[HQ Ignorance] Scene 85: The Elf Sea and Merchants

[Nic Hughes]

As the small boat carved its way through the waters Aalmon thought about 
the dark hints that the White Moon cultists had spoken. Their strange 
fate upon their group had brought down one kingdom already, perhaps the 
cursed events would now circle around him - bringing the same mix of 
fortune and misfortune. He watched the elf playing happily with the 
fish, the events had not seemed to affect her much but then she was far 
from human and he was all too human by comparison. Fate seemed to care 
little for the wellbeing of its pawns.

The travellers set forth, on foot now for even Aalmon could see that his 
horse would have to stay with the elves until he could send for it. He 
consoled himself slightly with the thought that a horse would be easy 
enough to come by in the Redlands, so close to the steppes they would be 
the one thing in plentiful supply. His riding boots hurt after a few 
hours of walking but even on the days of the dark moon his charms and 
spells could banish a few blisters and help with the discomfort. The 
weight of all his goods on his own back was another matter and put him 
in an even darker mood than usual, as Icthya cheerfully chattered on he 
muttered darkly about pointless detours into the wilderness.

Although the caravan was heading in the wrong direction Aalmon was glad 
of the thought of some human company for his mid-day meal - and curious 
to see what brave merchant would be travelling so far from any safe route.

Only when the troll offered him the strange wager did he really cheer 
up, he turned to the dark man with a glint in his eye

"She is her own walking plant and I'd rather cut off my own arms than 
claim responsibility for her. The immortal Vampire Kings broke their 
fangs upon her, I do not think that Fate strong enough to destroy 
religions and kingdoms intends her to end in your stomach. War and 
change seem to follow in her footsteps, I'm only staying so close to her 
because it sometimes seems safest at the eye of the storm. So, my 
friend, never say you were not warned."

He looked back to the board "But if you would like a game with a less 
doom-ridden wager I might be interested. Although it would be a pity to 
disturb a game in progress, who are you playing against at the moment?"


Nic



Lev Lafayette wrote:
> Scene 85: The Elf Sea and Merchants
>
> In the wild north of Glorantha, a single-masted sail-and-row boat, makes
> its journey across the Elf Sea. Normally this journey would be
> impossible, for the great lake is known for bearing the children of
> Magasta, mighty eels and serpents like none have seen. But this vessel
> is commanded by an Elf, Greenwood, who carried the magic and knowledge
> of her people and is thus able to find the path safely. Her wooden
> visage is blackened in places, clearly the scars of fire, but she goes
> about her work with an air of silence and purpose.
>
> With her are two travellers. One is Icthya, also an elf but from distant
> lands. She is skilled in matters of water and sea-creatures, and
> although recently recovering from illness she is at the height of her
> strength this fine day. Playing and talking to the fishes which travel
> beside the boat, Icthya's brow shines with a magical light enamating
> from a vine and leaf tiara [1]. The third character is Aalmon Far-Rider
> [2] who is not enjoying the view as playfully as his companion. He is in
> deep spirits, pondering the meaning of the words expressed to him by the
> rebellious and pacifist White Moon cult.
>
> The journey across the lake take the better part of eight hours.
> Although most of a day, this is four or five times quicker than any
> other route, even if one was travelling with Elves through the forests
> of Balazar. Taking land at the far north shore of the lake, Greenwood
> bids safe journey to her travellers. There is some forest here,
> Nandwood, but soon you will be in open North Plains. These are inhabited
> almost exlcusively by trolls. Beyond that is Malara's River which
> becomes the Poralistor, upstream. North of this river is the Redlands,
> small communities allied to the Empire. I don't know what it is that you
> are looking for travellers, but if you can get beyond the North Plains
> you are doing better than I. Godspeed."
>
> Travelling some distance through the forest until the setting of Yelm, a
> suitable spot was found to rest overnight with the skills of both a
> courier and an elf. The peaceful forest gave no incident in the night
> and early in the following morning the forest thinned into the plains of
> which Greenwood spoke. Aalmon, well-used to estimating distanced peered
> and squinted. "Some fifteen leagues north until some more forested
> lands; I presume that is the river of which Greenwood spoke of. East and
> West however these plains seem to go on far further than that. Maybe
> four, five, six times? [3]
>
> But that was not all that Aalmon espied; and indeed Icthya could not
> help but notice it as well. Less than two hours away was a large party
> of humans, some thirty-five in total with a great number of pack
> animals, heading in a westward direction. "All the signs of a merchant
> caravan", said Aalmon. "But out here?"
>
> Curiousity taking the better of them Aalmon and Icthya sought to meet
> with the caravan who hailed them down. The caravan was led, not
> surprisingly, but an overweight and middle-aged Issaries priest who
> introduced himself as Joh Mith. When asked where he was headed, with a
> broad grin he said to the Land of the Giants, to trade; a most
> remarkable statement in its own right. Standing alongside Joh was an
> enormous dark troll who bore two shields. He licked his lips at the
> sight of Icthya.
>
> Breaking for lunch Aalmon noticed that Joh's open wagon had a chess set
> upon it, in mid-game. As Aalmon pondered over the pieces, which showed a
> fairly equal match, the towering dark troll came over to him. "If you
> fancy yourself a player, we could always have a game. I would like to
> claim your walking vegetable a prize if I win; I have not had such a
> taste for some time. What say you? Are you game?"
>
>
> [1] Somehow I overlooked your journey to the grove to pick up a light
> spirit. We can use the tiara as a charm. How many HPs do you want to
> spend on this and which ability are you using etc.
> [2] Speaking of which, Far-Rider, how do you want to resolve the your
> horse? It's not really appropriate to take a horse on a vessel this
> small..
> [3] Although a flat world allowing one to see far further than normal,
> there are still limits to perceptual distance.
>
>
>
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>
>   


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