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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Sept 17, 2008 7:06:28 GMT -7
PCs Waleed the scholar Ya'qub the merchant
NPCs Sahra - Ya'qub's wife Mamoun - Waleed's servant Jaheira, Wudei'a, Najiba - Waleed's bodyguards Shabab Eblis - Bright Dancer's young captain Adila - bearer of the curse Shari - erstwhile guard from the Ministry of Secrets Saleh - slave of the ring
Notable crew Rasool Yameena Galeel -- 22th of Saris
Ya'qub was below decks when the shouts rang out-- muffled shouts that accompanied the pounding of bare feet across wooden decks.
With no dry, desert breeze to cool him sweat rolled in swollen beads down his face and beneath his robes. The air was humid and still in the cargo deck, and his Sahra had understandably chosen to remain above while Ya'qub oversaw the loading of his newest trade goods. The two sailors helping him glanced over the tops of the crates they held, crates filled with mundane antiquities Ya'qub had acquired from a merchant anchored at the mouth of the Abdo River.
"A fair trade" the tall Bharat merchant had confidently proclaimed when the deal was struck, and Ya'qub had halfheartedly agreed. Sahra had drawn her veil across her face to hide her smile; she recognized her husband's demeanor of feigned dismay. "My husband could barter a handful of camel hair into a camel," she'd whispered into Ya'qub's ear that night as lay together beneath the stars.
They lacked the privacy afforded by their private cabin on the Bright Dancer, but Ya'qub had respected the judgment of Rubban Shabab's suggestion to lease the smaller vessel. So as the Bright Dancer was pulled into dry docks for a treatment against the wood boring ship-worms and a fresh covering of sealant, the group set sail up the wide Nagaro aboard the Freshwater Pearl.
The Pearl, Ya'qub learned as he accompanied Shabab on an inspection of the vessel, was a shallow-draft, two-masted caravel, outfitted with oars and towing small boat behind. Additional crew had been hired as well, to man the oars when the wind failed.
Meeting the merchant vessel yesterday had come as a much needed break in otherwise tedious journey. The strange cries of unseen birds and unknown creatures became less alarming as the days dragged by. Progress up with river was slow. When the winds were still, men strained at the oars. When a bend in the river sped the current beyond the capability of sail or oarsmen, the small rowboat was dispatched, carrying a kedge anchor ahead that was dropped upstream and then the Pearl was pulled forward, slowly with all men working the anchor windlass.
Once the Freshwater Pearl entered the narrow Abdo river, the sails became nearly useless. The steady rhythm of the oars straining in their posts was maintained by a subdued drumbeat and by strength of arm the Pearl made its way up the slow moving Abdo. If it wasn't for the sweltering heat, other's would have volunteered to work below decks stowing Ya'qub's new load of antiquities; it was preferable to seeing the Semmukhan muthlelei. The long-nosed reptile with teeth the size of a man's thumb was often seen slipping into the waters ahead or staring with unblinking eyes from the cover of reeds along the shores.
Ya'qub gestured for the men to set down the crates and they hurried up the steps. He joined Waleed at the prow. Upriver, standing in the waters along the shore was the tallest woman either men had ever seen.
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Post by Waleed on Sept 24, 2008 17:06:04 GMT -7
Waleed smiled and waved to the tall woman, remarking that well, she was damn tall. Where there was a woman, there was probably a village, and men, men with spears and other weapons. The shrewd adventurer scanned both sides of the river carefully for signs of an ambush.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Oct 1, 2008 7:15:47 GMT -7
Shari pulled his glasses off and rubbed his eyes with a thumb and forefinger. "Too many hours with my nose in the books," he thought. "My imagination has outdone itself this time."
Rubban Shabab ordered the oars up and gave the wheel to the pilot. As he walked forward to join Waleed and Ya'qub he scanned the shoreline.
"She's not alone," Shabab said, his voice lowered and urgent, but not panicked.
Waleed had also noticed there where at least two more giants standing back in the trees. The thick foliage prevented him from seeing any weapons, but they didn't have the posture of ambush- more caution and curiosity than menace.
"She's taller than three men!" Shari exclaimed, his wide eyes crawling the width and breadth of the woman before settling fixedly on her bare chest. The societal norms for modesty didn't seem to have reached this far into the jungle.
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Post by Ya'qub on Oct 1, 2008 15:10:33 GMT -7
Hearing the discussion, Ya'qub moved to the bow, observing the giant folk for himself. His brain almost hummed as it began calculating how much cloth it would take to clothe them, and whether or not he had sufficient supply in the hold for trade.
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Post by Waleed on Oct 1, 2008 16:58:19 GMT -7
"Shall we stop and speak with her? Personally, I'd like to converse with her, I've never looked up to a woman before." Waleed smirked, he of course had been always under the belief it was a man's world, until he met this tall met and made for sure.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Oct 2, 2008 8:33:09 GMT -7
Najiba appeared at Waleed's side, hand on her weapon.
"We should kill her now master Waleed," she said. "See the giant scimitar at her side. I trust her not!"
Indeed, a sword that could be wielded by only the strongest of warriors hung from her hip, attached by a belt of wide cloth that fortunately for modern sensibilities prevented a revelation of the most embarrassing nature.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Oct 2, 2008 8:45:44 GMT -7
Wudei'a agreed. "Ignore her disarming smile master. No doubt it is the honey that covers a hive. Look!"
Wudei'a pointed at a tall tree whose branches hung over the river beside the giant. A tiger lounged there, tail flicking lazily back and forth as it eyed the slowly approaching boat.
"Halloo!" the giant called out with a wave. Her accent was heavy and strange. "Stop and let us exchange! We have ivory and plenty!"
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Post by Waleed on Oct 2, 2008 9:00:06 GMT -7
Even though he didn't turn to look at Ya'qub's face, Waleed could sense the broad grin on the man's face at the thought of trade.
"It'll be alright as long as I have you girls to back me up." Waleed eyed the two girls longingly for a brief moment, his eyes caressing them, then he snapped back to the matter at hand. "Captain, please pull the ship over, I think we'll be doing some trading."
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Oct 2, 2008 14:13:52 GMT -7
Shabab gave the order. Twice. More than one sailor received the back of his hand for slack jaw ogling.
Once the Pearl was anchored it idled in the current near the center of the river. The rowboat was pulled forward for those who wished to go ashore.
The giant had retreated from the river and sat cross-legged at the water's edge.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Oct 3, 2008 13:30:43 GMT -7
"I am Kadufi."
Even seated, the giant towered over the three standing adventurers. Shari stood slightly behind Ya'qub, staring up wide eyed and blushing. He was so obviously distracted that as greetings were exchanged Kadufi frowned and pulled her long green hair over her shoulders, covering herself somewhat.
This helped... somewhat. Shari soon found himself lost in her dark brown eyes. If he looked away, it was only to glance at the 9' tiger relaxing in the tree above him.
"My sisters wait there," Kadufi said, gesturing downriver. "We have ivory and plenty for you. You exchange help."
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Post by Waleed on Oct 3, 2008 17:54:32 GMT -7
"I am Waleed ibn Alurah," Waleed said with a slight bow and smile. Motioning to the others each in turn he continued, "This is my friend Ya'qub, our comrade Shari and my manservant Mamoun." He did not introduce the rowers. "What help do you need fair lady?"
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Oct 4, 2008 12:40:21 GMT -7
"A hunt. There is one who takes what is ours, and we want them gone."
Kadufi gestured toward a giant wooden bow. Beside it lay a leather quiver full of arrows the size of a tall man. "It moves in the night and fast so we cannot hit them in the dark.. We know its hidey-holes... Too small and too many for ambush anyway."
The giant spread her arms and shrugged. "How not? You chase its from hidey-hole in day, and we exchange many ivory sticks."
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Post by Ya'qub on Oct 7, 2008 9:32:04 GMT -7
"My lady," Ya'qub began slowly, using his best merchant salesman technique.
"Please forgive your unworthy servant his foolish impertinence, but what exactly is it that steals from your esteemed person and disturbs your serenity?"
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Oct 8, 2008 7:37:50 GMT -7
"All," she replied, exasperated. She ticked off a list of words that made no sense to Yaq'ub.
Shari translated: "the water buffalo, the hippos, the apes, even the crocodiles..."
"...all!"
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Post by Waleed on Oct 8, 2008 8:42:17 GMT -7
"And how many of them are there?" Waleed asked, unsure of whether or not he would like to help.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Oct 8, 2008 14:22:48 GMT -7
"They are one," Kadufi replied, holding up a single finger.
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Post by Ya'qub on Oct 8, 2008 18:23:24 GMT -7
Ya'qub's balding brow furrowed.
"Again, begging your most gracious indulgence My Lady. Your poor ignorant servant is confused. Are you saying that it matters little which enemy it is, as they are all equally unsavory to your tranquility, or do you mean that there is one enemy that takes different forms?"
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Oct 9, 2008 12:44:02 GMT -7
"One enemy, three faces."
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Post by Waleed on Oct 15, 2008 10:43:27 GMT -7
"One enemy, three faces...doesn't sound easy." Waleed rubs his brow and works his way down to his chin which he begins to scratch. He didn't like the fact that these huge, gigantic people couldn't handle one creature, which made it sound even deadlier. But they were in need and willing to pay it would seem. Even though he didn't need the ivory, Waleed couldn't shake the pleading tone of the woman before him. "Well, if my friend has no complaints, we'll help you. Show us this creatures lair and we'll take it from there."
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Post by Ya'qub on Oct 20, 2008 15:56:12 GMT -7
Still awed by the sheer size of the lady before them, Ya'qub only half heard Waleed. Still, he nodded slowly in agreement.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Nov 11, 2008 10:00:37 GMT -7
Retrieving some supplies from the Freshwater Pearl and leaving instructions to her crew, you set off into the verdant depths of the Grey Jungle behind the long strides of Kadufi. The giant moved through the broad leaves and grasping vines with little more noise than the tiger that padded along beside her.
You however, managed to be slapped with every water laden leaf and stumble on each protruding root. Inside the jungle the air is still and heavy, rich with the odors of plants in every stage of living and decaying. The jungle seemed to grow ever more dense and tangled, and somehow gloomier than before. Wet and sweating you forced and hacked your way until the heavy growth suddenly receded.
Before you is a ravine-like area: The walls rise rather steeply to either side to a height of 100' or so. Clumps of trees burst through the carpeting of plants on both the floor and walls of the ravine. Where you stand the opening is 200' wide. The ravine is more than twice that in length and ends in a steeply rising slope. Here and there, at varying heights on all sides of the ravine, you can see the black mouths of cave-like openings in the rock walls. The sunlight is dim, the air dank with spoiling flesh; there is an oppressive feeling here. Amongst the litter of rubble, boulders, and vines on the ravine floor you see scattered piles of gleaming bone, much of it still thick with meat and hide.
The ever present sounds of exotics birds is only heard in the distance here.
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Post by Waleed on Nov 11, 2008 11:34:20 GMT -7
"Oh my, this doesn't look good." Turning to look at the giant woman, he asked, "Do you know which cave it's in? if so just point the way."
Waleed readied his girls, they quickly armed their crossbows and made sure their swords were ready to draw. "Mamoun, stay to my left, girls to the right. Ya'qub, you take the rear, okay? Shari, we'll be needing your sword, unless you've got some magic."
Looking over at the caves, Waleed wondered aloud, "Perhaps we could smoke it out so we wouldn't be so confined in the cave it's lair is in. There's plenty of wet vegetation and I can control the winds easy enough."
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Nov 12, 2008 12:26:24 GMT -7
Kadufi jabbed her bow repeatedly in the direction of the ravine. "They fly out in the darkness, first one hole then sometimes other holes. Bring it out now and beneath the sun we will fill them with our arrows."
Kadufi then drew an arrow nearly the length of a man and nocked her bow. You see the other two giants take up positions around the ravine, bows at the ready.
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Post by Waleed on Nov 12, 2008 18:25:39 GMT -7
"Hmm, well we'll have to try and smoke it out if we can." Waleed motioned for the girls and Mamoun to gather a large amount of wet and dry vegetation, something that would burn wet and smoke alot. Once that was done, and the bonfire lit, Waleed called upon the wind to funnel the smoke into one of the closest caves until it became full and then moved onto the next, all the while having his girls and Mamoun ready to attack if neccessary.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Nov 14, 2008 12:59:19 GMT -7
Burning the wet, green fuel would have been a task of hours if it wasn't for Ya'qub's modest ability to summon large balls of magical fire. Soon the piles burned sullenly, billows of smoke nearly hiding the flames.
Waleed called forth winds from all points of the compass, directing them with his will and his gestures, driving the smoke into the dark maws of the caves. His servants hurried between the piles, replenishing them whenever the smoke began to thin.
For a long while nothing happened; then from one, then another smoke began to roil out from the caves spread along the ravine.
A moment later from high up the hill face, a large beast bursts from the smoke and hovers in the air above you, its large leathery wings beating slowly. The creature has the hindquarters of a big goat and the forequarters of a great lion. Three heads stare balefully down at you, a horned goat, a mane-less lion, and a green dragon.
Kadufi's war cry rips the air alongside her flying arrow- her challenge answered immediately with a roaring bellow that bathes the ravine in noxious green gas.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Nov 24, 2008 19:01:26 GMT -7
Waleed pursed his lips and blew a butterfly wing's blast of air that was swept forward on the magical words that followed it. The approaching gas roiled aside.
Suddenly pierced by arrows the length of a grown man, the beast's wings faltered and it plummeted downward, three heads howling in a unholy cacophony. At the last second twisting to land on its feet, the beast coiled instantly, pouncing into your midst in a blinding fury of claws and teeth.
Too late it realized it had underestimated its tormentors. Kadufi met its headlong charge with her scimitar raised and though it rocked her back on her heels, she remained standing- one hand holding back its snapping lion's head the other bashing the beast with her sword's pommel.
Ya'qub leapt back with a cry of alarm, reflexively trying to put some distance between his tender flesh and the slashing claws raking Kadufi's belly and thighs. He snapped his calloused fingers igniting a flame between them. He willed it into a ball and hurled it with a grunt. It flew true, striking the goat head.
Waleed rallied his followers. “To me!” he cried, drawing his scimitar. Mamoun, his manservant was there first,waving a burning brand overhead and loosing a battle cry he'd developed deep in the Pit of Ghuls--a mix of fear and incredulity. Close behind charged Jaheira, Wudei'a, and Najiba, their cries those of fanatics--anticipation and blood lust. Together they fell to attacking the creatures haunches, mercilessly slashing and beating and stabbing.
The flames swelled and engulfed the thrashing goat head as Ya'qub willed the flame ever hotter. The head gave a last, violent shake and fell limp. At that the beast tried to leap into the sky but Kadufi snatched a rear leg before it could escape. It beat its wings furiously, but in vain. Kadufi's grasp was as iron chains holding it fast to the earth. Two more arrows pierced the beast, one followed by another from the other two giants at the edges of the ravine. With a final pair of cries, the beast fell to the ground, kicking its death throes amid the bones of its prey.
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Post by Waleed on Nov 26, 2008 19:32:37 GMT -7
"That is quite a trophy you have there," Waleed said to Kadufi with a smile. Checking to see the others unharmed, he gave each of his girls a devilish smile and Mamoun and good smack on the back. "Very good Mamoun, very good indeed."
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Nov 27, 2008 14:49:43 GMT -7
Mamoun smiled, his eyes still wide with a look of wild abandon. He nodded, unable to say anything for a moment. Then he began to shake all over.
"Master? Will we... ever return... to the palace? I prefer testing your wines for poison! Tis safer!"
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Post by Waleed on Nov 27, 2008 15:33:46 GMT -7
Waleed clapped Mamoun on the back again, "If it's wine you want, here Mamoun, drink as much as you want." Waleed gave his manservant his wineskin and left him to imbibe his fears away and turned to his girls. His pride was evident on his face as was his growing lust. He had forgotten about the thrill of battle and then the sweet rewards after. But he would have to wait, most likely the kill would be celebrated and they would be the guests of honor at Kadufi's village, if they weren't sacrificed that is.
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Post by Zaim al-Daleel on Dec 3, 2008 9:58:07 GMT -7
Kadufi howled a cry of triumph as her sisters cautiously approached. Younger than Kadufi, though only slightly less physically intimidating, they spoke only to her and in their own gruff language.
They cleansed Kadufi's wounds with flasks of water hanging from their sides and then wrapped her in cloth smeared with a paste of crushed herbs and flowers.
Kadufi endured it with a smile that only occasionally strained into a grimace. When it was finished, she turned her smile towards you.
"Let us celebrate, and give payment."
Soon, with the three-headed beast hogtied beneath a freshly felled full length tree carried on the shoulders of the sisters, you begin the journey back towards the river.
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