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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Feb 9, 2023 18:52:43 GMT -5
For the quest- Protecting Goods
No matter how many times he left this place, Shaa always managed to find his way back to Zeinav City. He had been into more than one violent incident here and always wondered in the back of his mind when it was going to come back and bite him. The two saving graces he had were that Minotaurs were actually pretty common around here and people kind of expected them to stir up trouble. The other was that he had an in with the local mob who kind of gave him a little bit more leeway than he should have.
Today however, it was all business. The fighters guild had recently received a commission for a protection run from here to the oasis out in the desert. It wasn’t a very long trip but the merchandise had to make it intact for political reasons. Apparently the merchant guilds were under a lot of pressure for a successful run to help improve the desert’s “ less than stellar” reputation for safety. Shaa thought that helping out here may go a long way to smoothing his own reputation out here. He was supposed to meet up with some other folks on the security team for a debrief on the trip.
Shaa was waiting by the carts, sipping on his canteen when he sees a man start to approach.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 9, 2023 19:44:53 GMT -5
Zeinav City was equally a city of....mixed feelings is the best way to put it. There was the first incident with Vikram and then everything that happened after that. This was his first return to the city since those events actually. Atop his horse, he makes his way through the market to take a little survey of the area and see its recovery.
It did help ease his nerves to see things were back to normal, to anyone who wasn't there it was as if nothing happened. Good, he could at least put that concern out of his mind.
"Come on then Byrr, let's head off to why we are here." He pats the horses neck and turns them towards a different street.
Leandros comes to meet the caravan, slowing his horse to a stop before climbing down. The knight shakes hands with a few of the merchants while making introductions before spotting Shaa. He grins, always finding a bit of personal humor when he runs into people large than him.
He crosses the sand strewn street and offers out an armored hand, "Leandros Aurthurian of Capitol Landing. I imagine you're the other body guard that's to be traveling along? If so, I would hate to be the bandits or beasts that think of ambushing us."
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Feb 9, 2023 20:21:16 GMT -5
Shaa smiles at the man who seems friendly enough. It’s always nice to meet someone who isn’t initially out to stab you or grab a pitchfork. It’s nice meeting you Lee. I am Shaa Rhunn of the Fighters Guild. I am here following up on a commission request. Shaa takes a moment to examine the fighter. If they hired you as well, I’d imagine that you can take care of yourself ok. Between you and me, this should be pretty much a cake run. I think that between the two of us, we can protect a couple of boxes. Right? He laughs a bit to break the ice.
Shaa gently taps on one of the crates inside a caravan wagon. The commission didn’t go into detail about what they were hauling exactly, just that it had to get there safely and on time. Looking over the haul, there seemed to be a pretty broad range of items ranging from crates to small animals in cages. The port was perhaps the biggest method to keep the Oasis supplied outside of Sol City. Those hauls were more rare however as hauling something over sea then the desert without a city in between was a logistical nightmare.
As Shaa and Leandro’s chewed the fat, the caravan master approached them directly. The leader of the trip was an older female dwarf named Gemma. She was short and round with long braided hair that came out from under a large red head wrapping. She wore a light mail with sturdy leather work boots that were more expensive than their use let on. She also wore several rings on her fingers that held a large cigar in her left hand. Her right hand rested on the hilt of a short sword strapped to her side.
You two my lunks? Gemma asks flatly as she blows a smoke ring at them. Despite the size difference, she was obviously unintimidated by either of them. Umm yes Ma’am, I’m Shaa from the guild this is Lea…The dwarf waves them off with her cigar. Yeah yeah. Not looking for your life stories. We are on a tight schedule. Get your butts up front, you are leading us out in five. Let me be clear. You mean about squat to me. My job is getting this cargo hauled. Even if that means over your lazy carcasses if you slow me down. Your only job is to keep the lanes clear. Do that, get paid. Do we understand each other?
Shaa nods, a bit taken aback by the candor. He wasn’t quite sure if he liked her yet but he would definitely stay out her way. He looks over to Leandro. Ok, guess that means we are heading up front. I’m going to go fill my canteen real quick. See you up there.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 10, 2023 23:40:26 GMT -5
"If we can't protect them, then we both might need to think of different careers." Lee offered a laugh in kind.
Similarly, he wasn't told much, but he had grown used to that. Merchants tended to be some of the stingiest folk, worried about theft even from the people they are hiring. Whatever, it gave him time to pepper Shaa with questions about the fighter's guild. Having grown up in Capitol Landing and attended the Martial Academy he was well acquainted with the guild, but never joined as of yet. It was something he had considered, but that conversation could be held later.
Leandros straightes as he sees the merchant leader approaching, attempting to appear proper and ready. As she dismisses them, Leandros is ready to give her a talking to, but likely seeing a look of 'it's not worth it' backs down with a huff.
The knight remounts his horse and looks to the rest of the caravan to see that they are ready. His attention then turns back to the minotaur, "Don't get lost then, I don't want to be the only focus for her ire." He gives another short little laugh subtly motioning back twoards the dwarf woman.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Feb 11, 2023 2:56:21 GMT -5
Shaa heads over to a small fountain close to the caravan. He should have just enough time to fill up and get up front before the dwarf tries to take it out of his hide. As he dunks an old canteen into clear pool of the fountain, he notices the caravan master talking to yet a third person whom he doesn’t recognize. The man is tall with a wide brimmed hat and white desert travel gear. Expecting a similar dress down that he was the recent recipient of, he is surprised to see the two shaking hands. Shaa watches as the man moves a small black cart into position amount the others.
Adding new cargo and passengers was certainly not an uncommon occurrence in the caravan business. In truth, smaller caravans would often follow larger ones to syphon off protection. This however was a high profile, high stakes trip. Adding in an X factor at the last minute seemed unnecessarily risky. Just what did she know?
Shaa finished filling the canteen with water and jogged up to the front to meet Leandro’s and clue him in to what he saw. It could be nothing, of course, but things could get real bad really fast out here in the desert. Suspiciously creepy strangers need to be watched.
As soon as he was in position, the caravan master makes the signal and the wagons begin to roll towards the city gates.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 11, 2023 10:49:48 GMT -5
Leandros makes a small hmm noise as Shaa fills him in. He was similarly cautious of such a late addition to the caravan, especially one of such a seemingly shifty nature of it. He could just be a straggler who was running late, but with how the other merchants reacted to the leader it seemed unlikely. They were all terrified, but punctual for the dwarf. This new man seemed just a touch too aloof.
"Either a sabouter or....something she was hoping we wouldn't notice." He keeps his voice low so that just Shaa can hear it as they slowly start their way out of the gates.
The good news was that they likely had a bit of time to do some sleuthing and figure out just what exactly was going on. It wasn't likely that if this man was setting an ambush that it would be done so close to the city. Perhaps he would wait until they were at least a day or so out which didn't leave them with much time to try and get answers.
The bad news was at first glance neither of them seemed adept at sleuthing. Leandros was a noise machine and a very recognizable person so it was hard to just become a commonfolk person. Shaa was equally recognizable, though he wasn't sure if the minotaur might have some tricks.
"How should we play this then? I am no good at subtlety, but one of us could try and get information out him when we make camp for the night.....I doubt Gemma will be forthcoming."
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Feb 11, 2023 17:13:00 GMT -5
It was true. A giant Minotaur and a guy in clink clacky armor assigned as guards were probably not the most subtle team in the world. But Shaa had found over the years that there were lots of ways not to be noticed when you didn’t want to be. For example, when one was being TOO obvious, you can pull attention away from something else you didn’t want noticed. And if there was something Shaa excelled at, it was being way too obvious. Like a bull in a…well, you know.
We have plenty of things to watch for other than this guy. On the other hand, I don’t like the idea of not knowing what his deal is. Shaa rubbed his chin a bit in thought. Maybe we can kill two kobolds with one club. Shaa noted the confused expression and continued. How about this. What if we did a quick “contraband” check with everyone? That way we can ensure the safety of the caravan anddddd can maybe get an insight on sneaky sneakerson. Watch this.
Shaa walked up to the first cart and it’s driver. HEY! Contraband inspection. Whatcha hauling. Contraband? What are you talking about? There are rumors going around about illegal magic mushroom distribution. Horrible problem. Spores everywhere. What’s in the box? Shaa starts opening boxes and rifling through several layers of what appears to be women’s lingerie. Shaa holds up a very scandalous nightie and the man goes red faced. Sir do you have a permit for these? It’s women’s underwear, you don’t need a permit for that! YOUR’E SAYING THAT YOU HAVE WOMENS UNDERWEAR WITHOUT PERMISSION!? Several other members of the caravan are staring at them now. A few are scrambling through bags looking for some sort of paperwork. Shaa tosses the underwear back in the box. This is a red mark for you sir. You get another one and the company will have to be informed. Shaa had no idea what company that was of course but by the look on the man’s face he was certainly worried about it.
Shaa walks over to the next cart. And you sir. Are these sanctioned bananas? Looks like a hot bed if possible mushroom activity if you ask me. No it’s not! They are just bananas. Here eat one. Shaa munches on the banana and is surprised at how flavorful it is. These bananas are fantastic! Carry on! I will make sure they get to the oasis safely. You have my word. Shaa swipes a second banana and salutes the man in the cart who, oddly enough, salutes right back and smiles to himself like he was in on some inside joke. Cart after cart they went until they were only one cart away from the mysterious man who most definitely did not look like he had paperwork.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 11, 2023 20:44:05 GMT -5
Well....that certainly was a direct way to take care of it. He looked behind him to watch just how Shaa would handle this situation. The chuckle that leaves him is unintended, but it's had not to find this scene a bit strange.
He turns Byrr around to just pass by the other carts, these merchants much quicker to reveal their goods than before. It did seem like a lot of this was legitimate trade goods. Wheat, food, spices, silks of the sext and non-sexy variety it seems, and other sort of simple trade goods.
"All right what the hell are you two doing?"
"Making sure the law doesn't ruin this trade."
"I know my wagons here ya big tin can."
"Oh, then his wagon?" Leandros pretends to pick at random, but points directly at the man with the strange cart that joined them late. Gemma seemed to be a lot less boisterous about her protestations to this surveillance.
He motions for Shaa to go check out that one, it was on the minotaur's side of the caravan. Leandros would continue on with this goods check, honestly it may be a ruse, but it also wasn't a terrible idea to just do regardless. Leandros did have a name to worry about, he couldn't allow just anything to be transported under his watch.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Feb 12, 2023 22:41:09 GMT -5
Shaa gives a wink to Leandros and sidles up to the side of the mysterious cart. And just what kind of chicanery do we have stewing here hmmmm? Shaa holds on to the side of the cart and gives a long exaggerated sniff on the side as if the cart smelled of something very very suspicious. You get away from my cart monster. There is nothing illegal here. Shaa stared at him coolly. My good sir he snarked as sarcastically as possible. It is my job to check for shenanigans. I suppose you think tyat I can just take your word for the fact that it’s all legit. Why even have security at all? Surely all the criminals out there just go about publicly flaunting their lawless aspirations asking for the local constabulary to come arrest them. And fairy’s also pay rent for living up my butt! No siiiir, you will comply or I will make you speak your cart!
More and more members of the caravan are desperately searching bags, satchels and crates for any kind of documentation. Some of the more desperate can be seen hiding behind their cart furiously scribbling forgeries of permissions and documentation. It would be really sad if it weren’t so funny. The mysterious man walks over to his cart and gruffly throws back the tarp. The car is full of nothing but a couple small boxes, blankets and sundries. Nothing illegal or even that mysterious. Just what was this guy playing at? Now that wasn’t so hard. There isn’t anything on your person that I need to be aware of is there? The mysterious mangoes stiff. Why don’t you come check me? Any other day, Shaa would have fed this guy his own arm for a comment like that. But they were on a tight schedule and he didn’t have enough to search the guy, especially with the cart being nothing extraordinary. Not today, mystery man. But I’ve got my eye on you. Any nonsense, any at all, and we will finish this conversation the hard way. You read me? The man nods and slides back by his cart. Interesting…Shaa thought to himself. He need to meet back with Lee and exchange notes.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 13, 2023 11:21:54 GMT -5
Leandros keeps an eye on the exchange with the shifty merchant as he checks the others. Perhaps they were being a bit overly paranoid, but the man didn't have much interest in helping himself it seemed though. Byrr circles back around as the wagon gets moving again, carrying the knight back to the front.
"Well, if there is anything illegal being held here, they are hiding it well. I couldn't find anyone with fake documents or illicit goods." He lets out a sigh, one hand dropping to the horn of the saddle now that they were just trotting forward Byrr needed less steering.
"I can't tell if the lack of findings is good or bad news...Now that the suspicion is raised I almost wish we had found somebody to rough up and arrest.....would make this simpler."
He looked back at the caravan, wagons slowly pulling themselves along the road. There certainly was more than enough space to hide things in this caravan. Lots of wagons, saddlebags, carts, and crates.....they could search through one by one and hold everyone up, which would likely piss off Gemma. Or they could just let it go on for now and just be ready for things to go down. That could damage the caravan though which would definitely piss off Gemma. It seems getting this job done without her ire was going to be impossible given the talking to they got before it even began.
"Maybe we can hope if there is someone suspicious, they'll make a mistake and act early if they know we are looking for them."
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Feb 13, 2023 14:06:43 GMT -5
They had been walking for serval hours and nothing remotely exciting had happened. People had seemed to have calmed down once the baggage searches were over, content on the dull plod through the desert sand. The caravan was making good time. Despite her somewhat caustic nature, he had to admit that she knew how to run a train with speed and efficiency. Since their initial talk, she had pretty much left them to their own devices, for which, Shaa was truly grateful.
Off to the side, Shaa notices a horse has walked off separate from the group. Looking over to Lee, he looks occupied at the moment so Shaa decided to trot over and lead it back. As he approaches the horse, something seems odd about it that he can’t quite put a finger on. It’s not trying to run away or escape which was good. But still, something was off, something that was screaming at Shaa’s instincts. As he puts his hand on the horse’s hindquarters, the beast’s body slumps to the ground with a sickening thud. The horse is missing it’s head, burned off at the jaw. Realization floods Shaa’s brain. FIRE BEETLES!
As fast as he can, Shaa makes a break for the caravan. He can already see the heads of the fire beetle swarm starting to emerge from the sand. He leaps over a heavily carapaced head just in time to watch one of the lead wagons burst into flame. Crap crap crap! He faces the beetles in front of him and summons a large wall to absorb the fiery goo being launched by the bugs. He knows it’s not going to buy them much time but if they didn’t do something quick, the caravan was toast.
Summon Wall
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 13, 2023 18:33:58 GMT -5
The look of relief wasn't hidden on Leandros' face as it seems things have calmed down for the most part. It was good to get Byrr some exercise and train him in other types of terrain. Things had been shifting around Charon in uncertain ways, so he wanted to be ready for anything. Plus for it being a desert day, the sun wasn't too harsh. Unfortunately, this peaceful jaunt was broken by the chaos.
"DOUSE THE FLAMES WITH BLANKETS AND TARPS WATER WILL ONLY SPREAD THE FUEL!" He calls to some of the helpers that were following along as he pulled hard on the reins with Byrr to gallop towards Shaa.
Leandros gallops past, drawing his halbard from his back to cut through one of the beetles as he breaks through their formation to take their attention towards him. He pulls back on the reins to turn Byrr around again, dismounting once they are facing the right direction.
He holds his halberd out starting to slowly spin it in his hands to create a moving shield.[1] A fire beetle turns and chitters angrily before spitting a line of fiery goop that's whisked aside by the blocking technique.
"Good work with the wall friend! Know anything to knock them over? I can make much quicker work of them." He called across the crowd of beetles back to the minotaur now that they were on either side of the enemy. It was a decent group, but so long as they kept the attention on them, the cart could be saved.
Shifting Block
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Feb 14, 2023 14:37:47 GMT -5
Shaa thinks for a moment. Well let me see something, maybe. Shaa looks over at the beetles and casts rumbling tremors under their feet. As the sands starts to shake and shift, somehow the beetles stayed unmoved.putting more power in it, the beetles shift a bit but remain unmoved. Apparently the loose sand allows them to shift their weight and stay upright.
Shaa dives behind his wall as the beetles launch a volley of fiery goop at him. He can hear the goop hiss against the wall as it splatters. Ummm well that didn’t work. From the side, a rogue beetle crawls back up from under the wall. Shaa kicks him just in time before he gets a chance to goo at him. The bug rolls and skitters upright back his feet. Man these things are tough! Shaa uses his monk skills to cover his hands and feet in stone. He mange’s to solidify just in time as another Beetle sprays hot goo on his arm. That was close….He runs over to the second beetle and punts it hard into the distance.
Shaa cries out to Gemma. Get out of here! We will cover your escape! The beetles hiss and click at them as they continue to fend them off. The caravan starts to move away. As it does, the beetles try and start to follow it.
Art of the Iron Fist
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 14, 2023 17:21:02 GMT -5
"Oh no you don't!" Leandros calls out, slipping his halberd forward to hold it near the bottom. The hold gives him a much wider swing[1] though he can't get as much damage. A wide sweeping attack allows him to knock a large swatch of them off their feet and onto their backs.
Lee stabs down into the underbody of one, the exoskeleton crunching under the weight. As he does, one that is still upright hits him with a spray of fiery spittle. Thankfully, the knight is encased in armor but he is quick to flick it from his greaves lest if find a crevice to seep into.
He focus right now on trying to topple then stab as many as he can, but the numbers of these beetles is a bit of a hassle. Leandros just barely avoids taking another spray as he leans back. The numbers are waning, but Solaria's blessings is this added heat a pain in the ass.
"You holding up over there Shaa? Just a few more left." He calls across the sands, spinning his halberd to split a beetle in half with the axeblade, stomping another with his greaves. "The little ones always so much more troublesome."
1. Titanic Reach
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Feb 16, 2023 9:21:35 GMT -5
As he watched the caravan pull away from them, they were barely keeping the remaining beetles from going after it. Just why in the world were these things so bent on destroying caravans anyway. He needed to shut them down permanently. Lee! Get to the caravan! You are NOT going to want to be around for what’s coming next. Shaa runs to the middle of the beetles and side checks that Leandros is out of range. Pulling as much energy as he can, the sand around Shaa’s feet starts to swirl. Harder and harder it spins pulling rocks, bushes and the beetles down and towards the center.
Haha you little fiery butt nuggets, you messed with the wrong Minotaur. Shaa sloshes out of the swirling pit. Several of the beetles have started to thrash against the pull of the sand but are making very little progress. Oh no you don’t! From outside the swirling pit, Shaa picks up several large stones and starts hurling them at the beetles who are moving the best. One by one, he plinks them in the head and they tumble back closer to the center. Just for good measure, Shaa starts adding large cactuses to the pit that get pulled towards the beetles as well. Well that should do it. My buddy in the pit will make sure they never make it out. He runs off to catch up to the caravan.
Shaa Rhunn’s Sand Lion 🦁 ( Turn One) Hands are Weapons ( for picking up the cactus)
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