It is a quiet day in Wasat as it always is in this sleeping town of a city. In the mid morning, the sun is slowly rising in heat to become the boiling midday sun. Holding back the overheating threat, a soft breeze from the Suq Bay flows through the city, carrying the cries of water orientated birds. The few people still about are trying to finish their tasks so that they can be free to sleep the unbearable hours away.
Everything about the city was more muted then most, from the sights being less extravagant to the softer sounds. Even the smells were subtle, carrying a hint of quiet work with the spices that make for a familiar smell in any city.

Here we find our trio of travellers, moving along a main road so as to have room while having the elephant in tow.
Some of the main sights that can be seen from the out skirts include:

The port far to the right hand side (West), where trade ships come to rest. Allowing Wasat to act as a pit stop between Huzuz & Hiyal.
A Bazaar where some of the spices came from along with the ambiance of trade.
The palace for the ruling Caliph of the humble city, off in the distance to the left (East).

What is the first thing they do when they arrive?

Syrio wants to find a good place to eat... he's tired of eating traveling rations.

On the other hand, the party is currently poor, so dining, fine or not, is not an option for the moment. Maybe someone at the port will be willing to hire a hard-working trained elephant for an hour or two to lift and/or carry and/or pull/push cargo around...?

As the trio move towards the port, they hear the sound of waves against the sand, wood and stone become stronger, the smell of salt starts to fill their noses and the crys of birds can be heard.

As they get to the pier proper, they witness a scene. There are numerous men on the large trade vessel, trying to move some of their stocks in the forms of crates and bags. Though progress is slow.

As they get closer, the band hear these words.
"Look captain, we don't have the time. It's best that we wait for the afternoon sun. From there we can get it in during the night." This comes from a man slumped against a crate. Looking about, dabbing his brow and shooing the occasional bird away with his arms.

"But we're already late enough as is. We just have take the pain before we take a cut in pay."
This comes from a man with a weatherworn look, and a mass of hair more like a mane then proper hair.

"None of us could have expected waters like that. It's like the deeps and shallowed swapped places."
This comes from a slight and short individual, with bits of parchment under one arm while looking at another piece in his other hand.

"What's wrong, gentlemen?" says Syrio. "Anything that a very well-trained elephant could help solve?"



(party agrees)

One of the men see the elephant in question and blows out a whistle note in admiration. "Well that sure is an elephant all right."
"If I can get a thing or two, that elephant could save us a lot of time..."
"We might even get out of the sun before midday, Captain."

"Um, Captain sir? I think there is another issue. What is with them?"
This fourth child, barely into manhood was pointing at the buildings behind the band.
There, those who look can see them. Birds of various colours, all with similar beaks and talons and shape. There birds were numbering the dozens easily. Looking at the boat and occasionally making that same bird call at each other. Fighting for positions to look at the boat and it's cargo.

After a moment of acknowledging the birds, the large man who has been addressed as Captain looks at the elephant and the band. "If your elephant can, I need to get these stock into the store house near the main Bazeer. We are late,, but I hope if we hurry it won't be seen poorly when we explain. The he's of your aid is quite nice, but I can't go about not repaying it. So what is it you're all desiring?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:56, Fri 23 Mar 2018.

"Just an honest payment of coins for work, gentlemen," says Syrio. "I would make you a bargain of saying 'for two hard workers,' even though the elephant can easily do the work of ten men, not two... but it also looks like you'll need all of us to try to shoo the birds away from pecking open those sacks. What sort of foodstuffs have you got in there, anyway?"

"Let him tell us while we work," says Nimol. "Sirrahs, put all your crates on the ground on a sturdy net, and all the sacks on top of that. Sannang can drag almost his own weight in goods, if we then tie the net to him. We'll help keep the birds away while you direct him to your storehouse..."

The captain nods his head for a moment or two. He must have deligated it quickly as before anyone knows it, he says "All right. Agreed. Lets get this stock moving."

The net gets made and the inventory laid out. With some help from Sai, Sirrahs gets the setup made. Sannang could probably make the transfer done in about 3 trips.

While the first load being setup, you find out that not only are fruits like satsumas  and dates, spices like paprika and orange pepper being shipped, but also valuables. Rugs, jewelry and quality armaments to name but a few. As this goes on small man was informing those who would hear what he had to say on the birds.
"These are Covcays, birds with flexible diets and a love to obtain near anything with a sheen or vibrant colour to it. Strange animals to say the least. Cities are their main habitat... But this number is just *gulp* worrying."
The numbers around weren't just large, it was a group. Fun fact, the collective noun for a group of Covcays is called a Skulk.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:12, Fri 23 Mar 2018.

"So who'll guard the boat during the first trip? And who's coming to show us the way, and to help unload when we get to the storehouse?"


(Syrio speaks for the group)

"Sai, you've been here aplenty before. Why don't you get Turan to go along with you. Help the elephant and who else is going with it to to the stockhouse."

Sai made a noise of exhaustion and got up. After he caused his back to crack a little, Sai turned to the ship to say "Come on you Turan, you heard the captain. Let's get ready."
With that, Turan got off the ship. Turan was a stocky man in general, who had a little extra girth of the belly about him and practically bold.

The Captain turns to the rest, some men besides still on the vessel. "As soon as we deal with those feathered nuisances, we can get the next lot ready for them."

"So it looks like we're almost ready to start dragging the first load to the storehouse... but, before we go... how exactly are you going to 'deal with' the birds?" asks Syrio.



(Syrio speaks for the group)

"We have something for that. Zana, do you have the bag?"
In moments, the small man held a bag that he loosened the string of, revealing their solution. Inside the bag are balls of seed, each the size of ones palm. They are held together by honey and then tied up by thin string wrapped around the shape.
With a gesture towards the bag, the captain says "Be sure to grab a few to try and distract them. Careful though, they are sticky in this heat."
Seeing any confusion Zana clarifies "The honey gives it the look of riches and the string makes the seeds more tantalising. Covcays are the sort to want something because they can't have it.
Overhearing the converse, Said says "Heck, if we get lucky, they can fight among themselves and stop looking at our things."

OOC - Using one is like a custom version of Volley basic move. Use Dex as the modifier, only Ammo 1 so be careful.

In reply to Story Weaver (msg # 11):

Each of the three members of Syrio's party take 1 seed ball. "All right, well, it looks like the load on the net is about what Sannang can drag comfortably, so let's go, for load #1!" says Nimol.

(Nimol speaks for the party.)

(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.

06:56, Today: Ravnar rolled 10 using 2d6. +2 WIS bonus = 12)

Ravnar kept a sharp eye out for trouble as the group traveled, and they arrived at the store house in exactly the amount of time that Nimol expected it to take, and nothing unfortunate bothered them.

While the band end up unloading some of the stuff, Sai is talking with the owner. The subject is a little tense between them.
Anyone of the band who listens in hears bits like "...here as fast as we could... still tonight...totally unreasonable..."

After the stuff is unloaded, Sai tells Ragnar in a low whisper _{"Look, you got the path down, I need to say behind and make sure this guy takes our cargo. If not, I'll have to find Basean myself (he bought our stuff). Because this fool is getting mighty high from tucking his robe too far up his -"} He coughs a little before carrying on. "I can handle him, just get the stuff here and we can all get payed and be merry drunk."

"What I'm hearing is that you need to talk to the owner," says Ravnar, "and you need to stay here to do that. I agree that I should be able to find my way to and from the boat and here and back from now on. We'll leave immediately and return to the boat-- unless you would like our help... speaking... to this gentleman who's giving you trouble?"

Sai looks to the man who is being a problem for a moment. Stern and broad shouldered, though he lacked a refined musculature, he looked like he too no antics or "troublemakers" in high regard.

"Oh Prejash there, help with him *pfft*. I just need to sort him and that stupid hat of his. If he won't listen to old Sai, I don't think you guys can help. It's up to me."

After he says this he gives a bit of a nervous laugh. What reason was there?
Maybe he is nervous of having to deal with the stern man. Unsure he could convince him alone.
Maybe he didn't want the captain mad, especislly at him.
Maybe he had a measure of pride and didn't want to need near total (if nice really) strangers help.
Maybe he just hated being out at High Sun. Even this heat was bothersome to Sai as is.

High Sun - The time of day pertaining to a while before noon and a while after the noon. When the sun is just too hot for much of any manual labor. People often hide away in their homes or any shade possible. Desert travelers and nomads will often sleep until afternoon and travel the majority of the night. If travel during the day at all.

Discern Realities
When you closely study a situation or person, roll+Wis. On a 10+ ask the GM three questions from the list below. On a 7–9 ask only one. Take +1 forward when acting on the answers.
• What happened here recently?
• What is about to happen?
• What should I be on the lookout for?
• What here is useful or valuable to me?
• Who’s really in control here?
• What here is not what it appears to be?



Discern realities: 10:39, Today: Ravnar rolled 8 using 2d6 ((4,4)) +2 Wis bonus = 10.



• What happened here recently?
• What here is useful or valuable to me?
• What here is not what it appears to be?

From the teachings of Kali. One learns alot about their enemies and their battlefield. One simply has to look, rather than just seeing. This lesson was taught well to the weretiger, and on this day he used the teachings well.


[*] What has happened here recently?

On seeing the guard - Prejash was it? The cleric saw that the guard is well covered, but he could can see the slightest bit of fabric sticking out from his robes. Bandaged maybe? Has be suffered an injury? The slight loss in pride can be seen, maybe he was attacked. Maybe that is how he is less patient.


[*] What here is useful or valuable to me?

The cleric smells a little of the stench of alcohol on the air and - ah ha! Just over there was the bottle, attempted to be discarded, poking out a little from behind someone else's crate.
That must be unprofessional. Wasat can't have that can it?


[*] What here is not what it appears to be?

The stockhouse may look like it can be discriminatory, in reality, it might not be able to afford to. A glance behind the door - only ajar for a moment - reveals that it looks a little bare. The stocks are low in general, and food in particular must be low, as there is a lack of the spice smells.

When using any of this information. Have +1 to your moves.

In reply to Story Weaver (msg # 18):

Ravnar goes over to have a quick talk with Syrio, and fills him in on what his eyes-- and his nose-- have detected.

Thusly armed with information, Syrio walks up to the storehouse guard.

"What's going on, here, friend?" he asks with a confidential tone. "Is the merchant giving you some sort of trouble or argument?"

Prejash is feeling a little snappy and has more of a go then maybe a guard should let out. Pointing to Sai, he starts.
"He and his stock were late - that is assuming he in fact the original owner. It's a matter of principle that it just can't be accepted now. It interferes with other people if the place becomes overstocked. If we go soft on them, everyone else will start taking it easy. Wasat can't afford to just coast it like some other cities.
They can find someone else who will take the cargo of incompetent traders for whom punctual is a suggestion."
Prejash spits to an empty spot, getting rid of the vile taste of irritation this conversation causes him.

Parley
When you have leverage on a GM character and manipulate them, roll+Cha. Leverage is something they need or want. On a hit they ask you for something and do it if you make them a promise first. On a 7–9, they need some concrete assurance of your promise, right now.

13:31, Today: Syrio rolled 9 using 2d6 ((4,5)). +2 CHR bonus: 11.

"Listen-- Prejash, is it? Tell you what-- I've seen your type before. What you want at the end of the day is a nice bottle of good drink and to make like Indra with the soma... and not just the end of the day, but maybe a bit during High Sun, am I right? And don't we all? I know I do, my friend! Well, you're right that overstocking can be a serious problem that should be guarded against. But I never met these people before today, and I can tell you that this stuff has come straight off the boat, with no funny business... and I give you my personal promise that if you stop tossing obstacles in everyone's way, that not only will your storehouse not be full by the time we unload our entire shipment, but I won't even tell your boss about that bottle over there that someone's been sampling recently. Does that sound good to you, or what?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Sun 25 Mar 2018.

For a moment, the guards eyes flicker to the bottle. But he already knows he's been had. He didn't want to need that alcohol, but these days hadn't been going well for him.
He would just be glad to have an out. Maybe get another set of bandages.
"...Alright. I'll let it in. Just don't tell Basean OK? If you can get it done fast enough, We can have it all in by High Sun and everyone has a good time away from that sun."
He turns to Sai, "You can go in to tell the others to get this stuff inside. We all want to be away from this blasted sun."

Sai goes towards Syrio to say "I don't know what you did, but thank you." He then goes past and starts jogging when inside to find the helpers.

Prejash looks back to Syrio.
"Be careful of the streets, someone or something is out there. Determined. Willing to do anything."

"Oh? Not that I don't believe you-- because I have a reason to believe it-- but what makes you say that?"