Carthago !

From the Journal of Agripinus:

3. Teveste Investigation:

After meeting with my clients, it was clear that some small band of mercenaries would be the wise choice to accompany me. People who would not ask endless questions, but just enough to know the mission. People who could handle themselves, but were not battle-mad. A local guide would be preferred, but most probably that was easier to com by closer to the destination.

The first establishment I tried favoured by the types I was looking for proved to be a cheap pit of drunks with food I would not offer to my horse. I left before I was offended by the wine they served there.

The second was better, the food was good, but not sufficient quantity to keep a fighting man’s belly full for an evening. There was one Northern type who might have served well, but no-one who carried themselves in a way that I recognised as being of military bearing.

At the establishment of the Grecian, Philocrates, the crowd was of a much better mix. I saw some shady figures lurking, a table of Greeks getting sotted on their reasonable wine, assorted men from Tyre, Gaul, an Egyptian, a few other Carthaginians, and several I could not make out. I was midway through some rather succulent lamb at one of the larger tables when the over-indulging Greek lads grabbed a tall tattooed passer-by. It was not, as I first thought, a man but an athletic Amazonian women which was a novel sight in these parts.

I took to her immediately when she gave no quarter and swiftly punched the drunken lout before anyone could get a word in. I rangy-looking sailor type, a Cretan if I was not mistaken, showed admirable reflexes in his springing to the Amazonian’s defence, and fists started to fly as I rescued my goblet from being up-ended.

The shifty-looking Liby-Phoenician who I had my eye on as some sort of scout didn’t hang around long, that was a shame, and the old coughing wheeze-bag off to one side looked as if he might expire with his next intake of breath.

It looked as though the Greeks might make this a third meal wasted, to be honest I was enjoying the food and hoped they didn’t wreck the place entirely before the final course. As luck would have it, a brawny chap, a Gaul by the look of his oversized moustache, turned up and showed a bit more of the fighting spirit I was seeking.

Before things got out of hand, I tried to quell things down. This was far too good an eating place to be ruined by the Hellenics, sadly they were too far into their cups to recognise who I was, and as the lights suddenly doused even my threat of drawing my sword fell on blind eyes.

It was of little import though, before I thought to light the place with Tanit’s glorious brightness the local muscle returned from their break and with a few well-place words, and ring of sharp steel being drawn, quickly calmed the place down professionally.

I’d seen enough, and made it known that I was seeking companions for a task to the south. It was a shame the ferrety one did not re-appear, but there were four who shared my wine and my table with an ear for more.

The Gaul, Sammus, a strapping fellow indeed. Tallest man I’d seen I’ll wager, he looked like the kind of person who I could fight alongside. I didn’t know how he could bear that weasel wriggling under his nose all the time though, surely it must irritate?

Talking of irritation, that sack of bones with a staff I’d seen earlier also sat down at my table. Probably glad of a place to rest his dark frame. In between bouts of throaty coughing that I feared my snap his scrawny neck, he declared he was a man of knowledge, a Kushite, a knower of things, no less. His eyes showed me that they rarely missed much.

Then there was the bandy Cretan, Amphius by name, obviously ex-army but with sea-going experience - an area I myself had little dealing with.

And then there was the Amazon, lithe and supple but powerfully built too, so much so that it would not be hard to mistake her for a man. She moved with grace, perhaps she would be able to get into places that others might not… a possibility for sure.

None other responded to my request, perhaps that was just as well. With the addition of a local guide at my first stop I thought these four should be able to deal with the task at hand.

I outlined the mission, travel to Teveste some 150 miles to the south and thence to the estate of the client’s son. There, we were explore the estate, recover any items of value and return them to the client along with a report of what we found. In return we would be paid some modest expenses plus a share of whatever was returned.

The group agreed, with some requesting ponies or donkeys be provided, which was agreed. The Amazon, whose name sounded to me like “Onion Platter” such was her accent, was a skilled horsewoman. She was able to select the best mounts from those available, and then we sourced grain and feed for them, a total of 70 day-rations.

It being mid-winter, we wrapped up warmly. Having said that, it was evident that the Gaul found this chill air plenty warm enough to his taste. And so we set off, and I made notes of the journey so that our client had as full a record as possible of the entire undertaking.

On the first day we managed just 20 miles, a pace so slow that Amphius the skirmisher could happily trot along beside his mount and not tire. We introduced ourselves bit by bit over the course of the day, and met no-one else along the road.

On the second day I encouraged a brisker pace and we made 25 miles, though even this modest increase was too much for the dark scribe on his donkey. His racking cough was sure to dislodge a rib or snap the wiry fellow in two, and his protestations about being far to high up on a pony didn’t help the matter.

The third day was at a similar pace but after 20 miles the old man pleaded to go no further so we rested there. The only meeting of note was a small detachment of guards heading back to Carthage.

With reluctance, the next day we slowed to the crawl we started with. The cavalry group we met that day told of the clear road ahead, and to be honest, there was hardly anything to fear here in the cultured lands except perhaps the height of your pony.

The rain of the next day kept everything wet, and it was slow going the day after too, and cool with it. Finally on the seventh day we neared our destination. The 40 or so close-order infantry group fresh out from Teveste let us know we were not far. They had Numidians among their number, and it was small matter to ascertain that guides could be found by meeting with their tribal elders in Teveste itself.

I had a feeling that was not going to be as straight forward as I first thought.

From the Journal of Agripinus:

6. Kaskator

Our arrival late in the day caused little issue as they saw me to be an honourable citizen of Carthage and with minimal fuss we are shown to a good Inn. The area appears to be a centre of trading in livestock with plenty of stalls and dwellings of all varieties of tribal shape and colour.

The local dialect is Arma, which we all speak to some extent except the Khemite, for whom I act as translator. It is not long before we are summoned to meet the tribal elders, my bag of gifts I hope is enough to bring a favourable audience.

The man who speaks for the 6 or 7 people in the room is perhaps the youngest, Sarrif by name, and he speaks perfect Punic and swaps effortlessly between that and Arma. On the elders’ behalf he asks us to explain what we are doing and why.

Knowing that honesty and respect are valued here, I did not conceal that reason and motive of our mission. To travel to the Kaskator Estate, to discover what had happened to Rogan and recover what items may still be there and report back to his parents.

There are some mutterings when I mention Kaskator, and it is explained that it lay in the region called Kashareen, a shadowed place beyond Numidian lands. We would value their aid in this venture, and as a token of our good will I offered Sarrif a well-worked gold bangle, a rather fine purple cloak and a dagger in a fine scabbard.

The gifts were graciously displayed and Sarrif explained that indeed they knew of this man. He had gone to that area and beaten back the raiders there, and settled, and excavated and pushed back the shadow of that land, and he traded with the townsfolk. However this past year he’s not been seen, the shadow once more descends, and the area is taboo for Numidians once more.

There was an Egyptian by the name of Saliga, he thinks, who arrived a few years after Rogan. Shaved head, very dark skinned, possibly a Khemite, though not someone Si’aspiqo can place. He’s not been seen either.

It is evident also that others have been here before seeking the same Rogan, though whether from their own initiative, or sent by our client, I could not determine. This other group, however, attempted to deceive the elders with stories of hunting for wild ibex as the reason for their travels. On the other hand, it is evident that we have been truthful, and Serrif offers to aid us.

It turns out the aid is more than just the provision of a guide and some provisions we requested, he would also travel with us. I took this to be perhaps both a genuine offer of help (a fine strapping, athletic man he was too) and also some sort of test of his abilities as potential elder material. There was little chance to enquire of his relationship to the elders, and I made a note to ask when the opportunity presented itself.

At the agreed hour for departure, Sarrif joined us on a magnificent pony, with javelins and shield and with a couple of of pack animals in tow. There was ample time to provision ourselves for the week-long return journey, and torches, pry-bar and ropes were also acquired.

The first day’s ride at a slow pace was easy going, and an uneventful night passed with only a single watch for wild animals and the like. The next day we travelled on more of a track than a road, and besides some herders that Sarrif dealt with, nothing disturbed us.

By the third day we were ascending a steeper path, and the scouts of the party and the map I carried, kept us going towards a particular three-humped hill. Sammus said he could see it clearly, being so tall, but the Amazon topped that by deftly leaping up stand in her saddle, an act that clearly impressed Sarrif and not only for the acrobatic feat, given his lingering looks.

That night was mostly quiet except for Si’aspiqo who was troubled by dreams of death and darkness. The fourth day, and slow upward progress into forested hills. Ambush country, necessitating the Amazon and Amphius scouting ahead and Si’aspiqo’s donkey being lead by a line. The scouts went further uphill from the path and reported indeed the three-headed hill was just there. Though the stouter animals could be lead, it would be folly to lose a horse on the last treacherous path to the top. Sarrif said that he would not be going any further in to the taboo lands, so he would stay with the animals in one of the clearings just off the track.

On the grassy area in front of the hill there were obvious remains of buildings, old ruins. They seemed far older than we would expect for a recent estate, perhaps the stones had been re-purposed? This had the look of a ritual space, and nearby was what looked to be a mine entrance of some sort going into the mass of the hillside. The doorway was some 8 or 9 feet wide and high enough to admit all but the tallest of men. There being no obvious estate visible outside, it may well be inside.

With torches lit, Sammus and I took the front at a cautious pace. Flagged floors, and carved stone walls led us in some 50 feet to a doorway which had been crudely forced by an axe. Amphius’s skills with such devices ensured it was not trapped and moving further in, the passageway had regular alcoves for torches every 10-20 feet. At this point we were attached by two ghoulish beasts, all fangs and claws.

I berated myself for not having the symbol of Tanit the Lightbringer on full view as I had to fumble for it in the folds of my cloak while taking a hit from one of the foul undead. Sammus was more than able to deliver a killing blow to the one that faced him, and an arrow from behind us found the only gap that existed to finish the other. Onwards and up a few steps we came to a cross roads, with passages left and right, but also a number of dead bodies.

A broken sword with its blade sheared off lay nearby, and one body was certainly similar to the shaven-headed Egypian mentioned by Sarrif earlier. Another body had been pinned to the wall, the sword finding a gap between two blocks, and when removed the body revealed the words newly re-carved into those blocks “Kaskator”. This indeed was the estate after all.

Another body was that of a very small man, a midget even, with a black beard - eastern Mediterranean, Persian probably, his helm smashed in with a blunt weapon. Two more bodies at the crossroads, both carrying light shields, Spaniards by the look of them. In order that these were not reanimated to fight against us with dark arts, we hauled all the bodies back out side and made descriptions for the report of their looks and equipment. Sarrif confirmed that these were the dishonest “ibex hunters” from a month ago who had met their ends here. Time was spent burying their bodies and with Tanit’s will, I ensured they could not be re-used against us.

From the Journal of Agripinus:

12. Kaskator Update

After several days in the area I have concluded the estate appears to be almost entirely underground, and has a very maze-like quality. Initial investigations led us to a crossroads, and exploring the left hand passage, we appear to track back on ourselves to a place that must surely be once again outside the hill. Either we are being led a subtle curve or gradient, or some sorcery is employed to confuse our direction.

Without wanting to get too lost, and with too few torches to make a safe map, we delved further straight in to the complex. That was a benefit, as we found wood and such matters as could be used as torches to continue the process.

Nothing of value or portable assets were found this day, the only notable event in fact was being attacked overnight and one of the ponies almost stolen. It was a small skirmish, and only minor wounds taken and all foes dispatched. It appears so far, that looters have already made free with the immediate items, though I shall attempt to recover what I can from whatever leads we might obtain.

We are going to need more torches, that is apparent. Si’Aspiqo seems to be adept at making them though these Kushite torches burn with more of a hiss and a spit than the ones we bought in Carthage they give off a bit more smoke and a distinctive aroma too. On the positive side, they look quite rugged and damp-proof.

I noted that there was some outer dwellings, these consist of:

• a central roundhouse with thatched roof which we found suitable for overnight shelter, accommodation and a secure camp-fire. A couple of smaller round huts - probably fodder stores. A substantial wooden outbuilding with many shelves, probably a food store.
• A substantial wooden outbuilding with many hooks most probably an equipment & materials store to my eye. There is also a rough stable-block for about 6 horses, an open-sided roofed shed with a small forge at one end and what looks like a smoking rack in the roof.
• There is an enclosure for ponies near the stables and an overgrown vegetable plot, with many herbs and weeds of various sorts and a sizeable chicken or duck run with a stream running through one end.
• Also there are two large paddocks, divided by the stream which flows through the kraal. The larger paddock has a number of young trees in it, which Serif says look foreign to him. The stream has a small earth dam, with a large clay pipe in it, which regulates the level of a small pond and prevents the paddock flooding. It provides a decent reserve of fresh water, although it looks too small for the dry season unless this is spring-fed.

This all is within a stockade of some stretched circle bordered a hedge supplemented by timber in various places. There is only one set of timber gates leading in and the whole complex looks appears cleared out, but with no evidence of fire damage or large BBQ feasts of livestock, both hallmarks of looting.

My estimation is that this place was abandoned, and residual items have been plundered, but without demolition for construction materials. Further investigation of the interior will hopefully tell us more.

After several visits to the interior the Gaul and I have managed to piece together some rough sketches of the layout of the place. Far from being simple and functional, it is twisted and difficult to navigate.

I will only mention some brief things of note here that we have encountered so far. The first is that the complex is inhabited both by undead denizens and other vermin. That is vermin of the four legged and looter kind, all of which we dealt with.

There is a shrine to a goddess in the eastern side, it is certainly not Tanit, and thus interfering with it at this early stage in our investigation is most unwise.

There are many rooms of broken furniture, some being used for firewood, perhaps having been smashed up by looters, though little of value is evident at the outset. Though there are a few pieces worth noting that we have been able to carry out so far, see below.

On the west side is a large room filled with fungi and mushrooms, it is rather musty, and I suggested it was best to leave alone until we could prepare with some face cloths and water to keep the spores and smell from affecting us all.

One room found after 2 or 3 days was filled with alchemical items. Too numerous to move safely, these have been mostly left (so far) in the secretly secure area we found them. Some rooms with torture equipment were also uncovered, and several trapped areas and false walls.

So far, the recovered items amounts to one bronze pickaxe, 640 gold coins, two flasks containing a misty swirling gas which have been removed and buried for safe keeping. There have been some small items found on the bodies of looters, a dagger, a necklace with blue stones, a sword, a gold bangle and items that I consider of some value from the bodies of denizens found here that we will claim as shared bounty.

Further exploration will surely provide better information, explanation, and items which our clients have sent us here to find.

048. Kaskator Maps — Level 2 – Agripinus

Kaskator – Level 2

Figurative sketch.
Recorded by Sammus the Strong and drawn by Agripinus Tanit’s Priest

62. Kaskator Maps — Level 2 – Agripinus

Kaskator – Level 2

Updated sketch.
Recorded by Sammus the Strong and drawn by Agripinus Tanit’s Priest

From the Journal of Agripinus:

63: The Gate to the Underworld

There really was only one way to find out what was at the bottom of the unnatural rent in the ground that we had dubbed the Spider Cave, it needed to been seen and felt by one of us. I considered I was the only real choice given the need for specific knowledge and the protections I could call upon. It was somewhat pleasing to note that the other members suggested various other ways to reconnoitre the dark chasm, and in the end all played their parts. Sammus the Gaul provided my rock and means of quick exit, Amphius the quick-witted ensured a smooth and safe rope mechanism, Toxoanassa kept her keen eyes on any dangers below, and the un-wheezing Kushite was ready with fire and extra protections should they be needed. No doubt Serrif was nearby keeping our backs covered in the dimness of the cave mouth but I was focused on the cleft in front of me and the Light of Tanit made the chasm clear and all else dark in comparison.

With Her light to guide and protect me, I descended. Some 20 ft below was the corpse of the largest of the Spiders, legs curled up and on its back. It still made for a hideous sight as I made it past and to the opening beyond where the cleft opened out and I could see many mounds of a white fluffy substance. They possibly looked like cocoons but it was difficult to see clearly as I had reached the full extent of the rope that was fastened around my waist. At my feet I saw a shiny object, a dagger in the web that was all over the floor and walls. It looked to be steel, tarnished with age and set with a semi-precious stone. Possibly it was dropped by a previous explorer, or was a spoil that the spiders had no use for, or maybe a lure to pull others further in (as I saw another such glint a dozen yards further in to the wider cave). In any event, this was not what I was here to gather, so I left it where it lay.

My skin feel prickly, like I am standing close to a blacksmith's forge, a heat, but certainly not the life-giving sun's rays. I perceive I am on a bridge between worlds, not a gateway such as a door but a crossing place and it is as far as I dare to go. This is most certainly the outermost "gate" into Hell, and it is clear to me that sacrifices have been made to the keeper of this Gate, by the Shedim most likely, and that after he was no longer able, then another weaker one has tried, and failed. Chargehand not having access to the powerful concoctions brewed in the Pool Room. It is almost certainly this failed attempt that has brought forth the spider hoard in retribution. It might be that Rogan was making these sacrifices and made the same error, or was unable to continue due to some other fate. The Shedim and his minions were possibly his retribution prior to Chargehand's.

This all fits with the worshiping of Baal and his cohorts, Melkart in particular with his spirits and undead. It is entirely possible that the darkness that has befallen these lands is a Shadow from the underworld that has managed to come over that bridge when the appropriate sacrifices and rituals ceased to be offered. This place is old, older than Carthage, and Rogan is only one of the most recent occupiers of this place though it appears that other shrines have been made here, and re-configured over time as needed across the centuries.

These are facts which I must take to Carthage and make known to the Temple. And I hereby charge you to carry this message to them if I am unable to do so.

Agripinus

From the Diary of Agripinus:

120: A Short Trading Visit

The first few days of October were taken up with the loading of our joint cargo of fine stone onto the The Morning Breeze. The winds were favourable for the return to Carthago Nova and I performed a blessing for our safe passage on the dawn of our departure, the 5th October. With Kallicrates and his crew, Amphius and I intended to meet with Hanno and safely deliver our star witness, Ione, to him and secure our reward for the task.

The journey was uneventful and Amphius's night sight allowed good progress to be made in the sunless hours. To pass the time, we both improved our language skills, me by improving my Greek and Amphius by working on his Punic. On the 10th we landed in Carthago Nova and beached the ship. While preparations to get the cargo unloaded were made, we made arrangements to see Hanno, Commander of the garrison. He was pleased with Ione who gave a very credible account of herself and proved to be exactly the quality of witness he was hoping to secure. So much so that he immediately gave orders to ready a fast ship directly to Carthage.

Amphius and I were assuming that we'd be able to do some trading, eating and drinking before returning to Tamuda to rejoin the group. However, Hanno had other ideas and requisitioned me to accompany him and, by extension, Amphius too though he was free to return if he preferred. In the end Amphius readily agreed to return to Carthage and so we met up with Kalicrates and bade him get word back to those in Tamuda of our onward travels and that we should return to Carthgo Nova in 30 days. Kalicrates would try and use that time wisely to try and make another stone delivery as his profits from the current cargo were handsome indeed.

Pre-dawn on the 13th I sacrificed a cow and other livestock to Tanit for our speedy and safe journey to Carthage aboard The Fist of Melqart, a double-oared sleek warship commanded by Hammilcar, a priest of Melqart. We left the harbour and scattered fishing boats as the fresh oarsmen impressed us with the speed they could muster. An hour later, they swapped with the rested men who kept a similar pace and thus continued each hour to propel us eastwards.

As before, Amphius and I continued to improve our proficiency in each other's tongue. Though now he was immersed in a Punic-speaking environment as opposed to our own crew's Greek one. It proved to be a good opportunity to learn lots of sailing terminology for both of us, and the first two days passed quickly with good weather and wind.

On the 16th we docked in Icosian on the African coast to pick up fresh water and supplies. Amphius also volunteered his services to help out the watchmen up the mast in the twilight hours and proved himself more than capable to seeing the coastline when others were not. The 17th was reasonable sailing but a storm was behind us and the next day it was a lot rougher. The day after it was a lot calmer and misty, and Hammilcar performed a ritual that appeared to guide us towards our next destination, the port of Hippo.

It was good fortune to make Hippo as a storm raged on the 20th, but let up enough that we hopped down the coast to Thabakra on the 21st. On the 22nd we had our first sighting of some sea-beasts and sprang to action but no sooner had the alarm been raised that whatever creature it was has submerged once again and the repetition of the rowing resumed. They continued into the dusk with the aim of reaching Hippocra after sunset, and Carthage was merely around the next headland.

Finally, we docked under cover of darkness in Carthage 12 days after setting out. Glad to be back in my home city and my feet on stable, dry land again.

An Audience Like No Other

We three VIP guests were quietly escorted through the city with Hanno to the army base on the other side of the city. Essentially a city within a city, well defended and as safe as anywhere could be. Hanno didn't rest and was off into the city again shortly after our arrival and it was gone midnight when he returned. We reminded ourselves, of course, that we had only five months previously agreed to absent ourselves from Carthage for a year and a day. However, the gods obviously had plans for us that were beyond our knowledge.

He informed us that the Adrim, comprising the two Suffete (consuls), the High Priest of Tanit and the Speaker of Law plus a further twenty elected citizens (effectively the Elders of Carthage), would convene the following night to hear our testimonies. This was quite awe-inspiring, these Four-and-Twenty were the most powerful personages in the land. It didn't bear thinking about what might happen to us if things didn't turn out OK.

We translated all this for Ione and asked her what she might want to do when this was over. She would like to get back to the Greek world, hopefully to Syracuse, but just to Sicily would be good. There was a known place called “The Greek House” in Carthage where the various Greek states would meet and we proposed that it would be an excellent place for Ione to find passage back to her homelands and temple.

With no small amount of trepidation, the next day, the 25th, passed slowly until the midnight hour. Under Sacred Band escort, we assembled in the dark subterranean chamber where the shadowy figures of the elders sat on 3 sides. We could make out statues representing Tanit, Baal and Melqart around the dark walls, and waited in silence.

Hanno was first to be called and gave his account of the sacking of Hemeroskopeion and that the likely culprits were from Akre Leuke. He recounted that I had reported this event to him, and in response Hanno had commissioned me and my comrades to seek out and find any credible witnesses from the settlement so that a faithful account could be given in this chamber. We were successful in this endeavour and returned with Ione, who was taken as a slave, and proved to be a loyal and faithful adherent of Apollo.

After Hanno, I was called upon to corroborate all that was said and to elaborate if necessary. Both I and Amphius kept our comments short and sweet, both swearing that Hanno's account was accurate and true. Ione added her eye-witness testimony of being taken captive and sold on to a man called Haro to become a housekeeper. It was by the intervention of Apollo that Amphius recognised her as more than a simple slave girl and chose her as the reward for a challenge given to the Amazon in our group.

After we concluded our testimonies, the Elder Suffete stood and confirmed to all that no lie had been spoken, and the Younger Suffete suggested that Ione be give diplomatic status and offered the protection due. We minor pawns were ushered out to wait while more secret discussions went on. Finally, Hanno emerged and with a somewhat relived smile declared that things had all gone rather well.

One upshot of the testimony was that Hanno had been given a new task, to return immediately to Iberia and summon the three leaders there and bring them back to Carthage to answer for an unauthorised attack which could lead to more serious escalation. There was obviously a lot of high level diplomacy going on and this transgression would surely not bode well for those responsible.

Ione's fate was conversely very good. She would be offered an escorted passage to Syracuse which was fitted nicely with the promise I made her when we first met. We could either go with her or return with Hanno to Iberia. The logistics of making our own way back to Iberia made the decision for us, and it we said our thanks and farewells to Ione. I gave her a small gift of a bronze dagger to remember her journey to the ends of the sea with us and hoped that perhaps our paths may cross again in the future.

The Fist of Melqart would be leaving on the 28th so I had time to visit the Temple and pay my respects. I had an audience with the High Priest and was informed that our “quiet return” was anything but unnoticed. However, given the circumstances, it was the correct choice. Plans were made to divert attention from our movements while we were to be smuggled back on board Hanno's ship.

I was also informed that our attempts to pass beyond the Pillars was indeed foolish as they cannot be passed without the blessing of Melqart, and it was certainly closed to the Greeks. I was basically told not to try that again without first buying the ticket and getting it validated!

Our short stone delivery trip had extended somewhat, and we left Carthage on the 28th with us a small chest of coin from Hanno not knowing how things were doing at the other end of the sea.

Rapid Returns

Leaving Carthage on the 28th of October the Fist of Melqart made along the African coast to reach Hypocra on the morning of the 29th, where we stopped briefly for water and supplies. Facing adverse winds, the crew rowed during the day and the day after until we reach Tobacra. There was a further day of light showers and mist on the 31st until we docked at Hippo, a larger Carthaginian settlement and trading centre serving the Eastern Numidian hinterland to its South. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd of November were lost to bad weather, so Amphius and I spent time ashore, finding the local wine to be of good quality.

Returning to the ship on the morning of the 4th we sailed west during the day, overnight and the next day. On the 6th the wind was adverse and the Fist of Melqart made little progress. On the 7th we had a cross wind which allowed us to reach Icosium. The day after we left the coast to sail directly across towards New Carthage. We sailed initially, then the crew spent most of two days rowing. On the third day, the 11th, we arrived in New Carthage in the late afternoon.

We see Kalicrates and crew unloading stone and agreed to sail once they have unloaded. This took until the 13th when we departed, rowing along the coast to reach Baria that evening. On the 14th we continued westwards - rowing to anchor off Adbira that night. The next day was one of pleasant sailing with a warm wind from the south to reach Sexi. On the 16th we sail and rowed towards Malaca before turning south under favourable winds. We encounter another trader out of Rusadir, captained by one Bozan. Also heading to Tamuda, Bozan suggests to Kalicrates that we sail in company and, despite Amphius' suspicions, we do that day, row the day after and sail into Tamuda together around noon.

We find the rest of the party taking their ease in their Tamuda town house…

****

From Agripinus’s Journal:

130: Cleansing Sammus : By the Grace of Tanit

The witch-doctor’s last curse placed on Sammus was tenacious; it was going to need divine intervention to wipe away the stain. For the best result that would entail performing the ritual in a sacred place. Since departing Carthage, I had carried two idols of Tanit with me for the purpose of setting up shrines where they would do most good. The first, smaller, one was set up in Teveste, and now it appeared that here in Sef was an apposite place to set the second. Far enough from the port of Tamuda to be in “new territory” and also on a caravan route so that it could be visited by any traveller wanting to give thanks to Tanit’s healing light.

After some consultations with Baal-Shaq and the village elders, a suitable site was selected by the headman. It looked as if it was a round stone and timber building that had burned down at some point and most of the remains had been cleared away. I blessed the ground, and communed with Tanit herself to ascertain the most propitious method to cleanse the worthy Sammus. Inspiration told me he would need to be washed with holy waters, and baptized in Tanit’s healing liquid. It was fortunate that I had the ability to bring forth several gallons of water from the arid sands in preparation for bathing the unclean.

Meanwhile it appeared that the entire village turned up to help build the new shrine out of stone. With almost too many hands willing to help with every task, the process was completed in only a day and a half. I sang hymns to Tanit as they worked to reduce the chances of slips, trips and other accidents, and then performed some curing for several sick children in gratitude for the villager’s aid.

I bought 4 sheep for the sacrificial offering to Tanit as I performed the ceremony that would consecrate the finished building. Then the meat was used to feed the villagers who had been so generous with their time and skills to aid me in this venture. Before midnight on the second day Tanit was emplaced in her new shrine-house, and the feast of celebration was over.

At dawn on the third day, it was time to dig a shallow pit and fill it with the blessed waters. I laid the naked Sammus down and washed him with the holy waters, washing away the curse that gripped him. Being such a big lad, I had to do it twice before all trace of the foulness was washed away, but finally I could declare, by the Grace of Tanit, that the curse was lifted, and the stain of misfortune had been washed away.

The next day we were scheduled to leave, and so I bestowed a sum of money on the village chief for the aid of any traveller who would need it, to provide shelter and food in the shrine, and to keep it clean should any desire to stop there. I was content that two good deeds had been done in one, and would endeavour to visit again, or perhaps even send a representative to continue to spread Tanit’s light in the region.