10th Eyre, 999 YK
- Slight timey wimey bullshit so that Runmae can reunite with Denzel, during the mess hall scene from last session.
- Runmae reunites with Denzel. She grabs some cups and sets them down in front of him and then sits down.
- They shoot the shit for a bit.
- Runmae catches Denzel up on her adventures, they went into Khyber!
- Denzel wonders aloud why they don't know about what's happening here, imagine how much better the Ghaash'kala would be doing with the backing of Breland or Aundair.
- When Torgaan comes in with Valaari to speak to Auric, Warren is left alone with the other tribers and tries to gamble with them.
- Runmae hasn't shaved in like a month so she has a big beard now, she finally has her razor back now that she's back in Maruk Dar.
11th Eyre, 999 YK
- No more timey wimey bullshit, we're back.
- A clan member approaches Warren and tells him that Torgaan wants to speak to him. Warren assumes he's in trouble for teaching the tribers about gambling.
- Torgaan would like Warren to teach Auric about their ways and Kalok Shash, to prepare him for his initiation.
- Warren asks Torgaan about the Carrion Tribe members not lasting long in the Ghaash'kala. Torgaan confirms, the tribes don't appreciate traitors and go out of their way to kill them, even if it means they all die themselves.
- Hmm
- Warren accepts the mission and says he definitely won't teach Auric gambling. This is oddly specific, but Warren leaves before it's really picked up on.
- Warren seeks out Auric, who is by the giant goat pens. Warren calls him kiddo and explains what he's there for, and Auric questions the nickname. They're not far apart, age wise!
- Warren mentions that it's been a while since he's done this, and Auric asks if he's ever done it. Warren mentions he did this for his brother, who didn't last long.
- Auric apologises for bring it up, and mentions he doesn't know where his own siblings are. They spread out as they got older.
- Warren asks if Auric can be sneaky, to which he confirms he can. Warren thinks this is the best way.
- Warren explains Kalok Shash, though he's never heard Kalok Shash, so his experience is different to Auric's. They decide to go bother Valaari, who is "being weird" outside and looking at rocks.
- Warren sneaks up on Valaari and boops them on the head.
- Valaari grabs Warren's hand and twists it, and Warren is like "it's just a prank bro! It's just a prank!"
- Valaari says Warren is lucky they didn't have their dagger or they'd have stabbed him.
- Warren says they brought Auric to speak to them, because Warren doesn't know anything about talking to Kalok Shash.
- Valaari says that Kalok Shash doesn't talk to them. Warren is shocked.
- Okay plan B, find a korta'sha. Warren decides to go speak to Jhirza.
- Jhirza is writing out spell scrolls when they arrive.
- They speak to Jhirza about the experience of feeling Kalok Shash's influence, and the differences between people. Jhirza does think Auric is hearing Kalok Shash, but it'll be telling if the voice continues after he gets his tattoos, as the Brand of the Binding Flame prevents possession. It could be a demon!
- Oh
- Checking in on the others, Naze is working in the medical tent. Valaari is looking for omens, immersed in esoterica and occultism. Runmae is working in the forge.
- Warren continues to scrabble around and try to prepare Auric for his initiation.
13th Eyre, 999 YK
- Arvel, Auric, and Denzel are initiated into the Maruk Ghaash'kala.
- Bhaltair runs into the crowd after the initiation and encourages Arvel for being such a trooper.
- Valaari takes this very seriously, and goes to give their support to the new initiates. They're very aloof and formal about it though.
- Warren gives Auric a pat on the back and says "you did good, kid"
- Naze hangs back and cheers, rather than directly interacting with the initiates.
Downtime
- Studded Leather Armor for Bhaltair
- Half-plate for Valaari
- Breastplate for Runmae
- Handwraps of Mighty Blows (from Lailari) for Naze
- Naze works in the Infirmary.
- Bhaltair wants to craft an instrument.
- Bhaltair wants to grow a Garden of Wonder to produce Bloodvine sap.
- Warren searches for gossip on Torgaan, but mostly gets unsubstantiated rumours that make Torgaan out to be a legend.
- Valaari spends several days speaking to ex-Razor Wind members of the clan, trying to gather information on Valkhoth, and then on Mordakhesh, the Shadowsword.
- Valaari also learns about the Enshrouded, a carrion tribe that dwells in the Demonsong Channel and worship Surash Ka, the Lurker in Shadow. Dakar called them fish people.
- They spend some time looking into runes for armour and weapons, and decide to get Lailari to craft them spacious pouches (4x 75 gp each, 300 gp total)
Time Spent
Total: 15 days so far (end on 28th Eyre, 999 YK)
Bhaltair: Lyre (2 days, 5s), Garden of Wonder (Bloodvine, 13 days, 238 gp remaining)
Runmae: Half-plate (10 days, 9gp), Deconstruct Cold-Iron Glaive into a Cold-Iron Long Hammer and transfer striking rune (1 day, 28gp), Deconstruct Cold-Iron Glaive into a Cold-Iron Necksplitter (1 day, 27gp), Resizing Chainmail to fit Runmae (1 day, no cost)
Naze: Medical work in the Infirmary (15 days) = 15 gp
Warren: Long-term Rest (5 days) and Gossip (5 days)
Valaari: Research (Gossip, 5 days)
Still need to decide:
- Striking Rune for Warren
- How much to spend on Garden of Wonder
The Initiation
Just as before, everybody who is currently in Maruk Dar and doesn't have other important duties gathers in the Grand Hall of Maruk Dar, lit by silver everburning torches which reflect eerily off of the bells that hang above.
This time, you're not the ones front and center, but observers. Torgaan and Lharc stand with Arvel, Denzel and Auric in the center of the room. Arvel seems to be loving the attention, Denzel is holding himself like its the day joined the Sentinel Marshals, and Auric is visibly uncomfortable, squirming under the clan's scrutiny.
Torgaan gestures for them to kneel, and after a moment's hesitation, requests that Arvel stand back up. Torgaan can't comfortably get that low. Someone fetches a stool for him to kneel on.
"Listen well. Arvel, Denzel, the day that we found you in the Wastes, you died. Auric, the day that you made the decision to come here, you died. You are ghosts now, privileged to spend your last, fleeting days on this world serving Kalok Shash; proving yourselves worthy to join its holy flame. You are already dead, so when the Carrion Tribes impale you on a pole and leave you for carrion, or a demon incinerates you, that will merely be the completion of your spirit's journey. You have given your lives to Kalok Shash, and you will never live again."
Lharc then turns to the gathered clan, including you all.
"Maruk Ghaash'kala! We gather today to witness the vows of these three and welcome them among our ranks! Hearing their vows, we will remember our own! Our promises to serve Kalok Shash and do its holy work. Many of our clan have fallen in recent weeks, losses that weigh heavily on us all, but today we do not mourn for the dead, but celebrate those who pick up the torch in their stead!"
Torgaan raises his sword above Arvel, who looks up with wonder in his eyes at the ugly, well used weapon.
"Arvel, today you die. As a ghost, you will fight the demons of the Wastes and their servants. You will fight until you have proven yourself worthy of joining Kalok Shash. Are you ready?"
Arvel responds almost giddily. "I am!"
"Do you swear, before Kalok Shash and all the Maruk Ghaash'kala, to fight against evil in all its forms?"
"I do!"
"Do you swear to permit nothing, living or dead, to pass through the Labyrinth, either to leave the Wastes or to enter them?"
"I do!"
"Do you swear to fight with courage, until your foes are dead or you join Kalok Shash?"
"I do!"
Lharc turns to Torgaan.
"Torgaan Shashaarat, do you swear to guide Arvel in our ways, and to esnure they do not join Kalok Shash before their time?"
Torgaan nods and affirms his oath, and then brings the sword down towards Arvel, stopping just short of his neck. He flinches. Lharc looks a little awkward as she continues, as Arvel is already standing.
"Ghost of Arvel…umm, rise, and join the Maruk Ghaash'kala"
Arvel is beaming with pride, and he immediately turns and scans for Bhaltair in the audience, giving them a thumbs up and pointing to themselves as they mouth "Me! A Ghaash'kala!"
Denzel is up next, he seems to have mostly recovered, physically at least, from his trials in the Labyrinth. He bows his head as Torgaan gets to him, and repeats the oath stoically. This ceremony represents finality for Denzel, he will never see his family again.
When the sword falls towards him, he doesn't flinch, maintaining his composure the entire time. At the end, when Torgaan commands him to rise as a Ghost, he stands up straight and gives a Brelish military salute, his face betraying none of the turmoil he no doubt feels inside.
Auric is last, and the colour seems to drain from his face as Torgaan stands over him. You think for a moment that he might vomit, but he manages to hold it in. He repeats the oath tentatively, as if he expects Torgaan's sword to smite him at any moment, but he becomes more confident and sure of himself as the words are spoken.
When Torgaan's sword comes down, he flinches the most visibly of anyone Valaari has ever seen, he almost brings his arm up to try and block the blade. A few days ago, a Ghaash'kala swinging a sword at him would've meant death.
When he rises, he seems to experience a wave of dizziness and almost falls over. The Grand Hall has never been so quiet, you could hear a copper crown drop, but he recovers and swallows his embarassment. Torgaan smiles and places an encouraging hand on his shoulder. This is always hard for those that have left the Carrion Tribes.
Lharc then raises her arms and take control of the ceremony again.
"Kalok Shash burns brighter, and the Maruk Ghaash'kala grow! Go now, Ghaash'kala, and meet your new family."