Malchik Posted April 16, 2006 Author Share Posted April 16, 2006 OOC> You have two swords as near as damn it identical. How do you intend to check out differences (if any) and how do you plan to know which was which? T'skar: AT THIS MOMENT you would not gain from going back to the city museum in Dohoti because you don't really know what to look for. On Topic> From the Guide to Golconar Golconar - city of beauty! Well, that's what they tell you. For the average short stay tourist it might appear true too. The original settlement of Golconar grew up around one of those mysterious old ruined temples found throughout Bashkher. It was on the southern side of a huge, near circular inlet in which a large island lay. The position - a natural safe harbour, at least on the north side of the island - and its mild climate led to rapid growth. It was 'discovered' by the wealthy of Papred who soon took over the island and the shoreline racking up property prices and sending the workers of the city southwards. About two hundred years ago an 'enlightened' governor decided to rip down everything on the island and mainland shoreline and replace the whole with a homogeonous and planned city of white marble. The island - called the Diamond because of its shape - is unique in being one vista or panorama of loveliness after another. The trip from island to shore is a mere 30 minutes by boat and so the shore is clearly visible. Thus the shoreline too had to be in keeping with the general design. Venture south beyond this facade and the story is rather different. THE DIAMOND All sea trade from outside Golconar docks here. Onward ferries to the mainland go every hour except duting the 'Festival' as mentioned below. During the festival there is only one ferry per day. Everything on the Diamond is exactly 200 years old. No changes other than repairs to the existing fabric are permitted. It is the haunt of the very wealthy. Such 'work' as is carried out is done only by those who have the resources to be able to consider such work a hobby. Visitors should particularly look out for Ayala's glassworks famous throughout Bashkher. Amazing to find a city governor like Ayala indulging in such a whim. But she is loosely related to the Desai (not Desani) family - enough said. Once a year it hosts a week long festival of music. All the inhabitants take part for 24 hours a day for seven days. They may be players or audience but they are there. They permit as little as possible to cause disruption, hence the restriction on ferries to the mainland. (The guide lists dates for several years and you see you will be arriving on the last day of the current festival but after the ferry to the mainland has gone. You will have to find somewhere to stay on the Diamond.) It also means visitors have to stay in the ridiculously overpriced lodgings on offer. Beside the general ambience the Diamond has nothing special to offer visitors beyond steep prices. You will hardly fail to notice the absence of children. To the inhabitants of the Diamond children under 16 can have no real appreciation of beauty and so are looked after in special schools on the mainland where true enlightenment is taught. THE SHORELINE More white marble but the prices are lower and the atmosphere less rarified. All significant buildings - governance, commercial, religious etc - are here. Along the shoreline too are innumerable eating houses distinguishable only by the colour of the umbrellas they use to shade their tables. From a distance they appear as a forest of giant multicoloured mushrooms. Of particular interest to visitors are the city museum and the Temple of Dancing Waters. A stroll along the shoreline is in many ways more satisfying than one in the Diamond. At least it feels real. THE REST What can be said? The reputation of the city as having streets paved with marble - accurate - attracts the indigent from throughout Bashkher. The extensive slums are squalid and depressing to the most hardened of hearts. No doubt this is the cause of the frequent epidemics that sweep through the city. Most diseases do not recognise class distinctions. Do not go here unless you have a heart of steel and a stomach of iron. EXCURSIONS Only one is worth thinking about. A strange device powered by steam chugs its way through the slums and up into a highland area known as the Malibar Hills. There isn't much to see when you arrive - some unexciting graffiti filled caves - but the device is the only one in Bashkher and it is worth facing the slums to undertake the journey. A little known fact is that the caves were once called the Malabar caves but the name was changed because someone thought it might not be original. And the name sounded unfortunate given those rumours about the presence of undead. Not that one can imagine 'Malibar zombie' being a nicer a thought. Fortunately such rumours are certainly untrue. All in all, three days is the most anyone would want to spend here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baba-John Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 When everyone had arrived below decks, Baba took out the sword he had taken from the Curator’s bed and asked who would like to carry it? :( Passing the sword to Kalmer, he asked, ”Kalmer, you interested?” If you take it I’d suggest you have one of the mages make it invisible like Mandrake did so well with this one, brandishing nothing to everyone. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karkarinus Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 Kalmer laughs out loud and lets Gnaag get on with it. "Of course I will bear the sword, if you will it, Baba. It will be safe with me. Although I do think we should examine both swords and mark them to know which is which." Kalmer and Baba decide to look for something to eat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baba-John Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 As they sit down together, Baba looks at Kalmer and asks, “Do you seriously think that Zarim Bembolia could be a anagram Immobile Bazar?” :( I’m sure it’s worth a shot. What have we got to lose? :blush: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phawk69 Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Moving over to sit with Baba and Kalmer, T'skar wonders aloud about the feeling Baba had in the museum "We know there is someone involved who knows something of Mind wizardry, would it be possible to do a little scan of the new sword to see if there is a lingering spell effect on it?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malchik Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 Gnaag suddenly becomes aware that while he has been experimenting with the whistles on deck a flock of birds have come and perched next to him looking at him as if expecting instructions. As you examine the two swords, preparing to mark them, they move slightly under their own volition so that the tips are touching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnaag Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 "Shoo! Get out of me. I have nothing for you. Go bother someone else." there were plenty of birds around Gnaag. They came when he was playing with the wistle to avoid thoughts about the depth of the ocean. They were looking at Gnaag weirdly. Gnaag made a few steps backwards. He saw Kalmer. "Hey, do you know what do they expect of me? I fear they haven't eaten yet." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mordred kaides Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Mandrake dreamed off a bit he wasn't realy paying attention after a couple of minuits he caught himself staring at the swords. "whoaa..."he jumped up as the swords suddenly moved.""was the ship responsible for this or... maybe... I once heard a story of a strange piece of metal that attracts other metal... but if this was made of such an alloy we shoud have noticed it by now... maybe there is something nearby that consists of it... or...""mandrake stands up straight and walks to the two swords.he picks up the one stolen from dothi and then ways it in his hands.then Mandrakes takes a few steps away from the first sword and lays the one he's holding on the palm of his hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baba-John Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Mummmm, Much to learn here, we have………………. :( Baba is as astounded as the rest, when the swords move. He says nothing. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malchik Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 When holding the sword it does nothing but the moment you put it down the sword tips swivel towards each other. Poor Gnaag nearly falls overboard trying to escape from birds that are waiting for his orders. When he tells them to go away they do as he asks. If he uses the whistles several birds respond to the call. (Except no chickens appear when he makes that sound. Perhaps there are none in the middle of the ocean!) The boat pulls into Golconar harbour. The sky is blue. The sun makes the white marble buildings glare. Kalmer's horse is taken to a special animal pen until Kalmer is ready to leave the Diamond. (OOC> Kalmer is on holiday for a week so can someone else respond for him.) Three tall white flagpoles hold pennons reading - Welcome to Golconar, City of Beauty. The perfection is undoubted but you soon find there is hardly anyone around. Shops are closed and only the receptionists in the two lodging houses are available. You can stay in the Sea Breeze for 200 nipin per room or the Magic of Golconar for 250. Only the latter is able to provide food and drink (at an additional cost of course). Fortunately Bharat is covering expenses until you leave Golconar. Everyone is at the Festival in the central theatre. "There is no charge to visit," the receptionists tell you enthusiastically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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