Underfed

And so the noble adventures have been called to the Guild of Explorers by a gnome with red hair named Ilwa. Seated on the desk beside her appears to be... is that a tiny digger? No, it's features are too feral. no signs of domestication there. No, it's a tiny, Pygmy bulette! She waves at each of you cheerfully.

Echo gives a small wave in greeting. He doesn't say anything, though, just looking curious at this... assignment, as it were.

Victor raises a hand mechanically. "I have never seen such a creature," he admits. He's looking at the tiny bulette. "Where is it from? Is it intelligent?"

"Such an adorable murder monster. Yes you are." Nasrin is moving up to the pygmy Bulette, reaching out with a finger to attempt to scritch the thing under its little chin. "Kor will have a place for you in his arenas someday, little guy. You'll eat so many faithless aspirants. Such a good little Bulette." She actually coos as she talks, the redheaded Cleric in her crimson raiment appearing to be utterly taken with the tiny thing.

Brandur steps into the room, pausing once he sees the creature on the desk. The middled aged mercenary furrows his beetled brow for a moment to study it but his eyes eventually give way to look at his would be coworkers. Echo is given a curt nod, then the next war golem a brief wrinkling of the nose. The cleric gets a brief hint of smile, but all that fades to a dour, professional tone as he offers his hand to the gnome, giving the bulette a wide berth. "I can't speak for the others, but I am eager to get this o-started. What would you have of us, ma'am?"

Naturally, the Pygmy bulette is attempting to viciously murder Nasrin's finger but, well, gauntlets you know.

"I recovered it on an expedition to deal with some real jerks." That is clearly not the whole story but she is refraining from sharing.

"So, I have located an OPPORTUNITY. How excited are you to steal some Kulthian tech from a vicious Charnish merchant?" A big smile.

"Not in the fucking least," snaps back Brandur, rudely skipping the pose order, "If Kulthian craftsmanship was so great, there would be Kulthians around to fix it. But I alread signed the contract and I am a man of my word, so please continue."

"Can I kill them?" Nasrin asks, still scritching the bulette. It attacks her fingers and she lets out another coo. Onecan almost see the hearts in her eyes. This earns the bulette more scritching.

"That does sound exciting." Victor's voice is nearly a monotone.

He looks considerate, Echo does. The man seems to consider. "Kulthian tech?" He questions.

"Ayep, that's an option. Sanctioned, even," she adds. "Especially since he's undead, a slaving, murdering cannibal." She beams a smile. "He'a just across the sea in Tashraan. So, the real goal is the technology he's hoisted out of the desert but nobody is gonna complain if he winds up being dust on the desert wind." She eyes Nasrin and the bulette

That seems to firm Echo's resolve at least. "Undead and murderer. When do we set sail?" The echoing voice sounds firm, and his hand reaches down to run along the star knife sheathed at his hip.

Nasrin scoops up the bulette and moves the creature to her left shoulder. "Let's go kill a cannibalistic undead monster," the redhead declares brightly. "Kor will be pleased to hear our battle cries. Let's get out of here quickly."

Victor nods his head in agreement. "Agreed. There is no reason to delay. We can bring this Charneth to justice and bring back the Kulthian technology in one mission."

Edinaz listens to the pitch from the back of the room. "Why don't you tell us a little more, at least." His arms fold across his chest with a creak. "Tashraan is not /just/ across the sea. So what other minor details do you need to clarify with us?"

Brandur looks over his shoulder, studying the half-orc for a moment with a neutral expression and then turns back to the gnome, "Undead, you say? I know nothing of their kind. Can you tell us more?"

"Fly," replies Ilwa. "You'll take the next airship to Tashraan. There, you'll be met by a contact at the port who'll feed you the details on the merchant's caravan route through the desert. From there, you'll be able to track, ambush, take down, and steal the Kulthian machinery from him." Ilwa continues to eye Nasrin and the pygmy bulette. "The undead question is, what I believe, is the mummified corpse of some former noble from the desert. They say his touch is death and he's dropped enbough bodies that've rotted through their sickbeds for us to know that's the case. Then he eats the remains." A shrug and a sigh. "Don't let him touch you, okay? He's been one of Charn's aristocracy ever since the Thulite cults there got big, real big, and he leads the occasional raids on the peasenty to collect victims for his 'feasts'. He returned to Trashraan -- I mean Tashraan silly me -- to lead this expedition and collect what he refers to as the 'Agony Battery'. Kulthus technology was frequently powered by a secondary batters, whose energy they were able to collect and conduct through implanted crystals in their bodies that tapped into them. This so called agony battery allowed them to power technology through the various miseries inflicted on the slave caste of the empire. Needless to say, this would give Charn a power supply we can ill afford them to gain access to." Ilwa nods her head, grimly.

"That's the gravity here. If he's found the agony-battery, we need to steal it. Failing that, destroy it. Failing that," She spreads her hands.

"Are you all ready to go?"

Echo gives a nod, "I am, I think. If we are not able to retrieve this technology, would destroying it also suffice?"

"I haven't the slightest what a mummy is, but not a single word of all that sounded good. If there is nothing else, I'll go gather my kit and meet you all at the docks." Brandur grumbles, forefinger kneading his right temple as a punctuation.

Victor says, "Splendid. We are off to a good start."

"Hm... it sounds as if this will be an interesting trip. I look forward to it. Do you have any ideas on the abilities of this creature, other than not to be touched by him?" Echo asks.

"I'm afraid only what I've already told you. However, if you want to stop at the VArdaman temple, they may be able to tell you more," explains Ilwa, smiling.

"And offer you help and what not. Just be careful. He's highly intelligent and dangerous and remembers much of his mortal life's proficiency with weapons and cruelty." She lets out a sigh as Nasrin contunues to ignore the conversation (apparently) too enamored with the pygmy bullette on her desk.

"Good luck."

Edinaz nods once, curly. "Sounds like something to destroy, and then steal the pieces." His scowl stamps on, then nods. "More walking-dead-things."

GAME: Brandur has purchased 1 Potion of Protection From Evil for 50 gold.

GAME: Brandur has purchased 1 Oil of Magic Stone for 50 gold.

GAME: Echo rolls Diplomacy: (18)+7: 25

The psychoanalysis takes a liiiitttle while before the Vardamans realize that Echo is serious, and really a Seer of Eluna asking about mummies! What the hell?

Over the next couple of hours, he is informed of the weaknesses of mummies to fire, not to try to psychoanalysis or spell them... oh, and the aura. Yep. Can't forget the weird arse aura that makes people go thatta way. Oh, and don't touch them. Maybe. He's a golem. Would that even do something to him? It's an interesting debate that ensues before Echo heads out to rejoin the party, to share with them what all he has found out. Even then, he has the curiousity to ask, "What is plague and death?"

"Oh, and the Vardaman priests said do not try to kill it. It is probably well outside of even their expertise to deal with. So... I would recommend we do this as a stealth mission completely. Also, I am wondering perhaps if the Guild is aware of how powerful this mummy is." Echo states finally.

GAME: Edinaz has purchased 1 Potion of Hide From Undead for 50 gold.

GAME: Edinaz has purchased 1 Potion of Protection From Evil for 50 gold.

GAME: Edinaz has purchased 3 Potion of Cure Light Wounds for 150 gold.

Brandur just stares at Echo for a long moment. "You must have a giant pair of brass balls clacking around under that sash if you are going to me about stealth, golem."

Edinaz nods slowly. "I'm not sure I'm the best person to counsel being silent. Usually, people hire me because something needs to impress Kor with its dying ability."

Nasrin takes the opportunity now to reach up to the bulette on her shoulder and pet the thing. She is totally going to walk out with er new companion in tow unless someone stops her. Discretion being the better part of valour Nasrin is sure to leave as promptly as possible. She'l leave question asking to people who are paying better attention.

Edinaz returns from talking to the priests of Kor. He's got a new leather case strapped to his belt now, too.

The golem looks to Brandur, "... does the hip joint ball bearings count?" Then he shakes his head. "Seriously, we should see about doing this without fighting him. According to the Vardamans this is a seriously powerful mummy. It is from some sort of higher order of mummy, whatever that means to them. It kinda went to a debate on if the mummy's touch would effect golems such as myself." He shrugs.

"Just make sure he comes back in one piece," says Ilwa to Nasrin, allowing her to take the pygmy bulette on a grand adventure.

Brandur rubs his face with a well calloused hand and nods toward Edinaz and Nasrin, "I don't think stealth is going to be much of an option for all of us. Not unless..." He trails off, looking into the distance. "I have a plan of sorts. If a few of us can draw it off, the rest of you can wait until he's gone torch whatever building or wagon this.../battery/." The old soldier opines, once out of the earshot of his employer.

Off you go, then, to an airship.

The trip across the sea takes a couple days, of course, but airships are steady and quick. BEfore long, the coast of the deserts of Veyshan are visible, along with the grand orchards and fertile riverland of Tashraan.

You're landing at the port, now, in the ridiculous heat.

Brandur hates every minute of it, staying below deck until you land and away from windows. And especially away from the engines. The heat doesn't particularly seem to bother him, though he's sweating as much as the next guy.

Edinaz spends a lot of time meditating on the deck, trying to stay out of the way. He, too, sweats a lot -- he doesn't complain, though. He just gets surly.

Heat's not something that Echo really worries about. He's still focused as he is on things, and contemplating what all he learned. Even then, he bothers to help a bit here and there with the deck work when directed, although having to be shown it is definitely a good reason to simply leave him to his own near meditation.

Victor strides down the gangplank once the ship lands. He looks around to catch his bearings. And to take in the sights and surroundings. And to watch for their contact, although he tries not to let that part on.

It isn't long before you're approached.

There's a feathered fellow on their way over you, a great azure plume atop their head. The eaglerin floofs its wings and squawks once.

"Greetings, friends! I'm told we hqave a friend in co--," it stops and stares at Nasrin and her Pygmy Bulette. "..huh," it offers.

"If you'll come with me, I have a map and cool drinks awaiting so we can discuss our plan to intercept a caravan."

Victor nods at the Egalrin. "I do not drink, but a map will be most useful." He moves to follow.

Echo nods, moving to follow the eaglerin, "I believe we may also have some information, and that this might be a bigger problem in the long run. We will have to notify the Guild when we get back if it is true."

"Right. Okay," says the Eaglerin with a sigh. "I'm K'narp. Pleasure to meet you all," he replies, then he does indeed lead the way to a meeting place, a back room of a cooling tavern with cooled drink sand shade. It's actually quite pleasent.

The eaglerin rolls out a map of the deserts surrounding Tashraan.

"Okay, see here. There's a road through the desert that leads to one of the Diamond Emperor's fortresses. That's where this mummy from Charn is taking the agony battery. Apparently, he has some kind of deal with the Diamond Emperor for safe passage through the desert. The Diamond Emperor, nobody really knows who he is but he has mantis-men and elementals at his beck and call and frequently extortse travellers on the road. What that means is that once he makes it to the fortress, he'll be nearly impossible to take down. Fortunatgely, we know a dangerous path through the dunes that'll bring us into position to intercept them about here," he points at a spot on the map, "if we're lucky and everything goes well." The road is indeed a bit more circuitous, avoiding steeper areas of desert and paths without afccess to fresh water.

Echo seems to consider, then nods. "That will help. We have to stop him from getting the battery to the place first... but we also want to avoid a confrontation."

Victor studies the map, committing it to memory. "Very well. We must sieze the battery but we do not have to destroy the mummy - if such a thing is even possible." He points at spots on either side of the caravan route. "If we can attack from one side, and draw enough of their attention and defenses, it should leave the other side vulnerable to a stealthier approach."

"That could very well do though it depends on the state of his guard by that point. So you'll need to play it by ear. I'll play guide for the dunes, I've gone on this path a couple times and my wings'll keep us on target, but we're gonna need a lot of water and desert gear. Get on geting yourself some in the markets and we'll leave as soon as nightr falls." The eaglerin grins.

Well, gives the impression of grinning. His beak hangs open.