Interim 2

Thorn

Thorn continues as the Zen Master of swordsmanship. Urdav's blade in Thorn's hands has, at this point, reached ICON STATUS. No better way to describe it (if I do say so myself). I think he must face it soon that he is no longer the student. Now, whether he likes it or not, he is destined to become the teacher. I'll leave that where it is, somewhat cryptically. Muha!

Also, Thorn pulls the viewers in yet again with his drift towards deep reflection, an internal struggle about meaning, responsibility, morality - AND smokeshow hot insightful MILFs. He keeps this entirely to himself WHILE cutting people in half for money and team commitment. I'm not sure what will happen with Thorn in the long run, but I have to wonder if something will break.
Will there be a big character turn, towards something ... different?
Is Aemlar a hero?
We'll see.

Awards:
Feat, Martial Adept (yes, again. More Maneuvers. More Dice.)
+1 CHA

Those DM fiats are so fitting. Ryhim with the dash of blade striker and the learned experience, Kray the growing knowledge that there is some real shit beyond what most see and the strategist feel, Thorn the straight up sword master and knack for the ladies. Makes sense.

Survivor rewards are a nice touch, J. Especially in DT! Now, if we could just get those "I survived Episode" shirts Hyp mentioned...

Guided by the Hechesi, Kray, Ryhim, and Thorn emerge from the Jara Hili in the south and are sent on their way. The trio travels through a region called Aviram, a large tract of rolling hills that is somewhat of a transition region. It is lightly populated with rural homesteaders and sustenance farmers, Heshbaans of the Doresh Mensha (country people of the land).

The further south the group moves, the greater the mix of Bishtus encountered. Primarily language spoken shifts from Heshbaan quickly to Zutaran, aka the Desert Tongue aka Old Empire. All the while the landscape gradually transitions from lush hills with patched trees to rolling grassland plains with intermittent shrubbery. Eventually even the grass is becoming thinner and intermittent. Higher rocky hills are seen off in the distance and first, and then the trails are weaving through these hills.

Ryhim leads the way. This is not an area of vast familiarity to the Sarceran, but he does know the transitional borderland city to which the group has targeted as the first destination. A city of markets and supplies. A Bishtu city in the first valley basin landscape north of The Bishtaan, the desert wasteland that serves as a geographical border to the south. This place is like a port to a sea of sand and rock, and it is a welcome waypoint after days of walking the trails with heavy bags.

Bet Qasar, sometimes called the North Edge Gate…



Still in the river basin network of streams, it is well supplied and comfortable, but not too far south is the desert. So there is a ruggedness here, not just by the architecture and the structure, but by the people. The Bishtu are a rugged people. Traders. Travelers. People who have to live strong and work hard to survive and thrive. But after all of the hardship and rural living of late, it is quite luxurious by comparison and a welcome change for the traveling trio.

Of note: Hyp, Ryhim was surely able to ID and procure a couple of good reeds for blowgun construction. He could also have gathered some supplies for dart poisoning. Not going to get into specifics just yet, but before gaming next we'll have to study Poisons I know.

Staying in Bet Qasar is a welcome reprieve. The people and culture are quite foreign to Kray and Thorn, but Ryhim is an easy blend. Kray is reminded of how difficult it is to operate to full capacity when you don't speak the language of the locals. But enough shopkeepers and bartenders speak Heshbaan, and the Yuors know that well enough to place orders and get around.

But little time is permitted to stay and indulge. Kray knew that the real threat was Acastus. With Valates' death now known, Acastus would throw all resources he had into tracking Kray down. This place was not far enough away. It was still in reach soon by a committed, skilled, mounted bounty hunter. Kray made no mistake about it - that is what would be coming after them. And without a true knowledge of the neighborhood and sufficient eyes, ears, and troops, making a defensive stance was just not in the cards right now. They had to make some real separation. The Bishtaan Desert was meant to be just that.

So the trio moves on. Ryhim is able to negotiate effectively to make a shrewd purchase. Working with some Bishtu profiteers, Ryhim rigs up a deception that makes a fairly large and obvious production out of two Yuors and a Sarceran heading south on camels across the Domasfan Road towards El-Sayd. Three stand-ins make the departure for watchful eyes to see and remember. Later, under the cover of darkness and with no fanfare, Ryhim, Kray and Thorn depart on old game trails heading through Barbin Pass - on horseback.

The trio would be moving west and through the plains even further, skirting along the rugged hills that served as the northern border of the desert. They would only turn south to make a crossing once they found the right circumstance.

Traveling through the hills north of the desert - the terrain is harsh, its largely uninhabited - it becomes a trip quite eerie being extended out there on the frontier.

And along the way, there are signs of bandits - remote lurkers skulking around watching from the high ground. Vigilance spikes up for the trio.

It seems that the group is being followed by a small group of trailers. Also, water is becoming more scarce - vegetation thinning out.

The group eventually comes across an old ruin. It looks largely abandoned, but there are some telltale signs of activity. They decide to stop and try to get a handle on the situation, assess what to do about the suspected trailers.

The ruins are not deserted; a small group of survivors from a failed and lost convoy have taken up residency there. Four people total. A woman and three youth boys.

There is some tension at first, but Ryhim is able to smooth it over. The woman and the older boys are ready to fight if they must - all are armed. The woman herself seems capable enough to be dangerous and the oldest boy makes it clear that he is more than willing to use his spear and sword. In the end the woman makes the call though, and invites the trio in to share water. In short time, they share their story.

They had become lost in the desert traveling between fortresses in the south, drifted extremely far north, and suffered attrition from dehydration first and then banditry once they reached the hills after the unintended crossing. Now they are still lost, still searching for water, and trying to evade bandits.

They are:

Kinaan: a rugged Sekeri woman (Arkkadi-descent), recently lost her husband and another son

Burmar: Kinaan's surviving son, age 11
Abaaka: Sekeri youth (Arkkadi-descent), age 15
Ento: Sekeri youth (mix Bishtu-descent), age 13

They are extremely resourceful and resilient. Kray does a quick assessment and tries to capitalize on the opportunity. Ryhim contributes with his style and Thorn takes over on guiding most of the logistics to execute.

The plan works perfectly.

Behind the cover of the ruined buildings, the group stages the sound of a battle, as if the two groups met and then came to blows. With Ryhim directing, a few of the group emerge into view but then feign injury and death. Ryhim is left as the lead act of the final injured survivor who is scrambling to gather all of the bags and looks desperately afraid and vulnerable.

The over-eager bandits from the hills move in for the kill. When they do, the "dead" rise and those assumed dead indoors emerge, the whole cast is armed....
the bandits are toast.

Kinaan and Abbaka display some real skill in battle. Burmaar and Ento lack capability, but their fearless enthusiasm and ferocity is impressive.

Kinaan says that before the last men of her convoy were killed, they spoke about a well village thought to be to the west of here that has a port block to one of the Old Hundred Roads, the roads that lead back south across the wasteland to Seker.

The two teams unite, and set off together heading west.

The group moves on through the rugged crags and does find an old well. It is little more than that. There was a village here in the past - the rock hut structures and some fencing is still there, but the people are long gone. The place is abandoned. By the look of it, perhaps a raid was its final ending. There are remnants of bones, human and livestock, picked clean and baked in the sun and scattered here and there.

The well water is drinkable. The group gets enough for now and as much as they can carry for the crossing. Sure enough, there is a trailhead nearby that leads out into the desert. It is an old stone road, raised along a mound and set in mortar with blocks on top. It is extremely old of course, worn and faded and smoothed out, partially overtaken by the gradual ascension of the earth to overtake it. But the workmanship is impressive and it is still sturdy. An Old Hundred Road, part of a network of neglected and partially broken roads, no longer fully mapped nor understood - left over as a remnant of the lost Empire of Zutar.

Kinaan is reluctant to take the road. She says they often disappear and it is impossible to know where they lead. Also, without camels, it will be extremely risky. The horses consume too much water and they are likely to perish.

Kray though has another resource that he has been using along the way. While in Bet Qasar, Kray went to all of the mapmaker shops that he could find and bought up an impressive collection of maps and old map fragments. Knowing that no map is perfect, he has already begun comparing the whole set along the road so far. Confirming landmarks such as trail crossroads, and especially the ruined small fortress, Kray comes to an acceptable confidence about where they are. Several of the maps mark this well and the road. He can see where this road crosses the desert, while crossing another road that intersects. From there he has a route and even a measurement on how long to make it to the next three possible destinations.

There is some risk, but turning back now was never an option. The trio knew that it would come to this eventually. They load up the horses with as much water as the well will give and then head south along the unnamed Old Hundred Road.

The first road fades in and out, but remains identifiable long enough to make it to the crossroad that Kray had been targeting. Making what seems like an odd choice at the time, the group turns to the east and heads straight into more open desert instead of onward to distant southern mountains. Judging by the map, it would pay off, but it was still a gamble.

The horse die along they way, as was expected. The route does work though - another road is found heading south, and this one to a marked well. It is nearly invisible on the site, nothing more than a crack in the ground. Kinaan and Abaaka are quite quick to identify it though. They work quickly to rig up a rope and bag. With a rock in the bottom of the bladder, they drop it in. The deep sounding splash is like the sound of a miracle. The well is full. Everyone is saved from death in the desert on this day at least.

Moving on with another large supply of water, the group continues, always traveling at night - across miles and miles of wasteland.

The first well village that they reach at the edge of the mountains is gone. It is only a ruin. The well is completely dry. And there is no longer a road to follow.

Not even birds are perched there. Kinaan says that is a bad sign, that water is distant and has been gone from this area for a long time.

Kray does what he can with the maps, but there is conflict now between the different drawings. He cannot be exactly sure where they are. At this point, he just has to make a guess, follow along the edge of the rugged mountains and cliffs, hoping to find a game trail or a foot path.

With very low reserves of water, the group sets a course into the unknown and marches out.

Another abandoned village after another two days hike. The well is dry.



Kinaan directs to a cave crack in a nearby cliff. Inside there is a small rain catch basin inside. They harvest about a half day's worth of murky water for each person.

An old trail leads out. After laying in the shade for the day, the group sets off on the trail.

After three nights of walking, they see the village set in the narrow passages of the cliffs and high rocks. Hindered by extreme headaches, weakened by the dehydration, they press forward across the plain and approach.

There is a wooden gate with a watch tower as the entrance to the settlement, but the gate is opened. A sentry looks down from the tower.



The villagers are impoverished. Guards stand around livestock pens tended by thin shepherds. A team of hunters bring in a small set of game, rabbits and blackbirds, and hand it over to a pair of butchers. The thirsty hunters are apparently paid in water, handed to them in bladders by a tunic wearing manager who has two spearmen guards at each of his sides.

For water, the travelers are directed to the cliff passage ways, through a series of gates. Water is available, but it is for sale. Pricing is barter or coin. A collector is there to manage transactions, with armed guards on all sides. The collector is scanning the travelers over.

No use in arguing here at this first purchase. The group buys a supply of water, using low value Heshbaan coins.

-------------------------------------------------------

As the group withdraws to a campsite, Ryhim asks a thin old man, "What is this place called?"

"Hafurraz," says the old man. Sanction - Ryhim understands.

"Who commands the soldiers?"

The old man squints at Ryhim, but answers obediently. "Habane, he Guri Kulac."

"He owns the well also?" Ryhim follows

Now the old man seems frustrated. "Of course! Guri Kulac owns all things here in the Sanction. The shelters. The animals. The people. The food and water." The old man throws his hands up and then thumbs at Ryhim while walking away. "Now that you are here, he owns you as well, foreigner."

Ryhim catches up with the group. As everyone drinks their fill, Ryhim shares what was said about Sanction and Habane the Mountain Lion.

Conflict was inevitable. Within an hour after the travelers had made camp, a manager and guards had approached and begun asking questions. They said that the travelers need to relinquish supplies and report immediately to Master Habane. Kray knew it had to happen, but needed time. So he bought it. Coins to the manager, an agreement struck to meet with the master at sunset. They were willing to give whatever tax and were even looking for work.

As soon as the manager and soldiers leave, the group talks through the plan. Ryhim slips away. The younger boys are held back. Kinaan and Burmar move out openly into the market to purchase supplies and draw the watch.

Kray and Thorn cook a few rabbits.

When night falls, the soldiers and managers approach. In full kit - shields, spear, and sword.

Thorn, Kray, Kinaan, and Abaaka explode so abruptly the first line is dead within 5 seconds. The next wave squares off, but they just are not ready. Burmar and Ento are flinging sling stones relentlessly as the others engage melee.

Behind the barriers, the reinforcements gather. Habane emerges. The poison coated dart hits his neck and his death begins. Ryhim kills 6 more of the soldiers with the bow, firing from the high crags. The remaining group scatters in confusion.

One of the managers tries to gather up a force and respond. There near the gates he organizes a dozen troops to clash against the foreigners. It is no use though. Thorn's Blade cuts off the arm of the biggest champion and then removes his head from his shoulders when he stumbles. Kray's shield is a bulwark defense that the thin bronze scimitars cannot get past. Kinaan's and Abaaka's ferocity terrorizes the disorganized guardsmen without mercy. Ryhim sends arrows out from the darkness, killing or maiming a man in each shot.

It is an exhausting hour of fighting. A vigilant night follows hunting down the remaining guards.

But at sunrise, Sanction is under new ownership. The group takes final position in the fort built around the well.

Ento and Burmar listen attentively as Ryhim counsels them.

They stand proud of what they have accomplished.

Ento scans through looking at all of the bodies lying dead with arrows in the chests and neck. The youth turns to Ryhim first, then to Burmar, then back to Ryhim.

"Teach us to use the longbow," he says directly.

The group settles in to managing the well. They pull in a few able body workers to reset coverage managing the gates at the water fort. A sharing of the water goes a long way. Also giving ownership of a few sheep and goats to the shepherds really wins over that influential crowd. Kray buys some sheep from them right after granting them the sheep. Then a dinner is planned to meet with the elders - this is something Kinaan says would be the best idea.

She turns out to be right. The event generates support among the most influential of the townspeople. Stability is gained. The new group is recognized as the current power over the town as long as water access is allowed. And still, it is very clear that the foreigners have the superiority of arms and the capability to use it. No one is going to challenge that right now.

Kray knows though that the stability will depend on bolstering strength along with building consensus on legitimacy. He needs more real troops, and he needs to know more about the broader community.

Inquiring about the surrounding area, he finds that the next fortress settlement over is a three day's ride south.

Discussions are had among the trio, consulted by Kinaan. A plan is agreed upon. It will be a bit risky, but it is the play to gain safety and control.

Kray and Ryhim stay at Sanction to manage the settlement, with Kinaan and the youths helping on the integration. Thorn rides out on camels with Abaaka towards the city, Jalajrah.

Thorn will hire some real mercenaries, outfit them properly and return. With proper security and a stable supply system, Sanction will become a home base where the newcomers can learn, plan, develop income, and defend.

Alright, Players' Club.

Hafurraz, Zutaran translation Sanction, will be the first point along the Interim 2 at which game world time passes considerably.

For us gaming on the boards, it will be a playground where we can toy around with both specific events and gradual story threads.

I'm going to be writing some, but I'm also going to stage up some questions and even some rolls that will pull you guys into writing some as well.

More to follow, but GET READY!!!!....

...for story and maybe a dash of controlled danger, but not deathworld your-about-to-get-killed danger. Ha!

J-symmetrical Design