Dramatis Personae
- Arsham uru Kajj damu Arasti (Played by Chris A.): Arsham experienced a traumatic event that led him to bury his sorrows in dangerous work, but he can be friendly once you get to know him. Capabilities: Priest, assassin, parkour expert and camel racer. Occupation: Merchant’s bodyguard by day; assassin and priest for a death god by night. Race: Anfirran (Tay-Vani). Tagline: “Yes, I am an assassin; no, I won’t kill you; you are still alive.”
- Cha’Rileah “Rileah” ru Lopek (Played by Merlin): TBA. Capabilities: TBA. Occupation: TBA. Race: TBA. Tagline: “TBA.”
- Doren Asmelesdor (Played by Devin): TBA. Capabilities: TBA. Occupation: TBA. Race: TBA. Tagline: “TBA.”
- Talijet Nairbuto (Played by Annabelle): TBA. Capabilities: TBA. Occupation: TBA. Race: TBA. Tagline: “TBA.”
- Aaro iul Ranta (NPC): TBA. Capabilities: TBA. Occupation: TBA. Race: TBA. Tagline: “TBA.”
- Al-Batin ibani Azad (NPC): TBA. Capabilities: TBA. Occupation: TBA. Race: TBA. Tagline: “TBA.”
- Bor (NPC): TBA. Capabilities: TBA. Occupation: TBA. Race: TBA. Tagline: “TBA.”
Previously . . .
The player characters have all been drawn together by a benefactor in the city of Al-Kahmara. They have been told to meet at the Dead Fox Parlor – a place frequented by all kinds and rather popular with treasure hunters and mercenaries. The PCs all received a plain-looking letter with neat hand that promised them a fee for just showing up to the Fox at a specific time. The letter promised more if they agreed to help assist in a matter of “much urgency.”
Foxes Fleeting
Arsham, Doren, Rileah, and Talijet
The Dead Fox Parlor
Firesday, Zhven 7th, 2,981 Fourth Reckoning, 5th hour of the Moon
Al-Kahmara, Northeastern Atterallus
Talijet arrives first at the Dead Fox Parlor. It is like a tavern/tea house and has glowing kani crystals and an aroma of sandalwood or frankincense coming from a brazier/hearth. The walls have earthen mosaics and appear to be stone-shaped.
Upon showing the greeter a letter, she is directed to a private room. There is a low table with low three legged stools and pillows for seats.
Arsham, Doren and Rileah arrive in an unclear order at around the same time – as does a purple eyed woman carrying a bag and wearing fine clothing.
Refreshments are served. The establishment is known for relatively high food quality. Rileah is first to partake.
The gathered individuals ask around about the identity of the client, but everyone denies. Each has an identical letter, but there are no signs of a client. Rileah is particularly suspicious.
After a while, an older gentleman arrives. He is clean shaven and has gray hair and sallow skin. He is accompanied by a very large man with black hair, black eyes and scars all over his face and neck; obviously of Mongarim descent. The older gentleman introduces himself as Al-Batin ibani Azad and his bodyguard as Bor. He thanks everyone for coming and mentions a job offer that is so secret that he requires a preliminary binding agreement before providing details prior to a second binding agreement to seal the deal if accepted.
Rileah is highly suspicious but is enticed by promises of tomes and secret knowledge. Arsham is also suspicious but does not broadcast his suspicion. Talijet seems to consider the situation perfectly normal.
The contract itself was fairly standard. Neither Doren with his extensive contract experience as a merchant nor Arsham notice anything out of the ordinary in the contract itself. The binder, Rimush uru Balash, had a reputation of being fair, so everything should be safe.
The binding itself wasn’t exactly a painless process, but the PCs appeared to be unmoved by the discomfort. However, the purple eyed woman did cry out in pain. Doren endured the process a little too well as it took special effort to get the knife past his calloused hands.
Once the initial binding was complete, Al-Batin showed a book. Rileah recognized it as Nythusian as she can read. It detailed a binding brazier which Rileah also recognized. The brazier itself wasn’t particularly important – but the markings on it were. Rileah instantly recognized as some sort of map. Al-Batin was dejected. It took him months to come to that conclusion. The book also contained a picture of an astrolabe/compass type device, and the purple eyed woman pulled one out of her bag.
Allegedly, each member of the team was chosen for a specific role in the job. Each member had special knowledge or skills to contribute.
Aftermath
After some additional discussion of details and logistics, everyone agreed to the job. Ramush reentered the room and performed a second round of binding and then collapsed at the end from exhaustion.
After Action Report (GM)
We’ve been waiting so damn long to get this game going…and it started out well. This was almost like a set-up session instead of a full one. That said, there was a lot of good energy between the players and I fully admit I was hyped up. But we stopped earlier than I wanted because some of the players turned into pumpkins.
This was a good set-up though and I was grateful that my players bought into a the soft rails I put before them. This should be a heckuva a lot of fun.
Other Notes
We only gamed for just under half the time allotted as we hit a good stopping point and I didn’t want to be half in the middle of the action.
Soundtrack
“The Way (Instrumental)” by Zack Hemsey
Aersalus E-Team: Season 1, Session 2 – The Gi’able and Open Sands