The Master Of Zooz

[karkarinus]

Kalmer eats what for him is a hearty breakfast. He does not like being too full, but makes the most of the food available, in preparation for what may be a long day without much chance to stoke up.

 

He turns towards Baba. "What say you, Shaman? We need a plan of action, and as yet we have none. Time slips away from us as the desert sands, and our fellowship grows impatient. And besides, young Gnaag here is is going to start a brawl, if we don't give him something useful to do!"

 

Kalmer smiles that not-quite-smile of his as he says this, as if to soften his dry manner. Not one for banter as a rule, he is starting to realise that in the face of the incalculable difficulty of their mission, a little good humour wouldn't go amiss.

[mordred kaides]

Mandrake lays down his shovel.

""I would like to do more but my mought is dryer then sand.""

he slaps the old mage on his back.

"What about a frink in the arms of dohoti, my lips are almost dry as as sand."

he stands up and walkes to the designated area.

[Malchik]

You are now gathered at The Arms of Dohoti. Having helped with the sand you value has clearly gone up in the eyes of the local population. Indeed one of the children even offers to fetch you the small leaflet on the Honeycomb museum found in the City Museum.

 

It is in your hands before you have finished your breakfast (it is now about midday so you eat well).

 

The Museum you want is called the 'Local History' museum in the West Honeycomb. The leaflet gives simple and straightforward instructions on how to get there. A drawing shows it to be a stand alone stone and wooden building constructed in the bottom of a sand 'plaza'. It has three upper floors and one lower floor. Official opening hours are 8-6 every day.

[phawk69]

"I would like to have another visit with the curator of the City Museum, Pardip Anskar, and ask him a little more about Zarim, perhaps he can give us Zarim's last address, or last couple, so we have a starting point in finding him once we get to Golconar. Also there may be more he will be willing to tell us about the Sword they have now. We have about 6 hours before the Honeycomb museum closes, and the last ship for Golconar leaves at 8 tonight, so we may be able to be headed there today, if we split up. I will give you this guide we bought, Baba, last time we were to the City Museum, so you can go have a look at the sword there, as well." Excusing herself from the company, and complimenting the chef, T'skar heads to her room for a quick wash and changes into her white blouse and skirt. I still need sandles to go with this she thinks, as she roles down the top of her soft boots, I wonder if I should try that store at the gate again? She comes back into the main tavern to see if Kalmer is ready to go, and then heads across the street to the Museum to see the curator. Stopping at the front desk, she asks politely "Is Pardip Anskar in please? We would like to see him, if he is available."

[Baba-John]

OOC> We accept your offer of a Guide for each city, Thank You. :D

 

As soon as everyone has arrived, Baba calls everyone closer.

 

People, we are running out of time, but I think we should check out the locations we have identified today.

 

It is just on midday so we should have a good six hours, in which to check on every thing.

 

Tiax, Mandrake and Sael, Would you please check out the Jade Temple again. Let’ not steal anything, which would be noticed, anyway!

 

T’Skar and Kalmer have gone back to the city museum and then on to the Honeycomb Museum and check on the other Sword. They will find out everything they can about both swords, etc.

 

Ara, Gnaag and I have to go and do some archery training. To date we have not needed to fight, but I’d rather have a few more people capable, if we need them.

 

We should meet back here at six sharp for supper, if you all like, and to discuss what we learn today and to decide our next course of action.

 

If anyone has any other ideas now’s your chance. After a short pause Baba asks;

Barman can we have the bill and could we book the same table for this evening at six, please. :(

[tiaxanderson]

Tiax, Mandrake and Sael, Would you please check out the Jade Temple again. Let' not steal anything, which would be noticed, anyway!

OOC -> Duh there's like one thing in there.. a big jade (we think) statue...

 

"Is there any info about that temple?"

"Mandrake, what do you think it looked like? I would like to know what they are 'worshipping' there...."

 

Tiax seems to be lost in thoughts after his questions....

 

OOC -> Srry for not posting so long.. I really hate that comp.......

[mordred kaides]

Mandrake takes his book out of his sack, and he quickly gives a rough scethc of the statue.

"this is how it looked like, but I have actualy no idea who or what it should represent.

 

maybe one of museums has any information on it."

 

Mandrake hands the paper over to t'skar.

 

"could on of you please inquire about this statue."

[tiaxanderson]

"Or perhaps a library of some sort..."

"Anyway we should chack it out again.. We have got a new pair of eyes with us this time so we might see something we did not before.."

[Malchik]

Extract from The Blue Guide to Bashkher

 

Dohoti

 

Dohoti is the smallest of Bashkher's so-called 'Great' cities with a population of around the million mark. It is easily accessible from Papred by land and sea and has several tourist attractions.

 

Unfortunately we cannot wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone but the most diehard.

 

The problem is the sandstorms. Dohoti gets an average of one a week. They vary from the inconvenient, where there is mild nuisance of getting sand in the eyes or food, to the deadly, where the sand shredss clothes and flays skin. Normally they blow themselves out within a few hours but two or three times a year they get storms lasting as long as five days. As no external travel is possible in these conditions it can be a problem to travellers on a deadline.

 

The force of the sand destroys all but the toughest plants and scours paint from buildings. It makes the city seem dour and shabby. After each storm there is a prolonged sand clearing session involving the whole population. A combination of these problems has made the cityfolk singleminded to the point of sounding impolite.

 

For any of you intrepid enough to make the journey notwithstanding there are several points of interest.

 

The Walls

 

For reasons lost now in the mists of time, when sand threatens to overwhelm Dohoti, the citizens simply build the walls higher and add a new level to their buildings within the walls. From the three landward approaches the walls appear one or two storeys high but from the docks the full 30 storeys can be seen. It is awe-inspiring and in its own way terrifying.

 

The Winch Gate

 

The black tower used to bring men, goods and animals from the docks is a marvel of engineering. The winching mechanism is so precisely calibrated that it can be operated by only one man. For security reasons the mechanism is not open to public view but you may admire the tower from outside or take a ride in it.

 

The Honeycomb

 

The sandstorms prevent expansion beyond or above the city walls and so as the city grows it digs downwards. The impacted sand of millennia has metamorphosed into hard sandstone rock. It presents the city as a kind of three dimensional maze in which it is very easy to get lost. Only the main street between the two gates is not affected. With very few exceptions the rooms so constructed have no external wall. This may come as a shock to the more prudish visitors as there is no privacy of any kind in these building.

 

The Jade Temple

 

One of the eight ancient temples of Bashkher it is famous for its jade statue of the god Puri. Unfortunately the figure is so swathed in votive sashes you are unlikely to see more than the eyes. The lower levels of the temple are off limits without specific written approval from the central government in Papred.

 

The City Museum

 

This houses a fine collection of art and artifacts from all over Bashkher. The prize exhibit is one of the Swords of the Master of Zooz.

 

The Museum of Local History

 

This rather more parochial collection (by its description) is also said to house one of the Master's swords. Unfortunately despite the stated opening time our travellers have always found the place closed.

 

Nightlife

 

None.

 

 

 

 

This guide provides answers to some of your questions. The curator in the City Museum provides two addresses for Zarim Bembolia but has no new interesting information on the swords.

 

Tiax and Mandrake return to the Jade Temple. It is still empty of priests or worshippers. They can just about make out the statue's eyes.

 

 

T'skar and Kalmer make their way to the Museum of Local History.

 

OOC> I'll add a post on that later. Have to do some work now.

[Malchik]

OOC> I do hope you read all that!

 

Kalmer and t'skar arrive at the museum of Local History. A sign on the door says. 'After ringing the bell expect a fifteen minute delay'.

 

You ring it and wait. After exactly 15 minues there is the sound of bolts being drawn back. The door, secured by a chain, is opened a few millimetres.

 

What you can see of the face indicates the doorperson is male, very old and has the expression of a malevolent pixie.

 

"Museum's closed!"

 

The door is slammed shut in your faces.