[pnpgm] Game Update #40c - File #290- - Collecting Witnesses Day 2
pnpgm
pnpgm at comcast.net
Wed Feb 3 01:23:56 CET 2016
HT Player DS Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex
-- -----------------------------------------------------------------
R1.John Haight.......HY..Arawn.............Druid .Normal/Alfar .. Ma
--.Tobie Bonahoom....YY..Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry.. Fe
R3.Mark Murtha.......HN..Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human....Ma
W2R2.David Sanders.....HN..Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human ..Ma
R4.Wout Broere.......YY..Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human ..Fe
R3 Panthera..............Pyandalgor........Hunter..Normal/Human....Ma
W3R4.Alex Koponen......YY..Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human ..Fe
Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra
Game Web Site - http:/nrgcomputers.com/pbem/
Public posts/actions to pnpgm at list.powersandperils.org (mailing list)
Private emails (not public actions) to pnpgm at comcast.net
Game Update #40b sequence (file #290)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Pyan: [Re: Actions]
Pyan goes to Zleyra and says, 'I will volunteer to keep
watch."
GM: Ack. That works. I was hoping you'd find something to
do. While this is mostly for Z'leyra others like Arawn
and Kiet have done stuff to fill their time. This part
while 10% organized is 90% free form letting folks do
what they want within reason. Plus I do watch out the
role playing and boost things up for points and such
at the end of the adventure. :)
------------------------------------------------------------
[New Stuff]
[Hills near Ticasi]
[Decalis 23rd, 1634TH]
[Full Moon Inn]
[Time: 6:22 pm]
The party returns to the Inn for dinner. Though there is
talk among some most are quiet. Kiet and Kell argue over
the merits of spear versus swords. But everyone else is quiet
as they consider the day's events. Z'leyra watches the city
pass as she walks contemplating how she got here and why she
has returned. A thousand miles from her new home she returns
to her native home. What is home but a place to stay? Do
you consider your birth place home or where your base of
operations is?
She passes homes with children and families sitting down to
dinner or playing outside. Most people by her age would
be married with kids. She has driven so hard to do many works
and learn great things. She looks to Pyan and Fremea as they
walk staring around them like kids in a candy store. Is she
doing them harm by involving them in her deeds? What if this
thing tomorrow comes out that she is somehow framed or found
guilty? Would that endanger them or get their reputation even
more darkened?
What if it was a simple accident? A clumsy knocking of a
lantern with some ashes? A great man like Tiren once one
of the Council members in this city and Metal Crafter expert
would be degraded by a accident a new metal worker would make?
If an accident it would ruin his own reputation and his family
what he has here in town. She may be here to save the soul
of one man but at the cost of dozens others?
Arriving at the Inn the group separates to rooms, bath
houses or to the Inn tavern. Z'leyra enters the small
bathhouse to clean up for dinner. She rinses her face and
hands leaning over the water basin. As she raises up she
almost sees a thin image of a man in the mirror. But it was
a half second that almost looked like a younger form of Tiren.
She stares in the mirror and wonders if her mind is playing
tricks on her or she is just exhausted after weeks of travel.
Some like Arawn would see this a omen and spend hours trying
to solve it. But what she recalls of her grandfather is that
over thinking is dangerous.
[Full Moon Inn - Tavern]
[Time: 6:46 pm]
The party sits down to a nice dinner and most take the seafood
deals aside from Arawn who takes vegetable plates. Z'leyra
thanks everyone for their help today and it is optional to
join her in the lunch. Kiet reminds her that he has some plans
of his own. But he knows she will do just fine.
The evening continues talking about her cousins and uncles.
Sharing stories and talking about her dad.
Arawn asks again about that day of the fire.
Arawn shook his head. "That's not where I was going with
this, though it may for the defense if we get that far. I was
trying to determine if anything odd went on that day, if
anyone might have done something to keep you away from your
father the day of his death. Perhaps it's just coincidence
but thought I'd ask just in case."
Z'leyra explains her intent at the lunch tomorrow.
When she mentioned explaining to her guests that she would
be using magic to reveal the events of that day a corner of
his lip turned down in a slight frown.
"Are you sure you want to mention spell-use to them? Remember
the Deputy's advice. I know it applied to tool use but it may
carry over to spells, in that the knowledge of your use of them
could sway the judges council negatively. Perhaps it's better to
pull the knowledge for our own use and then follow the clues
from there. And as a magically inclined community I imagine
magic such as Akasha may have been used during the initial
investigation. Not that I'm against you casting it but it might
be worth comparing any investigative notes with your own
discoveries. But that's something to be brought up before
Silaius Duke."
Kell shrugs, "magic is more accepted here. I think she
can ask certainly. There are only 3 ways to find the truth.
Her spell thing which I don't understand. Being there with
time travel which is highly dangerous or witnesses." He
turns to Z'leyra. "Will you pay for the folks at lunch?"
"Yes, I do intend to pay for everyone's meal tomorrow. Not as
a bribe but as simple courtesy since they will be my guests."
replies Z'leyra to Kell.
In response to Arawn she replies "Good idea. I will ask
Corona and another volunteer to keep watch. "
Pyan goes to Z'leyra and says, "I will volunteer to keep
watch." He takes a seat on a 2 chair table by the partition.
Z'leyra nods to the hunter and continues. "No. I don't know
what, if any, connections she has. I wouldn't be surprised if
they hear of my return. But that isn't necessarily bad. Many
folks get caught not because of crime, but because they were
caught trying to cover it up."
"I hope that I am treading carefully. Were I not, I would
have come alone and there would be no one to watch my back or
ask questions if something happened to me."
"As I recall I was practicing the Levitation spell. I didn't
keep track of who was in and out of the lab and no questions
were asked about it. It is unlikely that anyone will be a
reliable witness to my presence from that long ago. I had no
motive and if I was guilty of something why would I be the one
dredging up this past history?"
[Full Moon Inn - Tavern]
[Time: 8:22 pm]
Almost two hours later and the 9th great story on Tiren ends.
The time that he uncovered a great Dwarven mine in the mountains
north of Donara before he had a family. The Dwarves had long
since forgotten the mine as it was tapped out. But that wasn't
the point. It was a great find for the school to study how
mining and ore processing is done by the dwarves. There were
even hints or theories of how the small men made their special
pickets for mining.
Now the place has thinned out and the juggler and dancer has
finished his work. The group begins to either relax out back
in the garden or the rooms. The curfew is not for a few hours
but even in a garden it is allowed all hours of the night.
During the great plaque that rocked the city long ago the
council had to start the curfew to prevent spread of the
disease. Most believed that students who caroused in taverns
and brothels spread it faster. So to cut down on those
off hour activities the curfew was made.
Z'leyra heads up to her room to think and remember. She
decides to lay down for a short while and weighs out her entire
set of options.
[Full Moon Inn - Tavern]
[Time: 10:39 pm]
Z'leyra wakes up not even knowing she fell asleep.. She
decides to walk the halls. She needs to get out of this
place. She makes her way down stairs and to the front
door. Slipping into the darkness she calls Corona. Both
head down the street to a small patch of woods.
She sits down on the cool ground and watches the stars
glitter above. She can't even talk to Corona as she could
with Fisherking. Corona has no clue of what ever came down
here. Here with a group of friends and her Tonah she feels
alone in the darkness.
The Healer stands and begins to strip placing her clothing
on a tree log. Standing naked she changes into eagle form
and takes to the sky. Both eagles now soar through the
dark skies over the city. She can see groups of students
going from libraries to their homes. She watches Constables
patrolling the dark streets. From above the city seems so
peaceful and quiet. A nexus of learning it is indeed but
it is political and at times culture barbaric. Maybe instead
of a healing school at home maybe she should come here to teach
the city some manners on how to deal with strangers and of course
her kind. But that would take decades of time to fix. If Hayna
is just a sample there is little hope.
Like an avenging angel the eagle who is Z'leyra decides it is
time to return. Landing she gathers her clothes. From the
bushes she hears faint voices as she dresses. She soon realizes
it sounds like two young boys talking about her. They might
have snuck out from their homes or the inn for some fun. She
doesn't care what they saw in this place it is a area of learning
and the human body is art. She ignores the boys and walks back
to the inn for a good night's rest.
-----------
[Hills near Ticasi]
[Decalis 24th, 1634TH]
[Full Moon Inn]
[Time: 6:41 am]
The party joins up for a late breakfast. Z'leyra picks at
her food worried about how the day will go. The party
aside from Kiet wonders what to do for the few hours before
the big lunch. Then one of the waitress mentions that the
Crome Library is having a great lecture on Magic and the
Military. Said to include tactics on using magic on a wide
battlefield. Arawn finds this interesting if ever the
group decides to help Jordi against his plans against Clima.
[Time: 7:01 am]
Kiet leaves the group as they decide to head to the lecture
which should start soon and will last a few hours. Kell finds
this interesting but for hours? Z'leyra explains the average
length of a good lecture is 5 hours. Some have been known to
last 13 hours. That one was given by the Master Scholar
himself on Navigation and great map making.
[Time: 7:25 am]
Those who stay with arrive at the library just in time for
it the lecture to start. The group stares at the three story
library. Now this is a library. Back home it is just one
floor and mostly Marentia province books. Kaylle would go
nuts here if he saw it. Z'leyra has seen it before but
others have not. She explains there are books from as far
west as Fomoria to as far east as Katai. One nice thing
about a port city is books can come in faster by sea than
on land. A scholar could spend years in this place and not
even crack many of the books.
Z'leyra does notice something in the center of the library
that is new. There are a dozen students moving back and forth
around a large oval thing with a square cabinet looking thing
under it. Looks like it is made from wood and leather. Students
are coming back and forth with stacks of parchments handing
them to librarians and what looks like to be a professor of
some sort. Z'leyra asks one female student.
"It is a project from the Engineering school started a year
ago. Together with some kind of punch cards, magic including
illusions it is to be a catalog of all the books. I don't
understand the system myself. But the professor says it will
take at least 5 years to complete. If it works then it might
go to the other libraries." She moves on to collect data
from the shelves.
The group heads quickly to the lecture hall in the east
side of the building. The hall is large enough to house
around 300 students. Right now it is about 90% full and
getting more by the second. The group finds seats and waits
the lecture to continue.
[Time: 7:30 am]
Kell has decided to skip the exciting lecture and roams the
library. The maze of book shelves may need a map to get
through. Finally Kell finds a librarian on the second floor.
"Do you have anything on Ebony?"
"For what purpose?"
"Shield cover but if Ebony has any innate magical value
or natural benefits?"
The woman considers for a few long moments, "I'm not sure
of any merits. I'd go to third floor west side. Section
41-44. That is the natural materials resources. It is mostly
for the physical sciences folks but there might be something
there."
Kell heads upstairs to that section.
Kiet checked yesterday at the Jewel Crafting school how much
they charge for tools. But he learned from the clerk there
that most are for student use meaning easy to break or abuse
but not really good to last. They might be cheap tools but.
So Kiet heads to the market without his weapons. He ensures
his coins are secret and not easy to pickpocket. But to
be honest from what he say yesterday this city has very little
crime if any. Even the down trodden peasants see to have
purpose and enough work to keep them straight. He suspects
in the south with the docks there might be more crime.
[Time: 7:41 am]
Kell looks at the books from every aspect from Asion metal
to Zinc. He figures a rock and mineral student would be
in heaven here. He finally finds the E books. Sure enough
there are two books with ebony in the title. He grabs the
books and places a flag in the shelf. The librarian had
shown that each row of books has flags to place where books
were taken so when restocked it can be easy. A nice system
but still needs work to find the right area.
Kell finds a table and chair and sits down to read. He sighs
when the books are in Donaran. One language he can't read.
Maybe he can get copies and get them translated. But for now
he can at least skim the pictures.
Inside the lecture hall Unali listens as the lecture starts.
She feels so naked without her daggers. She even put her
daggers in her bags in the vault. Yes, she herself is a weapon.
but it feels so strange. Then again she sees students all
around her some 8-9 years younger. They are content oblivious
to the dangers of the world like Climans or Vong. She wonders
what would've happened to her if she became that type of student.
At the market place Kiet finds a Jewelry repair shop. Not too
surprised he finds a old man and looks like 3 students from
the Jewel Crafting school. These shops have it easy free employees
who work as interns to learn and they don't have to be paid.
Kiet pretends to look around and notices a nice necklace that
must've been destroyed but now pieced together selling for 3
gold. Good work. Looks like the piece must've been totally
replaced after serious damage from a fall from a roof? The
clerk comes over and looks interested. Kiet asks if he sells
tools.
"Certainly. But keep in mind as with some students in town.
If you are needing to add magic to the tools it can't be done.
I'm told you have to make the items fresh to place magic in
them. So my tools are as is. Come over here. We have 3 basic
sets of tools. The basic repair kit is the smallest mainly
for travel and quick patches. It sells usually from 3 to 10
silver depending on tools needed. The next kit here is for
actual design work but moderate skill. Usually quality of
tools is for personal use and not to be sold typically. This
sells for 12 to 20 silver. The expert kit over here as just
about every major tool you need. As you can see the size is
fairly big so hard to just place on horse. Typically it is
for home use only." Kiet looks at the medium sized chest
that is 2.5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. "It typically sells
for 25 silver. These are high quality tools which should last
moderate users a dozen years. Heavy users might get 8-10
years on average. Feel free to look inside."
Kiet opens the chest and examines the items. The man continues.
"It has every gem setting tool, majority of typical jewel tools
and about 90% of the jewelry tools. Typical some like side
tools or accessories. Special glasses or eye guards those kind
of things. Most of that can be found in most places."
Kiet asks if they deliver like to his Inn. The man nods and
Kiet examines the case further.
[Time: 8:12 am]
The lecture starts to go into examples of using field level
magics from traps to bombs. Unali and Arawn make mental notes
as they seem quite interesting. The professor goes into details
including one example where a unnamed army attacked a castle.
The castle had setup a minefield of magic bombs that destroyed
85% of the first wave of troops in minutes. A slaughter of over
220 men. But he warns the cost in magic energy is great and takes
many average casters to develop. Plus it takes times for such
things to be setup.
Kell gives up and asks around. Soon he finds a scribe from the
writing school. He asks if it would be possible to translate
the two books into Marentian or Ba'ru. The student says this
is typically done as students in groups of 150 do it as some
of their intern work. It is mostly a matter of languages the
students may know. The Linquistics school also helps in
that regard. Kell finds these books could take a month to write
for one student but if he doesn't mind 4 students in shifts
doing it would be done in a few weeks. Kell offers 6 gold
which is far higher than quoted and the student says to get
one of the head scribes to do the transaction which is in the
front office.
Kiet grabs the parchments he made on the first night in town.
From folks he has chatted with there is a antique store owned
by a ex history council man. Entering the dusty store he finds
antiques as old as 600 years it seems. There is even a Fomorian
rock table he'd love to smash. Not really made of rock but
they are famous for a mix of stone and wood from the island.
He bears not destroying it and browses. He finds pieces of
Marentian furniture as well as a Ba'ru statue dated 200 years
ago. Prices are enough to buy 40-50 nice horses. Finally the
owner arrives and Kiet approaches. He shows the parchment and
asks if he has recognized the flag and uniform. He doesn't
tell the man where he found them on the flying island. The
man might think him insane. Nor does he say it might be
Lymrian so not to bias the answers.
The old man in his 80s stares at the parchments. He rubs
his chin and studies them. "Well I was actually a historian
from the Prelom Period of history. Basically this covers
around 100 years after Donara was founded and about 150 years
after from around 830 to 980 my expertise. This uniform I
have no clue where it might be. It seems to have applets like
those of Lemasa and Katai but also a touch of Choshai." Kiet
smiles at least he in same area. "But this flag....is very
interesting. Explain the colors again?"
Kiet explains it is white with a yellow diagonal stripe running
from bottom left to top right. A blue stripe runs from top
left to bottom right. In the middle of the X is a black circle
with a white star inside.
"I saw once in a book....maybe it almost looks like Djanesborg.
Before their small civil war maybe. I know someone who might
be able to help you. My friend Halleck. He sells of all things
flags. It is his hobby but he actually teaches at times
Navigation when teachers are sick." He gives Kiet the directions
which are across town.
Kiet gathers the parchment and nods. Kiet notices a bowl on the
shelf and asks.
The owner hands the bowl to Kiet. "It is actually Lemasan
from 400 years ago. The pottery was made by a Dawanian
priest or something like that. It is rare around here but
sells for 46 gold."
Kiet almost drops the bowl and hands it back. A nice
bowl but could buy plate mail for that.
[Time: 8:51 am]
Fremea got a bit bored when the lecture turned to magic
tunnels under castles. That is boring dwarf work. She
exits to get a latrine visit. On her way back she finds
a group of kids being read to by a woman. The kids must
be 12-14. Instead of reading fair tales or such though
the teacher is reading about complex math relating to
engineering. She is surprised they are learning so young
this stuff. Then she recalls her kids back home. Sure
they are being educated by Etain but it is more a survival
schooling than education. Maybe she will have to get with
Kaylle and get a better schooling system for them.
Kell leaves the office dealing with the scribe. No younger
than 18 and he must be the head scribe for this place. he
feels much older now. But at least he can get it shipped
back to Sivas by ship. He just hopes the information will
be good to use for his shield.
Across town on the edge of the healing school in the north
east of town Kiet finds a nondescript store. A small store
selling home flags and decorations from plants to outside
decorative swings. Halleck is sitting in a rocking chair
chewing on some kind of smelly plant. The man in his 50s
looks at Kiet with curious eyes.
Kiet asks about the flag parchment. The man stops rocking
and studies the copy of what the flag should look like. Kiet
describes the colors. The man studies it for what seems like
five minutes. "This almost looks like a pre-empire Katai
flag based on the Namig Dynasty. Very short lived. But this
circle...it reminds me of something." He studies it for
some more time then lurches up scaring Kiet to back up a foot.
The man moves to a side wall where he has many flags from
all over the middle world that are very common. He sorts
through the right and finds a flag and nods when he examine it.
Then recalling another thing he moves to the left and goes
through 4 more flags. He turns to Kiet with wide eyes and
forgets he just swallowed the foul plant.
"This can't be....this is a child of the now extinct Samir
Confederation. It was a collection of islands far to the
east even further than that vile Lemasan island. I only
like flags but don't have all the history. When I was
a kid I found a book in some library...which one I can't
recall now. But it talked about a Katai historian who
found evidence of a nation called Lymria. I never heard
of such a place. But if I recall the Katai scholar thought
it was some island chain some 1000 leagues from his home
land. But if I recall no other evidence they still exist
or ever did has been around."
"This flag..." He raises the parchment. "if it is true
Lymrian could be priceless." He begins to pace back and
forth thinking. He begins to mutter to himself as he considers
the options. "..Wrathbane might know someone but she is
so flaky...maybe that merchant..no he is back in Aratad...
I wonder if Kayhs knows...yes..maybe he does..." He looks
up at Kiet and stops. "I know of someone...he is a bit
odd but his library is still open its very small but has
many of the ancient things no modern student or even
historian would care to see. Most of it the schools deem
useless. Things like color of ancient coins to which
emporors of whatever land liked to marry his daughters.
I know he has a useless book that has failed flags of
the nations. When nations were either destroyed or did not
last more than 50 years...he might have some obscure book."
Kiet nods but sighs at hearing yet another trail to follow.
He gets the directions to the library.
[Time: 9:25 am]
The lecture is halted to give a midway break point. Some
get some water and snacks in the outside patio area.
Kell sees the group getting tea and biscuits and joins
them. "Hope the lecture is fun so far."
Having walk yet south again Kiet finds a quiet street
that is mostly warehouses. Thinking he is lost he asks
a worker for directions. Then he finds a small square
one store library the size of a small warehouse. He heads
to the door and finds it locked. He sees a man inside
and bangs on the door. The man is seen through the window
rolling a small ball against small statues down about 10
feet away. He tosses and goes retrieves it. He repeats
this for like 10 minutes and Kiet bangs more. Finally the
man stops and comes to the door. "Yes. Yes? What is it?"
Kiet explains about his Halleck reference. "Who? You
mustn't bother me young man I'm busy." He tries to shut the
door but Kiet stops him. Kiet explains it again. "Oh...
him..that smack eating deer loving guy still around. Kiet
explains the situation and shows the parchment
The man brings the paper almost to his noses clearly
a guy with bad eyes. "Interesting design of a vase..
I have a book here on old stone vases from the Gom
middle ages.." Kiet explains it is a flag. "Oh ..really?
You sure? Maybe its a map to a hole?"
The man nods and waves Kiet inside. "I was just testing
this game I read about in a book written about the Fierazi.
Seems they used some round rocks and tossed them toward
prisoner heads. I don't see the merit in this game...but
those folks are insane anyways. So let's see..." He
uses a jewel glass to look at the parchment better under
some lantern. He then heads to a large sea chest and begins
to dig around. "I think I have a old journal....let's see.
Ohhhh.. Look here. Ever seen a walrus penis look at
this..."
[Time: 10:15 am]
The lecture now goes into details on using aerial magics
including animals with bombs, catapults with magic naptha
and a odd set of flying carpets. Zabyra would have loved
to heard this. Kell begins to snore until Unali nudges
him awake.
Inside the dusty ex-warehouse turned library, Kiet becomes
very impatient. All those days with Arawn do not help
at this point. The man whatever he is now been spending
15 min talking about using insects to improve female fertility
with teenage girls. Kiet wonders if his skills as a interrogator
might help. Then the man pulls out a book and Kiet sights
in relief. "Ahh...let's see...yes! I've been looking
for this for a long time." He flips the journal book open
and reads some pages. "Yes this is the infamous cook book
for Acosha the Mad...he reigned in the Cerulean Empire from
440 to 461 you know..he includes this great snack of .."
Kiet hauls the man up to his feet and glares wishing he had
his dagger. Maybe he could fry the old man. The man looks
upset and startled. "What its priceless work here...it
includes..." Kiet shakes the man forcing the book to fall
and the old man looks down. Then sees it in the chest "There
it is! The journal you were looking for."
Kiet drops the man and reaches into the journal. He flips
through it to ensure its not some book on magical cloths for
babies who soil themselves from Xian like the old man had
earlier. No. This one has diagrams of flags! He hands
it to the old man.
He flips through the journal. "Let's see...black circle...
stripes..." He looks up and recalls something. "Did you
know the ancient Zen'da used to brand warriors with color
stripes that..." He stops when Kiet glares. "Fine. Let's
see....here we go. This merchant in Teos had somehow
obtained a shield that was said to be from a dead people
called Lymria. It had this very design. Some 75 years
later a scholar in Katai found an ancient scroll in the
Iron City that a Master General..whoever that was...
had uncovered a burial site on a beach. It included many
weapons and armor so it was valuable. Here we go. Here
is the shield and then the scholar said the General found
pieces of a flag. It was a 3rd the size but looked just
like this. Which matches yours The scholar believed that
this was a site from some ancient shipwreck at least 500
or more years before. It was only found after a storm
eroded the beach. Hey do you know that there is said to
be a magic book called the Hurricane book! I want to see
that thing. It must be a great read!"
Kiet ignores the man and asks about the uniform picture.
"I'm not sure...no clue on info but based on the colors
and the shoulders...if this was with this flag of yours
then it might just be Lymrian as well. Would you want
to part for it for my place here...many visitors would
come to see it for historical importance."
Kiet looks around the dust is so thick he probably
hasn't a visitor other than rats in months. He asks
how much this might be worth selling.
"Well for a place like here its priceless. Donations
would be very welcome to the schools like History But
I know some ancient Goidan flag sold for 50 something
gold one year at auction as it was rare. The uniform?
Maybe a few dozen gold but it would be best sold at
an auction where collectors could bid on it. The council
uses a auction house on Dirante street a lot of times.
But they can't sell pictures."
[Time: 10:41 am]
The lecture finally ends and the group figures they
have a bit over an hour to get to the lunch. Kell
suggests a stop by the markets for a bit and then to
the reserved place.
On the other side of town Kiet leaves the old man. He
dusts himself off and considers his options. He could
ship the stuff back but would need to entrust someone
to get it to the auction house. Unless he got a person
like chion for a quick trip back and forth.
Kiet begins to walk the streets and explore a bit. As
he does he notices a small school with students outside.
The school that looks to have maybe 3 classrooms has
a sign that says rope, hemp and line innovations. Outside
there are maybe a dozen students making ropes, lassoing
and practicing on wooden cows, creating hemp ladders,
making knots that a sailor would be proud of and testing
pulleys with newly created fine cord made of a gray
spider like fiber lifting up weights. Kiet finds this
a bit fascinating and figures this small school is
probably used by Navigators among others. He watches
the students for a bit but does not seem to see any
magic used with the items.
[Time: 11:07 am]
The group heads to the reserved tavern. Kell asks Z'leyra.
"You paying for all these folks? it was a bit implied you
might for their time. There could be what...20..30 people
showing up?"
Kiet takes a wrong turn and ends up in sight of the Resident's
Castle. It is not a huge castle like King Maros's but enough
to hold a few hundred troops. There is no moat or major ground
defenses but Kiet suspects the place is full of magical traps
and defenses. It is odd that a nation who doesn't tolerate magic
would have such a defended site. Kiet shakes his head at
the double standards of life.
Z'leyra enters the tavern to find it is already busy.
The tavern could fit 120 people cramped up but around
80 with good space. Now there must be 55 or 60 before
lunch time. She finds the waitress and she directs
the group to the reserved room.
The side room which is in the west side of the place
has large windows in the west that shines plenty of light.
To the north a small fireplace is lit and is one of two
fireplaces that are for the main room. In the south
is a long table for food and other items. The large board
room rectangle oak table can fit 40 people. The room itself
is around 175 feet long and 60 feet wide. The main eating
area is around 250 feet by 150 feet. It is a fairly large
reserved room for a tavern. Clearly the place is used for
meetings or school purposes.
The east side of the reserved room the partition that separates
this area from the main eating area. It is 5.5 feet tall and
folks would need to get close and lean up to look over. This
gives about 1.5 feet open area between ceiling and partition.
This does draw the noise in but it is oddly quiet as the
ceiling skylights seem to muffle the noise somehow. Maybe it
is some architecture or magic. In the south
While the fireplace is in the north and table in the south
there is only one entry aside from the windows. IT is a open
archway 5 feet wide. There are old fashioned saloon style
swinging half doors that cover the 'door' mostly in the
center.
The others enter. Z'leyra begins to pace up and down waiting
for anyone to show up. Kell notices the south table which
is empty is foldable. He removes a section and brings in
two tables to make a makeshift small table. He waves
over Fremea. "Why don't we sit here. I want to study
faces of folks and we can do that here at this angle. I'm
sure Arawn will do the same where he sits but we can at
least chat quietly."
Arawn and Unali take their seats at the north of the table
to warm up. Kell and Fremea in the south wall by the 'door'
archway. Z'leyra will sit at the head north end of the
table so she can watch both sides of the table. But she
stands and begins to pace as a waitress enters and takes
drink orders.
[Time: 11:21 am]
The first person to come to the lunch is Ira Armanth who
taught Z'leyra dancing. The woman in her 40s is small and
lean but shows sign of decades of dancing from knobby knees.
She smiles and greets Z'leyra who makes introductions. She
takes a seat. "Seeing you on the street was wonderful! So
let's talk about what you've been up to."
[Time: 11:43 am]
The next person to arrive is Lira Snethess who was one of her
Jewel teachers. She shocks Z'leyra as she is also with
Councilor Lental Vormon of the Jewel Crafting School. She
wasn't expecting a council member to attend but is pleased.
Lental is a woman of grace in a flowing green dress with
a superbly crafted necklace and rings. But her earrings seem
to catch the eye as they seem to be glowing gems from the
island of Fomoria. Such gemstones are very rare in this area.
They glow a light blue hue but are not magical. She is around
late 50s with red hair. But the teacher is in her late 30s
and a bit plump for a teacher. She is dressed in a tan tunic
and a heavy brown pants. She also wears a armband of various
jewels. The teacher greets Z'leyra and sits by the Dancer
teacher.
[Time: 11:50 am]
Another teacher from the gem department was nice to Z'leyra
but saw her as a less than enthused student. She arrives
next - Yalenka Narda. In this case the woman in her late 30s
wears a headband with a single blue gem inset. It reminds
some of the Fierazi shamans who decorate before war.
Next two family members Lukra Harradra who has no kids with
her which makes the others happy. Z'leyra's cousin is in her
late 20s and blond hair with green striking eyes. She seems
glum and annoyed as if she would not be here. She nods and
greets the others. "Sorry cousin I could not meet with you
yesterday I was working."
With her is Z'leyra's, uncle the Navigator Arman Hammerhand
dressed in a flashy warm tunic and tan vest. He leans over
and gives Z'leyra a kiss on the cheek and whispers. "Nasha.
I expect a good day."
[Time: 12:01 pm]
Now Garr the medical teacher arrives. She smiles at her
old teacher and puts her bag on the table and sits.
Pyan notices two other men come toward the partitioned
room. The deputy of the magic school and a older man not
seen before. The man in his 70s stops and stares at Pyan.
He bids the deputy well and squints looking at Pyan who
seems to feel unease. "I'm sorry young man for staring.
You remind me of someone...the same dark hair and skin. But
those boots."
The deputy from the magic school who is just one step down
from the councilor makes his seat. "Sorry the councilor can't
make it as expected. I'm busy so I hope this is short."
Kell hears the old man speaking and wonders out to look at
Pyan who is staring. Kell looks to the old man, "sorry sir
he doesn't understand. He does Marentian well."
The old man looks back, "yes that's it!" He switches to
Marentian. He repeats what he said earlier which Pyan
now understands. You remind me of the famed Hunter from
the woods who visited Ba'ru."
Kell crosses his arms, "I'm from Ba'ru."
The old man does a twist to look at Kell, "how quaint." He
turns back to Pyan. "Your boots are quite distinctive that
have that same wood style he wore. I can't recall what
land he was from. But I read 30 years ago in some book
around here that he killed the To'rani off in his land. These
were very dangerous creatures. They said they were so tough
that that only a spot between the eyes just under a armored
section could kill it. This hunter...he laid down for the
creature to attack then fired point blank his bow killing
the last of the creatures to exist. The book had a picture
of him and looked just like your boots he wore and like
your body frame and face. Fascinating. He visited Ba'ru
and was documented by a Bard. Was probably a myth. Well
I must get back to my school after a quick snack. Teaching
about Gomese battles today."
Kell returns to his seat by Fremea and sits down. Now
Z'leyra has sat and orders are placed by a waitress.
deputy Burl Tiesmorten orders last and sits back to wait
for Z'leyra to start whatever this is about.
[Time: 12:08 pm]
Z'leyra stands and straightens her dress and begins to open
her mouth when three others come in.
"Sorry we are late." Two males and one female smile
and are dressed in warm but average student style clothing.
Z'leyra recognizes all three and smiles. Arloth Harradra
who was a fellow medical student. She is actually in a round
about way related to her cousin. All three went to school
with Z'leyra and never expected to be since she never saw
them yesterday. Puul 'Legs' Faststitch quickly explains he
now teaches in the Jewel school himself. Lucky Rosto
was not the best student as he liked to gamble too much.
But he doesn't explain what he has been up to.
As Z'leyra catches up others talk including the medical
teacher and Arawn. "...yes there was one time when we
were teaching how to cut into stuffed kid bears like toys.
A simple task with a scalpel but the students were green.
Z'leyra cut in too deep and stuffing splattered all over
the place. She tried to fix it but then ripped more stuffing.
out. We had to tell her the bear was dead." Arawn laughs.
The other medical teacher grins, "what about the pig thing?"
The other nods, "there was one time when we were cutting
up pigs for anatomy class. She cut into a pig lower than
planned and cut into the bile track. This bile spurted
all over Z'leyra and another student."
The dancer teach shakes her head, "not now we are about to
eat."
Kell studies the group and whispers to Fremea on who might
be the best allies. "Her cousin looks annoyed but the deputy
seems like there is something more. Like an agenda."
Another man enters the room through the archway. He moves
over to Lental. The old man leans down, "I thought I saw
you come in. Will you be at dinner next week?" Lental
nods and the man pats her shoulder and starts to leave. Then
he sees Arawn. The old man with white hair looks a bit
startled. "Arawn?" He whispers very low and then shakes
his head.
Z'leyra claps her hands to get attention and everyone
turns to face her. Arawn turns and then looks back but
the old man is gone. Arawn excuses himself and rushes
to the door but looking outside sees no sign of him.
Z'leyra begins her speech and Arawn intends to listen so
comes back. Maybe the old man heard introductions around
the schools. That's probably it.
Z'leyra had hoped to see her other cousin, Blager
Armwrestle but he is not here. Guess the engineer could not
meet up as hoped.
[Time: 12:12 pm]
Across town Kiet finishes his own lunch that was average
but nothing great. Though the apple pie was nice. He
heads down the street. Maybe he can find this auction
house and get some idea of how they do things.
Suddenly he hears a voice behind him, "there you are!"
Kiet turns to see the old man from the warehouse-library.
"You rushed out so fast I wanted to tell you another
thing." He is holding several books and scrolls under his
arms. "Oh! When you left I found this great horn." He
reaches down to show his belt a white horn. "It is said
to be made by some wizard who was in charge of some castle.
He said it was made to cause an army to..well...to soil
themselves. He calls it the Brown Horn....why I have no
clue since its white. Anyways want to come back and
test it with some friends tonight? We are also going to
track some mice at the dump and set them on fire..."
Kiet wonders if he just fries this guy would he be just
arrested or become a hero?
The old man reaches up and grabs something from Kiet's
hair which startles him. A bug of some sort. The bug
climbs up the arm of the man. "A friend. I had him track
you. Anyway...the uniform. There is a guy far away in
a land...a Duke...he likes to collect and study uniforms.
He might get info for you. His name was Duke Valnon if
I recall."
Kiet stares at the insane old man. Valnon? Name seems
familiar. The party where Unali was center of it for her
birthday. There was a gal there. Martha? Marta? Her
last name was Valnon. Could it be the same one? Kiet asks
what land.
"Marentia ever been there? I hear the mountains south
of Sivas had this crazy oak leaf if you lick it turns your
pee a bright orange. I wish I could see that."
This man if you call him a scholar of trivia might have
helped a bit. Before Kiet could move on he sees a bright
glint in the corner of his eye.
Actions? Comments?
Next Update....Next email..
GM: Ok. This one is getting huge so I'll do yet a part 3
to end this great update. Stay tuned!
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