Lost and Found
Tatynne’s Expedition as chronicled by Gurklukke Vorondil of Cyrene:
At the stroke of midnight on the 20th of Mayan, the mage Tatynne beckoned the adventurers of our lands to the fringes of the western Mhojave Desert on the edge of the Dakhota Hills. Upon arrival there was an encampment of tents to greet our adventurers who came to the call.
Numerous tools and supplies were laid out neatly for those to examine, a few quips and quaffles regarding termites, biology… and even entomology, there was an amount of pause in which Tatynne called for order and explained the plan laid out before us. As she stated, the history of the mhun people stretches as far back to the end of Ceylon. When the mhun were still a nomadic folk. As such our mission was to aid the mhun people in uncovering long lost ancient relics, stories, fragments of the past from within the depths of the sweltering Mhojave sands.
Upon the affirmation of this mission, it was then asked, whom would aid in the defense of the adventurers, and whom would aid in the excavation? The discussions began, amidst obvious pause from some who remember some of the mhun history, though reluctantly everyone in gathering came forward, perhaps out of curiosity, perhaps out of masochism. But, they did nonetheless. It would appear the more lucrative of post was that in defending the excavation, with a significant sum of payment being afforded of five-thousand sovereigns a day, which truthfully appealed to those who were present far more than manual labour.
Upon our mission coming forth, we headed out into the desert. With shovels in hand and a plan, our Cyrenian excavation team went forth, and one after another, large stone blocks were unearthed from the depths of the sands. In fact Cyrene brought forth two thirds of the excavations, as is to be expected with our keen eyes and dutiful nature of course. At this juncture Tatynne urged our people to gather around the stone blocks and with more precise tools we began slowly chipping away at the hard exterior to uncover what may lie beneath.
With precision we began chipping away with trowels and in the first block, time and effort showed that the hardened edges then became more jagged and more refined with each stroke. Quickly seeking to brush away the remnants, the first block demonstrated to be naught more than sand. Feverishly and perhaps with a hunger for treasure, Cyrene went forward to the next block, uncovering an avian skull, most curiously in fact. The first to find treasure in the sands.
The Mhaldorians then worked, time passing, and the fevered desire to do the same, with effort and anticipation building a most magnificent shard was unearthed, representative of some ancient pottery.
With signs of exhaustion reaching Astarod’s brow, he worked his block of sand only to find nothing, however it was in the efforts of a group of Hashani and Rogues that sought adventure they were to uncover a most curious clay handle in their block.
The Cyrenian teams once again went to work on two more blocks, clearly the advantageous adventuring archeological sort we are, from many years in our mountain home and our passion for history the work continued in the Western and Eastern tents respectfully. With each stroke and chisel the yearning for discovery only grew, failing to wane. Though another block just crumbled to bits, no longer bearing a prize but instead endless sand within. Though time treated us well in the western tent, uncovering a most curious shield.
The experts convened upon the relics, though upon discovery of the shield, the ancient script had the adventurers and many of the experts quite perplexed. It was brought to the attention that Anaj Howens, one of the experts may be able to provide insight upon the shield itself, and thus the study came forth, time, consideration and planning with it. It appears most of the dialect listed was indecipherable but decidedly of ancient mhun origin, though some of the words struck their attention clearly.
Thus it was time to return to three of the sites specifically, as the discoveries demonstrated there is likely more to be found in the depths of the sweltering Mhojave. Most curiously the adventures did not tire, discovery and history being uncovered had certainly struck the fancy of all involved, and now further excavation was to be the focus of our passions. Though it would appear the easiest method of excavation would be by utilising elemental cores and the flame of the world to craft demolition sphere’s to ensure that an appropriately sized quarry was brought forth in the excavation. Though Greys Vorondil was happy to take on the task of bringing in flame for a most glorious explosion.
KA-BOOM!
As the dust settled, we ventured into the sands, amidst numerous collapses it would appear a theft was on their hands and that distracted most adventurers in the excavation, however, I remained this time, not worrying about the tablets but instead of that in potential. Deeper I ventured and whilst they deliberated topside, I discovered a most magnificent breastplate, though it was not long until my efforts became futile and I was crushed in the depths, though I came out, breastplate in hand, at the mercy of Ugrach.
Though the depths were unforgiving, within them we soon found ourselves before warriors, an ancient people hiding in the depths of the sand, there was that which we came upon Rahul, the Gatekeeper of the Ghezavat settlement, a Tsol’aa people who have been within here for nearly two hundred years. Led by that of Atropa Hatun, known as the binder of the Concords. Apprehensive of the uplanders they did not wish for us to enter, though it was up to the Hatun whether or not these people in seclusion would finally allow the top-side within their hidden home. As they obviously are not left hidden anymore, with out discovery of their settlement.
Concerned in that of the tablets, and their being returned first and foremost, that seems it would be the deciding factor on whether or not such permissions would be granted. Rahul’s patience thinned and the outright refusal to talk to our people.
Though upon coming to the surface, the breastplate was presented to Tatynne by myself, and she was most intrigued to look upon it for further knowledge of the history it possessed. She recognized something similar in a breastplate once owned by her grandfather. Though obviously many generations passed between the humans of Ceylon and the mhun which her grandfather was, though she seemed pleased that the design was carried on for such years.
Celebrating this expedition as a success, the mage sought to move forward with presenting the findings to the Mhunna, and boasted that this would likely lead to further excursions going forward.