The call had gone out. "By order of the Pactmasters, Almah Roveshki is to reclaim the village of Kelmarane, and is seeking Mercenaries to join her."
Though you all had different motivations for going to Kelmarane, that's how you ended up here, in the middle of the scorching hot Katapeshi scrublands, riding the camels of a man named Garavel, the majordomo of Almah. The camel caravan has already been travelling for several days, with no sign of stopping yet.
The land around you is infested with cacti, making the going slow at times, and in the distance to the west, you can see the Pale Mountain on the horizon, like a tombstone standing across this wasteland.
Garavel isn't exactly the chatty sort, and leads the caravan with a stern face, only talking when required. However, you do have a chance to converse with the other folks in the caravan, as you see fit.
Jesail is pleased to be with others whom shared his love of Haleen. He had not seen them often but now he felt they were tied together by a common goal. Jesail vowed that he would find his lost and dear benefactor Haleen and he was glad to have the fiery Janos and the spunky little Chee by his side.
However, the desert road was harder than he had imagined and though he had been in many uncomfortable positions before, none had lasted quite this long. Even still determination pushed him forward. Driven not only by his need to find Haleen but his will to serve Sheyln. Katapesh held many lost souls and his compassion went out to them. He hoped that many of the slaves of the caravan would find the freedom they sought. Jesail would do everything in his power to make that happen. Jesail kept to himself mostly only speaking with Chee or Janos should they be willing to talk. Otherwise he would often try and offer encouraging words to the slaves and do what he could to relieve some of their burdens. His ability to create water was an asset to be sure and was one of the few comforts he could afford the slaves.
Horgun shades his eyes and stares ahead at their destination. "There she be. A cursed place, from all the tales. Not that stories are enough to stop us." The last is quickly added with a nervous glance at Garavel. On the journey so far Horgun has been careful to follow every one of the caravan leader's commands. It's no secret that his freedom is on the line, and he clearly wants to give no cause for the deal to be revoked.
He strokes the head of the brown and white vulture that perches on the back on his saddle, as much for his own reassurance as his pet's. "What do ye think, Argia? Will it be treasure or trouble we'll find there?" The vulture croaks once and settles her head back under a wing, seemingly withholding comment.
Aakim is lost in thought during the journey to Kelmarane. It's been more than 20 years since the last time he was there, and he was but a child at the time. He tries to remember how the town was, what it looked like, how was like to live there on the edge of the desert, but it's no use. He remembers nothing, only the smoke and the fire brought by the invaders, and the fear that stroke his hearth when he was forced to leave with his father, leaving his mother behind and sister. Perhaps he will remember once he's there.
He observes his whip, the only thing that he was able to save when he flew. He touches the snake skin that covers it, almost like he's seeing it for the first time.
He exchanges very few words with the other members of the caravan, preferring to remain alone most of the time.
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"I sense no cuse here? Are you sure? I smell a gentle rain, one of peace and serenity."
Often times, Janos can be seen taking things out of a small pouch, and through some sort of magic, willing it to catch fire, often simply watching it burn as through some sort of ritual. Janos, walking alongside the camel as much as riding it, is almost naked. His long brown hair and pale skin seem very out of place in both the hot desert and his clothing. He wears an Qadirian style "kilt" dress and monk-like scarves mostly just blowing in the wind. He stands fairly tall for a human, just under 6ft, with a slightly less than athletic build. A spear hangs across his back, and a simple ritual dagger is stuffed into his belt. On his back, can be seen several lashed scars and possible burn marks. He steps with a very graceful gait, almost dancing.
Janos has dark, deep green eyes, (again uncommon and out of place), but also has a blend of wildness and gentleness in his gaze. Often, when he speaks directly to a person, one gets the impression that he may not even realize they are there, but he might be speaking to some apperation or looking right through them. His soft, gentle voice is knid, but at the same times, he seems to speak with a foreign accent that most find very difficult to place,
The wasteland seems to wind on forever. The Pale Mountain draws nearer and nearer, the tombstone becoming a looming giant about to crush all beneath it.
One evening, about a week into the journey, Garavel tells you that you will arriving at your destination tomorrow. Almah is camped at the Sultan's Claw, awaiting your party to join them before proceeding. The oppressive heat becomes a crisp cold at night, near freezing. Garavel doesn't even seem to notice, and falls asleep with barely a blanket to keep him warm.
The next day the march continues on, and as you crest a hill you can see in the distance a massive tree rising above the rest of the sparse vegetation. A tree with leaves in this hot sun, and five long branches reach up, as though they would claw the sun out of the sky. No wonder they call it the Sultan's Claw. At it's base, around an oasis, are a half-dozen wagons grouped around the pool. People are in a hurried frenzy of action around the camp, some of the camels and other livestock seems to be loose. Smoke rises from one of wagons!
"Hurry up! Let's go!" Garavel is spurred into sudden action, just as he spurs his camel forward. Your camels pick up on the lead camel's hurry and match it's gait. The ride is rough, but you're able to hold on.
Garavel practically jumps off his camel at full gallop upon reaching the site. He runs towards the site and calls out: "Almah I've arrived!" Out of the central tent, out steps a woman exceeding beautiful, dressing in white desert wear and turban, though these are not plain, but brilliantly jeweled. She wears a tiara, and seems to command obedience with a simple look. "Get that fire out", Almah snaps to one of the guards, before hurrying over to Garavel.
Janos, as you stand looking at the fire - the wagon on fire is fairly elaborate, with stars and moons carved into it - something seems to flap out of it, and strikes you in the chest. The card is badly burnt, but you recognize it faintly as a harrow card, a Varisian thing, but you know something of it. The card is the Cyclone - a card that portends a force which tears through whatever it meets, war, arson and destruction. As you look back up at the wagon, the whole of the scene seems wreathed with flame, and you can hear faint laughing as if on the wind. The vision quickly fades.
Almah is now moving over to the group, not running, but you can tell she's in a hurry. "Find some way to help!" she snaps at the group before moving off to direct Garavel and the guards.
Looking around the camp, there are several ways you could help:
Choose quickly! Time is of the essence.
Aakim, experienced in charming snakes, will try to see if his abilities are worth something with creature other than snakes. He quickly hops down from the cart and go try to tend the frightened camels and horses around.
Horgun snaps a quick salute to the woman. "Aye ma'am!" He turns and jabs a finger at the others as he snaps out commands. "You, Jesail, throw some of that magic water on the fire. Janos, get them injured folks back on their feet." With a quick dismount he first checks that Aakim has the animals under control, then moves to push the other wagons clear of the leaping flames.
Jesil needs no orders barked. As soon as the Fair Almah commands, He is on it. Jesail sets about filling as many buckets as possible to keep them filled and usable. It only takes six seconds a bucket and Jesail moves quickly to ensure there isn't a moment when water isn't being cast at the flames.
Chee scrambles from underneath a blanket when the camels begin their ungainly run. As the camels near the wagon, Chee excitedly drinks a vial, and tumbles from the camel. Rushing ahead of the camels at a surprising speed to the injured, he drinks another vial and makes what appeasers to be an attempt to swallow the head of one of the injured . After letting go, he rushes to Jesail to grab buckets and yells Hey Jes, Janos looking at fire funny again! Gi'me bucket! As he dashes madly toward the burning wagon. Chee sings Fire is pretty, sure is neat. That's too bad, We've got it beat!
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Hearing the screams and cries from the distant beauty <fire>, Janos snapps out of his meditations for a moment to deal with the issues at hand. Just as flame coddls and nurtures life, gives warth to the world, so too can it overstep its reach, or those under it's protection lose "control" of it, and it can become monstrous, if only for a time.
Reaching out one last time to pick up the card, he notices his hands clench only sand. Reaching again, and only bitter sands. "Was it even real?"
Raising to his feet, he starts to sprint to catch up with his allies, knowing that they too had some major hand to play in the destiny of great things to come.
As Jes and the other attempt to calm the animals and put out the fire, Janos will offer a small prayer to the sky, and wade right into the flames, <Fire Resist 5>, hoping to save anyone still within that hasn't been noticed yet. I have faith that my faith shall protect me, at least for a little.
Will Save:
Will Save:
Will Save:
Will Save:
Will Save:
Aakim is able to subdue 3 of of the goats, but 2 are still running free.
Seeing that Aakim was able to calm most of the animals, you run to calm the other two, succeeding and bringing them back to the pens.
Jesail runs foreward and begins filling the buckets that firefighters have freshly tossed, dramatically increasing the speed which they are dousing the fire. Chee's singing brings a laugh from a grim faced man, and Chee's helping further reduces the fire, though it isn't out yet, it's not longer an immediate threat to the camp.
Bolstered by his faith, Janos walks straight into the burning wagon. Flames lick the inside, burning Janos as he goes. . Inside, Janos can see a man, seemingly unconscious at the back of the burning wagon. Fire burns all around him.
The fire isn't quite out, but the animals are calmed, and the wagons are no longer in direct danger. The man tending to the wounded seems extremely flustered, and the fire is still burning, though it's lower.
Jesail sees the fire is going down and notices their is no one aiding the injured. He can cast Cure light wounds twice and he will. He will use one on the most injured man and save the other for when the fire is out. He immediately attends to others. His heal score is +6
With the other wagons clear and the animals not threatening to stampede, Horgun hurries to join the firefighters. With a few sharply barked commands he does his best to organize them into a bucket chain from the oasis before lending arm to hauling buckets himself.
Aakim makes sure that the animals are safe and calm, then joins the firefighters as well.
Janos steps towards the man and picks him up, carrying him out of the wagon. The fires are less than when Janos enters, but still lick his body.
Once you're outside, you set the body down. It's of a middle-aged Varisian man, badly burned. He's not breathing, but you sense the life isn't gone from him yet.
You run over to the person tending to the wounded - it appears to be an aged halfling bearing a holy symbol of Sarenrae. He's deep in prayer over an injured man. A badly burned woman lies to the his side.
The injured woman's eye flutter open, and she gasps in fresh air.
The bucket chain is organized and efficient, and with Chee and Aakim helping, the fire is quickly brought under control.
Setting the mn don gently, I'll say a small prayer of healing over him, to return the park of vitality before his soul stretches out to the great beyond, asking the inferno that urt him, to turn it's favor is way and seal his wounds.
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8+1
theres a minus five in the results so I'd assume he took it into account.
Once the fire is out, Chee excitedly runs over to Janos What the fire say this time?
Almah stands grimly staring at the wreck of the wagon, then moves over to the man Janos pulled out of the fire, kneeling down next to him. Janos can hear her whisper: "Oh he's alive, thank Sarenrae." She stands up and turns around.
Loudly, Almah tells Garavel to organize an investigation. Whether this was arson or an accident would be determined. "Those newcomers will lead the investigation, and I want them to report their findings to me at the end of the day. That will be all, I will be in my tent." With a jingle of metal, she marches to her tent and enters without another word.
Garavel looks around, everyone seems to be staring. "Back to your duties! You lot," he points to a disreputable looking group of men and women who were helping douse the fire, "you may see to your wounded, but once that's done I want you to see what can be salvaged from that wagon and then dismantle it. May as well use it as firewood now. Newcomers, come here." The camp seems to once again bustle with movement.
When you organize in front of him, he says: "You heard Almah, you are to lead the investigation. I can give you information on everyone here, as I helped hire most of them for this journey, though I would start with the wrecked wagon. Other than information, I won't be assisting. For Almah, this will be a test of your competence. Dismissed." Garavel walks over to man Janos pulled out of the wagon, now being tended by the same aged halfling who was tending the fallens soldiers.
Looking around you spot several distinct groups of people.
After finishing wih the wounded Jesail makes his way over to where Graval is giving his directions. After the instructions Jesail bows. "I will endeavour to fullfil the fair Almah's request m'lord." Noticing the man that Janos pulled out of the fire is still wounded Jesail decides to help out by administering a CLWs to him
Cure:
He then makes his way over to the mishmash group. "Lords amd ladies, I am curious as to weather or not you have seen anything interesting going on. Maybe some insight as to why the wagon may have caught fire. Were any of you nearby? If so did you see anyone suspicious or notice anything that wasn't to code? For example, a person lurking about or a lamp to close to dry cloth. Is there anything local that may have caused this?" Jesail maintains a very professional attitude as he asks his questions.
Chee knows he isn't that great with people, so he'll just shadow Jesail for a while.
As Jesail approaches the mercs (ostensibly, that's what they are), one of the men sneers at him. "Lookatchu wit yur fancy magicks. Get gone!", and is promptly slapped by one of the women, who says: "Show some respect Dullen! His 'fancy magicks' saved my life!" she walks over to Jesail and smiles, "Sorry about him, he's a bit of a dullard. My name is Kallien. As to your questions.. we were enjoying a drink around the oasis when the fire broke out. No one saw how it started." she shrugs, but Dullen speaks up again: "Maybe Dhaski start the fire! Everyone knows he's in love with Almah and that she and Eloias are f$+~ing! Would've worked too except for that crazy fire man!"
Aakim will inspect the burnt remains of the wagon, hoping to find some sort of clue.
Perception:
As Aakim approaches the wagon and begins his search, he spots a dark-skinned man - dressed in very tattered clothing - who seems to be hiding behind a nearby wagon and looking at him, though when spotted he immediately vanishes behind the wagon.
Continue the search?
Horgun chuckles and whispers to the others, "Ain't just that. She can't trust no one who was here when the fire started. I do believe the Lady fears a mutiny. Though we be strangers, that makes us more reliable, not less." With a thoughtful smile on his face, the dwarf ambles over to the middle aged couple tending the animals.
"Ho there, friends. I see you've got your beasts under control again." He whistles sharply and Argia swoops down to land next to him. Horgun chuckles and strokes her head. "Fire's a frightful thing for most animals, 'less they're trained for it. You done a decent job with them. It was easy enough to get them reined in again. Still, were a close thing there. I hope we've not got someone careless enough to start a cook fire inside a wagon or some such."
As Horgun approaches the pair, the man seems to be a right panic. Tears are almost at his eyes. "Sorry I can't talk right now, my favourite goat seems to have gone missing in the confusion! I have to find him." and he scampers off.
The woman says: "You'll have to pardon my husband. His goat Rombard has gone missing. My name is Hadrah." She looks around, making sure no one is listening before moving in and whispering: "Truth be told, my money is on Dashki setting the fire. We knew him a bit from back Solku-way. He's a self-styled gnoll hunter and he used to take rich folk out on hunting expeditions, to hunt up gnolls like trophies. Most people here don't trust him, especially the way he leers at the Lady Almah, his mouth all watering like at the smell of a freshly cooked steak. Maybe he started the fire, try and remove Eloias as a rival for the Lady's affections."
Aakim ignores the man, and continues looking. It's not like he's gonna disappear in the middle of the desert. I can look for him later.
Horgun strokes his beard. "Well now, I've only just met the Lady myself, but she does seem the sort to attract admirers easy like. No shortage of tales about men doing foolish things to win their way into the hearts and beds of their desire. What say I help you two find this goat, and you can tell me all about those three. It does a man good to know the lay of the land when he finds himself in new circumstances."
A few encouraging words fail to convince Argia to go hunting, so instead he applies his own tracking skills to the chase. "Who's this Eloias fellow that he's in the Lady's good graces, and what's Almah done about so obviously having two suitors?"
Jesail doesn't mind Chee following him. in fact he rather enjoys having someone close watching him at work.
Jesail bows elegantly to Kallien. "Fair maiden Kallien. My name is Inuisitor Jesail Ash. It is a pleasure to meet you, I am overjoyed to see that you are well. I am glad that I could save your beauty from the scarring flames and the cold embrace of death. I appreciate the advice. It seems I must have a word with ser Daski. Would you be so kind as to point him out or describe him as best you can. If not I will inquire his location from Garavel." Jesail hears out anything Kallien has to say.
After she is finished he takes her hand gently and kisses it politely. Raising to his full height he gives a sleight bow. "Thank you m'lady. I will be off now. Do take care from now on." With that Jesail leaves.
Depending on how Kallien answered Jesail will seek out either Daski himself or Garaval and then Daski.
Hopefully one of the two know where to find him.
Once Jesail find Daski he will approach. "Ser Daski I presume? I am Jesail Ash, inquisitor of Shelyn and an investigator to the events that recently unfolded. I am curious to know, do you have any opinion on how this fire may have started? Now of anyone who might start it or see any safety hazards that maybe responsible?"
Diplomacy:
Sense Motive to see if he lies with his answer:
As they are heading towards Daski Chee asks Why do women always go gooey around you? You say hello, ask for directions, use a few fancy words, and then they start sighing and blushing and cooing and on and on. Why? Me, I smile at one and 'Eeeek! Someone kill it! It's trying to eat my baby!' What do you have, fancy words. Me, I've got bombs. Words or bombs? Words vs. Bombs!? No contest. Mine is so much cooler. So, why am I still the baby-eater? People are lame. Let's find Haleen and go home.
Despondently kicking a rock.
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Still remembering the card he saw before, Janos will kneeling beside the Cleric and the man I pulled from the flame, "Greetings brother. You are indeed a talented healer. I sense a strength within you.", with a gentle smile. "Do you serve Almah, as well??
"You where touched by the flame pretty severely, but She isn't ready for you just yet, good sir. What can you tell me about it? Do you know how it started?"
Diplomacy:
or
Sense Motive: just to see if anything is a little “off” with either of them.
On the way to see Dashki Jesail laughs at Chee's complains. "It is the gift of Sheyln. I act on her behalf to be curtious to others. I believe that many women simply appreciate that someone out there is willing to genuinely compliment them without looking for a bedroom favor. You my friend are at a natural disadvantage with most other races. Your kind isn't well known for being decent. I am pleased that you are the kind hearted little soul you are. It will take some people time to realize that. Besides, I think bombs are cool too, I am jealous of your talents my friend. Now come, we have investigating to do and should be get to the bottom of things, I may need your help yet." Jesail proceeds to the above with Dashki.
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Once the fire is out, Chee excitedly runs over to Janos What the fire say this time?
"I drew the card of the tempest from the Harrowing of the destiny of the Stars. I believe it portends a comming otherworldly comflict between the very shades of the elements, and the we be marked for, . . . something. Some part to play. I fear i will need your help now more than ever, for whatever we have in store in these soon-days."
Why do women always go gooey around you? You say hello, ask for directions, use a few fancy words, and then they start sighing and blushing and cooing and on and on. Why? Me, I smile at one and 'Eeeek! Someone kill it! It's trying to eat my baby!'
On the way to see Dashki Jesail laughs at Chee's complains. "It is the gift of Sheyln. I act on her behalf to be curtious to others. I believe that many women simply appreciate that someone out there is willing to genuinely compliment them without looking for a bedroom favor. "
"Fear not, my friend. This Sheylin, he speaks of", with a slightly puzzling look like he doesn't actually know who they are, "is concerned with the beauty of things, but doesn't understand where true art comes from. Doesn't grasp that inner spark, the divine flame-heart of passion nor the honest and simple conscecration of spiritual ferver that dwells within our mind-heart's souls. Give him time. The seed is planted, and it will grow, if we allow it to. Your peoples are naurally blessed with the gift, far above any other race. She nows this, and She remembers this, always. Give us lesser ones the chance to grow." Without missing a eat, "I need a drink. . ."
As you search, you and Hadrah talk: "Well, Eloias is one of them Varisian Harrowers. Carries those bleeding cards around with him, always up to some sort of ritual in his wagon with candles and the stars and such. The Lady is quite taken with his predictions of the future, though I don't rightly know what they would talk about in that wagon. Dashki's another matter, and the Lady don't see that he's lusting after her, though how she could miss it I'll never know."
As you walk along listening to Hadrah talk you come across a rather strange looking track. Something has been dragged off away from the camp, to the north.
Kallien shrugs. "I'm sorry. He's a mangy, dark-skinned man. He dresses like a mongrel and smells as though he doesn't know what a bath is, so if you can't find him, maybe you can smell him out." Her friends laugh, and you thank her, going looking for someone of that description.
Horgun chuckles. "Well, seems to me most people see what they're looking for. Often times that means seeing what ain't exactly there, or missing something sitting in plain sight." A whistle puts Argia on her guard, and he draws his axe carefully. "Takes a sharp man to see what he's not looking for. Now here I was looking for goat tracks, but instead I've gone and found something else. Might be trouble, though, so you be ready to run." Carefully he follows the drag marks north.
As you return to tend to the wounded man, you find all his injuries healed, and the halfling cleric talking amiably with Garavel. As you approach he turns to you: "What bravery young man! Eloias would surely be dead without you! I've told him not to burn candles in his wagon but he never listens! Sarenrae's fires'll burn you I says! But he goes on and on about something called the 'Legacy of Fire'. His wounds are healed but it'll be a couple days I reckon afore his mind recovers from the shock. We'll have a drink to you tonight lad! I serve Almah as a spiritual guide, and advisor, and I'll ensure you have a double ration of wine!" Garavel looks at you and gives you a stern nod, approving.
While searching the wagon, Aakim discovers various burnt cards, globs of melted wax, and about 44gp in blackened coins . No other clues are present at the wagon.
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"I am most pleased you will be fine from the ordeal. Few can walk in the fire for so long and walk away from it."
to Garavel
"Who is Eloias? You seem fairly certain that he caused the fire, or at least may have?"
to Garavel and Eloias
" You wouldn't be familiar with an angel, one named Haleen? What is the Legacy of Fire? I am not familiar with this? What do you think of Almah? She is very beautiful, but being near her brings a certain, . . . saddness. Sternness. Like she is lost. Is there anything I might do to help. Her", and looking down again at the two, "or yourselves. Does anyone here now the cards? I have an important question I must know of them".
Jesail and Chee search the camp for a man of that description. They find him skulking behind a wagon near Almah's tent. He is indeed quite pungent. "Yes, that idiot burned hundreds of candles in his wagon. He probably got unlucky. After all, this is gnoll country. That means Pugwampies."
Horgun follows the trail and it leads out of the camp. Over a ridge, Horgun sees a virtual forest of cacti, and the tracks lead into it.
Horgun frowns, then kneels down to inspect the tracks carefully.
I had made a Sense Motive Check, is he being sincere?
What's a Pugwampie? Is it edible?
Aakim takes the money, but he's ready to give them back to their owner if he asks about them. Then he goes back to the camp, looking for the strange looking man he saw walking through the fire before. Perhaps he was able to see something Aakim missed while there, and a man that walks through a burning unscathed isn't something you see every day.
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"I am most pleased he will be fine from the ordeal. Few can walk in the fire for so long and walk away from it."
to the Cleric
"Who is Eloias? You seem fairly certain that he caused the fire, or at least may have? You wouldn't be familiar with an angel, one named Haleen? What is the Legacy of Fire? I am not familiar with this? What do you think of Almah? She is very beautiful, but being near her brings a certain, . . . saddness. Sterness. Like she is lost. Is there anything I might do to help. Her", and looking down again at the two, "or yourself. Does anyone here now the cards? I have an important question I must know of them".
Knowledge Nature on Pugwampis:
Dashki sneers at Chee, but answers the question: "Terrible critters what crawled up from the Darklands. 'Jackal rats' some folks call 'em, on account of their pointed little heads. They worship gnolls as gods and infest their communities like rats. Wherever pugwampis go, bad luck is sure to follow. The gnolls hate pugwampis because of it, and try to kill them all the time. But they always come back. Perhaps their bad luck caused the fortune-man's candles to start a fire? Yes, pugwampis, I am certain it was pugwampis."
Though most of the tracks have been wiped out by the drag marks, Horgun finds one print. It is distinctly canine, but far too small to be a gnoll.