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Message: <blockquote data-quote="megamania" data-source="post: 7607314" data-attributes="member: 9255">DARKSUN: THE ELEMENTS OF EVILSEGMENT 004“DRAJ”05/07/19SEASON: FRIEND’S VENGEANCE  YEAR 24MONTH: NOBLEDAY: 16KA: 190In the distance the four travelers and two caravan members spot birds in the sky.   These are not the vulture-like kes’trals they typically see in the desert.  These are different birds.   Gentle song singing birds.  Beyond them you see the rising distant walls of Draj.The cracked dry earth becomes red and high in nutrients as you move closer.  Then becomes damp in areas with low shrubs and spaced out grass.   The city is surrounded by mud fields.   A lone Stone block road connects the desert to the city.  To access the bridge, one must bypass the city’s templars. Nearly a dozen of these robed men and women stand on the bridgeway.  They have headbands with brightly colored feathers and tassels made from cloth or leather that are equally bright.   Olan eavesdrops carefully as several templars walk up to Yaesha.  “Is there a problem Gracco?”“Only if you or house have decided to smuggle in goods on the restricted list.” Answers the lead templar.  “I have orders to inspect every caravan, every rider and every cart or wagon that crosses this way.   And you know how I follow my King’s laws.”“Yes.  Yes I do.”  The caravan leader motions slightly.  A small bag of coin drops from his hand into the templar’s and the pouch disappears into the folds instantly.  The templars draw back and return to their stations as Gracco motions you forward.  “Problems?” asks Choro.“Nothing already budgeted into the cost of doing business.”The crodlu hop over cracks in the stone and the wagons thump and thud along.  “What are we bringing in?”  Yaesha gives a stern look of don’t ask.The half-giant and the others walk by slaves that are growing crops in the mud flats.  Another scarier sight is the slaves dumping and submerging the dead into the mud.  “Fertilizer” comments the one rider.  Choro wonders how many other dead are buried here…. And what other secrets are here- under the mud’s surface.After a mile of riding over the mud they arrive at the city gates.  Yaesha looks at the templars here.   Another shakedown.  There has been increased Veiled Alliance activity.   The King of the Two Moons, King Tectuktitlay, has declared a state of heightened vigilance.   Another payoff later and they find themselves in the city.It is not long before they reach the Tsalaxa Compound. Two buildings and a watchtower are within high walls.  There is even an animal pen for the crodlus. “You have done well.  You would make excellent caravan workers…. If you so wished.”  Yaesha directs this comment at the mul.  The mul remains silent.  “At least allow me to offer some drink and shelter for the night.  Then we can maybe talk shop.”“Welcome to The Kes’stral’s Roost.”  The first floor of the biggest building a small tavern.  Several tables are available.  One has a dwarf and two humans whom watch with curiosity as the group come in.  “These are my friends and deserve to be treated as such.” Yaesha declares as he stands by the bar.  The elf is scared of the thri-kreen.   And for good reason, ask any travelers or elf-  thri-kreen eat elves.“What do you have?” asks the monk.   “We… we have water…. Broy and ah… ahahaha….. wine.”“Water.” And the elf is quick to get his water.“What is….clik… Broy?” asks the kreen oblivious to the elf’s discomfort.“Fermented Kank…. Ah nectar.”“Try” and the elf with unsteady hands gets the thri-kreen some broy.Choro understands they do not need to pay.  “Broy-  make it three.”Scared but now annoyed at the half-giant’s greed- the elf gets a half-cup.  The half-giant looks like someone just kicked his puppy.Olan watches two other employees playing darts.  He moves to them and begins a discussion with Shim and Sham.“All of this could be offered to you.   Silver a day.  Free food and water.   Little perks like this.  We have similar outposts in each city.   All of this and get paid.”Koe frowns as he stares down his water.“Every city?” asks Choro as he motions for a refill.“Yes.”Koe is the last to agree but he does.   Even though he dislikes caravans and trade houses.</blockquote>

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