DS-087
You decide to head for the settlement, moving cautiously. The wind blows sand and dirt to your face, so you tear off the sleeve of your jacket and make a bandana to cover your mouth. You've been taught that if the sandstorms arrive nearby they could blow so much sand into your lungs you would suffocate. The sun is glaring down at you and your team, and soon you begin to feel the thirst kicking in.
You make it close to the settlement, but Ana stops you. "We have to see what they're doing. They could either be settlers or raiders, but we have to make sure."
She directs your team to a small, natural ditch, where you hide behind. Ana peers over, scanning the area. She sees around 30 to 40 men. Some armed with scimitars, others with exotic crossbows. Most, however, aren't armed and are instead tending livestock and fixing tools. She gathers that this could be a small band of settlers.
You take a piece of white cloth and wave it overhead, shouting out in the Khar-doki language that you come in peace. Guards come at point their scimitars and crossbows at you. They yank you by the shoulders at pat you down, searching you for weapons. After deciding you are no threat, they drag you into their camp, bringing you in front of a large, slightly overweight man in a beautifully decorated, silk robe. He looks down at you with a wry smile.
He speaks to you in Khar, "What are you doing in the Desert, outworlder? What would you want with this humble merchant's entourage?"
You reply, "We are on a journey to find a crashed star. Have you seen one?"
"A crashed star?" he scratches his bushy, black beard. "I may have seen one, but all things have a price, including answers." The merchant smiles wryly.
"We've got no coin, nor goods. We arrived here with nothing, sir," Harrold replies.
"Coin and goods are not the only means of purchase. Service is the most honest form, and I value honesty."
"What would you have us do?"
"It's not just me who requires aid; many good folk in my settlement have worked their asses off, and would be grateful for some aid."
"Who needs our help?" Harrold asks.
"Well, plenty! But there are a few off my mind I remember asking for assistance. Harkoh, our head huntsman, is having trouble with an invading predator that's been taking all of the game. Kharesh the shepherd's lost some of his sheep from the flock. I'd buy more but there's no one to buy from!" he gives a short laugh. "My captain of the guard is Anta. Her men've been reporting sightings of enemy scouts, but there aren't any settlements nearby and nowhere to hide their camps. Anta would be grateful if you could find these 'apparitions' for her."
"You're very welcome to stay here, but alas we've no spare tent nor food rations. But we've got weapons to lend, if you could persuade the blacksmith to lend you a few."
Health: Fine
Skills:
Lore [Skilled]
Survival [Skilled]
Inventory:
Clothes
Mikael Baxter
Relationship: Friendly
Skills:
Melee Combat [Skilled] [Swords]
Range Combat [Skilled] [Firearms]
Characteristics:
Aggressive
Warmonger
Quiet
Ana van Holl
Relationship: Friendly
Skills:
Stealth [Skilled]
Technology [Skilled]
Characteristics:
Shy
Clever
Knowledgeable
Alberd Stream
Relationship: Friendly
Skills:
Survival [Skilled]
Melee Combat [Skilled] [Unarmed combat]
Characteristics:
Loyal
Determined
Outgoing
Harrold Stike
Relationship: Acquaintance
Skills:
Lore [Skilled]
Deception [Skilled]
Characteristics:
Cunning
Clever
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