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Message: <blockquote data-quote="PieAndDragon" data-source="post: 3602035" data-attributes="member: 18108">Mykene, Town of the BalazoringMy companions seemed less than impressed with my navigational skills, as we found ourselves two days the wrong side of Mykene, the town I was searching for. The first humans we had seen in about sixteen weeks were Balazoring of the White Goat Clan, a hunting party who treated us with caution. They are simple folk, wearing furs and using weapons of flint and wood. Some wore pieces of leather armour, but little metal was seen among them.I acted as translator, for my companions can speak not a word of the tongue in these lands. After directing us toward Mykene, my companions made me trade any beer or spirits they might have, gaining several pints of elkoi beer in exchange for ancient javelins Khaki had carried all the way from Jonstown.We bade farewell and drank our newly acquired beer, relishing the bitter, distinct taste, heading toward the town. For a sixteen week journey through unfamiliar land, I was proud to be only two days away from the place we sought.A day and a half later, out of beer and looking forward to the company of other people, strangers sought us out. They flew toward us on giant hawks, circling several times and landing a small distance away. Armoured in metal and riding beasts such as these, they could only be guardsmen of the Mykene king, checking up on us.King is a generous word for the ruler of Mykene, a town of not even one thousand people. But when your guards wear metal and you are in control of one of only two settlements above a hundred people, you can call yourself whatever you want. Most of the Balazor are nomadic, with little need for kings. I have no idea what name most of the clans give him.We approached the four guardsmen, sat atop eagles far larger than horses, and I spoke to them in their own tongue, telling them we were searching for a troll known to be active in Balazor lands, hunting it for the helm it had stolen from one we knew. After consulting among themselves, they informed us we would need an escort, and left toward Mykene, leaving one of their own to keep watch on us. Apparently all strangers need an escort into the town. I forgot to mention to them I had been into the town before, and no escort had been given me.Our escort, when it arrived, interrupted Hoisin and Liverpate’s dagger throwing practice, which both proving fairly inept. Hoisin was the better, though by a small margin. The five warriors comprising our escort were also members of the king’s guard. They were likewise armoured in metal, carrying spears and swords. Their captain gave his name as Bobandi Hawkeye, but beyond this he answered few questions, remaining stoic and silent when faced with questions.We let our escort walk ahead of us, as I attempted to teach my companions the basics of the Balazoring tongue. After several swear words, various body parts, how to order an ale and ask where the nearest temple of the healing goddess was, we had reached Mykene. Despite its small population, it has massive fortifications and some impressive buildings, having been built in the foundations of a far older city. The Mykene are very fond of pigs, and the smell of swine and swineherds was one of the first things we noticed.From the gates our escort took us to meet the king, who was apparently awaiting us. King Skillfill Heartpiercer was not in his throne room when we were lead in, although several advisors and more guards were. Khaki refused to kneel before the throne, and was lead back outside by the guards, glaring balefully at them as they did so. Once the king approached and sat upon his throne, an advisor addressed us in Sartarite, once they found only I spoke any of their tongue. They questioned us on our reasons for being in Mykene, disappointed to learn we were not traders. The whole meeting took a short time, with the king not speaking at all, only gazing at Hoisin, almost as if sizing him up.Once we left the court we were free to wander Mykene, visiting Khaki briefly at the gates. Seeing all of the town isn’t a task which takes very long, and inevitably leads to the Stabbing Cat, an inn run by a Sartarite, known for expensive beers and rooms. I used to drink there during my first stay in Mykene, although few would remember me. After two expensive rounds of drinks, my companions had already had enough of the place, but through the landlord we found out the troll we sought had last been seen in Griffyn Clan lands.After a couple more hours in town, we had tracked down the Treeghost Clan, allies of the Griffyn, who not only told us more about our quarry, but knew someone who was heading in the direction we needed to go. Before dusk, we had left Mykene, rejoining Khaki and travelling alongside Orori Tigerteeth, glad to see the back of the town of pigs, expensive beers and over-proud kings.</blockquote>

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