"Do we need to kill it? I don't trust it, but it's been a long day of slaughter already. Maybe some mercy at the end of it, to invoke these gods of yours?"
"What's our alternative? We can't risk it going to tell the gnolls where we are. It's clearly unrepentant, and even if it were, it's mere presence is a danger to all."
"Evil can be given the chance to repent, but unrepentent evil deserves only one fate, according to the Everlight's teachings: Death."
"I'd rather not slaughter it out of hand, but I admit, I cannot think of an alternative solution." Akhom sounds genuinely troubled by the dilemma.
N'Dateh stares at the others: "Let the Desert decide." she says as she turns to the creature and says:
"Kiumbe kidogo, maisha yako ni katika mikono yetu, na sisi kusema kupata kuishi kama wewe kutembea mbali na mahali hapa na mji, na kamwe kurudi. Umefanya dhambi sana na hasira mateso. Lazima kuchukua nafasi hii na wengine na kuwasaidia, si kuona yao kuteseka. Hayawi! Na inaweza Jangwa kuwa hakimu yako."
"That would require us to trust it not to just run straight for Kelmarane as soon as it's out of sight. I can't do that. If you're going to run with us, you've got to follow my lead N'Dateh. I know I am not violating my goddess's' will as I am wearing a magical item that would tell were I about to stray from the path. I take full responsibility for its condemnation. In fact I'm responsible not only to all of you, but to our employer and everyone else living here now." Muqaq doesn't seem particularly excited about killing the thing, but he seems resolute. If no one else can think of a satisfactory solution, the creature must die. What's one more stain on a soul as dark as mine?
"Muqaq is right. It has already caused a broken leg. We will not let it cause further chaos, or spy for the gnolls."
Gruthic hefts his axe and swings.
"Employer? Muqaq, what are you talking about? I see you wish to kill this creature, and perhaps you are the Desert's agent in this, or perhaps you are not, and fooled simply by a trinket you trust more than your heart. In any case, the Desert will judge you. It's not my place."
Gruthic's blow catches the little monster totally off guard, as he attention was fixed on N'Dateh, and her speech telling him that he could go free. The axe takes him from the side, biting deep into the ribs of his tiny frame. However, his body seems to resist the blow more than it should, as if the steel is reluctant to cut it. He squeals as he is knocked to the side, bloodied, but still living.
Turning around where he lays and looks up at the dwarf with terror in his eyes. He lifts a bloody finger, pointing at Gruthic's wide and deadly axe, and shouts a single word in his tiny, undersized voice.
"Kuekua!"
Gruthic feels his axe begin to hum; vibrating in his hand. He senses on some level that the creature is exerting his will over the weapon, but with his own presence of mind he is able to force the malevolent energy away.
"Seif, Ahkom quickly, finish it! I don't wish to start a fire in here, I cannot attack. N'Dateh, we are an employed expedition. All these people in the monastery are part of Lady Almah's mission to retake Kelmarane."
Even as Muqaq begins talking, Akhom releases his arrow as he sees his friend in danger.
N'Dateh watches in silence the scene unfold, her face a mask of stone.
Seif-al-Din nods to Muqaq, and charges forward, his blade coming around in a brutal arc...
Xanyon steps back as the pugwampi is brutally slaughtered.
"Seems excessive, but this is a harsh land. Maybe this is a lesson I need to learn."
"Indeed, always offer a chance for repentance, but never allow evil loose to strike you in the back. That is the path of fools." Muqaq turns to Ahkom, Seif and Gruthic saying, "Thank you brothers for striking where I could not. Let us all go report to Lady Almah?"
The arrow struck true when loosed by the Paladin, but strikes only a shallow penetration. The Pugwampi is knocked back, and the weight of the arrow, thrice as long as the creature is tall, pulls the monster forward onto his knees as the fletchings touch to the floor. Looking up as Seif approaches, the look of fear in his eyes changes to one of resignation, just before his tiny head is swept away by the massive curved blade. The little body remains where it was, propped up by the arrow, forming a tripod with creature's two knees.
"Hesitation offers evil the chance to insinuate itself into your soul. Redemption can only come to those who willingly seek it out. Any drowning creature will reach out for a branch when death waits below; Your honest offers will often be falsely accepted, for evil has a silver tongue, and tells you what you wish to hear. Better to stand in strength and judge harshly than to offer succor and be gutted. You were not wrong."
Akhom's face crumples in sadness at the sight of the pathetic goblin's demise - like some twisted, grotesque child, executed for being what it is. But the words of Gruthic and Muqaq bring his mind back to the reality pf the situation. We are at war. Our enemies are the enemies of all our peoples. They choose their paths as surely as we do.
"Sarenrae guide us," he mutters. Then, in a stronger voice, "Our foe is defeated. Let us be finished here."
"I wish to release Kelmarane from the grip of evil and slavery. I will accompany you." says N'Dateh, replacing the old lion skin on her shoulders and shifting the grip on her spear to a more relaxed one.
As she moves, she gives a passing glance at the mangled corpse and shrugs.
Cleaning his blade, Seif-al-Din picks up the creature's mangled body, and takes it outside to be disposed of.
I fervently hope I never see one of these things again as long as I live...
You find the Lady Almah in the chamber that used to contain the library. The refuse and scattered remains of the books have been cleared out for the most part, and the lady's affects brought in. As this was one of the most intact rooms of the monastery, it now appears quite comfortable and is lit with soft glowing lamps and scented with hints of incense. As before, there is a bed as well as another cot, the bed being for the lady and the cot presumably where Garavel has been sleeping, as some of his personal belongings are piled neatly nearby.
As you approach the chamber, the doors are thrown open and wide, though two of her personal guards stand by the entrance. It appears to be Podarn and Fixx at the moment. You hear Almah's voice trailing out of the room as it sounds as though you are just catching the tail end of a conversation.
"...and I don't care how much it 'depletes you stocks', I want Utarchus back on his feet right away. We are paying for him to service and guard this expedition and he can't very well do that from a bed or on a set of crutches. Your duty is to serve as my physician, and right now my requirements are that you heal my man! Are we clear?"
A second voice responds, this one responding formally, almost too formally, as though he is controlling emotions that might otherwise get the better of him. "As you say, my Lady. My suggestion was only that we have him pay for his treatment. His duty is to provide his service, and it seems reasonable..."
"Zastoran!" the other voice cuts him off, "I've given my instructions. Would you please see to them!"
"...Yes. My Lady."
A moment later, Zastoran, the older priest of Nethys that is under Almah's employ emerges from the dim light of the room. Upon seeing the group, he greats you with a smile, addressing Muquq first, as leader of the expedition. "Greetings, gentlemen; and lady. It is good to see you returning in good condition; there were some concerns when you did not return after the day was out. It appears that you have had some interesting adventures... I hope you have a chance to talk about them a bit later. Perhaps over lunch. I hope you have good news for the lady; she is in a bit of a mood, given the gremlin's reappearance, and all the accidents this morning. Anyway, I'll leave you to her. Best of luck."
As you stand next to the door, Fixx just gives you a nod, respectful, indicating he thinks more of you lot than he might of those other mercenaries the lady has brought in for labour. He turns his head into the room and clears his head, over his shoulder. Almah turns to face the door. "Mistress?" Fixx says, "The advanced group is back."
For those who have not seen her before, Almah is a attractive woman, appearing to be in her early to mid twenties. Her skin is dark, and well tanned as is common in Katapesh, and yet she is clearly not of local blood. While she dressed according to local custom, her hair is light brown instead of the typical black, with hints of blond throughout. Most striking are her eyes, which sparkle with a vibrant blue, unheard of among the local peoples.
"Thank you Fixx. Muqaq, Sief, everyone, come in. Will you please tell me what is going on, and let it be good news."
Muqaq bows respectfully, and addresses Almah in his typical subservient manner towards her, "The gremlin has been slain. We have also eliminated several gnolls, a dire boar and some manner of demon from Kelmarane. Our observations have shown there to be more work to do however. The battle with the demon was noisy, and we had just encountered N'Dateh here," Muqaq says indicating the druid, "So I figured it would be a good time to return, report and recover before returning to finish the job. Do you have further instructions for us?"
N'Dateh bows slightly: "I was part of a raiding party that aimed at freeing the town, but the Desert did not smile on our mission, and we were cut down like grass. Only I survived and hid, until I joined them. I still wish to free Kelmarane."
"It seems Kelmarane is of interest to many, or are there normally this many people around?"
N'Dateh shrugs: "Where Gnolls are, fools converge..."
Almah looks N'Dateh up and down, her face not really revealing any of her thoughts. "I am glad that you were so fortunate to survive. I am saddened to hear that a group of potentially allies, heroes, were also able to make their way here but were struck down by these beasts. You are welcome here. I would extend the offer to bring you into our fold, to join our mission, and in the compensation, if you wish it. These others you have met are all in my employ, and have served faithfully and well thus far."
Turning back to Muqaq and the others, "We are essentially settled here, and a watch has been established. Sati has seen to restoring much of the sanctuary, removing the messes and traps and seeing to the re-sanctification. Thank you for sending her back to us. I was concerned, and had she not returned when she did to tell us of your progress, I am not sure what we'd have done. Do you need anything? Supplies, food, rest, healing? There is even a well here, so should you wish to wash, I can have water drawn for you. When you are ready, I would like you to sit with Garavel and help him update the maps of the city in regards to the known threats. From there, he can help to plan your next foray."
"Lady Almah, I will remain here and help. We can discuss things like compensation later." says N'Dateh on a neutral tone.
"I'm sure we would all appreciate a good meal and bath before talking with Garavel. Thank you my lady."
You look around for an unclaimed space to set down your bedrolls and sleep in peace. Most of the rooms with roofs intact have been claimed; the library now houses Almah and Garavel, the kitchen is been put back to its intended purpose, the baboon's lair has been taken over by Almah's bodyguards (though only heaven knows how they deal with the smell), Father Zastoran has taken over the underground laboratory and its equipment, and the mercenaries are set up in the Chapter House. Of rooms with ceilings, the only real remaining option is the original dormitory, where your party earlier killed the baboons. Once settled in (either here or in another place of your choosing) you find you are able to rest easily, the short sleep obtained last night on the hard ground having left you still somewhat exhausted this morning, with no thanks to the battles you have already faced this day. With guards posted, you are all able to sleep peacefully, and you awake feeling rested a couple hours before sunset, just in time for the evening meal.
Akhom approaches Muqaq shortly after waking. "Good evening Muqaq. I don't mean to speak above myself, but I wished to bring up the matter of our tactics in battle. Obviously many of us don't know each other vey well, but I think we've seen enough of each other in battle now to recognise our strengths and weaknesses. Now, I'm no tactician myself - I shoot things, with the aid of Sarenrae - but I feel that we could work together better if we can create situations that let all of us play to our strengths."
The young man spreads his hands in front of him and gives a small self-deprecating smile. "As I said, I don't know how to achieve that, but I thought I'd bring it up with you. I hope I'm not overstepping. I just thought that now might be a good time to think about it, as we prepare our next moves." Akhom resists the urge to hold his breath while he awaits Muqaq's response.
Akhom finds Muqaq as he is returning from his sunset prayers outside the monastery. He bows his head in greeting to the young human. After hearing Akhom's request, Muqaq smiles. "I'd be happy to hear any suggestions you have Akhom. It is no bother, you can always approach me."
"Well sir," Akhom, continues on enthused by the enigmatic Muqaq's positive response, "As I said,I don't really know much about everyone else, but Gruthic and I have been in more than a few scraps together. Usually, I wound enemies as they approach, and he smashes them. But, we've not faced foes like this before, not this strong. It seems he's getting smashed as much as he's smashing. So he probably needs better protection. Can we get him better armour, or use magic to protect him? And I need to be able to see the enemy coming at us, which means we need to set up the killing ground so they come to us."
" But none of that works unless everyone's using their strengths. And I don't know everyone's strengths like you probably do. Like Seif: is he a warrior, or is magic his strength? And what kind of magic? And you? Are you best at killing with your magic? Or... other things, like enchanting us to fight better? And that strange woman? What does she do?" Akhom's rush of words stalls for a moment, then he shrugs. "I don't have the answers, but I'm sure we can figure them out if we plan a little. My teacher, Captain Neelak always said that all of our order's defeats and victories could be read in the battle plans that preceded them."
"Indeed. I find myself questioning the wisdom of sending Gruthic forward on his own. We should have a meeting before we return to Kelmarane. We can discuss tactics, amongst other things." Muqaq's stomach rumbles loudly. "Come brother, let us eat. I don't know about you but I'm starving," the ifrit says, draping his arm over Ahkom's shoulder. He leads them gently towards food. "We can continue our talk over dinner."
Akhom nods in agreeance. "Captain Neelak also used to say that thinking on an empty stomach is not good for the soul."
N'Dateh meets with the others at the mess. She eyes the food with caution, but after a first shy bite, she wolves everything within arm's length.
"The Desert is good with us. He can provide when in need."
Xanyon listens to the conversation and follows along with the others.
"Makes me wonder Akhom, you forget about me or are my strengths so obvious?"
The gunslinger smiles as he says this.
"One way or the others, I'll need some time to make more bullets before we head back to clear out more gnolls. I don't need as many bullets as there are gnolls, but I wouldn't mind getting close."
"Xanyon, your gun is more effective up close, is that right?" Akhom queries between large bites, eyeing the strange weapon at the half-orc's belt. Seeing N'Dateh tearing into her food, the youth gives her a comradely grin and reaches for more dinner himself.
"Actually," Akhom says through a mouthful of food, "I've been thinking about seeing if I can buy a horse. Particularly since we're attacking an open settlement. I'm a fair rider - though my chain shirt does limit me somewhat - and I have the coin, so long as prices here are not too exorbitant."
N'Dateh lifts her head from her bowl for an instant: "I prefer to fight up-close. But if I can, I'll first ask the Desert to help me defeat my enemies." and she resumes eating.
Akhom raises an eyebrow in bemused surprise at the strange desert woman's statement, gives his companions a quick look of bafflement, then takes another large bite of food.
"That's right Akhom, within about 100 feet if possible. Twenty feet is best."
Xanyon looks as puzzled as the others at the strange woman's reply.
"How will you do that?"
Seif-al-Din shrugs.
"I simply wish to bring the cleansing fire of the Everlight to remove the stain that is the Gnolls from this settlement. Although I prefer to see the blood of my enemies splattered upon the sand at my feet, I can see the wisdom in preferring to keep one's distance, too."
"I have some ranged capability, but my accuracy is greatly reduced once the rest of you close to melee range with my targets. I have not the skill to aim around you, and dare not risk burning you with Her holy fire. Other than that I can provide blessings, and the healing light of Sarenrae. But those two prayers draw from the same source of power, and are limited." Muqaq looks around the table considering his current companions. "It would be best for myself, Xanyon and Akhom to be mounted if possible. However, I don't think there are that many horses here at the moment. Certainly not ones trained for battle. So, considering that, we have only N'Dateh's horse." Muqaq turns to the desert woman. "What is your horse's name? Do you prefer to fight from the saddle?"
He looks to everyone. "From now on I think that we should all stick together more. Seif and N'Dateh can stay in the lead, I'll be in the middle and Ahkom will bring up the rear. If fighting breaks out, we let them come to us. That way we can subject them to the maximum amount of ranged fire before risking a melee. Those of us fighting at range will need Seif and N'Dateh to protect us. Our fire will draw the enemy into their waiting blades, under fire the whole time. In the best situations we will have a fortified position as well." He scratches his chin for a moment in thought. Setting up such positions will require accurate intel on enemy movements. Xanyon, as far as I can tell you're the stealthiest amongst us, and you can see in the dark. From now on, you're going to scout a few paces ahead of the party, from one ruin to the next. If you spot something, you head back ASAP and we face it together. We can't just go walking through the streets. We'll have to go from one abandoned building to the next. We still don't know how many gnolls are left in the town."