Session 25 - Into the Aukarian Republic

[avisarr]

Session 25 - Into the Aukarian Republic

The party followed the main road for the last few miles of Fyrren's Wandering heading toward the east edge. Steep canyon walls flanked the party on either side. The road twisted and turned through the granite walls. At the last turn in the road, the party saw a gap in the canyon walls ahead and green grassy fields beyond. The maze of canyons ended quite suddenly. The road went continued on to across the grassy slopes going down to rolling hills and off to the horizon. Forests darken the land in patches in the distant. Behind them, the vast maze of canyons looked bleak and grim.

The party followed the road as it stretched across the grassy plain. After traveling for about 3 miles, the road split, going off in three directions. An ancient weather worn wooden post has several signs on it written in Magrakian and Aukarian.

Gen translates for the group:

To the left – "Centrey 175 Miles"
To the right – "Aschandi  100 miles"
Straight ahead – "Brulan 320 miles"


There was also a small handwritten note on heavy vellum nailed to the post. It was written in Rukemian.

"Welcome Callister Draabyn and Company,
House Makra wishes to extend its warmest greetings to you and invite you to stay the week at our humble estate in the town of Centrey."
The party headed for the town of Centrey to meet with this House Makra. In Centrey, the group mages registered at the local Office of Arcane Law (although Ugita was quite difficult about this).

They met with the master of House Makra and this noble was keen on a possible alliance between his house the party. However, they decided that his was a small noble house and would not really be a great benefit. They said they would think on it, but that they must continue their journey. They did sell the horses and wagons to House Makra in exchange for the currency of the Aukarian Republic.

The party then windwalked to the capital city of Brulan. (Windwalk is a spell that essentially changes them all to wisps of clouds and lets them fly – they were able to use this spell now that they were out of the Wandering and away from the energy draining crystals. They saw lots of things during their "flight": bison herds, red bear, magrakian caravan, etc.

They landed just outside of Brulan and walked in so as to not attract attention. They went to the Pilfered Blade which is House Draskon. The entire noble house operates as a huge tavern/inn.

Gruebal and Grimnoth were with the party, but keeping a low profile. Grimnoth was weaking a large hooded cloak and Gruebal was traveling in Grimnoth's stomach storage compartment.

When the party walks into the Pilfered Blade, they see that it's a big place. The common room falls silent. The bard stops playing. Then a group of magrakians waves the party over.

"The Outlanders! Come, Captain Draabyn, sit with us, tell us your tale!" The leader is a big fat magrakian.
The party joined the group of magrakians, ordered food and had a great meal. Tall tales were swapped back and forth.
Strange dishes and drinks are brought out to the table... a plate of purple carrots, a large bowl of grass, a mug full of what looks like tar, a glass of water with moss in it.

The magrakians put a barrel on the table. "The baklath here is no good. We brought our own!"
The magrakians were very friendly with the party and answered their questions and basically confirmed much of what the party already know. The magrakians tell them the following:

1. The Desolation is a dangerous place. I would advise you not set one foot beyond the Wall unless you've got a Guide with you. Some one who knows the Desolation. Without a guide, you might wander for weeks... or worse, get yourself eaten by something.
2. Berrik, what was the name of that hunter, the one with all the trophies... the one we did the arms run for 2 years ago... Verran! Or yes. That's right.
3. Verran. He's the noble of House Ekaryn in the capital city of Brulan. We've done work with them.
4. Aye, business has been great lately. The Mage Lord has returned and with his coming, the Kalanos Marshes have become a dangerous place. The road to Chaddamar is being hit with bandits. Caravans need all the protection they can afford. Business for us is good!
5. If you're going to go to an Aukarian House, it's tradition to bring a gift the first time.
6. We're just returning from the Theocracy. On our way to Brulan. We'll be returning to Chaddamar in another 2 weeks, likely.

During dinner, a young man approached the table. He was dressed in expensive looking finery.
"Allow me to be the first to welcome you to the Great Aukarian Republic. I am Gretnok. Assistant Chamberlain to House Bulivar. My lord has bade me seek you out and tender an invitation to you and your company. My lord pledges you food, weapons, horses and shelter if you would publicly declare allegiance with the grand and noble House Bulivar, anciently seated here in fair Aschandi. If you agree, I shall accompany you to House Bulivar for more formal introductions."
The party politely declined the initial offer but said they would try to stop by House Bulivar soon.

A little bit later, another young man approached the table. This one, however, was not dressed in regal finery. This one was a swordsman. He was dressed in light, flexible armor – identical to that worn by the warrior that Callister had killed in the duel back at Waykeep #3. It was also the same armor that Thaine, Sarroch's bodyguard, had worn.

"You!" yelled the young man. "Infidel Outlander!"

He spit and glared at Callister Draabyn.

"May House Vanadrad fall before we see an honored blade in the hands of a thief."

He addressed the whole tavern.

"I, Glamatis, demand satisfaction. This man" he said, gesturing toward Callister, "slew a Warlord in a duel. He fought without honor. And from the blooded hands of a fallen warlord, he stole a Hakaran blade." A collected gasp arose from the tavern patrons.

He whirled back around to face Callister.

"You will draw this stolen blade, thief, and defend yourself."

Callister stood slowly and eyed the young man. He looked young – 25 perhaps. His armor was shiny and undented. His sword gleamed and looked well cared for. He had no scars.

Callister drew his blade and the two fought. Blade clashed against blade in a whirling dance of steel. Callister realized that he could defeat this young swordsman easily, but toyed with him for awhile, wanting to put on a good show for the tavern patrons.

Eventually, Callister defeated him, but tried to do it without killing or embarrassing the young man. He fought fairly. He did not strike when the man was down. He obviously didn't want to kill him.

After dinner, the party introduced themselves to the noble family of House Draskon. They gave them the letter of introduction and they had a talk. The noble of House Draskon congratulated Callister on a well fought sword duel and also praised him for not humiliating the young swordsman.
The party asked questions about Chaddamar and what lay beyond the Great Wall in Chaddamar. The party knew that they were heading to eastern Aggradar, into the nation of Chaddamar. And according to their ancient map, the Talisman lay in peninsula off the northeast coast, behind the "Great Wall" of Chaddamar. House Draskon confirmed that the hunter and relic collector Verran would be an able guide for them in the land beyond the Wall.
House Draskon offered the party a letter of introduction to Verran's noble house.

House Draskon told the party that Verran's estate was a huge estate, but it was outside of Brulan. It was about four miles to the north. Verran had several large vineyards and some large acreage.

In the tavern, Ugita had an angry argument with several Chaddamarian men and 2 priestesses. He spoke Aukarian with them. He lured them into a good argument which he controlled. He got their zealous passions aroused and used their anger against them. He actually learned quite a lot about the Chaddamarian religion.

Callister was considering returning the hakaran blade he had taken. The lord of House Draskon suggested that that would be a way for him to redeem the honor of the slain Warlord. It would be viewed as an honorable act.

At the end of the session, the party headed off to bed. Rooms had been prepared. Ugida went back to argue some more. The magrakians had drunk themselves into stupors. Everyone went to bed. We start the next session the next day.