Sailors on the Seas of Fate - Rana Mor!

[wysiwyg]

Artemis Marsei. Human male, Ranger/Swashbuckler/Fighter

"Erm, excuse me while I parley with my associates." Drawing his friends into a group huddle, Artemis insists that we try strike a better bargain. "We'll give the gel her gem, but we should demand to keep any other treasures found." Looking over the group huddle, Artemis makes sure that Theron or her crew are not listening. "Is this a thousand together or a thousand each? Perhaps we should not ask now, and demand a 1000 each later?"

 

[Lorthanoth]

Balama does her best to appear polite, but after a while says, "Come, come. I can see by your furtive postures that you wish to bargain somewhat. So, out with it!"

 

[Wik]

Zariv says little, but tries to recall as much about the ruins as possible:

Knowledge (Geography), Knowledge (History), Knowledge (Dungeoneering), Knowledge (religion) (1d20+9=27, 1d20+9=19, 1d20+9=17, 1d20+8=21)

He also tries to identify this Rain tiger:

Knowledge (arcana) (Rain Tiger) (1d20+12=21)

After this, he pauses to regard Balama, and then reaches out and touches her. Instantly, his one working eye clouds over, and he stares off into space. His whole body seizes up, and his breathing becomes ragged and harsh.

OOC: Using Active Precognition on Balama, even if it costs me half my hit points. Anything nice that Zariv sees?

 

[Lorthanoth]

Zariv casts his mind back to his days in the foreign quarter of Imarr, where even those who have lived for several generations in the great city live if they are not of the Imarran race or one of their indentured slaves.

In all the musty tomes and scribbled notes he has perused he can only remember a few hints and rumours.

[sblock=Zariv] You recall something about the Rangka Empire holding the image of the Rain Tiger Spirit sacred, and that the great temple of Rana Mor was said to be of great beauty, adorned with carvings. It is said to lie beyond a gorge on the Ran Pe river. You recall mention of a mage of Herath, Darrezan by name, who made great study of the Rangka people and their artifacts. He died several decades ago. You have not heard of the Rain Tiger jewel, but it must be of great value.[/sblock]

The rest of the group see Zariv touch Balama, and his eye clouds over and he seems to enter some sort of trance.

[sblock=Zariv]You see Balama at the wheel of a small ship, sailing down a river; the jungle is thick on both sides and the ship makes good speed...[/sblock]

Zariv slumps slightly, his breath coming in ragged gasps as Balama shakes his hand off her. "You are a wizard, by my guess... but I generally like to be asked first... He's almost as lascivious as you, Theon." she says in a distinctly cool manner. "Are you prepared to accept my terms, or will you all decide to have a good grope?"

OOC: He's quite forward, isn't he? Clutching attractive strangers? Zariv takes 9 non-lethal damage.

 

[Wik]

Zariv slumps backwards, and scowls at the woman. "You head down an unknown course, heedless of hidden shoals. And yet you are boxed in by jungle and wildness. You wish for us to aid you - I like to know even a little of what faces me. But the ruins of Rana Mor interest me, as do all ruins of the Rangkans. I will go."

Zariv finds himself a seat, still a little flushed.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Esteban grins and says, "I have only one question. Do you anticipate much resistance?"

 

[Lorthanoth]

Balama turns to Esteban with a smirk and says in Ispan [sblock=Ispan speakers]"Resistance? From the natives, or from you, sir?"[/sblock]

She regards the whole group again and says in the common speech, "Well, 'tis only fair I let you know a little more of our journey before you accept. The Rangka kings were buried at Rana Mor, a temple city about a hundred miles upriver. The city was abandoned about five hundred years ago, and the ruins are supposed to be quite spectacular. Although, they've only been visited once or twice in the past hundred years."

Sitting back down, having got up to berate Zariv, Lady Theron continues, "As to resistance, I honestly don't know. The burial vaults at Rana Mor were legendary for their traps and the zealousness of their priestly guardians. In my research," (at this she taps a slim leather-bound notebook on the table) "I've discovered the glyphs used to protect the Seer-King's crypt, so I believe I can bypass some of the defenses. The priests are long gone now."

"Between here and Rana Mor, the jungle is filled with dangerous beasts and hostile tribes. If we stick to the river we should avoid most of that."

 

[Shayuri]

"Theon wanted to know if it was three thousand for each of us, or for all of us," Anemone butts in, patting Theon on the shoulder.

"Important to know, if we ever want a ship of our own."

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Esteban returns the woman's smirk with a grin.

[sblock=Ispan]
"Well you can hardly expect me to go wandering about in the wilds, heaven knows how many miles from the comforts of civilization without at least the promise of a stiff fight to keep me interested."

[/sblock]

 

[Lorthanoth]

"Does he now?" Balama says with a chuckle to Anemone, "Well with one such as yourself aboard, Reverend Sister, then he should have a fine ship indeed! So, a thousand apiece?"

She cocks an eyebrow at Esteban with a sly smile.

OOC: Shayuri, please make a Diplomacy check for Anemone; if someone else wishes to roll a Diplomacy check to Aid Another (and thus give a +2 bonus each to Anemone's check), they can do so but I'll only allow the first two posters' results.