Farouk will generally keep his eyes open for signs of his father or of those that accompanied him (maybe a trinket he recognises or the unique weaving pattern, his tribe prefers, on a piece of fabric). When the group reaches the gate, he would like to spend some extra time (maybe 30 min) with active searching. He asks Mekertu and Urkazzar for help. I'll gladly write a proper dialogue if someone else would like to help or asks for an explanation for the delay at the gate.
Eric.D wrote: ↑Sun Jul 21, 2024 7:35 pmHow long has your father been missing? I'll set an Ob based on that information. I'm thinking it's just a straight Perception test.
Well, he was still a kid and to young to join the other men. He now is 18 years old. I would say 7 to 8 years ago?! It's a desperately far fetch but the gate is the best reference point he has...
My thought is that your Intent seems rather broad—basically, any sign of what may have happened is sufficient. In that case, I think a Graduated Test makes sense. Knowing how long it's been, I think the obstacle for definite information will be fairly high, but even a single success will give Farouk ideas of where to look next.
A failure will be the worst possible result. No answers at all, except perhaps the one you fear most.
Does Farouk know why his father went into the city?
I think we already skipped the gate, ending up in the bazaar? Perhaps "the gate" can be the collapsed one (the only damaged structure i saw) which was not far in from the gate and led to a dried up pool?
For Nutesh, he is going to continue to look for opportunities to find knowledge on the way in per his belief. Preferably magic knowledgethat can help him open Art Magic (which we are using in place of Sorcery) or Death Art (at Ku-Aya's pressuring).
His other two beliefs follow along - keep Suen from doing stupid things to appease Sabit, particularly summoning. This directly conflicts with Suen's belief to DO stupid things for Sabit and his currentdesire to find the infernal being currently whisperingto him, of course. So this shouldnend up with a DoW eventually.
Appearing powerful and keeping the respect of the party just causes me fun/trouble, including sacing face by pushing forward and hiding his low forte from them.
Does Farouk know why his father went into the city?
There was a draught that caused the few oases of the Nor-region and even the river Sipe to dry up. Nothing grew anymore and food became sparse. When Farouk's tribe had nothing left to trade with the first people died of malnutrition. In their desperation a small group of nomads left to venture into Telkomel, in the hope of finding anything that might help the tribe to survive. But since they never returned the tribe suffered heavy losses, to the point where besides Farouk and his mother only a hand full of nomads remain.
Marullus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 22, 2024 12:02 amI think we already skipped the gate, ending up in the bazaar?
Suen's goal, of course, is to find Them that is whispering to him. He may not be able to see much beyond the tips of his fingers, but he can still feel.
When the gate comes in sight Farouk slows his steps. His eyes start to wander over the buildings along their path, over the giant wall, over the slopes of sand that decades of desert wind had blown against it, and over the gate itself, searching for more than lurking threats. He turns to Mekertu and Urkazzar, "This is where they must have past. All these years I have been hoping to find something that points in my father's direction, when I get here. I told you about him and the people of my tribe. I promise you the gratefulness of my ancestors and my descendants if you could help me find anything that keeps me hoping." Carefully (but not another 2 hours for 1D carefully ) he veers off the path and peeks in the ruins. When they reach the gate he even stops entirely to search the area.
For Nutesh, he is going to continue to look for opportunities to find knowledge on the way in per his belief. Preferably magic knowledgethat can help him open Art Magic (which we are using in place of Sorcery) or Death Art (at Ku-Aya's pressuring).
I had to go back and doublecheck, lest I was misremembering, but as I (and VVhite-Crow) understood Lilly's description, it is outside the city, "just on the turn of the road to the city gates." So yes, you enter through the gates and into the city.
How do you go about looking for this knowledge? Are you attempting to read runes? Find an old library? Look for signs of magic or the dead being controlled?
There was a draught that caused the few oases of the Nor-region and even the river Sipe to dry up. Nothing grew anymore and food became sparse. When Farouk's tribe had nothing left to trade with the first people died of malnutrition. In their desperation a small group of nomads left to venture into Telkomel, in the hope of finding anything that might help the tribe to survive. But since they never returned the tribe suffered heavy losses, to the point where besides Farouk and his mother only a hand full of nomads remain.
Suen's goal, of course, is to find Them that is whispering to him. He may not be able to see much beyond the tips of his fingers, but he can still feel.
Most excellent. How will he achieve that without sight, do you think? I'd like to set a Task for this Intent. I can think of some... fun possibilities open only to magical types.
VVhite-Crow wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2024 9:18 pm
When the gate comes in sight Farouk slows his steps. His eyes start to wander over the buildings along their path, over the giant wall, over the slopes of sand that decades of desert wind had blown against it, and over the gate itself, searching for more than lurking threats. He turns to Mekertu and Urkazzar, "This is where they must have past. All these years I have been hoping to find something that points in my father's direction, when I get here. I told you about him and the people of my tribe. I promise you the gratefulness of my ancestors and my descendants if you could help me find anything that keeps me hoping." Carefully (but not another 2 hours for 1D carefully ) he veers off the path and peeks in the ruins. When they reach the gate he even stops entirely to search the area.
Jesus. That's wild. I have the answer, but I'd like to try and tie everything up neatly in a bow if we can get everyone an appropriate Intent and Task. It's quite possible you all get more than one answer at once, given that the city is not that large.
For Nutesh, he is going to continue to look for opportunities to find knowledge on the way in per his belief. Preferably magic knowledgethat can help him open Art Magic (which we are using in place of Sorcery) or Death Art (at Ku-Aya's pressuring).
How do you go about looking for this knowledge? Are you attempting to read runes? Find an old library? Look for signs of magic or the dead being controlled?
All of the above? He already searched with his bird and all he got was "the buildings have runes on them" and "there's no signs of bodies (cemeteries,
or death art)." So my narrative has leaned into, "I need a closer look at those runes." If libraries, signs of magic, or necrotic evidence are found then they would be even more of interest.
VVhite-Crow wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2024 9:18 pm
When the gate comes in sight Farouk slows his steps. His eyes start to wander over the buildings along their path, over the giant wall, over the slopes of sand that decades of desert wind had blown against it, and over the gate itself, searching for more than lurking threats. He turns to Mekertu and Urkazzar, "This is where they must have past. All these years I have been hoping to find something that points in my father's direction, when I get here. I told you about him and the people of my tribe. I promise you the gratefulness of my ancestors and my descendants if you could help me find anything that keeps me hoping." Carefully (but not another 2 hours for 1D carefully ) he veers off the path and peeks in the ruins. When they reach the gate he even stops entirely to search the area.
B1:'These people are defenceless children without me! I will keep them safe in and out of the city.'
Rolling her eyes and signalling at Finnithir to keep an eye out, Lilly keeps herself a few feet to the side of the straggler, taking her helmet off and peering into the shadows... sword-ready for a fight. "Children..." she murmurs under her breath.
(I feel like I'm asking for trouble but it has been a while since I posted and Lilly has limited interest in all the runes and stuff)
The air slows as you head into the city, controlled now by the massive structures around, the blowing sand stilling except for the occasional gust. The scent of stone hangs in the air, deep and earthy. An oppressive silence settles over you. The buildings loom, dark and alien, their unusual, crumbling architecture whispering of the eons passed uninhabited.
Mekertu makes signs against demons as he enters, his rough, dark hands moving mesmerizingly in an ancient ritual of protection. They provide no ward against the foreboding that presses in from every corner.
Suen:
Sabit stays close, followed by Martha and the others at a short distance. She murmurs, low, so only you can hear, "What happened, brother? Were you too weak, even now? I asked for such a small thing, and now you are as blind as a babe. How can you be so... beautiful in one moment, and so pathetic in the next?"
Lilly and Nutesh:
The buildings are made of large stones, cut flat and set in perfect symmetry, or at least, once-perfect symmetry. They taper as they ascend, and end in flat roofs, and along the edge of the roof there are invariably symbols like the ones you saw outside the walls. Nutesh may attempt to read any symbols he sees as you go through the city. (Symbology, Ob 5, take an advantage die because you figured out some of the symbols earlier)
You come up to the arch Nutesh spied previously, collapsed, and beyond it, the fountain, dry as desert bones. The figure of the rulers of this place stare out from where they have fallen, carved in intricate detail. The face of the man glowers, roiling anger upon it, while hers is determined and imperious. "What might that be, love?"Finnithir points as you come nearby, but it is not immediately obvious what he spies with his exceptional eyes. As you draw closer, you can see. The spear the carvedruler holds, pointing to the top of the fallen keystone, is capped with a remarkable red stone that serves as the blade of the weapon. It is not merely carved to a shape, but faceted, refracting deep red shimmers as you approach. Lilly can see immediately that this is an emberstone, much like the one Urkazzar offered her earlier, but far more impressive.
Around the stone are small, intricate runes, set symmetrically, so small that they would be invisible were the keystone still set. (These can also be read. Symbology, Ob 8, no advantage dice [These are different runes]. Failure means you misinterpret the intent of the runes. Which will certainly cause no trouble at all.)
Farouk:
As the group draws around the keystone, Farouk takes a moment to look about for signs of his father. Mekertu draws near. "It is much to ask of the gods that they bring back our dead, Farouk. Do not hold hope, or it might be crushed."
But even as he speaks, you see, a mere ten feet from you, a cord with a knot, tied in the unique manner of your tribe's records. And, half buried in sand, the secondary threads extending horizontally, tight groups of knots along each thread, used to communicate distinct thoughts.
Farouk:
As the group draws around the keystone, Farouk takes a moment to look about for signs of his father. Mekertu draws near. "It is much to ask of the gods that they bring back our dead, Farouk. Do not hold hope, or it might be crushed."
But even as he speaks, you see, a mere ten feet from you, a cord with a knot, tied in the unique manner of your tribe's records. And, half buried in sand, the secondary threads extending horizontally, tight groups of knots along each thread, used to communicate distinct thoughts.
Mid sentence Farouk drops Bassam's reins and raises his hand to interrupt *Mekertu*, already moving towards the piece of cord. "Thank you! I thank you gods from above and below!", he whispers, while his pace quickens. With tears moistening his cheeks he kneels in front of his find. With both hands he carefully lifts up the cord, while the excess sand runs through his fingers. Can he recognise what the knots mean?
Carefully Farouk turns the brittle cord in his hands and examines it from all sides. "It has been years since I've last seen one of those..." Still with joy on his face he looks to the others:"They've been here! My father passed this arch as well!"
Eric.D wrote: ↑Sat Jul 27, 2024 5:17 pm
As you draw closer, you can see. The spear the carvedruler holds, pointing to the top of the fallen keystone, is capped with a remarkable red stone that serves as the blade of the weapon. It is not merely carved to a shape, but faceted, refracting deep red shimmers as you approach. Lilly can see immediately that this is an emberstone, much like the one Urkazzar offered her earlier, but far more impressive.
Lilly's eyes lock on the cut stone. She wavers for a moment...
She's Magnificent (bwgr p. 122) triggers an Ob5 Steel Test. B5+1D Open-Ended for being 'in a group of friends/allies'
Success!!
... but regains her composure.
"The fountain is in the open... and Nutesh has warned us about it. Let the humans finish up here before we do something rash."
Suen casts his eyes forlornly at his sister. "The daemons are fickle, sister. They give the gifts they choose to give, and at the price they determine." He pauses a moment.
"Please forgive me. I'll do better."
He shuffles over to where Nutesh is exclaiming over the carvings. "What have you found, friend? I see a red stone up there; do you think it is the diamond we seek? I can't make out any details, but it certainly catches the light."
) he veers off the path and peeks in the ruins. When they reach the gate he even stops entirely to search the area. 
It's a graduated test but keep the +1Ob penalty for exhaustion in mind!
, but I plead for an advantage die because he grew up with cords like this. Sadly reading is rooted in perception again and suffers the +1Ob...