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The vast Aamsk desert, a relentless sea of sand, lay still under the early morning sky. The abandoned settlement of Nahva, once a haven for wanderers and traders, now stood silent, its structures worn by time and the desert winds. The sound of conversation broke the quiet of morning. Behest, was talking with a group of battered merchants. Their extravagant clothes, worn and faded, told a story of better days long gone.
Einn woke in the wagon, coming out of a fevered dream. The last two months had been a blur of pain and delirium, his life hanging by a thread. The young Inquisitor opened his eyes and looked at the simple inside of the wagon, which had been his sanctuary. The sun's first rays filtered through the cracks, casting a golden glow on the wooden walls.
He pushed himself up, wincing as his muscles protested. Despite feeling weak, Einn felt relief as the scar beneath his ribs caused him pain but also signaled his returning strength.
Outside, the murmur of voices reached his ears, pulling him from his thoughts. He made his way to the wagon's entrance, steadying himself against the wooden frame. The scene that greeted him was a stark contrast to the solitude of the desert. The young Inquisitor was hardly noticeable. He stood tall, blending with the shadows of the wagon. His face tattoo, a symbol of his heritage and duty, stood out against his humble demeanor.
Suddenly, one of the merchants, his face marked by the trials of the desert, caught sight of Einn. His eyes glistened with recognition, then shifted back to Behest. Einn stepped forward. He was familiar with the nervous glances, but something else drew him closer. Behest noticed him and her expression changed to playful annoyance.
"Ah, look who decided to join the livin’," she said, her tone light but tinged with a sisterly concern. "Folks had a rough go o’ it. Seem like they ran into trouble with the Dune Shade." Her tone pointed
Einn raised an eyebrow at the mention of the Dune Shade, Behest had made mention of them in passing. "Dune Shade, huh?" he replied, trying to sound casual but his voice betrayed his worry.
The merchants looked at Einn, their expressions a mixture of hope and apprehension. Despite his youth, the title of Inquisitor carried a weight that was hard to ignore. Einn noticed their discomfort and offered a reassuring smile. "Breath, easy friends. Tell us what happened?"
The leader of the merchants, a woman with a stern face softened by weariness, stepped forward. “They ambushed us. Came out of nowhere, like whispers on the wind. They took everything."
Einn nodded, his mind racing with the implications. "Do you know where they headed after the attack?" he asked, his tone more inquisitive than authoritative.
The woman shook her head. "Into the sands, like they were never there. But they attacked us near an old Ys silo. Hard to miss, covered in gaudy rugs and tapestries."
Behest interjected, "Anything you can give us helps track them. Dunes speak to those who a listen, right, Einn?"
"Right!" His words and smile were more an affirmation to himself than to the merchants. He was up and moving but he still wasn't fully recovered.
The elders mustered as much information as they could. They were sure they saw one use something to command the sands. Barring a few bruises and harsh words, no one in their caravan was put to the blade. While odd they were more than grateful for their lives.
The group's conversation started to end, and the merchants slowly left, feeling both relieved and worried. Einn watched them go, his mind already calculating their next steps. The Dune Shade were elusive, but not beyond reach, especially not for one of his ilk. Besides there was Behest, she'd kept him more than safe these two months whilst he healed.
Turning to Behest, Einn's expression softened. "Thanks..." he said, touching his side where he'd nearly been gutted. Behest's response came with a knowing smile, "O’course, Kayir," using her native tongue for a spirited, wild child. Her use of the term was affectionate yet teasing. Einn grinned at the nickname, accepting it as a badge of honor rather than an insult.
As the sun climbed higher, casting its gaze over Nahva, Einn and Behest readied themselves. They were getting ready to travel over the harsh sands of the Aamsk, tracking the elusive Dune Shade. At least for now.
Scene Breakdown
The very first scene for our Duo. Some time has passed since they first met.
An old Ys Silo [their hideout?]no more like a cache. Hard to miss the place there are gaudy rugs, tapestries and the like that cover the Silo. Anything else they can tell us? Yes they were oddly respectful (principled, control expectation)
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Scene 2.
As Einn and Behest approached the silo, hidden beneath its vibrant tapestries, the sense of foreboding grew. The once innocuous Ys silo, now a cache for the Dune Shade's plunder, loomed like a guarded secret in the heart of the desert.
The spoils of raids cluttered the dimly lit interior inside. Amidst the chaos, Tsha, a determined member of the Dune Shade, fixated on an ornate chest. Einn, his instincts honed, stepped quietly into the shadowy interior, his eyes locked on her.
"Oi," he called out softly, causing her to spin around, the chest clutched tightly. Her eyes, filled with youthful defiance, met his. "You need to hand that over. It doesn't belong to you," Einn said, his voice even but firm.
Laughing dismissively, Tsha held the chest close. "Do you think I’d just give it up? This," she gestured with the chest, "is our future."
The tension escalated, without warning, Tsha charged towards him, aiming to escape. Her shoulder collided with his ribs, sending a jolt of pain through his body. Even still, Einn grappled with her, trying to seize the chest as they tumbled to the floor. The contents spilling from the chest, a detailed map, glowing faintly, marking it as a Snarl infused.
Einn's attention faltered, captivated by the map's intricate details. Seizing the moment, Tsha wrested free from his grip, scooping up the map with swift precision, she darted for the exit. Einn, momentarily stunned by the pain and the loss, regained his composure. Tsha's silhouette disappearing into the bright glare of the desert sun.
Outside, Behest watched Tsha bolt from the silo entrance. She immediately started after Tsha, her strong legs pushing her forward on the sand. Behest quickly caught up to Tsha, getting closer and closer with each step, like a predator.
Tsha, realizing she was being pursued, pushed herself harder, her figure darting over the dunes with remarkable speed. She glanced back to see Behest gaining on her, her expression a mix of surprise and desperation.
The chase was a spectacle against the backdrop of the endless desert. Behest, with her formidable presence, was an unexpected pursuer for the nimble Tsha. But despite Behest's impressive speed, Tsha's elusiveness won out. With a final burst of energy, she crested a dune and went careening down the side, the map secured in her grasp.
Behest slowed to a stop at the crest of the dune, her chest heaving with exertion. She watched as Tsha slid down the mile long dune. Einn joined her. His face showed both frustration and respect for their opponent. "She's gone," he panted, his side aching from the earlier collision. They stood and watched her until she was a dot below.
Einn saw Behest's determined eyes and felt the same determination burning inside them both. "We may 'ave lost her for now, but this ain't over. That map... it's important."
As they stood atop the dune, the vast Aamsk desert stretched out before them, its secrets hidden beneath the shifting sands. The map in Tsha's possession was more than a mere object; it was a key to understanding the Dune Shades plan. With the sun casting long shadows over the desert, they began their descent from the dune, their resolve unwavering. The chase may have ended, but their journey was far from over.
Scene Breakdown
Behest and Einn are heading towards the direction of the Ys Silo.
Altered scene: New NPC Tsha
Action: 🎲[support,leadership] She was sent back by the Dune Shades leader or maybe she came on her own.
Description: 🎲[defiantly, historical] the thing she is looking for is historical. It defies time, hmmm 🤔.
Is it a Magical item? 🎲[5+4]=9 No, but it is of some historical importance, a Map maybe? 🎲[9+10]=19 Exceptional Yes!
This could be really interesting maps after all are fun adventure bits. Maybe it leads to the Amulet? Or some greater treasures still. But on to the real questions.
Did Einn come upon her alone? 🎲[6+5]=11 yes so our wounded Inquisitor walks in without Behest, not a great idea but hey he's young.
Does this come to blows? 🎲[6+7]=13 yes. I was hoping this was going to be different. But alas… we get to test Einn.
Our first CLASH! So I got a quick idea Of Tsha’s abilities and Power level before we dive into the clash.
Tsha
Dune Shade
Power 4
Young passion +3 (she is a devout believer in all the Dune Shade does)
Social suffering -1 (currently in some hot water with the Dune Shade)
Free deceit +2 (She is a rather slippery one in word and deed)
A bit of a zealot Tsha is but I think that helps play into the overall truth about the Dune Shade. Now that we have her base line we take her power from Einn's (which is 5 since Tsha isn't a Union Ysdelver) in order to get our odds.
Acting Power v. Opposing Power
5-4=1 likely
Does Einn beat Tsha? 🎲[1+1]+1=3 Exceptional No!
This is really wild, even with things in our favor. The dice aren't always kind. Normally an Exceptional No means we would get two wounds. However, Tsha isn't trying to hurt Einn exactly she is trying to run.
One of the things I like about the Clash and Mass combat rules is that a loss doesn't always mean just wounds and the like. So we know that Einn lost this clash and Tsha will get away. So let's roll up some detail about the clash.
Combat Action:🎲[odd struggle]
Loss:🎲[Strong unprepared]
Victory:🎲[Success unexpected]
Some pretty interesting rolls. Some easy interpretation as well.
Einn was unprepared for her fervor and such strong resolve. Her youth and belief in the Dune Shade cause spurring her forward. She is looking to get out of the situation and regroup. She also has what she came for, she need not dally.
She blows past Einn with a burst of speed. ramming a shoulder into his ribs. Thinking Einn ready to fight when she barrels through him even she is a bit surprised.
Does she drop the map?🎲[5+3]=8 No
A pretty rough start to things for our Duo.
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