seeing the fire still burning, and the bucket brigade doing what it can to keep it from spreading, bahram sees that more water is needed.
seeing hajar struggling to move the large barrel. Bahram decides it best to help him.
with a wink toward a lovely lady as he is about display is awesome strength to impress.
Avenka sees Bahram move the barrel and is stunned when she sees the result. She almost smiles at him, but when she sees he winks towards the lady doing his thing, she sighs deeply and decides to run towards the animals still loose.
The last of the fire fizzles out and Yazi hurds the last animal into the pen. END COMBAT
It is good that the fire out.
Picking up a bit of snow.
I have never seen cold dust turn to water before. What form of magic is this?
"Well done, mes amies! The fates have smiled upon us. And don't you see? My cards told no lies! The Lantern, it was telling us of the fire, and the Survivor, it was forewarning us of our poor burnt friends there!"
Bartan seems to realize all at once that he's boasting about his own fortune-telling abilities, and becomes incredibly embarrassed by his own actions.
"Oh... my. Well, I'm glad we could help. I'll... go tend to my camel now."
Excellent work friends. Most munificent Garavel will be best pleased.
When things seem to be arranged, Avenka steps back to gather the camels of the party and make sure none are missing. She stays a few feet from the group, trying to find a burned harrow card on the field.
Bartan looks at Khayal, a bit speechless for a moment, before he realizes that many don't travel the world as much as he did with his parents.
"It is called snow, monsieur. In some parts of Golarion it falls from the heavens and covers tall mountains. You should visit there, some day. I learned to cast that spell from my mother, who learned it from an Ulfen man named Garundal. "
Falls from the heavens and covers mountains, yes this is something that I would like to see.
What do the fates say for me?
With the odd buzzing in her ears suddenly gone, Anjali breathes a sigh of relief. Her much longer-legged comrades got to the pen before her. The fire was finally out and the animals were safe.
Raking an errant strand away from her face, she wanders over to the mound of white powder until the tips of her boots make indentations into the edge of the pile, drawn in as she was by the strange cold substance. "I cannot even imagine this...snow covering an entire mountain," she says to herself. Allowing herself to linger a moment longer, the Badawi girl cautiously steps into the pile, leaving her small bootprints on the white surface.
"Ah, a harrowing, then, is it? It will only cost you 5 silver, monami. Do you want a general reading, or do you have a specific question in mind?"
Bartan sits on a bare patch of ground, spreading a thin blanket out and weighting the edges with rocks. He begins shuffling his harrow cards, looking expectantly at Khayal.
Bahram: There are very few ladies in the camp. You have seen Almah and the injured warrior that Anjali healed. There are also two harem girls that Almah brought with her as servants, but they rarely leave Almah's luxurious tent. You've seen them peeking out the tent flap but their faces are veiled.
Avenka: exploring the reckage this is the
Anjali: as you step your boot print into the snow you notice
Avenka keeps the card in her belt pouch.
Intrigued, Anjali bends down to inspect the fresh tracks. Glancing back at the pens and the animals within, she shrugs, deciding to follow the animal tracks in case one was still amiss.
Khayal reaches into the coin purse on his belt, finds 5 silver pieces and hands them to Bartan. He then takes a seat on the ground cross legged and awaits Bartan's next move. What does fate have to say for me?
In the distance you hear a howl and laughing sound. You recognize it as Gnoll calls. A few miles away by your estimation. But you probably shouldn't stay out here too long.
Bartan takes a deep breath, centering himself. "May lady Irez smile upon us as we tell of her vision for your future, monami." He places nine cards face-down in front of himself in a line.
"Please choose between these cards, monamie."
Bartan then shuffles all of his cards, and places nine more in front of him, this time in a 3x3 grid.
Strength, Neutral Evil-> The Beating
Re-roll Middle and BottRight:
Bartan turns the three cards to his left over. "This column represents your past. I see that the Juggler is signifying joy and revelry in your recent past."
He flips the middle three cards. "This column represents the present. Here, the Marriage signifies our newly-formed group working together in harmony."
He flips the final three cards. "This column represents your future. Here, we have two important cards, the Snakebite and the Desert. This suggests that you must be cautious of those around you who wish to do you harm, but with the aid of others you will prevail over any who wish you ill."
"While this has suggested caution when dealing with strangers, I feel that your future is very bright, my friend! This reading has good tidings for all of us, as our group will obviously work well together as we just did in saving this camp!"
Bartan puts away his cards and blanket, bowing graciously at Khayal.
Khayal tilts his head slightly back looking Bartan straight in the eyes. He then gives a soft hmmm as if contemplating what had been said.
Khayal cracks a slight smile.
I hope you are right.
Anjali withdraws from her impromptu scouting up on the hilltop, and swiftly lopes back into camp.
She reappears amidst the travelers, her boots wet, a grim expression upon her face. As soon as she catches her breath, she blurts out, "I followed some fresh tracks. It seems as though we are still missing a goat. I found other tracks as well, though I have not seen its kind before. Whatever made them bore three toes on each foot. The tracks lead down into a valley filled with joshua trees and cacti."
Bowing her raven head, Anjali's voice thickens with emotion as her hands ball into tight fists at her side. "And that is not all. There are gnolls about. A few miles away still by my estimation, but they are out there."
It is at this moment that you see two of Almah's guards with pointed tipped helmets Saladin style dragging a scraggly looking man through the camp. They pass you all and dissapear into Almah's tent.
Almah herself appears a few moments later. New Cavaliers! she addresses you all. Come. I am sorry I cannot offer you the normal Keleshite hospitality tonight, but there is something important I need you to do.
Avenka approaches with eyes wide open and a rare smile on.
Let's hunt some gnolls then, shall we?
Almah: You will have your chance soon enough. But first, there is one thing I must have you do. Please come into my tent.
Khayal stands, not too fast not too slow. Bowing to Almah, Khayal walks over. His stance is tall and his gait certain. His hands rest together just above his waist.
When you enter Almah's tent you are hit by the smell of insence. Persian rugs line the ground. This place is warm and inviting. Something like this. Almah's two servant-girls are here. They glide through the room, pouring you tea and inviting you to sit upon the plush pillows. Almah and Garavel are here. They are talking to eachother in low voices.
Anjali catches Avenka's eye and shakes her head. "I suppose the gnolls will have to wait if our new employer wishes to have a word." She lays a friendly hand on the savage looking girl's shoulder before striding into Almah's tent, her back ramrod straight.
Inside, she gratefully accepts a cup of tea from one of the servants, though her attention is focused upon Garavel and Almah.
Bartan heads toward the tent, happy to be able to help their employer, and bolstered by the harrowing he just performed for Khayal.
Anjali my not be as strong as she is, but Avenka respects her apparent wisdom and calm. She follows her without complaining into the tent.
Even though Avenka boils inside with adrenaline, she respectfully accepts the tea and doesn't want to upset Almah, so she sits silently and controls herself.
Khayal accepts the tea, adds a lump of sugar and stirs it in with a small silver spoon. As he takes a seat on one of the plush pillows, he takes in his surroundings.
Bartan sits, pulling out his harrow deck as he does so, ready to read the fortunes of anyone interested.
Anjali brings her cup of tea over by the harrower and sits upon a nearby cushion, chewing on her lower lip. Her eyes slide over to the deck of cards. Leaning in, she whispers softly to Bartan. "When we have some time, might I trouble you for a look into what lies ahead for me?"
Not feeling like fraternizing with the others after the ordeal Dhavyn has kept himself busy tidying and cleaning the clothes that are now not only sooty from the fire but also wet from melted snow.
מאַאַגינען טעמפּפּו he whispers, and with a wave of hand the last soot stain disappears. Just when the guards arrive with the prisoner.
He perks up at Almah's invitation and follows the others into the tent, staying uncharasterically quiet.
He sniffs the tea curiously before taking a sip and then clears his throat I hope it is not untoward of me to inquire what was the cause of that fire... I can't help but notice the guards seemed to have caught someone. The arsonist perhaps?
Bartan blushes deeply, not accustomed to beautiful ladies speaking to him for any reason. He was very sheltered by his mother, even with their gypsy lifestyle. "Of... of course, mon chere! For you... well... of course."
WHEN WE HAVE TIME TO DO SO:
He picks out 9 cards, shuffles them, and lays them before him. "Please, pick one of these.
Ah, the Unicorn! Cherie, this card suits you well. Lovely and rare."
The Unicorn, Chaotic Good, Charisma
The Fiend (Lawful Evil, Strength)
The Mute Hag (Neutral Evil, Wisdom)
The Courtesan (Chaotic Neutral, Charisma)
The Empty Throne (Lawful Good, Charisma)
The Juggler (Chaotic Good, Dexterity)
The Survivor (Neutral Good, Constitution)
REROLL
The Forge (Lawful Neutral, Strength)
The Paladin (Lawful Good, Strength)
The Snakebite (Chaotic Evil, Intelligence)
Bartan flips the left column. "Interesting. The misaligned Fiend suggests that some great evil in your past has been averted, while the Courtesan in this position suggests through that action, you fell from social grace in some way. Why, I can't imagine such a thing happening to you, though."
He flips the middle column. "The ghost of the empty throne suggests that you have lost someone in your life recently, but they will always be with you in spirit. However, the gravity of that loss is emphasized by the misaligned Survivor, here."
He finally flips the rightmost column. "Oh my, the misaligned Paladin here is a strong signal to make some sort of significant change in your life, for staying on your current path will lead to disaster. Combined with the Forge in this position, it strongly suggests to me that you will need the strength of many to change your path and lead yourself toward the light of truth."
Bartan bows to Anjali. "I apologize that your reading does not bring the good tidings that our friend Khayal's did, but the cards have their own minds, as much as I wish I could influence them."
Almah turns to you all. Ladies and Gentleman, there was a man named Eloais in that wagon. He was a very dear friend, a Varisian Harrower, whom I consulted regularly, and invited to come upon this expedition with me. So this is a terrible accident and an immense personal loss. You notice the regal Princess Almah fighting back tears...
It now appears one of my employees named Daski, an expert I hired on Gnolls for this expedition, has been accused of starting this fire. Apparently there was no eyewitness to the actual deed, but several of Garavel's guards claim they caught him lurking by the Sultan's Claw just before the fire started. I find myself in a difficult situation. None of the people in my expedition particularly like Dashki. So I have no one who is un-bias enough to question him. And I myself have just lost a very dear friend. But in Katapesh we believe in unbias trial. And so I turn to you my new friends, to question him and the two guards who accuse him. You are new enough to my expedition to be unbias and give me your recommendation.
Again, Princess Almah's emotions begin to break down. But she recovers when Garavel steps over and places a fatherly hand on her shoulder.
Can you help me do this?
Dhavyn clears his throat again "Losing a friend is a terribly tragedy. You have my sympathies, your highness." He fixes sympathic eyes on the princess.
"I would be glad to assist in any capacity, and I'm sure my friends here agree" he says solemnly.
The Badawi girl favors Bartan with a small smile. She was eager to learn about her own future. "Later," she says, as Almah begins.
Anjali's bronze skin pales at their new employer's news. Nervous fingers fly to the worn leather at her neckline, fidgeting. If I had only been faster coming down that hill, perhaps I could have saved him. Her cup of tea sits beside her cushion, forgotten.
Leaning in once more, she whispers hurriedly to Bartan. "It appears as though fate has brought you here. Why else would one Varishi be lost when another arrives in his place?"
At Almah's query, Anjali looks up and gives the regal woman a nod of assent. If this Dashki was responsible, then she wanted to find out herself. "You have my word that I will do my part, say'yida", she replies firmly.
It is right and good that Dashki should not be punished for a crime he did not commit. Hajar says, grabbing his gear and preparing to go We will do this thing for you Princess.
"Princess, I will do anything I can to assist in finding a fellow practitioner. Would you like me to consult the cards on this matter, as well?"
|
"Wow. Such hospitality, beautiful girls all around, luxurious arrangements, and Gnolls soon after. I'm liking this job more and more." Yazi gloats to herself as she is given her tea and listens in as the others speak. She takes turns back and forth between slightly sipping and then lowering the cup for Doc to drink from as well. As the topic of interrogating and investigating Dashki comes about she'll finally speak. "This does seem almost too coincidental. How did Dashki and Eloais get along?"
@Bartan Almah says I know you are a Harrow, sir. Surely the fates have brought you here at just the right moment. I shall seek you out when I wish to know what the cards say.
Seeing Hajar get up to leave Almah says Please, please Sir, your journey has been long and you need not go anywhere to accomplish this task...I will bring the accused and his accusers to you momentarily - once I've answered any quesitons you may have for me.
@Yazi Almah answers: Eloais got along with everyone. I see no reason why one should think Dashki would do such a thing to Eloais.
"May we also question the guards, perhaps first? It may allow us to determine if they are being unknowingly unfair in their judgment of Dashki."
Almah answers Bartan: Indeed, if you wish to question them separately. She turns to Garavel. Relieve the guards, watch the prisoner your self, and send Asif and Hafiz in.
Garavel steps out and a moment later two grave cavaliers step in. Each has a spear. And each has a curved scimitar on his belt. By your command, princess, They say and they bow to Almah deeply.
Almah turns back to you all: These are two of my most trusted cavaliers. You may ask them whatever questions you may have.
"I will defer to my colleagues for the actual questioning, though I shall draw a card for each of these men, which may reveal something about them that questioning does not."
The Inquisitor (Lawful Neutral, Intelligence)
The Sickness (Neutral Evil, Constitution)
"The cards say that Asif is a truthful man, who is only trying to bring true justice. Hafiz... are you an unhealthy man, by chance?"
Anjali softly mutters an incantation as she sits upon her cushion with her fingers laced together in her lap. Her eyes never leave the two men brought in for questioning. Composing herself, she rises in one graceful motion, stepping around Bartan and his cards with the ease of a dancer to face the two men brought before them.
The Badawi girl draws herself up to her full height. She flashes them a winning smile, revealing even white teeth as she greets the cavaliers with a polite bow and a respectful greeting. "Well met, say'yedis. I am Anjali Nejem of the Badawi. The say'yida here wishes to learn what started the fire. I have attended to one of yours and her injuries from the blaze were great. I am sure you would like to ensure that such an event does not come to pass again. If you could tell us what you have observed in camp prior to the fire, it would go a long way towards determining what...or who caused it."
She pauses focusing her attention on their reply to determine the truth of their words.
Since there were no real ladies to flirt with per-see Barhram put the fires out wit the Barrel
Dhavyn frowns slightly at Anjali. Flourish and manipulation. That will hardly yield the correct answers. Still perhaps she has a point...