Al-Rathak Actual Play Part 1

Qasim al-Dim sets off in search of the Isle of Black Palms.

Scene1 Spring. Sultan Name: Sinbad.

Qasim al-Dim walks along the noisy docks in the grand harbour of Anipsed with his head held high. Today is the day he will join a crew and sail off to meet his destiny, much like the Sultan himself. They say Sinbad the Sultan was once Sinbad the Sailor who found grand adventure and made his fortune from found treasures and and magic. Looking way up at the palace, Qasim thought he might someday be granted audience with the Sultan and they could swap stories under a haze of Azfal smoke from a golden hookah and…

“Ay! Watch where you are going fool! I am in a hurry!”

Qasim al-Dim came back to his senses having walked into an angry looking and very big deckhand. Qasim looked down at the dropped victuals for a ship. He made his apologies and offered to help carry the load so they could get there faster.

Pre check: pass

The ship was a sleek looking Dhow with a few people on board. A man even larger than the deckhand shouted “Barbak, hurry it up now! Hana is late, which is not like her!” He scowled when he saw Qasim start to walk up the plank. “And what do you think you are doing?”

Qasim al-Dim, trusting in fate, smiled his best smile “To guide you and our crew to riches and fame! I sense trouble! We should set sail at once for I can lead us to the Isle of Black Palms!” He paused at the sound of faint yelling. The Captain and Qasim looked back along the docks. Someone was running towards the ship shouting and waving. The captain's eyes widened “Ready the sails! Cast off!” Qasim immediately leapt up the mainmast to loose the mainstay sail. Barbak and other crew members were pushing off as the woman leapt across the widening gap between dock and ship and rolled as she hit the deck, yelling. “Out to sea! The Ashen Dawn want our heads!”

It was then that Qasim al-Dim, perched on the mainmast, had second thoughts.

1 XP.   

Notes on session 1:

This first session was quite a bit of fun. Character creation was interesting. I rolled the quest to find the Isle of Black Palms and was not too sure about sailing. I rolled it a second time and decided fate had other plans. I decided to lean into the sailing aspect and chose that skill for Qasim along with a +2 in presence. Usually that would be the attribute I would place a negative score in to get an increase in another.

Session 2. Scene 2. Day 1. Deeps. Clear Weather. Not lost. No POI or encounter. Day 2. Deeps. Clear weather. Not lost. POI: Floating Island on the back of a large sea creature. No encounter.

As the next few days pass, Qasim al-Dim showed the crew of the Shalandi that he was a fine sailor. As Qasim jumped down from a mast deftly onto the deck, Captain Youssef al-Sabah snorted and shook his head. Amira al-Sherif patted Qasim on the back. “Youssef must be very impressed. He does not snort at just anyone you know. Now tell me, how long before we find this Isle of the Black Palms? We are all itching for some adventure - and you promised us such riches!”

Qasim smiled “We are getting closer, I can feel it! Trust me!”

A call of “Land Vaham!” alerted the crew. Qasim thought it was strange indeed for they were far out in the deeps, but there it was: an outline of trees clearly seen on an island. As the ship drew closer, the island seemed to tilt a little one way and then slowly tilt back.

Amira gasped “A Child of Akupara!”

The Island was on the back of an immense sea turtle. It was made up of mostly coral with a mixture of underwater plants and land trees growing on top. It was at least 10 times the size of the Shalandi.

Is anyone on the Island? Yes, but… Hostile. Hostile to the turtle? Yes, and… spark words: Whisper. Weapon. He is controlling the turtle.

The Island starts to gain some speed and come at the Shalandi. A mournful call comes form the turtle and Qasim can make out the outline of a figure on the turtle’s head. As the giant sea turtle gains ground, Qasim shouts for Cyra al-Qamar, helmsman, to try and turn alongside the island rather than flee from it.

Pre check: pass.

Youssef gives a concerned look, but nods. Qasim calls for Barbak to follow his lead.

Agi check: pass. 

As the Island slowly draws near, Cyra turns the ship to bump along the side as Qasim and Barbak jump across. They make their way to the head of the great turtle where they find a crazed looking man pulling on ropes with hooks on either side of the turtle's immense head. The man screams for them to stay back as Barbak swings his two handed great-saber to decapitate the man. Qasim and Barbak kick the man unceremoniously into the sea and proceed to take the hooks out of the sides of the turtle's mouth. The child of the world turtle utters a deep groan that turns into a long sigh. Qasim takes a moment to whisper a quick question to the turtle before it begins a slow descent under the water.

The crew cheer for Qasim and Barbak after they return to the deck. Qasim feels very grateful. The Child of Akupara assured him that he is in fact getting closer to the Isle of Black Palms.

1 XP. Qasim level 2. +3 HP.

Notes:

Another fun session. Just getting into sea travel and so far so good. I came up with a crew of five for the Shalandi with names, archetypes and ship roles for easy reference. The two handed great-saber isn't an option in the game - but seems to fit the big brute Barbak.

I spent less time looking for fights and more time letting the story evolve then usual and had a great time.

This game is fantastic. Al-Rathak has a very rich setting, everything you need to roll up a character and set off on an adventure. I really like the larger game loop of adventuring and returning to Anipsed in hopes of gaining an audience with the Sultan and eventually retiring your character should they live that long.

Al-Rathak is by Bookwizard999 and SilverNightingale

For this and other Actual Plays check out my Table of Contents Page.