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Estry RPG Campaign 1: A New Threat Awakens


Saris awoke in the streets of Irkul where he had died, now seemingly unharmed despite the vague memory of great turmoil and dragon fire. His first day is spent nursing a pounding headache as the mystic power that brought him back to life filled his mind with the on-goings of the modern world. Though much time had passed, the basics hadn't changed much. The greatest difference was the new world-currency and trade that was established after the pandemonium of the Dragon Wars. A divided world had come together to defeat the tyrant lords of the skies and now a time of peace wove throughout the lands.

During the course of the following days, Saris managed to get into his old mentor’s basement vault, a not too difficult task with the initial building in ruins. Rummaging through the remains of what he could, the reborn human then made his way to the harbor to find a few small sloops still in sail-able condition. He made his way North to the Dwarven city of Southshor where, within the main tavern, he overheard a group of local farmers discussing the discovery of a dragon’s egg from within the forest that stretches across the center of the island, the Cano Wilds.

Hearing the doubt and fear in the farmer turned fighter’s voice, and the pull of something stronger, Saris offered to take the man’s place and board the Wyvern’s Roost to sail to Sarlano. Agreeing to the exchange, and glad to do so on the farmer’s part, Saris obtained the black dragon egg as well as the invitation to Itylara’s tower. The next morning the Wyvern’s Roost set sail across the seas Westward through the Nemriat Islands then South to the Port of Sarlano.


Aseir knew the caravan routes well and it was no simple convenience his route had brought him to this particular trader’s caravan as they would get a cut of whatever he fetched among their travels. A human girl had joined them from the harbor city of Machio. She was a simple cleric, it would seem, and hailed from the Shidao Islands to the West of Okesh. Unfortunately for her, she lacked the wisdom to keep her mouth shut about the task that had brought her to the main continent of Estry. She carried with her a dragon’s egg and was on route to Sarlano where she was sure to receive a great reward from the widely known Arch-Wizard, Itylara.

The caravan wanted that prize for themselves, or at least a fair cut of it. However, if rumors stirred that the goods in transport were not secured, they’d lose a great deal of business. As such, Aseir was hired on in Chapeco to join the caravan, replace the cleric’s role, and dispose of the evidence.

Taking to his task, Aseir easily dispatched the girl, acquiring the Blue Dragon Egg and invitation that was in her possession.


Jun grew up in the frost riddled mountains of Skary to the East of Shuen City, living the simple and meditative life of a monk. When he came of age he was sent out on his spiritual journey through the mountains to another cloister near Trakan. There he remained for many weeks, sharpening his mind, body, and soul beneath the cold harsh waters of the Trak Falls. A terrible vision appeared to him, warning him of a threat not only upon his own cloister home but an even greater threat to the world as the humans had come to know it.

Returning to his home monastery, Jun found the building had been set ablaze with fire and the majority of the monks slain. Among the dying was his own mentor and master, the man who had practically raised him. He informed Jun that a ninja clan from the desert lands of Okesh had come to kidnap his niece who had come to the monastery for a visit. With his dying breath, he asked Jun to find her and protect her.

Thus, Jun set off to Shuen to book passage across the seas to the Northwest. During his months at sea upon the Innocence he gained a drinking buddy by the name of Meng who had come to Shuen, and this ship, on an important quest that could change the world. The Arch-Wizard, Itylara had sent him an invitation to Sarlano to deliver a White Dragon Egg. Sadly, during the journey Meng fell to disease. His dying wish was that Jun complete his task, noting that rumors also told of a ninja clan taking residence within the city. Torn between his two tasks, but seeing the similarities between them, Jun agreed.


Tenria Shima is the only daughter of the once well-respected baron of Ziwa. Usurped of his title due to false accusations, the baron took to the seas to earn an income and interfere with any trade efforts made by the family that took his homelands from him. Baron Shima acquired a simple sloop ship and named her Innocence, after his own declaration of having not committed the crimes he had been charged with. With his death, Tenria took up her father’s mantle as Captain of the Innocence and the task of bringing honor back to her family name.

Tenria was approached by one of Itylara’s many assistants and told to bring a young man who would carry the wizard’s invitation to Sarlano, for a considerable fee of course. Agreeing, Tenria took port in Shuen and once Meng had come onboard, the ship sailed Northwest through the Hebi Islands.
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Hidden 3 yrs ago 3 yrs ago Post by Moonshadow
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You all arrive in Sarlano, either by ship or caravan, and take in the sight of the palisade built of hamada and the abundance of colorful canvas covers beyond. A steady flow of camel-led caravans pass through the arches set within the palisade and even from the harbor the hustle and bustle of a city full of trade can be heard.

Each of you are approached by one of Itylara’s assistants adorn in similar thwab attire as the other inhabitants of the lands. Somehow the assistant knows exactly who among the crowds to approach and all but Aseir are smart enough to figure out that the invitation stored upon your person has been enchanted with a locator spell.

Although each of you are in separate locations and greeted by separate assistants, the practiced speech is the same.

“Welcome to Sarlano and thank you for traveling such great distances to be here. Itylara sent me to see that you make it to her without issue, so please follow me and stay close. The bazaar is not a kind place to get lost.”

The assistant addressing Jun turns his head, offering a nod of greeting to Tenria after speaking to the monk. “You as well, Captain, are to join us. Not only are you due your pay but the Arch-Wizard believes your sailing capabilities might serve well in the journey to come.”

Looking to you each expectantly, the assistant folds their hands together behind their backs casually. “Are there any questions at this time?”
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Hidden 3 yrs ago 3 yrs ago Post by Dark Cloud
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Although the era was quite different from his own Saris Grimmel still found himself amazed by how things had changed since his time. Never in all his life had the young man thought he would ever leave the confines of his masters studies in that sleepy fishing settlement he hailed from.

"Ah um yes," shaken from his thoughts Saris replied to the assistant in his Irkulian accent which had an elegant lilt to it "I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about Salandro?" he asked the assistant with a curious look while trying to recall anything he knew about the city himself.
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Aseir grinned like a cat who had just trapped a mouse, he examined the bazaar, watching and waiting for the right target.
He saw a rather portly man spending much coins on his wife, or lover.
Aseir blended into the crowd, moving within them,until he was close enough to the fat boisterous man.
With a simple slice of small thin razor sharp shard, he attempted to slice the bottom ,and let the coins fall into his hand.
But to his surprise, a man approached ,greeting and asking him to follow him.
Damn his luck, but he just couldn't walk away from such an easy target.
Aseir bumped into the fat man, and attempted to snatch the bag of coins.
He had become quite adept in the art of sleight of hand.
"A thousand pardons sire,please accept my apologies. " said Aseir as he bowed.
The thief hurried to catch up to the man, tossing the bag in his hand.
"Tis a good day, Allah has blessed me with wealth." smiled the gold tooth rogue.
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Hidden 3 yrs ago Post by Kenshi
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Jun Lao bowed his head to the man, And then looked up, when the man spoke about a captain.
Jun Lao looked for a captain, but did not see one, all he saw was woman dressed like a man.
He averted his eyes from her, and faced the man who spoke to him.
" Lead on friend, I will follow."
"Tell me, have you seen any foreigners like me in this city?"
Hidden 3 yrs ago 3 yrs ago Post by VeyrinDay
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Travel Record of Tenria Shima
Captain of the Privateering Ship Innocence


Early Summer, Age 703

A premonition of bad luck, I presumed. Having a dead passenger on the ship you're leading was not something that I would have expected, especially when that person was someone so important for your client. I was in the middle of my voyage delivering this man, or rather the thing he brought along with him, to an eccentric figure in a distant land, quite far from my hometown. Died of sickness was probably something usual or familiar for commoners, but as a captain of a sailing ship, such news had to be followed by lot of works.

My quartermaster had expected my visit upon the storage on the lower compartment. The supply was enough for another week of sailing. there were no signs of molds or diseased foods down here. My first mate reported about the health condition of my crews. The doctor helped the inspection and found no symptoms of any contagious diseases or others that might be suffered from lack of sustenance. The case of death was isolated. Unfortunately, I had to command my crews to let the dead body dropped onto the sea in the middle of our voyage. I could not risk the spread of his disease or any complication following his death. Though from that, the doctor could never determine the cause of his death. Worries filled my heart of a possible assassination. My chief guardsman understood this and responded so well, providing me with a tighter shift hours which somehow relaxed me a bit.

The navigator told me that we should be able to reach the port of Sarlano soon enough. I brought this news to my ever-vigilant helmsman and I could see the happiness in his face, a feeling of confirming that a duty would be fulfilled soon. The carpenter said that the ship might need a little repair and the weapon master reported some rusts had appeared on the javelins for the ballistae. Of course, my secretary would be the one being occupied for such administration. I wanted her to make sure that the overall cost must not exceed the ship savings so that my personal stash would remain intact.

My secretary also reminded me about the mission of the dead man. An acquaintance of that man agreed to carry his mission on. From the passenger manifest, the man who would carry the unfinished task was a monk bearing the name Jun Lao. Myself, of course, had to make sure that the treasure was to be successfully delivered to the client. My secretary suggested me to take some crews, but I believed that it was not necessary. I called my first mate and briefed him of what needed to be done if somehow I could not manage to go back to the ship.

The following morning...

My trusted rapier gleamed as I took it from its pedestal, as if it anticipated the incoming adventure. My fancy mantle, a present of my late father, felt so warm as I wrapped it upon my knotted short shirt. The ship's deck had always been heated enough that I needed some surfaces of my skin cooled by the flowing air, but I expected the land-dwelling locals of Sarlano to not have any good regards on any woman who flaunted her navel around. I reflected myself for a moment as I looked at the scar down here in the middle of my stomach, cut by a sword back then when I had been so blinded with my confidence, unaware of the lacking experience. I felt so lucky that I was able to survive from the wound.

"Captain, that monk carrying the treasure has already left the ship, you should hurry!" My first mate warned me. I jumped onto the main deck, immediately searched for the man carrying the dragon's egg. Then I saw him there, down on the port. My feet rushed to chase him. Just in time, a person wearing thawb attire approached that man as I stood close by behind the monk. That person greeted the monk, then me, and then wondered if we somehow had any question. The monk ignored me and asked about the presence of any strangers with similar feature like him. I, myself, needed to be rather swift in my business.

"Well, more like an explanation rather than a question... this man is with me, and I'm looking for Lady Itylara."
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@Dark Cloud

What Saris could remember having learned of Sarlano was vacant. He could, however, recall tales of a city called Sarlandro which was, in his time, a sprawling trade metropolis and the main port upon Okesh. Anything and practically everything could be found within its towering palisade walls from basic trade goods, to magic-infused tools, to exotic wears from every known continent across Estry.

The female assistant to Itylara walked alongside the man whom she’d been sent to retrieve as she spoke about a brief variation of Sarlano’s history.

“During the Dragon Wars much of Sarlano that was, or Salandro as it was once called, got destroyed. What structures remained are now the center of our city and there,” she motioned to the largest structure at the center of Sarlano with a domed tower to the North and what appeared to be another domed further away to the East. “With the guidance of the elves, we rebuilt to some degree. Still not yet the sprawling cityscape it once was but nevertheless we persevere.”


@Kenshi
The man in the thawb finished with his introduction and figured that when the fellow Okeshian didn’t ask anything that he was as far up to speed on the situation as he could be. There was no sign of anyone, even the victim of Aseir’s thieving, noticing what had transpired.

“If all is settled, then we should continue on to the Arch-Wizard’s tower,” the assistant remarked in an assumption that Aseir was completing a transaction with one of the vendors rather than stealing from the clientele.


@VeyrinDay @Kenshi
At the docks the androginous human in the thawb nodded to each of the travellers. Their eyes fell first to the monk, answering his inquiry. “There are others from Sheun and her territories that visit Sarlano and few who call her home.”

Turning their eyes to the Captain, a smile rose to the assistant’s lips. “Of course, Lady Itylara has sent me to retrieve and guide you both to her tower. If there was nothing further, we should continue onward.”
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"Arch wizard tower you say, intriguing." Grinned Aseir as many wonderful items to pocket and sell in the shadows of alley ways.
"Indeed, Allah has blessed me this day friend." Aseir said ,keeping his eyes on people's valuables, seeing which would be easy to steal.
"Even Allah blessed me when he sent you to me, some could call it fate, others can say by message, but it was Allah, the almighty." Aseir said blinking his eyes, the sun was shining on something shiny and blinding Aseir.
"Damn light."

------------------
Jun Lao spoke to the woman as he looked ahead, " I did not mean to offend you earlier Captain Tenria, please forgive my ignorance, I believe first time on a ship not only effected my stomach."
"It must be nice to own your own ship, and sail across the world."
"Where have you sailed your ship ?" asked Jun Lao, as they followed the servant.
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Listening attentively Saris walked close to the attendant as they traversed Sarlano's bustling streets, which was different from what he was accustomed to as he grew up on the relatively empty streets of Irkul. "Does Ilyatra have any students?" Saris asked the attendant as he followed her though a byway.
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Side Notes of Tenria's Journal
------

The man named Jun Lao was so inquiring. I rarely found a passenger being curious about my seafaring business. My answers easily flowed out of my throat as we both walked, following my client's assistant.

"Well, excuse us for the discomfort... I'm just a humble sailor, trading around South Sea and Okesh Sea.... My ship can also bring you for a safe passage between this continent and Shuen, through the dangerous reef formations around Hebi Islands.... Most of the times, I'd ask my client of their travel purposes, the things inside their containers... you know, I'd rather not risking my crews with dangerous volatile magical contraband...

"But certain things can be arranged, of course, as long as you know how to put the grease on the rough parts." My smiled face ended the explanation of the business I usually conducted.
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@Kenshi
The wizard's assistant accompanying Aseir arched a brow at the continuous mention of this 'Allah.' Of all the deities known, an 'Allah' was not among them. He would have thought Mask or perhaps even Tymora would be in the thief's prayers. Mentally shrugging away the thought, the assistant continued to lead Aseir with the assumption that the other man was following attentively.



@Dark Cloud
The assistant gave a nod to Saris' question, a soft smile playing at her lips. "Yes, Lady Itylara is the leader of the Wizard's guild here in Sarlano and has many students. It has been several decades since she last took on a pupil directly, however. I can feel the weave connects with you, Mister?"

She glanced over, having not been given a name when she was sent to greet the bearer of the invitation.



@VeyrinDay @Kenshi

The assistant lead Jun and Captain Tenria through the bazaar, weaving here and there and glancing back to ensure that the pair were still following as they conversed. The assistant took note of the phrasing used by the Captain to describe her business, managing to keep a slight smirk from gracing their lips as they moved.
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Saris stopped abruptly and looked away as he bit his lower lip, the assistant was unexpectedly clairvoyant about his inate connection to the weave which took him by surprise for a moment before he regained his composure and addressed the woman "Saris Grimmel madam but who might I ask are you," with a slight bow he introduced himself properly before the attendant and while straightening up he deftly maneuvered the conversation to the lady "Your not a simple attendant if you can sense the weave so easily." he gave her a charming smile.
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@Dark Cloud
The assistant slowed when her charge halted, pausing to look back over her shoulder and motion Saris onward to keep pace. "My name is of little consequence as it is the ring of detect magic Lady Itylara provided each of us to seek out the invitations possessed by her chosen. The blue glow of the items you carry on the Lady's behalf glow a slightly dimmer blue than that of yourself. It is not uncommon for those who study magic to maintain an essence of the weave within themselves."

She glanced forward towards the end of the bazaar and the upcoming rows of the residential zone. "Please do keep up, I would hate for us to be the last to arrive."


@VeyrinDay @Kenshi @Dark Cloud

The assistants lead each of their groups past the bazaar and through the sectional divides of the residential district. The first several sections were bustling with human women and children going about their day, gossiping as they ran lines of laundry between the kutcha homes and children kicking balls down dirt swept street. The area was easily compared to any other 'slums' of the cities each had seen on their own continents. Continuing down the main thoroughfares, the homes became more sturdy, fashioned together with adobe-clay bricks. It would be obvious to Itylara's guests that the closer they got to the center of the city where the main 'palace' was situated that the wealth of the residence was greater as shown by an increase of guards, less chatter in the streets, and the sturdy build of the homes. Each groups arrived at a different entrance of the high-walled palace, the guards nodding their heads to the robed assistances of Itylara's, through their presence the strangers were permitted entry.

"Stay close, this place can be a bit of a maze," the assistants informed their charges as they continued forward. Guards lined the halls every twenty or so feet as the heavy thud of boots from the wandering patrols echoed down seemingly empty halls. The assistants lead their wards through the halls and steps of the palace, turning here and there more times than even the most skilled tracker could follow. Alas they came up a spiral staircase and into the antechamber of Itylara's rooms.

"Wait here," each were instructed by the assistant accompanying them with a motion to one of the many cushioned benches and chairs. Aseir was the first to have arrived, though by mere moments of Jun and Captain Tenria. Another few moments later, Saris was brought in as well and moments after him, a dwarf with skin the color of a walnut tree's bark and hair that seemed to be black in the flickering firelight of the torches that lined the walls. She glanced with dark eyes to each of the others in the room, leaning on a crooked wooden stave before moving to one of the unoccupied benches and taking a seat.

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Saris was slightly disappointed that his attendant didn't care to introduce herself but he simply nodded and followed her through the city streets, although to pass the time he did tell the attendant about the rather long journey that he had undertaken to get to where he was now and all the while they slowly made their way closer to the palace. However the necromancer left the omission of his resurrection out of his tale, telling the woman he had hailed from a fishing village nearby the ruined settlement once known as Irkul.

* * *


Interaction: @Kenshi and @VeyrinDay

After the attendant left his company he found himself in a room with a few other strangers, each of whom seemed either pleasant or unpleasant to Saris. A dwarf who entered after him took her seat on one of the unoccupied benches while she carried a crooked stave which made the necromancer relax slightly as he looked at the other people gathered in the chamber.

It looked like the three other people in the room had arrived before him, but his attention was drawn to the woman dressed in like a seafarer and appeared to carry a sort of confidence about her that attracted his interest for a moment. She was standing by an exotically dressed gentleman garbed in monastic robes and a stoic expression upon his face, then there was the scoundrel...
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"What an odd assortment we have here." Began Aseir as he walked over to the dwarf.
He looked down upon the small sized tree trunk of a person, "Your kind, I can never tell apart from the male and female. "
Aseir glanced at the Monk and mocked bowed , making light of his culture.
His black eyes fell upon the body of the female captain, "Now, I am truly blessed, you and I have a lot in common."
Then he looked at Saris,"You are trouble, magic is always the cause of trouble."
Aseir turned his gaze back to the beauty of the female captain "You can be trouble to, I see it in your eyes."

------------
The monk spoke up, "What kind of man are you?"
Aseir did not take his eyes from the woman, and replied with one word "Trouble"
Jun Lao then introduced himself to Saris, and the Dwarf.
" Forgive me if I stare, but I have not seen many of your race before."
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Saris decided that he probably couldn't trust such an individual like the fellow who spoke to each of them, as he failed to even introduce himself or ask them their names and he struck the necromancer as unpleasant with how he went about making assumptions.

Shoving both of his hands into his pockets, and rolled his eyes at the man with an expression of aloofness mixed with mild displeasure and breathed an exasperated sigh before he spoke to the gentleman "It is laughable that such a dubious gentleman as you," he paused to look the man up and down incredulously before continuing "Would judge a man by the clothes he wears when you yourself dress the part of a scoundrel." Saris smirked slightly and arched an eyebrow before shrugging and taking a seat on an empty bench "Well what do I know I am just a mage correct?" Saris simply smiled "Saris Grimmel at your service." he introduced himself properly before the gathered strangers.
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Aseir had heard enough of this brash young boy trying to act older than he was.
"First of all boy, I did not judge anyone by their clothing, I judge by their looks."
He walked up to Saris and stuck his finger on Saris forehead,"Here in their mind, and here in their heart." as he pointed his finger at Saris heart.
"You scold me for judging others, while you judge me, from where I come from that is what is known as a hypocrite. "
"Dwarven man and dwarven women, not much difference between them, look if you not believe me."
" I am no more differently dressed than this bucaneer, so if I am a scoundrel for what I wear, what do you really think of everyone else? Since you are so much better than us."
"I do not fear you, I fear the magic radiating off of you, and with your hothead, you will be trouble...but tell me, can you cast magic without a tongue?" Aseir asked in all seriousness.


@Dark Cloud
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The dwarven woman had enough of these foolish boys, her staff rising just a few inches from the ground before slamming back down. Despite the adobe brick ground, vines crept up and entangled the two men before drawing them apart from one another. With a huff, the woman stood.

"Look he'e boys," she scolded as she turned glaring dark eyes from the pale skinned human to the darker skinned man. "I ain't got da patience ta listen to yer squabbling like lil'girls. If ya thinkin' we dwarves all look alike than yer a dafter fool than your puffed pants look. We be he'e at da behest of the greatest wizard known across all da lands, ya canna least act decently until da business is done, ya?"

Now her attention shifted between each of them, a brow arched high as she awaited an answer.

@kenshi @dark cloud [You can roll a STR Save to break free of the vines or wait for her to end the spell]
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(To be expanded)

Tenria looked for a quiet spot, then put her rapier out and brandished it gracefully. She conducted an exercise with a subtle bravado while pretended to ignore the possible ensuing chaos.
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