The Eye of Anubis: Book Six

[Nathan of the FoS]

"Good evening, M'sieur Stahlrheim," Charles says, bowing politely. "Charles Martel, at your service." It seems the goodman (gooddwarf? And how is it that he speaks good High Mordentish, anyway?) will be busy with introductions for a few minutes, so Charles steps aside while others introduce themselves and looks with interest around the shop. He himself is just short enough to be able to walk under the canopy without stooping; looking out at the other tents he does his best to gauge heights, to see if this is a mixed community or if all the inhabitants are dwarvish.

Certainly the smith has given them an open reception--rather more than Charles would have expected, really. But the settlement's isolation probably makes any company welcome, and they must have "Easy Money" written on them in letters an inch high. Beggars can't be choosers, he thinks, smiling to himself. A wonderful chance to use all those exotic specimens we picked up at the keep, though, isn't it?

[lostboy]

Khalil eyes the dwarf with a slight wariness, knowing he will want to do business with the smith at some point but aslo not wanting to appear too eager to ingratiate himself.

"Well met honoured forger of the earth, I am Khalil known as the dragoman, we have travelled many days from Phiraz and will continue many days hence. It is most pleasing to have arrived in this oasis of tranquility."

[NeoTiamat]

Kermanshah, The Kermanevar, Sebua
June 22nd, 761, 6:52 PM; Day 97 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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The smallish stall, for that is what it was really, was accompanied by a truly impressive amount of metal. There were spears, not wooden-handled shafts tipped by spearheads but rather long weapons entirely of metal, with only a kind of narrowing where the handgrips would be. There were curved scimitars and shamshirs, as well as a barrel that seemed to be filled to the brim with sharp metal arrowheads. Scattered between these weapons were other things. Little metal curlicues and joints for various nomad gear, and nails. Also metal bands of every concievable size.

In addition to these mainstays, there were also things that you imagined to be the equivalent of display pieces. A warhammer roughly the size of Ivor, for instance, or a full set of scale mail, just ready and begging for a sale.

In the center of the store, however, was another display case, a chest open carelessly (but then again, where would a thief run?). Atop a somewhat ragged velvet cushion, dark green in color, bits of gold and silver glittered. A trio of solid gold bands, somehow linked together in an arrangement. An copper amulet consisting of a disc with little runes written in a spiral on it.

And in the center, the masterpiece. Two silver figurines, no more than six inches tall, were locked in a dance, beautiful women wearing hawk-masks and very little else. The proportions were perfect in every way, and you could see the detailing of the feathers on their masks. It looked real enough to move.

"I see you make remarkable weapons. Do you know how to use them as well? I am somewhat capable myself in the use of the greatsword and great club. A weaponsmith is adept with the weapons he forges I bet"

"Ha! Belike, young mountain, you've only seen weaponsmiths a few decades younger than I. Oh, back in the day I could give any fellow a sound ding on the head, but that was back when this," The dwarf patted his snow-blond beard, "Was brown as chestnut."

When seeing Ivor Stahlreim for the first time, Lia blinks, surprised by the blacksmith's appearance. "My goodness," she says softly. "Pardon me for staring, sir. I do not believe I have ever met a member of your people before."

"Nay, I doubt that." Ivor shook his head. "Belike you've met my kith and kin before in your life, but we're a short folk, not every man is the one that notices us."

Dismounting, Lia approaches Stalhreim and sinks to one knee, putting their heads at equal height, and offers her gloved hand to shake. "Are you from Darkon, sir?" she enquires. "Or from Lamordia? In either case, it would seem that you are far from home, as are we. Might I ask how this community fares? Is all well here?"

The dwarf raised a single snowy brow as Lia kneeled down, but took her hand gravely, shaking it for a moment. He had a strong grip, as expected from a blacksmith, but also a marvelously precise one. He managed just enough pressure to hold Lia's hand firmly, but not enough to hurt.

"Nay, miss, I'm not from either of those places. I'm a Tepestlander by choice, though this little post has been my home for quite a few years." The dwarf smiled softly before continuing in his odd, lyrical accent.

"In truth, Kermanshah has its ups and its downs, and its little secrets and stories. The desert's an old mistress, she keeps her mystical children on a short leash. But for all that, the people here live well enough. None are hungry or dying of thirst, not the worst of achievements in Sebua-land. Aye, we've some spite, we've some malice, but belike its a peaceful enough place." The dwarf paused for a moment, stroking his beard. "In fact, Miss Mary is the only lass unhappy with life, but that can be understood enough for a Mordentishwoman away from home."

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Ah, Tepest," Lia says, "another place I have never been before. Oh! - I should have mentioned my own name, I do apologize. I am Lia Mourneswaithe, and pleased to make your acquaintance, sir Stahlreim." For a wonder, Lia's voice expresses nothing but delight at meeting the smith, and her attention is certainly on him, not his wares. In some ways, Lia appears like an enthusiastic, curious young woman for the first time since the other members of the Expedition have come to know her. "Your community does sound like quite the haven, compared to some places we have seen," Lia says. "A good place to rest and restock on our way. But ... who is this miss Mary, that is so dissatisfied? And if she is so, why not follow a caravan back to the Core?"

[NeoTiamat]

Kermanshah, The Kermanevar, Sebua
June 22nd, 761, 6:54 PM; Day 97 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"And a pleasure it is to meet the many of lot of you also." The dwarf ran a hand down his beard in an idle gesture, turning his gaze from the one to the rest of you. "Especially the man who is a clan's apprentice, if a little tall to be a dwarf."

"Ey, come here you." Ivor Stahlrheim gestured to Tomas a bit irritably, walking over to the display case and rooting about it. After a moment, he brought out a small, plain ring of white gold. It was certainly not the most spectacular piece of jewelry the dwarf had, but it was had a simple charm to it. "A friendship gift to the 'prentice of the Rochrahms. Go on, take it, its a good luck charm to boot. And tell ol' grammer Rochrahms that Ivor Stahlrheim remembers him."

Turning to the rest of you, he gestured to the ring. "Tis fine gold, you see. I mined it with my own hands, smelted and forged and spun while it was hot. There be some gold here, and some silver, though not enough for others to mine."

"If you want to get some clever craft of metal done for you, I'm the dwarf." Ivor continued in what had to be the most low-key salespitch you'd heard in a while. Compared to Faruq, he was downright careless. "For the rest... Bahadur can help you with other goods, particularly spell-work, the man being a mage of a sort. Javed of Osiris is the priest o' this little hamlet, with his own clever tricks. And the lady Roshna does a bit of needlework."

"As for Miss Mary... aye, you'd have to ask that for your own selves. She did arrive naught but a half-turn of the moon ago, on foot if you can believe it. Ye menagerie of types be the first caravan to come since then. Poor gal, she says she's had nightmares."

[yalenusveler]

"Has she specified what the nightmares was about?" Andre asked, a bit distracted by the figures on the mantelpiece "The workmanship on these is incredible, like a moment frozen in time. Do they represent specific figures of myth..or are they works of art for the sake of art ?" He gestured to the figures, still rather amazed.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"After travelling through the desert alone and on foot, a nightmare or two seems par for the course," Lia says, shrugging. "Sunburn and dehydration seem like greater dangers -- until one arrives at a safe sanctuary. So, you have a temple of Osiris here? Is it ... old?" Lia casts a significant glance in the direction of professor Carter and Andre before returning her attention to the dwarven smith. "Has your miss Mary said what part of Mordent she is from? And where does this wizard of yours reside?"

[Kaitou Kage]

"A temple of Osiris?" Kuzan asked suddenly, "With a priest?" The Rajian absently reached up to finger the bronze ball hanging from his neck. He glanced off toward the door, looking ready to bolt for the temple at any second. The priest managed to restrain himself, though.

"I would like to see the priest before we leave," he said to the party.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Oh, so would I," Lia assures the Rajian priest. "So would I. For my sins, I seem to be starting a collection of religious writings. I managed to find some for Andral and the Morninglord while we were in Barovia, at least. Missed out on the Lawgiver's teachings, but then we were in a bit of a time crush while we were in Hazlan. I've been reading some fascinating insights into the early cult of Diamabel, though I wouldn't count him as divine, not after what we saw of him. The Akiri pantheon would be simply fascinating to study as a living religion, rather than as a university subject, distanced from its source material. Perhaps we can visit this priest together, Kuzan?"

[Kaitou Kage]

Kuzan sounded distracted, not really listening to Lia's rambling until she asked if he wanted to go with her. Abruptly, the priest shook himself, as if dazed, and nodded. "Er, yes, that'll be fine. Sorry."

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Not a problem," Lia assures Kuzan as she rises, dusting her skirts off. "So!" she says in a brisk tone of voice; Lia seems to be suddenly full of energy, as if she has been revitalized by the trip through the desert, or perhaps some inner reserve has just been tapped. "Temples, priests, Mordentish expatriates - Ha! Countrywoman, I should say - mages, master smiths, all wonderful discoveries. And then there's water, which is good. Not to mention a chance to restock on food, all good, all good. Bit of trading, hmmm ... Yes. Maleagant, should we set a schedule? What's our time table here? How long until we have to dash off again? Maps! Have we already got reliable maps, or are we making another purchase right here? Oh!" Abruply, the Mordentishwoman turns to Ivor Stahlreim and extends her hand for shaking again. "Lovely to have met you, simply smashing. I honestly mean no offense, but I am amazed and delighted to have met a real, honest to goodness living man of the Dwarven people up close and in person. Only read stories so far, grew up with would-be nobles, then got sent to finishing school, no Dwarf ladies there, finally went to Dementlieu U. I'd simply love to talk a bit about your people and your life experiences, if we can manage it of an evening. By the way, is there a tailor or at least a decent merchant who sells clothes in this community? I'm just about ready for some new clothes, I can't make a dress last a month since I've been on this expedition. Acid, soot, blood, fire, lightning strikes ... The list goes on and on, it's appalling."

[The Whistler]

Otto shakes his head with an ironic smile, giving the smith a look that reads "Some traveling companions I've got, eh?" In a slightly softer tone of voice:

"When we have the time, sir, I might accept you on your offer--for some time now, I have been meaning to see a person about munitions. Now, tell me--do you enhance bullets?"

[NeoTiamat]

Kermanshah, The Kermanevar, Sebua
June 22nd, 761, 7:02 PM; Day 97 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"Has she specified what the nightmares was about?"

"You'd have to be after asking her that question by your own self." Stahlrheim shrugged his broad shoulders. For all that he came up barely three and a half feet tall, his shoulders were wider than yours. "She's a quiet sort, a little grey mouse thats found some refuge in the house of Osiris. But she's not said more than a score of syllables since she's arrived."

"The workmanship on these is incredible, like a moment frozen in time. Do they represent specific figures of myth..or are they works of art for the sake of art ?" He gestured to the figures, still rather amazed.

"Ach, now that'd be spoiling the mystery of the thing, now wouldn't it be doing that?" Ivor smiled a little, laugh lines wrinkling in the corners of his eyes. "I'll tell you this little secret of Kermanevar, though. They are not kith and kin to my thoughts."

"So, you have a temple of Osiris here? Is it ... old?" Lia casts a significant glance in the direction of professor Carter and Andre before returning her attention to the dwarven smith. "Has your miss Mary said what part of Mordent she is from? And where does this wizard of yours reside?.........By the way, is there a tailor or at least a decent merchant who sells clothes in this community? I'm just about ready for some new clothes, I can't make a dress last a month since I've been on this expedition. Acid, soot, blood, fire, lightning strikes ... The list goes on and on, it's appalling.

You had the vague feeling that Ivor was feeling a bit lost. He spoke Mordentish, that was true, but his tortured syntax made it obvious that his language skills left something to be desired.

"Ooof, sanguine humors strong, eh?" Ivor seemed to think that explained everything. "The temple of the dead and living god is just across the canyon, you can't really miss it even if you were to try. Bahadur lives across the way from me, his is the largest tent, though he called it a yurt, methinks. Nomad stock. For a tailor, the closest you'll find is the lady Roshna, she be at the southern end."

"When we have the time, sir, I might accept you on your offer--for some time now, I have been meaning to see a person about munitions. Now, tell me--do you enhance bullets?"

"Do I be after doing what now? Bullets? Not much call round here, but I think I can." The dwarf looked suspiciously at Otto. "If you be after something special, just tell me what it is that needs the crafting, and I'll be making it for you."

"Thank you, Mr. Stahlrheim, I think we'll use your services." Samael bowed briefly to the smith. Unlike most of the Expedition, he actually fit comfortably under the awning-cum-roof. There were periodic advantages to being short. "I think we'll set up camp and introduce ourselves to the rest of the village in the morning. Probably stay here for a day or two to restock."

[OOC: Alrighty, here's the plan. Tomorrow at about this time I'll advance the scene to the next morning and send you off to the various locations. Your options are:

-Bahadur the Wizard
-Javed of Osiris and Miss Mary
-The lady Roshna
-Ivor again.
-Just random exploring of the village or environs (you've got a map, go crazy)

I'd like everyone to go with at least one other person, but other than that, tell me where you'll be off to and I'll arrange it. If the numbers are reasonable, (i.e., no more than 2-3 people), we'll do it as in Phiraz, via AIM to save time).

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"So much to see, so much to do!" Lia says, clapping her hands together. "The tailor first, though. I have stains that won't come out in my last outfit, and that's the only one without holes from attacks by unreasonable creatures. After that, perhaps a visit to my countrywoman and a leisurely chat with this priest of Osiris. Does anyone wish to accompany me?"

[steveflam]

"I have no interest in seeing a mage, personally. That should of course come as no surprise so don't take in the wrong way Lia, or anyone else who wants to see this mage. I'll go to see Ivor in the morning with whomever will accompany me." Ishaq says matter - of - factly.