[HQ Ignorance] Re : Re : Re : Scene 65: The Free City of Khorst

Thu May 22 23:04:54 EST 2008

And under the dazed and reprobatory glance of the slave trader, Swordswinger and Othor released the handcuffs of the esrolian woman. Azhur looked hard at the merchant and gave a hand to the former slave.
- "Come with us to the boat. We will speak!" he just asked.
When they were away from the crowd and indiscreet ears, the western nobleman announced:
- "I'm Azhur the Sinnersbane, third son of Lord Daymare of Loskalm and newly elected King of the Reformed Kingdom of Seshnela, we have to discuss with you about a great threat for all the free peoples of Glorantha and about what each of us, including you... hum... Madame, can do in these troubled times. Riku has probably clear ideas on how you can help us and Jareena will look after your wounds." 
- " And also… do not call me ‘Master’ because only the One God disserved this title and you don’t even have to call me 'King' as you are not one of my subjects. If you finally join our Fellowship, and this is also good for you Riku, we will all be among equals in the future…"
[OOC]
What do you feel necessary to be explained? Do we summarize the Quest since Kyrmon's scroll for the newcomers? Damien, if you want my archive, just ask me.
Lev, is it possible for you to explain to everybody how the Fellowship's guardian  works and how newcomers may join?
I have just this on my sheet:
- Dedicated to Talor's Fellowship 15Guardian of the Talor's Fellowship (Hero Band): 
Old Banner of the Red Valor of Daymare Ancestors:
- Defense: Truce and Negotiation 14
- Attack: Terrorize enemies 13
- Blessing: Communication With Holder 13
No harm from Uz of Ralios if unfurled
Runes of Man, Darkness and Arkat glowed once
Woven at Arkhome
Now Welcome in the fellowship Jacqueline and Damien!
And don't forget to kick my butt if my head grows too big with this new title of King LOL !
Loran

----- Message d'origine ----
De : Jacqueline Brasfield <amphigori at gmail.com>
À : HeroQuest Glorantha <ignorance at mimesisrpg.com>
Envoyé le : Jeudi, 22 Mai 2008, 12h37mn 23s
Objet : Re: [HQ Ignorance] Re : Re : Scene 65: The Free City of Khorst

The slave just stood there a moment as she absorbed what had just happened to her. Purchased? Purchased and tempted with freedom almost at once? It was too good to be true. 

"I ..." as she spoke she started coughing, her throat dry and parched.  "Forgive me,"  she said through cracked lips. "Of course I would listen to any honourable proposal should you break my chains and return my freedom. And, of course, be in your gratitude for releasing me from bondage." A small smile played at the corner of her lips as anticipation made her eyes glitter like precious lapis. Freedom so close she could taste it! 

Stepping toward her new "Master", the slave raised her bound wrists. The skin just underneath the medal flashed red and raw, chaffed from poor conditions and rough treatment. "Release me, please, and let us talk as free and equal individuals." It was, perhaps, a bold statement to imply that a dirty slave girl was anywhere near equal with those gathered 'round her - but something in their eyes suggested they understood her potential use to them. 

As she stood with arms still outstretched she heard the slavemaster bellow his displeasure at another one of his captives. It made the woman's eyes narrow with seething hate and she spun her head around to glare in his direction. "I beg you," she whispered darkly to her new Master. "Even if you do not release my chains, take me from this place else I cannot guarantee I won't seek to harm that bloated, festering excuse of a man..." 

On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 9:23 AM, Loran <aillet_l at yahoo.fr> wrote:

Azhur was a man of bold determination and with a sharp sense of justice. Equity requested the loskalmi to give a chance to the godlearner, after all the Luatha knew him better and recommended him…
- "Very well Riku. In the past, the Luatha have shown themselves able to break the land I swore recently to protect and they appeared confident enough about your abilities. At least, I have to listen to their warnings and advices. It is then probably fair to let you exert your skills…"

The nobleman looked at the chained woman and continued:
- "For the moment, none joined our Fellowship by submission and I hope that everybody will agree that there should be no slave among us! She will decide her role herself!"

He then asked Othor to negotiate with the merchant:
- "You! called the squire without hesitation, do you understand western languages? Yes? What will you demand for this ugly rebellious girl? I guess you can afford a good discount for such an… untamed… hum… product. She is probably knock-kneed and teeth-broken… and for such a nasty beast, I request with her at least one of your whips. You visibly missed your job and I will have to finish it myself!"

Azhur stared astounded at his squire:
- "Where did you learn to buy a slave?" he asked him in a schocked mutter.
- "Nowhere Master, Othor answered maliciously, I have just done exactly as if I was buying one of your horses."

After the payment, while the merchant was dressing the tough woman with her rags, Azhur addressed to her:
 - "If I break your chains and make you a free person again, will you swear to live honorably and then will you accept to listen to an honest proposal from the ones who delivered you from slavery?"

The question could seem quite naïve but in fact the idealistic loskalmi was appealing to the noblest part of the esrolian woman's soul, feeling that no material chain would force her tied, especially if Riku was right, except perhaps a bound of honor.

[OOC]
Ok Rikku/Riku. It is easy to correct my archives, by the way, my PC's name is Azhur not Anzhur as Lev try to persuade us since one year and an half now :-D

----- Message d'origine ----
De : Damien Bosman <damien.bosman at gmail.com> 

À : HeroQuest Glorantha <ignorance at mimesisrpg.com>
Envoyé le : Mercredi, 21 Mai 2008, 13h00mn 29s
Objet : Re: [HQ Ignorance] Re : Scene 65: The Free City of Khorst 

Feeling no need to lie in this instance, Riku turned to the king, "My dear King Anzhur, I'm hurt that you find my actions suspicious. I sense incredible magics in this woman. She has the ability to breathe underwater and manipulate water the way you & I could move sand. She would be an incredible asset to us in our journey to Esrolia. Also, we would be doing a noble deed setting this woman free. If you are reluctant for her to associate with me, then perhaps she could be in your personal guard. I sense that she is not un-trained in the arts of warfare."

Many ideas raced through Riku's mind on the uses of this girl, but for now he was quite content to be honest and helpful in his dealings with the king......for now....

[OOC]
No offense taken :) Hopefully you have a *slightly* better idea of his character now ;)
Also, just looking on my character sheet and there is only one 'k' in Riku. Sorry, for the confusion everyone.

On Mon, May 19, 2008 at 11:26 PM, Loran <aillet_l at yahoo.fr> wrote:

Azhur looked at Rikku, half surprised, half suspicious, as if he was considering some poisonous snake, just discovered sleeping in his right boot. Was the Godlearner waking up to male concupiscence after a long comatose sleep in the Luatha's prison ? Was he really trying to extort some money from him to exert his perverse lubricity on an helpless victim or, more probably, with this first contact with Civilization, was he naturally falling back into his inner vices and scheming again to realize some abhorrent experiment against the laws of the world?
Reminding the advices of the wise crimson demigods of the twilight's horizon, Azhur answered to Rikku's demand with a quite reluctant voice and after a long hesitation:
- "Why would we spend our limited money to buy an unfortunate slave? Where I come from, slavery is an heavy sin and I have personally spent several years of my life pursuing and hanging slavers from the Kingdom of War… I will not try to convince you of the moral benefits of such civilized position, but we are here at the threshold of the Genertela's pagan lands and I suppose that we will find no charity or honor to change the barbarian ways of the local inhabitants… And for… hum!… uncontrollable urges, I guess there must be several specialized houses near the harbor… for a much more cheaper cost."
This being said, Azhur felt tense, ready to defend himself against a violent reaction, having already experimented that sex-driven rapists could become ferocious as dangerous beasts when opposed.

[OOC]
Please see here no offence against the player, Damien. I'm just trying to play the sordid prejudices that the GM heavily tried to incultate us against the godlearners (babies-eaters and so on...).
As a player, I know that the vast majority of them were faithful and honorable malkioni trying to improve the universe, based on the moral superiority given by the miracle of the Abiding Book.
You have now an occasion to show us what type of guy Rikku is...
Personnally I always prefer cooperation among players and I will take any occasion to build this type of relation (within the limits of my PC's possibilities).
Loran

----- Message d'origine ----
De : Lev Lafayette <lev_lafayette at yahoo.com.au>
À : HeroQuest Glorantha <ignorance at mimesisrpg.com>
Envoyé le : Lundi, 19 Mai 2008, 13h59mn 32s
Objet : [HQ Ignorance] Scene 65: The Free City of Khorst

Scene 65: The Free City of Khorst

Under the skillful direction of the Godlearner Rikku,
"The Acindina" hugs the coastline towards the beacon
that marks out the harbour city of Khorst. His mind is
full of the knowledge that this region was once a
Godlearner stronghold in the second age which he
visited many times, with many great cities like
Eelnor, the great base of the Godlearner navy and the
island-city of Veakmal, a haven for sailors like
himself and of course Thanor, the provincial capital,
famed for the Villbane College, dedicated in the
studies of the pagan deities even if they did call it
the "City of Tricksters". Ha! Even the most trivial
mental gymnastics were beyond them!

It was also the lands where the Godlearner's engaged
in the disasterious 'Goddess switch', an example of
their ability, albeit with catastrophic effects. By
HeroQuesting they first introduced the grain goddesses
of Wenelia and Slontos togther in the same story,
turning them into sisters, and then traded husbands.
First, the crops failed. Then in 930 ST, the Closing
effected trade and travel. Finally, in 1050 ST the
regional Goddess Slontos rolled over, and much of the
landscape fell beneath the waves. Still, the knowledge
gained was still worth the results, Rikku mused. The
Gods can be changed, and they can be manipulated by
human powers.

He looked around the rest of his party with only a
modicum of contempt. Icthya was playing with fishes
again, a rather charming and delightful act of
child-like behaviour. The Mostal was with the
engineers down below. Well, at least they realised
they were machines, he mused. On board, Karala and
Knarl were in conversation about the latter's planned
departure, and the ever pious King Anzhur was engaged
in a fine theological discussion with Jareena the
Healer.

Taking the boat within the harbour and finding portage
was simple enough. It was a fairly busy place, quite
clearly a popular trading location. The harbour and
mooring fee was particularly exhorbitant, with only
King Anzhur and the Mostal Kalen carrying any
particular quantity of funds. Rikku couldn't resist
the opportunity to throw in a couple of golden
Godlearner coins from the second age into the mix.
Apparently the fee also came with an armed escort out
beyond the reach of the pirates, although - according
to the harbourmaster - such activity had increased
significantly with the raids of the Wolf Pirates in
recent years. Now apparently there were new forces;
waetargi and the mermen were systematically attacking
ships. The elder sea races were rising, and it seemed
that they wanted to remove land-based creatures from
their territory.

Khorst was a friendly, surprisingly well-organised
city, operated by a syndicate of merchant guilds.
Whilst the holy mantra of supply and demand and free
trade were rich here, it did not necessarily apply
this to human cargo. Whilst travelling among the main
market street as the various hawkers attempted to sell
their wares, the Fellowship could not help but notice
a slave auction, managed by a less than savoury
character. Legitimate captives from pirate ships, the
slaveowner claimed. "They declared war on the fine
people of Khorst, and thus they pay the consequences".

Riku stopped suddenly and stared at an Esrolian woman.
Her build was muscular, her skin olive and her
piercing blue eyes stood out from a mop of black hair.
But it was not the physical features that had
attracted Riku's attention. Through the Godlearner
secret of Runesight, he could see the Power within
her. Water, Movement and Infinity! The signs of an a
person who has the magics to open sea! Not only that,
but Air *and* Water? This is a person who breathe
beneath the waves as well as she could above them.
Riku grabbed King Anzhur by the sleeve. "We must buy her!"

_______________________________________________
Ignorance mailing list
Ignorance at mimesisrpg.com
http://mimesisrpg.com/mailman/listinfo/ignorance_mimesisrpg.com

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
En finir avec le spam? Yahoo! Mail vous offre la meilleure protection possible contre les messages non sollicités
http://mail.yahoo.fr Yahoo! Mail

_______________________________________________
Ignorance mailing list
Ignorance at mimesisrpg.com
http://mimesisrpg.com/mailman/listinfo/ignorance_mimesisrpg.com

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
En finir avec le spam? Yahoo! Mail vous offre la meilleure protection possible contre les messages non sollicités 
http://mail.yahoo.fr Yahoo! Mail 
_______________________________________________
Ignorance mailing list
Ignorance at mimesisrpg.com
http://mimesisrpg.com/mailman/listinfo/ignorance_mimesisrpg.com

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
En finir avec le spam? Yahoo! Mail vous offre la meilleure protection possible contre les messages non sollicités 
http://mail.yahoo.fr Yahoo! Mail 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mimesisrpg.com/pipermail/ignorance_mimesisrpg.com/attachments/20080522/b0e19b16/attachment-0001.html 