Desert Sands I: The Howling Waste of the Wilderness

As Theophilus Chandler lay poisoned on the ground, Asbjørn Þórsteinnsson–clouded by the bloodlust of Modar Hegge–was driven to attack the next nearest creature to feed the earth more blood. His eyes, unfortunately, fell on the poisoned cleric, but even in mortal pain and separated from the grace of his beloved goddess, Theo managed to utter calming words, and peace washed over the surly barbarian. Alexandru Croitoru brought the healer’s bag Theo had acquired during their time with the Bani Satra and Theo did what he could to slow the spread of the scorpion’s venom. Asbjørn recognized the signs of the poison and suggested that the root of creeping fern, chewed to a paste and plastered on the wound would draw out such venom and–though it would be difficult to find–should be available in the desert, especially near rocky overhangs or areas where shade might keep some moisture close to the ground.

Riven Telstandis pointed out that it was the Feast of the Coldest Night and asked if La Compagnia wished to push on toward Adza. When Alex climbed on Kegho's shoulders to see if the oasis was visible in the distance he saw instead a band of tall humanoids in the distance and assumed they were dogmen. Riven and Alex worked quickly to hide the party against the landscape in the low winter sun and the dogmen passed without noticing them.

As it had gotten late, the party began to set up camp for the longest night but found bits of detritus from a long forgotten battle including scraps of armor, bits of bone and and the corroded outlines of swords. Teleptyon Marathonos reshaped the Ar around his eyes and sought the faint glow of enchanted or magical items. His gaze was drawn downward to the rough form of a tall humanoid directly beneath his feet. A debate began about the best way to extract the body, but Kegho pushed the mage out of the way citing his bony, girl-arms. Asbjørn was greatly distressed at being left out of any feat of strength and began digging with gusto.

Alex and Riven considered providing substantial synergistic benefits from middle-managerial oversight on the work, but a groan from Brother Theo reminded them that their time might be better used hunting the wily creeping fern. Unfortunately they found nothing.

Digging in sand proved challenging for the barbarians, but they finally found the edge of an irregularly shaped metal piece and began to work it free from, revealing a breastplate still occupied by a desiccated ribcage. They continued digging and also found a skirt and greaves. When Alex returned he continued practicing his newfound proficiency with Khemian writing and was able to read much of it but understand very little of the inscription, which had been used to enchant the armor. He could discern a cartouche bearing the name Khab Senout Ahmed-Mehr. Whether it was the owner or the enchanter, Alex could not tell.

As the evening grew late, the party made a meagre meal for the Feast of the Longest Night and shared stories of their childhood experiences of the story. Alex politely declined to partake in the meal or to explain why, but on pressure from the group explained that they were camped on a battlefield, which made for a de facto graveyard and the Oamani have very specific beliefs about eating in graveyards.

Riven took the first watch, which was uneventful. Alex took the second watch and drew out the sign of Lysdar whom he thanked for the concealment of darkness and reflected on the events of the year. He also gave thanks to Elene for the coming of lengthening days. His watch passed uneventfully. Kegho took the last watch and was disturbed by a rumbling sound he could not place. He called the party to arms but could find no attacker.

Hoping to improve his Khemian with practical application, Alex peppered Teleptyon with questions about the arcane portions of the script from the armor, but Teleptyon was not sure he’d understand in Eknoi let alone Third-Age Khemian. Perhaps al-Hashmi would know more.

More confident in his Khemian, Alex slipped out the Djeti diamond when he was sure no-one was looking and decode the inscribed text as The Eye of Nekhtebu.

La Compagnia continued searching for creeping fern, but only found the desiccated corpse of a Ghamadi propped under a tree. Over Theo’s febrile protests Asbjørn threw the corpse aside to rest under the tree. They continued moving, noting that the wind had grown stronger and the sky was hazy and dark in the distance as they came upon a weathered, eagle-headed idol of Djeti design. Teleptyon became concerned with the ferocity of the wind and as he recommended they shield themselves in the leeward side of the camel, Kegho belatedly remembered the warnings of the merchants in the Arafi hamam of increased sandstorm and drives the party quickly toward the nearest dune where the party dug in and used their tent as a shield.

The storm raged pushing sand across the top of their dugout, threatening to crush them. Asbjørn and Kegho’s strength began to fail, and Riven and Alex fumbled attempts to hold the flaps in place, but Theo managed to struggle through his weakened state to prop his staff and hold the ceiling in place. The whipping wind ripped the tent away and knocked Riven and Asbjørn from the bolt-hole. They were thrown down the side of the dune and abraided by the gale-force winds and loose sand. As the winds settled the group came out to see that Mercy had wandered or been driven away and Asbjørn cursed in a heady mix of Rhenish and Common Rexan realizing the enchanted armor and all of his gold was tied to the blasted beast. The party had no spare water and only the food in their haversacks and debated force-marching to Adza or attempting to find Mercy who they hoped could not have gotten far during the brief but ferocious storm.