Session Fourteen: Safe Behind Walls

Note: For those unfamiliar with Dark Sun, psionics are called the Will for wild talents and the Way for trained psionicists.

Preserver and Defiler

 Jessel looked to the west and handed Asli's body to Shade. He said he needed to go. He opened a dimension door and stepped through. The rest of the group continued on.
The doors to Magosa were opened and Grak was standing outside. Julius spoke to him and found out that Grak liked being in Magosa. They had giant problems from time to time and gave him the respect he was entitled to. Julius relayed Grak's thoughts about his place in Magosa. The group understood and wished him well. They then went through Magosa's entrance.
Shade carried Asli to Pasha Altan and they informed him of the circumstances of her death. Vashti felt terrible about not being able to save her, but the Pasha understood. He took the body and told them that he would inform her brother.


The group then began discussing what to do next. Vashti told Kalino that they needed to have a talk and Kalino shrugged, claiming to not understand why. They agreed to continue to Tyr and return Atkil's body, as they had promised. Malison walked up to Alaxander and bowed her head. She was wearing new clothes and asked Alaxander if it was alright for her to do so. Alaxander told her that she was free and she could do as she pleased. He then offered to pay her to come with them and cook for the group. She was confused by this turn of events and asked for a night to consider his offer. Alaxander agreed. Vashti offered to hire Jamil and he said he would think about it.

Karida Hakim, Inn Owner/Operator

Julius, Shade, Alaxander, and Jamil chose to sleep in the open air market area, while Kalino went to the inn a few minutes before Vashti followed him. Kalino had asked the inn keeper, Karida, to make sure he was not disturbed, but a room rental and well placed bribe got Vashti the room Kalino was in. Vashti knocked on the room's door a couple of times, before Kalino unlatched it and let her in.
She began questioning him about his magic use, but he denied everything. She couldn't accuse him of defiling, because no plants had died, but she wanted to know what he was doing. He vowed that he was not a defiler and hated defilers. He claimed he was using the Way. Vashti did not believe him, but Kalino was adamant that he was using the Way, so Vashti let the matter drop. However, she did tell him that she would be watching him. Kalino shrugged and seemed indifferent to the threat.
Kalino and Vashti slept well on the frond stuffed mattresses. The rest of the group was disturbed by the guards from time to time, but slept in safety. Vashti was visited by Atkil, who thought they had died. He was happy to hear that they still planned on returning his body to Tyr.

Day 5, Week 2, Dominary, Friend's Vengeance, 190th King's Age, High Sun

The group wanted to set off right away, but Alaxander wanted to get some leather armor, that he removed from Lareth's corpse, repaired and fitted for himself. The group agreed to take a day to rest. Kalino worked all day on building a chitin bladed khopesh. Julius thought about purchasing an erdlu, but decided against it, because he would have to go to the Yilmaz erdlu farm. Vashti checked in with Salvador and Demitrius. They were happy and did not want to follow the group to Tyr. She also took the opportunity to preach to the people of Magosa about the glories and importance of water. Shade purchased some supplies, including some very nice boots. He then enjoyed the day off and stayed out of the sun. Malison told Alaxander that she decided to stay in Magosa. Jamil accepted Vashti's offer, for food, water, and four bits per week. Vashti agreed and paid him one bit in advance.

Day 6, Week 2, Dominary, Friend's Vengeance, 190th King's Age, High Sun

"Gimmie your meat!" - Mountain Lion

The group purchased as much water as they could, as well as some more food. They gathered the bodies that they had brought to Magosa and hitched their kanks. The villagers were sorry to see the wagons and kanks go. The group traveled for an hour, when suddenly Julius and Jamil were beset by two ferocious and hungry mountain lions.
Thinking quickly, Vashti grabbed a pound of meat and got one of the mountain lions to leave Jamil alone. Julius was scratched and bitten by the other. Shade ran over to the lion to converse with it and determined that it just wanted food. Kalino ran to help Julius. Jamil was shocked at Vashti feeding the lion.
Vashti got the mountain lion she had fed to flee. Shade went to the wagon and grabbed some meat. Julius was trying to get the lion off of him, but was having no luck. Kalino tried to stab the lion with his bone longsword, but missed. Jamil then realized that Julius was being attacked and ran to help him. Alaxander leapt from the second wagon and struck the mountain lion with his obsidian battle axe.
Vashti grabbed some more meat and ran toward Julius. Shade got the mountain lion's attention, by talking to it and offering meat. Shade got the lion to move away from Julius. Now that the animal was not attacking, Alaxander, Jamil, and Kalino backed away. Vashti gave it some more meat and convinced it to leave.
Vashti healed Julius and the group continued down the road. Another hour passed. Vashti and Kalino noticed a circle of birds forming around them. They were vultures and the five dead bodies in the back of the wagon were uncovered. Vashti informed everyone that vultures were interested in their cargo.

Join us in only one week for another exciting session of Adventures Under the Dark Sun.

2nd edition AD&D Dark Sun Cast of Player Characters
Julius: Human male psychokinetic. 22 years old. Played by Dave. Speaks Balican, Tyrian, and Giant.
Alaxander: Human male psychokinetic. 17 years old. Played by Ben. Speaks Balican, Tyrian, and Elf.
Kalino: Human male fighter/preserver. 20 years old. Played by DM. Speaks Rammin, Tyrian, and Balican.
Vashti: Human female clairsentient/water cleric. 20 years old. Played by my wife. Speaks Nibnese, Gith, and Balican.
Shade: Half-Elf male ranger/theif, 18 years old. Played by Chad. Speaks Elf and Tyrian.