Kindled Magic: IC Thread, Book 1, Chapter 1

Fletcher · February 19

Szastuhastah

Haibram's encouragement that she should not immediately be recognized as a student set Szastuhastah's mind at ease. Despite Adalet's worry, it would be hardly a deception if she did not claim it, and on the merchants' shoulders alone for making assumptions. Considering Esi's reaction, it seemed like maybe the nagaji was already of one mind with the dwarf's interpretations of Rain-Scribe methods. "Thiss feelss like a more ssatissfactory approach," she agrees with a nod. "When we find the Market, I sshall approach ssseparately from you all." Making sure they are all in accord for the plan - and seeing Ras is itching to get moving - Szas smiles and begins to glide after him.

Along the way, she carefully undoes the beads from the long strand of hair that she had used to display them. She wonders if it had not, in fact, been a wise choice for showing them. Not if she was going to have to keep hiding them for assignments like this one. They are deposited carefully in a pocket within her sleeve and she keeps her hands together politely.

At some point, she separates from the others - or at least, from the main group, as she is happy to have someone accompany her for this misdirection - and begins to ask for instructions to find the Kafesi Market.

Per Discord, Szas rolls a successful 19 for Gather Info

Edited February 19 by Fletcher (see edit history)

Kavonde · February 26

Nyoka eyes Esi and Haibram disapprovingly. She expected better of Esi! She seemed like a responsible person who respected the rules, but here she was, encouraging them to associate with questionable people. Still, there's some logic to Haibram's argument that doing good for others can require breaking unjust rules; she's just not convinced that this rule is unjust.

Still, everyone else seems on board, and Nyoka doesn't want to be left out or be perceived as a stick-in-the-mud. (Teacher Ot had made that joke once, and she hated it so much.) She grudgingly assents to join the others on this expedition.

She decides to go with Szas to help her gather information about the market, though her only real contribution to the effort is being small, earnest, and cute.

ripleycat · February 29

Outside the innermost circle of the campus, the rings of Nantambu's canals break the city up into bridge-linked "island" neighborhoods, mostly mixtures of family homes and artisan's shops. Most of these have their own little markets, and Szastuhastah and Nyoka find one that seems like a reasonable place to start asking about the big traveling market. The pair are nothing if not noticeable, and soon draw a crowd of townsfolk. They probably would even if they weren't asking questions of every passerby.

Being small, earnest and cute are all admirable qualities, but those who gather around Nyoka mostly remark about her being small, earnest and cute (and also about her being a living wooden doll), and ignore the (earnest) questions about where the Kafesi Market might be today. There is a long and spirited conversation with a young girl, who desperately wants to take the "magic doll" home with her, and her mother, who fortunately realizes that Nyoka is much more than an enchanted novelty toy, and manages to keep the Magaambya from losing a student to the grubby vice-grip of a six year old.

Szas has better luck. The nagaji is significantly more intimidating than her tiny passenger, and even the easy-going fruit seller who jokes with her about there being only one reason for someone like her to be in Nantambu obviously feels it best to answer, regardless of why she might be asking. "You're in luck, sort of. Yesterday they were all the way out in the sticks, trading with the farmers. Today... today they're on the shore, dealing with the fishing fleet. Due west from here. Right that way. Maybe 20 minutes... er, walk?" The man laughs nervously. "Follow the main canal. If you can see the ocean, you're close."

OOC

Step one, complete. Szas's roll was good enough to locate the Kafesi Market. Next steps are yours to take.

Fletcher · March 1

Szastuhastah

Leading the way for the group, Szastuhastah moves at a surprising speed compared to the leisurely glide she has demonstrated thus far within the Magaambya. The powerful, undulating s-shape of her tail takes up a lot of space - the reason she had preferred to bring up the rear earlier - but she is cognizant not to leave the others behind. Perhaps the space between them is enough to help the ruse that they are not one big group of students. As they cross the canal into the smaller marketplaces and domiciles, the nagaji begins to carefully, politely approach people in search of the elusive Kafesi Market. Thankfully her own exotic form is offset by the cuteness of her fellow student, riding along on her tail at the base of her humanoid part.

While first the attention to her little companion is sweet, Szas begins to understand the context, see through the subtext of their language thanks to the comb, and her smile falters. The people are moved by the novelty of the little poppet and those attentions are beginning to sit poorly with Nyoka. Once the little girl almost absconds with her small friend, Szas coils up once around her and scoops her up in her arms, letting the deep sleeves fall away to her elbows so she can hold her tight to her chest. "Iss thiss permisssible, friend? I am ssorry for their sstaress," she murmurs, making headway through the crowd by nature of her bulk.

Finally, there is a merchant who knows - and is willing to share, thankfully - of the Market's whereabouts. Dismissing his thoughts that she will surely be recognized, Szas bows faintly for his helpfulness and retrieves five copper pieces from the inner folds of her ruqun to place in his hands. "You have my thankss, ssir," she says, attempting to smother her sibilant sounds as best she can. Then turning to the others who are totally not a part of this search, she gestures 'thataway' and begins to forge onward. Everywhere there aren't paving stones, her body presses gently into the earth with her slithering progress.

Along the way, she does slow down, allow the others to come more closely alongside, and looks between them with a genteel smile. "He ssusspectss I shall be identified at once. Perhapss when we are closse, we part wayss and I may draw the more sshrewd eyess to mysself while you procur the creaturess."

Kavonde · March 4

Nyoka squeaks in surprise as Szasz picks her up and holds her against her chest. She begins to protest, but then warm, comforting softness envelops her and her complaints die on her tiny wooden lips. She looks around and realizes that she's been pressed between Szasz's... chest... parts. Nyoka's face turns cherry red with embarrassment. People aren't supposed to touch each other's... you know!

... Though it is rather comfortable. And at least up here there won't be any children trying to carry her off.

"I-it's fine," she finally answers after a few seconds of trying to decide what to do before finally settling on acceptance.

She watches from her oddly comforting new perch as Szasz interacts with various people, including the merchant who finally gives them a decent lead. "Thank you!" she calls, echoing Szasz's words of gratitude.

When they reconvene, Nyoka begins to feel a little embarrassed again about her new mode of transport. "Um, Szasz? Could I ride on your shoulder instead of your, um." She blushes, and she hates that it's happening. She takes a breath and tries again. "Could I ride on your shoulder?"

Mister Doctor · March 4

Rasalhague - Character Sheet

KAC: 18 Fort: +9 Ref: +8 Will: +3
HP: 20/20 Hero: 1/3 | Perception: +3

Ras looked between Adalet and Cecilia realizing that they were the only three that had a chance of really sneaking below notice in this matter. Szas had such an easy way with people that some part of him had hoped she would just sweep through this whole assignment for them. Yet as cosmopolitan as Nantambu was, even that had limits. Being half a snake tended to make one stand out in a crowd.

"Uh, yeah, we should be able to handle that much... Right?" Now that he did not have the comfortable distance of letting Szas handle the talking and needed to see if either of the two remaining people in their little cohort could handle the negotiations involved in high-stakes chicken acquisition. This really was not what he expected to be doing when Illya had informed him they had signed him up for one of the most prestigious magic academies in the world..

Edited March 4 by Mister Doctor (see edit history)

Toraka_Stormheart · March 4

Cecilia - Character Sheet

AC: 18 Fort: +3 Ref: +8 Will: +5

HP: 17/17 Hero Points: 2/3 | Perception: +5

Ammunition: 30/30 | CantripsMessage
Draw Moisture
Stabilize | ConditionsNone

Following along at a fair distance, Cecilia seemed easily distracted by the hustle and bustle around them. Hands clasped behind her back, the young woman had a bright look in her eye, taking in the exotic landscapes with no diminished sense of wonder. Despite the rain, which she took a measure to extract from her hair and clothes any time they stopped under shelter for more than a moment.

As Ras spoke up after the briefing, Cecilia nodded. She did not lack confidence despite her apparent lack of attention, tapping her forehead as if knowing. "Shouldn't be too difficult. How hard is it to spot some chickens right? Let's go, we can be back by lunch."

Stepping along into where the market was told to be located, the human made her way, headlong, eyes everywhere but forward for the mission.

Show Mechanics

Gonna go ahead and start the deal with a Perception check To locate the *specific* item we are looking for. We can figure out the hows later

Check result is 10

Action 1:

Action 2:

Action 3:

Fletcher · March 6

Szastuhastah

As the group proceeds after the man's instructions, Szastuhastah takes up the easy visage of a traveling dignitary being led by a local through the beauty that the city has to offer. Though having said guide squeezed firmly in one's cleavage seemed highly irregular. When Nyoka speaks up, the nagaji is thoroughly embarrassed at having taken her from one uncomfortable situation to another. "Oh! Yesss, of courssse! I'm sso ssorry..." The poppet is removed from her chest and placed on her shoulder as requested and Szas draws the ruqun partially closed. After all, she was told by her human companions that some races had a particular amenable reaction to these parts of humanoid creatures.... and apparently sometimes the opposite reaction. She looks sidelong at Nyoka and smiles, making sure she is ready to proceed.

"My friend," she asks Nyoka as they are nearly open the Market. "Could you guide me to ssomething sspecial of thiss land - ssomething expenssive that one ssuch ass I might wish to return to their land with?" It is her plan to become indecisive in the midst of one or two merchants, see if she can create a competition between their wares over the possibility of a healthy purse. Student or not, she looked like she could present a heavy payday to the winner... and maybe it might draw enough attention that the others could obtain their target in peace.

"Perhapss clothiers?"

Edited March 12 by Fletcher (see edit history)

ripleycat · March 7

It's a soggy and increasingly cold walk (or slither) out to the far western edge of Nantambu, where the winds are blowing the ocean waves into whitecaps, but about half an hour after getting their directions, the students find themselves in the wandering Kafesi Market. The market itself is simple, as one might expect from an operation that picks itself up and moves around nearly every day, the merchants set up behind carts and wooden tables, but it's not the grim, clandestine thing one might expect from Esi and Haibram's description, either.

The market has taken over the harbor road, creating a long, racous promenade, or a gauntlet to run depending on your opinion of crowds and hawkers. Riots of color explode in every direction, under a rainbow of awnings and umbrellas. Spice and perfume fill the air, battling with the equally pungent odor of fish, meats, the rancid tang of freshly tanned hides, and the nightsoil vendor who's been exiled to the edge of the market by the docks. Everything you could imagine someone selling seems to be here, from bulk stone and timber to humble fruits and vegetables, intricate jewelry, trinkets and tools for home and hearth, oddities from far away lands, arms and armor, and yes, as warned, a numbers of stalls proudly display alchemical and magical creations that would send Xhokan into a worry fit. It's just sitting out, not catalogued properly at all!

Shouting vendors compete for the purses of all who pass down the street. Szas's uniqueness and bearing draws plenty of attention, some of whom have clearly overheard her expensive musings.

"Lady of the serpents, over here! The finest goods from Tian Xia! Cure your homesickness!"

"Shawls and scarves! Keep yourself dry in this miserable weather! The finest fabrics! Enough to wrap yourself head-to-tail!"

"The best Nantambu has to offer! Take home the bright glories and beautiful melodies of the Song-Wind City!"

"Maruya! Fresh banana fritters! Hot and fresh! Free samples - take a bite, and guarantee you'll want more!"

"Marvels in your pocket! Treasures and talismans! Necklaces and bracelets made while you watch! You there! Little one! Come and see! Glittering jewels! Gold and silver! Ring, bangles, armor! A crown fit for a queen! I can make it in your size!"

Those who trail behind aren't shunned on sight. Some of the merchants may know exactly where Adalet, Ras, and Cecilia have come from, but they seem to have been granted a chance. Or perhaps it depends on their shopping. What does a fruit carter care for magical politics, after all?

"You sir, you look famished! Fresh plums, picked this morning! Melons, sweet as honey!"

"Guard yourself! Guard yourself with the best, with my weapons! By the time the Chime-Ringers get there, it might be too late! Don't be sorry, be alive!"

"Kyinkyinga, our specialty! Beef skewers, five for a silver scale! Don't just smell those spices, taste them first!"

"New in town, looking to make a home? Fine broad cedar, brought down from Mzali! Buy two cords, we'll have it delivered for free!"

"Swordfish! Enough to feed a family for a week! So fresh it might as well still be swimming!"

"You, my lady, have traveled far, and the well-traveled know quality! Come and see that which cannot be found anywhere else! Wonders of forbidden lands and forgotten ages!"

"Enchantments! Scrolls and chimes! Keep pests at bay! Thwart the curses of the jealous! Sting your enemies! Find love and wealth!"

OOC

Kafesi may be your quarry, but it's also a market, and as long as you don't make too much fuss, you're welcome to shop at most of the vendors. They offer almost everything from the equipment lists, including a few categories (like arms and armor, or food and drink) that Xhokan doesn't carry at the Powderpile, along with completely trustworthy magical items. Shopping for yourselves takes a half-hour.

Finding a vendor selling Ojofiri chickens is a Diplomacy (Gather Information) check, secret DC. Other skills can be used if you can justify their use, though.

Mister Doctor · March 10

Rasalhague - Character Sheet

KAC: 18 Fort: +9 Ref: +8 Will: +3
HP: 20/20 Hero: 1/3 | Perception: +3

Ras, trusting a certain level of instinct refined from being in markets all around the Inner Sea and valiantly resisting the siren call of street food, craned his neck to try and see through the crowds.

"Hey! I think they've got the animals over there. I can see... cages, some pens... and yup, that's the smell of pig shit. C'mon, might as well start looking in that direction." Averting his eyes from the lascivious temptations of piping hot fritters and sundry meats located on and around sundry sticks, Ras tried his damnedest to carve a path towards where he suspected there might be animals for sale.

Fletcher · March 13

Szastuhastah

Together with her shoulder-mounted companion, Szastuhastah glides headlong into the kaleidoscope of colors and sounds now turning the full brunt of its attention upon them, the curious pair. The nagaji's features positively light up at the exotic and mysterious things being held up, held out, held in their way as they try to proceed. Everything that is presented she examines with the bright eyes of one fully immersing themselves in it all. Looking to Nyoka and pointing at this interesting treat or at the silliness of trying to sell them an order of lumber. Her gestures are gracious, though, to each and every one of these otherwise oppressive merchants, her real goal being to procure something that will cause commotion. Soon, she finds the side-by-side booths of one selling beautiful shawls and another equally beautiful bolts of fabric that could be used for the same purpose.

"Ooh, thiss iss what I had hoped to find," she murmurs, considering the way the two merchants are subtly jockeying for her attention rather than the actual wares they are showing off. "Let uss causse a sstir, hm?" Her whispered voice is even more slithering to the poppet, though the twinkle in her eye banishes the sinister sound of it. When she arrives at the two, her body coils up into that half-seat shape, yet still appears taller than both of them. As if to accent her intention, the small purse of coins appears from the depths of her sleeve and is weighed between her fair hands.

"Tell me true," Szas engages them. "Are thesse patternss of local cusstom in Nantambu, or from placess beyond in Mwangi? I ssseek that which may sspeak mosst beautifully of my travelss to thiss disstant land." Then her hands gesture to each of them, as if prompting them to make their arguments for which is better.

ripleycat · March 13

"Woven in our very city, to catch the wind that gives our name, wise lady."

"I have several local designs, and more besides! See here, the bold colors of Mzali, and the dappled waves of Senghor! You may take home a complete accounting of your travels, and more!" The man's voice drops into a conspiratorial whisper, and he pulls a delicately wrapped bolt of cloth of gold from under his table, as if revealing the greatest of secrets. "I have this! From the Golden City of Osibu! Hidden beyond the Screaming Jungle!"

"It's from Taldor. He bought it off a pirate a month ago."

"I do not need your lies and accusations intruding into these delicate negotiations! My network of contacts can reach anywhere in Mwangi, good ladies. You, my small friend! You must find most cloth terribly heavy and rough. I have Anadi silk here, the finest in the city. Wouldn't it be nice to move about in soft luxury?"

"You've never been to Mzali, either. The sun-worshipers would kill you on sight." The barb draws an angry, incredulous hiss that makes the cloth merchant sound like he's trying to imitate Szas. "My lady, you ask for local custom, and that is what I offer. The beautiful crafts of our own people. Shawls and scarves, hoods sturdy enough to keep you dry in the wet season, but light enough to keep you cool in the dry season. You may try some on, if you wish?"

"He's a scoundrel. That's a trick. He'll shout and accuse you of being a thief and a swindler if you try to give one back."

"How dare you!"

"Ladies, please. You are both special customers. Your needs are not to be plucked off some common rack next to a reeking fishmonger. I can supply exactly the right cloth for whatever you might desire, including a shawl, if that is where your heart lies, but also dresses and skirts, shirts and coats. Perhaps a poncho would be best, if you are to be staying with us during the rainy months?"

"Yes, if they want to waste precious time and precious coin on a tailor first. You heard them, they're travelers! Ladies, my wares are finished, sewn by the clever hands of wonderful seamstresses. You may wear one right now, if you see something you like!"

As Szas and Nyoka's distraction continues to spiral louder and louder, and ever closer to an outright fistfight, Ras is able to quietly lead the others toward the animal stall he spotted. A large stack of wicker cages hold a variety of squawking birds and skittering lizards, next to a temporary sty for goats and pigs, rooting around in the mud. Some of the birds are quite exotic, vibrant jungle fowl in colors only Adalet has ever seen before, alongside ducks and chickens.

Among the blank, haunting stares of the chickens are a brood of small fowl with purple combs and blue-grey feathers. They match the description of Ojofiri chickens Esi and Haibram passed along, at least. A half-dozen little blue chicks peep and peer from under their mothers' feathers.

The merchant, a tall, stern‑faced woman with her head shaved bald and huge hoop earrings through her ears, frowns down (or up, at Adalet) at the gaggle of young... customers? "I'm Makena, and these animals are my livelihood. If you're here to gawk, go stare at someone else. If you're here to buy, I'm listening..."

OOC

You guys found the market fairly quickly, and made right for her stall, so Makena still has 6 chicks left. Congratulations. It was actually very possible to fail The Chicken Adventure behind the scenes. 🐔

Ojofiris are rare and valuable, and Makena knows it. She is willing to sell as many chicks as you wish to buy (Esi and Haibram requested at least 4, as a reminder), at 4 gp per chick.

Makena is a hard bargainer. If you want to negotiate to lower her substantial price for her chicks, it's a DC 15 Deception, Diplomacy, or Intimidation check, or a DC 13 Mercantile Lore check. On a success, Makena lowers her price to 3 gp per chick; on a critical success, she lowers the price to 2 gp per chick. She provides no price reduction on a failure, but on a critical failure, she increases the price to 5 gp per chick out of stubbornness.

Toraka_Stormheart · March 14

Cecilia - Character Sheet

AC: 18 Fort: +3 Ref: +8 Will: +5

HP: 17/17 Hero Points: 2/3 | Perception: +5

Ammunition: 30/30 | CantripsMessage
Draw Moisture
Stabilize | ConditionsNone

Somewhere in the midst of the hustle and bustle going on as the group moved through the Kafesi Market, Cecilia must have gotten separated...or wandered off. Either way, the young Taldane, the newly minted adult, and quite liberated student found herself being proffered all a manner of goods. Trinkets, treats, baubles, snacks, decor, delicacies...the human woman's senses were overstimulated by everything around her, eyes filled with wonder and glee.

By the time she had rejoined at the stall with their found fowl in sight, Cecilia's arms were laden with several bags of stuff, a pastry hanging from her mouth as she hurried her way over to them. Clearing her lips, the human let out a gasp.

"Oh. My. Gods and Goddesses!" Letting out a delighted shriek, Cecilia practically yanked Ras with her to the front of the stall. "Aren't these just adorable?! They match my outfit! We simply must have them along!" Putting on a mock pout, the eye facing away from Makena winked ever so briefly before she leaned in close to the man, practically pressing into his arm and side, her chin on his shoulder as she spoke closely. "Please please will you get the flock for me?? As an early birthday present??"

Show Mechanics

In true proper college freshman fashion, Cecilia has splurged 7 whole GP on various decor, baubles, and plenty of snacks for her room.

On the task at hand, the check result is a success at 21. We will call it deception.

Action 1:

Action 2:

Action 3:

Kavonde · March 14

Nyoka stares back and forth between the two merchants, trying not to laugh. The whole scene is so absurd!

She catches Szasz's eye and tries not to giggle. Part of her feels a little guilty about being the cause of this sort of conflict, but then again, the pair of merchants seem like old friends (or old enemies) who were primed to argue at even the slightest excuse. Heck, they might be enjoying this as much as Nyoka and Szasz are.

Hopefully, the distraction will be enough for the others to buy the chickens without interference from anyone who might be willing to pay a higher price for them.

Mister Doctor · March 15

Rasalhague - Character Sheet

KAC: 18 Fort: +9 Ref: +8 Will: +3
HP: 20/20 Hero: 1/3 | Perception: +3

The poor lad's back goes suddenly ramrod straight at the sudden and unexpected close contact, his whole body tensing as his mind did its level best to catch up with what Cecilia was saying. Ras was many things, a smooth operator was distinctly not one of them. Fortunately, he did not have to do much with Cecilia drawing all the attention as even putting words together was a bit of a challenge at the moment and him being thoroughly flummoxed suited her gambit just fine.

"I... what? That is... yeah. Uh, some blue and purple chickens... please," Ras said, thrusting the bag of coins they had been given towards Makena, not really having the presence of mind to try and exploit the situation any further than that. Now that his brain was catching up, Ras's cheeks were starting to turn distinctly pink at this point.

Text_1	Text_2	Text_3	Bold_1	Accent_1	Mood_1
Warm_1	Warm_2	Warm_3	Bold_2	Accent_2	Mood_2
Cool_1	Cool_2	Cool_3	Bold_3	Accent_3	Mood_3
Bright_1	Bright_2	Bright_3	Bold_4	Accent_4	Mood_4

Kindled Magic: IC Thread, Book 1, Chapter 1

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