session 21

[Bynw]

20:51 < bynw> ********************************************************************************
20:51 < bynw> ********************************************************************************
20:51 < bynw>                                   Previously ....
20:51 < bynw> ********************************************************************************
20:51 < bynw> *
20:51 < bynw> The Adanac plan to attack the Mohadine homeland with the blame falling on
20:51 < bynw> Mariabronn to force them into action is well underway. Four months ago, the
20:51 < bynw> prisoners were released from the Empire's collective jails and given the
20:51 < bynw> knowledge and tools to carry out their reign of terror against the Mohadine.
20:51 < bynw> 
20:51 < bynw> Never wanting to waste a good opportunity, several elite squads have also been
20:51 < bynw> sent to the Mohadine homeland. To gather what information they can before it
20:51 < bynw> becomes too dangerous to stay.
20:51 < bynw> 
20:51 < bynw> Posing as foreign merchants and travelling with an escort, one such squad makes
20:51 < bynw> a stop into the Mohadine outer capital. As its true desert oasis capital is
20:51 < bynw> closed to foreigners. This is the 2nd time the squad has entered the city in
20:51 < bynw> the 3 months they have been far from home.
20:51 < bynw> 
20:51 < bynw> Speaking the local tongue. Trading in local and exotic goods. And occasionally
20:51 < bynw> in information. They have returned to the city to locate Imperial Soldiers who
20:51 < bynw> may be held within the city's fortifications. A dangerous task and one that
20:51 < bynw> will mark them as outlaws and foreign agents if they are caught.
20:51 < bynw> 
20:51 < bynw> But the Mohadine respect honor, piety and family. But generally only if it is
20:51 < bynw> theirs. Foreigners have no such rights or station within the Mohadine society.
20:51 < bynw> In fact is legal for a Mohadine to murder a foreigner with little more than a
20:51 < bynw> slap on the wrist. While if a foreigner were to murder a Mohadine, they would
20:51 < bynw> surely hang for it.
20:51 < bynw> 
20:51 < bynw> Within the Empire, women can rise as a high as men, more or less depending
20:51 < bynw> on the region. Within the Mohadine however, women are property. Few are
20:51 < bynw> educated, fewer still can read or write. And showing of any skin is forbidden.
20:51 < bynw> Even foreigners must practice this while within the lands of the Mohadine.
20:51 < bynw> Although the outer capital of Kadar is more accommodating and open. It is
20:51 < bynw> wise to still bow to the edicts.
20:51 < bynw> 
20:51 < bynw> Magic is viewed with suspicion. Although mindwalkers are held within the
20:51 < bynw> highest honors of the Mohadine society.
20:55 < bynw> :: Luc, Mirina and Ri'am are again possing as foreign merchants. Having several wagons of goods and lifestock in tow as the near the gates of Kadar ::
20:58  * Luc looks around a little, conversing with Mirina and Riam casually as they near the gates.
20:59 < Riam> ??What have we learned about the Religious make-up of the Mohadine??
21:04 < bynw> !! all questions will be done in OOC
21:14 < Riam> ::Is dressed in garb befitting a lowly merchant of the area. Loose flowing cotton pants the color of beach sand. Ox hide sandals. A loose, cotton tunic of the same color open at the chest. Leather bracers at the forearms. A dark brown cotton sash winds around his waist several limes and holds his shirt closed. A turbin crowns his brow and frames his face; ready to be pulled up to cover his nose and mouth in a sand storm.
21:14 < Riam>  Primative goggles rest at his neck to protect his eyes. He now appears as a dark skinned man in his middling years. Jet black hair and beard is flecked sparsly with grey accents.  His face is nothing notable, neither ugly nor handsome but forgetable. His eyes are the color of coal, but the shrewd look to them lingers as it always does no matter what face he wears::
21:15 < Riam> ::He now refers to himself as Samir::
21:17 < bynw> :: the caravan consits of yourselves, hired guards of various peoples and some from Adananc as well mixed in ::
21:18 < bynw> everyone look at the map?
21:18 < Riam> ((yep))
21:19 < bynw> ::Kadar sits at the edge of the great desert, which holds the heart of the Mohadine. Its true capital rests in an oasis many days journey across the sands. A holy city where foreigners are not allowed::
21:20 < Riam> ::Calls out in the tongue of the Mohadine at the people clogging the streets:: "Make way! Make way! Caravan coming to market."
21:21  * Luc follows Riam, similarly dressed with a slightly different shade of clothing, but for all intents and purposes, just another merchant.
21:21 < bynw> ::the crouds of the city outside the walls converge on the caravan hoping to get the first look at any goods and livestock for sale. they part as the caravan makes its way towards the gates that slowly open as it approaches::
21:23  * Mirina is not happy to be muffled up to her eyebrows in linen, but she knows that this subterfuge is the only way to save the Empire, so she is putting up with being swathed.
21:24 < bynw> ::arriving in the city at this time gives the trio enough time to get to the market square and just barely setup before having to close down for the afternoon prayers::
21:26 < Riam> ::Stops at the gate and nods to the guards of the customs office waiting to be waved through, he speaks to the guards:: "We have livestock, pepper, cloves, and ground sea-lion tusk from the southern oceans. It will liven even the most...sot of men. Like lava rock till the dawn it is said."
21:26 < Riam> ((sot=soft))
21:27 < bynw> ::the streets are paved, much like the streets of any major city in the Empire .. and well maintained. it is amazing how many simularites exist and yet stark differences too::
21:28 < bynw> ::the guards let them past with so much as a nod, as this trio of merchants is known to them. the first visit to the city was rough::
21:28  * Luc pushes on, guiding the caravan of animals and carts.
21:31 < bynw> ::outwardly the people are friendly and hospitable .. but it only lasts a few days .. they grow tired of strangers. yet here in Kadar, it is a bit more open due to the constant influx of foreigners::
21:33 < Riam> ::To Luc:: "I hate sand, have I said that. At least the clothes are comfortable. No wonder your kinsmen are always wearing robes. What do you wear under the robes though? Mirina, what do you...umm..." ::Looks back at her::
21:34  * Mirina raises one eyebrow at "Samir," which is really about all she can do, covered as she is.
21:35 < Luc> ::To Riam, after thumping him on the head:: "You know better. Keep it in your trousers."
21:36 < Riam> ::Glares at Luc:: "I need a drink."
21:37  * Luc grins wickedly at Riam and hands him a flask of liquid. "Here."
21:37 < bynw> ::as the caravan reaches the market square it is already packed. traders from near and far have grabbed stalls for their wares. a few good ones remain but the rest are all in the less travelled spots::
21:39 < Riam> "Let's try to find a place the camel haven't used as a toliet to set the tent."
21:41  * Luc points at a spot they've used before that is advantageously positioned, with very few camel droppings anywhere nearby.
21:42 < Riam> ::To Luc:: "Give me some money." ::takes a swig of the wine skin Luc handed him::
21:43  * Luc grins as Riam drinks the water that was in the skin.
21:43 < Riam> ::spits it out in a burst and curses::
21:45 < Luc> "You know they don't like it when we drink. And don't waste the water."
21:47 < bynw> ::reaching the spot, the crew begins setting up as quickly as they can. as the afternoon sun is getting closer to the mark that calls for afternoon prayers. even foreigners are not allowed to do business or work during prayers::
21:52 < bynw> :: 2/3rds into the setup ... and the bells of the city temples begin to toll the hour of afternoon prayers. the work stops. those of the faithful in the market square, including those working for the trio turn towards the holy city. roll out prayer mats and begin their litany of prayers::
21:53 < Riam> ::As he's setting up, his voice low:: "I think I can make contact with smugglers. Maybe even get us into the capital if needed."
21:53 < bynw> ::the foreigners retreat into their tents and wagons and wait::
21:54  * Luc sits and sips from the waterskin slowly,
22:01 < bynw> ::the echos of the prayers is like being in a monestary when the monks begin chanting ... haunting as an entire city is one::
22:02 < bynw> ::a swarthy dust covered man in local garb, bearing a wild look in his eyes burts into your tent. grabbing the lady Mirina and holding a knife to her throat and hand across her mouth - he speaks in a heavy accented Cana::
22:02 < bynw> "they move him. the witch. during evening prayers"
22:03 < bynw> ::and just as quickly he releases Mirina, pushing her towards you as he rushes out of the tent just as the prayers conclude and the streets again fill with activity::
22:03  * Luc rushes over, checking Mirina for wounds.
22:04  * Mirina is flustered but quickly scans her own body for wounds herself.
22:05 < Riam> ::Jumps up and tries to follow the man through the crowd::
22:05  * Mirina finds a small nick on her neck, puts her hand over it, and goes into light trance to heal herself.
22:06 < bynw> ::with the streets again filling with the activity of the merchants and locals going about their business .. he has all but vanished::
22:07  * Luc looks up, following Riam's running in the crowd, trying to scan for the man as well as Riam.
22:07 < Riam> !4df
22:08 < Riam> !df 4
22:08 <@ChanServ> Result: ( )(-)( )( )
22:12 < Riam> ::Stops, looking around as the crowd pressed around him. He curses::
22:12 < Riam> ::Returns to the tent:: "Are you okay Mirina?"
22:14  * Mirina looks up at Ri'am from her chair.  "I'm fine.  The knife nicked me but it was nothing I couldn't take care of."
22:18 < bynw> :;the foreman of the caravan announces outside the door of your tent that the work has been completed and we are now open for business::
22:18 < Riam> ::Sighs:: "The man escaped. I'm sorry."
22:19 < Mirina> "It's okay, but what the hell was he talking about?"
22:22 < Riam> "I don't know. But I know where to find out."