Upward from Land's End

[MacConnell]

Magister Molo Pesce exited the Harbor Gate, flanked by two swordsmen. The guards were more of a formality for this Magister, since the image of him presented the idea that he was far more formidable than either of the two swordsmen. He waved the swordsmen to a halt as he approached the caravaners to address them. He moved around as he spoke, rather than standing in one place. His voice was deep and calm. With uncanny similarity, he looked like he could be the father of Cormorante, or rather the grandfather, since he was at least two generations beyond any of the party.

As he was conveying his appreciation of the proposal from Mishka and explaining why merging control of the local caravans would create conflict with the other Magisters, he walked nearer the six friends who were standing a bit off from the others and suddenly stopped talking in mid-sentence. He made eye contact with all six before turning back to Mishka to ask, “I take it these are the extra youths you acquired from South Road Fair?”

Mishka nodded.

“You are correct. I can definitely see a potential. We will speak of compensation. I am going to take these from you. I have another project to which I think they will be particularly suited.”

He turned back to face the party. “Toss a coin to Fortune or not, you six are not merely lucky. You may very well be blessed. I am going to call you my Sojourn Six. I have a prolonged task that if successful will benefit me and Mishka, while earning you reputation and financial gain. This will place you outside of the normal commerce system, even the two javelineers who were born here. Do you need to think about it or do you wish to hear me out?”

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

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Antapkos looks over at Sprthnt in an unspoken means of communication. Since either of the two seeming twins was going to do the talking in most given situations, the look was enough to decide who talks. Antapkos nods then turns to face Magister Pesce. “Obviously we are going to be interested in hearing such a proposal; but as Master Mishka has been fair with us, we will want to discuss the options among ourselves before we commit to a new venture.”

Since Antapkos and Cormorant were both born to The Flats and are aware of the caste system maintained by the Magistry, it is not known whether Molo Pesce can be trusted at all, and the two of them are feeling rather cautious. Cormorant simply touches Britta to convey his desire for caution. Antapkos is far more vocal than empathic, and the others will have to deduce the tenor by other means. As explorers, all are naturally cautious in all situations.

OOC: 50

 

[MacConnell]

Molo Pesce says something to Mishka in Amiradthan then turns to the party. “Walk with me, this way. Not that I am concerned with anyone else hearing our conversation, the privacy is for your benefit.”

He begins walking toward the Moonlight District but then diverts from the path so that the way into the desert beyond can be seen. “Mishka mentioned that two of you have some knowledge of medicinal plants and their usage. I suspect all of you have such talent but that two of you may be more proficient…”

He continues to explain some of the particulars of the city’s trade, naming specific caravans and the Magister who controls them, as well as primary products of Asylim, South Road Fair, and Boga City. Interfering with the others would be considered an aggressive act, something detrimental to attempt between Magisters. “While tobacco is the main cash crop, we also buy lavender. It is only used for its scent. Lavender is a grass but there are other plants, like shrubbery, that have favorable scents and medicinal uses. In particular, what I am wanting to hire you six to do is to search the Land’s End Pass to see if a harvestable amount of any plant can be located, particularly something that can be repeatedly harvested.”

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. State nominal actions and intentions. Provide a random roll.

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

It feels strange to Antapkos and Cormorant to work directly for a Magister from the oppressive city in which they were born; but outside of the confines of its interior, everything seems different. Whether it is or not is yet to be determined. Cormorant nods his acceptance to Antapkos who vocalizes the agreement to Magister Pesce. The others simply defer, since they are outsiders with regard to Asylim and will respect their friends’ decision.

Rather than discuss trivialities, the party will enter the Moonlight District before recrossing the desert, to refill their water supply and acquire some rations. Each person will also acquire a fabric satchel for carrying any located product. Antapkos and Cormorant will have to pay for everything, but that is of no consequence. This will be done rather quickly. The desire is to leave as soon as possible.

OOC: 50

 

[MacConnell]

Molo Pesce nodded, then reached in a belt pouch to retrieve a special coin, handing it to Antapkos. “Good. Present this mark to the clerk outside of the Harbor Gate when you have any materials. Word will be sent to me. I will send someone to you if I am busy, myself. The materials that you may locate do not have a standard value. Once anything has been recorded, it can be handled like every other product through the Caravan Clerk. You will be documented as the Sojourn Six. Should your members change over time, it will not change our arrangement. My interest will be in the products, not how you conduct yourselves. May you always have salt and water.”

The mark is a decorated disc of ceramic, since metal is scarce in Asylim, about three fingers in diameter and slightly thicker than a clam. Acquiring supplies is a matter of fixed certainty and requires little time. The party is able to get underway in short order. Crossing the desert with just six people is faster than the caravan had been but still taxing and monotonous. No other living creature is seen in the two days of walking before the Dragon’s Footprint can be seen on the northern horizon line. Everyone realizes it could save some time and steps if a decision is made on where to begin prospecting before entering the actual pass.

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. State nominal actions and intentions. Provide a random roll.

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Discussing their options and seeing that the peaks of the Dragon’s Footprint are closer than those of the Dragon’s Tail, the six decide to head northwest. As soon as some definitive plant growth appears to have established itself in opposition to the currently surrounding sand, they will separate from one another in order to search more area at the same time. Not particularly knowing what can be found, anything that piques the interest of one will be signaled to the others.

OOC: 50

 

[MacConnell]

Being yet adolescents and not fully considered or even considering themselves adults, even Sprthnt who technically had enough Cycles but lacked the appearance and the development, seemingly being the same age as Antapkos, life was all adventure. Seeing anything new offered the possibility of an exciting discovery. Perhaps these six would never devolve to the drudgery of monotony. An important fact that they would not recognize at this time was that they had been had.

Sure, the employment was real, but there would never be offered much for monetary compensation for any items they were to recover. They had been skillfully manipulated by an aged man adept in getting others to do his bidding. Unbeknownst to the Sojourn Six, Magister Pesce had well rewarded Mishka for his fortuitous acquisitions of the youths. Mishka had no idea that in five of the six was born the talent to manipulate Waylines, but Molo Pesce most certainly knew it. The talent only presented itself in about 10% of the general populace, but those in whom it was born seemed to seek out one another. Those of greater talent could sense the potential in those of lesser stature.

Molo Pesce was not technically a Bender, though he did have a minor skill at affecting others. His strength lay in the talent to augment his own physical abilities, a talent identical to that of Cormorante but far greater in capacity. It would be some time yet before the six might discover a fact that the general populace would never know, there existed people and even creatures of paranormal attributes and skill. Molo Pesce was beyond even that, but greater reflection upon the past could only be acquired through greater experience and everyone had to begin somewhere.

Spoiler: Prospecting

Antapkos: 31(observe) + 42(smell) + 50(d100) = 123
Siofrita: 31 + 26 + 50 = 107
Cormorante: 23 + 44(hearing) + 50 = 117
Britta: 41(perception) + 24(tuning) + 50 = 115
Sprthnt: 41(observe) + 34(hearing) + 50 = 125
Kuwaia: 31 + 26 + 50 = 107

Leaving the sand and entering more of a scrub environment, the Sojourn Six prove less than competent at discerning vegetation, at least anything that might be of commercial value. Siofrita discovers a measure of itch weed, while Antapkos, who is currently the best at identifying plants, discovers a small shrub of rend leaf. Antapkos, Siofrita, and Britta find various plants with edible roots. Britta also happens to come across a single ingot of a light, hard, dull-silvery metal. Cormorante and Sprthnt are both drawn to separate noises that turn out to be caused by pods of beetles.

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. State nominal actions and intentions. Provide a random roll.

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Suspecting that acquiring a suitable amount of food may be difficult while in such a dry environment, all edible tubers are collected. Siofrita will gather a measure of Itch Weed, but Antapkos will leave the Rend Leaf, undisturbed. After retrieving the ingot, Britta will attempt to identify the metal and its possible mystical use. At each of the respective discovers, Cormorant and Sprthnt will alert the other to the beetles in hopes of collecting some elytra.

Knowing that they must be near the head waters of the Crystal River, the six will head east, along the foothills to find it and replenish their water supply, before turning around to follow them northward.

OOC: 60

 

[MacConnell]

Spoiler: Alchemical Sensitivity

Britta: 31(alchemy) + 24(analysis) + 60(d100) = 115, success
time: 20 days / 115 = 4 hours, 11 minutes, success

It takes her some time, but Britta identifies the ingot as a piece of Aluminum. For its practical use, it is combined with zinc to manufacture the alloy called Ularin, which is used in the production of light weapons and arrowheads. Britta also realizes that, for her, an ingot will enhance the mystical effectiveness of generating an electrical shock task by double; after which, the ingot disintegrates.

As lacquered beetles are no longer any real threat to the party, there is no difficulty incurred while killing some. At each occurrence, six of the beetles are collected, while two escape.

After the change of direction, it takes until mid-afternoon before the base of the foothills for the Dragon’s Footprint are reached. Following the line until evening brings no change in the environment; but upon the morning, some semblance of a stunted forest can be seen on the western horizon. Suspecting that the trees represent a source of water, the party quickens its pace for a bit. Another hour brings the party to the edge of a small patch of stunted acorn trees, The trees are typical of such an environment but their minor abundance is definitely indicative of a water source, possibly the head of the Crystal River. The sounds of birds and insects that inhabit the small wood are a pleasant reminder of life compared to the silence of the past several days.

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
lacquered elytra: 12:

aluminum ingot: 1: (shock x 2)

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

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Using a sharp, pointed rock, if one can be found, Sprthnt will drill holes in each elytrum so that they can be strung together for greater ease of transport, knowing that they were melted down, anyway, to make some substance that protected wood and hardened leather.

Sticking as close to the foothills as possible, the party will continue to look for the Crystal river, but an hour or so will be spent collecting acorns. Once on the move, again, everyone will keep alert for anything of interest.

OOC: 70