6th Day of Descending Water, RY 768
About one month ago

When Maryam Lamya-kin set off from Chiaroscuro on her latest journey, one that might ultimately keep her abroad for months if not years, Tybalt was there to see her off. The handsome self-proclaimed 'Prince of Thieves' parted ways with her with a smile and a kiss on the cheek. Aunt Nabiha would have looked askance at the kiss, as well she should given the fickle nature of thieves and wanderers, but Maryam is an adult now, as Tybalt has been since she first met him. And Maryam herself is a wanderer now, too, though perhaps not as much of a scoundrel. Maybe.

Tybalt had words for her, too, the sort of advice her beloved aunt couldn't give. "Be careful out there - the West is a cutthroat place. Demons, pirates and undead, oh my!" Of course Maryam is no fool; she's sailed before and certainly had heard tales of the Lintha, if not had run-ins with Lintha brothers or sisters trying to make their mark at sea. She knows the pirates of Coral are known to venerate Siakal, Western God of Battle, and that Skullstone venerates undeath and strives for expansion throughout the West.

Still, Tybalt clasped her shoulder for a time and whispered to her, "This is no ordinary mission, my eyes and ears tell me the artifact Zafar Sami has you transporting is something of grave importance. I don't think even Lucan knows what it is. And it's probably better that way. So I mean it - be careful. May our paths cross again soon, friend."

And then he was gone, leaving Maryam to wonder why he was so worried, and what exactly was this 'Sundering Sword', anyway? The name was all Tybalt would tell. Nonetheless, Maryam had little time to fuss about the details; Eduardo Lucan, being a Guild man and all, was a stickler for being on time. So she packed her things, hugged her aunt goodbye, and headed to the Guild outpost where Eduardo would be waiting with the caravan... and Zafar's mysterious package.

Descending Water - Ascending Earth, RY 768
The journey so far

When Zafar Sami asked to have the Sundering Sword delivered to him in An-Teng, he all but demanded that it not be transported by sea. That was the first and foremost point of the contract, the second being to never open the package, no matter how tempting it might be, and the third that it must travel in its own wagon, alone, touching no other item but its specially made container.

They had to travel discreetly. So that meant braving the Fire Mountain Pass, bringing Eduardo's caravan and herself through the mountain range west of the Lap. On the other side lay the An-Teng High Lands, where the mountains gradually slope down into fertile hills, and they would be able to ride river-boats the rest of the way to the City of the Steel Lotus. There, they would meet Zafar in the Market District, who would be visiting with an acquaintance of his, an arms dealer known only by the name 'Horus.'

Eduardo had no qualms about taking the contract, and offering Maryam a job as guard and scout. He is one of the few merchant princes who regularly travel that pass, and knows its shortcuts and pitfalls like the back of his hand.

Unfortunately, few journeys go completely without a hitch, and this one is no different.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:23, Tue 01 Dec 2009.

14th Day of Ascending Earth, RY 768
Location - Fire Mountain Pass, summit
Time - Late afternoon
Weather - Overcast, cool, light winds

Eduardo Lucan lets out a colorful Flametongue curse, kicking at a nearby outcrop of rock and immediately regretting it when he stubs his toe. "Aaghhh!" he cries out rather unceremoniously, followed by something that very much sounds like "Son of a goat!" Either that or something not so savory about an Ahlat war-bride. They're far from Ahlat's fields; he ought to be safe saying something like that, or so he hopes!

Finally he calms down and sighs heavily. "Ahh... I hate to say it, Maryam, but it's good and broken." Eduardo says with a heavy sigh. He is a short, stocky man, the sort one would expect to survive like the stubbornest of weeds in a dust bowl, with wiry dark brown hair wound into a colorful turban and travel clothes of fine dyed linen (no silk while on the road, he always says.) At the moment he's staring down at the broken wheel of the wagon carrying 'the package', shaking his head vexedly. "What is Zafar thinking, giving us such strange directions? But the customer's always right, eh? And he is paying very well."

"There's nothing else to it - we'll have to stop early today. We don't have any good spares left, but we'll fix it up with what we have, something good enough to get us to the Guild post at Thousand Dragons Lake. It'll be a day and maybe two..." Eduardo keeps shaking his head and clicking his tongue. "And we're already running late."

While the Guild factor frets over his transportation (and time) issues, the animal handlers accompanying the halted caravan seem to be having problems of their own. The mountain horses seem to be disturbed by something, the animals whinnying and whuffing, tossing their heads and stamping. Seerah, the lead driver, seems to be at a loss, speaking off to one side with one of the other caravan guards, a tall man with jet black hair named Alwar.

With another long-suffering sigh, Eduardo looks at Maryam and says, "You're the only dependable person I have, sometimes. Would you go see what the trouble is this time?"

[Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: I hope you don't mind the big fast forwarding and some of the liberties I've taken with your contacts. I simply wanted to explain how you got to where you are now, and didn't want to dwell TOO much on the past events as I'd like you to meet up with the rest of the PCs before New Years in RL. (Hopefully!)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:39, Mon 30 Nov 2009.

Maryam listens quietly with a sympathetic expression as Eduardo vents his frustration about the broken wagon wheel and frets about the delay, nodding her agreement from time to time.  The slender young woman is dressed in sand-toned traveling clothes and her armor; her blue hair pulled back and covered by a simple fern-green headscarf.

Once he has finished saying his piece, she responds calmly, “While I don’t know his reasons, I’m sure that Zafar has good ones for his rules about the package. And, as you said, we are being paid quite well for following his instructions, challenging as they may be a times.”  She frowns for just a moment at the broken wheel, “We’ll just have to make the best of things and hope that we can make up the time once we leave Thousand Dragons Lake.”

As Eduardo and Maryam’s attention is drawn to the disturbed mountain horses, Maryam can feel her shoulders tensing.  If the horses are reacting that way because they sense a predator, having a broken wheel will limit the caravan's options should it attack.

Nodding in response to Eduardo’s request, “Of course,” Maryam sets off to speak with Seerah.  As she approaches, Maryam glances around the area near the horses, trying to spot anything that might be upsetting them.

“Hello Seerah, Alwar.”  Maryam’s tone is friendly as she asks.  “What’s going on with the horses?”

[Private to Storyteller: I rolled 3 successes on perception + awareness.]

[Private to Storyteller: Edited due to lack of clarity:  The introduction was wonderful and I don't have any problems with the big fast forward.  After all, while preludes are fun, meeting up with the rest of the group should be more fun. I also have no objections to you using my contacts.]
This message was last edited by the player at 08:58, Tue 01 Dec 2009.

Eduardo nods, knowing Maryam speaks truth, as much as he's unhappy to admit it. As Maryam goes to meet Seerah and Alwar, she can already hear him calling for a couple assistants to help with the wheel and arrange some sort of quick-fix repair with the tools and materials they have on hand.

Seerah looks relieved to see the Air Aspect, and answers promptly, "Well, it's obvious something's disturbing them, but we don't know what. I think you and Alwar should do some investigating in the area, try to root out the source. We'll keep Zayna here, she's a good shot with the bow as you both know." Zayna is the last caravan guard, who was hired on along with Alwar; they appear to be of Harborhead descent. As far as Maryam knows, they are both ordinary mortals, though very skilled ones. At least they haven't exhibited any supernatural power in her time traveling with them.

"I don't like the idea of leaving the caravan with only one guard," says Alwar with a sharp frown. He isn't one to mince words much. "However if it's something we can handle quickly then all the better." The dark haired man readies his weapon, a chopping sword of uncommon quality.

As they're at the summit of the pass, there aren't a great deal of obvious hiding places around, but there are still plenty of rock formations about and groups of stubby little bushes that a particularly skilled predator could use. Maryam has a look around and sees what she thinks is the glint of the late afternoon sun off metal. Someone skulking unsuccessfully behind a crag, perhaps. Or several someones. She thinks she can pick out at least three sources of movement toward the northwest, maybe 200 yards away. Whoever they are, they are definitely humanoid, and not an animal... and not very good at hiding themselves, at that.

“I think I’ve just spotted what’s upsetting the horses,”  Maryam says as she makes a motion with her head towards the crag.  “I just saw a glint of metal over there by that crag.”  She watches for just a moment and then continues.  “It looks like three people, but there might be a couple more.”

A thoughtful frown crosses her face as she evaluates the terrain between the caravan and the crag.  “I should be able to slip up behind them and take out a couple of them before they notice I’m there.”

Well aware that she is far more skilled at solo missions than she is at group tactics, Maryam’s next words to Alwar are clearly phrased as a suggestion.  “It seems like the best idea would be for me to slip up behind them, use a charm I have to send you a message letting you know how many there are, and then take out as many as I can.   Zanya could provide cover from here with her bow and pick off any of them foolish enough to give her a target.  Then based on the situation, you could move into melee range or stay back here in case they’ve split up and there is a second group that I’m overlooking.”
This message was last edited by the player at 06:01, Thu 03 Dec 2009.

Seerah seems a little bit taken aback that Maryam thinks she can handle three or more alone. It takes the lead driver a little time to remind herself that the young woman has already proven herself in the past, and her ability to remain quiet and unseen is so flawless as to be uncanny. "Yes, that's probably for the best," she concedes to Maryam's plan. "I will let Lord Lucan know; I know that he trusts your sensibilities. Please be careful."

Alwar nods a little bit curtly. While he values Maryam's skill, he is not as used to working with a Dragon-blood who can outpace his own hard-won skill by way of her Essence. The man is just a little bit proud, but not so much so that he won't acknowledge a sound tactic when he sees one. "Very well, I will stay with Zayna. Signal us as soon as you need our help, Maryam."

Zayna, perched on top of one of the caravan wagons, is a wiry woman with short dark red hair. Once she is informed of the plan, she immediately readies her longbow with an arrow and gives a nod to Maryam to show that she's ready.

"Go," says Alwar to Maryam, blade still unsheathed as his and Zayna's eyes sweep the vicinity of the caravan, looking for any other potential intruders. The Air Aspect thinks she can still see the position where the glints of metal were, though they're already starting to move again.

[Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: So sorry for delay, got sidetracked from getting to your thread. So, a couple things here. Roll your Dex+Stealth along with any charms you might want to activate, this is how stealthy you are. Then I'd like another reflexive Perception+Awareness, with a +1 bonus die for alertness. This is to make sure you can still follow the position of the group that's started to move (basically attempting to reestablish surprise while you were conversing last post)

A note about stunts, since you're a new player to my games. I roll stunt dice separately when I feel a post merits them, and add any resulting successes to your roll.]

As Maryam makes her way towards the crag, it quickly becomes clear that she hasn’t chosen the colors of her outfit just because she likes them.  The sandy browns, grays, and fern greens blend into the surroundings, making it even more challenging to see the young woman as she slips from one bush or pile of stones to the next, carefully choosing her steps so that no crack of a stick nor rustle of leaves will indicate her presence.  As she reaches each hiding place, she pauses just long enough to look and listen for her target and evaluate the terrain before selecting her next path.

Though she doesn’t rush, before long Maryam reaches her final hiding spot, a low pile of rocks that puts her in easy listening and sling range of her targets. Crouching behind it, she removes her sling and readies a bullet as she evaulates the group in front of her, noting numbers, weaponry, and making certain that they appear to be planning to attack the caravan rather than just being in the wrong place at the wrong time (not that she considers that particularly likely).

[Private to Storyteller:  Not a problem, I just assumed you had gotten busy with something.

5 successes on Dex+Stealth (no charm use yet.  She’s saving her essence for the fight)
5 successes on the Perception+Awareness+1 roll.]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:30, Fri 04 Dec 2009.

Maryam slips away with the ease she is known for. From this point on she is alone -- mostly -- but for the sharp eye of Zayna, crouched atop the caravan with her longbow already drawn.

Moving closer to the area she'd seen the glimmers before, she catches sight of the group of would-be assailants crouched behind the rock formation splitting into two groups. Beyond the three she now sees clearly (dark figures with short, spiky hair, wearing reinforced buff jackets and hooked blades that look longer than any hook sword she's ever seen) she sees another pair splitting off to circle around the caravan's position, using short brush and the cliff face to the east to cover their way. These two look similar to the others, one of them more distinctive with pale white hair pulled up into a high pony tail, and both carry bows.

Maryam suspects she may have been spotted by the one with long white hair before ducking into her hiding spot. The group of three approaching from road level have not seen her at all, though. She is well within range to attack the oblivious trio, but the bow-wielding pair had a head start and is moving toward higher ground. Furthermore, Maryam is uncertain whether Alwar nor Zayna would see the pair that split off, but whether she has time to give them a warning is up to her.

[Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: You have time for one action you can make freely (whether to activate a simple charm, or react in some other way). Then roll Join battle. If you decide to do a surprise attack you can also post that immediately, but it has to be against someone you know hasn't seen you yet.

Also you may roll Int+Lore to recognize the swords these people carry (this is reflexive).]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:03, Sat 05 Dec 2009.

Maryam frowns as she notices the white-haired man glance in her direction just as she was ducking behind the pile of rocks.  ~Damn it.  This makes things a bit harder.~

Deciding that her best option is to distract or eliminate the archers, giving Alwar a safer path to the swordsman, Maryam allows the winds to carry a whispered message back to Alwar and prepares for combat.

“Two groups.  First: Three swordsman, approaching, road level.  Second:  Two archers, circling, higher ground.  I’ve been spotted.  I’ll get archers.  Can you help with swordsmen?”

[Private to Storyteller:
I failed my lore role.
I’m using Wind-Carried Words Technique to send a message to Alwar.  1m
Join Battle:  The dice apparently aren’t liking me tonight.  I botched.]

[Private to Storyteller:  I probably should mention that I am fairly inexperienced with 2nd edition combat.  I think this may be my second or third fight ever in this system.  It’s definitely my first in months.  I have my books and I don’t think it should be a problem.  But, if I miss something or misunderstand something, please let me know.]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:34, Sun 06 Dec 2009.

While Maryam gets into position, Seerah gathers the other caravan members and brings them toward cover. Though not nearly as skilled a combatant as any of the guards, she draws a long curved knife and crouches with the assistant driver, cook, and pair of secretaries.

Eduardo is with them as well. "Filthy bandits," he growls, his ruddy face made redder by anger, "I'll throw myself into a volcano before letting them close to that package." This he says as he loads up his Varangian bullet-bow, crouching with the others behind a clump of rocks and bushes toward the southwest. Like Seerah he is no skilled combatant, but the hybrid bow/bullet-thrower he holds can be a dangerous weapon even in less-practiced hands. "Damn that Zafar...I'll charge extra for this!"

The four caravan horses continue to neigh and fidget. Seerah is no doubt beside herself with frustration having to leave them out in the open, but there was no time to unhitch them. Fortunately for the stalwart beasts, it is quite doubtful that these 'bandits' came all this way to a rarely traveled pass just to be horse-thieves... or horse-killers.

Maryam watches from her position. Fortunately the swordsmen were spotted long before they come into range. It will take them some time yet to reach melee range as they skirt around the eastern face, but the archers open fire immediately. The pale-haired figure immediately looses two arrow shots toward Maryam, unhindered by the low rocks due to higher ground, while his companion archer fires a single, precise arrow towards Zayna. [Private to Maryam Lamya-kin: Two attack flurry of 5 sux and 2 sux.]

---

OOC: actions
tick 0 - Swordsman trio
tick 5 - Archer duo
tick 6 - Maryam, Zayna, Alwar
Eduardo, Seerah, etc. take cover and hold action starting at tick 6.
Swordsmen at melee range at tick 10.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:47, Mon 07 Dec 2009.