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Hey you guys, is anyone else still here? Just wondering who is still around...

It ended up being cancer, but some chemo got rid of it all. Thank god. Of course, things settled down just in time for school to start up again. That's all over now, and I've got free time again, luckily. And so here I am, just wanting a role check to see who might still be interested in continuing this story?

Missed you guys. :]

Things are a bit busy here still, though it actually may be cancer now. She's undergoing surgery soon for a sample, and then everything will be a lot more clear.

I'm still planning on continuing this thread, I just hate that something like this had to pop up so early on. I apologize to all of you for the long break, I only can hope that the modern miracles of medicine will shorten the time you guys have to wait.

Thanks Michael, it's been pretty hectic over here, but I've got some time right now.

Writing up a well-over due post for you guys now, sorry!

Hey guys, I'm sorry for the late response but things with my mother are getting complicated again - now she might have to have surgery, and work has been kicking my sorry butt.

I'll definitely have a post up before I go to sleep tonight though... =]

Ditto. I think it's more fun for everyone that way, and all of you are in a PBP anyways. It's meant to be slow, haha. ;D

Oops, I think I misworded what I meant to say in my previous message. If you feel like you want to RP out a certain instance - by all means, do it! It adds flavor to the game and stops it from being a mindless trudge forward through battle after battle.

But keep in mind not to RP every little teeny tiny last detail. The part with the tracks was fine to RP out, there was just a misunderstanding in whether to RP or not. Otherwise the PBP goes even slower than usual.

Don't make Gregory a mindless shell! I quite enjoy his interactions with the characters thus far and consider his actions intelligible and well-thought out. It's a pleasure, really to read his posts. And all of yours, I've already grown attatched to this litte band of adventurers. :)

You don't have to reign Gregory in at all, just don't RP out everything. Keep it at a healthy medium, like you were before. The tracks would probably be the minimum to play out, alright? =]

Haha, Gregory, it took me until now to understand your latest post in this thread! Wow, I'm slow. D:

I was thinking more along the lines whether I should post updates at certain times or not, but an online conference might still happen. Though it looks like it would be a bit difficult, everyone's a bit spread out.

And that's fine Chance, we don't want to RP out every little detail. Like you said, PBPs always move sluggishly slow.

“Sorry, I don’t know very much about, ah, alchemy. I only know some simple herbal remedies, but I have just arrived with some others… perhaps one of them might be able to help.”

“What, um, sort of potion where you trying to make?”

"The potion I was trying to make? Oh, it was a failed attempt at a potion which enchants a weapon and makes it stronger in battle. I was hoping I could help some of the soldiers here in camp could use it sometime in the future..." he trails off and glares frustratingly at the broken vial on the ground. "But it looks like that won't be happening anytime soon."

"Father! I am Gerr Herricksen, a loyal follower of the Lord of Magic. Father, can you shed any light upon this strange scene? Did you see, hear or sense anything when the attack came?"

Father Zastoran nods and smiles warmly at Gerr. "Ah, another follower of The All-Seeing Eye. It is wonderful to meet you Gerr Herricksen. Alas, I do not know much of what transpired when the fire blazed into existance. I was reading a book by the fire-pit, but those blasted mercenaries were too loud and I couldn't concentrate on my texts. I'd just stood up to return to my wagon when the fire started."

The old cleric shook his head in apology. "I can't tell you about who was at the fire when it started, but I can tell you who wasn't. The six mercenaries in this caravan were with me at the fire-pit like I said. So it couldn't have been any of them..." Zastoran gazes past the group and towards the burnt wagon, a sad expression on his face. "I did always think of Eloais as a charlatan, and Lady Almah is much better off without his attentions. But... she seemed so fond of him..."

Seeming to snap back to reality, the wizened man focused back onto the group in front of him. "So, why are you people visitng Lady Almah's caravan?"

"Thank you again Princess, I promise not to cease this investigation until the culprit is found."

Almah nods and breaks out into a kindly grin. "Ah, I thank you again Faysal, you and your friends are rising over and above my expectations. I truly am glad I have all of you to help."

"Because she's a princess, people should be able to "be" with whomever they choose. Gregory, I think Jakari can do some tracking. I'll go see if he is free. So are these Pugwampis tracks Dashki?"

Gregory stares at the footprints for a moment, trying to recall anything he would be familiar with or have seen.

"Dashki, do you recognize these tracks?"

It jumps out at Gregory that these tracks are canine in nature, the three little nubs and long imprint behind them quite obvious in the cracked dirt. But they are smaller in size than any dog the rogue has seen before.

Dashki kneels down and begins to examine the tracks after Gergory, his long hair trailing on the dusty ground. A minute passes. "Yes. Dashki knows these are pugwampi tracks. I told you!"

Oh, and also, would it be alright if I got everyone's time zones? It'll be helpful to know when everyone's times are.

I'm in Eastern US, GMT -5.

“Ah, hello? I am Jakari… is something wrong?”

The old man promptly throws the now empty vial on the ground, shattering it. "Damn it! I just can't seem to get this potion right!" He takes a few deep, wheezing breaths and finally seems to notice the ranger. "Oh! Hello there! Nothing's wrong, oh no, I just can't seem to get this concoction right... you don't happen to know anything about potion-making, do you?" After a moment, the aged human slaps himself on the forehead, "Forgive my manners! I'm Father Zastoran, Cleric of Nethys, alchemist extrodinaire."

"Ah, there is one last thing Lady Almah. Who is Dashki, could you point him out for me?"

Almah nods, an odd smile on her face. "Ah yes, our gnoll expert. Dashki is right over there, the man with the long black hair." She points to the group searching near the burnt-out wagon, which included Dashki, Gregory, and Chance.

"But you said they were terrible critters that crawl up from below the earth and I do wish you wouldn't stop mid-sentence, it makes me die from curiosity. She would what?"

Dashki growls, a sound that is slightly frightening in timbre. "Yes, Dashki say they originally come from under earth. But do not live in it! Pugwampis live in packs above ground most time, with a chieftan to watch over tribe." He spits on the groun, his expression annoyed.

His expression turns sour when further asked about Almah and Eloais, and almost a bit... happy? "They close. Close. I have to say anymore? That why he stupid, he never able to be with her."

He notices his travelling companions speaking with someone near the remains of Eloais’ caravan, but something on the west side of the camp catches his eye.

There is an old man there that you noticed before, but now he is pouring the contents of the green vial onto the ground, shaking his head in frustration and quickly mumbling words you can't make out.

"Thank you Dashki for sharing that information with me, I will use it to much effectiveness.

Are there any questions that you have for me or the current situation?"

"Hmph. No questions, other than why Almah pick you people for her job? You all talk too much." Dashki displays a subtle grin that Gregory can't discern as insulting or jesting. "Dashki much better candidate."

The three travel over to the wagon, the blackened structure just as sorrow-inspiring as before. Eloais's body has been removed in their abscence, most likely by a Pactmaster guard or perhaps by Garavel.

After a good ten minutres of searching, they discern there is no evidence of a hole anywheres near the deathsite. But Gregory and his keen eyes notice a trail of tiny footprints leading away from the wagon and into the surrounding wastelands.

"Ok, I believe you. Why didn't you say so in the first place. If it was Pugwampis would there be a hole under the wagon? Let's go look."

"You said he was stupid and could start a fire. Are you referring to something more than just having a lot of candles in his wagon?"

"A hole... under the wagon... perhaps. Pugwampis do come from the ground... but they do not usually live in it. Probably would be tracks of some sort." Dashki emits a sound that seems a lot like a growl. "He was stupid, thought if he spent enough time with Lady Almah, she would..." Dashki's eyes smolder in anger.

"That does seem strange, did he mention anything else at all?"

Almah shakes her head. "No, nothing else. After that he refused to do anymore readings and never left his wagon. Eventually it became his death."

"Are these "pugwampi" common here or do their activities lead to fires and the like?"

"I would like you to tell me common Gnoll words, I will memorize them, and we'll continue from there. I am wanting to know things like 'leader, stop, power, friend, helpful, beware,' can you tell me these things? Oh, and common Gnoll battle tactics."

Dashki nods. "Yes, we are in gnoll country after all. But they usually do not start fires. Bad luck causes many mishaps, yes, if one was near Eloais's wagon... it probably was cause. Words you want know are, in order, 'yark, grral, krock, tark, yekkar, bortk'. Gnolls usually travel packs of three or four, sending one to scout and the others backup. Other than that... gnolls fight ferociously."

Jakari cannot remember anything.

Gerr can't remember anything about this so called 'Legacy of Fire', all he knows is that it does not play a role in any prominent legends he knows of.

Continued on Michael, perhaps there's something for Faysal to work with now. =]

And wow, lots of important information in this post. For both groups investigating.

Have we lost Gerr along the way? Hasn't posted in awhile. Though I did have a group of five for this very reason, in case we lost a player partway through. D:

EDIT: NEVERMIND! Gerr has posted. =D

“I am afraid not yet princess, but we… did hear that Eloais was concerned about the latest, ah- the latest prediction he made for you. Would you mind sharing it with us? It might be... important.”

Almah nods at Jakari's question, though her face shows traces of dissapointment at the news they didn't know the perpetrator just yet. "Yes, poor Eloais did read my cards many times during his stay. Lately, his predictions had been getting a bit... grim. His last reading centered around an auspicious card called 'The Cyclone.' Perhaps you know of it? Unfortunately, I didn't and still don't. The odd thing was, even though he consulted the fates for information about my future... it apparently spelled out an event in the future for him."

"Oh, yes! When I asked him what the reading foreshadowed, perhaps something relating to Kelmarane, Eloais said that it did indeed involve Kelmarane. But he said that the village was a small part of something much larger, a thing he called the 'Legacy of Fire.' I'm not quite sure what he meant by that either."

"Try me and see how much I can handle, I will surpise you. Also, I can agree with you that Almah is beautiful but I won't fight over such trivial things."

"So you have been in his wagon and seen his one hundred candles. I would imagine he would have been safe with a fire being a major possibility."

Dashki looks at Gregory curiously, as if he didn't expect the man to push any farther on the subject. "Uh, well... what you want Dashki to tell you?"

The dirty man nods vigorously, his stringy hair slapping across his shoulders, but his eyes hold new sharpness in his gaze. "Yes, Lady Almah very beautiful... but everyone been in that man's wagon. We all got our fortunes when he came to caravan. He stupid though, even if wagon was safe, that man could start fire."

Gregory can't remember anything about a 'pugwampi', not even if the creature is real or made-up.

"So you do know who set it, and it's not a pugwampi. Confess, who did it and what is a pugwampi anyway?"

Dashki puts his hands up, and shouts loudly, "No! Dashki not know who did this, I already say! I was at the campfire eating dinner when wagon went up in fire," he pantomimes a burst of flames rising towards the sky, "Dashki is a gnoll expert. I know it probably pugwampi. They terrible critters that crawl up from below the earth. 'Jackal Rats' I call them, because of their canine head."

"Pugwampis worship gnolls like god, infest the monsters' communities like rats. They make bad luck too. Gnolls hate pugwampis because that, so they try to kill them a lot. But they always come back. Maybe bad luck made candles start a fire?... Yes. Pugwampis, Dashki is certain it was pugwampis."

No problem, I often use that expression myself and I definitely didn't take it that way. Yes, Chance most definitely did not seem to notice Dashki was lying or not. Which probably means he's telling the truth. I'll be sure to clarify in future posts, alright? =]

Also, those are the pictures provided in the AP. So consider them canon. :P

Picture time! I wanted to upload these to show you guys - adds a bit of flavor to the campaign.

Almah (full)
Almah (head)
Garavel (head)
Dashki

Sorry about the poor quality of the fullshot of Almah and her headshot. Apparantly this princess likes to have random colors outline her regal figure. =/

"If you can help us with your knowledge of gnolls then you would become more important to Lady Almah, as we may aid her and her retinue, including you, in any problems in the near future. I would be interested in what you know about Gnolls and maybe you can teach me how to speak Gnoll; I would teach you something I know in return."

Dashki laughs a rasping, dry laugh that reminds you of gravel and dead leaves. "Teach you about gnolls you say? Dashki know much about gnolls and the language, a lot much for someone like you to handle. If you want to learn for three, four years, then yes, Dashki teach you... but I need not learn what you know. Dashki knows what I need."

""What, may I ask fair Dashki, is so interesting about the lady's wagon? If there is some danger, no matter how small, we would need to know. Oh yes, we are here protecting the caravan, to include Lady Almah and yourself."

"Lady Almah's wagon? Oh... Dashki just thinks it pretty. So pretty..." The dirty man gets a faraway look in his eye, staring at Almah's cart for an exaggerated amount of time.

"Did you light the fire? Do you know who did?"

Dashki's eyes move from side to side, and a nervous look comes over his face. "Dashki had nothing to do with fire. But... Eloais burned a hundred candles in his wagon. Maybe got unlucky... We are in gnoll country. Probably a pugwampi did it."

“Ah, excuse me, we would like to speak to the, um, princess.”

One of the guard snickers and says to Jakari and the other two men, "Ah, um, well, uh, um, okay, I, think, she'll, be, out, soon. Hey Almah, those people you hired are here for you." Apparantly the Pactmaster soldiers aren't as well-mannered as their prestgious names imply. With a flourish, the elegantly decorated wagon's cowel flys open and Almah steps out onto the ground. Even with such a short time passed, the princess possesses more color in her features than before and all traces of sorrow are gone from her figure. "Yes, my friends? Have you found the culprit already?!"

So Jakari, Faysal, and Gerr are over with Almah and her guards. Chance and Gregory are still talking with Dashki on the outskirts of the camp. I'm going to have to provide a pitcure/map soon, these locations are all getting a bit confusing. :P

Okay, I just got back from work and I am completely tired out. I'll try to get up a post tonight for you guys, if not tomorrow morning for sure. We need to get this show on the road - investigating is only fun for so long I'm guessing, haha! xP

And thank you for all the wishes and prayers, she's doing much better. She can talk pretty much just fine and think coherently, the only problem at the moment is movement in the left side of her body. But even that is better - it looks like she'll make a full recovery soon enough. =]

I'm sorry for the lateness all. My mother has had a stroke and I've been busy caring for her since she's come home from the hospital. I should have enough time to get up a post either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Again, I apologize for my lateness. =[

That's fine Michael, we all have delays sometimes. =]

Might be a good idea to let the Pactmaster soldiers and the mercenaries guard the caravan, like Faysal suggested. Just throwing that out there. ;D

The old couple's eyes widen in shock. Hadrah exclaims loudly, "Do you think that something dangerous out there would notice the smoke? And then-" with Hadrod finishing up in excited tones, "-come here? I wouldn't be surprised if some of those damn gnolls found their way over to the caravan!"

Hadrah's eyes are full of fear, and she speaks quickly and hurriedly. "G-gnolls? Hadrod, we better get inside! I don't want to be here if those monsters come barking and howling over the hills." She nods to Jakari, before rushing into a nearby wagon with her husband. "Yes. He predicted Lady Almah's future every day - until one day he got a result he didn't expect. We don't know what it was, but he stopped reading people's fortunes. That was two days ago..."

"But enough of that talk. So you'll find Rombard after you take care of the defenses then?" She nodded to Faysal. "And after you see to Lady Almah of course. We wouldn't want our problem to come before hers. Hadrod would thank you, if he could stop crying. Expect to see you later." And with that, the aging woman disapears behind the flaps of her wagon.

Chance moves over to Gregory to aid him in questioning Dashki. "Me? Oh, Dashki knows much about gnolls. Yes, yes, I do. And that is important to Lady Almah. This makes Dashki happy, to be important to Lady Almah." And in response to Gregory's question. "Dashki knows only Taldane, Kelish, and little Gnoll. I guess you not know Gnoll..." The man collapses into a fit of choking laughter, something amusing him that you can't quite understand. Chance notices that while everything Dashki has said this far is true... he seems to be a bit uneasy. The man's eyes also constantly flicker towards Almah's wagon.

Indeed, I am Chance. He didn't notice anything awry, so I didn't add anything in concerning that. I can next time if you want to. =]

I've had a very hectic day today, so I'm sorry I haven't had an opportunity to reply just yet. I'll write up a response after a few hours work, and hopefully Faysal can get in a post before I get back.

Shhh! You weren't supposed to tell anyone! *kidnaps*

;D

Jakari is met with open arms from Hadrah and Hadrod, when they learn that he is able to track animals. The husband runs up and grasps the ranger's hands with a frenzied fervor. "Please! You must find Rombard! I- I- I don't know what I'm going to do without that goat!" He degenerates into pitiful sobbing once more. It seems that his loss has effected him greatly, for the man to have been grieving so intensely for such a period of time.

His wife stares at Jakari, her eyes expectant. "Well? Do you agree to find the little bastard?"

The group convenes and relays their information to each other, except for Gregory and Dashki on the outskirts of the camp. It seems that with the information gathered from Garavel, Hadrah, and Hadrod that Dashki is the culprit. You all learn from each other that he is the camp's gnoll expert and that he is attracted to Lady Almah. Also that he didn't try to put out the fire when it was started.

So now Jakari, Gerr, Faysal, and Chance have spoken together and have relayed the information they found to each other. I left Gregory with Dashki, because I assumed you wanted to ask him some more questions but I wanted to update before I went to sleep. If that's not okay with you, Gregory met with the others and knows of the new information as well.

I don't know by experience, but I'm guessing in a public location with someone who may not be thoroughly liked they would be regarded as the chief suspect. Dashki seems to fit the role well. He also could be a set up so we're put off course or maybe an accomplice. There's always the off-chance that we're doing a good job questioning people too.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

And also, you guys are getting very lucky diplomacy DM rolls.

D:/:D?

But there is definitely something more to him being the obvious choice, I'll let that slip for you guys. He's just a really, really sketchy guy that everyone suspected was dangerous even before the fire. Now everyone is capatalizing on it. Perhaps one of the people blaming him... is actually the culprit...

Or maybe Dashki really is the culprit.

Or maybe someone else is the culprit.

Or maybe Dashki is.

Or maybe someone else is.

I'll let you linger on that. ;D

"Did you notice anybody around the fire, or maybe anyone acting suspiciously during the fire. Like maybe someone who wasn't surprised by it? What was special about your goat?"

Hadrah smiles and laughs loudly. "Well of course there were people around the fire - they were all trying to put it out! Except for Dashki though... I caught a glimpse of him skulking around the Sultan's Claw before it caught on fire and our animals escaped the pen."

Hadrod manages to stop sobbing enough to answer the cleric's question about his goat. "R-Rombard is better than every other goat in Katapesh! He's won countless awards for his silky coat, absolutely delectable milk, and perfectly formed horns! And now... and now! He's missing!" The man resumes his pitiful sobbing.

"Why should you suspect this man in particular, this Dashki? I don't suppose you have any evidence of his guilt but what do you know of his character?"

Garavel scoffs. "Well first off, he's an expert on those horrible fiends. I don't know how he has so much information about the gnolls, but I don't want to find out." His expression sours. "And he has somewhat of a liking for Lady Almah. I would never allow some pitiful creature like Dashki to get close to her."

"I wish to know if you saw anything concerning the fire, the man named Aloais and anything suspicious or anyone with a grudge against Aloais or diviners."

The man's face quickly turns into one of fear, and he loudly proclaims, "Dashki wasn't even near the fire when it started, I didn't have anything to do with it! ...Dashki didn't see anyone near the fire, no, I didn't..."

At the mention of Eloais's name, the other man snarls. "Heh... I didn't like him. Too close to 'Lady Almah.' Dashki never wanted him dead, only gone... but now that this happened... good riddance."

Sure thing Saori! :)

"It is good to hear that Garavel, that you would take Almah's state of mind under consideration. Many wouldn't even think of such a thing. But we should concern ourselves with the task at hand, finding out how the fire was started. Have you any ideas Garavel? You must know something of the people here."

Garavel says nothing, seemingly deep in thought. With a quick step forward, he mutters quickly into Faysal's ear. "I have my suspicions, but it wouldn't be prudent if other people knew I voiced my opinions to you. So you must keep this quiet." He looks around quickly for any other members of the caravan and then continues. "I have never truly trusted Dashki, our gnoll expert. And if anyone, anyone, here was to be convicted of arson and murder... he would be the least surprising to me."

Chance's inquiries first lead him to the middle-aged looking couple in the animal pen. The pair first shrink away from his appearance, but his kind words and quiet demeanor calm them. After a few minutes, Chance has gathered some information. Helpful or not, he doesn't truly know.

They are a pair of camel drivers, and take care of the animals in the caravan. Their names are Hadrah and Hadrod, the couple excitable and prone to finishing their other sentences.

Hadrah speaks first, her eyes flashing with energy, "I was the first to notice the fire, and was the first to warn Lady Almah about it." She seems very proud of her accomplishment. "But soon after the pen somehow got unlocked and-" Hadrod butts into the conversation then, eyes watering and nose red. "-all the animals escaped! Me an' Hadrah managed to get most of them back, but Rombard, my prize goat, he... he... he's gone!" Hadrod proceeds to break down into tears, his great sobs not effecting his wife in the slightest.

"Oh be quiet, you big baby." She shakes her head disapprovingly and then continues on. "Eloais was nice enough for a foreigner, but I never really understood all his talk about 'Cyclones' and 'Fiends' and 'Uprisings.' Though... Lady Almah always spent time with him, and trusted him, so he must've been a good man, right?"

Sixteen people, excluding the PCs. You all know Almah and Garavel, and you all can recognize the Pactmaster guards' distinct red armor. Faysal now knows someone is named Dashki in the camp and Garavel doesn't trust him. Chance now knows Hadrah and Hadrod, the two animal keepers, but there still is that old guy with the green flask to check out. The other mercenaries are away in their wagon and haven't come out yet. And there's that sketchy man Gregory is inquiring...

Chance, I just had him investigate the closest information source as him investigating all of them would make for too long a post and rob the others of the same opportunity. Hope you don't mind. ^^

By the way, you guys can return to Almah anytime with a verdict. So after you all confer and choose a culprit, just return to her wagon and call for her.

EDIT: Dang it! The endless hunger of the Paizo messageboards has eaten my mega-post. Sorry if you read this before I manage to rewrite it. D:

Almah nods at Faysal's question and speaks in a tired tone. "Yes, I think that would be a good idea. See what you can find out from the others. But now... I must go and rest. All of this has been taxing on both my body along with my mind. ...Eloais..." The princess slowly turns around and walks back to her wagon, disapearing behind the shawls.

Garavel on the other hand, does not seem concerned by Almah's loss at all. "Almah's state of mind is important to my duty, but the princess will soon be alright. She will forget his silly predictions and move on." The warrior's eyes noticably drift over to the long, black haired man again. "I will make sure of that."

"Ah yes, forgive me! I am Faysal, Faysal Ali al-Hussain, man of many talents. Determining who committed such an atrocity against you shall be our task then. Have you any ideas who might have done this? Anyone with a grudge?"

Almah only shakes her head. "No, not anyone that I know of... honestly, I'm not even sure this was arson. But if it is, and I suspect it is, I want the culprit caught and brought to justice."

"Princess, did he speak of Desna, the Goddess of dreams. I understand the Varisians tend to worship her. I will offer my prayers to her on his behalf and will gladly look into this mystery. Perhaps that is why She has brought us here."

The princess nods in affirmation and acknowledges the half-orc for the first time. "Indeed, he often consulted the advice and wisdom of your dream-loving god. I thank you cleric for your service, and perhaps Desna will aid you with your search in some way."

"Please, come forward, I only wish to talk. I will not harm you nor will any others, I won't allow it."

When the other man realizes you see him, he starts to walk hurriedly away, tatters flapping in the wind. But Gregory's words calm him, and the man walks cautiously forward. "What do you want."

Gregory can't discern anything particularly unique about the box from what he knows. It looks to have been made from a tree that grows only in Varisia, but other than that, it doesn't seem out of the ordinary. As the rogue moves the box around to examine it, the contents shift around as well and you can softly hear clinking of metal against metal.

Chance's examination of Eloais's body brings up no further clues. It just doesn't seem to have been a violent death, and Eloais most likely died by other means.

You all notice Garavel's distrustful glance towards the scraggly-looking man, the normally emotionless man showing some feelings is a surprise. Over the past week of travelling he's barely smiled or frowned at anything.

Now that the excitement has died down, the members of the caravan begin to walk around the camp once again, engaging in menial daily tasks. But some stick out from the others. There is an old man tampering with a bottle filled with a green liquid to the west of the camp, near a silver-shawled wagon. A man and a woman are working at the pen to the east of the camp, feeding the animals and talking in excited whispers. And Pactmaster guards all sit around Almah's elogant wagon to the north of the camp, talking amongst themselves in their striking scarlet armor.

I'm sorry I've taken so long to reply to the thread - I was at work, and there's no computers in a five mile radius around that forsaken place. =/

I'll be writing up a reply after I post this message. =]

I'm flexible about die rolls as well, IC when you can, but if you want not to use it, then that's alright too.

As for the online conference, you mean for the game session, correct? I play in one at the moment, and yes it does speed up the progress of the game considerably. But oftentimes detail is lost, and not everyone can make it to one meeting online. Or am I interpreting your message incorrectly? I tend to do that, sorry. D:

It's not out of the question though, I've been thinking about doing that for a long while.

Invisible Castle please, with a link to it.

For example, how Gergory did it earlier on in the thread when he searched the wagon. =]

And I've never been either. Perhaps I will one day. Too bad I live in the US, otherwise I'd be at Paizocon UK right now as well. XD

"Do not worry. Things happen and we can not always work in the manner we intend. Who is the deceased? No doubt we should prepare for their passing to the next life. Though I am no priest I have some knowledge of the rituals."

"I... well..." The princess looks Faysal up and down for a moment and then sighs. "It was Eloais. He was our caravan's fortuneteller, and my... close friend. He was from Varisia, and quite skilled at his divinitary trade." Almah nods, her hair bouncing in the sunlight. "Yes. We will cremate him after we have discerned the manner of his death and take care that it never will happen again. The spirits would not be happy if we put him to rest before that. Though... I would request that you be there and supply knowledge of your rituals when we do send Eloais into the next world. You are called?"

“Yes, m’lady. Um, I am Jakari… of the Three Fountains. Ah... I am sorry for your loss.”

"A pleasure to meet you, Jakari. And I will overcome this loss in time, so it isn't a cause for you to worry about."

"A pleasure, my lady. I am Gerr Herricksen, a humble scholar and observer of the world. I am glad to be of any help that I may to you and your cause. I do, however, seek one named Haleem, who it is said by wagging tongues, may have been sighted in these parts. Have you heard of her?"

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Gerr Herricksen. If your words are true, I trust that you will put forth much effort during this dangerous journey. I thank you. But... I have no knowledge of this Haleen you speak of. I'm sorry, but perhaps someone else in the camp knows of her?"

"I will look into this fire and discern what I can, I am not an expert but I shall try. The sooner we have this solved the sooner we can reach our destination. Also, should you need a scout or someone as an invisible bodyguard or the like, I am adequate at those tasks. I won't say I am the best as there is always someone better but, I'm not a bad alternative to the best."

"Thank you, I would like that very much if you investigated the fire and its cause." In a lower voice, Almah adds. "I have Garavel for a guard. But if you prove worthy... there might be a position for you."

Gregory approached the burnt out wooden wagon, faint painted images of starry skies and rising suns barely present under layers of black soot. Wet, but burnt Harrow cards litter the ground outside the once elaborate cart. His examination doesn't turn up much, a few broken vials, a cracked crystal ball, and several pools of melted wax. But in the center of the wagon lies a charred skeletal form that can only be Eloais. There are no signs of struggle or violence, suggesting that the fortune teller died by smoke inhalation or by the fire itself. Just before Gregory stops looking around in the wagon, he notices a small blackened chest, with a symbol of a black butterfly lying on the floor of the wagon.

The princess's eyes suddenly flare up in determination, a change that everyone can notice in her body movements and verbal tone. "I would actually prefer if all of you would look into this matter for me. If you find out anything, report directly to Garavel. I know all of you couldn't have started the fire, as you were not here when the blaze struck our caravan."

Gregory

:D

Good to hear then. Yeah, I prefer long posts as well, if not only for the descriptiveness of it all.

And that's okay if you'll be away this weekend Jakari, the only requirement is to share some fun stories when you get back! Have fun! =]

I'll have to agree with you Chance, it does increase the odds. This party deserves a shot at finishing an adventure. :3

Haha, a mega-post indeed. XD

I hope you all don't mind that I'm posting so frequently and talking so unformally, I just like to chat with my players and not be the almighty and emotionless DM hovering over the game all the time. ;D

Gerr takes a moment to consider the Harrow card for a moment, but then flies into action. His waterskins aid in dousing the fire, as a patch of fire on the side of the wagon is put out to reveal a grouping of burnt, but golden painted stars. His actions in the bucket brigade are helpful as well, as the number of people in the line increases to seven, speeding up the passage of water to the fire.

Faysal's silver tongue spurs the men around him into action, some helping stop the various farm animals running rampant and some moving the other wagons away from the blaze. When he joins the water line, the number of members increases to eight, and the fire begins to noticebly look smaller. He passes Almah once in rotation, and she briskly nods in approval.

When Jakari picks up a bucket and enters the frenzy, the number of people helping to put out the fire increases to nine. He notices a group of people in rugged leather armor trying to pull another unharmed wagon away from the structure that is currently burning, but they seem to be having some trouble.

Gregory and Chance's plan works spendidly, as the repeated use of the water spell is surprisingly effective. The magically born water rains down first around the wagon then over the burning cart, and combined with the efforts of Almah, her guards, Garavel, and the rest of the party, the blaze is extinguished.

With the fire gone, the chaos that had enraptured the rest of the camp begins to die down as well. Many of Almah's servants wearing the red, chitinous armor of the Pactmaster's Guard are lying exhausted on the dry, cracked ground. People putter around returning animals to their pens and then returning themselves to each of their individual wagons.

Almah stands in front of the burned husk of a wagon, her expression indescribable. Garavel steps up behind her and places his hand comfortingly on her shoulder. "I am sorry, my princess." She only nods.

Then, with a surprisingly regal twist of her figure, Almah takes long, graceful strides towards the group. "My name is Almah, princess of House Roveshki. I assume you are the ones who I requested assemble here today."

The princess is a gorgeous young woman, her skin a honeyed tan color and her hair a silken hue of night skies. Even with ash and soot sprinkled upon her figure, Almah is quite the picture of beauty. Though it is easy to see that the princess is not entirely of native blood, her wavy, form-filled black hair and curvy figure are obvious evidence of Varisian ancestry.

"I had wished to welcome you all in a more... gracious fashion and discuss our mission. But I now see that course of action is not possible at the moment. One of the members of my caravan is no longer of this world, and I do not know how or why this fire was started."

I'm sorry for the mega-post, you guys finished off the fire much quicker than expected with some crafty spellwork, and two scenes were essentially merged into one. :D

Yep. He just kind of ignored you. The prude. =/

Letting Chance have a 'chance' to detail his actions before moving on.

Just remember that she doesn't really know any of you at the moment, and to her, all of you are just hirelings. ;D

As the group tops the last rise, a caravan of a half-dozen wagons and a large tent clustered around the distinctive tree comes into view. Camels in a nearby pen prance in agitation, and a clutch of confused goats and livestock wander the grounds around the wagons. Perhaps a dozen men and women rush around the campsite, chasing down an animal or hastening toward the center of the cluster, near the Sultan’s Claw, with pails of water in their hands.

One of the wagons is on fire!

Lush orange and red flames engulf an elaborate wooden wagon emblazoned with painted moons and stars. A gout of smoke pours from an open door, and as you approach an ill wind blows a number of colorful fortune-telling Harrow cards from inside the wagon. One of these singed cards blows directly towards Gerr, catching against his chest in a burst of orange cinders. He recognizes that it is the Cyclone, signifying a force that tears through whatever it meets at the behest of an intelligent being. The card portends war, arson, and destructive plans.

As the your eyes shift their focus from the fortune card back to the wagon, the whole of the Sultan’s Claw erupts into brilliant flame. The central flap of an elaborate tent flies open and a regal woman who can only be Almah steps out into the firelit night. “Douse that flame!” she shouts to the men surrounding the wagon before turning in your direction. They begin to form a water line, taking turns to douse the flame with buckets full of the liquid. “Ah, Garavel!” she says. “And just a moment later than the nick of time, as usual.”

Looking specifically past her major domo and directly at all of you, Almah barks out a simple order before running off toward the fire: “Find some way to help!”

We'll one of us two is likely to be the first :D - but I'd rather aim for none!

That's the spirit! :D

I'm reading and rereading the adventure path to familiarize myself with it - and there are some moments I'm positively drooling to put you guys through.

Good moments. I promise. :3

No issues, Faysal's all set! =]

You can take the missionary trait if you want, it'll tie you more directly into the storyline and will provide other benefits later on. And I do agree, it does seem to be the best suited for him according to his background.

Glad to see people checking in over here as well, though just so you know... the play thread is up! =]

And Faysal, don't think that way! Think positive, positive thoughts!

I'm confident about this group's success though, most of you have relatively high AC scores. :D

Play Thread

Okay! The game has officially started! :D

Remember to post in third person past, and have fun! ^-^

All of you have been traveling together for more than a week on a dreary camel caravan from the town of Solku to an unknown location in the northern scrublands of Katapesh. The man who hired each of you is Garavel, the no-nonsense major-domo of a merchant princess, Almah, awaiting you at the destination. You don't know much of why you have been hired, but you do know that it is dangerous, and involves taking back a location that was previously owned by the Pactmasters of Katapesh. Garavel has let it slip that Almah was tasked this mission by the Pactmasters, and no one you know ever disobeys the mysterious figures that rule over Katapesh.

In the distant haze to the west, you all can just make out the immense outline of Pale Mountain looming over the mid-afternoon horizon like a tombstone. The day's heat has been harsh, and the other environmental conditions unforgiving. The mountain almost seems like a foreboding omen, one seemingly fitting with the relentless surroundings. At the head of the procession, Garavel speaks, his voice flat and emotionless but carrying at the same time. "We are nearing our destination. The Sultan's Claw." As soon as the craggy tree appears over the next hill, it becomes obvious why it is named so. With five immense, mostly leafless branches, the growth looks more like a giant skeletal talon than a thing of living wood.

Introduce your characters here, and provide a physical description of what each of you look like. Maybe even a quick explanation as to why your character was hired by Garavel. Then we'll proceed with the story. =]

OOC Thread

You guys should constantly keep an eye on this thread, as this is where you guys can plot, plan, debate, etc. Also it's where I'll announce level ups and stuff of that sort.