Tales of the Jewel

It has become tradition, when Shilah is at her zenith on the shortest day, for artists to use her light to put on shadow plays throughout the city. They range from the humble, one lone storyteller, to the elaborate with musical accompaniment and dozens of puppeteers. Most tell religious parables, often of the Day of Wrath and Shilah's mercy, though others simply seek to entertain. Once upon a time sly political commentary was not uncommon but with the coming of the Immortal Caliph only the bravest, and most foolish, risk such things.

Choose two of the following:

Perform: Storytelling/Awareness
Perform: Instrument/Awareness
Perform: Song/Awareness
Perform: Puppeteering/Agility (may not be combined with Perform: Instrument)
Theology/Intelligence

Roll one against TN10 and the other against TN15.

If both succeed gain 1 Day Point for each success and for each successful raise.

If one succeeds and the other fails gain 1 Day Point for success and for each successful raise reduced by the number of failed raises (to a minimum of 1 Day Point total).

If both fail there is no reward nor penalty.

Magic may be usable but subtle casting is required to avoid negative repercussions.

"Come young and old alike. Come to hear the tale of how the Prophet Mekhem once vanquished his greatest foe: Himself!

It was a story from the time of old, before the Prophet even came to Medinat al-Salaam, when he was wandering the desert with only his trusty walking stick for companion.

One day, he discovered a mysterious oasis than wasn't on any map. The place was strange to say the least. A perfect circle of water in the middle of the sands, without a hint of plants or wildlife around. Getting closer, the Prophet realized the water was opaque, so much that it didn't let see anything inside, only the image of the person looking at it.

The seemingly natural mirror was without flaw, the copy in absolutely perfect. Were one to look at the Prophet, then at his reflection, then at the Prophet, they wouldn't have been able to tell which was the original and which was the imitation.

Mekhem observed this miracle from a time, then departed. And the copy followed, slipping out of its container and into the desert ground as if it was the most natural. There were now two identical Prophets in the world, looking at each other.

'I am Mekhem.' they both said at the same time.

'I seek wisdom.' they both said at the same time.

'Who are you?' they both said at the same time."

Gurgle, gurgle. The cry for food of al-Haddar's stomach answered is own question. The audience obviously laughed at that. The fast was definitely hard on him this year.

After that short embarrassment, he went on, only so slightly fazed:

"The conversation was perfectly synchronous, and going nowhere. Both Mekhem then went silent and pondered what to do of this phenomenon.

Eventually, they come to a solution. Both Mekhem raised one hand. And with that hand, they hid the sun.

When Mekhem lowered his hand, he was once again alone in the desert. For without light, there is no reflection."

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D3EA | Shadow Plays
Theology/Intelligence | Base TN10, +2 from fast, 1 Called Raise, final TN17 | 4k3 ⇒ 19 (TN: 17)

D3EA | Shadow Plays
Perform: Storytelling/Awareness | Base TN15, +2 from fast, 1 Called Raise, final TN22 | 5k3 ⇒ 20 (TN: 22)

+1 Day point

Asher puts on a small show that seems to be almost a how to on robbing tombs without pissing off the gods too much.





D4EA Shadow Play storytelling, Man of Knowledge | 3k2+8 ⇒ 19 (TN: 15)
D4EA Shadow Play theology Man of Knowledge, lets go for 3 raises | 5k4+5 ⇒ 37 (TN: 25)

5 Day Points

As usual for the shortest day of the year, Soraya al-Menjari did a dance for the Goddess. A public dance accompanied with song and the sounds of ankle bells and finger cymbals, an undulating and smooth dance and song with few words. Words of sorrow and hope, with her clear voice carrying far.



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Day 3, EA, Shadow Plays event, perform: finger cymbals/awareness, TN10 | 3k3 ⇒ 19 (TN: 10) - 1 Day Point

Day 3, EA, Shadow Plays event, roll 2, perform: song/awareness, base TN 15, 2 called raises, TN25, Void Point 1 of 2 spent from Day 3 for +1k1 | 6k4 ⇒ 42 (TN: 25) - 3 Day Points

TOTAL = 4 Day Points

With all that was going on, Raya had been drawn into the crowds. Especially by the performance of her dear princess Sora. She tried to join in the singing, but being part of the crowd she was drowned out, and she was rather rudely barged away.

There was a small huff, the Ra'Shari girl being quite annoyed. Until she noticed little eyes on her. Young kids looking at her.

Now I found my audience!

She would be found for the next hour telling a very exciting elaborate story to a group of transfixed children. Including a monster, a great heroine, a princess and a magic carpet. The energy was energetic and all the kids went home happy.

(ooc:

D3 EA Shadow Plays event roll 1 - Perform:Song/awareness+voice. TN10+2 raises (TN20) | 6k4 ⇒ 16 (TN: 20)


D3 EA Shadow Plays event roll 2 - Perform:Storytelling/awareness+voice. TN15+2 raises (TN25) | 6k4 ⇒ 37 (TN: 25)

1 point!

More festivals more spending time amongst the people this time spreading joy and providing some entertainment!

Qasim told the story of a clever fox that managed to outwit all the other animals that were bigger or stronger or faster. A parable about the power of intelligence and Cunning

He accompanied the tale with a decent playing of an Oud, he had a couple of servants do all the shadow puppeting while he played and spoke.
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D3 shadow play day perform: story telling/ awareness tn 10 | 4k4 ⇒ 23 (TN: 10)

D3 shadow play day perform: instrument/ awareness tn 15 | 4k4 ⇒ 19 (TN: 10)

2 day points!

Despite the weirdness and horror of the previous night, the festival still brought to Faruq memories of his childhood and his parents' devotion. His own devotion ebbed and flowed at times, even though he had the prophet's words in high account. But he still remembered the rituals, and they always brought him a feeling of nostalgia. So, after some pondering, he decided to join the plays - taking a rather important role, as one leading the religious aspects of his play - and also handling puppets.

The first part, he did rather well. The words and rituals came back to him without much effort, and he said them with his heart in them, the smiling faces of his umma and baba looking at him in the theatre of his mind.

That did mean his attention to the puppets was *very* lacking, though... the strings got all tangled, and the puppets jerked around unnaturaly - which, given the events of the night before, gave the whole thing a rather uncomfortable feel.

But well... the devotional words were inspiring, at least, if one kept their eyes out of the puppet's spasmodic dance!


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D3 EA - Shadow Plays (Day) - Lore: Theology/Int, 1 Raise called, TN 15 | 4k3 ⇒ 19 (TN: 15) - 2 Day Points!

D3 EA - Shadow Plays (Day) - Perform: Puppeteering, TN 15 (unskilled) | 3k3 ⇒ 6 (TN: 15) - Nope!

Total: 2 Day Points

Bazir was not a trained storyteller but he had heard many tales in his short tenure at the Cat's Tail. From the elders who play satranj to the ra'shari who performed the week prior he had a sea of stories that fit perfectly with the meaning of the celebration.

Shadow plays 1, LM: Storytelling/Awareness | 3k3 ⇒ 16 (TN: 10)
Shadow plays 1, LM: Theology/Intelligence, precise memory | 4k4 ⇒ 31 (TN: 15)

+2 day points