"It was during one evening several nights ago, the day was pretty quiet. I was hoping to have it easy that day.
When it happened. A human figure, or so I thought. I only had a moment before it was on me you see. I cut at it with my blade, but it only seemed to make it mad."
He winces a little from the memory and rubs at his collar bone.
"It only took one strike for the pain alone to send me over. When I came to, it had already gotten what it wanted and left. No one knows what it wanted, it took some of almost everything we had.
Whatever it was, it's no mere Covcay."

"So it took a lot of things to hide showing which one it wanted... or else it just wanted to collect a lot of different types of things... Huh. All right, good to think about... thanks for the information."

Syrio fills his companions in on this information on the quick trip back (quicker, because Sannang didn't have to drag anything heavy back...)

Soon they'd arrived back at their point of origin...

As they all got back to the boat. They came across the familiar scene. The notable tradeship, the stock ready to be loaded for trip 2. The same faces being diligent at work. Some of the differences however were slight.
For one, one or two of the bags had been opened and had a slight slack. So they weren't completely lucky. Some covcay were still on the building tops nearby. One was being shooed away by the young lad from before.

As that bird relents, the captain looks to the returning party and says.
"Ah! Glad to see you're back. So promptly too. I do hope Basean wasn't too stringent on us. How was he anyway?"
As her gets an arm around Sai's shoulder in reassurance.
"Well he wasn't there, Prejash was, but he decided to be considerate after some words were exchanged. We can get the rest in and get our pay just fine." He let's out another laugh, this time with only a little nervousness lies within it. Probably just the sun.

The captain would have a look, and squinted for a moment. He seemed to read between the lines maybe and said to the trio in particular "You lot really came in to help at a good time for us haha. Let's get the next lot in before these pests get any ideas."

While you are getting the stock packed up to the trained elephant, between half and a full dozen of the thieving birds came to try claiming some stuff for their own.
I wonder how our band deals with them.

08:45, Today: Nimol rolled 11 using 2d6 ((5,6)). +2 dex bonus = 13.


Nimol tries using one of the honeyed seed balls... his aim is ideal...
This message was last updated by the player at 14:50, Mon 26 Mar 2018.

Nimol take a small moment to judge the angle, making sure he has it right before he lets the ball fly. As the glistening orb flies through the air, it holds the attention of numerous birds all at once.
Many of them change trajectory midflight, turning in a single motion to follow the new prize. As the ball rolled into a street alley, the birds fought with each other, inadvertently nudging it away further and further down the street.
There were only some 3 remaining, which Said, the youth together shooed away with a broom stick.

"Lets finish this up quickly, before those pesky things find nothing more amusing then us."
It wasn't long after that clean resolution, that the packing was ready for another transfer via trained elephant.

Nimol takes another honeyed seed ball from the boat's store before leaving, to replace the one he threw.

(City Sprawling: When you are traversing from one part of a city to another, Fate may decide to throw something unexpected at you. When travelling between sizable stretches of the city, roll +Wis. On 10+ Choose 3, on 7-9, choose 2, on a 6- choose 1.

--You arrive where you mean to.
--Arrive on time.
--You find something fortunate besides your destination.
--Something unfortunate Doesn't find you.

09:51, Today: Ravnar rolled 5 using 2d6 ((2,3)). +2 WIS bonus: 7.

--You arrive where you mean to.
--Something unfortunate Doesn't find you.

Ravnar leads the group back to the storehouse...

When the group gets back to the storehouse, they find that either they were interrupted more, or the fatigue of the sun was getting to them, as they got there later then the previous journey.

Prejash is there, looking a bit fatigued by the sun, by virtue of the rising heat.
"You are taking things pretty close, if it gets much later. This heat is going to be our deaths."
Beyond that, he merely gets on with trying to make sure everything is unloaded and then taken inside.

Leaving the band to return back. Find the slight mercy of the watery breeze is the only way the last package got sorted. Before the group carried one last time.

In reply to Story Weaver (msg # 30):

...And so, the trio returns for the last load...

As they do so, they find that the ship has been fully sorted to lock down and the stuff ready to take away. No Covcay were present. Maybe the sun was too much for even them now?

"I think we will all be glad when we get away from this sun. We'll go in with you and we can all get away from the sun together."

"Oh thank fate!"

So the majority of the crew - all the known faces at least - came with the band to deal with the final load.

(City Sprawling: When you are traversing from one part of a city to another, Fate may decide to throw something unexpected at you. When travelling between sizable stretches of the city, roll +Wis. On 10+ Choose 3, on 7-9, choose 2, on a 6- choose 1.

--You arrive where you mean to.
--Arrive on time.
--You find something fortunate besides your destination.
--Something unfortunate Doesn't find you.


16:59, Today: Ravnar rolled 8 using 2d6 ((3,5)). +2 wis bonus = 10.

--You arrive where you mean to.
--Arrive on time.
--Something unfortunate Doesn't find you.

Through some miracle of observation, the group sees a side passage, which could just fit the elephant. It saved time and made sure that everyone got to the stockhouse in time. In time for it all to be accepted and the crew to be free to turn away to somewhere they knew before.
Somewhere they could reside while they rest up through the High Sun.


It is fairly cooler now, the food was quite nice after all that work and the pay worked out well for one afternoon (50gp).

In the travelers inn, The crew were sitting at a table, including several faces you only saw in passing before. The captain in particular was talking to the youth, who was hugging onto a sheathed sword like it was his lifeline.
"I'm sorry I can't help you further, Zand, I'll be sure to find someone to help you before you go off. Here, this should help get someone."
As he hands over a coin purse.
"I wish you the best of luck and the kind hand of fate. If it goes well, you'll have a fortunate life."
Zand looked at the coins, probably taking into account costs for what he needed before pocketing the purse away with a nod and thanks.

Syrio speaks to the youth. "What's the problem? Need some help with something?"


(Syrio speaks for the group... or at least, they are content to let him speak for them. They're used to him jumping at every opportunity for adventure.)

The youth has a look of hope as his attention is turned to Syrio.
"I need to get to Halwa. Near the Great Anvil. I'm hoping that I can get my father's work to the Caliph there, that he may see his work and hire him."
Zand rearranged his sheathed sword in his arms. As if the emphasize it's presence without making it vulnerable to theft.
"He specializes in armaments of all sorts for adventuring types. The city is a last stop between civilization and the Haunted lands, perfect to stock up before you dive in. So the hope is that father gets a better chance for his wares to sell themselves thanks to word of mouth. Truly earn the life of comfort he deserves."

He gives himself a moment to put enthusiasm back into himself, make himself as chipper as can be.
"If you accept this request, I will be sure to let my father know how you helped us and get some payment sorted. You would have two friends in Halwa with skills that might help your adventuring needs. What do you say?"
As the question is made, his dominant left arm shoots out like an arrow to accept a handshake. His face full of energy and hope.

"There are financial reasons why we should do this, it's true, but you really had me at the part about truly earning what your father deserves. Let's do it. The gods sometimes dispense justice through mortals, and mayhap this is one of those times. What's the next step?"

(Syrio speaks for the group... or at least, they are content to let him speak for them. They're used to him jumping at every opportunity for adventure.)

The enthusiasm rises as he realises things are going his way.
"If we were to leave tomorrow, we would need food for the journey. It's about 200 miles of an established path over low grass. The wadi will have plenty of mud this time of year. Assuming nothing changes our course, of course."
He giggles to himself at the joke. Oh the innocence of youth.
"So we need supplies for that long. Or enough that minimal hunting is needed.
After that, it's having the papers so we can't be barred. My father says the high ups like to -" he squishes his face as he tries to recall his father's wording "- run a tight ship."

He shows a paper he had somewhere on his robes, that was quick.
"A signature from someone who can prove character like Basean should do. If that isn't enough, the Caliph of Wasat would be impossible to deny. I hope we don't need to try seeing such a busy man though."

"Well I would think that that money the captain just gave you would do to purchase enough food... I imagine that the signature might be harder... do you think it's too late in the day to go talk to Basean now? Or must it wait until morning?"


(Syrio speaks for the group)

Zand looks to the direction of the tent, where the Bazaar is currently open to business. "The market is busy right now. We could get to talk to him, but it might be hard getting a word edgewise."
Looking at Syrio, the youth has a look of uncertainty, the sort that comes from a lack of experience. "I don't know when is best, honest sir."

"Well, let's ask the captain. Him giving his opinion on something like this won't cost him anything... Ho, captain! We want take young Zand here to Basean to have him sign some paperwork! When do you think would be the best time to talk to him to catch him in an agreeable mood? First thing in the morning? Or what?"

(Syrio speaks for the group.)

The aged man gives himself a moment to consider the situation as he knew it.
"There is going to be a lull in the work effort by late afternoon. One or two trades didn't happen see and so the space was a bit bare.
Basean likes to do what he needs to in the morning at double pace so he has less to do in the afternoon and evening. Adding onto that at short notice irritates him. Besides, he needs to meet me to formalise that we did, indeed, make the delivery. So we can try to resolve the form then."

"Oh, all right, so... what, late this afternoon?"

(Syrio speaks for the group)

"That indeed is a good time for it. Want to go then?"

Sai looks like he is about to let out a groan, when he realised he didn't have to be involved with this extra bit.
The captain looks at him and says "You know you're still coming along anyway for what I just said right?" The captain didn't think his question needed an answer. But he got one anyway.
"Yes sir."

"Absolutely, thanks!"

(Syrio speaks for the group)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Wed 28 Mar 2018.

"All right, we can get going in a while and be sure to see him and get what else you need."


As everyone gets to the outside of the bazaar, thet start to see some of the "crowds" that make up Wasat. Those among them familiar with busy times in the bazaar of larger cities will consider this current activity of people to be "tame" "homely" "petty" or another besides, all based on mood and perspective of the individual. But anyone can agree, it is still a crowd.
The outer stretches of the Bazaar have canopies of fabric to enclose the customers and seller from direct sun. Further in, arches of stone can be seen that protect people from exposure to the blue sky.
As they get closer, the senses are entertained, the smells of spices and drugs, the sights of banners and vibrant foods, the sounds of chatter between friends and family and the sales pitches of merchants abound. A lot can be found here. But here are some of the outliners.

[*] Food stalls aplenty for foods fancy and practical.
[*] Stalls for tools of the trade. Which trade exactly? Quite a few, but mostly artisan tools.
[*] A shop of hookahs wafting a breeze of simple sensations.
[*] A small side stall, wares unknown but tingling a sense of intrigue.

Will the band go to peruse the wares seen? Find stalls besides? Bids their time patiently? Or something else entirely?

"Let's stay focused on why we're here," says Ravnar. Ravnar doesn't want the group to get distracted-- doesn't want them to lose sight of the captain NOR Zand on the way to get the errand completed...

Syrio and Nimol shrug and accept Ravnar's wisdom...

So the waiting began, as they followed the crews leader around to find Besean in the bazaar. Going from stall to stall that were known to use his storehouse, it took them a while to find the man himself.

When the band see him, the halfling who could well be Besean. Wearing the richer assortment of robes, with accents of colour in the gold and green combination, contrasted against the common light cream. His face was a little paler then the common complexion, a possible sign of his lifestyle of constant protection from the sun.
The smile he has is one of a man who loved to be mellow, especially after completing the hard work.

"Ah captain Hilaji, it's a pleasure to meet you again. Let me guess, wanting to be sure that we see eye to eye on the transaction?" Something flickers on his face as he recognises he deducted rightly.
"I can't blame you, having business done leaves people to enjoy the pleasantries of the Bazaar. The social connections and passtime, the sights and the wares, its a joy isn't it?"
A scribe from the crowd is at the side of the two as they get chatting away and resolving the technicalities and assurances.

When one matter resolved, the captain dives at the chance for another.
"So I was hoping you could have a moment for a friend of mine here - Zand. He could do with your approval with Halwa, ensuring smooth entry for him and his father. They both Smith very fine craft and are hoping for better pastures there."
The captain puts a hand on the youth's shoulder when he brings him up by name. Besean looks to the youth with a discerning eye.

"May I?" He gestures toward the sword the youth holds sheathed and wrapped. The junior smith takes a moment to ponder on handing the sword. He eventually nods and unwraps the handle bandages.
The pommel and cross guard show fine detail and craft, little elements of design with beauty and symbolic weight to it. The halfling only unsheathed the sword part-way to admire the blade. It is rather larger then him and he wasn't built like a warrior. Admiring the keen edge, he puts it back together and hands it back.

Feeling he knew his word to be true, Besean nods in approval. This indeed was fine craft like they claim.
"Your word and your father's craft speak true. I can give you my signature, it would mean you would get in, about half a week after you arrive at the gate, if they are busy. But if you did something for me... I could get Wasat's current Caliph to sign and seal it, that would get you in right away."