With two arrows now loosed upon her comrades, Anjali picks her way through the brambles. Looking around at her group and judging the distance of the pugwampi still in the tree, she raises her hand to the sky and channels healing energy through her.
hp.
Bahram tries to navigate the thicket to get closer to the one with the bow.
despite the wave of misfortune that befell him earlier, Bahram manages to gain some ground and he flings his dagger toward the one in the tree.
Bahram ducks so the falling dagger does not strike him on the head.
The pugwampi laughs at your misfortune! But looks concerned seeing the channeler healing everyone...
Bartan 17,
Avenka 17,
Khayal 17,
Hajar 14,
Dhavyn 13,
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Monsters
----------------------,
Bahram 12,
Anjali 10,
Yazi 8,
Bartan tosses another card at the pug in the tree.
Avenka will delay and see what happens before round 4.
"Thanks for the healing, Anjali!"
#1 : Is there a rock that I could throw at the pugwampi in the tree?
#2 : And another question : if I step back a little, will my badluck end since I would be beyond 20 feet from him ?
#3 : If I throw a rock at him, I think I would take -4 for improvised weapon and another -4 for throwing through allies, that's it ? If it's the case, I could move to J9 or something like that...
Bartan's card (explodes?) on the creature. It sways for a moment before losing it's grip, then slips off into the bottom of the ravine taking an additional It is now very dead.
Leave the creature be. Nothing can be gained here from its death... says Hajar and he picks up the corpse.
Pusti zdaj, ali ste doživeli enako usodo kot tvoj prijatelj. Hajar calls up to the creature in the tree.
Anjali tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear, giving both women a shy smile. "I thought it would be prudent to heal everyone considering all of this," she says, idly poking at the prickly vegetation with the tip of her crossbow.
Her attention strays to the corpse in Hajar's care. "Have we inspected the creature to make sure it made those three-toed tracks? If it is, then perhaps it is enough to convince the say'yida Almah that it may very well have started the fire. We should probably show the...body to her."
Catching a glimpse of Bahram through the joshua trees, she calls out. "Bahram? Is that goat by you? It is high time to take it back to camp with us."
Anjali inspects the creatures' anatomy:
hm. it is a very ugly anatomy. Legs like a chicken, body of a small body builder, head of a possessed Chihuahua. It does indeed have three toes. And it smells like a dead racoons which has been in the sun for a few days. Yuck. Treasure: It has a gold ear ring which you may take, and three burnt harrow cards, presumably from Eloais' deck.
The goat is careful to remain at least 15 ft from Bartan, who will almost certainly gain a nickname among the herd: he-who-casts-evil-spells-on-small-goats.
The nauseating odor of the dead pugwampi causes Anjali's eyes to water. It induces a few dry heaves that wrack the girl's slim frame. "Ugh. Now I know that I am in dire need of a bath after being next to one of these." As payment for the ugly creature daring to offend her sensitive nostrils, she takes the gold earring and the burnt harrow cards.
Anjali gives Rombard the bedraggled goat an affectionate pat as she walks past the animal to show the cards she found to Bartan, silently vowing to check up on the goat when they get back to camp.
"I found these on one of the pugwampis. Do they mean anything?" She pauses, catching her lower lip between her teeth, appalled at her lack of manners. "My apologies. I should have asked after your injuries first! I can examine you once we get back to camp if you are still hurt." She looks around at the rest of her companions. "That goes for all of you as well."
Bahram gathers the two daggers he used, one of little effectiveness. his skill in combat proven mediocre at best.
then moving to see the goat. he attempts to secure the goat to bring it back to the camp.
he attempts to navigate the goat free of the Joshua trees and to more open terrain or at least less painful terrain.
Bahram succeeds in this, splendidly.
To Anjali: "Your healing graces have already made me strong, mon chere. Merci. As for the cards..."
<- The Forge (Lawful Neutral, Strength)
<- The Fiend (Lawful Evil, Strength)
<- The Idiot (Neutral Evil, Intelligence)
"These three cards, found on a creature such as that, mean that there is a mastermind behind the seeming antics of these creatures. The Forge represents the creation of a plan, the Fiend is the evil creature behind the plan, and the Idiot represents these creatures themselves, following whatever fiendish plan which has been put to them."
With your keen sense of truth, you feel that Bartan may have been fabricating at least part of the reading he just gave, and the meaning of these cards may have been more vague than he lets on.
Anjali nods her head as she considers Bartan's words. Impressed at his ability to read the situation, she smiles broadly at him, her cheek dimpling, clearly believing his reading. "That makes sense. And...I was merely making sure everyone was alright."
Perhaps checking on his injuries wasn't Anjali's only reason for seeking him out after the fight.
Bartan totally thinks you just wanted to heal his wounds.
"I very much appreciate your concern, mon chere. Let's return to camp and clean ourselves up."
Once clear of the trees and the thorns. Bahram looks back making sure the others are safely on their way out. he then leads the goat back to the camp.
"A fine idea. Back to camp for a nice wash," Anjali replies.
Dhavyn carefully avoids the spiky trees and withdraws to the safe distance leaving the lackeys to handle the pugwampi corpse. As far as he is concerned the battle could have gone a lot worse. No hits but neither was he hit or impaled by the spikes for that matter. He joins the others as they head towards the camp.
"I do not know what is the deal with that goat. I wonder if they were planning to eat it or if it was set up as a trap. A bit of both I suspect. I'm still surprised there were only two of them... as far as we know. He keeps an eye on the surroundings just in case.
"I thi... what?" he gives Yazi incredulous look. "You can't be possibly serious, can you... No you can't. I don't like it when people make fun of me!" he scowls.
What does she have against me. I haven't given any reason for her to be that aggravating. I wonder if it's a natural talent. He continues scowling and huffing but tries his best to look like he is paying attention to anything else but Yazi.
To Anjali: "While we don't have a lot of water, I may be persuaded to create another snowball, this time in a bucket, for us to use for at least face washing, mon chere." He winks at her, then turns away as his face flushes, his embarrassment at his own flirting apparent. He then curses to himself, remembering that he did not prepare a snowball today, so his offer can't even be fulfilled...
Bahram just continues on back to camp, not saying much of anything.
he seems vigilant enough to know what is going on around him, and every so often check that the others are doing well. (or at least, what they are doing).
leading the goat along like a dog on a leash.
it is apparent, though, his thoughts are are also occupied with something else.
Avenka doesn't mind carrying the pugwampi back to the camp, and doesn't mind too much the smell either.
Anjali gets tongue tied, flustered for a moment. The Badawi men were a serious lot and were not often prone to winking. Shaking her head, she laughs self-consciously as she walks back to camp. "This snow...ball? It is wondrous indeed, but seems far too cold to cold to use."
Walking ahead of Bartan, she tosses a grin at him over her shoulder. "Perhaps I can help with the water though." Catching up with the girls, she places a friendly arm around Yazi and Avenka's shoulders, a comical move considering her lack of height. The smell of the pugwampi causes Anjali to quickly drop her hold on Avenka. "Ai! That does not smell fine. I hope we have enough wash water for everyone."
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Putting her arm on Anjali's shoulder in comaderie as well Yazi wil let out a light laugh, although it would be more accurate to call it a cackle. "You and your love of water lil Angel. There are other ways of getting rid of unwanted smells, a good vigorous sweat being one." A grin and wink to Avenka accompanies the last part.
Hajar shakes his head at the frivolity of his companions in this task. Do they not care that two creatures are dead. Three if you could the poor Harrower.
Hajar will carry the stinking corpse and show it to Almah
Most esteemed Princess Almah, this is a pugwampi. We could not capture it alive as my companions were slightly overzealous in their attacks. Call your man Dashki here to confirm his earlier words.
At first when Anjali puts her arm around her shoulder, she startles a little, and despite feeling disconfort from this proximity, she tries hard to smile at her, and at Yazi also on the other side of Anjali...
She wants to blend in, and it’s her way to play it « cool ». When she sees Anjali step back, she says to herself « Damn, I must have not smiled enough! », even though Anjali said something about the smell, which she didn’t hear because she was too focussed on her facial expression / stress with the situation.
With all of you in attendance, along with her guards and Dashki himself, Almah answers: Astonishing. A creature that generates unluck! I have never heard of such a thing. This does indeed clear Dashki's name.
Asif places a light hand on Dashki's shoulder. I am sorry that I accused you. I believe it is writting in the book of light "you shall never accuse falsly." Forgive me.
Almah: And now, my new friends, I have rewards for you, for your faithful service in this matter of clearing my Gnoll Experts' name!
Bahram takes the goat to the the animal pen. and does a cursory check to make sure it is still secure.
checking in with the one in charge to the animals. Bahram makes sure the goat he returned is in fact the one missing.
I trust this is the missing goat. I am not sure why it was where it was but it is returned.
Once that matter is settled, Bahram returns to the others. just in time to hear of a reward of some sort.
but he pays little attention to that, slipping off to see his new friend (the serving girl)
Dhavyn sits in corner of the tent writing into a parchment when he hears Almah mention a reward.
"Having a bath and an opportunity to restock supplies sounds reasonable enough as far as rewards go but I have also questions that need answering. I would like to know more about the genies, the fire genies specifically, and their influence on humans here. It is to my understanding that the people of Katapesh have a history with them..."
He pauses briefly before continuing "It's my original purpose for being here but it seems everyone is tight lipped about it unless gold is involved - and that's not something I've in abundance at the moment."
He scratches his cheek briefly with an inkpen leaving an inky mark and continues "Perhaps you are able to assist in this, your highness?"
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Seeing Bahram sneak off towards Almah's tent Yazi can't help a smirk as she rolls her eyes. "Ooh, what kind of reward? Food? Money? Women? Men? Regardless, a gift from you you is welcomed many times over Miss Almah." She is slightly louder than even her normally loud self as she extols Almah, partly to be affectionate towards the princess, and partly to draw others attention away from the sneaking Bahram.
Anjali=600gp
Bahram=2300gp
Yazi=900gp
Hajar=300gp; but got a quest
Avenka=900gp
Khayal=900gp
Dhavyn=300gp; but is about to get a story
Bartan=300gp; but Almah is HELFPFUL toward Bartan
Hajar pauses in his prayers to the Lady and speaks with Dashki.
Yes, Master Dashki that is indeed beneficial information. The Rough Beast and his servants should be crushed beneath the heel of the Righteous. I will relay this information to the Princess. She leads this campaign, I am only a soldier in service of the Light. It brings my heart much gladness that the truth of the fire is known and your name is cleared. Remember the Light of the Dawnflower spreads upon all. Thank you for your words.
Dhashki's nods to the Paladin Now excuse me, I must find some place to be alone and clear my head from the days events. He then slips off alone into the hills.
As night falls on this second day of your adventures Dhavyn, and anyone else who wishes to listen, gather around Almah to hear about Genies.
Hajar, loving stories of warriors facing the minions of Rovagug, listens raptly.
"Do these Janni templars have names? Also what do you mean that Nefeshti's designs have had both good and bad consequences?" Realizing he is sidetrailing the story Dhavyn adds "My aplogizes. I'll reserve the questions in the end. Please continue."
Anjali has spent hours luxuriating in Almah's private tent. She comes out looking clean and freshly scrubbed, smelling of the attar of roses mixed with citrus and bergamot. The wet in her hair still holds the furrows from her recent use of a comb while her fingers bear the wrinkles from a long soak - such simple joys for the Badawi girl after long days atop a camel. She makes sure to find one of Almah's servants to have them relay her thanks to their generous mistress. Her new robes and gifts are now painstakingly bundled away in her pack.
She finds Almah launching into a story about janns. Her interest piqued, Anjali moves closer and claims a seat nearby. "I love stories about the janns," she murmurs, resting her chin in her palm as she waits for Almah to continue.
bahram gently touches her cheek. and smiles a thank you.
Thank you. he says looking into her eyes with sincerity in his look.
He tucks the dagger away. and slips back out of the tent.
Bahram is sneaking out of Almah's tent and slipping back with the group
he is seen blowing a kiss back toward the tent just as he leaves.
Almah smiles: Indeed, Master Dhavyn, they do have names.
But there is more to the tale, as I've heard it...
Dhavyn has pulled out the parchment from its case and is writing details in shorthand as the princess continues her tale.
Finally someone who is willing to share something. Even if most of it is likely to be fables. Still there ought to be a grain of truth in these stories. Just need to distill it... I'll be needing more parchments or a small book soon he muses and continues scribbling.