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

[Matthan]

Husam stays crouched behind the rocks observing. He knows that he is beyond his depth here and the best that he can offer is surprise if the situation turns to violence.

 

[Thateous]

OOC: [roll]2d20k1+2[/roll]

Invest: 2d20k1+2 14

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

Salahuddin steps forward looking at the Al-Aeshma. The Sha'ir tucks his hands into the sleeves of his robe and looks around casually before speaking.

"I would greet you as a noble djinn but one of the Al-Aeshma holds little care for the traditions of the Lords of Air. You speak of truths and wishes yet I fear they will be as sand to a parched throat. I am no simple desert tribesman cowed by Djinn magics. I have been to the Citadel and trained in the secrets of the Sha'ir. I know of the wishbond and the punishment heaped on one who breaks the oath. The Al-Aeshma cannot be trusted as pride corrupts their very being. This I was taught by the Mistress of the Northern Gale. What can you say that would make me believe the truths that fall from your lips?"

Salahuddin waits patiently for the Al-Aeshma's reply.

 

[Quickleaf]

Salahuddin steps forward looking at the Al-Aeshma. The Sha'ir tucks his hands into the sleeves of his robe and looks around casually before speaking.

"I would greet you as a noble djinn but one of the Al-Aeshma holds little care for the traditions of the Lords of Air. You speak of truths and wishes yet I fear they will be as sand to a parched throat. I am no simple desert tribesman cowed by Djinn magics. I have been to the Citadel and trained in the secrets of the Sha'ir. I know of the wishbond and the punishment heaped on one who breaks the oath. The Al-Aeshma cannot be trusted as pride corrupts their very being. This I was taught by the Mistress of the Northern Gale. What can you say that would make me believe the truths that fall from your lips?"

Salahuddin waits patiently for the Al-Aeshma's reply.

Whirlwinds spiraling angrily about him, the Al-Aeshma hisses like sand over an ancient tomb upon hearing Salahuddin's pronouncement, his eyes squinting in spite, "You are Alrriah Yusamma!" A wash of biting sand passes through your camp, evoking groans from the camels which grow increasingly agitated. "One should never believe, least of all words born of lying winds, O Wind-Called. But belief is not required to listen. I have heard many secret truths carried across the Badu al-Kabir..."

"I know the fate of Sheikh Ja’afar-al-Din al-Shakari, his banners broken and his faith betrayed by red robes..."

"I have witnessed the hazards of the desert from the Badu al-Kabir to Rukh Mountain and the Valley of Mists..."

"I know of the winged death, who the jann call Zu'l Janah, and where it dwells..."

"I remember when the Awamîd al-sharîr, the Pillars of Wickedness, were erected, and how one may circumvent them to reach Khaldun..."

"And I know the three secrets of the red robes that lie within the Badu al-Kabir, hidden from mortal minds..."

"Even you, O Wind Called and servant to the Mistress of the Northern Gale, may receive these secret truths. I but require a token in return. For each truth I impart to your disbelieving ears, you must give me something I desire," says the Al-Aeshma, voice rumbling like distant thunder and thrumming sand. "You must speak the words to pardon one of my kin so that they may be freed from exile to these wretched wastes and return to the planes of their nativity."

From about 600 feet to the east, as Amina and Harun return from their reconnaissance, they can make out the whirlwinds not far from where they made camp, the hint of a man's silhouette floating within the whirlwinds, and the muffled sounds of tense voices.

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

OOC: Would I have any idea if I can do what the Djinn asks? Also does my character recognize any of the names the Djinn mentions or secrets he implies he knows?

 

[tglassy]

Harun lays his hand on the hilt of his blade, one made for destroying Genies and their kind, as they approach the swirling sand.

“What do you make of that?” He asked Amina.


Sent from my iPad using EN World

 

[Quickleaf]

OOC: Would I have any idea if I can do what the Djinn asks? Also does my character recognize any of the names the Djinn mentions or secrets he implies he knows?

GM: The Al-Aeshma are understandably a taboo topic in the Citadel of Ice and Steel, used more as a parable/folklore than something that can actually be studied and magically understood. It sounds like he's talking about a very high level dispel magic or similar abjuration effect, but the precise wording issued by the Lords of Air and ways to circumvent that... That would be a nearly impossible (DC 30) Arcana check with some serious stakes we'd need to work out. 1. Sheikh Ja'afar-al-Din al-Shakari is the sheikh of the Shakari jann tribe (anti-urbanists to which Usqual belongs), who were defeated in battle against the Khalduni jann. He was supposedly taken captive, according to Usqual. 2. The Badu al-Kabir is the current desert region you're exploring. Rukh Mountain and the Valley of Mists are unknown to you. 3. There were fleeting vague references that I believe the "water bearer" made about Zu'l Janah being a flying monster the Khalduni jann fear. 4. The Awamîd al-sharîr, the Pillars of Wickedness, were mentioned by Usqual as surrounding Khaldun oasis with "wicked" magic. It's possible that the "water bearer" mentioned more details about the pillars...he definitely had info on them...but I don't recall if he divulged that to Akilah and Lal Qalandar or not... 5.As for the three secrets of the red robes, presumably he's talking about the Brotherhood of True Flame, but what those secrets are is anyone's guess.

 

[Ancalagon]

Lal spoke in a low tone, addressing Salahudin

"we dearly need information on the brotherhood... but I know not the consequence of this lifted banishment. Our need is great, but not absolute."

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

Salahuddin contemplates the Al-Aeshmas words. He would give any token he could but this request might be beyond the power of a Sha'ir. This didn't even consider if he should. These djinn were banished for breaking sacred laws. Should he be so presumptuous as to forgive what the Great Caliph would not. Salahuddin thought of this as he questioned the Al-Aeshma.

"I would give you this but I do not think my words will pardon you or your brethren. I might be the Wind Called but this banishment was placed on the Al-Aeshma by the Great Caliph and his Lords of Air. Their power nearly rivals the Great Gods. How could one such as I break this imprisonment?"

 

[Shayuri]

Harun lays his hand on the hilt of his blade, one made for destroying Genies and their kind, as they approach the swirling sand.

“What do you make of that?” He asked Amina.

"Trouble," is the acolyte's grim reply. She crooked a finger, indicating a bit of a circular motion around the whirlwind. "Keep that between us and the others. If it has a face, it's probably looking at them. We'll close in at speed, then slow down when we're closer to keep whatever it is from noticing us."

Then she was off, moving uncannily swiftly over the desert sand, leaving footprints spaced far apart.

(Basic plan - Move all out for several rounds to whittle that 600' down to something manageable, then switch to stealth...which halves speed...and try to sneak in closer.)