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Welcome to the Halmae (updated 2/27/07)
- Thread starter spyscribe
- Start date
spyscribe
First Post
An appropriate update for Thatch's player's birthday.
Part the One-Hundred Seventy-First
In which: Thatch sees Attendants at work.
Meanwhile, Thatch—with Eva his ever-present companion—decides to take advantage of his recent temple affiliation, and goes to talk to the Attendants.
“I’ve been tasked with protecting some of my companions,” he explains. “Are there islands to be avoided?”
Dame Haideh nods politely to Eva but, if she notes the Sedellan holy symbol around her neck, does not pry. “The area where you need to be most careful is, of course, the Darine Straits, because of the conflict with Dar Thane. Also, piracy is an issue at the fringes of the shipping lanes.”
“I think we’re gong to be heading farther from shore,” Thatch clarifies.
“Oh really, where?”
Thatch ducks his head. “I’m not exactly sure.”
“Oh… I see.” Dame Haideh clearly doesn’t, but forges ahead. “In that case, the most important thing is to sail with a captain you trust.”
Thatch nods. “Do you know of any local Water-Walkers who might know about islands in the middle of the Halmae?”
“In the middle of it?” Dame Haideh shakes her head, and officially gives up on trying to figure out what is going on. “I don’t think there are many, but if anyone would have been there it would be Umayma. She’s fond of traveling the Halmae.”
“Do you know where we can find her?” Eva asks.
“Assuming she isn’t out to sea, she’s probably at the waypost.”
Dame Haideh gives them directions and after Thatch thanks her for her help, he and Eva are on their way.
Bemused, Dame Haideh merely watches them go.
###
The Water-Walkers’ waypost is much like any other: outside, it is built in the style of the local architecture, distinguished from the rest of the block only by the holy symbol above the door. Inside, however, it is an eclectic mixing pot of sights, sounds, and smells. Trophies and art from all over the world adorn the walls, and the travelers lodging there hail from anywhere and everywhere, chattering away in various accents and dialects. It’s near dinner-time when Thatch and Eva arrive, and tantalizing smells waft from the communal kitchen. In short, it could be a waypost anywhere in the Halmae.
A word with the Postmistress directs Thatch and Eva to Umayma, a well-worn woman with short cropped hair and a well tanned face. She wears a rugged traveling outfit, with her sleeves and leggings slit in many places. At first glance, Eva thinks that this must be the result of hard travel, but then she notices that the slits are run through with an odd pattern of laces and strings, allowing the gaps to be tied closed in cold climates or opened for ventilation in warm ones.
Thatch introduces himself and asks Umayma what she can tell them about travel on the Halmae. Umayma seconds Dame Hadiah’s advice about traveling with a trustworthy captain, and expresses skepticism about the idea of mysterious islands in the middle Halmae not marked on any map.
“Most islands are pretty much just rocks twenty to fifty miles from shore.”
Thatch presses her. “Have you maybe heard stories though?”
Umayma sighs. “Sailors tell a lot of stories. I don’t find many of them credible.”
Thatch and Eva’s try to suppress their disappointment.
“Well, who tells good stories then?” Eva presses her.
Umayma thinks for a few seconds. “You want to talk to Captain Elsuki. He’s on old sea-dog who lost a leg a while back. Since then, he’s usually not too far from port.” She shrugs. “But if there’s something to see out there, he’s probably seen it.”
###
That and Eva tear themselves away from the impending dinner at the waypost and meet the rest of the party for their evening meal at the Briny Blue. Overall, the adventurers are quite pleased with the accommodations; although, they find that as the night goes on, the crowd of sailors grows rather rowdy.
In anticipation of this, the innkeeper employs several Attendants who stand at the perimeter of the room to keep an eye on things. Whenever it appears that a situation might be getting out of hand, one or more of the Attendants step in and cast a quick spell on particularly rowdy carousers. Nascent disputes tend to dissipate fairly quickly after that.
Lira, watches a couple of times before she identifies the effect of the orison.
“Sober?” she asks Thatch, by way of confirmation.
He nods. “They were using it a lot during Alirria Rising at the Temple of the Handmaidens.”
“When do they teach you that?” Lira asks.
Thatch’s eyes go wide. “You think they will?”
Lira shrugs. “I’m a cleric now, why not you?”
Although some are curious about the possible hangover-prevention effects of the spell, the party members decide not to attempt any experiments, and the night passes without major incident.
###
As usual, Reyu is first to rise the next morning. She looks out to sea as she performs her prayers, letting the fresh breeze blow away the bad feelings left from their recent interactions with the Shesher and the lingering concerns she still has about Amelia. When we’ve found the last archmage, she promises herself, I’ll go home, find Amelia, spend some time with grandmother. Then, I’ll feel better.
She looks over at her companions, just beginning to rouse and decides to go out for a quick walk on the docks before breakfast.
Reyu finds the docks at Nayarii to be much the same as other human ports she’s seen. There’s certainly a stronger military presence here than in Dar Pykos, but—with the notable exception of Dar Thane—ships from all over the Halmae are represented.
She returns to the Briny Blue after about an hour and finds a grizzled, older human man with one wooden leg has installed himself by the fire. On a hunch, she invites herself to join him.
“Are you Captain Elsuki?”
He gives her an appraising look. “Why d’yeh want to know?” he asks, his voice a low growl.
“I have heard he is well-travelled.”
The man smiles to himself and takes a long draw on his pipe. “Aye, I’ve heard that too.”
He and Reyu are soon joined by the rest of the party, who tell the Captain about their quest. He listens to them, thoughtful.
“Well, that’s quite a story.” He gives his wooden leg a knock. “I don’t get out t‘the high seas the way I used t’, though.”
“Even if you haven’t,” Reyu prods him, “have you perhaps heard of the islands we seek?”
“The Islands of Mirage?”
Thatch and Kiara nod eagerly.
“I’ve heard a lot. Most times, I’ve not heard th’name attached to a place a ship could sail.” He holds off a hand to forestall the next question. “But years ago, I knew a cap’n who claimed t’have a map t’lead a ship there. A string of islands surrounded b’nothing but sea… where he said there’d be great treasure awaitin’ for them that could take it. You understand I was young then, eager for adventure… so I signed on as second mate.”
He looks around as the eyes of his seven listeners light up simultaneously.
“It weren’t an easy crossing. Winter was coming in and the cap’n wouldn’t let anyone see his map, afraid we might mutiny on the open sea. But eventually we got there. The cap’n took a longboat and four men to the largest island in sight, promising to return in a week with whatever treasure he could find.
“When he didn’t return after two weeks, the first mate took th’second longboat and three more men t’go looking for him.
“I watched through the glass as th’longboat circled the island, ‘til it were out of sight. Never saw it again. Two weeks later, with no word, I was th’cap’n. An’ so I hauled anchor and we came back to port.”
“Why didn’t you go looking for the first mate?” Anvil asks.
“I was near out of longboats, and running short on men too… assuming any of them would have followed me.”
“Ah, I see.” Anvil nods and concedes the Just-ness of the point.
It’s Lira who delicately clears her throat and asks the question on everyone’s mind. “What happened to the map?”
He meets her gaze. “Now what kind of man would be letting a map like that fall out of his possession?”
“Ever think of going back? One last, grand adventure.”
“That might make you rich beyond your wildest dreams?” Eva adds.
“Aye,” El Suki replies finally, “I’ve considered it.”
###
Bright and early the next day, the party arrives at the berth of Elsuki’s ship, The Fool’s Errand.
Part the One-Hundred Seventy-First
In which: Thatch sees Attendants at work.
Meanwhile, Thatch—with Eva his ever-present companion—decides to take advantage of his recent temple affiliation, and goes to talk to the Attendants.
“I’ve been tasked with protecting some of my companions,” he explains. “Are there islands to be avoided?”
Dame Haideh nods politely to Eva but, if she notes the Sedellan holy symbol around her neck, does not pry. “The area where you need to be most careful is, of course, the Darine Straits, because of the conflict with Dar Thane. Also, piracy is an issue at the fringes of the shipping lanes.”
“I think we’re gong to be heading farther from shore,” Thatch clarifies.
“Oh really, where?”
Thatch ducks his head. “I’m not exactly sure.”
“Oh… I see.” Dame Haideh clearly doesn’t, but forges ahead. “In that case, the most important thing is to sail with a captain you trust.”
Thatch nods. “Do you know of any local Water-Walkers who might know about islands in the middle of the Halmae?”
“In the middle of it?” Dame Haideh shakes her head, and officially gives up on trying to figure out what is going on. “I don’t think there are many, but if anyone would have been there it would be Umayma. She’s fond of traveling the Halmae.”
“Do you know where we can find her?” Eva asks.
“Assuming she isn’t out to sea, she’s probably at the waypost.”
Dame Haideh gives them directions and after Thatch thanks her for her help, he and Eva are on their way.
Bemused, Dame Haideh merely watches them go.
###
The Water-Walkers’ waypost is much like any other: outside, it is built in the style of the local architecture, distinguished from the rest of the block only by the holy symbol above the door. Inside, however, it is an eclectic mixing pot of sights, sounds, and smells. Trophies and art from all over the world adorn the walls, and the travelers lodging there hail from anywhere and everywhere, chattering away in various accents and dialects. It’s near dinner-time when Thatch and Eva arrive, and tantalizing smells waft from the communal kitchen. In short, it could be a waypost anywhere in the Halmae.
A word with the Postmistress directs Thatch and Eva to Umayma, a well-worn woman with short cropped hair and a well tanned face. She wears a rugged traveling outfit, with her sleeves and leggings slit in many places. At first glance, Eva thinks that this must be the result of hard travel, but then she notices that the slits are run through with an odd pattern of laces and strings, allowing the gaps to be tied closed in cold climates or opened for ventilation in warm ones.
Thatch introduces himself and asks Umayma what she can tell them about travel on the Halmae. Umayma seconds Dame Hadiah’s advice about traveling with a trustworthy captain, and expresses skepticism about the idea of mysterious islands in the middle Halmae not marked on any map.
“Most islands are pretty much just rocks twenty to fifty miles from shore.”
Thatch presses her. “Have you maybe heard stories though?”
Umayma sighs. “Sailors tell a lot of stories. I don’t find many of them credible.”
Thatch and Eva’s try to suppress their disappointment.
“Well, who tells good stories then?” Eva presses her.
Umayma thinks for a few seconds. “You want to talk to Captain Elsuki. He’s on old sea-dog who lost a leg a while back. Since then, he’s usually not too far from port.” She shrugs. “But if there’s something to see out there, he’s probably seen it.”
###
That and Eva tear themselves away from the impending dinner at the waypost and meet the rest of the party for their evening meal at the Briny Blue. Overall, the adventurers are quite pleased with the accommodations; although, they find that as the night goes on, the crowd of sailors grows rather rowdy.
In anticipation of this, the innkeeper employs several Attendants who stand at the perimeter of the room to keep an eye on things. Whenever it appears that a situation might be getting out of hand, one or more of the Attendants step in and cast a quick spell on particularly rowdy carousers. Nascent disputes tend to dissipate fairly quickly after that.
Lira, watches a couple of times before she identifies the effect of the orison.
“Sober?” she asks Thatch, by way of confirmation.
He nods. “They were using it a lot during Alirria Rising at the Temple of the Handmaidens.”
“When do they teach you that?” Lira asks.
Thatch’s eyes go wide. “You think they will?”
Lira shrugs. “I’m a cleric now, why not you?”
Although some are curious about the possible hangover-prevention effects of the spell, the party members decide not to attempt any experiments, and the night passes without major incident.
###
As usual, Reyu is first to rise the next morning. She looks out to sea as she performs her prayers, letting the fresh breeze blow away the bad feelings left from their recent interactions with the Shesher and the lingering concerns she still has about Amelia. When we’ve found the last archmage, she promises herself, I’ll go home, find Amelia, spend some time with grandmother. Then, I’ll feel better.
She looks over at her companions, just beginning to rouse and decides to go out for a quick walk on the docks before breakfast.
Reyu finds the docks at Nayarii to be much the same as other human ports she’s seen. There’s certainly a stronger military presence here than in Dar Pykos, but—with the notable exception of Dar Thane—ships from all over the Halmae are represented.
She returns to the Briny Blue after about an hour and finds a grizzled, older human man with one wooden leg has installed himself by the fire. On a hunch, she invites herself to join him.
“Are you Captain Elsuki?”
He gives her an appraising look. “Why d’yeh want to know?” he asks, his voice a low growl.
“I have heard he is well-travelled.”
The man smiles to himself and takes a long draw on his pipe. “Aye, I’ve heard that too.”
He and Reyu are soon joined by the rest of the party, who tell the Captain about their quest. He listens to them, thoughtful.
“Well, that’s quite a story.” He gives his wooden leg a knock. “I don’t get out t‘the high seas the way I used t’, though.”
“Even if you haven’t,” Reyu prods him, “have you perhaps heard of the islands we seek?”
“The Islands of Mirage?”
Thatch and Kiara nod eagerly.
“I’ve heard a lot. Most times, I’ve not heard th’name attached to a place a ship could sail.” He holds off a hand to forestall the next question. “But years ago, I knew a cap’n who claimed t’have a map t’lead a ship there. A string of islands surrounded b’nothing but sea… where he said there’d be great treasure awaitin’ for them that could take it. You understand I was young then, eager for adventure… so I signed on as second mate.”
He looks around as the eyes of his seven listeners light up simultaneously.
“It weren’t an easy crossing. Winter was coming in and the cap’n wouldn’t let anyone see his map, afraid we might mutiny on the open sea. But eventually we got there. The cap’n took a longboat and four men to the largest island in sight, promising to return in a week with whatever treasure he could find.
“When he didn’t return after two weeks, the first mate took th’second longboat and three more men t’go looking for him.
“I watched through the glass as th’longboat circled the island, ‘til it were out of sight. Never saw it again. Two weeks later, with no word, I was th’cap’n. An’ so I hauled anchor and we came back to port.”
“Why didn’t you go looking for the first mate?” Anvil asks.
“I was near out of longboats, and running short on men too… assuming any of them would have followed me.”
“Ah, I see.” Anvil nods and concedes the Just-ness of the point.
It’s Lira who delicately clears her throat and asks the question on everyone’s mind. “What happened to the map?”
He meets her gaze. “Now what kind of man would be letting a map like that fall out of his possession?”
“Ever think of going back? One last, grand adventure.”
“That might make you rich beyond your wildest dreams?” Eva adds.
“Aye,” El Suki replies finally, “I’ve considered it.”
###
Bright and early the next day, the party arrives at the berth of Elsuki’s ship, The Fool’s Errand.
Then it's happy birthday to everyone! Nice update.
After getting that advice about reliable captains (and the desert guide experience) did anybody feel a little nervous going with this guy? You have to stretch your definition of "reliable" to fit a one legged captain who calls his ship The Fool's Errand.
Of course you *are* going to an unknown island from whence none have returned. The reliable types don't go there.
After getting that advice about reliable captains (and the desert guide experience) did anybody feel a little nervous going with this guy? You have to stretch your definition of "reliable" to fit a one legged captain who calls his ship The Fool's Errand.
Of course you *are* going to an unknown island from whence none have returned. The reliable types don't go there.
Spatzimaus
First Post
MTR said:
Actually, I'd say that's exactly the sort of person I'd define as "reliable". Anyone with no injuries clearly hasn't gone through any hardships, and probably just stuck to the safe travel lanes his whole career. If you want to get somewhere dangerous, you clearly want someone who has gone to dangerous areas before and come back alive.
With a ship name like that, this captain clearly isn't superstitious (and more importantly, any crew that's willing to sail on a ship named that would be the same.) Now, IMC the party had a ship named the Righteous Indignation. Anvil would've loved it, I'm sure.
jerichothebard
First Post
It's not, of course, "reliable" in the same way as you would use it in conversation with your mother about a potential suitor... but when it comes to finding islands that all rational people think don't exist... well... Spatzimous has it right on the money.
And both the Fool's Errand and Righteous Indignation are great names for ships!
And both the Fool's Errand and Righteous Indignation are great names for ships!
A'vandira Silvermane
Explorer
Happy birthday to Thatch's player and thanks for the update Spyscribe. This is by now the only SH I follow that still get's updated, so please keep it going.
spyscribe
First Post
GenCon SoCal, and update update
So, first things first. Halmae-type people will be around GenCon SoCal, but probably only on Saturday afternoon to evening. (With the exception of our own BadMonkeyJeff who will be working at the Atlas Booth for the whole con. Say hello, Kettenek's Justice demands it!)
As for the update, it's coming. If it isn't today, it should be up tomorrow. Believe it or not, after more than a year of twice-weekly updates, I've actually gotten through my accumulated backlog, and am writing now (more or less) hand to mouth.
The backlog can be refilled, but both Fajitas and I are up to our little eyeballs in other writing projects at the moment, so we're probably going to be dropping back to posting once a week through the end of the year. That should be a pace I can comfortably keep without any post droughts.
The good news is that the session that is coming up after I finish posting this one... Pirates of the Halmae. Oh yeah, good times.
So, first things first. Halmae-type people will be around GenCon SoCal, but probably only on Saturday afternoon to evening. (With the exception of our own BadMonkeyJeff who will be working at the Atlas Booth for the whole con. Say hello, Kettenek's Justice demands it!)
As for the update, it's coming. If it isn't today, it should be up tomorrow. Believe it or not, after more than a year of twice-weekly updates, I've actually gotten through my accumulated backlog, and am writing now (more or less) hand to mouth.
The backlog can be refilled, but both Fajitas and I are up to our little eyeballs in other writing projects at the moment, so we're probably going to be dropping back to posting once a week through the end of the year. That should be a pace I can comfortably keep without any post droughts.
The good news is that the session that is coming up after I finish posting this one... Pirates of the Halmae. Oh yeah, good times.
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