Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"But you use stones, yes?"

"Riask uses to to perform all their complex tricks. Like that ship. We think. How can you not know the leaking Pattern? It lets gifts that wouldn't work here work. shut down the leaking pattern, and it all ends."



"Or are you trying to hide your stone from me?"



Yep. I don't remember if Julian has run into it before...

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"I can use stones, yes."

"People on Riask live in wet, dark holes. Everyone uses a Vasic for heat and light. I don't know about what this leaking pattern can do, but it sounds like it's about as complicated as using a Vasic to teleport. Something experts do, not an everyman."

I have a sinking feeling that if they find out I can be used as a Vasic, things won't look good for me.

"Look at me, where would I hide it? I was taken here by two soldiers who've searched my only possessions and I live in an alleyway. It'd be stolen unless I carried it all the time. I don't have a stone. I don't even have the chalk to use the stone."

I don't think I'm winning this one. I'd put a response, but I don't know how this guy will react to catching me in a lie.

No, he hasn't.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"But you don't now. And you still have dreams."

Technically, the part about living in dark holes is wrong. That's just Bumundo. The majority of the population lives on the ground. But the guy you're talking to doesn't know that.

The soldier weighs Julians words, then seem to accept that he doesn't have a stone.



"Who brought you here then? Are you with the invaders on the flying city? are you with their enemy? Why did they leave you? How did you get away?"

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Yeah, that tracks. I assume that the people who live on the bottom might have a different impression of Vasic too (i.e. a specialized tool that people use for communication, transportation and reality warping). Though even if he did know what Riask was like, he might conclude that the story makes sense for a different part of Riask, which explains Julian's perception of Vasic
"I don't know how I was brought to this world. I just woke up here. It's happened three times before; I don't think it's anyone on this world. I wasn't even on Riask last."
"Enemy?" I'm confused. "Like, besides you?"

"I woke up in an underground house. There were all these sleeping people down there. I found the exit, and looked outside and saw nothing but desert. I decided to look for something to help when going through the desert, and a statue sprung to life. So I ran away."

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Humanity is very fond of light, heat, and transportation, as a general rule! We'll see if Julian ever ends up on the floor of Riask.


Something about that statement seems to hurt his credibility.


Riask is always fighting with itself. If you're helping us, I assume you came with a different set of Riask that aren't friends with Yatreb"

"The sleepers? strange."



The man turns to leave. He seems disappointed, and says a few things to Julian's contact.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

It'd be pretty funny if he got dumped off at Tarbreth's bearded colleague's house.

"I didn't..."
Well, I guess it's all I can do. I rush on to not be too late to the blacksmith's.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Julian makes it to work on time. Today is once again exhausting, and Julian can tell he's going to be sore tomorrow (failed HT roll).


During the work day, Julian feels someone using magic walk into front area of the shop.



OCC: Yeah, it would be interesting to stick Julian right back into that plot.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

I'm so tired of pumping these bellows... I take a short break to look around the corner to see what's happening...

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Peaking around the corner, the man looks familiar... was that the flying knight from the floating ship? he's certainly wearing the same type of clothing, but all the flying knights seem to wear that. He's got business here, it seems. And a wagon waiting outside.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

The guy who jumped from ship, cushioning his fall, right?

I feel uncertain for a moment, would anyone believe me, is this even the guy, I might be wrong...

No, I can't just stand around anymore. I come around the corner and accuse him. "You! You Riask! You on flying house!"

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

The man appears stunned for a moment -- something that strengthen's Julian's suspicions. (failed acting roll)

The head smith: "No, this is Taqib! He is a good customer."

Taqib regains some composure: "Who is this boy?! Why is he here?"

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"I saw him jump from the flying house to the village. They loot! Bad guy!"

I won't explain anything to Taqib here. The smith might, I suppose.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

The smith switches to some fancy version of the language that's harder to understand. something about "street" and "high demand" and "sorry".

Then he turns to Julian and says "Go back and work. Or leave."

Taqib: "This clothing is common. you must have me mixed up with another Knight of Air"

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Apparently all of Julian's self confidence was saved up for this moment.

"OK."

I rush off to my contact's. Maybe I can explain it to the contact in time before this guy leaves with his wagon...

Hopefully good enough...

When I get there, I try to explain about the flying warrior at the blacksmith's, while I try to draw a picture so they can identify him.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Your contact isn't standing guard, but some yelling gets him out.



"What did you see? Purchasing weapons? Taqib? I'll check."


Some more yelling, and another man comes out, this one looking like he's higher ranked. You can hear the name "Taqib" a bunch.



His contact summaries. "We trust Taqib. Thank you. Do not disturb him further. We will check."

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Well, I guess I better find a new job. Maybe that potter is still looking...

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

He's not heading back to the blacksmith shop then?



There is indeed a potter who needs him to... help tend a fire and move heavy objects. Its remarkably similar to the last job.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Well, he said stay and work or leave, and I left, so...
Well at least I know how a bellows works now. At the end of the day, I look to see if they have any scrap clay around.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

This shop has fewer workers, but more customers and product. There is are two main Potters, two that seem more more subservient, and three boys (including Peter). Customers are constantly coming in and out, and there is a lot of fire managing to do.



There is a little bit of scrape clay around, yes.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Well, less time for distractions, though I doubt "Taqib" will wander in for pots.

I take a little piece of scrap. I'll see if I can fire it with a heat vasic later.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

True enough.

In your hand? how?


He's fed for his work, and then he has to go back to find a spot to sleep.



He senses magic being used... its the air magic that people like Taqib use. probably just on the other side of the block.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Well:

1) I take a scrap of clay, and don't even bother being stealthy. If they get upset by that I'll drop the matter.

2) I sculpt the clay into some shape (maybe just simply an imprint of the tip of my finger)

3) I draw a heat Vasic on one hand and then place the piece of clay on top of that hand.

I know very little about clay, apart from when I was in elementary school where I assume they used an oven to harden the clay. Julian may know even less. This might not be the same kind of clay, and I don't think it's going to work. Julian's mostly trying to gauge how hot the heat Vasic gets.

I wander over and take a look. Maybe there will be a warrior taking off. That could be a neat picture.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

The clay gets hot and quickly starts to burn Julian's hand.

Its Taqib. Julian is too slow to see what he used magic for, but he still has his cart.

OCC: I'm getting into sculpting, but I work with polymer clay, which is VERY different. One of the marvels of modern material science, really. I also watched a youtube channel called "how to make Everything" that like to do things the very old fashioned way... pottery kilns get super hot.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

I realize what's happening and try to toss it quickly.
Well, nothing good will follow from this. I round the corner again and leave.

Sounds about right. Glass and porcelain followed from work in pottery if I recall, and those are very hot.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Julian throws aside the clay. when he checks it after it has had time to cool down, its still hot. His hand will give off heat for the full period of time, and he has to watch where he puts it.

He sleeps well that night, and the check in goes without a hitch: his contact waves him away.

He doesn't feel sore the next day at work, and has plenty of energy left. The boys at the pottery shop either aren't as adventurous or just aren't friends with each other specifically: They each seem to go home after work.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

I go looking for the people I hung out with after work at the blacksmith. There's no reason we couldn't still hang out.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

You find them, and they're good to have fun tonight. Julian is, for some reason, oddly endearing (which is to say he has +3 to reactions ordinarily and +6 when he's in trouble)

tonight they climb on one of the boy's roofs and try to spit on the wall of the house across the street.


The Smith's apprentice urges Julian to come back to the forge. There is just so much work.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

This is probably a good thing, given how quick he is to antagonize people.
I hear the smith's apprentice out while spitting. "OK, I'll come *ptoo* back, but I won't *ptoo* be sorry."

And then the next day I go back to the blacksmith's and not be sorry.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Just leave customers alone" he reassured.

That night Julian dreams of two riders out in the desert, following behind the flying ship.

In the morning he goes to the smith. He's told firmly "Don't talk to the customers!" and "We need you! get to work! take an extra chunk of bread!"

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Sounds fair."
I suppose I'm waved off at the post again.
"Fine, won't talk."

And it's back to the grind stone.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

They work hard that morning, but soon enough one of the friends pokes his head into the shop

"The army is here! They're here! coming towards the gate! come and see!"

The masters of the shop sigh, and allow the boys to go watch the army come into the city, but say they need to come right back!

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Well let's go check it out. I wonder how big it is.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Everyone is already crowded up on the viewing wall, so Julian and the boys have to settle for the street. Or rather, a roof.



Its a large group of men, marching four abreast. The townsfolk cheer. There aren't quite uniforms, but everyone seems to go out of their way to wear blue and yellow. The weapons are mostly spears, bows, and swords, with some more exotic pole-arms mixed in.


There are maybe 200 of these soldiers, with about 10* of them on horseback.



Some of the boys express admiration for the soldiers, and talk about how they might be one. Others laugh. It seems some of them do have a chance at this, and some don't.


The soldiers seem happy to be here, smiling and one or two waving to the crowd.


After the soldiers pass, the boys head back to work. Slowly.



OCC: I was just struck by how differently this town is built than Bumundo or Curry Station. Roofs as usable space really change the layout.


*GM note to self: remember the scouts that aren't present.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

I find myself thinking it's somewhat funny that there may have been more people were after me personally on Curry Station than there are here in this army. Like I'm literally so dangerous the concordance sent a literal army after me.

I ask a question, "So did they win or they parading because they arrived?"

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Because the are soldiers!"


"They are still fighting. But it is grand to see them!"


OOC: And they would have sent more after you if they had it available. Modern scale is like that. Mind-Boggling.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Yeah, but shouldn't they be conserving strength or something? If they're still fighting, surely they need to go march somewhere.
Yeah, I'm listening to the History of Byzantium right now, where an army of ten thousand is described as a massive force they shocks emperors...

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Soldiers always parade when they come in town so we can cheer at them! They come to sleep and eat food and scare away the enemy"


Anything more to do with the soldiers or as the boys slowly head back to work?

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Well, maybe parading is just the way they march?
I watch the crowd. Maybe I'd spot Taqib...

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Julian doesn't see Taquib. He does notice that two of the soldiers are dressed similarly with similar insignia, if not the special clothing made for catching air. He sees two people dressed like Taquib hanging out on roofs watching the army.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Well, I guess I slowly walk back to work now.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Work is busy... all the soldiers are bringing weapons and armor in for repairs. Julian is asked to work late... but they'll have some sort of food that has everyone excited.



Its dark, and everyone is still working hard. Julian might have trouble finding his way back to his sleeping spot.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

I guess that's just how it is, and I am kind of curious what the exciting food is.
No I won't.

I'll ask if I can borrow a glove from the smith's if I bring it back tomorrow (they would have gloves there, right?). If he's not cooperative, I'll explain by lighting my hand, and tell him that it takes a while for the light to fade, and I'd prefer to get to sleep sooner than that.

Then, when it's very dark, I light Vasic on my hand to show my way to my sleeping spot, then glove up when I'm ready to sleep. If I don't have a glove, I'll either wrap my shirt around it or sleep on top of it.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Salty Savory meat and fried vegetables wrapped in a flat bread that tastes almost like a pastry.


He's reluctant to part with his gloves. Julian is after all only a boy off the street picked up during a high demand period of work. Julian has to demonstrate.



It gets the attention of the entire shop. "Where you learn that?" "Is that from your home?"

He gets the glove.


I'll process this later.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Mmm! Like shawarma!

OK, this was worth getting excited about.
"No, was on Riask briefly. They use rocks, but it works on me. Don't know why."

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

OCC: oh, is that what Shawarma is?


"Riask Magic" seems to explain a lot to them.



Other Boy*: "You are a rock!" That seems to give them a bit of mirth, but its not disrespectful --- seemingly its not entirely negative to be compared to a rock.



Customer Facing Shop Master** "But then why are you here? why are you on the street? You know Riask"


*He's stuck around a while, We'll call him Kaddan.
** He's Jamal

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Mostly? What I've had is very "build your own"
"Well, it explains why I'm so hard headed."

"Yeah, I'm here because I know Riask. Soldier came by the village I was at after attack, and had me brought here. They must think I'm suspicious but can't spare anything but 'check in daily'."

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Jamal: "What were you doing in the village? you could be out seeing the world."


"A Riask street boy. I never thought I'd meet one. Never thought you existed. Take the glove. Be back early, we still have lots to do."


It might be past midnight by the time he is done. He finds his spot, puts on the glove, and falls asleep.



He dreams the ship again. This time picking up a load of weapons from Taqib.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Kinda hard to do without food or water."
"Well, there aren't really streets, more like holes in trees..."
When I check in this morning, I let them know. "Looks like your pal Taqib wasn't trustworthy after all. He delivered a load of weapons to the flying ship."

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Jamal: "That is true! That is true!"


Everyone wants to here more about what Riask is like.


The place is buzzing with all the new soldiers this morning. As well as many people of the town.



Contact: "How do you know this? A dream again? Stay here. I will report."


Another soldier comes out with the contact to look at Julian. "This begger is Riask? And has dreams? How much are you paying him?"


Contact: "Nothing. He is bound to the city. He speaks it"


The soldier looks at Julian some more. "Do you know where Taqib is now? Taqib is very important, and we cannot just stop him. But if you can predict where he is... we can act. Until then, you are a street boy"

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

I explain what Bumundo was like. "Where I lived, I was in a city far above the clouds; there was a waterfall from above, that apparently came from far down below. The suns cast light from below, and there were all kinds of people from everywhere. Bird people, wolf people, people with webbed hands... Many people worked in mines where they dug out Vasic stones, which people use for food, light, and transport."
"Well, he could be back on the ship, but I don't know for sure."
"I'm not doing this for money..."

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"A fountain came out of the sky?"


"People with wings?!"


"Why do they have webbed hands?"


"They were above the sun!"


They listen and ask questions and marvel.


"Then find out. Until you find out, I cannot help you, and you do not help me."


"Then what DO you want?"

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Yeah, apparently it came from the ocean below..."
"Yeah, they were from somewhere else. They had it easy, travelling without worrying about falling."
"You know, I'm not sure. Maybe they were suited to the wet bottom of Riask."
"Yeah, and below at the bottom too!"
Yeah, like I just can find out.
I think. After leaving the Bay Islands, immediate survival isn't the thing at the top of my mind all the time. I got rid of the spears and made a little cash because I thought it would stop the fighting. It probably did. Wanting to steal the Starpus was just greed, and I knew it was wrong. The Starpus weren't really suffering, though when they learned the truth, they might have changed their minds about that...

"As long the war continues, people will suffer and die. I want the war to end; I want peace."

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

The soldier is silent for a moment. "I can't give you that. But I can help you help. See what you can find about Taqib."

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Hm... Where would I find out about that? After work I check around across the way, where he was doing something "magical" earlier.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Work is very busy again. Having stayed up a long time, Julian is exhausted (rolled a 14 on HT).

Soldiers are constantly coming in to pick up and drop off more work. It seems they will be in the town for three nights, and then leave in the morning.



The spot where you saw Taqib doesn't have any measure of magic in it, or anything suspicious. The streets are full of soldiers though, seemingly spending money on everything they can, laughing and joking and shouting.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Well I'm tired and out of ideas now, I go lie down.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Julian sleeps.

Both soldiers are there for the check-in. The new one asks insistently about Taqib.

This is the last day of the soldiers being here. The are certainly here for rest and recuperation. And possibly for recreation. Today is if anything the wildest day on the streets. The rain ceremony was skipped today. People from just outside the town seem to be spending their time inside of it. The streets are crowded.

Work is busy again. They will have to work late again, because the soldier will be leaving in the morning. They're getting that yummy meat wrap again.

Julian feels a couple of different magical sources walk up to the front of the shop as they work through the evening.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Sorry, I don't know anything. I even looked around the alley where he did some 'magic' thing, and there was no trace."
I wonder if there's some kind of fear of what will happen next...
I briefly peek at the people. Don't want to actually cause trouble again, and besides, I'm very busy.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Remember, this is time sensitive. Can't you just do what you did to see him before? Go into your trance or sleep or whatever?"


Maybe. If so its kept hidden. But that might be the point. Mostly, you see lots of money changing hands.


Its the soldiers dressed like Taqib, but with different insignia. There seem to be three or so different kinds. One set is holding fire in their hands. Julian things he can feel the difference between the three kinds as well as see it in their dress.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"It doesn't work like that! I just sleep and dream things. Sometimes they mean something important..."
The army has a lot of these 'powerful' warriors, makes sense they're coming to Jamal's.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Well then let's hope you dream soon."


There's only around five of them that came in that you saw... they've just all come here.


I'm guessing Julian borrows the glove to make it to his spot again?

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Yes, let's."
I ask about it over dinner. "So those warriors, the powerful ones, why do they all come here?"
Yeah. Given that this is the second night and probably the last, it probably won't be an issue.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Jamal: "Because we are the best. Do you think just anyone can make fine weapons like we do? We are the best in town, and most towns do not have men like us. So all the soldiers come to us with work when they are in town. Even the Knights*"


*Word for the powerful ones... I'm just going to use "knight".


He might not have needed the light: soldiers are walking the streets, making the last of their time in town. Lamps burn in windows.

Julian dreams of the flying ship that night. Its on the ground this time, parked outside city walls. The man who is dressed "Rich Riask" is talking with another local soldier. Julian's grasp of the language has improved a little. The finely dressed man is here to equip troops that have been raised. He thinks the name of the city might be El'Carid.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"No, but it is a little surprising no one else is making the soldiers weapons."
Given these guys are Arab coded, if not Arabic speakers, consider using 'Faris', which is an Arabic term analogous to a knight.
Still, it's comforting once I reach the alleyway.
Well, not Taqib, but still relevant. I let my contact know the following morning. "The flying ship dropped off weapons for soldiers near El'Carid. Nothing on Taqib last night."

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Well, not all the soldiers. Only the smart ones. and rich ones. Like the Faris. Some smiths do jobs for them. But if they want good weapons? and here? They come to us."


The Earnest Soldier: "The ship is in El'Carid? you are sure? Tell me about the dream. <after hearing he actually saw the city> Tell me about El'Carid. And where the ship was parked. And you are sure that it is the weapons that Taqib bought?"


The soldiers are forming up in a street as Julian goes to work. Many seem reluctant to go.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Well, I guess that makes them the specialists. And explains why Taqib would have bought weapons from them to begin with.
I tell him the ship was parked next to the walls, and describe what I can about the walls. I try to remember if I saw any weapons being unloaded.

They must be having something similar to the feeling I had just before I stole something. I approach one of the reluctant ones, make a little small talk, and ask if it's their first time actually fighting.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

The Soldier listens intently, asks for the primary points again, and then repeats them back. Perhaps something will come of this. He's at least taking this seriously.

You didn't see the weapons themselves, only heard talk of them.

The soldier you go up to: "No! We had a few skirmishes out in the desert around Gildan. We're blooded troops now. Though my unit ended up just running around and flanking. We're probably headed for a tougher fight now. The flying fort has been seen in the area. Its... still fighting, but its different. Might have to face heavy combat. Might have to just shelter from archers on the flying fort."


"Say, you don't have the local accent. Where are you from?"

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

I explain that part of it too. "Maybe they picked up soldiers that they're equipping on the ship."

"Yeah, it was terrifying when the village I was at was raided by the flying fort."

"I'm from Rattan... It's a faraway place."

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Maybe. The flying fort should already be full of warriors."

"You've seen it! Is that why you are here? what was it like? The ship, not the raid." He seems eager to hear more about this "flying fort". Several of his companions listen in as well.


"Never heard of it. Our lands are not usually at war, I hope you see us after our victory."

Re: (I) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

I talk about the ship, seeing the shadow of the ship, when it turned on it's light, and how fast it came after the light turns on.

"I hope so too." I try not to think about what victory means.