed during the spring season.
In the coming days, scouring the East End and Desert districts, Dyn seems unable to make connections, as the East End inhabitants, entirely Orracan, seem wary indeed of Dyn’s outlandish appearance, and the Deserts District inhabitants seem likewise involved with their daily routines. It seems odd to Dyn, as his readings of the districts were correct, he is certain.
A week later, at the Prince’s Arbor, again after his morning forms and meditation, Dyn Gwelw opens his eyes, and the child is back, smiling again. And a few other children of various ages are with him. “Teach us?” the smiling lad asks.
OCC How many children? Do they look like urchins, or are they from some other 'class'?
Dyn Gwelw looks at them with a measuring eye. "'Teach us', you say; with no introduction? And what is it you expect me to teach you?" He slowly looks from one to the next, sizing them up. "Not that names are so important, but manners are."
He very slowly folds himself down into the pose known as The Dragon Lotus, a position from which an adapt can easily flow into many different forms, both defensive and offensive, with very little effort and awaits their answers.
RP#3
The smile disappears from the first boy, and the others stand quietly for a moment. Their rags and dirty faces indicate with hardly a doubt that they live without the grace of a caring hand or eye to guide them, wash them, or clothe them, and they range in age from perhaps 6, the youngest, to perhaps 11, the oldest, a girl. There are five children in total.
They watch you, standing rather dejectedly in place for a moment, then Smiling Boy, perhaps 8 years old, introduces himself as Abi, and sits down carefully, facing you, not without fear, in a position approximating your own. The others follow suit: Rachid, Sami, Orra, and the oldest girl, Tangie.
Dyn Gwelw folds his hands in front of his chest and makes a slight bow to each, "You may call me Sensei." He points to Abi, "You are henceforth 'Grasshopper'." To Rachid, "You are henceforth 'Firefly'." To Sami, "You are henceforth 'Wasp'." To Orra, "You are henceforth 'Spider'." To Tangle, "You are henceforth 'Dragonfly'." He looks them each in the eye and says, "The first lesson you must learn is that it is you, and you alone, who will will yourself to succeed, . . . or fail."
"Watch and sit as I do," and he will slowly show them how to sit in Dragon Lotus. "Your spine is a river that connects the earth and sky, a river of power. Close your eyes and feel yourself in that river, for it is here from whence you power will flow, the power that will allow you to learn and do. That power is called 'ki' and, when harnessed properly, it can be directed by you mind to flow many different forms as you will it. The river of ki is inexhaustible but your ability to use it is limited by how well you understand it. At first it might seem to you weak and useless, but do not be fooled." He slowly, smoothly stands. "Stand, keep you spine loose, but straight. Become a Dragon Lotus," and he flows smoothly back into Dragon Lotus. Dyn Gwelw will repeat this ten times, watching each carefully, correcting as necessary.
"Grasshopper, what will you need to get us bread, fish and water?" He will give Grasshopper what he needs to buy enough bread, fish enough for all five of them. "We are responsible for ourselves and each other," he points to each "Brother, brother, brother, sister, sister," (OCC I see Grasshopper, Firefly and Wasp as boys; Spider and Dragonfly as girls) and, pointing to himself, "Sensei." He nods at Grasshopper, "While Grasshopper is gone you will sit quietly and in your mind try to see the your "I", that part of your awareness that is your center, the part of you that 'sees' your hand when you look at it, the part of you that you think of as 'me'. Do not worry, Grasshopper, this is something you will be doing for as long as you wish to learn of The Way."
When Grasshopper gets back and everyone has been given food, Dyn Gwelw will ask each of them in turn about something they know of the city or the various groups that make up the peoples of the city. When all have eaten and had a chance to relate something, he will tell them to go about their daily affairs but, to take with them, "Brother, brother, brother, sister, sister."
"Return here, tomorrow, with the sun."
He will return to the Temple of Ritha Demsha to see if there is work for him.
RP#4 Dyn Gwelw
Dyn Gwelw learns that the children live in the North Crossings, except for Grasshopper, who seems to sleep in a different place each night. They begin to learn, accept their new names, and return each day. Their timing is undependable, because, as they tell you, they fear to sleep during the night when bad people sometimes come looking for children and they’ve seen many orphaned children kidnapped. The rumor is that the victims are transported to the Vale to work in the opium farms, or are impressed into service on ships. There are two families in the Vale which seem to be at war, have fights in the streets on a regular basis over territory, and the children have learned to steer wide of such events.
The rumor is that there will be Games at the Arena soon, celebrating the month of Beauty, and the children like to sneak into the plaza and squeeze into tight places there where they can view the show, which is projected into the plaza (magically).
A week after Dyn Gwelw met the long, frizzy-haired acolyte of the Temple of Ritha Demsha, there is another temple rite, and she notices him as the rite is underway and signals for him to speak with her afterward. After saying a parting prayer, she stands back from the burned offering she has laid on a plinth in the public area of the temple, and with an even countenance, awaits Dyn’s approach. She raises both hands in a wing-like greeting to Dyn.
“I have spoken with Eagle’s Memories, the High Priest of this edifice. He has given me leeway to make a decision on his behalf, for he continues in his winter spirit journey. I believe your offer to have potential. For, given the prominent location of this temple, local residents are sometimes surprised to find it impossible to find a priest, even -- especially, when one of the flock comes to the Temple to hire healing services for poison or accidental wounds.” In fact, Dyn has already noticed what she speaks of, during the prior week, when two families had come to the Temple seeking healing in early morning hours while he was practicing his forms.
“If you are able to offer such a one succor, and relieve their pains, or at least, stabilize an injury, the Temple will pay you. You are welcome to employ our supply of poultices, bandages, and the like in such an instance. I will be back in a week’s time, and you can then present a bill for services.
“We must insist however, that any such services under the Temple’s jurisdiction would be given in the name of Ritha Demsha, and the recipients of such succor should be reminded that the flock needs them, and their connection to the flock is why their wounds have been seen to by you. If that is acceptable, then please come with me. We will speak and review your first aid training.”
"Oh, that was it?" Mittens asks rhetorically. "I mean, it a great book and all, but it was a bit light on details if you don't mind me saying."
As she hands him a book, he takes it as a smile splits his face. "I'd love to read it. Thanks. I'll have back to you by tomorrow."
Later, when she asks him about his name while he is concentrating on writing down the spell, he says while still carefully writing, "My great great great great great great great grandmother Dragonbane started up a tradition where her family would have to earn their adult names by completing some great challenge or something. They include things like killing a powerful monster, breaking curses, finding a magical artifact and such. The challenge has become a little more, uh..." He struggles to come up with a word for a moment before saying, "relaxed, I guess." He puts his quill down and turns his full attention to her before continuing. "Our kid names out earned by what we do or like when we are very young." A small smile comes across his face as he reminisces. "When I was little, I had a favorite pair of green mittens I would always wear. I lost them when my family took me on one of their treasure hunts." His smile fades as he says, " I lost a lot that day... "
He clears his throat after a moment and continues, "Normally, my parents would call a meeting with all our extended family descended from Dragonbane. Everyone would come, and we would have a big reunion while the elders of each family decide what my challenge would be. We would have a ceremony that they would announce what I needed to do. I would then have a year to complete my task. If I complete my task and come back with proof, then we would all meet up again and celebrate. We would have another ceremony were the elders would announce my new name. My new name would correlate with want my take was. I bet you can't tell what Dragonbane did," he adds sarcastically. "Now, I'm just waiting for my relatives in staying with to decide to call a meeting as I'm not allowed to call one myself."
When she questions him after he finishes transcribing his spell, he says, "I actually haven't seen much of the city yet." When she invites him, his eyes widen in delight. He says, "I would love to it it won't inconvenience you at all."
When he finishes cleaning up his area, he leaves with a friendly wave and heads out to the market. While there, he spends 25 gold purchasing rare herbs, incense, and oils required to finalize the spell he just learned. He walks into a bar and orders a few shots of cheap alcohol and stores them in some vials. He then walks to a graveyard and wanders around until he thinks no one can see him. He picks as grave site and falls to his hands and knees, and then he proceeds to take mourn and pray to trick those who may be watching him. While he does, he takes handfuls of dirt and soil from the grave and stuffs them in his pockets. After grabbing enough, he stands up, dusts himself off, and head home.
He spends the rest of the day attending to Nightsprinter while reading the book loaned to him by Hania.
Later that night when everyone has fallen asleep, he climbs out of his bed and clears the floor of his room. He takes the alcohol, soil, and oils out his bag and mixes them together. He then draws a large pentogram on his floor using the special mud he just made. He sizes the remainder of the mud to daub the proper symbols and runes around the circle, and then draws some.on his face and the palms of his hands. He lights the incense and places them around the pentogram at the appropriate places. Finally, he sprinkles the herbs around the pentogram.
He places his spellbook on the floor in front of him as he kneels down into his knees. He gingerly opens it up to the paste where his new spell is inscribed. He closes his eyes and begins to quietly chant in the language of the arcane. He opens his mind up to the Sea of Stars and drinks deeply of its astral power. The necromantic anchors he inscribed in the floor sifts through the energy now suffusing him until only Necromancy remains. He reaches out and touches the spell with his hands as he carefully pours out the energy suffusing him and binds it into the words he wrote. As it leaves him, he opens his eyes and sees the words shimmer with arcane power before they settle back into the page. Happy that he can now use the spell, he cleans up and scrubs the floor to remove all evidence of what he did before going back to sleep.
The next day, he attends to Nightsprinter and finishes Hania's book at the same time. He takes notes of what he thinks is important before returning it.
((OOC: That should satisfy the other 25 gold requirement of learning a new spell.))
RP#10 Mittens
When Mittens brings up the question of an adult name with Sungazer, he is met with a degree of unexpected defensiveness. It seems Sungazer does not want to take responsibility for the tradition, except to the extent he will need to for his young kittens. However, Nightsprinter is vocal about it, buts in, and says, “Your parents, your whole branch of family was insane, completely insane. There is nothing which says such unattainable goals must be reached in order to earn your name. Think “threadbinder.” Where does that come from, eh? From weaving. WEAVING. Like you don’t know how to do. You want a quest from Sungazer?”
“Da. That’s enough,” interjects Sungazer, but Nightsprinter continues, brushing him off.
“Here’s what he has in mind for his kittens. Travel to Kalahata. Sell some carpets. Come back. Or, if they’re called for service, do the service. Then, DONE.”
“Da, cool down, please,” but Nightsprinter cannot contain himself and his voice is brittle and venomous.
“You’ve already completed two years of service. How much more are you supposed to do in order to earn your name? Are all of our lives supposed to lay in wait until you are done? Why? So you can live up to your parents’ expectations? Look at what happened to them!”
“DA!” shouts Stargazer, and Nightspringer throws up his hands and stomps out of the room and out the front door, perhaps to his spot on the stoop.
“It….may not seem like it,” Stargazer says, breaking the ensuing silence, “but he’s actually on your side.” And after an uncomfortable minute during which Stargazer’s mouth opens and closes noiselessly several times, searching for words, he stiffly rises and excuses himself, mumbling that he has work to do.
The kittens have been peeking in through the door, drawn by raised voices, and when Stargazer turns to leave, they are out of sight in an instant, returning only when both of the older cats have left the room, to observe Mittens’ reaction.
(OOC: Mittens realizes, and checks with Hania, that he does not have to be covert about his actions in the Moeitu cemetery. It is filled with the graves of Priests and Acolytes from the past, and it is expected that should they be needed, they will return, as undead, to defend the temple. Thus, necromantic rites and wizardry is allowed without question, so long as the deceased themselves are not disturbed except by order of the living High Priest of the temple.)
Ednyss will go back to the Docks that night to test his luck at Slaughterhouse once again. Entering the Prince's Sail, this time he also keeps an eye and ear peeled for any sign of these drug lords. He doesn't do anything obvious, however, and isn't planning on taking any action immediately, but he at least watches for any signs. He also keeps his patron's guidance upon him to guide both his search for potential drug lords and his gaming.
Settling at the table again, Ednyss gives a wary smile to the other players reminiscing to last night when he lost miserably. Taking the first hand and peeking at his cards, he looks at the other players with a furtive glance assessing his position.
Advancing easily to the second round, Ednyss virtually reads the minds of every other player, sweeping their feet out from under them before proceeding to thump them with a stellar hand.
Winning another hand, he manages to beat the troop and take the winnings on the table, but the ante was low and so he doesn't quite make up for the money that he lost last night. Satisfied with the win, Ednyss politely excuses himself from the table knowing that he doesn't have two more hours and deciding to spend a little more time looking around and just snooping around potential locations where he might have seen drug dealers pass. Again, he isn't looking to get into a fight, but sometimes knowing your way into the underground of a city can be important. After another hour or so of watching and pretending to mind his own business, Ednyss heads back to the smithy where he heads upstairs to get some rest. For the next week and a half or so, Ednyss gets a full night of sleep and doesn't head back to the Docks to ensure that he is at full functioning capacity when his job gets around to starting at the beginning of Beauty. Meandering around town, helping Ingrid, and pitching in at the Temple occupy most of Ednyss's time, and in whatever time he has left, he sits in the arena watching some of the training bouts.
RP#6
In the mornings, Ednyss sees townspeople, the city guard, and garrison members in the Arena, practicing in pens. Much later in the day, after helping Ingrid, perhaps running an errand for her, he sees fighters, dancers, and others leaving the gates, and asking around, he learns they are rehearsing for the upcoming Games.
After the night of cards when Ednyss won back his losses, he wanders back to the side street, where he noticed a guarded basement room and the smell of burnt opium on his first night out. There in the street, he sees three figures. At first, he assumes they are drunk and leaning on one another to help each other’s footing on the dirty cobblestones. But then he sees a sudden motion, and the middle figure doubles over, makes a frightful wheezing noise, then drops. The two outer figures, in the same instant, one of them first spitting on the fallen body, turn toward Ednyss (please roll perception DC 20 to see their faces), and then, they whip around in the opposite direction and dash away down the street. Both seem to be large humans, each seems to be wearing leather armor under a dark cloak and they both carry daggers.
Ednyss memorizes both of their faces, but not wanting to cause trouble quite yet, Ednyss decides not to push his luck and follow the figures, although he waits 10 seconds and then dashes to the body to see if there is any chance that the middle figure could be brought back (Medicine: 18). If so, he calls upon some of the magic of Takal Demesh to revive this man. Otherwise he begins an investigation of the man's body with the guiding hand of Takal Demesh (Investigation: 3Guidance: 2).
Ednyss memorizes both of their faces, but not wanting to cause trouble quite yet, Ednyss decides not to push his luck and follow the figures, although he waits 10 seconds and then dashes to the body to see if there is any chance that the middle figure could be brought back (Medicine: 20). If so, he calls upon some of the magic of Takal Demesh to revive this man. Otherwise he begins an investigation of the man's body with the guiding hand of Takal Demesh (Investigation: 9Guidance: 2).
RP#7 Ednyss
Ednyss notices that the two faces appear to be Shian men, one, he thinks, with a scar running straight across his face. Covered by makeup? He thinks he could spot them if he were to ever see them again.
At the injured man’s side, along with two other passersby, he sees the third man is on the point of death. A rough-looking human, salt-and-pepper beard, sunken eye sockets, large pock-marked nose, dressed in a light shirt and fur vest. There is a pool of blood already forming on the street beneath him, spreading in the gaps between the filthy cobblestones.
Ednyss tries to staunch the bleeding, and the man’s eyes open, unseeing and fearful, and in a gurgling whisper he says, “Just one more week, I can pay, I can pay more than he wants....” He trails off, spasming. His eyes screw shut, then in time, as he inhales shallowly, shuddering, they open briefly again. This time he is there, he sees you, notes his surroundings, sweating, his face a picture of agony. Breath rasping, his body twisting in pain, the words fight their way out, “help...me….” but in a moment he is no more.
Ednyss notices what many would miss, that a barely perceptible greenish foam is forming on his lips. The man has been poisoned.
Just then, two guardsmen run up, having been summoned by other onlookers, of whom there are now perhaps half a dozen. The guards question you about what happened. Do you tell them all?
Ednyss tells the guards that he noticed this man collapsing to the ground and points out the poison that the guards might have otherwise missed. However, he doesn't mention anything about the two figures that he saw running away from the scene, or the man's last words. Ednyss tries to head back to Ingrid's smithy once the guards are done questioning him, not wanting to involve himself to deeply in this situation at the moment, but he ponders the poisoning and comes to the conclusion that the man must have been stabbed by a poisoned dagger. For the next few days, Ednyss avoids the Docks to ensure that he doesn't get himself into trouble, but he eagerly awaits his employment beginning at the start of Beauty.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Mittens just stands there in the room for a moment while he processes what just happened. He gives a weak smile at the children before sullenly making his way to his room. He plops onto his bed and lies there for a moment. Well, that was unexpected,he muses. He doesn't even have to do much, he thinks fiercely. All he has to do is send a letter to everyone. He rolls over and opens his spellbook and rereads the passages he has already read a thousand times over to take his mind off of the argument. After a while, he closes his book with a sigh and decides he just need s to find a different relative who would be willing to help.
The next few days, Mittens still helps out just as much as before, but he seems a bit distant and cold.
On the last day of Glory, Ednyss has spent the afternoon at the Temple of Takal Demesh. The plaza is unusually busy with men, mounted, or on foot, passing through, making weapons purchases, or arranging for lodgings in the nearby inns, a few of which are very large, built to accommodate the large out-of-town crowds which come in for Games. Crossing the busy plaza there are performers, warriors, and the usual city residents, journeymen, messengers, delivery carts, and private guardsmen all moving about at an unusually quick pace.
There are likewise an unusual number of injuries in the Arena on this day, and dying and bleeding bodies are brought to the temple for healing. Toward the end of the day, Malike asks Ednyss to use his powers to help such fighters in need, for the Arena makes a sizable monthly donation to the Temple, ensuring its employees will obtain healing when needed, and the priests are exhausted, their powers dwindling as the sun sets after a long day.
An attractive young woman with a long ponytail and wearing makeup highlighting her dark eyes is brought in just before sunset, one finger severed from her hand. She is swearing profusely in Indallian, the language of the province north of Orraca u Shia, lying between it and the mountain border with Drey far in the north.
Your friend Quisa, Priest of the Temple, is already performing a healing on another Arena hire, an acrobat who had somehow suffered serious burns, and turns to Ednyss. “This one is yours, Greybeard.”
Ednyss performs a healing spell on the woman, and holding the severed finger in place, a lick of warm magical fire shoots from Ednyss’ open palm to the wound, and the skin and bone reknit in a moment. The woman stops swearing, takes a breath, exhales forcefully, and controlling her anger, looks at Ednyss. “Thank you healer. I’ll be needing that finger tomorrow.”
She turns to the plaza, where a friend of hers, bearing a shield, has come running after her from the Arena, and now stands a few feet away. The first woman gestures to her friend, flipping her the bird with her reattached finger, while smiling brightly, the tip of her tongue showing between her teeth, “Look, it’s fixed!”
As Ednyss’ gaze shifts to the new arrival, he is astonished to see that it is none other than Varielky, who has just finished her final rehearsing session for the Games.
The first woman, Benita la Cass, says to her friend, “You know what they say. Bad dress rehearsal, good performance. See you tomorrow Varielky.” And giving Ednyss a look which seems to convey, simultaneously, gratitude and “I’m watching you,” she rises and walks back to the Arena. Several men -- and women -- notice her and stop what they’re doing as their eyes follow Benita's graceful form.
Do Ednyss & Varielky catch up with each other’s doings since Lokimarra?
On a morning late in the month of Glory, Mittens has been asked to help Stargazer at the sales table at Governor’s Market. Stargazer has been called to a Villa in Harbor View to take measurements for a new commission. At the table, Mittens, still fuming a bit about the recent naming argument, which has left an uncomfortable silence at home, is focused on his own thoughts when he notices an elf in the crowd at the market.
Mittens has seen elves here in Ishi Ammah over the last few weeks, but they usually stay near the Prince’s Arbor. He is about to write it off, when he is stunned to realize the elf is none other than one of his companions on that fateful day in Lokimarra, what was his name? Ka’imi. The elf, along with a youngish man leading a donkey cart, has stopped at another Cat’s stall, a tailor named Imble Shu, to drop off some fine-looking skins, fennec and squirrel furs. Mittens sees money exchange hands.
Ka’imi has come into town along with Idder el Afid to close the loop on the sale to Imble Shu of the furs cut from the animals he trapped. Not fully trustful of Idder, Ka’imi was there to ensure the deal went down as promised. Upon his arrival, Imble Shu looks at the furs, smiles widely, and pays a handsome price to Idder, who splits it with you on the spot. As Ka’imi places his earnings, 10GP, in his satchel, Idder say, “O.K. th’n. Seeyuh next time. Don’ f’rget wha’ m’pa asked,” and clicking loudly to the donkey, leads it to his next stop in town.
Imble Shu calls after him, and to Ka’imi, “Spring almost herrrrre! Feathers, feathers, next time, not furrrr. And more soft leather!”
Do Mittens & Ka’imi catch up with each other’s doings since Lokimarra?
Wandering through the city, Dyn Gwelw learns that the East End and Desert District are the location of housing for the kind of folk whose ears pick up 'tidbits' of information thatcould allow a perceptive person to learn a lot about what goes on behind the closed doors of the city's political and merchant class. In other words, a suitable garden for harvesting 'ears', for one of Dyn Gwelw's goals is to set up an intelligence network with which to harvest such information. Throughout his years of training his master's taught him the value of knowledge, it allows insight into the Future, enabling one to discern enemies before they themselves are aware that they are enemies; such information allows one to guide the Future, as it were, shaping the river of time as it flows into the Past. And the Past, now there is something that is malleable in the extreme, manipulation of the Past can cause the Future to become more predictable. Change someones ideas about the past and you will change their 'preparations' in the Now which, in turn, affect how they ... 'anticipate' the Future. One's actions Now, to a greater or lesser degree, depending upon station, wealth, position in life, has a great influence upon how the Future becomes Now. So Dyn Gwelw begins his efforts to build an intelligence network, he is planting an 'acorn' in the soil of Ishi Ammah.
But, beginnings do require various sorts of capitol, coin and adherents for the most part. So he will look for both. Every morning he will be in the Prince's Arbor with the sun to practice his forms (and develop new ones as time goes on); seeking not only to maintain and improve himself, but to attract the curious from which to find potential clients, folk who express an interest in learning what he can teach, from whom he might chose candidates for 'hands' - 'hands' are different than 'eyes' in that cells are composed of 'eyes' under the direction of 'hands'.
As Dyn Gwelw's medical skills are a bit above average, he asks at the Temple of Ritha Demsha about where he might find employment using said skills.
RP #2 Dyn Gwelw
Dyn Gwelw follows the garrison man’s directions, past the Temple Market to the western wall, and there finds a 4-storey common house where, asking passersby, he locates and speaks to an elderly woman and arranges for accommodations, a 2nd-floor room with a small fireplace in its center, sparsely accommodated with floor mats much in need of washing. There is bedding, also horrible-smelling, and some candles and a small low table and a cushion on which to sit before it.
That evening, practicing in the Prince’s Arbor, he draws some attention, as his forms are unknown in Orraca u Shia. He notices some children in the park watching him, and some, accompanying their parents, who chat with acquaintances, mimic Dyn’s movements.
The next day, rising early and starting his morning forms at dawn, while a light rain falls, a few elves, also out and enjoying the cool misty rain, note his presence, and watch.
After completing his forms and meditation, Dyn’s eyes open, and standing in front of him is an Orracan child, grinning ear to ear, his face slick and moist, and he is shivering slightly. The smile is one Dyn recognizes, from his first arrival in Ishi Ammah, two years ago. The boy seems hardly to have aged, and he skips away, still smiling, and disappears quickly from view as people gather for Temple Rites.
Taking advantage of this moment, for the Temple has been mostly inactive, seemingly, up until now, Dyn waits until the rites are completed, an hour of incense burning and prayers, before approaching the Acolyte leading the service, an Orracan woman with long, frizzy hair tied with a feathered cord at her belt line, to offer his services as a medical practitioner. She tells him she will speak to the High Priest on his behalf and bids him good day, but he does not see her or Temple activity the next day, or the next. Dyn knows that during winter months, Ritha Demsha is said to sleep, and her Rites are few at this time of year, though busy indeed during the spring season.
In the coming days, scouring the East End and Desert districts, Dyn seems unable to make connections, as the East End inhabitants, entirely Orracan, seem wary indeed of Dyn’s outlandish appearance, and the Deserts District inhabitants seem likewise involved with their daily routines. It seems odd to Dyn, as his readings of the districts were correct, he is certain.
A week later, at the Prince’s Arbor, again after his morning forms and meditation, Dyn Gwelw opens his eyes, and the child is back, smiling again. And a few other children of various ages are with him. “Teach us?” the smiling lad asks.
OCC How many children? Do they look like urchins, or are they from some other 'class'?
Dyn Gwelw looks at them with a measuring eye. "'Teach us', you say; with no introduction? And what is it you expect me to teach you?" He slowly looks from one to the next, sizing them up. "Not that names are so important, but manners are."
He very slowly folds himself down into the pose known as The Dragon Lotus, a position from which an adapt can easily flow into many different forms, both defensive and offensive, with very little effort and awaits their answers.
RP#3
The smile disappears from the first boy, and the others stand quietly for a moment. Their rags and dirty faces indicate with hardly a doubt that they live without the grace of a caring hand or eye to guide them, wash them, or clothe them, and they range in age from perhaps 6, the youngest, to perhaps 11, the oldest, a girl. There are five children in total.
They watch you, standing rather dejectedly in place for a moment, then Smiling Boy, perhaps 8 years old, introduces himself as Abi, and sits down carefully, facing you, not without fear, in a position approximating your own. The others follow suit: Rachid, Sami, Orra, and the oldest girl, Tangie.
Dyn Gwelw folds his hands in front of his chest and makes a slight bow to each, "You may call me Sensei." He points to Abi, "You are henceforth 'Grasshopper'." To Rachid, "You are henceforth 'Firefly'." To Sami, "You are henceforth 'Wasp'." To Orra, "You are henceforth 'Spider'." To Tangle, "You are henceforth 'Dragonfly'." He looks them each in the eye and says, "The first lesson you must learn is that it is you, and you alone, who will will yourself to succeed, . . . or fail."
"Watch and sit as I do," and he will slowly show them how to sit in Dragon Lotus. "Your spine is a river that connects the earth and sky, a river of power. Close your eyes and feel yourself in that river, for it is here from whence you power will flow, the power that will allow you to learn and do. That power is called 'ki' and, when harnessed properly, it can be directed by you mind to flow many different forms as you will it. The river of ki is inexhaustible but your ability to use it is limited by how well you understand it. At first it might seem to you weak and useless, but do not be fooled." He slowly, smoothly stands. "Stand, keep you spine loose, but straight. Become a Dragon Lotus," and he flows smoothly back into Dragon Lotus. Dyn Gwelw will repeat this ten times, watching each carefully, correcting as necessary.
"Grasshopper, what will you need to get us bread, fish and water?" He will give Grasshopper what he needs to buy enough bread, fish enough for all five of them. "We are responsible for ourselves and each other," he points to each "Brother, brother, brother, sister, sister," (OCC I see Grasshopper, Firefly and Wasp as boys; Spider and Dragonfly as girls) and, pointing to himself, "Sensei." He nods at Grasshopper, "While Grasshopper is gone you will sit quietly and in your mind try to see the your "I", that part of your awareness that is your center, the part of you that 'sees' your hand when you look at it, the part of you that you think of as 'me'. Do not worry, Grasshopper, this is something you will be doing for as long as you wish to learn of The Way."
When Grasshopper gets back and everyone has been given food, Dyn Gwelw will ask each of them in turn about something they know of the city or the various groups that make up the peoples of the city. When all have eaten and had a chance to relate something, he will tell them to go about their daily affairs but, to take with them, "Brother, brother, brother, sister, sister."
"Return here, tomorrow, with the sun."
He will return to the Temple of Ritha Demsha to see if there is work for him.
RP#4 Dyn Gwelw
Dyn Gwelw learns that the children live in the North Crossings, except for Grasshopper, who seems to sleep in a different place each night. They begin to learn, accept their new names, and return each day. Their timing is undependable, because, as they tell you, they fear to sleep during the night when bad people sometimes come looking for children and they’ve seen many orphaned children kidnapped. The rumor is that the victims are transported to the Vale to work in the opium farms, or are impressed into service on ships. There are two families in the Vale which seem to be at war, have fights in the streets on a regular basis over territory, and the children have learned to steer wide of such events.
The rumor is that there will be Games at the Arena soon, celebrating the month of Beauty, and the children like to sneak into the plaza and squeeze into tight places there where they can view the show, which is projected into the plaza (magically).
A week after Dyn Gwelw met the long, frizzy-haired acolyte of the Temple of Ritha Demsha, there is another temple rite, and she notices him as the rite is underway and signals for him to speak with her afterward. After saying a parting prayer, she stands back from the burned offering she has laid on a plinth in the public area of the temple, and with an even countenance, awaits Dyn’s approach. She raises both hands in a wing-like greeting to Dyn.
“I have spoken with Eagle’s Memories, the High Priest of this edifice. He has given me leeway to make a decision on his behalf, for he continues in his winter spirit journey. I believe your offer to have potential. For, given the prominent location of this temple, local residents are sometimes surprised to find it impossible to find a priest, even -- especially, when one of the flock comes to the Temple to hire healing services for poison or accidental wounds.” In fact, Dyn has already noticed what she speaks of, during the prior week, when two families had come to the Temple seeking healing in early morning hours while he was practicing his forms.
“If you are able to offer such a one succor, and relieve their pains, or at least, stabilize an injury, the Temple will pay you. You are welcome to employ our supply of poultices, bandages, and the like in such an instance. I will be back in a week’s time, and you can then present a bill for services.
“We must insist however, that any such services under the Temple’s jurisdiction would be given in the name of Ritha Demsha, and the recipients of such succor should be reminded that the flock needs them, and their connection to the flock is why their wounds have been seen to by you. If that is acceptable, then please come with me. We will speak and review your first aid training.”
Dyn Gwelw RP#5
Two weeks later, Dyn has gained proficiency with medicine following training and repeat experiences helping the local citizens, stabilizing bleeding, assisting with a complicated birth, and dispensing herbs which help an older Orracan fighting the flu.
He has earned some silver for performing these services, but after his own living expenses, he has only profited 5 GP.
Dyn Gwelw's young charges continue to learn from him, and the oldest, in particular, shows promise. The Games are approaching, the children are excited about it, and they plead with Dyn to accompany them to the plaza to watch the games with them, also asking if he would please pay for their entry to the plaza. They usually sneak in, but have been caught in the past and ejected.
Against his better instincts, Dyn finds himself agreeing, as the fee is only 1 SP per person to sit in the plaza and watch the Games via clairvoyant illusion or something similar. Dyn is very used to this kind of thing from the Kingdoms, and still finds Orracu u Shia to be a backwater of civilization, hardly using magic for the many uses he enjoyed, especially in his early life.
Does Dyn Gwelw attend the Games with the children?
Varielky looks at the finger Benita is showing her. "As if nothing ever happened to it. Even if they worship him differently, they're still followers of Takal Demesh." She looks at Ednyss, not recognising him yet. "Thank you, priest. It would be a shame if she had lost her finger before the big day." Suddenly, she somehow manages to recognise him. She's not usually good at that, but maybe fighting along others helps to remember them. "Well, haven't seen you since... back then." She says that but looks past him to the inside of the temple. She has done her worshipping to Takal Demesh by training in the arena for the past two weeks and didn't really come to the temple. Not that she didn't want to, but she always felt uncomfortable by the "normal" priests. "May I?" "If I'm here already... maybe it's a good time." She walks forward and stands in front of the (Shrine/Altar/Statue/something else?), holding her shield in both hands with her eyes closed and praying silently for about a minute.
When she's done, she opens her eyes and puts her shield on her back. She then approaches Ednyss. "Well, I think I'm done for today in the arena. If I'm not ready now, I won't be tomorrow either. So, ah..." She tries to remember the priest's name. Did he even tell her? She's not sure. Did she tell him her own name? Names can usually be of great use in battle. Trying to warn someone about an attack coming from behind, for example, is really hard when you don't know how to address them. They didn't have time to exchange names back then though. Or maybe she just forgot. "Sorry, I don't think we ever had a chance to exchange names. I'm Varielky."
Ednyss nods to Varielky as she takes her friends hand and smiles and accepts the gratitude with a simple, "It is always a shame when a good warrior loses their ability to fight, so I do what I can." Ednyss also doesn't recognize Varielky at first and even after she gives Ednyss a hint that they had seen each other during battle, Ednyss cannot seem to recall her face or name. As she goes to pray, Ednyss stands back and politely watches Varielky's prayer, his face revealing that he is clearly impressed, although her rituals are not the same as his. As she places her shield beside her, Ednyss finally realizes that she was the woman that fought alongside him during his service and that she had been extraordinarily efficient in dispatching the enemy with her shield as well as brave when standing in the face of death, carrying the poor dying cat all the way back to the town. As she introduces herself, Ednyss promptly extends his arm forward and replies "Well met, Varielky. I'm Ednyss. I suppose if you are done for today then you won't mind keeping me a little company, I would be interested to learn how you managed to earn a role as a gladiator in the arena." Normally Ednyss would not be so interested in the life of a non-dwarf, but this fiery young woman left a mark when they served together and Ednyss is surprised she managed to gain a role in the arena fights that usually involve fighters of a very high caliber. As he goes back to his healing Ednyss begins to talk to Varielky, "I did manage to get a position in the Games as well, only as a guard though. Nowhere near as prestigious as a gladiator, but we do the work that we can get."
(OOC: Ednyss will catch up on what he has been up to after being released from service, excluding his run-in with a gang and the police last night in the Docks.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Varielky shakes Ednyss' hand. "I could keep you company, as long as the smell of sweat doesn't bother you." Varielky stands at a small distance from Ednyss and stays mostly quiet. She wasn't sure how his magic works and she didn't want to interrupt him. When he asks her, though, she understands that it's not too problematic. "Well, all I really had to do is ask. After that, they watched me train... like a kind of trial. They then told me that if I can keep up with their training routine, I could participate in the Beauty Pageant, so that's what I did. There are some really tough fighters in there though. I can't say for sure that I'll win. All I can say is that I'll try. Well, if you're a guard there, there's a good chance you'll be able to see me!"
Mittens's annoyance is simmering just below the surface while he is counting out the coin they just got from selling a rug. A slight gust of wind blows through the market and happens to blow a train of sand into his eye. "Ouch," he quietly exclaims to himself as he rubs his blinking eye. A few moments of this pass, and when he finally gets it out with a series of intense blinking, he looks around to test his sight when he sees Ka'imi. He squints at the elven figure. Is that who I think it is?A crooked smile comes across his face as he stands and shouts, "Hey, Ka'imi!" He waves his hand as high over his head as he can.
"It is likely that I will be able to see a bout or two of yours," Ednyss says with a note of excitement "And I'm sure you've got a good shot at winning," Ednyss says reassuringly, although from what he has seen from the other fighters in the arena, he is not so sure about that. "So that's all you've been up to these last few weeks since Lokimarra, huh?" Ednyss will make small talk with her until she excuses herself. If she sticks around until the end of his shift, he excuses himself politely saying, "Well I don't know about you... But I'm going to need some rest if I'm to be ready for guard duty at sunup."
(OOC: How is guard duty working? Am I outside the arena watching to make sure people don't get in? Or am I inside the arena where I would also be able to see the fights?)
"Pretty much, I belong on the battlefield after all. I wanted to stay in the city only for a bit to recover fully from Lokimarra but ended up signing in to participate in the games. I don't think I'll stay here for long after that, though, unless something interesting arises. Fighting with wooden swords doesn't give you the same feeling you get when hundreds of arrows fly by your head while you're busy blocking someone's axe. Well, I think I'll leave you to treat the other wounded in quiet. Rest is not any less important than fighting. I'll come by to say goodbye before I leave town though. Or maybe you'll find me in one of these beds, who knows. See ya." And with that, she leaves to her room.
(OOC: I have reopened the recruiting thread, but for now you three can carry on.)
The last day of the month of Glory arrives (February, in the Jenghen Imperial calendar), with each member of the party involved in their separate lives and vocations.
Earlier in the afternoon, as already related, Ednyss and Varielky became reacquainted, following several months apart, while on the steps of the Temple of Takal Demesh, across the plaza from the Arena in Ishi Ammah, after Ednyss healed one of the Arena performers. The two spoke for a few moments and then went their separate ways.
Around that time, Mittens reshelves his day’s reading, another thick volume in the library of the Temple of Moietu, within whose mystical histories of the God of Death and Life the young cat-wizard searches for clues to necromantic spells. As he prepares to take his leave and head back to his cousin’s house near Governor’s Market, his new friend, broad-faced, kind-hearted Haniah, approaches him. “Tomorrow is the Games, Mittens, and they begin at 1 Bell in the afternoon. The other acolytes and I will gather here in front of the Temple at 11 Bells, and walk together to the arena, early so we can find good spots all together from which to watch. See you then?” (Mittens can describe his response & the entry of his group to the Arena the next day.)
That night, Varielky dreams of Lokimarra.
She is in the crowd as the Inn is torn asunder. The building, which took ten men half a year to build, tumbles down on her in an instant -- but in her dream, in slow motion. The giant picks her up from the rubble, stares at her, squeezes. He asks, “Why are you here!” She is immobile, like a paper doll in his vice grip. He turns her around, and looking down, she sees herself, in her dream, on the ground with her friends, but down there, she is a Jenghen, not a human. So are her comrades. All wearing sky blue and the dagger moon. He turns her back around to face him, and her terror rises up her throat like bile.
Suddenly, Varielky and the giant have traded places. Now she is fifty feet tall, holding a small paper doll Varielky form. But now, she’s not a giant, she is herself, as a little girl. Her parents are there, smiling. Then frowning. Something is happening. Her parents are gone. The Priest is there. She drops the doll and it burns away. Then she is standing on the Priest’s dais, a raised wooden platform where the Priest lays offerings. He is drawing glyphs on the wood, around a brazier. And the glyphs pull her into more recent memories again.
She is back on the disc-train tracks, fighting the Dreyens. “Why do you fight us, daughter of Drey?” asks a man with reindeer antlers extending regally from his helmet. And she sees the same glyph the Priest was drawing, tattooed on his arm. And she is standing firmly, balancing on the balls of her feet, awaiting the assault of the Dreyen dog sled. And the glyphs on the sled...are the same as those the Priest is drawing.
And she is back with the Priest, he has finished his offerings, and turns to face her. And now he is wearing a helmet, and reindeer antlers are growing out of it. The antlers grow fast, huge, and they grasp her, and she is lifted upward, upward, upward, and she cannot breath and is gripped with fear.
Varielky awakens in a cold sweat as sunlight begins to peek through her window, and it takes a few moments for her to pull herself together with the realization that today is the day of the Beauty Games. She must arrive to the arena before 12 Bells.
At around the time Varielky awakens, Ednyss arrives at first light to the Arena gates, along with perhaps 100 other individuals, to act as security for the Games. Among the others who have arrived are city guards, mostly Orracan men and women, including a few dwarves and chimps, and men of the garrison, all Khazaran, but some 20 individuals are there without insignia or cloak indicating their belonging to either group, like Ednyss. The Gates groan as they swivel open, and all 100 enter the grounds and stand in a group on the arena floor, as groundsmen begin hastily removing the pens and barriers used most days for training, clearing the floor for the Games.
The Gates shriek on their hinges, groaning once more and clanging shut. A Jenghen man in a wheelchair with large spoked wheels, wearing a light blue Imperial cloak draped over his shoulders and concealing the short stumps which are all that remain of his legs, is the last one to enter. He says a word to one of the groundsmen, who turns to the 100 and directs all to move up the raked seating of the arena, taking positions and sitting in the first few rows, allowing all to see the man in his wheelchair, who moves to a central point below and before the gathered group.
At that moment, sunlight peeks over the arena’s Eastern edge, throwing reflected light upon the man’s face, and Ednyss is shocked to see that he recognizes the man. It is Shirei-Kin, the captain of the provincial brigade in Lokimarra, and he addresses the group in his resonant basso as the new Director of Security for the Arena. He gives instructions, insisting that no weapons are allowed by onlookers, unless they are members of the guard or garrison, or Bakar Elite. He dispatches the guards in groups to the various sections of the arena, warning that the crowd of 30,000 can get rowdy, but that they are paying a sometimes hefty fee to enter. So security must ensure safety, but must do so first with words, and only use force if there is no other choice. Ednyss is assigned to Section 12 with four other security persons.
As he dismisses the men under his purview and the 100 begin to move away, Shirei-Kin’s eyes fall on Ednyss, and he calls him down to speak with him individually. Ednyss, approaching, notes grimly that the Paladin’s form is now a mere shadow of his once hale and healthy figure, and Shirei-Kin begins.
“Ednyss Greybeard. From the provincial brigade. From...that fateful day. Well met, stranger. I am glad to know that I was not the only survivor of the Inn’s destruction." He talks a bit about himself, how his wounded legs could not be regrown, how his career in the Provincial Forces is at an end, how doctors suggested he return to Ishi Ammah 'for the clean dry air,' unlike in Jen Ghessa, and he asks briefly about Ednyss.
He continues, "I believe you are capable of more than this simple work. In fact, I have been asked to gather individuals that I trust, for a private client. The pay is good. If there is anyone else you know from Lakimarra, they too could be on that crew. As you can see, I can no longer…” his voice trails off, then picks up again a moment later. “We will speak again when you collect your pay at day’s end.”
Ka’imi has an uneasy feeling about Idder but wants to give him the benefit of the doubt. He seems like a kid who knows what he knows about the world and is comfortable being a medium sized fish here in his tiny pond.
”I’ve been staying out past the farmland in a shelter, learning how the animals live to better trap them. So far it’s been good for me to get back to nature but I’d like to put myself to more regular work. If you and your father can help me learn to skin an animal and break down the bodies into useful parts I’d be grateful and willing to work for you during the training.”
(OOC - being back with in-person school full time after the holidays is kicking my ass, sorry for the delays)
(OOC: no worries, first things first! But, also note that I have already posted another update for Ka'imi. Idder's father will let you watch him work, but he'd rather leave the trapping to you and the skinning, tanning, etc. to him. But he does have another offer/request for you.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
RP#4 Dyn Gwelw
Dyn Gwelw learns that the children live in the North Crossings, except for Grasshopper, who seems to sleep in a different place each night. They begin to learn, accept their new names, and return each day. Their timing is undependable, because, as they tell you, they fear to sleep during the night when bad people sometimes come looking for children and they’ve seen many orphaned children kidnapped. The rumor is that the victims are transported to the Vale to work in the opium farms, or are impressed into service on ships. There are two families in the Vale which seem to be at war, have fights in the streets on a regular basis over territory, and the children have learned to steer wide of such events.
The rumor is that there will be Games at the Arena soon, celebrating the month of Beauty, and the children like to sneak into the plaza and squeeze into tight places there where they can view the show, which is projected into the plaza (magically).
A week after Dyn Gwelw met the long, frizzy-haired acolyte of the Temple of Ritha Demsha, there is another temple rite, and she notices him as the rite is underway and signals for him to speak with her afterward. After saying a parting prayer, she stands back from the burned offering she has laid on a plinth in the public area of the temple, and with an even countenance, awaits Dyn’s approach. She raises both hands in a wing-like greeting to Dyn.
“I have spoken with Eagle’s Memories, the High Priest of this edifice. He has given me leeway to make a decision on his behalf, for he continues in his winter spirit journey. I believe your offer to have potential. For, given the prominent location of this temple, local residents are sometimes surprised to find it impossible to find a priest, even -- especially, when one of the flock comes to the Temple to hire healing services for poison or accidental wounds.” In fact, Dyn has already noticed what she speaks of, during the prior week, when two families had come to the Temple seeking healing in early morning hours while he was practicing his forms.
“If you are able to offer such a one succor, and relieve their pains, or at least, stabilize an injury, the Temple will pay you. You are welcome to employ our supply of poultices, bandages, and the like in such an instance. I will be back in a week’s time, and you can then present a bill for services.
“We must insist however, that any such services under the Temple’s jurisdiction would be given in the name of Ritha Demsha, and the recipients of such succor should be reminded that the flock needs them, and their connection to the flock is why their wounds have been seen to by you. If that is acceptable, then please come with me. We will speak and review your first aid training.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
RP#10 Mittens
When Mittens brings up the question of an adult name with Sungazer, he is met with a degree of unexpected defensiveness. It seems Sungazer does not want to take responsibility for the tradition, except to the extent he will need to for his young kittens. However, Nightsprinter is vocal about it, buts in, and says, “Your parents, your whole branch of family was insane, completely insane. There is nothing which says such unattainable goals must be reached in order to earn your name. Think “threadbinder.” Where does that come from, eh? From weaving. WEAVING. Like you don’t know how to do. You want a quest from Sungazer?”
“Da. That’s enough,” interjects Sungazer, but Nightsprinter continues, brushing him off.
“Here’s what he has in mind for his kittens. Travel to Kalahata. Sell some carpets. Come back. Or, if they’re called for service, do the service. Then, DONE.”
“Da, cool down, please,” but Nightsprinter cannot contain himself and his voice is brittle and venomous.
“You’ve already completed two years of service. How much more are you supposed to do in order to earn your name? Are all of our lives supposed to lay in wait until you are done? Why? So you can live up to your parents’ expectations? Look at what happened to them!”
“DA!” shouts Stargazer, and Nightspringer throws up his hands and stomps out of the room and out the front door, perhaps to his spot on the stoop.
“It….may not seem like it,” Stargazer says, breaking the ensuing silence, “but he’s actually on your side.” And after an uncomfortable minute during which Stargazer’s mouth opens and closes noiselessly several times, searching for words, he stiffly rises and excuses himself, mumbling that he has work to do.
The kittens have been peeking in through the door, drawn by raised voices, and when Stargazer turns to leave, they are out of sight in an instant, returning only when both of the older cats have left the room, to observe Mittens’ reaction.
(OOC: Mittens realizes, and checks with Hania, that he does not have to be covert about his actions in the Moeitu cemetery. It is filled with the graves of Priests and Acolytes from the past, and it is expected that should they be needed, they will return, as undead, to defend the temple. Thus, necromantic rites and wizardry is allowed without question, so long as the deceased themselves are not disturbed except by order of the living High Priest of the temple.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
RP#6
In the mornings, Ednyss sees townspeople, the city guard, and garrison members in the Arena, practicing in pens. Much later in the day, after helping Ingrid, perhaps running an errand for her, he sees fighters, dancers, and others leaving the gates, and asking around, he learns they are rehearsing for the upcoming Games.
After the night of cards when Ednyss won back his losses, he wanders back to the side street, where he noticed a guarded basement room and the smell of burnt opium on his first night out. There in the street, he sees three figures. At first, he assumes they are drunk and leaning on one another to help each other’s footing on the dirty cobblestones. But then he sees a sudden motion, and the middle figure doubles over, makes a frightful wheezing noise, then drops. The two outer figures, in the same instant, one of them first spitting on the fallen body, turn toward Ednyss (please roll perception DC 20 to see their faces), and then, they whip around in the opposite direction and dash away down the street. Both seem to be large humans, each seems to be wearing leather armor under a dark cloak and they both carry daggers.
What do you do?
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Perception: 18
Guidance: 1
Ednyss memorizes both of their faces, but not wanting to cause trouble quite yet, Ednyss decides not to push his luck and follow the figures, although he waits 10 seconds and then dashes to the body to see if there is any chance that the middle figure could be brought back (Medicine: 18). If so, he calls upon some of the magic of Takal Demesh to revive this man. Otherwise he begins an investigation of the man's body with the guiding hand of Takal Demesh (Investigation: 3 Guidance: 2).
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
RP#7 Ednyss
Ednyss notices that the two faces appear to be Shian men, one, he thinks, with a scar running straight across his face. Covered by makeup? He thinks he could spot them if he were to ever see them again.
At the injured man’s side, along with two other passersby, he sees the third man is on the point of death. A rough-looking human, salt-and-pepper beard, sunken eye sockets, large pock-marked nose, dressed in a light shirt and fur vest. There is a pool of blood already forming on the street beneath him, spreading in the gaps between the filthy cobblestones.
Ednyss tries to staunch the bleeding, and the man’s eyes open, unseeing and fearful, and in a gurgling whisper he says, “Just one more week, I can pay, I can pay more than he wants....” He trails off, spasming. His eyes screw shut, then in time, as he inhales shallowly, shuddering, they open briefly again. This time he is there, he sees you, notes his surroundings, sweating, his face a picture of agony. Breath rasping, his body twisting in pain, the words fight their way out, “help...me….” but in a moment he is no more.
Ednyss notices what many would miss, that a barely perceptible greenish foam is forming on his lips. The man has been poisoned.
Just then, two guardsmen run up, having been summoned by other onlookers, of whom there are now perhaps half a dozen. The guards question you about what happened. Do you tell them all?
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Ednyss tells the guards that he noticed this man collapsing to the ground and points out the poison that the guards might have otherwise missed. However, he doesn't mention anything about the two figures that he saw running away from the scene, or the man's last words. Ednyss tries to head back to Ingrid's smithy once the guards are done questioning him, not wanting to involve himself to deeply in this situation at the moment, but he ponders the poisoning and comes to the conclusion that the man must have been stabbed by a poisoned dagger. For the next few days, Ednyss avoids the Docks to ensure that he doesn't get himself into trouble, but he eagerly awaits his employment beginning at the start of Beauty.
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Mittens just stands there in the room for a moment while he processes what just happened. He gives a weak smile at the children before sullenly making his way to his room. He plops onto his bed and lies there for a moment. Well, that was unexpected, he muses. He doesn't even have to do much, he thinks fiercely. All he has to do is send a letter to everyone. He rolls over and opens his spellbook and rereads the passages he has already read a thousand times over to take his mind off of the argument. After a while, he closes his book with a sigh and decides he just need s to find a different relative who would be willing to help.
The next few days, Mittens still helps out just as much as before, but he seems a bit distant and cold.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Ednyss & Varielky RP#1
On the last day of Glory, Ednyss has spent the afternoon at the Temple of Takal Demesh. The plaza is unusually busy with men, mounted, or on foot, passing through, making weapons purchases, or arranging for lodgings in the nearby inns, a few of which are very large, built to accommodate the large out-of-town crowds which come in for Games. Crossing the busy plaza there are performers, warriors, and the usual city residents, journeymen, messengers, delivery carts, and private guardsmen all moving about at an unusually quick pace.
There are likewise an unusual number of injuries in the Arena on this day, and dying and bleeding bodies are brought to the temple for healing. Toward the end of the day, Malike asks Ednyss to use his powers to help such fighters in need, for the Arena makes a sizable monthly donation to the Temple, ensuring its employees will obtain healing when needed, and the priests are exhausted, their powers dwindling as the sun sets after a long day.
An attractive young woman with a long ponytail and wearing makeup highlighting her dark eyes is brought in just before sunset, one finger severed from her hand. She is swearing profusely in Indallian, the language of the province north of Orraca u Shia, lying between it and the mountain border with Drey far in the north.
Your friend Quisa, Priest of the Temple, is already performing a healing on another Arena hire, an acrobat who had somehow suffered serious burns, and turns to Ednyss. “This one is yours, Greybeard.”
Ednyss performs a healing spell on the woman, and holding the severed finger in place, a lick of warm magical fire shoots from Ednyss’ open palm to the wound, and the skin and bone reknit in a moment. The woman stops swearing, takes a breath, exhales forcefully, and controlling her anger, looks at Ednyss. “Thank you healer. I’ll be needing that finger tomorrow.”
She turns to the plaza, where a friend of hers, bearing a shield, has come running after her from the Arena, and now stands a few feet away. The first woman gestures to her friend, flipping her the bird with her reattached finger, while smiling brightly, the tip of her tongue showing between her teeth, “Look, it’s fixed!”
As Ednyss’ gaze shifts to the new arrival, he is astonished to see that it is none other than Varielky, who has just finished her final rehearsing session for the Games.
The first woman, Benita la Cass, says to her friend, “You know what they say. Bad dress rehearsal, good performance. See you tomorrow Varielky.” And giving Ednyss a look which seems to convey, simultaneously, gratitude and “I’m watching you,” she rises and walks back to the Arena. Several men -- and women -- notice her and stop what they’re doing as their eyes follow Benita's graceful form.
Do Ednyss & Varielky catch up with each other’s doings since Lokimarra?
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Mittens & Ka’imi RP#1
On a morning late in the month of Glory, Mittens has been asked to help Stargazer at the sales table at Governor’s Market. Stargazer has been called to a Villa in Harbor View to take measurements for a new commission. At the table, Mittens, still fuming a bit about the recent naming argument, which has left an uncomfortable silence at home, is focused on his own thoughts when he notices an elf in the crowd at the market.
Mittens has seen elves here in Ishi Ammah over the last few weeks, but they usually stay near the Prince’s Arbor. He is about to write it off, when he is stunned to realize the elf is none other than one of his companions on that fateful day in Lokimarra, what was his name? Ka’imi. The elf, along with a youngish man leading a donkey cart, has stopped at another Cat’s stall, a tailor named Imble Shu, to drop off some fine-looking skins, fennec and squirrel furs. Mittens sees money exchange hands.
Ka’imi has come into town along with Idder el Afid to close the loop on the sale to Imble Shu of the furs cut from the animals he trapped. Not fully trustful of Idder, Ka’imi was there to ensure the deal went down as promised. Upon his arrival, Imble Shu looks at the furs, smiles widely, and pays a handsome price to Idder, who splits it with you on the spot. As Ka’imi places his earnings, 10GP, in his satchel, Idder say, “O.K. th’n. Seeyuh next time. Don’ f’rget wha’ m’pa asked,” and clicking loudly to the donkey, leads it to his next stop in town.
Imble Shu calls after him, and to Ka’imi, “Spring almost herrrrre! Feathers, feathers, next time, not furrrr. And more soft leather!”
Do Mittens & Ka’imi catch up with each other’s doings since Lokimarra?
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Dyn Gwelw RP#5
Two weeks later, Dyn has gained proficiency with medicine following training and repeat experiences helping the local citizens, stabilizing bleeding, assisting with a complicated birth, and dispensing herbs which help an older Orracan fighting the flu.
He has earned some silver for performing these services, but after his own living expenses, he has only profited 5 GP.
Dyn Gwelw's young charges continue to learn from him, and the oldest, in particular, shows promise. The Games are approaching, the children are excited about it, and they plead with Dyn to accompany them to the plaza to watch the games with them, also asking if he would please pay for their entry to the plaza. They usually sneak in, but have been caught in the past and ejected.
Against his better instincts, Dyn finds himself agreeing, as the fee is only 1 SP per person to sit in the plaza and watch the Games via clairvoyant illusion or something similar. Dyn is very used to this kind of thing from the Kingdoms, and still finds Orracu u Shia to be a backwater of civilization, hardly using magic for the many uses he enjoyed, especially in his early life.
Does Dyn Gwelw attend the Games with the children?
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Varielky looks at the finger Benita is showing her. "As if nothing ever happened to it. Even if they worship him differently, they're still followers of Takal Demesh." She looks at Ednyss, not recognising him yet. "Thank you, priest. It would be a shame if she had lost her finger before the big day." Suddenly, she somehow manages to recognise him. She's not usually good at that, but maybe fighting along others helps to remember them. "Well, haven't seen you since... back then." She says that but looks past him to the inside of the temple. She has done her worshipping to Takal Demesh by training in the arena for the past two weeks and didn't really come to the temple. Not that she didn't want to, but she always felt uncomfortable by the "normal" priests. "May I?" "If I'm here already... maybe it's a good time." She walks forward and stands in front of the (Shrine/Altar/Statue/something else?), holding her shield in both hands with her eyes closed and praying silently for about a minute.
When she's done, she opens her eyes and puts her shield on her back. She then approaches Ednyss. "Well, I think I'm done for today in the arena. If I'm not ready now, I won't be tomorrow either. So, ah..." She tries to remember the priest's name. Did he even tell her? She's not sure. Did she tell him her own name? Names can usually be of great use in battle. Trying to warn someone about an attack coming from behind, for example, is really hard when you don't know how to address them. They didn't have time to exchange names back then though. Or maybe she just forgot. "Sorry, I don't think we ever had a chance to exchange names. I'm Varielky."
Varielky
Ednyss nods to Varielky as she takes her friends hand and smiles and accepts the gratitude with a simple, "It is always a shame when a good warrior loses their ability to fight, so I do what I can." Ednyss also doesn't recognize Varielky at first and even after she gives Ednyss a hint that they had seen each other during battle, Ednyss cannot seem to recall her face or name. As she goes to pray, Ednyss stands back and politely watches Varielky's prayer, his face revealing that he is clearly impressed, although her rituals are not the same as his. As she places her shield beside her, Ednyss finally realizes that she was the woman that fought alongside him during his service and that she had been extraordinarily efficient in dispatching the enemy with her shield as well as brave when standing in the face of death, carrying the poor dying cat all the way back to the town. As she introduces herself, Ednyss promptly extends his arm forward and replies "Well met, Varielky. I'm Ednyss. I suppose if you are done for today then you won't mind keeping me a little company, I would be interested to learn how you managed to earn a role as a gladiator in the arena." Normally Ednyss would not be so interested in the life of a non-dwarf, but this fiery young woman left a mark when they served together and Ednyss is surprised she managed to gain a role in the arena fights that usually involve fighters of a very high caliber. As he goes back to his healing Ednyss begins to talk to Varielky, "I did manage to get a position in the Games as well, only as a guard though. Nowhere near as prestigious as a gladiator, but we do the work that we can get."
(OOC: Ednyss will catch up on what he has been up to after being released from service, excluding his run-in with a gang and the police last night in the Docks.)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Varielky shakes Ednyss' hand. "I could keep you company, as long as the smell of sweat doesn't bother you." Varielky stands at a small distance from Ednyss and stays mostly quiet. She wasn't sure how his magic works and she didn't want to interrupt him. When he asks her, though, she understands that it's not too problematic. "Well, all I really had to do is ask. After that, they watched me train... like a kind of trial. They then told me that if I can keep up with their training routine, I could participate in the Beauty Pageant, so that's what I did. There are some really tough fighters in there though. I can't say for sure that I'll win. All I can say is that I'll try. Well, if you're a guard there, there's a good chance you'll be able to see me!"
Varielky
Mittens's annoyance is simmering just below the surface while he is counting out the coin they just got from selling a rug. A slight gust of wind blows through the market and happens to blow a train of sand into his eye. "Ouch," he quietly exclaims to himself as he rubs his blinking eye. A few moments of this pass, and when he finally gets it out with a series of intense blinking, he looks around to test his sight when he sees Ka'imi. He squints at the elven figure. Is that who I think it is? A crooked smile comes across his face as he stands and shouts, "Hey, Ka'imi!" He waves his hand as high over his head as he can.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
"It is likely that I will be able to see a bout or two of yours," Ednyss says with a note of excitement "And I'm sure you've got a good shot at winning," Ednyss says reassuringly, although from what he has seen from the other fighters in the arena, he is not so sure about that. "So that's all you've been up to these last few weeks since Lokimarra, huh?" Ednyss will make small talk with her until she excuses herself. If she sticks around until the end of his shift, he excuses himself politely saying, "Well I don't know about you... But I'm going to need some rest if I'm to be ready for guard duty at sunup."
(OOC: How is guard duty working? Am I outside the arena watching to make sure people don't get in? Or am I inside the arena where I would also be able to see the fights?)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
"Pretty much, I belong on the battlefield after all. I wanted to stay in the city only for a bit to recover fully from Lokimarra but ended up signing in to participate in the games. I don't think I'll stay here for long after that, though, unless something interesting arises. Fighting with wooden swords doesn't give you the same feeling you get when hundreds of arrows fly by your head while you're busy blocking someone's axe. Well, I think I'll leave you to treat the other wounded in quiet. Rest is not any less important than fighting. I'll come by to say goodbye before I leave town though. Or maybe you'll find me in one of these beds, who knows. See ya." And with that, she leaves to her room.
Varielky
It looks like we’ve lost Ka’imi and Dyn Gwelw.
I’m also terribly swamped at work right now. I’ll look at how to move forward this weekend. Thanks all!
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: I have reopened the recruiting thread, but for now you three can carry on.)
The last day of the month of Glory arrives (February, in the Jenghen Imperial calendar), with each member of the party involved in their separate lives and vocations.
Earlier in the afternoon, as already related, Ednyss and Varielky became reacquainted, following several months apart, while on the steps of the Temple of Takal Demesh, across the plaza from the Arena in Ishi Ammah, after Ednyss healed one of the Arena performers. The two spoke for a few moments and then went their separate ways.
Around that time, Mittens reshelves his day’s reading, another thick volume in the library of the Temple of Moietu, within whose mystical histories of the God of Death and Life the young cat-wizard searches for clues to necromantic spells. As he prepares to take his leave and head back to his cousin’s house near Governor’s Market, his new friend, broad-faced, kind-hearted Haniah, approaches him. “Tomorrow is the Games, Mittens, and they begin at 1 Bell in the afternoon. The other acolytes and I will gather here in front of the Temple at 11 Bells, and walk together to the arena, early so we can find good spots all together from which to watch. See you then?” (Mittens can describe his response & the entry of his group to the Arena the next day.)
That night, Varielky dreams of Lokimarra.
She is in the crowd as the Inn is torn asunder. The building, which took ten men half a year to build, tumbles down on her in an instant -- but in her dream, in slow motion. The giant picks her up from the rubble, stares at her, squeezes. He asks, “Why are you here!” She is immobile, like a paper doll in his vice grip. He turns her around, and looking down, she sees herself, in her dream, on the ground with her friends, but down there, she is a Jenghen, not a human. So are her comrades. All wearing sky blue and the dagger moon. He turns her back around to face him, and her terror rises up her throat like bile.
Suddenly, Varielky and the giant have traded places. Now she is fifty feet tall, holding a small paper doll Varielky form. But now, she’s not a giant, she is herself, as a little girl. Her parents are there, smiling. Then frowning. Something is happening. Her parents are gone. The Priest is there. She drops the doll and it burns away. Then she is standing on the Priest’s dais, a raised wooden platform where the Priest lays offerings. He is drawing glyphs on the wood, around a brazier. And the glyphs pull her into more recent memories again.
She is back on the disc-train tracks, fighting the Dreyens. “Why do you fight us, daughter of Drey?” asks a man with reindeer antlers extending regally from his helmet. And she sees the same glyph the Priest was drawing, tattooed on his arm. And she is standing firmly, balancing on the balls of her feet, awaiting the assault of the Dreyen dog sled. And the glyphs on the sled...are the same as those the Priest is drawing.
And she is back with the Priest, he has finished his offerings, and turns to face her. And now he is wearing a helmet, and reindeer antlers are growing out of it. The antlers grow fast, huge, and they grasp her, and she is lifted upward, upward, upward, and she cannot breath and is gripped with fear.
Varielky awakens in a cold sweat as sunlight begins to peek through her window, and it takes a few moments for her to pull herself together with the realization that today is the day of the Beauty Games. She must arrive to the arena before 12 Bells.
At around the time Varielky awakens, Ednyss arrives at first light to the Arena gates, along with perhaps 100 other individuals, to act as security for the Games. Among the others who have arrived are city guards, mostly Orracan men and women, including a few dwarves and chimps, and men of the garrison, all Khazaran, but some 20 individuals are there without insignia or cloak indicating their belonging to either group, like Ednyss. The Gates groan as they swivel open, and all 100 enter the grounds and stand in a group on the arena floor, as groundsmen begin hastily removing the pens and barriers used most days for training, clearing the floor for the Games.
The Gates shriek on their hinges, groaning once more and clanging shut. A Jenghen man in a wheelchair with large spoked wheels, wearing a light blue Imperial cloak draped over his shoulders and concealing the short stumps which are all that remain of his legs, is the last one to enter. He says a word to one of the groundsmen, who turns to the 100 and directs all to move up the raked seating of the arena, taking positions and sitting in the first few rows, allowing all to see the man in his wheelchair, who moves to a central point below and before the gathered group.
At that moment, sunlight peeks over the arena’s Eastern edge, throwing reflected light upon the man’s face, and Ednyss is shocked to see that he recognizes the man. It is Shirei-Kin, the captain of the provincial brigade in Lokimarra, and he addresses the group in his resonant basso as the new Director of Security for the Arena. He gives instructions, insisting that no weapons are allowed by onlookers, unless they are members of the guard or garrison, or Bakar Elite. He dispatches the guards in groups to the various sections of the arena, warning that the crowd of 30,000 can get rowdy, but that they are paying a sometimes hefty fee to enter. So security must ensure safety, but must do so first with words, and only use force if there is no other choice. Ednyss is assigned to Section 12 with four other security persons.
As he dismisses the men under his purview and the 100 begin to move away, Shirei-Kin’s eyes fall on Ednyss, and he calls him down to speak with him individually. Ednyss, approaching, notes grimly that the Paladin’s form is now a mere shadow of his once hale and healthy figure, and Shirei-Kin begins.
“Ednyss Greybeard. From the provincial brigade. From...that fateful day. Well met, stranger. I am glad to know that I was not the only survivor of the Inn’s destruction." He talks a bit about himself, how his wounded legs could not be regrown, how his career in the Provincial Forces is at an end, how doctors suggested he return to Ishi Ammah 'for the clean dry air,' unlike in Jen Ghessa, and he asks briefly about Ednyss.
He continues, "I believe you are capable of more than this simple work. In fact, I have been asked to gather individuals that I trust, for a private client. The pay is good. If there is anyone else you know from Lakimarra, they too could be on that crew. As you can see, I can no longer…” his voice trails off, then picks up again a moment later. “We will speak again when you collect your pay at day’s end.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer