KirayaTiDrekan
Adventurer
Zephia shudders and asks their guide, "I don't suppose we're going to need to worry about any more of those things?"
Relic Hunters in Tekumel (IC)
- Thread starter Deuce Traveler
- Start date
Deuce Traveler
Adventurer
Your guide, Yolkana, answers Zephia as she helps slit the throats of some of the unconscious lri, "These lri were young an inexperienced. The largest lri I have seen were twice their size, and so I agree that we should move quickly." She bends down towards the dead noble in the carriage and whispers apologies for not being able to bury her due to the importance of her mission, and promises to ensure a proper burial when her task is complete. So saying, she reaches into the robes of the corpse and pulls out a seal that gives the dead woman's name and permission to travel the region. With that, Yolkana will later be able to track down the family and explain the poor woman's ultimate fate.
From there the group of you continue east uneventfully, the only further problem coming from camp discussions of who should clean up after cooking dinner and the watch schedule during the nights. Eventually you reach the village of Akajhun. Several yurts and grass huts stand on dry land near a reed-covered stream. The ground around this location is soft and quite marsh-like, while the villagers themselves mostly wear loin clothes and are usually shirtless. From the looks of things they are all quite poor. Some playing children see you as you struggle to find dryer patches of earth to traverse the final distance between the marsh and the firm ground of the village, with your mules trudging stubbornly along.
Two middle-aged men approach you, both wearing loose tunics and jewelry in decent enough conditions that you can guess they have the wealth and power to claim to be in charge. The older of the two has slightly more shell necklaces than the latter and is in the lead, so you suppose he is slightly higher in rank, but you can be completely sure of nothing at this point.
Yukana reminds you of a few facts. "Remember, I am only here as a hired guide. Say nothing of my status or my purpose. I do not know the name of the leader here, only that he will be the head of the Black Earth Clan that lives in this village. You are here on behalf of the Grey Wand Clan, and they by order of the ruler of Jakalla, to investigate the temple found in the nearby swamps and you require whatever help the clan can provide. Be polite and show your seal. Admit to nothing else. You think one of you foreigners can muster enough dignity to meet him halfway instead of all of us standing in an awkward circle and waiting for him to control the conversation?" She asks the last with contempt, obviously impressed only with the display of your recent battle prowess and not with the subtelties of local politics.
From there the group of you continue east uneventfully, the only further problem coming from camp discussions of who should clean up after cooking dinner and the watch schedule during the nights. Eventually you reach the village of Akajhun. Several yurts and grass huts stand on dry land near a reed-covered stream. The ground around this location is soft and quite marsh-like, while the villagers themselves mostly wear loin clothes and are usually shirtless. From the looks of things they are all quite poor. Some playing children see you as you struggle to find dryer patches of earth to traverse the final distance between the marsh and the firm ground of the village, with your mules trudging stubbornly along.
Two middle-aged men approach you, both wearing loose tunics and jewelry in decent enough conditions that you can guess they have the wealth and power to claim to be in charge. The older of the two has slightly more shell necklaces than the latter and is in the lead, so you suppose he is slightly higher in rank, but you can be completely sure of nothing at this point.
Yukana reminds you of a few facts. "Remember, I am only here as a hired guide. Say nothing of my status or my purpose. I do not know the name of the leader here, only that he will be the head of the Black Earth Clan that lives in this village. You are here on behalf of the Grey Wand Clan, and they by order of the ruler of Jakalla, to investigate the temple found in the nearby swamps and you require whatever help the clan can provide. Be polite and show your seal. Admit to nothing else. You think one of you foreigners can muster enough dignity to meet him halfway instead of all of us standing in an awkward circle and waiting for him to control the conversation?" She asks the last with contempt, obviously impressed only with the display of your recent battle prowess and not with the subtelties of local politics.
KirayaTiDrekan
Adventurer
After the battle, Zephia's eyes widen a bit, "Young and inexperienced? You're kidding, right?" She turns to the others, "She's kidding...right?"
Once they reach the village, Zephia stays silent and toward the back of the group, hand near her sword in case things get violent.
Once they reach the village, Zephia stays silent and toward the back of the group, hand near her sword in case things get violent.
CanadienneBacon
Explorer
[section]
Briony's eyes went wide when Bella aimed two lightening bolts at her and the lri. Her instinct was to dodge, but experience with Bella's accuracy helped Briony stand her ground, grit her teeth, and hope for the best. She wasn't disappointed; the bolt slammed into the lri, frying it to a crisp and sending it shooting backward. Briony blinked, then grinned. "Got him, good, Bells. Thanks." She rubbed the trickle of blood off her arm where the lri bit her, then used a patch of grass to wipe lri gore from her blade.
When the group trekked into the village, Briony sheathed her sword and stood in the rear, near Zephia. Knowing she was prone to putting her foot in her mouth in social situations, Briony shuttered her trap but kept her eyes and ears open. Her hand never strayed far from the pommel of her sword.[/section]
Briony's eyes went wide when Bella aimed two lightening bolts at her and the lri. Her instinct was to dodge, but experience with Bella's accuracy helped Briony stand her ground, grit her teeth, and hope for the best. She wasn't disappointed; the bolt slammed into the lri, frying it to a crisp and sending it shooting backward. Briony blinked, then grinned. "Got him, good, Bells. Thanks." She rubbed the trickle of blood off her arm where the lri bit her, then used a patch of grass to wipe lri gore from her blade.When the group trekked into the village, Briony sheathed her sword and stood in the rear, near Zephia. Knowing she was prone to putting her foot in her mouth in social situations, Briony shuttered her trap but kept her eyes and ears open. Her hand never strayed far from the pommel of her sword.[/section]
Angelina throws Yukana a disapproving look at her unnecessary comment but says nothing about it in this moment.
Angelina pulls their paperwork out of a tightly sealed scroll case. She steps forward, walking slowly and in a non threatening manner with the travel seal in hand. She speaks loudly. "Greetings. We are representatives of the Grey Wand Clan. They have been tasked by the King (?) of Jakalla to investigate the temple in the nearby swamps. We are hoping you can help us in the name of the King." She pauses here to wait for acknowledgement before introducing herself and offering the seal.
Angelina pulls their paperwork out of a tightly sealed scroll case. She steps forward, walking slowly and in a non threatening manner with the travel seal in hand. She speaks loudly. "Greetings. We are representatives of the Grey Wand Clan. They have been tasked by the King (?) of Jakalla to investigate the temple in the nearby swamps. We are hoping you can help us in the name of the King." She pauses here to wait for acknowledgement before introducing herself and offering the seal.
Rubberneck
First Post
"Not a problem gorgeous. I'm just glad my aim was true."
Bella responds to Bri with a wink. Once the town elders approach she removes her helm and her blonde hair falls free to her shoulders. She gives their guide a dirty look but remains silent.
Bella responds to Bri with a wink. Once the town elders approach she removes her helm and her blonde hair falls free to her shoulders. She gives their guide a dirty look but remains silent.
Deuce Traveler
Adventurer
Although the older middle-aged man and his similar companion keep smiles on their faces, that same smile does not reach their eyes. The man reviews the document that Angelina hands him, then allows his fellow to also peruse it before handing it back. Finally he answers, "Welcome to our village. I am Herkor of the Black Earth Clan, and this is my brother Herken. I am quite sorry for our impoverished state, but times have been tough for us and we lack the resources to be as gracious of hosts as we would like. I can have some of the children take the mules and hitch them to a guest hut if you would like, and we might be able to scrape together something for you to eat. Let us sit and talk," he offers pleasantly. Herkor snaps his fingers at some local, dirty children and after some prodding they take the reigns of your mules and lead them towards the eastern edge of the village.
Yukana, suddenly submissive, begs the pardon of Angelina and bows to her respectfully as she also goes with the mules, "Your servant will ready your guest hut."
Herkor and his brother sit on some straw mats outside the largest of the huts, then motions for you to sit on others near them. He explains, "I suppose word came out from some of our recent guests about that ruined, derelict temple. I'm telling you there's nothing of importance out there. It's just an old temple with its runes smoothed away and made illegible due to the passage of time. Anything of wealth was long stripped from it by the occasional traveler and semi-intelligent beasts. Even now the area is heavily populated with the sorts of creatures with a strong taste for humans, and I'm sure they'd be even more interested to take a bite into obvious foreigners such as yourselves. If I were you, I'd report the area as lacking anything of importance and just turn back. It would make things easier for both you and our village, and if we both hold to our little secrets than we would also both benefit from deserved peace and quiet." He says the last with a broad grin and a conspiratorial wink.
OOC: By the way, you are all fully healed and spells restored.
CanadienneBacon
Explorer
[MENTION=95059]Forged Fury[/MENTION]
[section]Briony tried to pay attention. She really did. The dust of the day, the battle with the lri, the exhaustion of one too many fetes and constant travel caught her. She stood next to Zephia, for all intents and purposes mentally aware. But not. Her eyes glazed. She wet her lips. Shifted her weight once to her left foot. Her mind wandered to Rolfe, spinning images and words. I need parchment and a quill. Hell. Briony shuddered, and gave in to a few moments of fancy.[/section]
[sblock=Epistolary Love Affair]Dear Rolfe,
I like your swagger, the way you move. The way your mind works. Christ on a crutch, your mind. Yourshoulders calvesforearms are twined with muscle, sure, but the part of you that burns hottest is your smarts. Jesus, Rolfe. Do you know how badly I want you? I can't sleep at night for thinking of you. I can't concentrate during the day. Claim what's yours. I want to be pushed up against the wall, pinned by the wrists . . . .[/sblock]
[section]
Briony tried to pay attention. She really did. The dust of the day, the battle with the lri, the exhaustion of one too many fetes and constant travel caught her. She stood next to Zephia, for all intents and purposes mentally aware. But not. Her eyes glazed. She wet her lips. Shifted her weight once to her left foot. Her mind wandered to Rolfe, spinning images and words. I need parchment and a quill. Hell. Briony shuddered, and gave in to a few moments of fancy.[/section][sblock=Epistolary Love Affair]
I like your swagger, the way you move. The way your mind works. Christ on a crutch, your mind. Your
KirayaTiDrekan
Adventurer
Zephia leaned in close to Briony and whispered, "Are you ok? You look a little feverish."
CanadienneBacon
Explorer
[section]Briony turned her head toward Zephia and stared blankly. Then blinked. "Wha--? Hunh?" She shook her head and blinked again. Reality seeped back into the blue of her eyes. "Uh. Yeah. Fevered. That's one word for it. Rolf's another. Don't tell Ange." Briony looked down at her healed bite mark. She rotated her arm, testing to see whether the bruise was also gone. She leaned over and whispered at Zephia. "Wow. When did that happen? Did I miss seeing their cleric while I was zoned out?" [/section]
Briony turned her head toward Zephia and stared blankly. Then blinked. "Wha--? Hunh?" She shook her head and blinked again. Reality seeped back into the blue of her eyes. "Uh. Yeah. Fevered. That's one word for it. Rolf's another. Don't tell Ange." Briony looked down at her healed bite mark. She rotated her arm, testing to see whether the bruise was also gone. She leaned over and whispered at Zephia. "Wow. When did that happen? Did I miss seeing their cleric while I was zoned out?" [/section]Similar Threads
