It is dark and very chilly...the temperature being only just above freezing. The sky is overcast and a damp mist rolls in. There is a salty tang to the air...and sure enough, as your eyes adjust to the dim light you can see that one side of the square abuts a wharf, where a number of small, brightly painted fishing boats are tied up. The rest of the square is surrounded by small shops, houses and businesses, mostly of stucco, and also painted in bright pastel colours, except where three streets enter the square.
You find that you are standing at the base of a signpost. Atop it is a brass sign reading -
- and below it are signs pointing down the three roads to various destinations -
The Coast Road: East: To the Abbor Alz.
North: To Hackness.
Apart from yourselves, your mounts, animals and supplies, which Ray Jay teleported as well, the square is deserted.
All of the buildings are in darkness, save for one, where a few lights still shine from within. A sign hangs over the verandah -
The Dog.
You head over to the place.
It looks like an inn.
There is another, handwritten sign stuck to the wall beside the door -
"Adventurers Wanted! Apply within!"
Sharone reaches into her saddle bags she pulls out a fine fur cloak and puts it on.
"Thought we were going somewhere a bit warmer than this......"
Tassier says, "Let's go!"
He heads to the Inn. Once outside the doorway he whispers something to his horse and then goes inside.
The horse sits down and lights a cigar.
Britan looks around to see if there is a stable or some place where the horses can be put up while we are inside the Inn and pats the neck of his mount then says, "Well Just about anything is better than being cold, and a good mug of hot cider would go down nicely."
The rest of you do likewise, and soon find yourselves standing just inside the common room of the place, the source of the lights.
It is a bright, airey place. The walls are of white stucco, and hung with paintings, swords and shields. Tables and chairs are scattered about. A fire blazes merrily away at the far end. There is a bar to your left, just inside the door. A man polishes glassware behind it. Over by the fire sits another man, dressed in a fine silk shirt and khaki trousers, holding a glass of brandy and contemplating the flames. He looks over at you as you enter, and you see that he is approaching middle age, with thinning hair but with piercing blue eyes.
These two are the only ones present, besides yourself.
"Good evening, or rather good morning, as it is after midnight," says the man behind the bar. With a bit of a feeling of surprise, you realise that your bodies are still operating on Sandas time, where it is but an hour after breakfast. "Do you seek rooms for the night? Food? Refreshments? I can offer you plenty of the latter, but the kitchen is closed at this hour, and all that I can offer you in the way of food are breads and cold cuts."
Sharone smiles at the barkeeper..."Bread and cold cuts sounds great.....and a round of drinks for my friends. "
The barman leaves, passing through a doorway behind the bar and into the kitchen. He returns a moment later carrying a large platter piled high with breads, rolls, cold meats, cheeses and fruits. He then sets about getting you all beverages.
"We noticed your ad for adventurers...whom should we speak to ? "
"The man over there," he answers, motioning to the person by the fire.
"Well I suppose that is the guy we need to talk to."
Kelar walks over to him.
Raz follows behind Kelar and listens in. Britan grabs some bread and meat and walks over with Raz while he munches on dinner.
"Excuse me but do you mind if we join you?" asks Kelar as he motions to his companions.
The man looks Kelar over. He is of noble countenance, but he looks trailworn. At close range you can see that his fine clothes are a little shabby.
"Of course you may join me," he replies, waving you over. "I am Malbar. Malbar of Furyondy."
Humphrey walks over to Malbar, "Greetings Malbar of Furyondy, I am Humphrey of Sandas and these are my friends."
He then sits down next to him.
"That is me!" exclaims the man. "Sandas, eh? I guess Ray Jay came through! Are you interested in exploring a lost city?"
Tassier sits down and says, "I am Tassier Perianth of the Free city of Calator. Please to meet you."
"That is not on Oerth, is it?" he asks.
Tassier says, "No, another world, another time." He smiles and says, "We are all very interested. What kind of deal are you talking about in regards to this city and it's treasure?"
Farad curses. "Egads, it seems that my ability to travel the planes will be most useful after all. We are no longer even on the same world as Sandas."
"No, you are not," answers Malbar. "You are on Oerth. Same plane, but a different world. Didn't Ray Jay tell you?"
Britan looks over at Malbar and says " I am Britan Cavalier from Puke and no we were not told we would be traveling to a new world, but it makes no difference but it would have been nice to know."
"Yes...I should think so," says Malbar. "Ray Jay has a mild nasty streak, that is for sure. Did any of you get her mad?"
Tassier says, "Oh, I guess I might have irked her a bit."
He smiles and says, "However, I don't know how anyone could expect me to be in a good mood after getting killed and having my head cut off!"
Humphrey smiles, "Yes Ray Jay did send us, though he failed to mention to my recollection that we would be traveling to a new world. Well no enemies looking for us here. That's good at least."
Farad laughs. "No, the archmage didn't deem to reveal that information."
"But it doesn't matter. I have the means to get us back at least if needed, although that will take much longer than I had planned."
Ayazin reels for a few minutes, then slaps a hand to his head. "Egad! When I told my brothers I was going to travel far and wide, I had no idea that I would go to another world! Does anyone know about the differences between our world and this one? How is the weather different, the creatures, the spinning of the globe ... oh, I feel so incredibly small right now, I think I might be ill..." the druid sits down heavily and comforts himself with some fruit.
Malbar smiles.
"You'll see some differences, but you will also see a lot that is the same," he says. "Our space-faring ancestors took a lot of plants and animals with them from world to world. There are some creatures and such that are unique to Oerth, though."
He pauses, and for the first time you note that his accent and that of the barkeep are...different...and that the spicing of the meats is...different...some of the fruits look slightly...different...and the cheeses taste a little...different...
"You will find that most of the gods that you serve have few followers, here," Malbar continues. "Oerth has its own deities, and they often bestow additional powers upon their servants. Also, Oerth is reknowned throughout the multiverse for the quality of our mages. They are always developing new magics and new spells."
Farad pauses, and his eyes have a faraway look for a second. "The gods here seem to favor me as they did at home. I still have all of the abilities they have granted me."
"Pardon me?" says Malbar.
Farad states, "I am a paladin of the high gods: their servant in the fight against evil. They have graced me with the ability to see into the future and heal the wounds of those who aid in this fight."
"Indeed?" says Malbar, with a glance at the rest of you. "Well, I am but a simple warrior. I wander the lands in search of adventure."
"You can see the future?" asks Gamvik. "That's quite a trick."
"When I take the time to look, and only a brief moment ahead. If I were a gambler, I could easily live a life of comfort from my winnings." Farad responds. "But such a use of the god's gifts would be a sin and improper."
Tassier winks at Gamvik and makes a circling motion near his head in regards to Farad.
"First round of drinks on me." Then Humphrey turns to Malbar again. "I suppose that you be the one looking for adventurers?"
Tassier also sits down and waits for the others. Then he says, "We saw the sign outside and the innkeeper pointed you out as the contact. Can you tell us more of this job that you have posted for?"
"I acquired a map with directions to a lost city in the desert lands east of here," Malbar explains. "Over two years ago I set out with another band of adventurers from this very inn, in search of it. All went well, until a sandstorm hit, and we got separated. When the storm ended, I was alone. I assume that my companions perished.
"I wandered about for many weeks, subsisting on my few supplies and getting water from the occasional fleshy cactus that I came across. One day I stumbled across the city, and gave it a cursory look over. Much of it has been buried under the shifting sands, I fear, but I did find a way in. I also found a well, where I filled my waterskins before setting out to return to the civilised lands.
"All the same, it was some weeks before I reached more hospitable regions. I had other matters to attend to in the meantime, but I never forgot about the city...and the riches it probably contains. So, now I am back. I have put out the word for more adventurers to accompany me. You are the first to respond."
Farad nods, taking notes as he talks. "So you will be going along with us, eh? Do you wish to offer us a one time fee for the escort, or will we be getting shares of the treasure? What are your terms?"
Ayazin says, "Tell us, what should we do to prepare for the journey, and what dangers should we expect?"
"Have you ever travelled through a desert before?" asks Malbar. "The climate is your worst enemy. Luckily, it is almost winter and so it will not be so hot...but it will still be very dry."
"I will pay to equip you and provide you with horses and supplies for the journey there. Once we arrive and set up a base camp, I suggest that we split up. You can explore the underground area while I explore the above ground. You can keep any monies - coins, gems, ordinary magic and such - that you find, and I shall keep what I find. All I request is that if you find any tomes, scrolls or documents of a historical nature, that we share them. I know of some mages and sages in Greyhawk who might pay dearly for them."
Farad nods. "Sounds fair enough for me. Is their a timetable you wish to keep? We should arrange to meet each other periodically at least."
"We will be sharing a base camp together. Perhaps if one of us goes missing for more than, say, three days, a search should be made."
"What and where is this Greyhawk, just in case something bad happens to you?" asks Humphrey.
Malbar smiles.
"Follow the signs to Hardby, and turn right," he says. "'Tis the greatest city in the world."
Farad looks at his notes. "How far into the desert is this lost city? How many days travel directly that is from a civilized place where we can reequip ourselves if needed."
"This town - Fairford - is the last outpost of civilization before the desert," replies Malbar. "On horseback, the city is about a week to ten days ride, depending on the weather."
Britan nods. "Sounds like a reasonable time table to go by, My question is when do you plan on leaving?"
Malbar rubs his chin.
"We can spend tomorrow purchasing mounts and supplies, and leave the following morning. Is that suitable?"
Aldarin nods, "Sounds good to me" as he continues to stuff fruit and bread into his mouth while periodically taking sips from his goblet of wine.
Farad nods. "So we should take a wagon with us, with at least a month's water and food."
Humphrey listens to Farad's idea of a wagon, "Do wagons roll ok in the desert or do they tend to get stuck. Also what about some ideas of how to regroup if we get hit by a sandstorm. Maybe a fireball shot into the air as high as possible would do the trick?"
Britan scratches his head "Wouldn't pack horses be better than a wagon because the wagon may get stuck in the sand?"
Farad nods. "True, but the more animals, the more water we have to carry, which means more animals..."
Farad smiles.
"No, we would never get a wagon overland to the city. There is a well - actually a small oasis - at the edge of the city, and some wells and springs along the way," says Malbar. "Not all of the journey is through desert, either. So, some pack animals should be sufficient."
Britan nods "We May want to get a spy glass also being in an open terrain like that?"
Humphrey thinks some more, "Also I do not think that I will keep the armour on my horse. Is there a place to store it until we return to his town?"
"You have a horse already? The people at the inn, here, will look after whatever you want to leave behind. They know me, and are to be trusted."
Farad turns to Kelar.
"Hey, does that magical tent of yours allow you to store things?"
"I have the tent. And I don't know what it will store haven't tested it. Was going to do that on this trip. But we don't need to worry bout food or water. It does supply that in plenty. Unless you like meat then we will need to get some jerky." states Kelar. "Hmmm magic is in abundance here??? Maybe I will be able to replace what I lost."
Sharone speaks up.
"Assuming I can still cast my usual spells I will be able to supplement both food and water for the group so lets not over-load ourselves with supplies. 24 gallons per day of water should cover our groups needs. But the food I can create isn't particularly fancy , it will last us in a pinch."
"The telescope sounds like a good idea...Britan "
"I would like to obtain a pack horse and saddlebags before we leave "
"Let's prepare a group shopping list so that we don't over load ourselves "
Sharone takes out a piece of paper and quill/ink. She begins to write.....
1x pavillion tent...should get us all out of the weather and give us a good base camp to store things in.
3x coils of rope...so we can tie ourselves together during sandstorms etc...should make it harder to lose each
other.
plenty of spare wineskins ....24 gallon volume.
an arab burnoose and robe to wear.
rations and animal food.
2x leather buckets. For lowering into wells after water.
Tassier says, "We might as well get expedition gear as well. Some torches, 2 lanterns, several flasks of oil, and maybe some salt for curing any meat we find on the trail. Any other ideas?"
Humphrey hearing the comment about coils of rope for tying the party together, says, "Can we get Silk rope here? Regular rope seems to chaf my skin." Humphrey will buy a couple of extra canteens just to be safe. "Malbar, What do you recommend for clothing. How are hot are the days and how cool are the nights?"
Britan looks at Humphrey. "Whatever you get Humphrey make it white, because white will not attract the heat and is easier to cool."
Farad pauses. "I wonder if that theory would work with fire elementals."
Britan looks at Farad " I doubt it I just know it is considerably cooler in the day when you wear white or very light color clothing and a head scarf."
You finally retire to your rooms, and pass a fitful night. Your bodies are still operating on Sandas time.
You arise early next morning and meet in the common room. The temperature is rising outside, but it is still overcast. You are served a hearty breakfast by a woman whom you learn is actually the owner of The Dog.
With Malbar, you spend the day buying equipment. He will foot the bill for any reasonable purchase. Fairford is a prosperous place, located on Woolly Bay. It is near the eastern border of the Gynarchy of Hardby and hence is well fortified and has a fair-sized military outpost.
Still making the adjustment to Oerth time, you retire early that night.