Fahren al-Heit - The al-Ighaz in a strange land

As I had earlier chronicled. I was being pursued by the Cabal, a sect of the Milantan, who had killed my mentor once one of their own. When doom seemed near a portal opened. The choice between certain death and the unknown spurred me through. Soon I found myself in Dereth, a land of infinite possibilities, a land of deathless death. But, I digress:

As the purple spinning ceased I fell to my knees, not from the impact, for there was none, rather from exhaustion. Any second the Milantan mages would follow to do me in. Time stood still. Death never came. The sounds of the desert slowly calmed me. The night air wrapped its cool chill arms about me, bringing attention to my current state of partial dress. The mages did not follow, either I was not worth the effort or they where afraid to enter the portal. I shudder and rolled to my back, I thanked whatever fates had allowed me to escape. Finally I opened my eyes “what was this?” The night sky was a stranger to me. Those moons! I was no longer in Istar.

I sat up, could it even be possible? I had heard the rumors of the missing people. First Alluvians then the Sho, finally the Gahru’n. I cautiously started looking around. The desert looked like the Naqut I grew up in. The noises where familiar. There was a curious tower and some tents nearby. More curious was a mystical construct of sorts. A man sized blue gem was spinning in a earthen rock cradle. My body shuddered If I needed clothing and shelter. I slowly stood up and took stock of my possessions. My pack had a change of clothes, some cheese, my spell components, nabut and wand. The act of standing was almost too much for me. My body did ache from my recent encounter. A small fountain nearby provided me with much needed water; I scooped up handfuls of the fresh stuff and washed my face. I felt pronouncedly better. This water was revitalizing me, what a useful magic! I examined my torn clothing. If I was to find out needed information I should put on my best appearance. Although the poet said “Welcome those you do not know” I cannot assume the people here would be familiar with the writings of the poet Yasif.

The tower provided some cover as I replaced my torn garments for the fresh ones. I had even packed a patching fez. I felt much better now, as though Ispar was fading from me. I started to walk to the tent when my eyes locked on the blue gem that was slowly spinning. I felt a tugging on my essence and I could almost detect a whispering coming from it. I felt helpless to hold back and I approached it slowly. Deep into the azure blue gem I peered, wondering what mysteries lie within. The whispering grew to a quiet roar and the voices where pleading me to attune to the gem. I was unsure what that even meant, to ‘attune’ to a gem. My eyes where now looking into a countless myriad of eyes. I dismissed the illusion as just that. Then I realized that this was an offer of safety like no other, a way to survive where one should not be able to. This was a stone that saved lives a Life-Stone. I surrendered to it and let it encompass me. The experience left me half drained. The horizon showed the beginnings of dawn. From the nearby tent someone stirred. As he yawned and stretched he beckoned me come over. He was Gharu’n!

As it turned out he was a collector of oddly named creature items, charms, scalps, wings. He explained to me the nature of this world and even set me with a task to do for some modest coins. The town of Yaraq provided me with many wonderful things. Soon I was outfitted and had many magical spells written in my book ready for the defense of myself and others. A lovely woman named Mara gave me a book from a group that professed to help those new to this land with items in exchange for golden notes and stamps. Unfortunately I ended up with a wand that bolstered ones Creature magiks skill, one I will not possess for quite some time. The book also provided me with instructions on how the portals where set in rings of towns making several weeks journey very quickly. I set about doing small tasks for the various people in town. I was rewarded very well for my efforts. At one point I was in the Sho town called Nanto. There was a mage of remarkable power who could spin his own portal. Heedless of the danger I wandered through.

I ended up in a town called Platue Village. It was very remote. The good citizens there didn’t have any work for me to do. I would have to fend for myself. I understood many creatures have items of worth in their nests or upon themselves. Many made excellent livings off of the loot of their kills. By this time I was secure in my abilities to launch war spells and I decided to hunt the platue. After using the nearby lifestone I set out. Aside from a few cows near town I crossed no creatures path. My career as a hunter wasn’t going so well. A bit further I spotted a large orange crature with enormous teeth jutting forward like… Tusk’s this must be a tusker. I had heard the name mention with both Glee from mages and Dread from warriors. Rather then test myself this early I hunted on for easier prey. Many had suggested Drudges and Shreths. As I traversed the Platue I came across a group of windmills. Curious I approached. Three of them and a tower stood near the cliff edges, the wind did provide a strong spin to two of the mills. The third was broken. And merely rocked as if trying to match its brothers. It was then I spotted the flares. Curious creatures they appeared as man size flames. I carefully moved around them to the tower and used it as a secure place to observe them. From the parapet I launched a single frost bolt. Both of the creatures ran toward me and I hid. The damage was great to the one. They seemed unable to comprehend my location and they witlessly lashed out against the wall. I carefully judged my prowess versus their own and decided to chance combat.

Standing on the cool grass, the wind whipping my hair I stood facing my foe. Rapt in concentration I called upon the mana to protect me from some harm and fire. Then I launched bolt after bolt. The creature fell quickly and its brother began its attack. A bolt of flame that singed me as it went past. A direct hit would surely have done me in. I weakened it to cold and again launched a series of bolts. It too fell at my feet. In this manner I quickly moved forward in prowess until I achieved the 14th level of power and ability.

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