Sandy Posted October 17, 2013 Author Posted October 17, 2013 Byblos looks to be in pain in the searing heat, even though he was born and raised in the equally hot and humid Mistland jungles. "Ungh, I had forgotten what this kind of climate feels like, after all those years spent in the coolness of the Library. But yes, let us go visit my great-aunt and our supposed guide first." The party walk ahead to a gaudy house with a carving of a mirthful monkey on top of the door. A couple of people are chatting in front of the house: a red-clad man and a woman with striking purple eyes. Walking inside the bar, the party see three more people: a veiled woman in a long dress, a dark-skinned elf and a passed out man in the corner. "Huh? No sign of Hathor..." The party can talk to the people inside the bar as well as those outside. They can also head to the harbor or the desert at any time, or even return to Eubric through the portal.
CMP Posted October 17, 2013 Posted October 17, 2013 Atramor walked inside the colorful bar, looking around at the strange decor. He decided on approaching the veiled woman. " 'Scuse me, miss. Know a man by the name of Nizam 'round here?"
Sandy Posted October 18, 2013 Author Posted October 18, 2013 " 'Scuse me, miss. Know a man by the name of Nizam 'round here?" The woman looked up from her cup, and sized Atramor up with her dark eyes. Then she returned in gazing down her cup. "No. I'm not from around here."
CMP Posted October 18, 2013 Posted October 18, 2013 "Right...do ya' at least know where the bartender is? Looks a bit like the man over there, I think?" Atramor jammed his thumb over his shoulder at Byblos.
Sandy Posted October 18, 2013 Author Posted October 18, 2013 "Right...do ya' at least know where the bartender is? Looks a bit like the man over there, I think?" Atramor jammed his thumb over his shoulder at Byblos. The woman glances at Byblos. "You mean the old monkey woman? She said she was going to the pier market to make some purchases, since business was so slow, and told me to watch the liquor. I wouldn't be so trusting of someone who looked like me, personally."
CMP Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 Atramor chuckled. "Takin' off the mask might be a good start. I s'pose we could meet her later, then." He turns his attention to the elf, McCafferey ruffling some sand out of her feathers as he turns. "You know any Nizam, mate?"
Sandy Posted October 19, 2013 Author Posted October 19, 2013 OoC: Where are everyone? Atramor chuckled. "Takin' off the mask might be a good start. I s'pose we could meet her later, then." "It would only make things worse, trust me. I'm not the prettiest flower in the garden, after all." The woman continues to sip her drink, slipping the mug beneath her veil. Then she adjusts the position of the intimidating bowgun that's leaning against the counter. "You know any Nizam, mate?" The dark-skinned elf flashes a smile, showcasing a row of pure white teeth. "Do I know him?! Why, he's the swellest feller in this mangy outback village! I'm talking about myself, of course. Nizam, at your service. What can I do for you?"
CMP Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 "Right....we need a guide into the desert, to wherever the city once was. We were told ya' could help us out there." Atramor scratched the side of his head. The elf's teeth looked clean enough to blind a man at the right angle. He got the sneaking suspicion Nizam didn't regularly wander out into the demon-infested sands.
Sandy Posted October 19, 2013 Author Posted October 19, 2013 "Right....we need a guide into the desert, to wherever the city once was. We were told ya' could help us out there." "That happens to be my expertise. The trek across the desert is far from easy, though. You'll need suitable clothing as well as water canteens, both of which you can purchase at the pier market. Once you're all geared up, I'll show you the safest way to the ruins, no problem!"
CMP Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 Atramor tilted his hat in acknowledgement and returned to the rest of the party. "I s'pose we've got our next stop, then."
Brickdoctor Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 "I don't like the idea of being forced to buy more equipment, but I suppose it's probably necessary, and maybe it'll be beneficial. If everyone else is ready, let's go."
Pandora Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 Nyx's ears prick up at the mention of equipment and water canteens, dredging up a memory of a past quest. "Do we really need extra kit, Nizam? Oh, hello." she grins as she steps into his line of sight "I've managed to cross a desert before without the need for any extra kit. I remember the canteens, though. I even had one left over from last time but I must have left it somewhere." she looks around distractedly before wandering outside back into the sunlight. She wanders up to the couple who were talking and smiles at them until they stop and acknowledge her. "Hello. You've got purple eyes. They're fabulous. Why have you got purple eyes?" she keeps smiling.
Sandy Posted October 19, 2013 Author Posted October 19, 2013 "Do we really need extra kit, Nizam? Oh, hello." she grins as she steps into his line of sight "I've managed to cross a desert before without the need for any extra kit. I remember the canteens, though. I even had one left over from last time but I must have left it somewhere." QM Note: Dammit, do not question the fancy mechanics I add to make this quest more challenging! "Azzurat Desert is not your average sandbox, Miss. Compared to Abra, it's has more heat, more sandstorms and much more demons. It'll wear you down in an instant if you're not prepared." "Hello. You've got purple eyes. They're fabulous. Why have you got purple eyes?" she keeps smiling. Upon coming closer, Nyx sees pointy ears jutting out of the sides of the woman's head. The elven woman turns to her, sizing her up with her eyes. "What a brusque question... Well, if you really want to know, I have been a weather prophet since birth. With these eyes of mine, I can see what kind of weather there will be in the near future. That is why it is a bliss to live in a place that has sunshine almost every day of the year. What other's call a gift, I call a curse." Then Nizam steps out of the bar as well. "Ah, Ororo, my dearest sister! It seems you have already met my latest batch of daring adventures that I must guide through the desert. Luckily everyone knows that I, Nizam, am the most trusted guide when the Desert of Demons is in question." The elven woman snickers. "That you are, my brother Nizam."
CMP Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 "We'll have to take your word for it 'til we get out there. For now, it looks like we've gotta head to the docks and do some shoppin'."
Pandora Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 QM Note: Dammit, do not question the fancy mechanics I add to make this quest more challenging! Sowwy. So can I re-add the lost canteen of water from Quest 8 to my inventory? Upon coming closer, Nyx sees pointy ears jutting out of the sides of the woman's head. The elven woman turns to her, sizing her up with her eyes. "What a brusque question... Well, if you really want to know, I have been a weather prophet since birth. With these eyes of mine, I can see what kind of weather there will be in the near future. That is why it is a bliss to live in a place that has sunshine almost every day of the year. What other's call a gift, I call a curse." "I just like your eyes," Nyx replies, wide-eyed "they're pretty, sort of purple-within-purple. Uhm, sorry, I just ask questions... So is your brother a bit rubbish then? I don't want him to lead us into peril. Can you come with us? You seem sensible and you could tell us if there are sandstorms coming." Nyx looks round as Atramor appears. "Oh, shopping! Let's go! It'll be on our employer's expense account, right?"
CMP Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 "On our reward, more like it, Nyx." Atramor grumbled. "Got this armor all made up for nothin'."
Quarryman Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 "Yeah, let's go shopping." OoC: sorry for my absence, been busy with a LUG show and various other stuff.
Sandy Posted October 20, 2013 Author Posted October 20, 2013 "I just like your eyes," Nyx replies, wide-eyed "they're pretty, sort of purple-within-purple. Uhm, sorry, I just ask questions... So is your brother a bit rubbish then? I don't want him to lead us into peril. Can you come with us? You seem sensible and you could tell us if there are sandstorms coming." "Hahaha! You'll be just fine in my brother's capable direction. I was just poking fun at him. He wouldn't want me to intervene in his businesses, anyway. Thanks for the compliments, though." The heroes then leave the bar and the elven siblings behind and head to the harbor by the glimmering Pearl Sea. There they find a long, wide pier with colorful market stalls on it - the Pier Market, as the locals know it. Two of the stalls seem the most interesting. The other sells cloaks and other artefacts, while the other sells various potions as well as the much-desired canteens. At the end of the pier, there's another stall. The heroes can hear a loud voice shouting there. "Come on, Ifrita! Just one more game! I feel today's the day that Fabula Sibylla smiles benevolently at me!" "She didn't smile at you on your first three games of the day, Hathor. I fear you are becoming addicted to Lucky Clams. Besides, shouldn't you be back at your bar already?" "Pish-posh, those drunkards can wait! Pretty please, Ifrita! I have the gold here, look!" What stall will the heroes approach first?
CMP Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 Atramor made his way over to the artifact stall. "What've you got for sale, mate? Anythin' useful for goin' out into the desert?"
Sandy Posted October 21, 2013 Author Posted October 21, 2013 The Anubian merchant grins, bearing his nail-sharp teeth. "Sunny days to you, sir! If you are braving the Desert of Demons, then you simply must wear one of my custom-made cloaks." Desert Cloak - Immunity to fire-, earth- and wind-elemental damage; backwear. Costs 120 gold.
CMP Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 The regulator blinked at the price tag hanging off one of the cloak, and glanced up at the merchant, clearing his throat diplomatically for the first time. "This is a finely-made cloak for sure. But a bit steep for what it is, I've bought armor cheaper. Ninety gold sound reasonable enough?"
Pandora Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 Nyx raises an eyebrow seeing Hathor gambling. "Well, at least we know where she is" she mutters to herself. She walks quietly behind Atramor to the artifact stall and listens to the negotiations. "Hey Atters, I'm pretty sure we're all going to need one of these, and I know I'd like one, so maybe he'll also do a discount for bulk purchases? Or at least we can try to get the same price for all of us, maybe?" she whispers in Atramor's ear so that the Anubian Merchant cannot hear.
Sandy Posted October 21, 2013 Author Posted October 21, 2013 "This is a finely-made cloak for sure. But a bit steep for what it is, I've bought armor cheaper. Ninety gold sound reasonable enough?" "You will not find finer cloaks anywhere, sir. Let me make you a special offer: two for 200 gold. What do you say?"
Quarryman Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 "Good sir, as you can see there are four of us, so how about four cloaks for 370 gold?"
Sandy Posted October 21, 2013 Author Posted October 21, 2013 "Good sir, as you can see there are four of us, so how about four cloaks for 370 gold?" The Anubian shifts his unwavering grin towards Namyrra. "You've got yourselves a deal, Madame!" As the merchant lays four cloaks on the counter, Byblos tucks Namyrra by a sleeve. "What do you mean four? Aren't you counting me?"
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