Aakim spots Janos in the centre of the camp, speaking with Garavel and a old halfling dressed in red and yellow. You also spot Jesail and Chee speaking with the man you spotted who was skulking near the wagon.
The cleric motions to the man whom was pulled from the wagon. "Eloias here is out caravan's fortune teller. I told the lady that it was simply varisian superstition, having a so-called fortune teller in each caravan. The cleric pauses briefly before shaking his head and saying: "I am sorry, where are my manners? My name is Zastoran. As I said, , I am the lady's spiritual advisor. She insisted on bringing Eloias along. The Legacy of Fire is some nonsense he told the Lady about in his wagon. I've studied lore for longer than that charltan has been alive and I never heard of such a thing! Sarenrae's domain is fire and she hasn't granted me any such vision.[/b] The halfling once again pauses, and looks at Garavel, stern-faced. "Truth be told, Almah's a bit desperate. Most of her capital has gone into financing this expedition, and if it fails, the Pactmasters will not likely favour her with another oppurtunity. As for the cards you mention.. one of the ways Eloias would predict the future was with a deck of them varisian Harrow cards."
Horgun glares at the print before standing and returning to camp. He tries to signal to the elderly couple to return, then looks about the camp. Spotting Jesail and Chee with a man most likely to be Dashki he moves to join them.
"Hail, friends. You'd be the hunter Dashki, aye? What do ye know of canine beasts of this area that'd be fearless enough to steal a goat from the camp?"
Jesail nods. "Thank you my good ser. You should consider a bath some point. You may find yourself in much better spirits if you were to smell better." Jesail turns to Chee. "Let's head back to the wagon and look for any clues that may lead pertain to the possibility of these Pugwampis being apart of the incident."
Jesail spots Horgun. "Greetings. You are one of the newer members of this caravan like Chee and myself." Jesail listens to Horgun's question. "He mentioned a small jackal beast called a Pugwampi being responsible for the fire. I was going to investigate the wagon for any clues to such a thing. Have you come across something already?"
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Seeing the others, Janos will ask the Clerics leave a moment to go speak with them.
"Hail friends. What have you discovered so far? I've spoken with the priest", motioning towards Zastoran, "who seems confident that Eloias, the man I pulled from the inferno, is a false fortune-teller, responcible for the fire, unwittingly. It seems he often light candles in his tent, and may have lost control of it. I am not sure I trust him. Can't say why. Eloias is still out, but I need to speak with him. I had a dream, just before this about a Harrow card".
"He also mentioned something about the Legacy of Fire. Anyone heard of this? I must know. I feel it is important. It seems something secret he told Almah. I'll see if I can get an audience in a moment".
"In the mean while, any have a pen and paper I might use, while we hear the other findings thus far"?
I'm afraid that those cards you mentioned won't be able to predict anyone's future They are burnt, as the rest of the wagon. Aakim steps in the middle of the discussing men, bowing his head. I went to inspect it, looking for any clues that might be useful. If there were any, they are up in smoke now.
He pauses for a while, showing his left hand to the people there as a saluting gesture, in the fashion of the desert dwellers. My name is Aakim Al Kassam. I was born in Kelmarane, and joined the caravan to honor the memory of my ancestors who lived there.
As the Legacy of Fire gets mentioned, Aakim tries to remember if he heard tales about this before.
Jesail looks at his friend Janos with curiosity. "A pretend fortune teller you say? Interesting. Stories seem to lead to the candles he lights as a means to start the fire but there also maybe something more malicious to consider also. If you must speak with the fair lady Almah, friend Janos, then I shall accompany you. Our goal is to find our beloved Haleen but at the same time, these mysteries are hard to ignore, wouldn't you agree?"
'Ey Janos, here! Chee hands Janos some supplies from his pack. Right, talk to the lady, but then let's find some pugs.
Horgun allows himself to be intercepted and join in the conference. As he strolls over with Jesail he says, "I ought to say my apologies for how I tried to order ye about earlier. It were habit, is all. See most groups have a captain, someone what makes the decisions and gives the orders. And then there be the one who sees that them orders get made happen. That'd be me, often like." He mimics a refined noble accept. "We'll set up camp here. See to it Mister Flintnose, I'll be in my tent." His voice returns to normal. "Then I'd run around setting people to pitching the tents and digging the latrine and standing watch. Well, that Lady Almah's got a powerfully commanding voice, so when she snapped out her orders I just fell to old habits."
After the others have recounted their discoveries he adds his own. "Seems most folks here think there were a love rivalry at work. Almah was consulting with Eloias all the time in private like, so they figured the two were working on personal recreation matters. Dashki were pretty obviously in heat for the lady himself and none too happy with Eloias, so they all figure him for trying to thin the competition." He spits thoughtfully. "Me though, I don't buy none of it. If Almah were of a mind for a secret romance, she'd have noticed Dashki's interest. And Dashki sounds more the type for a hunting 'accident' than an arson. He were right about them desert rats being around, for I'm fair certain one took a goat just now. Most like all the tracks got stamped out by the firefighters, but I can go give a look see if anything survived."
These desert rats you speak of... Could have they been able to set the fire? If they managed to snatch a goat, then they aren't your regular city rats, for sure...
Horgun tilts his head uncertainly. "Could be, could be. Mind you now, it takes a thinking person to have evil intent. But an animal that'd snunk into camp looking for an easy meal, a wagon with more candles going than be safe, could be that's how things happened." He sucks in a breath. "Now saying if that's what did happen, that I ain't ready to yet. But I think I'd best go have a look round the burnt wagon now. Any of you lads want to come lend your eyes you're welcome to."
Horgun heads to the burnt wagon and circle it at a moderate distance, searching the ground for drag marks or more tracks like the one he saw before.
While Horgun is search around the wagon, he spots a single track near the wagon which matches the one he found.
"Aye, there it be, clear as day." Horgun points out the print to the others. "Seems simple enough what happened now. What say we go find the Lady Almah now and make a good impression with our report?" Unless anyone raises an object he heads to Almah's tent and hails her.
Almah looks up from her writing as you enter. She stands and moves to the centre of the tent, remarkably self-assured. "Yes? Have you discovered something?"
Chee follows along Yes. He did. pointing to Horgun
Jesail follows Horgun to Almah's tent. Once inside he bows deeply to Almah showing her sincere respect. "Fair lady Almah please pardon the intrusion but we all seem to have various forms of evidence about the indecent. It is part of my profession to gather info, piece together that info, and come to conclusions. As far as I have been able to conclude this. The man who was almost burned to death had candles hazardously lit in his wagon. This is a hazard but from what I can tell is that there is more too it. We have reason to believe that a local creature called Pugwampi may have been the final push. All in all it was one big accident. I must advise that no one be allowed light candles in the wagons. Seem unsafe. At any rate. I am curious about this Legacy of Fire Janos mentioned. What can you tell us about it?"
Horgun salutes and waits his turn before speaking up. "Aye Miss, it's much as he says. I found tracks about the burnt wagon, and that it killed and stole off with a goat too. Put together a beast with no fear of man and too many open flames, and it's a bad combination."
He coughs and adds. "Seems some of your troupe took it elsewise, as they'd taken to believing you and the man had a more intimate type relationship. Attacking you from your weak side, as it were. If that be the case then a bit more discretion be wise, and if not be the case then ye might still wish to avoid misunderstands. Morale be a tricky thing this far from anyone else."
As Horgun shows him the small tracks, Aakim says:Ah! There they are. I didn't find them the first time. So, you were saying that there were other suspects for this vile act?
He then follows the group to meet Almah. He bows at the sight of the lady, but let the others do the talking.
Almah sighs, "Eloias is simply an employee of mine, but I can understand why the others took it the wrong way. I will ensure I act more appropriate to my station in the future. As for the Legacy of Fire, it's something that came up during Eloias' readings, but he could never give me any details."
Almah pauses to take a drink of water. Her face turns hard: "Eloias was always cautious with the candles. He's no idiot, he knows he lives in a wooden wagon. And even if the candles did start the fire, he would've been able to escape the wagon before it burned as bright as it did. No, I believe you are correct, dwarf. If these Pugwampies are intent on causing trouble, we should teach them a lesson. You said you found a track leading out of camp? Follow it, and recover what you can of the goat. Bring me the head of the pugwampi creature as well." Almah takes another drink and returns to her seat, continuing to write. She looks up after a moment, "That will be all."
Aakim bows. Thank you, fair lady. Then he addresses his new companions: Looks like we are in this hunt together. I hope we will be able to introduce ourselves a little better on the way there. And hopefully, we will be able to hear something more about this "Legacy od Fire" by Eloias himself, at our return. He gathers his few possessions, ready to leave.
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Walking up to Almah, "If you could my lady" I'll drop the drawing of the card and the burnt card on her desk (maybe it is real after all, we shall see he thinks), "can you tell me anything about these? Anything at all? What context did the sleeping man have when speaking of the Legacy of Fire? I' also not so sure about it being his fault. All I can say is that I feel he might be innocent, but I need to . . .", he feels that sadness returning from her aura, her presence What is that?.
"You should also know, there is, there seems to be a sort of love-longing triangle, or rather a square, about you that you don't seem to realize. This might be the motive behind these events. In ther own way.
Wars, and rumors of wars. . . One desires the heart, one the mind and body/soul, one the company, and one the approval. Two others, unknowing at the ame game in a far off lands beyond us. But their time is not yet. The fire was a sign of affetion. It's caress a gift meant to be as gentle rain in the heart's misunderstanding. . . More to come, for those with eyes to sense.
A trail-glyph towards the city of ghosts that once and will be. Beneath, but above the sands of times. Woman's impotence returned for another chance to break the bonds. A gift of hope? Belive in the readings"?
Turning to Horun or Aakim, you can't really be sure, "The scroll. It's very important. Remind him of the scroll."
Dropping to one knee, kneeling in pain, and back to his normal softer voice, "Now I really need that drink. . ", with a pleading look towards Chee. "Strong. Soon."
To Janos Nuh uh! You know the rules. No drinks until after the job is done. Let's do it. to Almah Don't worry, we'll bring the pug's head
Horgun salutes again. "Aye Miss. There were a track leading north into the cactus, sharp as my nose. I'll lead the others to it." As Janos goes into his foretelling Horgun uneasily shifts a few steps further away from him. When asked he's quick to pull a wineskin from his pack and offer it to the man. "Here lad, drink deep. Ain't the strongest, but you sound like you're in sore need of it. Too much sun does things to the head, and maybe you breathed in something bad in the fire."
Jesail will help his friend Janos stable himself after the strange prophetic speech he just gave. "There, there my friend. Don't push yourself. If you need to rest do so, the rest of us can handle the Pugwampi's." Jesail turns to Almah and bows deeply. "I will honor your request fair maiden. We shall investigate the matter at once. You will have your culprit I promise. With that Jesail helps Janos out of the Tent.
Jesail lets Janos decide if he wants to tag along but regardless he will turn to Horgun. [b]"Where are these cacti you mentioned. We should end this with haste as there are definitely more important things to be done than to hunt rodents." Jesail will have his crossbow at the ready when Horgun leads.
Horgun waits for the others to ready themselves, then leads them back to the track he'd previously found leading away. As they walk he says to Aakim, "I did catch your name on the trip, lad. Aakim, weren't it? I'm Horgun Flintnose, and as you might've heard this little venture is a bit compulsory for me. No reason I can't come out ahead from it, though. The lady seems in need of a good hand, and that means good pay."
At the north side of camp he points out over the dune into a maze of thick cactus. "That's where we be headed. Couldn't rightly say how many we'll find in there, so best keep your weapon handy." Following his own advice he brings axe and shield to hand and sets Argia to flight overhead before advancing once more.
As the group exists the tent and makes ready to follow the track, Dashki approaches and says: "If you're hunting pugwampies, you can count me in. I never pass an excuse to kill the little bastards."
Evening sets in as the group follows the trail down the hill, and the haunting lighting before dusk gives the forest of cacti an almost unnatural quality. As you continue to follow the tracks, they lead into the forest of cacti. At the very edge, an almost unnatural tenseness fills the air. The inexplicable tension is quite distracting.
Suddenly, ahead in the gloom, you hear the sound of pathetic, whimpering goat bleats. The cacti stand in your way.
Aakim draws his rapier and starts using it as a makeshift machete to get some cacti out of his way. He moves very slowly, trying not to fall and to spot the goat.
As Aakim moves forward into the forest, his rapier catches on a cactus and pulls him into a big thorn. How unlucky!
Horgun eyes Dashki suspiciously, half reconsidering his earlier conclusions, but shrugs and makes no objection to his presence.
As Aakin forces is way in Horgun stands and peers into the tangle of plant life, but the growth is too thick for him to spot anything. A few whistles at Argia fail to induce her to seek the animal. Frustrated, he stops and looks for a safer path through the plants.
Chee decides to follow Janos.
Acrobatics and perception
Jesail begins to maneuver his way through the cacti. "This creature is clever. Probably why it is such a nuisance in these parts."
Acrobatics 1:
Acrobatics 2:
Perception:
Even if you prick yourself on a cactus, you still move your regular speed.
Dashki pulls out a dagger and also attempts to get through the cactus patch.
Horgun, upon examining the cactus patch, you don't see a way through. You could try to hack your way through, but you'd be going at 5ft per round instead of 10 if you made a acrobatics.
Jesail takes no damage, but everyone else (except Horgun, obviously) takes 1 point of damage, scratching themselves on the cacti, but everyone who tried is now 10 feet deep in the brush.
The goat has obviously heard you approaching, as it's pathetic whimpers are now full-fledged, terrified squeals. A tiny arrow flies out of the dark towards Janos.
The arrow sticks into a cactus near Janos.
Aakim sheats his rapier and readies his whip.
Perception
I sees it!
Bomb
Chee slips and...Oh no!
Splash deviation
Aakim and Chee spot a Tiny creature, about the size and shape of a small dog, but it is walking on hind legs, much like a gnoll. It's face is hideous, almost as if it were mixed with a rat. It is holding a bow in it's hand. Chee's bomb doesn't land spot on, but explodes anyway.
The creature - the pugwampi - dodges most of the damage, but yelps in pain and starts running away in panic. He runs straight into a large thorn, impaling itself. It stops moving, laying dead on the thorn. The tension in the air instantly disappears. The goat is still within the cactus patch, and Aakim and Chee can spot it 20 feet in, hogtied and bleeding.
"Haha, stupid little bastard!" is Dashki's reaction to the death of the creature.
Horgun, who was reaching for his bow, checks him movement. "I think thing must've been misreported a bit. I were under the impression this were some wild beast, not some cursed dwarf gnoll." He slowly and carefully picks his way through the cactus to the goat and puts it over his shoulders to carry back out.
Perception if needed:
Jesail has his crossbow at he ready in case he spots anymore of those odd little creatures. "Do they travel in groups Dashki? What are the odds there are more of him?" Jesail keeps a good look out.
Looking askance at JanosJanos, that thing makes me look cute, and I'm a baby eater. Going over to the thing Ha! That's what happens when you mess with Chee!
Well, that wasn't exactly a display of martial prowess says Aakim, referring to the self-impaling critter. Let's go back to the camp before sunset.
Jesail nods and calls out to Chee. "Chee! Be sure and bring the little beasts head with you. Lady Almah has requested it."
Dashki answers Janos as they walk back to camp. "They may look small, but they are surprisingly strong for their size. They have some small magical powers as well." and to Horgun he says: "Don't mistake yerself, it's a wild beast. Just 'cause it has a bow don't make it civilized. Gnolls wield weapons, and in some ways be smarter than humans, but they still be wild beasts."
Back at camp, Almah inspects the pugwampi. "Interesting... if these things do indeed infest the surrounding area, this spot is far too exposed." Almah pauses to consider for a moment. "Well, you all have thus far proved yourselves extremely competent. I am willing to offer you 200gp each, payable upon the successful re-taking of the village. Also, I understand there's one among your number who seeks his freedom? The Pactmasters have granted me the power to free slaves. If you succeed, I will ensure you go free."
Almah's tent has burning incense, and she moves to sit behind the burner. She motions for you to sit. "Near here is a abandoned monastery, dedicated to Sarenrae." She shifts slightly, breathing deep. "Though the building is undoubtedly not in good repair, it would be a much better than out here in the open. The monastery is about a mile northeast of our current location, and a about a mile-and a half south of the village proper. I am tasking you to retake the monastery. If you think you need it, I will send some of the other mercenaries with you, but I'd much prefer them to remain here in camp, in case the gnolls discover our location."
To Almah Will we get to burn stuff? Looking to Jesail and Janos If I get to explode things, let's do it!
Almah smiles at Chee, a hint of mischievousness in her eyes: "I'm sure there will be some things to burn. Just don't burn the building down."