Quzman is unused to spending the evening in bed, and is sleeping soundly when he is awakened by Jakri's incessant knocking. Unfortunately, he is even more unused to the after effects of alcohol, and the knocking in his head is much louder than little Jakri could ever have hoped to have been.
"Yes, yes young one. I will be there shortly."
After splashing some cold water on his face and rubbing the rest of the sleep from his countenance, Quzman quietly calls to Ky as he stumbles out the door.
The scene in Princess Almas' suite quickly sobers him up. Quickly turning his miserable morning even worse. "We have been idle too long my friends. I had thought the threat manageable with our regular patrols, but it appears poor Hadir had pay for my ignorance."
Sighing heavily, he turns to the questioning group, "I have hunted by the mile marker many times over the past year. I am sure I can lead us there unseen. Good Dumah, that is a good idea. We can prepare a couple of signal fires for town to warn us if were to lure us out to attack the town while we were gone."
The past year has been good, but the anticipation of adventure gives rise to Eli's inner spirit. "Xulthos underestimated the Sand Stalkers and so to will this Gnoll King. We will not let his evil ways eradicate the hard work of the people of Kelmarane have done this past year. I came from across the sea, but this is my home now and I will not see any more of its citizens threatened by the mountain tribes. We will go face this assassin, or the emissary he represents, and deal with this, but we shall not go unprepared. Quzman and Ty, the two of you should go to the meeting place early and scout about. By arriving early you should be able to thwart an ambush and perhaps even learn something about our new enemy. The rest of us should do some quiet investigating here. If we can learn more about Hadir's murder we might gain some insight as to who or what we are dealing with. We should go to the guild house and search the alley for any clues that might reveal the identity of the killer." Eli thinks about how this all began just over a year ago, searching for the alchemists murderer with Quzman and Dumah.
Sighing heavily, he turns to the questioning group, "I have hunted by the mile marker many times over the past year. I am sure I can lead us there unseen. Good Dumah, that is a good idea. We can prepare a couple of signal fires for town to warn us if were to lure us out to attack the town while we were gone."
It's pretty flat ground, no dunes or cover for about 200 yards in each direction.
Eli remembers Hadir partaking in the festivities at the tavern, though he kept his alcohol comsumption to a minimum since he was on guard duty that night. He left around 11pm to report to his shift with a couple of other guards.
I understand that you don't want to raise a panic, but I think we need to make sure certain members of our community are alert. We don't have to discuss the murder and the threat. We can simply tell a chosen few that with the anniversary of the liberation, we are concerned about reprisals. Anyone we know with a background in warfare or spellcasting can be told to be on guard, sleep with weapons nearby and be suspicious. If any ask about the group of us, we can just say we'll be outside of town patrolling to try and prevent anything potential threat from getting close.
Garavel nods. "The mage speaks much sense. We will double the guard duty on the princess and other VIPs. It may be a ploy to draw you away from the town. We can definitely have a signal if we need you to return immediately."
"Garavel, I recall seeing Hadir at the tavern lastnight before his guard shift, do you know what other guards where on duty last night? I would like to speak with them if possible. Also, who found Hadir? I hope we can learn something from their accounts of the events."
"Yes, he was on duty with his normal patrol: Abdul, Karim, and Jabaar. They patrolled the village grounds, especially last night, as the masses tend to get rowdy after some drinking. They broke up some fights and stopped some harassment of women, but other than that, nothing serious. Karim found Hadir's body this morning. I can have him summoned if you'd like."
"Yes, please have Karim and his patrol join us. They may have tucked in their memories a useful tidbit of information that will enlighten us on who is behind the murder. Dashki turned out to be an agent of the gnolls, it is quite likely that others who have turned against the civil people of Katapesh are living here amongst us. We must also consider that this could be the work of the Bandit of Katapesh and the one know as Father that he is in league with. This could be related to their plot to undermine Lady Almah."
Garavel summons the guards, who appear, a little unshaven, but otherwise fit. They stand at attention, as Garavel addressed them. "You shall give Master Eli here all the information he requires and any deception or dishonesty on your part will have severe consequences. Eli, they're all yours."
They look like this: Guard
"Please be at ease friends, I know that this is a difficult time. You all served with Hadir and the sting of his death must way heavy on your hearts. We grieve as you grieve, but we can not delay in trying to discover the identity of his killer. Each of you please take a moment to think about last night and try to recall anything that seemed unusual. I will ask each of you to recount your patrol and tell us everything that occurred on your watch. Please leave no details out for once we hear from all of you we may see a pattern that will reveal clues to who the culprit is. To be sure that each of you are true to your own memory I am going to ask you tell your story one at a time while the others wait in the hall. Know that I only seek the truth and that by separating you I hope to prevent each of your individual recounts from clouding the others. Karim, since it was you who was the unfortunate one to find poor Hadir I am going to ask you to go first."
Eli will invite each of the guards to sit one by one and listen to them retell the events of the watch. He will listen with a keen ear to be sure each is being honest and forthright.
Dumah will stand back a few paces from Eli and watch the conversation. He is concerned that one of these men may be the assassin, and if Eli gets too close to the truth he may attack or flee. Dumah wants to be ready with an arcane surprise if any of the men try to do either of these things.
Ty follows the two guards who are waiting outside to be sure there was no untoward communication before the guards move to speak with Eli. By doing this, he hoped that if there was treachery afoot, he could make sure the stories did not line up.
Quzman will work with Garavel, and some of the remaining guards in setting up signal fires where he is certain he will be able to see them from the mile marker. Afterward, he will gather with the rest of group to see what Eli may have found out.
Quzman will work with Garavel, and some of the remaining guards in setting up signal fires where he is certain he will be able to see them from the mile marker. Afterward, he will gather with the rest of group to see what Eli may have found out.
Before Quzman can leave and before the interviews begin Eli says to the ranger, "While you are out setting up the signal fires could you scout about and see if there are any tracks or signs that indicate gnolls may have come into the village?"
"Or anything unusual. Not many would wander far out into the desert, I nmore suspect, if something really is going wrong, it is someone in te village." Bahiyy adds. He would like to join scouting but knows, that he would only destroy any tracks which might be visible, before noticing them. But he is at unease, suspecting soeone in the village migh thave made an alliance with the gnoll king.
During his rounds, Quzman will search for any signs of tracks, starting where the assault takes place and working out from there.
"Please be at ease friends, I know that this is a difficult time. You all served with Hadir and the sting of his death must way heavy on your hearts. We grieve as you grieve, but we can not delay in trying to discover the identity of his killer. Each of you please take a moment to think about last night and try to recall anything that seemed unusual. I will ask each of you to recount your patrol and tell us everything that occurred on your watch. Please leave no details out for once we hear from all of you we may see a pattern that will reveal clues to who the culprit is. To be sure that each of you are true to your own memory I am going to ask you tell your story one at a time while the others wait in the hall. Know that I only seek the truth and that by separating you I hope to prevent each of your individual recounts from clouding the others. Karim, since it was you who was the unfortunate one to find poor Hadir I am going to ask you to go first."
Karim speaks, "Our hearts do grieve, Master Eli, we lost one of our brothers. Hadir reported for duty last night as usual. We broke up some fights, nothing serious. Every hour, two of us do a quick recon of the village to make sure all is right. At around 4 am, I did a recon of the western side and Hadir of the east. Abdul and Jabaar stayed at the post. Half hour later, I appeared at the post but no Hadir. We know he has some, how do would you say it, lady friends in town, so we thought nothing of it. He was prone to showing up late sometimes. However, when he did not appear by 5:30, we worried and Abdul and I searched the town and found his body in the alley behind the merchant guild. He was laying in a pool of blood, a deep wound in his back. It was obvious he was casught unawares and by surprise. I will never forget the look on his face. While I alerted Master Garavel immediately, Abdul and Jabaar searched for tracks but found none."
Abdul and Jabaar confirm the story and Eli senses no deception, just sadness and frustration on behalf of the guards.
During his rounds, Quzman will search for any signs of tracks, starting where the assault takes place and working out from there.
Quzman clearly sees the guards' boot imprints on the sand but finds no other tracks in the area.
"My thanks to each of you, be assured that we will solve this mystery and find Hadir's killer." After the guards leave Eli turns to the other Sand Stalkers. "While Quzman is out finishing the signal fires I am going to head over to the spot Hadir was found. Maybe I can spot a clue the guards overlooked."
Eli will go to the alley and search around looking for clues. After he searches for physical clues he will cast a spell to see if any magical residues remain in the area.
Eli thoroughly searches the area but finds no tracks, only sand and camel hair. He also senses no magic auras in the area.
"Unfortunately, it looks like this mystery is beyond us at this time. The only avenue left to pursue is to attend this meeting. And to expect trouble once we arrive."
Eli thoroughly searches the area but finds no tracks, only sand and camel hair. He also senses no magic auras in the area.
Eli finds nothing but sand, hair, and guard's dried blood. Nothing strange about the scene other than the absence of tracks or evidence.
"You might be right Ty, but I can't sit here and waste the day away knowing that someone could be threatening the fine folks of our new home. Let's see if someone is in the guild house, perhaps someone saw or heard something. After that we can try and track down any of Hadir's lady friends and see if they can tell us more about his movements last night." Eli will head to the front while trying to recall any tavern gossip about the romantic activities of the guard.
I don't know how much we will be able to discover here in town. It would appear the assailant is covering their tracks well. I think we should head out to the mile marker, and be ready to push back here quickly should the signal fires be ignited.
"You might be right Ty, but I can't sit here and waste the day away knowing that someone could be threatening the fine folks of our new home. Let's see if someone is in the guild house, perhaps someone saw or heard something. After that we can try and track down any of Hadir's lady friends and see if they can tell us more about his movements last night." Eli will head to the front while trying to recall any tavern gossip about the romantic activities of the guard.
The guild was closed between 4:00 and 5:40 am, when Hadir last reported and when his body was found, so that's a dead end. At the tavern, Eli hears that Hadir had dalliances with Rania, a local weaver. However, when questioned, she swears that she did not see Hadir at all last night. Eli tends to believe her.
Frustrated that he can not find the answers he is looking for Eli will return home to Kyra's Place and check in with Kyle. He will spend the day trying to keep busy, trying to keep his mind off what has happened and the uselessness he feels just waiting for midnight. He will check his gear, dust off his armor, and ensure that Tempest's blade is clean and sharp.
At some point in the afternoon he will seek out the brothers Amir and Samir. "Friends, I have to leave the village tonight and I fear that April and Kyle as well as my tavern might be a risk of some trouble this evening. I would consider it a grand favor if the two of you could come by Kyra's Place tonight and keep a watch out. Dinner will be on me tonight and drinks on me tomorrow. Will you help me?"
If the brothers are not available he will make the same offer to some of the villages off duty guards. Once he has provided some extra protection for his tavern family he will try to get some rest, tossing in his bed until the time to meet the others arrives.
At the appointed time, presumable several hours before midnight, Eli will join the Sand Stalkers on the trek to the mile marker. Hopefully Quzman's scouting will provide them with the details they need to get the advantage over their unnamed enemy.
At some point in the afternoon he will seek out the brothers Amir and Samir. "Friends, I have to leave the village tonight and I fear that April and Kyle as well as my tavern might be a risk of some trouble this evening. I would consider it a grand favor if the two of you could come by Kyra's Place tonight and keep a watch out. Dinner will be on me tonight and drinks on me tomorrow. Will you help me?"
Samir and Amir, now senior members of the village's guard, tell Eli that they have to worry about the village as a whole and cannot specifically guard the tavern, but that they will post extra guards there.
Dumah will go to Haleen in the afternoon.
Lady, I cannot say much about what is going on, but I need to leave town for the night. It may be nothing, but to be on the safe side, would you spend the night at Kyra's Place? Stay alert for trouble.
With that, Dumah will go to find the others again.
Ty also defers to the Lieutenant (that sounds like an appropriate title for Quzman) for strategy on time and method of attending the meet. "If you want me to hang back, I can provide cover if things go poorly. Perhaps I could borrow a potion of invisibility and drink before I get too close to the meeting, so that I can go unobserved."
Bahiyy gets ready and prepares for venturing out. But he is not that happy to be summoned out at night. Fiunding the others he nods, "alright, ready to go then?"
"I can try and lead us to the meeting sight as concealed as possible. I am afraid the last stretch is open ground. We should try and scout the perimeter before sending someone in to investigate I would think." Quzman double checks his packs, and makes sure he has everything he may need on the open desert as he is unsure as to where the evenings events will take him.
Ty nods in agreement with the idea. He had been itching to get to the meeting to find out exactly what was behind the death of the villager.
Eli follows Quzman, amazed at his friends ability to navigate that land so flawlessly. As they get closer to the mile marker his palms begin to sweat, nervous as to what they may encounter out here in the dark and excited to meet it. When the sun dips beyond the dunes he will pull out his Wayfinder compass to light his way. "I hope that the village is safe, I don't know if I could live with myself if we've been lured away and more people get harmed." Eli keeps remembering the Bandit holding little April hostage in the monastery and keeps checking over his shoulder for the patch of missing stars that a signal fires smoke would block out. When not looking back he is vigilantly scanning the desert for any signs of trouble. When it gets closer to the appointed hour he will pull Tempest and have it at the ready. "What is the plan, should we spread out in a small circle around the mile marker so we can watch all directions? While we do that Quzman could patrol our perimeter."
I think that is a good plan, Eli. I am reluctant to get too far away from the rest of you since some of my spells have limited range.
Is the marker large? Could someone be on top to have a better vantage point or is it just a yard tall stone obelisk?
The marker is a yard tall stone obelisk on the side of the road.
I need to know at what time you arrive at the area and where you each are relative to the marker. The area is clear for about 200 yards in all directions.
Unless the others have reason to stay in town longer, I'd say we get there right around dusk. It would mean a long wait for the designated meeting time.
Who has the sharpest eyes amongst us? Perhaps we should have Dumah and Bahiyy stay within a few yards of the marker while the others wander, circling the area, going up so they can see over the edge of the hills or dunes at the limit of 200 yards (but not stand on top of them where they would be silhouetted).
"That is a sound plan Dumah. Let me suggest that you stay put at the marker while the four of us each take a direction. I'll go north, Ty to the east, Bahiyy can head south and Quzman can take the western side. Then we can circle the marker each headed in the same direction. If we stay within sixty feet of the marker than if we are attacked we can regroup quickly. That will also put our strongest combatant only a short distance from the less martial skilled members. Then if we are ambushed we have less of a chink in the armor so to speak."
The hours begin to pass with no action and the party starts to get bored of walking over the same tracks over and over, while the anticipation of the witching hour approaches. The party looks to the east and Kelmarane but no signal fires are visible. There is a crescent moon out tonight so the party has some illumination besides Eli's compass or Dumah's light spell, which is continually cast over and over.
At around 5 to midnight, the party sees about 200 yards away to the west a rider on a camel come over some dunes, approaching them. You can tell no details of the rider at this distance with the naked eye.
Eli points, "Looks like we have a visitor, let's gather closer to greet them." He moves in closer to Dumah while scanning the other directions for anyone who may be trying to approach less obviously.
Ty continues to hang back from Dumah, Eli and the others. At this range, he could litter the oncoming rider with arrows if the situation called for it.
Quzman nods to Eli, as he starts to wind his way out to the opposite side of Dumah. He whispers, "Come Ky, let us see what wishes to meet with us." He tries to take careful note of his surroundings as he slowly moves out.
Perception