Lets first get something to eat and drink, then see where we go from here.

I'd like warm mead and some of that weed rat stew, and a bowl full for @#%$&$@*#, please barman.

Give the boy the same. He's got balls coming here. Mandrake they make a really good apple strudel if you're interested.

Baba starts to eat as soon as the bowl is placed in front of him.

Any Ideas as to what we're doing here, Baba asks with his mouth half full of stew.

Gnaag, what these words tell us is no matter how bad things are, it is within your power to change your future. You are not a victim, unless you choose to be one, and your being here, shows that you are not.

Ara sat down at the bar.

"Just water please"

She didn't feel comfortable drinking around these men. She hardly knew them. She was much happier when T'skar came and sat next to her. Suddenly she didn't feel so outnumbered. Sipping her water she peered through the clouds of smoke at her companions. She wondered what it would be like fighting along side them. She had always worked solo missions that were usually quiet and resourceful. She never marched with a crew. Aena was the only company she had ever needed. She realized that T'skar was talking about hiding her owl and Baba's beaver. She looked at Aena. The owl clucked like it understood. Ara was never sure that it didn't. She only needed to a think a thought before the owl would fly away to accomplish it. She turned to T'skar.

"Perhaps you are right. We do kind of stick out in this urban enviorment. As long as it won't hurt her, you are free to hide her from sight."

Looking around the new bar, new being only a term to describe the change in scenery, T'skar says, "I do believe we are attracting even more attention in here than in the last place. I am glad to hear you are concidering letting me hide your friend for you. By the way my name is T'skar. I come from Tagfier. I grew up rough, on the wrong side of the wall as they say, and learned some mighty useful tricks. My mother was a Wanderer." She glances at Ara's face as she says this, and sees a look that she takes as confusion, "It is one of the races of people in our country, the other are Wizards. The Wanderers are nomads who ride horses, as our friend there has," pointing to Kalmer, "although I grew up in the city. The Wanderers have a special ability to hide things they don't want others to see, including themselves, and then to reveal what they have hidden, which is what I would like to do for you and Baba Baresh, this also helped me to learn some of my various other skills. My father was a Tagfieran Wizard, a Mind Mage," at this her voice drops so that only those very close to her can hear what she says, "He used his power to seduce my mother, and then make her forget about what had happened. He did feel some shame in his actions, as I found out a few years ago, because he spent time looking for my mother, and me when he found out about me. When he finally found me, he trained me in his magic. It comes in very useful, when it works, for convincing people, and looking into their thoughts, and even wiping things from their minds if need be. I think it could come in very handy with negotiating and detecting if someone is telling the truth, or all they know." Raising her voice, she says, "I believe that Bharat suggested we elect a leader of our group, someone to notify of decisions, and I would say by following Baba Baresh here we have by acclamation, if he is willing."

With that said she orders a bowl of the weed rat stew and a mug of "something hot, but not alcohol." When the stew comes and the drink, she digs in and begins eating. "By the way, incase noone else has noticed, Tiax has taken off into the city by himself. Now he is Tagfieran, and can likely look after himself, but is that wise?"

ooc> I thought this was to be an off topic thread, are we roleplaying it as well?

We can role-play or just straight chat. Doesn’t really matter to me. If we role-play, it's easier to copy/paste it back into the main thread.

but it is up to you. We just need a place where we can discuss things. In here we can not be spied on or overheard, as there are sound proof cubicles.

This is a smugglers tavern, where things are not what they seem.

Moving this to the Stinking Barfly Tavern as requested. Going to rename it for now, but if any of you wish it to have a different or better name, the mods are at your service.

Gnaag wasn't quite sure what Baba Berthran was telling him. But he felt he had to be a part of group when he once entered it. No exceptions for his age. The lives of his new friends depended on him and his live depended on...

Gnaag nodded, he felt a duty, a responsibility.

I asked Mandrake two days ago to do the list and he still hasn’t done it.
Doesn’t he realize he’s holding up the game? Anyway, I did it this morning.


Think about where you from.
We might get bonus points if we have prior knowledge of an area because someone is from there.

Group’s Info.

Name – Baba Bethram
From – Lampur
Race – Bashkerian
Class – Shaman/Marksman
Weapons - Staff of Grounding, Ram’s Stag horn war bow, Steel Dagger 6’ and a Small Vial Curare Poison (can be used on any weapon)
Skills - Chant – Heals comrades in 10 yard radius, Turnip sleep, Affinity with Animals, Herbalist and Blacksmithing.
Gender – Male
Age – 48

Name – Gnaag
From – Tokonage
Race – Niyobian
Class – Fighter/Marksman
Weapons - Short sword and Poor wooden bow, a few of arrows
Skills – Hiding, Riding - almost on anything and washing up.
Gender – Male
Age - 14

Name – Kalmer Naowen
From –
Race – Tagfier
Class – Hunter/Tracker
Weapons - Huntsman's Bow, 200 arrows (normal and poisoned), huntsman's knife
Skills - Marksman, dagger, hand-to-hand, acute senses of sight, hearing and smell, excellent climber.
Gender – Male
Age – 32

Name – Ara Lothea
From –
Race – Bashkerian
Class – Tracker/Light Fighter
Weapons - Concealed Katana worn on back, two throwing knifes on either leg.
Skills - Affinity with Snow Owl, words of healing, Turnip sleep
Gender – Female
Age – 21

Name – T’Skar
From – Alcomvar
Race – Tagfieran Wanderer/Wizard
Class –Thief/Mind Mage
Weapons - Silver Dagger worn in a special sheath between her shoulder blades, normal Iron Dagger worn at left side.
Skills - Conceal and reveal, Mind Mage magic
Gender - Female
Age – 23

Name – Sael
From –
Race – Dayone
Class – Earth Wizard
Weapons - Wooden wizards staff and dagger
Skills - true speak/detect lie, healing and restoration type magic
Gender – Male
Age - 28

Name – Tiax Anderson
From –
Race – Tagfieran
Class – Time Mage
Weapons - Oak staff
Skills - Time magic, staff fighting, identifying and intelligence. Horsemanship, herb lore, enchanting and restoration due manipulation of time.
Gender – Male
Age - 32

Name – Mandrake Kaides
From –
Race – Tagfieran wanderer
Class – Cartographer/Scribe
Weapons - Staff 2.5 meter
Skills - conceal and reveal magic
Gender – Male
Age - 19

sorry didn't get your message baba-john
ok who's going to be the leader?
suggestions please post.
I think baba could be a good candidate

T'skar is from Alcomvar, a city in Tagfier, though she has been to all the other except Saqanhara. She met her father in El Rhun. I will post this reply from Malchik on a question I asked about the cities of Tagfier:

There are only five cities in Tagfier. El Rhun city of wizards is very organised. Waharen, city of sorcerers is built underground. Alcomvar, centre for magical armour, weapons and jewellery is built under clear quartz 'dinner plates' to protect from the heat and is very chaotic. Deldharna where they specialise in body magic is dug into the side of a gorge (think Mesa Verde). Saqanhara which floats in a bubble on the sea, where they design huge magical constructions like the wizard towers etc, is organised. A sixth city, Fezreel, where they specialised in life magic was eaten out of existence by voracious insects.

So a mix.

I have to agree with Mordred, Baba is an excellent choice

I vote for Baba to be leader (I would vote for me, but I am too young ). So when we chose Baba as leader, we should go to bed?

Yes, bed, and then we can start fresh in the morning Someone asked about the timeline. I would suspect that there is no connection to 'real' time or else we would have to roleplay every trip day for day, and if any of us missed posting one day, we could be left behind.

I guess our next course of action is the next topic of discussion - what now?

"The acknowledged living expert is Zarim Bembolia who lives in or near Golconar."

Looks like our next move is obvious

Yes sorry- I would have voted for Baba a long time ago. heh. On a different note,

Ara is from Evale, a small northern town in the province of Bashkher. Not a big city, just a small little blip on the map. It would be nice whoever is making a map of Bashkher to include Evale, but as it's pretty tiny, so maybe there is no point.

Thanks for the arrows, wasn't thinking that hard when I requested just a bow.

I guess after waking we meet in the bar again.

Where I'm from is unknow to me... Was a nomad half my life and a mage the other half.. where a mage lives is unimportant.. HOW he lives matters more to me.

As for the leader.. I will follow who you choose.
But Baba seems indeed a reliable person.

I’m with Ara and T’Skar on this one, but suggest we go by overland camel train to Dohoti and then take a boat trip to see Zarim Bembolia who lives in or near Golconar

I’m with Ara and T’Skar on this one, but suggest we go by overland camel train to Dohoti and then take a boat trip to see Zarim Bembolia who lives in or near Golconar

I really don't think splitting up at this early juncture of our game is wise. If some of us head to Dohoti, and the rest to Memtuz or Ippikander how will we know what the others have found? I suppose it would be possible for T'skar to "link" with a mind spell, but it may be a hugh drain on her magic ability, or may not work

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but don't we have to look for anything else in Papred?



If not, then Golconar is the logical first choice, via Dohoti. Camel train to Dohoti and boat to Golconar. And splitting up would not be wise at this stage until we get a feel for this country, and maybe get more inland (I will finish the map tonight so you'll all see what I mean.

Splitting up in a town or city is fine if you want to but if you do it between cities you'll probably never meet up again.

Sorry got hit by lightning last night while posting so I sort of ran out of time.

21h15 here and I've got a heavy day tomorrow
CYA

Who is carrying the sword that Bharat gave us? If it has the power that he said, it should be the best fighter among us.
Some things we need to find out about Dohoti - where is the museum, who is the curator, asking about a suitable place to stay might be a good idea as well, as well as any major points of interest, or other reasons for coming to this place I’m not sure we want to tell anyone asking why we came that we are on a quest to find a sword with a missing tip, tourists might be more convincing, or might not as the case may be, but the less questions as to our purpose and travels the better

I may be able to use some mind magic to aid in getting our hands on the sword here as well, we will see We can also hide some of our stuff with the Tagfieran ability of conceal, and I’m not sure our animal friends should make an appearance in the city, it might just cause too much of a sensation.

Swordssssssssssssssssss
There are two here I think............

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
My comps playing up again
I hate dial up

You are right, I do believe there are two swords here. We should ask our driver about the other museum before we let him go his merry way, though. I was wondering who had the one from Papred that Bharat gave to us, but it seems Baba Bethram has it.

It would be good to know something of this other museum, as T’skar might be more useful there, hard to say.

Finding lodging now would have advantages, as we could stow some of our extra stuff, including some of our weapons. T’skar always hangs her cloak in the rafters of her room, puts anything valuable in it, and then conceals it with her Wanderer powers. It seems we have 3 Wanderers for sure - T’skar, Kalmer, and Mandrake. I think Tiax also claimed that in his bio, but no mention of that power in his list. We should be able to hide about anything we want though.

Very nice job on the map of Bashkher Karkarinus, what did you use to draw it - was it just free-hand? Looks great

I reckon we should split up into inconspicuous groups of 2 or 3 so as not to attract attention, and arrange a time to meet back up at the lodging (once we have one). We check out the museums in a touristy kinda way and just so happen to be fascinated by the swords, and pick the curator's brains (not literally!)

nooooo... No Evale!!! It's ok. It was a tiny town anyway.

We could pick the curator's brain, OR would could pull an oceans 12 (or oceans 8 ) and steal the sword during non-museum hours and replace the sword with a replica manufactured by a local armory. It would take them quite a while (at least until they cleaned it) to figure out something was wrong.

Nice thought The biggest problem I see is that the local armouries will know about the swords and will likely like us about as much as the shopkeeper in the clothing store does If we really need to steal the swords, I think T'skar could cast a spell so that people see what they want to when they look at where the swords were , this might buy us the time to be out of town at least before the thefts are discovered. But we should go and see them first, then work out a plan. It may be that we won't need to steal them at all We should find out when the boats leave for Golconar as well, so we can plan our moves a little more precisely.

Ok people, bottom line

You can't steal a sword on an open faced building and then escape up and down ladders.

We're missing something, but what..........................

Any Ideas

I think we should find someone who is not satisfied with the reign. Or we should talk to the local governor, maybe he was told to give us the sword...

from where i stand we have two options:
one. I scetch the swords and we take satisfaction with that
two. we steal them by visiting the museum one person keeps the shopkeeper busy and the other takes the sword and makes a magic replica and conceals the real one(either in his clothes or through magic)

and baba did you forgot my favor?

How about causing some kind of a distraction by "concealing" the sword, making people think it's been stolen. There being no magic in Bashkher, noone will suspect that it hasn't really gone, and in the cafuffle we actually do steal it. I'll be more precise - we conceal the sword with magic, theres a general confusion, they search every one and find we haven't got it (it's still on its plinth or whatever), then a conveniently invisible thief (like T'Skar for example) takes it as the museum is evacuated and we've evaded at least the museum security. Maybe later the police or whatever will com looking for some of us, as we are outsiders, but we will all be in different places, and the sword will only be in one of them - and invisible!



Then ther's the other sword - maybe a perfectly timed double-bill. In the reigning confusion, we slope off and catch a cruiser to Golconar.....

Lets have a look at the swords before we decide anything.

Here is a thought I have had concerning getting our hands on them. From the city museum - I would like to chat up the guards, get some info - so I will change once we have a room, I am thinking into the white peasant smock and skirt, show a little cleavage (as that's all T'skar has) and see what I can learn. Then try getting in tight with the curator of the museum, to see about security - ditzy blond routine of some sort. I may be able to sneak back in and get the sword. Will pm Malchik to see if telekinesis is a mind spell or not. It would be handy to have two iron canes about the same length and weight as the original swords. Then leave one with a mind spell that anyone looking on it sees the sword.

We need to find the one in the shambles before we think of stealing it

The other thought is that maybe we don't need to steal them at all, but the challenge is the best part

Oh, and we need to see if there is a ship going to Golconar that can carry two horses before we plan anything.

Brilliant Idea!
I'm for it




Yes and No. We're working on it

I need one of you online, though.

This may be my last post until Saturday evening, Sunday morning GMT, so will see you then

Ok, reread from page one, and what did I find?

I’m stupid......................

Here we are, RPGing this like MW.

That’s my mistake........................................sorry

We don’t need the swords, merely to look at them to see their no. and talk to the curators if they know where our broken one is.

Alright, so we save my "brilliant" but for the moment useless idea for later, but what we do need to establish is what is these Dohoti so-and-sos' weak point. Do we flash the cash, or does T'Skar have to flash something else? The curator in the 1st museum is a miserable old fart, so I don't know whether to try and make him feel important, bribe him or let my pretty young partner loose on him!!! Or maybe Kalmer's more his type?



But joking aside, looking at the sword should be easy, it's getting more info that's gonna be tricky.



Any ideas?



The honeycomb museum might be an entirely different kettle of fish. The people living there'll probably be up for a bribe, but what about the curator/staff? I think Ara and her group shouldn't have too much problem in the 'comb, as she is a tracker, and should be able to find their way out OK. They suss out the museum, and we'll discuss a plan of action back here....... Opinions???

I agree We should go look for the Comb Mus, Ara& Gnaag

Off Thread - For what it’s worth..........................

If I’ve offended anyone, I’m Realy sorry !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

on Topic

Ok, I’ve done a little reconstruction..................................

The main museums basement could be in the Honeycombs if I’ve got the picture right.

So possibly Tiax and Mandrake should go and help Kalmer and T’Skar in the main museum.

Bribery does'nt seem to work with these people.

You are surprised as a representative of Bharat arrives.

"Good people, a word of advice. This tavern does not exist in the real world of Zorlon and information learned there by one of you cannot be passed on here as if you were in Bashkher. To get information learned by one to another you must role play it in the game thread. Bharat felt that you had a good plan suggested by Baba-John to split up and look for a suitable place to stay and meet at a particular place and time to choose which you would stay at. While doing this some information would have been learned and pooled to enable a more informed decision on the next course of action to be taken. However we have two members visiting the docks and staying at one lodging. Three members are in the Honeycomb and staying elsewhere. There is no reference to an agreed rendezvous point and time. Therefore if anything happens to one group the others are not even going to be suspicious. Bharat strongly recommends you get into a routine. Where practical all stay in one lodging. If you split up, have a specific and agreed (in the rpg) rendezvous location and time. Now both Tiax and Mandrake and Baba-John, Ara and gnaag have information that is available nowhere else and is of importance to others in the party. How is that to be passed on? As an additional note of caution Bharat does not look at any editing in earlier posts unless his attention is specifically drawn to it with the post number given in the info. Because the trip is only just starting he recommends that you revert to your original plan where the three groups have gone exploring and getting information on costs of lodgings. This would not invalidate anything done except taking the rooms. If your agreed meeting point is say 5pm opposite the city museum (you should say what it is) you can then fix lodgings, exchange info and decide which groups are going where and at what time they should set out.

Dohoti is relatively safe for the group. Street crime is unheard of because everywhere is overlooked and you have not as yet got any hostile group looking for you. Both of these will change as the rpg progresses. So please adopt the suggested routine. Use the drunken alligator to discuss strategy as much as you like but don't forget you can't use info in game you haven't learned there. As a general rule if you all stay in the same place we can assume all info individually acquired is shared without the need to rpg it in depth.

Now Brarat does not intend to visit this rather low dive again but hopes you will see the need for a bit of structure in your progress. Later on you may be splitting up for several days at a time but the same principal of an agreed rendezvous place and time needs to be continued even then. Thank you. Here are some more coins for you to have a drink while you mull over Bharat's words."

The representative throws 40 nipin on the table and leaves you.

Wonder why they changed the pages?
I like seeing who was on..............................
Now all my bookmarks don’t match anymore.

I thought we had agreed to meet at a tavern on main street with an outdoor area in the early afternoon. It seems to me that Tiax and Mandrake are on the ocean front, and well ahead in game time from where T'skar and Kalmer are. As for Baba, Ara, and Gnaag, I do believe they are waiting for the rest to show, having found a tavern that looked likely, so all the rest of us need to do is find them

Sorry, I wrote this before updating myself in the story I was overwhelmed to see 14 pages, it was 6 when I last checked

We did seem to get a little out of sync - time wise - and it might not hurt to remember that we are functioning as 3 different groups, on three different timelines, so don't worry too much if the story is not moving as fast as we would like This isn't the Oblivion competition, we don't need to finish in one week, and we have agreed that one post in 48 hours is acceptable, so we need to take that into consideration when trying to move the story forward - it could take 2 days for everyone to post, don't sweat it

(QUOTE Malchik: BTW before you split up have you decided who is doing what after the shovelling, shovelling that Tiax and Mandrake have paid in their room rate not to have to do, is over? This is just so that I can keep track of you on my computerised route finder! (QUOTE)



I think most of us will be better off returning to where we've been today: T'Skar and Kalmer can go back to the museum and get the lowdown on where the 2nd sword is; Ara, Baba and Gnaag can check out the 'Comb museum; Mandrake and Tiax can make the most of having skived off the shovelling and see what that grate is all about, while the citizens of this hole are too busy shovelling to take much notice of them - "More tourist slackers".



I get the feeling there's something important about the grate in the temple - undrerground passages or something. Tiax & Mandrake should get down there and find out, and Mandrake should draw up some kind of map.

Baba's crew case the joint at the Comb museum and get an idea of what the layout is. Ara remebers any important routes for Mandrake to write down later.

Kalmer and T'Skar get the info, and then WE ALL MEET UP AT A SET TIME TO SORT OUT A PLAN OF ACTION. Say 3 pm, to give us time to shovel sand and do our respective investigation. Mandrake and Tiax will need the extra time that they will have.

At this point we should have enough info together to be able to locate the sword, scan it or steal it, and make a quick getaway if necessary, (maybe the 8 pm boat to Golconar?)



I hope you all catch what I mean and this isn't too long-winded and confusing! Any comments?

P.S. Iforgot to mention Sael - he could come with Kalmer and T'Skar if he stays off the booze long enough!

As far as I understand the game thread, we have left it that each of us will meet up at the Arms of Dohoti after we are done shoveling. This sounds like a good idea, and we can scheme from there. Tiax and Mandrake may want to do something else, but it may not hurt for them to shovel, even if they have paid for a shoveler with their room - give us a real big boost in the eyes of the locals, you know.

One other problem, will the two horses fit in the baskets that go to sea level? If not, what then? Kalmer is not likely to want to leave his horse behind.

OOC -> Lol I just posted that I would like to shovel myself and then realised that I didn't track this topic and so I went to look.... (It wouldn't hurt if Tiax and Mandrake would shovel even thought it was included with their room payment..)

Well I think I will ask that boy if he knows something.. He should hear something while he works.. But maybe not.. We will see.

The way I see it, we have to shovel sand and shift our b*tts to have enough time to get everything done. We meet up afterwards to discuss what we've learnt and make plans.



And no, Kalmer will not want to leave Kyah behind, nor will the group want to be without a packhorse once we get to Golconar. If need be, K will go across land and probably be there before the boat if it wasn't for Bil! Of course, he'd rather be on the ship with his buddies. QUESTION FOR MALCHIK: HOW LONG DOES THE SHIP TAKE TO GET TO GOLCONAR, AND HOW LONG DOES THE CAMEL TRAIN TAKE? WILL IT BE NECESSARY FOR THE HORSES TO GO OVERLAND? AND FINALLY, HOW LONG COULD KALMER TAKE WITH KYAH ALONE AND MAYBE ONE OTHER - TOU KNOW, LIKE GANDALF ON SHADOWFAX WITH A HOBBIT PILLION?!

I won't be travelling with Kalmer

As yet we don't know if this will be necessary. Malchik has not stated whether the horses can be winched down, but Kalmer says he'd be glad to take you with him if you wish.

However, the others may not want to be without Baba, and we'd still have the problem of Bil the packhorse.

Another option, of course, would be for all of us to go overland. I think we could all do with some sea air, though.

There is no sensible overland route to Golconar. The horses can be winched down (it's a bit like a service lift actually) and I did mention that we have the fast travel skill between cities. At Bab-John's request I will publish a short 'Guide to' each city as you arrive.

Great! I think you also mentioned something about background info on the other regions that we are from (Baba forwarded some of what you sent him) I would be interested in some of that.

Might be best if I pm the info since you don't all know everything. I have already sent Keshkeim info on Biksinder. To save me looking back at work (where the info is but not where the character list is) can you remind me which dimension your character is from and I'll send what might suit. It will be tomorrow though as I'm off to the opera now.

So, what next? Looks like we are here for another day at least, and this really isn't as urgent as the comp, so it likely wouldn't matter if we stayed 2 weeks.

I like Baba's suggestion of asking, but it may not yield much info. If we go with T'skar's suggestion, we should let Gnaag ring the bell last with some fresh fruit, which we will have to buy should there be such a thing in this town, and make like he is selling it door to door. Malchik has said most of the story is scripted, but maybe he will buy from Gnaag, giving T'skar time to plant a few suggestions in his mind. It might not hurt to ask a few other places as well, like the city Museum if they know anything, the curator doesn't, but maybe the attendents do.

In the excerpt from the Blue book, we would need permision to enter the lower levels of the Jade Temple, but that really doesn't seem to be part of our quest, so I don't know if it's worth persuing. Malchik will hint if we are missing something.