Cormorant continues to press his assault against his injured foe. He flicks his right arm forward, from the elbow, hoping to strike the collar bone of the Evipau to impede the use of one arm. He is not much of one for talking and has not the personality to taunt.
Turning back to her first opponent, Britta says, in Maldrog, “How does it feel to get beat down by a naked girl?” as she kicks the prone man in the side, just below the ribs.
Though she needs the least help, Kuwaia is the closest to Antapkos and freeing her, he thinks, will allow both of them to help the others. “Kuwaia, I have the one on your left!” He throws his javelin at the gut of a prone Evipau.
Having retreived her bow, Siofrita quickly nocks an arrow, turning back to face her pursuer, and fires.
Sprthnt understands that he made a mistake in judgement. He lifts both feet to kick them at the chest of the larger man, using a pulse of air, at the same time, to try to propel himself backward, faster and farther, across the surface of the river, downstream, wanting the distance.
Kuwaia, hearing Antapkos, strikes at her opponent on her right, hoping to keep him from standing.
Punching the rock in his fist, almost, directly into the collarbone of his injured foe, Cormorante breaks the bone causing the right arm of the Evipau to go limp, the hand dropping the hatchet. The young man screams in pain and staggers backward, barely functional and unable to continue the fight. The second arcs his hatchet sideways, but the grazing blow to the ribs is deflected by protective clothing. Moving in on her first opponent whom she had knocked backward, Britta kicks the prone Evipau hard enough to break two ribs. The man cannot cry out for lack of air, but he wheezes and groans, pressing his near arm to that side of his body and instinctively gesturing for mercy with the other. He can no longer fight. Her second manages to stand to his feet and, being out of the immediate reach of either Britta or Cormorante, he cautiously backs away from the conflict to attempt a tactical retreat.
The prone Evipau to Kuwaia’s left has no chance of dodging the thrown javelin, from such a close range, especially being confused and prone. The ceramic blade goes cleanly through the man’s gut to skewer him to the ground. His body does not even twitch. He will bleed out in less than two minutes. As Kuwaia registers the shout from Antapkos, she turns and strikes the Evipau lying on her right. Though the blow does not have the force of her first, it breaks his leg. Though the man may be awake, he is no longer consciously functional, only able to roll back and forth on the ground, screaming about his leg.
Siofrita looses her arrow at her uninjured opponent. It punches into his lower abdomen, just above his left hip, causing a serious falter in the man’s approach, though he does not go down. Not intending to cause harm, the Evipau almost laughs at the paltry kick that Sprthnt gives his chest, until the much smaller Faethrin is propelled backward across the surface of the water a full 10 strides, then the man grits his teeth in a grimace and throws his bone hatchet, which misses as Sprthnt rolls like some river otter and ducks beneath the surface.
At this point the only Evipau who remains completely uninjured finds himself between Cormorante and Britta and is quickly subdued. The one chasing Sprthnt may only be irritated but he is completely out of position, in the middle of the stream. His previous foolish decision is recovered, as he understands that to preserve his life he must now swim away to escape. No other enemy is competent enough to continue to be aggressive. In the span of about five more seconds, the injured opponent from Britta, who was backing toward the treeline, leaves the river bed and disappears into the foliage, and Antapkos, with his javelin, and Siofrita, with her bow, end those who were not going to be able to walk away, anyway. Six Evipau now lay, dead, on the pebble beach. The party is really none the worse for wear.
Since the group had decided to take its recreation upstream from Bridgetown, Cormorant suggests that the six of them move the bodies out and away from the riverbed so that no chance would exist for the things to float downstream. Britta, of course, immediately begins to assist him.
Siofrita retreaves what arrows she is able, assisting Antapkos in gathering any trinkets or talismans adorning the dead men, before the two, together, try to move the corpses with Cormorant and Britta.
Sprthnt swims to shore and checks on Kuwaia before they, too, assist in moving the bodies. Once the corpses are away from the river, Sprthnt looks over the spoils to see if any of the items may be of some value, whether mystical or practical.
Sprthnt: 31(alchemy) + 24(analysis) + 116(d100) = 171, success
time: 10 days / 171 = 2 hours per item, success
Though moving the bodies is a rather arduous task, it is accomplished more efficiently with four working together on one corpse. Cormorante and Britta lift the bodies at the torso with either of the other couples taking the legs, the torso being heavier as the center of his mass is in a man’s chest. Antapkos and Siofrita rummage around each corpse before it is moved, piling all their belongings, except their loin cloths, on the pebble beach before each corpse is relocated. Each man had a rudimentary satchel that contained some kind of dried meat and a few edible tubers. Each was also adorned with some kind of animal talisman and carried a curious stone.
During the search, Siofrita is, amazingly, able to recover all of her arrows. She and Antapkos, together, collect eleven axes and a minor variety of food items that are, all, unceremoniously discarded in the river, because they are unneeded. Of more interest, they gather six different talismans, three of feather and three small skulls. All of these have been fashioned to hang from a belt as a fetish. Inside tiny, carried pouches, six curious stones are recovered, five different ones and two that are the same burgundy color.
Over the course of necessary time available to Sprthnt, he is able to determine the mystical potential of all items. There is a songbird feather talisman and a songbird skull fetish, either of which have the potential to make the bearer seem more charming (Persona +1). There is a harvester feather talisman and a harvester skull fetish, either of which have the potential to bolster the health of the bearer (Health +1). There is a thrush feather talisman and a thrush skull fetish, either of which have the potential to augment the resilience of vitality in the bearer. (Confluence +1). He explains these findings to the others as best he can. Since everyone except Kuwaia has the talent to bend waylines, only she is unable to take advantage of any of these items.
Despite this interruption, there are still several hours of the day available to waste before it becomes necessary to return to the caravan.
Antapkos: full wellness Sioftrita: full wellness Cormorant: full wellness Britta: full wellness Sprthnt: full wellness
Tunic: 48 Kuwaia: full wellness
nothing at this time
OOC:
Each character receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions and provide 2 random rolls.
Since Cormorant and Antapkos already have a couple of talismans, each, they allow the others to choose, first. Siofrita chooses the songbird feathers and the bloodstone. Britta chooses the harvester feathers and the sunstone. Sprthnt chooses all three bird skulls. Cormorant then takes both of the heartstones and gives one to Britta. Because of the perceived taint on the current location, the six swim downstream a short distance to continue to relaxe for a bit.
The next few hours were luxuriously relaxing. Antapkos, Siofrita, and Sprthnt, all realized that they had had enough sun, so they exited the river, donned their clothing, and sat under some shade. Kuwaia came out to be with Sprthnt, but Cormorante and Britta remained in the water. Nothing disturbed the remainder of the respite. The small denizens normally occupying the area became used to the six youths, and birds began to flit about and call, while small rodents could be seen going about their usual activity.
Antapkos: full wellness Sioftrita: full wellness Cormorant: full wellness Britta: full wellness Sprthnt: full wellness
Tunic: 48 Kuwaia: full wellness
nothing at this time
OOC:
Each character receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions and provide a random roll.
When the Daylight has passed through about 3/4 of its path, the group intends to return to town to try some of the food that was recommended. Antapkos and Cormorante will cover the cost of the food and see if it is possible to exchange some of their loose coins for something more agreeable to constant travel.
Late that afternoon, the Sojourn Six return to the village of Bridgeport to sample and ultimately enjoy some of the local fare. The food is remarkably outstanding, especially for six young adults who really have had no experience from which to compare it. Sadly, there is no reasonable, local means by which Antapkos and Cormorante can reduce their number of coins. The night is relatively cool for the season and uneventful. The caravan departs the following morning without incident. The remaining trip leg of the journey to Boga City is expected to take seven days, though a single person could walk it in five. The first two and a half days are still within the mixed tree forest, but the last part is through grassy plains, although the farming ventures of Boga City extend several hours from the city proper.
Boga City:
Called the trade hub of the land, this is one of the four main cities of landmass and the oldest one known, because it was only partially destroyed when its occupants were killed, some time in antiquity, during the War of Heaven, which is also called The Sundering. The city is almost exactly, centrally located on the landmass. The reoccupation of the city began rather shortly after the war ended, almost 700 Cycles in the past, but the reparation is currently being promulgated and overseen by Sylen, the self-appointed Mayor, who has recruited local and outside help. Various agricultural pursuits are underway around the city proper, the outer wall is being repaired, and a canal system is being constructed, which will be connected to the river when complete.
The construction material is primarily liquid stone, a fascinating and very secret invention. Concrete as it is called is expressly used to pour stone blocks for building. The nature of its composition is well-guarded and known only to the leadership of the Masons' Guild and those tasked with its manufacture. Everyone involved in the process is sworn to secrecy.
Peoples:
The city was formerly occupied by the Yahdram, but they are no more. The city is, now, mostly inhabited by Aedaman people of the Centrin tribe, but there are a significant number of Spiofthests of the Faethrin tribe and numerous individuals of various other tribes and of the Mhytre species. The seat of power rests with a unique pair of individuals, who are mistaken for members of a local Spiofthests tribe, though they look more like members of the Shimadow tribe, a tribe whose members do not reside locally. The ages and background of these two individuals are completely unknown to anyone outside of a select group, to whom the information was given by Zaelostrymiran, himself. The only difference between the appearance of these two and members of the Shimadow tribe is that they have freckles. No other people of any species or tribe have freckles, except Sprthnt.
Government:
The self-appointed Mayor, Sylen, who appears to be about 50 Cycles, happens to be genuinely benevolent, though pragmatic in his approach to ruling. He has appointed a few Commissioners to delegate certain activities with regard to the function of society. By circumstance of geography, the leadership of the Central Region has the power of influence over world trade, because it is, as yet, completely impractical to conduct trade by sea, and all roads from each of the major cities pass through Boga City.
Levels of Technology:
The overt indicators for the expression of technology within any given society are represented by construction, fashion, and weaponry. The subtle indicators are communication and art. The urban setting of Boga City has the most advanced skill in construction, even greater than that of West Cove. Buildings are manufactured from cut and manufactured stone, while gates and docks are designed from fitted modification to available timber.
Fashion is considerably advanced with regard to textiles, as exceptional garments of wool or silk are readily available. Leatherwork is also advanced, due to residents of skilled Faethrins. Weaponry is standard, with the primary alloy being a combination of iron and zinc, called Harnin. Simple and stranded bows are available for archery, with Harnin or even Halarin headed arrows.
With a comparison to the advances in technology, the Centrin and Spiofthest peoples are still considered to be simple in regard to communication. The written aspect of the Centrin language is composed of symbols representing singular sounds and is cuneiform in application, structurally similar to Ansylin. The Spiofthest language has no written form, but it can be scripted, to an extent, using the written form of Centrin. Buildings are still marked with both words and placards, for the benefit of travelers and those who cannot read Centrin.
Art is excelling through a period of expression, especially with regard to sculpture, which is the greatest in the land. Other forms of art, including the manufacture of jewelry and composition of music, are appreciated and encouraged. Self-expression is also evident in the form of tattoos, which are inked directly into the skin and not just limited to dyes applied to the surface.
Economics:
Surrounding the city are a variety of farming and husbandry efforts to augment the natural environment. The native grassland consists mostly of wheat and barley, which are harvested in bulk and allowed to prosper unmolested. In addition to fodder and bread, much of the grain is used in a mash for the fermentation of ale. Some areas have been cleared of the grasses to better cultivate tobacco and lavender. Apiaries have been established inside the designated field for lavender, plus two others, all equally distant from each other and the city proper. Small plots are set aside for growing potatoes and beans. Various running birds and even some larger harvesters have been patterned into residing in manufacture coups, where they return each night after being allowed to roam free during the day. This protects the nesting birds from nocturnal predators and thus has increased the population. Many eggs are now harvested for consumption, while some are allowed to develop for repopulation.
Caravans:
The wagon trains from the south stop at a designated area cleared specifically for the purpose, which is on the south side of the Central River. Fodder and water are provided for animals. Trade negotiations are conducted at that location by vendors who come out to the site from within the city, as this is most practical. Ansylin caravan masters do not allow members to leave the area or enter the city. This is justified by the enormity of the city and the risk of members getting lost, though truthfully it is to prevent them from running off. Once trade is completed, the caravans depart to travel back southward to rest for the night. Antapkos and Cormorante will be charged, along with the other guards, to keep an eye on everyone and to make sure that no one leaves the trade grounds.
Antapkos: full wellness Sioftrita: full wellness Cormorant: full wellness Britta: full wellness Sprthnt: full wellness
Tunic: 48 Kuwaia: full wellness
nothing at this time
OOC:
Each character receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions and provide a random roll.
Though disappointed that nothing could be done against the weight of the coins, Antapkos and Cormorante forget about it during the next leg of the journey, as it is a pointless problem upon which to dwell. There are more interesting things to discuss with their new friends, especially about the strange savages who thought they could commit robbery. Since it becomes known that there will be no leave during the short time outaide of Boga City, the six focus on gathering game and providing food.
Having somehow garnered a serious dose of Luck, the six are able to take an incredible amount of game and locate a large quantity of edible plant materials during the journey. Their luck is so palpable that other members of the caravan begin to regard the six youths as lucky totems, for which Vyerbleth and a couple of the other guards become noticeably jealous. In addition to an obvious increase in avaricious conversation, the caravan master and the two guards hold private councils where furtive looks are cast at members of the six, while they whisper unknown things among themselves. It is always the nature of petty narcissists to resent the benevolence or charity of others that they envy. It was still a long road back to Asylim for such resentment to be brewing.
Antapkos: full wellness Sioftrita: full wellness Cormorant: full wellness Britta: full wellness Sprthnt: full wellness
Tunic: 48 Kuwaia: full wellness
nothing at this time
OOC:
Each character receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions and provide a random roll.
