What do I know of the Pale Mountain, the House of the Beast, or even the Carrion King?
K: Geography
K: History
K: Local
Kelden
"I see no reason not to do this probably better to do it now rather than wait for it to become a problem in the long run."
"If this 'Carrion King' is setting his eyes on our beloved town, then I agree something should be done about it. Hopefully the King's ears will be open to a treaty of peace, but only Nethys is all-wise..."
Read the spoiler.
"The gnoll king can discuss peace with Pharasma. I have some preparations to make. If you'll excuse me?" Kelden goes to speak with the bar-keep.
"Markhet does believe that violence will be the only solution to our gnoll conundrum, but Markhet still doesn't understand how a giant priest of Sarenrae has gone unnoticed by us for the last year, or how word of this gnoll king's location reached only him while we are clearly his closest neighbors and have patrolled the area every day. Markhet is not normally this suspicious, but it's not every day that giants, claiming to be priests of Sarenrae gift us with knowledge of our enemy. Perhaps there is some way to confirm you are who you claim to be? Perhaps you and Celena know a secret handshake? Markhet is certain that there is nothing as highly evolved as the language shared by druids of the old faith but surely there is something you two could do to prove that we're not dealing with imposters trying to lay out gnoll traps for us?"
"Markhet does believe that violence will be the only solution to our gnoll conundrum, but Markhet still doesn't understand how a giant priest of Sarenrae has gone unnoticed by us for the last year, or how word of this gnoll king's location reached only him while we are clearly his closest neighbors and have patrolled the area every day. Markhet is not normally this suspicious, but it's not every day that giants, claiming to be priests of Sarenrae gift us with knowledge of our enemy. Perhaps there is some way to confirm you are who you claim to be? Perhaps you and Celena know a secret handshake? Markhet is certain that there is nothing as highly evolved as the language shared by druids of the old faith but surely there is something you two could do to prove that we're not dealing with imposters trying to lay out gnoll traps for us?"
"That is enough" Celena yells slamming her hands onto the table looking ready to go into a rant she takes a deep breath calming herself before continuing "If this man claims he is a priest of Saranae and that there is a Gnoll threat then that is good enough for me."
Markhet arches an eyebrow.
"Markhet has a right to be suspicious Celena," the smaller gnome says, "we are likely out numbered and yet, without a doubt, the most fearsome warriors in this town. One doesn't become king of gnolls through strength of arms alone, there must be a certain level of cunning, and Markhet will remind you this Carrion King knew and appointed Kardswann as master of this town. Surely this Carrion King knows that if he has fallen and thus must have some idea the sort of foes he faces. Markhet thinks it likely that the Carrion King seeks to retake the town but what Markhet is cautious about is information that may be too good to be true. Markhet thinks that if the Carrion King were to attempt to retake the town he would first try to remove the brave heroes (and there plucky lion) that defeated his chosen before. This would seem smart to Markhet. Could this information be part of a trap?
"Now perhaps Zayifd is telling the truth, Markhet can't say, she knows lions better then people, but even the priest Zayifd must admit he is a highly conspicuous individual. He is one that stands out in a crowd and Markhet thinks it not an unusal request to do a little checking. Suppose it were a seven foot druid of the green faith before you? Would you not ask some simple questions before taking everything he says as truth? Markhet is hardly asking for the priest to show us hidden temple tattoos or some such, she is just asking our brave and trusting Paladin to be ever so slightly cautious of Priests bearing Gifts."
"Well I did not mean to cause a problem, I am gladdened however a servant of Sananrae Is the one to lead a charge on such evil. Some of use preach redemption by kindness ane mercy and others must bring it by the sword to those who turn from the path of light. Fare thee well" He says, finishing his ale and headed for the street.
Vrealk watches the man leave, and tamps out his pipe. "Me thinks you need another drink, friend-Celena," he says, a wide grin on his face. "After all, me doubts you would believe me if I claimed to be a priest of Saranrae, and you've known me much longer."
"Friend-Markhet is right to be suspicious. In fact, me thinks she may be right; me doubts that man was a priest. But me also thinks he told true about the rest; me doesn't have any doubts that the Carrion King grows stronger. Kelden and me have seen the evidence. Me just thinks that it is more likely that the man had ulterior motives. Who would benefit if the Carrion King was gone? Who could move in and control the gnolls when he's gone?"
"Markhet never thought of that," the tiny gnome says nodding to her goblin friend, "This one only feared that he might be working for the gnoll king, but she never thought he might be an independent schemer. This ruined temple that Kelden has heard about may be ancient indeed, filled with old relics and such, and it could be that our stranger doesn't care about us or this town so much as he cares about getting into that temple. Markhet wishes Cenena had been just a bit suspicious. He may well have been telling the truth, he may well have told us nothing but lies, but now we will never know and Markhet wonders the harm of not immediately believing everything we hear and see? It's not as though we do him a great dishonor by asking a couple of simple questions. Surely N'Djamena must see the wisdom in this? Not everyone we've met thus far is what they appear."
Kelden intends to be unavailable for the evening. In the morning, he will go about getting whatever maps of the region are available, making sure everyone has food, water, and shelter. He'll be ready to go first thing the morning after that.
Ayish skips into the gathering of her friends. Wearing her light leather gear and a sheen of sweat upon her limbs, the results of her practicing for the coming nights entertainment.
With a deft twirl she spins,
"Tall...." She mutters catching a fleeting glimpse of the guest her companions had been entertaining.
N'Djamena thinks scouting is a good idea as well. He'll try making inquiries around town about the mystery man and the Carrion King.
Gather Information:
No one knows of this Zayifd, but he was seen entering town with a few merchants that morning. People have heard of the Carrion king, the howl of his Gnolls can be heard every night. The gossip is, he may be forging alliances between the Gnolls of the peaks, and Gnoll raids have grown more common of late.
"Markhet never thought of that," the tiny gnome says nodding to her goblin friend, "This one only feared that he might be working for the gnoll king, but she never thought he might be an independent schemer. This ruined temple that Kelden has heard about may be ancient indeed, filled with old relics and such, and it could be that our stranger doesn't care about us or this town so much as he cares about getting into that temple. Markhet wishes Cenena had been just a bit suspicious. He may well have been telling the truth, he may well have told us nothing but lies, but now we will never know and Markhet wonders the harm of not immediately believing everything we hear and see? It's not as though we do him a great dishonor by asking a couple of simple questions. Surely N'Djamena must see the wisdom in this? Not everyone we've met thus far is what they appear."
"Me thinks it couldn't hurt to scout out this 'House of the Beast'. Does anyone know anything about this place? Me wonders what kind of Beast this would be a home to."
knowledge local
Let's get going.
N'Djamena considers asking the harpy what she knows about the Carrion King, but he decides he would rather throw himself blindly into a mountain full of gnolls instead. So he's ready to go.
Word does get out that you plan to leave and Almah would like to speak with you, to wish you luck if you have time. Also Undrella is sure to bring N'djamerna flowers and wish the "strong, brave man" good hunting and offers him a kiss for luck with a grin. Just a little kiss for luck is all.
Kelden attends to Lady Almah.
N'Djamena stoically submits to the harpy's osculatory assault. But no tongue.
He also goes to see what Almah's request is.
Vrealk checks over his gear one last time, cleans his pipe well, and makes sure he has a fresh supply of tobacco. He then accompanies the others to see Almah.
N'Djamena stoically submits to the harpy's osculatory assault. But no tongue.
"Ooooooooooooooooooo" the gnome hoots the moment their lips touch.
Markhet attends the meeting.
With a wink she smiles at Markhet "Even the strongest prey grows tired if you chase him long enough" she says, firmly caressing N'Djamena's bottom before laughing with her lovely voice and taking to the air. "Be sure to bring him back now...I have such lovely plans for that one"
The meeting with Almah is more of a breakfast. she had heard of the meeting with the priest and this Carrion king and the Gnoll attacks have become a growing problem. She is glad you have taken it upon yourselves to rid the area of this blight. The meeting is more well wishing then anything. However she has familiarized herself with the area. The house of the Beast she tells you is said to be a ruined temple to the rough beast and is said to lay at thee mouth or the river in the shadows of the pale mountain.
9: Pale Mountain
10: Looks like this is where the House of the Beast lays
17:Giant steps( 2 fresh water lakes}
18:Kelmarane
19:Bronze hook( small town that controls the bridge)
20 Hook ford (river crossing)
21:Thrice hills( farming/trade community)
"Thank you, milady, your information will greatly reduce the time it will take us to remove the gnoll blight from the area." Kelden takes time to become more familiar with the map. "You have the remainder of the day and all of the night to say goodbye to your love, N'Djamena. We'll leave at first light."
Ayish does smile at Undrella's antics, though she is also sympathetic to N'Djamena's plight as well as being slightly embarrassed by the play acting going on.
"Markhet is now 60% certain that Zayifd was up to something," the gnome says in Almah's presence, "he didn't even look at Larrs, and he left the moment Markhet started urging Celena to test him. Perhaps he was truly upset that he caused Celena to become cross at Markhet, Markhet could understand that, this one is adorable! How could anyone be mad at her! But this one thinks it's suspicious that he left before we could ask him questions to prove his identity or even test his faith! As this one said earlier we needn't have tested him vigorously or had him reveal the secret tattoos that Markhet is certain all priest of Saranae must have. She only asked Celena to give him a simple test . . .
"And Celena," Markhet says drawing close to the other gnome, "you're like this one's sister and she loves you, but ever take sides with someone over family again. Ever.
"Markhet thinks that Celena can see into people's hearts or something like that," she says turning back to the group, "hopefully she can now tell us if Zayifd was good or evil? Markhet assumes that Celena was waiting for the right moment to tell us."
"No why would I do that?"
"Because we're on the edge of our seats wondering, was this truly a priest of Saranae or some gnoll trick. And it would have been easy for you to do. Markhet assumes you do that with everyone you meet. Markhet knows that if she could turn into a bird every night, which she can by the way, she would do so and fly around the town, which she does! Markhet assumes that Celena must look into the hearts of everyone she meets just because she can."
"No because that would make me a paranoid lunatic."
"Paranoid? Markhet would call that being curious. Perhaps if Celena did that every day to everyone she came across, in case of body snatchers, then perhaps Markhet would call her paranoid. Body snatchers are quite rare after all. Of course Celena might be unnaturally scared of being labeled a paranoid paladin, which Markhet admits is fun to say. Paranoid paladin! It just rolls off the tongue!"
"I do not tell you how to use your gifts so please do not think you can tell me how to use mine." With that said Celena leaves
"I do not tell you how to use your gifts so please do not think you can tell me how to use mine." With that said Celena leaves
"Markhet wonders if there's an opposite to paranoia?" she mutters after Cekena leaves, "sucker or dupe perhaps?"
We'll go on foot. It will be easier to mask our presence that way. We'll follow the river. The camp, castle, whatever will be near water.
We'll go on foot. It will be easier to mask our presence that way. We'll follow the river. The camp, castle, whatever will be near water.