Tools: d30 Sandbox Companion (affiliate link); Matt Vancil’s Orcish Dictionary
[Set Up]
This chapter has no gameplay and is total narration to wrap up this campaign.
Following the events of the previous chapter, the navy rescued all the members of Kage Gordain and the remaining escaped prisoners from the island. The PCs were able to recover all their equipment, either from the pirate’s weapon stash or from the cave. All the treasure recovered from the island, both what was found in the cave and already stored in the pirate’s stash, has been confiscated and loaded aboard the Skylark. A rundown of the treasure will be listed later in this chapter. Finally, the two pirates that ran off with the case of rum were never found.
As this chapter starts, the Skylark is traveling back to Sirisea with Captain Helton and the surviving pirates locked up in a part of the ship’s hold.
The Skylark
[Scene 1]
“Come in,” Kristopher calls out in response to the light rapping on his cabin door.
Sylralei, now dressed in pants and shirt, enters. She sees Kris covered on a cot, wearing little but shorts and the bandages that have been applied to cover his many wounds.
“How are you feeling?” the elf asks.
“I can barely move. I have wounds in my back, thigh, and buttock. You can say this mission has been a real pain in my ass.”
Syl offers a slight smile to acknowledge the joke she already heard a million times from others. She takes a seat next to the bed.
“You’ll be happy to know we made out pretty well,” she says, filling Kristopher in on the news he may have missed while being confined to bed. “I offered Captain Pollard most of the treasure on account of the fact that we wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for him rescuing us. However, when he heard about Midshipman Byrd’s betrayal and you nearly being killed at his hand, he felt we were owed some compensation. In the end, he only took half the coin and whatever was recovered from the pirate ship. We kept the rest of the gold and silver coins and any other items found on the island. Oh, and I was able to scavenge several ship items Pollard didn’t want for Garlen to sell in his shop when we get back home.” [At the beginning of Chapter 10 as I was asking the oracle about the Skylark’s actions I rolled an event: Trust/Anger-NPC Positive. I determined that if the PCs survive and return to the ship, the captain would be angry that a crewmember he trusted betrayed the group. To make amends he would compensate the party by not accepting the full amount offered. (i.e. the NPC acts positively toward the party)]
“What about the pirate ship?”
“Set ablaze and left to burn. The Captain didn’t want to try to sail her back.
“Speaking of the pirates, Udele Helton chose Crossbones Island as a hideout primarily because of a legend about a treasure hidden there a while back by a pirate named Gustaf. It’s safe to assume that is the treasure we found. What’s more, it turns out when Captain Pollard interrogated the pirates he learned that Udele Helton is one of Frogbeard’s top lieutenants. Turns out she won his respect by beating him in a game of cards and winning one of his ships from him.” [Back in Chapter 9 when the PCs were interrogating the captured pirate in the tunnels I did an oracle check to see if the pirate claimed the Captain was Frogbeard. It came up no, the later roll on the truth table came up “Partly True.” If the claim that the captain is not Frogbeard is only partly true, the first thing I thought of was that she was someone closely associated with Frogbeard.]
“What do you know?” Kris says. “I guess I can consider this part of my revenge. Is she alive?”
“For now. We’ll see what the authorities do to her once we get back to the mainland.”
With Kris all caught up, Sylralei sits silently for a few moments, head bowed. She swallows hard before speaking her next words.
“I’m sorry. This is my fault.”
“What is?”
“You lying here. In fact, this whole mission was a mess. Upon our return to Baybrook, I will be informing Garlen of my decision to leave the group.”
Kristopher lets out a breath he had been holding inadvertently. “Dalen told me as much earlier,” he admits. “Why are you blaming yourself for this?”
“I’m rash. I’m hasty. I’ve made some bad decisions. Not just on Crossbones Island, but all the time. People have been hurt, even killed, because of me. That cannot happen again.”
“That night on the island when you walked away from me at the fire [Chapter 5], Dalen said you had a story to tell. Is that what this is about?”
Instead of answering Syl stands. “My decision is best. Let’s just leave it at that.” She walks away from the bed and heads for the door.
“Stop!” Kris demands.
Syl halts, her eyes narrow in fury. He dares command me!
“Tell me, Syl! You owe me. Remember when we met.”
Syl softens. He dares . . . because he’s earned it.
[Scene 2]
It was a crap job. Not because it paid lousy or was terribly difficult. It was crap because of the object of the mission.
The son of a prominent noble was kidnapped and the father hired Kage Gordain to find and rescue him. Instead of studying at university or learning the family business, the son preferred to spend his time at the tavern, drinking and whoring. One night he met up with the wrong maiden and drank a bit too much. The next morning he found himself chained up at the oars of one of Frogbeard the Pirate’s galleys, a story rather similar to Kristoper Miglward’s, yet very different. Kris didn’t come from a wealthy family with any number of opportunities. He wasn’t someplace he shouldn't have been. Kristopher was an outlaw without a gang and on the run. The Seven Ayes Tavern may have been the only home he had at the time.
With the help of a little coin, a few contacts, and successfully cast My Wish Your Command spell, Sylralei and Dalen had little trouble finding the slave’s cell. Upon their entry, the noble's whelp of a son pleaded and begged to be saved. He was someone important! He didn’t deserve to be treated in such a manner! Syl quickly released his shackles, more to shut him up and keep him from alerting any other pirates than because she cared at all what happened to the privileged snob.
In this manner, Kris was also different. He never asked to be released. He sat quietly as his fellow slaves were freed. Syl truly believed if they left him there he would have simply accepted his fate. Once his chains were finally removed, all he offered was a quiet, “Thanks.”
Kris sat quietly as his fellow slaves were freed.
Kage Gordain’s mission only required them to return the son to his home, but they weren’t going to leave the rest of the slaves behind to be recaptured. Instead, they would escort them to the next average-sized city, a couple of days away. Whenever possible they traveled on forested trails to avoid the main trade routes.
They were barely several hours out when most of the slaves began to feel comfortable reverting back into men, to use Syl’s thoughts. While Dalen led the way up at the front, Sylralei was far enough behind him to hear the crude comments of the now free men. It’s been a while since they’d had the pleasure of a woman, and now there’s a fine one within reach. They remarked, rather lewdly, about her various body parts and how they would love to grab and grope them. The rogues debated who among them was man enough to take her and who had to wait their turn. Even though the noble’s son didn’t dare associate with these lowly men, he didn’t mind chuckling along with their comments, the ungrateful whelp.
Here, once again, the former outlaw Kristopher differed from the boy.
Sylralei had had enough of this talk. As the evening was approaching, she could sense the men inching closer and could hear them making plans. As incredulous as it seemed, she truly believed these idiots were going to attempt to overpower her and Dalen and rape her right there. She spun around intending to hit them with a Take That You Fiend spell in order to put them in their place. However, before they could feel her wrath Kris was standing between her and the mob.
“Back off,” he warned. “Show some respect.”
“Outta my way,” the largest of the group said moving past Kris. Without hesitation, Kris landing a punch squarely on the man’s jaw, sending him to the ground.
“Anyone else?” he asked, facing the rest of them with fists at his side. No one moved forward but slowly backed off a bit. The fact that by now both Dalen and Syl had drawn their weapons and were ready to fight didn’t hurt.
It was clear to Sylralei that Kristopher was not like the rest of the men. He was more capable and confident than the worthless son of a noble, yet more refined and respectful than the rest of the rogues. What she didn’t know was what he expected to receive in return.
But she knew what she had to offer.
Once they had reached the safety of the city the elf wizard approached the outlaw and offered to share his bed for the night. Certainly, that must be the reason for his chivalry. To win her favor. However, to Syl’s surprise, Kris refused. To accept, he said, would be to cheapen what he did. How noble is it to save a woman from rape only to bed her himself? Besides, he felt women had much to offer apart from their bodies. This woman he just met, in particular, was brave, skilled, intelligent, and he respected her.
No, Kris assured her, he did what he did because it was right, not because he expected a reward, and certainly not to take from her what wasn’t rightfully his.
It was then that Sylralei decided to offer him a position in Kage Gordain. A humble man lacking in greed and well acquainted with a sword. He would fit in well. If he accepted, then maybe one day she could thank him properly.
[Scene 3]
Back in the cabin aboard the Skylark Kris waits for Sylralei’s response.
Who am I to deny Kris what he is rightfully due? She thinks.
The weary elf returns to the seat beside the bed.
“My father is a very prominent man,” Sylralei begins, her voice soft. “It was always his desire that I would become his apprentice when I was of age and work alongside him. His greatest joy would be to see me take his place when he is aged. But that is his desire, not mine. It’s not that there's anything wrong with his life; I respect him very much. I just wanted something different. I wanted to be free to travel the world unhindered by responsibility. I didn’t want to have to watch my every action or guard my every word as my father did. That is why I left home and eventually found myself in Baybrook.
“I was a wild elf. I hung out in the taverns and flirted with men for drinks. The handsome ones I would offer more. I befriended young wizards both young and old to learn whatever spells I could beyond the ones I already learned from my father. I didn’t take a job, didn’t need one. And I didn’t need anyone watching over me, as I learned to fight by wrestling and dueling with the young boys back home.
“One night I was sitting at the bar in the Hare’s House Inn when a young man sat down beside me and offered to buy my next round. His name was Shemar and he said he’d seen me in the Inn a few times and was impressed with the way I handled myself. I knew where that was heading and frankly, I didn’t mind. He was handsome, generous with his coin, and heavy with the compliments. So I flirted a bit before suggesting we went somewhere more private. He turned me down. Kinda like you.” The memory drew a smile and slight chuckle from Syl’s lips.
“Anyway, Shemar said he would rather just talk . . . get to know me better. And that’s what we did for the rest of the night. Drank and talked.
“Over the next several weeks, whenever I visited the Hare’s House, Shemar was there and we would share conversation over a mug of ale. He didn’t strike me as a habitual tavern patron. Instead, he seemed responsible and had more important things to do than carouse with the other drunks. Yet, he always seemed to know when I was there.
“Then one night a pair of . . . what shall I call them . . . oafs walked in. The first was definitely human, but had the height and build of urook. The other was . . . would you believe it . . . a halfling. He was stocky and I suspect he had a little dwarf in him. The two were loud, boisterous, and smelled like they had just come from another tavern . . . one that kicked them out, if I had to guess.
“They weren’t in the Hare but five minutes before they took an interest in me. They strode right up to our table and the large one invited me to join them as if Shemar wasn’t even there.
“‘Hey there, sweet elf,’” Syl mimics the stranger’s deep voice. ‘My friend was curious what you might be doin’ the rest of the night. He here was hoping you might consider spendin’ it with us.’
“I asked Shemar if he was going to help me out. You know what he said?” Kris shook his head. “He said, ‘You’re on your own with this one,’ Then rocked back in his seat and flashed a wide grin.”
“No!” Kris exclaimed, shocked. “He didn’t.”
“Oh, yes he did,” Syl confirmed. “The man insisted again that I accompany them for a walk to their room at a nearby hostel. I refused, suggesting his halfling friend’s manhood held little interest for me. That’s when he grabbed my arm and not so gently lifted me up from my seat.”
“Shemar did something then, right?”
“No. He just sat and watched as the two rogues walked me to the door. Right as they reached for the handle I cast a simple Will-O-Wisp spell. It didn’t hurt them, but the sudden flare of light startled them and allowed me to draw the human’s dagger from his belt and slice open his arm. Then I held the point to the halfling’s face and told him, ‘If I was interested in someone your size, I would find a true dwarf. They have a lot more to work with.’ By now most of the inn’s patrons were looking in our direction and the two knew when it was a good time to retreat.
“When I got back to the table I asked Shemar what the heck that was all about. He told me it was a test.”
Kris’ eyes widened in surprise. “A test? You mean he staged the whole thing?”
“That’s what I asked him. ‘Oh, no,’ he assured me. ‘They were for real. That could’ve turned really bad, but I was sure you could handle it.’”
“Well, at least you knew he thought highly of your skills,” Kris pointed out.
“True,” Syl agreed. “And if they happened to get me outside, Shemar insisted he would have stopped them before they got too far.”
“So what was this test?” Kris asked.
“Shemar told me to follow him and he walked to a doorway behind the bar. As you can imagine, I was a bit wary despite our many weeks of getting to know each other. But I was curious so I followed him.
“We were in the Hare’s House’s stock room and Shemar stood next to an opening in the wall. I saw no door frame and I suspected that when closed it looked just like part of the wall. He motioned me in and followed behind. It was a tunnel that led from the inn to the basement under the Dragon’s Hoard, the same tunnel I led you down the night you met the rest of the team. Once we got there, Shemar introduced me to Garlen, his father.”
Kristopher sits up in surprise then quickly sinks back down as a sharp pain shoots through his thigh and buttocks. Syl tells him to take it easy. “Shemar is Garlen’s son?” He says through gritted teeth. “Why haven’t I met him?”
Syl turns her head away for a moment and puts up her palm to stop Kris before he says another word. She’s quiet at first but eventually answers. “I’m getting to that.”
“Shemar explained about Kage Gordain, who at the time were only his father and himself. They’ve been working together for the past year helping those who couldn’t help themselves. He asked me to join them and I said yes. I saw it as a way to travel through more of Barisea while going on exciting adventures.
“Garlen made the contacts and Shemar and I worked the missions. Over the next several couple years we delivered important messages, recovered stolen items, and hunted monsters that invaded nearby farms. More members were recruited and our missions reached throughout all of Ergon. Even my relationship with Shemar progressed, eventually moving from the bar room to the bedroom.”
“You were in love?” Kris inquires.
“Shemar was,” Syl admits. “He was much more serious about us than me. Remember, I wanted to be unhindered by responsibility. That went for relationships as well. While I felt a loyalty to Shemar, I wasn’t about to be tied down to just one person. I didn’t want someone keeping me in Baybrook if my interests drew me elsewhere. Shemar was a trusted friend, ally, and teammate. That was all. And he was okay with that.”
“That's what he told you?” asks Kris, skeptical.
“Yes! That’s what he told me.”
Kris let the matter drop but feels her defensiveness is a bit extreme.
Syl continues her story. “Kage Gordain was helping a lot of individual people, but I began to feel we weren’t doing enough. All the missions we took felt ‘safe.’ Nothing too dangerous. Also, nothing we did had any wide-reaching impact. There was a lot of injustice and I believed Kage Gordain was the group that could change that.”
“One area I felt we could make a difference was within the merchant guilds. Gokhan Baddour ran the largest guild in central Ergon. Even if a particular business was aligned with a smaller guild they were still beholden to Baddour as he had his hand in most of the shipping and transport houses. However, Baddour didn’t leave his success up to honest dealings. Extortion, bribery, and intimidation were tools the Guild boss was well acquainted with.
“A situation arose where some of the warehouses along the riverfront felt Baddour held too much sway over their profits. They were looking to break away from under his direct control. Of course, this didn’t sit well with the Boss and things got ugly fast. Shipments went missing. Warehouse and dock workers were threatened and sometimes beaten. Eventually, the warehouse managers reached out to us for help. Garlen, however, didn’t want to get involved . . . said it was much too big and dangerous a task for us.
“I was upset and determined. On my own, I began hanging out at the waterfront tavern and mingled with the warehouse workers. Before long I caught wind of a plan to sabotage one of the dissenting warehouses. I told Shemar and, of course, he told me to let it drop. But I persisted until I changed his mind. I convinced him that not only would we protect an innocent business, but we might also actually break some of Baddour’s grip over the city's merchants, especially the smaller shops who were barely getting by.
“On the appointed night, Shemar, Dalen -- who was a recent recruit at the time -- and I found ourselves waiting among the crates, boxes, and barrels in a large, dark warehouse. Eventually, we heard someone enter and hid while two dark-clad rogues made their way to several crates of fabrics and other textiles. They broke open a couple of crates and started stuffing dry hay and other kindling inside. They were planning on setting the warehouse on fire.
“We went into action. We told them to stop and put their weapons down . . . like that would actually work. Instead, they drew their weapons and we attacked. It was three of us against two of them and it was over quick. As with every mission, any treasure belonged to us so Shemar and Dalen looted the dead men while I watched, proud of what we had just accomplished.
“Until I felt the stinging pain of a dagger thrust in my side!
“I fell to the floor in pain as I saw a bright flash. Dalen barely ducked away from the flames of a Blasting Power spell cast in his direction. ‘Dalen, get Syl out of here!’ Shemar commanded as he jumped over my fallen body. I looked up and saw my friend standing between me and four other men: three rogues and a wizard. It was obvious that there were more of Baddour’s men than we knew.
Blasting Power spell
“Dalen grabbed me as some of the crates began to burn, the residual effect of the fire spell. I tried to get free, insisting we help Shemar. ‘Get her safe!’ I heard him say and that’s what Dalen did. He literally had to pick me up and drag me away. Last thing I saw was Shemar advancing toward the gang as the wizard cast a Smog spell, enveloping Shemar in a poisonous cloud.
“The only escape we knew of was back the way we came. Dalen wasn’t sure he could outrun the saboteurs, especially carrying me, and we had no idea if there were any more thugs. So he pushed me behind a stack of boxes and we hid, his hand clamped over my mouth to stop my protests.
“We waited for a while but heard or saw no one. We did, however, smell smoke. We had no choice but to try and find a way out. Wisely, Dalen began to run away from where the fire burned. I, on the other hand, couldn’t leave without at least trying to save Shemar. I ran back to where we left him, my eyes watering from the raging fire. Finally, I rounded a corner and saw my friend lying on the warehouse floor, mere feet from the inferno. Dalen, who had followed me, helped lift him up. Somehow we made it out of the building. When we were clear we checked Shemar but he . . . he was dead. He had been stabbed multiple times.”
Kristopher gently squeezes Sylralei’s hand which had found its way into his a while ago. “I’m sorry.”
“The thing is,” Syl explains, turning to lock tear-filled eyes with Kris, “They didn’t even come looking for us. Shemar could have run and he would have been safe!”
“You don’t know that for certain.”
“No! I do. They were not there to kill anyone, just start the fire.” She turns away and lets her shoulders sag.
Continuing to stroke her hand, Kris says, “You lied.” Syl shoots him a look. “You did love him.”
“No.”
“Yes, you did. And that’s okay. But obviously, you didn’t quit then. You still work for Garlen and I know you have seen other members get hurt or die. Why haven’t you left before?”
“Because no one died because of me. No one ever sacrificed themselves so I could live. We always fought as a team for the team. Anyone who died did so defending themselves. Or they got caught in a stupid trap . . . or an ambush we didn’t see coming. Besides, I was not the recruiter. I was not responsible for anyone person joining Kage Gordain.”
Understanding sparked inside Kris. “Until you recruited me. You feel responsible for me.” Syl said nothing. “Syl, it was still my decision. You only made the offer. I accepted.”
“That’s not the only reason,” Syl cuts him off. “I’m reckless. I don’t listen to other’s advice. That’s what killed Shemar. This time it almost killed you ... it almost killed all of us. Kelseen was right back in the tunnels. We should have gone back to the ship.”
Kris knew it was no use arguing any further. “Sylralei, we have two days till we arrive back at Sirisea. Take some time and think about it. Talk to Kel and Dalen. Trust me, you haven’t scared me off and I still mean what I said on the island. I got your back. I always will.”
“Thanks,” Syl says, getting to her feet. She leans over and gives him a gentle kiss on the cheek. “You get some rest.”
Kristopher watches his friend leave the cabin.
[Scene 4]
It is late in the morning when the Skylark arrives back at Sirisea harbor. Once she is off the ship, Sylralei tracks down Captain Pollard and discusses some matters with him. Kelseen waits for her to finish, along with Kristopher who is able to hobble along with the help of a pair of crudely made crutches.
“It will be another hour before they can unload our crates,” Syl explains when she rejoins the group. “Where’s Dalen?”
“He’s over there talking to that young boy,” Kris tells her, nodding his head in the dwarf’s direction.
Syl glances over to where Dalen is wrapping up his conversation with a boy who appears to be in his early teens. The youth runs off and Dalen strides back to the group, a big grin on his face.
“What was that all about?” Syl asks, a questioning look on her face.
“Oh, that’s just one of the local boys. Hangs out around the docks a lot. Hopes to be a sailor one day. Travel the world.” The three stare at him intently, waiting for the dwarf to say anything useful. “Listen, Syl, I know you are hoping to head back to Baybrook first thing in the morning. That’s fine, you go ahead. I have some business to attend to and I’m not sure how long it is going to take.”
“Business?” Syl asks. “What sort of business?”
“I have someone I need to meet, But . . . but never mind that. What’s important is that I might not be ready to leave in the morning. If that happens, go on without me. I follow when I’m done.”
Syl studies Dalen suspiciously but eventually relents.
“Well, I better get going,” Kelseen pipes up, saving Syl from the awkward conversation. “I’m sure Governor Mistsplittler is eager to hear our report.”
“And I’d like to find a nice bed and rest my rear,” Kristopher adds.
“You two go on,” Sylralei tells them before turning her attention back to the dwarf. “Dalen, can I at least count on you to help with the crates?”
“Of course. My meeting isn’t until tonight. However, if I have some time I would like to see if there are any children around interested in a story.”
Syl nods her approval and, with everything settled, the members of Kage Gordain part, each going their separate ways.
[Scene 5]
The Smoking Helm is a tavern where good friends meet to have a good time after a hard day’s work. At least, that’s the impression Dalen has as he enters the establishment. Unlike many seedier establishments, the Helm was well lit and filled with joyous music played by a three-piece minstrel troupe playing by the hearth. Light from the fire twinkled off the stained and leaded glass windows. Barmaids carried trays filled with mugs of ale and plates filled with unique and exotic foods. And the barmaids . . . they were actually smiling like they enjoyed their work. Dalen wasn’t surprised that the person he was to meet frequented this establishment.
He motioned one of the maids over, asked a favor while handing her a gold coin, then pointed to a booth near the back. The serving girl ran off and Dalen approached the booth he indicated just moments before. Seated on one of the benches was a dark-haired woman, her hands cradling a nearly full stein of dark ale. Dalen slides onto the bench opposite her.
“You’ve barely touched your drink,” the dwarf says without any introduction. “Is it not to your liking?”
Slight creases form at the corners of Lachaidiga’s eyes as her mouth turns up in a wide smile at the sight of her dwarf friend from the Horizon.
“Not really,” the sorceress answers. “I thought I would try something different. But I must say . . . it tastes like the horses have been here.”
“May I?” Dales asks, reaching for the mug.
“Help yourself.”
Taking the vessel, Dalen tilts it back and takes a long swig of the dark drink. Finished, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and sits back satisfied. “The problem, my dear, is that you haven’t acquired a taste for fine dwarven ale. But never you mind. I’ve taken care of that.”
With a wave of his hand, Dalen calls over the barmaid he spoke with earlier. On her tray, she carries a bottle filled with a deep red wine and two crystal goblets. She places one goblet in front of each of them and fills each halfway with the wine. Placing the bottle on the table, she leaves them to their conversation.
Lachaidia takes her glass and sips it gingerly. She smiles at the delightfully sweet taste.
“And what will this heavenly nectar cost me?” the woman asks teasingly.
“Your stories, m’lady,” Dalen answers with a grin. “Your most wonderful stories!”
[Treasure]
Below is a list of the treasure Kage Gordain acquired on this campaign after the navy took their share:
275 CP
985 SP
570 GP
A comb adorned with a sapphire. (300gp)
40’ of rope
2 steel helms, one decorated with coral (5gp).
A sack of unidentified powder
Knife with pearl (100gp) set in the pommel
Ring (of unknown magic)
Potion (unidentified)
Paintbrush (of unknown magic)
A Camelian gem (160 GP)
+1 Great Sword
Scroll (My Wish Your Command spell)
Knights Shield (+1 against humans)
A crate of miscellaneous items taken from the pirate ship. The exact nature of the items is irrelevant except to demonstrate how Kage Gordain’s missions help to provide Garlen with inventory that he can sell in the Dragon’s Hoard to help fund the team.
I didn’t bother rolling navigation and sea encounters for the journey back to Sirisea. By now I felt the campaign was over and was ready to wrap things up.
Half a continent away, in a dark corner of the Hare’s House Inn, a halfling and an urook sit across a table from each other. In addition to their mugs of ale, a deck of cards sits in the middle of the table. The halfling picks up the deck and begins to shuffle.
To keep busy while they waited for Kelseen, Sylralei and the rest of the team to return, Nen Goldmore thought it might be a good challenge to attempt to teach the urook Tozhug how to play Hunt. It was simple enough. All one had to do was match cards. And an added bonus, halfling thought he could use the opportunity to learn some simple Urook words and phrases.
The halfling deals each of them a hand of eight cards and sets the rest of the deck down in the middle of the table. He picks up his own cards and spreads them out. Nen’s hand includes a couple of circles, a blue horse, a red shield, and other shapes and images of various colors.
“Okay, Tozhug, you go first.” Nen speaks in common, knowing the urook understands enough of the language from his time conversing with Kelseen.
“Dja doludam?”
Nen scans his hand for any cards containing a picture of a tower. “Hunt!” he said, having none. At the command, Tozhug takes a card from the top of the deck and adds it to his hand.
Now it was Nen’s turn. “Do you have any boats?”
Tozhug pulls a card from his hand and lays it on the table face-up, revealing a black boat with a sail. Nen picks it up and adds it to the green card already in his hand.
“Dja Vaksul?” Tozhug asks on his turn.
Nen looked questioningly at the urook, not fully understanding the words he spoke.
“Ahve Vaksul?” Tozhug repeats, trying to pronounce the common “have” thinking that might help.
“Sorry,” Nen shrugs. “I don’t know what you are saying.” He then motions with his eyes to a scrap of parchment lying on the table.
Tozhug studies the parchment on which are drawn simple representations of all the possible images on the cards. With a thick finger, he points at the picture of a sword.
“Oh. Swords!” Nen says in understanding and then hands over a card.
After picking it up, the urook removes two other cards and lays them all down face up. Each card contains a different color sword: red, black and the green one Nen just gave him. Tozhug sits back in his chair with a big smile, having just scored a point.
Nen, however, frowns at the collection of cards. “I’m sorry, buddy, but you need four cards to score a point.” While saying this, he reaches for the three sword cards lying on the table, intending to pick them and hand them back to Tozhug.
With a grunt, Tozhug slams his hand down on top of the cards, ale splashing over the rims of the mugs. Nen pulls back quickly, barely avoiding having his hand crushed. The halfling looks up to see his opponent snarling back at him.
Tozhug slams his hand down
“Okay,” Nen finally relents. “New house rule. The urook decides what counts.”
(Read the After-Post here.)
(Read the After-Post here.)
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