If Herne agrees to accept the group's help, she will return to the caravan and inform the others of the missing boy.
The man brightens somewhat at the offer of help although he grasps his scimitar hilt at the mention of a gnoll. You suspect in normal circumstances he would rather run the gnoll through than travel with it. Liet gives out a whoop.
The tribesman nods his head. I will not lie. I do not like outsiders, I do not trust them. They are mad, consorting with spirits, evil magic. And when I heard stories of the one the size of a child who fought like a warrior I did not know what to make of them.
But you Nuveril. The ancestors must have sent you. They must have! I will gladly fight by your side. Though I will see this tame gnoll for myself. If I deem it a danger I will slay it.
He says the last with calm certainty.
Nuveril returns to the group with the two apparent tribesmen trailing behind.
Each is clad in brown hunting leathers and wears a scimitar at their belts, madu and a brace of javelins strapped to their backs.
The first, tall and lean, looks to be in his late thirties, a veteran from the easy way he moves. The other is maybe thirteen, still more boy than man.
Both look red eyed and tired, the boy nearing exhaustion. Neither look wounded but it is evident that they have recently encountered some kind of trouble. The man's leggings are ripped in several places, something that would have taken more than working around in that thicket. A long graze marks his left cheek as if he'd fallen and caught his face against rock. Several javelins are missing from his back brace.
The boy looks at you curiously, his mouth forming a large o when his gaze comes across Zeladiel. The man sizes you up quickly and stares at Grall, his lips pursed.
You suspect in normal circumstances he would rather run the gnoll through than travel with it.
"Their ways are not ours," Nuveril concedes of her strange companions, "but they have acquitted themselves worthily in battle." She has serious doubts about the man's ability to slay Grall if he is forced to flee from a spirit but assures him, "If the gnoll proves a threat to our people, I will join you in ending it."
"This is Herne, a Lion of the Savannah," Nuveril introduces the strangers to Khalid and the rest. "His son is missing, a boy of eighteen summers. He was seen entering a place of great evil, an oasis that once was good but is haunted now by evil spirits; my people avoid it. His father and brother went after him but were turned away at the entrance by an invisible spirit which roared like a lion. I told him we would fight the spirits and rescue his son."
Linah smiles at Nuveril and the strangers as they approach, but her smile fades into concern when she sees the ragged state of the tribesmen. "You look wounded", she says. "Do you speak kelish?"
She curtseys at Herne and son as introductions are made. "Of course we will lend our hands to your aid."
Grall says nothing for the moment, these look like Nuveril's people and he would prefer to not aggravate them any more than they already seem to be.
Maybe helping to save his son will buy him a little trust with these people...
[dice=Knowledge (Local)]1d20+14
[dice=Knowledge (Religion)]1d20+14
Zeladiel notices the boy staring, and bows his head respectfully. He thinks for a moment, then places two fingers against his brow, then his chest. He listens attentively while Nuveril speaks and frowns at the talk of the evil place.
"An invisible spirit? Tell them I have the power to reveal things unseen. I would help them if they would accept."
Both Khalid and Arasmes have heard a little of the cursed oasis. Once it was a lynchpin of the Katapesh - Kelmarane - Ipeq trade route. Called the Deep Well of Paradise and fed by a dozen cold springs it was a boon for travellers, the site of a hospice and mosque to Sarenrae.
Khalid himself knows a little more. The sanctuary at the Deep Well aided all who came to it seeking succor for many years. Then about a century ago a foulness not even the Dawnflower's minions could purge assailed the temple, leaving only a few acolytes to wander the savannah, their wits gone. The oasis was abandoned, in time gaining the name it has now: the Hell of Eternal Thirst.
One last piece of puzzle comes to light after Khalid and Linah confer for a moment. Both recall that about five years ago a crusading paladin of their faith, Fadiyah al'Qirym set out to reconcecrate the oasis. Neither is sure of what came of that.
Linah smiles at Nuveril and the strangers as they approach, but her smile fades into concern when she sees the ragged state of the tribesmen. "You look wounded", she says. "Do you speak kelish?"
She curtseys at Herne and son as introductions are made. "Of course we will lend our hands to your aid."
I speak a little. I am still strong.
It is this way. He gestures to the east.
The merchant listens to your discussions with evident displeasure and then speaks in a rush.
Now hold on a moment. What am I to do while you run of on this f.. errand?
What if these ... spirits or something else attacks the caravan? How do you know this man is telling the truth or if he is that his son still lives?
I would be honoured to remain and protect your caravan, Master Hamdi Arasmes offered with a slight bow. The Heroes of Kelmarane surely cannot ignore such a plea for aid, you surely understand.
Zeladiel pauses at the merchants whine.
"I will stay with the caravan. I was hired to protect it. The rest of you help these people and we shall forgo any great treasures you may find."
Haleen interjects.
Why don't we work out what we're dealing with at this oasis first? The six of you have got to be best placed to combat whatever is there.
Besides I can guard the caravan with you close at hand.
Looking to Arasmes and Zeladiel Radi looks like he is going to violently object until Haleen snaps her fingers in his face, a spark of fire dancing from thumb to forefinger. The merchant shuts up at least for now.
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hi
Haleen seems to have strong feelings about the six of you working together as opposed to taking guard duty herself.
Whatever Herne thinks of the argument and display he keeps it to himself as he guides you east. The ground is easy going even for the wagon which is fortunate as he pushes hard while somehow simultaneously managing to keep at least one eye on Grall the whole time.
The boy, who seems to have little or no common, seems to alternate between staring at Nuveril and Zeladiel although he keeps a healthy distance from Grall as well.
After about half an hour you can spot what must be the oasis several miles away.
It is much more than what you might be expecting. From the sparse surroundings springs a seemingly impossible paradise, a miniature jungle of lush leaves and rustling brush forms what looks to be a circle many hundreds of feet across. A rise of ancient rock in the centre lifts what looks to be the remains of a gleaming marble building above this verdant sanctuary, the remains of a small brass dome glinting in the rays of the retreating sun.
Herne turns you so you approach from the south and you can see why. There is a break in the vegetation, a natural entrance through the thick trees. Here, at about a mile out, some kind of stone cairn is visible about half way, jumbled stones piled on top of each other. Perhaps a trail wound past here once but no longer.
Low grasses cover the entire area up to the oasis proper and its surrounding vegegation but there is no cover to speak off.
Herne gestures to the cairn.
There is where it came at us!
He spits very deliberately on to the ground and speaks to Nuveril in their tongue.
Can you really slay this thing? A spirit? My son is beyond.
Radi orders his men to circle the animals. Well we go no further!
Maybe this spirrrit was the one who spoke to me and not ourrr enemy?
Haleen's conjuring trick has obviously done very little to improve her standing with Nuveril. She glares at the witch with narrowed eyes as the caravan begins to move.
He spits very deliberately on to the ground and speaks to Nuveril in their tongue.
After replying to the man in Badawi, Nuveril looks to Khalid and Zeladiel. She has little preparation to do other then to draw her weapon and equip her shield, but she must grudgingly depend on those with magic sight if her enemy is invisible. While she is waiting for the others to make ready, she offers the boy Liet a small smile and speaks to him quietly in his native tongue.
Grall nods to Haleen and then tells her to be careful. He then draws his Falchion and prepares himself. As with Nuveril, he has little he can do to protect himself against spirits.
I speak a little. I am still strong.It is this way. He gestures to the east.
Linah looks conconcerned but nods in understanding. "And your son? He looks exhausted. Does he need healing?"
The cleric ignores the caravan master's outburst and struggles to keep a smile of her face when Haleen rebukes him.
Easily malleable to the group's whims, Arasmes followed alongside with his bow holstered over his shoulder, his heavy two-handed flail held against his shoulder with the metal heads resting loosely on his back.
Zeladiel ensures that his Mage Armour protects hims, links to his companions in magical communication with his Message spell and casts Detect Magic looking for anomalies ahead. With bow at the ready he makes his way carefully forwards.
Haleen steps on to tippy toes to whisper a few words to Grall as others put their defensive enchantments in place. Herne can't quite conceal a scowl at the incanting and its rapidly becoming apparent (if not before) that Nuveril's views on magic aren't hers alone.
After a rapid discussion in Badawi, an upset but finally compliant Liet is left with the caravan.
Leaving the others behind you set out toward the cairn on foot, Herne walking beside Nuveril. Concentrating on his divination as you walk the half mile or so would take too long so Zeladiel re-casts the spell every little bit but comes up with nothing as you approach.
Weapons ready you approach the cairn itself, much of its sides worn smooth from only the Gods know how many years.
Your about fifty feet away when you hear, sense and feel it.
Something large and heavy impacting solidly with the ground in line with the cairn and between you and the entrance to the oasis.
When the spirit speaks a moment later it is with a roar: a powerful, blasting base voice that rumbles out over you almost with physical pressure.
GO NO FURTHER! ONLY DEATH AWAITS YOU HERE!
In the distance you can hear the mules and camels of the caravan reacting in sudden alarm.
Javelin firmly in hand Herne turns to Nuveril.
The spirit! Strike it down shield sister I will defend your flank!
With your spell up you have a much better idea what is going on.
A transclucent but to you clearly visible winged creature arrows down from high in the sky only to brake with its wings at the last moment and thump onto the ground with its hind legs.
It is not something you see every day. A beast with the body of a lion, wings of a giant eagle but with a human man's black bearded face. It speaks the words with a grim resolute expression.
"Khalid!" Nuveril cries, clutching her hammer and quivering to advance. "Where is it?"
"Nuveril, wait. Guardian, we do not come to plunder this place! Tell us of your duty."
Zeladiel lowers his bow, but keeps the string taught and a spell on the tip of his tongue.
Like Khalid, Zeladiel isn't quite able to work out what of the many type of animal-beast hybrids the thing could be.
Arasmes on the other hand has studied the creature before.
The creature could only be a lammasu. Normally at least an ever-vigilant champion against evil and protector of the weak.
Grall stays still but with his hand on his weapon...he does not draw it unless some type of fighting starts or the unseen creature attacks the group.
Expecting hostile intent, Arasmes was about to snap into a combat stance... but Khalid's description gave him pause. He implored the others quietly-
A moment please, this noble creature is likely not the spirit your ally spoke of, Nuveril. I will ask it for its help in its native Celestial tongue.
ग्रेट और महान रक्षक, हम विनम्रतापूर्वक अपनी भूमि पर अतिक्रमण के लिए माफी माँगता हूँ.मेरे साथियों राज्य के रूप में, हम इस आदमी के बेटे की वापसी चाहते हैं.एक जवान आदमी, अपनी भूमि में खो दिया है, जो प्रेतवाधित होने की अफवाह है.यदि आप हमारे भीतर बुराई से बचाने के लिए की तलाश है, तो आप हमें एक महान सम्मान है लेकिन हम एक तरफ चालू नहीं किया जा चाहिए.जवान आदमी के जीवन अधर में लटकी हुई है.आप हमें मदद कर सकते हैं?आप में बातचीत करने के लिए वस्तु अपने साथियों के लाभ के लिए?
Great and noble protector, we humbly apologise for encroaching upon your lands. As my comrades state, we seek the return of this man's son. A young man, lost in your lands; which are rumoured to be haunted. If you seek to protect us from evil within, you do us a great honour- but we must not be turned aside. The young man's life hangs in the balance. Can you help us? Would you object to conversing in Taldane, for the benefit of my fellows?
Nuveril goes into a rage a moment before Arasmes speaks to it.
Herene speaks quietly to her as Arasmes gives his courteous greeting in the musical language.
Are we not just giving it a chance to bewitch us?!
Does this man know what he is doing?
Nuveril snarls back to Herne in her native language.
In the seconds before Arasmes can speak, Nuveril weaves between her allies toward the point of impact. "Spirit!" she demands. "Yield and release the boy who entered here, or we will strike you down!"
Zeladiel sighs and mutters.
यदि आप एक विनम्र भिखारी के रूप में दिखाई दे सकता है यह भी हमारे प्रतिकूल दोस्त के संदेह को दूर कर सकते हैं.
Arasmes is still talking as Nuveril moves forward, the halfling paying more attention to the flattened grass ahead revealing the invisible creature's location. The barbarian yells her challenge as she goes.
l init
As she closes though she hears the spirit beat invisible wings and apparently build some height and distance. From not far ahead and above she hears a quick chant and then more rumbling words.
IF IT IS BATTLE YOU SEEK WARRIOR THEN YOU SHALL HAVE IT! I WILL ATTEMPT TO DISABLE YOU WITHOUT KILLING BUT ON MY HONOUR YOU SHALL NOT PASS!
Linah has been lingering in the background, waiting to see what would come of Arasmes exchange. She is caught completely by surprise by Nuveril's challange and charge. [b]"No, Nuveril! Wait!"/b] she calls out to late. She draws her scimitar and move to help defend the halfling.
Grall makes no move forward, he is not sure what is happening but he trusts Khalid's judgement...he is ready to act on a moments notice though.
" Darn!"
1=l 2=z
hi
Arasmes moves into a combat stance although it would take somone skilled in martial fighting styles to determine precisely which. The warrior gives his warning echoed more generally by Khalid and Zeladiel.
Herne moves up ten feet behind Nuveril, the tribesman evidently protecting her flank.
Grall is delaying at the moment.
Zeladiel, Khalid and Grall look on.
There is no obviously movement from the creature while Linah follows Nuveril.
The creature casts another spell, staying where it is.