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Julius eyes Sarala with a raised eyebrow as she shushes him. Everyone becomes wary as the Vanara monk cautiously approaches the stable. As she enters, there's a squeak from the hinge, a sudden battlecry, and Sarala shrieking in alarm herself.
Julius rushes to see what is now endangering his friend even as she tries to reason with her attacker. Knowing his options for nonlethal combat are limited, Julius does the first thing he can think of to save his friend from a possible misunderstanding. Sticking his hand into the opening (just past Sarala's head), Julius yells,
""
"Do you know this creature?"
Although Narkû wishes to join the fray, seeing Julius's arms thrust through the opening of the unsafe door, Narkû decides it may be better to watch for trouble outside for the moment.
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Current Effects: Whetstone edge on falchion and scimitar, +1 damage on next successful hit;
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Julius' head swivels, and he gives Thurrios an incredulous look. "What nonsense are you saying? You three! Get in there and save her!" The last now includes Anapa and Narkû.
As an after thought, Julius gestures to Marossa. "Can you fascinate? Some bards I've met can do that. This may be a good time for that."
The man freezes on the spot when Sarala speaks to him.
"Pathfinder?" is all he has time to say before he is suddenly blasted by Julius' illusion.
Startled, but otherwise unaffected by the spell, the man drops his spear and backs away from the Vanaran. In his desperation to do so quickly he stumbles backwards, landing on the ground in a sitting position.
"Wait! Please, don't hurt me! You said you're a Pathfinder? I'm a Pathfinder too!" he says, glancing from Sarala to the stable door. "Just... for the love of the gods, don't give me over to the gnolls! Not again!"
Not hearing the sounds of combat, Narkû goes over to the stable door to help hold it open for the others to enter.
"Bit jumpy today, Julius?" he asks the Taldan, "You not sleep well under the roof of a harpy?"
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Current Effects: Whetstone edge on falchion and scimitar, +1 damage on next successful hit;
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Julius looks at Narkû like he's crazy. "How did you not hear Sarala cry out in alarm? Or this ragged guy yelling as he threatened her? I showed restraint! I could have speared him with ice magic, but instead I just tried to knock him out like I did that snake. You people should show more concern when a friend is in danger!"
Turning to the ragged Pathfinder, Julius appraises the man's condition with a hand on his chin.
"Well, I guess I can't fault your instincts. While she looks nothing like a gnoll, I do admit she is a bit more furry than the average humanoid. She's a foreign transplant from the East, and they get a little bit more hairy out that way."
Julius removes his traveling glove and extends a hand to help the other man to his feet. "My name is Julius Pa'Jer. This here is Sarala, Vanaran monk, infiltrationing specialist Narkû, quiet-as-a-mousy Marossa, the oft forgot Anapa, and the best of us, The Great and Mighty Thurrios the Furious, Forgiving Redeemer."
"A... a tentacled monster?" the apparent Pathfinder replies, his face going pale. "I had come here with my comrades, b-but..."
After a moment, the man with the mustache seems to calm down, enough at least to take the arcanist's hand and pull himself off the floor. Still breathing heavily, he pulls his old helmet off, revealing a head of shaggy black hair, and wipes the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand. He looks at your group incredulously, but by the time Julius finished the introductions, his skepticism gives way to relief.
"Felliped is the name," he says, placing the helmet back on his head. He looks to Sarala, looking more than a little embarrassed. "Uh, s-sorry for before. I've been hiding in here for days now. When I saw the lot of you outside I thought you might be more of those bandits, moving up to the battle market."
"W-would you happen to know of somewhere safe?" Felliped suddenly asks, his voice growing desperate once more, "I've been wanting to make a run for it, but I've caught glimpses of some terrible creatures flying around... If you've all found me, then it's a only a matter of time before these gnolls do. Please, take me somewhere safe, and I'll gladly tell you my story."
Narkû just smiles a savage, tusk filled smile and nods his head yes at the thought of 'justified violence'.
"Find out what he knows, you Pathfinders are always noticing things, right, so maybe he has useful intelligence for us.". Thurrios watches outside to ensure they aren't caught unawares, "Oh, and if he is a spy for the gnolls, just kill him outright would you?"
Felliped spares Thurrios a fearful glance, fidgeting slightly before speaking out again.
"So you are here to exterminate the gnolls, then...?" he starts, wringing his hands nervously, "Gods know they deserve it, after what they did to my friends. For all I know, I am the only left." He hesitates before going on. "Y-you mentioned that you found someone who was eaten by a monster. Do you by any chance recall what they looked like?"
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Julius chuckles and says, "Sure can! Inside the belly of a tentacled monster erupting out of the sand, I found..."
"...the pulverized shambles of a man; it [was] impossible to tell whether he died from suffocation, being crushed by stomach muscle, or burnt to death by digestive acid. What [was] left of his clothing [was] in bleached tatters. His ruined cloak [had been] pinned on by a golden brooch, in the shape of a lion's head."
"There it is, right there," Julius says pointing to where it is pinned on Sarala's monk gi.
"Oh god," Felliped gasps when he notices the brooch. Somehow, his skin turns even paler than before. "That must have been Andrus. We had managed to escape from the battle market together, but got split up. I thought for sure he might have made it out of the village. I... guess he did." The Pathfinder slumps against one of the wooden posts in the stables.
"Then that just leaves Oxvard... assuming the gnolls haven't eaten him already."
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"Unless he's gone through a rather radical polymorph and now looks like a female harpy, I'm pretty sure we haven't run into anyone with that name," Julius says with a shrug. "We'll definitely be on the look out now though."
The arcanist throws a thumb over his shoulder. "Don't worry about the big ifrit there. He's honor bound to forgive. It's in his name after all. He doesn't really mean we should kill you."
Julius puts his chin in one hand while tapping his forefinger on his cheek and holding that elbow with his opposite hand.
"Well...actually. Maybe he does mean it. Sometimes I forget inquisitors are a lot more loose and fast with killing innocents than paladins. One would think they would be more law-abiding and stuff given they are so righteous and zealous, you know? But I guess they do function more like the executioners of their respective faiths..."
Julius turns and begins to regard Thurrios with something of an appraising gaze. It is clear the man's mind is working furiously as he mentally works out what makes Thurrios 'good' despite his casual demeanor towards violence and the lives of sentient beings.
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"Sorry, bud," says Sarala sympathetically, "We'll keep an eye out for your friend. What does he look like? And, er, sorry if it seems distasteful for me to be wearing your dead friend's brooch..." She rubs the back of her head and glances around, "Though a Pathfinder in the hand is better than two in the bush... we've gotta get you to safety. Oh, and fed."
She removes her backpack and starts rifling through it for some rations to spare.
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Winking at Narkû, Julius says, "If you can stomach the smell of a tannery, I know where there's some giant snake head stew brewing."
At the unamused looks he gets from the others, Julius throws up his hands. "Alright, alright. Too many jokes, I get it. The man's starving and we just told him his friend was crushed up and digested in a sand thing's stomach. Queue empathy and promises to save his life." Julius sighs.
"He's Garundi. You know - tall, dark hair, dark skin," Felliped starts, "Built for a fight, that one. And he's a holy man of Abadar, at that."
"And no, it's okay," he says to Sarala in regards to the brooch, shaking his head, "I'd rather that you wear it than have it be lost in some beast's gullet." His gloomy demeanor quickly changes at the mention of food, almost becoming desperate again. However, he quickly minds himself, murmuring an apology.
"No need to apologise friend. Hunger is a powerful motivator. We will not deny you some food."
He ruffles in his backpack and takes out 2 rations
"This is the best i can offer at this time. Hope it helps"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"I make no apologies for my hatred of the followers of the Rough Beast. It is Her decree that they shall all be put to the sword." As he says this, Thurrios holds up Tempest. "You will take not that I said to kill him, IF he was an agent of the gnolls, so let us not get caught up in a game of wits and words, for it would be dishonorable for me to fight one such as yourself on that battlefield."
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Sarala says to Anapa, as he beats her to providing the rations, "Oh, thanks. If you need any later, Nap, I'll share. I think I need to repack my bag so it's more organized."
She listens to the exchange between Julius and Thurrios and cannot keep herself from laughing a chittery kind of laugh. "You got burned by the ifrit, Julius!"
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"You see? That's what is so fascinating about the religious mind. As long as the killing is incorporated into the belief system, what could be construed as cold-blooded murder becomes justified! I admire such single-mindedness. Efficient and terribly convenient." Julius says with a shake of his head still looking at Thurrios. Turning to regard Anapa, Julius gestures towards him and then to their new friend.
"On the other hand, despite Thurrios convictions on the matter, I imagine you would not have allowed us to slaughter an enemy that had willingly surrendered regardless of the inconvenience of it."
Looking back at Sarala and Felliped, the arcanist's voice sounds full of wonder. "Religion is a fascinating study. I encourage you to read some of the religious texts some time. It's fun to find the places where the mighty beings who take an interest in our Golarion contradict one another. Then we can have a lively debate on why any one god or goddess' tenets supersede the others."
Julius smiles wistfully and approaches Felliped with a hand extended the other making some arcane gestures. "Me? I'm lucky. The god I worship really doesn't care much for all that. Just so long as I do it with magic!"
Winking at Pathfinder in the mismatched armor, Julius casts prestidigitation and begins to clean him up somewhat.
Narkû listens until the pounding of his temples are unbearable. With a growl and grit of this teeth, he moves closer to the door to keep a watch on thier surroundings.
Were are the gnolls, Narkû needs a distraction.
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Current Effects: Whetstone edge on falchion and scimitar, +1 damage on next successful hit;
The philosophical discussion seems to go over Felliped's head as he helps himself to Anapa's rations, thanking the paladin graciously. He proceeds to stuff his mouth, seemingly oblivious to the magic Julius is working on him.
"If you have business in the village, I suppose I can stay here for now," he says after finishing the first ration in short order. Compared to the panicked man from before, he seems calmer by a great deal. "Just... try not to take too long. Please?"
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Sarala answers Julius, "Well, I could read all of those religious texts. But then I'd have to give you background of the oral traditions from my region and tribe and then explain the many many many reasons why my religion is so much righter. And we don't have time for that now, I guess." She glances to their companions as they seem to be getting rather restless.
"Yeah, we can take you back to the manor, Felliped. It seems pretty safe there," says Sarala, "And then we can move on to our next place. I really think we need to get rid of that patrol to avoid being hassled to much in our further exploration."
"Well, we definitely have 'business' in the village," Thurrios says with a grin. "Shall we get back to our 'business' then?"
"No. An enemy who surrendered. Should be treated as a prisoner. Not an enemy. The law will determine what their fate should be... unless they are demons. Or devils. They have long since abandoned their right to be tried"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"I agree with you Anapa, with the obvious exception."
Felliped is hesitant to leave the relative safety of the stables, but with some convincing he agrees to relocate to the mansion by the wharf. Before leaving you pass through the hallway to check the common room adjacent to the stables. It is empty and in poor shape, but is otherwise unmolested; Felliped sheepishly admits that he remained in the stables because there were more places to hide.
The party is able to make the trip without any trouble, much to the Pathfinder's relief. He echoes some of your earlier sentiments about the building being abandoned, lamenting that he could have hid there in the first place had he ran just a little farther. Felliped hunkers down on the second floor, away from any windows.
"Don't take too long out there," he pleads, "And please, be careful! I don't want to see more good people lost to these animals..."
After bidding him farewell, the party takes to the road once more. As you are passing by the ruined buildings beyond where you found Felliped, you catch sight of your quarry. A group of four gnolls comes around the bend in the road passing by a ruined gatehouse (). They do not appear to notice you right away, more concerned with bickering unintelligibly than with seriously patrolling.
Are they a chargeable distance from me?
"Cast your spells now, we'll jump them when they get closer," whispers Thurrios.
"Alright, let's go!"
Anapa makes ready too. These gnolls will soon taste his blade.
"I am ready"
-Posted with Wayfinder
The party hustles down the road, moving to intercept the patrol. Still oblivious to your presence, the four gnolls stop in front a ruined building, still talking among themselves. The building in question is difficult to identify, but you are able to ascertain that it must have once been a gatehouse. Its gate and archway have long been destroyed, but it must have once restricted passage to the upper tier of the village.
Only as you close in on the gnolls do they finally notice you, one of them barking out at its compatriots. The four of them ready their spears for combat.
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Way back when Thurrios mentioned casting some spells, Julius used his wand of mage armor to increase his ability to take hits for the next hour. Once completed, he draws a javelin in one hand and his wand of magic missile in the other. He moves forward towards the gnolls behind Thurios, Anapa and Sarala taking up a position behind Anapa wherever he ends his own forward charge.
Thurrios will cast guidance on himself and stand fast with Tempest drawn.
"Shoot from here if you can, otherwise let's lure them in our direction," Thurrios suggests.
Round 1
Narkû moves forward to meet the gnolls in battle.
"Be ready for them to charge, we can intercept them and gang up on them."
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Current Effects: Whetstone edge on falchion and scimitar, +1 damage on next successful hit; Intercept Charge (Combat, Teamwork), 4rds;
Round One (Part 1)
Thurrios holds his ground and casts his spell, receiving a mote of divine guidance from his deity.
Drawing his nodachi, Anapa rushes toward the gnolls. Sarala follows suit, the nimble Vanaran quickly outpacing the heavily armored ifrit.
With javelin and wand in hand, Julius follows after the frontliners, protected by an invisible force field.
Marossa does the same, retrieving her flute as she makes her approach. Pressing it against her lips, she starts to play a familiar tune that reaches everyone.
Having taken a moment to instruct everyone beforehand, Narku moves forward to meet the gnolls as well.
Round One (Part 2)
The gnoll that first noticed your approach charges at Sarala, its spear held out in both hands.
Despite its rapid approach however, the Vanaran has more than enough time to prepare herself. As the gnoll closes in to thrust its spear at her, she nimbly dodges out of harm's way.
Another of the gnolls is quick to follow its comrade into battle, also approaching Sarala. Both gnolls regard her with a sneer.
A third gnoll chooses a different approach, moving towards the rest of the group.
The last one remains by the gatehouse, instead turning toward the building and making a beckoning gesture while barking out something.
Narkû will react to the gnoll charging Sarala, and move closer to defend her.
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Current Effects: Whetstone edge on falchion and scimitar, +1 damage on next successful hit; Intercept Charge (Combat, Teamwork), 4rds;
