[Hourglass of Zihaja D&D 4e] Heroes on a Sea of Swords IC - Page 2

Grey_Wolf_c · 02-26-2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scylfing

Medinah

After checking over the equipment and paying the man, Medinah nods to Amirah's request.

"Yes, I am certain that we will find a dining establishment along either the eastern or western thoroughfares that connect to the market. Perhaps we should choose one where we would not likely attract attention to ourselves," she replies telepathically.

Amirah, Living Swarm

"I'm sure the nice people here can help us!" she sends back. Amirah then looks around, and zeroes in an old couple that are looking at some pots and pans in a nearby stall. Amirah glides to them, and touches her brow as she bows to them.

"May the Gods give you health, good people," she send to both of them. "My friend and I are looking for a nice, quiet inn where we can get some nice food. Could you help us?"

After some rather amusing disagreement amongst the couple over the definition of good food, shortest routes, and whether or not the inns they were talking about had closed some 20 years prior, Amirah and Medinah are directed to Pilgrim's Road, to the Aged Blade Inn. Amirah grabs Medinah's hand again, and they meander in that general direction.

"People in this city-hive are very funny. I'm so glad you wanted to come, Medinah!" she mentions as they slowly make their way through the crowd.

Reverent-One · 02-26-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninja_penguin

"Heard any good tales? I'm not going to spend the day swinging loops from the rigging."

"Not anything specific, though from what I hear the people here are a bit stuffy." Looking around, Kihtsah considers which direction looks more interesting. "Still, not knowing just means exploring will be that much more interesting. You're welcome to join me." Setting off in his chosen direction, Kihtsah keeps an eye out for anything unusual or temples to Adimas or Limalia.

Spoiler

Scylfing · 02-26-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey_Wolf_c

"People in this city-hive are very funny. I'm so glad you wanted to come, Medinah!" she mentions as they slowly make their way through the crowd.

"Yes, as am I, it is not often when I have the opportunity to intermingle with people outside of the crew, even when our vessel is in port. Captain Shaur--" Medinah's thoughts break off for a moment as she looks over toward the direction of the Sultan's Palace. Though it's unspoken, Amirah should be able to sense apprehensiveness in the Warforged.

"She normally does the mingling while I attend to her safety. Furthermore, I have found that ordinary people react poorly to my artificial speech, so having you with me to facilitate communication is greatly appreciated. I hope this Aged Blade Inn will have suitable refreshments for you, Amirah."

Grey_Wolf_c · 02-26-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scylfing

"Yes, as am I, it is not often when I have the opportunity to intermingle with people outside of the crew, even when our vessel is in port. Captain Shaur--" Medinah's thoughts break off for a moment as she looks over toward the direction of the Sultan's Palace. Though it's unspoken, Amirah should be able to sense apprehensiveness in the Warforged.

"She normally does the mingling while I attend to her safety. Furthermore, I have found that ordinary people react poorly to my artificial speech, so having you with me to facilitate communication is greatly appreciated. I hope this Aged Blade Inn will have suitable refreshments for you, Amirah."

Amirah, Living Swarm

The mental communication carries far more emotional context than the warforged's monotone voice ever could, and Amirah has little trouble picking up her friend's feelings. Indeed, they are strong enough that Amirah stops in her tracks. "Are you worried?" comes the saddened response. "Should we go check on the Captain? I mean, I don't think that the guards will let us in, but maybe if we ask nicely? I am quite hungry, but when you are worried it makes me sad."

Scylfing · 02-26-2011, 07:15 PM

Medinah pauses and blinks a few times before answering. (This is normal for her when she is processing emotions and feelings.)

"I apologize for making you feel undue sadness, Amirah. I do not believe I am worried, the Captain is a capable woman and she has First Mate One-Eye with her as well, and I deem it unlikely that her enemies would dare to attack her here. My feelings may be that I am simply unaccustomed to being separated from her. However, after you have had nourishment, I would be grateful if we could go to the palace."

Grey_Wolf_c · 02-26-2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scylfing

Medinah pauses and blinks a few times before answering.

"I apologize for making you feel undue sadness, Amirah. I do not believe I am worried, the Captain is a capable woman and she has First Mate One-Eye with her as well, and I deem it unlikely her enemies would dare to attack her here. My feelings may be that I am simply unaccustomed to being separated from her. However, after you have had nourishment, I would be grateful if we could go to the palace."

Amirah, Living Swarm

"OK! That sounds like it could be interesting." Amirah's thoughts are back to happy tones, and she starts walking towards the inn once more.

Before long, they find themselves at the entry. They carefully make their way in, and Amirah instinctively looks around. Her experience with inns is that, sooner or later, drunken pirates will either start singing, or fighting, or both. It pays to know the crowd, and where it is heading.

At the bar, she orders two meads, and asks for a table to sit at.

Spoiler

Shadow_Elf · 02-26-2011, 07:58 PM

The Docks
After asking around, Kihtsah finds out that Adimas is pretty much unheard of in the city, and that Limalia is quite unpopular. There is, however, a Temple of Limalia in the Temple District.

The Aged Blade Inn
The barkeep greets you at the bar. Hey, I'm Qaled Ali, the owner here. Two meads? I think its a bit early for a couple of young ladies like yourselves to be drinking, but I won't question it. Comin' right up. You gals can sit yerselves wherever you like, there's a couple open tables, or you can keep me company here at the bar. Whatever you prefer. With that, the man goes to prepare their drinks. The inn's atmosphere is peaceful - a few patrons are enjoying brunch with a glass of goat's milk or fruit juice - a rare few are drinking something alcoholic. The inn's not all that busy - its too early for the regular crowd to be trickling in, so there's plenty of open tables.

ninja_penguin · 02-26-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reverent-One

"Still, not knowing just means exploring will be that much more interesting. You're welcome to join me."

Rahman Shamis, Kobold Swordmage

Rahman followed Khitsah's lead. "May as well."He said. "I doubt that we're going to get much time on land for a while after this."

"If I smell something good I'm going to stop to eat most likely." He added as the Kobold pair wandered through the streets. "Duke means well, but his meals could need more to distinguish them from each other."

Grey_Wolf_c · 02-26-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow_Elf

The Aged Blade Inn
The barkeep greets you at the bar. Hey, I'm Qaled Ali, the owner here. Two meads? I think its a bit early for a couple of young ladies like yourselves to be drinking, but I won't question it. Comin' right up. You gals can sit yerselves wherever you like, there's a couple open tables, or you can keep me company here at the bar. Whatever you prefer.

Amirah, Living Swarm

"A table will be nice. We've been walking a lot today! Thank you, Qaled!" Amirah looks around and picks a table on a corner. She sits carefully, making sure her robes still cover her, and waits for the drinks while babbling to patient Medinah about all the wonderful sights of the city.

When the drinks arrive, Amirah picks one of them up and slips it under the veil. While she raises the tankard in a passable imitation of drinking, hundreds of insects move forward under the veil and start collecting the alcoholic honey. They efficiently distribute it throughout the body, and after a few moments, the tankard is returned to the table empty.

Her hunger satiated, she then relaxes and, when no-one is watching, she switches her tankard with the one in front of Medinah. She takes her time to enjoy the taste of this one, now that the larvae are properly taken care of.

Belthasar · 02-26-2011, 08:44 PM

HAKHPUR

Before leaving the Merchant's Guild...

Upon seeing the afraid face of the lizardfolk clerk, Hakhpur adds some words: "I apologize if the mention of my other profession scared you, good man," he says. "I didn't know that cadre sages were so feared around here. But anyways, you have nothing to fear, for I'm just a wandering merchant working as a sage for an important crew."

Spoiler

After leaving the Guild...

"Step one completed," he mumbles as he walks away from the building. "Let's start step two..."

Hakhpur walks towards the Market Square.

Reverent-One · 02-26-2011, 09:03 PM

Kihtsah Darimil, Dervish of Adimas

"A good idea, I do have one stop to make though," Kihtsah says as they wander towards the Temple District. After finding the temple of Limalia, Kihtsah asks Rahman to wait for a minute, pulls his cloak closer around him, and steps inside.

Shadow_Elf · 02-26-2011, 09:19 PM

The Bazaar
Hakhpur is greeted by the sights and sounds that Amirah and Medinah just left behind. Hawkers abound, selling almost every conceivable ware.

Temple of Limalia
The temple is not quite derelict, but it is sparse. There is no seating at all, and the decorations amount to a pair of tapestries depicting hunting wolves and a few prominent pieces of lapis lazuli. A gnollish priest tends to the altar - the temple is otherwise devoid of people.

Scylfing · 02-26-2011, 09:20 PM

Medinah also seated herself carefully, choosing a sturdy, well-cushioned chair to support her metallic frame. She listened to Amirah's joyful babbling patiently, even happily, without interruption. When her friend switched her emptied glass with Medinah's full one, the Warforged did her part to keep up the illusion by thoroughly wiping her face and neckline clean and moving the glass closer, appearing to have finished off the drink herself.

When Amirah began her second drink, Medinah motioned that she wished to send a thought to her:

"I am curious, do you feel any effects from alcohol similar to how humanoids seem to do? Or does your swarm distribute it so evenly that you do not notice any impairment?"

Reverent-One · 02-26-2011, 09:56 PM

Kihtsah Darimil, Dervish of Adimas

Removing a bag from his belt pouch, Kihtsah silently walks forward, placing the bag before the altar before turning and, assuming he is not interrupted, leaving and rejoining Rahman.

Spoiler

Belthasar · 02-26-2011, 10:07 PM

HAKHPUR in the Market Square

The gnoll observes the amount of people in this wide area. "This should be a great place to gather information or meet new people," he mumbles. "However, I'm not here for that..."

Hakhpur studies the stores and merchandies, looking for rare things some teammates could need.

Spoiler

Shadow_Elf · 02-26-2011, 10:08 PM

Temple of Limalia
The gnoll spots the bag of coins and stands up, turning to tower over Kihtsah. Wait, stranger. Clearly, you are unfamiliar with our tenets. I cannot accept this donation without pretense - we Limalites struggle alone, or not at all. I am Horan gar Kasch, priest of Limalia.

The Bazaar
Hakhpur has no trouble finding the things he needs - a little old hawasabi woman in a stall that is beautiful for its simplicity sells rare herbs and healing unguents. A peculiar looking lizardman who wears many-layered lenses over his eyes with various spinning and twisting hinges allowing for the rearrangement of the magnifying glasses sells the alchemical reagents he seeks, and a kindly old priest of Sidaru sells black marble dust, which can be used in place of incense as a divine reagent for ritual casting.

Grey_Wolf_c · 02-26-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medinah

"I am curious, do you feel any effects from alcohol similar to how humanoids seem to do? Or does your swarm distribute it so evenly that you do not notice any impairment?"

"Oh, it will affect Us," she answers, "If We had too much, some of the worker drones would die. Although that is true of water, too, I suppose. But it feels tingly and nice and it is so much less messy to eat than honey."

As the second tankard is slowly drained without showing any deleterious effect, one could wonder exactly what Amirah means by "too much."

"Back when I was a mere larvae and was playing with the pirate-wasps, I used to win plenty of dull gold by drinking strange fire-waters they gave us. It was a fun game, but pirates are not much fun when they have been drinking too much of it."

Spoiler

Reverent-One · 02-26-2011, 10:39 PM

Kihtsah Darimil, Dervish of Adimas

"I am Kihtsah, wanderer and pirate hunter, and in fact I am aware of your tenants, though in honesty I follow different ones. Nonetheless, I owe a debt to the church, one I feel compelled to repay. If need be, you can consider it a momentary respite to prepare you for greater trials to come."

Spoiler

Shadow_Elf · 02-26-2011, 10:46 PM

Temple of Limalia
The gnoll cackles. I should expect no less from a follower of The Gilded Eye. Very well. In truth, despite this being a port city, the Church of Wayfarers is unpopular. We need the support if we are to continue to spread the word. Thank you, Kihtsah the hunter of pirates. If I may ask, how was this debt incurred?

Reverent-One · 02-26-2011, 11:06 PM

Kihtsah Darimil, Dervish of Adimas

"That is a personal matter, one I prefer not to discuss." With a bow, Kihtsah now takes his leave. "May the tides of fortune flow your way in the future."

Scylfing · 02-26-2011, 11:25 PM

Medinah

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey_Wolf_c

"Oh, it will affect Us," she answers, "If We had too much, some of the worker drones would die. Although that is true of water, too, I suppose. But it feels tingly and nice and it is so much less messy to eat than honey."

"Intriguing," she replies, pondering for a moment to consider what the theurgical underpinnings of a being like her friend might be, but realizing she's still in a telepathic link Medinah, embarassed, cuts those thoughts short.

"The consumption of poisons for enjoyment* is, to me, among the most fascinating aspects of humanoid life and culture. Since we are sharing memories, I have cloudy recollections of my maker using plant-based toxins 'to achieve a higher level of creative consciousness' as he would describe it. I cannot be certain whether that was the truth or not, since he invariably fell asleep afterwards. From all I know of pirates, I imagine they would have been considerably more aggressive than that. I am very pleased you are no longer with them."

Spoiler

Shadow_Elf · 02-26-2011, 11:36 PM

Temple of Limalia
Horan nods. I am sorry, I did not mean to pry. May you surmount the challenges you face with perseverance, Kihtsah. Farewell.

Belthasar · 02-26-2011, 11:36 PM

HAKHPUR in the Market Square

Hakhpur thanks the sellers and he continues wandering the square, often finding interesting things. However, he needed one more piece of info before settling down at an inn.

"Step two completed. Now, what was the name of that place Kalbu talked me about?" he mumbles as he reaches for a piece of paper in his pocket. "Right. Zekai's Map Shop. For step three to be completed, I'll need to ask here if someone knows how to get there..."

Spoiler

Grey_Wolf_c · 02-26-2011, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medinah

" I am very pleased you are no longer with them."

Amirah, Living Swarm

"So I am. You are much better company. You take me shopping, and you are so patient!" Suddenly, Amirah's thoughts turn very serious, "Also, we don't attack merchant ship-drones, but protect them and their nectar-cargo until they reach their city-hive. We also don't harm mother-queens. It was that, above all else, that showed We didn't belong with them."

Overlaying her thoughts are strange concepts, consequence of her alien understanding of the world. While she does use the correct words for ships, cargo, and so on, the mental image is that of busy worker bees going from hives to collect nectar, and how the wasps try to steal their nectar. And overriding all else is one burning image of unspeakable acts to a pregnant woman that pirates captured in Amirah's last trip with them. This last one is coloured with much anger and repugnance.

Amirah drains the last of her mead. "But enough sad memories," she projects, much happier. "Today is happy day! Come on, Medinah, lets see if we can find the Captain, so your thoughts can stop being so worried worried!"

Reverent-One · 02-27-2011, 12:18 AM

Kihtsah Darimil, Dervish of Adimas

Kihtsah rejoins Rahman outside, "So how about we find somewhere to get a good meal then?"

Scylfing · 02-27-2011, 01:26 AM

Medinah

The Warforged visibly shudders. "Agreed, enough sad memories." She stands just as carefully as she had sat down, goes through the motions of adjusting both her fake garb and real gear, and puts a smile on her illusionary face as she produces coin to pay for the drinks. "Please, it is--I believe the correct expression is--my treat, for your assistance today. We will be at sea for an indeterminate amount of time, do you wish to have a bottle of the liquid?"

Spoiler

Grey_Wolf_c · 02-27-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medinah

"Please, it is--I believe the correct expression is--my treat, for your assistance today. We will be at sea for an indeterminate amount of time, do you wish to have a bottle of the liquid?"

Amirah, Living Swarm

"You are the bestest friend ever!" Amirah shouts mentally as she hugs her tightly. The experience, even for a warforged, is strange. There is very little strength to the 'arms', and there is a buzz coming from the hundreds of individuals that gets transmitted to the person being hugged.

Spoiler

ninja_penguin · 02-27-2011, 08:15 PM

Rahman Shamis, Kobold Swordmage

"Absolutely. I'm thinking we swing by the market. Find a street vendor or ask around if we don't see anything. Might as well get some sight seeing done while we're here, I suppose." Rahman said in reply, before heading off in that direction.

Shadow_Elf · 02-27-2011, 08:23 PM

The Bazaar
Hakhpur eaily enough discovers that Zekai's Map Shop is behind the Sultan's Palace, at the intersection of Shimha Road and Center Street. He is also warned that the shop is not manned by Zekai, but rather by one of his two apprentices, Nashan or Aki.

The Temple District
Since Rahman and Kihtsah had to pass by Market Square on their way to the Temple of Limalia, they easily find their way back towards it. The Bazaar is filled with the sounds, sights and smells of the entire world, experienced as a microcosm.

Belthasar · 02-27-2011, 09:41 PM

HAKHPUR

After he's finished looking around by the Market Square, Hakhpur starts walking north as indicated. It'll be a long walkabout.

He passes by a street which have an extravagant-looking inn in front of a temple.

"Smoking-Lion-Inn," he mumbles. "Hmmm... Maybe another time. Looks expensive..."

After some minutes, he finally reaches his destination: Zekai's Map Shop, and enters the building.

"Greetings," he says at the person who's behind the counter. "I must say you've got an impressive material here..."

He says those words as he observes the beautiful maps.