Chapter 5: The Feast.
Copyright © 2000 by the players of Emerald Sphere of Sighs.

From: Ssrivan hiTlokhar [2000-04-15 10:37:20]
Subject: Needed Equipment
As the need for immediate listing of needed equipment becomes apparent, Ssrivan signals to one of the slaves and demands pen and paper. Upon receipt of said items, he rapidly sketches a couple of items on the paper's upper half and writes a small list below, containing instructions for the diagrams and several other needed items. When finished, he hands it to the slave and dispatches them to the household master of stores for execution. "Have whatever items are available ready for my perusal in the morning, and if the others can be nmade on such short notice, ensure that work on them begins so that they will be ready for me before we leave."

With that, he returns his attention to the dinner and his companions.

From: Ssrivan hiTlokhar [2000-04-15 10:28:52]
Subject: Dinner and the stimulating conversation
Ssrivan delicately samples small bits of each of the prepared delicacies, so as not to dull his appetite before having the opportunity to try each and every one of them. Those who are watching him notice that he seems to be enjoying himself immensely. As to drink, he contents himself with a small quantity of the Dlel-fruit wine, though not enough to cloud his judgement--or even enough to become slightly tipsy, for that matter. He leans over towards Churisan at one point and whispers something softly, but otherwise seems involved in an animated discussion of the merits of various foodstuffs served at the dinner with any and all who would listen to him. He listens to the purpose of this journey a bit gravely at first, breaking into a wide smile when he realizes he will have further opportunity to test the locks and devices of the ancients against his skills. This journey may prove most profitable after all!

From: Chúrisan Sóruna [2000-04-14 14:06:21]
Subject: full of food and questions
Chúrisan eats well, but drinks sparingly. He's a great believer in sampling the local delicacies, so he starts with the Jakkóhl and side dishes, then moves on to a small slab of Tsi'íl, both washed down with water and a glass or two of Ngalu wine. Fearing excessive befuddlement, he avoids the Tsuhóridu liqueurs, but does indulge in a bit of Dátsu brandy.

He listens carefully to Darmkula's speech, and Adzul's question, then adds his own:
"Indeed, the Sea of Sighs is many weeks travel to the north. We must expect different weather and a long journey--it could be months before we return! I dare say there must be great rewards indeed to induce my noble colleagues to leave their lives so precipitously and for so long."

"As to necessaries, if we are to root out some Ancient treasures, we would need slaves for digging and carrying, and tools and equipment, not to mention bearers for our noble priests. Why must we submit our list of requirements tonight? Is there some need for haste? Along our way here our guides spoke of spies and pursuers. Who are they? Is there some other group involved in this matter?"

From: Adzul hiOgeado [2000-04-14 04:48:56]
Subject: Questions
"Could you tell us about the climate where we intend to search? I for one am anxious to leave behind any clothing that is unsuitable, though a warm cloak will I assume be needed for crossing the mountains. Also I assume that that which we do not wish to carry with us can be stored here or transported back to our clan houses."

From: Game Master [2000-04-13 23:17:13]
Subject: Ahhhh, food and thoughts.
At the sound of a large gong type instrument the room is flooded with servants porting large vessels of wine and huge platters of food. Aijom standing off in the corner announces to you what is being brought forth.

"To drink" he starts, "you may be served Ngalu wine of the Mu'ugalavyani Plains, or Dlel, fermented from the Dlel berry. We also offer Datsu, a delightful brandy also made from the Dlel berry or a special Mash Brandy from the Tsolyanu's western highlands, just north and south of Tumissa. For those of you with a taste for the finer things, we offer you Tsuhoridu, a variety of delicate liqueurs made from wonderful herbs and essences, quite the indulgence." he adds. "Of course there are the less exotic, yet very popular
drinks such as Chumetl, Hmelu, Tuor and Las for your enjoyment. To eat, we have
prepared for you a wild Tsi'il beast roast, Hmelu meat, roasted Kaika, and from our own forest, Jakkohl served with succulent roots and greens."

You watch as steaming platters of meat are placed on the wide table and servants who kneel next to your meal at the center of the table start carving and serving. First, of course, to the old man and his companion and then to each of you. You have six delicate drinking goblets placed before you and you watch as each is filled with a different liquid from the list that Aijom had just recited for you. The food smells wonderful and the service is exemplary. If you eat, you will find that the food is succulent and spectacular, who ever prepared this meal is a true master chef. You sit and enjoy all of this splendor for a few moments when the old man at the head of the table speaks.

"My dear guests," he starts after clearing his throat. "Welcome to Monru and the hospitality of the Clan of the Azure Gems. I am Darmkula Ba'ashcha one of the High Elders of the Clan of the Azure Gems, Humble priest of the Ancient Lord of Secrets, the Doomed Prince of the Blue Room, the Master of Magic and Sorcery: Ksarul. I am also the Chief Scribe in Monru's humble Library and a student of the Ancients. As the one responsible for bringing you here, I must first apologize for the deplorable manner in which you were brought to Monru. It is neither our custom nor habit to treat guests in such ways, however, times are changing for us here and we have to be very careful as to the way we do things in these days. I hope that you will accept this feast as an apology for the ill manner in which you were previously treated. I know that you are all wanting an explanation of why you have been chosen and brought here. I shall not make you wait a moment longer, but please, continue eating and drinking while I explain.

Monru is a well hidden secret. It is a wealthy city far removed; it enjoys the a fairly high standard of living as well as a sense of peace. The Temples of Change and Stability work as one in Monru and the Library which has been established in Monru holds many old texts and Ancient scrolls. It is governed by a representative from each Temple represented in Monru. Some of the focal points of the studies which continue in the library concern the Ancients and their ways. We have even discovered some of their machines and have deciphered the means by which to make them work. Unfortunately, many of the devices needed to make them perform different tasks have been lost forever.

We are constantly is search of different forms of the Ancients devices to study and decipher.  We have found some ancient glyphs that were etched in to some sort of medal. The meanings have been lost over the eons, or so it is believed. Myself and my brother, who you first met in that back room and who chose you for this journey, have dedicated out lives to the study of the Ancients. We have deciphered some of the text written on the medal tablets. We have discovered that there is an object called the Emerald Sphere of Sighs. We are not sure of its exact origins nor are we sure of its size. We do know, however, that it is a source of great power and that it is kept in an underground structure of some kind to the north of here in the Milumanaya region near the sea of sighs. The exact location is not know by us either. But we do know, with great certainty, the general location, and we have deciphered some of the land marks which will help you find the location. We understand that some of the land marks will have changed from when the tablets were first inscribed. We have found some of the landmarks on our own and that is why we know the general location. You must understand that this "Emerald Sphere of Sighs" is an answer to a question that we have ask for years. We are certain that it will unlock some of the larger mysteries that involve some of the machines that have
found around the areas. We have also discovered that it might have great healing powers as well, though we are not absolutely sure about that. We have made out that it is well guarded. Not just by some creatures, which may be long dead by now, but also by some things that we have translated into "mysteries" and "unluck". We are not sure what these are, but we are sure that your group will figure out their meaning when you find them. You were chosen because, in one way or another, you possess a talent that will be needed to succeed in this journey. Look at you! All different yet very secure in your ways and ideas. What one of you lacks the others make up for, like pieces to a puzzle, by yourself you seem to be nothing important, but linked together you represent a complete idea, structure, a whole thought. That is why you were chosen!

I know that the satisfaction of retrieving this Emerald Sphere of Sighs will not be compensation enough for many of you. So we are able to offer you Land grants, titles and riches which will please you greatly I'm sure. As always, all things are negotiable. If you succeed we will be very grateful and very generous. But let us not cloud this evenings feast with such talk.

Orun and Dlarumei will be leading you for the most part, please have a servant draw up a list of items that you will need and deliver it to one of them before sunrise. Every effort will be made to aquire the items you ask for. The creature," he says with a raspy spit, "whom you are already acquainted with will help lead you through the mountains."

"If you have questions, please feel free to ask. I will try my best to answer all of your concerns." He then takes a long pull off of one of his wine glasses and waits.


From: Hrissu hi Metumel [2000-04-24 12:49:17]
Subject: Thankful Acceptance
The boy smiles again, nodding in acknowledgement.

"Darmkula Ba'ashcha, you Most Noble, you Most Holy, this humble one thanks you for your hospitality. Immunity from the pleasures of your table and house is one of the many gifts withheld from me by Dhré. Therefore I thank you. A song shall be yours, whichever of the hymns you desire and know that the coins in my beggars bowl go to feed monks of the most holy character."

He smiles towards the servant he originally growled at and signals for wine and fruit. He eats as though one starving.


From: Ssrivan hiTlokhar [2000-04-20 18:23:06]
Subject: Benefits and Risks
It seems that we now know the general scope of the risks we are to take in support of your venture esteemed one. This is good, for to go into the dark without means of making a light when it is known to contain creatures and situations inimical to you is a sure way to end one's Skein.

But all coins have at least two sides, so this is also a time to ask the nature of the benefits you will provide us on completion of the mission. You have given us some useful general ideas, but specifics could be the lure that drive those needing such reassurance to perform at the utmost of their capability. My personal needs do not tend towards the grandiose, but I cannot presume to speak for my companions.

From: Game Master [2000-04-24 09:21:34]
Subject: Why hello?
As your eyes fall upon Darmkula to see his reaction you notice several emotions pass across his face. At first the look of acknowledgement, then annoyance, followed by pity and then a slight trace of disgust. He eyes the newcomer and speaks. You notice that though his jaw is set and his gaze is hard, his voice is warm and welcoming.

"Hrissu hiMetumel of the Golden Sunburst Clan and Priest of the great singer to the Gods, the Uncaring One, Welcome. I too welcome your songs. Your voice is very pleasing and the tones soothing and harmonious, however, I believe that they would be better served were they sung after our discussions and feasting have come to an end." Darmkula summons a servant who reacts by placing a small purse of coins in the bowl set by Hrissu. "Till that time Noble Hrissu, may we offer you food and drink to make you welcome and sooth the less ethereal needs that you have."

From: Ssrivan hiTlokhar [2000-04-23 19:11:19]
Subject: Small coin and Singers to the uncaring one
As it is always advisable to be in the good graces of the powers, Ssrivan too donates several small silver coins into the offering dish of the mad one.

"What have you to sing for us oh voice of the Uncaring? We await your words with the patience of the stone, though it is true that our hosts may require these stones to move elsewhere ere the dawn reaches out with golden fingers to caress our stony cheeks."

With that he settles back and awaits the spectacle.

From: Hrissu hi Metumel [2000-04-23 09:41:53]
Subject: Bad Hair Day
He staggers in from the main rooms, feet shuffling, perhaps muttering to himself. He is young, perhaps nineteen years of age, not yet having lost the gangly awkwardness of youth. His white and tan robes do not fit him well and his hair is, in some places, standing straight up.

A servant tries to ascertain his station and needs, but he brushes past her. Another one tries to relieve him of the bundle tied to his back, and he actually turns and growls at him.

The servant backs away as though burned.

The youth marches up towards the head of the table, plopping down near Orun and Churisan. There is a fragrance, like honey and flowers. And perhaps strong drink.

He shakes himself like one waking from a dream and smiles to the people near him and nods to his host. He looks out into space and sings softly in a fluid, melodious baritone,

"Good masters we live by your graces alone, give some pittance to the priests of the Uncaring One. All offence shall be paid for in song."

From: Chúrisan Sóruna [2000-04-24 15:12:48]
Subject: Wonderment
Chúrisan watched in surprise as Hrissu arrived. ~What is going on here?~ he wondered to himself, passing a plate of purple fruit to the Dhré-priest. Sipping his brandy, he looked at Darmkula, hoping he would return to the topic of remuneration.

From: Chúrisan Sóruna [2000-04-21 09:33:46]
Subject: Up Front?
"Nicely put, learned craftsman. Let us also consider the matter of benefits provided at the outset of our journey, for it is clearly perilous, and should any not return, they will want their clans to have received some compensation for their absence."

From: Game Master [2000-04-20 12:17:31]
Subject: Good idea!... Corse it's a good idea!
"This is the reason why my brother chose you," Darmkula chuckles, "For your ability to understand situations and plan for them. Your solutions seem so simple and well suited for the situation, that I am embarrassed that we had not decided on such actions ourselves."

Darmkula turns toward Chúrisan. "Noble warrior, I will deliver a mapstone to you in the morning which will provide you with the majority of what you ask for. To help satisfy your question for the time being. If you draw a line straight north of Monru, through Sarku City and continue that line until you reach the Sea of Sighs, That, is the approximate location to which you will be heading. More precise information I can not give to you this evening."

"Adzul hiOgeado, I shall make sure that you receive a detailed map stone of what we know. It shall be delivered to you this evening." With that he waves a finger and two servants scurry off.

"Those who worship the flame god are one of the groups who are after the same prize," he continues, " to answer your question. There is one other group who we can not recognize. We have no contact with them other than the fact that they have interfered with our plans. At this point they have just been throwing up road blocks to slow us down. Presumable to give themselves the advantage and, once they find the location, retrieve the Sphere for themselves."

"I can see that both Ssrivan and Chúrisan speak wisely in the matter of your travel. I think that the party resembling a trading party would be the best suited for this journey. The Island of Pelesar would be a very likely goal. We have never established trade with that island before, so now would be as good a time as any. The trading caravan would give you pack animals and porters and would support the presence of your diverse group. A few palanquins and double-teams of bearers seems fair and the accompanying group of bearers and merchants carrying goods needing fast transport would make a plausible venture. [ooc- Brilliant!!!!] I shall have all the travel papers drawn up this evening and shall start assembling the necessary items and persons."

Once again waving a finger towards certain individuals, they scurry off to start the unspoken request.

Darmkula seeming genuinely pleased with himself and the situation, smiles, sits back and takes another long pull from his drink. He situates himself more comfortably into his cushion and lets out a sigh of contentment. "Are there any other concerns?" he asks the group.

From: Adzul hiOgeado [2000-04-23 11:26:12]
Subject: Alms seem in order
Adzul will give the man the equivalent of 5 Hlash (other than the Suor I cannot recall Engsvenyalli coinage) and urge that this gentleman be heard.

From: Game Master [2000-04-15 21:41:08]
Subject: Some more answers.
"Noble Adzul." Darmkula starts, while chewing on some meat. "At this time of year even the mountains can not escape the heat. The difference is that while it is warm and balmy here, it is warm and less balmy in the mountains." He winks and smiles. "Though the wind does pick up from time to time (natural or otherwise) and when you reach the Sea of Sighs there is sure to be wind and cool breezes. Though I am sure that you will welcome them at the end of a long days jouney. I would say that light clothing is in order with perhaps a cloak as a wrap. I would suggest observing the dress of your colleague Deshnah, he seems to be the most well suited for travels up north. If I am not mistaken he has traveled there before. And in answer to your other question, Yes that which you do not wish to carry with you can be stored here or transported back to your clan houses, either is possible."

Darmkula then turns to Chúrisan and speaks. "As for rooting about, we are fairly certain that there would not be a lot of digging and the like. From our experience most of the underground structures of the Ancients are intact, though they do need to be gone through with some caution and some sense of direction."

Darmkula pauses, takes a long slow pull off of one of his crystal goblets, and after wiping his lips with a cloth says, "We would hope that you would submit your list of requirements tonight so that we may try and have them filled before you leave in the morning. Obviously, items that can not be found in that short amount of time will catch up to you within a day or two. I would also pray for your indulgences, some items may be beyond our ability to supply you with. I would ask for your understanding if we can not supply you with everything that you require. As for the haste issue. Chúrisan is correct, there are others who seek the same item that we do. We live in strange and interesting times. Unfortunately, some of our own temple priests, who were sworn to secrecy, have betrayed us to others. Fortunately, none of them were aware of the whole truth and as a result have no idea where the item is, or even which direction to travel in. They have tried to make their own guesses, but have failed. There are two thoughts as to their motives."

"One is that they will try and follow you to find the location. For that, we have five like groups all leaving at the same time, all heading in different directions. Our foes will either all follow one group, or split up and send smaller parties to follow all the different groups. If they split up we will be able to send out our forces and dispatch them quickly."

"The other thought is that they will try and destroy your party to buy them more time. We are hoping that they chose the first option. Either way we have confidence in your party. You were chosen by my brother because of your diversity and for your individual talents. He is seldom wrong about people, he has a gift to see into a person and read them in some manner that I am not familiar with, so I can not explain it. He is sure that you (as a group) can be trusted, and so we put our hopes in you. I think it only fair to tell you that we have tried this venture before. Once during the war. We felt that would have been a good diversion and that no one would pay any attention to our party. We were,... wrong of course and the party was barley gone a week before it was slaughtered on the outskirts of Sarku city. We doubt that it had anything to do with their charge. The other party that we sent out last sent up word from the mountains and we have not heard from them in over a year. Our citizenry is not well versed in travel and in other cultures. Perhaps we have hidden here too long in our little city. That is why we look to you, a diverse group of individuals who are not known in this area and whom, presumably have no history in these parts, to succeed where we have not. This is also why the party must stay as small as possible. First of all, not to attract any undue attention to it and also because a smaller party will travel faster and more easily. Unfortunately, this means no bearers for your noble priests. I am sorry for this inconvenience but something other than a back to ride would create too great a spectacle for some of the areas that you will be traveling through. The party must remain small and easy to move."

With that Darmkula slumps back onto his pillow where he is presented with meat and wine from one of his several attending.

From: Deshnah [2000-04-16 15:00:00]
Subject: Sea of Sighs
With notably florid hand gestures, Deshnah rises and [without falling over] thanks the host:

"Twresh bferry nish ov ewe tu ....."

He then pauses for a good 15 or 20 seconds to let the ship right itself and continues...

"Ther desssssserrrt of [urk] sirrhrs iz vvrrry, [uhmmm] dhry."

At this, Deshnah looks to sit down but can't quite find his ...

Straighening himself up again, he continues...

"So, [errr] we neee d water"

With that, and trusting to some unknown but benevolent god, he manages to sit down without falling over.

From: Game Master [2000-04-17 10:58:50]
Subject: well, um....sure...
"Yes Deshnah," Darmkula replies. "Your words, while hard to understand (especially when using the Datsu dialect) are true. It will be hot by the Sea of Sighs during this time of year and thought there is much water it is necessary to have some other sorts of protection.

[ooc-At this time in history the desert of Sighs, which you will find on most of your maps is, in fact, the Sea of Sighs. This is before the great cataclysm when the land rose in the north and sank in the south. Most of our modern maps do not show this time period.]

From: Chúrisan Sóruna [2000-04-18 15:12:11]
Subject: Questions and a Suggestion
"Noble Priest, I have some more questions. First, can you be more precise about the 'general location' of the Ancient place? We need to establish what our route would be, and thus have some idea how long this journey would take.

Also, who are these "others" who might try to kill us on the way? If we are to assess the risk, we must know the details of who they are and what they can do.

Finally, I am not ready to commit to this unlikely mission yet, but I will make a suggestion. You say you want the party to move fast, and be inconspicuous. Few things would be *more* conspicuous and slow than a party of learned priests and scholars, guarded by noble warriors, yet footsore and trudging along like humble farmers. Better to give those who wish them light palanquins and double-teams of bearers. Then accompany the group with bearers and merchants carrying goods needing fast transport, or a unit of troops being sent to the north. The group will travel much faster, and be inconspicuous traveling with others. It might take a bit longer to arrange 5 such groups, but surely the gain in traveling speed would be well worth the delay in departure? Of course, if you could just magically send the group a few days travel north as you did when you lured us here, would they not evade and outdistance any pursuit?"

From: Ssrivan hiTlokhar [2000-04-19 15:23:31]
Subject: Journeyings to the Sea of Sighs
Having had occasion to travel to the North in the past, I agree that it might be better to send groups of scholar priests towards some definite, but obvious goal. It might be good to intimate to our noble opposition that we were traveling to the island of Pelesar or some other area on the further coast of the Sea of Sighs. The natives of that area are wary of outsiders during the best of times, so it is good that I am fluent in their language. A trading caravan (or as suggested, a number of them) would be a most effective ruse, even if somewhat easier to follow. The main problem being: can you trust that many people not to betray your cause? I personally think not, as you have already indicated that some of those party to peripheral information dealing with this venture were traitors.

By the way, have they been dealt with so as to prevent the loss of additional information? It is amazing the unexpected details one can wring out of a mind made pliant by sorcerous means.