D&D 5E (2014) Al-Qadim Moving Through the Flame

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[SECTION]Sheikh Ali al-Hadd rests wearily in his chambers, frowning at the blue misty gen before him. Summoning him! May the Great Gods preserve him from the arrogance of genies and their masters! He rests in a great wooden chair, cracking the seal on an official correspondence when Salahuddin views the Sheikh through Easifa's eyes.

"Peace onto you, sha'ir. How is the Vizier?" he immediately inquires.

Upon hearing mention of his nephew Ajan's name, the Sheikh scowls heavily, "Troops to Ajan? He really is addled by sunstroke if he thinks that I'd send soldiers to him, depleting Tajar's garrison at a time like this." When his initial reaction subsides, the Sheikh thinks for a moment, "My son Afzal is honorary commander of our cavalry. He is aided by a most skilled askara (female soldier) Hatia min-Turab who handle the day-to-day matters of command." Though the Sheikh does not call out his son's incompetence as such, the concern and disappointment are written on his aging face. "Perhaps she received the letter and knew it would displease me..." Yet the words leaving his mouth trail off, as the Sheikh appears unconvinced of his own theory. "If my son spent more time attending to matters of state and less trying to woo Dulcet Riqqiyah, perhaps this mistake would not have been made."

Resting in his callused hands is a letter bearing a merchant's seal. Sheikh Ali listens to Salahuddin's voice issuing from the floating gen, his scowl deepening when Salahuddin asserts that someone close to the Sheikh may be deceiving him. "I see. Well, I would not have made it this far as Sheikh if I did not always remain vigilant, oh sha'ir. Is there more news you bear for me?"[/SECTION]

 

[Shayuri]

Amina has spoken no word that wasn't technically true...but she has avoided speaking openly of her aim. Her eyes and voice are inscrutable, betraying nothing of her purpose.

[roll0]

She nods.

"I will tell the vizier what you have said," she replies, still truthfully. "Perhaps she will see in your words a truth that is still closed to me."

"Thank you, Ajun. I think this will help."

 

[Ancalagon]

Lal laughs with the nomads at the camel's anticts, and he says softly " Well, first be grateful for this camel, as it is a great distraction and a stout beast of burden..."

This face grew more somber and he continued

"... but you are cleared eyed - your position *is* difficult, not one I would envy. I think though that the men of House Bakr would not risk angering the Sheik... but yes, caution is advised. But what I really wonder about is your brother's ongoing link to the deposed Sultan - is he still alive, even 30 years later? I truly believe that you and your family have a chance to redeem themselves, but it will never happen if they are not willing to let go of the past... History is a wise teacher, but we must not let it become a set of chains."

Lal picks up his tabar and lays the long axe on his lap, looking at the head's greenish metal and angular runes. After a sigh he adds "Perhaps my greatest victory was convincing my foes to realize that a true enemy had pitted us against each other, and that we had to unit to vanquish said enemy. I will not lie to you, it was a bitter triumph... but the alternative was utter defeat. You must find the link between your brother and the Sultan and break it."

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

"Peace onto you, sha'ir. How is the Vizier?"

Easifa bows to the Sheikh.

"The Vizier is well. We have only begun our journey and many hard days are ahead of us."

Upon hearing mention of his nephew Ajan's name, the Sheikh scowls heavily, "Troops to Ajan? He really is addled by sunstroke if he thinks that I'd send soldiers to him, depleting Tajar's garrison at a time like this." When his initial reaction subsides, the Sheikh thinks for a moment, "My son Afzal is honorary commander of our cavalry. He is aided by a most skilled askara (female soldier) Hatia min-Turab who handle the day-to-day matters of command." Though the Sheikh does not call out his son's incompetence as such, the concern and disappointment are written on his aging face. "Perhaps she received the letter and knew it would displease me..." Yet the words leaving his mouth trail off, as the Sheikh appears unconvinced of his own theory. "If my son spent more time attending to matters of state and less trying to woo Dulcet Riqqiyah, perhaps this mistake would not have been made."

"You would know the will of your council better than I. The Vizier and Husam both found it odd that the request never made it to your throne. The fact that one of your council might have through malice or negligence prevented it's delivery weighed heavy on them. Concern for you and Tajar prompted this Audience. We all feel that these events in isolation are not cause for alarm but all put together paints a picture of something far more troubling and sinister."

"I see. Well, I would not have made it this far as Sheikh if I did not always remain vigilant, oh sha'ir. Is there more news you bear for me?"

Salahuddin makes Easifa bow in apology.

"It was not my intention to imply your vigilance was lacking. However forewarned is forearmed as my father used to say."

At the question of other news Salahuddin releases his voice from Easifa's and speaks to Akilah and the others sitting with him.

"The message has been delivered to the Sheikh. He was never made aware of the request from House Bakr. Is there any other news we wish to relay to the Sheikh?"

 

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"... but you are cleared eyed - your position *is* difficult, not one I would envy. I think though that the men of House Bakr would not risk angering the Sheik... but yes, caution is advised. But what I really wonder about is your brother's ongoing link to the deposed Sultan - is he still alive, even 30 years later? I truly believe that you and your family have a chance to redeem themselves, but it will never happen if they are not willing to let go of the past... History is a wise teacher, but we must not let it become a set of chains."

[SECTION]Sucking in his cheek, Derafsh smugly probes the fire which grows lower and lower as the evening deepens. The way his diffuse vision scans for desert threats (or a knife in the back) while tending it shows he is no stranger to life beyond the city gates. "He is not the Sultan of much these days, books in monastery perhaps, but yes he is alive. At least the last I heard. During the rebellion, the Grand Caliph answered Sheikh Ali's plea – then the Sheikh was barely a young man – with a fleet of mamluks. They took Al-Azrad in chains back to Huzuz where he was tried...recanted..." at this, Derafsh smiles wryly like he doesn't believe it for a second, "...and sent to a monastery of Zann the Learned in the hill country near Wasat to meditate on his sins, a most honored guest." Derafsh pauses in his explanation with a glance to Lal Qalandar to clarify that the line between guest and prisoner must be very thin for the deposed Sultan.

He murmurs in agreement about his brother and the strange hold the Sultan's character seems to hold over Nimar, at least according to Derafsh, but falls into a sullen silence as he contemplates. "The wood is nearly spent. It is time to sleep, wanderer," he says, before kicking sand onto the hot logs and dousing them in a roil of smoke.[/SECTION]

 

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[SECTION]Ajan bin Najon al-Yaqud raises his hands in a prayerful gesture, his doubts about the handmaiden Amina allayed. "Perhaps your mistress, my cousin, will have further truths to share in the morning. Peace, handmaiden," says Ajan in his quiet voice, mismatched eyes twinkling like stars of the desert night.[/SECTION]

The camels have bedded down for the night, a cool evening breeze carried from the east making for comfortable camping weather. As Amina returns to the tent she shares with Akilah, the night sky is awash with stars, each holding some promise or secret or forgotten prayer. In time, you each fall asleep, some of you – like Husam – alternating taking watch with Ajan's nomads who at last have fallen silent beneath the glory and majesty of the desert night sky.

GM: This is not a long rest, in terms of the rules. When it comes to travel, I require you to find a sanctuary (e.g. oasis, amidst an entire desert tribe, settlement, a tower/ruin you fortify) to gain benefits of a long rest.

Day 2 – Decisions on the Trail

Camp is broken down early. The sores from staying in the saddle for so long and the queasiness from the rolling gait of the camels are ever present, though soon you will grow accustomed to them. Resuming your marching order like before, you head toward the Al-Yabki Mountains which grow increasingly clear along the horizon, emerging from the washed out sands of the Badu al-Kabir beyond them.

By late afternoon, however, Ajan's men have begun grumbling almost as much as Nimar al-Solak and his rogues. While you take a shade and water break beneath a small cluster of palms and sandstone ledges, Nimar rides to the front of the caravan to speak with your party clustered in the diffuse shade.

[SECTION]Nimar, his eyes locked in a permanent squint, points to the foothills to the southeast, "Jabir's tomb is somewhere in this region. The treasure you promised you'd help us seek, Vizier." Though his tone remains saccharine and polite, it is clear Nimar is the sort of man who only gives when he knows he can get. "It cannot be far. We are so close, it would be a shame to not search for it. Have you discerned the secrets of the map from the spellbook?" He gazes from Akilah to Salahuddin.[/SECTION]

[SECTION]Ajan frowns as he sucks on a dried sour plum, reclining against a rock as he studies Nimar. He does not trust this bandit. Reducing his voice to a quieter tone, Ajan leans in toward your party, "I have stilled my tongue about traveling to the Badu al-Kabir, but already my men suspect your destination. It is a place forbidden to House Bakr. A haunted place. As long as you do not ask us to go into the Badu al-Kabir with you, however, they will follow. But robbing tombs? Their morale could break. And, is it not forbidden under the Law of the Loregiver? Or at least discouraged?"

Gesturing to the southwest, Ajan insists, "We should make camp at the foot of the mountain pass, enjoy storytelling and music, then cross early tomorrow morning. There is an old qalat (tower) on the other side that we have rested at before. Many nomads and merchants pass through it. We can rest there during the day tomorrow, then venture to Hakim Oasis by night, avoiding the worst of the High Desert's heat of the day. Surely this is preferable to exploring a tomb?"[/SECTION]

GM: Random Encounter Checks Day 2 17+ is an encounter while traveling with Ajan and his nomads: 3d20 14, 9, 5 No encounters

 

[Matthan]

OOC: I'm assuming that Husam has no clue about the tomb and I believe the agreement was before his time

Husain bent towards the Vizier and whispered, "Vizier, I trust you to lead us, but if my opinion holds weight, it seems beneath the daughter of our Sheikh to plunder the tombs of the righteously buried. It might be different if the tomb was of a wicked man or contained something necessary for the safety of Tajar, but mere wealth seems beneath your station. Allow these men to rob a tomb if you must, but surely there is no need for us to join in the deed."

 

[Thateous]

"Easy now, I had no intention of ever entering the tomb. I'm merely allowing fallen souls the chance at redemption. What they do with it is their own." Akilah says with mild irritation in her voice.

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[Shayuri]

Sensing that the time to speak to the cursed hyena-men may be coming to an end soon, Amina goes to speak quietly to Derafsh as his brother and the others are paying attention to Akilah and Ajan.

"Derafsh," she said quietly. "May I have a word?"

 

[Quickleaf]

Sensing that the time to speak to the cursed hyena-men may be coming to an end soon, Amina goes to speak quietly to Derafsh as his brother and the others are paying attention to Akilah and Ajan.

"Derafsh," she said quietly. "May I have a word?"

[SECTION]Despite Derafsh keeping one eye out for the sly handmaiden, he fails to notice her approaching as he attends to fixing a strap on his camel's saddlebags, his attention equally diverted by the task and making sure none of Ajan's men or his fellow rogues decides to stick a dagger between his ribs. When he hears "Amina" behind him, he pauses and looks down, the second mouth at his occiput moving underneath his keffiyeh ever so subtly, "For a handmaiden, you're light on your feet. What is the Vizier's will?" He inquires in a jaded tone, assuming "Amina" has sought him out to deliver a message from Akilah.[/SECTION]