Upward from Land's End

[MacConnell]

Spoiler: Enhancements

Antapkos: 42(camouflage, athletics)
Siofrita: 26(camouflage, athletics)
Cormorante: 42(soullessness), 44(strength)
Britta: 24(soullessness)
Sprthnt: 31(soullessness), 33(motility)
Kuwaia: 26(strength)

Spoiler: Speed

Antapkos: 25 + 200(bending) = 225, 315
Siofrita: 104 + 270(bow) = 374
Cormorante: 46 + 200(bending) = 246, 296, 346
Britta: 22 + 180(hammer) = 202, 292
Sprthnt: 116 + 270(bow) = 386
Kuwaia: 30 + 90(sword) = 120, 170, 220, 270, 320, 370
Lizards: 0 + 100(bite) = 100, 200, 300

Spoiler: Mystical Assault

Antapkos: 36(bending) + 41() + 85(d100) = 162
Siofrita: 42 + 26(ionize) + 85 = 153
Cormorante: 26 + 43(heat) + 85 = 154
Sprthnt: 55 + 34(heat) + 85 = 174

Lizards:40 + 80 = 120
162 - 120 = 42% * 6 = 3 athletics
153 - 120 = 33% * 6 = 2 body
154 - 120 = 34% * 6 = 2 body
174 - 120 = 54% * 6 = 3 body

Spoiler: Physical Assault

Antapkos: 26(finesse) + 32(accuracy) + 42(clarity) + 55(d100) = 155 + 42(athletics) = 197
Cormorante: 26(aggression) + 24 + 44(fury) + 55 = 149 + 44(strength) = 193
Britta: 24 + 31 + 24 + 55 = 134
Kuwaia: 41 + 31 + 26 + 55 = 153 + 26(strength) = 179
Lizards: 60 + 125 = 185

Antapkos: 28(readiness) + 31(avoidance) + 13(analysis) + 55(d100) = 127 + 42(camo) = 169
185 - 169 = 16% * 6 = 1 x 3
Cormorante: 24 + 23 + 31 + 55 = 133 + 42(soul) = 175
185 - 175 = 10% * 6 = 1 x 3
Britta: 25 + 42 + 24 + 55 = 146 + 24(soul) = 170
185 - 170 = 15% * 6 = 1 x 3
Kuwaia: 41 + 31 + 0 + 55 = 127
185 - 127 = 58% * 6 = 3 x 3
Lizards: 60 + 80 = 140
197 - 140 = 57% * 8 = 5 - 6(deflect) = ineffective
193 - 140 = ineffective
179 - 140 = ineffective

Spoiler: Projectile Assault

Siofrita: 23(launch) + 42(accuracy) + 26(clarity) + 55 = 146 + 26(athletics) = 172 + 50(range) - 50(melee) = 172
Sprthnt: 26 + 31 + 22 + 55 = 134 + 33(motility) = 167 + 100 - 50 = 217

Lizards: 30 + 80 = 110
172 - 110 = 62% * 8 = 5 - 6(deflect) = ineffective
217 - 110 = 107% * 8 = 8 - 6 = 2

Spoiler: Combat Data

L1: Body: 5 - 2 = 3, hurt.
L2: Body: 5 - 3 = 2 - 3 = -1, incapacitated.
L3: Body: 5 - 2 = 3, hurt
L4: Body: 5 - 3 = 2 - 3 - 2 = -3, incapacitated.

Even with a bit of luck on their side, the faster lizards are not nearly dangerous enough to cause any real harm, though Kuwaia is badly hurt, mostly because she has no mystical defense. Antapkos, Cormorante, and Britta are only scratched. The scratch is little more than irritating. The scaled skin of the lizards protects them quite well from physical assaults, but Sprthnt manages to skewer the one on Kuwaia for a second time.

With only a few seconds of time having passed, it is the mystical assaults that significantly change the course of the conflict. The two lizards that had first been hit with arrows, both fall, one from heat damage the other from caustic. The remaining two lizards disengage after being hurt and run away, off into the scrub. It may have been for the best, anyway, since the six youths would only have been able to readily transport three of the large beasts. It is only a simple matter to finish the two incapacitated lizards.

Carrying the two back to the caravan, the others are astounded at such a bounty, and much discussion and several questions ensue. Everyone wants to know the details of how the six came to kill two such desert lizards. Mishka offers the possibility of keeping one of the skins in exchange for enough salt to cure the other. He has already learned enough of the youths to know that the meat will be shared.

Spoiler: Character Data

Antapkos: Body: 10 - 3 = 7. hurt.
Sioftrita: full wellness
Cormorant: Body: 10 - 3 = 7. hurt.
Britta: Body: 10 - 3 = 7. hurt.
Sprthnt: full wellness
Tunic: 48
Kuwaia: Body: 10 - 9 = 1. injured.

Spoiler: Collectibles

nothing at this time

OOC: Each character receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions and provide a random roll.

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

The assumption that the youths would share the meat is, of course, correct. None of the six would waste resources, especially Antapkos and Cormorant. Sprthnt and Britta tend to Kuwaia’s wounds before the party returns to the caravan. Since there skill in rendering physical aid would result in an accelerated rate of recovery far beyond anything normal, cloth will be left covering the wounds for several days, and Kuwaia will pretend to be more hurt than she feels, when around others of the caravan.

After a brief discussion and not wanting Mishka to understand that the lizards skins could be cured without the benefit of salt or Daylight, it is agreed to accept the salt for one of the skins. Antapkos and Siofrita will prepare one lizard, while the other, in its entirety is given to the caravan cooks. The skin will be soaked in a salt solution over night then stretched across a manufactured frame in the morning. Antapkos exclaims that all of the claws from both lizards will be kept as trophies for the kill. They will be examined for mystical potential at leisure.

OOC: 75

 

[MacConnell]

Spoiler: Render Physical Aid

Britta: 31(medicine) + 25(recover) + 75(d100) = 131
Sprthnt: 42 + 34 + 75 = 151
Kuwaia: 31 + 26 + 75 = 132
time: 90 days / (131 + 151 + 132) = 5 hours, 13 minutes

Spoiler: Animal Preparation

Antapkos: 37(butcher) + 42(clarity) +75(d100) = 154 - 60(difficulty) = 94% (skin)
Siofrita: 31 + 26 + 75 = 132 - 60 = 72% n/a

Spoiler: Alchemical Analysis

Antapkos: 31(alchemy) + 31(analysis) + 75(d100) = 137, success
time: 20 days / 137 = 3.5 hours, success
Sprthnt: 42 + 28 + 75 = 145, success
time: 20 / 145 = 3.3 hours, success

Fully aware that the trade of salt for an entire lizard skin is not a very good deal, especially since salt is the primary export carried by the caravan, the Sojourn Six elect to abide with it, in favor of maintaining the necessary secretiveness of their talents. Had this still been the Artisan Caravan, Vyerbluth would likely have tried to confiscate both skins at the point of many javelins. Of a small portion of such secrets, no one is the wiser, as Kuwaia successfully disguises her rate of recovery. In order to take full advantage of the fresh supply of meat from the two lizards, the caravan sits for a day, making it easier for Kuwaia to perform little action.

Antapkos has developed enough skill at preparing game that he is able to salvage almost every bit of the lizard’s skin. Meat and claws are of no consequence to such skill. Dividing the claws, he and Sprthnt are able to determine that only the front claws harbor a mystical proclivity and must be kept in a set of five to do so. Each young man realizes that claws will augment the fluidity of motion of the bearer or a set may be sacrificed in order to temporarily enhance motion or athleticism to a far greater capacity.

GM: claws (set of 5): Motility +2, stimulate or athleticism x 3

The remainder of the days necessary to transgress the Land’s End Pass and enter the true sands of the Ansylin Desert passed without further incident or anomaly. Antapkos and Cormorante had seen this area before, but the other four were momentarily taken aback by the lack of vegetation and the expanse of the sand. Almost never seeing rainfall, the Burning Sun cooked the land all the day long. With the lack of moisture to retain any ambient heat, the nights felt particularly cold, although this was merely a perception, for the nights were not nearly cold. The heat of the day was all too real. Antapkos and Cormorante also already had hats. Mishka offered one to each of the other four.

Spoiler: Character Data

Antapkos: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 = 58
Sioftrita: full wellness
Cormorant: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 = 58
Britta: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 = 58
Sprthnt: full wellness
Tunic: 48
Kuwaia: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 - 2 - 2 = 54

Spoiler: Collectibles

Lizard Skin: cover 94%
Lizard Claws: 4 sets, (motility +2), {stimulate or athletics x3}

OOC: Each character receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions and provide a random roll.

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Grateful for the offer of the hats, the four, without, accept them, fiddling and folding to get them comfortable. Sprthnt, Britta, and Siofrita begin speaking with anyone of the caravan who will engage them, concerning expectations and aspects of crossing a desert. Kuwaia simply listens, since she prefers to be silent. They are all specifically curious as to why the road does not follow the cliffs to the river then follow along, downstream.

Siofrita, Cormorant, Britta, and Sprthnt each keep a set of lizard claws. Britta fashions a necklace. The other three all string them from a thong to be hung from their belts as a fetish. Not yet confident enough to attempt to make something of the lizard skin, the frame is carried until the skin can be removed and rolled, then the frame will be discarded.

OOC: 85

 

[MacConnell]

Spoiler: Negotiate

d100 = 85, success

Collectively, the party learns that long ago, apparently, it had been decided that carrying extra water and crossing as straight through the desert as possible was a better option than dealing with the inevitable hostile situations that plagued the river area. Not particularly people, but dangerous predators and reptiles hunted all along the Crystal River and tended to attack caravans rather than avoid them. The stories may have grown, over time, for great monsters like blood thirsty jackals and dragons were reputed to lurk about, for the hapless traveler. The only known community, situated about the midpoint of the length of the river, had been established by a clan of Shimadow. Trade was conducted with the community by taking boats upstream, which proved far more successful than walking it. Though the river did indeed host various crocodilians, no boat had ever been attacked on the water.

The river route was not something that Mishka or the veteran guards were willing to risk. The consensus was to cross the desert as quickly as possible. Arrival at Asylim afforded the caravaners, the guards at least, the opportunity to spend some time in the Moonlight District. The pattern of activity for the caravan was shifted to compensate for travel in the desert. Travel during the day was only conducted while the Daylight was low in the morning or evening sky. This facilitated the ability to maintain a direction, since the path was not definitive like it was in other environments. It was easy to get turned around during the middle of the day, especially with the heat mirages making every horizon line look like the ocean.

Arriving at the eastern side of Asylim, the caravan continues beyond the gate from which Antapkos and Cormorante had originally departed to halt outside of the Harbor District gate. Like with the other gate, there is a small, roofed structure where the records for the caravan are kept by an official clerk. Mishka goes into the office while everyone else mills about aimlessly.

In only a few minutes Misha returns to pay and address the caravaners, except the Sojourn Six, as it was agreed that payment would come later. After the others receive their pay, Mishka speaks to the party. His Ansylin is far more intelligible and less accented than that of Vyerbluth. “I have officially documented Antapkos and Cormorante as part of my caravan. To make sure there is no further confusion on this matter I will speak with the Javelineer Guild Master who should pass word back to those involved with the Artisan Caravan. I need to request an audience with Molo Pesce to discuss my ideas. This may take a few days. Like the others, take your liberty, but check in with the clerk each day.”

Spoiler: Character Data

Antapkos: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 = 58
Sioftrita: full wellness
Cormorant: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 = 58
Britta: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 = 58
Sprthnt: full wellness
Tunic: 48
Kuwaia: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 - 2 - 2 = 54

Spoiler: Collectibles

Lizard Skin: cover 94%
Lizard Claws: 4 sets, (motility +2), {stimulate or athletics x3}

OOC: Each character receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions and provide a random roll.

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Unsure of exactly what to do but realizing that food and water could not readily be acquired at this locations by one’s own means. Cormorant and Antapkos speak with a couple of the other guards to see how liberty was normally handled. Everyone planned to stick together, whatever was decided. Exploring the desert around the eastern side of the city seemed a bit interesting, but food and water were the primary importance, after determining if the lizard skin could be traded or sold.

OOC: 83

 

[MacConnell]

Spoiler: Negotiate

Antapkos: 34(coerce) + 42(allure) + 83(d100) = 159
Siofrita: 44 + 26(befriend) + 83 = 153
Cormorante: 28 + 31(muddle) + 83 = 142
Britta: 44 + 27(allure) + 83 = 154
Sprthnt: 53 + 22(muddle) + 83 = 158
Kuwaia: 33 + 24 + 83 = 140

The other guards who did not have children or partners take their liberty and their coins into the Moonlight District. This admission explained and located certain things that Antapkos and Cormorante had previously heard but did not understand. The Moonlight District is for entertainment. It offers amorous company and gambling as well as food and merchandise. With an exterior gate and outsiders being welcomed, there is no real need for the identifying marks that Antapkos and Cormorante carry, especially since no one looks the part of a Mud Grubber from The Flats.

Like the Pavilion in The Flats, the Harbor District has residents who clean game, mostly large fish and sharks. The skin of sharks is valued for its protective nature and flexibility, but the rarer lizard skin is even more valuable. Since the hide is already cleaned and cured, the party only needs to negotiate with the secondary Harbor Clerk. The primary clerk only keeps track of the sailors and their catches. There is a third clerk who records information from the manufacture of salt, the worst job for Harbor residents.

With a little discussion among the six friends, it is decided that Antapkos is the best option for negotiating for the hide. He is offered 90 clams, which seems like a fair enough deal. With such a decent amount of coins plus the previous collections of Antapkos and Cormorante, the Sojourn Six find that the Moonlight District offers a great many sights and sounds, pleasures and purchases, eats and games. There is even enough coin to easily rent three different rooms for a night or two. If pushed to stupidity, there is plainly enough activity to acquire trouble, unwanted trouble since it is always accompanied by too much attention.

Spoiler: Character Data

Antapkos: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 = 58
Sioftrita: full wellness
Cormorant: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 = 58
Britta: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 = 58
Sprthnt: full wellness
Tunic: 48
Kuwaia: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 - 2 - 2 = 54

Spoiler: Collectibles

Coins: 213 clams

Lizard Claws: 4 sets, (motility +2), {stimulate or athletics x3}

OOC: Each character receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions and provide a random roll.

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

The six friends have no interest in looking for nor causing trouble. It seems to find them readily enough, anyway. Never before having seen such an environment, the six stay together but explore the entire district, sampling food and plying for a small amount of gaming. With supplies and equipment being considered to be little more than rudimentary, if better gear or equipment is noticed, effort will be made to bargain for it. In such a dense urban locale, no attempt will be made to affect others by Bending, only augmenting oneself, where applicable.

OOC: 78

 

[MacConnell]

Everything about the Moonlight District was completely alien to anything any of the six had previously experienced in life. While initially fascinating, the loudness, the clutter, and the press of bodies soon became less than tolerable. The desert sand, outside the gate and away from the ocean, was exactly the opposite. There was absolutely nothing except sand. The two mountain ranges that blockaded this southern tip of the land prevent nearly all rain from falling in the confined area. It was a true barren wasteland.

Late in the evening the second day, Mishka returned to the caravan with word that Magister Pesce had professed an interest in his idea and wanted to meet the four newcomers who had joined with the two guards, meaning, of course, the party. Mishka seemed pleased with himself. He was even excited for the party. It was unheard of for a Magister to deign to meet laborers of any kind, and everyone was told to be near at hand come first light.

GM: This concludes this chapter of the campaign.

Spoiler: Character Data

Antapkos: full wellness
Tunic: 59
Sioftrita: full wellness
Cormorant: full wellness
Tunic: 59
Britta: full wellness
Tunic: 59
Sprthnt: full wellness
Tunic: 48
Kuwaia: full wellness
Tunic: 57

Spoiler: Collectibles

Coins: 113 clams

OOC: Each character receives 5 DP.

 

[MacConnell]

The Harbor is a walled section of the city built, farthest south, on the eastern bank, because it is the cut bank of the Crystal River. The Artisan District is adjacent to the North. The harbor and jetty system are manufactured from large faux stone blocks, after advances were made in the cooking process to allow the larger sizes. Buildings are manufactured from fired brick but have thatch roofs. Fishing vessels are relatively small, carrying a crew of about 10, because they are manufactured from bound reeds. Masts are constructed from larger reeds from The Flats, and sails are made of cotton, grown in The Highlands.

Molo Pesce, an Asylin born in Asylim, holds the Harbor seat and is the second oldest Magister, at 67 cycles, having held his position for 6 terms. No one would suspect his actual age just by looking, for he seems more physically fit than most a third of his age. He is known to be quiet and calculating, though some few close to him know that he can have a temper. Due to his physical appearance, people often underestimate his mental acumen. He rarely enters the Harbor or the Moonlight District, anymore, delegating all duties to those who serve him.

Residents of the Harbor are about 70% Shimadow and 30% Ansylin, with just a few Amiradtha. Most Ansylins in the city cannot swim and are afraid of deep water, hence the abundance of Shimadows for sailors. Foot soldiers, swordsmen, from the Artisan District patrol the Harbor to police the populace. Production materials are collected by runners from the other parts of the city or at the dock. The caravan for salt and fish cakes departs from outside the Eastern Gate.

Like skiffs, larger boats are manufactured from bound reeds and cane, manned with 4 to 10 sailors, and are powered by cotton sails. Though the hulls take on water, they are still buoyant, aided by cane outriggers on each side. Fish are the primary source of meat for the entire city. Ocean water is collected, as well, and poured into faux stone retaining pools, located outside the city, to be allowed to evaporate so that the remaining salt can be gathered. The salt is then further dried in smaller flats before being packaged for storage or trade. Sea turtles and their eggs are selectively harvested, so as to not devastate the population.

Twice a cycle (year) for a period of only two days each time, shads crowd the shallows for the purpose of breeding. Regular fishing is suspended for these days as a bulk of the shad are harvested. The individual fish are too small to effectively be cleaned to be consumed by people, but they are packed whole and sealed into clay cakes, with various flavorings, to be cooked at low temperature. The cakes can then be stored for a prolonged period of time or even transported all the way to Boga City for trade and later broken open to consume the fish, bones and all. Some of these shad are also used to fertilize the crops in the Highlands.

Sailors and laboring residents are paid 10 clams a day, of which 2 coins are returned for protection, 2 coins are returned for voting rights, 2 coins are returned for guild dues, and 2 coins are returned for water rations, leaving each resident with a mere 2 coins per day. The protection fee is paid to the Javelineer Guild Master. Voting dues are sent to Molo Pesce or rather his clerk. Guild dues are paid to the Harbor Guild Master. The water fee is paid to the Brewer Guild Master. While coins are physically paid to residents, dues and fees are tracked by recorded documentation.