EDIT: I totally forgot about charge bonuses to attack. You're good.
Quick to react, Apollo unslings his huge hammer as he runs at the tiny creature. Putting all his strength behind a spinning swing of his Earthbreaker, he catches the creature straight in its head with an audible -thump-, the spikes of the hammer going all the way through the creature's body.
The feeling of dread you felt upon coming to the thicket disappates as soon as the creature falls.
At the sight of the blood and the gore and the violence, Rombard is back to being panicked, and runs circles around the rock he is tied to, and Keth has only to stand in surprised silence at the events quickly unfolding and the tiny prick of an arrow extending from his arm.
The creature is carrying a Tiny-sized bow and dagger, and a fistful of half-burned Harrow cards.
Let's calm Rombard down before freeing him. We'll need that rope to control him in case of further panic. As for the cards, perhaps Almah will know more.
Apollo looks down at the corpse of the creature.
Sorry pal, but you did attack first. Your death won't be in vain as I'm sure Nom will be happy when he realises he has a good meal tonight.
Apollo picks up the corpse and slings it over his shoulder, before having one last search of the area.
Noting the burned fur and the tiny bits of feet and claw marks, he thinks for a moment, considering all he's learned.
The pugwampi are... tiny, inferior, unlucky versions of gnolls. Awful little things from the sounds of it, but he'd fortunately never had the pleasure of gutting one of the mongrels, or seeing them.
They may not have seen it, but, some tiny little furred thing had certainly came and went, and apparently moved his leg. Thinking on it, it could have slipped out during the ensuing chaos, as well... yes that made much more sense.
"Caravan leader Almah I believe I've found what happened." He said, waving her over, pointing at the scratch marks, and showing her the tracks and fur.
Why one was in here, I'm not sure, but... it would seem one had stashed itself away, or been hidden. Regardless, Eloias did cause the fire though his own misfortune, it seems, but in the fire the creature fled.
As he explained it, he realized that sabotage may still be possible, but her wasn't certain what a hidden pugwampi meant.
Well I see no Pugypuppy tracks round here... the Dwarf boasts but looks around none the less.
At your urging, Almah follows you to the charred wagon to peek at the tiny bits of evidence. A grimace on her face, she addresses Dmitri, "Very interesting. Good job on finding this, truly. It seems as though Dashki's statements may have more than passing merit. Now, if such a creature is responsible, I'll need proof and would prefer a corpse of the creature that did this to our Harrower."
Searching the area for tracks, you do find the hoofed drag marks made by Rombard and the tiny pawed tracks in front of them. You also find three sets of larger footprints and a set of taloned claw-marks following them.
Keth's gentle ministrations and calming body language bring Rombard to at first a slow trot and then stillness. He consents to being scratched on the head by Keth. Keth looks at you, inquisitively. "What now? he asks.
Now I'll attempt to heal Rombard enough to make it back through the unforgiving route that got us here. Gotta love cacti...
"A corpse, you say?" Dmitri favored the idea, but, he didn't know where the beast had escaped to. Certainly he'd have loved to find it, but, tracking wasn't his best forte.
"Were I a capable tracker, I'd follow it. Alas, the only people capable of such would be..." He stops a moment, thinking. His head quickly turns to Kori, thinking she's capable.
Koritylija, I apologize for asking this of you, but I feel as though if you follow these tracks you may be able to satiate that... bloodlust... of yours. Are you able? He said, rather happy with her carnal urges to bring pain and ruin.
Kori is somewhat distracted by the response from Dashki, her eyes narrowed just watching him. There's something she doesn't like about the way he talks, but she'll be damned if she can figure out just what it may mean.
She is brought back around by Dmitri's question, "Pain-lover, you don't have to try and sweet talk me into trying to find the little bastard. I was just waiting for you all to quit blabbering about finding this or that and what it means, and come out and say what we're looking for." She sets to looking for tracks, silently damning her extended time on the surface, and how it ruined her ability to see in the dark.
Here let me try to heal him. Keth attempts to heal Rombard
Keth, are you able to heal this animal in any way? I worry he won't make it through the cacti... said Apollo, as Keth did just that, on his own initiative, mid speech.
Keth tries bandaging up the beast, which stanches any bleeding wounds the goat still had from the cacti and the cruel beast that had him, but it doesn't seem to be feeling any better.
Looks like we have no choice but to take it through in this state. We need you on this one lady luck. Make an old couple happy!
Apollo unties the goat, save but one knot and holds the rope as he and Rombard make their way through.
After several minutes of careful negotiating and gentle pleading, both with the rope and with words, Apollo and the goat, Rombard, manage to extricate themselves from the cactus forest.
As Apollo clambers out of the cactus thicket, corpse over shoulder, Rombard on rope, he waits for Keth before heading back to the encampment.
Thanks for looking after Nom for me. You did well to avoid the harsh stabbing thorns within, he says to Sabeen.
When Keth is ready, Apollo walks back with his bloodied Hammer on his back, dead creature over his left shoulder and leashed goat in his right hand. As he walks, Nom trails behind with his mouth open, occasionally jumping to catch the blood of the dead creature.
Dmitri smiles. He rather liked the nickname, even if it was degrading. At least it was a nickname.
"By all means, lead the way." He said, under-handing the direction of the trail with a gracious smile.
Angmar follows the tracks up the dune only to see that Apollo and his giant hammer made it there first.
You found the Puggywus big man? the Dwarf enquires.
The witch's hand is still in her component pouch when Apollo splatters the little creature's blood on the dirt.
May I have it to study please?
Having already shown the creature to Sabeen while waiting for Keth, Apollo heads back to camp with the others, bumping into the Dwarf along the way.
I don't know what this is, so I figured I'd bring it back to camp to find a little out about it, before giving it to Nom for dinner. Almah will be happy to know that I found the same cards on the creature, as the ones strewn about the camp.
Kori, Angmar, and Dmitri follow the double tracks of the tiny creature and the trio that went after it already, and after about half an hour come across Apollo and Sabeen chatting outside of a cactus forest. Apollo has a goat on the end of a leash that he's got in his hand and the devastated corpse of a doglike humanoid over his shoulder. Nom jumps up and down excitedly, trying to reach the body with his already-huge mouth.
Cracking and rustling noises can be heard from inside the cactus brush, made by Keth who is busy negotiating the cacti.
Keth emerges from the cactus brush with with a grunt, various wounds across his body streaming blood from the long thorns of the cacti and a miniature arrow still protruding from his arm.
Kori points out the trail she found and begins to follow it, taking the lead.
As they catch up to the others Kori eyes them, noting the wounds they have all over them. "So, the three of you found the scrawny little Pungrampi, and a goat. Which one of them beat you all up?" She looks at Sabeen, "Oh, nevermind, which one beat you men-folk up?"
Apollo just laughs as he passes the woman to speak to the Dwarf. It being clear that the only wounds on Apollo were those from the cactus spikes.
Its a pugwampi. They like to live near gnolls. I wonder if there are any about. The woman glances around as if trying to catch any lurking humanoids.
Then, quite abruptly, the woman seems to focus as she stares at the small corpse.
It seemed to create or at least use some kind of localised probability field. Quite fascinating really. An inverted matrix? Latent generator? I need to study it more.. maybe....
Then its gone and her eyes wander again.
Do I have something in my hair?
Well, I need to get this goat back to its owners, so let's worry about Gnoll's later. If we cross paths with them on the way back, then it's their funeral. Still, I wouldn't mind taking on one or six of the things. I have my reasons. Apollo says, with a slightly darker shift in tone from his normal joyous state.
Dmitri laughs at the fact that he missed the chance to get wounded, then realizes that's exactly the corpse that he needs.
Hmm... So this is the lemming that caused the fire, hmm? We were just about to go catch it, after I realized that it had actually been in the wagon... Let's head back to the Caravan Leader. She'll be pleased with these events.
He said, satisfied with the events.
Who knows, maybe we'll receive something for our efforts. I'm not doing this for money, but if such a reward were to appear, I'd not complain. says Apollo with a cheerful smile on his face.
Pah ye saved a goat and slew a puggypuppy! the Dwarf chuckles the fame and glory should be all the award a proud warrior as yerself will ever need! he then has a hearty laugh at his own joke but seeing the utterly cut up druid he stops and looks at the badly bleeding man.
Ye looks like ye almost died savin a goat! Lemme help ye wit some kind words from Angradd!
The Dwarf then moves to stand next to the bleeding druid and places a hand on his shoulder while he begins to mumble in Dwarven calling intense heat from the sand which burns the cactus thorns from Keth's wounds and seals the wounds but leaves an odd tingling feeling after the painful sensation.
Ha, well I laughed when this pugly or whatever, picked a fight with us. The only damage I received was that of trying to navigate through cacti. This thing on the other hand didn't survive one swing from my hammer.
Apollo laughs as he says I hope the Gnoll's around here will prove more of a challenge, as this fight offered no honour or glory and only provided my little buddy nom here, with dinner.
Triumphantly (and somewhat anticlimactically for Angmar, Dmitri and Kori), the group returns to camp, pugwampi corpse in hand.
Plopping it on the ground at Almah's feet, she looks between Apollo's gore-covered hammer, his face, and the tiny creature on the ground. "So this is what killed our Harrower? Seems an awfully small thing for that. Apollo, did you really have to use such a...mangling weapon to kill it? I can't even get a really good look at it because of the damage."
She scrunches up her face and ponders for a moment before throwing up her arms in a gesture of dismissal and says "Bah, it doesn't matter. What matters is that this camping spot is vulnerable. We may be close to Kelmerane, but this is not a secure location. Safer lodging must be found for us if we plan to make successful forays into the gnoll-controlled village."
To this end, Garavel steps up with a suggestion. "I have heard of an abandoned temple of Sarenrae higher up in the hills. Perhaps we could clear it out and use it?"
Almah looks thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "Yes, that is a good plan...but a good and sturdy stone building will not have gone unoccupied for long, and we cannot afford to move the whole caravan at a time." She turns to the group of six standing together "I hate to ask so much of you all at once, but it was what you were hired for...so, will the six of you journey to this temple and clear it so that we may use it as a base of operations? You may do so, obviously, in the morning, but it is important to me that this journey continue on as quickly as possible."
You do note, despite everything, that the animal tenders have a huge cauldron of stew brewing over the firepit and are gathering bowls.
Apollo smirks as he responds to Almah.
Heh. To be fair, I underestimated the devastation of my attack. I wasn't aware that you wanted to find this creature, but it was about to kill the old couples Goat that I set out to rescue, so when it attacked us, presumably to protect its soon to be meal, I had to act fast, and when I found the same cards on it, as those that have been scattered around here, I thought to bring it back to you.
Apollo looks at the corpse and asks, Apologies if I seem rude in asking, but are you done with the creature, because I think Nom wants his dinner, as he pats his baby T-Rex on the head.
As for the Temple, consider it done. I'll get up early tomorrow morning and head out with those who plan to join me for your cause. Right now though, I've got to return this Goat. I'm glad today's outcome has been a positive one, and if you'd still like me to read you a story, it'd be my pleasure.
Apollo smiles as he tries to further charm the woman.
After which, he heads over to the elderly couple with Rombard.
Kori shakes her head at Almah's request, "You are in charge, Head-woman, why do you ask us? I have no choice, and these others work for you. I do not go because you ask, I go because you say it is so. If I were you, I would not let my orders come out so softly." With that she calls it a night.
Once they are settled into their accommodations, she mentions something to Dmitri. "Pain-lover, I don't like how Gnoll-knower spoke of the pungrampi plaguing gnolls. He did not like that I wanted to make gnolls suffer. Is he gentle, and weak?"
Dmitri stands quietly as the orders are issued, agreeing with Kori. He would gladly agree to the most sheepish of orders from this woman. Later, when they're well accomodated, Dmitri receives a pleasant surprise in the form of Kori actually talking to him first.
He smiled, just before saying, "Hmm... I'm far better at gauging the thoughts of the fairer sex than I am men... I don't know what to think of his lack of malice, but, in the future, if he tells us to not kill any of them, we'll be sure to ignore him, won't we? He said with a soft smile.
As he accommodated his self, he removed his coat, as the warmth of everything was getting to him. This, once again, revealed his scars to practically anyone capable of seeing them. There were many, but they fortunately didn't do anything to lower his attractive demeanor.
At the mention of the cards, Almah asks to see them, and when Apollo hands them over she uses them as final evidence that it truly was the dead creature that had done away with their Harrower.
The elderly couple are overjoyed to see their goat, and Hadrah gives Apollo a big hug when he arrives. Her husband, on the other hand (whose name you gather to be Hadrod), gives the goat a hug. "Rombard! I was afraid I'd lost you." He releases the goat, gives it a quick pat on the head, and leads it into the pen with the other animals.
Seeing that both Keth and Apollo are fairly seriously injured, Almah affects a look of concern "You two look absolutely dreadful! I'll get Father Zastoran to take a look at you. Even if Nethys hasn't granted him enough energies to heal you himself, I'm sure he can spare one of his potions to ease your pain."
In fact, when you see Father Zastoran (the elderly halfling priest) he looks more than willing to heal you himself. In fact, he seems almost loath to part with his potions. Regardless, waves of gray energy extend from him at his urging and presentation of the holy symbol of Nethys, healing all near him.
Over a brief supper of the stew, Almah sits by Apollo. "So, Apollo, tell me how you came by your hammer. I've never seen its like before."
The dawn comes quickly, and several members of the encampment can already be seen up and about, making their early-morning prayers to Sarenrae and beginning to fix themselves breakfast.
Dmitri, feeling as if he'd enjoyed his pain for far long enough, bathes himself in the positive energies of the cleric.
As the energy washes along the path of his body, he considers, among all things, the aspects of benefiting from his faith. Truly, he had worshiped Lilith for a great time, and, as Avalni had said, would be eager to grant him the benefits of her sovereign gaze.
Though he wasn't wise, he was learned. Surely he had the wisdom to control the miracles that could be bestowed?
Angmar is happy about the opportunity presenting itself. Of course a follower of Angradd does not go into a fight without a plan and so he confronts his employer just as she is admiring Apollo's Hammer.
Beg ye pardon mam. What do ye know of this temple? Ye got's a plan or sometin such. For meself I don't like walkin into surprises so I'd like to prepare best I can for this. So if ye has an old map or sometin like that this would be very helpful!
Almah: "I'm sorry, Angmar, I do not have such a map. This temple has been abandoned for as long as Kelmerane has been abandoned, and I do not think any of the clerics that presided there survived the doom that visited Kelmerane.
I can tell you that it is a fairly simple stone building and that any monstrous squatters in it are likely to be even less organized than you are, if that is a comfort."
Unorganized? the Dwarf seems truly offended by the thought Ye maybe thinks those hudlomes is a bit crazy but I'll instruct em on some proper strategy ye'll see! the the Dwarf strides away mumbling and cursing as he goes to seek out his tent to find some rest for the night.
Apollo smiles as both he and Hadrah hug, at which point he looks over to Hadrod's reaction and says to the elderly woman It's a pleasure to have met and helped you. I wish you all the best for your future travels and if you're ever in need again, know that you two will always have a friend here.
As Apollo says his goodbyes, he grabs some stew and sits down around the camp fire, where Almah perches beside him.
Hello Almah. It's nice to have the company of one such as yourself on this cold night. My Hammer is a tale of that which entails much loss, but I trust you and am happy to elaborate.
Apollo looks to the woman with a serious expression, but speaks in a friendly manner.
This Hammer used to belong to someone who I once called my Uncle.
About a year ago, I had returned from my job as a Duskwalker Agent within Katapesh, just like any other day. It wasn't much longer before that when I acquired my animal friend, Nom. Anyway, I took a detour and found Gnoll's attacking a huge T-Rex. The beast fell and their attention turned to me however.
Some of them were too busy carving up the beast, no doubt to savour as food for later, but the few that made their advances, came at me with killing intent.
As the closed in, being unarmed I swung at them with my bare hands, taking several hits, but nothing that would leave a mark.
I proved victorious, but as I made my way into my home settlement, I found it ablaze and in a troublesome state. At closer inspection, it looked as though another group of Barbarian's had taken over, and there were no signs of those who I loved.
As I advanced, I was once again spotted by Gnoll's, only this time restrained, before being dragged to the feet of my Uncle.
He was standing there with a much larger Gnoll, who I later discovered to be the Carrion King. Behind him was Nom, battered and wounded on the floor, no doubt from a vicious attack that the Gnoll's were responsible for.
After some talk, I understood why my Uncle had done what he had, and realised that he was working alongside the Carrion King to gain power and further advance the Gnoll's population, as that was their agreement.
When my Uncle spoke of how my father's rightful position of clan leader should have been his, he began to elaborate on how he killed my father.
I was still unarmed, but as he finished his sentence, he drew out his weapon and initiated combat. Honour was something my Uncle cared little for, and though unable to properly defend myself, he came at me with full force, wielding this very hammer you see before you.
We struggled, and I felt the sheer pain of my own bones shattering with each devastating blow he landed upon me. I fought long and hard, encircled by Gnoll's, with the Carrion King watching over us with both glee and bloodlust in his eyes, as to be expected from their kind.
With each hit, the damage eventually took its toll and I started to drift in and out of consciousness. Seeing my weakened condition, my uncle became cocky and swung one final blow against me, but out of desperation, I grabbed his arm, using his own momentum to disarm him.
His hammer landed beside me and as he went to reclaim it, I caught the man off guard, pulling his legs out from beneath him.
It seemed that he underestimated my remaining strength, and using this opportunity to regain my balance, I clambered to my feet, lifting his weapon with me as I rose.
Realising how the tables had turned, my Uncle tried to beg for his life, but after murdering my entire clan, I could not forgive the man. He killed my father. I had no idea where my mother was, and still don't know if she's even alive, and on top of this, he had allowed for Nom to be badly beaten.
I very much believe in honour, but having such a dishonourable and vile person in front of me, I saw an unworthy opponent, one of which I felt to be undeserving of an honourable or dignified death.
Consumed by rage and confused by what I had witnessed, I struck the man down with his own hammer and took it upon myself to use the weapon that had once killed my father, to instead, avenge my family name and protect all those who seek my aid from that point onwards.
How I escaped from the Carrion King and his tribe of Gnoll's was simply luck, as it turned out the first T-Rex the Gnoll's had defeated was actually travelling in a pair, and seeing the T-Rex as a far bigger threat than myself, their attention turned to the beast, allowing for me to make my escape with Nom.
I travel with you now as I have unfinished business with the Carrion King. He murdered all who I knew and grew up with, and so my final test will be to engage with him in combat, killing him and all Gnoll's who cross my path. Only then can my family name and clan be avenged.
I apologise for speaking with such negativity, but you asked to know and so I kept my word. Hopefully we'll have many more conversations in the future, only with a much lighter and positive tone.
Apollo looks down and smiles, appreciating the woman's company.
Dmitri's acknowledgement of her concern, and subsequent agreement that it wouldn't stop him either, was good enough for her. She just felt she should tell someone, and settled in to sleep.
The next morning she arose, stretched and did what was demanded of her as far as work amongst the camp. At no point did she offer her assistance, only acting when told. She spent the rest of the morning checking and preparing her gear for travel, ready to move out as soon as the others were.
She chuckles a bit to herself before continuing, "In a way, I'm almost glad that happened, because now you're working for me and you're extra-motivated to do a good job."
She sobers up a bit. "But you are right, we must talk again later. Interesting man like you, I'm sure you have a lot of stories to tell. Perhaps after you've secured this monastery."
Rising in the morning, Garavel gives you directions to the monastery (it is much farther up in the foothills, and overlooks the village of Kelmerane from a high bluff) and assures you that the caravan will be nearby in four or five days, easy enough to find, and that when the monastery is cleared he should be notified.