The Mahasarpa Campaign, a land of jungle ruins, an yuan-ti oppressors. Where swami, muni, and devapalas fight to hold back the curse laid on this once great civilzation long ago.
Centuries ago Saurama the Destroyer was locked away, defeated by the Deva of Mahasarpa. A prophecy was spun on the great loom that foretold that one day she would be reborn to take her vengence on the world. This is the tale of the Harbingers of that doom.(A vWorld Expansion)
Here begins the solo adventure thread that follows our intrepid dhuka Toranoshi Daruka as he ventures into the city-state of Lakshmana.
Having stepped through a portal from the tainted jungles of Mahavana into the refined city of Lakshmana Toranoshi and the strange Mystic of Nog from Zakhara have been tasked with gaining transportation from Mahasarpa to Zakhara if such a thing is possible. Our shudra also has a desire to know who has gone before, agents of Saurama perhaps, or others posing at the Harbingers even seeking their own sinister goals.
Asvina 10th, 1096, Mid Summer, Late Morning
Having left Rhokti and Vivec behind, Toranoshi the young rogue from Bhalluka finds himself heading down among the canals of the water logged city toward the harbor and docks of the sea. With him is a Mystic of Nog, who floats a few inches off the ground seemingly at all times. The two men could not be differnt, but they have similar goals, and for the last thirty minutes they have traversed the maze like canals of the city always moving 'down stream'.
The narrow streets, high arched bridges, and twisting water ways have opened up into a strange bazaar that stretches out before the two. Here, lashed together with rope and wooden poles is a floating market. Scores of small boats, sampan, are linked together to make a market place. Each boat hold a new merchant or tradesman selling his wares. People bustle back and forth, and around the edge of the wharf are young boys with boats offering to poll anyone out into the market for a couple of copper coins. The mood is festive as the day is just starting, and the pomise of poffit and success are in the air.
Hovering above the stone walkway the Mystic, in the ancient language that has become the only way to speak to the man comment, "<Ancient> It looks very much like the float bazaar of Dhiliz in my homeland. I pray it is not as fouled by crime."
Welcome JohnnyWierd to the Mahasarpa game as Toranoshi the 3rd! This is a solo thread for him alone until things may change.
A note Johnny, I use the above convention to show speach in a language other than the common Mahasarpan when it doesn't matter if its kept secret or not. Otherwise, I might use a spoiler for it.
Last edited by Vardaen on Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:23 am, edited 2 times in total.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
"<Ancient> I doubt that is a prayer that will be answered, sir. Between the conflicts of the Kshatriya and the natural perfidy of shudra, this entire city is a mango fraught with worms." Toranoshi surveys the surroundings, a wolf surveying the fold. "<Ancient> Would you deign to walk upon the earth, sir? It will raise less comment, and allow us some more freedom to move largely unnoticed."
The Mystic looks down at his feet and the ground beneath it. "<Ancient> I have taken an oath to never set foot on the earth again while waking. It is through the ground that the Geomancers of old worked their power, and I shall not open myself up for their touch. Not now, not with the Lions of Tomorrow awake and active once again." Whatever the strange man is talking about must be a myth or legend of his own homeland, cause it makes no sense in the scope of Mahasarpa. "<Ancient> Should we not endeavor to find ourselves a ship, or do you wish to pause among the market?"
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
"<Ancient> The docks, unless I mistake myself, are on the far side of the market. Passing through will allow us to cast a wide net for news of this city and the lands around it. Let us see what we can catch."
With a litheness that almost matches the floating mystic, Toranoshi moves among the crowds, ears open and mind clear, letting the noise filter into knowledge inside him.
Listen or Gather Information. With his skill set, he strikes me as a man who gleans most of his GI from listening rather than talking.
As Toranoshi and the Mystic pass around the edges of the market the shudra born in Vriscika, but a citizen of Bhalluka listens in to the conversations here in Lakshmana. It doesn't take him long to pick up several obvious facts about the city. The primary talk of the town is the current political state, the declaration of the Raja as the Maharaja, and so claiming rulership over not just this city-state, but all of the Seven Kingdoms. It is interesting to Toranoshi to note that while people are talking about it, no one is giving their own opinion on the situation. Perhaps it is fear, or respect, that keeps them from questioning the actions of the Raja and his Kshatriya, or perhaps it is the patrol of armed guards that bare the mark of the city guard on them that keeps most people in check here. A slight grumbling about the Brahmin 'not doing anything' about the situation is picked up, but these are only whispers and in the minority. Toranoshi also notices that for the city that claims to be the most cosmopolotin of all the Seven Kingdoms, there are no Vanarans, or Hengeyokai, here, or anyone that doesn't appear to be a native of the city among this market.
I generally keep such rolls private and only post the results.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
"<Ancient>The Raja dreams himself lord of the Seven Kingdoms. He's put enough guards on the street to make sure nobody questions his claim within these walls. There may also be some racial tension; the Vanaran seem to have deserted the city." Toranoshi guides the sage through the market, his eyes keen for trouble and ears keen for any more news.
The Mystic nods to Toranoshi's words. "<Ancient> You support this Raja or no? By your tone, it sounds like you do not think this Raja man is worthy of ruling?" The Mystic floats around the bazaar and at this point the two are on the far side of the floating market, last chance to stop before heading down to the wharf itself.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
"<Ancient>The man we would call Maharaja would not be the first to name himself so. He thinks to pull himself up the Wheel, not thinking that it will only spin down faster." The motion of rising and falling occupies Toranoshi's hands as he leaves the market. If anyone passed before, they too would need a boat; what information and goods they need can be had at the docks.
The Mystic nods, "<Ancient> The Grand Caliph has been, and shall be, but sultand and sheiks come and go. Even the Padisha of Afyal has been for generations within his place. The Loregiver's Laws have kept men honest." He floats along the narrow quays behind Toranoshi as the two leave the market and head down further toward the docks.
It finally happens, Toranoshi feared it might, and now it has. Arrayed before him in the narrow street, with a canal to his left, and buildings to his right, serveral Kshatriya bearing the design of the (Maha)rajah of Lakshmana stand in the way. There are four of them, all wear the Jawan-asi to show their status, the twin blades of the Tulwar and the Kris. Two of them also hold tall Vita, the spears used by many men in wartime. "Hold right here." The voice of one man booms out as he sticks his hand out to block the pair's progress.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
Toranoshi stops immediately, avoiding eye contact, playing the humble shudra. Better to let the high-born play his part than to draw notice before he is ready to strike.
