desertfox

The oarsmen's blades ply the soft waves. Coroebus's companions bend well to the task, while the sailors fuss at the sail and cables. Eritha crouches uncomfortably in the benches and tuts. "Half of Priene speculate about our purpose. A cover tale might have befuddled the spies. Or not, perhaps they report everything to Miletus anyway. By their power of telepathos. " As if to confirm her fears, a distant boat appears, shadowing the warship. Miletus' own warship, or a trade ship spying for her. OOC The crew defer naturally to Zorus concerning the approach to Hybanda. Zorus make a boating roll to keep the ship on course and identify safe landing places. Both make a notice roll for the same purpose. I'll assume--unless you say otherwise--that the crew are now briefed concerning the destination and general purpose of the voyage.

The chariot, fast as sound, passes with its warrior. The blade flashes. A fountain of flood gushes from the monster's punctured shell. For a moment it seems the wound has gone unnoticed by the reptile. But then the beast rears and vanishes with a rush of air that shakes the doors of the nearby huts. On the street to the agora people are shouting, "Zorus, Zorus, Son of Hercules!" But on the waterfront they chant, "Coroebus, athlete blessed by flying Hermes!" OOC The pair have won such acclaim that they can effortlessly attract volunteers for their mission. The use of a fast trade ship, the Priene, will also be donated freely by its grateful captain if requested. Remembering that their mission must remain secret from Priene's enemies, they can choose up to a dozen Prienauts from the following expendable citizens : Coroebus' drinking pals (up to 6). All are accomplished athletes, archers and fighters (d8/ d6/ d8 in these skills). But at least one or two bear jealous thoughts against C. Any not taken might bear a grudge as spurned. Sailors (up to 20). Grateful for the heroes' feats on the quay and skilful (d8) with sail-- though less able (d4 fighting) on land. Veterans (up to 6). Leather shields, spears, slings. Older fighters now ineligible for military service. Itch for battle. d8 fighting but more easily (d6 STA) tired/hurt. Automachus, the city's philosopher historian. Wordy and useless in a fight, but with some occult and historical knowledge. Eritha the dancer, scaled right back to extra build but with strong dance and stealth skills. Teleopsis, an old hunter and hide-seller. Grateful his daughter was freed by Zorus. Lame, deaf, but able to track well. 1. Let me know your preferred composition, e.g. Automachus, Coroebus' best pal, 5 sailors, 5 vets. 2. Maybe come up with a cover for the expedition.

Onlookers are amazed by Zorus’ show of might. All six victims scramble free as he raises the roof’s huge main beam. An impossible feat. Surely he is a true son of Hercules! Now the great reptile turns its head on its long neck. It sees a brave sailor charging with a spear. It rolls on its long flippers and crushes the poor fellow. OOC Wow, was not expecting Zorus to deal with that so quickly! So let’s dissolve the two zones and join things up. Zorus can now walk to / attack the monster from the street. And Coroebus has at last lined up his chariot for a pass along the quay. Reminder that the dragon turtle is Parry 7, Toughness 12 (4). TN3 versus missiles. Reminder about chariot drive by attacks. Roll both fighting and drive/ride. Take the lower roll to attack.. But melee attacks do an extra 1d6 damage and driver’s parry increases by 2. To throw javs -- take the worse of throw (athletics) and drive/ride. No change to damage. Setting note: These creatures appear to be more than just illusions. They are like the Tibetan idea of a ‘tulpa’, a thought-being brought into actual existence through concentrated imagination. ‘Psychogenesis’ in Mycenean lingo. But Zorus has seen that they have a slightly more fragile hold on reality than ordinary creatures, phasing out if struck a decisive blow (a wound essentially). The monsters created by the Miletus coven all seem to be reptilian and are often ophidian.

Heedless of Coroebus's arrival, the dragon turtle lumbers on. The huge monster blunders into a storehouse, crushing the flimsy structure and spilling its store of foodstuffs. Zorus, still approaching, sees a half dozen labourers have been buried in the storehouse wreckage. OOC Let's divide the battle map into two zones so we can keep pace -- Street, along which Zorus is still approaching. Zorus' task is to free the trapped workers. Each round, Zorus can make a STR check to heave up beams and throw off barrels. Each success and raise frees a person from the debris. This task will likely occupy him for a few rounds. Waterfront, which Coroebus has already reached and where he is attempting to mount a chariot. C can make another drive check, attacking straight away if he makes a raise (see above), merely boarding on a simple success (the animals are shying in the monster's presence).

Thanks for the heads up!

Yes, I think increase your athletics to the next die type.

As Coroebus prays, the priestess exclaims that she detects a brightening of the morning sunshine in the shrine's high window. Surely Athena has approved the Archons' appointment as Her officers! Afterwards, the pair busy themselves in the agora making small purchases for their disguises. Frightened shouts ring out from the waterfront, a few blocks below the market place. The Archons see that a huge monster , twice the size of an ox, has emerged from the sea. The dragon turtle spoken of by local sailors. The creature lumbers along the city quay, clumsily but with surprising speed. It lunges with its long neck at terrified locals. OOC As you have already noted, a favour goes to each Archon as result of successful prayer. (Based on Coroebus' explode): the word soon gets around that Athena has 'approved' their new office. For the rest of the adventure, both Archons receive a +2 bonus to persuade actions (like gathering volunteers) based on this reputation. 1. Make an athletics roll to sprint to the quay in time to save a sailor or two from snatching 2. Roll an attack. The dragon turtle is Parry 7, Toughness 12 (4). TN3 versus missiles. ( chariot fun? Coroebus can if he wishes leap onto a chariot--reqs a Hard (-2) drive/ride to leap aboard and take reins quickly. Using the chariot to make (50mph, apparently) passes against the dragon is tricky-- roll both fighting and drive/ride and take the lower roll to land a blow. But melee attacks do an extra 1d6 damage and his parry increases by 2. Or instead throw javs -- take the worse of throw (athletics) and drive/ride. No change to damage. )

The priestess of Athena is in a good morning mood. She is flattered to be consulted by the Archons. "I have pieced together the following full message, assembling those who were sensitive to the signal." "Citizens/ people of Priene , hearken! The enemy has (entered/ assaulted?) the sanctuary of the Huntress/Artemis. I await your rescue, facing the mouth of the Serpent." The priestess explains that Priene is the poetic, oracular name for Micropolis. She suggests that the sanctuary is likely the shrine of Artemis on the nearby isle of Hybanda. While many believe it to be a ruin, she knows that a few secret worshippers (young women, hunters) occasionally visit the lonely place to make an offering. Perhaps a priestess or two still attends the altar? As for facing the mouth of the serpent, she detects the style of an oracle or poet. 'No doubt she refers to the peril of Miletus' snakemen. If so take care. Engaging them directly in violence might draw our Micropolis--or Priene as we now know her--into conflict. Wear a disguise. Pray with me , so that the Lady Pallas will bless your plans with wisdom. You are her Archons now, her very children." OOC 1. Pray with the priestess. On a successful SPI roll you get some serious good vibes from the action, gaining a Favour (a psychological advantage or actual divine aid depending on your view). 2. Take on a disguise if you like, explaining v briefly what steps you take to hide your identify as men of Priene. Coroebus especially might be identified on sight by a Champion. A persuade roll will indicate how successful this is. 3. Explain what you do next (quick look a the large scale map will show you where Hybanda island is). In terms of buying power I'll say that Zorus still has a store of a hundred arrowheads. Coroebus has ten, if that.

"Citizens of Priene, hearken! The enemy .... sanctuary of Artemis .... I .... long serpent ..." Both heroes hear the feminine, sing-song voice that sings in the ringing signal. But many--most--- words are inaudible. The Strategos summons them immediately. They attend him in his well-appointed villa. "Some folk are reporting a noise. Did you hear it? Yes! Ha! I didn't hear a thing. Look, I cannot deal with this matter without reporting it to the Assembly. Then everyone in the Bay will learn of our affairs. I am handing it over to you to deal with." "I appoint the pair of you to the office of Lesser War Archon. Take these bronze daggers --they are a symbol of your new appointment. Your office does not require that you report to the City's assembly. Only matters of emergency regarding Micropolis' immediate defence must be disclosed. And , with these things, you have some clout. Within reason the citizenry is obliged to support you. You may even enlist a small company, up to a dozen volunteers at a stretch, if you decide on some expedition. Apart from that, tell nobody anything. Oh, and I am afraid that, concerning expenses, you are expected to draw on your own funds as a demonstration of your civic virtue. A 'privilege' you share with all the City's officers." "Oh, and if you lose the daggers you need be ritually thrashed. Or was it lamed? The artefacts are direct gifts of Ares or Athena or some such. Don't worry too much, I am sure we can hammer out a replacement if need be. But do try to hang on to them." OOC Make a CK roll to interpret the bolded archaic words in the psychic message. Remember that many words were inaudible. And set out a plan to investigate, now (light is failing) or the following day... (This is a more action based adventure, btw, despite the mysterious start.)

Weeks pass. The blazing sun shrivels the summer flowers on the hillside. Then its intensity fades. Autumn rains soften the horizon, bringing water to the parched earth. Rumours arrive that Miletus has begun to decline. That the Prefect sent an expedition to Samos that was lost at sea. That there is infighting and even an an attempted takeover. Heracleia, Miletus’ unfortunate satellite, declares independence without an immediate response from the Champion army. Good news at last? Yet the Bay cities seem to suffer new misfortunes. Trade dwindles further, with fewer ships arriving from Old Hellas or the Islands. Harvests are poor. And stories of monsters— reptiles in every case—fill the citizens with fear. A winged serpent flies over the city one morning, and fishermen are frightened by a dragon-like turtle that menaces the harbour. Further out in the Bay, even larger creatures are reported to have been seen. One evening, as many in the city are readying themselves for their cot, a signal is heard by Micropolis’ most psychically sensitive citizens. Those who detect it, later describe a sort of whistle, in which some strange words might be discerned. OOC Refresh favours! Explain where you are and what you are likely doing at this evening hour. Make a SPI and SMA roll, taking the lower result. Success indicates that you notice the whistling ‘signal’ , shifts indicate that words can be faintly discerned.

Calix is absent from the Strategos’s meeting, exhausted by his mistreatment in the Miletus labour gang. A piece of the puzzle remains missing. But, to the heroes’ surprise, doll-like Eritha appears. Unknown to them, she remained in Miletus, spying on events from the foreign merchants’ quarters outside the City’s walls. She explains that she saw poor folk arriving from the countryside to trade in the agora. Some of these visitors were cultists of a snake religion. They claimed to be adherents of Hecate, a feared but respectable goddess in the Hellenic tradition. But were in truth disciples of a serpent cult nurtured by the noble women of Miletus. Some witches boasted to Eritha that they would meet with the noblewomen in a sea cave beneath the city to summon serpentine monsters. Using the power of their dark imaginations and collective psyche. OOC I think we’ll keep it to a single ‘free’ advance on this occasion. However, in addition to the advance, the Strategos can offer ONE training opportunity from the following, which he feels are areas that will increase your usefulness to the City: —Naval training. Boating, training aboard the city’s single warship. —Academic training, learning from Micropolis’s grey bearded philosopher-historian:Common Knowledge or Occult. —Chariot training. Driving/riding, taking lessons from a charioteer. ‘Horseback’ riding is considered a ‘trick’ hereabouts. —Archery. Shooting, taking lessons from a big show-off at the gymnasium. Training increases your skill die type by one step (to d4 if you start with no skill), controlled by the linked attribute as usual.

two miles across

OOC That's a nicely written bit of monologue, in addition to its accuracy. The Strategos reels in amazement. "Surely, I did not expect a revelation such as this! Miletus has fallen to the machinations of she-serpents. Even the snakemen themselves servants and mutations of their witch power? And capable of birthing monsters from their own nous? " "And yet it explains so much..."

Hm, not sure what happened there! The text was: … it is her kind, the Best of Women, who truly rule the City, choosing the men who will become its elite, the Champions, and even those Champions that become its fear-inspiring snakemen. ‘her’, here, is Penelope/ Jewel.

OOC I’ll move it straight to the meeting with the Strategos so I can give feedback IC. This is a ‘good’ report according to the criteria I posted above. “This is a useful report, Zorus. We expected no less from you. We knew it would be a hard task for you to blend into the shadows , giant as you are. Let me hear the other two accounts, and I will pose some questions.”