"Mahdi, very impressive ring. I too would like some sort of flame, but I'm not sure where. It would be helpful so that I may see in the dark places, but I don't need it flaming all the time, so maybe not a ring."
"I thought of having you put it on my guisarme, but I sometimes wield my hammer too. If I had a shield, that would be ideal. Maybe a flaming motif on my armor once I get the new set."
Aldebert ponders, "Yes, I think that will do. Let us wait until I can afford my new armor and we'll set a flame in the breastplate with some scroll-work. If that sounds OK to you of course."
Aldebert continues on with his various tasks, getting away with his brother when he can to range the countryside, but mostly spending his days lashed to a desk, processing paperwork and household needs.
Ami spends his happy days running in the sun, hunting gnolls, and working in the church.
@ Aldebert:
Mahdi nods agreeably. "There are times when one doesn't want a burning light. Very few times, really, but on occasion they exist. If it is placed upon your eventual armor, I might suggest in such a position that you could cover it with your cloak, if you needed. But yes, I'll craft such a thing for you."
Ami spends his happy days running in the sun, hunting gnolls, and working in the church, he does.
Pent settles in for the night, following his meeting with Almah. He gathers together some berries and cream, and makes his rounds in the Manor, checking on the others.
"Hey, by the way. Almah has nudged me to judge some rumors. I'll humor her to soothe out the truth, starting with you all. You all are out and about, getting your dose of sunshine pretty regularly, well done, by the way. Any idea why Almah wants to learn of a rise in attacks from those gnolls you despise?" Pent lets his tongue bob for berries beneath the surface of the cream.
Ami coos to Yeen to keep quiet. He looks at his brother and points to the gnolls, indicating to his brother to keep quiet. Ami returns to his counting from cover.
He loses track at 'a lot' and shakes his head at this brother.
I can take a few, Yeen many more, his brave brother yet more, and Get'him yet more...but it is still too many.
Ami leans to sneak away, going back to town to report and talk with his brother.
We're going to need more fire to deal with this many.
Mahdi arches a brow at his wayward merchant's story. "What? The cowards yet mass in numbers, after their routing? Fools... tell me, where exactly did you encounter this band of gnolls? What was their number? Rest assured that they will be dealt with, and burnt out of the hills with extreme prejudice!"
When he has learned all he can from the merchant regarding the gnolls he met, Mahdi will barge into the common room of their house with a dramatic slamming-open of the door.
"There are yet gnolls unscorched," he declares. "Who is with me, to drive them out!?"
(Mahdi, that's what they were talking about when you came in.)
Aldebert does as his brother suggests and they slink away from another group of gnolls.
"Afternoon Mahdi, we were just discussing it. Amiamble has an uncanny knack of finding large groups that we can't take down on our own. Seems the gnolls are moving in, and moving in force."
He takes a bite out of a bit of fruit silently praising Frederick.
"I think maybe there is a leader out there directing all this. I have no evidence, but our patrols should reduce the number of gnolls, not increase them. Something is wrong."
He pushes aside his paperwork. "I think it's time we try and track these gnolls to their lair rather than pick at them on the fringes. And we'll need to do it as a group if we're to root them out I suspect. Has anyone seen Otah? I haven't heard from him in a bit."
Otah does indeed spend time with the merchant's guard, training them. He offers what advice he can towards tactics against gnolls.
He strolls into the room with the group, his horsechopper settled over his shoulder.
"Ay! Them gnolls you've been discussin' are out and about again. Seems..." he pauses as he absorbs the conversation he interrupts... "Seems that you've already heard. The merchant's guard tell of frequent attacks. You are all planning on an attack, yea? I hope you weren't planning on leaving me behind."
"I have no evidence, but our patrols should reduce the number of gnolls, not increase them. Something is wrong."
Pent faceplants in the bowl, making sure it's truly free of cream, before he considers returning it to the kitchen. His beard reflects his efforts, as it sticks and wicks together.
"Something wrong? What? Your brother lusts for gnolls, so he prays. 'More gnolls, where are the gnolls, can we find some gnolls, there aren't any gnolls'... His prayers are answered, and you're upset about it? There's no pleasing the two of you." Pent smells the bowl. Disappointed, he starts tonguing the end of his beard. "You try and end 'em all at once, what's Ami got to live for once you do?"
"I'm much too vital to Almah's operations to head out with you, so just don't overextend yourselves, and we'll have healing for you when you return. I'll let Almah know the rumors are true, and you're on it." Pent stands up and returns the bowl.
Yeen yawns and lays down by the door, certain he'll know if the gnolls come close.
Pent ambles over to the light, reading over the scribble. He smells the paper, nodding, then re-reads the scribble. "Ah, now! This is more like it! Looks like we have a more manageable muckrake in which we can meddle. There's a giant mucking about in the Battle Market. We're to investigate and report to miss Almah if I don't miss the point of this missive. I suggest we leave right away." Pent tucks the paper down his pants, and runs off to his room.
Moments later, Pent is ready to leave, freshly robed.
Ami skulks at the sheer numbers of gnolls makes him realize that he hasn't done enough.
Why do they keep coming when they know that only clawed death awaits them? Surely, Yeen's howl now drowns out their own in their nightmares!
Ami looks at his long chain of gnolls noserings, counting them again. He looks at his brother and the rest, ready to go kill more, but worried that it might not be enough.
Ami is ready for battle(s).
The large man is easy to find among those in the Battle Market. Standing near seven feet tall the mysterious man bows deeply and graciously, the sun tattoo on his brow almost seeming to glow. He introduces himself immediately.
"I am a traveler of the sand and scrub, a student of all things Sarenrae sees fit to shine upon, and an unwilling bearer of bad news. May I buy drinks for all of you to ease the news I have to share?”
Mahdi gives an absent nod to Otah when the dwarf enters, and gestures as if to say, look, I have conjured him...
He agrees to tag along to meet the Big Guy In Town.
"Well met, traveler," Mahdi says absently, brushing a bit of sand off the sleeve of his robe. "If your news is of gnolls, then you'll find us more than interested. What is your tale?"
Aldebert joins Pent in his giant hunt and is duly impressed at the size of the newcomer. He thrusts out his hand to shake the man's hand, but says nothing, letting Mahdi say what needed to be said.
Taking a sip of his drink, the large man begins his tale.
"My name is Zayifid and I do not belong to a single church. I do not mock those priests who choose to remain in one location and tend to one building— not at all, for they provide a needed service. But I am not at ease if I stay in one location. I am a traveler, as I have said, and have walked the billowing sands of Osirion, the westernmost veldt of Nex, and much of our own beloved Katapesh in between. I have seen much in my travels, and have brought the word and redemption of the Dawnflower to many. Yet also have I seen much in the way of cruelty and war in those travels, and it is a warning of such I bring to you today.
You have distinguished yourselves by defeating the Kulldis. You know that word of the liberation of Kelmarane has reached all the way to the coast by now, and you are enjoying the fruits of that success even as we speak in the form of trade and tax. Yet word spreads not only to friends, but also to enemies. The Carrion King knows of what you’ve done to the Kulldis, and though he did not reply in kind at once, I have heard dire rumors in my travels. Rumors of gnoll tribes gathering on the far slopes of Pale Mountain, tribes united under one banner— the sign of the Carrion King!
My path is not one of war. Sarenrae teaches redemption and forgiveness, but I know well that many do not seek these ends, and that war is often inevitable. Yet sometimes, there are other ways. The gnolls are ever a bickering lot, and if the Carrion King has managed to unite these tribes, then his word is mighty indeed. And although I despair to think on the death of any living creature, if the Carrion King’s death would mean that the gnoll tribes would stand down—a war could be averted.
And so I bring this news to you. I shall not stay long, for I have no desire to be caught up in the folly of battle. But you would do well, heroes, to take my warning to heart. Seek out the Carrion King and bring him low before he raises high the flags of war. You will find him in the House of the Beast, the rumors say, an ancient temple upon the far side of Pale Mountain from which he has long ruled. May your efforts be swift and just, that needless suffering be averted.”
Otah nods his head into his drink as he listens to Zayifid speak.
"Who is this Carrion King figure? Is he a big, nasty gnoll, bigger and nastier than other gnolls?"
"...and I do not belong to a single church. I do not mock those priests who choose to remain in one location and tend to one building- not at all, for they provide a needed service."
Pent hoots in agreement.
"My path is not one of war. Sarenrae teaches redemption and forgiveness, but I know well that many do not seek these ends, and that war is often inevitable."
"Yeah, but you gottatleast ask them if they want forgiveness. Each and every time. Right, Ami? I'm sure you asked each of those noserings if they wanted to change their ways before you strung 'em up, Ami, right? Go and show Zayi your noserings. Well, their noserings, the gnolls' noserings, those ones." Pent turns to Zayifid. "He collects 'em, you see."
"And although I despair to think on the death of any living creature, if the Carrion King’s death would mean that the gnoll tribes would stand down—a war could be averted."
"Yeah, we coulda killed the Emir, put him down for the rabid dog he was, but he was, in fact, redeemable, so we did do the redeeming. As for the Carrion King, well... it's likely we'll not be able to sway him to Sarah's path, so will need to fall in order for lives to be saved. This is no small task you set before us, and yet we shall not waver to preserve what has been so newly established here."
Looking toward Otah, Zayifid offers what he can then nods as he listens to Pent.
"He is their leaders. A powerful gnoll is my guess, but I cannot say for sure."
Ami says little in presence of the giant, who is literally 3 times his own height. He tails behind with Yeen, listening but not talking in front of one so large.
"Yeah, but you gottatleast ask them if they want forgiveness. Each and every time. Right, Ami?...Well, their noserings, the gnolls' noserings, those ones...He collects 'em, you see."
Ami proudly holds up his now impressive chain of rings, squinting his eyes at the giant as if to dare him to mock his work.
I ain't afraid of no Carrion King. You just put my brother in front of him and he'll show that stupid gnoll king the whatfor!
Aldebert waits for the man to acknowledge, at least with a nod, his brothers feat.
He then speaks up, "Well met Zayifid, and thanks for the heads up. The House of the Beast huh? Sounds like an unpleasant place. Still, that is where our path must lead us."
"You should stay a while and feel welcome here. I understand wishing to leave before any threat of war, but surely that is some time off. Stay and enjoy the company of a freshly re-buding town!"
Aldebert smiles at the thought of civilization here in the desert, and wonders at the road ahead.
Zayifid nods, giving a slight smile at Ami's display. He is hesitant to accept Aldebert's invitation.
"A fine restoration to say the lest, but such places are not for me. Another drink and I must really be going. I can tell you what little I know of the area."
Ami's eyes narrow into to points from between the slits in his face wrap. He has just decided he doesn't like this big giant who doesn't appreciate a good gnoll slaying and is also too tall.
Too good to visit our sun church, is he?
Ami walks back to Yeen and ignores the big jerk.
Pent bounces over to the bar, and retrieves another round of drinks. He challenges himself to find the most circuitous route in return, looking to see how steady his arms can be, and how close he can come to bumping into patrons of the bar, without spilling a drop.
He provides his friends drinks in the order of most full glass to least full- Zayifid, Mahdi, Otah, Aldebert, Amiamble, Pent.
"It's on me!! No, I mean literally. The drinks didn't stay in the cups, I'm afraid. There are quite a number of people in the market these days. Quite impressive!!"
Pent turns to the giant, and commiserates. "The wandering!! That's where it's at, and where it will be from where you've come. That's what Sarah really expects of us, to spread Her word and Her light to the darkest corners of the world. We found plenty of dark corners here, I'm pleased to say, and Sarah's light found its way well into the depths. I myself have circled Kelmarane like Sarah's firefly, but who knows? Someday, I might find you out on the road, spreading the light, eh?"
The gnome claps the giant on the back, spilling his own drink some more. "I envy you, brother. Now, what else can you tell us regarding this next venture of ours. It's ours, you trust me on that."
Yeen rubs into The One's hand, headbutts his shoulder, ignoring the big creature as well.
Looking thoughtfully off into the distance, Zayifid takes in his drink slowly.
"The Pale Mountain is easy enough to find. Though I wouldn't brave going right to place, you all would be sure to be just fine. Though, if you hope for stealth - to surprise an unwitting foe - I've heard there are other ways into the place. I've been unable to find them myself. Beyond that I'm afraid I don't have much more to offer."
Ami leans in to whisper in Adlebert's ear. He keeps his eyes narrowed on the giant, making sure the man can't hear him whisper.
"Brother, maybe we should see what Almah wants us to do. There are plenty of gnolls here for us to kill."
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Mahdi steeples his fingers before his face, because that had always made his old master look serious and intelligent.
"We will go to this House of the Beast," he says ominously. "The House of Hope has risen against it to be a counter to the dark. Beasts are dangerous, but hope will overcome... helped along by my fire, and the skills of my comrades as well."
Mahdi gives some idle thought to hiring a bard. Then his great speeches would be recorded for all posterity. Hmmm... there's a risk that the bard might record things like his standing in confusion, too. He'll have to think about this.
Aldebert nods to his brother, and smiles. "Next." he says simply.
"Mahdi, you have it in a nutshell I think. Let's go speak with Almah and let her know what we have learned."
He turns to Zayifid, "Zayifid, thank you much for your council. I'm sorry you won't spend some time with us, but so be it. Looks like we have some things to attend to."
He gets up and shakes Zayifid's hand (or at least tries to) before departing and seeking out Almah.
For reference, here's the section from the Paladin's Detect Evil description:
Detect Evil (Sp): At will, a paladin can use detect evil, as the spell. A paladin can, as a move action, concentrate on a single item or individual within 60 feet and determine if it is evil, learning the strength of its aura as if having studied it for 3 rounds. While focusing on one individual or object, the paladin does not detect evil in any other object or individual within range.
Mahdi takes his drink from Pent, wipes liquor off the mug, and has a careful sip of it.
"There's supposedly a cavern complex on the slopes of the mountains nearby to this House of the Beast," he says to the others. "Ostensibly demons lair there... though I'd wager that might be exaggeration. If we're going to be nearby, we might look in. Who knows-- there may even be a connection."
Zayifid seems to regret not being able to share more. Though genuinely thankful, he seems ready to leave.
"I wish I could be of more help. Though I do appreciate sharing drinks, I must be moving on. The open road calls.}
Aldebert heads off to speak with Almah, "Who's with me? If Almah agrees we can head out tomorrow to that cavern complex. I like the sound of that. You're a smart man there Mahdi. Very smart!"
Pent perks up as Mahdi pontificates pertaining to the House of the Beast, as well as its bowels. He sips briskly, gargling to aerate the whiskey to its proper appreciation.
"That... is... brilliant, Maddie. You don't challenge a lion by walking up to it, and stretching its jaws wide, then sticking your head into its maw no no no no no. You lift its tail and insert yourself from under. Quickest way to give the Beast indigestion, yep yep, right through its bowels." Pent slams his cup down, and indicates his enthusiasm by gesturing a mighty fist upwards, while slapping his bicep, indicating the limit to which said fist can penetrate.
The gnome leaps to his feet, gathering all the cups, and returning the tray to the bar. Returning, he rubs his hands together.
"To Almah's then! I get to tell her about the Giant, and you get to tell her about our next bowel movement."
Pent doesn't look back, expecting everyone to be behind him, and on their way to report.
Almah seems not only happy with what you all have learned, but maybe even a little impressed.
"If what you learned is true then you must depart quickly. I'll alert the guard here to keep an eye out for gnolls at the perimeter of town."
"Excellent, thanks Almah!"
Aldebert turns to the others, "Shall we meet at daybreak and head to the mountain? You lot might want to get mounts for the first part of the journey - save us a little time. Not sure where we'll tie them up when we get there though, so I dunno." he frowns.
He heads back to the house and looks for Fredrick. "Do something special for dinner tonight if you would, and prepare some rations for us by tomorrow morning if you can. We'll be traveling some little while to the Pale Mountain, spending some time rooting out gnolls, and then back."
"You'll be on your own in the interim. Do you have everything you need for a few weeks - just in case we're delayed? I'll give you the household funding for next month as well to be safe. Do you need anything else?"
Aldebert spends the rest of the day preparing his gear for the journey and for battle. He wishes he had his new suit of armor, but such things are expensive, and he cannot quite afford it as yet.
He sleeps soundly and rises early, eager to be on his way.
Stopping by the stables before getting a good night's rest, it is clear that Ami and Aldebert's mounts have been well cared for and will be more than ready to go. Buri, the hired stable hand, recommends a couple of mounts that he's seen merchants bring in. He also suggests hiring someone to keep an eye on the mounts. He's happy to tag along and do the job himself.
"Yes, arrangements for horses would be good..." Riding can't be that hard, he supposes. You just sit on the beast and make it go. It looks easy enough with Ami and his big cat.
Musing to himself on the volcanic possibilities, Mahdi drums his fingers against his spellbook the night before they set out. Both in traveling, and in the area itself, his companions might be well-served by a bit of protection from the heat...
The next morning, Mahdi is packed and ready to go, his person and backpack crammed with numerous scrolls. "Well! Off to embrace our glorious destinies, eh!"
Otah sits watching the party's antics at the table as they converse with the giant. The gnome in particular manages to get a few hearty laughs from the otherwise quiet dwarf.
"You lot are..." he pauses for a moment to emphasize the effort in choosing the right word, "eccentric."
Otah will purchase a mount as well, along with a saddle and some feed and water. He also stops to refill his ink and make sure he has a few pens.
"More caverns then?" he asks the party as he readies for the ride out."It's almost like I never left Highhelm."
Ami bounces back and forth around Aldebert, trying to help his brother get backed so that they can go kill gnolls.
"Brother, how many do you think you will kill?" Ami asks, jumping from foot to foot. "I'm going to get me a few more rings, too. Won't that be good, brother?" Ami pauses to help Aldebert with his armor. "Do you think you're going to kill the King Demon Gnoll in single combat? Can I watch?"
Ami is ready to go...he wishes he had his Pearl for Mahdi, but otherwise, he and Yeen want to run in the sun.
Buri puzzles at Mahdi's inquiry.
"I know the animals are for sale. You'd have to speak with the owner about renting one. Though I do know there's a wagon one of the merchants has been renting out with a couple of sturdy work horses to move it. You'd need a driver, but might be a good option if you're not accustomed to being on the back of a beast."
In the distance the full height of the Pale Mountains can be seen. The warm winds you feel riding through the open land can be seen stirring up smoke and ash in the distance. The river carves a natural path amid the dense, but smaller peaks that rise around the area surrounding Kelmarane. The morning sunrise casts long shadows among the peaks, but near the shore of the river the light is obscured only by the occasional wisp of a cloud. Quickly from one of the nearby peaks there seems to be movement in the air. Between the bright light and shadows it is tough to make out.
Aldebert laughs with his brothers enthusiasm. "Of course brother - we will slay many gnolls on this trip. Solo battle with the King Demon Gnoll? Aren't you going to help?" he grins at his brother and rides on.
- - -
Aldebert scans the peak and tries to make out the shadows.
"Quickly, everybody form ranks and protect yourselves and you steeds. Something on the wing is coming our way - and FAST!"
Aldebert pulls his guisarme and pats Gretiem on the shoulder as he readies for battle.
Perception
Nature
Ami rides Yeen next to Aldebert, loading his slingstaff as he goes.
"Brother! Do you see it! It comes upon wings! Maybe it is a flying gnoll for us to slay," Amiamble hisses at his brother from under his scarf.
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"It will probably be hot," Mahdi says, quite cheerfully, as they say goodnight to each other the night before setting out. "Volcanic mountain and all. Something to consider!"
***
Mahdi gazes at his newly purchased horse with trepidation, having disdained the idea of the wagon as incredibly unglamorous. But he didn't expect his horse to be quite so.... big. He looks sidelong at how the others mount their horses-- oh, hm, the dwarf brought food for the horse too, was he supposed to do that? Well! One can't be expected to think of everything, even if one is a genius....
Mahdi leads the horse behind the stable in order to get on, so nobody else can see this endeavor.
***
By the time Aldebert cries out a warning, Mahdi hates horses with a vengeance. His thighs also hate horses.
He squints into the morning sun with a scowl, shading his eyes with one hand, that is indicative of his general feelings towards the world right now. "Likely some stupid bird, if it's flying," he says shortly. "There's no such thing as a flying gnoll, don't be ridiculous."
Mahdi struggles to get off his horse and manages it in a sort of controlled fall. The last thing he wants is to be on the gods-cursed horse if there's to be some sort of fight.
"I will scare the blasted thing away. Or cook it, and we may have roast fowl," Mahdi says dismissively, even if he is secretly relishing the chance to show off one of the new mysteries of fire that has revealed itself to him. He starts fishing things out of his spell component pouch.
"It's almost like I never left Highhelm."
"Highhelm, you say? That sounds like a wondrous place. You should tell me all about it, while we ride. You'll see. The halflings chitter between themselves, with the fatter one speaking for the both of them. And Maddie, well. You can't ride him across a river, that's his brother, but he talks better than most. And you can see his nosehairs quite plainly while he looks down it at you. Surprised he hasn't figured out a way to burn them off yet, what with his control of fire and all." Pent pulls his shirt away from his chest, and fire erupts. He lets go of his shirt, and pats it, reassured that he still has the ring.
"Glad to have you with us, Odie. You and I will be great friends. I can tell by your laughter. It's the quiet ones who are usually figuring out a way to excuse themselves. They miss out on the best stories, I tell you."
...
Pent scours the market, looking for a decent ride. He makes his way up and down stalls, passing donkeys, horses, dogs... He finds himself staring up at a rather mangy-looking camel, chewing. "Well, looky he..." The smack of spit stops the gnome from continuing to speak, as he spits out the foreign tongue's spit.
"I'll take him. Oh yeah... I'll take this one, sure I will..." Pent finds the merchant quickly, doesn't haggle at all, but asserts his place in the local administration, and whose ears he has.
...
Pent scrunches between the two humps of his riding camel, hoping to become a third, non-detectable hump himself. "Oooooo, not good!! One out of three chance, those are not good odds, not good at all!! What exactly is it?? Is it hostile?? Does it play with its food before it eats it?? Does it like gong song?? What're we gonna do?? Hold still?? Play possum?? How do you get a camel to play possum??"
Pent listens fixedly on Mahdi, and nods vigorously when the flamethrower states his intent regarding flambeed fowl.