The Master Of Zooz

[Evaeril]

Ara felt her anger grow as the woman casually pointed to the shovel. She saw Baba look at the shovels and lean heavily on his staff with fatigue.

 

How dare she.

 

This was rudeness beyond comprehension. Hearing Gnaag's whispered words and feeling a sense of helplessness wash over her, she reached for the katana on her back. She would teach this woman a lesson on kindness. Her fist clenched the hidden white handle under her robe. She looked around and realized that everyone was staring at her. Suddenly her fury was gone, replaced by guilt. She removed her hand from the handle and tried to play the move off like she was scratching her back.

 

Violence would only hinder their passage in these lands. But a few words wouldn't hurt.

 

"Your absolute lack of social grace is duly noted ma'am. Should you become old and frail, I would hope that you will be treated as you treat others."

 

With that, Ara spun on her heels and and stalked out of the tavern heading back to Honeycomb Heaven. She whispered to Gnaag as she passed him.

 

"Don't worry, we'll throw in a book on manners."

[Malchik]

Mandrake and Tiax find that to get to the dock they have to be lowered down inside the black winching tower in a basket. The basket is inside the tower and it is pitch black inside for almost all the long and creaky descent.

 

Once on the dock they find no people about but there is a timetable on the dockside. Every day three boats leave for Papred and three for Golconar. The first at 9 am is the boat from Papred that does the circular trip around the country anticlockwise. The second at 2 pm is for Golconar only. The last at 8pm also comes from Papred but stops at Biksinder.

 

Turning back to look at the city the massive gate and walls - so very different from the South approach - it is almost frightening to look at. It is clear that as sand swamped Dohoti the populace simply raised the walls and built again on the ruins of the underlying city. They must have done it 30 times at least.

 

One thing was for sure. However well the walls had been constructed, nothing man made could hold back the huge weight of sand that lay behind them. Whether or not 'magic' existed in Bashkher these walls were magical constructions. If something was affecting the magic of Bashkher could it reach here? If it could these walls might tumble. This would obliterate the entire city and kill everyone who lived there.

 

Suddenly you realise that there is a great deal more at stake than petrefaction of a few elderly witches in the Swamps of Ooo.

 

The ships are all locked and their hatches are battened down. A notice by the timetable warns of severe sandstorms due to hit the city during the coming night. A small almost invisible line at the bottom says. 'Visitors are warned that walking in the city during a severe storm is extremely dangerous. With a seventy five percent risk of death. Do not attempt to leave your lodgings or alternative safe haven until the storm has passed and the all clear been given.' The tiny writing and its position at the bottom of the notice makes you wonder if Dohoti derives pleasure from seeing foolish visitors scoured of their skins and buried by sand.

 

The time since your arrival has been about three hours making it early afternoon. Darkness and therefore 'night' may mean any time after 7pm.

 

Tiax and Mandrake can see only one building other than the deserted dock offices. A square and rather unimpressive ochre walled temple. There is no one outside it. To return to the city they must pull the rope to advise of their need to be winched up again.

 

They may enter the temple or return to the city. (Bear in mind you are the only two party members to have this information and you have no idea where to find the others. Unless you have set a rendezvous point and time.)

[karkarinus]

The pause seems interminable. Kalmer decides to continue.

 

 

 

"We come specifically for one such item." He resumes. "A sword. One of nine, as our master believes. We know that there is one such sword here at your museum, and we would like to corroborate our information with your good self, being an authority on the matter. We merely need to confirm that the artifact does indeed meet the description that our sovereign has provided us:

 

 

 

"A sleek silver sword with a decorated blade and an elaborate handle. The tip has been reforged due to a breakage, and now is almost indistinguishable from its counterparts."

 

 

 

Of course, we could simply pay the entry fee and see for ourselves, but we would much like to give you your due merit in the matter." Kalmer smiles faintly and again makes a slight bow of repect to the curator, and again stepping back a little.

[Malchik]

The curator grunts. "The sword of Zooz - about the only thing of value here. But you have already been to see it. Why make up such a nonsensical tale? No matter. I can't waste my breathe talking to you I shall have enough to do in a few hours. In answer to your question, yes we have a sword as you have seen but if you are looking for one that has been damaged and repaired you have been sent to the wrong place. We lost the key to the grille twenty years back so it hasn't been anywhere. Now, goodday."

 

The curator waves you away.

[phawk69]

"Excuse my ignorance, but what will you be busy with? Is it something we might help with? We have not your great store of knowledge, but we do have strong backs, willing hands, and keen minds." With that said, she bows slightly, as Kalmer has been doing, and waits for an answer.

[Malchik]

The curator glances at t'skar. "Oh, you won't need to ask. When you rise tomorrow, you'll see. And yes, you can help if you will. But I've never met a visitor yet who does. They prefer a long lie in and luxury breakfast. Now if you'll excuse me I have to reply to a letter from another fool who has nothing better to do than talk about the swords of Zooz."

[Baba-John]

After tossing and turning for an hour or so, Baba decided to go and look for Ara and Gnaag.

 

There was more to this than meets the eye. One or two people being obnoxious, is one thing, but a whole city.

 

Not finding them in their rooms, Baba sets out for the tavern, where they had all met earlier, in the hope that everyone would return there with any information they may have found.

 

On arriving at the tavern, he sits down and orders a glass of wine.

[gnaag]

Gnaag saw Ara touching the place where the handle of her katana supposed to be. "The insolent woman will see the real anger." he thought. But nothing happened, Ara told him not to worry. But why? Maybe it was good solution, but who knows...

 

They both left the tavern. Outside there was darkness already. The streets were empty and sandy. Gnaag lost Ara. He couldn't see her. Probably he should turn and get back to safe but not friendly tavern. First place where they would search for him was there. Step back, some others and the well-known door was in front of him.

 

Gnaag stepped inside. Baba was there, fortunately. He sat beside him.

 

"Horrible weather. I couldn't see anything and I lost Ara. How are you now?"

 

Then he turned to bar and ordered an Ale. Hopefully it will be good.

[karkarinus]

The curator grunts. "The sword of Zooz - about the only thing of value here. But you have already been to see it. Why make up such a nonsensical tale?

 

(ooc- We haven't actually had a chance to get a description of the sword, only of its whereabouts in the museum and its security devices. As I understand it our first port of call has been the Curator's office.)

 

 

 

On Topic:

 

Kalmer turns to T'Skar and almost under his breath says, "This is not going to be easy. You seem to have struck a note with him though. We need to prove that we are no ordinary tourists, that we have come with a view to helping these people, not just for the 'hospitality'."

 

Kalmer is not prone to sarcasm, but he is finding that this quest of theirs will demand more of them than mere changes of play - their outlook on life may also be at risk of change. Unusually introspective at this point, Kalmer again speaks to T'Skar. "Come, let us find a place to stay and meet up with the others. Perhaps they will aslo be willing to help tomorrow with our 'chore', whatever it may be. I get the feeling it will be a case of Many cooks make light broth, as we say in Tagfier."

 

 

 

Kalmer wheels round and says to the curator, as they are leaving: "Just one more thing, Master Curator. How pleasantly surprised I am to learn that others share our interest in the history of Bashkher. Who, praytell, may the letter be from? Perhaps we could share our knowledge. And perhaps you may know about the other Sword of Zooz here in Dohoti?"

[tiaxanderson]

"Say Mandrake" Tiax starts "I think we should check out this temple... We still have time left..."

 

<thoughts>

 

" "We still have time left..." How strange does that sound.. I can feel the pressure on the walls by the time alone.................. If this magic will do to the walls what I think..." Tiax shrudders in his mind..

 

</thoughts>

 

"Whe should head out huh?"