"Er...Foremost?"
Charles is pretty sure that is what the Akiri word means. He has only the vaguest idea what the old man means by it, though...ruler? Representative? Is he talking about Charles himself? "Who is that, grandfather?"
This subject of initiation is also interesting, but it is the kind of thing people are tricky about...perhaps best not to inquire about that quite yet.
The Eye of Anubis: Book Ten
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Nathan of the FoS
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NeoTiamat
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Re: The Eye of Anubis: Book Ten
The Abandoned Temple, Har'Akir
August 27th, 761, 6:55 PM; Day 163 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"Yes my boy, the greatest of the Western Gods of the Underworld." The old man smiled benevolently at Charles. Kheldun finished with the deceased jackal and turned her around, arranging the paws and muzzle in such a way as it seemed almost as if the animal was asleep. Then he continued. "The Ruler of the Bows, He Who is in the Place of Embalming, the Lord of the Pure Land. The one to whom this temple was once dedicated."
"Anubis."
August 27th, 761, 6:55 PM; Day 163 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"Yes my boy, the greatest of the Western Gods of the Underworld." The old man smiled benevolently at Charles. Kheldun finished with the deceased jackal and turned her around, arranging the paws and muzzle in such a way as it seemed almost as if the animal was asleep. Then he continued. "The Ruler of the Bows, He Who is in the Place of Embalming, the Lord of the Pure Land. The one to whom this temple was once dedicated."
"Anubis."
Ravenloft GM: Eye of Anubis, Shattered City, and Prof. Lupescu's Traveling Ghost Show
Lead Writer & Editor: VRS Files: Doppelgangers; Contributor: QtR #20, #21, #22, #23, #24
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Nathan of the FoS
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Ah. Different Westerners. Right.
"Your grandson is a priest? Or...a servant, at least, of Anubis? Is this in the nature of a family vocation?"
Charles pauses, then continues, "I don't suppose you, ah, communicated with the woman outside, grandfather? She is also...a servant of Anubis, of sorts."
"Your grandson is a priest? Or...a servant, at least, of Anubis? Is this in the nature of a family vocation?"
Charles pauses, then continues, "I don't suppose you, ah, communicated with the woman outside, grandfather? She is also...a servant of Anubis, of sorts."
[b]FEAR JUSTICE.[/b] :elena:
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NeoTiamat
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Re: The Eye of Anubis: Book Ten
The Abandoned Temple, Har'Akir
August 27th, 761, 6:55 PM; Day 163 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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The old man stopped dead still in what he was doing at Charles's words. Then, slowly, Kheldun finished setting the scorpion-stung jackal's body to rights, then straightened. Taking his time, the old man wiped his hands on a ragged cloth, then walked to a corner where he poured some water from a jug over his hands and wiped them dry.
"It is getting late in the day, and the desert is too cold to be out and about at night." Kheldun said in his old, well-worn voice, the softness now tinged with something else. "Let us go home, and talk in comfort."
Kheldun made a noise in the back of his throat, a sound halfway between a cough and a bark, and the four (living) jackals perked up to attention. One of them did it a bit too soon and lost his scrap of meat for it. Kheldun collected from the back of the room a cloak and walking staff, and headed for the door. All four of the golden-furred animals followed him.
"You can tell me of my grandson over roast meat and date-wine. I haven't seen him in nearly a year now."
August 27th, 761, 6:55 PM; Day 163 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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The old man stopped dead still in what he was doing at Charles's words. Then, slowly, Kheldun finished setting the scorpion-stung jackal's body to rights, then straightened. Taking his time, the old man wiped his hands on a ragged cloth, then walked to a corner where he poured some water from a jug over his hands and wiped them dry.
"It is getting late in the day, and the desert is too cold to be out and about at night." Kheldun said in his old, well-worn voice, the softness now tinged with something else. "Let us go home, and talk in comfort."
Kheldun made a noise in the back of his throat, a sound halfway between a cough and a bark, and the four (living) jackals perked up to attention. One of them did it a bit too soon and lost his scrap of meat for it. Kheldun collected from the back of the room a cloak and walking staff, and headed for the door. All four of the golden-furred animals followed him.
"You can tell me of my grandson over roast meat and date-wine. I haven't seen him in nearly a year now."
Ravenloft GM: Eye of Anubis, Shattered City, and Prof. Lupescu's Traveling Ghost Show
Lead Writer & Editor: VRS Files: Doppelgangers; Contributor: QtR #20, #21, #22, #23, #24
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The Whistler
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As one who has pretty much had to get used to not judging a book by his off-color eyes, Otto doesn't take it as a strike against the old man--actually, by the same token, he's favorably inclined to anyone *that* well liked by his dogs. Not that the whole taxidermy bit isn't squeamishness-inducing, mind you--but it could be construed as respectful if one is open-minded enough.
Letting the born diplomat handle the diplomacy for the moment, Otto discreetly passes his backup handkerchief to Tomas, by way of replacement. Always pays to be prepared--and besides, he has three more in his other pockets. Quirking an eyebrow at Kheldun's change in demeanor, the gunsmith cautiously follows him out of the room.
33 on a Sense Motive--anything up?
Letting the born diplomat handle the diplomacy for the moment, Otto discreetly passes his backup handkerchief to Tomas, by way of replacement. Always pays to be prepared--and besides, he has three more in his other pockets. Quirking an eyebrow at Kheldun's change in demeanor, the gunsmith cautiously follows him out of the room.
33 on a Sense Motive--anything up?
Although most of that conversation had been beyond the limits of Sascha's understanding he had managed to catch a few words; embalming and Anubis mostly. Which then follows that if the man were a preist of Anubis, that would explain the selection of tools and implements on the shelves, just about everything you would need to prepare and preserve a body.
He seems to be what he appears, but those eyes... Sascha muses absently wiping his hands together, not removing much of the Jackal blood but not really seeming to care either, and heads after the others.
He seems to be what he appears, but those eyes... Sascha muses absently wiping his hands together, not removing much of the Jackal blood but not really seeming to care either, and heads after the others.
"I had a dream, which was not all a dream.
The bright sun was extinguish'd, and the stars
Did wander darkling in the eternal space..."
The bright sun was extinguish'd, and the stars
Did wander darkling in the eternal space..."
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Rock of the Fraternity
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Lia eyes the oncoming group, her posture going from standard paranoid alertness to something a bit more ... edgy. 'Those who live in glass houses ... But still ... His eyes. At least I know how I came by mine, but what happened to him? He looks human apart from those.' The Wizard immediately backs off when she sees the jackals approaching, fingers flexing unhappily as she gives ground, and Lia steps outside.
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Kaitou Kage
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This wasn't entirely unpleasant or squicky for Kuzan, but it wasn't pleasant either. Mummification was not widely practiced in Sri Raji, so he'd never seen it done firsthand. A small part of him was fascinated by the event.
Still, a promise of food and sitting down sounded good to the priest. So he detached from the wall he leaned against and dusted his hands on his clothes. "Sounds like a plan."
Still, a promise of food and sitting down sounded good to the priest. So he detached from the wall he leaned against and dusted his hands on his clothes. "Sounds like a plan."
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NeoTiamat
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Re: The Eye of Anubis: Book Ten
The Abandoned Temple, Har'Akir
August 27th, 761, 7:02 PM; Day 163 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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The old man headed outside of the temple, not bothering to close or lock anything. Not that there was exactly a rash of thievery in the middle of the desert, but nevertheless. The four jackals followed along behind him in a disorganized mob of canines, acting decidedly tame for jackals.
Kheldun paused outside the front door, then glanced to the side. The Anubite was still there, though without the war-mask which she used for more violent intentions. The young-seeming Akiri woman ran a hand along the weathered remains of the carvings that had once adorned Anubis's Temple.
"You'll probably want to come too." Kheldun said shortly. "I'll put some incense on the fire for you."
Menetnashte watched the old man with the same infuriatingly calm gaze which you were so familiar with, then nodded once. She accepted the invitation.
The Cave of Kheldun, Har'Akir
August 27th, 761, 7:46 PM; Day 163 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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The sun had set by the time you reached Kheldun's home. It was, to be truthful, of a piece with the rest of the black-eyed old man's manner. On the outside, the hermit's dwelling was indistinguishable from any of the tombs cut into the walls of the canyon, an artificial cavern that opened some thirty feet above the ground and was reachable only by a narrow and winding path up the side of the canyon.
Kheldun paused at the outside of the cavern to light a small lamp, then led you inside. The cavern/tomb/dwelling was a small place, a single large room with bedding arrangements in a niche on the back wall, a fire-pit in the middle, and an arrangement of other niches and alcoves around the walls.
"You'll have to sit on the floor." Kheldun said as you entered, his manner more placating than before, almost like it was before Charles had made his comments. "I only have two chairs here."
Kheldun shook his staff at the jackals who had promptly curled around the firepit when you had arrived. They didn't look particulary intimidated, but nevertheless moved away to one of the corners of the room, making room for you about the fire. They retreated to where a large, furred hide had been stretched to make a kind of makeshift animal den. You noticed that it was already occupied, by at least two more jackals.
"I wasn't expecting visitors, so it will take me a while to cook something up." Kheldun shifted a pot over atop the firepit, and started looking for things to throw into the cookpot. "I hope you're fond of stew."
The old man gestured towards what appeared to be a string of smoked large hearts over the fire, too large for humans, thankfully, though otherwise looking entirely too similar to the human organ. Though, admittedly, they were of a kind with the rest of the decor.
On the whole, the cavern was furnished in what might be best described as 'Early Tomb'. In one of the niches in the wall lay a full, wooden sarcophagus, inlaid with polished copper and brass. A large assortment of canopic jars were located in one of the alcoves, each marked with a scribbling sigil atop the head, translation foiled not so much by peculiar language as by Kheldun's idiosyncratic approach to penmanship and spelling.
You looked up. There appeared to be a skull suspended from a string above your heads.
"Would any of you like some date-wine while you wait?" Kheldun asked, looking around the little cavern, trying to remember where he had put the aforementioned wine. Then he took one of the jars and opened it, confirming that it was, indeed, wine, and passed it around. "I don't have any cups, so you'll have to share. So then, tell me about my grandson. How is Fassahd?"
August 27th, 761, 7:02 PM; Day 163 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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The old man headed outside of the temple, not bothering to close or lock anything. Not that there was exactly a rash of thievery in the middle of the desert, but nevertheless. The four jackals followed along behind him in a disorganized mob of canines, acting decidedly tame for jackals.
Kheldun paused outside the front door, then glanced to the side. The Anubite was still there, though without the war-mask which she used for more violent intentions. The young-seeming Akiri woman ran a hand along the weathered remains of the carvings that had once adorned Anubis's Temple.
"You'll probably want to come too." Kheldun said shortly. "I'll put some incense on the fire for you."
Menetnashte watched the old man with the same infuriatingly calm gaze which you were so familiar with, then nodded once. She accepted the invitation.
The Cave of Kheldun, Har'Akir
August 27th, 761, 7:46 PM; Day 163 of the Menetnashte Expedition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sun had set by the time you reached Kheldun's home. It was, to be truthful, of a piece with the rest of the black-eyed old man's manner. On the outside, the hermit's dwelling was indistinguishable from any of the tombs cut into the walls of the canyon, an artificial cavern that opened some thirty feet above the ground and was reachable only by a narrow and winding path up the side of the canyon.
Kheldun paused at the outside of the cavern to light a small lamp, then led you inside. The cavern/tomb/dwelling was a small place, a single large room with bedding arrangements in a niche on the back wall, a fire-pit in the middle, and an arrangement of other niches and alcoves around the walls.
"You'll have to sit on the floor." Kheldun said as you entered, his manner more placating than before, almost like it was before Charles had made his comments. "I only have two chairs here."
Kheldun shook his staff at the jackals who had promptly curled around the firepit when you had arrived. They didn't look particulary intimidated, but nevertheless moved away to one of the corners of the room, making room for you about the fire. They retreated to where a large, furred hide had been stretched to make a kind of makeshift animal den. You noticed that it was already occupied, by at least two more jackals.
"I wasn't expecting visitors, so it will take me a while to cook something up." Kheldun shifted a pot over atop the firepit, and started looking for things to throw into the cookpot. "I hope you're fond of stew."
The old man gestured towards what appeared to be a string of smoked large hearts over the fire, too large for humans, thankfully, though otherwise looking entirely too similar to the human organ. Though, admittedly, they were of a kind with the rest of the decor.
On the whole, the cavern was furnished in what might be best described as 'Early Tomb'. In one of the niches in the wall lay a full, wooden sarcophagus, inlaid with polished copper and brass. A large assortment of canopic jars were located in one of the alcoves, each marked with a scribbling sigil atop the head, translation foiled not so much by peculiar language as by Kheldun's idiosyncratic approach to penmanship and spelling.
You looked up. There appeared to be a skull suspended from a string above your heads.
"Would any of you like some date-wine while you wait?" Kheldun asked, looking around the little cavern, trying to remember where he had put the aforementioned wine. Then he took one of the jars and opened it, confirming that it was, indeed, wine, and passed it around. "I don't have any cups, so you'll have to share. So then, tell me about my grandson. How is Fassahd?"
Ravenloft GM: Eye of Anubis, Shattered City, and Prof. Lupescu's Traveling Ghost Show
Lead Writer & Editor: VRS Files: Doppelgangers; Contributor: QtR #20, #21, #22, #23, #24
Freelance Writer for Paizo Publishing
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Freelance Writer for Paizo Publishing
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Rock of the Fraternity
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"We have not seen him for several days now,"Lia says in a quiet tone of voice. "And alas, he was in bad company, the last we knew."She eyes the date wine and sniffs it, but shakes her head and passes it on. "A small gift," she suddenly says, "for your generous hospitality." She proceeds to extract a half-full bottle of red Dementlieuse wine from her pack, which she proffers to Kheldun. "It is but a pittance," she apologizes, "but it is a rather nice vintage." 'The Bloodthorn seemed to like it, at least,' she thinks to herself.
"Wine?" Tomas cannot take his eyes off of the skull, boggling a little. "Oh! Yes. Fermented fruit juice, sometimes carbonated through an application of pressure similar to the brewing of beer. Often the first of such beverages developed by a civilization, and thus the subject of intense regional scrutiny and rivalry. While wars have not been fought over which nation's wine is superior, some of the brawls were larger in scale than legitimate skirmishes the same year."
The dangers of taking 'the science of the people' classes too seriously.
"...please!" Tomas concludes, smiling disarmingly despite his discomfort.
The dangers of taking 'the science of the people' classes too seriously.
"...please!" Tomas concludes, smiling disarmingly despite his discomfort.
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yalenusveler
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Andre was..torn to say the very least. On one hand, as a priest of Anubis, or at least a devout follower, Fasshad's grandfather would likely be..rather irate to hear of his boy working as a tomb robber. On the other hand, in this situation did it even count when the individual who was SUPPOSED to be entombed was in fact, up and about.
"The situation with Fasshad..well..it's..complicated?" Andre looked towards Charles, as if to say You have more experience with tact than I do, YOU figure out how to say it though the way Andre trailed off instead of continuing..well, it spoke volumes on its own.
"The situation with Fasshad..well..it's..complicated?" Andre looked towards Charles, as if to say You have more experience with tact than I do, YOU figure out how to say it though the way Andre trailed off instead of continuing..well, it spoke volumes on its own.
"Sometimes, Mr.Liquor cabinet is my only friend"
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NeoTiamat
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Re: The Eye of Anubis: Book Ten
The Cave of Kheldun, Har'Akir
August 27th, 761, 7:46 PM; Day 163 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"Though your friend there said..." The old man tilted his head towards Tomas. "That you were under a vow of silence."
August 27th, 761, 7:46 PM; Day 163 of the Menetnashte Expedition
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"Thank you, my dear." Kheldun said amiably enough, taking the bottle and uncorking it for a moment to sniff at the wine inside. "Thank you indeed."Rock wrote:"A small gift," Lia suddenly says, "for your generous hospitality." She proceeds to extract a half-full bottle of red Dementlieuse wine from her pack, which she proffers to Kheldun. "It is but a pittance," she apologizes, "but it is a rather nice vintage."
"Though your friend there said..." The old man tilted his head towards Tomas. "That you were under a vow of silence."
YalenusVeler wrote:"The situation with Fasshad..well..it's..complicated?"
"Tell me..." The old man turned to you, his black eyes reflecting the fire's light. His voice was soft, calm, but you could hear the gathering storm in his words, just beneath the placid calm. "Tell me what has happened to my grandson."Rock wrote:"We have not seen him for several days now,"Lia says in a quiet tone of voice. "And alas, he was in bad company, the last we knew."
Last edited by NeoTiamat on Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ravenloft GM: Eye of Anubis, Shattered City, and Prof. Lupescu's Traveling Ghost Show
Lead Writer & Editor: VRS Files: Doppelgangers; Contributor: QtR #20, #21, #22, #23, #24
Freelance Writer for Paizo Publishing
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Nathan of the FoS
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"We don't know," Charles says, a little sadly. "Certainly he was in very bad company when we parted. Perhaps we should begin by saying, we represent a..." Charles pauses as he realizes he has no idea how to say "university", or if Akiri even has such a word. "A school of sages. Your grandson came to the head of the school and told him...well, we do not know exactly how he persuaded him. But it involved a very great treasure, in a tomb here in Har'Akir."
Charles pauses, to allow Kheldun to consider this and draw his own conclusions. "The people now with Fassahd deserted us in Sebua, and from what we know they intend to rob the tomb. I think Fassahd may have his own purposes for going with them, but they are certainly relying on him to show them where the tomb is."
Charles pauses, to allow Kheldun to consider this and draw his own conclusions. "The people now with Fassahd deserted us in Sebua, and from what we know they intend to rob the tomb. I think Fassahd may have his own purposes for going with them, but they are certainly relying on him to show them where the tomb is."
[b]FEAR JUSTICE.[/b] :elena: