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Shadows of Greatness, a Forgotten Realms campaign UPDATED February 1, 2008
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<blockquote data-quote="sniffles" data-source="post: 3621259" data-attributes="member: 30035"><p><strong>The City of Brass</strong></p><p></p><p>One of my companions had asked the illusory efreet if anything geniune might be found here, meaning where the efreet stood, to which the image replied, "No, not here." It was then that we heard the cry from behind us. The shout resembled a war cry. I turned to see that several creatures had appeared from beyond the curtain of heat through which we had just come. Three of them appeared Man-like but with features resembling the illusory efreet with whom we had been conversing. But two were reptilian in appearance and wreathed in flames, wielding immensely long fiery spears.</p><p></p><p> A blast of flame shot from one of the reptilian creatures, engulfing us all, but though we were singed no one took any great hurt from it. Then the fire elemental that had been barring our way turned on us and set Baran aflame. As I saw this I also observed that a second efreet had appeared near our foes, this one seemingly more solid than the illusion that still stood immobile before us. This second arrival called out to our first foes, "Singe their flesh, burn their bones, take their treasure as my own!" </p><p></p><p>Beside me, Erim chanted the words of a spell and laid his hand on my arm, telling me that his enchantment would protect me somewhat from the ravages of fire. I smiled at him in gratitude and turned to wield my blades against the elemental. I did not extinguish <em>Brimstone's</em> flames, though I knew that such creatures would have no vulnerability to them. </p><p></p><p>From behind me I caught a glimpse of a dazzling ray of sunlight shooting from Liadan's position toward the efreet that had just appeared. He turned and began to make his way off into the plain of pillars, vanishing into the heat haze. One of the lizard-like creatures, which I am told are called salamanders, hurled another ball of flames at my position, surrounding Nekaya-Re and Baran as well as myself. The elemental then struck me. Erim's spell resisted its flames, but the strength of its blow still wounded me.</p><p></p><p>Baran began to wield his grandsire's hammer against the elemental while I continued to slash at its fiery body with my swords. Heartened by Erim's aid, I chose to remain close to it and concentrate my attacks upon one point. This proved more effective than I had anticipated, for under our onslaught the elemental flickered out like a blown-out lamp flame. </p><p></p><p>One of the Man-like creatures, which are called djanni, lifted into the air and fired his bow at me, then drifted lightly to the sand. I could see that one of the salamanders had thrust its fiery spear at Erim, which he reacted to by murmuring the spell that turns his flesh to stone. At the same moment Baran struck the salamander a mighty blow with his hammer. Nekaya-Re then followed his example with her glowing hakra and the salamander slumped to the ground. </p><p></p><p>I moved to oppose the djanni who had attacked me, leaping with with both blades. He stepped back to put himself out of my immediate reach. The second salamander, seeing the fate of its companion, began to withdraw from the struggle. </p><p></p><p>Then a third efreet appeared, looking very similar to the one who had fled a moment before, though I do not believe it was the same. It called out to us, "Hold your spells and your blades! This fight is over. You have proved your might." </p><p></p><p>We sheathed our weapons and turned to treating our wounds, as did the djanni. The fallen salamander was attended most courteously by the djanni, though I sensed that they also teased it for having succumbed to our attacks, but I could not comprehend their words. The efreet introduced himself to us as Kazareem and explained that he would escort us to the City of Brass. This announcement somewhat concerned Erim, who feared that we were to be taken to another plane of existence. But it soon became apparent that this was merely the name by which the efreet called the Caliph's residence. </p><p></p><p>As we proceeded toward the city, Liadan expressed to Kazareen the purpose of our visit to the Caliph and explained to him that we did not wish to disturb the Caliph at all but only to speak to one of his guests. Kazareem found this amusing and began to expound upon the "hospitality" the Caliph extends to his guests at some length. He appeared to take great delight in describing the tortures Phaereteim subjects his prisoners to. </p><p></p><p>The efreet also told us at length of the army the Caliph has been assembling for centuries with which to take back mastery of Calimshan. Being even longer-lived than my people, the efreeti have no sense of urgency in their plans. Evidently they also have no fear of defeat, for Kazareem appeared not to be concerned that we might convey this information to the sultan of Calimshan. Or perhaps he believed that the Caliph would slay us or hold us prisoner. </p><p></p><p>The djanni and salamanders had left us when Kazareem joined us, but as we emerged onto a barren plain of blasted sand they reappeared and set off in a slightly different direction than that which our guide took toward the Brass Palace. The palace was still partly obscured by the shimmering haze of heat, though I found the blasted plain notably cooler than the plain of fiery pillars. </p><p></p><p>The palace appeared quite suddenly before us in its full majesty. It stands surrounded by massive white walls, resting on a great plateau of black stone. A small city has grown up about it, inhabited not only by many folk related to the denizens of the Plane of Fire, but also by desert tribesmen who give their allegiance to the Caliph. Many of the residents of this city are soldiers in the Caliph's army.</p><p></p><p>Kazareem led us to a wayhouse where we might find rest and water. He had already told us that the folk here follow the same rules of hospitality as the people of Calimport, so that we did not fear too greatly for our safety in his care. When he had shown us the wayhouse he departed. We were given two rooms and offered water by the proprietor of the wayhouse, who appeared to my eyes to be an ordinary Man. This wayhouse lies in a district of the town that is not of highest quality, but it is not an unpleasant establishment. </p><p></p><p>We spent our first day in the city resting, for we were truly weary after our journey across the Plain of Fire. Much discussion took place in the privacy of our rooms regarding how we should proceed. I think that Liadan would have liked to storm the palace and attempt a rescue of Osaze, but of course she recognized that such an action was unlikely to succeed. And in any case we all felt certain that, despite the terrible tortures Kazareem had described, Osaze Mumbai would not seek to be rescued.</p><p></p><p>On the following day we decided to explore the city and gather as much information as we could regarding Osaze's position and how we might gain permission to speak with him. This place is not one in which I would like to remain for long. Though it is a wealthy city, it is harsh and militaristic. We were appalled to discover than prisoners are staked out in the sun to die slowly, tended by family members who are expected to keep them alive as long as possible. Should the prisoners die before the end of six days their family members must take their places. Some of the family members we observed carrying out this duty were merely children. We would all have liked very much to assist them, but could find no way to do so without further threatening their lives or the success of our quest. I pray that Corellon will grant me some power to aid them.</p><p></p><p>In the course of our exploration we came upon a man who told us much of what befalls Osaze at the palace, at least such as is known by the citizens of the city who are not permitted to visit the palace themselves. The Caliph appears to have a strange attitude toward the holy man, such that it encourages concern from his subjects. He alternately tortures and punishes Osaze and treats him like an honored guest. He is reputed to sometimes heed the holy man's advice, which is greatly offensive to his nobles. </p><p></p><p>I am eager to meet Osaze, for I wish to speak with a man of such faith that he can withstand terrible tortures and sway the mind of such an evil being as the efreet. I can only hope that I will achieve such fortitude when many more years have passed. Lord Corellon has seen fit to bless us with an opportunity to at least see Osaze, perhaps, for we have received not one but two invitations to appear at the palace! </p><p></p><p>We must proceed with caution, however, for these invitations come from individuals who no doubt wish to curry favor with one another or the Caliph. We must not let ourselves become pawns in the machinations of the efreet's court.</p><p></p><p>____________________________</p><p><strong>Quips & Quotes:</strong></p><p></p><p>Devo: "The efreet speaks in rhyme."</p><p>Zora: "He's a hip-hot artist!"</p><p></p><p>Devo: "If somebody offers you a can of flaming... something, take it!"</p><p>Zora: "They call it 'light' ale."</p><p></p><p>Zora: "He'll tell two efreets, and they'll tell two efreets, and so on, and so on..."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="sniffles, post: 3621259, member: 30035"] [b]The City of Brass[/b] One of my companions had asked the illusory efreet if anything geniune might be found here, meaning where the efreet stood, to which the image replied, "No, not here." It was then that we heard the cry from behind us. The shout resembled a war cry. I turned to see that several creatures had appeared from beyond the curtain of heat through which we had just come. Three of them appeared Man-like but with features resembling the illusory efreet with whom we had been conversing. But two were reptilian in appearance and wreathed in flames, wielding immensely long fiery spears. A blast of flame shot from one of the reptilian creatures, engulfing us all, but though we were singed no one took any great hurt from it. Then the fire elemental that had been barring our way turned on us and set Baran aflame. As I saw this I also observed that a second efreet had appeared near our foes, this one seemingly more solid than the illusion that still stood immobile before us. This second arrival called out to our first foes, "Singe their flesh, burn their bones, take their treasure as my own!" Beside me, Erim chanted the words of a spell and laid his hand on my arm, telling me that his enchantment would protect me somewhat from the ravages of fire. I smiled at him in gratitude and turned to wield my blades against the elemental. I did not extinguish [I]Brimstone's[/I] flames, though I knew that such creatures would have no vulnerability to them. From behind me I caught a glimpse of a dazzling ray of sunlight shooting from Liadan's position toward the efreet that had just appeared. He turned and began to make his way off into the plain of pillars, vanishing into the heat haze. One of the lizard-like creatures, which I am told are called salamanders, hurled another ball of flames at my position, surrounding Nekaya-Re and Baran as well as myself. The elemental then struck me. Erim's spell resisted its flames, but the strength of its blow still wounded me. Baran began to wield his grandsire's hammer against the elemental while I continued to slash at its fiery body with my swords. Heartened by Erim's aid, I chose to remain close to it and concentrate my attacks upon one point. This proved more effective than I had anticipated, for under our onslaught the elemental flickered out like a blown-out lamp flame. One of the Man-like creatures, which are called djanni, lifted into the air and fired his bow at me, then drifted lightly to the sand. I could see that one of the salamanders had thrust its fiery spear at Erim, which he reacted to by murmuring the spell that turns his flesh to stone. At the same moment Baran struck the salamander a mighty blow with his hammer. Nekaya-Re then followed his example with her glowing hakra and the salamander slumped to the ground. I moved to oppose the djanni who had attacked me, leaping with with both blades. He stepped back to put himself out of my immediate reach. The second salamander, seeing the fate of its companion, began to withdraw from the struggle. Then a third efreet appeared, looking very similar to the one who had fled a moment before, though I do not believe it was the same. It called out to us, "Hold your spells and your blades! This fight is over. You have proved your might." We sheathed our weapons and turned to treating our wounds, as did the djanni. The fallen salamander was attended most courteously by the djanni, though I sensed that they also teased it for having succumbed to our attacks, but I could not comprehend their words. The efreet introduced himself to us as Kazareem and explained that he would escort us to the City of Brass. This announcement somewhat concerned Erim, who feared that we were to be taken to another plane of existence. But it soon became apparent that this was merely the name by which the efreet called the Caliph's residence. As we proceeded toward the city, Liadan expressed to Kazareen the purpose of our visit to the Caliph and explained to him that we did not wish to disturb the Caliph at all but only to speak to one of his guests. Kazareem found this amusing and began to expound upon the "hospitality" the Caliph extends to his guests at some length. He appeared to take great delight in describing the tortures Phaereteim subjects his prisoners to. The efreet also told us at length of the army the Caliph has been assembling for centuries with which to take back mastery of Calimshan. Being even longer-lived than my people, the efreeti have no sense of urgency in their plans. Evidently they also have no fear of defeat, for Kazareem appeared not to be concerned that we might convey this information to the sultan of Calimshan. Or perhaps he believed that the Caliph would slay us or hold us prisoner. The djanni and salamanders had left us when Kazareem joined us, but as we emerged onto a barren plain of blasted sand they reappeared and set off in a slightly different direction than that which our guide took toward the Brass Palace. The palace was still partly obscured by the shimmering haze of heat, though I found the blasted plain notably cooler than the plain of fiery pillars. The palace appeared quite suddenly before us in its full majesty. It stands surrounded by massive white walls, resting on a great plateau of black stone. A small city has grown up about it, inhabited not only by many folk related to the denizens of the Plane of Fire, but also by desert tribesmen who give their allegiance to the Caliph. Many of the residents of this city are soldiers in the Caliph's army. Kazareem led us to a wayhouse where we might find rest and water. He had already told us that the folk here follow the same rules of hospitality as the people of Calimport, so that we did not fear too greatly for our safety in his care. When he had shown us the wayhouse he departed. We were given two rooms and offered water by the proprietor of the wayhouse, who appeared to my eyes to be an ordinary Man. This wayhouse lies in a district of the town that is not of highest quality, but it is not an unpleasant establishment. We spent our first day in the city resting, for we were truly weary after our journey across the Plain of Fire. Much discussion took place in the privacy of our rooms regarding how we should proceed. I think that Liadan would have liked to storm the palace and attempt a rescue of Osaze, but of course she recognized that such an action was unlikely to succeed. And in any case we all felt certain that, despite the terrible tortures Kazareem had described, Osaze Mumbai would not seek to be rescued. On the following day we decided to explore the city and gather as much information as we could regarding Osaze's position and how we might gain permission to speak with him. This place is not one in which I would like to remain for long. Though it is a wealthy city, it is harsh and militaristic. We were appalled to discover than prisoners are staked out in the sun to die slowly, tended by family members who are expected to keep them alive as long as possible. Should the prisoners die before the end of six days their family members must take their places. Some of the family members we observed carrying out this duty were merely children. We would all have liked very much to assist them, but could find no way to do so without further threatening their lives or the success of our quest. I pray that Corellon will grant me some power to aid them. In the course of our exploration we came upon a man who told us much of what befalls Osaze at the palace, at least such as is known by the citizens of the city who are not permitted to visit the palace themselves. The Caliph appears to have a strange attitude toward the holy man, such that it encourages concern from his subjects. He alternately tortures and punishes Osaze and treats him like an honored guest. He is reputed to sometimes heed the holy man's advice, which is greatly offensive to his nobles. I am eager to meet Osaze, for I wish to speak with a man of such faith that he can withstand terrible tortures and sway the mind of such an evil being as the efreet. I can only hope that I will achieve such fortitude when many more years have passed. Lord Corellon has seen fit to bless us with an opportunity to at least see Osaze, perhaps, for we have received not one but two invitations to appear at the palace! We must proceed with caution, however, for these invitations come from individuals who no doubt wish to curry favor with one another or the Caliph. We must not let ourselves become pawns in the machinations of the efreet's court. ____________________________ [B]Quips & Quotes:[/B] Devo: "The efreet speaks in rhyme." Zora: "He's a hip-hot artist!" Devo: "If somebody offers you a can of flaming... something, take it!" Zora: "They call it 'light' ale." Zora: "He'll tell two efreets, and they'll tell two efreets, and so on, and so on..." [/QUOTE]
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