~Idiot.~  As Maryam sees the arrow flying towards Zayna, she silently curses herself as she realizes seconds too late that she should have sent the message to the archer rather than to Alwar.  Nevertheless, there is nothing to be done about it now except deal with the archers as quickly as possible.

As the twin arrows hurtle towards her, the temperature drops as the very winds themselves rise up to protect her, twisting and swirling around her, tinted ice blue by her essence.  Maryam barely moves as the first arrow is deflected slightly from its course, embedding itself in the ground just inches to the left and slightly behind the Child of the Air.  The second arrow experiences a different fate.  The winds blow it upward, causing it to twist and turn, and then, with just a slight push of essence, send it flying back towards its archer.

Maryam is quick to retaliate, her blue jade sling twirling overhead as she sends two lead bullets flying upwards towards the archers in quick succession, guided by the winds themselves.  The first seeks retaliation against the archer who tried to harm one of her companions and the second follows at the heels of the arrow now flying back towards its archer.

[Private to Storyteller:

Attune anima bringing initial dodge DV against ranged attacks to 9.
Vengeful Gust Counter Attack against the second arrow.  I rolled a five, sending the arrow back with 3 successes.  2m.
Two attack flurry of 8 (archer that attacked Zanya) and 6 (archer that attacked me)
I used the first thrown Excellency on each of these for a total of 4m.

My sling attacks do 7L + successes.
Essence Spent so far:  4m personal, 8m peripheral]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Mon 07 Dec 2009.

Zayna, sadly, does not see the arrow coming for her until it is too late. The arrow punctures through her armor and buries in her upper shoulder - fortunately missing any absolutely vital organs. She lets out a grunt of pain and half leaps, half tumbles off the caravan roof, seeking cover behind it. (2L damage on Zayna)

The archer that Maryam sends the arrow back toward looks downright surprised to see the wind itself defy him, hurtling the projectile back his way. Not surprised enough to avoid it, though, as he twists aside so that the arrow sails past his arm and clatters harmlessly against the rocks behind him. He shouts something to his female companion as Maryam's lead bullets come hurtling toward them. "...have a Dragon-spawn with them," it sounds like.

The first bullet finds its mark swiftly, striking the female archer just beneath the throat and making her briefly gasp for breath. The second impacts the male with white hair on the arm, drawing a curse from him as the bullet falls away and blood wells from the wound, staining the sleeve of his buff jacket. (2L on each)

Below on the ground, Zayna crouches behind the caravan, bow drawn. She seems caught between aiming at the archers and supporting Alwar, but once she sees Maryam hit both the archers with hardly an effort, she aims her bow at the lead swordsman. Her arrow strikes him, but sadly ricochets off his armor harmlessly.

Readying another arrow, she watches worriedly as Alwar stands his ground. This could get messy quickly.

---

OOC: actions
tick 10 - Maryam, Swordsman trio, Alwar (after held action)
tick 11 - Archer duo
tick 12 - Zayna
[Private to Maryam Lamya-Kin fortunately for you, you are still faster than the archers with that jade sling. :)]

A look of concern crosses Maryam's face as well as she sees the three uninjured swordsmen converge on Alwar.  ~Five opponents.  The archers are injured, but still a threat.  The swordsmen aren't hurt at all.  Zanya's hurt and I can't send more than two bullets before the swordsmen reach Alwar.~  A feeling of reluctance passes through her but is forced down.  ~It may be embarrassing, but maybe something dramatic will drive a few of them away or at least serve as enough of a distraction to give Alwar an edge.~

Crouching slightly, Maryam leaps, two bullets hurtling from her sling as she flips upwards and ends up standing in mid-air, seemingly borne aloft by the winds themselves.  Her cloak billows dramatically in the icy cold, pale blue winds that surround her.  Hail stones pelt the ground beneath her.  The bullets themselves have picked up a thin layer of ice, and resemble large hail stones as they fly towards the two archers.

"This caravan is under the protection of one of the Azure Dragons. Leave, while you still have the chance!"


[Private to Storyteller:

3m to activate Belt of Aerial Mobility
Two attack flury with 9 successes for the white haired archer and 7 successes for the other archer.
Thrown excellency on each attack at 2m each.
Charisma + Presence 2 successes.  One rolled, one bought with wp.
Dodge DV against ranged attacks currently 7 (I think).
My sling attacks do 7L + successes.
Essence spent so far:  4m personal, 15m peripheral
Willpower spent so far: 1wp]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:52, Tue 08 Dec 2009.

Maryam's announcement gets a scoff from the lead archer. "Leave? Not even the prattlings of an Azure Dragon can keep us from what we have to accomplish here." He finds himself quickly swallowing his words, though, as she sends another twin barrage of bullets careening toward him and his companion. The ice-coated projectile slams hard into the white-haired man's shoulder, though he mostly shrugs off the pain, gritting his teeth. (2L damage)

The female is not so lucky, as she takes the second bullet full on the chest with a crack, staggering back and briefly clutching her wound. "Tch... good shot..." she manages to say, then painfully readies her bow. (3L damage)

Below, the trio of swordsmen with their oddly hooked weapons rush toward Alwar. The two accompanying their burly leader strike at the caravan guard in unison, one slashing from above to dig the hook into his neck, the other striking to slash open Alwar's midsection. The dark-haired guard's chopping sword neatly blocks the attack coming for his neck, but the second slash catches on the edge of his lamellar armor and tears a gash into his side. (3L damage)

"Zayna," he shouts as he retaliates swiftly, gritting his teeth and bearing his blade down on the attacker who harmed him, "the other one is headed your way!" And indeed the lead swordsman has broken away from his comrades, skirting around the other side of the wagon that Zayna is crouched near... the one that holds the package. At the same time, Alwar's chopping sword plunges into his opponent's shoulder, forcing the other man back. (3L damage)

Now the archers focus their attention on Maryam. "Take her down, the rest should be a non-issue," says the white-haired man mercilessly. His companion grunts assent and the pair loose two arrows each, sending four missiles hurtling at her floating, wind-wreathed form. From the skill they exhibit in this well-coordinated attack, Maryam is certain they are not quite 'ordinary' themselves... but what they are is a mystery to her at this point. [Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: 7 sux and 3 sux flurry from the first archer, 5 sux and 7 sux flurry from the second. They are coordinating attack, so you start with a 7-2=5 DV. Therefore the first arrow from the lead archer goes through with 2 sux, the second arrow from his companion goes through with 3 sux. You may of course stunt, spend WP, roll Virtue (successes count toward extra DV) to bolster your defense.]

Zayna, heeding Alwar's warning, edges around the wagon opposite the side the lead swordsman approaches from, snapping off two surprisingly accurate shots as he turns the corner. The first arrow embeds into his buff coat and draws blood (2L damage), the second impacts uselessly on his arm. Zayna backs away as the swordsman attempts to close distance, edging into range of Eduardo holding his bullet-bow ready.

---

OOC: actions
tick 14 - Maryam (after defense)
tick 15 - Swordsman trio, Alwar, Eduardo (ceases holding action)
tick 17 - Archer duo
tick 18 - Zayna

[Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: Also, +1 stunt for your last post... and I completely forgot to give you any stunt at all for the previous attack you made, so take another +2 stunt, for the sake of getting motes or WP back.]

As the four arrows fly towards her in a deadly pattern that makes it nearly impossible to avoid one arrow without putting herself in the path of another,  making it quite clear that her opponents are no ordinary bandits, Tybalt’s words from a month ago echo in her mind, “This is no ordinary mission, my eyes and ears tell me the artifact Zafar Sami has you transporting is something of grave importance.”

They cannot be allowed to take the sundering sword.  Maryam’s eyes narrow with determination and, despite the cold winds surrounding her, a trickle of sweat drips down her face as she twists and turns in mid-air in a deadly dance that attempts to avoid each arrow as it comes despite the fact that they are only seconds apart. However the arrows are too well placed to avoid entirely and her path still leaves her vulernable to two of them.  Fortunately, the first merely strkes her breastplate and drops away without doing any harm.  But the second, aimed lower, to prevent her from droping downwards to avoid the arrows, manages to catch her in the lower left leg.  But, while it does inconvenience her, it certanly doesn't stop her.

The horses shift nervously, white showing around their eyes as the sky is lit up by a pale blue dragon, its wings spread and its mouth open in a roar of defiance.  But they are well trained animals and they don’t attempt to flee, at least not while the glowing dragon remains at a distance.

Maryam’s sling whips through the air.  The first ice covered stone heading once again directly towards the white haired leader as she answers, “Perhaps my prattling can’t stop you.  But I will.”  However, this time, she continues to turn with the sling, the second stone not heading towards the other archer but instead flying towards Alwar’s uninjured opponent in an attempt to aid her follow guardsman.

[Private to Storyteller:  Spending 1wp for a conviction roll to add to dodge and botched.

Her armor gives her 11L soak since the cloak stacks with the breastplate.  She has a stamina of 3.

Since I don’t know how badly hurt she is, I just rolled normally and am including the results here so you can subtract as needed.
Maryam Lamya-kin rolled 11 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,7,7,7,8,2,6,5,8,9,9,1,10,3. Sling Attack 1 with thrown excellency.
Maryam Lamya-kin rolled 5 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,8,8,3,6,3,9,9,1,7,6,2,4. Sling attack 2 with thrown excellency.

Essence spent so far:  4m personal, 16m peripheral  (Taking stunt bonuses as motes)
Willpower spent so far: 2wp]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Fri 11 Dec 2009.

Maryam's words are true. The first bullet she hurls flies unerringly toward the white-haired man and collides punishingly hard with his solar plexus. Not even his armor saves him from the impact snapping several ribs and sending him to his knees. (4L damage) The second icy projectile hurtles toward the other swordsman facing Alwar and whangs him on the head, bloodying his scalp. He grimaces, shaking his head, but is not deterred from his attack. (2L damage.)

This time, the lead archer stays down. He isn't unconscious, but he's definitely not in good shape. He doesn't even bother leaving the cover to attack, staying hidden behind the rock face - though Maryam could easily rise higher, with her belt. Crouched there, he hisses something she can't hear to his companion.

The female archer answers with a grunt, and draws the bowstring once more. "Great Mother, guide my bow! Strike true at the heart of the dragon-spawn who scorns your children!" she intones, a fervent gleam in her eye. She kneels, takes aim, and sends a single arrow shot flying straight toward Maryam's chest. [Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: Only 5 sux! She misses, you can describe the miss as spectacularly as you like.]

On the ground, the decision to help Alwar pays off. The two swordsman facing off with him slash and lunge with hooked blades in unison. They are ill-suited for cooperating, though, and their wounds distract them enough that he is able to block and shove aside both attacks with his chopping sword. The caravan guard's brow shines with sweat from the effort it takes with the bloody gash in his side, but he is dutiful until the end, and does not run.

"Don't push me... you may regret it," Alwar growls, and retaliates valiantly with a powerful slash going diagonally down the torso of the swordsman he struck last. The unnamed opponent cries out in pain, stunned by the blow as it splits open his armor and nearly disembowels him. (4L damage+stun) He's staggering and disoriented, grasping at his belly wound.

Meanwhile, Zayna and an angry Eduardo find themselves faced with the lead swordsman. But they're too slow to stop him from slashing his blade at the wagon door, ripping the latch open. "No!" the merchant prince shouts, firing his bullet-bow too hastily. Eduardo's bullet ricochets off the wagon, rather than his target, but Zayna fires a shot that sinks right into the back of the swordsman's thigh. (2L damage)

But it's still not enough to hinder the would-be thief. He snatches the package from inside the wagon, ready to take off running!

---

OOC: actions
tick 18 - Maryam
tick 20 - Swordsmen, Alwar, Eduardo
tick 22 - Maryam again!
tick 23 - Archers
tick 24 - Zayna

[Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: Take another +2 for your last post. Now since you get 2 turns here before the archers, you can actually take two actions in your next post IF you'll only hit the archers. Otherwise, I'll narrate tick 20 and then you take your tick 22 action after that.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:21, Thu 10 Dec 2009.

Perhaps the Great Mother did guide the arrow, for it flew straight and true through the storm, undeterred by the gusting winds or the pelting hail and connected perfectly with the space where Maryam’s heart had been only seconds before.  However, Maryam was no longer there.  With a strong beat of the Ice Dragon’s wings, Maryam had lept upwards once again, in a graceful flip that left her standing a body-length higher than she had been before. The arrow merely passed beneath her feet and ultimately embedded itself in the mountain below.

Maryam’s eyes widen as in the midst of her flip she sees the lead swordsman slice open the wagon door and grasp the package.  “NO!”  The angry Dragonblooded whirls upon her landing, slightly favoring her left leg which now has a thin stream of blood trickling from it.  “Don’t touch that!”  Her sling whips through the air adding strength to her blow, as in an attempt to ensure that the swordsman does not escape with the artifact, she willingly sacrifices a bit of accuracy for pure power.   The Ice Dragon roars and sends forth a blast of icy air and hail that batters the ground around her.

The two bullets slice through the air as they fly with Maryam's full strength behind them towards the swordsman, guided by the winds and the skill of an Azure Dragon.

[Private to Storyteller:

Thrown Flurry on lead swordsman using the Fierce Blow called shot (p. 158) and full thrown excellencies.  Since the Fierce Blow subtracts one success from each, she has 5 and 9 successes to hit.

Essence Spent so Far:  5m personal, 17m peripheral. (Taking stunt bonus as motes)
Essence Left:  6m personal, 2m peripheral.  (Not counting committed)
Willpower spent so far:  2]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:06, Fri 11 Dec 2009.

The man stealing the Sundering Sword makes a last ditch attempt to avoid Maryam's accurate sling-shots, ducking to use the caravan wagon as partial cover. It's just enough to disrupt her first shot, the bullet clipping the upper corner of the wagon. The other streaks toward that same corner, shredding the wooden obstacle in its way, continuing onward to crunch into the side of the man's face. (4L damage) The impact flips him onto his back, his jaw smashed and bloody, but still he tries to get back up!

Eduardo winces at the damage done to his wagon, but he doesn't hesitate when his bullet-bow is reloaded and ready. "This ends here. I won't have filth like you ruining my reputation! Gah!!" Though not accustomed to killing men, he aims the weapon at the bandit and squeezes the trigger. Thunk goes Eduardo's bullet between his eyes, and he falls back, his body utterly still.

The odds of Alwar's survival continue to rise, as the man he cleaved open finally staggers and collapses, the loss of blood knocking him unconscious. Spitting with anger, the last standing swordsman attempts to drive his hooked blade into Alwar's throat. Sheer adrenaline and willpower guide the dark-haired guard's sword, forcing the attack aside just enough that it barely nicks his throat. "It's just... a matter of time... till you end up like your friend there." But Alwar swings his sword awkwardly enough that his opponent dances away from it easily.

Witnessing Maryam's success, the female archer shakes her head and swears in a dialect Maryam recognizes instantly as Seatongue. She starts shaking at the white-haired man, still slumped behind the rocks. "He didn't make it, Brother. We're done here. Let's pull out! NOW!"

---

OOC: actions
tick 22 - Maryam
tick 23 - Archers
tick 24 - Zayna
tick 25 - Swordsman (1 left), Alwar
The bandits will start retreating on tick 23, unless stopped.

[Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: Another +1 for last post :)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:30, Fri 11 Dec 2009.

An expression of relief crosses Maryam’s face as she sees that the package is safe and determines that most of the bandits are either no longer threats or  planning to retreat.  As her posture relaxes slightly, the ice blue dragon fades, though the storm itself remains.

However, there is one exception, the enraged final swordsman seems far more interested in obtaining avenging his friends than in leaving. This makes Maryam’s decision easy enough, and once again two stones fly through the storm, aimed at Alwar’s attackers.

[Private to storyteller:

Thrown Flurry with Excellencies 9 and 5 successes.

Essence Spent so Far:  8m personal, 17m peripheral. (Taking stunt bonus as motes)
Essence Left:  3m personal, 2m peripheral.  (Not counting committed)
Willpower spent so far:  2]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:55, Sat 12 Dec 2009.

Maryam's sling bullets slam into the last swordsman's body just moments after he escaped Alwar's sword. The twin impacts knock him onto the ground, unconscious with a crushed shoulder and ribcage. Without medical attention he won't survive more than several seconds. (2L, 3L damage)

The female archer on the ridge helps the white-haired man up and the two of them half limp, half run down the slope, covered by the cliff face as they head west and northward. For now, the battle is over.

Alwar glances up thankfully toward Maryam, wiping his brow before clutching at his side wound. Fortunately Seerah knows some first aid techniques, but it'll still take several days for him and Zayna to heal completely. The lead driver is already coming to see him with her medical kit, in fact, as Zayna's wound to the shoulder is comparatively minor. She slings her bow on her back and starts examining the arrow buried there, grimacing at the thought of having to pull it out.

Once it's certain the swordsmen are defeated and the archers long gone, Eduardo follows suit by unloading and storing his bullet-bow. He spits on the ground and kneels near the swordsman closest to him, retrieving the package that had fallen out of his hands. Long, wrapped in cloth and placed in a hard case, the package is long and rectangular. Only Maryam knows it is called the Sundering Sword, though can only speculate as to why men would kill for it.

Next the merchant prince (shaken, though trying valiantly not to show it) picks up the fallen man's weapon. His eyes widen in surprise. "This... this is a Lintha auhzian sword," he announces, narrowing his eyes. "But this is very, very far from shore. Why would they come this far?"

Seerah, while tending to Alwar's side wound, calls out, "The last swordsman is unconscious but could be stabilized. Should we question him? Or...?" She trails off grimly, the obvious implication that they should let him die. Especially if he is truly a demon-spawn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:44, Sun 13 Dec 2009.

As the battle comes to an end, Maryam releases her connection to the winds and walks back down to ground level, careful to remain far enough away from the others that her anima neither harms them nor spooks the horses.  The thin flow of blood trickling from her leg is already slowing; although the arrow itself still needs to be removed.

Her expression is thoughtful as she answers, “The archers were more than mortal as well, probably demon-blooded if the swords are Linthan.  This wasn't just an ordinary bandit attack.  They were here for the package.  The lead swordsman went straight for the wagon carrying it and didn't stop trying to get at it until he was dead.  And I wouldn't be at all surprised if the rest of them were just trying to provide him cover until he got it and they could escape."

"That’s probably why Zafir didn’t want us to travel by sea.  For some reason, the package is important to the Lintha.”  A hint of determination can be heard in her voice as she adds, “Which makes it even more important that it gets to Zafir safely and stays out of their hands.”

She glances to Eduardo at Seerah’s question, “It is your decision, but it might be a good idea to question him, if for no other reason than to find out if we should be expecting another attack before we reach An-Teng."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:13, Mon 14 Dec 2009.

After some deliberation, Eduardo decides to go along with questioning the remaining swordsman. Seerah gingerly disinfects and patches up his wounds, not comfortably, but enough that he would at least survive the night. Then Alwar hauls out some rope and binds the man tightly.

It takes a little while for the excitement and adrenaline rush from the sudden attack to die down. The caravan is brought away from the main road to the nearest open space. There, a camp is quickly erected so that food and rest can be partaken, particularly for the wounded caravan guards. Alwar doesn't seem he will be up to much besides sleeping off his injury, but Zayna (with shoulder newly bandaged) is alert enough to watch over the camp with her bow and her keen senses.

For now, the unpleasant business of speaking with the mortally wounded prisoner is the first order of the evening. Later on -- perhaps not until early the next day at this rate -- repairs on the broken wheel would begin, as well.

Close up, the tied up man has the scent of seafoam about him. With his hood and scarf pulled aside and his shirt undone to give way for the bandages, his skin is revealed to have a distinct bluish tint, and his hair is a shade of dark green not particularly unusual in certain parts of the West. Recently roused from unconsciousness with a bottle of strong smelling salts, he gazes balefully at his captors with his dark eyes in slits.

Eduardo does the majority of the talking, starting by asking his name. This he gives proudly: Lintha Sennong Cousin Jrai. Other than that he is irascible and uncooperative, spitting rather than replying plainly, even insinuating at times he would have preferred death over capture. There are only three pieces of information Jrai cares to give. One, that the Sundering Sword is an artifact that can supposedly cut through any material, even magical. Two, that Haquen, a Lintha greatsept, wish to acquire the Sword even more than the Sennong. Three, that the Sword should never fall in the hands of Horus, for he is a Chosen of the Moon, and his wife Chosen of the Sun. Jrai seems almost eager to paint a picture of them as greedy and corrupt.

Asked about further hostile attempts to acquire the Sword, the captured Lintha only smirks, shrugs and says sarcastically, "Good luck." Neither Eduardo nor Zayna, who takes a turn with Jrai while Maryam takes her place guarding, seem capable of prying much more than that. And as neither of them are predisposed toward the sort of torture a Lintha would weep at, they reach an impasse.

"Anything you have to add, Maryam?" The merchant prince calls her back to his side. "Otherwise, I think we've squeezed about all he'll be willing to say from him. I have a thought on how to proceed from here, something I'd much rather not have to suggest." Here he sighs ponderously; today seems the day for bad news. "But I'd like to hear your thoughts first."

Maryam, a clean white bandage now wrapped around her leg, walks over to Eduardo as Zayna moves into the guard position.

At his question, she shakes her head, “I don’t think I’d have any more luck questioning him than the rest of you did.  Considering his attitude, I’m not sure that I would trust his answers anyhow.  Already, I have my doubts about what he has to say about this Horus and his wife.  Jrai seems a little too eager to convince us they are anathema.  Not that it matters I suppose, since we are delivering the sword to Zafir rather than them.”

“As for the suggestion you’d rather not make,”  She glances over at the prisoner for a moment, any sympathy she had had for him already worn thin by his words and actions over the last few hours, and then turns back to Eduardo, “Is it a feeling that we’d be better off if the prisoner didn’t survive the night?”  Her tone is matter of fact, “I don’t think that anyone would object.  After all, he may be injured, but he does remain a threat.  I’m quite certain that if he saw the chance he would do anything he could to steal the sword or betray our position to other attackers.  I can take care of it, if you’d like.”

“Or are you referring to a change in the journey itself?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:39, Tue 15 Dec 2009.

"Fair enough. And no, it is about the journey," Eduardo says, whispering back to the Air Aspect out of earshot of the bound Lintha, Jrai. "Though you also have a point about that. I think he should be eliminated before we enter An-Teng lands." He seems to have no love for Lintha, and thus no remorse at the idea of Jrai's death. Few merchants would have positive things to say about the Lintha, who steal goods at sea and undercut prices.

As far as Eduardo Lucan is concerned, they are a scourge that deserves to be wiped out from the face of Creation.

Now he gets to the part he's really unhappy about. The stout Southerner takes a deep breath that sounds like a sigh, then continues, "Anyway, Maryam, I think it better that you carry the Sword away from here alone, and bring it personally to Zafar. You're good at being discreet and moving quickly in difficult terrain. I have other goods here, and good people I'd rather not lose to another attack... so, I think this is the best course of action for all involved."

"Can I trust you with this? It will be dangerous. You will have to travel a long distance, cover your tracks and remain unseen. We'll leave the swordsmen's bodies here, and Jrai's after you've... disposed of him, as a warning to any other Lintha coming our way."

Eduardo pauses expectantly, then, to give Maryam time to think about her answer.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:55, Wed 03 Mar 2010.

Maryan considers for a moment and then nods.  “I’ve gone on similar missions before and am willing to do so now.  However, that isn’t going to completely remove the threat to you and the others.  Even if I’m gone, the Lintha and any other possible attackers are likely to assume that the package is still with the caravan.  And it will leave you short a guard.”

Maryam leaves unspoken the thought that any successful attackers who discovered that the caravan didn’t have the sword might take out their anger on Eduardo and the others.   Though a hint of the thought probably shows in her expression.

“I think if we are going to do this, you would be wise to stay at the Guild post at Thousand Dragons Lake until Alwar and Zanya are completely healed or you should hire quite a few extra guards.   And it might be best to do both.”

Eduardo listens seriously to Maryam's concerns and nods in acquiescence. "I've thought about that, and you're probably right. However, I'd prefer we part ways as soon as possible." He rubs his chin pensively, glancing over toward where Zayna is watching Jrai now and then. Finally the merchant prince continues, "How about this: we'll leave the bodies a short distance away, and camp here for a day. Then when we've got the repairs done, you can accompany us until we reach Thousand Dragons Lake."

"At that point we should be safer, the Guild will provide for us and the outpost will be better equipped to defend us. And yes we can hire a few more men while there, leaving you free to go forth on your own." He doesn't look completely pleased, still. That plan would mean further delays. But what's a few days lost compared to dying and losing one's cargo to Lintha bandits?

Eduardo concludes wearily, "I think we'd best get the unpleasant part done quick. Zayna and I will leave you with him, do what you must and then dispose of him with the others. Then try to get some rest. If I have my way we'll be moving again by dawn on the 16th."

[Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: I'll leave to you to describe how you dispose of the Lintha Jrai, you can be as detailed or as vague as you wish as long as it maintains a 'Mature' level.

After that... unless you want to talk to Eduardo or the others some more... you can narrate what Maryam will do for the next couple nights, as I will be time skipping ahead. (There will be more training time coming up in the next couple days, on the journey down to the Lake, so you may want to save further xp expenditures for that.)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:07, Thu 17 Dec 2009.

Maryam nods, “That sounds like our best option.”  As Eduardo walks over to Zayna to explain that Maryam will be dealing with the prisoner, Maryam takes a moment to fetch one of the auhzian swords from a nearby wagon.

Carrying the auhzian sword in a relaxed position at her side, Maryam approaches Jrai who looks up at her with a scowl.  Contempt is clear in his tone as he says, “So, you’ve decided to take your turn at questioning me?”

Maryam shakes her head, unperturbed by the hatred in his gaze, “No, I’m here to grant your earlier request.  You’ve stated several times you would have preferred death to capture.  I’m going to give you that death and I’m going to give you a choice.  I can either kill you quickly and cleanly right now, or if you’d prefer, I will let you die with a sword in your hand in a duel to the death.”

Jrai’s expression is suspicious as he asks, “And what do you want in exchange for letting me die with a sword in my hand?”

“Nothing, except your word that you will stand and fight rather than trying to steal the sword again or to attack the others.”  ~Not that it matters much, I’ll simply strike you down from behind if you try it.~

Jrai’s expression remains suspicious but he nods, “Agreed.  Untie me and give me the sword.”

Maryam sets the auhzian sword down next to the bound Lintha and then drawing her own sword, in a smooth gesture slices through the ropes binding him.  She remains in an on-guard stance, with the short sword in hand as Jrai painfully picks up his sword and struggles to his feet

The battle is short.  Maryam easily steps out of the way of Jrai’s awkward lunge and with a powerful stab, her own sword sinks deep into his side.  Jrai’s sword falls to the ground, and his body topples only a second later.

Wiping off and sheathing her own blade, Maryam picks up the body and carries it over to the others and then heads back to the campsite to get some rest.

The next two days pass uneventfully, with Maryam and Zanya trading off guard duties while Alwar recuperates.  When not busy keeping watch or helping out with camp duties, simply Maryam trains, relaxes, and chats and plays cards with Alwar and the other caravan members who are not busy fixing the wheel.

Ascending Earth - Resplendent Earth
The journey to Thousand Dragons Lake

Getting the wagon wheel aligned and fixed, as well as repairing the damage done to the wagon holding the Sundering Sword, goes smoothly once the unpleasant business of killing and disposing of Lintha Sennong Cousin Jrai is over with. Maryam's last gesture to him ensured that he died with honor, lessening the chance he will rise as an unhappy ghost. Still, the mood of the camp is uneasy until the morning Eduardo Lucan's caravan is ready to depart from the summit.

The downward journey on the pass is relatively uneventful, which is a good thing given the recent attack. The going is potentially treacherous given the downward slope, so speed has to be sacrificed for safety, but the view on the way is breathtaking as the pass opens up to reveal the forested foothills below, already teeming with greenery due to the region's temperate climate. Nestled in the midst of the broadleaf forest is the lake that is the caravan's destination, a shining expanse large enough to be seen from miles away, reflecting the sky above. All the major rivers that flow from the peaks find their way to Thousand Dragons, and many businesses thrive on the power source generated by that influx of water: blacksmiths, grain mills, even shipyards.

This makes Thousand Dragons Lake one of the main thoroughfares of An-Teng, and one of its most beloved attractions. From here, gems and minerals mined from the mountains, high quality metalworks from the local forges, as well as fruit, nuts and spices from the High Lands farmlands are shipped westward toward the distant seashore. Lakeside piers are populated with colorful sails from many a merchant vessel, yacht and courier -- though Thousand Dragons is no city, more a stopover on the way to the High Lands (whether on pilgrimage to the Golden Lord, or for work or business in the mines) or back toward the more densely populated Middle Lands. The buildings clustered around the lake shore therefore cater toward the traveler: inns, bathhouses, stables, supply stores, inexpensive entertainment, and of course the Guild House, right at the juncture where the Thousand Dragons flows into the River of Queens.

It seems that the Sennong (or any other Lintha sept) have yet to send another party so far from the sea, and Maryam had crippled the two archers enough to be a potent warning. On the other hand that could mean that the next time the Lintha attack will be even more devastating. Thus, Alwar and Zayna do their best to rest up and recuperate from their wounds during the trip, imbibing the supply of Hero's Recovery potions Seerah has kept aside for such a purpose. By the time the caravan reaches the Thousand Dragons Guild outpost, they and Maryam are all healed anew. [Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: you can assume you get back all Temp Essence, WP, Health Levels. Not Virtue channels, though, so I hope you kept track of those you used.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:33, Sat 19 Dec 2009.

As Seerah coordinates the caravan's arrival at the Guild House, Eduardo takes Maryam aside. "I hate to hurry you along like this, but now that you're healthy and healed again, it's best you continue on with the package alone. Zafir is depending on me, and we've been lucky to get this far safely."

"However, we're here in Thousand Dragons now, and you should at least take the time to buy any supplies you need, or make personal travel arrangements. I will cover what I can, if it helps you reach the City of the Steel Lotus safely and swiftly."

Eduardo waits for a moment when Alwar and Zayna are distracted with some heavy lifting, and gestures Maryam toward the wagon reserved for the Sundering Sword. Inside is the flat black rectangular case, which Eduardo uses a series of small keys to meticulously unlock. Once the last lock clicks open, the Southern merchant gingerly opens the case to reveal a scabbard wrapped in dark purple silk. The hilt is also dark, a strange black metal that Maryam is not sure she can define, with a gilded pommel and guard. The blade shape is curved and broad, likely a single-edged sword, modeled after the Southern falchion.

"This is it. The Sundering Sword," Eduardo says in a low voice, glancing around as if fearing someone will hear him speak the words. He doesn't even look willing to touch it, leaving Maryam to pick it up herself. "Carry it on you at all times, but do not unsheath it. Ever. You may well regret it."

After Maryam accepts the sheathed artifact, he continues, "Let me know if there is anything you need. If you'll leave soon, you may want to say your goodbyes, as well. I'll leave the exact departure time up to you, but as I said, we've little time to waste."

[Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: And now you're in a place you can get supplies and such, you can potentially buy anything else you need (this includes travel, if you'll buy a horse, or a spot on a river ferry, or even space on a private yacht going westward). Anything you don't have Resources for, you can potentially ask Eduardo to put on his tab for you. Just RP it out. :)

As you can see I'm trying to set it up so that you'll be headed for the City of the Steel Lotus by the time your holiday vacation comes around. I'll just ask for some rolls to abstract things along the way, and we can pick up again when you return from your family visits. Or during, if you have time (but only if).]

Maryam’s expression is respectful as she carefully picks up the scabbard weapon and straps it onto her back in a position where it will be concealed by her cloak and not get in her way.  “Don’t worry, I plan to be very careful with it.”

Once the weapons is positioned, she continues, her voice low, “And, if everything goes according to plan, I should be leaving here tonight.   With any luck, I should be able to get a fair distance from here before any enemies realize what has happened.

And, my plan would go much more smoothly with your help and maybe that of a few others, if you feel telling them is worth the risk.  What I’d like to do, is have anyone who might be keeping an eye on us, assume that I’m still with you for at least a few days.  After all, if they don’t know I’m gone, they have no reason to wonder -why- I’m gone or to follow.

Since I plan to travel light and fast, I should be able to purchase most of the supplies I need without drawing any attention.  But, buying a horse and tack would be a bit more suspicious.  Could you possibly make that purchase for me?  I can then either buy the horse from you or return it to you once you reach the City.

Then, this evening after dinner I'll head up to my rooms and "remain in them" for as long as possible. Perhaps I could claim that an old injury has started bothering me or that I need to spend some time mediating and communing with the Elemental Dragons.  That’s where having a few others know about the situation could come in handy.   The illusion would last far longer with people taking food up to the room and bringing back empty bowls, visiting with me, and so on.

What do you think?”

[Private to Storyteller: That sounds good and the timing of everything seems to be going very well.]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:50, Sat 19 Dec 2009.

Eduardo listens to Maryam give her explanation, his arms crossed and his brow creased as he takes in all the details. Finally he nods sharply. "We'll go with that plan. Horse and tack, done and done. The rest I'll arrange with as few individuals as necessary from my trusted staff."

"When you've finished the delivery in the City of the Steel Lotus, you can drop off the mount at the Guild House there. They'll arrange the paperwork necessary to ensure you get paid for the job, minus expenses." Having Guild connections means certain convenient advantages, as long as one stays in good standing with them. It's a double-edged sword, of course. The Guild has outposts in most every major city in the Threshold, making it very difficult to run from them should the organization instead view one as a threat or a hindrance to profit.

Fortunately, Eduardo Lucan has not survived in his business for as long as he has without being careful to remain legit in all his transactions. "The delivery of the package is the end of your current contract with me. We may meet up again in the City, if you wish to rejoin us. However, my caravan will remain here a few days to give you a head start and hire on some new hands, enough that any potential spies will assume you've just gone onto another job, as sellswords often do."

"Good luck, Maryam. I have no doubt you'll succeed." The Guild merchant shakes her hand firmly, and sends her off to her preparations.

A few hours later...

Maryam has no trouble replenishing travel food and other supplies while the caravan settles into for a stopover at the Thousand Dragons Guild House. Eduardo informs Seerah, Alwar and Zayna of her upcoming departure, though not the exact reason why, as well as two others: the head cook, Lathansa, and Quiet Stream, the stablehand on duty for the night.

He has a spry russet mare saddled and ready to go when it is time for Maryam to consider her departure. The mount's sleek musculature shows her to be a courier born and bred, suitable for long-distance travel rather than pulling burdens.

[Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: When you have time please post how you begin your journey and the precautions you will take along the way. Good, creative thinking here will merit some stunt dice, applied to several rolls I will make on your behalf. Depending on how you approach this, it may involve Survival (if traveling in the wilderness and hiding your tracks), Stealth (if traveling roads, essentially hiding in plain sight), and/or Larceny (for disguising).

The journey you are embarking should be approximately 12 days on horseback, and you will be following the River of Queens west until you reach the Steel Lotus. The season is equivelant to an early spring, the climate is mild so extreme weather conditions are not an issue.]

Maryam’s handshake is firm as well as she replies, “Thank you, and may the gods of the roads and the winds continue to favor you.”


After replenishing her supplies and exchanging farewells with Seerah, Alwar, and Zanya, Maryam appears to settle in to enjoy her time in Thousand Dragons.  While enjoying a dinner of roast chicken and vegetables, she makes a few comments about being happy to have a few days to sleep in a real bed, to enjoy food that wasn’t cooked on the road, and to have a chance to spend a bit of time meditating.  A few hours later, after spending a relaxing evening chatting with the other guards and travelers, playing cards, and drinking (though Maryam drinks far less than she appears to), Maryam heads first to the bath house for a hot bath and then up to her rooms to get some rest.

Several hours later, the city is dark and quiet and most of the inhabitants of the guild house are fast asleep.  Maryam slips out of her room and quietly carries her bags down to the stable, exchanging a few words with Quiet Stream.  Though not entirely happy about leaving a comfortable stable in the middle of the night, with just a bit of soothing from her rider, the sweet-tempered mare accepts the fact that they will be traveling by moonlight.  Then, with just a hint of essence to mask her presence and hide her trail, Maryam quietly rides out of Thousand Dragons and into the night.  [Private to GM: Trackless Passage Style is used.  Soundless Action Prana and Distracting Breeze Meditation will be used if the situation warrents]

That night, Maryam only travels for an hour or so before finding a campsite hidden from the road where she spends her remander of the night.  The next morning, she rises with the dawn and carefully naturalizes the site.  She covers any scuffed areas with native materials, brushes out her footprints and those of the mare and rakes the matted grassy areas with a stick.  Once that is complete, and she has eaten a cold breakfast, Maryam begins her journey to the City of the Steel Lotus, avoiding the main road and traveling through the wilderness.

Although the days she travels are long, starting with the dawn and extending well into the evening, Maryam is careful to set a pace that is comfortable for the horse, and to take sufficent breaks for the mare to rest and eat.

As she travels Maryam uses both her charms and her skills to hide her trail.  During the day, in addition to regularly using Trackless Passage Style to hide her tracks, she either follows along animal paths or does her best to travel on durable terrain, such as rock, sand and gravel or durable vegetation such as grasses that are resistant to trampling.  If during her travels, she notices that she is close to any other people, she makes use her other stealth charms to mask her presence.

Her meals are prepared well away from her campsites and are often either served cold or are simple one pot meals that require minimal preparation time and create little garbage.  The cooking fires are kept small and are only allowed to burn for the time they are needed.  The small pieces of wood are gathered over a wide area and collected from dead and downed branches.  Maryam is careful to burn the wood to ash, soak it with water, and then scatter the ash and any unused wood over a large area to keep the sites looking as untouched as possible.

The campsites themselves are kept small, located at least 200 feet away from water, and placed on durable terrain with any organic litter such as leaves and lichen-coated rocks left in place as much as possible and any other cleared rocks, twigs, and other items replaced before she leaves.  Campfires are only used in the evening if the night is cold enough to truly require it.  On the other nights, Maryam simply uses her blanket for warmth and relies on the moonlight or heads to bed once it too dark to see clearly.  In the mornings, she spends a bit of time naturalizing the camping grounds: covering scuffed areas, brushing out footprints, burying any trash, and just doing what is needed to make the campsite appear untouched.

Since she is traveling alone, Maryam spends many of her daylight hours practicing being more aware of the things surrounding her, smiling with satisfaction as she notices a small animal scurrying through the underbrush or hears the distant call of a cuckoo.  Though it is usually late when she finishes setting up her camp for the night and caring for the mare, Maryam generally devotes an hour or so before sleeping to practicing various unarmed combat movements.  After all, sometimes it can be handy to be able to deal with an opponent without drawing a weapon.

[Private to Storyteller:  Thank you for the Christmas gift and I hope that you had a very pleasant Christmas, got to spend lots of time with loved ones, and received at least a few very cool gifts.

I would like for my Christmas charm to be the Elemental Concentration Trance.

Since it is a favored skill, I don’t think that increasing survival requires training time, so I would like to spend five points to increase it from 3 to 4.  She is currently working on increasing awareness from 2 to 3 for four points and martial arts from 1 to 2 for two points.  I’d also like to see about increasing resistance from 1 to 2 points for two points, but am not entirely sure how to role-play resistance training.  I’ll save the other five points for now. Once I earn some more, I’ll probably start focusing on getting more charms.  There are quite a few tempting ones.]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:34, Sun 27 Dec 2009.

2nd-14th Day of Resplendent Earth, RY 768
En route to the City of the Steel Lotus

Maryam's journey from Thousand Dragons Lake to the Shore Lands goes without a hitch, given her skill, foresight and methodical habits. She wisely took the time and opportunity to stock up for her approximately two week trip, which her Resources and Eduardo Lucan's assistance covered nicely. It also helps that the weather is mild, give or take a light rainfall now and then, and the terrain well suited for travel by horse.

The Air Dragon persists in avoiding the roads, keeping her camping sites tidy with little smoke and waste, and staying out of sight of other travelers. This allows her to travel the entire twelve days all but unnoticed. The only individuals that come close to finding her are curious animals as well as hunters and woodsmen familiar with the lay of the land. The former are peaceful, and the latter more interested in hunting or logging than noticing her. Those that do are warded off with a distracting breeze.

Only two of the travelers she meets in the wilderness truly challenge Maryam's skill. The first, she manages to catch sight of twice: once on the night she leaves, and again on the fourth day of travel, before nudging her horse deeper into the forest to shake off the tail. Unfortunately Maryam sees few details beyond that the pursuer is on foot, moves unusually swiftly despite lacking a mount, and is clad in dark camouflage. The figure's face and hair are wrapped up in a concealing cowl, and the unisex garb further confuses any attempts to identify details.

The other does not bother to hide from her. He is an obvious Dragon-blood, with auburn hair and the green-tinged complexion of a Wood Aspect, traveling on a dark chestnut horse with a white starburst mark on one eye. Trackless Passage does not deter him, but Maryam's intensive practice with wilderness survival during the trip allows her to escape his notice... just barely. She doesn't get the feeling that he was hostile, but the package she carries is too important to risk revealing herself to anyone.

Gradually the land flattens out, transitioning from forested hills and fertile farmland to stretches of bayou and marshland. Crops still grow here, but much more selectively. Maryam skirts a wide birth around orchards of persimmon and blood orange, opium poppy plantations and rice paddies. With the foliage becoming lower and scarcer, it becomes more and more challenging to find an easy place to conceal herself and her mount between the traffic on the widening roads and the busy bank of the River of Queens.

[Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: Your post and charm usage were more than enough to avoid any mundane notice, but you had a couple magical trackers, meaning that they were able to make you roll to avoid them. I made the required rolls for you (I was generous, I gave you +3 stunts for avoiding notice, considering that you did some research to write your post! You will get an extra xp!)

You'll see a whole lot of rolls in the dice roller. One of the magical trackers was quite persistent. However you were able to avoid both of them, ultimately. They may still find a way to figure out your destination, but you can be assured your stealthiness thwarted the trackers at least a few days.

In any case, you will enter the 'City of the Steel Lotus' thread very soon, since you did so well on the travel there. Post here how you will approach the city, i.e. will you travel by the roads at this point, will you try to sneak in, will you head for a Guild outpost at the outskirts? After that I'll describe the City itself for you, possibly in the new thread depending on what you write here!]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:21, Wed 30 Dec 2009.

As Maryam approaches the City of the Steel Lotus and hiding herself and her horse grows more and more challenging, she decides to change her method of concealing her presence.  After all, she decides, being noticed attempting to hide is far more likely to attract attention than just merging into the traffic approaching the city.

Thus, approximately one day’s journey from the City of the Steel Lotus, a blue-haired young woman dressed in browns and wearing a Chiaroscuran glass breastplate and a storm grey spider-silk cloak rides onto the main road approaching the city.  Her russet mare appears to be well cared for, and her garb and manner is no different from any other traveler or sell-sword approaching the city.   She nods acknowledgements to other travelers on the road and if addressed returns polite greetings as she continues on her way into the city.  Just another Dragon-Blood traveling into the City of the Steel Lotus, in search of work or relaxation.

[Private to Storyteller:  Thank you for the +3 stunt and the extra xp.  Heh, I have to admit I am curious about the two trackers, but they’ll probably show up at some point in the future.]

Maryam does not encounter any trouble blending in with the travelers on the road leading to the City. Some nod and smile back at her, but the only ones that actually deign to meet her eyes and speak a greeting are other Dragon-blooded or people of means.

Those wearing simple garments or in common professions tend to give her a wide, respectful berth as she rides to the city, ostensibly to rest after a job well done. The shining hilt of the sword at her belt certainly speaks of her talent as a sell-sword - either that, or a very generous gift.

By afternoon on the 14th of Resplendent Earth, the Child of Mela arrives within sight of the City, surely eager to leave the dust and tedium of the road behind her.

---

OOC: Will continue in 'Chapter 3, Phase 2 - City of the Steel Lotus'. Prelude is concluded! :)