Upward from Land's End

Eric Zephlaer · Nov 17, 2022

Antapkos and Cormorant look at their friends and at one another, both having come to the same conclusion. Each flicks a coin over his left shoulder with his right thumb. Approaching the caravan, they intended to inquire after the caravan master, introducing themselves. They would explain the whole of the situation with regard to the attack south of town, omitting any specifics of their talent or that of their friends. They would also explain the suspicion of assassins having been sent to South Road Fair, prompting their current desire to rejoin a caravan as soon as possible in order to return word to Asylim.

OOC:

83

MacConnell · Nov 18, 2022

Recognizing the similarity in clothing, the guards directed Antapkos and Cormorante toward the trailing wagon where the caravan master was currently located. The Amiradthan introduced himself as Mishka and explained what his caravan carried. He was much more conversational than any Amiradtha the Bird Brothers had ever encountered. “Fortunate you are this day that it is my caravan that you have approached. Well, it is not exactly my caravan, as it technically belongs to Magister Molo Pesce, but I have a thought to buy it from him. Not only will I accept you and even your friends to join us, you may like this idea that I have had running through my head.”

“Think on this and do not answer too quickly, for I do not have all of the details worked out, yet, and I do not know how Molo Pesce may react. Why should the caravans be beholden to Asylim or to any city for that matter? We travel between them not through them. I think that all the caravans should band together to become beholden to ourselves. We control the flow of trade throughout the entire land. What concern are the daily machinations of government within the cities to us? As a unit, we need heed no more to rulers of Asylim than we do the rulers of Boga City. We bring commerce to all of the small villages through which we pass. Why not work together with the trains that go between Boga City and the Kingdom of West Cove and the ones between Boga City and East Port?”

“I know. I know. You have probably not heard of all of these places. I have not seen them, but they, with Asylim, are the far reaches of civilization. Boga City is the center. Whatever you decide, you may travel with us. If you agree, remain with us. If you disagree, you must report to the Javelineers Guild when we return to Asylim.”

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.

Eric Zephlaer · Nov 21, 2022

Antapkos looks at Cormorant and then back in the direction that both of them had flipped their coin. His eyes went wide and he looked up at the sky. Never had the two of them even heard of a friendly Amiradtha, much less one who was talkative. Antapkos says, “That is quite an ambitious idea. I cannot see that all the hands taking their toll from the money bag would be willing to let go of that graft. But before I come across as being disagreeable, we are not. We accept your offer. It sound great, but the logistics of the big picture make it seem unattainable.”

Siofrita interrupts, gesturing. “Are you going to pay us or, at least, pay them?”

Sprthnt smiles. “You are looking at a long term picture. I too am curious as to your thoughts.”

OOC:

68

MacConnell · Nov 22, 2022

Eric Zephlaer said:
Antapkos... says... Siofrita interrupts... Sprthnt smiles...

Antapkos: 27(coerce) + 38(befriend) + 68(d100) = 133
Siofrita: 44 + 26 + 68 = 138
Sprthnt: 50 + 22(muddle) + 68 = 140

Mishka shows no sign of having taken offense at the skepticism of Antapkos or the blunt inquiry from Siofrita. “We can talk more as we travel. This not a trivial idea. I have put much thought into it. I can explain two of your concerns with one answer. Oh before I forget, I will also need your names. Before, you were told you were being paid 20 clams a day, but we all know that was a lie. From that 20, 4 clams were deducted for voting rights, 4 clams for guild dues, 4 clams for water, and 2 or 4 more clams for other goat pellets depending on if you were a guard or not. So being guards, you two were paid 6 clams a day.”

“Like voting makes a difference in who is going to be a Magister. That is purely graft, but I will propose to keep paying it to each respective Magister, even though we do not vote. We provide our own water. I am not paying for that. We provide our own food. We are our own protection. I am paying you for that, directly. Guild dues are just another means of graft. That is Asylim. Boga City charges a 2% fee on all commerce. It is the same concept with fewer excuses.”

“I will pay you 6 clams a day. The same thing you were making before, but you will not receive any pay until after we depart from Asylim with a new load, as you were not part of this run. I will pay the other four of you the same thing, if you prove your worth. We do not leave tomorrow but the morning after.”

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.

Eric Zephlaer · Nov 26, 2022

Though everything the man is saying sounds good to all six friends, none is willing to display such immediate agreement. They quietly discuss matters among themselves, making statements in every language that they can speak, just in case others are listening too intently. Once satisfied with the passage of time, all six turn to face Mishka, and as Antapkos starts to speak, Sprthnt puts a hand on his shoulder, giving him pause, before addressing Mishka, himself. “You need to record Antapkos and Cormorant because there may be a price on their heads, but the rest of us you should not.”

He paused for a second, gesturing peace. “I am not afraid to give you my name. Based on what you have said, hear me out. Residents are charged for voting rights. This coinage must come from your total take on a trade run. If you hire guards who are not citizens of Asylim, then you need not count us in your standard deduction. We cost you nothing other than wage you pay us. Think about it.”

OOC:

66

Eric Zephlaer · Nov 29, 2022

MacConnell · Nov 29, 2022

Eric Zephlaer said:
... all six...

Mishka did not immediately respond. He raised his left hand in the start of a gesture, as if he were going to disagree, but then he simply dropped his hand. The logic was sound, even if it might not have been presented in the best manner possible. Finally, the caravan master said, “I think you have a point. On another note, are you two twins?”

The smaller caravan was not much faster in travel than the Artisan Caravan had been. It still required 7 days to transverse the familiar road between South Road Fair and the start of Land’s End Pass, where the Sojourn Six had been separated from their original caravan. The Pass was generally where any real danger to travelers would present itself and not limited to hostile clans. Like with the other caravan, the party was able to prove its worth by being better at providing game than those already traveling. Mishka was far friendlier than Vyerbluth had been and seemed pleased with himself for having recruited the new guards.

No matter the time of arrival, caravans always stopped for some rest to make sure that everyone was prepared before entering the dangerous part of the journey.

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.

Eric Zephlaer · Dec 2, 2022

Feeling less burdened than when accompanying the other caravan, the six friends circumnavigate the caravan then move off in a linear trek, exploring to the west, since that was the direction of the prvious attack they had overcome. Cormorant and Antapkos both covey the party’s intentions in a nonchalant manner. “Everything seems secure. We are going off to the west, here, to set some snares and see if we can find anything worth eating.”

OOC:

76

MacConnell · Dec 3, 2022

Eric Zephlaer said:
... the six friends...

Antapkos: 27(coerce) + 40(enthrall) + 76(d100) = 143

Antapkos: 24(observe) + 40(smell) + 76 = 140
Siofrita: 31 + 26 + 76 = 133
Cormorante: 23 + 42(hearing) + 76 = 141
Britta: 40(perception) + 24(tuning) + 76 = 140
Sprthnt: 40(observe) + 26(hearing) + 76 = 142
Kuwaia: 24 + 26 + 76 = 126

A couple of the guards within hearing range of the declaration by Antapkos merely wave their acknowledgement, as the Sojourn Six move on about their intention. As the party spreads out to set its snares, a faint clicking noise peaks the attention of Sprthnt. Moving in the direction of the sound, he discovers a pod of 8, blue, lacquered beetles happily munching upon the old, fallen fruit of a prickly pear cactus.

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.

Eric Zephlaer · Dec 5, 2022

Knowing that the chitinous wing coverings are valued for the manufacture of a liquid that makes leather harder and even more resilient to weather, Sprthnt backs away a few steps to get the attention of Antapkos and Siofrita, mentioning his intention to see if the three of them can take one, each, without causing the rest to spray the area with that stink that they can emit. Kuwaia simply watches, knowing not to get too close. Realizing that there is no specific danger, Cormorant and Britta tend to their own trapping and foraging.

OOC:

52