Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

With the latest killing, the city has become paranoid. The city guard 
have stepped up patrols.  Several people, quite likely innocents, have 
been dragged away to the citadel dungeons, perhaps never to return 
alive. Kandar and humans seldom venture outside their own parts of the 
city except in large groups, and no noble or powerful guildsman is seen 
in public without a large and conspicuous armed guard.

When Rotemdol arrives at The Dragon, Ayras Ni hands him a sealed letter.

"It's for you", he says, "I don't know who it's from.  Youngish lad I've 
never clapped eyes on before told me to give it to you".

Rotemdol takes the letter to read in private.  He recognises the 
handwriting.

"I need to speak with you urgently concerning recent events in the 
city", it reads, "In present circumstances it is not safe for me to 
enter Calbeyn.  I request that you travel to meet me at the village of 
Ford, half a days ride south of the city.  It is as close as I dare 
travel. If you are not able to leave at once, I am able to remain here 
for another three days.  Can you send me a letter, to be returned by the 
same had that delivered this".

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

[ooc:  Rotemdol forgot how to read...  Not a common knowledge but I assume
the sender knew that.  Let me know if he still got a letter, which will of
course pose a problem, or a verbal message]


                                                                           
             Tim                                                           
                                                            
             Sent by:                                                   To 
             bounces@phoenyx.n         kalyr@phoenyx.net                   
             et                                                         cc 
                                                                           
                                                                   Subject 
             26/09/2005 23:41          Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]     
                                                                           
                                                                           
             Please respond to                                             
                   kalyr                                                   
                                                                           
                                                                           




With the latest killing, the city has become paranoid. The city guard
have stepped up patrols.  Several people, quite likely innocents, have
been dragged away to the citadel dungeons, perhaps never to return
alive. Kandar and humans seldom venture outside their own parts of the
city except in large groups, and no noble or powerful guildsman is seen
in public without a large and conspicuous armed guard.

When Rotemdol arrives at The Dragon, Ayras Ni hands him a sealed letter.

"It's for you", he says, "I don't know who it's from.  Youngish lad I've
never clapped eyes on before told me to give it to you".

Rotemdol takes the letter to read in private.  He recognises the
handwriting.

"I need to speak with you urgently concerning recent events in the
city", it reads, "In present circumstances it is not safe for me to
enter Calbeyn.  I request that you travel to meet me at the village of
Ford, half a days ride south of the city.  It is as close as I dare
travel. If you are not able to leave at once, I am able to remain here
for another three days.  Can you send me a letter, to be returned by the
same had that delivered this".

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

Shmuel Ur wrote:
> 
> 
> [ooc:  Rotemdol forgot how to read...  Not a common knowledge but I assume
> the sender knew that.  Let me know if he still got a letter, which will of
> course pose a problem, or a verbal message]

Evidently, the letter sender either forgot or more likely didn't know 
that Rotemdol couldn't read!  It's up to Rotemdol to deal with this 
problem.

[OOC: If he decides not to trust anyone else to read it for him, then 
disregard the contents of the letter.  If he asks Ayras Ni, or Banjo or 
Lulmyra or anyone else to read it for him, assume that they do so, to 
speed things up....]

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

> When Rotemdol arrives at The Dragon, Ayras Ni hands him a sealed letter.

> "It's for you", he says, "I don't know who it's from.  Youngish lad I've
>  never clapped eyes on before told me to give it to you".

Rotemdol opens the letter, the handwriting seems familiar, and asks Ayras
Ni "could you please read it for me"

"certainly" Ayaras replies and reads

"I need to speak with you urgently concerning recent events in the
city. In present circumstances it is not safe for me to
enter Calbeyn.  I request that you travel to meet me at the village of
Ford, half a days ride south of the city.  It is as close as I dare
travel. If you are not able to leave at once, I am able to remain here
for another three days.  Can you send me a letter, to be returned by the
same had that delivered this".

"Well well well" Rotemdol says as Ayras is looking at him questionely, " I
assume it is not about a party this time, wander what he has in mind"

Rotemdol goes to find the lad, and tells him "let him know that I will be
there tomorrow or the day after."

Rotemdol calls Lulmyra  "I will be leaving tomorrow for some performances
in the villages.  The city is not very lucrative right now, hope to be back
soon."   He asks Lulmyra to watch as he checks on his zarandar and wagon to
make sure that everything is in order.  After some internal debates he
decide to take the wagon as well, even though he is not taking any
assistant this time.  Maybe he will find something useful.  He give Lulmyra
a short riding lesson which he is sure she will enjoy.  After that he tells
her "lets meet Banjo and work on your training schedule when I am gone".
When they meet he set up a demanding training schedule and asks Banjo to
look after Lulmyra both in training and if she has any problems.  To
Lulnyra he says " Listen to Banjo,  he is the best there is,  I expect to
see your tai-sabaki much improved by the time I am back.  You can eat at
the Dragon, I have arranged it with Ayras and if not your sister can cook.
If you need anything ask Banjo, I have left him some money for you".

After arranging everything to his satisfaction (which I assume will take
till the afternoon), Rotemdol will train and go to sleep early (well for
him).

On the day after the plan is to go out toward Ford, riding his zarandar,
dressed with a colorful entertainer cloak on top of his black leather
armor.  The wagon is fairly empty and has only some food and the cheaper
performance equipment.  The better staff is on the zarandar in the riding
backs and the knifes he cares about are hidden on his person.  The visible
weapons he has are the Nivrok at his side and the crossbow in front of the
saddle.

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

> On the day after the plan is to go out toward Ford, riding his zarandar,
> dressed with a colorful entertainer cloak on top of his black leather
> armor.  The wagon is fairly empty and has only some food and the cheaper
> performance equipment.  The better staff is on the zarandar in the riding
> backs and the knifes he cares about are hidden on his person.  The visible
> weapons he has are the Nivrok at his side and the crossbow in front of the
> saddle.

Rotemdol reaches the village of Ford with no incident. Ford is typical 
of the sleepy agricultural villages surrounding any kandar city.  The 
most prominent building is a large flour mill operated by the Guild of 
Victuallers, which shows signs of recent severe fire damage.  It's 
surrounded by wagons and workers of the Guild of Construction, who are 
hard at work rebuilding the roof.

Just outside the tavern stands an ugly stone legion garrison.  Even this 
close to the city bandits and outlaws have been known to attack 
travellers, and the road must be patrolled on a regular basis.

There is just one tavern in the village, which appears to be the focus 
of whatever social activity takes place in the village.  It's too small 
even to have a proper temple, there's just a small shrine dedicated to 
to the Guardians Kalandra and Rulana.

A few human labourers lounge around outside the tavern.

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

Rotemdol walks slowly in the village, entertaining the kids.  He plays with
them, makes magic tricks, make treats appear out of thin air, let them ride
his zarandar, the works.  Nothing fancy just letting his presence be known.
If anyone asks him, he his happy to say that he decided to go out of the
city for a short trip as everyone is very tense and in general no fun.

Then he heads for the tavern, put the zarandar in the stables, and walks
in.

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

Shmuel Ur wrote:
> 
> 
> Rotemdol walks slowly in the village, entertaining the kids.  He plays with
> them, makes magic tricks, make treats appear out of thin air, let them ride
> his zarandar, the works.  Nothing fancy just letting his presence be known.

The local children, all of them human, are initially wary.  But Rotendol 
wins them over quite quickly.

> Then he heads for the tavern, put the zarandar in the stables, and walks
> in.

The tavern patrons are mostly human too, and they eye him suspiciously.

> If anyone asks him, he his happy to say that he decided to go out of
> the city for a short trip as everyone is very tense and in general no
> fun.

"Someone's tried to assassinate the top Wizard", someone says, "And 
they've blown up The Karazthan.  We saw their sky ship passing over".

Rotemdol's eye is drawn to a hooded figure sitting alone in the corner 
of the room.  He seems to have the ability to make his presence known to 
Rotemdol without anyone else apparently noticing that he's there.  Is he 
subtly psionic?

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

.
> "Someone's tried to assassinate the top Wizard", someone says, "And
> they've blown up The Karazthan.  We saw their sky ship passing over".

"A good wizard is a dead wizard, if you ask me"  Rotemdol adds, "anyone
messing with your mind deserves getting blown away"

Rotemdol then looks for the owner to arrange his evening performance,
making sure he is not stepping on anyone toes.  After arranging the details
he takes a drink and retire to a table next to his contact.

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

> "A good wizard is a dead wizard, if you ask me"  Rotemdol adds, "anyone
> messing with your mind deserves getting blown away"

"Don't trust 'em myself", comes the reply, "I just leave them alone and 
hope they leave me alone.  I've heard that if you kill one, they can 
still speak to the dead wizard and find out who did it".

> Rotemdol then looks for the owner to arrange his evening performance,
> making sure he is not stepping on anyone toes.  

"Excellent!", exclaims the tavern owner, "We haven't had a top class 
entertainer from the city for many weeks".

 > After arranging the details
> he takes a drink and retire to a table next to his contact.

"You manage to escape the city, I see", the mystery man says, "No 
sealing the gates".

"Things are getting out of hand", he says, "I have no idea who ordered 
the hit on Baneydol d'n Aluseyn, but it was not from anybody connected 
with me.  Killing bystanders is messy too.  A bomb thrown from a crowd? 
What were they thinking?  It's going to create a backlash: pogroms, 
massacres and the likes.  Plays right into the hands of Kaasranth Sar 
and the hardcore Kardakists.  Is that what they want?".

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

Rotemdol

> "Things are getting out of hand", he says, "I have no idea who ordered
> the hit on Baneydol d'n Aluseyn, but it was not from anybody connected
> with me.  Killing bystanders is messy too.  A bomb thrown from a crowd?
> What were they thinking?  It's going to create a backlash: pogroms,
> massacres and the likes.  Plays right into the hands of Kaasranth Sar
> and the hardcore Kardakists.  Is that what they want?".


"politics is not my game"  Rotemdol replies to the retorical question "
However, it does make sense.  The way they figure it if the Kardakists get
the upper hand and start behaving like they want to, revolt is sure to
follow.  Never liked those leaders who sucrifice followers for a cause..."
upon further reflection  "and it will probably work too,  they get the
Kandar all worked up and oppressing Humans and revolt will follow."

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

Shmuel Ur wrote:

> "politics is not my game"  Rotemdol replies to the retorical question "
> However, it does make sense.  The way they figure it if the Kardakists get
> the upper hand and start behaving like they want to, revolt is sure to
> follow.  Never liked those leaders who sucrifice followers for a cause..."
> upon further reflection  "and it will probably work too,  they get the
> Kandar all worked up and oppressing Humans and revolt will follow."

"If that is the plan", comes the reply, "Then it will fail, and cause 
much bloodshed; the rulers have the organisation and the weapons to 
defeat any insurgency.  Even if the rebels *do* prevail, it would be but 
a hollow victory.  Karmork will march on Calbeyn within days, and make a 
charnel house of the city; every human who cannot escape will die; the 
lucky ones will those who die first".

"This simply cannot be allowed to happen", he continues, "I can think of 
only two possibilities.  One is that whoever leads the rebel group is 
dangerously and criminally stupid.  The other is that they have, 
somehow, fallen under the influence of agents of Karmork, who should by 
right be their mortal enemies, and they're falling right into a trap".

"How good do you think you are at information gathering?", he asks, "I'm 
short of intelligence on the so-called 'Right Hand of Vandrak', if 
indeed this is the group that killed the Guildmaster.  I'm of the 
opinion that someone in a leadership position needs to be taken out 
before they can do any more damage; I need to know more about the 
membership and organisation of the group.  Have you any contacts who can 
supply me more information?".

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

"The fact that I walk around unmolested in the Ant Hill is due to two
factors,  the first is that I am slightly dangerous, but not less important
is that the kids like me and people know I am not into politics.  Don't
really have the contacts, Sorry"  Rotemdol replies.  " I do know a few of
them of course, and they tend to talk to me, but usually it is about the
whereabout of the mind reamers.  They think that I am some how related to
the accident those demons have been having in the last five years..."

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

> 
> 
> "The fact that I walk around unmolested in the Ant Hill is due to two
> factors,  the first is that I am slightly dangerous, but not less important
> is that the kids like me and people know I am not into politics.  Don't
> really have the contacts, Sorry"  Rotemdol replies.  " I do know a few of
> them of course, and they tend to talk to me, but usually it is about the
> whereabout of the mind reamers.  They think that I am some how related to
> the accident those demons have been having in the last five years..."

"In which case, we would not want to jeopardise your position; you're a 
valuable asset to us where you are.  I have going to have to use what 
other contacts I have available.  You will probably be hearing from me 
once again, once I have a clear idea who it is that needs to be taken out".

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

> "In which case, we would not want to jeopardise your position; you're a
> valuable asset to us where you are.  I have going to have to use what
>  other contacts I have available.  You will probably be hearing from me
>  once again, once I have a clear idea who it is that needs to be taken
out".

Rotemdol will continue to do the show and then aventually back to town.
Hoping to meet the other players soon.

Kalyr 107 - A Letter [Rotemdol]

action?