The Araby Chronicles 11: Spies and Rats, and more!

It’s been a while since I did another one of my Roll20 “Araby or Bust!” recaps. Decided that I should probably do something about that!

Last time the mercenary company suffered a slight blow to its collective morale. Being strangers in a strange land, far away from home they felt out of place and the sudden and mysterious dissapearances of their own men and other fellow Imperials didn’t helped at all.

Fortunately the potential upcoming jobs for the Sultan, well paid but dangerous, help them focus on the future. Not only that but Ripertus, the resident company scoundrel, decided that it’s a good idea to buy a mascot – a mighty and graceful Arabyan Panther! What will the rest of his companions think about this decision?

During a morning walk near the Imperial embassy, father Ulrich was accompanied by lieutenant Wilburg, one of the guards and a dependable man. Wilburg told the holy man that he saw a mysterious figure in a long cloak following them. When Ulrich checked his surrounding there was nothing there… However further observation by other guards indicate that the building is indeed watched by someone in a dark, obscuring cloak. The identity of that person is, for now, unknown. Luther suspects Bretonnians (did they also kidnapped Anna?), but are the servants of the Lady really to blame here?

Completely unrelated artwork of a conversation between Orfeo the Minstrel and Alkadi Nasreen in Arjijil, from the book “Zaragoz” by Brian Craig

Abbas discovered the truth about the mysterious purple powder – it is a grounded Mandrake Root, a sinister and dangerous substance which dulls the mind and makes people warm and sleepy. It can also be found only in the Old World. However used it on the embassy grounds, brought it from the Empire. The plot thickens…

While taking his pet for a walk, Ripertus found something strange. A series of scratches on the exterior wall of, almost like rat claw marks. They lead inside, through one of the open windows on the bottom floor and… they ended at the door leading to Ambassador’s personal quarters!

More and more mysterious situations occur in Lashiek. Our heroes seem to be caught in the middle of them all, but will they be able to triumph over the myriad obsatcles placed in their path? Hopefully we’ll find out soon.

Apologies for a shorter post but I really wanted to do another Araby recap. Also if you find it confusing, remember that this is part 11 of the series. Read the other 10 to know what exactly is happening!

Next time it’ll be another WFRP scenario review. Stay tuned and prepapre yourselves to delve deep into the bowels of the Old World, where dreaded monsters lurk for unwary travelers.

Until next time!

Xathrodox86

The Araby Chronicles 10: Morale is low. Summon the priests!

I feel the need… the need to return to Araby! Last time a burly dwarven Slayer joined the mercenary company. Also some people went missing!

After the mysterious nightly dissaapearances, all of the Imperial embassy was put on high alert. The rooms of Anna, the servant, and Larue, the merc, have been thoroughly searched (despite some hostilities from the Janissaries). The only mysterious things found within were a heavy bootprint, left in the thick rug covering Anna’s room, as well as traces of strange, purple powder, left on the pillows of two missing people…

The bootprint didn’t matched any of the shoes, worn by the Inglorious Basterds. The entire company suffered a blow to their morale. After all, they are supposed to be on Imperial soil, in a safe place. Meanwhile two of their number (well, technically only one) dissapear in the middle of the night, without a trace. The men are starting to talk about unclean spirits, travelling the corridors and halls of the embassy… The company leaders send Dhalia Frazetta with Abbas to the city, in order to find the truth about the purple powder.

People from Araby have such cool, unique style of clothing, gear and weapons. I wish that GW would do more with this fascinating nation… (art by David Gallagher)

Luther Durrbein visits the quarters of ambassador Martin and tells him about their plight. Geheimschannps, with his usual unsufferable smugness, tells him not to worry. He suggests organising patrols around the building, in hopes of preventing future incursions, as well as to spot potential spies (those pesky Bretonnians!).

In order to boost morale, priest Ulrich gives a rousing speech to the assembled men and women of the company, lifting their spirits up a bit. A good, honest talk is apparently what they needed all along. During the breakfast, the shoes of everyone present are once again inspected, but none of them fit the prints found in Anna’s room. The company also needs some replacements, and fast…

The crew is ready to hit the city streets. Dhalia and Abbas visit local alchemist, one Neeshan al-Selim, and discover that the mysterious powder from the embassy is… Mandrake Root, a potent drug from the Old World. It’s not native to Araby! The plot thickens…

Oh, and Rippertus went with them. He used his hard-earned street skills to steal some bits and bobs from the alchemists shop. That rascal!

Meanwhile Ulrich went to a local library to read about various fighting skills, native to these lands. It took him almost the entire day, but when he returned to the embassy, his knowledge about different Arabic combat styles has been vastly improved.

Finally there was Dorin Bugman, the Slayer. In typical dwarven fashion he went out looking for a fight! He found a local fighting arena, paid the required entry fee, and… defeated every single opponent, thrown against him! Talk about being a badass! He celebrated the only way a Slayer can (and should) – by getting completely drunk on Arag, a local powerful alcohol.

Will our heroes discover the truth behind the mysterious kidnappings? Will they be able to rescue their missing comrades? Or will more citizens of the Empire go missing, in the dead of Araby nights? You’ll find out soon enought, but for now…

…until next time!

Xathrodox86