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12:49, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

To the ziggurat.

Posted by Dyaus PaterFor group 0
Dyaus Pater
GM, 80 posts
Fri 23 May 2014
at 13:58
  • msg #1

To the ziggurat

With the party outfitted including Alembos and Vranu sharing a second chariot, Koryos takes the lead. He leads the party to the north east, skirting the mountains and heading to the open plains. Their destination the outpost of Ikarthis some three days ride to the northeast.

Koryos explains that Ikarthis is little visited outpost set on the edge of the haunted lands. From there it is just a two day ride to the siggurat that the locals fear. It is thought to be an ancient Atlantean outpost but has been used by traders and such for hundreds of years, held by a local warlord.

The three day ride is uneventful, the terrain gets flatter and you travel until by the second day the idea of a mountain or even a good sized hill seems like a distant memory. On the third day the outpost comes into view.

It does look like an Atlantean structure and is in good repair. A hight stone wall surrounds what looks to be a large village. A wide gate is open to the trail.
Koryos
NPC Kurgan, 22 posts
Fri 23 May 2014
at 14:02
  • msg #2

Re: To the ziggurat

"There is an inn in Ikarthis that we can stay in for the night. I must warn you though, this is a rough place to visit and one must guard their valuables...some of the residents are Kurgans but most are a mix of different cultures with Ikarthis being a hub of trade for the Sea of Grass and the lands to the west.
Brude
Pictish Human, 45 posts
Pictish Raider
Fri 23 May 2014
at 15:58
  • msg #3

Re: To the ziggurat

Brude sits tall on the wagon and stretches his tattooed arms, "We can hope there will be a brothel in Ikarthis as well!"
Dyaus Pater
GM, 81 posts
Mon 26 May 2014
at 16:11
  • msg #4

Re: To the ziggurat

Koryos leads the small caravan through the large gate. The portculis looks heavy and the walls are very thick, undoubtedly this is an old Atlantean fort kept in a state of excellent repair.

The gate is manned by a pair of Kurgans armed with spear and bow. They nod as you all pass through, clearly used to strangers entering their walls. There seems to be a fair amount of Kurgan guards seen throughout the keep all armed the same, several patrol the single wide street and a few can be seen on the wall.

The keep itself measures around 50 yards wide and 100 yards long. Buildings line either side of the street. A large fountain can be seen in the center of the street right about midway the length of the keep.

Immediately tot he left you can see what is clearly the main structure or command post on the opposite wall lies the stables. On the same wall as the stables down a bit are what looks to be a smithy and a trading post, followed by another small gate and a stout looking small building.

On the same wall as the command post looks to be the barracks and the Ikarthis Inn.

Sadly there does not seem to be a brothel but sure there are those who ply their trade at the Inn.
Brude
Pictish Human, 46 posts
Pictish Raider
Tue 27 May 2014
at 13:46
  • msg #5

Re: To the ziggurat

Brude looks visibly deflated after he learns that there is no brothel located in Ikarthis, (See what I did there?)

He shrugs his shoulders and says, "When the Gods give you black lotus, you just have to make black lotus tea eh?"

He looks around for a moment getting the lay of the town then says,
"Best we stable our mounts here before heading to the inn.", as he drives the wagon towards the stable.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 17:38, Tue 27 May 2014.
Koryos
NPC Kurgan, 23 posts
Tue 27 May 2014
at 17:41
  • msg #6

Re: To the ziggurat

Kpryos smiles as the Pict as he follows him to the stable..."I am sure you will be ok...perhaps it will be best if you safe that frustration for any Kurgans we may meet on our journey to the ziggurat?"
Nkruma
Asena, 88 posts
Sikaotu
PR 6, HP 29
Tue 27 May 2014
at 18:57
  • msg #7

Re: To the ziggurat

Upon seeing the fountain, Nkruma hoists himself down from the wagon and makes his way over. He kneels before the pool of water, singing (howling? maybe he's strangling a cat under his cloak?) a hymn to Olukun.
Dyaus Pater
GM, 82 posts
Wed 28 May 2014
at 13:49
  • msg #8

Re: To the ziggurat

Nkruma finds the well to be overflowing will cool clear water. A natural spring perhaps or a remnant of ancient Atlantean technology.
Conall
Cimmerian Human, 30 posts
Wed 28 May 2014
at 15:26
  • msg #9

Re: To the ziggurat

In reply to Koryos (msg # 6):

Conall looks from Brude to Koryos and back, surprise on his face.  "And here I thought if we encountered Kurgans en route, they might be hostile!  It sounds quite the opposite, Brude!  It is well there was no brothel to tire you out!"  His tone sounds sincere, but his grin is mischievous.
Koryos
NPC Kurgan, 24 posts
Wed 28 May 2014
at 18:19
  • msg #10

Re: To the ziggurat

Koryos throws his head back and laughs at Conall's comment..."That is not how I meant it but that might be another way of dealing with the Kurgan's we meet."
Fernao
Tauran, 59 posts
Wed 28 May 2014
at 18:34
  • msg #11

Re: To the ziggurat

Fernao does not seem to understand Brude's frustration or to even hear the talk of brothels. Rather he follows the party into town, takes care of his chariot and horses, and joins them at the fountain. He begins threading together two flowers as Nkruma prays. When Conall speaks he does not look up from his work, but speaks as if to himself, "A good meal will help. And wine. Good wine will help."
Sabetha
Atlantean Tharshi, 38 posts
Thu 29 May 2014
at 14:21
  • msg #12

Re: To the ziggurat

Sabetha smiles absently, dipping her fingers into the water.

"Now that we're here, things will definitely get interesting," she says to no one in particular.  She pulls her fingers from the water and wipes them on her neck as if she needs some cooling.
Dyaus Pater
GM, 83 posts
Mon 2 Jun 2014
at 14:36
  • msg #13

Re: To the ziggurat

Within a few minutes, the horses are stabled and the party finds itself at the Ikarthis Inn...a fairly nice establishment considering the location. The Scythian plains are not known for creature comforts.

Alembos pays for all meals, drinks rooms, and baths if wanted.

The morning finds a decent spread of food for the party to breakfast upon. Koryos waits in the street before the inn with all the mounts, and vehicles ready to go as soon as everyone is done eating.
Fernao
Tauran, 60 posts
Mon 2 Jun 2014
at 19:24
  • msg #14

Re: To the ziggurat

Fernao eats a big breakfast making comments on the various positives and negatives of the various dishes. When he is sated he grabs his gear and joins Koryos mounting his chariot with an enthusiastic, "Good morrow, Koryos! We have had a find meal. There was much of it and it was good."
Thamyron
Atlantean, 39 posts
Tue 3 Jun 2014
at 00:45
  • msg #15

Re: To the ziggurat

Before he exits the tavern the next day, Thamyron  inquires about any news or strangeness in the area, alert to anything that might represent danger or hint at the presence of his old enemy Ahmose.
Nkruma
Asena, 89 posts
Sikaotu
PR 6, HP 29
Tue 3 Jun 2014
at 01:33
  • msg #16

Re: To the ziggurat

Nkruma, who has been waiting by the pool in the square, rises as the others make their way out from the remains of the morning meal.

His large bow is in his hands, but his noble-like cloak covers his other possessions. He lifts his bag from the stones near the pool.

"I am ready," he says. A strange look is in his eyes.
Brude
Pictish Human, 47 posts
Pictish Raider
Tue 3 Jun 2014
at 17:31
  • msg #17

Re: To the ziggurat

Brude stops for a moment to pet and talk to the team of horses hooked up to the  wagon. He hops on the wagon and readies himself, "To the ziggurat!"
Dyaus Pater
GM, 84 posts
Tue 3 Jun 2014
at 18:08
  • msg #18

Re: To the ziggurat

There is nothing for Thamyron to find out. No new news or anything out of the ordinary for quite some time. The locals think you mad for traveling to the ziggurat which is surely haunted but wish you well. No word of any strangers lately other than the caravans that pass through monthly.
Conall
Cimmerian Human, 31 posts
Wed 4 Jun 2014
at 18:16
  • msg #19

Re: To the ziggurat

Conall enjoys his stay to the fullest, and tramps out the next morning after a good breakfast to move out.  He's outfitted and ready with all his gear.

He gives Nkruma a quick look, and asks, "Something wrong, friend?  This should be fun!" 
Thamyron
Atlantean, 40 posts
Fri 6 Jun 2014
at 17:23
  • msg #20

Re: To the ziggurat

Thamyron sits atop his horse, his eyes roaming over the horizon as he loosely holds his black staff in his hand.
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