[written by Phil, player of Bartholomew Pettibone, and earning his character 100 xp per level]
From the Journals of Bartholomew Pettibone, of the House Pettibone
A Purveyor of Enchanting Sorcery
9 July 2022
Alkari, Sakkra, and Erghas – Oh My!
Plans are in motion. Plans within plans – mixed in with a generous helping of extra plans. But the sharing of those plans, and the rewards they might render, are for another time. In this telling, we must discuss the Alkari of the northern sea cliffs, and their ongoing confrontations with a certain Sakkra cave-clan.
Through various conduits, Sesel and the Survivors had recently been contacted by a tribe of Alkari that dwell in the caves of the sea cliffs, a fair distance north of Cothon-Gadeed. They requested a boon from the Survivors – they confessed the need for help in stopping continued violent incursions into their home-caves, initiated by the Sakkra. By way of explanation, the Alkari noted that they suspected something, or someone, was either pushing the Sakkra out of their own home-caves, or was allied with them, forcing continued skirmishes with the Alkari. And of course, being friendly with the Alkari, we agreed to investigate and assist. After all, that is what heroes do!
Sesel used his party-barge to fetch Gan (Bearer of All Things and Manager of All Necromancers), Heijo (of the Ink-Stained Hands), and Barlow the Cursed from Cothon-Gadeed, and deliver them to his iqta. Those individuals were then transported (via the translation pad maintained at the Iqta al Saahil al Shamaliy) to Bob, within Bob Hall, to meet up with myself, Raoden, and Vlana the Bard.
After discussing our potential course of action, we set out, moving north just off the coast, keeping Bob at a steady depth of approximately 20 feet below the surface of the sea. Without undue misfortune it did not take long before we found ourselves at the base of the daunting northern cliffs. Alkari flyers could be observed flapping and soaring far above our heads – making sorties farther out to sea, and often returning with fish. Their voices could be heard above the sound of waves – clicking/clacking/hissing. We were met here by an Alkari guard, and were guided up to their lofty abodes with great fanfare. I say “guided” – but in effect we ascended via massive rope-ladders to the dizzying heights above, while our winged guides soared and floated on the constant, uplifting sea-breezes that abound at this location.
We met with what I will note as the “Aerie Council” – a group of seven very distinct and well-adorned Alkari – some of their most wise citizens. I came to understand that they call their sea-cave abode “Caer Saval”, and their high mistress, an Alkari with unique and interesting plumage, was introduced as Ashara. A feast and celebration were held in our honor, their woes and tribulations were explained, and serious side-discussions were had (mostly on the topic of Hamdi the Explorer). The company was pleasant, interesting, and friendly, and we dined on various Alkari dishes, especially smoked fish and gellikite, and I provided an amphora of fine Mysriyan shajra wine.
During the feasting and early, congenial dinner-talk, we were introduced to two wards of the Alkari, both of Denyali descent. It was explained that these young Denyali were being harbored by the Alkari for protection, while their kingdom was being reclaimed and restored. The young woman gave her name as Mwaxanare, and she held that the young man who accompanied her was her brother, Na. She described herself as a princess of the original Denyali ruling class. Mwaxanare presented herself with a modicum of haughtiness, and it became apparent that she was quite proud (and vocal) of the “fact” that she and her family are in direct blood-relation to Hamdi. She claims to be a scion. I am also a scion. Scions can be found a dozen for a fals. And interestingly, she was quite forward in offering that the Survivors might be of service to her – and that we would be rewarded well for our loyalty and assistance to “her” cause. This was diplomatically tabled for a later discussion, as the Alkari's request had primacy, and seemed dire.
But speaking of Hamdi – a plethora of new historical information was gleaned. Interestingly, they noted that a major reason the Alkari must not leave or be forced from Caer Saval is because they await Hamdi's inevitable return. The Alkari appear to have a special relationship with, and reverence for Hamdi. Because of this, we had Nassr sent up from Bob, so that the elders and their attendants could lay their eyes upon that brassy bird once again. It was glorious to see them in such a state of excitement!
The Alkari claim that throughout the ages Hamdi has returned to them several times, and at each appearance he comes bearing a different visage. And with different companions. One companion, from his most recent visit (actually observed by one of their most elder sages!), was a young woman having long, flowing, fire-red hair – by name of “Hannah-Ise”. It was related that she had replaced Altyra, who had apparently perished during the intervening years. Hannah-Ise, as far as I am aware, is unknown to both casual and serious readers of Hamdi's historical explorations and adventures – and may be heretofore completely unknown even to the most learned! I inquired as to how they know that it is Hamdi who returns, and not some charlatan or unworthy impostor. After hushed whispers in the clicking/clacking/hissing tongue of the Alkari, I was only told that Hamdi would speak his words, and he would be known. I spoke well into the night with the elder who had known Hamdi the Recent, describing my interest in his life, deeds, companions, and explorations. We seemed to have a common bond of reverence for Hamdi, and while much more was shared (too much to relate here), I am certain that much was not.
In the morning we were provided a group of Alkari to be guides, and made our way to where skirmishes with the Sakkra had occurred most recently. It was our hope and plan to seek an audience with those reptilian folk, and inquire as to their reasons for making war upon their flying brothers and sisters. We hoped that perhaps a simple solution could be found, and an agreement reached, that might provide peace between these two phylogenetic tribes.
A parley was accepted, and we were finally brought before their Kaa, a female named Sa'hha. I must note that the single reason that our audience was granted, so soon and without difficulty, was because Sesel activated his helmet in the presence of the first Sakkra patrol we met. It covered his head with the appearance of a hooded reptile, much like Gan's covers his in the visage of a Renyu. At this point the Sakkra believed that Sesel was an agent, leading a delegation from the Ergah Keersus, who the Sakkra are in league with, and whose abode is apparently in the Denyali isles. Sesel and the rest of us immediately picked up on the opportunity, and played along with this self-made ruse – much to our advantage.
We learned that the Sakkra are apparently in league with the Ergahs, in general, and were concerned that they had done something to raise the ire of the Ergahs – else why would they have been so cruel to them? We observed among ourselves that there seemed to be a chasm growing between the Sakkra and the Ergahs, and so claimed to Sa'hha that indeed, we had come from Ergah Keersus to maintain the old ways. We would fight alongside the Sakkra, as Keersus' guard, and help them win back their breeding grounds.
And there lay the reason for the Sakkra to be intruding upon and quarreling with the Alkari. The Sakkra had generally been in league with the Ergahs, but recently their behaviors and motives had apparently changed, and the Sakkra were being used in a cruel way. Their breeding grounds had been over-run with “vampires” and the Sakkra were in a frenzied retreat. They needed new accommodations and new territory. We seized upon this opportunity to drive that wedge deeper – as we have no love for the Ergahs.
We were provided a guard of twenty of the Kaa's best warriors, and we made for their breeding chamber – to rescue as many eggs as possible, and to assess what the full extent of the danger was. And how we might eliminate it. We learned that
the “vampires” are a many-legged, spindly creature, that attaches itself onto the back of a Sakkra, injecting it with some form of poison that allows it to take over control of that Sakkra's body. The vampires are covered in a hardened armor, and move quite fast – and when attached to the Sakkra they make a formidable, “Super-Sakkra”! While a Sakkra was being used as a host, we were not certain if that meant that they had been killed, or perhaps were in a coerced state, and had the ability to be returned to their normal selves after being rid of the vampire. We built our plan of action on the hope that they could be revived and returned to their normal state. As such, we took pains to only target the vampires – when it was an option.
But things got weird.
Upon arriving at the entrance to the breeding chamber, we were met by a group of seven of these Super-Sakkra. Though they approached in a benign manner, we were not fooled. Sesel immediately pushed his psyche out into the void and attempted to lay them low. Most of the host Sakkra suddenly dropped, limp, to the ground. However, some of the vampires from those hosts simply detached themselves and began advancing! In a furious flash of weapons (here the Sakkra warrior guard proved quite useful!) and arcane spells, the vampires were eradicated, and the surviving hosts were dragged away to safety.
Some of my companions began retrieving eggs, while others began advancing on a newly arrived group of Super-Sakkra – pelting them with arrows and such. Meanwhile I dipped into the arcana and wove three spells, first extending the perceptions of my mind, then providing added sharpness and intensity to my blade, and finally dropping out of sight, into invisibility.
While the skirmish continued, I used stealth and the cover of invisibility to move closer to the newly arrived group of Super-Sakkra. Upon closer approach, I began focusing my mind on one of theirs. I also noted that another group of their kin had arrived in a separate passage, and were laying quietly in wait. An ambush appeared to be in the making. They were drawing our force in, by staying just inside our range, while slowly retreating. It was apparent, even without melding with their thoughts, that the vampires had no care about the lives of their hosts. As my concentration and focus became more narrow, one mind from the mass suddenly stood out distinctly. From their thoughts I immediately learned that we were indeed being drawn in for an ambush, and that they were waiting for the “Ergah” to bring the “weapon”. In their mind I could clearly see that this weapon was like a bracelet, and that when worn and fired, it let loose an intense, deadly, sweeping ray of energy, much like a ru'un. We needed to flee, or be cut down.
I returned to my companions and informed them of the ambush that was about to be sprung upon us. We quickly gathering as many eggs and wounded Sakkra as possible, and then hastily returned to report our success, and failure, to the Kaa. She gracefully recognized that we had done more than had been expected, and could not hide her relief to at least see so many eggs saved. We maintained the ruse of being from Ergah Keersus, and arranged for tribute owed to the Ergah be delivered to us. Sesel also bade the Kaa understand that Ergah Keersus expected the wise Sa'hha should cease hostilites against their cousins the Alkari, as they too were also under the protection and rule of Keersus. Together, united, Keersus, the Sakkra, and the Alkari would put an end to the rebel Ergahs, and the Sakkra would stand as the prime guard of Keersus' dominion!
We returned to the Alkari and provided them with a similar ultimatum – however, we did not play a ruse with them. We only reported that the Sakkra were being used and harried by a cruel master, who they were trying to supplant, and that their attacks against the Alkari had been forced through a need for survival. We asked them to not attack the Sakkra, and relayed that we had extracted a similar promise from Sa'hha and her folk toward the Alkari. We noted that if we could unite, we would become more formidable, and this would hasten the inevitable downfall of the malevolent overlords – providing the Sakkra with freedom, and the Alkari with assurances of peace. A shaky agreement was reached, and we took our leave.
I am excited about our contact with the Alkari, and hope that our return to their domain is swift. While I will be pleased to learn more of Hamdi, I will also revel in the knowledge that we are sticking it to the Ergahs!
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