Private Tales Traversing the Lost

A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer
Dana smiled as she reached back into her satchel. “The same thought occurred to me. I honestly would’ve passed the savannah by altogether. But a friend of a friend gave me this.” She drew a wooden medallion from the bag and set it down on top of the scroll. It too depicted the same symbol as the scroll. “It belonged to an emigrant from the Aberresai Savannah. Sadly, he passed on before I could ask him any questions. But it matches the symbol from the scroll perfectly.”

She flipped the medallion over. The back of it contained an inscription in a tribal language. “And according to another friend of mine. This word on the back translates to ‘Traveler’ in the Anirian language. I’m, still not entirely why the symbol is of a wolf, or what the three eyes mean. But my theory is that this lost god is one of travel, or perhaps adventure.”

She caught herself, realizing how much she’d been talking, and smiled. “Apologies. These kinds of mysteries are what excite me.” She took another bite of her kebab, savoring the taste.

Tinus Damos
 
Tinus listened to everything Dana had to say. By the time she had finished he had a question of his own. The mention of the translation and the oddity of it all seemed to point to a certain possibility she hadn't addressed yet. So he looked to her and said, "What if this god wasn't from the savannah? Tribes there take slaves. Maybe one of them brought it with them."

His food now gone, Tinus was both happy and sad. As nice as it would have been to get a dessert it seemed best to focus on her mission.

The waitress returned to pick up his empty plate. He said something to her in their tongue. She responded back. Then he pulled out some coins and handed them over to her. Both nodded to each other and the woman was gone once more.

Tinus looked back to Dana. "What are your travel plans?"

Dana Kass
 
Dana considered the idea. It was certainly plausible; a raiding party could’ve taken slaves from another place. But that didn’t change her goal. “Perhaps, but if so, there may still be other slaves with the same medallion. If I find out where they were taken from, I’ll have another place to investigate. One way or another, I’ll still need to search the savannah.”

She finished eating her kebab just as the waitress approached. She grabbed the scroll and stored it away in her satchel. “Since many of the people of Aberresai are nomadic. I was planning to go to one of the permanent settlements first. They might know more about the medallion, or the location of nearby tribes.”

Tinus Damos
 
As Tinus listened he began to wonder how often this woman traveled. She was so focused on her work that she forgot about the demands of the journey itself. Perhaps that was why he was here now. Guarding her wasn't just from hostile people but hostile elements.

He finished off his water. "Have maps? Need to plan out our routes and resupplying now. Can stock up here before we get into the savannah."

And then he started to stretch a bit. The food was already making him tired. The journey back had taken time and traveling was exhausting even if you were use to it. After he was done he said, "Want to discuss this tomorrow? Rest would be good for us."

Dana Kass
 
Dana nodded. “I have a map, yes. I’d already planned to supply myself here before the journey. But yes, I suppose we should plan out what stops to make.” Something she should’ve done before heading to Kelon, in her defense, she would’ve, if not for her rushing to get away from the civil war in Vel Anir.

She took a deep breath. “Yes, we can continue this talk tomorrow. Is, there an inn that I can stay in?”

Tinus Damos
 
Tinus nodded to her when she agreed to continue things the next day. Then followed the mention of an inn. Did she not have one already? This woman truly was just rushing into things right now. Her mind so full of her quest for knowledge and discovery. She was willing to enter the city of an unknown people to find anyone who would aid her trek into a hostile place of open sun and little shade.

It was admirable, yet a bit foolish. He couldn't help feeling a desire to taking care of her like the little lamb she was. Perhaps he had been away from home for too long if he was thinking such a thing about a woman who appeared to be around his own age. Regardless he had remained silent for several moments now.

"I will find us an inn." Tinus said to her finally. "Any preferences for food and a room? Bothered by sharing and need your own bed?"

Dana Kass
 
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Dana shifted in her seat when Tinus didn’t answer. Fearing his silence meant bad things for her. What if they didn’t have inns in this place either? Or she waited too long, and they didn’t have any rooms left? She didn’t fancy having to sleep in an alleyway, or, if she was lucky, back on the boat.

She relaxed when Tinus finally spoke up. “I don’t mind sharing a room. But I would prefer separate beds.” She reached into her satchel. “I have plenty of coin. How much does it usually cost to rent a room for the night?”

Tinus Damos
 
The Kel waved off her offer to pay when she brought it up. Tinus figured he should explain some things to her so she knew what it meant to be in a Kellish trade city.

"No need. You are my guest. I will care for you while we are here. Save your coin for later." Tinus said to her as he relaxed a bit. The wine was still in front of the woman untouched. His focus seemed to be on it for a moment as he remembered it existed. But shortly he was back to looking at her. "For now, how about we find a sweet treat? I crave honey."

The crowd within the establishment didn't seem to change in size, but it had changed in those who sat at the tables. Those who had been in the place when they arrived were fewer and new comers greater. The waitress that had served them had drifted over to caring for them. The peace had fully resettled into the place.

A little too much peace had as at a couple of nearby tables games of dice had started up. Bets, small numbers of coin and small trinkets or objects, were being placed. The games being played would be familiar to her if she had spent any time around commoners who often tilled fields, carried a pike, or sailed a ship.

Dana Kass
 
Dana smiled gratefully. She was lucky to meet such a helpful guide. If she’d ever found herself so lost back in Vel Anir, she’d be hard-pressed to find a stranger willing to offer any aid. She noticed him regarding her wine and waved her hand. “I’m not much for drinking. No offense intended to this place.”

She heard the sound of rolling dice and glanced over her shoulder. Humming as she recognized the game. As a priestess, she’d spent plenty of time among the common folk. As for herself, well, she found gambling a wasteful and dangerous activity to partake in. Instead, she looked back at Tinus and nodded. “Yes, a treat sounds nice.”

Tinus Damos
 
Tinus just held up a hand and shook his head slightly when she mentioned she didn't drink much. After he said back to that cheerful way of his, "None is taken. Acceptance is all that is required. It was an offer of apology for the earlier scene. Shameful behavior from them, especially in front of an outsider."

He took her cup then and drank it himself in one long drink. His face never being revealed the whole time.

As he set the now empty cup down, Dana had spoken once more. His body took on an air of excitement at her taking up his offer of getting a treat. He already began to get himself out of his seat even as he spoke. "What sort of flavors do you enjoy in sweets? We have all kinds. Honey is my favorite. The candies made out of it melt on your tongue and leave a pleasant taste even after they are gone. Great to eat when getting tired while walking."

Dana Kass
 
“I see. Well, rest assured, I do accept,” Dana said. She scratched the back of her head. The strangeness of the earlier incident still fresh in her mind. She hardly thought an apology was needed, even assuming the perpetrators deserved such a harsh punishment. They stole Tinus’ food, not hers.

She fought to keep a smile off her face at the enthusiasm Tinus showed for sweets. She stood and quickly followed after him. Lest she be left behind. “Me? I mainly eat chocolate, but I like honey too. I’d be happy to try these honey-flavored candies of yours.”

Tinus Damos
 
The mention of chocolate got Tinus' interest. He had never heard of such a thing before. What could it be? Something sweet no doubt. Sweet and delicious. But any attempt to find out would need to wait. There was no chocolate here in Kelon. So they would have to settle for the honey and fruit based treats that was traditional to his homeland.

As they left the establishment, the group from before was huddled up near an alley. The man who had stolen Tinus' food had his hand wrapped up in a cloth and favoring it. The wrap for it was improvised. Something that was made from tearing the sleeve off his shirt.

The warrior was just going to ignore them and go for a treat, but something about the scene caught his attention. He stopped. The man's arm was bare. The others arms were as well. He turned his attention to Dana and said, "Our treat must wait. Need to report to the local chieftain."

And then he turned about to begin heading towards that building he had pointed out to her earlier.

Dana Kass
 
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Dana also noticed the group from earlier but paid them no heed until Tinus stopped. She followed his gaze over to the alley and studied them more carefully. She raised an eyebrow at Tinus’ sudden statement. “We do?”

She followed him when he started walking away. “Does this have something to do with that group from earlier?”
 
Tinus kept going without pause towards the main hold of the city. The woman had a legit question for him about what it was they were doing. Unsurprising. It was a Kel matter entirely after all. So she was owed an explanation. How exactly could he explain this to her?

After staying silent for a couple minutes, Tinus finally spoke up. "Yes. They were trying to use you to do something we Kel do not allow. This needs to be reported to the local chieftain. If we do not it could impact the rest of us in a bad way. That can not be allowed to happen."

There was no mention of what they did wrong. Another Kel might pick up on it based on the context of events, but his companion and future client would not. How could she? It was something unimportant outside his culture after all.

When Tinus realized this he continued his explanation. "They lacked markings on their arms." He pointed to the ones on his own arms. "I didn't see a tribal or clan marking, but they don't need one. That is not the issue though. They lacked a marking signifying they passed the rite of the warrior. No Kel is allowed to work as a sellsword or mercenary without it. It means they don't have the approval and blessing of their clan or tribe to take on such a risk. It could be a lack of skill or conduct that has led to this. Lacking the mark means they shouldn't have tried to take your request."

He frowned under his mask. "That explains why they were going to try to push you to hire more than you wanted to and stole my food. Might be exiles who fled from justice within their own clans and tribes.... No matter. It will be for the chieftain to handle."

Dana Kass
 
Dana raised an eyebrow at the first comment. ‘Something the Kel do not allow’ was, she imagined, a rather broad term. Like saying someone wanted to ‘break a law.’ “It could impact the rest of the Kel? Could it cause physical or societal harm? Or would it risk damaging the Kel’s reputation?”

She went quiet and listened to his explanation carefully. So, they wanted to trick her into hiring the whole lot of them, against Kel tradition. She can see the issue there, for both parties. Were they seeking acclaim among the Kel, or simply coin?

She sighed and crossed her arms. “Alright. We’ll report them to this chieftain then. I certainly don’t appreciate them wanting to use me to advance their own interests.”

Tinus Damos
 
"I apologize for all the rudeness you had to face today as an outsider. Please don't judge the Kel by their actions." Tinus said to Dana with a seriousness and sincerity that might seem a bit strange for him by now.

The pair continued on their way. As they went the number of masked people began to lessen and the number in helmets with the same faceless design began to increase. More and more warriors could be found the closer they became to the city's hold. But there was a catch to this for what Dana needed. They all clearly were members of bands made up from individual clans and tribes or a mix from specific regions. Even a few truly mixed bands of Kel from all over Kelon were beginning to pop up.

The air as they approached the city's center changed. Where the parts near the port were lively with trade, food, and exotic luxouries the center was filled with craftsmen and warriors. The sounds of metal against leather and metal was more common and the scent of oil used to lubricate moving parts and prevent rust replaced those of spices and herbs. But along with it the colors seemed to grow even more complex and diverse.

As they grew closer to the hold, Dana might notice more and more eyes watching her. Some held that cautious guard of someone expecting trouble while most were out of a sense of confused curiosity. It was clear few outsiders came to this part of the city, but considering how everything someone visiting from the outside would need was along the port it only made sense.

The hold itself was a rather practical building built in a circular style more common in towers than in main buildings in places like Vel Anir. It held a pair of large, thick double doors that happened to be open. Colorful paint was put on the outside of the hold in the traditional colors of the local tribe: light blue and crimson. An odd combination that almost seemed like a setting or rising sun over the ocean or blood flowing into the water. The symbol of a salmon could be found here adding a touch of black to the scene.

Tinus came to a stop before entering the open doors. He turned to Dana. "Wait here. Don't know how welcome outsiders are to enter. I'll be back as soon as the chieftain has been informed."

Dana Kass
 
“I don’t judge a culture by their criminals,” Dana said with a dismissive wave of her hand. By nature, criminals were antithetical to a culture’s standards. It’d be foolish to hold them up as representatives of an entire people.

She paid close attention to her surroundings as they traveled further into the city. Specifically noticing the steady decrease in other foreigners and the rise in people wearing faceless masks. She never thought she’d feel out of place while not wearing any armor. She took a deep breath and fixed her gaze forward.

Like Tinus said, she was allowed in this city. None of them should have a problem with her presence. They were probably just a little curious is all. She stopped outside the building Tinus brought them to. Taking particular note of the painting on the walls. Clearly, this was someplace of importance.

She hesitated for a moment when Tinus told her to wait. On the street, alone with a bunch of masked Kel who were already staring at her. But she quickly shook off that thought. “As you wish. I’ll wait here.”

Tinus Damos
 
Tinus was thankful that Dana was willing to wait. Some tribes were fine with outsiders entering their holds so long as they were escorted, but that tended to require one of their own members being the escort. He wasn't from this tribe so even if they were okay with her entering under escort he couldn't be the one to do it. Best he have her wait out in the open so the locals knew she wasn't up to anything.

He entered through the doors and disappeared into the interior of the building rather quickly.

People passed by Dana, but no one stopped to actually speak with her. The more paranoid gazes slowly vanished but the curiosity never did go away. But after perhaps half an hour she would watch a group of armored Kel leaving out of the doors of the hold in a hurry. They had weapons in hand and seemed to harbor a purpose. Shortly after Tinus would leave speaking with a masked woman who had some gray mixed in her black hair.

After a nod from each of them, Tinus left and rejoined Dana.

"It is done." Tinus said to her. "Still want that sweet treat or ready for sleep?"

Dana Kass
 
Dana dug out one of her scrolls and entertained herself with some reading. She occasionally glanced up at the rest of the street. Thankful that the paranoid ones had departed. It made her a bit less bothered about being left outside.

Her concentration was broken by the hold’s doors being hefted open and a number of armored Kel leaving. “Seems Tinus got his desired response.” She rolled up her scroll and tucked it away in her pouch. She glanced up to see Tinus rejoin her. “What exactly are they going to do?”

She shrugged. “I could still go for the treat. If that’s okay with you.”

Tinus Damos
 
"Then sweet treats it is!" Tinus said as he began heading back towards the area of the city closer to the port. "I'll pay. Call it what you will."

As they went along, the reverse of before would take place. Less masks and buildings for crafting and fighting. More bare faced outsiders and buildings of food and trade. The color diversity dropped a bit but things were still more colorful than most other cities.

Tinus decided to answer her first question as they moved along.

"I don't know what will happen to them. Depends on what the chieftain and her companions and advisers decide. Exile. Performing the rite of redemption. Sent to their original tribe with a report of their doings. Working for the local tribe until their behavior is corrected and debt to the Kel is paid. Many ways to handle the situation."

He got curious now. Working for Anirians was nothing new for any Kel, but he wasn't very familiar with their laws. Even less so now with their civil war on going. How would her people handle this kind of situation?

"What about your people? What would their justice look like?"

Dana Kass
 
Although a part of her wanted to. Dana knew better than to offer to pay by now. When the Kel made an offer, he didn’t suffer any rejection. She followed him back toward the port area. Where she was relieved to see foreigners again. It felt too strange being the only one around.

She hummed at Tinus’ description of what would happen to the liars. Exile being the most serious of the penalties he mentioned. Aside from that, they all sounded reasonable enough. Although that depended on what exactly the rite of redemption would be.

She shrugged at his question. “Assuming they were impersonating an authority figure or a member of an official profession, they’d likely be imprisoned. Wayward youths might receive a less severe sentence, such as community service, depending on the seriousness of the crime. If their only crime was lying, there wouldn’t be a penalty for that. Unless they lied in an official setting, such as a courthouse.”

Tinus Damos
 
"Liars going unpunished? That isn't a thing here. We don't see the difference between settings. Intent we do. Some outsiders believe we don't understand that you can lie for good reasons. Not wanting a child to know their pet died isn't going to be punished. Killing that pet by accident and then lying about it to avoid responsibility will. Saving another's feelings is a good thing, even if it can still end up hurting them. Saving your own self by trying to avoid responsibilities is always bad."

He was talking a lot more than he normally would on a job. But he technically wasn't working right now. He was escorting an outsider around a Kel city. A personal choice that didn't require him to be a professional. If anything being one might make her uncomfortable and less likely to pay the Kel for things. That wouldn't benefit either party involved.

"Why do your people let the setting change how you react to things? Such as liars and overly aggressive people." Tinus asked to keep the conversation going. "What is your opinion? Tell me more about yourself. Like to know who I'll be working for soon."

The place Tinus was leading them to began to come into view. It was a little stall built on the side of another much bigger building. The one running it was cooking little pies and puddings with a mask on their face made from bone. There was containers with little caramel squares and other candies both soft and hard made from sugar and honey sitting on the counter. The smells coming from the kitchen area was very sweet and fruity.

Dana Kass
 
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Dana couldn’t say she wasn’t relieved to hear that white lies didn’t have the same legal penalty as other lies in Kel. Although she didn’t care much for either. “In Vel Anir, lying about committing a crime is also punishable. It’s only when people lie on a person-to-person basis that it’s allowed to stand. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.”

She listened carefully to Tinus, hesitating a moment, before replying. “I too detest lying, in all its forms. As for why there isn’t a legal penalty for such things, we’re more individualistic than the Kel in that area. We believe that a lie between two people is the business of those two alone. Or between a lying speaker and their audience. Something they should deal with themselves, rather than getting the government involved. What happens between two people or a small group of them is seen as their concern, not the rest of Vel Anir’s.”

She smiled faintly when she caught the smell of sweets in the air. She cast a lingering look over the assembled treats. “It seems we’ve arrived.”
 
As Tinus listened the more he was reminded of something he already knew about outsiders. They were rather self centered people who often forgot the impact of their actions upon others. Selfishness wasn't something the Kel were incapable of being, but they actively taught and tried to act against being. Outsiders seemed to be so much more focused on themselves that is was strange how they got anything done. Perhaps that was partly why they always had a war going on somewhere?

The counter proved to have a line of people already at it waiting to get their treats. It was being run by a pair of masked people. One seemed to be an older man and the other their son or nephew or apprentice. The condition of their exposed skin and the way they moved were what gave away their ages. The older man was the one running the kitchen while the younger man ran the counter. Tinus walked up to the back of the line and waited for their turn.

"Tell me more about yourself. You are well off yes? Perhaps one of them nobles you outsiders have? Why become a scholar and why are you interested in this lost god of your's?"

Dana Kass
 
Dana stepped into line next to Tinus, hands folded in front of her. She listened to his question but her gaze remained fixed ahead. “I’m better off financially than others, but I’m far from rich. I simply don’t have the same expenses as most commoners. That’s because I’m not a noble, I’m a priestess. My fellow clergymen provide me with a place to sleep and food to eat. The rest of my money I save for trips like this.”

“As for why I became a scholar. Well, in my order being a priestess and a scholar are roughly the same thing. I’m devoted to Metisa, Goddess of Wisdom and Progress. She charges us to learn and advance as a civilization. I do my part by gathering knowledge of all things so that others can learn from it,” Dana explained with clear pride in her voice. “It’s for that reason I’m seeking this lost god. Should I succeed, this trip will give me knowledge of the past. Knowledge I can then share with the rest of Arethil.”

Tinus Damos
 
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