Bahram joins the group heading back. walking next to kat. he gets her attention so she can read his lips.
I spoke with Almah, she had no real leads. she wasn't even sure if foul play was at hand. I think she is hiding something.
he gives her an apologetic smile, sorry I didn't get more, but she is a tough one to crack. But no need to worry, you will always be special to me. he adds with a sly grin.
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Catching Noonan's comment out of the corner of her eye, the oracle turns and glares at him.
We do not eat the goat. We rescued it and return it.
She then responds to Bahram:
Almah is in charge. We answer to her, until we learn she wishes us harm.
At Bahram's last comment, she nods in agreement, apparently not understanding, or not wanting to understand the rogue:
Yes. An we will find Haleen together.
Let us ask Dashki about the creature; he spoke of things of the sort when we questioned him, Anaara responds to Morrigan. She follows the others back to camp, Kevi riding across her shoulders.
We spoke with the gnoll hunter, and found out little and less as well, Anaara responds to Bahram and Kat. There is still much mystery to be revealed here, I am thinking.
"Fine by me."
Morrigan swings the pugwampi corpse over her shoulder and seeks out Dashki. When she finds him, she drops the corpse at his feet.
"So, they tell me you were speaking of this creature earlier. What do you know?"
Noonan sighs and just heads back to camp to rest.
Hadrod rushes up and takes the goat from your arms. "Oh, Rombard! What did they do to you." And to you, he says, "Thank you so much! I had really despaired of seeing him again." Then, he brings the goat back to the animal pen, where his wife is waiting.
Dashki says, excitedly, "See! See, it was the pugwampis. Who knows how many of them there are?"
With that, he takes the corpse of the creature, fashions a tiny noose around its neck and hangs it from the end of his staff.
Garavel is waiting outside Almah's tent. "I see you've brought back a creature. Do you wish to explain what happened in your investigation to Almah?"
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Kat nods and proceeds over to Almah:
My lady. As you can see. We rescued goat, taken by pug-a-wapi. This thing . . . her face takes on a look of disgust as she looks at the pugwampi . . . it cause ill luck. It makes attacks miss. It even make thorns stick us more. She shows the scratches on her arm. We know not all. But, if the one in burned wagon played with fire. I think the pug-a-wapi might make accident happen.
This is what the gnoll hunter suggested as well, Anaara continues, inclining her head toward Almah in a gesture of deference and making sure Katenui can see to read her lips. But I also had a sense Dashki was not telling us all. He seemed to hide something during our questioning, and the pugwampi unluck seemed a straw he grasped at, rather than his reasoned-out explanation of the circumstances. The pugwampi may have played a part, but I feel we still miss the full story, madam.
After returning to camp. Belros ensures the goat is untied and is being led in properly as to not worry Hadrod. He approaches Hadrod, Hello sir, We have managed to find Rombard. He appears to be in good shape, Just a little shaken from the encounter. It turns out a pugwampi seemed to have wandered in and took him in the chaos of the fire. He hands over the rope lead to Hadrod. It's always good to see an animal returned to it's owner. A smile crosses his face.
Bahram accompanies the group as the meet with Almah. giving the customary bow to greet someone of her status.
Lady Almah, it is a pleasure, as always, to see you again. he says with his customary smile.
It would seem that there is more going on here than meets the eye, I don't believe all of this is coincidence or accident.
Boramyr wanders along with the two ladies until things are quiet.
Noonan will turn in early, all that forcing himself through the cacti has made his back hurt and he curls up around his back pack for support.
Z...bloody goat.zzzz..roast goat and eggs...zzzzz
"Well there's probably not much else to do tonight. Now that we've discovered the culprit, Almah and Garavel can decide our next move."
Morrigan turns to Garavel, "Unless you need me to perform guard duty tonight, I plan to retire for the evening. Night's embrace is calling to me."
Then Morrigan slyly turns to Belros, "I'm covered in thorns. I could use your help getting them all out."
She starts heading toward's her tent (or whatever is setup for her to rest in).
"In the morning I'll see if Father Zastoran can tend to the remainder of my wounds."
Before turning in, Bormyr places a hand on the shoulder of Anaara.
May the maker keep you safe
Anaara gives a bow to Almah as she backs out of the leader's tent. I'll retire as well, if you have no more need for me.
Almah is quite interested in the pugwampi, and has Garavel bring Dashki in to explain it. Meanwhile, Father Zastoran is also summoned, and he will heal whatever other wounds any of the party have.
Dashki gives much of the same explanation that he gave to you before. The pugwampi are vermin who treat the gnoll as gods, but the gnoll hate them (for obvious reasons) and are always trying to kill them or drive them off.
After Dashki is dismissed and leaves, Almah says, "Dashki is a bit... odd, but, his advice about the gnolls has always been accurate and useful, and, unless you've found out some evidence to the contrary I have no reason to suspect him.
"You've proven your usefulness, and now, I'd like to discuss terms of your employment. While on this expedition, I am offering you 200 gold pieces each. Are you interested?"
That sounds very generous, yes I am interested.
No, nothing specific about him, my lady. Just a...feeling about him. I shall let you know if anything further shows itself. As for employment...I have been sent by the city of Solku to serve, my lady, and your terms are quite generous. I am at your disposal. She gives a low bow toward Almah.
I also am at your disposal, and your offer is more than fair.
Boramyr bows slightly.
In answer to Katenui, Almah says, "I am going to rescue the city of Kelmarane, which used to be in the charge of my family ages ago. I require you to aid me in this."
"Well, first, we are too exposed here. About a mile away stands the abandoned monastery of St Vardishal. I'd like to claim that as a home base from which to launch attacks on the gnolls of Kelmarane."
"Yes, I accept the employment."
Almah says, "Good. Now that you've all accepted the commission.Tomorrow morning you'll set out for the monastery. You'll have to clear out the entire thing if we're going to set up our operation there. Don't feel that you have to do it all in one outing, either. Father Zastoran is here to help heal you. And, we are here to support you. So. Good night. And Garavel will wake you in the morning."
The next morning, you set off for the monastery, and approach the nave of the building.
Scrub brush and a light, patchy carpet of weeds invade the monastery through two huge fallen sections of the western wall. The exposed nave beyond is a huge hallway littered with bits of debris ranging from tiny rocks to enormous sections of collapsed masonry. Most of the roof above the long promenade is gone, but several jagged pillars remain.
Anaara stares at the fallen monastery, with Kevi staring just as attentively beside her. What stories it will tell us one day, baby, once we're wise enough. She falls into step behind the others, letting the more sturdy ones of the group take the lead.
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Kat follows with the others, her eyes sharp, but her ears useless and unable to hear the morning sounds of the desert, the chirping of bugs and birds or the noise of any threats. Because of her known limitations, she stays behind the front line, waiting to see what the immense old structure holds.
Perception(visual only):
Morrigan struggles to extract herself from the night's cool embrace. The harsh light of day stings her eyes like the acrid breath of a pit fiend and the failure's of yesterday's performance burn even more so. Yet Bacon gently nudges her until she is forced to rouse and face today's challenges. Morrigan pulls her dark hood over her head sheltering herself from as much sun as possible.
She kicks at the weeds as she tramples towards the others standing in front of the monastery and then waits with a scowl on her face.
Bacon on the other hand is eternally cheerful and bounds about the open plains without a care.
"Let's get started then." Morrigan grumbles, "I'm in a good mood to hurt something. And this gods be damned sunlight is more torturous that a kyton chains. The sooner we get inside the better."
Morrigan looks over the immediate area.
Boramyr looks at the monastary.
Well, I suppose we might as well start somewhere.
With that, he starts making his way to the hole in the wall on the west side.
Noonan shields his eyes as he looks at the ruined building. Right with you Boramyr. He walks to the dwarf's left.
The offer of 200 gold brings a smile to Bahram's face. he has never seen let alone held so much coin. though he does try and hide his excitement at the thought of such a large sum of money.
Lady Almah, No amount of coin can compare to your beauty and generosity, You goal has become mine. Of course the money does make the choice that much easier.
Bahram's attempts to woo Almah are no doubt naive if not plain inexperienced. but still he tries.
Bahram caught up to the group brushing some brush off of him where he stumbled as he was distracted watching Kat.
you guys need me to, ahhh, you know, scout things out?
Bahram slips on ahead being as stealthy as he can.
Morrigan nods to Bahram, "Let us know what you find. May the Dark Prince guide you."
Scrub brush and a light, patchy carpet of weeds invade the monastery through two huge fallen sections of the western wall.
The exposed nave beyond is a huge hallway littered with bits of debris ranging from tiny rocks to enormous sections of collapsed masonry.
Most of the roof above the long promenade is gone, but several jagged pillars remain.
You don't notice any movement or the obvious signs of habitation.
"This monastery appears as barren as the wastelands of Abaddon. If anything is holed up in this place, it must indeed be a wretched creature. It may thank us for putting it out of its misery," Morrigan muses.
Morrigan absentmindedly scruffs Bacon's scalp while she waits.
Noonan moves up some, letting their scout take the lead.
Boramyr looks at the roof, and the hall as he walks in after the scout and then looks around from the middle of the hall.
Standing near the rear, Anaara drinks in the monastery's ruined features, marveling at the artistry still apparent after so much time.
To the south of Boramyr is a hallway. At the east end of the hall there are alcoves to the north and south, and a set of steps to the east.
Well He looks at the others and the scout.
I am thinking we look at those alcoves and the stairs to see where they go
Boramyr points off to the east
"I agree the east sounds good. The wide stairs are ominous enough. I'll follow our rogue's lead. If there are more pugwampis about, we can't rely on luck."