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Khan of the Steppes

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Quietkal
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Post  Waschbaer Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:50 pm

Book Smart ears briefly lowered in disappointment at Cau'rha's statement. "I don't really know! That's the problem. I've only met a few others who have even heard of us, and they don't know much more than what I could figure out on my own." Turning back to the camels, he continued, "That's why I was hoping Zheng and Ibn might know more. They're from so far away, they've got to have heard of all sorts of strange things!"

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Post  Grey Pen The Flawed Fri Apr 19, 2013 6:18 pm

"Okay, I apologize for mine and your lack of knowledge. But I have no idea whatsoever what you are talking about. So please, enlighten me to what you do know."
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Post  Waschbaer Sat Apr 20, 2013 1:53 am

"You don't have to apologize," Book Smart said to the shaman. "It's not your fault. Even though we get a lot of travelers, my tribe hasn't learned all that much, either." He paused for a moment, pondering the unfortunate fact that the stories he'd heard painted a pretty unrelentingly poor image of changelings. What if these merchants have heard of changelings? This hasn't always gone well when we had visitors to the tribe over. And I don't have all of Dark Water here if things go bad. He looked around at his friends before deciding to play it safe, for now.

Adopting the tone of one giving a speech told many times before, Book continued. "Changelings are spoken of in occasional tales by travelers. They are much like ponies, except instead of needing food, they feed on emotions. Specifically, the positive emotions, like love and friendship. Other ones can be absorbed, but they're just not as healthy and they're really better for things like flavoring food and--" Breaking off, Book Smart stumbled to a halt in embarrassment.

"A-actually, that's not important right now! What is important is that the tales disagree on most other things, so it's hard to know what's true and what's not. Many of them say they seem to come from the badlands to the west of here, but other disagree. I've even heard some stories that say changelings are ponies who were cursed." Halting himself, yet again, Book Smart though about whether he should mention any of the more unsavory rumors. Well, might as well finish what I've started. I'll just gloss over it. "All of them agree on one thing, though: that changelings are bad news. I'm pretty sure that last part can't be always true, though!"

"Oh, right! I almost forgot! Changelings can also change into a perfect duplicate of any other creature they've ever seen."

OOC:

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Post  Ramsus Sat Apr 20, 2013 2:36 am

Anemone gives Book Smarts this look that just tells him that she knows but, continues not to say anything.
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Post  Curunir Sat Apr 20, 2013 3:02 am

As Cau'rha went off to make his circle and began his prayer, Ibn suddenly narrowed his eyes before lowering them and muttering “Qul Huwal-Laahu Ahad. Allaa-hus Samad Lam Yalid Walam Yoolad Walam Yakul Lahoo Kufuwan Ahad.”, and continued to glare a little at Cau'rha as he returns. Cau'rha feels the presence of the spirits around him reveling in the roundness of the circle, dancing around its perimeter, keeping watch and ready to provide their guidance or assistance if necessary. For but a moment Cau'rha senses a strange presence, of a similar nature to the spirits, but simultaneously quite alien- and then the feeling is gone.

As Book Smart mentions changelings and lets slip that he is one, Ibn's takes notice, and his eyes open wide, shoots his dirty look at Book Smart, and lowers his head again muttering in the same strange language “Aouzu Billahee Min ash-Shaitaan ar-Rajeem”

Zheng shoots his companion a strange look. "Oh, come on Ibn, don't be that way. Save the false piety for when you're back home in the Caliphate, you're not impressing anyone here. We've met many strange folk on this route, and I know you're more open minded than that."

“But admits to being he a changeling! He then shakes his head and nods at Book Smart "Apologize I to you, though, since know nothing you seem to do. What know I of changelings is this. Live they in hives, like insects they, serving queen like bees. Swarm as locusts, devouring emotions, leaving nothing. Wreak havoc they through trickery. Are devils they.” Ibn pours some coffee into a cup and hands it to Book Smart to drink alongside his tea.

Zheng shrugs.
"Yes, I've heard frightening tales about changelings, but can't confirm them. But not all stories go that way, in any case you probably prove to be at least one exception honored guest Book Smart. I've heard that the Middle Empire's Empress puts much trust in her High Eunuchs, which are rumored to be changelings. Where they come from is a mystery though- I have seen them from a distance while visiting the Imperial City and they always look the same. Whether this is because they are in fact shapeshifters, really old, or even immortal is impossible to know."

Ibn changes the subject "Ah, but asked he other questions before talked we of changelings. Forge our metallurgists fine steels in the Caliphate- not perfect they, but know I them as best blades in world”

"Walls? The capitol has walls, along with a couple other of what settlements might be called cities- but not everywhere, that would be quite expensive and serve little purpose. The Middle Empire has some magnificent walls, including an extraordinarily long one around one of its former borders."
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Post  Grey Pen The Flawed Sat Apr 20, 2013 11:14 am

Curunir wrote:Cau'rha feels the presence of the spirits around him reveling in the roundness of the circle, dancing around its perimeter, keeping watch and ready to provide their guidance or assistance if necessary. For but a moment Cau'rha senses a strange presence, of a similar nature to the spirits, but simultaneously quite alien- and then the feeling is gone.

What does it mean? Who is this strange spirit? Why did it leave so quickly? The shaman frowned at the dilemma. Ordinarily, when one met a strange spirit, one should try to familiarise oneself with it; but it had left too soon. He eyed the two camels. He suspected they had something to do with it, but couldn't be sure. He made a mental note to keep a watchful eye on them...

Waschbaer wrote:"You don't have to apologize," Book Smart said to the shaman. "It's not your fault. Even though we get a lot of travelers, my tribe hasn't learned all that much, either." He paused for a moment, pondering the unfortunate fact that the stories he'd heard painted a pretty unrelentingly poor image of changelings. What if these merchants have heard of changelings? This hasn't always gone well when we had visitors to the tribe over. And I don't have all of Dark Water here if things go bad. He looked around at his friends before deciding to play it safe, for now.

Adopting the tone of one giving a speech told many times before, Book continued. "Changelings are spoken of in occasional tales by travelers. They are much like ponies, except instead of needing food, they feed on emotions. Specifically, the positive emotions, like love and friendship. Other ones can be absorbed, but they're just not as healthy and they're really better for things like flavoring food and--" Breaking off, Book Smart stumbled to a halt in embarrassment.

"A-actually, that's not important right now! What is important is that the tales disagree on most other things, so it's hard to know what's true and what's not. Many of them say they seem to come from the badlands to the west of here, but other disagree. I've even heard some stories that say changelings are ponies who were cursed." Halting himself, yet again, Book Smart though about whether he should mention any of the more unsavory rumors. Well, might as well finish what I've started. I'll just gloss over it. "All of them agree on one thing, though: that changelings are bad news. I'm pretty sure that last part can't be always true, though!"

"Oh, right! I almost forgot! Changelings can also change into a perfect duplicate of any other creature they've ever seen."

Cau'rha was a shaman. He had seen - and done - many strange things in his life, and was not often surprised.

Except now. His eyes widened in shock at the idea. "They can do what!?! How is that possible!" he burst out in a rare drop of decorum.

Curinir wrote:
As Book Smart mentions changelings and lets slip that he is one, Ibn's takes notice, and his eyes open wide, shoots his dirty look at Book Smart, and lowers his head again muttering in the same strange language “Aouzu Billahee Min ash-Shaitaan ar-Rajeem”

Zheng shoots his companion a strange look. "Oh, come on Ibn, don't be that way. Save the false piety for when you're back home in the Caliphate, you're not impressing anyone here. We've met many strange folk on this route, and I know you're more open minded than that."

“But admits to being he a changeling! He then shakes his head and nods at Book Smart "Apologize I to you, though, since know nothing you seem to do. What know I of changelings is this. Live they in hives, like insects they, serving queen like bees. Swarm as locusts, devouring emotions, leaving nothing. Wreak havoc they through trickery. Are devils they.” Ibn pours some coffee into a cup and hands it to Book Smart to drink alongside his tea.

Zheng shrugs.
"Yes, I've heard frightening tales about changelings, but can't confirm them. But not all stories go that way, in any case you probably prove to be at least one exception honored guest Book Smart. I've heard that the Middle Empire's Empress puts much trust in her High Eunuchs, which are rumored to be changelings. Where they come from is a mystery though- I have seen them from a distance while visiting the Imperial City and they always look the same. Whether this is because they are in fact shapeshifters, really old, or even immortal is impossible to know."

Cau'rha wondered at the implications behind what he had heard. He didn't think Book Smarts was evil; that much was clear. But if changelings could alter their appearance, who else was a changeling? Were there any in his own LaMancha tribe? Was Crimson Hoof a changeling? Could he in fact be here now? He looked over his fellow party members in a new light. His eyes came to rest on the eagle.

What is this world coming to, Muth La? I don't know what to do, he asked of his goddess. A warm feeling suddenly filled his lungs as her reply came.

Trust them.

He contemplated the words only a moment.

Shashav, Muth La.
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Post  Quietkal Sat Apr 20, 2013 12:01 pm

Zane just quietly sips his tea, listening to the conversation with interest.
He already knew that Book Smart was a changeling, but to hear that an entire group is considered evil? How awful! Especially when there is little to no knowledge about them. Know the soil before you plant a seed, as they say.
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Post  Caden2112 Sat Apr 20, 2013 2:29 pm

Silver just glanced at Book for a moment as she enjoyed her tea, thinking for a bit...She had a few questions, but they could wait for later, best not to start anything in front of the merchants, at the least...still, the tales of what changelings were like abroad was...troubling, to her. Shapeshifters who fed on emotions...Eerie. Regardless, she kept a decent enough poker face, shrugging. "Haven't heard of any tribes made of changelings, though I suppose I wouldn't if they were keeping a low profile. Haven't travelled with him long, but he doesn't seem as terrible as the rumors make his kind out to be." She said quietly. Truth be told, she was jealous of the shapeshifting, at the least...It'd make her work a lot easier...
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Post  Waschbaer Sat Apr 20, 2013 6:35 pm

Book Smart had managed to conclude his brief lecture without paying too much attention to his audience. It was only when he had finished that he started to notice the looks of shock and, in at least one case, clear distrust of their faces. Did they see through my ruse? How?! I thought I was so clever! The camels' voices quickly cut through his growing panic, however, and the disguised changeling forced himself to concentrate on them. While Ibn's words were familiar from the tales Book had already heard, Zheng's mention of the Middle Empire and some of the rumors from there were new.

As they finished, Book Smart busied himself with the coffee and tea, holding both in the green glow of his magic and sipping from each in turn. He bent down a little lower, his ears back in dismay, as he hoped somepony else would take the merchants up on their offer of a change of subject. With more than a little desperation, he thought to himself, Maybe if they start talking about something else, they'll all forget about this whole thing.

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Post  Azureink Sun Apr 21, 2013 4:15 am

Sleipnir was the one to broach a new subject. He put down his tea, which was delicious. "Have you seen anyone else since The Meet or are we the first guests you have run into recently?" It would be clear to his group that he was referring to the Red Hoof Tribe. Once again Sleipnir was trying to figure out where they were in relation to the party. And whether they had any time to continue this talk or whether they should be on the move.
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Post  Curunir Mon Apr 22, 2013 1:52 am

Ibn replies to Sleipnir. "Have not hosted we others. Stayed we with clan Great Hills.”

Zheng nods. "Yes, as we were traveling from Bactria we passed through their lands, and traveled with them up to your Meet. We parted ways after crossing the pass. We saw a number of others crossing the pass around the same time as us, including some of those Redhoof... Redhooves?.. in any case the clan that lives around here, but no one was traveling in the same direction as us so we set on our way, well resupplied from our stay with the Great Hills. Have seen none but you since then."

"Where you all go to? Journey we to Mist Lakes for resupply water for trip across desert. Where to travel you? Perhaps accompany you us, assist you us across steppe at least.”
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Post  Ramsus Mon Apr 22, 2013 2:37 am

"We could certainly go that way. And it would be a shame if anything happened to these lone merchants." Anemone says, as if largely for the group's benefit but, really intending that it would be the safest way to ensure the merchants didn't mention them to anyone else. She just hoped the others played along. She then took a final sip of her drink and said, "This is quite bitter but, surprisingly enjoyable. Thank you for your hospitality."
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Post  Azureink Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:34 am

Sleipnir looks up from his tea. "We are also heading toward the Mist Lakes. We would be happy to accompany you on the way. There is safety in numbers." He takes a sip. "And the tea is good."

Sleipnir enjoyed the tea. Perhaps he could also get some free meals and a place to sleep along the way as the camels' guests. But the main benefit would be some added protection from the Red Hoof hunters. Sleipnir wasn't sure whether Crimson Hoof was mad or crazy enough to start attacking foreigners from distant lands just to get at them. Though he would bet that the situation would give them pause. Who knew what kind of fallout would come to the Steppes from those distant lands if they heard that their members were attacked here. At the very least the camels would provide a distraction in order for Sleipnir and this group to reach their intended goal.
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Post  Curunir Thu Apr 25, 2013 5:56 pm

"Excellent! Decided is it! Shall travel you with us. Glad am I like you the drinks, provide we you with extra goods for escorting you us.”

"Now if you excuse us, we would like to get some sleep, which we were going to do before you showed up. There will be plenty of time for chatting on the road."

The camels begin to pack up the finished cups and kettles, and proceed to return to their individual tents to sleep. The large fire is still going, and probably will be to some extent until sunrise.
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Post  Quietkal Thu Apr 25, 2013 10:48 pm

Zane finishes his tea and begins setting up his yurt, speaking quietly to his allies as he does so.
"My lodging has space enough for me and few others;
You are welcome to join if you do not have your own shelter."
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Post  Azureink Sat Apr 27, 2013 3:03 am

Sleipnir nods. "I will take you up on that, but I suggest we also set up a watch. At least one or two of us should be awake at a time to make sure we aren't attacked during the night by those that hunt us." The large earth pony stands outside the yurts with his back to the fire so that he didn't become night-blind. "I'll take first watch. I suggest you all get some sleep."

Night Watch:
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Post  Ramsus Sat Apr 27, 2013 3:12 am

"I shall take the last watch then, as I believe that is the other most likely time for an attack due to those who would rise early." Anemone says. As an afterthought she says, "I am fine sleeping outside."


Hurray for fireborn + frostborn. Means you can basically sit outside all the time.
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Post  Waschbaer Sat Apr 27, 2013 9:18 am

Relieved to have made it though the evening with no further problems, Book Smart passed the now-empty cups back to the merchants before approaching the Yurt. "I'll gladly sleep inside, thank you. As for a watch, I need to get up early anyway to get breakfast started, so I'll take last as well."

Pausing for a moment to look back at everyone else, he said, "Oh, and you're all welcome to food in the morning, of course! Remember that it's first come, first served, though, and I don't know if our merchant friends will want any."

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Post  Grey Pen The Flawed Sat Apr 27, 2013 5:17 pm

"I will take the second-to-last watch; I sleep very little at night anyways, and I can hopefully learn the secret of Royal Jelly," the goat offered cheerfully, examining the stick that Sleipnir had planted. Nobody noticed the words the uttered almost silently towards it...

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Post  Quietkal Sun Apr 28, 2013 3:43 pm

Zane nods, acknowledging the group's lodging choices.
"In that case, I will see you in the light of morning.
I hope pleasant thoughts for your dreams in forming."

He then steps into the set up yurt and lays down.
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Post  Curunir Tue Apr 30, 2013 2:14 am

The camels have gone to sleep, not seeming to care to involve themselves in your watch planning. Sleipnir's watch passes without incident, his alarms and Cau'rha's circle give off no alarms, and no abnormal movements or sounds are seen or heard anywhere nearby. Sleipnir does recognizes that you are in a slightly vulnerable position- slightly raised above the terrain, not enough to give a significant sight advantage or defensive edge, but high enough coupled with the still lit bonfire that if anyone was remotely nearby they could probably see the camp (as you did when you approached it). As Anenome suggests, an attack at or just before dawn would be likely if such a thing were to occur (aside from one at/just following nightfall, which has already occurred).

Spoiler:
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Post  Ramsus Tue Apr 30, 2013 2:43 am

Perception (+Nightwatch): 19 + 17 = 36.
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Post  Waschbaer Tue Apr 30, 2013 2:53 am

Perception:
Clearly, Book Smart spent (or shall spend) his watch unaware that he's actually supposed to be watching.

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Post  Quietkal Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:14 pm

Perception:
Zane is awake like no other, eyes and ears scrutinizing every detail around him.
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Post  Grey Pen The Flawed Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:45 pm

Rollin':
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