First, thank you to Tamarkorda for turning my sketch of Jelmine into a great 3-D map.

Freezeday of Movement Week of the Storm Season

As the Solar Chariot rises from the Eastern Gate, the cold winds of Storm Season blow from the North West.  There is a smell of snow in the air, and before long the first flakes of new snow begin to fall.

Tamarkorda, Oligur Jaffez & Sanuzi Asar-Girru
Save for the new snow; the day is unlike the many other days that you have experienced in Jelmine.  Sensing the snow, people began moving livestock into longhouses or caves, and began making sure that windows were sealed from the bitter cold.  Hearth mothers stoked the flames, making the longhouses comfortable.  People continued to work on winter projects while the children played.  People could be heard going over plans for Sacred Time festivities and rituals, and there is excitement about the upcoming Ordination of Eldresa daughter of Jenesti of the Murval.

At the fort, the Lunar troops work to stay warm, stoking fires both within the barracks and outside for those on guard duty.

The home of Sandien daughter of Hasketu, shaman of Daka Fal, is warm and comfortable.  The old woman who lives with Sandien is quiet in the morning but becomes more agitated as the day progresses, which is unusual.

Desola has been in the temple for the past two days with her second priestess, Kalisla of the Garlin bloodline, and the novitiate Eldresa or Murval.  Inkarne, a devotee of Nandan, God-Talker of Ernalda, and Initiate of Chalana Arroy, has been seen taking food and drink to the temple to see to the needs of the two priestesses.  None others are allowed entrance.  The talk is that the three women will be seen only rarely until the time of the Ordination.

Around midmorning, the guards signal the approach of someone by blowing a horn three times.

[Secret to Tamarkorda: I assume that you are staying with the Murval bloodline currently.]

Garik Johnton & Henetha Hofaktsdottir
It is midmorning as your group rounds the last hill and the town of Jelmine comes into view.  The terraced hill slope and the slate longhouses are an unusual sight.  The hillside is steep, and about two-thirds of the way up the hill you see the Earth Temple.  At the pinnacle of the hill, you see a stone spire whose top is obscured by clouds.

As you approach, the guards at the gate sound a horn three times, presumably to make people aware of your presence.  By the time you reach the gates, there is a small group of people to meet you.

"Greetings strangers.  I am Danbal, son of Ovardul, and Chieftain of the Jelmire clan.  If you come in peace, then be welcome and accept our hospitality."

[Private to Garik Johnton: Garik, you do not see anything like a formal market or shops.  It is a collection of longhouses and cotter homes.  You can see where markets could be established.  The two prime locations would be the longhouses toward the bottom of the hill or in the courtyard of the temple. ]

[Private to Oligur Jaffez; Sanuzi Asar-Girru; Tamarkorda: The group that has entered the two include four people; two women and two men.  One of the men and one of the women look like weapon thanes.  The other man looks like a merchant.  You don't have a good feel about the other woman yet.]

NOTE:  I'll let you interact at this point.

Saberak
By midafternoon, the snow has become heavier.  From the Lunar fort comes the sound of horns announcing the arrival of visitors.

Saberak, the group you are traveling with has arrived at the fort.  The fort is a small frontier fort with a wood palisade.  There are only a few buildings, including barracks, office, stable, a few small cottages, and an Inn.  The only Inn by the looks of things.  There seems to be enough room for your group, but it may be a tight fit.

Commander Jalmon, son of Pharanges, great nephew of Havar Ironfist, comes out to greet the new arrivals.  When he finally looks at the people, he stumbles.

It is difficult for the people of the town to see with clarity due to the increasing snow, but it appears that a dozen people have come to the Fort.  One of them looks large enough to be a troll.

[Private to Oligur Jaffez: Approaching the fort you see ten humans on horseback, one human on a sable, and a four-armed, winged troll that is painted with some type of blue pigment.  The troll is carrying on its back a trollkin wearing red robes and a mask.  They are holding the standard of Aldu-Chur.  There is one man that stands out, a middle-aged man riding a magnificent black stallion.  The man is wearing a red robe.  Along the bottom of the robe are the symbols of the seven phases of the moon.  On the breast of the robe are two moon runes.  The commander initially looks overly confident as he strides to greet the newcomers, but stumbles for a moment when he notices the man in the red robe.  You notice that Astrelia seems to have vanished when this group comes into the fort.

17:50, Today: Narrator, on behalf of Oligur Jaffez, rolled 42 using 1d100.  Perception.]

[Private to Oligur Jaffez; Saberak: While still on horseback, the man in Red Robes riding the black stallion says, "Commander, I am I am Idovanus.  This fine troop from Aldu-Chur escorted me to this town.  I believe that these troops are to help reinforce your position here."  Gesturing to the Sable rider, "you may want to speak with Saberak regarding the troops.  I and my companion" motioning to the trolls, "will seek shelter in your Inn.  When you have time, I would like to speak with you regarding your stay in the town."]

[Secret to Sanuzi Asar-Girru: Around the time that you heard this second warning call, the old woman starts to become agitated.  Sandien prepares tea to calm her.  Normally this works, but today something seems to be affecting her.  As the afternoon wears on, she begins to grunt and groan.  There is a wild look in her eyes.]

Bingling Hyxloriz & Ullr Lightbane
At dusk, the ground has a good covering of snow, and it seems to be getting heavier.  From the Gates of Jelmine, the horn sounds three times, but this time it is the signal for danger.  Approaching the town appears to be a troop of Uz from the North.  The guards man their posts as this group approaches.

Six Uz riding giant spiders are in front.  Three of the males are wearing Lead Armor, the fourth bears the markings of the Death Lord of Zorak Zoran, the final is a female.  Riding with the Death Lord is another troll in black robes and a trollkin.  Behind them are three wagons being pulled by giant beetles.  One of the wagons is completely enclosed behind dark cloth.  By his floppy hat, you suspect that the troll in the second cart is a follower of Argan Argar.  The final cart has a female troll that seems to be wrangling a cohort of trollkin.

[Secret to Sanuzi Asar-Girru: As dusk approaches, the old woman becomes violent.  You barely hear the horn sound.  The old woman has peed on the dirt floor of her room, and is using the resulting mud to draw on the walls.  The drawings are crude and make no sense.  Sadien finally uses a sleep spell to knock her out.  You help Sadien clean the woman, put her into a new robe, and then to bed.  Sadien asks you to clean the wall of the mud, and as you do, you notice something.  You see truth rune in the four corners of the drawing.  Taking a deeper look, you notice that there are nine figures in the painting, and it looks like the old woman has tried to indicate that they are tied together in some way.  You call to Sadien, who is impressed with your insight.  Instead of cleaning it off, you use the water and cloth to remove excess mund to make the image more visible.  It is clear, there are nine figures, and they seem to be surrounding a dark circle in the middle.  It looks like the Darness Rune, but your not sure if that is what it represents.  You do have a feeling that the drawing is in some way prophetic.

18:22, Today: Narrator, on behalf of Sanuzi Asar-Girru, rolled 4 using 1d100.  Truth Rune.
18:27, Today: Narrator, on behalf of Sanuzi Asar-Girru, rolled 75 using 1d100.  Darkness Rune.]

One of the Lead clad Uz shouts to the town in passable Tharshite, "we come as escort to Magora, Priestess of Xentha, who was once a member of your tribe.  We come with gifts, messages, and trade."

Some of the people seem very excited, and after a quick discussion, the gates are opened.  A male troll escorts the female troll into the town, followed by the troll in black robes, the troll with the floppy hat, and then the cloth covered wagon.  A number of trollkin seem to be tending to the wagon, making sure that the cloth does not gap at any point. (The other Trolls and insects stay outside the gates). The Trolls are led to the Garlin Longhouses.  By the time they reach the house, full dark covers the land as the Sun Chariot finally disappears into the Western Gate.  When it does, the cloth of the wagon is pulled back.  A woman dressed in black, with a black veil, emerges and greets the Garlin.  The figure is taller and broader than a human, but not as big as a troll.

She looks to Varinton son of Najourn, head of the Garlin bloodline, and priest of Argan Argar.  "Father, I hope all is well.  I have come to speak with Desola, and with her blessing to enact a rite during the Sacred Time.  I ask for hospitality to those who have escorted me."

"Daughter, it is your voice, but you have changed."

"Yes Father, I have changed.  I have undergone the Rite of Adoption.  Though I carry your blood, I have been transformed by the grace of Kyger Lithor into one of her children."  She removes the veil to show a face that is ghastly by human standards.  It looks as if someone has pounded the bones to clay, and then tried to mold a human skull into the shape of an Uz skull.  The humans are taken aback, but those of the Garlin blood recover their composure more quickly than the others.  The Uz seem to take no notice of her appearance.

As the troll replaces the veil, "Magora, you have truly then been blessed" Varinton chokes out.  "Be welcome in our home, as are your escorts.  We will find a way to care for your mounts."

________________________________________________________________
Feel free to ask questions or start to reply.  Since this is soft RP time, I'll answer as I can.  I help keep everything clear, I would like you to use the following colors for your character text.  The colors represent either a dominant rune or god (or both).

Bingling Hyxloriz - Periwinkle
Garik Johnton - Purple
Henetha Hofaktsdottir - Green
Oligur Jaffez - RoyalRed
Saberak - Red
Sanuzi Asar-Girru - Goldenrod
Tamarkorda - Orange
Ullr Lightbane - Gray
This message was last updated by the GM at 17:35, Sun 25 Nov 2018.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 1):

text <After the exchange is complete move closer to Bingling> in Darkspeech keeping voice low "what do you think of the humans?  Seem to be a bit excited by our arrival!"

text Using Darksense does there appear to be anyone that is hiding but observing?

"Greeting, Chief Danbal, I am Garik Johnton a humble merchant and follower of Issaries of the balanced scales. This is Henetha Hofaktsdottir Earth Mistress. I come to start trade with Jelmine and Boldholm, My brother can handle your merchandise in the Capital while I handle His trade here. If there is a suitable spot for a shop I can set up a Market Place with the power of Issaries. This will last a week and any who enters with bad intent will set the alarm.

I would like to bargain with you for lodging for myself and permission to spread the word of Issaries. I see no shops so I can trade my goods for your crafts and furs. I also bring Clearwine, the best available. If there is a Tavern who would trade for it or if you would like to make some private offering I will be glad to speak of it.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:34, Wed 14 Nov 2018.

In reply to Ullr Lightbane (msg # 2):

An aside to Ullr in Darkspeech:
"I am fascinated by them! I am definitely impressed by the man whom I think is Magora's father or kinsman. I only speak a few words of Tarshite, but while he seemed surprised by Magora's Adoption as one of us, he still honored her and seems to have offered us hospitality."

To others he is cheerful, and introduces himself to anyone who smiles as Bingling of Argan Argar in Tradetalk (50%) and broken Tarshite (10%). If anyone human speaks to him in Darkspeech he will be delighted and share some of his choicest mushrooms, and will do the same if his Darksense shows any humans hollow-bellied hungry. He also slides a dessert fungus cap to the priest of Xiola Umbar for her wrangling work so far.

When things calm down he will also perform a half-hour rite thanks to Argan Argar (Worship 30%, +30% for 30 min Ritual Practice, plus attempt to augment with Darkness rune).

(Maybe a Lunar's worth of fungus, to sweeten later bargains?)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:43, Wed 14 Nov 2018.

Though the wind has died down in the lee of the fort, Saberak pulls her shawl tighter about her shoulders, a few locks of raven hair drifting listlessly in the breeze that still makes its way over and around the wooden walls.  She guides her sable antelope to the gate and crisply dismounts, reaching into a saddlebag to pull out a treat for her riding beast.

"Our journey is at an end, Selan.  It is time for a a new beginning."

The apprentice priestess looks toward the small sleeping owl perched on one of Selan's horns, beginning to stir in the early hours of dusk.  Satisfied that Silvereye will wake in due time, Saberak turns her attention toward the fort's approaching commander and shows him a warm smile.

"May you walk in the light of the Red Moon, Commander.  I am Saberak of Furthest, an acolyte of the Seven Mothers.  At the command of Captain Jeshamil in Alda-Chur, we have ridden hard  this last week in order to escort the Preceptor to your garrison.  In this time, I have learned that he is a wise man indeed and I would urge you to heed any requests that he makes of you.  I hope only that we are able to do our part to prevent another tragedy like the events that occurred in Sartar the past Earth season from ever happening again.  I have the details of Captain Jeshamil's request, should you need them."

Saberak turns to Selan's tack and again rummages in the saddlebags, a brief frown flashing across her lean face before she comes up holding a sealed message tube, which she hands to the waiting commander.  Noticing that his attention is still on the troll, she continues with a glint of good humor in her heterochromic brown and grey eyes.

"I would not worry yourself overmuch about the presence of Gulk and Zuzorek.  They are just as devoted to spreading the Lunar Way as I am.  We are all Us."

[Private to Garik Johnton; Narrator: "Greetings Danbal. I am Henetha Hofaktsdottir of House Rharli. It is growing colder and I gladly accept your offer of hospitality. In return I will help with whatever tasks your town might need help with. I would also like to visit your temple." Henetha vaguely gestures towards the temple on the hillside.]

Henetha watches the arrival of the priestess of Xenthia with great interest.

If Henetha's heard of mushroom farming she will try to talk to anyone who might know anything about it, trying to learn how it's done.

Ullr Lightbane
The snow is becoming heavy, but that is of little consequence to the Uz.  There are a large number of people gathered, and you don't sense anyone skulking about.

"Greetings Garik Johnton," Danbal begins.  "No need to bargain for lodging.  We are well familiar with the children of Issaries, and we welcome you to our city.  There are a few merchants of Issaries and Etyries who visit our city, as well as servants of Argan Argar.  You and your companions will be our guests.  We shall make you a place near the Hearth fire, and in the coming days, we will talk about your propositions.  Come.  You must be cold and in need of food."

[Private to Garik Johnton; Henetha Hofaktsdottir: Once in the longhouse of the Durten you will be greeted by a number of people.  "Welcome and be comfortable. Garik Johnton, be at ease for now.  You will speak to the Garlin family in the coming days, for they are the ones who negotiate on behalf of the town.  For now, get to know us and what trade we can offer.

Looking to Henetha after her offer of help, "you are our guests at present, so nothing will be expected of you, but if you wish to help there are always things to be done.  Our wives may know ways of cooking that you do not, and our weavers have techniques to make different textures of fabric."

After asking about the Earth Temple, "the priestesses are currently in seclusion, but there will be time at dinner to meet with people who serve the temple."  Dinner will be after the trolls arrive.

I have to run, so I'll finish up in a bit.]

Tamarkorda watches the arrival of the southern merchant and his companions but following the introductions his gaze is drawn out  into the landscape that they have been travrseing. after a while he shakes his head and goes back up the hill muttering "It's not them she's tense about... or I'm a stander's cowman. What is it mother, I wonder..."

Sanuzi Asar-Girru

I try to record images, sounds, scents of the day spent with the old lady when so much else was happening downtown, as learning to do. Spend evening at Sandien's, weaving stick dolls (y'know, toys for tots), and imprinting the pattern I saw in my memory, maybe even compose a little song...

"Around the first well//a new gathering,a true gathering//their fate befell"

I'll stay up through the night in this light meditation, attentive to what might be going on in the world less ... say ... visible.

We don't need to worry about Worship rolls unless we are on a holiday.

Bingling Hyxloriz, you soon discover that most of the Garlin family has an understanding of Darkspeech.  A few, including Varinton (whom you do discover is Magora's birth father) are conversant in Darkspeech.

The Garlin family is true to their word, and establish places for the Uz to sleep in the caves.  The women of the family have a delicious smelling mushroom stew going, and you even notice the lead-clad warriors [Private to Bingling Hyxloriz; Ullr Lightbane: Karrg's Sons] seem to be taking an interest in the stew.

Henetha Hofaktsdottir, one of the Garlin women notice your interest and welcomes you to join them.  Her name is Lonrella, and will talk to you about mushroom farming.  "If you are interested, you are welcome to see our mushroom caves."  Lonrella looks around, "but maybe tomorrow."

Anyone who is down near the Garlin compound will hear talk that Magora wishes to speak to Desola at the Chief Priestess's earliest convenience.  Soon, a middle-aged woman comes down the hill, escorted by an older man.  The woman is dressed in a simple brown dress with green embroidery around the hem, her hair held in an elaborate braid.  She is also wearing a white sash. (no need to roll, everyone recognizes that as a symbol of a Chalana Arroy healer).  The man she is with has hair that is turning white and a red beard, and he is bulky like a redsmith.  As they approach, it becomes clear that woman in the dress is actually a man.
[Private to Henetha Hofaktsdottir: No need to roll, you would clearly recognize a devotee of Nandan, a woman born in the shape of a man.  You also notice clearly that she is wearing the braids of a married woman.]

Varinton moves over to the woman, "Inkarne, you will remember my daughter Magora."  He hesitates for a moment, and whispers "she is much changed since you last saw her."  More loudly, he continues, "she expresses interest in speaking with Desola."

Inkarne nods to Varinton, and moves to the Uz he indicated.  "Magora, welcome.  Desola will be happy to see you again, but she will be busy for a time.  When I take dinner to the Priestesses, you are welcome to come with me."
[Private to Bingling Hyxloriz: Though she hides it well, you can tell that she is shocked by Magora's appearance.  She may also be shocked to find Magora here.]

At the Lunar Fort  Afternoon

[Private to Saberak: With the mention of the word Preceptor, the Commander's face seems to pale even more. He is now afraid. You think it is a generalized anxiety at greeting a person of such a high station, and not wanting to make a social blunder.]

 "We are all Us," begins the commander,"Greetings acolyte Saberak.  It seems that you are in charge of this detail by the Preceptor's orders," he gulps the word Preceptor.  Your good humor seems to calm the Commander.  "I am not familiar with your mount, will they be fine in a stable?  The other mounts can be stabled as well.  The barracks were built to handle more than the troops we currently have, so you will easily find space in the barracks."

While you are talking, you notice that Idovanus, Gulk, and Zuzorek have started to move off to the Inn.

"We did not expect you, so I hope a simple dinner will satisfy you and your troops."

[Private to Oligur Jaffez: When the commander recognizes the significance of the man in red robes, he eyes you and the troops.  You immediately recognize what he is trying to tell you and the troops:  Shape up and be on your best behavior.]

[Secret to Tamarkorda: How much time did you spend with Sandein today?]

You move back up the hill.  You shiver, and it is not from the cold.  You sense your ancestor is near but is not communicative right now.

[Private to Sanuzi Asar-Girru: The spirits are very active around the house.  Whatever happened has riled the spirits.  Anyone else with the sight will see it.]
[Private to Tamarkorda: As you approach Sadein's house, you can tell that there is a great deal of spiritual activity as if spirits have been attracted to the house.]

As you work on the stick dolls and recite the tune, you begin to drift off.[Private to Sanuzi Asar-Girru: As you are making the stick figures, you feel as if your fingers are sticky.  Looking down, it is as if there is a web on the figure you're working on.  You realize that the web extends to another figure you've made.  The tune you are singing seems to harmonize with something else, something close, but you can't sense anything beyond that.]

Garik sees the trolls at a distance. Looking for an Agar Agan in their midst he strides over and speaks in his broken dark tongue. "Hail Fellow Trader. I have some troll Goods for trade." Then repeats it in trade talk. "I have some fine wine looking for things to ship to Boldholm."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:40, Thu 15 Nov 2018.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 11):

Bingling views Inkarne as what she sees that she herself is; he would view it odd if anyone tried to argue that Magora were not now Uz, and so likewise accepts Inkarne for who she is and seems to be (unless she later tells him otherwise).

But if he hears the comment to Henetha Hofaktsdottir, he will make a friendly gesture and say in Tradetalk "I am a merchant and not a farmer, but I can tell you what I know of the mushrooms we bring to trade. My mother grows them, and my sire even aids her when he is not mid-wifing."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:03, Thu 15 Nov 2018.

In reply to Garik Johnton (msg # 15):

Hearing Garik's question Bingling will tilt his head, give his best effort at a human-like smile, and greet him in broken Tarshite before switching to Darktongue and Tradetalk.
"I am a merchant, come to trade mushrooms. I would be honored to look at the sound of your wares. Would you want to want until the Sun Chariot arises in the morning, though?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:29, Thu 15 Nov 2018.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 14):

Remain attentive and watchful.

In reply to Bingling Hyxloriz (msg # 17):

"Now is a good a time as any to serve our gods their due. I have some Uz goods to trade as well as some fine wine. I do not know the Uz taste in drinks but this is top of the line and not seen around here. I also have acquired an ingot of pure rune lead. Maybe we can arrange for things we would not find in the capital being rare and exotic. Portability would be appreciated."

"Though my traditions make me loath to admit it, Selan will be fine if he is stabled with the horses.  Antelopes are not picky eaters, though you may want to keep him apart from the others if they are unused to the presence of riding beasts.  My baggage can be stored wherever you will be quartering me."

As the Sable is led off toward the stables with the rest of the mounts, Saberak whistles.  Suddenly roused from her slumber, Silvereye wakes and flaps silently through the twilit air to perch on Saberak's shoulder.

"A simple dinner would more than suffice.  We have been on the trail for days with little to eat besides stale flatbread and dried fruit.  I trust that you can show me to your shrine to the Seven Mothers in the morning?  I will need to make sure that everything is in order to properly honor the Red Goddess."

Saberak seems to almost glide as she moves toward the inn, the carriage of her willowy form belying a level of grace not shared by the soldiers she arrived alongside.

"Tell me, have the troubles in the south or from Tarsh reached you here? If I am to properly serve the needs of this garrison, I will need to immerse myself in your context to the greatest extent achievable.  It is vastly more than I would expect, but any written materials you might have that I would be able to study would also be appreciated."

Reentering the Shaman's hut Tamarkorda tells Sanuzi what he saw. "It was a trader arriving from Boldhome and some other traveller with him, he wants to set up shop here, she was keeping quiet, Danbal's taking them to the Durten House; snow's getting heavier.
There are more spirits around the house here than usual, maybe they have come at Sandien's request, but maybe not."
[Private to GM: Tamarkorda will spend most of the day at Sandein's the old lady and the spirits seem to indicate something out of the ordinary is happening. He will meet any fixed obligations at the Muval household though, feeding/ checking over horses etc. just put off discretionary tasks that can be done anytime.]

In reply to Saberak (msg # 20):

Oligur Jaffez speaks with Saberak in hushed tones, gesturing alternatively at the town and at the fort.

In reply to Tamarkorda (msg # 21):

Sanuzi recites the events of his day, as he has learned to do, to Tamarkorda:

Come, sit, have some tsai. It's a recipe one of the soldiers told me about once. It's not horrible. Tell me, Tamarkorda: what do you see in this image?

(OOC: please feel free to address Sanuzi, if you are familiar with him, with any nickname you feel comfortable with. I recommend "snoozy" or "zee".)

In reply to Garik Johnton (msg # 19):

Bingling is glad to peruse Garik's wares and show Garik his fine collection of tasty fungi. He is attentive to Garik's wares, and then shows him what Bingling has in his borrowed cart. "Some of these are an acquired taste, for human and Uz alike. But both the Garlins here and my home of Crabtown have such. And the poor harvest and Great Winter of 1621 to 1622 gave us a few more connoisseurs here."

Bingling purses his lips and gives a nigh-human frown; young adult humans might here the high pitched trill that serves him as a sigh as he adds in Darktongue "I don't even know how to say 'oenophile' or 'sommelier' in Tradetalk."

Switching back to Tradetalk he nods. "We might have several things. Also, I may be feeling both silly and inspired after traveling with warriors of prowess, but I am looking for cuirboilli greaves and vambraces and maybe a hauberk-sized leather gambeson. Have you any Uz-sized armor?  I am short, almost human-sized."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:16, Thu 15 Nov 2018.