Erm. But.. I have travelled far to see who is stronger. How long will this journey take .... ah perhaps you have heard my name and fear to fight? As the challenged the contest will not be to the death unless you wish it.
I have never heard your name before. Not that I mean any insult with that statement. The journey will take at the least, a few weeks. We seek to kill the Carrion King, in the heart of the Gnoll lands. Why not join us- what better way for both of us to test our strength?
Your offer is not without honour but your causes are not mine, disciple of Tiger. I fight to make myself stronger, to become the best. I have no interest in the beastmen.
But if you are sworn to the task it would be dishonourable for me to impede you. I will give you a month to return and take up my challenge. If you do not then all will know that you fear to face me, they will know that Turm is the greater warrior.
The half-orc turns on his heel, ignoring the rest of you completely.
Sajan nods in understanding.
Another time then, disciple of Monkey. Thank you for honouring me with your patience.
"In my tribe, it is shameful to refuse a challenge," Nuveril says casually, with a sidelong glance at Sajan. "How long could it take to best him -- or be bested yourself? We will not leave before dawn, will we?"
You seperate to make your respective preparations.
Heedful of Grall's reminder of spies, the true purpose of your trek is kept to Almah's inner circle. The mayoress anounces that given the recent increase in gnoll activity you will be leaving for Katapesh city to meet with the Pactmasters and request additional soldiers.
Garavel assists in securing food and supplies while Zantus pours through his collection of maps. The old alchemist is unable to find anything showing the mountain passes but does manage to find a regional map that looks more than the product of guesswork.
This shows the main canyons in brown. I'd avoid White Canyon if you can. No need to pick a fight with all of the gnolls there, you have enough on your plate with the Pale Mountain tribes. I'd follow the river upstream as best as you can. That way at least you won't get lost. The old man shrugs, he seems upset he can't give better directions.
Grall tells Haleen his plans. At first the inexperienced gnoll takes her resulting calm silence as a good sign. Ten minutes later after he has rationally explained why she can't go with him and he finds himself dodging a stream of well aimed pots and other household items, his invulnerable hide put to the test.
Worse still rumours are spreading all over town about a flying gnoll woman. Many seem to think this is just a prelude to a mass aerial assault while others think the story a product of too much bad wine.
It takes a full day to get everything ready for your departure.
"In my tribe, it is shameful to refuse a challenge," Nuveril says casually, with a sidelong glance at Sajan. "How long could it take to best him -- or be bested yourself? We will not leave before dawn, will we?"
Single combat is neverrr to be taken lightly Nuverril. What if Sajan accidentally loses an eye orrr brrreaks his leg? Can we delay while it heals?
I have fought in the arrrenas, even in sparrring people have been killed. We need his help to defeat a for like the Carrrion King.[/b]
"In my tribe, it is shameful to refuse a challenge," Nuveril says casually, with a sidelong glance at Sajan. "How long could it take to best him -- or be bested yourself? We will not leave before dawn, will we?"
I need not justify my decision to you Sajan says softly, his thoughts elsewhere.
At first she is surprised when Sajan shares his knowledge of the rough seed, but her face is quickly given over to worry as her worst fears are confirmed. "A spawn of Rovagug?", she gasps and turns to Zeladiel. "Why would your father trade with such a thing? How could he hope to find it?"
Linah's mind is racing. "Master Al'udaak, you must send a warning to Katapesh. You must ask them to investigate why the Sunset Ship wants one of these unholy items and how they claim to obtain one!" she urges Kadisa. She had not wished to disclose Zeladiel's letter before discussing it with the elf, but now she didn't have the time to ask for his consent. "I will write to master Karadesh and ask him to do the same." Before she leaves Linah turns to the new priest once more. "I had hoped to guide you around Kelmare and show you the new church when you arrived, but now there is no time. I hope that you can forgive me."
Linah runs ahead to finish a letter to her mentor, asking him to look into the Sunset Ship and the rough seed. She pens down her plea on parchment along with all the details of Zeladiel's letter. When she's done she finds finds Garavel and asks him to see that it reaches her mentor. Linah stresses the importance and retreats to the church to pray.
It is almost as time stands still as she decends down the stairs to the rooms underneath the church. Never before had the climb taken this long, not even when she first walked down the steps with her companions to face Xulthos lurking below. The sound of the clasps snapping open echoes through the chamber as she opens the chest. One by one she picks up her old equipment. A breast plate, a cloak, a mace, a shield and her scimitar. It has been more than a year since she last wore any of it and the weight feels strange at first but it passes with every step. Fully clad she acends into the great hall of the dawnflower's house and kneels infront of the altar. "Wherever you lead, i shall follow"
Zeladiel takes Khalid's money, remembers to thank him and hurries off to buy the scroll. Then he vanishes into his quarters.
The next day he emerges ready with his quiver full of arrows and his mind filled with arcane rituals.
I need not justify my decision to you Sajan says softly, his thoughts elsewhere.
Nuveril knows the large human well enough to know that he will not be goaded into action by her words. She shrugs and splits away to purchase some extra supplies before leaving town.
Later, she goes to the church in search of Linah. Finding her dressed for battle and kneeling before the altar, she waits for the priestess to be done with her ritual. When Linah rises and turns around, she finds the halfling staring across the floor of the church. It has long been cleaned and repaired and polished, but Nuveril still seems to be seeing the piles of bones that met them when they first entered the structure. "Does your Sun-Lady have any rites or observances regarding the birth of twins?" she asks quietly.
Linah smiles at Nuveril. "Every birth is a celebration of life, be it that of a brother, sister or twin. I can not speak for every congregation, there might be those how have special rights for multiple births, but the Dawnflower does not single out such events. Why do you ask?"
Dear Khalib,
As you know many things have happened in the last months, but not all are for the better. Master Kadisa Al'udaak arrived today with word that the gnoll they call "The Carrion King" is gathering forces, and Kelmare stands at risk. My companions and i have agreed to seek out this gnoll and end his reign before his forces are sent to plague the land. We leave tomorrow which is why i pen this in such haste. Alas master Al'udaak was not the only one to bring dire news. My companion Zeladiel Araxyll recieved a letter that in the death of his father, Zelandariel Araxyll, a debt was passed on to him. He is expected to deliver "the Rough Seed" to someone who calls himself Urd and is the captain of the Sunset Ship. Zeladiel has until the last date of Rova to deliver the seed to Katapesh.
I know that the news will unsettle you as it has unsettled me, that is why i urge you to bring this to the high council. They must start an investigation of this rough seed and stop it from ever reaching the hands of the Sunset Ship!
Should the Dawnflower look favorably on our venture to the Pale Mountains i will arrive in Katapesh with Zeladiel before the end of Rova, to lend what help i can.
By the light
your apprentice
Linah Jamil'Kaid, forever devoted
Linah smiles at Nuveril. "Every birth is a celebration of life, be it that of a brother, sister or twin. I can not speak for every congregation, there might be those how have special rights for multiple births, but the Dawnflower does not single out such events. Why do you ask?"
"In my tribe," Nuveril answers, "when a woman gives birth to twins, if one is stillborn, the living twin is smothered as well. The shamans say that twins share a single soul and that if half that soul is lost, terrible misfortune will follow the living twin all the days of its life. It could grow into a betrayer of its own kind, having lost half of what makes it a mortal creature; it could turn to consorting with evil spirits in search of what is missing within it; or the spirit of its dead twin could cling to the living half of its soul, following the living twin through life and attracting the attention of malign forces, bringing ill luck to itself and those around it. In such circumstances, a quick death is the a kindness." She looks Linah in the eye. "The writing said that I was born a twin, but I have no memory of my sibling. If my twin has died, perhaps in the end of Kelmarane, then I have unknowingly incurred the spiritual dangers of living with half a soul -- which would explain much," she admits. "If she yet lives and I fall in battle, I bring misfortune upon her, wherever she might be."
Linah is taken aback by Nuveril's retelling of her tribes customs with twin births. She had expected that the halfling would sometime come to talk of her sister, the other twin born to the halfings that carried the name Perimac, but she had not anticipated this. "Why would that explain much? You are here alive and well. Or do you count me as a malign force, drawn to you by spirits of the dead?, Linah says with a warm smile. "Although i do belive that twins share a special bond, i do not belive the death of one causes misfortune to the other. If you should die the only misfortune that should befall your twin would be losing you as a sister, and i am going to make sure that does not happen."
The evening prior to departure from Kelmarane, Khalid returns to talk to Kadisa...
"Good evening Kadisa, if I remember right you wished to speak with me about Tempest?" he says, only partially pulling the blade from its scabbard before returning it to rest. "What is it you would know?
Kadisa has taken up quarters in the church and you meet him there.
When you half draw the blade, the priest seems fascinated.
Its clearly non-terrestrial in origin, the craftsmanship is amazing. Where did you obtain such a thing?
Linah is taken aback by Nuveril's retelling of her tribes customs with twin births. She had expected that the halfling would sometime come to talk of her sister, the other twin born to the halfings that carried the name Perimac, but she had not anticipated this. "Why would that explain much? You are here alive and well. Or do you count me as a malign force, drawn to you by spirits of the dead?, Linah says with a warm smile. "Although i do belive that twins share a special bond, i do not belive the death of one causes misfortune to the other. If you should die the only misfortune that should befall your twin would be losing you as a sister, and i am going to make sure that does not happen."
Nuveril scoffs with a twisted smile. "You? No, you are no malign force. But the witch Sabeen who wrote that I would end in fire? The thrice-damned Gnome who threatens to imprison my soul? Both are enemies those of my tribe would consider it a sign of ill fortune to attract. But my birth was not to the Lions of the Savannah; the Gnome Halruun bound my name into the history of Kelmarane. If, as you say, the Sun-Lady who rules this place attaches no special conditions to twin births, it is possible that I may fall under her influence rather than that of the ancestors of my tribe." She seems hopeful that she has found a loophole. "At any rate, I might hope that your Sun-Lady would exert herself to protect my sister, if she yet lives, should I fall -- as she failed to protect the people of Kelmarane."
Nuveril's last words cuts Linah like a knife and leaves the cleric speechless. The fight against the Kuldis and the dark being known as Xulthos had hardened her but the dream of Halruun's fall into darkness and corruption of the people of Kelmare still haunted her nights from time to time. It was a open wound, ready to bleed at the slightest touch. "I will ask the dawnflower to look after your sister, and guide the winds so you may be reunited", is all that the young girl manages. "Would you like to join me?" She tries to summon some of her strength to her last sentence but somewhere deep down, her voice is still defeated.
"You speak," Nuveril says uncomfortably. "Your Sun-Lady will not listen to me." She hangs around awkwardly as Linah prays.
"I think she would, if you were willing to try", Linah says and returns to kneel before the altar. As she recites her prayer for Nuveril's lost sister she can feel her spirits rise, the strength Nuveril's words took replenish. Once she rises she can feel a weight dropped of her shoulders. The hall that seemed to darken just moments ago is once again bathed in sunlight. Linah turns to Nuveril, a smile on her face. "If your sister is alive, then i promise you we will find her."
It hasn't been an easy 36 hours. Over the last year you know Haleen has continued to be plagued by bad dreams that make rest (and control of her flame powers) difficult. Rationally, you both know that her joining the group is problematic for a number of reasons but you can tell that she still keenly resents being excluded.
Still, by the morning of your departure you've managed an uneasy peace, tempered by the difficulty of your mission.
As you are doing a final check of your gear she knocks on the door of your room with an expression that indicates that she has something important to say.
I had the dream again last night. The one where you ... All the good we've done here. It hasn't stopped it.
I dreamt of other things as well. True dreams, I'm certain of it.
I was standing at the bottom of a great hole, filled with rotting meat. The smell ... And there was something down there with me, something ancient and evil.
I dreamt of a great gnoll-beast standing over the corpse of a dragon, of a gnoll with a hundred faces and one face. I dreamt of the most beautiful garden and then I dreamt of a room where to leave the path meant death. I dreamt of a throne made of carrion and you sat on it and descended into the dark.
Please be careful.
She walks over to you and gives you a kiss. A kiss with nothing sisterly in it at all. And then she leaves clearly not wanting to see you go.
Its just after dawn on the 7th day of Arodus when you set out, hoping to make some miles before the heat of the day sets in.
A small group sees you off: Almah, Garavel, Kadisa, Undrella. The harpy wasn't part of the official planning group but seemingly discovered what you were about anyway. She presses a small vial into Sajan's hands before surprising everyone by kissing him soundly and flying off.
She gives you a potion of cure moderate wounds.
Kadisa approaches Khalid as you are ready to leave. Rasoul will meet you on the south slopes of Pale Mountain. He will find you I should imagine.
The priest reaches down into his robes and retrieves an amulet, an ugly iron thing with three concentric circles carved into a square face.
He should bear an amulet just like this one. One can't be too careful these days. May the Dawnflower bless and guide your steps and see you safely to your purpose.
Your journey will involve two parts: the first, several days travel through increasingly rugged hills and the second, traversing the mountains themselves. While the way will not be easy, you can see Pale Mountain, the pale granite of its peaks thrust up over the rest of the chain, its top shrouded in clouds.
You've filled your magical haversack with food and some emergency clothing and blankets. Grall and Sajan carry most of the rest between them although each of you carries a small amount of food and water in case you get seperated.
You leave the town, heading west past the pesh fields and into the foothills. Your soon joined by a quartet of blink dogs who gnaw happily on Nuveril's present. Those of you who spent time patrolling the hinterlands have come to know the magical creatures well.
The juvenile who you saved is nearly as big as the adults now, a veteran of several fights against gnolls and marauding monsters. He walks next to Nuveril, absently licking blood off his muzzle.
Eventually it gets too hot for anyone but Grall to continue and you find a shady spot to rest, the blink dogs stretching out over the rocks to nap, before starting off again in the mid-afternoon.
You walk until it is nearly too dark for the humans to see and Zeladiel tries out his new evocation, creating an opaque dome which extends into the very rock. It is not particularly spacious inside but there is room enough and it remains perfectly comfortable as the temperature drops outside.
The blink dogs are content to remain outside, spreading themselves around the dome to sleep. From experience they are particularly effective sentries and you take possibly the last opportunity in a while to get a full sleep. You'd expect to reach the limits of their territory sometime tomorrow.
|
"There is a shrine dedicated to the dawnflower not terriblly far from here, in fact I imagine you passed in on your way to Kelmarane. It was at this shrine we set up our primary base of operations for the liberation of Kelmarane."
The inquisitor's thoughts seem to drift, almost as if another's thoughts are coming through almost as much as his own...
"The shrine once housed the Templars of the Five Winds, Davashuum, Kardswann, Vardishal, Pazhvann, and Zayifid. Tempest," he says tapping the scabbard at his side "once belonged to the Templar, Vardishal. While we were at the shrine, Vardishal called to me, guiding me to the blade, since that time, Vardishal and I are as one."
Khalid's expression changes to one of saddness...
[b]"I do not know the location of the other Templars, though I wish I did, or even if they still exist outside of Kardswann, who's mind had been dominated by the daemon, Xulthos...we were forced to end the life of Kardswann..."
The inquisitor regains his composure a bit...
"What else would you like to know Kadisa?"
Nuveril flatly refuses to go into the magical dome, preferring to sleep outside with the blink dogs. She lays her head on the juvenile blink-dog as a pillow and scratches his fur affectionately. "You have grown, ancestor-dog," she tells him ruefully. "Just like the children of my tribe, you have become larger, while I remain the same. No matter your size, you were always a brave warrior, however; may the spirits strengthen me and grant that I may prove as worthy. Just as you were small and have grown to the same size as the other ancestor-dogs, perhaps my legacy may elevate me to stand alongside the other warriors of my tribe when my tale is told."
Sajan sighs and attempts to reason with Nuveril, but eventually ends up sleeping outside under a blanket with his bedroll, not wanting her to come to any harm. He is respectful to the dog and even pets it once or twice if it permits him, but does not talk to it.
Grall would take the watch in the middle of the night, his darkvision offering him the best defense against the darkness.
Grall, though almost immune to the desert heat, is actually not too fond of the cold. He spends most of his time not on watch inside the magical tent, only coming out for dinner and to visit with the blink dogs.
As with most of his race he feels an affinity to the creatures, even if they do't feel it for him.
"There is a shrine dedicated to the dawnflower not terriblly far from here, in fact I imagine you passed in on your way to Kelmarane. It was at this shrine we set up our primary base of operations for the liberation of Kelmarane."
The inquisitor's thoughts seem to drift, almost as if another's thoughts are coming through almost as much as his own...
"The shrine once housed the Templars of the Five Winds, Davashuum, Kardswann, Vardishal, Pazhvann, and Zayifid. Tempest," he says tapping the scabbard at his side "once belonged to the Templar, Vardishal. While we were at the shrine, Vardishal called to me, guiding me to the blade, since that time, Vardishal and I are as one."
Khalid's expression changes to one of saddness...
"I do not know the location of the other Templars, though I wish I did, or even if they still exist outside of Kardswann, who's mind had been dominated by the daemon, Xulthos...we were forced to end the life of Kardswann..."
The inquisitor regains his composure a bit...
"What else would you like to know Kadisa?"
Kadisa is silent, absorbing your story.
I heard stories of the ghost of Vardishal. But to find his sword, join with him. Its astonishing.
I must think on this, pray.... yes, it might be possible for a powerful enough priest to remove the spirit. Not I unfortunately! So many centuries, it might not be entirely ... well sane. Think on it Khalid. And take care not to let the spirit control you completely. There may not be anything of yourself left afterwards.
Kadisa leaves, clearly still stunned.
His reaction seems genuine to you.
The night passes without incident, Sajan and Nuveril not too uncomfortable outside in their blankets with the dogs for company (but aware that things will get cooler as you climb). The dogs as usual tolerate Grall well enough while maintaining a reserve they do not share with the other members of the group. The juvenile as with other things is an exception. While he spares his special attentions for Nuveril, Grall's face gets a fair share of licks as well.
You break camp early the next day, the hills climbing steadily as you travel north west. Its late afternoon when the blink dogs leave you. The juvenile whines, seemingly set on continuing along with you but the other dogs patiently coral it back the way you came. The not so little dog watches you plaintively as you head over a rise. Its goodbye bark sounds like good luck.
Night 2 is spent much like the first.
By the morning of day 3 you find yourself near the edge of the mountains proper and you expect you will leave the hills entirely behind by the end of the day. The terrain is daunting and none of you are skilled mountaineers. You begin to think that Garavel's "conservative" estimate of ten days might have been optomistic. Nevertheless you do your best to find the easiest routes, Grall, Nuveril and Khalid swapping places at point. Nuveril and Khalid use their skill and experience outdoors while the former arena slave tends to rely on his superior senses.
If theres one consolation with the dropping temperature its that the middle of the day isn't so bad.
At 11am you find yourself working your way along a more or less level path. To the right a steep ridge goes almost straight up nearly sixty feet. To your left the hill slopes downward a gradual drop-off of several hundred.
Grall
Khalid
Linah
Nuveril
Sajan
Zeladiel
?
A loud scrape against the rock draws your eyes to the front. A large creature with serpentine wings is the source of the noise, a leg dragging over the rock as it flops in a fairly ungainly fashion over the ridge toward you. Its body is leonine with a wild mane, brass in colour. The same colour scales run down its flank. An open mouth reveals a set of sharp looking teeth.
It growls at you in a decidedly unwelcoming fashion.
Welcome to the Mountains
Round 1
Initiative
Grall
Khalid
Linah
Nuveril
Sajan !
Zeladiel
?
Ordered Initiative
Sajan 24
Khalid 19
? 16a
Grall 16b
Nuveril 12
Zeladiel 11a
Linah 11b
Effects
- None
Notes
- No surprise round.
- The creature is fifty feet off the ground. It is large but has normal reach.
- The ground is not quite difficult terrain, no move penalties.
Reacting swiftly to protect his charges, Sajan draws his loaded heavy crossbow and fires a magical bolt at the creature . The bolt slams into the lion-like beast's head, and Sajan looks rather satisfied with the excellent shot.
Crit Threat
Crit confirm?
Sajan's bolt drives deep into the beast's head and it roars, the sound reverberating around the hills.
You identify the creature as a dragonne.
Regionally, dragonne form in prides but generally hunt solo or more rarely in pairs.
It occurs that the creature may have simply been interested in driving you out of its territory but its bad tempered and its difficult to tell the difference between that and it looking for dinner. In any event Sajan's bolt looks to have it interested in a fight.
Khalid's bolt misses low, the missile shattering against the ridge face just below the beast.
The leonine creature flies thirty feet closer, dipping down to forty feet in height. It opens its mouth to roar again although this time the sound strikes you almost as a physical blow. You can feel your strength and endurance fading, your muscles weakening under the sonic onslaught.
Zeladiel staggers back as the wall of sound smashes into him. He looks up groggily at the beast, mutters some words and gestures and the creature is engulfed in a ball of fire and flame.
fireball (DC17) damage:
Grall is also affected by the roar of the beast, does he know anything about it?
Not being able to focus enough to go into his anger, he readies an action to attck the beast with his Falchion if it comes within range.
Nuveril goes down on one knee to the no-longer-quite-so-juvenile blink dog and its comrades, touching two fingers to her head, then to her chest. "Ancestor-dogs, your company has honored us, but now you must stay to protect your own hunting grounds. If by strength of arm I succeed in my quest and return to you, it will be a glad reunion; if instead I fall, I vow it will be in the thickest part of the battle and pray my spirit is found worthy to join you in the hunt."
When Zeladiel summons the magical hut once more, Nuveril eyes it suspiciously. Seeing that the others had emerged from it unscathed that morning had calmed some of her fears about its safety, although she had questioned each of them minutely about details of their shared past only they would know, to be sure they were who they seemed to be and not Gnomes bearing false faces, as Halruun had done.
Tonight, after Linah in particular has been patient enough to walk in and out and in again several times to demonstrate that it is not a trap, Nuveril screws up her courage and leaps through the opaque hemisphere. She also hops in and out suddenly and at random intervals, as if trying to catch the sphere unaware and see if it tries to prevent her from leaving. She is finally persuaded to lie down and rest, but she doesn't sleep well that night, fearing that the sphere will wink out of the material plane of existence in the night and imprison her in some arcane realm.
As the roar thunders over her, Nuveril's muscles seem to melt within her, as though she had already been through a furious fight instead of being fresh and rested. "What use is your warning?" she shouts at Khalid, frustrated. "If it roars, what can we possibly do to avoid hearing it?" She considers her javelin, but the beast is still out of optimal range for it, and it will do little enough damage without her full strength behind it. Hoping that Khalid knows what he's talking about when he says it will land to attack, she stands her ground, her melee weapons at the ready.
Linah draws her scimitar and moves up to meet the beast. The scimitar flashes in the sunlight as she raises it above her head readying to lash out against the creature when it swoops down. Then the roar comes crashing down and knocks the wind out of the cleric, sapping both her strength and resolve. The blade becomes heavy and Linah is forced to lower it, now unable to meet the beast's charge .
The roar rips through you, sapping your strength.
Grall and Linah ready attacks while Nuveril waits for an opening.
Zeladiel sways on his feet but the exhaustion doesn't dim his magical abilities. The beast manages to lose height and avoid the worst of the fiery explosion but takes burns to the top of its body. Its unclear whether it has the intelligence to pick out Zeladiel as a particular threat but it clearly isn't happy.
Reflex pass
Welcome to the Mountains
Round 2
Initiative
Dragonne 2 25 (acted)
Sajan 24
Khalid 18
Dragonne 1 16
Grall 15
Nuveril 11 (delay)
Zeladiel 10a
Linah 10b
Effects
- None
Notes
- The creature is forty feet off the ground. It is large but has normal reach.
- The ground is not quite difficult terrain, no move penalties.
Another supernatural roar heralds the arrival of a second beast, this one flopping over the ridge to the south east.
It is smaller than the first, perhaps a child or mated female, but still fearsome, and its cry is almost as potent.
Grall resists the second roar, although he still can't focus...
The second roar shakes Zeladiel to one knee. He sways, but holds himself steady using his bow like a staff to balance. He shakes his head and begins muttering arcane words under his breath.
As Grall suffers from the first roar, Sajan turns to him, his voice threaded with ki, his words commanding-
Focus, Grall!
Although Sajan resists the first roar's power, the second leaves him feeling weak in the knees. He reloads his heavy crossbow with another magical bolt, slowly.
still fatigued...but not exhausted.