As the great red sun sets behind the western waves of Dirac's Sea, the usual patrons of the tavern Cothon-Under-Star settle to their places within the huge Mother Whelk shell that serves as its roof and walls, its underside shining as if with the moving stars by the reflected light of the tapers and candles set at each table. Six newcomers have joined the usual crowd; six humans, foreign to the city itself, marked on their cheeks with fresh scars.
This evening, as the stars outside begin their swift coursing of the night sky along their Shining Path, one of the six newcomers rises, perhaps still haunted by whatever fate they escaped some days before. Offering a toast, he begins this tale for the edification of his fellow patrons, and for the remembrance of those left behind:
(written by Sesel's player, Jacob, and earning Sesel 100 xp)
"There were nine. Myself, Torkol, and Gan, along with our fellows Orderic, Avin, Razo, Ulf, Revna, and Yrsa.
"Nine of us, from the many humans taken captive and enslaved by the Kzinti, all marred in the face by their claws, leaving blood smeared scars upon our cheeks. Life as a slave was difficult, and perilous, often with fear of death looming with it’s terrifying toothy grin staring you down each day. And so it was that when we found ourselves slightly free-er with these marks we were unable to question what might befall us later.
"We separated into groups of three, to ensure we didn’t draw undo attention as we made our way about the Kzinti underworld. There were many things we might avail ourselves, not the least of which was escape. My group, considering our strengths, decided to try and win over some of the female Kzinrets, practically slaves themselves, hoping to increase our chances of survival and escape.
"Being of moderately eloquent tongue, I was chosen to recite the poetry to the Kzinrets. Fortunately for me my fellow, Torkol, is an interpreter and was able to assist me in the telling. We were quite successful, exchanging poems and stories with the Kzinrets. Of particular note from their stories was the implication that the Kzinti were in the Tel for more than just the more standard fare of Kzin carousing, but also for the far more ominous task of retrieving the legendary Aegis of the Demon Queen, wielded by Great king Dalan. Whether this proves to be true, or just another rumor remains to be seen.
"Not long after returning from our various investigations our group of nine were collected and brought to a chamber near the edge of the Kzinti holdings within the catacombs. Here we stood in our nakedness and silence for some time. A bedraggled old Kzin drank of a strange liquid, which seemed to make my fellows quite unsettled. Following an especially uncomfortable silence the largest of the Kzin took up a burning spear and launched it forth into the darkness ahead.
"Within moments my fellows had taken off towards the light, and given the eery smiles of the younger Kzinti in attendance, any chance of escape. So, relying upon my athletic prowess from my days as a hunter I bounded after them, into the darkness.
"Avin, one of our group of nine, quickly led us to a concealed door behind which we took shelter in an attempt to prevent the Kzinti braves from running us down. Here we discovered a tomb, as well as some weapons we could use to defend ourselves and another exit with which to abscond further away from the Kzinti.
"It was also here that I learned of our fate. To be hunted by these Kzinti youths, “Braves” they were called. They were to catch us, and slay us, and in so doing come of age. Fortunately for us their twisted sense of honor and tradition drives them to grant any slave managing to escape the Tel, and the Braves, one moon of reprieve and freedom to return to civilization.
"Making our way through the underworld, with no indication of direction or path, we simply made our way, selecting one corridor or another as we went, attempting to not backtrack unnecessarily.
"Exiting one such dark tunnel we saw light ahead. Not knowing what might be found in this gloomy underworld we retreated to the tunnel behind, leaving Torkol, brave and foolish, to stay and observe. He witnessed a full grown Kzinti “Hero” attended by some slaves pass by and enter a door. An opportunity we took to progress further without conflict.
"Moving further in we stumbled upon an alter with many broken off spear tips and a strange glowing stone. We availed ourselves of several of the more intact spear tips to brandish as makeshift daggers, further arming our small party of nine.
"Unfortunately our luck did not last, and we were soon confronted by a lone Kzinti youth. Knowing it would swiftly outpace us we instead opted to charge and bring the conflict to him. Being not but simple folk, and the youth not yet being a fully empowered Kzinti warrior, the melee was quite difficult, with both sides fumbling and struggling to strike the other. Ultimately, however, the numbers were on our side and we prevailed with not but a few scratches.
"Moving through the darkness we made it a short distance before we heard the cries of a Kzinti. Worrying it might be the grown warrior we saw earlier we moved swiftly through turns and tunnels, ultimately finding ourselves facing a large group of strange rodents with a nest blocking the way. Instead of attempting to move through these we moved back down a side tunnel passing several alters and getting a more comfortable distance between ourselves and whomever had found the hunters body.
"It was at one such altar, where we spent a moment to inspect it for information and a possible way out, that we came upon some strange grey creatures fleeing one of the Kzin hunter-youths. Deciding that the enemy of my enemy may be less likely to try to kill us we stepped in to defend the retreating creatures, making a few solid strikes on the Kzinti. This one looked to one of my fellows, Orderic, who had taken the sword from the previous hunter, and drew his own, swinging and felling Orderic in a single blow. After a short exchange of blows from both sides I felt a tugging at my mind, urging me and my fellows to get out of the way of the strange grey creatures. We did so, and they attempted some kind of psionic assault that the Kzin was able to shrug off. Realizing he was out-matched, and having bloodied his sword as proof of victory, he retreated.
"And then there were eight. Orderic, while your body may never see true peace, hopefully your soul moves from this world to the next knowing you are survived and avenged.
"These strange creatures decided their leader might find us interesting and so led us through the darkness to a strange tomb-chamber. Here their leader stared us down until ultimately we were able to negotiate for directions out of the horrid place, in exchange for the strange orb we had seen previously.
"Thinking this a reasonable trade we made our way swiftly back to where we had seen the orb and collected it from its perch atop the altar. However, as we turned to make our return to the strange creatures we witnessed strange many-legged creatures with large pincers at the edge of our torchlight. Making our way through a side passage we rightly guessed was in the correct direction; we managed to find ourselves in familiar territory and made our way successfully back to the grey beings. There we completed our exchange.
"With the directions provided we were able to make our way through a passage and into the burial tombs of the vikings. Here we were able to collect a handful more weapons. As we searched for the exit we found ourselves yet another hidden tomb. After entering we heard Kzinti in the room behind us, so we quickly set to searching. Unfortunately this tomb did not appear to have another exit.
"After several tense minutes the Kzinti were able to find the catch to open the concealed door and breach our hiding place. We were set up and prepared, but the rapid flights and terrors of the journey so far caused us to falter as they burst through the doorway, felling my comrade Razo in a single blow and pushing into the room allowing both hunters to attack unhindered. The resulting melee was brutal, with two more of our number, Torkol and Yrsa, slain. Fortunately, with the use of some bacta-poultice one of the group had collected during their time in the Kzinti camp earlier, we were able to quickly stabilize Razo. Unfortunately our resolve was shaken, being unable to land a single blow for many minutes, and we lost another, Ulf. Then, just as it looked like the two Kzinti hunters might become the full fledged warriors they dreamed, Gan swept in with a sword collected from the Viking tombs and felled both beasts. Being a physician, rather than revel in the blood he spilled, he instead quickly checked our fallen, and to our amazement was able to stabilize Torkol. Sadly the other two were beyond his help.
"And then there were six. Ulf and Yrsa, both valiant fighters and without whom we would likely have perished. While we left their bodies, we carry with us the memories of our short time together and hope that in their next life their spirits find better fortunes than befell them here.
"Taking only a few moments after the intensity of that fight to collect ourselves we continued on our way. Finding ourselves in the Oracle not but a few turns later, and with the knowledge of Razo were able to quickly find our way out of the Tel from there.
"And finally, being a hunter by trade I was able to lead us freely and safely to the city. Settling ourselves into the Cothon-Under-Star tavern to rest our very weary feet, eat a hearty meal, and prepare ourselves. For after this taste of adventure, violent and deadly though it was, we found we longed to be back. Slaying our foes and winning for ourselves our fortune and fame, and perhaps some additional revenges upon the evil Kzinti warriors who set us upon this path."
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