Welcome to the Halmae (updated 2/27/07)

Part the Fourth:
In which: we begin a new mission

It’s been three weeks since the adventurers returned to Dar Pykos. The freed slaves have settled into some semblance of their normal lives. Reyu has told Lira the story of the party’s adventures which led them to find her in Dar Aego. Anvil still rises each morning and thinks about capital-J Justice.

Lira prefers to rise in the morning and think about not discharging rays of frost on random members of the populace. With everyone else in the Questor chapter house up to greet the dawn and the new challenges that Ehkt brings, Lira has found that if she sleeps in, no one bothers her as she sits on her mat doing her focusing exercises.

Although many sorcerers are Questors, not all Questors approve of arcane magic, and Lira, with 10 gold in her pocket, would rather not loose the free bed she has found that does not come with any proselytizers.

Today, she opens her eyes… and finds Devon staring down at her.

Lira cranes her neck to look up at him from her position sitting on her pallet. “Good morning.”

Devon starts to speak, pauses, starts again, finally, he blurts out, “Have you done anything illegal?”

“Umm… I don’t think so.”

Devon lets out a long breath. “There’s an acolyte of the Justicars here looking for you.”

“What does he want?”

“He’s been charged with bringing you back to his temple.”

Lira casts about for an explanation for this turn of events. She’s almost positive she hasn’t done anything in the city to get herself arrested, but then again, neither did Reyu and Thatch. “Did he say who sent him?” she asks finally.

Devon tries to remember. Justicar names all start to run together for him. “Hammer?… Forge?”

“Anvil?” Lira suggests.

“Anvil. That’s it.” Devon confirms. He gives her an odd look. “Is this someone you know?”

Lira lets out a sigh of relief. “He was one of the ones who escorted me here from Dar Aego. I guess I should see what he wants.”

“You think a challenge awaits?”

Lira laughs. “Almost certainly.” If nothing else, trying not to snicker when he suggests I become an acolyte.

**************

Lira is ushered (straight-faced) into a small anteroom where Anvil, Reyu, Thatch and Dennis are already waiting. Anvil explains that he has gathered them for a meeting with Tenacious, who has another mission for them. They are only waiting for Hue, but soon the acolyte sent to the great library to fetch him returns empty-handed.

The acolyte is quite apologetic. “I’m sorry, Justicar, I could not find him.”

“Did you check the reference section?” Anvil demands.

“Well… ah… not specifically, but the librarians said they hadn’t seen him for several weeks.”

“Perhaps, he has returned to the field to continue his… research,” Reyu suggests.

“Or decided to take al-Assal up on his offer,” adds Thatch.

In any event, the group decides that Hue will show up when he wants to and that they had best not keep Tenacious waiting any longer.

(Note: it’s not that we don’t like Hue, it’s just that his player had been called away on short notice to Abu Dhabi for at least three months, so we knew we weren’t going to find him even if we went looking. This did not stop our DM from grousing about our meta-gaming for months afterwards. However, that would come back to haunt him.)

Tenacious is not long on details when he meets the party. “A professor Alexandra at the Mage’s Academy has asked for our help in a matter of contract enforcement. Not that I approve of the arcane arts or those that meddle with them, but the Caucus needs all the friends it can find.” If Tenacious notices Lira turning slightly red, he doesn’t pause for it. “This professor has made arrangements to buy a diamond from a dwarf and he now refuses to sell.”

“Why?” The party wants to know.

“You’ll have to ask her. You’ll find her in the Artificy building at the Mage’s Academy.”

spyscribe said:

(Note: it’s not that we don’t like Hue, it’s just that his player had been called away on short notice to Abu Dhabi for at least three months, so we knew we weren’t going to find him even if we went looking. This did not stop our DM from grousing about our meta-gaming for months afterwards. However, that would come back to haunt him.)

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>sigh<

So, out of the blue, I had about 15 minutes to figure out why Hue had vanished, 'cause I thought that even tho' the players knew he wouldn't be there, the characters would need a reason not to look for him, roleplayers that they are. So I worked feverishly and came up with an explanation, and a rather entertaining one at that.

And then they didn't bother. "Oh, okay, can't find him, well, let's go without him. See ya."

>sigh<

At any rate, my work here is finished. Spyscribe's got the reins again, as she mentioned. I'll still be here for Sidebars and snarking, but from here out, the text is hers.

Guess I'll go work on the next session or something.

D'arrr. It be a fine thing when a Master has a scurvy crewman to write the tales o their adventures, b'like. Then the Master can drink o the grog and chase the wenches, while the mates do the scrubbin' o the decks.

Happy Talk Like Pirate Day to ye!

KidCthulhu said:

D'arrr. It be a fine thing when a Master has a scurvy crewman to write the tales o their adventures, b'like.

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If ye be callin' a fair lass like spyscribe "scurvy," ye'd best hold yer tongue, else I'll slit it from yer gullet and hold it for ye, don'cha know?

(>sigh< One of these days, I'm really going to run that Pirates of the Halmae side-campaign I've been dreaming of...)

If you do so, invite me, eh?

Sidebar IV

Detecting a bit of anti-arcane sentiment creeping into our tale? Do you suspect that perhaps Lira is just a touch paranoid? Wonder no longer as we bring you:

Sidebar: Arcane Magic in the Halmae

Divine magic has always been a part of life in the Halmae. In the beginning, it is said divine forces shaped the world. To this day, devout worshippers of the gods invoke their blessings.

But recently, a new power has been felt...

History of Arcane Magic

About 250 years ago, the first sorcerers were born on the Darine peninsula. Their powers were notably different from those of the clergy, and many thought them unholy. Sorcerers were shunned and feared, often lynched or stoned by their neighbors.

Slowly, sages and clerics began to realize that these people were not cursed, but were tapping into some new energy. About 100 years ago, scholars began to study it, and the first wizards were born. Now, both exist: wizards, probing the possibilities of arcane power in private study, and sorcerers, born randomly throughout the world.

Arcane Magic and Society

No one knows where arcane magic comes from, though there are more than a couple of theories floating around. Some say it has always been a part of the world, but only recently understood and recorded. Others say it represents some kind of fundamental change in the world order.

Regardless, arcane magic occupies a controversial place in society. There are many opposing views. Some people see it as unholy, falling out of the direct purview of the gods. Others see it as another part of the gods’ plan. After all, if it truly defied them, why would they allow it to exist? Some consider it dangerous. Others accept its new, “modern” conveniences.

The view of magic within the Churches is also varied, though it tends towards the negative in most places. In addition to the ideological threat arcane magic presents, there is also a growing political threat. Wizards and sorcerers are coming to occupy roles in society that have traditionally been occupied by clergy. As arcane power grows, the Churches’ power may well diminish.

Naturally, arcanists tend to have a different view of their abilities. Some consider themselves blessed. Some feel they are indeed cursed, and hate themselves as much as others do. Lira is not the only sorcerer who sees her talents as having a divine source, in her case a challenge from Ehkt. As she has been known to quip, “I tried believing I was an unholy freak of nature for a while, but it wasn’t really working out for me.”

Dar Pykos, as in all things, tends to have a rather liberal view of arcane magic. Renowned as a center of learning, Dar Pykos is home to the only mage’s academy in the Confederacy, quite possibly the only one in the world.

Limitations of Arcane Magic

Arcane magic is still an experimental force in the Halmae. There are very few high level wizards known to exist. The Chancellor of the Mages Academy himself is only roughly eleventh level, and most of the professors only ninth.

Fifth level arcane spells are becoming more and more common, though very few sixth level spells have even been researched. Seventh level spells are still, as far as anyone knows, purely theoretical.

Arcane magic has other limitations in the Halmae. For example, the basic elements, fire, earth, air, and water, fall clearly under the domain of the gods. It is not possible to create them using arcane magic; these elements can be manipulated or transported, but not created from nothing. (Yep, that’s right. No fireball or burning hands in the Halmae. Freezing hands or lightning hands are the usual form).

Piratecat said:

If you do so, invite me, eh?

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Tell you what: you get yourself out here, and I'll get off m'butt and run it.

spyscribe said:

Sidebar: Arcane Magic in the Halmae

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Great stuff! Fajitas, I really enjoy the world you've crafted. It's different enough to stand out, but not so far from the "norm" that it seems different for the sake of being different. It's obvious you've thought through a lot of the details to create a fully fleshed out world. Kudos.

Oh, and great storytelling, spyscribe! I enjoy your pacing and the way you reveal things.

So... okay. I've figured out the order now. I'm ready.

(Hey Porthos, glad you're enjoying the story. We think Fajitas' world is pretty neat too.

dpdx: get set, because here comes...)

Part the Fifth:
In which: A diamond is a Wizard’s best friend.

The Mages Academy is an inconspicuous set of buildings right in the heart of Dar Pykos. It covers roughly four city blocks, but where the streets should be is instead a large grass quad. If you didn’t know where you were, you could walk straight onto the campus of the only school for the arcane arts in the Confederacy, thinking only that you had walked into some kind of civic park.

The main buildings are in varying styles, mostly stone. Students practice their spell-casting in the quad, with professors standing by to contain any mishaps. The party pauses to watch as one young wizard manages to cause his own right leg to grow to disproportionate size. Anvil shakes his head and mutters something about safety. Reyu is somewhat surprised to hear Lira wonder under her breath, “Why do people study this stuff?”

“Not everyone is fortunate enough to have your gift,” the Elf points out.

Lira gives a ladylike snort. “Not everyone would call it a gift.”

A few polite questions lead the group to Professor Alexandra’s workshop in the School of Artificy. The Professor is a middle-aged woman whose face is lined more from worry than age. Her hair is up in a no-nonsense bun, from which several stray wisps have escaped. At the moment, she is in the middle of a lesson to a group of first-year students, among them, Amelia.

The party catches her eye as they enter the room. “Yes, what is it?” she hisses. “Can’t you see I’m the middle of a lesson?”

Anvil takes charge. “We were sent by Tenacious the Just, from the Temple of Justice. He said that—"

But the moment Anvil mentions Tenacious’s name, Professor Alexandra’s demeanor changes. “Yes! Yes, of course. I’m so sorry. Please, please come in.” She sets the students to work on their own and takes the group to a corner to explain her situation.

The Professor had made arrangement to buy a large diamond from Gurn Stoneshaper, a dwarven miner, at a price of 1,500 GP. The contract had been made and signed, but when she sent payment, the dwarf simply sent her money back with no explanation. She sent him 2,000 gold pieces next and the money was duly returned along with a flat refusal to sell, although without any reason.

“Well, if the money has been returned, what do you want us to do?” asks Anvil.

“I want the diamond,” explains Professor Alexandra. “It’s crucial for my research. I’ve theorized that gemstones, particularly valuable diamonds, may have great potential as foci or components for powerful arcane spells. I’ve had encouraging results from smaller stones, but I’m at a dead end unless I get a larger one. Besides, we had an agreement. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t sell to me.”

Although dubious that they will be particularly persuasive, the party agrees to go to the Dwarven mines near Dar Und and make Gurn Stoneshaper another offer. She gives them 1500 gold, the agreed upon price. The Professor has one other request. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I’d like to send my own agent as well, who can speak for me in negotiations.” No one in the party voices any objections, so she motions for her assistant, Edmund, to join them.

He’s a third-year student, about 18. A pair of spectacles perch on the far end of his nose, and he looks at the party over them, not through them. He wears the plain robes of a Mage’s Academy student, which are slightly too short for his gangly arms and legs, and he carries a bulging portfolio of vellum of various types and sizes and a specially designed case for quills and ink.

“Edmund, these are the people I spoke to you about. I’d like you to go with them to speak to the Dwarves.”

“Absolutely, Professor,” he responds, in clipped upper-class tones. “You can count on me. I won’t let you down, rest assured. With this stout looking group at my back, I shall not return without that diamond.”

He turns dramatically and starts for the door. “Very well then, let’s be off.”

He stops when he realizes the party is not following him. Edmund smiles at them condescendingly, as if he hadn’t quite made himself clear. “I said, we should probably be off. It is a long journey, lots to do, miles to go, hmmm?”

The party stares at him with a mixture of dislike and disbelief. His smile falters under the weight of their stares. “Well… it is, isn’t it?” he stammers.

Rather than answer, the members of the party find excuses to spend a few minutes getting final details from Professor Alexandra and making their good-byes.

Once back on the street Edmund takes the lead again, heading directly for the city gates. “Right. Well, now we’re off then. Good to be on the road, isn’t it? Not that I’ve traveled much before, but I have read extensively on the subject, and from all I’ve learned…” He trails off when he notices the party is heading in the opposite direction.

“What now?”

Anvil fixes the young mage with a steely look. “You assume an attitude of authority. It is unwarranted.” With that, he begins walking towards the Temple.

Edmund blinks in shock. “I-I don’t understand. You are all in the employ of Professor Alexandra, and I’m her assistant. She has given you your orders. I-I don’t understand the reason for the delay.”

Reyu takes pity on the young human, just a baby after all. “We need to collect our things for the journey. Cloaks, food, bedrolls. Surely you have preparations to make as well?”

Edmund is even more taken aback. “I… I assumed that had been taken care of. I mean, you’re here to provide those things, aren’t you?”

“I’m sure we can… manage,” Reyu assures him. When one has already seen more than 100 winters pass, patience is easier to come by than for the younger races.

The party scatters to collect their things from their various lodgings.

******

Reyu finishes her packing quickly and goes to find Anvil. He is attempting to requisition a crossbow for the journey. Perhaps remembering that this is the same Justicar who returned from his last trip light by one cart and a good mule, the Quartermaster is somewhat grudging as he hands over the weapon.

“Don’t loose it,” he warns Anvil. “It’s our only one.”

Reyu quirks an eyebrow. “Your only one?”

Anvil sighs and shakes his head. “Somehow, we wound up with 800 bolts and one crossbow. Don’t ask me how that happened.”

******

Delays and Edmund’s impatience aside, the party gets on their way by midday. Thatch leads the party astride Bob who seems pleased to be out of the city stables and on the road again. Dennis follows beside on foot, often pointing out landmarks and potential sites for ambush to the young fighter as they go. Anvil also walks, his contemplation of Justice only interrupted by the unconscious grinding of his teeth as Edmund prattles on in the background about what an honor it was to be chosen from this assignment, and how he was the obvious choice because of all his arcane academic accomplishments.

Lira, riding beside him in the cart that Reyu drives, bears the brunt of Edmund’s discourse. With nothing of interest on the road she had been passing the time reading Edmund’s notes over his shoulder. As far as she can tell he is in the midst of composing an elaborate and long-winded treatise that boils down to the fact that lamb and kid vellum are equally good for making scrolls. Then, Edmund notices her reading.

“I can explain to you what this is all about if you like. It is rather complicated and technical.”

“No, I think I’ve got it.” Lira flashes Edmund a quick smile, and the young mage is temporarily left speechless. People do not often smile at Edmund. People like Lira, even more seldom.

“Are-are you sure? As I said, it is quite complicated for the layman. There’s no shame, of course, in not being able to--”

Lira shrugs. “I do have some magical background.”

Edmund’s eyes go wide with excitement. “Really? I never thought to meet an esteemed colleague on this journey. With whom do you study?”

Lira is almost positive she sees Reyu hide a smile. “Well… I don’t study as such. I was born to it.”

Edmund’s excitement drains away. “Oh. You’re one of them. Er, not that there’s anything wrong with that,” he says, rapidly backpedaling. “I mean, you do things your way; we do them ours. There’s nothing wrong with that, however simple your ways might be. There’s something primal and visceral about it, that inelegant, primitive force. And sorcery was a vital first step to the development of the more advanced arcane arts…” Now on a roll, Edmund happily keeps himself going the rest of the afternoon. Lira takes small comfort that if she has to listen to him talk her ear off, at least he drives Anvil to tooth-grinding distraction as well.

As the party approaches Dar Und, the quality of the road deteriorates, and most of the farms they pass along the way have been razed.

The party spends the night sleeping in the barn of one such farm hosted by the farmer, Toroth, and his family. Initially wary of the group, when Toroth sees they have a Justicar with them, he invites the party to stay and tells them of the bandits that have been troubling the area. Anvil promises him that the party will, “Smite them all.” Meanwhile, Reyu is fascinated by her first exposure to human children, and the children are equally fascinated to see their first real, live Elf.

As they leave the next day, Thatch looks out over the burned and broken fields and is reminded of why he didn’t stay home to be a farmer. Bob doesn’t seem to be missing his former life as a plow-horse either.

By mid-morning, Lira has gotten tired of listening to Edmund expound on the virtues of this vellum over that one and tries to get some better conversation out of her weasel.

“Oh!” Edmund exclaims, “You have a familiar! I hadn’t even realized you could. A weasel? Well, I suppose that’s all right. Simply everyone at school has a weasel.”

Psssst. You want I should bite him, boss? Euro thinks at Lira. Lira buries her head in her hands.

“Personally,” Edmund continues undeterred, “I’m saving myself for a pseudo-dragon—“

Everyone would have welcomed anything that would shut Edmund up, except he was cut off by Dennis shouting, “In the woods!” and an arrow going >thunk!< into the side of the cart.