The population became more and more dense as they approached the city. Soon there was no forest at all – just miles upon miles of farmland and orchards, punctuated by villages, some quite large, and the occasional castle or manor of a knight or baronet.
By noon, they'd reached the gates of Huerten. While the capital city of the barony paled in comparison to the great trading city of Tchu'dan, it was surely the largest Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o… had seen in the wetlands. The first thing he noticed after passing through the high gates was the strong military presence. While every town in Huerten had been ramping up security, as if in preparation for war, Huerten was by far the most extreme. People did not seem to be unusually nervous, however, so it was likely that Huerten was always like this. Scores of soldiers on foot and knights on horseback patrolled the town in large groups, and half the businesses seemed to be named after some knight or another. On the way to the castle, Sahl spotted six inns that had the words “sir,” “squire” or “knight” in them.
After watching for a while, Sahl came to realize that few of the knights were on patrol after all. Most just paraded around, with or without armor, with their squires or ladies in tow, seeming to have neither concern for nor recognition of the people around them.
It did not take long to reach the castle on horseback. The knights stopped at a stable near the castle, where the squires took the horses to be fed and groomed, and continued the rest of the way on foot.
The castle was a decrepit structure which had once, no doubt, been a great fortress. Now, the stones of the outer wall were broken up and covered in plant growth, making the wall easy to scale. What had once been a wide moat was filled in, and a drawbridge was permanently lowered over it. One of its chains was rusted through, and the broken red metal swayed gently back and forth in the breeze.
The guards nodded at the knights and let them pass.
The castle proper was in better repair than the outer wall, though it too showed signs of neglect. Trees grew far too close to the walls for security, some stones were missing, and tunnels under the wall, meant to be hidden, were in clear view.
While the castle provided minimal protection itself, the large numbers of soldiers made up for that. Each of four guard towers was occupied by a soldier or two, and numerous men at arms patrolled the walls. To the left of the castle, Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o… saw a jousting field with a crowd of twenty or so, possibly knights, milling about.
Although the outside was slowly falling to ruin, the inside of the castle was another story. Tapestries, albeit old and faded tapestries, hung from every wall. Polished suits of armor stood proudly along the sides of rooms and hallways, and flags embroidered with various shield patterns alternated with beautifully carved sconces, a few yards off the floor. The walls, though aging, were well maintained.
The knights led Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o… through three long, well-guarded hallways and finally to a door. One of the knights opened it, revealing a room cluttered with scrolls, books and papers, and occupied by two men – a soldier standing in a corner, and a middle-aged man with a sharp nose and a narrow, beardless chin, sitting at a long desk. He looked up suddenly when the door opened, and then relaxed a bit.
“This man claims to know about one of the attackers, sir,” said the leading knight.
“Well? Who are you? What do you know?”
Sahl came to attention in the manner of a Tchu'dan palace guard, standing straight with his feet slightly apart. In best soldierly fashion he rapped out, “I am Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o…, a mercenary from far off city of Tchu'dan! To which lord do I have the honor of speaking!”
“You are speaking to the Second Clerk,” the knight said.
The clerk stared at him, then pulled a torn, dirty scroll from his pile and read it. “So you're the dead one?” he asked with a sneer. “The one killed by brigands?”
“I am pleased to meet you Second Clerk. Is the greeting correct? I not trust your armed knights in wild lands, but now I am present before lawful authority I can give more information. I know this group because I traveled with them. I joined their party about two and a half months ago, but I left them at Maelbourgplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg
[This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.]
Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to maelbourg index on oh-two Farindon. Since then I have been traveling. There are witnesses to prove this. The innkeeper Ranes of Dunweigplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigYunim / Dunweig
by Arnell, edited by the DM
Yunim
Yunim is (in the year 577) a cosmopolitan trade center in the region of Meheiral, run by the Orithoran religion, led centrally from the great Temple of Justice. It is on the edge of Yunim Lake, making fishing one of its principal industries. The is one. I can give more. This means that I was not involved in any of the trouble in Huerten. What they did is for them to answer. I am not part of their actions. I am ready to help lawful authorities if any evil has been done.”
“Yes, we'll deal with the note, and with your fate, later. First we must find the criminals. What do you know about them?”
“Your descriptions are very bad. Only the picture of Kreemon is good. I have helped your knights to make it better. One of the ladies is Ardithplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigArdith
Ardith's long hair is tied in a bun with cords dyed with berry juice, two each of red, blue and black. She wears an unbleached linen shift and bodice, a deerskin jerkin, and low brown boots. Ardith always wears the Sign of Andritha on a chain around her neck. The Sign is a three inch circle of copper with a large onyx in the center, obviously quite heavy, but Ardith wears it with the ease of one long accustomed to the burden., a priest of Andrithaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAndrithanism
Based on original ideas from Karl Schinke (Ardith). Symbols for aspects other than the Mother, along with the artwork, were contributed by Myron Wyles (Halaren).
Andrithanism and its variants are the dominant religion in Rang and the surrounding kingdoms. Within the boundaries of. The man Kreemon is a woodsman. I thought him honest but I cannot vouch for him. There was another man Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. Ziedon's garb is of a well-to-do townsman. He normally wears a thin, off-white shirt with eleven pairs of wooden knobs and strings in the front with a brown and green band of cloth was laid across his sh… who sometimes traveled with us, but your description is not of him. I think that the other man is a newcomer who I have not met. The two women I would guess are Kayplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKay Wanderwit
Kay is an attractive, eighteen year old girl. She has dark brown hair, tanned skin and hazel eyes. The bow she carries is of a very fine quality. Kay wears brown calfskin breeches, and a green wool vest. When traveling, she wears brown deerskin breeches and a red linen vest. Her old cloak is black, and made of fine but worn wool. She has become a close friend of and Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. Korisca is slim and light-footed. She wears a good cloak and breaches, soft boots and a vest. Two knife s…. Kayplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKay Wanderwit
Kay is an attractive, eighteen year old girl. She has dark brown hair, tanned skin and hazel eyes. The bow she carries is of a very fine quality. Kay wears brown calfskin breeches, and a green wool vest. When traveling, she wears brown deerskin breeches and a red linen vest. Her old cloak is black, and made of fine but worn wool. She has become a close friend of is a friend of the lady Ardithplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigArdith
Ardith's long hair is tied in a bun with cords dyed with berry juice, two each of red, blue and black. She wears an unbleached linen shift and bodice, a deerskin jerkin, and low brown boots. Ardith always wears the Sign of Andritha on a chain around her neck. The Sign is a three inch circle of copper with a large onyx in the center, obviously quite heavy, but Ardith wears it with the ease of one long accustomed to the burden., and Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. Korisca is slim and light-footed. She wears a good cloak and breaches, soft boots and a vest. Two knife s… is a woman of no great account, a friend of Kreemon. I cannot vouch for this group entirely, but certainly I thought Ardithplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigArdith
Ardith's long hair is tied in a bun with cords dyed with berry juice, two each of red, blue and black. She wears an unbleached linen shift and bodice, a deerskin jerkin, and low brown boots. Ardith always wears the Sign of Andritha on a chain around her neck. The Sign is a three inch circle of copper with a large onyx in the center, obviously quite heavy, but Ardith wears it with the ease of one long accustomed to the burden. of saintly character, and I judge Kreemon and Kayplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKay Wanderwit
Kay is an attractive, eighteen year old girl. She has dark brown hair, tanned skin and hazel eyes. The bow she carries is of a very fine quality. Kay wears brown calfskin breeches, and a green wool vest. When traveling, she wears brown deerskin breeches and a red linen vest. Her old cloak is black, and made of fine but worn wool. She has become a close friend of to be honest. I have no knowledge of any of their motives or actions after I left them. What are they accused of?”
“The man – Kreemon – is accused of the attempted assassination of the Second Clerk, and the women of aiding his escape. All three resisted arrest with violent force, killing two castle guards and severely wounding or crippling several more. The party of four that the knights told you about, consisting of yourself, Ardithplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigArdith
Ardith's long hair is tied in a bun with cords dyed with berry juice, two each of red, blue and black. She wears an unbleached linen shift and bodice, a deerskin jerkin, and low brown boots. Ardith always wears the Sign of Andritha on a chain around her neck. The Sign is a three inch circle of copper with a large onyx in the center, obviously quite heavy, but Ardith wears it with the ease of one long accustomed to the burden., Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. Ziedon's garb is of a well-to-do townsman. He normally wears a thin, off-white shirt with eleven pairs of wooden knobs and strings in the front with a brown and green band of cloth was laid across his sh… and Kayplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKay Wanderwit
Kay is an attractive, eighteen year old girl. She has dark brown hair, tanned skin and hazel eyes. The bow she carries is of a very fine quality. Kay wears brown calfskin breeches, and a green wool vest. When traveling, she wears brown deerskin breeches and a red linen vest. Her old cloak is black, and made of fine but worn wool. She has become a close friend of are wanted for questioning.”
“This is a sad business! I have no knowledge of why Kreemon attacked you. Maybe he has taken a madness or maybe there is some private dispute between you two. Why did the others aid in his escape? If he had attacked without cause then they should have turned against him. I cannot read this riddle. But you say that I am part of this party. I say again that I have not seen them since second Farindon, and that I have met people on the road who can witness my movements. What questions do you have for me?”
“Those can wait until the others are captured, but suffice to say that there are now two mutually confirmed sources that you work for a certain power in southern Huerten.” Before Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o… could respond, the Clerk changed the topic. “Now where do you think your friends would be hiding? We have reason to believe they've not left the city in the last day and a half. There are witnesses who saw two injured women leave a tavern with a fisherman, but he claims to have left them, at their request, in the center of town. We have no information yet on the assassin.”
“I say again that I have don't know what they do after 2nd Farindon. I have given you all help that I can. Now if you have any questions for me then ask them. Otherwise let me go.”
“Very well,” the Second Clerk said in his slow, nasal voice. “I'll ask a few questions and then you can go.” He waved a hand, and the knights filed out and closed the door behind them. Only one remained. The Clerk leaned forward on his desk. “First, what can you tell me about your employer, Balban?”
“First I would correct you. I no longer work for him. We were employed by the townsman Balban, in Grenzig to deliver a message to a man in Maelbourgplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg
[This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.]
Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to maelbourg index, and then to deliver another message to Huerten. I was with the group until two Farindon, when I took a reply to the first message back to Balban. On the way back to Grenzig I was ambushed by outlaws on the way, and I couldn't get through. I therefore turned to Huerten to see if the party had delivered the second message. Now I think that the party has been here and has delivered the second message, so my service to Balban is over. I am now looking for service with a new master. Of Balban's purposes I know little. He is very close mouthed. I know that he is the ruler of Grenzig, and he wants to extend his power north of Grenzig. My task was just to deliver a message.”
“That Heifin Brinn told us that much. What do you know of his methods of conquest?”
“I have not seen his methods. I am just messenger. I know he has supporters in Maelbourgplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg
[This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.]
Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to maelbourg index. I guess they will help him.”
“He says he'll be here on the third of Aed. Is his plan to act in Maelbourgplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg
[This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.]
Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to maelbourg index before then?”
“I do not know his timing. I think it was in message but I didn't read message.”
“No, it wasn't 'in message.' So you claim to be nothing but a common mercenary, with no knowledge of what you were getting into. Very well, you can go, but you will not be allowed to leave the city until some of this is cleared up. Good luck finding your friends. According to Kreemon, the priestess Ardithplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigArdith
Ardith's long hair is tied in a bun with cords dyed with berry juice, two each of red, blue and black. She wears an unbleached linen shift and bodice, a deerskin jerkin, and low brown boots. Ardith always wears the Sign of Andritha on a chain around her neck. The Sign is a three inch circle of copper with a large onyx in the center, obviously quite heavy, but Ardith wears it with the ease of one long accustomed to the burden. is already dead. Then again, he claimed that you were dead as well.” The Clerk waved a hand, lifted a pen and got immediately back to work, paying no attention as Sahl was escorted out of the castle.
Sahl left without looking back; he didn't want to embarrass anyone following him. He asked a passer-by the direction to the commercial quarter, where he made some essential purchases. Over the past few weeks he had slowly been changing his apparel from desert robes to local Rouchplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigLanguage
Rouch
Rouch is the vernacular, or common tongue, spoken throughout Rang. Because of Rang's influence, it's also a trade language in the surrounding kingdoms.
Sarnam
Sarnam is the “old tongue,” spoken by the priests of Andritha. Most of the nobly-born are familiar with the language. wear. It was harder wearing and more suited to the cold of winter. Now he had another reason to change his gear. As a brown skinned man, he already stood out from the Rouchplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigLanguage
Rouch
Rouch is the vernacular, or common tongue, spoken throughout Rang. Because of Rang's influence, it's also a trade language in the surrounding kingdoms.
Sarnam
Sarnam is the “old tongue,” spoken by the priests of Andritha. Most of the nobly-born are familiar with the language. people about him, and people feared the stranger. To avoid fear and resentment he must conform to their manners and dress as much as he could. When he emerged from the commercial quarter, he was outfitted in most respects as a knight or soldier of Huerten. His moustache and beard were short and neatly trimmed, his clothes and boots were of stout local make. He had kept his old chain mail because it was too expensive to change, and anyway chain was chain and wouldn't stand out as different. But now he wore it openly rather than concealed below desert robes, and he had added a conical Rouchplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigLanguage
Rouch
Rouch is the vernacular, or common tongue, spoken throughout Rang. Because of Rang's influence, it's also a trade language in the surrounding kingdoms.
Sarnam
Sarnam is the “old tongue,” spoken by the priests of Andritha. Most of the nobly-born are familiar with the language. helm with cheek and nasal guards, a large metal faced Rouchplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigLanguage
Rouch
Rouch is the vernacular, or common tongue, spoken throughout Rang. Because of Rang's influence, it's also a trade language in the surrounding kingdoms.
Sarnam
Sarnam is the “old tongue,” spoken by the priests of Andritha. Most of the nobly-born are familiar with the language. shield, and he had traded in his scimitar and ghurka. In their place, he had purchased a longsword and a warhammer, a handaxe and a dagger. Only his swarthy appearance and his curved bow differentiated him from any other well armed knight of the realm. He had bought all his gear from a single tradesman, after trying several to see who would give the best prices and had the best wear. In the end, his haggling skills had got him a good price, and the tradesman had been satisfied with the sale as well.
Emerging from the commercial quarter, Sahl rode Zephyr through the streets to a less prosperous quarter of town. Knights were a common sight in Huerten, but he still made an imposing figure on his huge mount. Choosing an inn which looked slightly better cared for than the surrounding houses, he stabled his horse and called for a meal. He asked the innkeeper how he might find someone in the town. Perhaps there was a way to get a message posted in various prominent places?
“You want to find someone? The best way is to work for the baron, and have his knights do it for you.” He got a good laugh at that. “'Course, they're a little conspicuous. You can sure tell they're searching for someone now. You can hire a crier – hire a crier, that's funny – but if you could afford that, you wouldn't be eating here, would you?” He laughed again. “Go to the temples. They'll let ya post notices. Most folk find themselves in a temple some time or another, and if they can read – or you can bribe the gatekeepers and patrolmen to keep an eye out – again, costs money. Or just hang around places like this and let word get 'round that you're looking. That's what I'd do, but I'm a lazy son of a bitch. Just ask my wife.” Another laugh. “You married?”
Sahl smiled absently at the question. “You know that knights are married to their horses”. The innkeeper gave him a funny look at that comment. “I want to contact a fisherman. Where would a fisherman live? Is Huerten a port? Is there a fishing quarter?”
“You didn't notice the lake?” Sahl's comment about knights and horses obviously hadn't had a lasting effect, and the innkeeper laughed once again. “Andan Huerten, the biggest damned lake in the barony. Those fishermen live all over the place, and there are a lot of them. Breed like roaches. They're all out on the water now. If you want to see 'em get together, you can try a place they call Sir F's, over on the northwest side of town. And send a couple of 'em over here, will ya? There's too much competition in the inn and tavern business, with all those knights trying to run their own.”
“Thank you,” said Sahl. “I'll go in evening when they return from work.” After dinner, Sahl headed for his room. He spent two hours cleaning the dust of travel and tending to his gear. He packed his armor and most of his war gear away, and slept a few hours. Waking towards evening, he dressed quickly, in plain clothes, with only his sword and dagger belted at his waist for protection. Paying the host, he said, “Don't keep the room for me,” then rode Zephyr to the inn called Sir F's. Giving Zephyr to the stable boy, he said, “Make sure he gets some oats,” and made his way inside. The room was just beginning to fill up. He approached the innkeeper. “I'm looking for a priestess of Andrithaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAndrithanism
Based on original ideas from Karl Schinke (Ardith). Symbols for aspects other than the Mother, along with the artwork, were contributed by Myron Wyles (Halaren).
Andrithanism and its variants are the dominant religion in Rang and the surrounding kingdoms. Within the boundaries of called Ardithplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigArdith
Ardith's long hair is tied in a bun with cords dyed with berry juice, two each of red, blue and black. She wears an unbleached linen shift and bodice, a deerskin jerkin, and low brown boots. Ardith always wears the Sign of Andritha on a chain around her neck. The Sign is a three inch circle of copper with a large onyx in the center, obviously quite heavy, but Ardith wears it with the ease of one long accustomed to the burden.. I heard she was living with a fisherman. Can you ask and see if someone can get a message to her. Tell her Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o… is here and wants to talk to her. I will be here all evening. I will even take a room for the night.”
Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o… sat at a corner table, ordered some food and waited. Sir F's became crowded very quickly. When the room was half full, the bartender and barmaids appeared, eliciting cheers all around. Among the seven or so barmaids, Rilla and Drilla, two busty girls in their late teens with heavily freckled skin, were the universal favorites. Rilla seemed to take a special interest in Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o…, asking whether he wanted anything else, and walking by frequently just to walk by.
Within an hour, there was hardly room to move. Every chair, table, window sill and corner was taken, along with the bar and the edges of a small stage where three mediocre musicians played some uninteresting songs Sahl had never heard. For a bunch who had been working since before dawn and had just come in from the lake, these people had a lot of energy. There were no fights, however. Despite the crowd and the noise, the fishermen were strangely courteous.
Sahl was distracted by Rilla walking by once again and asking if he needed anything, and when he looked back, a large man with arms as thick as his legs was standing next to him. This was not unexpected, since every seat at his table was taken, along with the table itself, but this man was looking him over. “Who are you,” he asked.
“I am Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o…. I would offer a seat but there is none. Who are you?”
“How do you know Ardithplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigArdith
Ardith's long hair is tied in a bun with cords dyed with berry juice, two each of red, blue and black. She wears an unbleached linen shift and bodice, a deerskin jerkin, and low brown boots. Ardith always wears the Sign of Andritha on a chain around her neck. The Sign is a three inch circle of copper with a large onyx in the center, obviously quite heavy, but Ardith wears it with the ease of one long accustomed to the burden.?”
“She sent me with a message. I need to see her to give the reply.”
“And what's the reply?”
“I give message only to the one who sent me. Who are you dung face!”
The man smiled. “Alright, alright. My name's Brunner. I'm the one half the knights and guard have been bugging for the past two days. They all want to know where the two woman fugitives are hiding, and since I was seen leaving this very tavern with them, I must know.”
Sahl got up and shook hands with the man. “Sorry I was angry, but I like to know to who I speak. Also I have just had many questions from the Second Clerk of Huerten. I am not an enemy of Ardithplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigArdith
Ardith's long hair is tied in a bun with cords dyed with berry juice, two each of red, blue and black. She wears an unbleached linen shift and bodice, a deerskin jerkin, and low brown boots. Ardith always wears the Sign of Andritha on a chain around her neck. The Sign is a three inch circle of copper with a large onyx in the center, obviously quite heavy, but Ardith wears it with the ease of one long accustomed to the burden.. You have no reason to trust me since I am a stranger, but just give her my message that I am Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o… and I wish to meet her. There are not so many brown skinned men in Rangplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe Kingdom of Rang
Overview
Rang is a huge kingdom, covering more than a million square miles, and extending from the Great Sea to the Ice Sea. It dominates the area politically, militarily and religiously. Rang is a monarchy, led by King Diure LXIV, but its immense size weakens the central government. Most feudal lords manage their lands independently, and only answer to the king in the loosest sense. The king does have several pockets of power, such as in Huerten, which allow him to maintai…. When you describe me, I look slightly different from before when she met me. My moustache is shorter, I now wear Rouchplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigLanguage
Rouch
Rouch is the vernacular, or common tongue, spoken throughout Rang. Because of Rang's influence, it's also a trade language in the surrounding kingdoms.
Sarnam
Sarnam is the “old tongue,” spoken by the priests of Andritha. Most of the nobly-born are familiar with the language. clothes, not my desert robes. She will recognize me. Then I will meet her wherever she says. One problem. The Second Clerk may have sent someone to follow me. I have not seen anyone, but they may be following, and they may follow you. Be careful.”
“Sure thing. If I see her, I'll let her know you're looking.” Brunner joined a few more tables, had a few more laughs with people selected apparently at random, and eventually left without giving Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o… another glance. Twenty minutes later he was back. “I almost forgot,” he called out, working his way into the crowd. “I got a new bottle of ol' Gergy from my cousin in Flen.” Mocking oohs and ahs came from all over. “Wouldn't want it to last too long.” Laughter. “Why don't you all come over for a few drinks. Well maybe not _all_ of you.” “Get out of here, Brunner,” the bartender said, but in good humor. “You're bad for business.” “Fale?” “Sorry. Have to get home to my kids.” “Jolop.” “Sure, why not?” “And you – I forget your name.” A nod. “Drilla?” Cat-calls. “You know I have to work.” “And you, the new guy,” he pointed to Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o…, but didn't wait for an answer. “Mercernem, we haven't drank in a while.” “You can count on me, Brunner.” “I'll bring along a bottle of my own,” a random voice said. “Then you're _definitely_ invited.” This went on until there were ten or so who would come. Brunner continued to mingle for half an hour, slapping friends on the back, making jokes, and generally being the life of the party before he called to his guests and left with a crowd trailing behind him, Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o… in among the rest. There were at least fifteen or twenty of them, some of whom broke off to grab something or other from their own homes. When they passed one burly man's house, they heard, “You are _not_ going out and getting drunk again!” from one of the windows, and he had to leave the party.
Finally, the crowd made their way to Brunner's home. Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o… noticed that Brunner knocked on his own door before turning the key, but no one else seemed to think anything of it. No, one man in the back, a tall, dark-haired man whose well-trimmed beard had three vertical blond streaks running through it, seemed to notice, but he soon looked away, as if distracted by something else. Everyone filed in through the open door. Brunner disappeared for a few minutes, and returned with a large murky bottle. Soon, the guests who had broken off arrived with more drink, and the party was begun.
Things went on much as they had at the tavern. A few people spoke to Sahl for brief periods, mainly to be polite. He was, after all, wearing weapons, besides being foreign of appearance. The man with the streaked beard didn't quite fit in either, and he glanced Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o…'s way a bit too often. After twenty minutes or so, Brunner slapped Sahl on the back and shook his hand. “Sure gets stuffy in here,” he said. “I'm surprised no one's stepped out for a breath of air.” He then walked away to talk to other guests. When Sahl opened his hand, he saw that he was now holding a key.
Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o… glanced around the room in an idle fashion, looking for some clue as to where the key might fit. Besides a good deal of old furniture, there wasn't much. A door led outside, and another led to a smaller room where some of the guests stood, talking and drinking. There was nothing in sight that looked locked.
Sahl waited a few moments and then climbed to his feet, feigning a little unsteadiness. He ambled over to the door and opened it, pausing to take a few deep breaths of air, and then wandered out into the night. Once outside, he leaned against the wall and waited a few minutes to see what might transpire. He half expected someone to contact him. Either Brunner or Ardithplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigArdith
Ardith's long hair is tied in a bun with cords dyed with berry juice, two each of red, blue and black. She wears an unbleached linen shift and bodice, a deerskin jerkin, and low brown boots. Ardith always wears the Sign of Andritha on a chain around her neck. The Sign is a three inch circle of copper with a large onyx in the center, obviously quite heavy, but Ardith wears it with the ease of one long accustomed to the burden.. Perhaps the bearded man might follow him out. Nothing happened for four or five minutes. Then the door opened, and the bearded man's head popped out. He looked around, not seeming to notice Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir
Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o…, and then went back inside.
As soon as the man had ducked back inside, Sahl looked in both directions to find the shorter route, and followed the outer wall of the house. Houses were spaced closely together in this part of Huerten, but not so close that they touched, as they did all over Tchu'dan. Sahl was easily able to slide between two neighbors, to the six-foot space in the back which separated it from yet another neighbor. There was indeed a door there, with a lock. Sahl walked down two steps, took hold of the lock, inserted the key, turned, withdrew it, and pushed the door in. He heard the sounds of the party, but the room itself was quiet, and lit only by the meager light that spilled through the crack under a door. He took two steps in, heard a whispered yell: “No, Kayplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKay Wanderwit
Kay is an attractive, eighteen year old girl. She has dark brown hair, tanned skin and hazel eyes. The bow she carries is of a very fine quality. Kay wears brown calfskin breeches, and a green wool vest. When traveling, she wears brown deerskin breeches and a red linen vest. Her old cloak is black, and made of fine but worn wool. She has become a close friend of! Wait!” and was knocked unconscious.
The name of the month is Farinon, not Farindon, but I left the misspelling in as a mistake of Sahl's.
+15gp for ghurka and scimitar
-60gp for weapons and armor
-5gp for misc other stuff
Total: 50gp, which is most of his money