Author Topic: Cities from the Sky  (Read 124998 times)

Offline Stratovarius

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Cities from the Sky
« on: April 29, 2014, 09:31:28 AM »
An adventure for level 1-3 PCs, set in the skycity of Adeinia, one of the few remaining to Hania.

Offline Stratovarius

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The Markets of Adeinia
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2014, 06:01:16 PM »
It was a strange group of humanoids who assembled at the edge of the market square. Although 'assembled' is rather the wrong word for such an agglomeration, suggesting as it does military precision and regimentation. It was more the coalescing of the like-minded in the face of the unpleasant reality of Market Day in Adeinia.

Market Day, a name which rings with hustle, bustle, and the loud cries of hawkers, was a touch more subdued than it might suggest. Instead of raucous cries and swirling colours, the sellers of the Adeinian market were drab, quiet, and downcast, eyes most often turned to the cobbles in front of their feet rather than the few buyers who wandered about. Their clothing was of fine cloth, but old, and the drabness came from dyes that had long since fled. There was a sort of artless grace to the patchwork which had been done to cover holes, but it was hardly the sort that would have once graced the Arhosan court.

Such rampant finery meant that the relative haute couture of the company was taken under consideration by a few of the more energetic inhabitants of the market. One was an old man, his stall spattered about with vegetables, none looking entirely fresh. Another was a young woman, making a desultory effort at haggling over a length of cloth and some thread. To them, at least, the group's arrival was noteworthy. To most of the others, the company was apparently hidden in the finest invisibility cloaks of the high magi.

The buildings which surrounded the market had apparently taken their character from those who resided within them: surly, decrepit, and long past their days of glory. Although some few did show the marks of lanterns in their windows, as well as other signs of habitation. Most, though, had little more than vacant windows, their shutters hanging loose like teeth in the mouth of a beggar, and one or two had collapsed entirely, the effort of staying erect too much for old and fragile bones.

It was quite the welcoming atmosphere to stride into.

Offline Risada

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2014, 07:13:41 PM »
Brennus is eavesdropping on the young woman's attempt at negotiation while looking at the other items near him with a inquisitive look.

"Hmm... These pieces would be so much better if they were at their prime... Don't you agree, young man?" Says Brennuns to a handsome man with long brown hair pulled back into a pony tail, and greyish-green eyes... Most likely a Flonha.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2014, 07:15:42 PM by Risada »

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2014, 12:12:03 AM »
Surprised at being addressed, Tomas nevertheless replies smoothly "Yes, they do look like they were once marvelous, but have since lost their luster... like much around here." as he says the last, he waves a hand vaguely at the surroundings.
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2014, 09:14:06 AM »
A broad-shouldered, reptilian humanoid, unmistakably Biyou, furrowed its brow as it spoke in a gravelly voice. "Tch, this city has lost its pride. I know much about settling for insignificance; such was the life I escaped from. I have seen mud huts more vibrant, more full of life, than this city. Why even come to Adeinia?"

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2014, 10:41:23 AM »
Tomas says "Now, now. I admit that our fair city has diminished somehwhat from the greatness it once had, but it's hardly fair to compare it to a mud hut! After all, though many have since fallen into ruin, some still fly! And even in their current sorry state, these flying cities are the best reflection of the great  days of old still left in this world!"
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline Risada

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2014, 08:40:12 PM »
"I heard somewhere there are people working together with the goal of restoring the kingdom's former glory. Recovering the old lore, understanding it and using it effectively... And probably more... That would be nice and much better than a mud hut, in my opinion."

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2014, 09:00:00 PM »
Tomas smirks and says "A fool's errand. Even if it worked... and that's such a huge assumption... how can you prevent all of this" *Waves hands around* "from happening again?"

"We had paradise, and we squandered it. Why do we deserve to get it back? People are lazy, incompetent, and would rather bicker over trivialities than actually work productively together.

Better to relax and enjoy what comforts you can, than spend your short life on the impossible."


He pulls out his mandolin and begins to strum a tune, then begins to sing a song of drunken debauchery, winking at the lady shopping for fabric at one particularly bawdy lyric.
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2014, 09:05:24 PM »
The lady pauses in her bartering to look up at the strange person serenading her, opens her mouth as if to frame a response, and then shakes her head and turns back to the merchant with whom she was haggling. It was clear from the look on her face that she did not much care for the topic of Tomas' song. Most others in the marketplace likewise look to be displeased to be reminded of better, wealthier, years. If any of the company was interested in some acquisitions, they had now best look elsewhere.

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #9 on: May 05, 2014, 09:11:33 PM »
"I think you take for granted the luxury of living in a nice home of wood or stone. Not all are so lucky." The Biyou looks stoically out into the middle distance, seemingly lost in thought.

Offline Risada

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2014, 09:21:03 PM »
Brennus tries to be as amiable as possible to the Biyou by his side... Even though he hardly needs to be, considering his companions are musty tomes and scrolls...

"Now, now... I hope you are not hurt by our comment at the peculiar home you mentioned. You want to know what is luxury? Live your life doing the things you like... Even if they are things only fools would do. So what if you live on a mud hut? As long as you and your family are happy, that's what matters, right?"

... Or something like that, thought the scholar to himself.

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #11 on: May 05, 2014, 10:42:35 PM »
The Biyou looks sharply at Brennus, narrowing his reptilian eyes briefly. "You do not know my people, do you? I am guessing it is not common for those not of the Biynyr. The high-born spend their grand, free lives choosing to crouch over books and scrolls, doing as they will with their power over magic, while the low-born toil in labor 'For the best of society.' The high-born do not live in huts. The low-born are not free, though they no longer know any other way. They do not so much as question it. This is the 'happiness' of my people."

His temper had flared up; Cadwgan realized as much, and though the memories and scars simmered at the surface of his thoughts, he pushed them away for the time being.

"I... am sorry. I carry no love for my people. The High Caste exploit all who do not share their race and station, and the Low Caste are too broken to stand up for themselves. I would give much to see greatness in the lands, some day. I should not have spoken out of turn. I was not hired to rant and rage about injustice. I was hired for my ability to put my blade through whatever needs a blade put through it."

Offline Risada

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #12 on: May 05, 2014, 11:39:39 PM »
"True... I didn't meet many of your kind in my life... Those I did meet were too busy to look at me anyway... I also apologize if what I said offended you... But the mere fact that you were recognized for your abilities rather than your social standing is proof that the world is big enough so everyone finds their place in it. Right?

Oh yeah..."
Brennus remembers something that is required when talking for long periods of time with people he met for the first time. "Introductions are needed after so much heated talk. My name is Brennus Suibhne. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." The blonde man make a subtle bow towards the Biyou.

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2014, 11:52:57 PM »
The Biyou clenches his fist and taps it against the opposite shoulder, then nods quickly at the human. "Cadwgan, Biyalyn."

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2014, 08:21:06 AM »
The flohna stops his song and bows his head in respect to the Biyou saying "Cadwgan, well met. My name is Tomas, and I sincerely apologize if I have offended you. I meant no disrespect. My family was originally brought here as slaves to heal their masters. Eventually, my ancestors earned their freedom, though, and stayed in the city. Though they did once rise to a respected position, as with most  these days, they simply struggle to get by. So I am hardly high born myself."
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline skydragonknight

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #15 on: May 06, 2014, 09:38:06 AM »
"Seems like all the good stuff has already been peddled away." the Hegwyd said, a hint of a frown forming on his face. "There's not a thing worth taking back to the Pearl Coast. At least nothing worth the time and lost profits of getting here. That merchant said there were some good deals up here on Market Day. I think he must have really wanted me out of his way. I swear, if I see another Hastro it will be too soo-"

As he turns around to leave, he walks straight into a wall. Only the wall wasn't a wall at all. It was a person. A person over seven feet tall with a rather ugly face. It was a Hastro. The Hegwyd's eyes narrow, filled with distrust. "Pardon me, friend. It was rather rude of me to bump into you." he says in a professional voice.

« Last Edit: May 06, 2014, 09:58:03 AM by skydragonknight »
Hmm.

Offline Gazzien

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #16 on: May 07, 2014, 11:33:55 AM »
A hunched figure, clothed in layers of rough cloth and sturdy leather, with a chain shirt over the explorer's outfit and a length of chain wrapped around one arm, looked up at the loud group, jostling one another. Barbarians, the lot of them, fit only to pull a cart or plow fields for him... but he would have to deal with them, as he had dealt with many others on his travels. "Pardon me." he said, his voice slow and careful - making sure that his words were pronounced correctly, as this lowly tongue was full of tricky words and rules that were different than the one he was accustomed to. "Did you all mention having been exploring, or did I mistake your words?"

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #17 on: May 07, 2014, 02:22:17 PM »
The Hastro had been completely ignoring those around him as he scrutinized each stall.  There are still remnants of power to be had here, and they will be his even if he has to dig them out of the depths of this city. 

Upon being bumped into, he turns and looms over the Hegwyd.  "Yes, it was."  The Hastro then pauses for a second, replaying the past few seconds back in his mind.  "As is speaking about your betters behind their backs."

He then takes another look at the market around him and scowls.  "I'd be tempted to try and teach you some manners if this damnable city wasn't turning into such a waste of my time.  There seems to be no real magic left in Adeinia."  His tone goes from vaguely threatening to musing out loud as his thoughts return to where they were before he was interrupted.

(click to show/hide)

Offline Gazzien

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #18 on: May 07, 2014, 02:41:11 PM »
The Hastro had been completely ignoring those around him as he scrutinized each stall.  There are still remnants of power to be had here, and they will be his even if he has to dig them out of the depths of this city. 

Upon being bumped into, he turns and looms over the Hegwyd.  "Yes, it was."  The Hastro then pauses for a second, replaying the past few seconds back in his mind.  "As is speaking about your betters behind their backs."

He then takes another look at the market around him and scowls.  "I'd be tempted to try and teach you some manners if this damnable city wasn't turning into such a waste of my time.  There seems to be no real magic left in Adeinia."  His tone goes from vaguely threatening to musing out loud as his thoughts return to where they were before he was interrupted.

(click to show/hide)
"The world could do with a bit less magic, in my opinion..." the hunched figure muttered angrily. "People need to rely more on their own strength, not what they can borrow or call or buy. It's the only way to live in this broken arid waste that got left behind." He shook his head, the chains wrapped around his arm clattering quietly. "And just living is already hard enough."

Offline skydragonknight

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #19 on: May 07, 2014, 03:15:11 PM »
Quote
Upon being bumped into, he turns and looms over the Hegwyd.  "Yes, it was."  The Hastro then pauses for a second, replaying the past few seconds back in his mind.  "As is speaking about your betters behind their backs."

"Believe what you will. I only argue where money is concerned. Saves time - and I value time most of all." Loire says with a shrug.

Quote
"There seems to be no real magic left in Adeinia."

"I'm afraid I have to agree with you there. Nothing of value, at least."

he says as another starts speaking.


Quote
"The world could do with a bit less magic, in my opinion..." the hunched figure muttered angrily. "People need to rely more on their own strength, not what they can borrow or call or buy."

The Hegwyd quickly covered his mouth, trying to hold back a laugh. But he couldn't help it. He laughed. "Hahahahaha! That's a good one! Did you hear that, friend? Best joke I've heard all week!" He calms himself down and takes on a more serious tone. "Listen, kid. The world is run by two things: power and money. Even my friend here will agree with that. We just have some minor philosophical differences on which is better, that's all. But don't worry, kid, you'll learn eventually. Even if you learn the hard way."


Hmm.