"We have just found it to be unwise to travel alone, Garavel. Again, I will go with you."
I too, Garavel. Let's be sure I'm giving you your moneys worth
"I suggest the rest of us join you, this time." Urdaan adds, glancing back at the wagon. "I doubt anything will overtly molest the caravan here while we are gone, and if we're going to be that far from camp for this long, I'd prefer to have my armor."
"You are right it is unwise of me to travel alone shall we be off then?" Garavel says and with everyone's nod in agreement he leads you back to camp were you gather your armour and other supplies Garvel grabs a shovel he keeps on the spare camel "Was not expecting to find a use for this on our trip but now it is going to be used for more gruesome things" You all grab your things and Garavel leads you back to the Caravan.
Pashaj hums a traditional Iroran chant about death and rebirth as he begins digging a grave.
Raulzig finds the human-sized shovel too unwieldy for him to use, and goes inside the caravan again to search for anything else which might be hidden there.
No check needed Pashaj but if you take turns with someone it will take a lot less time.
There is not much time left and soon the Carrion king will find it we charge you three to the task Geoff, Korgan, Tony, You must take it to Solku from there to Katapesh, If you have received this letter it is likely all in Kelmarane have fallen you must take it to the scholar Rayhan in Katapesh do not let it fall in the hands of the enemy
Good luck and godspeed.
What this could mean you know not you assume the letter is referring to the scroll you found as there was nothing else in the caravan except spice you have never heard of the Carrion King
After looking at Pashaj dig for awhile, Calain decides to help out.
Stand aside Pashaj, let someone with real MAN arms do the digging. HA!
Raulzig takes out his ever-present notepad and copies the text there, just in case.
Having stepped out of the wagon he finds Garavel and shows the parchment to him.
"This looks very interesting - apparently this scroll originated from Kelmarane! Any chance we could visit this scholar it mentions? How long do you estimate our expedition can take?"
He pauses for a moment, humming a catchy tune under his breath - Raulzig usually does that when thinking hard.
"But look - it seems that whatever happened to Kelmarane was related to this Carrion King guy! Now that's not a very pleasant title! I mean, who wants to reign over carrion? Well, aside from vultures or hyenas, ha ha"
Pashaj hands the shovel to Calain and steps aside. "If you tire, I will be prepared to assist." With that, he sits in a meditative pose and closes his eyes.
"This is seriuos news indeed the Carrion king is king of the gnolls of Brazen Peaks what he could want with this scroll I know not" Garavel says he then Pauses and thinks "A trip to Katapesh would take at least a few tiring weeks keep hold of that note small Pathfinder perhaps Almah will know more."
Samuel will accompany Garavel back to the caravan.
Urdaan will use whatever kind of cloth he can find in the caravan to wind the bodies of the three men with. Afterwards, he carries the bodies over to where the graves are being dug, chuckling softly at Calain's statement.
As the bodies are lowered, he mutters briefly in Dwarven before helping to cover the corpses with earth.
Once the duties to the dead are complete, Urdaan speaks up. "So, shall we move what remains of camp here? It seems far simpler than attempting to pull this wagon to our camels and campsite."
"That would seem the wisest course." Pashaj pulls himself to his feet. "I will aid you."
Garavel will also assist in helping you move the remains of your camp over to the Caravan thinking it was a good Idea.
Once the camp is resettled, Urdaan finds a spot to settle in for a long night's watch. After a moment, he ruffles about in his bag and pulls out a small chunk of wood and a knife. Humming softly, he starts carving.
You gently lower the body's into the makeshift grave and give them your prayers you re setup camp by the caravan it is 3 or 4 at night and you won't have much time for rest before you must set out again. Urdaan stands watch for the few hours you rest the night is silent and uneventful Garavel awakes you early morning and you are back on with traveling to the Church after tying up the camels to the Caravan and loading your supplies.
Several hours pass it is even hotter today than it was yesterday the sun shine brightly over the sky and your clothes are drenched. Garavel tells you the Church is about an hour ahead and soon you will have the rest and comfort you have waited for. As you top the next sand dune Garavel suddenly calls for a halt he looks to the west a very concerned look crosses his face "Company" he says to you silently you likewise turn to the direction he face to see seven figures vaguely off in the distance.
perception:
I will be casting "create water" as needed. I would rather use the magical water since it runs out over a short time, than the "real" water for lack of a better term.
"Since we aren't doing much other than riding how about helping me name my scorpion. I don't have anything better than Clampy. but the name does not sound like one to be taken seriously."
"So, Garavel, what precisely do you know about what happened in Kelmarane that caused it to be abandoned? I've heard a little bit, but not much, and it's always helpful to get another view."
Urdaan seems surprisingly alert for someone who hadn't slept the night before; as Garavel calls for a breaking of camp, he brushes a small pile of wood shavings to the side and begins hitching the camels to the cart.
@H'vok Urdaan peers at the scorpion trailing alongside you for a moment, studying it's carapace for any distiguishing features. "Hmm. You said you had met him when you had to spare his life. Can you elaborate on that instance?"
Perception check -
Calain rides most of the morning in high spirits besides the lack of rest. He is a little disappointed the casters are unable to renew spells.
Wha's the point of all that power, if just having a late night stops you from making new magic? Still, nice to see even those who control dragons and such still have weaknesses...
Never named a bug before? How about 'Squish'?
Raulzig winks at H'vok: "Depends... is it male or female?"
Wha's the point of all that power, if just having a late night stops you from making new magic? Still, nice to see even those who control dragons and such still have weaknesses...
Urdaan quirks an eyebrow and smiles dryly. "So, to defeat the evil wizard, we must stick a rock under his pillow, set a rooster by his window, then catch him in the morning? But admittedly, I've never had much of an understanding of magic myself; according to some scholar in Katapesh, desert elves frequently lose the knack for it." He grins wryly at Samuel. "Though I suppose you'd know a fair bit better than myself, eh?"
"Were trapped..." Garavel blurts randomly he dismounts his camel and takes a few steps forward looking off into the west. "Why do you come" He yells at the marching figures but there is no response he tells you all to do likewise and dismount and follow him.
Raulzig winks at H'vok: "Depends... is it male or female?"
"It is male"
Pashaj slides off of the camel's saddle and walks immediately behind Garavel.
Urdaan snaps to focus on the approaching figures, his face going carefully blank once he makes out what they are. He slides off of his camel and hefts his crossbow to shoulder, stepping in front of Garavel and sighting on the center gnoll. "Calain, watch the rear, if you will." He says calmly, before locking in on the gnolls. Just before he pulls the trigger, something flashes across his face. "Garavel? Say the word."
You have the front, for now with the crossbow Urdaan, but if those Gnolls go hostile, I'll not let you get ahead on the kill score. You get one shot then I'm in there.
Urdaan's usual good humor seems lost at the moment. "There are four more behind us, Calain. With the seven others in front, I doubt a lack of killing is a concern. Those four will need to fall should we need to retreat." For a moment though, his smile returns. "I imagine that will hold even you, for a while."
"Not yet Urdaan I see something different here get into position if they should prove hostile I shall require backup." Garavel says and slowly begins to move to the Group of gnolls he tells you not to shoot at them yet and to get into position.
Pashaj begins a light hum as he focuses himself.
Urdaan's usual good humor seems lost at the moment. "There are four more behind us, Calain. With the seven others in front, I doubt a lack of killing is a concern. Those four will need to fall should we need to retreat." For a moment though, his smile returns. "I imagine that will hold even you, for a while."
Calain, having missed spotting both groups earlier, perks up at the news.
Wha? 4 more? EXCELLENT, I knew you weren't a greedy Elf after all. Surrounded, eh? Good! That means I shan't lack for targets!
Wrinkles appear on Raulzig's forehead as he concentrates on coming up with the name. "Hmm. How about... No, probably... I mean... Well, let's see..." He takes a look at the oversized arthropod which is scuttling around H'vok, seemingly oblivious to its surroundings.
"Hooktail maybe? Sorry, I can't seem to gather my thoughts together after a sleepless night."
When Raulzig stopped staring at the scorpion and looked forward, his face became pale.
"Look, there - gnolls straight ahead!" He exclaimed almost in unison with Urdaan.
As his companions began discussing fight tactics, Raulzig kept squinting, trying to discern something about the gnolls. "Wait, they don't look like a roving warband. They're too... organized? They can clearly see us yet they aren't preparing to fight or run away. Maybe we could, uh, talk to them first before rushing headfirst into what looks like an ambush?"
"Not yet Urdaan I see something different here get into position if they should prove hostile I shall require backup." Garavel says and slowly begins to move to the Group of gnolls he tells you not to shoot at them yet and to get into position.
I27 for H'vok
"Not yet Urdaan I see something different here get into position if they should prove hostile I shall require backup." Garavel says and slowly begins to move to the Group of gnolls he tells you not to shoot at them yet and to get into position.
Samuel tenses up, but otherwise allows Garavel to manage the situation.
Calain moves to cover the rear guard, tensing for battle.
The gnolls slowly advance towards you they do not bear there weapons though and hold out there hands in sign of peace. They come whiten a few feet of Garavel before a slightly regal more intelligent gnoll steps out from the crowd. "Garavel I presume and your...group." The gnoll speaks perfect common very strange for any of their kind. "Aye and what business do you have with us in this part of the desert hmm?" Garavel says in immediate response. "We have only come to talk Sir Garavel." She says with a slight smirk. "Your kind don't talk your are here for something so speck up." Garavel barks back. "You are ever so hasty Garavel, we can...talk this out you know." She gives a faint laugh. "Why do you come?" He asks again. "You know exatly why I have came out of my way to find you Garavel." Garavel looks confused not understanding what she had meant until he finally realizes and turn to you lot and whispers "Zig the scroll they want the scroll, I don't know what we should do we are outnumbered surrounded damn! " Garavel is lost in thought as to what the party should do should they refuse or play dumb the gnolls will surly attack which could be the death of them or they could hand over the scroll and be on there way. Help out yer buddy Garavel :)
When Raulzig heard that the gnolls were driven to their group in search of the scroll which was currently in his possession, his heart sank. He desired nothing more now than to run or hide in the wagon while his companions deal with the gnolls in the way everyone except him was so used to - combat. But his conscience kept telling him that was out of the question. Trembling, Raulzig decided to trust in his luck and use the only chance they had. He slowly walked up to Garavel and addressed the chief Gnoll.
I'm sure Garavel does not know what you're talking about. I, however, do. I have seen the scroll you're looking for. He pauses, to check the gnoll's reaction, then continues.I have been sent by the Pathfinder society to infiltrate Garavel's group and intercept the scroll which was whizzed from under your noses as you took over Kelmarane. Geoff, Kolgan and Tony were good agents, but you killed them with your scimitars. You haven't found the scroll, however, but I did - we agreed on the hiding place in advance. Then I followed my instructions and used the magical teleporter I've been issued - Raulzig produces the Wayfunder from his pocket - to transport the scroll to my masters in the secret Pathfinder Lodge of Katapesh. If you wish to retrieve it from there, you'll probably have to lay siege to the city. So, you have us cornered, you almost won - but you were too late. Killing me will net you nothing. I think Garavel will do this job better now that I've been forced to uncover myself and confessed that I have brought you upon his group.
Sheeva grunts but does not know how to respond She then says something aloud mostly to herself. "If Rayhan get his hand on it..." She look at the gnome "You! Tell me who you sent the scroll to and I will consider to let you live." Sheeva looks quite enraged at the thought and for the most part believed the gnome though she had her suspicions.
Pashaj continues to hum as he stares at Sheeva. He does not acknowledge what Raulzig has said.