D&D 5E Al-Qadim Moving Through the Flame

[Thateous]

"Of course. Not much else going on in the desert save for sand and sun."

 

[Shayuri]

Amina nods, and fetches a pitcher to fill water for Akilah, and then herself.

"There is news that the League of Vultures, has been recruiting all manner of outcasts and malcontents in the desert. There is a woman who has captured the heart of Sheikh al-Haqara, the leader of the House of Uqad. A woman who is said to 'command the desert sun.'" She pauses for a moment and takes a sip of her water.

"If the Brotherhood of True Flame wished to recruit in the High Desert, the House of Uqad seems by the tales to be a good fit for them to gain a foothold. These are rumors, but should we lack better leads, it may be worth investigating further."

 

[Ancalagon]

Lal rubbed at his beard. He murmured in agreement when Husam noted that the story of the tomb truly changed the nature of the mission

"This moneylender's treasure is stolen, and it would be an injustice to let him keep it in death, indeed"

However... he couldn't help but wonder... was it mere silver and gold in the tomb? And would Nimar seek favor with the Sheik... or another master? Lal let himself relax... all was interconnected... Nimar, Husam, himself, the camel... all were but one...

Insight check about the tomb story and motives: 1D20+1 = [18]+1 = 19


(OOC: I thought it would be a neat way to explain a very solid insight roll)

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

Salahuddin notices the look Fereshte sends his way. He turns to his Valet.

"I don't think she likes me very much shaqiq (brother)"

Salahuddin grins at Sinjin. He then reaches out to Easifa.

I do not trust that woman. Keep an eye on her tonight.

As the caravan stops to setup camp Salahuddin moves over to the Vizier. He bows in greeting.

"Vizier once we are settled I would like for you to assist me. We need to try and decipher this map. Your insight would be invaluable in the process."

 

[Thateous]

Akilah thanks Amina as Salahuddin approaches them and says,

"Vizier once we are settled I would like for you to assist me. We need to try and decipher this map. Your insight would be invaluable in the process."

"Ah, yes the map. Any idea what we are dealing with here?" she asks.

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

"Ah, yes the map. Any idea what we are dealing with here?" she asks.

Salahuddin holds up his hand to the Vizier to forestall any further discussions.

"In good time, let us wait for the privacy of our tents before we speak on such delicate matters. Sinjin will find you once my tent is ready."

As the camp is being setup Salahuddin sits and begins to fiddle with the puzzle box he started the other day. As he begins to fit some gears together Sinjin steps up and bows.

"Your tent is ready Wind Called."

Salahuddin packs up his puzzle and follows his valet to the tent. Sinjin holds back the tent flaps. The Sha'ir nods to his friend as he enters, pausing briefly.

"Sinjin please Find the vizier and request her presence."

Sinjin nods and moves through the tents finding Akilah. "Sayidati, if you would please Salahuddin is ready now." The Genie valet leads the vizier back to the tent, holding the flap open so that Akilah can enter. He nods to his master and then closes the flap taking up guard just outside.

The tent is comfortable but plain. Several rugs and pillows are strewn across the sand to make a comfortable place to sit. Sitting there with the spellbook in front of him is Salahuddin. He motions for Akilah to have a seat and waits for her to get comfortable before he starts.

"The Akdam’s traveling spellbook is simple as spellbooks go. It contains spells useful for travel as you would guess. The only oddity that I have been able to discover are these strange patterns here in the margins and on the interior of the cover. My guess is some form of cipher, hiding the map. If it is encrypted writting I figured you might be able to decipher the script with Hakiyah help. If it is not writing it may be a map of some kind. Perhaps unbinding the book would let us work with the patterns to discover their secret."

 

[Thateous]

"Perhaps a task for someone with more nimble fingers than either of us... Amina perhaps?"

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

"Perhaps but first let us see if this is just a simple code. Would not want to unnecessarily destroy the book."

Salahuddin opens the book to show the markings to the vizier.

OOC: Is there any more details you can give me on the markings? Just trying to figure out if they are encrypted text or form some sort of map. Is there anything in the book that we can use as a key to start the process? When I look at the markins is there any pattern to where they are in the margins?

 

[Shayuri]

Amina accompanies Akilah to the tent, but lingers just outside to give them privacy, until called upon.

 

[Quickleaf]

GM: Yes [MENTION=6803188]VLAD the Destroyer[/MENTION] here is a breakdown of Akdam's Traveling Spellbook. It is 12 pages long + cover/backcover, and measures roughly 11" x 14" (28 x 35.5 cm). EDIT: On the interior cover is written: Salaam Daskin! May your 75th birthday be full of mischief! Alarm - 1 page Detect Magic - 1 page Deeppockets - 1 page Unseen Servant - 2 pages Continual Flame - 2 pages Fog Cloud - 2 pages Phantom Steed - 3 pages Each page has geometric patterns on all the margin borders - left, right, top, bottom. The geometric margin borders are made up of 10 repeating square patterns (arranged into rectangles). Some of these square patterns appear to be "zoomed in" views of the center of other squares.