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All morning as we've headed along the highway the traffic has steadily increased. We're still over a day from the ornamental entrance, but there are already plenty of traders moving in both directions - some with large carts and others leading teams with trains of smaller carts.
I believe the handover of these goods, whether export or import usually occurs on the flat, level plain just outside the entrance, but the deals are done on the trading floor at the back of the entrance chamber. I've only ever been to the back of this hall - I never had the urge to explore under the sunlight at its western end. Whenever I've been in that hall, I've found the trading to be exciting - it's interesting to know that the output of my brethren here in the delve is so valued. I found myself once more wondering what lay outside, and being somewhat apprehensive about it. Not, this time, because it was outdoors, but for more practical reasons - once we move out of the ornamental entrance I've no idea where the route takes us.
As we sat eating our lunch at one of the village inns along this route, we ended up chatting with some of the traders. Business is booming from what I gather. The lands of the Hznaman are expanding and they seem to be going through some kind of expansion in construction. If I don't make it as a mercenary, perhaps there'll be call for me as a construction safety expert? Perhaps not - I'm just thinking out loud - I'd return here of course, and resume my work as a safety investigator for the delve.
There is quite a call for stone and ore exports from the delve - from what the traders tell me, the market for Dzarraf-produced stone-works is particularly strong. They charge a premium price - the Hznaman seem to value its quality higher than their own. I'm not sure if its true that Dzarraf quality is higher, or whether this is a marketing triumph for our people. I suspect I'll find out when I visit their cities.
Friday, 18 November 2011
Thursday, 17 November 2011
A Last Day in Enzknn
Once again we arose late after a night spent drinking for far too long. Mishrune took it very easy with the beer, I was only a little more adventurous, but as always it was Kenner that took the lead in quaffing. By the end of the night he was also ready to lead us in a round of singing. I joined in enthusiastically even though we Dzarraf are not equipped to do justice to Hznamen drinking songs. There is a multi-level humour in the songs, but I found them to be lacking in humour altogether.
Both Daran and Barr tried to explain. I think they called it 'doppel verhandlung', where normally there is one or more dull dull meaning to a phrase and at the same time there is a more obscure second meaning that relates to the act of reproduction. That's hardly something to find humour in; it's a purely functional activity, as un-funny as most other bodily functions, such as going to the toilet or having a bath.
Through the evening, in bits and bobs, we discussed the plan for our upcoming journey into the lands of the Hznamen. My friends are looking heroic tasks that they can achieve that have a good chance of financial return, and so the plan is to head out to Fornan Bay. There may be work with the caravans heading south from here, or there may be work aboard ship - they seemed to think that would extend my experience of the world significantly. But the main objective, they said, was to find work along the way that pays well.
We'll be heading out of the ornamental entrance and heading south, and following the route south and then east until we reach the passes of the mountains. There are two routes from here, the main one heads back north and joins the main trade road that leads east again and out to Scourt Hills. The less travelled route is the one that we'll be taking , it is a longer road, but it joins the main road out just north of Saltley. It's a longer time spent in the mountains but it's a shorter route to Fornan Bay overall.
My new friends told me that the last time they were in Saltley they were hired by one of the craftsmen's guilds to protect them from a local thief guild that had been causing problems. They dealt with the leaders of that thief guild, some were hurt, but they were made to pay compensation. That was a couple of years ago now, so they're not expecting any repercussions from the surviving guild members. They've also done little jobs around the area of the town there for several of the farmers - dealing mostly with bandits, but there was a problem with wolves once, which was a surprise in these parts.
The evening quietened down after that. The journey had clearly taken its toll upon us all, and we drifted off to bed. I went back to my own home for the night's rest. It smelled like it hadn't been used for a while, so I'll be asking Mishrune to pop into here every week or so just to open the place up and let some fresh air through.
Today will be an interesting day too. I've already been back to the inn to see how everyone else is, and they're mostly fine. I'll be spending the day with Mishrune running through the last parts of my handover, before we depart first thing tomorrow. There was general agreement that there'll be no beerfest tonight, as we want an early start. It can take two days from here to get to the ornamental entrance, and as you draw closer, the traffic can become heavy. There is another delve entrance to the south of the main one. It's normally used just by heavy traffic, and so isn't as attractive or as epic as the ornamental entrance - and I want to show off a little of the Dzarraf craft to my friends.
Both Daran and Barr tried to explain. I think they called it 'doppel verhandlung', where normally there is one or more dull dull meaning to a phrase and at the same time there is a more obscure second meaning that relates to the act of reproduction. That's hardly something to find humour in; it's a purely functional activity, as un-funny as most other bodily functions, such as going to the toilet or having a bath.
Through the evening, in bits and bobs, we discussed the plan for our upcoming journey into the lands of the Hznamen. My friends are looking heroic tasks that they can achieve that have a good chance of financial return, and so the plan is to head out to Fornan Bay. There may be work with the caravans heading south from here, or there may be work aboard ship - they seemed to think that would extend my experience of the world significantly. But the main objective, they said, was to find work along the way that pays well.
We'll be heading out of the ornamental entrance and heading south, and following the route south and then east until we reach the passes of the mountains. There are two routes from here, the main one heads back north and joins the main trade road that leads east again and out to Scourt Hills. The less travelled route is the one that we'll be taking , it is a longer road, but it joins the main road out just north of Saltley. It's a longer time spent in the mountains but it's a shorter route to Fornan Bay overall.
My new friends told me that the last time they were in Saltley they were hired by one of the craftsmen's guilds to protect them from a local thief guild that had been causing problems. They dealt with the leaders of that thief guild, some were hurt, but they were made to pay compensation. That was a couple of years ago now, so they're not expecting any repercussions from the surviving guild members. They've also done little jobs around the area of the town there for several of the farmers - dealing mostly with bandits, but there was a problem with wolves once, which was a surprise in these parts.
The evening quietened down after that. The journey had clearly taken its toll upon us all, and we drifted off to bed. I went back to my own home for the night's rest. It smelled like it hadn't been used for a while, so I'll be asking Mishrune to pop into here every week or so just to open the place up and let some fresh air through.
Today will be an interesting day too. I've already been back to the inn to see how everyone else is, and they're mostly fine. I'll be spending the day with Mishrune running through the last parts of my handover, before we depart first thing tomorrow. There was general agreement that there'll be no beerfest tonight, as we want an early start. It can take two days from here to get to the ornamental entrance, and as you draw closer, the traffic can become heavy. There is another delve entrance to the south of the main one. It's normally used just by heavy traffic, and so isn't as attractive or as epic as the ornamental entrance - and I want to show off a little of the Dzarraf craft to my friends.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Finally, a Meeting with Mishrune
We arrived back in Enzknn mid-afternoon, and I left the others in the inn while I went into the office where Mishrune was waiting. I went here even before going home as I was keen to meet with my old friend. The meeting was a joyous reunion, we embraced as old friends and spent a couple of hours just chatting about our adventures. I think I did much more of the talking, as he was keen to discover every little detail of my trip.
Mishrune's report was far less adventurous - the work with Bhraz had moved forward a little for his new dig, the collapse in Bizham's mines had caused some problems - it took them an extra week to get through to some of the miners. There have been problems with the security down at the museum near the ornamental entrance, and letters had been exchanged following requests for advice on how to improve matters. We had one axe-related incident where one unlucky Dzarraf lost a few fingers and a big chunk of his beard, and that called for an investigation - but it was an open and shut case, and Mishrune was away from the office for three days. And we'd had a broken sheep pen, and forty sheep had run off through the tunnels. Mishrune had been involved in tracking them all down - this wasn't really our work, but as always he helped where he could.
I sat in my chair, savouring the comfort of it for just a little while longer. I eventually broached the subject of my leaving. Mishrune told me that he had received an official note asking me to keep things moving while I spent time away. Again they'd quoted the official 'year-and-a-day' rule, but I told him what Bekzham had said to me. He tried to say that he's not up to the job, that they should consider someone else. But, of course, I didn't pander to his feelings of inadequacy. I told him straight that he was doing it and that was that. If he wasn't good enough then he'd better become good enough pretty quickly, because he was the one I'd recommended keep things going in my absence. And I stressed, pretty bluntly, that he'd already been doing that for a couple of months. Sometimes he just has to be told; I don't think I'll ever need to be doing that again - a couple more months doing this and he will sort his own confidence out.
Eventually, as no work had come in, I suggested that the office be closed an hour or so early, and that he come to the inn this evening and meet the Hznamen that had helped me in the wilderness. I told him that we'd have plenty of time to chat about what we're planning to do next, and to share a meal. At this he jumped up - he'd almost forgotten. He scurried over to the closed at the back of the room where the papers are normally kept, and took out a large parcel. It was shaped like an axe. I opened it and took a good long look at the runes along the head; it was a prayer that the axe not be lost but be used. He'd gone beyond the call with this. I asked him how much I owed him, and he said there'd been enough in my house where I said, but that it cost four hundred gold coins. He'd paid extra for the lettering.
I took it outside and gave it a few swings. It was slightly heavier than my previous axe, but was very well balanced and seemed to fit comfortably into my hands. I will not know for certain how good a match it is, of course, until I swing it in anger.
Mishrune's report was far less adventurous - the work with Bhraz had moved forward a little for his new dig, the collapse in Bizham's mines had caused some problems - it took them an extra week to get through to some of the miners. There have been problems with the security down at the museum near the ornamental entrance, and letters had been exchanged following requests for advice on how to improve matters. We had one axe-related incident where one unlucky Dzarraf lost a few fingers and a big chunk of his beard, and that called for an investigation - but it was an open and shut case, and Mishrune was away from the office for three days. And we'd had a broken sheep pen, and forty sheep had run off through the tunnels. Mishrune had been involved in tracking them all down - this wasn't really our work, but as always he helped where he could.
I sat in my chair, savouring the comfort of it for just a little while longer. I eventually broached the subject of my leaving. Mishrune told me that he had received an official note asking me to keep things moving while I spent time away. Again they'd quoted the official 'year-and-a-day' rule, but I told him what Bekzham had said to me. He tried to say that he's not up to the job, that they should consider someone else. But, of course, I didn't pander to his feelings of inadequacy. I told him straight that he was doing it and that was that. If he wasn't good enough then he'd better become good enough pretty quickly, because he was the one I'd recommended keep things going in my absence. And I stressed, pretty bluntly, that he'd already been doing that for a couple of months. Sometimes he just has to be told; I don't think I'll ever need to be doing that again - a couple more months doing this and he will sort his own confidence out.
Eventually, as no work had come in, I suggested that the office be closed an hour or so early, and that he come to the inn this evening and meet the Hznamen that had helped me in the wilderness. I told him that we'd have plenty of time to chat about what we're planning to do next, and to share a meal. At this he jumped up - he'd almost forgotten. He scurried over to the closed at the back of the room where the papers are normally kept, and took out a large parcel. It was shaped like an axe. I opened it and took a good long look at the runes along the head; it was a prayer that the axe not be lost but be used. He'd gone beyond the call with this. I asked him how much I owed him, and he said there'd been enough in my house where I said, but that it cost four hundred gold coins. He'd paid extra for the lettering.
I took it outside and gave it a few swings. It was slightly heavier than my previous axe, but was very well balanced and seemed to fit comfortably into my hands. I will not know for certain how good a match it is, of course, until I swing it in anger.
Monday, 14 November 2011
Arrival in Raskna and a Reunion with Bhraz
We arrived in Raskna late this afternoon, after a journey that seemed to fly by (despite us not using the cart that had been hanging around for us in Zanna). Bhraz was here when we arrived and it was quite a reunion. We're staying in a local tavern, and he's joining us for a meal and some beer later. I hope he's not in the same mood as last time, it took me two days to shake off the hangover - and I had a meeting with Harik during those days too.
I suppose it'd be easier this time around, though - I have Kenner to keep up with him, and I don't have to try and do anything stupid. I can sit quietly and enjoy a beer or two with the others.
Were off next to Enzknn, where my home is. I'm quite looking forward to seeing Mishrune - I've really missed him. It was really great to receive a letter here in Raskna which he'd sent recently. Like me, he's looking forward to seeing me again, and he's been told by Harik that I'm taking a break and that he'll be running things in my absence. I get the impression from his letter that he doesn't think he's ready. He's only been doing the job quite successfully for two months - if he doesn't think he's ready by now, I'll have to have a good talk with him.
I suppose it'd be easier this time around, though - I have Kenner to keep up with him, and I don't have to try and do anything stupid. I can sit quietly and enjoy a beer or two with the others.
Were off next to Enzknn, where my home is. I'm quite looking forward to seeing Mishrune - I've really missed him. It was really great to receive a letter here in Raskna which he'd sent recently. Like me, he's looking forward to seeing me again, and he's been told by Harik that I'm taking a break and that he'll be running things in my absence. I get the impression from his letter that he doesn't think he's ready. He's only been doing the job quite successfully for two months - if he doesn't think he's ready by now, I'll have to have a good talk with him.
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Metal Clothing for Me and a Helmet for Mullory
After a night spent eating and drinking in the homely surroundings of Porzakk's tavern, we arose late this morning. I think you could say we'd overslept - but it was our first night away from the troops in a week. It seemed very quiet, there was no military drill to wake us, and no structured regime forcing us to be ready for breakfast when everyone else says its time.
I'll give the others credit - only Elenhugh wouldn't eat the badger. He did taste it, but he made it clear he just couldn't bring himself to eat it. Barr had two of them, though. They are as delicious as they were the first time I tried them which was when I met with Bhraz two months ago.
Despite our late start, we still arrived in Kazaral long before lunchtime. Mullory and I did the tour of the armourers while the others spent time in the restaurants and bars. I ended up purchasing some light leather under-armour, and a heavy chain-mail shirt that fits neatly over it. The long sleeves on the shirt are a little baggy, but the cuffs tie with leather fastenings, and there is a brown leather belt that sits around it. The shirt is long, it reaches down to my knees. I did buy the 'extras' though - there were a set of plates that attach and give additional protection to the shoulder and neck areas. They weigh very little, but they provide much more protection when worn over the mail.
Mullory purchased a new helmet to replace his which had been lost during that last fight we were involved with. He told me he'd found it later on when helping to clear up, but he didn't want it as it was badly dented and was covered with a mix of Gurgam and Dzarraf blood.
We carried on shopping together while I bought some normal clothes, too. I have purchased an especially fine set of new undergarments. The wool used on these is very finely woven, and promises to be chafe-free. I have now a couple of changes of outfits, although I think I shall be spending more time in my mail than I might previously have planned. Daran and Kenner both seem to keep their armour on whether they're planning to be fighting or not. Come to think of it, they slept in it while they were out in the wilds.
We dropped in on Bekzham and Harik in the afternoon. They invited us all in for food, and then they embarrassed me by stressing to the others the importance of ensuring that I'm protected when I leave the delve. This was quite an informal meeting - it was the first time on the return journey that I've been able to spend any time with these two important Dzarraf leaders with none of their military generals hanging around. I made sure I enjoyed it.
We're heading back to Porzakk's to stay an extra night. The cart-owner has been hanging around waiting for us since we arrived here, although I did tell him not to. Perhaps I was a little generous when I gave him a tip.
We're heading back to Porzakk's to stay an extra night. The cart-owner has been hanging around waiting for us since we arrived here, although I did tell him not to. Perhaps I was a little generous when I gave him a tip.
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Back In Kazaral
We arrived in wonderful Kazaral this evening. It's quite a busy place, and has a quality of architecture that I find most pleasing to my Dzarraf spirit. Vamm Harik offered us lodgings in the civic building, but we couldn't accept. I want us to press on for an extra hour to reach Zanna for the night; I want to introduce my Hznamen friends to the hospitality of Porzakk's tavern. I'm not sure what they'll make of the wonderful Badger he served last time I was there. Perhaps they'll be willing to try it if I don't tell them what it is.
I met with Geshr Bekzham when we arrived at the civic building with Harik and the troop contingent. We had a brief chat - and he was very complimentary about our achievements. Bekzham was most interested in my new friends - and seemed enthusiastic about a break for me following my trauma. He was keen for me to be rested and focussed when I finally return to work. He said that the year-and-a-day rule applied, but in his eyes there will always be a place working for him, I'd been so effective over the years. I felt proud to have achieved such recognition from someone I've looked up to for so long.
He and Harik will be in the city for at least the next day, which is good as I really want to bid then farewells when there is enough time - things are a little rushed this evening. Their next destination will be westward to Harik City, whereas when we set off it will be to the south-west down the Long Eddon highway. We will be in and around Kazaral tomorrow as I have some important shopping to do. I really hope I can purchase good quality chain mail without having to wait for it to be made.
I've organised transport for this last step of tonight's journey. We will ride out to Porzakk's in a large cart I've hired to take us there. As we loaded the cart, Barr had one last surprise for us. There were six bottles of cider left that he'd been keeping hidden on one of the supply wagons that had journeyed with the troops. He stowed them carefully; he seemed pleased with himself.
I met with Geshr Bekzham when we arrived at the civic building with Harik and the troop contingent. We had a brief chat - and he was very complimentary about our achievements. Bekzham was most interested in my new friends - and seemed enthusiastic about a break for me following my trauma. He was keen for me to be rested and focussed when I finally return to work. He said that the year-and-a-day rule applied, but in his eyes there will always be a place working for him, I'd been so effective over the years. I felt proud to have achieved such recognition from someone I've looked up to for so long.
He and Harik will be in the city for at least the next day, which is good as I really want to bid then farewells when there is enough time - things are a little rushed this evening. Their next destination will be westward to Harik City, whereas when we set off it will be to the south-west down the Long Eddon highway. We will be in and around Kazaral tomorrow as I have some important shopping to do. I really hope I can purchase good quality chain mail without having to wait for it to be made.
I've organised transport for this last step of tonight's journey. We will ride out to Porzakk's in a large cart I've hired to take us there. As we loaded the cart, Barr had one last surprise for us. There were six bottles of cider left that he'd been keeping hidden on one of the supply wagons that had journeyed with the troops. He stowed them carefully; he seemed pleased with himself.
Friday, 11 November 2011
Why This Route? For Rezuhz!
It's a little clearer now why we've come this route rather than the one I took to reach the lands of the Gnaeblin. It's hard going in places, some of the floors are cracked and holed, and the floor at times becomes quite steep. But Harik has chosen this route for a very important reason. Late this morning we passed a boarded off section of tunnel. It seemed unusual to close down a section of the delve in this way, but it slowly dawned upon me where we were as senior soldiers in Hushmaz's team slowly and carefully removed the boards.
Inside was the humbling sight of the fight for Gora-Rezuhz which was a massive battle between the people of The Underdark and the people of the under-land that took place ten generations (a thousand years) ago. It was a fight which was won, but not without terrible losses. At the time we had already sent a huge fighting force to aid our brethren at Riviga, and had it not been for the arrival of the forces from the mighty Kathron delve, on their way to the war at Riviga, we would probably have lost the Gora delve.
This end of the halls where the fighting took place is now a monument. The battles went on for miles and miles into the deep from here, but these have since closed themselves, keeping our separation from the Underdark intact for a millennium. It is very seldom that we come by this site - but occasionally military units or individual Dzarraf soldiers have passed this way on pilgrimage. That's what we did today.
The outer chamber is piled high with the skulls of our enemies, and the glittering stone caskets of our important leaders. Also in here are many more much simpler caskets of the fighting men. They line the back of the corridor and extend into the halls beyond. We did not go there.
Harik read a passage from the Nizchamak-Mahabr, the 'Call to Peace', and said a few words of his own. Oddly enough it was Mullory who stood forward. This group of soldiers travel with no Priest of their own, but he had been fulfilling that role for all during the last few days since the fighting ended. He read some words from the Danethrae book "Wisdom and Soul" which is written in the common language. It was very moving. The poignant message was of the frailty of our existence yet the ability within each one of us to do deeds which can make a difference, deeds that stand throughout time and are not just here for this fleeting moment of today. Deeds that can be measured against those of our ancestors, yet which echo on through the generations to come, helping, inspiring and moving those that follow us.
Dzarraf seldom shed a tear - it's certainly much harder for us than it is for Hznamen. But I think there was no dry eye left in that room after we'd heard this. We were in there for only an hour before carefully replacing the boards and moving on until we found a suitable place to stop for a break.
Inside was the humbling sight of the fight for Gora-Rezuhz which was a massive battle between the people of The Underdark and the people of the under-land that took place ten generations (a thousand years) ago. It was a fight which was won, but not without terrible losses. At the time we had already sent a huge fighting force to aid our brethren at Riviga, and had it not been for the arrival of the forces from the mighty Kathron delve, on their way to the war at Riviga, we would probably have lost the Gora delve.
This end of the halls where the fighting took place is now a monument. The battles went on for miles and miles into the deep from here, but these have since closed themselves, keeping our separation from the Underdark intact for a millennium. It is very seldom that we come by this site - but occasionally military units or individual Dzarraf soldiers have passed this way on pilgrimage. That's what we did today.
The outer chamber is piled high with the skulls of our enemies, and the glittering stone caskets of our important leaders. Also in here are many more much simpler caskets of the fighting men. They line the back of the corridor and extend into the halls beyond. We did not go there.
Harik read a passage from the Nizchamak-Mahabr, the 'Call to Peace', and said a few words of his own. Oddly enough it was Mullory who stood forward. This group of soldiers travel with no Priest of their own, but he had been fulfilling that role for all during the last few days since the fighting ended. He read some words from the Danethrae book "Wisdom and Soul" which is written in the common language. It was very moving. The poignant message was of the frailty of our existence yet the ability within each one of us to do deeds which can make a difference, deeds that stand throughout time and are not just here for this fleeting moment of today. Deeds that can be measured against those of our ancestors, yet which echo on through the generations to come, helping, inspiring and moving those that follow us.
Dzarraf seldom shed a tear - it's certainly much harder for us than it is for Hznamen. But I think there was no dry eye left in that room after we'd heard this. We were in there for only an hour before carefully replacing the boards and moving on until we found a suitable place to stop for a break.
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