Haran wheezing loudly unfolds his chair and slumps into sucking in great breaths as he listens and thinks, Legacy of Fire, hmmm, it rings some sort of bell. Producing the card in question he holds it out to his companions in case any have yet to see it while studying it more closely himself.
To Garavel he asks, "Could you please elaborate as to why you feel that way about Dashki? Obviously the traits that might inspire such an opinion might also inspire personal dislike, and I trust you will appreciate we must strive to analyse and differentiate between motivations in order to seek the truth of the matter."
Once the fire was taken care of, Alayi assist the others with what ever tasks they may need. "This one is here to... Help."
With orders from the princess, Alayi tries to recall if she heard of anything called the Legacy of Fire.
She tilts her head in thought. "I think I might have heard of it. But I am not sure."
Afterwards, she begins to rummage through what remained of the harrower's wagon.
With her search, Alayi doesn't even truly know tjat Garavel is speaking.
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Waiting for a response Haran takes a seat and removes a large pot of honey from his pack, casting a spell, "Dna Hg'Ni Ple'h," to slowly transport gobbits of honey into his open maw, as if he is being fed by an invisible hand.
"Mmmmm, um, um, pardon me, would anyone care for some? Most delectable, I like to place a sprig of jasmine in the pot and it just adds a subtle touch the complements the honey perfectly. It tastes even better if you imagine you are a bear..."
Adroushan begins to point.
You notice there seems to be a small metal protrusion sticking out of the left side of Garavel's skull?!
Adroushan waves a manicured hand out in front of him, as he speaks an arcane phrase.
School divination; Level bard 0, cleric/oracle 0, druid 0, inquisitor 0, magus 0, shaman 0, sorcerer/wizard 0, summoner/unchained summoner 0, witch 0
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Component: V, S
EFFECT
Range 60 ft.
Area cone-shaped emanation
Duration concentration, up to 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
DESCRIPTION
You detect magical auras. The amount of information revealed depends on how long you study a particular area or subject.
1st Round: Presence or absence of magical auras.
2nd Round: Number of different magical auras and the power of the most potent aura.
3rd Round: The strength and location of each aura. If the items or creatures bearing the auras are in line of sight, you can make Knowledge (arcana) skill checks to determine the school of magic involved in each. (Make one check per aura: DC 15 + spell level, or 15 + 1/2 caster level for a nonspell effect.) If the aura emanates from a magic item, you can attempt to identify its properties (see Spellcraft).
Magical areas, multiple types of magic, or strong local magical emanations may distort or conceal weaker auras.
Aura Strength: An aura's power depends on a spell's functioning spell level or an item's caster level; see the accompanying table. If an aura falls into more than one category, detect magic indicates the stronger of the two.
Spell or Object Aura Power
Faint Moderate Strong Overwhelming
Functioning spell (spell level) 3rd or lower 4th-6th 7th-9th 10th+ (deity-level)
Magic item (caster level) 5th or lower 6th-11th 12th-20th 21st+ (artifact)
Lingering Aura: A magical aura lingers after its original source dissipates (in the case of a spell) or is destroyed (in the case of a magic item). If detect magic is cast and directed at such a location, the spell indicates an aura strength of dim (even weaker than a faint aura). How long the aura lingers at this dim level depends on its original power:
Original Strength Duration of Lingering Aura
Faint 1d6 rounds
Moderate 1d6 minutes
Strong 1d6x10 minutes
Overwhelming 1d6 days
Outsiders and elementals are not magical in themselves, but if they are summoned, the conjuration spell registers. Each round, you can turn to detect magic in a new area. The spell can penetrate barriers, but 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt blocks it.
Detect magic can be made permanent with a permanency spell.
"My goodness, can that be entirely healthy?" Haran asks, between mage handfuls of honey.
Neither Haran or Alayi have knowledge about something called Legacy of Fire.
Garavel brushes Reja's hand away, his stern look unchanging. Adroushan does detect that the device is magical in nature. But Garavel soon alleviates your fears.
"It is a Pactmaster's favor, a device commonly implemented by those in my line of work. It protects me from mind alteration to a certain extent and ensures to my employer. While it does hamper my emotions, I find the trade-off acceptable."
Though he says this, he does raise an eyebrow at Haran's current efforts to stuff himself with honey nectar.
"To answer you Haran, the way he lurks about is something peculiar. And the way he acts as he talks to milady. But its mostly a feeling. A hunch if you will."
Studying the aura longer, Adroushan listens to the interview.
Garavel is called over by Almah, who clearly needs his assistance planning the trip coming soon. He excuses himself, readjusting his headpiece to mask the presence of his device.
Josria was a bit nervous about hearing about what the Pactmasters did to Garavel but the man seems to be okay with it, so the catfolk doesn't dwell on it. Instead, she turns her attention to investigating the fire.
She does take note about the man Dashki Garavel speaks of. The sorceress is curious about what else she can find out about this man.
"I see. I believe we have more searching and investigating to do. Thank you very much Major Domo Garavel," Josria says to the man.
The sorceress then decided that maybe the other people in the camp might have more information.
She heads on over to the priest seeing if he has any information that might prove useful.
"Greetings Most Honored Priest. I was wondering if you could help us: we are investigating the fire that destroyed both the seer's wagon and took the life of Eloais."
The old man is sorting at medicinal supplies that had been taken out in haste during the emergency care, some of which may have been taken out by Josria's panic earlier trying to identify a burn salve.
"Ah Eloais. A shame that was. If you don't want to end up like him, take better care of yourselves you hear me? Only those who truly appreciate the beauty of a perfectly mixed elixir could appreciate how much effort these beauties take to make."
He pauses as he holds up what appears to be a healing potion, its ruby liquid gleaming in the sun.
"But yes, poor Eloais. Ask away, ask away."
The catfolk was a bit puzzled by the priest's behavior but assumed it was nothing.
"What can you tell us about Eloais and do you anything about the fire? For example did you see anything odd before it happened? And just to satisfy my curiosity, what faith do you belong to if you don't mind me asking?"
"Fascinating! I am sure we all have a few emotions, or in my case appetites we would not mind being curbed, but one must surely place a lot of thrust in ones employer to permit such a thing. Thank you for your candour," Haran says smiling, and pushing himself up with great effort to stand.
As Josria engages the Priest he contents himself with examining the potion, briefly regretting his failings as a diviner,
"Might I also ask you to venture opinions upon Masters Garavel and Dashki? It seems like they do not get on?"
Father Zastoran's eyes narrow as he sees Josria.
"A bit forward for someone who's mess I'm cleaning after, no?" Zastoran asked as he gestured to the bits of medical supplies he was picking up.
He sighs.
"It's only because the two of you," he gestures to Reja and Josria, "Saved that young soldier's life that I find the after work is worth the effort. To answer your question, I'm inclined towards Nethys as my faith. As for my activities before the fire, I was preoccupied with a book by the fire-pit over there."
He gestures over to the mentioned location where you can see the mercenaries enjoying their well-earned dinner.
"As for your question." he speaks toward Haran, "Garavel is a fair and uncompromising domo for Almah. We get along well enough. Dashki I find a bit unsettling, with his wildness and the way he stalks Almah's wagon at time. No one with healthy desires skulks around a pretty woman the way he does; who knows what a scoundrel like him is capable of? ."
Josria was a bit embarrassed for having left the poor priest to clean up after her.
"My apologies Father Zastoran. I didn't mean to leave a mess. But I'm glad to hear that the soldier is recovering."
The catfolk had hoped that maybe Father Zastoran was a priest of one of the deities she worshiped but she was a bit realistic in knowing that while Katapesh was once part of Ancient Osirion, it was doubtful that many of the old gods were worshiped this far from Osirion. Still, if the town of Kelmarane was retaken maybe it might bring followers of Bastet there. But first thing first: the investigation.
"We appreciate the information. And while I don't worship Nethys, I do believe he is the god of magic, correct? I worship the goddess Bastet and the god Cayden Cailean actually. Tell us: did you know Eloais that well?"
Naseem quietly pads along after Reja as she has a look around the burnt wagon. "That fire was pretty scary, huh? It's a good thing it wasn't any windier than it was," he finally says after a few minutes of silence. "Sorry about that Eloais guy - I know that's not a nice way for you fleshy things to go."
Adroushan walks around the camp. As he does, he waves his hand at everything, cleaning.
Ears open to any relevant discussions about recent events, Adroushan simply makes his way around.
Alayi finishes sifting through the debris of whats left of the Harrower's Wagon. Not finding anything out of the ordinary, she walks over to the group. Listening in on the conversation, she tilts her head. "Hm, seems like we need to speak to this... Dashki." She frowns somewhat. "He sounds... Foul."
Father Zastorn nods to the catfolk woman.
"To each their own god I suppose. Trust me, its your lack of care when dealing with my supplies that will lead me to dislike you, rather than your religion."
"I admit, I thought Eloais a fake. Though, I came to appreciate his conversation. After all, not a one of these others here can discuss the poetry of Bellianais or the music of far-off Absalom. Eloais was well traveled and intelligent. I will miss him."
For those searching the wreckage of the ruined wagon, not much is revealed other than sooty ashes, a few broken bottles or potion vials, a cracked crystal ball backed in the fire's heat, and several pools of melted wax where candles must have stood. Eloais's charred skeletal form remains near the center of the wagon.
There are no signs of struggle or violence as far as your meticulous eyes can notice. The fortune-teller was most likely killed by the fire or from its smoke.
You also notice that a shadow is watching you all from behind a nearby wagon. From his appearence, it appears to be Dashki.
Josria nods at the elderly priest.
"I believe that is wise. My...former master was a follower of Nethys although he wasn't a devout follower I'm afraid since...I don't think someone would use a statue of their deity to beat someone to death with it would be called devout."
Becoming uncomfortable speaking of the day her master and his wife died, she changed the subject, "You seem to have a strong respect for alchemy. I've always wanted to try my hand at it but my master would never allow one of his slaves to touch his equipment no matter how skilled or helpful they maybe. If you ever wish to show me the basics you'll find that I'm a very keen student."
She bowed to the priest and wished him good day as she went to speak to the mercenaries and then next the camel driver.
The catfolk did ask Haran, "I know in all of the confusion you forgot to answer my question concerning the Pathfinders: what do they do actually? Are they sages and historians, or are they an adventurers' guild? And can anyone join them or are they extremely selective of their members?"
Adroushan, weary from his clean duties, decides to sit down upon a tree stump. He sighs as he reaches for a book from his pack. He lazily begins to read.
Oh, all this exertion; and in this heat!
Overhearing Adroushan's complaints about the heat, Josria laughed.
"Heat? I have fur on, and yet, you don't see me complaining about the heat now do you?"
Gotcha. From the corner of your eye, it seems your observer has not left yet.
Adroushan sits for the next 15 minutes or so leaving the investigation to the others. Everyone may act without Adroushan by interviewing someone else or exploring another scene. Or continuing to explore this one.
Josria greeted the mercenaries and introduced herself. She asked them what they knew of Eloais and Dashki as well as what they were doing when the fire started.
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"Hey guys, I think she likes me." one merc blurts out. It seems hit hit the bottle too hard after such a dangerous event and is now blowing off some steam. "Here kitty, kitty..."
The merc starts to make lewd gestures with his hands and beckons you over, and some of the others burst into laughter.
"Hey where's that other guy, the persnickety one?" one merc asks. "Now I don't usually like those high-flouting types, but he's all right that one. Not afraid to get his robes soiled in the thick of it."
"Don't mind them," a female merc tells you in a hushed voice. "They're just blowing off some steam. Didn't expect to have to work so soon. To answer you, we didn't see Dashki when the fire started and all of us (mercs) were here at the fire-pit."
"He was probably spying on Almah again!" one merc shouts before being punched in the should by the female merc.
"And remember Almah's the one who fills our purses lads! Let's not piss off the boss, right?"
"But yeah." the other merc continues, rubbing his bruised shoulder. "Eloais was a weakling and Dashki's just plain strange. Anyone disagree?"
There's a murmuring around the campfire, but no one objects to these blanket statements.
Josria raised an eyebrow at the antics of the mercenaries.
"And here I thought these mercenaries would be well-behaved. Oh well," the catfolk said as she stood where she was despite the here kitty kitty calls.
She nodded and thanked the mercenaries.
"We appreciate your help. Thank you very much. May Cayden Cailean bless you with much adventure and fine wine and food."
The sorceress wished the mercenaries a good day as she headed to the camel driver and his wife.
"Greetings honored camel driver! I am Josria al-Zarqa. It is an honor to meet you and your beautiful wife," Josria said with a warm smile.
Adroushan puts his spellbook away. He then speak a few arcane words. Searching the ground for a leaf, he quickly writes a note on it.
Take this note to the others over there. I want you to lazily swing this leaf while you carry it, Adroushan whispers orders to his unseen servant.
He then gets up, making a fuss about his state of cleanliness.
[I]also notice that a shadow is watching [us] all from behind a nearby wagon. From his appearance, it appears to be Dashki.
As she greeted the camel driver and his wife, Josria noticed a leaf acting like well it was moving towards her, as well as acting like she was meant to take it.
Upon doing so, she read the note that Adroushan had written on it.
"So Eloais died from the smoke or the fire. Still, the fortune teller could have been killed by the fire or the smoke from the fire started by someone. I wonder why Dashki is watching us...Could it be...," Josria thought to herself as she tucked the lead into her belt pouch.
Josira approaches the camel drivers with eloquence and kindness. Unfortunately, they seem a bit too excitable from recent events to take notice.
"Yes! Hello what-." the husband starts and the wife finishes, "-can we do for you?"
They quickly introduce themselves as Hadrod (the husband) and Hadrah (the wife).
Having tidied up a bit, Adroushan saunters back to the group.
He smiles at the others, as he approaches.
I am quite positive that we need to confront him, he whispers.
Josria was a bit surprised by how excited, and possibly unnerved, Hadrod and Hadrah were.
"I'm sorry to trouble you but I was wondering if you could answer some questions for me please. I was just wondering what you were doing when the fire started and what you knew of Eloais? A tragic shame of what happened to him. Oh and do you know anything about Dashki?"
Following along, Alayi keeps an eye out for suspicious persons. But tries her best to not stare at their shadowy stalker. Indeed. Well, I'll wait til he gets close to grab him.
She walks up beside Reja and taps her on the shoulder. She leans in to whisper to her. "We're being watched by him back over there" Alayi makes a small thumbing gesture in front of her towards where the shadow watches. "Try not to look, we don't need him to run just yet.
Continuing to whisper, she speaks to Adroushan. "Do you have a plan to corner Dashki?
Adroushan shrugs his shoulders.
I suppose we could just go confront him, although if he wasn't already going to be defensive, than he most likely would be in that case.
"Sorry, sorry," Hadrah excuses, catching her breath. However, as her husband calms down, his eyes begin to water and tears start to stream down his face.
"Oh dear!" Hadrah exclaims as she comforts her wailing husband.
The wife quickly explains that Hadrod's favortie goat Rombard went missing during the confusion and he fears the worse.
Eventually, Hadrod calms down.
"Oh Eloais was a nice enough fellow for a foreigner, but couldn't make heads or tails of his ravings. Something about Cyclones and Fiends and Uprisings... But lady Almah's trust in the astrologer was good enough to know he's alright."
"Hadrah here was the first to discover the fire," her husband explains, patting her on the back as if she was the savior of the caravan. "We were busy after that trying to keep all the animals under control."
However, when you ask about Dashki, their expressions darken and they refuse to say more. No amount of sweet words seem to be willing to bend their silence.
Josria was puzzled by the two's sudden willingness to be silent when she asked about Dashki. She realizes that trying to force the camel driver and his wife to tell them more might either sour things between them and her as well as the catfolk's companions, or if Dashki did cause the fire (doubtful since the mercenaries noted that he wasn't anywhere near the astrologer's wagon), it might put the camel driver and his wife in danger.
"Thank you for your aiding me and my friends in our investigations. Lady Almah has tasked us with helping her find out the cause of the fire that killed Eloais. If you come across any other information that could prove vital to our investigation, please do not hesitate to learn us know. Thank you once again."
She also adds that she and her companions will also look for Rombard during their investigations.
The sorceress bows and bids them a good day.
She walks back to the others and tells them what she has learned.
"It seems that Dashki has a strong attraction towards Lady Almah, and that many in this camp believe that he was extremely jealous at Eloais being close to Lady Almah. However, the mercenaries noted that Dashki wasn't anywhere near the fortune teller's wagon. The camel driver and his wife, are terrified of Dashki, so I didn't pry any further for fear that I might put them both in danger. I believe that our only course of action now is to talk to Dashki."
Well, he has shown a remarkable interest in our doings.
"Well then, let's go talk to him then," Josria said, purring with anticipation.
"Finally!" Naseem exclaims. He'd been quietly trailing along after Reja, listening to the proceedings with interest but had been beginning to grow rather bored of the whole thing. "Enough beating around the bush; now we can get to the good stuff," he says gleefully.
You find Dashki, seemingly innocently scouting the area. He turns to you as you call out to him.
The word to describe Dashki is mangy. As you approach, you notice his eyes dart from you to the surroundings, over and over again. As you near, you also get hit with a powerful smell that could only come from someone with a very loose relationship with hygiene.
He straightens the filthy rags he calls clothing, and limps to meet you.
"Yes? You need something?."
Putting on her best diplomatic stance, Josria approached Dashki and spoke, "Grrrreetings, Dashki. I am Josrrrria al-Zarrrqa, and these arrrre my frrriends."
She introduced the others before she continued, "We werrre investigating the firrre that killed Eloais and severrral people have said that you may have been arrrround his wagon beforrre the firrre began although otherrrrs have noted that you werrren't arrrround his wagon and thus couldn't starrrrt the firrrre. Howeverrrr, all we have spoken to have mentioned that they've seen you watching Lady Almah's wagon and that you werrre jealous of Eloais. We wish to ask you forrrrr yourrr side of the story."
As she spoke the catfolk's sensitive sense of smell could detect the man's poor or actually lack of any form of hygiene. The sorceress could tell the man needed a bath.