Steampunk Nights - Chapter 5

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location:  Ashen – Tent of Kazim

Sheik Kazim drew aside the beaded curtain that separated myself, Mal'Metaf, and Kelbik from the main area of the tent once Antoro left.

“Come in!  We must now have a private discussion!” he said.  “You have questions about the assignment, yes?”

“No, no!” Kelbik yelped in his high-pitched voice.

Mal'Metaf shook his head and I followed.  The specifications of the job seemed clear enough to me.

Steampunk Nights - Chapter 4

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location:  Ashen – Tent of Kazim

“I suppose I should tell you who I am, if you don’t already know?” Antoro raises a single brow at this question and looks hopefully at Nihani, Fabro, and Dhaja.  Getting only blank stares in reply to his query he frowns and continues, “I am the deputy mayor of Trat – a Vincha settlement sponsored by the Orsini Family out of Corbanile.”

“Never heard of it,” Nihani says softly.

Antoro’s frown deepens.  “Trat may be a small town – only 4600 souls, but we are vital to the Vincha trade road that is maintained by the Orsini Family.  Our location in the Central Wilds can not be helped.”

“You control a natural resource of some kind?” guessed Fabro.

Antoro nodded.  “Indeed.  We have an important mining operation.”

“Mining what?” Dhaja asked.

“It’s rather complicated,” Antoro said in a bored tone.  He continues slowly, as if he is worried that those who would be guards are not capable of handling new information: “I’m not sure you would understand.  Ah…  We dig into the ground.  We bring valuable commodities up.  Then we sell them.”

Steampunk Nights - Chapter 3

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location:  Ashen – Tent of Kazim

I entered the tent of Kazim and discovered two others already waiting just inside.  A large, broad man with two scimitars crossed on his back – a Dune Walker perhaps?  He had a turban with a heavy chainmail veil that hid most of his facial features.  This man glanced at me from one corner of his eye and dipped his head slightly.  The other figure in the vestibule was a small, black feathered creature with a plume of bright green on his crown.  He was bouncing from foot to foot in an almost comical manner, his long beak swaying in time to his motion.

“Do you work for Kazim, friends?” I asked.

The large fellow nodded silently, but the birdman spoke up at once in a high-pitched squawk.  “Yes, yes!  Doing odd jobs.”

“I am Izyad Mishtan,” I said by way of introduction, “Sheik Kazim said he might be able to find me some adventure to partake of?”

“We also wish to work as guard for the caravan into the wilds,” growled the man in a guttural voice.  “I am Mal’Metaf.”

“Yes, yes!” added the feathered one, “And I am Kelbik – called Shunned by the Kenku.  I wish to see more of the world!”

“But we must wait,” added Mal’Metaf.

Steampunk Nights - Chapter 2

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location: Ashen

After my needful purchase of ammunition, I wandered through the marketplace, seeing what other wonders I could find in this new town.

Passing through a narrow passage between buildings, I discovered several beggars.  As is proper, I gave one of them a coin with the blessings of Osiris.  I thought nothing of this act of kindness, but my action was the seed of a tragedy.  To think that my charity would cause woe is sorrowful, but Osiris’ determination shall be done!

But to continue my narrative in sequence:

I emerged onto a large open area covered by merchants, tents, carts, and hawkers of every kind.  Two large fellows wearing identical robes that hid their entire bodies walked past.  My eyes followed them as I attempted to discover if they were of a religious order.  Both men had some kind of patch on one shoulder and each had two huge scimitars sheathed on their backs, the sword hilts jutting up over their shoulders.  So?  Law enforcement, militia, or army?

Steampunk Nights - Chapter 1

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location: Near and in Ashen

This is the land of wonders that the omens predicted I must visit!  I did not think it possible, may Osiris forgive my lack of faith, but how was I to know that such wonders could lie beyond the borders of our monastery?

Hopefully my prior scroll containing the initial description of this land and the course of my travels has arrived safely, but I have received no response.  Because of this, I shall forebear sending future messages and keep them on my person until such time as my quest has been completed successfully.  I dare not risk this precious knowledge becoming lost or falling into the wrong hands.

It has taken me two tendays of travel and adventures, but at last I have arrived at a larger settlement than the small hamlets and traveling caravans that were my only encounters prior to today.  I have practiced some with the strange weapon that I was given for healing the gypsy matron this morning.  My skill with the elegant (if noisy) weapon improves.  How it functions still eludes me.  It is a magic like no other I have seen or heard of. 

A New Adventure Begins!

I'll be posting the first of a new RPG-inspired story tonight: Steampunk Nights!

This story will chronologue the on-going events in a new gaming group including myself, Dark Purist, Neil and Kim.  They are playing (respectively) Dhaja, Fabro, and Nihani.  The game is using the D&D 3.5 rules in the campaign setting I have been working on and off on that is a mixture of fantasy, steampunk, and the Arabian nights.

We may all take turns writing up short stories of the events in this game - so keep your eyes posted for keen updates as we all explore and have adventures galore in this strange new world!

P.S.: The Crossover story with everyone's favorite illithid will continue intermittently as per usual - fear not!  Or rather... Go ahead and be very afraid...  >:€

AAR: March 29, 2013 - Space Hulk Entry

A mighty space hulk has emerged from a rift in the warp.  A monstrous spaceship that bears signs of a rough passage through the warp and the scars of many battles.  The markings are strange - unknown.  No signals are detected on board.  Could just be space garbage, but it never hurts to verify things like this...  Both the Orks and the Storm Herald Space Marines send a small expedition to determine the nature of the craft.  Their mission objective changes rapidly once the enemy is detected on board an exposed and natural entry point.  The goal now is to eliminate the foe and then check out the spacecraft!

Crossover - Chapter 57

Shaddar leaves Kug to his work and seeks out Barrityl and Yanivlitan.  He can sense their minds in the main audience chamber and sees that they have things to discuss with him from their thoughts.

“Report!” Shaddar barks as he enters the hall.  He strides briskly to the pair of drow and stops with his hands on his hips.

Barrityl bows slightly as he responds, “Great one, you will be pleased to hear that there are so many worthy drow who could be useful as a part of your army that we do not have room to house them all inside the palace.”

“This is a gratifying problem to be presented with,” Shaddar says with a nod.

“Many of the lower classes of drow were quite excited with the idea of not doing their normal labors for the humans and instead to do something for the glory of the drow race,” Barrityl says with pride.

Crossover - Chapter 56

The brawlers and other members of Flame’s group stand in shock, staring at the body that now lies on the floor of the pub.  Shaddar mops delicately at his mouth with a handkerchief.

“Over here men, please,” Shaddar commands, pointing at the corpse.  “The fluids will be finished draining momentarily and you can deliver my completed message – sans about nine pounds – to the Guildmaster.”

One of the burly men turns away and becomes sick behind one of the tables in the pub.  All of them are pale and motionless – frozen with fear.  Pathetic.

Shaddar turns to his thrall and says, “To the victor go the spoils!” 

Crossover - Chapter 55

Shaddar waits by the bar and the regulars of Goggo’s Fisticuff Pit stay well away from him.  Even they can sense he wishes to be left alone.

Toothsnatcher waits nearby, but close to the door in order to intercept any threats that enter the building.  He is surrounded by slightly drunk fans who are congratulating him on his victory and questioning him as to his fighting style and where he learned it.  The minotaur mostly answers in monosyllables or a variety of grunts.  The locals find his behavior quite novel and there is much laughter from their group.

“Where’d ya get this scar?” asks one of the men.

“Someone was clawing at me as I broke his neck with my bare hands,” growls the annoyed minotaur.

The group surrounding him laughs and raise their mugs to his grim reply.  It is obvious from their thoughts that they do not understand that Toothsnatcher is being quite truthful.

Shaddar shakes his head.  “Idiots.  They must have never heard the proverb: ‘Never pester a minotaur’.”

Crossover - Chapter 54

People flee from before the approach of Shaddar and his blood-splattered thrall.  It is not so much their hideous appearance, but the rumors and reports of slaughter that seem to move before them much faster than humans could normally run.  Shaddar is amazed at the efficiency of their grapevine.

Doors slams shut and shutter click together as they draw near to each building and the crowds of people are quickly thinning.  Those humans who see them, invariably turn around and run in the opposite direction.

Toothsnatcher is enjoying himself immensely.  “Best day ever!” he thinks, quite pleased that Shaddar is pushing deeper into the slums and seems intent on causing more trouble. 

“It is useful to have happy thralls – they seem to work more efficiently when they find their orders agreeable,” Shaddar thinks.

Crossover - Chapter 53

Shaddar and Toothsnatcher look very out of place with the well-dressed and excited people whom they stand in line with.  The thought of, “Why are these two freaks in line?  Aren’t they entertainers?” runs through most of their minds.

The exceptions are those members of the Guild of Villains who are running this scam.

“Ha!  These fools literally throw their gold at us!”

“That man in the purple vest and wearing a gold monocle is here to inquire about his dog’s health.  Best get that tidbit to Martus.”

“Say…  Isn’t that tall fellow wearing a funny uniform…  Hold on…  Oh, no!  The Guild of Swashbuckling Rogues!”