After crossing the border into Darijaan…
“Ah… travelers from beyond the Wall, yes? You wear the weariness of many miles—and the scent of fire and fate. I am Ziyad al-Murassa. Ashar Deyari sends his regards… and his gratitude. The Keepers remember those who walk with light through shadow. But in Darijaan, even gratitude is not without its own duties. A favor is owed—and it is one I hope you are wise enough to fulfill.”
“There is a deal being brokered tomorrow night between a Darijaani priestess and a Rhomari noble. A rare peace offering, disguised as a wine shipment. But something about it… stinks. We’ve had no eyes within. You, however, are still unknown in this city.”
He smiles faintly…
“Help us understand what’s truly being exchanged—and why people are already whispering of betrayal. You’ll need to find out the exact location of the meeting as well… Those involved are being very tight lipped with the information but Ashar told me that he believes you to be both unconventional and resourceful.
In return, we’ll ensure your journey into the Wastes begins with clear skies and no one asking questions. So… Will you help?”
AREA MAP:
Here’s a small map of the area where the party is currently operating:
Koios
Journal Entry No. 03:
We have made the fool’s error. We accepted a service without asking the price. We owe Ziyad al-Murassa for Asher helping us out of the city. He wants us to investigate the a secret potential trade agreement between Darijaani and the Rhomari. This will delay our search for more shards, however I believe we must do it. The Keepers are too powerful to ignore and remain in their debt.
We split up to cover more ground. Grayson, Thalia and myself head off to the local tavern that caters to more… private business transactions. It was a good thing Thalia and I were there otherwise Grayson would have been kidnapped or murdered! Thalia and I realized what was going on, left and snuck back around to blind everyone in the room and rescue Grayson before anything could happen! He even had the gall to say Thalia and I were out of line. No good deed goes unpunished.
After all of that, we believe we know where the trade is going down. Thalia and I just need to figure out how to get in… Regardless of how good my potions are, the guards just won’t let us past. The best idea we came up with was a smallish fire. That should work fairly well…
Socrates
It is nice to wear normal clothing. I guess that’s what I get for trusting Thalia to get our traveling outfit. Human females have now been proven to be really stupid. I mean, in what world does the red palette works for males. Or maybe she’s so dim she didn’t even realize that Koios and I are males in our species.
At least we got ourselves the required job and will be attending this meeting that the Keepers wanted. Speaking of dumb people, there’s another one. Didn’t know who, didn’t know where, didn’t know purpose of the meeting, but want us to join it.
I’m surrounded by imbeciles! At least Koios and the elf male/femaie/cant decide is somewhat acceptable.
Kragg
Pretty clothes. So so guard clothes. Me watch and protect So-krates, but hopefully don’t have to fight. Blood hard to get out of this. Maybe me make friends and guard that way? Tell them story about friendship is best way to live.
Find shade. Its so hot! Write down stories in book for memoryare. One day tell children stories about journey for the Gods. How man waste money on big fancy cart when could have spent money to help others who not have enough. Make new friends!
Grayson Jay
Mortivara. As your humble servant I beg of you to please grant me clarity. I could not be responsible for these horrors could I? These visions…I am Your servant am I not? I revoke Her, Her ways are foul, unclean, profane…and yet they saved my friend. The only friend I remember. It was Your voice who instructed me to harvest them was it not???? It was Your will, not Hers! Yet it was clearly Her way. Why? That question arose as I obeyed your command. Whose voice poised that question? I pray it was not Your disappointment that evoked such a question. I DID YOUR BIDDING! Did I not?? I propose the same question! I beg You, Peaceful Mortivara, for clarity, Patient and Wise Mortivara! Have I strayed?
Mortivara, Goddess of Peace and Silence
I pray for your voice and your guidance
Foresaker of Chaos and Violence
guide me that I do not stray
Lady, to you I pray
Take my hand, show me a path, lead me from my dismay
Your path is Hallow
In your final darkness, there is no Shadow
May today be filled with much death and sadness my Lady. May it be filled with Your peace and serenity, blanketed in Your finality.
I turn now to the politics and machinations of mortality. Yet I see there is more at play here.
Xander/Tatiana
Xander
Naturally I have become the trusted advisor to our aged wizard Socrates. He has furnished me with finer clothes which befit my naturally elevated station and entrusted me with conveying his wishes upon those we encounter in the execution of our task. A most wise decision. Though the poor nonmagical riff raff could not even get the gender of our targets correct, we have deduced the correct individuals and ingratiated ourselves to the priest. Despite his inflated ego, he acknowledges our vastly superior skill and the necessity of our presence during the trade. Though we will easily surmount any challenge which presents itself, I find our innate prowess helps put lesser people at ease.
Tatiana
Xander is such a pompous nincompoop. He never lets me play anymore. I didn’t even get to talk to the horses.
Thalia
This city is a strange place and unlike any that I’ve visited before. People living everywhere means no clear districts and it’s unnatural with all these straight streets. No self respecting thief could operate here, seeming no places to hide. I fear Coitus and I may have found the only tavern of discretion, The Whispering Jug, only to have the newly re-awakened servant of Mortivara, a certain Grayson Jay, get himself in trouble with the landlord and of in need of rescue. He’s lucky that Coitus and were there to save him. I hope to not need to return to the Whispering Jug but the loss of a place of privacy in a city of such exposure may prove yet to be a loss of a precious resource.
I hope the Lantern Bazaar proves a fortuitous locale to determine the meeting of the Darizahn noble and the Romari priestess or was that Darizhan priestess and Romari nobles? Either way, a secure wall around the Bazaar may yet prove the occupants undoing. Walls build a false sense of security, making it all the easier once inside to bluff one’s way into belonging. May fat coin purses await!