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you have been traveling for weeks on a camel caravan. the blowing winds have been kind, and you have suffered little trouble as you traveled. The man who hired you shouldn't be much farther, after all your approaching the place you arranged to meet, although it should still take a few days to get there.
Gurrr had been rather hot and miserable with the caravan... obvious from his constant scratching and occasional moaning, though he rarely complained verbally.
His constant hunt for food, though, on the journey had been an annoyance, as he gobbled down his own share and then constantly tried to cadge more from anyone else who was still eating or had leftovers. Sometimes the cooks complained that food disappeared in the night, but Gurrr was never caught if indeed it was even him who was responsible.
Still, he did his best to ingratiate himself to others, making himself useful along the way. He proved an excellent guard and watchman with his great night vision.
For a little green fellow, he was oddly likable in a strange way, making friendly overtures and asking others about family and friends, though rarely opening up to them, except to occasionally lament that he had no family.
Along the trip, Yrdex has thus far treated his fellow caravan members with respect. Being a kobold, he has grown accustomed to being overlooked or detested. He does his best to not be seen and to stay out of the way, for he knows to further his purposes he must be patient and diligent. He often keeps quiet, only involving himself in conversation when religion is brought up, excitedly chattering away about how he is the "Chosen One" of Aspu.
The one exception to Yrdex's introverted nature is Kona. Yrdex is enthralled with Kona, quite possibly to the point of annoyance. He constantly asks Kona if he can assist him in any way, treating him almost like royalty.
Abdalrahman volunteered at the beginning of the trip to take a late watch, because he preferred to be up when the sun rose, the better to offer prayers and praise to the most Merciful One.
He then spent time training, dancing gracefully through his sword forms, scimitar a blur in the sunlight. Once he worked up a good sweat, he would clean himself, and then assist with camp chores.
He talked openly with the other members of the caravan, his demeanor only darkening a bit when dealing with gnolls, though no one was quite sure why, as he waved off any questions about the subject.
Though the trip was thus far uneventful, he remained ever alert, ready to defend or assist his fellows in any way he could.
Gurrr gravitates to Yrdex a bit, seeing they are the same size... he seems more leery, though not overtly unfriendly, of the 'longshanks' (ie medium sized) folks in the caravan.
"Yrdex like Gurrr? Be friends?... too many longshanks around... Gurrr need friends. Me lonely here." He does look sad and a bit dejected, probably even moreso because Yrdex seems so captivated by Kona.
However, Kona also being small, gets some attention from Gurrr as well. "Hello little dragon. Me like little folk... Gurrr need friends... be Gurrr's friend?"
Kona was inquisitive about everything. He had asked you each questions about your pasts, and noted them down in a notebook that he kept in a pouch that hung from around his neck.
He did not limit himself to just the members of the party, however, but had asked everyone in the caravan at one point or another of their pasts and their connection to the pathfinder society.
If he was bothered by the blowing sand and heat, he did not show it at all.
After signing on with the caravan, Gnashers life had not changed drastically. Like his time with Bahram, Gnasher rode his camel napping, or walked with the caravan during the day. Spending dusk hunting on the plain for extra food for the pot. Then spending the evening keeping watch.
The biggest difference being He would awaken the human Abdalrahman a couple of hours before sunrise. Then watch him dance his sword dances as the sun would rise. Gnasher kept his distance the first couple of days, the man not seeming to want to talk.
Shortly after joining the caravan Gnasher exchanged pleasantries with the creature Kona. Having told the ‘dragon’ how he came to join Bahram’s trade caravan as a young gnoll and how he wanted to exact his revenge on the gnolls who served the ‘carrion king.’ Kona had been kind enough to explain what ‘pathfinders’ were as he jotted down information in his note book.
’Abdalrahman seems polite but distant, he has probably had a bad experience with my race. He is not the only one.’ Early that morning, having spent a few days on the trail together, Gnasher decides to break the ice. After waking the swordsman and watching his practice. He approaches the human, calling out to him. ”Abdalrahman, you practice sword much. Are you considered good fighter by others? Gnasher would know what dancing sword style called.”
Abdalrahman considers the gnoll for a moment before answering.
"It is the style of the dervish, performed in service and praise to the most holy and merciful Sarenrae. As to whether or not others consider me to be a good fighter, I could not say. I do my best, in Her name."
He pauses, as if there was more he was going to say. After a moment, he gave a slight shake of his head. "Excuse me. I should clean myself." He turns and walks off.
'he gives honor to Sarenrae I have heard of her.' Gnasher nods his head in understanding. "Ah the Dawn flower. Gnasher worship Abadar. Dawn Flower give fire like Abadar give good trade, yes."
'Good we will not have to worry about bugs with this one, hopefully his soap will not be to strong, I don't want raiders drawn to us before we are ready due to strong flowery odor.' As the human leaves to bathe Gnasher calls out reassuringly "Sword look good, dance look good. If lucky, soon we will prove Abdalrahman good fighter. Bathe dancing blade in blood of gnolls who follow carrion king."
Gurrr sits quietly in a dark corner and watches and listens to Abdal and Gnasher's conversation, such as it is... he blinks quietly in the growing light of morning, trying to stay hidden in shadows... When Abdal walks away he senses a tension in the human's departure.
Then he slips out of the shadows and walks over to Gnasher after he calls out to Abdal... speaks quietly in the still of morning. "You no like gnolls?.. but you be gnoll! Me no get that. Why you no like gnolls?"
'hhhmmm a goblin I believe, or is it a Halfling? Those small races all look the same to me." Gnasher looks at the smaller humanoid, 'he has done well guarding, he doesn't fall asleep on duty, he does eat a lot, but so do I.' Gnasher makes a motion for Gurrr to sit under the sun scorched tree with him.
"Gnasher no like certain gnolls. Gnasher was born to Red Claw tribe. Tribe strong, led by Charook. Charook and Red Claws were betrayed by gnolls following carrion king. Gnasher make war on carrion king and gnolls with carrion king."
Then Gnasher nods toward the desert, "How did Gurrr come here?"
"Old Chief of Gurrr's tribe die. New chief Big-Gut-Mutt no like Gurrr... so me leave... look for new tribe. But no one want Gurrr, so me look more. Me learn me work longshanks, longshanks give food and shineys. Gurrr go where longshanks say Gurrr go, but me no like desert. Too hot hot. Sand burn and me want mud in toes. Me misses home." he sighs, looks at Gnasher morosely,
"What be a carry on king? Bad badness he make on Red Claws? You need new tribe too, yes?"
Gnasher listens carefully, nodding his head in understanding. "Yes, Gnasher's tribe destroyed. Gnasher followed merchant caravan of Bahram "the Worm" became member of guards, caravan became new tribe." Pointing to the caravan they are a part of. "Gnasher learned this caravan going into desert and fight carrion king. Bahram said Gnasher go and get revenge. So Gnasher go. This my tribe now and it Gurrr's tribe too." Gnasher opens his mouth showing his teeth in what looks to be the beginning of a snarl, but instead of a growl he giggles a little "Of course in a gnoll tribe the smallest usually get eaten first."
Gnasher looks off into the distance and points out in the destert. "Carrion king Gnoll pack leader who break sacred gnoll law. Carrion king had gnoll attack gnoll. Caused death of Red Claws. Gnasher only one left. Carrion King also turn away from mother of Gnolls, Lamashtu, now serves Rovagug."
The blue man has been a solid contributor to the caravan. While not the strongest, he is still capable of burst strength when required. And while generally silent, he speaks up briskly whenever translation is required. Overall he has the air of someone capable of greatness but his spirit seems completely dampened by the slave's manacles that he wears.
He watches the antics of the temporary races with some humor. He has seen such types before and knows he shall see them again.
"It Gurrr's tribe?" He looks around curiously at the caravan, which is probably now just coming truly alive with the preparation for the day's travel. He tilts his head to one side in deep thought, which makes one ear flop over comically. "You, me family then? NO EAT ME! Me not whelpling in cage! Not big like you and longshanks but me fast!" He smiles at Gnasher. "No, Gnasher not eat Gurrr... me am too stringy and tough. Remind me Gurrr be hungry! Me get food now... Gnasher get food too?"
After cleaning himself and checking his gear, Abdalrahman heads over to the cook fire to break his fast. He looks over at the goblin and the gnoll chatting.
It must not be easy for them, and yet they try. They are a credit to themselves and their Gods. That gnoll... Gnasher. He almost certainly cannot be one of the ones who killed my tribesmen. He can't know what happened. I should not hold him responsible. I must try not to. My lady would expect no less...
He raises his voice and calls out to them with a wave of his arm. "You should come and eat, while it's hot."
"Oh yes! Me hungry... time to eat.." He gives a gentle tug on Gnasher... Whether Gnasher comes along or not, he scampers over to Abdal, wide-eyed and eager to eat. "Me hungry now! What be for eat?"
When Kona moves, it's similar to the way a snake moves....If the snake had four leg/arms. It does let him move rapidly, however, and he joins the line for food with the rest of the group, holding his bowl in his rear left claws.
"It's interesting to see gnolls and kobolds and goblins and humans getting along. I guess I owe my Venture Captain a silver piece when we get back."
'Gurrr is funny, I've heard that gnomes are funny, did I guess the wrong race?' Hearing Abdalrahman call that there was food, Gnasher follows Gurrr. "Gnasher not mind stringy, but Gnasher not eat creatures who think and talk, Bahram say bad for trade."
Heading to the food, Gnasher nods to Kona as he passes, nearing the pot he smells the stew, with it's mixture of Antelope, leaks and onions. Gnasher then turns, looking around and sniffing; then following his nose to the refuse pile where the bones, hide and offal were dumped. Quickly picking up the Antelope skull and gobbling up the brain matter. He then grabs a leg bone and biting it open, begins to eat the marrow. Returning to the camp fire, he holds up the bone, showing it to Gurrr. "Stew smell ok, but marrow best part."
Yrdex follows closely behind Kona as he portions himself a small bowl of stew. He sits quietly by the fire, his eyes darting between the faces around him as he tries to keep up with the conversations.
Gurrr is in mid-gobble of his stew when he pauses to listen to Gnasher... "MMM marrow be good. but why you waste good parts? Bone good too... everything be good to Gurr... " He takes the remainder of the femur that Gnasher doesn't want and bites a piece of it off, crunching the bone happily... Mmm.. good better with insides, but still good!"
Looking at the femur and then at the Hobbit his small campanion, Gnasher shrugs his shoulders and hands Gurrr the bone. 'Maybe he will get bigger if I feed him. There is plenty if he doesn't mind eating it!" Wiping his fingers on fur on his legs, Gnasher returns to the refuge pile and dragging the hide back to the camp he regains his seat and begins to gnaw on it.
Abdalrahman looks up from his bowl of stew, looking around the fire at his various companions.
"Even as little as a year ago, I could never have imagined being here. Sharing meals and work with a kobold, a gnoll, and a goblin. And there is... what, a prisoner? A slave? And he has blue skin. The world is a large, strange place, may Sarenrae show it mercy."
Shaking himself out of his musing, he smiles faintly and joins in a conversation.
Poresh smiles condescendingly. "A slave I am in this life. But that, like all lives, is but fleeting. And I am confident I shall soon win my freedom. As you say, this is certainly an unusual crew. But I believe we shall find success in this endeavor."
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As the night progresses the sky clears, and the waneing moon is but a sliver... it should be a new moon the day you meet your client.
The stars watch from above, and their millions of sparkles each like an angel watching from the void.
The dessert goes from it's usual scorching heat to a freezing cold very quickly, as the lack of clouds lets heat excape. Luckily the warmth of a fire keeps you both warm and wary, as the dessert has more than just the heat to fear.
Yrdex, being a cold-blooded creature, is not fond of the desert night. He recognizes Kona might also be experiencing some discomfort, "Kona, can I do anything for you? With the sun gone, I think I'll go to sleep. It's too cold already."
Kona nods towards Ydrex and says "I'll be fine. I'll just find a nice spot near the fire to sleep. Thank you for asking though!"
Gurr will stay awake for a little while, watching the stars and staring into the distant darkness around the camp... and then he'll finally sleep til mid-watch or so, wake up for a little while, then go back to sleep til morning. When he is awake he'll wander silently around the camp and watch other people sleeping, which some might find a bit creepy, but that's just his nature.
'I will check the camp perimeter.' After eating his fill of the antelope hide, Gnasher gets up, picking up his polearm, he trots out into the dusk to the edge of the camp. Walking the perimeter, telling the others doing guard duty "Guard duty important. By Lamashtu don’t let Gnasher catch guard sleeping!” He then trots out further into the waning light, one hand resting his polearm on his shoulder, the other in his chakram pouch, in case he scares up something good to eat.
During the night, Gnasher regularly returns to the outer perimeter to see if the guards are attentive. In the morning he will wake Abdalrahman, then watch his sword dance while eating a late snack and rest while riding his camel through the day.
Yrdex spends the night curled up into a scaly ball near the fire. Though he is willing to take a guard shift, being deaf greatly limits his ability to do so.
Poresh offers to take any watch needed. Regardless, he sleeps under the stars, seated in a lotus position and with his eyelids peeled back around his eyes. Though his eyeballs now appear huge, they somehow do not reflect any light from the fire or the heavens.
Abdalrahman sleeps wrapped in his cloak, a bit further from the fire out of respect for those who need the heat more. He keeps one hand resting on the hilt of his scimitar as he sleeps.
Kona sets his pack near the fire, spends several minutes situating it, before curling up in a ball on in and sleeping. It's very reminiscent of the way a dragon sleeps on it's horde, or a cat on a pillow.
Riding on his camel, Gnasher startles, thinking he smells smoke. Looking off in the distance, shading his eyes with a massive paw, 'Our employer wouldn't be stupid enough to have a large fire burning would he?'
He asks. "Gnasher smell smoke, should Gnasher be seeing smoke at this distance, would smoke not invite attackers?"
Yrdex spies the smoke cloud as well, peering out from under the wide brimmed hat he wears during the heat of the day to shield his eyes from the sun.
"I don't know, gnoll friend. Let's take a closer look"
Gurrr spots the smoke cloud and nods to Gnasher. "It might. Good we not be attackers, yes? Maybe we warns them. They not do that again." Excitedly, he bounds ahead of the caravan a short ways then back again... he obviously has far too much energy to spare in this heat.
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Kona twists his body similarly to a snake's and says "There may be people in trouble. We should go help them!"
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Poresh concurs with Kona. "A fire that large in the daytime likely means trouble. Let's make haste." He approaches, keeping his eyes out for signs of danger.
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It quickly becomes clear that those billows of smoke are no campfire, and you are able to make it to the other Caravan within a few minutes, people rush about, shouting about a fire, those that see you shout and cry, but once it is clear you are with a Caravan they quickly shout for your help. A wagon had started on fire, and people frantically tried to douse the flames, not wanting to use their water supply.
Four men frantically attempt to put the fire out, their red armor clear and bright. Another few men try desperately to push a wagon away from the fire. Several horses and Camels snort and bustle about, frightened.
Yrdex walks past the panicking men without acknowledging them and approaches the fire. Once he comes within a few yards of the burning wagon, a torrent of water suddenly appears above the fire. Yrdex continues to drown the flames until they are extinguished.
Dismounting from the camel, Gnasher runs to the wagon quickly beginning to rage. His paws grow into overly large claws, with which he grasps the wagons tongue. His eyes grow red, his fangs enlarge and he begins to froth at the mouth. His brown hide takes on a red-orange cast to it, as he bellows at his fellow laborers.
"Pull blasted humans! Pull! Do not make Gnasher regret helping with work!"
As he pulls his claws slip on the hitch.
Gurrr lopes toward the other caravan, and seeing the panic and hubbub there, decides a loose goblin might not be welcome, knowing his people's reputation with fire and mayhem, so he takes to the shadows and sneaks closer.
When he sees Yrdex seems to have things well in hand, he realizes that he, like his brethren, likes the fire, and sticks to the shadows to watch until it's out. He talks softly to himself in goblin:
Kona moves behind the wagon and helps push.
Poresh smiles to himself as he sees his companions struggle to move the wagon. He wordlessly steps up and adds his own focused effort.
Gnsshers eyes open wide as Poresh grabs the wagon and heaves. 'I may have underestimated this slave.' Gnasher watches the Samsaran, trying to calculate his actual value.