Chapter 1: The Black City

[VVhite-Crow]

"My brother told me about men who went in and never came out," Urkazzar looks at the sky, nodding to himself, "He said they sometimes find men dried like vegetables in the sun after just a night inside. Something sucks their blood, he said."

Herzebuh is his uncle, not his brother, right?

Farouk's posture loses tension, while he slowly exhales. "That's right. That's what those who return-" his eyes shift over to Mekertu, trying to get his honest opinion about the qanat, "say about the corpses in the city, but that's only because no one who ever took the tunnels in, managed to return and tell their tale. The Shayatin had centuries to creep in every hole and every crack within these walls. There are horrors down there that are even worse than whatever awaits us in the light of day." He has no clue if it's true, hence the Falsehood Fork.
"I don't know what makes you think that the eternal darkness beneath the earth is any different to the dark of night, to them." Farouk looks to the other women and men (looking for help), "And neither is it to the eyes of men."

I assume Lilly's BoA is still 4/6?!
His dice pool looks like this:
Persuasion B4 + 2D Fork "Falsehood"/"The City of Telkomel-wise" + 2D Help = 8 dice
Rebuttal-Offens, Persuasion 3D + 1D Fork "Falsehood" + 1D Help [_5d6s4]=(5, 6, 3, 1, 5)=3=3
Rebuttal-Defense, Persuasion 1D + 1D Fork "The City of Telkomel-wise" + 1D Help [_3d6s4 ]=(5, 3, 6)=2=2

[hidetzugu]

I assume Lilly's BoA is still 4/6?!

I guess @Nutesh and @Suen still haven't replied about the Help on Volley 2... If they approve it the DoW is over with Lilly being crushed

I assume Lilly's BoA is still 4/6?!
His dice pool looks like this:
Persuasion B4 + 2D Fork "Falsehood"/"The City of Telkomel-wise" + 2D Help = 8 dice
Rebuttal-Offens, Persuasion 3D + 1D Fork "Falsehood" + 1D Help [_5d6s4]=(5, 6, 3, 1, 5)=3=3
Rebuttal-Defense, Persuasion 1D + 1D Fork "The City of Telkomel-wise" + 1D Help [_3d6s4 ]=(5, 3, 6)=2=2

With Farouk's 2 Defence Successes the Point gets fully nullified

[Marullus]

Nutesh nods to the runes he is studying. "The buildings above all have protections... i doubt a quanat can say the same. See this one? It is a bar against the unnatural. Once I identifythe others, we will be prepared with more above than below... for we will have knowledge."

+2D Help from Circination.

[hidetzugu]

Duel of Wills Results:

Farouk
Final BoA: 9/9
Statement of purpose:
"I say we take the gate and the cultists are free to join us. After all there is strength in numbers."

Lilly
Final BoA: 0/6
Statement of purpose:
"Nah, we go in through the qanat so that no one see us enter the city, we leave some of these people here so that we stand out less, and we go now so that, if we have to, we can run through the sunny streets on the way back."

Farouk defeats Lilly without the need for any compromise!

Ob 6 (Hesitation 5+1Ob from -1 BoA) Steel test:

Lilly is completely shocked and bewildered that no one took her side.
She stands slack-jawed, contemplating how she ended up in the position of having to care for this many reckless people.

[VVhite-Crow]

Lilly is completely shocked and bewildered that no one took her side.
She stands slack-jawed, contemplating how she ended up in the position to having to care for this many reckless people.

Farouk rises and circles the fire to approach Lilly. During the few steps he almost casually picks up the kettle and pours the last bit of tea in his cup, before placing the empty kettle on one of the half walls.
"I really don't understand you, qizm. You oppose a shaytan trice your size without a second thought, and are startled by a sharp tongue..."
"It is known that the people of your folk are as stubborn as mountain goats," he shows his tea stained teeth in a warm smile and hands Lilly his cup with the rest of the tea, "but you'll see that we're doing the right thing by staying in the open."
"If I'm not mistaken the legendary toughness of your people will prove itself as equally true as your headstrongness, and this little verbal slap will be a thing, both of us can laugh about, in the future." He points at the cup in Lilly's hands: "It brewed a tad too long and got a little bitter, but you should refill your reserves after the efforts to get here. I'm afraid we'll need your prowess at its best."
Following up, Farouk helps collecting their stuff and packing it on the animals.

I'm still curious about Mekertu's entrance of choice to the city. Also he never said if he thinks that the red diamond actually is in the Old Temple. I don't need a fleshed out conversation but a short summary of what he is sharing. I would think that this part of the Let it ride of the circles test and the DoW to have him as a companion?!

[Eric.D]

Suen:

"Well, I for one think that Lilly's idea isn't a bad one," Sabit sidles up to the group, just as the argument dies down and a general agreement is reached.

"I think Suen would probably do just fine in the dark. Don't you think we could help out our friend, Suen?"

She bats her eyes at you, tinged with demand and craving.

Magic. Always the magic. Does she think seeing in the dark is some minor request?

[Marullus]

Nutesh disguises his shaking limbs as he pushes to his feet, walking to the walls of their market hiding place. He finds the runes engraved along each wall, studying them to find if they are to protect, to summon, or to serve some other purpose...

Belief to continue being seen as powerful: remind them of the benefits of his bird, and his power shown so far with it.

Belief to keep Sabit from making Suen do stupid things: Best to separate them and ensure Sabit doesn't come.

Belief to find knowledge in the city: Need to study these runes and find out why they're on all the buildings! This is the roll he was trying to get to.

I'm proposing Circination (assuming they relate to that discipline) with FoRKs for Philosophy (the understanding and purpose of divine/infernal in the structure of a society) Read (because they are a system of encoded knowledge), and Symbology (because they're runic symbols)...

*Bump*

Can we resolve this before we move again?

[Eric.D]

Nutesh disguises his shaking limbs as he pushes to his feet, walking to the walls of their market hiding place. He finds the runes engraved along each wall, studying them to find if they are to protect, to summon, or to serve some other purpose...

Belief to continue being seen as powerful: remind them of the benefits of his bird, and his power shown so far with it.

Belief to keep Sabit from making Suen do stupid things: Best to separate them and ensure Sabit doesn't come.

Belief to find knowledge in the city: Need to study these runes and find out why they're on all the buildings! This is the roll he was trying to get to.

I'm proposing Circination (assuming they relate to that discipline) with FoRKs for Philosophy (the understanding and purpose of divine/infernal in the structure of a society) Read (because they are a system of encoded knowledge), and Symbology (because they're runic symbols)...

*Bump*

Can we resolve this before we move again?

No.



...okay, fiiine.

Hmmm. While I like to Say Yes, Burning Wheel skills are very narrowly defined, and Circination isn't the right Task for the Intent. As defined in the Codex, Circination is:

...the art of drawing circles and sigils that aid the spirit binder and summoner. There are three types of circles that may be drawn: the summoning circle or gate, the fortress circle and the prison circle.

These are not summoning circles, so I think the proper test for the runes is Symbology. Referring to my earlier statement on reading the runes (when viewing them in the dark through Carrock), it's Ob 7 to read the runes in the central building, but these are different and easier to read, so it's Ob 5. Suggested FoRKs are Ancient or Obscure History, and in this case I would add Foreign Languages as a possible FoRK.

If you fail, you end up more confused than you started, and will suffer +1 Ob to future tests to read runes in Telkomel, until you succeed at one.

[Marullus]

Yikes! I figured most of the Ob 7 was from it being dark and far away. I did figure they were most likely to be Fortress circles and so Circination would apply to understand them.

Rolling a B2 Symbology versus Ob 5, with increasing +1 Ob penalties is pure folly, but I shan't back out. Are Circination (runes of protective purpose), Philosophy (why a society would engage runes enmasse), Read (because i am reading them), or Cemetary-wise (because perhaps they were added as the whole city became effectively a mausoleum) useable as FoRKs?

[Eric.D]

Yikes! I figured most of the Ob 7 was from it being dark and far away. I did figure they were most likely to be Fortress circles and so Circination would apply to understand them.

Rolling a B2 Symbology versus Ob 5, with increasing +1 Ob penalties is pure folly, but I shan't back out. Are Circination (runes of protective purpose), Philosophy (why a society would engage runes enmasse), Read (because i am reading them), or Cemetary-wise (because perhaps they were added as the whole city became effectively a mausoleum) useable as FoRKs?

To ensure everything stays here, I will quote myself from the Discord: I will allow Philosophy, as one suggested Ob is “ divining the original meaning of symbols originating from a particular school of thought.”

Circination is again out because these are just runes, not even magical ones, and unrelated to the field.
Read I think applies only to reading in a tongue you already know.
Cemetery-wise, I considered for a while, but came to the conclusion it doesn’t apply because of the way Telkomel fell, i.e., rapidly.

I have considered anew the consequence, and would like to offer an alternative that I think is more interesting, since you haven’t rolled yet:

There is a message here in a language you already know, which contains frightening—but incorrect—information about what exists in the city. Nutesh will of course not know what about it is incorrect, he’ll just know what’s written.

[hidetzugu]

Yikes! I figured most of the Ob 7 was from it being dark and far away. I did figure they were most likely to be Fortress circles and so Circination would apply to understand them.

Rolling a B2 Symbology versus Ob 5, with increasing +1 Ob penalties is pure folly, but I shan't back out. Are Circination (runes of protective purpose), Philosophy (why a society would engage runes enmasse), Read (because i am reading them), or Cemetary-wise (because perhaps they were added as the whole city became effectively a mausoleum) useable as FoRKs?

Lilly can Help with Lost-Treasure-Wise, making sense of ancient texts seems to an integral part of Lost Treasure hunting according to Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, Evelyn Carnahan, Benjamin Franklin Gates, etc...

Once you shake her into attention of course!

[Marullus]

Okay, order of rolls....
2D Symbology +1D Philosophy +1D Lilly (Lost Treasure-Wise) +1D Urkhazzar (Ancient Languages) +1D Merkutu (Ancient Languages) +1D Read (per Mr. Hyde advocacy) +2D Circination (per Mr. Hyde advocacy)+1D Suen Obscure History (if offered)

Symbology 1of 2: [1d6]=2[1d6]=4[1d6]=4[1d6]=5[1d6]=3
Symbology 2of 2: [1d6]=1[1d6]=4[1d6]=4[1d6]=1[1d6]=3
You can decide which count.

Nutesh looks to the walls, suppressing the crushing wave of dismay as he realizes it isn't Circination at all. Why would it not be Circination? At the Black Citadel, this would all be Circination.
It uses the same stone... they face demons...

He tries to look official as he calls over the others. He consults Urkhazzar and Merkutu on the local meaning of sigils, trying to conceal his own misunderstandings. He hopes to mollify Lily and assuage her loss while he gives Suen the opportunity to show talents that aren't magical to Sabit...

"The knowledge written is one of the greatest assetts of our chosen route," he says to Lilly.

[Eric.D]

A small group gathers around Nutesh as he attempts to make sense of the runes, recalling all he knows about various symbols he has studied.

"It's about who built this place," says Mekertu when Nutesh questions him, "My grandfather knew the words, but I do not."

Yes, this isn't magic. It is a declaration from the ruler of this place. What does such a message say about a society? You turn it over in your mind as you study, with a few suggestions from the onlookers as you share your revelations. Slowly, it begins to come together, and then suddenly, it clicks and you begin to understand the rules of this ancient script. (The time for this test is two hours)

Foreign wanderers, seekers of solace and respite! Behold the work of our noble ░░░ that stands sentinel upon the road—the Sanctuary ░░░░░░░░░░░, bastion and succor for ye who tread the weary path beyond the lands of the righteous Mammai'd. It is declared that ye be safe here.

Below the declaration, smaller runes seem to convey rules for the aforementioned foreign wanderers.

All will submit to the tax. All will surrender weapons. None will enter Telkomel without the countenance of ░░░░░░░░░░. The guard bear ░░░ countenance and are ░░░ voice.

This message is repeated around the building, and in each instance, the same sections of runes have been chiseled out, leaving a void in the message.

[hidetzugu]

(well, I'll let the brainy characters try to crack that egg)

Meanwhile... If we're basically stuck looking around for 2h, any chance Lilly can check back rooms and the broken potery for anything valuable stuff in parallell? I'm looking for some cache dice but I wouldn't mind some mending tools either.

Relevant BITs:

Belief: I vow to Finnithir to build a Hold so full of art and riches that no one would dare question our marriage
Instinct: Always be on the lookout for useful stuff
Traits: Curious, Greed

[Marullus]

"Breathtaking," comments Nutesh as the mystery unravels. "To engrave welcome on -every wall- is an exceptional undertaking. Also, a total folly from a summoner's perspective. Unequivocal welcome overcomes the few protective measures common folk could avail when demons arrive. Also, the effort to chisel names out, over and over... it is true names have power but such zeal only magnifies the extremity of the origonal inscriptions... we must take note if this is mirrored identically in other buildings as we suspect. Then, i am sure it relates to the watchful golden figure atop the central temple. Everyone - no visible weapons as we approach. The pit within holds horrors rather than welcome, but let us hope the assurance of safety still holds some power. Suen, while your cult following remains here, let them see if they can find any unchiseled example of the words missing... "

(if that was +2 hours, am i close to regaining B2 Forte?)

[Eric.D]

(well, I'll let the brainy characters try to crack that egg)

Meanwhile... If we're basically stuck looking around for 2h, any chance Lilly can check back rooms and the broken potery for anything valuable stuff in parallell? I'm looking for some cache dice but I wouldn't mind some mending tools either.

Relevant BITs:

Belief: I vow to Finnithir to build a Hold so full of art and riches that no one would dare question our marriage
Instinct: Always be on the lookout for useful stuff
Traits: Curious, Greed

Absolutely. I think it's pretty unlikely these things exist, but not impossible. People overlook things and lose things all the time. Ob4. On a failure, you'll find something... interesting but not useful.

[Eric.D]

"Breathtaking," comments Nutesh as the mystery unravels. "To engrave welcome on -every wall- is an exceptional undertaking. Also, a total folly from a summoner's perspective. Unequivocal welcome overcomes the few protective measures common folk could avail when demons arrive. Also, the effort to chisel names out, over and over... it is true names have power but such zeal only magnifies the extremity of the origonal inscriptions... we must take note if this is mirrored identically in other buildings as we suspect. Then, i am sure it relates to the watchful golden figure atop the central temple. Everyone - no visible weapons as we approach. The pit within holds horrors rather than welcome, but let us hope the assurance of safety still holds some power. Suen, while your cult following remains here, let them see if they can find any unchiseled example of the words missing... "

(if that was +2 hours, am i close to regaining B2 Forte?)

Iirc, you took a Light wound? That should clear up in 4 hours after waking up, so yes, you've almost recovered.

Side note: I appreciate your appreciation for the details of the inscription.

[hidetzugu]

(well, I'll let the brainy characters try to crack that egg)

Meanwhile... If we're basically stuck looking around for 2h, any chance Lilly can check back rooms and the broken potery for anything valuable stuff in parallell? I'm looking for some cache dice but I wouldn't mind some mending tools either.

Relevant BITs:

Belief: I vow to Finnithir to build a Hold so full of art and riches that no one would dare question our marriage
Instinct: Always be on the lookout for useful stuff
Traits: Curious, Greed

Absolutely. I think it's pretty unlikely these things exist, but not impossible. People overlook things and lose things all the time. Ob4. On a failure, you'll find something... interesting but not useful.

B5 Scavenging + 1D Stuff-Wise + 1D Lost-Treasure-Wise +1D Working Carefully:
(I'll work carefully if it doesn't increase time past what is being spent of rune-reading, otherwise we'll disregard the last die)

Success! if working carefully

[Marullus]

(if that was +2 hours, am i close to regaining B2 Forte?)

Iirc, you took a Light wound? That should clear up in 4 hours after waking up, so yes, you've almost recovered.

That roll was back here. I got 3 successes on Ob 2; my understanding is that the wound disippated then.

I failed the Forte recovery here. Which meant he woke after 4 hours with B1 forte and will have all B4 Forte after 16 hours. So, the number of, and passage of, four-hour increments is critically important since the group isn't honoring his request to nap it off.

[VVhite-Crow]

Everyone - no visible weapons as we approach. The pit within holds horrors rather than welcome, but let us hope the assurance of safety still holds some power.

While Nutesh deciphers the writings on the wall, Farouk collects everything they needed during their short break and distributes it back on the camels. Every now and then, when there is a lull in Nutesh's concentrated mumbling, he throws in bits and bobs of stories he knows about the carvings. When Nutesh presents his results of the translation Farouk comments: "Interesting. So you think that there are still entities in the city that are bound to protect us, as long as we obey to the rules written here, like in the old days? But who chiseled out the names and why? Do you think they wanted to remove the offered protection?"

Farouk's next point of interest would be the gate. He has no weapons to speak of so he wouldn't mind to leave them behind.
PS: Sorry for the short response. It's too hot and I'm not as energetic as usual...