Kul stumbles into the room with the Falcon Emir, pushing his hair out of his eyes groggily. He sees that Pent, Aldebert, and Amiamble are all there. He holds up an arm covered in grey patches in an awkward wave.
"I'm not feeling very well. Do you think I have ringworm?"
Kul notices that Haidar has returned to his normal form and is talking.
"Oh, hey, you're awake, Emir. Sorry for knocking you out and dragging you here. Just trying to help out. Any idea what caused your curse?"
Pent takes a look at the grey, something funny-looking keeps Pent from running up on him.
"You consider bathing? You can grow fungus if you don't wash yourself, and tuck yourself away from Sarah's Light. Any decent worshipper knows that." Pent makes a light gagging noise, and puts a little distance between he and him.
A very faint glimmer of ..something.. in his eyes. Perhaps hope, perhaps simply candle-light reflecting off Aldebert's hammer. Either way, it quickly vanishes in favor of a dejected look. Haidar stops struggling at his bonds, realizing the futility of such efforts.
"What purpose would your god have for me? I know only of war, of its history and tactics. Does your god value such things?"
He turns his head to Kul, wincing in pain with the movement. "I don't know. My grandfather used to tell stories of creatures such as I've become, but in those stories a man would need to be bit by one to become one. Yet no man or beast has bit me."
Ami wonders how the man cannot know of the tenets of Sarenrae. He stands stunned for a few minutes before answering. Ami's ire is evident as he speaks fully in front of others.
"How do you not know the teachings of Sarenrae? How have you lived this long in darkness? Of course we need generals and warriors! Sarenrae calls to all who would fight the night!" Ami paces to and fro.
"We must go kill the gnolls who have inhabited the city for too long. I do not have time to teach you all of Sarenrae now, but while we are gone, I shall leave you this holy sun book. You will read and we will discuss your redemption when we return."
Ami stares at the man, nostrils flaring (not that anyone can see it under the facial wrap).
When the man agrees (and how could he not?), Ami will leave the prayerbook he found and fixed for the man to read. Maybe some time reading in the sun will offer a beginning of penance.
Haidar flares up in anger. "Gnolls? Inhabiting a city? They are the scourge of civilization! If your god has sent you to destroy gnolls, that is a cause I could follow!"
Ami rolls his eyes.
"That's what I've been saying. Now read the book. We'll be back in a few hours. Maybe we'll bring some back for you...and we'll talk about your redemption," Ami says. "You're still weak and injured and we need to get you cured."
[With Father Zastoran]
Mahdi peers at the drawing with furrowed brow. "...is that a local plant?" he says, looking less than optimistic on that front. If they have to try and order some from Katapesh.... weeks and weeks, which they cannot afford.
***
He listens silently to the initial, highly-emotional attempts to convince Haidar of his potential redemption. Truthfully, Mahdi gives very little of a damn about 'redeeming' anybody, or the moral rightness of trying to steer the man on the right path. He thinks the man has potential uses, mostly. It'd be nice to save him, he supposes-- if they can do it, safely, without endangering the group-- but he won't shed any tears over him if not.
He studies his fingernails during the impassioned pleas. When his name is brought up, though, he glances up.
"There are herbs that may ease your condition," he admits. "And spells to do the same, although it may be some time before those can be cast."
***
"What purpose would your god have for me? I know only of war, of its history and tactics. Does your god value such things?"
Kul looks Haidar in the eyes, "Sarenrae led the gods in the campaign to defeat the Rough Beast. She values those who till the soil, rule kingdoms, and clean trash from the streets. So, yes, she values you and your skills."
"I've led a horrible life. One that no man would be proud to look back upon. I was a blemished sacrifice and found lacking. However, the dawn brings new hope and the promise of redemption."
"I can't tell you which altar it is right for you to offer yourself upon. The lives of your family were stolen from them -- stolen from you. Hiding in a hole, dreaming false dreams, will not bring them back. Worse, it shames their memories and all you have accomplished."
"If you were not bit then you must have been cursed some other way. Did you upset a witch? Rob a grave? Offend a wizard?"
Aldebert looks at Haidar and considers what Abadar has to offer him. He clearly hates Gnolls, and though he's shunned it due to his curse, civilization seems in his blood. Should I clutter the discussion with more religion?
I think not. There are others saying what needs be said eloquently enough. He'll grasp at the rope and let us haul him up, or he won't and need to die.
Aldebert sighs and watches their prisoner. I hope he lives...
"Kul, you got him a moment? I'll be right back."
Assuming Kul nods affirmatively, Aldebert goes to the kitchen and rustles a large meal, bringing it back to the hungry Haidar. He offers it to him quietly, not wanting to interrupt the flow of speech. He offers his skin of water too to quench his thirst.
[With Father Zastoran]
Mahdi peers at the drawing with furrowed brow. "...is that a local plant?" he says, looking less than optimistic on that front. If they have to try and order some from Katapesh.... weeks and weeks, which they cannot afford.
The Father glances back down on the page, reads for a few moments, then looks up, somewhat deflated. "No, I'm afraid not." He hesitates, not sure if what he's about to say is truly appropriate, then plunges in. "But like I said, it's also a poison. Many traders may not be comfortable with those, but smugglers, now.. there's a group that you might find trading in such things. If there are any smugglers in that Battle Market, one of them might have some wolfsbane for sale. Although I'm sure it wouldn't be cheap."
***
[Kn Nature, to see if he has seen any of the plant in their hiking around so far]
Mahdi can't recall having seen any plants resembling the drawing.
The armor is identified as +1 chain shirt, while the dagger still eludes identification.
Satisfied with the prisoners reasonable new outlook on life, Ami turns to his brother, Aldebert.
"We should go now, Brother. Move so that we can strike at the gnolls during the heat of the day when our magics will protect us and they will be tired. Come brother, we have gnolls to slay," Ami suggests, mostly oblivious to Kul's condition.
"I can't tell you which altar it is right for you to offer yourself upon. The lives of your family were stolen from them -- stolen from you. Hiding in a hole, dreaming false dreams, will not bring them back. Worse, it shames their memories and all you have accomplished."
"If you were not bit then you must have been cursed some other way. Did you upset a witch? Rob a grave? Offend a wizard?"
Haidar seems taken aback by Kul's admonition, and indeed shamed by it. Finding no words to answer this description of his recent life, he instead focuses on Kul's question. "I'm sure I had enemies, as do most who have positions of prominence. But I can't think of any offense I've caused one who makes use of magics; I dealt in more mundane matters."
***
Assuming Kul nods affirmatively, Aldebert goes to the kitchen and rustles a large meal, bringing it back to the hungry Haidar. He offers it to him quietly, not wanting to interrupt the flow of speech. He offers his skin of water too to quench his thirst.
He's once again grateful, for both food and drink.
After eating for some time, his injuries overcome him. Leaving the remainder of the food, he tries to find something resembling a comfortable position, then closes his eyes in an attempt at going back to sleep.
Satisfied with the prisoners reasonable new outlook on life, Ami turns to his brother, Aldebert.
"We should go now, Brother. Move so that we can strike at the gnolls during the heat of the day when our magics will protect us and they will be tired. Come brother, we have gnolls to slay," Ami suggests, mostly oblivious to Kul's condition.
"Right."
Aldebert stands up and briefly checks his gear. He looks to the others, "We'll have to wait to heal Haidar in any case. Mahdi, I don't suppose the good Zastoran had anything to cure this poor man today? Ahh well. Later then."
Still talking to Mahdi, "How about Kul here?" he turns to Kul, "You look a little peaked, like breakfast didn't sit well. Do you need a second helping?" he gestures to Haidars unfinished plate.
Pent watches the rest of the discussion, to the point that Haidar has the audacity peace of mind amongst the companions to fall asleep.
"I can't tell you which altar it is right for you to offer yourself upon."
Pent snorts. "Of course you can tell 'em, Yaki. Sarah welcomes all. She was right for you, She's right for him. He's been hiding from Her this whole time. Of course he needs Her light. Look, you need plenty of Sarah's Light to read by, and he's got a new book, and plenty of daytime to make good on Ami's instructions. The only thing I'd ask is if we think we're comfortable enough leaving him here while we finish what we started. Are we? Are we satisfied he's chained up enough? Are we trusting enough of these roaming mercenaries to leave him well enough alone, so as we don't find him sorely lacking life when we get back? I'm just asking. If he weren't so unhealthy, it sounds like he'd take up his dagger and fight with us."
Pent reaches down the front of his pants, adjusting something. "If we're ready, I think we should get this day done and done. The Battle Market awaits."
Ami readies to leave, following his brother back to the Temple of Nethys, then approaching with the rising sun from the East. Unless they see danger, they will head directly to the market.
Ami rides Yeen joyously, prepping for an epic day of gnoll slaying.
As they march, Ami will re-approach his brother for a quick chat.
"Brother, maybe we should see the harpy on our way in. She might have new information for us. We have done our part, she must do hers. And I could use more jars of fire."
Before they leave, Mahdi says to Haidar, "When you became angry and fearful, last time, you transformed to the beast, and we fought out of necessity. I suggest you do your best to stay calm: to sleep away the day. My brother Hazim will be watching you and will keep others from harassing you and questioning you. Focus on all these... promising things my friends have said, and not the woes of the past. I trust you understand our current necessity in keeping you bound."
With a swish of his robes, Mahdi turns to go brief the good father, and Lady Almah herself.
The short version is that he recounts Haidar's transformation back to man, and suggests that his own brother, Hazim, be taken from regular watch duty to guard the man and keep an eye on his bonds. He asks that Almah make it clear to the mercenaries that the man is not to be provoked or taunted, but left in peace, and that he hopes to return this very day with the herbs necessitated to more permanently keep the man's condition under control.
He says a quick thank you to Zastoran for all his help and guidance, then rejoins the others.
"I admit it makes me nervous to leave him here in this state. But the herbs I will need to treat his condition are not here, but in Kelmarene, if they are anywhere. Pray to your sun-goddess that she keeps him in the shade of calm, for today."
And he will say his own prayers, to Nethys, of a different nature.
He mentions to the others that he has deciphered the enchantments placed on Haidar's armor, and looks enquiringly at Kul, as the gear certainly won't fit anyone else in their rag-tag group, save himself, and he is unlikely to wear it at all. Mahdi is off-handedly apologetic to Ami when he points out the armor won't actually fit Aldebert.
"We're borrowing it as atonement for Haidar's attacks on us, if you like."
"You look a little peaked, like breakfast didn't sit well. Do you need a second helping?" he gestures to Haidars unfinished plate.
Kul rubs the dead, grey skin on his left forearm with a worried expression. Then he looks up with a wry smile and shrugs his shoulders. "I'm not feeling 100%, but I'm sure I'll be fine. Sarenrae protects."
Kul looks at the delicately crafted chain shirt that Mahdi points to and chuckles, proudly patting his own steel armor with his scarred and callused hands. "That's not fighting armor. That's sleeping armor. I'll be just fine in my trusty lamellar."
After eating and double checking all his equipment, Kul is ready to roll. He makes certain to drink extra water in the morning to help fight his ailment.
Mahdi glances over at the discussion, a brow arched at Kul's arm and the patchy gray skin. "That looks disgusting," he says with his usual tact. "Stay well away from me, Kul."
He peers at Kul's afflicted skin from several feet away.
"Perhaps you should have the good father look at that before you go."
"Perhaps you should have the good father look at that before you go."
Kul nods and scans the camp. "That sounds like a good idea. Which one is he?"
Ami rolls his eyes as Kul goes to check with the Father. He is anxious to get going and wanting to run with Yeenoghu over the desert tundra.
Instead, he and Yeenoghu go to an overlook and watch the birds fly and the sun rise and winds blow. He will take about 20 minutes to watch birds and the sands, bored and waiting for Kul to finish with the Father.
Hazim was one of our starting characters, who had to drop out, and was Mahdi's brother. I've been sort of flavoring he's still there, being a watchman for the monastery-group, but it's up to you how much leeway you want to grant to the idea of the NPC Hazim being around, of course.
***
Mahdi is able to recognize the gray-splotched skin as clearly being the symptoms of some type of disease, but having no specialized training in such matters, he can't identify it.
***
***
"Come with me, Yaki, but like my friend, Mahdi, suggests, keep your distance. No disrespect." Pent gladly leads Kul to visit with Father Zastoran, and he lingers to learn more of the grey on arm, the matter at hand.
"Come with me, Yaki, but like my friend, Mahdi, suggests, keep your distance. No disrespect." Pent gladly leads Kul to visit with Father Zastoran, and he lingers to learn more of the grey on arm, the matter at hand.
Pent and Kul walk in on Father Zastoran just as the halfling priest is finishing his morning prayers to Nethys. Glancing up briefly, he waves the pair inside, then ends his prayer with a theatrical flourish and a phrase mostly borrowed from The Book of Magic; "Magic is all things, and in all things. It is in the air, the stone, the flame, the water. It is time, space, and the void. It will nurture you, it will consume you, and always will it be your master. May the All-Seeing Eye grant me the knowledge to use it well."
Rising from his position on the floor, he begins with a greeting. "Ah, welcome! I thought I'd heard there was a newcomer travelling with my fellow smallfolk and my fellow follower of the All-Seeing Eye.." He pauses, finally realizing the condition of Kul's skin. "Hmm, hmm. That doesn't look good. You should get that seen too. That must be why you've come, eh? Not just a social call, then. Let me take a closer look."
Prodding Kul's arm near the gray splotches, almost sticking his nose into the diseased skin, he finally grimaces and steps away. "Quite nasty, what you've caught. Gray pox, it's called, and it doesn't let go easily once it has taken hold. I'm afraid I haven't got the skill to cure diseases," he says, fishing a pair of potions up from a nearby chest, "but these should lessen its effect some." He holds the potions out to Kul, murmuring about Almah making him sell such things at half price.
"If the disease persists, come see me again tomorrow morning. I'll make sure to prepare magics that can ease the burden, just as those potions will today."
"Thank you, Father, but I'll just take one for now. I don't have the money for a second. Perhaps I will tonight."
Kul hands over 150 Gold, drinks the potion, and feels better as strength pours back into his body.
Kul bows and heads out of the tent.
Ami readies to leave, following his brother back to the Temple of Nethys, then approaching with the rising sun from the East. Unless they see danger, they will head directly to the market.
Before you leave, Garavel mentions that the night-time lookouts reported considerable activity in Kelmarane during the hours just before and just after midnight, with several groups moving through the village in ways suggesting they might have been search parties. After the last such group returned to the Battle Market, however, no further patrols have been seen.
The latter report is confirmed on your own journey as well, as the village appears almost deserted from a distance. The occasional figure emerging from the Battle Market, and soon after re-entering, is the only thing proving it's still inhabited.
"Brother, maybe we should see the harpy on our way in. She might have new information for us. We have done our part, she must do hers. And I could use more jars of fire."
"Ami, you should have thought of that before we left - we could have gotten them from Father Zastoran - and cheaply too." Aldebert looks over his shoulder gauging how far they are from camp and whether they can reasonably go back.
Damnit.
"OK, OK."
He turns to the others, "Amiamble suggests we go see the Harpy on our way in. Get the lay of the land, pick up some supplies, and generally feel things out. Kul - we met a harpy last time we were in the town and we made a mutual pact to overthrow the Gnolls - and their leader."
"I don't trust her, and feel she will betray us when it suits her, but in fairness she has been helpful so far as we know. Her flying prowess does make her hard to kill in any event. So we have a pact."
Aldebert shrugs unhappily even as he tries to look on the bright side of things - maybe she'll cross us and we can kill her anyway. He holds out hope that it's not at an inopportune time for the party. He walks on, veering toward that part of the town where the Harpy lairs.
"I see how it is now! Let a gnome suggest a visit to the harpy, and it's all 'vermin this, and unclean that'. But your brother suggests it, and you're all for it." Pent blusters and gestures in mock indignation, chuckling every once and awhile, before closing one eye to look sternly at Aldebert. He breaks out in raspberries.
He punctuates his point with an obviously final raspberry.
"Ami sounds wise at the moment. Let's go visit with Undrella, shall we?"
Amiamble enters the harpy shop after checking the area for gnolls. He hopes his brother will do the negotiating for him if there are things to purchase. His brother is ever so smart and good with money.
The briefest of retros then as Aldebert sells a few items to Almah and Zastoran. He piles up the money and divides it evenly among the characters, each an equal share.
There is 3,258gp total for 652gp per character. Remember to note it on your sheet, there is no central tracking of individual income and purchases.
Back to present, Aldebert enters the Harpy's lair with a heavy heart.
Before they enter the harpy's lair, Mahdi takes the precaution of getting out his own earplugs, putting them in, and casting a protective armor on both himself and Ami's large puddy-tat. He skritches it under the chin for good measure.
Odd smells waft out of the old tannery's door when it's opened, and inside you find Undrella laboring over several cauldrons bubbling with a variation of brews. Some may be stews meant for eating, but the smells of others bring the mind towards foul unguents and other alchemical substances.
The harpy smiles when you enter, stepping away from the cauldron she was stirring to spread her arms wide in anticipation of a warm embrace. Mahdi is clearly the center of her attention. "I knew you would be back for me! But why did you wait so long? Was I not inviting enough?" She wiggles her rump in a manner she might consider sensual. "I've been all alone for days!"
Mahdi plasters a smile on his face.
"My apologies for staying away so long, queen of the air and of my heart," he says with a bow, before approaching closer. "The life of battle is time-consuming. I thought of you every moment. But you have been alone? Kardswann has not called upon you? The fool..."
He holds his breath as he gingerly puts his arms around Ms. Harpy.
Ami thanks Mahdi for the protections of his kitty with a hug, gratitude in his eyes.
* * *
Ami enters the building behind the gnome and Firemage, still keeping an eye out for gnolls to slay.
"Brother, do we have money for more fire jars? I need two. And maybe we should ask for a cure for Kul...Yeen feels he might start to reek of disease soon," Ami whispers to his merchant brother. "Would you see about that, brother?"
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Pent trips along pleasantly towards Kelmarane, as he approaches the fire mage.
"Maddie!! My friend!! I've been thinking on it a bit, and I think you're right. I've already got 5 under my belt, so that leaves 996 to go."
"If we can categorize him, that's one thing.
If we can amuse him, that's another thing,
If we can diffuse him, that's another thing.
If we can deflate him, that's another thing,
If we can prostrate him, that's another thing.
If we can extract him, that's another thing,
If we can distract him, that's another thing.
If we can find him, that's another thing,
If we can bind him, that's another thing.
If we can blame him, that's another thing,
If we can shame him, that's another thing.
If we can train him, that's another thing,
If we can brain him, that's another thing.
If we can reach him, that's another thing,
If we can teach him, that's another thing.
If we can brave him, that's another thing,
If we can shave him, that's another thing.
If we can cure him, that's another thing,
If we can fur him, that's another thing.
If we can protect him, that's another thing,
If we can dissect him, that's another thing.
If we can convert him, that's another thing,
If we can divert him, that's another thing.
If we can soothe him, that's another thing,
If we can use him, that's another thing.
If we can calm him, that's another thing,
If we can balm him, that's another thing.
If we can heal him, that's another thing,
If we can seal him, that's another thing.
If we can study him, that's another thing,
If we can muddy him, that's another thing.
If we can stress him, that's another thing,
If we can dress him, that's another thing.
If we can stuff him, that's another thing,
If we can cuff him, that's another thing.
If we can lick him, that's another thing,
If we can trick him, that's another thing.
If we can dread him, that's another thing,
If we can shred him, that's another thing.
If we can wine him, that's another thing,
If we can dine him, that's another thing.
If we can rend him, that's another thing,
If we can end him, that's another thing.
If we can stalk him, that's another thing,
If we can walk him, that's another thing.
If we can embrace him, that's another thing,
If we can erase him, that's another thing.
If we can disarm him, that's another thing,
If we can alarm him, that's another thing.
If we can disgrace him, that's another thing,
If we can displace him, that's another thing.
If we can annoy him, that's another thing,
If we can destroy him, that's another thing.
If we can ignore him, that's another thing,
If we can bore him, that's another thing.
If we can frighten him, that's another thing,
If we can enlighten him, that's another thing.
If we can better him, that's another thing,
If we can fetter him, that's another thing.
If we can mock him, that's another thing,
If we can padlock him, that's another thing.
If we can limp him, that's another thing,
If we can gimp him, that's another thing.
If we can harass him, that's another thing,
If we can pass him, that's another thing.
If we can control him, that's another thing,
If we can enroll him, that's another thing.
If we can spite him, that's another thing,
If we can invite him, that's another thing.
If we can lull him, that's another thing,
If we can dull him, that's another thing.
If we can shush him, that's another thing,
If we can push him, that's another thing.
If we can prick him, that's another thing,
If we can flick him, that's another thing.
If we can jail him, that's another thing,
If we can nail him, that's another thing.
If we can snooze him, that's another thing,
If we can lose him, that's another thing.
If we can deride him, that's another thing,
If we can subside him, that's another thing.
If we can injure him, that's another thing,
If we can abjure him, that's another thing.
If we can subdue him, that's another thing,
If we can fondue him, that's another thing.
If we can braise him, that's another thing,
If we can craze him, that's another thing.
If we can hide him, that's another thing,
If we can chide him, that's another thing.
If we can choke him, that's another thing,
If we can poke him, that's another thing.
If we can diss him, that's another thing,
If we can kiss him, that's another thing.
If we can brand him, that's another thing,
If we can command him, that's another thing."
If Madhi has the gall to interrupt the gnome, Pent produces another raspberry and continues unhindered.
...
Pent watches the embrace between Mahdi and Harpi, and can only think that their offspring would look a lot like the phoenix birds that collapse in ashes, only to rise again. I wonder if she lays eggs.
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Mahdi does not interrupt the gnome. He just puts his earplugs in well before they reach the harpy, instead.
Kul enters the shop hesitantly. He feigns an air of boredom while Mahdi talks. However, his hand never strays far from the pommel of his falchion and he strains to hear a single threatening word or song lyric from the foul beast.
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***
Her smile grows even wider as Mahdi enters her waiting arms and professes his sincerest thoughts. "Kardswann? Of course he has! But he doesn't count, does he? He's cruel to me, not loving as you would be." Twirling his hair with a pair of clawed fingers, she whispers in his ear.
"I didn't expect you to bring others to watch! I don't mind, not at all, but you didn't strike me as that kind of man."
"Ok, ok, ok. There will be plenty of time for molten molting later. We're rather pressed for time, so if we could understand the general tenor of the mood internal to the Battle Market, we'd be most appreciative, Undrella. Our fair lady Almah has faith that your presence here can continue unchallenged, unthreatened, and un-uncomfortable."
"You've given us a key. When's the best time to use it? Do they have quieter and louder moments? How many collaterals are running around in there, compared to the gnoll count, and Kardswann sidekicks?"
Ami is speechless in front of the harpy, not only from Pent's recent poetic stylings, but also from his natural shyness around new people.
He nudges his brother to ask her questions.
Undrella "accidentally" scratches Mahdi's cheek with one clawed talon as she pulls away following Pent's interruption. "No time for my desires, hmm? Only a single short embrace granted before demanding questions are asked? Tsk, tsk, tsk." She uses the claws on one hand to lift Mahdi's chin up so she can look directly into his eyes. "Once you move in with me, this simply will not do."
Releasing said chin to rise or lower on its own accord, she smiles nevertheless. "Almah, that is your leader, right? I'm very pleased to hear she saw the value I would add to your endeavour!"
Undrella casually returns to her task of stirring cauldrons, although she's clearly somewhat annoyed at the lack of further affectionate undertakings. "The general mood.. Many find the unexplained disappearance of a half-dozen gnolls, a pack of hyenas, and even a goat-faced demon somewhat unsettling - you've been naughty boys, haven't you?" She smiles and winks at this last statement. "Kardswann is arrogantly confident, believing himself far too skilled to be unseated, whoever is behind it. His lapdog Ugruk wants to fight the unseen stalkers as well, to repay them for the assumed death of his tribesmen - aren't you a popular lot!" The harpy laughs, humming softly to herself as she moves to another cauldron.
"Keys, yes, I gave you two, didn't I? One for outside, and one for inside, right?" She rummages through her pockets for a few seconds. "Well, I don't have them anymore, so I must have. Unless I've lost them somewhere.. I'm sorry, what was the question again?"
After Pent restates the question, she becomes thoughtful. "The best time, hmm, I really don't know. Battle tactics aren't my strong suit, you know.. My prowess lies in other areas." She looks meaningfully at Mahdi. "The southern door is always open, so they'd expect you to come in that way. If you come in through one of the other doors, you might not be noticed right away, no matter when you come."
"Collateral, collateral. There's the goblin, of course, don't know how you'd consider him. My three smuggler friends - Gorundal, Kalyx, and Juluce - were quite adamant about not wanting to find themselves or their wares at the end of a sword. They also spoke warmly of the gladiator Haleen, so you might want to keep an eye out for her, too."
"As for Kardswann's bunch, there's him, and Ugruk the flind, and one, two," she counts on her talons, "nine, ten, eleven.. Twelve rank-and-file gnolls, plus one-eyed Kurellak. I'm not sure about the ogre gladiator Hurvank and his three bugbear cheerleaders. They'll likely fight too, just to pass the time."
He nudges his brother to ask her questions.
Aldebert ignores his brother for the moment - content to listen to the Harpy prattle on. He has no interest in this creature save as something to put on the end of his Guisarme.
He must admit her usefulness, and that hurts him. He fights the inner turmoil sometime, until...
"...They also spoke warmly of the gladiator Haleen, so you might want to keep an eye out for her, too."
- So she does live! He has a hard time containing his glee, and he tries to hide it from Undrella.
He gets a hold of himself in time, and manages a question, "I don't suppose you've managed to cook up any more Alchemy Fires? It seems my brother particularly likes your blend and we'd have three more if you can spare them."
"Also, er, I don't suppose you have any wolvesbane do you?" He's conscious of giving away much with that question, but it can't be helped. Short of killing her. That would help...
Ami nods from behind his brother as he speaks to the harpy.
That's my brother!
He really likes fighting. The mention of gladiators, and he can't hold his bladder, he's so ready to clash metal. Sarah, give me strength.
Pent's mouth drops at the roll call of cretans that lie inside the Battle Market. "Madness!! When they got names, they got strength. And Undrella's just listed off like... <fingers wiggling> 4 of them. Those are just those who stick in her head, because they lead the others. Then you have 12 gnolls and 3 bugbears. That brings our count to <fingers wiggling> ...19. Against us 5??" Pent seems frustrated that his earlier count makes him start over on several hands worth of fingers, but he smiles as his last point allows him to only use one hand to represent the party.
Pent forgets Undrella for the moment, as he looks back and forth between the others. "Once we're inside that place, we stay inside?? Or do we try and lure out a couple of waves? Or do we try and parlay? Or do we go back and get Haidar to bolster our numbers? Or do we smoke 'em out?" Pent seems to stall for ideas.
He gets a hold of himself in time, and manages a question, "I don't suppose you've managed to cook up any more Alchemy Fires? It seems my brother particularly likes your blend and we'd have three more if you can spare them."
"Also, er, I don't suppose you have any wolvesbane do you?" He's conscious of giving away much with that question, but it can't be helped. Short of killing her. That would help...
Undrella looks strangely at Aldebert. "Likes my blend, does he? I can't recall selling you any? Did you steal from me?" She rushes over to a nearby cupboard, and begins turning jars, vials, and glasses, peering at each label while muttering to herself. "No, no, it's all here.. How did he get to try.. No matter. No matter."
She turns back to the group. "I'm very glad you liked it," she says, shifting to her most sales-pitchy tone of voice, "and of course I'd be happy to sell you more! Three, you said? I indeed happen to have just that amount ready." She picks out three flasks, propping them up at a nearby table. "As for wolfsbane, I'm afraid I've got nothing to aid you against wolves. But I'm sure Kalyx or Juluce would have some; they both trade in many, eh, special substances."
Pent takes in Undrella's information with his own glee. "Special substances, you say? I, uh, have a friend, uh, who would be very partial to a bit of nagri. Kalyx or Juluce, you say? Very interesting."
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Red faced he replies, "No, we didn't steal any. I must be mistaken. Must be your reputation he favors."
Aldebert sets 60gp in coins next to the flasks. If there's no disagreement, he then takes them, and hands them to his brother. He then looks to the exit, but delays for the rest of the party.
Pent takes in Undrella's information with his own glee. "Special substances, you say? I, uh, have a friend, uh, who would be very partial to a bit of nagri. Kalyx or Juluce, you say? Very interesting."
Undrella smiles knowingly. "A friend, hmm? Oh, why not? You tell your friend that Kalyx would most definitely like to meet him. She might even be partial to gnomes, for all I know. Not that I think your friend is a gnome or anything, I'm just throwing it out there, you know?"
***
Red faced he replies, "No, we didn't steal any. I must be mistaken. Must be your reputation he favors."
Aldebert sets 60gp in coins next to the flasks. If there's no disagreement, he then takes them, and hands them to his brother. He then looks to the exit, but delays for the rest of the party.
The harpy is obviously pleased at hearing of her far-reaching reputation, and prances about happily for a bit before picking up the coins. "Do come back any time!" Turning to Mahdi, she adds, "Especially you!"
"A friend, hmm? Oh, why not? You tell your friend that Kalyx would most definitely like to meet him. She might even be partial to gnomes, for all I know. Not that I think your friend is a gnome or anything, I'm just throwing it out there, you know?"
Pent reddens as his hand of cards is revealed too easily by his love of Pesh. "Aww, thanks! You're the breast! I mean... the best!! You're the best!! I would never come between the two of yours... I mean, the two of you!!! Maddie, I'm not trying to compete for her attentions!! She's all yours, mate!!" Pent pats the air with his hands, slowly backing towards the door. He follows Aldebert's gaze, and takes the direction all too willingly.