II: The Nameless Village

[andrew]

The next two hours pass uneventfully aboard the Morbellos, each member of the party either lost in his own thoughts, simply waiting, or practicing his craft somewhere on the ship. The sky, so threatening such a short time ago, is clear blue and a warm wind propels the caravel along placid waters.

Then, a booming cry from the lookout. "Land! Land, Captain! The coast of Zind is near." You rush to the rail, and see Darksmoke Mountain looming over a vast green swath of trees---the Swirling Forest.




Zind: the Nameless Village, the Swirling Forest, and Darksmoke Mountain



There's only one entrance to the docks of Zind, through a narrow channel where a winding reef does not reach. The Captain shouts commands, and his crew of a half-dozen hop-to, making preparations to dock. You gather your gear and wait to disembark. After some tricky navigation from the helmsman, the Morbelos squeezes into the cavity in the reef, and comes to the docks.

"This isn't a Festival Week, so your trials won't bee seen by the world-at-large through the magical orbs," the Captian informs you, in case you were interested. He then tells you pertinent news: "We leave in two days, in the morning, with or without you. That gives you forty-five hours to complete your mission. Based on the information I've been given, the second level can be reached in as little as six hours. You'll have plenty of time. After forty-five hours, I'll make the assumption you have all perished, and head back with the bad news." With a nod and a farewell, you walk down the gangplank, and descend into Zind.

A warm sea breeze accompanies your quarter-mile walk from the harbor along a dirt and rock trail to the southern end of the Nameless Village. Glancing around, you see through a large crowd of people various businesses stretched out before you.

The closest, up ahead about twenty yards and well off the path to the left, is the Stable of the Horse Renter.

Another twenty yards north of the Horse renter is Hyprix's Supplies. Directly across the street from Hyprix's Supplies is the largest building in the village---The Tavern of the Seven Curses.

A short distance farther north, right of the path is Flyman's Magick Shoppe, and in the far distance you can see Uka's Taxi Service and Tillie's Gem Exchange on the left, and Mung the Scribbler's shop on the right.

Ringing bells draw your attention, and when the throng of people parts you can see the northernmost building in the village. It's the Temple of Darksmoke, and the bell ringing comes from red-robed priests. Unlike most red-robed priests you may have heard of, the priests at the door of the temple seem to be smiling, and happy.

The Nameless Village and all it has to offer is open for you to explore as you wish.

[colbite]

<Zagnar>: With a wave to the Captain and crew, down the gangplank I go.

"We need to go to Hyprix's Supplies and talk to Hyprix Bagott about getting additional weapons, armor and gear we need. Then find our guide Soubriquet (the Man-Orc) at the Tavern of the Seven Curses. Unless someone has a better idea."

[khaboom]

"Yes, let's make haste,, Zagnar," says Khloemar. "We must prepare well if we are to save the Lady, as we all wish - well, almost all of us."
The elf strides off with Zagnar towards Hyprix's store.

[kharghtchan]

Winip will go with them, careful to stay just a few steps behind Khloemar so that he can keep an eye on him.

"I'll come with you." he says.

"I have a particular diet and I can't trust him to get it right." nodding at Khloemar.

"We should head straight to our destination once we have the supplies we need. No point in shopping any longer than we need to with the time presure."

Winip will make a point of not straying more than a few steps away from Khloemar.

[mahrundl]

Malutassial will head to Hyprix's Supplies with the others.

What are Angus Dey and Caradouc doing when we finish docking?

[marionarsis]

"Here we are, the legendary Nameless Village!" Random bellows over the din of the crowd, a smile big and wide forming over his elven features. "I bet there's many stories to be learned here. Yes, many stories indeed."

When various members of the group began to speak, however, Random cocked an eyebrow. He decided he'd better accompany them for a time, just to make sure they didn't mess this job up. So, off he went, to Hyprix's Supplies. 

[andrew]

A forty yard walk through a mass of people brings the group to Hyprix's Supplies. It's a nice enough looking place on the outside, well kept and clean. Inside, you see various weapons--swords, axes, a spear--decorating the walls, and a young human woman standing behind a rough wooden counter.

"Hello! What I can do for you?"

<Malutassial>: Like the party, they were waiting to disembark. The PCs left the ship before Angus and Caradouc, and have since lost track of them. But they did disembark. 

<Runkild>: The crew does a quick count of those leaving, and there's one missing. They quickly find you. One of the crewman approaches. "You have to leave, bub. You can't stay here." 


<No more posts in Chapter 1 please> 

[colbite]

<Zagnar>: I approach the counter.

"Hello there, I'm Zagnar. Baron Zolag sent us to Hyprix's Supplies and here we are. The owner, Hyprix Bagott is supposed to have an account set up in each of our names. We need to obtain additional weapons, armor, and gear."

Turning to Khloemar and Winip in a hushed tone. "Are we missing someone?"

[marionarsis]

Random McBride looked around the shop. It didn't seem too big. He wondered if they had a lot of merchandise. His attention returned to the girl. "Pardon me, do you sell boots, not that I'm self-conscious about wearing sandals, mind you, not self-conscious at all. I just don't like getting mud on my feet. It's like we McBride's always say: 'Dirty feet, and you can't come into the house.'" He smiled winningly, proud of his profound statement. 

[andrew]

"I see. I'm Lydia Bagott, Hyprix's daughter." She checks a massive book sitting on one side of the counter, her finger tracing a path down the page. "Yes, here you are. You are the Morbelos party. An account of one-hundred gold pieces has been set-up in each of your names, redeemable in merchandise only, of course."

She directs your attention to a chalkboard set-up high in one window. On it is written what's currently available, and its corresponding price. "My father is expecting a shipment of goods today. He's left for the harbor to await its arrival. Right now, we're low on inventory, but if you come back in say, six or seven hours, we'll be fully stocked."

To Random's question, she says, "Yes, we have plenty of boots. All sizes."

Supply being low, the prices are quite high for what's left. The chalkboard reads:

General Supplies
Provisions for one day .........30 gp
Delver's Package ................60 gp
Knee-high Boots..................30 gp
Calf-high Boots ..................15 gp
Good Luck Charm.................5 gp

Swords
Broadsword........................100 gp
Gladius...............................80 gp
Short Sword........................65 gp
Scimitar.............................95 gp

Axes
Double-bladed Broad Axe.......200 gp

Spears
Common Spear.....................50 gp
Trident................................100 gp
Javelin.................................30 gp

Daggers
Kukri...................................65 gp
Dirk.....................................42 gp

Armor
Leather...............................100 gp
Scale..................................160 gp
Full Helm..............................40 gp
Open Face Helm.....................30 gp

Shields
Target Shield.........................65 gp
Buckler.................................25 gp

[colbite]

<Zagnar>: Deep sigh.

"Good to meet you Lydia Bagott. One-hundred gold pieces is better than zero gold pieces. I seriously doubt we will have the free time to return again."

Looks around before deciding.

"I'll take the 'Leather' armor for 100 gp, unless by chance you offer me a discount on it."

[mahrundl]

<Malutassial>: "Miss Bagot, what can you tell me about the Good Luck Charm? To be honest, I was hoping to acquire an ordinaire staff - can I take it that you have nothing of the sort in stock?"

[marionarsis]

"I will take a fine suit of leather armor, as well." He would have to be content with his sandals. He hated the darn things, and was hoping to get some boots. He thought: It's like we McBride's always say, 'You can't always get what you want.'

It wasn't Random's wont to relay depressing information, but he had to tell her. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Mz. Bagot, but I think your father is waiting in vain. You won't be getting that shipment. There was a storm out at sea, and we picked up a couple of survivors from the shipwreck. It was a merchant ship, The Gnome's Purse. I'm afraid they lost everything."

After he gets his armor, he'll venture out amidst the throng of peoples, clear his throat, and hope to make a few gold singing a rousing rendition of an old Darksmoke fable he learned in the pubs of northern Tumbaria. [GM: Ok? Per Bard's abilities?]

[kwll]

Runkild stays behind at first, feeling he is unable to move after his horrible trip. Hearing the remark of the captain, he decides to try to get up, only to find himself emptying his stomach into the see!

His face white, he thanks all the crew men and finally disembark, thinking "... and it happens just at the time the boat lands!"

After some time roaming in the village, he finally finds his party mates and looks at the available gear, taking his time to consider what to take. After putting some thoughts into it, he settles on a kukri and an open face helm.

[kharghtchan]

Winip will go for the delver's package, 3 day's worth of provisions and 2 good luck charms.

Winip does not know if the charms will help him but he is buying them in the hope that they have some magical qualities.

"These good luck charms look better than the last charms I saw, they looked as though they had made from the cheapest wood available that morning." he says.

He will look at Khloemar for a moment while holding the good luck charms and then put both of them on.