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Post by tmao on Oct 16, 2016 14:02:39 GMT
Note: Arabia is basically Middle Azir. From Middle Azir, the route that is taken is either down the Mare Rubine, or, the Sea of Yarbay, to the Hindic<Hindoo> Ocean. From there, merchant ships hug the coast of Afrik. The horses are coming from Yarbay (this is the Islamic realm, on Aerth): "The famed Yarban horse is the chief animal with respect to riding && war use, && horses are sometimes employed for draft work, too." It's likely that the Muslim traders will bring other trade goods: "Yarban gums are xported as widely as its pearls, balsam && myrrh being the best known && costliest." They are willing to trade slaves for the horses. In addition to slaves, what does Zimbabwe have to offer? <1> Note that the only coin in Zimbabwe is the iron piece. This isn't accepted currency in Yarbay, and the merchants are generally not interested in iron pieces. Al-Prespos the Yarban merchant <1> This of course, assumes that Zimbabwe trades in slaves: slavery is practiced in many realms on Aerth, and, it seems to be that there was a slave trade in Zimbabwe. The final matter is up to kjatoragfoot . <2> The early military history of Zimbabwe: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Zimbabwe#Early_history<3> Meccan Trade and the Rise of Islam: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meccan_Trade_and_the_Rise_of_Islam<4> Painting by Edwin Lord Weeks (one of the most famous Orientalists): KJ: still don't have your alignment? anti slavery platform could be a nice hook for your character!!!!!!
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Post by tmao on Oct 16, 2016 14:18:31 GMT
KJ=anti slavery hook, push /cajole/ please!(unless you want to be more self serving)
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 16, 2016 14:29:46 GMT
If Kazool, Vitari and Muaara are all in the north, let those two fight it out on their own. I will ignore them for now.
The Black Spears are the most important danger to the postal service right now, so let's go after them. I need to secure my powerbase, and at the moment, my powerbase is the postal service.
I will grant the small bandit lords an audience, and tell them that the postal service is off limits for the moment. I promise to feed them information about caravans safe to rob, though.
> still don't have your alignment? anti slavery platform could be a nice hook for your character!!!!!!
Anti-slavery? Definitely not. This character is rather evil, and will definitely not end slavery. Quite the opposite, he intends to profit from it...
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Post by tmao on Oct 16, 2016 14:40:14 GMT
Ok the small bandit lords are fishing for money to honor your request, politely.
As you and your army head toward the Black Spears you see several bad Omens, one particularly bad one of a lioness eating her cub.
?
EDIT: I kinda like going SLOW on stuff like this let me know If I need to pick up the pace for you?
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Post by tmao on Oct 16, 2016 14:45:05 GMT
Oh and EVIL it is(I like that just as much!)
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Post by tmao on Oct 16, 2016 14:49:57 GMT
Just to be clear you are operating openly as postal service, right?(not with bandit lords of course)
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 16, 2016 20:32:01 GMT
Yes, I am openly operating as postal service when fighting bandits (not when secretly conspiring with them).
Hmm. Bad omens. In that case, I will not attack the Black Spears right now, but instead send spies to figure out who and how transports the horses. I will interrupt the trade, and I offer the three bandit lords 500 gold each if they promise to specifically target those transports.
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Post by tmao on Oct 16, 2016 21:24:16 GMT
Yes, I am openly operating as postal service when fighting bandits (not when secretly conspiring with them). Hmm. Bad omens. In that case, I will not attack the Black Spears right now, but instead send spies to figure out who and how transports the horses. I will interrupt the trade, and I offer the three bandit lords 500 gold each if they promise to specifically target those transports. OkYou dont need to send spys you know about the horse caravan as PO director the bandit lords agree to your offer(they seem extremly happy with your offer) but what do you want them to do with them? They suggest using them for food. as you had seen the omens about the Black Spears ,you realize they seem to have a lot of popular support, You think they might be led by poss agood cleric. you have 6.5 gold left In the general area of the Black Spears there are a couple of isolated villages ripe for the picking or there is a minor postal bandit group you could tackle. EDIT the vast majority of the Royal Army is very busy in the north w/ the rebellion and the rest is guarding the capital, looks like there is a lot of opportunities opening up! Lets say you have one spy(thief L3) and one spy(mediocre assassin L2)
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 17, 2016 3:44:18 GMT
what do you want them to do with them? They suggest using them for food. They can eat some if they like to, but should deliver most to me. And they shall take the stablehands that take care of the horses prisoner and hand them over to me as well. I want to figure out what those horses are good for. as you had seen the omens about the Black Spears ,you realize they seem to have a lot of popular support, You think they might be led by poss agood cleric. Hmm. I will send the assassin spy to learn more about the Black Spears and its leader. In the general area of the Black Spears there are a couple of isolated villages ripe for the picking or there is a minor postal bandit group you could tackle. Then let's tackle those minor bandit groups. Ideally stealing their loot to pay my bandits. I need some successes as postal ranger to gain legitimacy.
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Post by tmao on Oct 17, 2016 9:35:27 GMT
Ok The three bandits go and get their groups to raid horses(they are not that close yet, the horses I mean) I guess you could keep the horses at the mine, but remember they were earmarked for the army and will stand out.
You decide to split up to tackle the minor bandit groups(into 4) two bandits are wiped out, one is beat bad but mostly survives and one you can't find, I'm gonna make the assumption that you want to sell the survivors(?) No decent recruits left alive. They were unprepared for Gov't forces to be in the area.
And the assassin comes back looking like he's seen something TERRIFYING, hes totally out of his wits and has not calmed down yet
EDIT: loot 1,500 gp in slaves(which you will need to sell), and 500 in gold, so your at 7,000 in cash No fatalities, easy fights.
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 17, 2016 15:34:16 GMT
Yes, I want to sell the slaves. Ideally to one of the Arabian traders, as they seem to know more about horses. I will try to hire someone who knows more about horses and their use, and the Arabian traders seem to be knowledgeable about them.
I will try to use my magic powers to hypnotize the spy and learn what he has seen from his subconcious mind!
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2016 17:27:13 GMT
The Yarban (Arabic) traders offer to teach the Ride Horse skill to those who are interested. Of course, they are not going to do this for free. In 2E terms, these horses are of the finest quality: they are chargers. See page 36 of the 2e DMG: to start, they are x4 the price, 150% movement, and 133% carrying capacity. Of course, since these are Yarbans, expect a bit of haggling (something that may be unknown in Zimbabwen(?) culture). What kind of horses are you interested in? Heavy, medium, light? I assume that you want these horses trained for war, as well. This kind of training is going to cost extra, as well. (cf. Animal Training, in the DUNGEONEER'S SURVIVAL GUIDE). Horse(x4) + animal training + human training = base total You will need interpreters, too: these can be drawn from 20% of the merchants/travellers/scholars of the local populace. Multiply your base total x2 because this is a foreign "item". Akeem Al-Prespos ("Uncle Al") Ps. For communication... the common tongue on Aerth is "Trade Phoenician". Bantu is the national language of Zimbabwe. Sumerian is the national language of Yarbay. 20% of Zimbabwen(?) merchants/travellers/scholars can communicate in "Trade Phoenician" (the Common Tongue). Now, I had thought of a runic alphabet for Common, but this is a matter of Linguistics, that will have to wait for a later date... Ps2. Here is a good site for naming people, if you want: babynames.net/all/africanPs3. There are no gold pieces in Zimbabwe. The one currency is the iron piece. 500 iron pieces to the gold piece? That is assuming that iron is worth less than copper. 500 coins = 50 pounds. Ps4. I am thinking of a house rule, where iron weapons do extra damage to Fey and to creatures from The Spirit World. At present, in theory: The Spirit World = Phaeree. The basis of this theory comes from ORIENTAL ADVENTURES. Ps5. With regards to Bantu, they should be the dominant nation/tribe in the realm of Zimbabwe. Ps6. As always, feel free to disregard or distort anything in this post.
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Post by tmao on Oct 18, 2016 11:03:58 GMT
Yes, I want to sell the slaves. Ideally to one of the Arabian traders, as they seem to know more about horses. I will try to hire someone who knows more about horses and their use, and the Arabian traders seem to be knowledgeable about them. I will try to use my magic powers to hypnotize the spy and learn what he has seen from his subconcious mind! Ok you put your general contacts to work on the horse matter, traders are not yet here but your bandit friends are ready and in place In the north the rebellion is getting out of hand as both sides are "scorching earth" but the gov't has the upper hand, troops from around the country are moved north You figure hypnosis alone might not be enough so you use a combo of that plus Charm and Esp. Under the hypnosis he rambles on about his sins and confeses all his crimes and repeats over and over "I'm a Sinner" The ESP shows him taken before a throne and this chieftain w sword in one hand and holy symbol in another makes the spy face his sinns, still in the Esp The Chieftain stares at YOU and you realize he could be your doppleganger! Afterward the spy/assasin says he is going back to his village to farm Note: prob will be busy most of day so unless you post soon I prob will not get to you.
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 18, 2016 17:29:57 GMT
((A Born Again Christian evangelist in Zimbabwe? Impersonating me?))
OK. It would be daft to risk my own men, if I can risk somebody elses men. I will petition prince Upenyu that this cleric is a risk for the religious stability of the Empire, and thus needs to be dealt with on a much greater level. We will need his glorious and wise church guard to battle such a powerful enchanter and false prophet. Of course, the post ranger will support this fight in every way they can, but tis woefully inadequate to oppose a threat like this on its own.
Otherwise, I will continue my quest to extinguish those two smaller bandit groups that escaped last time. I will also send faked message to the general that the robber bands in the north are supporting the rebels, while at the same time informing the norther bandits about lucrative supply lines of that very generals army.
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Post by Admin on Oct 18, 2016 21:00:33 GMT
Remember that Christianity is very rare on Aerth. HR5 GLORY OF ROME details the Christian Priest kit: basically, Christianity is only found in Rome. It's still possible that there is a far-roaming Christian priest, of course. Integrating a bit of Judaism(Phillistine)/Christianity(Rome)/Islam(Yarbay) into Aerth is not easy, and, wasn't part of Gary's original vision. Personally, I'd be very hesitant to place Christianity outside of Western Sea Alliance(Roman Confederacy), but, it's really up to you guys. The native religion of Zimbabwe is noted as "Voudoun", but that's not really accurate. A closer look at World Mythology shows that the people of Zimbabwe and the people of Benin ('the birthplace of voodoo') have different mythologies. MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE BANTU, by Alice Werner, is a good place to start.
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Post by tmao on Oct 19, 2016 10:08:36 GMT
Remember that Christianity is very rare on Aerth. HR5 GLORY OF ROME details the Christian Priest kit: basically, Christianity is only found in Rome. It's still possible that there is a far-roaming Christian priest, of course. Integrating a bit of Judaism(Phillistine)/Christianity(Rome)/Islam(Yarbay) into Aerth is not easy, and, wasn't part of Gary's original vision. Personally, I'd be very hesitant to place Christianity outside of Western Sea Alliance(Roman Confederacy), but, it's really up to you guys. The native religion of Zimbabwe is noted as "Voudoun", but that's not really accurate. A closer look at World Mythology shows that the people of Zimbabwe and the people of Benin ('the birthplace of voodoo') have different mythologies. MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE BANTU, by Alice Werner, is a good place to start. that was Kj's guess, I don't use the modern IRL religions in gaming.KJ=feeling a little under the weather(under statement) having too much fun to "half ass" it while I'm sick, so gimme a couple days.(bronchitis)
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Post by Admin on Oct 19, 2016 10:39:26 GMT
Hopefully, your bronchitis clears up! Pres Ps. Here is a picture of a brontosaurus:
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 19, 2016 13:20:37 GMT
feeling a little under the weather(under statement) having too much fun to "half ass" it while I'm sick, so gimme a couple days.(bronchitis) Get well soon!
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Post by tmao on Oct 20, 2016 10:21:16 GMT
KJ? Just a question,with all the uproar going on,it seems like you want to have postal service front and center, and leave the looting/banditry behind for now? Just looking for your focus?
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 20, 2016 14:11:17 GMT
Yes, basically, this is my plan: 1) Appear as a legitimate and dutiful commander of the postal ranger service 2) Become Emperor instead of the Emperor 3) Profit
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Post by tmao on Oct 22, 2016 10:21:17 GMT
((A Born Again Christian evangelist in Zimbabwe? Impersonating me?)) OK. It would be daft to risk my own men, if I can risk somebody elses men. I will petition prince Upenyu that this cleric is a risk for the religious stability of the Empire, and thus needs to be dealt with on a much greater level. We will need his glorious and wise church guard to battle such a powerful enchanter and false prophet. Of course, the post ranger will support this fight in every way they can, but tis woefully inadequate to oppose a threat like this on its own. Otherwise, I will continue my quest to extinguish those two smaller bandit groups that escaped last time. I will also send faked message to the general that the robber bands in the north are supporting the rebels, while at the same time informing the norther bandits about lucrative supply lines of that very generals army. Price Upenyu" The military is engaged n maneuvers in the north and is otherwise occupied, The Black Spears are a postal matter and must be dealt with as such" The Black Spears are spreading their influence from the south to the west. Your meddling in the north is having an effect(exactly what you were looking for) The merchants of the Betsilio approach you about adding to your forces , They offer to finance another 50 men for your guard. The Mysterious package has arrived from the east to the border of Zimbabwe it is a small caravan(porters not wagons) of Chinese merchants with about 50 heavy soldiers The declared cargo is a single potion destined for the king, the merchants have requested add'l guards from the post. The caravan is moving very very slowly. You have damaged to two robber gangs but they are hanging on, a little more effort should dispose of them. Storms to the north of Zimbabwe are delaying the arrival of the horses, Your bandit allies are growing restless waiting. This is the end of January so you get your monthly money putting you at 9000 gold
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 22, 2016 13:32:13 GMT
I will gladly accept the additional men from the Betsilion, and use the chance to ask what problems ail them.
Also, I will send about 20 of my post workers to scout for the Chinese merchant. I will also send my assassin to learn what exactly this mysterious package is.
My remaining force shall continue to eradicate those robber bands.
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Post by tmao on Oct 22, 2016 15:00:19 GMT
I will gladly accept the additional men from the Betsilion, and use the chance to ask what problems ail them. Also, I will send about 20 of my post workers to scout for the Chinese merchant. I will also send my assassin to learn what exactly this mysterious package is. My remaining force shall continue to eradicate those robber bands. The Betsilion's are concerned that their messages of commerce are not being taken seriously enough and what to give you extra force to deal with the threats facing it., a bunch of them pooled their money. The assassin returns and says it is some sort of incredibly powerful virility potion. Very dangerous to use, definitely for the King, he says your thief and he could get it. You pin down the first robber gang but they put up a brutal fight in the end, you lose 20 men, no loot worth mentioning. The second robber gang is tracked to their lair and about 30 of them escape, but you got all their leaders and find A 5000 GP RUBY!!!!!!! In the north the armies brutality is making everyone against them, both the Prince's personal forces are forced into the fight. Massacres everywhere, the fighting spreads to the west.
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Post by kjatoragfoot on Oct 22, 2016 15:29:56 GMT
Let's replace that virility potion with a poison. Also, plant a letter with the merchants that the potion is a gift of the Black Spears's leader.
I will offer the robbers in the north to join my troops for a pardon. At the moment, it is simply more lucrative to hunt bandits then to prey on merchants.
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Post by tmao on Oct 22, 2016 16:09:20 GMT
Let's replace that virility potion with a poison. Also, plant a letter with the merchants that the potion is a gift of the Black Spears's leader. I will offer the robbers in the north to join my troops for a pardon. At the moment, it is simply more lucrative to hunt bandits then to prey on merchants. Potion very successfully replaced, you get 150 add'l bandits bringing your total to 355 but you are now net ZERO income, absorbing/weeding out/equipping and training these troops is going to take the balance of the month of Feb. It is March 1
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