First of all she will talk Lark, Okaris and the others to align their investigations.
She will talk to the cleric Father Zastoran about the deceased. Maybe he has heard someone complaining.
She will also check with the other slaves and the teamsters if they have seen and heard anything, knowing just too well that those in the lowest caste see sometimes more than others could imagine.
And on with the investigation!
For those that wanted to question Almah....
"I found Eloise in Solku about a month ago and hired him,"she said with a frown. She looked at all the devastation and sighed. "It has been I don't know how long since I've visted the homeland of my ancestors, Varisia, and having a harrower just felt right. You can understand, I'm certain." Crossing her arms under her bosom she looked up at her feet for a moment before looking up. She swallowed hard and then looked up at the sky.
"His readings were getting more and more darker and sometimes even frightening. Grim would be the best word to describe them. I asked if that had anything to do Kelmarane he said yes, but only a fraction to something much larger. Something he called the 'Legacy of Fire.' It's nothing I've heard about and surprisingly enough neither did her. I wonder if he was just making that up."
Garavel...
"I have my suspicions. Dashki would be the least to surprise me."
Isadriewen Got information from the Caravan guards, but the mercenaries have this to say.
Wedge looked at Porkins for a moment and nodded to Biggs. "You tell them," he said. Biggs sighed.
"Right. Well, you see, we were just eating at the fire. Not the big ne we just put out but the dinner-fire. You know, where we cook our food and eat. It was good. Zatoran is something of a saint at cooking. Sort of a miracle really. Anyway, We were all there except for Dashki. I remember because I didn't smell him. He's a bit allergic to baths I think. Eats with his hands too, I don't quite understand the fella but he's supposed to be good at what he does and that's killing gnolls." He then sighed and frowned as he carefully gave his memories a mental run through. "Yeah, he was likely spying on Almah and trying to get a long peep at her goods. You know what I mean, right? She did spend a lot of time with the harrower. Maybe he got jealous." Then the four of them shrug in unison, leaving you to draw the conclusions.
Zastoran...
"Me? Oh, I beleive I was reading my book. And I was just about to go to my wagon when the fire happened. It was...fast. Did you see it? It was incredible! He then coughed into his fist and continued. "Eloise was a charlatan, a fraud. How can anyone put so much faith into a small pile of little cards when there is a pantheon of gods? Really. However I will miss him. He had an artistic heart and was certainly well traveled and interesting. Almah seemed fond of him as well, but I don't suspect it was anything more than nostalgia and friendship. And even if it was something deeper, wouldn't be any of my business would it? Now, if you are looking for a suspect I'd suggest Dashki. He's not healthy in the head," he tapped his own temple and smiled."He sneaks areound her tent, and I am not sure what else a man like him is capable. Such a scoundrel."
Who is left are the camel drivers and Dashki himself.
Information acquired Lark heads out to track down the elusive gnoll expert, the frequent implications from the people were to obvious to ignore. Based on what he'd been told about the man and his infatuation with Almah, Lark begins searching around her tent and tailing her, hoping to find the expert.
He doesn't have to search long, the man's stench giving away his presence as the wind shifts. "Dashki!" Lark shouts, still unsure of his exact location. "I just want to talk, can you come out?"
Isadriewen will join Lark. "The truth with set you free Dashki. Did you start the fire?"
Isadriewen will join Lark. "The truth with set you free Dashki. Did you start the fire?"
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+5
Okaris listens and looks around the camp as the others go to find to Dashki.
Dashki is there, for those that saw him, but now that you're interviewing he'll make his presence known. Sneaking around will only add to the suspicion. The first thing you'll notice about him is that he has no sense of hygiene. He's tall, dark, and greasy and he has incredibly bad posture. He holds his shoulders forward as if he had a need to lunge forward and choke someone.
Dashki...
The greasy man's lip curled and his fingers tensed. He stares hard at you for a long oment before turning his head to spit at the sand. Then he got almost close enough to touch noses, and the man did stink.
"I did not start that fire!" he shouted so loudly his voice carried. "That, that imbecile burned hundreds of candles a night. How do you know how it started? We're in gnoll country, it was likely the work of pugwampis!"
And thanks for your diplomacy rolls and perception rolls. They're not really needed, but I will use them if I need to. Dice rolls can sometimes provide great inspiration. Also, this part of the adventure is to get you acquainted with the NPCs and hook you into the module, which is kind of nice.
Between the man's stench, his accent and the unfamiliar word Lark has trouble understanding him, catching a bunch of gibberish. "I'm sorry I don't follow, is that some sort of local ah, spirit? Demon? He says, calling upon his steely resolve as he ignores the assault upon his senses. "Also what would his burning candles by the, what was it, hundreds," Lark takes a moment to pause at the hyperbole before continuing on. "And these Pogyampy have in common?"
Moving forward and smiling encouragingly Faffnyr puts her hand on Daski´s shoulder and speaks up."Well, excuse our lack of knowledge and enlighten us. We are unknown to this area and would really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Anything that might help!"
Isadriewen smiles, "Yes, we would love to hear of these Pugwampis. What manner creature is this? What has been your experience with them?"
She then turns more serious. "I would also know of any gnoll activity in this area. Perhaps our hatred of these vile beasts is something we have in common Dashki."
Dashki sighed, relieved for the change in subject, and he stood up straight and articulated what he knew to the best of his ability. He even used his hands.
"Pugwampis. They're unspeakable things. They're terrible things that crawled up from the Darklands below the earth. Some folks call them jackal rats on account they have pointed heads. They worship gnolls as gods and infest their camps like rats. Bad luck follows them and gnolls despise them, they try to kill them off but they always come back. Their bad luck would have caused a candle to fall and set the wagon on fire." Then his eyes rolled to Isadriewen and his lips quivered as if he had a craving to gnaw a bone.
"No gnolls yet," He said.
Lark considers the man's words. "Can you track them down?" He asks as his mind contemplates the military ramifications of the information. "Tiny bad luck causing fanatics would make perfect scouts and raiders. If there's no sign of gnolls yet then we can't take the risk these, rat jackals, will inform them of our presence."
While the others are talking with Dashki, Arian is chatting with the camel drivers - asking whether they own the camels or were just hired on for the job before slowly steering the conversation to the recent tragedy and anything they might've known about the Harrower or the disaster.
Interesting, Okaris thinks as he listens to the pugnacious man. finally Okaris interrupts, "Dashki in your wanderings around the camp did you see anyone hanging around the astrologers wagon or actually see any of these mysterious pugwampis?"
Isadriewen nods at Okaris, "Yes, tells us what proof you have that pugwampis have been in the camp. Also, you still haven't explained why you were lurking at Eloise's tent. Why are you obsessed with Almah?"
Dashki looked down at Faffnyr's hand on his shoulder and then up to her face before looking at Okaris and Isadriewen.
"Are you accusing me?" Dashki's voice got low and it doesn't take a sense motive check to realize that he's grown impatient. He doesn't answer Isadriewen's line of questioning, as that would show intent and motive to the crime. Nor can he answer Okaris which would discredit his statement about being by the fire. Between you two, you would have had him at location and motive.
The camel drivers are an amusing lot. They have thins talent to finish each other's sandwiche---er, sentences. Hadrah was the first to see the fire erupt but she and her husband were quickly distracted by the animals afterward. They were running amok. Hadrod is on the verge of tears over her goat, Rombard.
"Oh! Rombard! Where could you be!" he cried at the mentioning of his pets name and wept loudly (and a touch melodramatically) into his palms.
Hadrah wrapped a scarf around Arian without provocation and stepped back too admire it. She nodded with approval and smiled. "Now, you ask about Eloise? Well, I never really understood the man myself. He was nice enough for a foreigner but his talk of cyclones and fiends and uprisings. It was just strange, but Almah trusted his company so it's really not our place to judge dear."She said, and added. "Keep the scarf. It suits you."
Seeing the conversation taking a turn for the worst, Lark steps between Dashki and the others, holding up a hand in their direction. "No one is accusing you of anything. If you say the fire was caused by the," He pauses to go over the pronunciation, "Pugwampies, then seeing as how Almah has faith in your skills as her expert in these matters, I agree with you."
He turns to wave a hand at the burnt rubble. "So I ask you again, can you track these things down?
Holding her hands up in defense Faffnyr puts an apolectic tone in her voice. "Dear Daski, I am asking honestly for your expertise. You know something of this matter, I don´t. A wise man learns from the experience of others!"
Isadriewen says nothing as she stares down Dashki. She continues to smile but the coldness in her eyes answers Dashki's question. I know it was you. You will pay for your crime.
Before Dashki can answer, or even speak, Almah wedges past and gazes into each of your faces for a long moment. Everything suddenly becomes quiet and very still. It's believed that any moment she's going to open her mouth and say something but it's actually Garavel that speaks.
"Follow me to the tent," he said. He had such a deep rich voice, but it lacked feeling. However, he didn't need to raise his voice. Garavel is a strong man, wise and calculating. He did not need to exert himself to make his presence felt and after a week with him, you've known this to be true. And, now going into the tent seemed like a very good idea.
Inside you are invited to sit on a small mound of pillows. They're soft and your achy butts instantly fall in love with them. Garavel sits at the head, and a minute or two later Almah joins and sits at his left.
"Looks like you've found a suspect, very good. However, you need to seek Garavel consultation first. He then will bring it to me," Almah smiled. And if anyone were to speak up she'd hold up a hand and tut.
"Now, here is what I propose. Dashki claims that these hills are swarming with these creatures, so we can assume he can find one. If he can then we'll grant him the benefit of the doubt. Otherwise, then he's guilty," she closed her eyes and took a short moment to collect her thoughts. "So, these are your next directions. Tonight you are to escort Dashki and witness these creatures for yourselves. If they exist I'll need proof, that means I'll want a body." She then smiled and gestured to the flap of the tent.
It's dinner time so that means it's going to be dusk very shortly and that means no light. Now here is where you get prepared and ready to go, make short plans and all that. Thanks!
Lark tilts his head in acknowledgement, looking Almah in her eyes. "And if we can't find anything? He asks pointedly.
"As you wish," Okaris acknowledges Almah's instructions.
Bowing demurely Faffnyr hides her emotions and doubt."As my master comamnds!" Outside she will ask the others how she can be of assistance in the following task, noting that she has the gift to see in utter darkness.
If Almah was perturbed by Lark's question it didn't show. She raised her chin slightly and softly said, "Then he made up his story and is guilty."
Bowing slightly Lark leaves the room, preparing himself for the long night ahead.
Okaris gathers his things making sure he packs enought water for the journey. Before they leave he asks Dashki, "Do these Pugwampies have any weaknesses or special powers we should be aware of?" It always pays to know your quarry? Okaris counsels himself.
Isadriewen nods at Almah and follows Lark out of the room. "Well Dashki, lead us to these Pugwampies."
The sun is down and as the sky begins to darken stars twinkle into existence.
Dashki does stay silent, which is smart of him as talking might get him into more trouble. He leads you North through terrible terrain, it's rocky and the cacti are dense and very prickly and if you're without any light source things will get rough. After traveling a hundred yards things begin feeling odd. The wind dies down, which happens often at night time but the world feels strange and stifling. Perhaps it's the quiet. Just then, when you bring your attention back you discover Dashki has vanished! A moment later he appears out of nowhere close to you and whispers sharply.
"Are you blind, don't you see it?"
Success
Reveals itty-bitty footprints in the sand racing and winding to and from the camp.
Fail
They don't look like footprints, or they were made by another creature perhaps ants, a hopping bird, or a rodent of some kind. Perhaps you see nothing but a greasy insane man trying to deceive you.
Arian crouches down, sliding her hand down the haft of her glaive and planting it in the ground for balance. She scans the sands and says, "Here. And here. Tiny tracks... but I think they're upright? Walking on two legs?"
Lark takes a knee, examining the ground as best he can. Eventually his eyes adjust and tiny shapes that almost appear to be foot prints wind out along the sand. "Well done Dashki, your name will be clear soon enough."
Okaris shakes his head at the scratchings on the ground thinking, We're chasing chickens. Great. Aloud he utters "Can you track these supposed creatures Arian?"
Isadriewen looks dubiously at the tracks. "The existence of these creatures does not prove that they started the fire."
She draws her crossbow and falls in line behind the others.
"Track them? Maybe? I don't usually spend a lot of time tracking things down out in the wild... but we can try."
Lark looks over his shoulder at Isadriewen. "If they possess this bad luck aura our guide claims they do then it should be evidence enough of his innocence. It will satisfy Almah at least."
A loud noise reverberates through the air and it stops the heroes and gives them pause. Did that sound belong to a child? How could this be! Something is certainly wrong.
Success!
It's a....
wait for it....
It's a -goat!
Was there someone missing a goat? Arian interviewed someone that wept actual tears for their missing goat Rombard. Now, I'm not sure she had shared that tidbit of intel. Otherwise, why ever would you care about a goat out here?
Fail
OMG! There's a kid out here crying!
The thing about cacti is that they're covered in spines, and they're so sharp! They'd be a lot cuter if they were covered in kitten fur, which would be nice since the further you go towards the cries the denser the foliage gets! However, Rombard can be seen(if you can see 25' in the dark). He's only 25' away, but there many so many cacti. Running through it is possible but it will hurt.
ooc
Looks like Lark meta-ed a little, the pugwampis do have an unlucky aura and you're standing in the middle of it. The cacti are so dense your PCs will need to maneuver and take careful care in how they move or get pricked. To do this 3 Acrobatics checks at DC 15 will be needed. Don't roll them all at once, just the first one. And, the unlucky aura is up so those rolls have a -5 penalty. Here is how this aura works. First, you roll 2d20 and take the lowest number. Then you subtract 5 and that becomes your total. It kind of sucks. It's considered that your moving through the cacti is a balancing act and if you fail you topple into the cacti and take a point of damage. Running through will get you -5HP, 1HP per 5'/ square. Make sense?
Okaris hears a crying noise in the distance. After listening fo ra moment he concludes, "I recognize that sound it's a goat."
He just called them 'unlucky', that's all. It's an honest mistake and not one to dwell on or be sorry about.
Hearing the sounds of what he perceives to be a child in distress, Lark charges forward.
Only to trip, falling prone in a cacophony of noise. By the Archfeinds balls that hurts! He thinks as the sharp spines of the cactus plants dig into the gaps in his armor. As he lies for a moment the child cries out again and Lark begins to crawl forwards on his belly, using his shield to cover his face.
Seeing the Paladin crawl his way out, Faffnyr drops to her stomach and follows.[i]OO, nice bottom![/B]
Okaris trys to carefully pick his way through the tangled mess.
Isadriewen drops prone and attempts to follow the others out of the thorny maze.
Sliding their chipped ad rtusty scissors form its sleeve the fates pull five threads. Carefully they pull the strings taunt and fed them into the mouth of the blades. They cackle because they know what trouble they have wrought!
Oh, how unlucky!
Your world as you know it suddenly unravels. It's as if they ground itself wanted you dead. His foot rolls on a oddly shaped rock causing him to drop backwards. And, it hurts in a pointy kind of way, but that's not all. His pants get snagged and somehow they are pulled down giving poor Faffyr a good look at you boxer-clad, 'nice' bottoms.
Okaris, heard the noise of Lark falling. For one second he was there, but suddenly had vanished! When he turned to confirm his suspicions a pain struck his shins and he yelped in pain. Grabbing his leg and hopping he lost his balance and fell like a domino into Isadriewen's neckline. She gasped in shock and instinctively jumped back, only to stumble over a large bulbous cactus in such a way that she sat on it. With a short cry, she jumped holding her butt, only to collide into Arian with an elbow sending her off spinning into a patch of needles.
(-1 HP)
ooc
Now there's a question. Crawling is an option, I suppose, but you'll need to consider visibility. With the foliage being so dense(and sharp) and being at a bad angle it likely is a bad idea. A good idea, but bad. And, that's you putting your face at needle level adding another level of possibilities of getting scars on your eyes! -Ow! It really comes down to tripping your way there or rushing through and taking some cuts. But to answer your question, yes.
Slowly Lark inches forward, tucking his face under his shield as he does so. A sound of commotion comes from behind him and he looks over his shoulder, watching the rest of the party fall over in a variety of comedic fashions.
Slowly Lark inches forward, tucking his face under his shield as he does so. A sound of commotion comes from behind him and he looks over his shoulder, watching the rest of the party fall over in a variety of comedic fashions.
Little does he know, because I wrote that wrong, it's his bottoms that I was talking about.
" His pants get snagged and somehow they are pulled down giving poor Faffyr a good look at you boxer-clad, 'nice' bottoms. "