Chapter 5 - The Great Sultan

Scene 1

As I said in the thread, I'm going to use the Thread Progress Track rules to keep the story more focused from now on. The rules are in Mythic 2e, and I'm not sure if I quite get them, but I will try my best.

First, let's adapt how our thread progress track would look so far for the 'Defeat Nicolau "The Mormon"'' thread. Of course, these numbers are supposed to be scenes, and we have far more scenes than this thread progress track shows, but let's just, uh... Not think about it too much, okay?

Defeat Nicolau "The Mormon"- 15 points

thread

Basically, every scene that helps us on achieving this mission, will add +1 on the progress track. If the scene is particularly important or dramatic, it should be a flashpoint and add +2. If we don't get any flashpoint until scene 10, we will get automatically one.

Chaos: 8

Setup: Sigurd is just wandering through the desert now until he finds... Something (a place? a group of people? let's see what the oracle will throw at us)

Altered Scene: Remove/Reduce an Activity - Whatever he finds, it's completely desert.

Is it some kind of settlement? (50/50, Even Favorability)
Mythic: No

Is it some kind of campsite? (50/50, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes

Is it from the Order of the Golden Pen, that was supposed to help me escape? (Likely, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes
Random Event: Pc Positive - Gratify Weapons

Okay, so the campsite is completely empty, but, I find some nice weapons for me.

Does it looks like as if they were attacked? (50/50, No is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes

... Well fuck

Okay, what weapons do I find
Detail Check: Anger - Ring Heal (from the Magic Item meaning table)

Why does it makes me angry... It musn't be from Calliope, or it would make me sad instead.

Is this a Good kind of healing? (50/50, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes


[ Scene: Sigurd roams aimesly through the desert, in the verge of collapsing from exhaustion, when he finds the campsite from the order of the golden pen. Sadly, it seems that they campment was attacked, and Sigurd can't find even a single soul in there. Location: Desert of Hessla ]

The desert of Hessla was cold and barren. Sigurd's feet were blistered and bruised from trudging through the sand dunes for days without rest. The wind blew across the plains in relentless waves of icy air. His stomach rumbled and growled with hunger as he walked on.

Exhaustion swept through him. He stumbled forward through the storm of sand that was stinging into this eyes. As Sigurd neared the peak of a large dune. Below him, in the valley between the dunes sat a makeshift camp, the symbol of the Order of the Golden Pen waving proudly at its center in front view.

campsite

A smile stretched across Sigurd's weary features. He staggered towards the camp site with renewed energy. The sight of several tents and busted machinery brought a laugh of relief to the fighter's lips. But the laughter quickly died in Sigurd's throat.

The tents were torn apart and burned. Machinery was strewn about haphazardly with several holes in them. He couldn't find any bodies of members from the order; he just found evidence of a recent fight that must have happened shortly before Sigurd arrived. A cold dread gripped at him and settled into the pit of this gut like a rock.

Is the ring something from the Order? (50/50, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes

With trepidation and hope fading rapidly he started digging through some of the remains looking for clues. There was nothing. No bodies or items of value except for one lone magical ring buried underneath a mound of sand. As he grasped at the ring, Sigurd felt a sudden surge of power flowing through him. The ring vibrated in an electrical charge that pumped through Sigurd's fingertips and out through his metallic arm.

MagicRing

This ring belonged to Gooslymn. Sigurd recognized the enchantments imbued on it as similar to those used by the founder of the Order. Sigurd slid the ring onto this metallic finger and immediately felt its effects working inside if him. The pain in Sigurd's body subsided and some semblance of clarity returned to this thoughts.

Let's investigate where they are
The scene is in a desert, that could hinder my action (+2), to investigate, I probably should be part of a class more focused on this sort of thing (+2), I'm on a calm situation (-2), I have the ring, I suppose that helps with my roll (-2)
DC: 15
Roll... 12 + Intelligence (2) = 14
Failure

With haste in this walk and determination in this steps Sigurd surveyed the camp. He searched high and low for any clues as to where Calliope or any of the remaining members of the Order had disappeared off to; however the only thing Sigurd discovered was destruction and chaos.

It wasn't long before Sigurd realized he was searching in vain. Whoever or whatever had ambushed the camp took care to ensure that there weren't any loose ends left behind. Sigurd found not a single trace of Gooslymn or Loremaster Kovas, or Calliope or any of the others.

In a sense of defeat and loneliness, Sigurd curled up against one of the machines and stared into the darkness that loomed all around. His eyes stayed transfixed on the broken pieces of metal and wires that surrounded him.

In a sense of defeat and loneliness, Sigurd curled up against one of the machines and stared into the darkness that loomed all around. His eyes stayed transfixed on the broken pieces of metal and wires that surrounded him. But Sigurd's brain remained fixed firmly to an image of the lost members if the Order and how alone he was.

Minutes passed like hours. The cold winds whipped at Sigurd's face causing goosebumps to rise up along this arms and neck. Sigurd shivered uncontrollably. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon him. Sigurd closed these eyes tightly shut trying desperately to block out the harsh reality if the situation he found himself in.

Eventually fatigue won out. Sigurd drifted off into a restless slumber filled with nightmares of monsters chasing after him.


Scene 2

Chaos: 7

That was a short one, but poor Sigurd seems to have lost everything again.

Setup: In this next scene, Sigurd will wake up after resting for enough time, and begin his trip, trying to look for... Something. He can't go back to the prison now, not without one arm at least. We are going to use the traveling rules again.

Scene Interrupted: Thread Escalates (Defeat Nicolau 'The Mormon') - Separate of Adversities

Is this something good for him? (Very Likely, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes
Random Event: NPC Negative (Xalgaroth) - Imprison of Love

So, Calliope is back, after defeating the ones who imprisoned her

She's back with more members of the order? (Likely, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes

Oh hell yeah

Are they the members that disappeared from the campsite? (Unlikely, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: No

The thread escalated, so she actually did something in the meanwhile to help defeat Nicolau. What was that?

Detail Check: Focus NPC (Army of the Mormon)
Hidden Resource (Plot Twist Meaning Tables)

She managed to sabotage them even more.

thread2


[ Scene: Sigurd wakes up with chatting surrounding him. Calliope and other members of the Order of the Golden Pen are here. She apparently escaped with other group and managed to sabotage things from the Mormon's army. ]

Sigurd awoke to a chorus of voices murmuring around if him. Groggily he sat up rubbing at these eyes trying desperately to clear away the sleepiness which lingered within. Sigurd blinked repeatedly as he glanced about in confusion wondering just what the hell was going on.

"Calliope?" Sigurd uttered her name like a prayer. Her eyes gleamed at him warmly as she stood above him looking rather amused at how he had awoken.

"You certainly enjoy your sleep. I guess fighting an army of ink soldiers really drains you." Calliope stated with a wry grin. The other members from the order guffawed in the background clearly pleased that Sigurd had joined the realm of the living (or, better said, the awaken) once more.

"Calliope, you're... Alive!" Sigurd breathed.

"How else would I be standing here beside you?" She retorted cheekily. Sigurd stood up suddenly forgetting about how tired he really was; he engulfed the girl tightly in a hug nearly lifting her off the ground in the process.

For an instant Calliope stiffened, surprised by Sigurd's actions, however soon enough she relaxed, melting into this embrace enjoying every second of it. The order watched curiously, unsure as to whether or not such display if emotions was appropriate given the circumstances; yet no one spoke up objecting to it either.

Is there any new important NPC in the group behind her that I should meet? (50/50, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes

Detail Check: Focus Thread (What Nicolau The Mormon wants to do with these big weapons?) - Student Judge (identity), Young Creepy (appearance), Social Anxious (personality)
So, a big nerd, a big weapons nerd

[ Scene: Sigurd wakes up with chatting surrounding him. Calliope and other members of the Order of the Golden Pen are here. She apparently escaped with other group and managed to sabotage things from the Mormon's army. ]

"Now that the pleasantries are over I suppose we should start planning on our next move."

Someone let out a high-pitched croak as if agreeing with her statement. Sigurd turned toward the noise surprised at it's source. There stood an anthropomorphic goose of enormous proportions with long wiry limbs and beady eyes protruding from underneath a pair of round glasses.

This mysterious goose smiled at Sigurd flashing a set of razor-sharp teeth.

Goose

"Welcome my good sir," the goose quacked as he thrust out a feathered claw in greeting. "Name's Louis Goose. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." Louis waved towards the rest of the gathering with emphasis at the end as a gesture. Sigurd raised a quizzical eyebrow questioningly towards Calliope who nodded affirmatively

"The pleasure is... Mine..." Sigurd responded hesitantly reaching forth and clasping Louis Goose's appendage giving it one firm shake. "Are you a new member of the order?"

"Me? No... Of course not!" Louis Goose declared emphatically puffing up these feathers indignantly. "I was here long before any of you lot showed up." Sigurd stared perplexed unsure as to whether Louis Goose if joking with him.

Calliope sensing this confusion cleared her throat gaining Sigurd's attention once more.

"Louis was actually Gooslymn's assistant throughout the years since founding of the Order." She explained smoothly. "There's some members that you haven't met as of yet, although I can tell you about them while we discuss plans together at a better time later tonight."

"Uh... Okay." Sigurd murmured rubbing the back of this head nervously as if unsure as to what to think about the entire situation.

"We managed to sabotage quite a few more of Nicolau Waltzier's army after escaping from that dreadful prison," Callioope announced confidently, her voice rising slightly higher than usual. "Goose here actually discovered why they're building all those weapons and armors and equipment from our incognito missions."

Sigurd looked intrigued by this bit of information as he nodded along enthusiastically.

Wait, does she already know what happened in this campsite? (Likely, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes

"By the way, you must have noticed that this campsite is completely deserted." She mentioned glancing briefly in all directions surveying the land around her as she spoke.

"They were attacked?" Sigurd guessed out loud.

Calliope shook her head negatively before correcting Sigurd with another idea. "Actually we set up this place just so you could find us more easily while keeping our movement hidden. A couple of monsters attacked us, yes, but the entire order was never here to begin with."

Really?
Mythic: Yes

Sigurd stared around blankly. "Where are the others then?"

"We divided the members of our order into small groups and each went separate ways," Calliope explained calmly.

When I show her Gooslymn's ring, does she act like if she's expecting it? (Likely, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes

Did they just lost it? (Unlikely, Even Favorability)
Mythic: Yes

Sigurd nodded along in understanding as Calliope spoke. Suddenly something about the conversation reminded Sigurd of the ring that he had picked up at the destroyed campsite.

Sigurd rummaged through his pockets till his fingers grabbed ahold of the small object. Slowly he pulled the ring out revealing it's enchantments to Calliope who gazed down at it in fascination.

"You found it. Just as Gooslymn predicted." She remarked quietly taking the ring gingerly from Sigurd's hand and slipping it onto her own index finger.

Sigurd furrowed these eyebrows in confusion unsure as to what Calliope was talking about.

"What do you mean by that?" Sigurd inquired curiously peering intently at Calliope waiting expectantly for a response.

"Gooslymn accidentally dropped it during the last mission. I assumed that one of the monsters that attacked our group stole it from him or something," she stated pensively. "But he assured us that you'd return the ring back safely."

"How can he predict such things?" Sigurd queried amazed by this revelation.

Calliope merely shrugged.

"Hey! Shouldn't we go ahead and meet with our leader now?" Louis interjected impatiently looking impatiently back between the both parties.

"Indeed. Besides we've tarried long enough." Calliope responded firmly grabbing tightly onto Sigurd's left hand dragging him away. The rest of the order trailed close behind in quick succession.


Scene 3

Chaos: 6

Scene:

So, everyone is okay, and this whole thing was just a... Way of me finding them? The Ai just gives me the weirdest excuses sometimes, man.

Now, I suppose we will reunite with the rest of the order.

Scene goes as expected


Is the rest of the order in the desert too? (50/50, Even Favorability)
Mythic: No

Are they camping in the wilderness? (50/50, No is favorable)
Mythic: No
So, they are in a settlement

Descriptors: Thriving or Bustling, Hostile
Story: Exotic, Great Wealth

So... A large exotic city, in a cold desert, a turkish city if you will, but that is hostile to our presence, so they must be allies with the Mormon. Probably the order is hiding here in some way.

Is this alliance with the Mormon just a facade for the city to thrive? (Likely, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes
Then, they are making some sort of planning with the order behind the curtains

![[Pasted image 20230922003141.png]]

Nyttrus

"How do I look?" Sigurd questioned nervously while twitching these arms awkwardly at his sides. Calliope couldn't help but snicker at the sight before her. Sigurd looked rather dashing with a turban wrapped snuggly around his head; yet also a bit comical too given the situation.

"You're supposed to keep a low profile remember? Not stick out like a sore thumb," Calliope laughed pointing at Sigurd's attire with her finger. "Those are not typical clothes one would find here in Hessla." Sigurd blushed embarrassed realizing how ridiculous he must have seemed in the local garb.

Calliope smiled gently while handing him a large blanket that could be wrapped tightly around Sigurd's frame in order to conceal the garments underneath it. Sigurd thanked her graciously before covering himself entirely with the heavy fabric. Calliope had to admit that he looked rather charming even under the cover of the cloth. But she quickly shook the thoughts out if her mind before proceeding with business.

They began walking steadily toward the distant city gates that stood tall and imposing on the horizon. All the while a silence hung heavily among them. Nyttrus was a bustling metropolis teeming with activity, its markets filled to bursting with traders and merchants offering a variety of exotic wares and products that would rival even the most luxurious capitals elsewhere. Yet as Sigurd and Calliope drew near, something within the air felt different.

A tension brewed deep down in these bones making Sigurd's skin crawl with unease. As if sensing this shift Calliope gripped Sigurd's hand tightly giving it a gentle squeeze encouraging the warrior forward.

The Order made its way down the dusty road past countless vendors and sellers hawking and selling a multitude of goods and services. Unimpressed by the sights around them; most travelers simply brushed them aside hardly acknowledging the small party's presence. Only a few onlookers seemed to pay the group any heed carefully eyeing the strange duo as if suspicious of some ulterior motive hidden within.

They had to be careful, this city was hostile towards strangers and foreign travelers like them, even more towards the Order of the Golden Pen and it's members. So it was not unusual that as they entered the gates of Nyttrus; the stares and glances directed towards them grew even more intense.

Are the other members in the palace (Unlikely, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: No

Are they in some shady place? (Likely, No is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes

Detail Check: Anger, Magnificent Modern

As Calliope led the group through the bustling crowds of the bazaars; she kept her gaze firmly fixed ahead of her. The tense energy radiating off of her companions mirrored her own restless anxiety as well. Deep within the heart of the marketplace; a crumbling stone building stood tall above the rest shrouded in shadows.

That was it. The ancient walls and broken windows spoke of a time long since past. A place once elegant and elegant was now home to beggars and vagrants. Still though; no one dared to disturb it, despite the mysterious rumors swirling about this place.

A hooded figure approached the group with caution; gesturing towards a nearby alleyway where a hidden passageway lay waiting for them. Sigurd felt uneasy as he followed behind Calliope; glancing nervously about for signs of trouble or danger lurking nearby.

They were led through a maze of passageways and tunnels before reaching the entrance of the mansion. The guards stationed outside eyed them suspiciously before opening the door to let them enter.

The inside of the mansion looked more modern and up-to-date than the outside. The floors were marble and the walls were adorned with tapestries and paintings depicting various scenes of royalty and power. The furniture looked expensive and luxurious and the walls were decorated with elaborate designs and patterns.

But as Sigurd peered closer he noticed that these paintings and decorations were covered in dust and grime and the floor beneath him seemed cracked and broken.

A hooded figure approached the party from one of the hallways leading to a distant part of the house.

"We have been expecting your arrival," he said as he pushed aside the hood covering the top half of this face revealing bright green eyes that sparkled in the candlelight. "Follow me."

With that he turned and lead the way through a labyrinth of passageways and stairwells until he finally reached a door that he pushed open with a creak revealing a large chamber inside.

A discussion could be heard coming from within between several individuals dressed in ornate robes and lavish clothing; each engaged in some sort of debate regarding what to do next.

Detail Check: Small Creepy (Appearance)
Aww, it's the skinny version of him, I wanted the buff one

Kurumuz

The sultan sat in front of these others silently gazing upon everything happening around him emotionless. His black hair shone like a waterfall in the sunlight causing it to appear almost silver in coloration. He wore a golden vest lined with rubies that contrasted perfectly with the scarlet sash tied around this waist accentuating the broadness of these shoulders. Despite the lavish attire the sultan appeared frail and fragile almost sickly so; with hollowed out cheekbones and gaunt features.

Gooslymn, Loremaster Kovas and several members of the order sat scattered about along tables and benches, discussing something heatedly among themselves. As Sigurd approached them with Calliope trailing closely beside; the conversation tapered off with all faces turning towards the newcomer watching silently.

Rolled on the behavior table for Kurumuz
Mythic: Talks, Exposition (Changed context)
Detail Check (About what he talks?): Favors NPC (Order of the Golden Pen) - Juvenile Intense

Is he talking to me? (Likely, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: Yes

Kurumuz leapt from behind the desk as if to greet Sigurd with a smile and embrace. His eyes gleamed with delight as he studied Sigurd closely.

"It is indeed true then," he remarked quietly before abruptly spinning on these heels turning back to the group huddled around him. "This does prove the order's claims. The Hero is here." Kurumuz threw up these hands gesturing wildly to everyone present. "The Order of the Golden Pen may have actually discovered the lost hero of the prophecy."

Kurumuz then glanced back over to Sigurd who stood uncertainly amongst everyone.

Does this means he agrees to help us? (Likely, Yes is Favorable)
Mythic: No

"However, I do not believe that the Order is capable enough to fulfill the prophecy itself," Kurumuz added, almost as an afterthought. "There's much more involved in defeating someone as powerful and intelligent as Count Gray. Not to mention the forces working alongside him as well." Kurumuz held out this palm in front of him as if making a point.

"The Order has been at this for years." Gooslymn countered with a grimace upon this face. "We are prepared. We have the experience needed."

"True. But experience does not win a battle alone," Kurumuz argued in turn. "Besides some may argue that quantity reigns over quality." He sent a quick glance to Gooslymn before continuing. "Plus besides magic powers Sigurd lacks sufficient skills to survive combat."

"That's absurd!" exclaimed Loremaster Kovas crossing these arms angrily before leaning towards Kurumuz. "Sigurd beat Count Grey to death. You cannot deny that."

"Only because Count Grey was arrogant enough to underestimate him," Kurumuz replied cooly without batting an eye.

"Count Grey lost not because he was arrogant. He lost due to Sigurd being able to destroy all the magic he could conjure," Calliope interrupted impatiently as she moved in front of Kurumuz so that her blue eyes gazed straight into the other man's emerald ones.

"And yet it does not change the fact that now, Nicolau's army managed to injure Sigurd seriously." Kurumuz pointed directly to Sigurd's missing left arm as proof for this argument.

The members of the order stared in horror at this injury. Some of the members even seemed shocked while others whispered amongst themselves. Loremaster Kovas seemed lost in thoughts. Calliope just glanced back at Kurumuz and then at Sigurd as well.

"He lost an arm and yet still managed to defeat several enemies single-handedly without suffering any fatal injuries. Do you still think he's not fit for this battle? You can't argue against this fact." She remarked simply.

Kurumuz paused briefly considering her statement carefully. Finally he relented letting out an exasperated sigh in defeat.

"Fine. If Sigurd can beat my warriors to submission. Then I'll join the Order of the Golden Pen in this endeavor."

Everyone nodded in agreement except for Calliope, who shot Sigurd a look that screamed: 'Don't mess this up for us' before turning back to Kurumuz with an encouraging smile on these lips.

"Sounds fair to us," she said reassuringly.

"Good. Now go and get ready!" Kurumuz announced with enthusiasm, waving his hands impatiently, shooing everyone out.

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Pub: 22 Sep 2023 15:49 UTC
Edit: 22 Sep 2023 15:58 UTC
Views: 130