[Last Time, on El WHAT?!: Tithian revealed his first task for the group, which was to train as much as they could in the coming months. The group happily complied and split up for various lessons. In the three months since, the weather hasn't changed one bit. Crime has been on the rise, with most of the new crimes being perpetrated by freed slaves who don't feel like getting jobs and being productive citizens... ...One thing that has changed is the news from other regions. News has just started circulating in the last week or so, indicating that there's an army on the march toward the newly freed city-state of Tyr. You've all been gathered back in Tithian's quarters where you stayed that first night, though you haven't stayed there since. You weren't seen entering, as Tithian gathered you all personally through teleportation... ...you probably won't be seen leaving, either.] [Strangely, the session does _not_ open with somebody plushifying or deplushifying. I'm impressed.] [Session Start] * Tithian teleports in with the last person to be gathered, Shiho. * Daphne has a sip of nectar; surprisingly, not the fermented variety. "So. What's up, boss?" Have you been listening to the rumors? Um... Which ones? The bit with the army? Yes. * Ichi sits in a chair. "I think I heard something about an army." * Cara nods. That's all you've heard? Well, I heard some people complaining about getting robbed a few days ago. And the next day...and yesterday. * Tithian nods. I haven't heard much, but I've been a bit busy. I understand. All that time alone out in the desert with that elf... I'm told elves are very passionate people. * Tithian doesn't quite actually look at Shiho. * Daphne tries hard not to laugh. * Cara is now dressed more like the locals of Athas, having abandoned her original rather impractical clothes soon after the training period began. * Cara looks at Tithian and smiles a little. The rumors about the army are true. I'm amazed that there's not more information out yet. Who...who's attacking? The army heading for us is from a place called Urik. Ruled by the sorceror-king Hammanu. * Daphne nods. I take it he's not a nice guy. That doesn't sound very nice. Do you think you can take this guy and his army? ...I don't know. Rikus is going to be rallying the gladiators to form the core of an army. Between that and the templars, we'll have perhaps a tenth of the forces Urik is sending. A tenth? * Daphne frowns. "I don't like those odds." Eep. O.o "Where'd he get all thoes people?" And I'm guessing you don't either, which is why you're calling on us? * Tithian smiles. How powerful is this Hammanu himself? Not hardly, Daphne. ...although that we can do is beyond me. You five are going safely out of the way. * Daphne raises an eyebrow. "Ah ha." Some of my agents have located some ruins that may help you. You'll be checking them out. Oh. * Daphne nods. Um, alright... As for Hammanu himself... it took myself, Agis of Asticles, Rikus, and Sadira, plus two powerful artifacts in order to kill Kalak. Hammanu is every bit as powerful. That's not good... * Daphne frowns. "I don't like the sound of that." You wouldn't stand a chance against him, so don't get any delusions of grandeur. Okay.. Right... But you're gonna have help against this guy, right? You're not gonna try to take him on alone? Do you still have those artifacts to help you? I'm not going to try to take him on at all. We're going to beat back his army and force him to make peace. That's all. * Daphne frowns, thinks, and nods. "Alright." As for the small matter of numbers... we're hoping that the gladiators will make up the difference. * Ichi nods. Some of those guys were really strong... After all, Tyr's gladiators are newly freed slaves, and they've been fighting for their lives since they were born. In any case, it's nothing you need to worry about. If you say so, boss. Okay. Now... about these ruins. * Shiho stands with her arms folded, waiting. * Ichi waits silently. They're basically an unknown. My agents didn't explore them, they just reported the existence and went on to other leads. The report said that everything was basically ruined aboveground, but that there were signs of a system of passages underground. Where are they? That smacks of dwarves. Dwarves? Neat! If you do find a tunnel system, I suggest you map it thoroughly. And be ready for anything, especially undead. A good idea. I can do mapping. ^_^ * Daphne nods. If these _were_ dwarven tunnels, there's a chance that dwarves were trapped and died without completing their focus. If they did, there will be banshees down there. Getting lost wouldn't be good. Banshees? Banshees? ...banshees? Like, Irish ghosts that scream and one of the family dies? Or are they different here? * Daphne blinks. "Banshees? Y'mean like... right." The spirits of dwarves who died without completing their focus. They're nothing like the old earth legend, except that they tend to scream a lot. If you see one, you should probably run, unless you're more powerful than you seem. Be careful. Right. * Tithian says that last to Cara. * Cara nods. "We will." Thanks. ^_^ * Tithian smiles. * Daphne raises an eyebrow at that, too. * Shiho doesn't say anything. Anything else to watch out for? I'll send you to an inn down along Caravan Way. You'll need to purchase mounts. I reccomment kanks, though erdlu will do as well. Inixes are probably out of your league. Oh, like horses? This should be fun! * Tithian holds out his hand and a cloth map appears. He hands it to Cara. That map will get you to the ruins and back. * Cara takes the map. "'Kay." When you get back to the city, go back to that inn, it's the Inverted Inix. Talk to the bartender, he'll get in touch with me, and I'll come to you. * Daphne nods. Okay. I'll see you in a few weeks. * Tithian waves his hand and you all vanish from the room. ...I hope. * You all reappear in what appears to be a rather run-down dining room. * It can't be in a very good inn, but it certainly works, and you can get dinner if you want. This should be fun. We get to go on another adventure and meet more cute animals! * Ichi blinks. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that." * Shiho nods. "And speaking of which, we need to purchase mounts. Let's not waste any time." Uhm, right. Uhuh. * It is currently early afternoon. Travel at night, like last time? I think Shiho's right. We should go find mounts. This is going to be fun. ^_^ * Shiho looks to do just that. Probably. How far is it? Right. Let's go do that thing. * Cara checks the map. It's, uh... * As you exit the dining room into the main bar, the innkeeper barely bats an eye. He's a large man, but like most people on this world, he's mostly muscle, not fat at all. About a week, if we walked like last time. So I guess a few days if we ride. * Shiho nods. Works for me. * Ichi nods, "Do we have a tent or something this time?" Wow. That's gonna be a lot of supplies, if we're gonna be gone a few weeks. Amy, come with me and we'll look for mounts. The rest of you, buy supplies. Okay. OK. ^__^ * Daphne shrugs. "Sure." A tent, food... lights and a rope would be good. * Ichi nods. And water, naturally. Lotsa water. And in my case, plenty of booze. * Shiho looks for someone who might sell mounts. Probably, the inkeeper would be a good choice. * Ichi nods again. [Split Session Start] * Shiho moves up to the innkeep. Excuse me, sir. * Innkeep is the aformentioned large but not fat man behidn the bar. He's shaved completely bald, and as far as you can tell, he's got no hair anywhere, as seems to be a fairly standard style around here. * Innkeep looks up at Shiho, his look changing to respect as he notices that she's one of the people who came out of a room without entering through the door. Can I help you, ma'am? * Shiho nods. "We're seeking mounts for our travels." If you don't want many, I can set you up with a couple, rental or buy, as you like. If you want more, or fancy mounts, there's a stabler just down the way, the sign outside shows a pair of erdlu, beak to beak. Tell Jarn that Kled sent you. * Shiho considers. "We need five, maybe six." That's too many for me, sorry. * Shiho nods. "Then we shall speak with the stabler." * Innkeep nods and goes back to cleaning. * Shiho thanks the innkeep and heads outside, searching for the sign the he spoke of. * The sign is easily located just a short distance down Caravan Way. It's easily spotted, mainly because it's right outside a classic stable, though instead of horses it has erdlu, kanks, and even a few inixes. * Shiho leads Amy that way and looks for Jarn. * There's a short, greasy looking man sitting inside a small shack next to the stable gate. The front of the shack is open, and he's sitting on a chair propped against the wall fanning himself in the shade. * Amy follows. * Shiho approaches the stable guy. * Jarn looks up at Shiho. Whatcha need? * Shiho nods politely. "We're seeking mounts for our travels. We need five, maybe six?" What kinda mounts you in for? Erdlu, preferrably. I think I've got enough, yeah. Why the maybe? We might need an extra to carry supplies. * Jarn quirks an eyebrow. * Jarn grins. You don't want an erdlu to carry supplies, missy. Why not? They don't have the strength, or the endurance. Load 'em down and you wont' go anywhere. Hmm... Prehaps a kank instead, then. * Jarn nods. Five erdlu and a kank? * Shiho nods. * Jarn levers himself up out of the chair. Sounds good to me. ^_^ Well then, let's go get you some mounts and work out a deal, eh? Alright. * Jarn walks over to the gate and hops over it. Come on, come on. * Jarn waves for Amy and Shiho to come over. * Amy follows along. ^_^ * Shiho follows. * Amy opens the fench, because she isn't that good a jumper. * Shiho hops over the fence, because opening it will likely cause a stampede :P * Jarn smirks at Amy, but turns away and goes deeper into the maze of fencing. * Shiho follows Jarn. Yup * Jarn waves to a large pen with a fair number of erdlu roaming freely. * Jarn hops over the fence easily. You can come in if you like, but don't you open that gate. Don't wanna cause a stampede, neh? Oh. Sorry. ^_^; * Amy hops over the gate then. * Shiho does too. * Jarn walks over to one of the erdlu and takes ahold of its neck, guiding it toward the two of you. This here, it's a good beast for a new rider. Very gentle, it moves smoother than most, so you won't get as sore. * Amy peerpeers at the animal. "Aww. It's so cute." * Shiho nods. * It does indeed appear as if you're in a pen full of featherless chocobos. * Half an hour later, Shiho and Amy emergy from Jarn's house of mounts leading five erdlu and a kank, all of excellent quality, and recieved for an absolute song. Maybe he was distracted by the double dose of breasts. Yeah, that's gotta be it. And all for the paltry sum of 8 silver and two coppers. * Jarn watches Shiho and Amy walk away with a goofy grin on his face. [Split Session End] [Split Session Start] * Ichi, Cara, and Daphne head out to look for gear and supplies. So. Either of you two know a good place to get supplies? Hm...nope. ^^ A supply store? * This being Caravan Way, there are two supply stores within sight. * Daphne rubs her face. "Right. So." I meant a place in particular, but hey. * One is marked with a bundle of rope and a pickaxe, the other is marked with crossed picaxe and shovel. * Cara points to one of the signs up ahead. "What about there?" * Daphne looks at each, and heads for the rope and pickaxe. * Cara follows after Daphne. * Ichi follows Daph. * the inside of the shop is a mess. Everything is on shelves, but the shelves have no discernable order to them. Beside the door is a counter with a man sitting behind it. Strangely, the man behind the counter is fat, a rarity on athas, though he _does_ have his head shaven. * FatMan raises his arms jovially at the three customers. welcome! What can old Frak do for you today?! We're looking for supplies. You've certainly come to the right place! Well, let's see. A large tent, a means of providing light, and some rope would be good for starters. * Daphne looks around and wonders if buying food here would be a bad idea. * Ichi starts wandering around the store looking for something tentlike. Tents? Don't get much call for those... Why would you need one? * The shelves are stocked with pretty much anything you can think of in general goods, except food. There's a door behind the counter that goes off to the side of the store, though, and the food might be back there. We're going on a little trip. It'd be nice to have something to sleep in. Yeah... yeah... whatever. I can see if I've got one in the back, I suppose. You sure you want it? No, but I'm looking into the possiblity anyway. Yeah, well, call me when you've decided. Any reason why I shouldn't want it? No, no. Don't let me discourage you. Money's money. Mmm-hmm. And how much money are we talking about, here? We could always go to the other place if you can't help us. ^_^ Oh, not much, not much. It depends on what you want, really. * Daphne nods. "My dear friend has a point." I've got everything you need! * Ichi is still wandering around trying to find what he needs. You'll never get as good a price as you can get here. Hm. We need something for four people to sleep in. Or two for two people to sleep in. No problem, no problem. * Frak moves his immense bulk off his stool and lumbers through the door behind the counter. * Frak returns after a moment with a bundle of some strange fabric and a number of short poles. Here, here. * Frak puts them down on the counter. This'll hold six, ten if you're friendly. * Daphne looks the tent over. "What do you guys think?" * Ichi wanders back from the shelves. "How's it go together?" * Cara looks at the tent. "Um...do you know how to set a tent up?" Ah, it's easy, it's easy. You just run these poles here right up the edges of the cloth here, see? Look at these pockets. My wife made it herself, you know. It'll stand up to anything. * The shelves are stocked with an amazing variety of equipment, marred only by the fact that they're completely disorganized. There are bedrolls, small pillows stuffed with you don't want to know what, leatherish wineskins, bone caltrops, sewing thread and fine bone needles, small chunks of chalk, candles, some simple weapons made of obsidian, and lots of household tools. * Ichi obediantly looks at the pockets. "Ah, I see." * Daphne looks around. * Cara looks at Frak. "Do you know what kind of place we would go to for rations and water?" I've got all you need! All the food is in the back, I'll just get it for you. You guys wanna get bedrolls and pillows, too? Hmm...that'd be nice... Right. Remember, we only need four, since somene will allways be standing guard. I suppose that bedrolls would be a good idea, better than the ground. * Ichi nods at Daphne. Hm. Chalk couldn't hurt. Still have plenty of wineskins. Ichi, you recognize what these pointy things are? (Note to self: In game shopping takes forever) Chalk...yeah. I think I saw them in a movie once, you throw them and then other people step on them. * Daphne thinks. "We could use it to mark passages so we know when we've been somewhere." She grins. "Or we could just doodle on the walls." That'd be nice... So, you're wanting food, yes? Alright, what else...rope! We were gonna get rope. What kind of food? Right, rope. Something that'll keep for a long time. And if you've got liquor, that's good too. No problem, no problem. * Frak waddles off into the back again. Hrm. Dunno how useful the sharp pointy things'll be. But who knows. (And the Storekeep steals the words out of my mouth) Probably don't need pokey things. Probly. * Ichi nods. "Ok, no ...uhm whatever they're actualy called." Right. * Frak waddles back in with a small keg and a huge hunk of dried... something. Alcohol, you want it, I got it! preserved erdlu, too. * Daphne grins a big wide happy grin. Daphne, how long should we get a supply for? * As for rope, there are several varieties. There's your common hemp rope, which is thick and heavy, what appears to be actual, honest to goddess silk rope, which is thinner and much lighter, and then there's a single coil of rope that's even thinner than the silk, and featherlight. Hm. Two weaks, at least. Hmmm, you'll need something besides meat, then. * Frak waddles back into the back room again. * Frak returns from the back room with a large, cloth wrapped package. * Frak plops the package down on the counter. There ya go, dried fruits. They'll keep forever, see if they don't. * Daphne nods. "Excellent." * Daphne looks to Cara and Ichi. "See anything else you like?" Uhm...we still need that rope. Oh, right. * Daphne takes a look at the ropes. She eyes the thin light stuff. "What's this rope made out of?" What's WHAT made of? * Daphne holds up the rope in question. "This." The adventurer who pawned it off on me said it was made from something called 'spidersilk.' It doesn't feel like silk to me, it's kinda sticky, but he said it'll hold just about anything you care to put on it. I haven't found anybody willing to pay what it's worth, though. I shouldn't've traded for it. Bad deal, that. Oh? And what's it worth? Ten silvers, easily. I've never heard of the stuff, and neither has any caravan that's come through here. The rarity alone makes it worth that much. If it really will hold anything you put on it, it's probably worth more, but I don't really believe it. Hm. And how much for the tent, the sleeping bags, the pillows, the food, and a few skins of alcohol? And some water. Lots of water. A few skins? I figured you'd want the whole keg, the way you said it. * Cara giggles. Heh. * Daphne chuckles. "Okay, the whole keg, but transfered into skins. Unless that keg's lighter than it looks." YOu got your own skins? I do indeed. * Frak nods. I have a bunch, anyway. Dunno if I have enough for the whole thing. * Daphne begins producing skins from her backpack. And add the rope to that tally. How much does that bring it up to? Fine. twelve silvers, plus a copper for each skin of mine you need to drain the keg. * Daphne checks her funds. "I believe I can handle that." o_O That's for everything right? * Frak holds out his hand to Daphne, waiting for her to shake. * Daphne shakes. ^_^ Done. * Frak pours out the keg quickly, and it takes Daphne 3 of his skins. [Split Session End] [Combine Sessions] * Just as the second group emerges from the general store, Amy and Shiho emerge from the stables leading their animals. * Daphne notes Shiho and Amy. "Hey guys. * Shiho nods. "How'd it go?" Hi guys! ^_^ Hi! We got the supplies. We got food, and water and a tent and rope and drink... It went alright, I guess. Got food, water... yeah, what Ichi said. * Rocky peeks out from Shiho's backpack. We got cute animals, and Shiho managed to get us a really good deal on them! * Daphne nods. "That's good." Well, that makes up for buying the expensive rope, then. ^_^ Anything else we need before we go? I hope two weeks supply is long enough... * Shiho nods. "Looks like we're about ready." She thinks a bit. "How are we doing finance wise?" I'm doin' just fine. We're doing good! Betcha got ripped off. * Amy blinks. "... Rocky can talk?" Probably, yeah, but I've stopped caring, really. And who said that? * Ichi shrugs. * Cara blinks at Rocky. * Ichi stares as he realizes who spoke. That's so cute that you taught him how to talk Shiho. ^_^ Because, even though it looks like Rocky said that, it can't be Rocky who said that. That'd just be too much. Why? You can talk. Why shouldn't I? * Rocky sounds like Phil Hartman, because ND wanted a description for his voice :P Uhm...because you're a racoon? So? * Ichi scratches the back of his head. "I don't know. I've just never met a talking racoon before." I think it's neat. Anyway, he's not a normal racoon. ^^ First time for everything. Anyway. Do we have everything? Looks that way. We'd better get moving. Yup. You should also be taking better care of your cash. Not caring like that is going to hurt you in the long run. Um...wait. Did we get lights? Don't want to leave without those. * Daphne blinks. "No, as a matter of fact, we didn't. Rocky, go buy us some lights." Uhm, rope, food, water, drink, tent, animals...no lights. I don't wanna. Aww, c'mon Rocky. Please... ^_^ Well, since you know so much about money, you're the obvious choice to go haggle with Frak. So hop to it. I'm not about to- * Shiho sighs. "Amy, come with me a minute." She heads towards a supply store. Uh.. Ok. * Amy follows after Shiho. * Frak looks up as Amy and Shiho enter. He's gleefully counting a pile of silver coins over and over again. Welcome! * Rocky mutters. "Knew it." HOw can Frak help you? We're looking for lights... Torches, and maybe flint and tinder, or something similar? Please, look around. I certainly have those, perhaps you will find something suitable on the shelves! * Shiho nods and does just that. * Indeed, there are torches scattered all around, along with tinderboxes. There is flint, but no steel, steel being more precious than gold. * Shiho takes a bunch of torches and a few tinderboxes. A flint, too, just in case. Excellent choices, you are a most intelligent woman, I can tell, and beautiful too. Thanks. How much? For you, I will lower my prices! Only five copper for the lot! Five copper? Rather expensive. I'd think they'd be worth more like a copper and two ceramic pieces. Oh, you are smarter than I thought... Travelling these roads, one needs to be. * After a hard bargaining session, Shiho manages to get the merchant down to 2 copper and a ceramic, which is only slightly overpaying. Amy, if you would...? Sure thing. * Amy pays. * Frak happily makes change out of the pouch around his immense waist. Enjoy, enjoy. Ah, this is a beautiful day. * Frak goes back to counting his silver. ^_^ * Shiho nods and heads back to the others. Hoo... That man IS a thief. Okay. Anything else we're forgetting, or shall we head out now? You've got a shelter? Yes. Plenty of food and water? Yep. Rope? Yup. We have excellent rope. Roast turkey? Did you get feed for the animals? Feed for the... right. * Cara slaps her forehead. ...No. Oops. Eheheh. Don't worry. They'll forage. ^_^ Oh. Ah. That's lucky. * Shiho nods. "And we have materials for a map?" Yup. I got my stuff. A compass would be good, too, but I'm not so sure they have them on this world. * There didn't appear to be anything particularly compass-like on the shelves of the general store. Considering how rare metal is, probably not. I guess we're ready, then. Keen. Ok. Which way do we go again? * South for about a day's ride. * Daphne takes one of the skins and samples the liquor she just overpaid for. Map says to the south. * Rocky peers at Daphne. "How's it taste?" * It's not _bad_ liquor. It tastes kinda like beer. Then I guess we go. Mmm. Nothing special. But alcohol's alcohol. Why, you want some? * Rocky thinks about that. "Well..." * Shiho shakes her backpack a bit. "No, he doesn't." * Rocky is shaken @_@ Aww, c'mon, Shiho. Beer isn't good for animals Daphne. * Shiho mounts one of the thingamabobs. "Let's go." * Amy hops on one of the rides. "Does everyone know how to ride? ^_^" Nope! But I hope to learn fast. * Ichi sweatdrops "um no." * Cara attempts to get on. "Er...how do I do this?" Hang on. I'll help you guys out. ^_^ Sure thing. Thanks. ^^; * Amy hops off the ride and goes to show those silly non-riders how to get on a ride. * Cara watches carefully, then attempts to get on the erdlu again. * Amy proves to be an _excellent_ teacher of riding, as the erdlu do exactly what she wants them to, sometimes even before she realizes she wants them to do it. * Ichi tries to remember what they taught him as he gets on the erdlu. * And the group rides off into the sunset. Boy are they in for some saddle sores. Poor inexperienced riders. [Session End]