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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ExDis" data-source="post: 888684" data-attributes="member: 10799">Adventures Beyond the Edge - Tyran's JournalTyran’s Journal the FirstI woke to the splash of water on my face. I quickly took in the manacles, the burly armed men, the dank cell I was being kept in. I almost panicked. Believing others were capable of what I was capable of I was getting ready to make a last stand when I realized I was in no immediate danger. These men weren’t threatening me. And they carried themselves like those who dealt in human merchandise. I was being sold into slavery. Big mistake on their part. I relaxed a little. I could take some abuse, and then… Well I knew it was just a matter of time before I was free. Then I would be able to say thanks to those responsible. I bided my time by thinking up appropriate methods of showing my gratitude. Eventually I was led out of my cell and out onto the street. We were in Pel Brolenon. The row of slave blocks screamed out its name better than any road post. It is an interesting place full of interesting people. I will have to return one day for I did not have a chance to see much of it. I, along with some other poor unfortunates, was sold on the block and quickly shipped out to sea. Once onboard and in the slave hold I kept to myself. It seemed the best way to not attract the guards notice. No chances for escape were likely to present themselves at sea so I continued to keep my head low and observe my fellow passengers. The first to attract my notice were some of the vile forest folk. A pair of them and some of their half breeds as well. I wouldn’t mind a moment or two with them when no one was watching.There were some Brandobians and some Kalimarians. Also, one of the Dejy wandering folk (thieves and ne’re-do-wells all of them) was in our midst along with a pair of gnomes and a halfling. Fine slave stock indeed.Two days out of port the storm came. The steady creaking and other rhythmic sounds of the ship groaning its way up each new wave was broken by shouts and movement up above. Something was going on. Guards came in and made sure we were all locked down and then bolted the door to our hold. Luckily whoever was attacking the slavers made some nice new doors for us in the side of the ship. The projectile even took out some of the elves. That’s what I call killing two birds with one stone.The shouts above increased in volume, another rock came flying through. It didn’t take long to figure out we needed to get out quick or die. The Dejy helped be pull the spike from my manacles out of the wood. He seemed a capable fellow. We emptied some barrels and chained them together. Out the whole they went along with a full water barrel and us. The other slaves had all wriggled out of their chains or pulled them out as had I. They were jumping out of the sides like rats leaving a… well, you know.I can still close my eyes and see in my minds eyes the vision of the ship looming above us. Sailors jumping into the water. Runabouts being lowered, fire, yelling, and my old friend death making his rounds. The ship listing and then shuddering as if some unseen giant’s hand had reached out and gave it a good smack. The attacker must have rammed her. I can still see it. Ah, memories.Soon one of the small boats was in the water near us and I prepared to make my move. With the help of the Dejy and some of the others clinging to our make shift raft I thought we could overpower those on the boat and take it. At this point one of those clinging to our barrels, a woman of Kalmarian stock, pled for help to those on the boat. Fat chance they will help us you stupid bitch. I was furious that she gave us away. But wait, one on the boat was actually helping. His presence made me hold back. His actions along with the sword at his side and the way he held himself made me decide to take a wait and see approach.This young noble in the boat with a weakness for looking kind hearted actually convinced the others in the boat, two sailors and a pair of merchants, to tow us. Amazing. Within a few hours we spotted land, made for it and reached it. The sailors were exhausted from hard rowing (especially with our extra drag), and now was a good moment to strike. I took the chains I was carrying and made to use one end to dash one of the sailors upside his noggin. Unfortunately I underestimated the effects of my prolonged exposure to the cold sea. The shackles slipped in my numb fingers and ended up smashing my hand. Before I could follow up, his highness the lord of principles was there with his rapier (please) drawn, the blade between me and my prey. He nattered on about needing to get along or some such. Anyway you look at it, the moment was gone. I would have to be more careful. We made camp, started a fire, shielded from inland (we were not sure about the inhabitants) and generally collapsed. It was during this time that the woman, Mikalya, slipped me a dagger. Ah good, I had already forgiven her for her actions in the water, it was obvious that she wasn’t purposely attempting to wreck our chances, and now this. She knew where her best chances lay.In the morning I took stock of my fellow survivors while eating some fish the gnomes caught. There were the sailors, an uncomplicated pair, they seemed lost. Our second pair was two merchants. Grossly fat, soft, money grubbers. I was sure they had on them the means of bettering our position once we reached some kind of civilization. The third pair was the gnomes I had mentioned earlier. They seemed to know their place and I took them no more notice. My other companions, however, stood out.The Dejy’s name was Jaresh. He was quick on his feet. Moved like a hunting cat and made my earlier comment about him seeming capable an understatement. But, luckily, he also seemed to be happy sticking with me. I would give him no reason to do otherwise.My fellow Brandobian’s name was Azoi. He was a queer fellow, but then, Cosdol is a queer place. I wasn’t sure what he was good for, most nobles without any skills usually spoke with more command, but he had the manners of a freeman about him. It wasn’t till later that I began to learn of Azoi’s talents. I learned he liked compliments and soon had his trust.I’ve already spoken of Mikalya. She was Brandobian and a little of an enigma. She gave me the knife, so I thought she was aware of what needed to be done to best insure our survival. But she showed hesitation and later hostile resistance to letting me do it. She spoke with the educated speech of a noble, but the patterns and attitude of a freeman. She was no lady that was sure. Blood’s truth she even acted the warrior. Interesting, we will have to see.Lord do-gooder went by the name of Ithian. He was another Brandobian noble; a Dandy through and through, and a priest as well. His attitudes and platitudes quickly came out and he had an opinion about everything. I love an idealist; they are adept at throwing the tools I need to manipulate them right into my lap.And lastly there was the runt. Her name was Merigold. She seemed to have some understanding with Mikalya (women flock like sheep). She was no farmer. That was sure. My guess is that she possessed the other set of talents that her kind is known for. She would be useful.I sat there in the light of the early dawn, the waves crashing near us. I watched them all. After letting a few of them stumble about trying to figure out what we should do. I stood up and took charge. I noticed little resistance. Good. We made our way off the small barrier island we were on and then east (the farther away from Pel Brolenon the better). It wasn’t long before a small town standing astride the coastal road we shadowed came over the horizon. The merchants began to become excited. It was time to relieve them of their burdens and, hopefully, their lives. But Ithian and Mikalya would obviously be a problem. I made sure to push how we were all in danger if the merchant’s gave us away. We were, after all, just a bunch of escaped slaves.We passed the town in the dark of night, keeping low and right at the waters edge. We camped a few hours past sight of its low walls. The merchant’s were told they would be free to go on the morrow, the sailors were also eager to take their leave of our slave company.Vermin folk attacked us in the night. More was made clear of my companion’s abilities. Azoi took down two with magic bolts. Ah, a mage, and a competent one. The third was dispatched by Jaresh I think. Everyone except Mikalya showed some kind of martial prowess (Merigolds whizzing rocks didn’t look cute at all). I chased the fourth for a moment before returning to find that, of course, the sailors and merchants had fled like I planned. They would not be able to get far, exhausted and out of shape as they were I would have them in moments and that would be that.What I had not planned for was Ithian running after them with me. After bringing them to a halt with my threats, there was no chance to dispatch them. Ithian would never be able to accept it. So we brought them back to camp and I stripped them down, taking all that could be useful to us. But not only did Mikalya and Ithian oppose killing them (I had warned them), they wanted to leave them their signet rings (enchanted according to Azoi) and some money. Gods save us from these children playing grown-up games!So after walking a short way we sent them off back to the small town in the afternoon. Not long after we came upon another, larger town. By the look of the architecture it seemed that these must be Eldorian colonies. That would put us on the edge of the Elos desert. Very inhospitable country.Well, we needed to seek refuge and turn this money and items we took off the merchants into food and equipment. This town would do.</blockquote>

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