Under the desert stars.
[Sheryl:] I'm a little worried about the Caravan's captive mage, O Generous GM. I know, I know, why should I worry about him when we're about to turn him over to the authorities, but.... I was going through the Players Handbook last night looking at the spells that can be cast with only a Verbal component as well as those with Verbal and Material components ('cause most Material components are rather mundane and not that hard to come by). If our Captive Wizard is an ordinary D&D mage, then there are various spells with which he could escape were we to remove his gag even to allow him a drink or to eat. Various possibilities:
level 1 hold portal could be used to keep at least one guard hostage knock does this break bonds? level 3 hold person again, to take a hostage level 4 dimension door obvious escape route level 5 teleport obvious escape route level 6 geas to gain ally in Caravan camp level 7 limited wish either ally or escape route phase door escape route powerword, stun threat, hostage vanish threat level 8 mass charm campful of allies otto's dance threat powerword, blind threat, hostage level 9 powerword, kill threat prismatic sphere time stop wish
Now, perhaps he doesn't know any of those. Or perhaps he didn't happen to study any of them the morning he was captured. However, if he's high enough level for 7-9, he'd always have a "back door" spell. So he's not that high level.
Applicable VM spells include: ventriloquism, audible glamour, darkness, suggestion, and tongues. I could imagine those being effective too, for a captive.
At any rate, no one in the Caravan seems particularly knowledgeable about magic. Shadya, with her knowledge from her mage "sister," seems as cognizant as any. And no one seems to be able to guess our captive's level. So, manifestly, they take all conceivable precautions. Do they even dare let the gag out of his mouth to feed or give him water? Perhaps - if at least 3 are there at the time and assuming he can't do level 8 spells. But, if not ... how long has the captive been without food and water? An unconscionable time, I fear. Do you think Shadya's culture is that stern? Could be.... Hospitality, once given, means you will defend your guest at all costs. Hospitality abused means that once the abuser is no longer a guest, he may be assessed a blood price. Was it not from these roots that "an eye for an eye" sprang? One to whom hospitality has not been extended may expect no help. But ... to let someone die of no water in the desert when one has not chosen to pass judgement does not ring true.
Somewhat uncomfortable musings.
[GM:] Ho ho! Yes. If he has much of any level, there is a good chance he will have some magic that might work to let him escape. High level spell casters are supposed to be bad news, so it should make sense that there's a useful set of V-only spells that would be useful. Magic items are another source of trouble, as are familiars. Now, although I'm not really willing to allay any of Shadya's fears on that account, the "chivalry" and "hospitality" parts are important.
I would imagine that some arrangement such as a dagger or two at his throat would have kept him quiet while receiving water. Food? Hm. Food is a little more of a problem, but not quite as necessary. Yes, it's a calculated risk (the PowerWord spells, are, in my opinion, supposed to be a single word). ON the other hand, the magic of 12th level mages and beyond is rare enough that while you might have heard some stories of such spells, they may or may not have been particularly creditable (being legends, in which heroes fought for days without tiring. Shadya knows well that this is a part of the storyteller's "art"). Hmm. Giving water to a known enemy who is in your power does not mean that you will not turn him over to the Hands of Justice when you get a chance. Some such prisoners may be well treated out of respect for station or virtue, but there is nothing that requires one known to abuse hospitality to be well-treated. Your prisoner is not your guest. If someone else were to come and wish to kill your prisoner, you would be obliged to stop them. An interesting twist - I wish I had thought of it earlier.
[Sheryl:] No, I do not think that the Caravan feels a need to extend "hospitality" to the Captive Wizard. It seemed perfectly appropriate when you stated that - after the caravan master was apprised of the existence of the pseudo-basilisks and of Orlando - Sahm was willing to throw the villain into an even deeper dungeon had there been one.
And, no, I don't think anyone in the Caravan has any compunction at all in turning the villain over to The Authorities. The only question has been as to whether we could afford to let him live long enough to reach The Authorities. As Shadya and Sahm obviously decided that they could afford the risk, there was no need to kill an apparently unarmed captive. The villain is not a guest; he is a prisoner. However, having decided not to kill the prisoner, they are honour-bound to try to keep him alive until delivery.
Yes, a couple of daggers, someone to hold the gourd, and maybe even someone to guard the door... yes, they can probably keep enough water in the wretch to keep him alive. I suspect that adding some fruit juice to the water will help too: some calories and trade minerals. But, probably, given that he's been held captive already some number of days, the wizard's steadily weakening state is one of the reasons the caravan master is opting for Aw'wal.
I do not think that they would be deliberately cruel: they would feed him real food if they dared risk it. I do not think Shadya feels that it is a matter of chivalry to feed the villain no matter what. If the caravan master is willing to take the risk, however, Shadya would help do the deed. And it is entirely possible that, were it Shadya's responsibility, she would opt to try ... if the journey were to last much longer. Still, on the doorstep of Aw'wal, this is a moot point and probably not worth all this typing.
Language Classes
[Susan:] I assume that Fiamma is having some success at teaching Orlando her language as well as Shadya? Fiamma asks Orlando as part of the lessons to tell about himself and the place that he is from. She will be happy to carry him in her turban. After all, she's not as likely to see front line combat and she tells him "And if I do, you have a foot less to fall...."
[Sheryl:] Shadya is an intent and rather quiet student (that last may not be to her advantage in a language class). Of course, her contract to the Caravan Master must come before time given to class.
Shadya keeps her hands busy constructing a mishlah (the man's Arabian cloak) for Orlando. Perhaps - if he has the presence of mind the next time he falls to stretch out his arms - its folds will act like owl wings and catch the air sufficient to slow his fall somewhat. Perhaps. She is sure that it should not be tested under aught but emergency conditions, when there is no other choice.
[Susan:] It is between Shadya and the prince whether or not they wish to learn each other's tongues. Fiamma, for her part, will probably start to write ballads in both of the new languages that she is learning; they're probably more like limericks at first.
[GM:] Orlando certainly wishes to learn Shadya's language, and he's willing to take on another pupil if she so desires. [I suspect she will, but probably doesn't have quite as much "free" time as Fiamma and Orlando.] Ballads? Well, not quite yet. Orlando is happy to include some poetry in the lessons, though many of the finer points are too difficult to communicate at this point.
[Sheryl:] Shadya smiles at Fiamma's enthusiasm. "The desert people incorporate a strong oral tradition into our educational system. Many of our 'teaching patterns' are poetical."
That does not mean the Orlando and Fiamma will understand all the nuances of Ashartic poetry ... and Shadya may find Fiamma's first limericks more amusing than fiamma intended. (Arabic like Japanese is pun-intensive; much more so than English in that words that sound the same probably do not have the same roots and thus have wildly divergent meanings. Reminds me of when I unintentionally called my Japanese brother an ogre when he had been teasing me. My Japanese grandmother chuckled about it for days....)
Shadya chants,
"He who set the stars their places,
Wisely guides Ashar.
The Ashar unto Ashar calleth:
Hear, O shining stars.
He who taught the stars their singing
Sent our fathers far.
Desert storms call up our fathers:
Take our dust, Ashar.
Dust thou art, to dust returneth,
Children of the Stars,
Ever praise the stars Our Father;
Hear, O bright Ashar.
Sing your praise unto Our Father,
Hear, O bright Ashar,
As the desert shows its glory
Here, O shining stars.
Join the Ashar's blazing story,
Send its children far,
Cross the star-strung dunes of heaven;
Take our dust, Ashar.
As the starlight guides forever
Children of the Stars,
Acknowledge always Truth and Rightness,
Honour bright Ashar."
"Captive Mage" copyright S.Knowles & C.Ebert. "Language Class" copyright S.Swinehart, S.Knowles & C.Ebert. The contents of this site are copyright 2004 Sheryl A. Knowles unless otherwise specified. All rights reserved.