A Brace of Returns

On a grey and blustery winter day a column of galleys straggles into view of the harbor watch across the choppy seas from the north and east. An alarm is raised, but as the watchers peer through the drizzle, they see the colors of the Hanse snapping from mast and prow, and as word goes through the harbor, a cheer is heard to erupt from the Gatehouse (at the Kantor). Hansemaenner run out to the piers, stoups of ale still in their hands, to watch the approach of the galleys, asking each other if Telman of Tsipa is finally come back.

Working their way down the coast from the Denyan Islands, the squadron has in its midst a few ships broader of beam as well—merchanters by the look of them, escorted on this last leg by the Hanse’s sleek galleys. As the squadron finally passes the breakwater to enter the harbor, led by the pilot ship, three cheers rise from those still watching from the pier.

‘That’s Telman’s boat! It’s Telman!’

The commander of the campaign against the Luwian pirates has returned to Cothon at long last, after almost two lunar years in the field. Delayed by storms, raids, and administrative troubles in the strongholds seized from the pirates, only now has the intrepid captain finally been able to make his way back to the Kantor whence he started. And how long will he remain? Through the rest of the winter at least, but he will no doubt be recalled to the fighting as soon as the seas are ready to bear warships again.

In the meantime, there is amaze in the eyes of Telman as he steps from his galley to the crowds on the pier. Two things stand out immediately as changes since last he was here—the windmill tower of Durham’s Ringing Anvil rises over the buildings nearby the Kantor, and riding there at the Kantor’s private docks is the infamous pirate galley Darkwing. What other changes wait to be seen? he must wonder to himself as he allows himself to be swept along by the Hansemaenner, into the Gatehouse to be plied with ale and wine—he and the crews of his galleys of course, and many are the glad reunions of friends separated by the seas, as well as solemn acknowledgments that certain friends never will return.

Within the Kantor itself, Captain General Zaytar offers a toast to this bright star of the Hanse—‘Long health to Telman of Tsipa! May his star never dim!’ Then with a shout, the men all agree, and drink to the toast, and call for the musicians to play and the girls to dance, and more ale for everyone. And despite protestations, Telman pays liberally with the moneys he has won while campaigning.

Those in the neighborhood got no sleep that night for all the raucous carousing at the Gatehouse.

Other Returns

Telman is not the only one to have returned in this squadron, of course. While he and his crew are rushed by the Hansemaenner and dragged into the Gatehouse for carousing, the merchant vessels lug into separate berths in the harbor. After the captains declare their wares to the harbormaster and pay their hawking fees and longshoremen’s wages, their ships are then swarmed by a mix of their own crew and those of the Longshoremen’s Guild, to have their goods hauled to warehouses or to prearranged merchants or stalls in the Souk.

One of these merchant captains is Halgerd Longlegs, who has come through the ports of Cothon before, and whose outgoing cargo then was financed in part by one Durham of the Ringing Anvil. Unfortunately for Durham, the other merchant he financed ended up despoiled by pirates—and Halgerd might have suffered the same fate herself, if she hadn't ended up with Telman in the end. It seems the Luwians are bold sailors, and have taken to raiding even now that winter storms are whipping Dirac's Sea to a frenzy.

Fortunately for Durham, Halgerd traded successfully up the west coast, then continued trading well east through the Denyan Isles toward Misria. She ended up with a hold full of valuable Misrian goods at a time when such things have become hard to come by, and so she is able to sell her cargo in Cothon's Souk at a good profit—an excellent profit, in fact, for Durham receives 7700 dirhams from his share of the cargo he bought (2500 originally). Such returns are unlikely in general, but circumstances certainly played a roll in such profitability.

Per usual practice, Halgerd also comes to the city with her own short list of goods for sale to persons of interest, first come first served:

Price	Item
1 gp/shell	80 iridescent shells and carapaces
100 gp/oz	11 oz. hallucinogenic pollen (1 oz = 1 dose)
50 gp/pod	7 strangler-pods
200 gp/vine	10 leechvines
80 gp/amphora	3 amphorae of passum (raisin wine; 55 pints ea.)
200 gp/amphora	4 amphorae of Misrian shajr wine (55 pints ea.)
130 gp/card	17 gilt cards w/intricate geometric designs
450 gp (entire set)	one set of 6 books, The Queen of Winds
600 gp	one ingot of zortrium

Strangler-pods emit sticky weblike strands when jostled (e.g. thrown), causing a victim to be held to the ground for 1 round after a successful ranged attack, plus one additional round if a save v. paralysis is failed

Leechvine removes poison from a body, though the blood-cleansing that they do causes 1-6 damage

Halgerd is happy to answer questions about the rest of her wares over drinks at a good tavern (spend 50 gp to ask about/haggle over any one item)

The Miat have Spoken

 As the year Khusra-Fadhlan 3 ends, year Urodas-Bayzadis 1 begins.

All hail the new Souffets, Urodas al Arasqiy and Bayzadis al Othmani!

Though the people clamored for Dalinar al Khalid, the bani of Gadeed were still wary of what the general would do if he wielded the power of the state in conjunction with the adoration of the people and the soldiers of the cities. Instead, they turned to Bayzadis, an aridani woman of Banu al Othmani—for the Othmani have had recent successes against the Red Cloud and his hordes, in the hiring of certain barbarian adventurers to be thorns in the paw of that villainous Kzin warlord. And so the bani hoped to assuage the people, in that, though they did not get Dalinar as Souffet, they did get one whose house has been prosecuting the conflict with the Red Cloud even as Dalinar would.

Meanwhile, the bani also voted for Urodas al Arasquiy to succeed Khusra of the same house, swayed at least somewhat by the influence of Banu al Rashid. The Arasquiy are a notable merchant clan, who compete broadly with the Hanse across Dirac’s Sea, so it will be interesting to see how things develop when the Hanseatic campaign against the pirates resumes in the east after winter's end. Meanwhile, Urodas will most likely see to domestic and trading affairs, while Bayzadis marshals the forces of Cothon and Gadeed against the Kzinti threat.

The Feast of Investiture

With the closing of the lunar year and the beginning anew, it is at the Feast of Investiture that the seals of office for the Souffets are transferred from those outgoing to those incoming. After the feasting, the new Souffets would then receive oaths from those currently in lesser office, and either affirm them by reinvesting them with their authority, or take back their office, so that another might be invested in their place.

The great feasting in the palace of the Souffets in Gadeed had more solemnity this year than in years previous, given the looming threat of the Red Cloud. Though nevertheless a grand affair and wondrous spectacle—into the court were brought whole roasted hma, sewn back into their skins, and dejejas stuffed with dates or plums, pickled smelts and ninenyelu, small gilekites steamed in wine, all delivered on silver and gilt platters—there was a seriousness in the air that subdued the merrymaking that young wine usually engenders.

At this feast as well, Chir'dirine the Princess of the Xolda Klackons, who share Cothon with humans, was a prominent guest with her entourage of pale-carapaced dores and gilt-carapaced sister- and cousiness-courtiers. Her own carapace oiled and perfumed and darkly gleaming, she watched the rites of investiture with great interest, and presented herself to both pairs, of departing and of incoming Souffets. In this, she is not really partaking in any ritual of fealty, but presenting herself as an equal to reaffirm the ancient alliance between the men of the Dual-Cities and the Xolda Klackons who dwell amongst them.

Urodas and Bayzadis recited the ancient oaths to the Dual-Cities and the Ten Cities' League, and thence received the chains and seals of their office from their predecessors. So then did they in turn receive the oaths of the chiefs of the bani-tribes and other officers of the state, and give unto them their offices. Not all who were in office retained their office, however, for it is the prerogative of new Souffets to install to their courts their own loyal followers.

And there are other offices to be filled by election or lot, thence to receive their authority from the hands and the seal of the Souffets. Some of these posts are to be held by those of noble birth (such as the Adirim, Council of the Mighty), but there are many offices of the state and the league that are held by ordinary citizens.

For Sesel

Who as a citizen is eligible for certain offices, by election or by lot. Sesel should roll d100 and consult the table below to see if he is called to any civil office for the next year:

1 - called to serve as one of the Thalatheen (a panel of judges)
2-3 - called to serve on the Bem (the popular assembly)
4-10 – no office
11 - Katib to the Harbor
12 - Katib to the Knights Pylaea
13 - Katib to the Censors
14 - Katib to the Poor Brothers
15 - Katib to the Migdol of the Dyers
16-29 - no office
30 - Katib to the Court of the Moon
31 - Katib to the Court of the Mount
32 - Katib to the Souffets
34 - Katib to the Armory
35-49 - no office
50-51 - Hamladdir to the Mahanet (General)
52-63 - no office
64-70 - called to serve the army
71-92 - no office
93 - Katib to Alagadrein
94 - Katib to al Zaytun
95-98 - envoy to the Xolda Princess
99-00 - envoy to the Attine Spire

Thalatheen – the Thirty
A panel of thirty judges who review the conduct of civil and military officers. A citizen selected for this office should roll 1d6 at the beginning of each month; a 1 indicates a review is afoot, details to be generated by the referee

Bem – the Popular Assembly
The Bem is responsible for voting on certain proposals of the Souffets. If the Bem is summoned, the player-character must spend their downtime for that week attending the assembly to listen to debate and vote on the proposal

Katib – Scribe
A minor official assigned to a variety of offices to assist operations. Very much like the quaestors of ancient Rome, the Kataba's chief function is as auditors and assistants. A player-character performing such duties must spend one downtime per month attending to said duties; on the upside, this will entail some familiarity with the officer they are assigned to, and to the arena they are engaged in

Hamladdir – Shieldbearer
No longer literally the shieldbearers/bodyguards of the Mahanet (General), this is a junior military officer who acts as an aide de camp or sometimes a quartermaster. A player-character chosen for this office must either attend the Mahanet in person, or supply a person of character and skill in their stead (e.g. a son, a trusted servant, or perhaps a cousin, &c.). While the Mahanet is in the city it requires only one downtime per month to fulfill this duty, but if the Mahanet marches forth, then his Hamladdir must perforce go wither he goes

Army Service
A player-character called to serve the army as a citizen must supply armsmen to the army according to his rank and wealth. This does not necessarily mean personally serving (many nobles outfit their own Gilmani or men-at-arms to serve), though citizens of lesser means are expected to outfit themselves with arms and serve in the heavy infantry.
An iqtadar of a smaller holding might be expected to send a heavily armed infantryman and his shieldbearer, plus ten archers/skirmishers, and a slave or servant or two to serve their camp.

Envoy to Klackons
An unusual post, but Sesel's reputation precedes him enough that he is in consideration. He helped spearhead the crusade against the creatures haunting the Sixth House in the Spire of the Attines, after all. This post would entail service similar to that as a Kitab, although with the additional responsibility to act as a liaison between Souffets and Klackons under extraordinary circumstances (details to be determined by the referee)

A Call to Arms: To Snoop the Moot

 The mood in the Dual-Cities is mixed. There is excitement for the Feasts of Investiture of the newly elected Souffets, who will soon see Cothon-Gadeed into the new solar year (post upcoming). And yet, there is also trepidation, as it is unfortunately at this time of year that the nomadic tribes of Kzinti typically have their Moot outside the Necropolis of the Tel, where the clans gather, the warriors give boast, and their strange priests and greatest warriors descend into the crypts themselves for strange rites. And so they have come, a horde of dagger-fanged, wtsai-wielding warriors and their harems and coffles of slaves and herds of hma and other beasts, trampling the ground outside the holy temenos of the dead, and filling the night with campfires, the hissing chants of Kzin epics, and yowling boasts and flytings.

At this hour—under the shadow of the Red Cloud and his threat of war—the idea of a Moot of Kzinti within half a day’s march of the Dual-Cities’ walls fills everyone with trepidation, and the watch has been tripled on the ramparts, and the fighting-societies have been called to lend aid to the soldiers of the cities, the Poor Brothers of the Dead, and the Knights Pylaea.

So it is that a new mission has been proposed: that certain barbarian volunteers enter secretly into the camp of the Kzinti, and see if they can discover anything about the plans of the Red Cloud, or perhaps even kidnap or assassinate leaders of import.

It is known that the founding members of the Survivors of the Tel were once victims of the strange rites that took place within the Necropolis during the last Great Moot, now two years past. As a citizen and iqtadar, Sesel himself was asked by the outgoing Souffets to see if he could gather a force to do this thing (even if he could not go, he could lend his persuasive voice in gathering a band of the barbarians so often going-and-coming to the Tel al Safina)

There will of course be hefty remunerations for any who dare undertake this risky mission. The Souffets are close-lipped as to the exact nature of such rewards—details are to be provided for those (if any) who answer the call.

For purposes of the game and scheduling, the Moot will end around the weekend of the 17th. If a company cannot be assembled by then, it will be assumed that no consensus was reached and no attempt made to infiltrate the Moot before it breaks up.

Tax Season

 Alas for those who may have hoped they were forgotten--no, the Souffets of the Dual-Cities have not forgotten about the collection of taxes this year. There was a temporary jubilee regarding taxes given during the election of the new Souffets (to be explained in a separate post), but that jubilee is now over and taxes are due by the end of the month (by 1 January 2023).

The tax schedule is the same as that established before (Tax Reform!, the schedule of which will be published at the bottom of this post), but there is an additional levy, given the gravity of the threat of the Red Cloud hanging over the city:

• every player-character* must contribute at least 25 dinars (gp) to the war levy
• every player-character* owning an institution must contribute an additional 100 dinars (gp) to the war levy

*excepting Iqtadar Sesel, who has separate civil obligations as a citizen and iqtadar

The Scribes have a list of generally active barbarian-adventurers. Names will be scratched off as tax payments are recorded by the Knights Pylaea at their portal-fortress between the cities, the High Gate (i.e. as a comment below or on the Discord channel). Tax dodgers beware! There may well be consequences for those who fail to register for payment.
Bartholomew Pettibone
Gan ad-Din
Durham
Lars Ghar-Rider
Avin
Arngeir of the Green Gleam
Heijo
Najm ibn Marwan
Fa Mei
Alianor Drake
Kzin-Friend
Raoden 

TAX  SCHEDULE

Regarding the taxes, there are several levels. Each barbarian or metic is free to make his or her own declaration as to the amount they are able to reasonably pay--bearing in mind that higher levels of taxation also "buy" wider rights and priveleges throughout the city.

• 1 nufdinar (ep)
  Beggars and day-laborers of the poorest sort who cannot even scrape together a single dinar must still contribute something. Taxpayers of this level are expected to walk through the streets in rags, and to either beg for their bread, or seek employment as unskilled laborers--likely as load-bearers in the market--or even sell themselves into slavery to pay off their debts.
  Those paying at this level must renounce tavern-membership, go about in rags, and incur a -2 penalty on reactions in the city, and have no rights in the Ccourts, or to "build an institution", and they may not be attended by any servants or slaves.
• 2 dinars (gp)
  Poor laborers, fieldhands, servants, and down-on-their luck fishermen for whom a dinar is a significant amount of money.
  Taxpayers at this level must renounce tavern-membership, must dress in only the commonest of attire, incur a -1 penalty on reactions in the city, and have no rights in the Courts, or to "build an institution", and they may not be attended by any servants or slaves.
• 10 dinars
  Apprentices of skilled trades, experienced laborers or members of the lesser Guilds, common men-at-arms, &c. who make reasonable wages, but who have no store of wealth other than their few possessions and whatever cash they can save.
  Taxpayers at this level may wear fine clothes--though no gems or jewelry--and have the right to petition a citizen-patron for help in the Courts; they may not personally own higher than a minor institution in the city without paying "back-taxes" up to the next level, nor may they be attended by more than one servant, slave, or retainer.
• 50 dinars or 1% of total cash, whichever is higher
  Small business holders, Guild journeymen, peasant-farmers, rowers and sailors, &c. who are either paid good wages, or who hold personal wealth.
  Taxpayers at this level may wear whatever clothing they wish, as well as silver jewelry. Any institution they own is protected by the Courts, though they require a citizen-patron to argue cases therein; and they may own any level of institution, though higher "steps" will no doubt draw inquiries from the tax-farmers unless "back-taxes" are paid up to the next level. They are also allowed a retinue of up to ten servants, slaves, men-at-arms, &c.
• 250 dinars or 2% of total cash, whichever is higher
  Captains of soldiers, established taverners and publicans, masters in the lower Guilds or journeymen in the higher Guilds, well-to-do farmers, ship-owners, &c. who own significant personal wealth.
  Taxpayers at this level may wear any clothing, jewelry, or gems, and roll reactions at +1 if they do so. They may build or own any level of institution, and their property and institutions are protected by the Courts, though they still require a citizen-patron to argue therein. There is no limit to their retinue.
• 1300 dinars or 5% of total cash, whichever is higher
  Currently the highest tax-bracket, for wealthy merchants, successful business-holders, barbarian nobility, or nouveau riche adventurers, who are all expected to be flush with cash.
  Taxpayers at this level are expected to wear fine attire, and at least one piece of jewelry, and roll reactions at +1 in the city if they do so. They may build or own any kind of institution, and have no limit to their retinue--indeed, they are expected to have at least one servant. Their persons, as well as their property and institutions, are protected by the Courts, and they have a limited right to speak on their own behalf--though a citizen-patron would no doubt aid their case.

Good Luck to the Lunar New Year

Another lunar year has ended--Khusra-Fadlan 3--and the new year begins with the investiture of the new Souffets, after whom the next lunar years will be named (their ascension explained in a separate post). Meanwhile, the end of the solar year is fast approaching, as this hemisphere of Ardha falls ever deeper into winter (however mild)--and the changeover of the solar year will be no less a time for celebration than this beginning of the new lunar year!

As to this beginning, however, it is a time of feasting and celebration. While in mother-city Gadeed, the grand Feast of Investiture is held, all throughout the Dual-Cities lesser feasts are held for citizens and denizens of less grandiose means. Guilds gather to recapitulate their founding myths and reinvest their members with their offices and obligations; households gather to remind each other of familial responsibilities; all celebrated by feasts mirroring the grand change of office held throughout the cosmos at this time of year.

These feasts customarily include a dish of slow-cooked field pease with hmelu-bacon, mixed with a pottage of greens simmered in savory broth, all washed down by sparkling young wine, corked early to maintain its effervescence. To these traditional foods, those with money add further dishes and delicacies according to their means--shishu fruits and sherbets, roasted mowaj haunches, fine cheeses, &c.--but every household makes sure to include at least a pot of the traditional pease, for its taste brings luck to the new year.

For Player-Characters
Just as last year, this is a chance for player-characters of means to spend conspicuously in order to earn a little extra experience. Any character may throw a banquet for their friends, acquaintances, employees, or servants (or attend a banquet in style) by spending up to 100 dinars (gp) per level and thus earn an equivalent amount of xp.

Those who wish to add a little flair and describe their expenditures and feast, either in the comments below or on our Discord channel, will earn an additional 10% xp for their lavishments.

 

Session #90: A Clawhold in the Wilderness

[written by Phil, who ran this session ... in early October--thanks, Dad!]

Another bright winter's day illuminates the Dual Cities! Five days past, a rather large host of barbarians had been seen departing the Dual Cities through the Mourners' Gate, heading east along the Pallbearers' Way. The reason for their “expedition” was unclear, but seemed to have been precipitated by a visit from Brula al'Othmani herself, to Durham, of the Ringing Anvil. Shortly after concluding what has been rumored to be a clandestine meeting within the offices of the Ringing Anvil, Durham gathered to him a group of his Wasago Renyu companions (led by Pako), and several of his most trusted barbarians acquaintances. Drinks and discussion were had at Cothon Understar as the group decided on how best to accomplish the task ahead, ostensibly bestowed upon them by the scion of bani al'Othmani. Rumors speak of “espionage”, “Red Cloud”, and a “Fort of Bugs”? And while this group set off in confident fashion, after 5 days there was still no report of their return.

During the morning of the sixth day since their departure, a cry is heard from the Mourners' Gate that Sesel Iqtador al'Saahil is approaching! However, his company seems to be without several of their original companions. Durham is missing, as is Pako. And there is no sign of Avinnia. Surely this host has finally met a foe that they cannot easily match or best – but no! For while this fellowship remains close-lipped for the most part, in time it is learned that the barbarians feel their endeavors were successful. The entire host is indeed hale and hearty, but some are busy and sequestered out of sight. And there is much serious business to discuss with Brula al'Othmani, and perhaps Lord Dalinar. Their countenances are grim, indeed.

Heretofore, the overall mass of Red Cloud's force has been reported and thought to be more of a rag-tag, fragile alliance of blood-crazed, chaotic tribes – living in tents and squalor. However, reports of this hill-fort (its construction quality and defenses), consistent patrols, and a complimentary watch-tower – as well as the discipline and armament of the garrisons, and their method of disrupting river trade – points to perhaps a different story! Is Red Cloud truly just a popular and charismatic nomad of barbaric, ignorant infamy – or is there more to the cat? Who is Red Cloud? Has anyone ever seen or interacted with Red Cloud?!

The players:

Durham, of the Ringing Anvil
Pako, Durham's trusty renyu companion
Wasago Elite (10 renyu individuals)
Sesel, voice of the Survivors, Citizen, Iqtador al'Saahil al'Shamaliy
Raoden, the librarian
Avinnia the slight
Heijo, of the Ink-Stained Hands
Najm, called “the Worm”
Fa Mei, companion of Najm
Lord Althis of Crag Keep

The lucre:

Nothing in the way of outside monetary gain would be noticeable by anyone on the street; however, intelligence was gained and reported to Brula al'Othmani, and a significant reward of dinar has been known to change hands, to whit:

The location of a sizeable, well constructed hillfort has been ascertained
(There were actually 4 tower/mounds – DM mistake)
(One of those tower/mounds – near center of north wall – was always manned with 4 K'zin)
(All other towers were manned by a mix of K'zin and humans)
The banners of Red Cloud and a K'zin engineer, known as Eater of Bugs, fly over this fort
A detailed surface map of the fort has been prepared
As well, a detailed map of the larger area was made, with notes of logistical/strategic/tactical interest

Two well-made sketches were prepared depicting the faces of two K'zin of likely importance
A. Mweep-Boss (a warrior, observed gleaning detailed records/notes and giving orders)
B. Tracker (a scruffy K'zin, perhaps equal in status with Mweep, but adept in some arcane art)

It was estimated that the fortress is garrisoned with the following (at least):
A. 15 K'zin warriors (not including superiors)
B. 30 Human warriors
C. 1 massively huge human (but signs of at least 1 more)

Weapons observed included the following:
A. Each tower/mound has two (2) freely rotating ballistae
B. Most of the K'zin appeared to be unarmed, but were adorned with heavy leather skins
C. The humans appeared to be armed with a variety of swords/hammers/slings
D. The humans were armed in both leathers and chain

It was also surmised how river trade has been recently disrupted, via an ingenious contraption

The learning:

For the map of the fort - 2000 gold dinar (2000 xp)

For the intelligence concerning the garrison – 2000 gold dinar (2000 xp)

For intelligence as to how river trade has been disrupted – 1000 gold dinar (1000 xp)

For the detailed map of the region, with notes – 1000 gold dinar (1000 xp)

For “Wanted Posters” of Mweep and Tracker – 1000 gold dinar (1000 xp)

The cut:

XP =
1167 each player character (Durham, Sesel, Avinnia, Heijo, Najm, Althis)
585 each to Pako, Raoden, and Mei
250 to each of the Wasago Elite

Total cash from rewards =
1000 gold dinar to each character (Durham, Sesel, Avinnia, Heijo, Najm, Althis)
250 gold to Pako, Raoden, and Mei
25 gold to each of the Wasago Elite

((What in the world is Pako going to do with such wealth??!))

((After Avinnia's report, it can be surmised that Fort Eater of Bugs is on high alert – especially considering how the K'Zin called “Mweep” and “Tracker” behaved in her presence.))

Session #89: The Return of Hamdi?

[a session that occurred toward the end of September]

Durham of the Ringing Anvil was at his haunt, the Gatehouse of the Kantor, and was heard to ask about the Colossian Oracle--what really goes on there? Why is it called an oracle? He received answers that piqued his interest--that the priesthood there truly are oracles, that they can perceive across the veils of reality and answer truth to questions posed to them (though the truths may seem oblique when observed from the present).

Upon listening to suggestions of appropriate sacrifices to offer to the Oracle, Durham set out to gather a company to venture with him to the Necropolis of the Tel to engage the Oracle. Fortunately for him, Bartholomew Pettibone was also looking for a company to venture to the Necropolis, himself interested in venerating at the tombs of certain heroes he has taken especial interest in.

Thus, with a couple of other friends and preparations for both sacrifice and veneration, the company set out toward the Necropolis of the Tel and the Colossian Oracle ... 

• Durham (fighting-man 8)
  accompanied by Pako (renyu)
• Lord Althis (magic-user 5)
• Bartholomew Pettibone (magic-user 8)
  accompanied by Gan ad-Din (fighting-man 6)
• Heijo (magic-user 6)

Rumor goes through the city that something exceedingly strange must have transpired during this expedition. Bartholomew, normally a somewhat boisterous regular in the great tavern of Cothon-Under-Star, now has a new companion who follows him around--a woman of striking and singular beauty, her hair a wondrous copper-red, her eyes a strange pale blue, her skin a foreign milky white--and she calls herself Hanaïs.

Gan's girlfriend Istrid and fellow dancing-girl Clothildi are seen taking this Hanaïs through the city's souk, seeking fine dresses and robes of the current fashion. There is a strange air to the woman and her bearing--poised and graceful in all her moves. But something even stranger has come over Bart himself, whose aspect has changed. He often seems to be completely distracted, gazing off into the distance as if lost in memory; and there are times when he speaks and it seems the voice of someone else, even despite retaining the same timbre.

Well, surely whatever occurred will be shaken out or revealed at some time. In the meantime, the expedition was apparently quite fruitful--and it is said that they visited the Oracle as well, and received something of the wisdom there. Durham himself asked of how the Red Cloud, a kzin warlord threatening the Dual-Cities and all the realm around, might be defeated, and was told to, "Remember the helm of the furious star."

The Lucre

• dzor-blood, given to Durham by the priests of the Oracle✝
• an amulet in the shape of a gull, its wings spread (magic) *given to Althis
• a ring of gold and white gold twisted together, called by Bart "Ring of the Qomman Tong" (magic) *given to Heijo
• a lyre, built around a juvenile ghar shell, needs new strings (non-magic) *given to Gan ad-Din
• a cloak pin in the shape of a gilded intertwining serudla-dragon (non-magic) *given to Durham
• a cloak of fine grey thread that appears to melt away in the light, called by Bart a "Cloak of the Wealda" (magic) *given to Pako
• a collection of scrolls and codices *claimed by Bart
• an apparent hoard of treasure to be apportioned by Bart
• 4000 dinars (gp) and 4000 nufdinars (ep) divided with the party

The Learning

• 6000 xp from distributed treasure
• 1131 from 5 biridlu (60 +hp ea.)
• 1000 from the recovery of Hanaïs

The Cut

• 1000 dinars (gp) and 1000 nufdinars (ep) each to Durham, Heijo, Althis, and Gan ad-Din
• 2710 xp per player-character*
  1355 xp to Gan ad-Din
  *special--Bartholomew Pettibone gains no xp normally from this session, but rather directly receives enough xp to put him at level 9
• dzor blood (Durham)✝
• the gifts (detailed above)
• a collection of writings (Bart)
• additional treasure that needs to be inventoried**

**when inventoried, any sales or distributions will be noted in a further post along with further awards of experience and lucre

✝ EDIT 1/7/23 -- forgot to include this originally, but Durham did indeed collect some dzor blood from the Colossian Oracle, which has since been used to good effect