Faznir will drink with the other party members, joke around with Mhykir, Pavok and Arin, and take Jen dancing. All can see he's a little beyond his already exuberant self - all the brushing near-death and surviving has made him pretty darn excited.
"What do you mean you can't dance? These legs were definitely made for it, I'm sure you have an undiscovered natural talent! You have conquered death this day, surely you don't fear a little moving around?"
Later in the night, when most of the fires had already died down, he'll speak to her privately:
"And tomorrow we'll run toward them, although I feel safe already knowing your arcane talents and your ferocious beast protect my back and befuddle my enemies." He offers to pet the cat tentativelly, knowing familiar and master share a bond and a soul. Does the cat (and her master) spurs his touch?
Mus'ad spurns any offer of liquor, merely taking some food and water to enjoy on his own.
As Faznir's hand approaches, Whiskers leaps up Jen's arm and onto her shoulder.
I'm getting a feeling from my emphatic link. He...doesn't want you to pet him because he thinks you smell?
Jen looks at her familliar and he nods.
Hmm, maybe all that perfume from the girls at the Seductive Sands rubbed off on you, but I don't smell a thing. I have to continue to trust in Whiskers; he has taken me this far already.
She smiles and Whiskers makes an adorable face, hoping that Faznir doesn't feel bad.
Arik will drink quietly wherever Pavok chooses to sit.
Mhykir joins Pavok and Arik, with a big chunk of bread and cheese and a mug of water. 'I think the fighting life is not for me' he muses.
The evening ends and you all spend a nice cozy night at The Seductive Sands. Then next day rolls around and you are all summoned to Fazan's home. Once there you see Fazan and Hadule standing there. Fazan spreads his arms wide. "Welcome our heroes. You the strangers have succeeded in helping us repel the invaders from our home. As a token of our appreciation the town has pulled together to offer 2000 Rupia to Mus'ad and 500 to each of his comrades. Also, Yaline has agreed to board you and feed you as long as you stay in town. If there is anything you need just ask." Fazan stands ready to receive your responses.
Mus'ad formally bows to Fazan before accepting his reward. "A just payment for service rendered."
Jen looks at Mus'ad before accepting her reward, noting how much bigger his bag of coins was.
It's okay, Whiskers. I'll put more buffs on you next time, and I'm sure that these nice people will provide some yum-yum food for you to eat, she whispers.
Mhykir steps forward and bows before humbly accepting his bag of coin. 'Actually honourable Fazan, I do have a question. On the body of the Neubite leader we found an amulet that contains a stone belonging to Daiga and his followers, yet no such symbol was found with any of the others. My friends suggest the Neubites looted it, which sounds reasonable to us, but we are but outsiders and there is much we do not know. Is it cause for concern that a Neubite would possess and wield a symbol of Daiga?'
Arik leans in to hear better. That is a good question Mhykir.
Fazan sighs. "There is power in the holy stones of Daiga. Anubis had collected them to boost his alchemical powers. They also help other spellcasters as well. There are sorcerers among the neubites and they may carry stolen stones to boost their own powers. It is just another slap to Daiga's face that they use those. If there is anything any of you need, just ask."
If you are finished with Fazan and Hadule, the day is now yours to do with as you please.
I propose that we should continue to hunt these neubites, wherever they are, to retrieve more of these holy stones of Daiga.
Even better if one happens to enhance my brand of magical powers as well.
"I agree that the hunt of the neubites is the better option. Unless you can think of any other way to seek out our original employer?"
Arik nods fervently at Mus'ad's suggestions. It is unclear which one he's more excited about.
"I agree with the hunt, we need to stop the beasts creator before anymore innocents die. Also as one of you stated yesterday they took our employer and will lead us in the right direction in finding him."
Mhykir nods in agreement with the group, 'last night I had a vision that if we struck the neubites quickly and decisivly it would go well, but if we delayed it would be best not to linger here...'
You make your way through the town trying to pick up the train of the neubites. You come to Hadule who directs you to where they had set up camp just outside the city. It isn't too far, about a couple of hours trip. It is a nice camp with several yurt looking structures. It is clearly abandoned the neubites are all gone.
You will find the following:
6 suits of wooden armor.
7 Scimitars
4 Javelins
4 Quarterstaffs
5 Clubs
2 Falchions
150 feet of Hemp Rope
1 barrel of water
18 Rations
Everything in the above spoiler with the following:
A strange looking Talisman
A map of Aradina
213 Rupia
3 Potions of cure light wounds
1 Potion of invisibility
2 potions of tongues
1 Potion of enlarge person
3 books written in neubite containing alchemical secrets(+2 on Craft Alchemy checks)
You manage to discover the tracks of the neubites who survived the battle heading north of the camp.
Faznir stays to the side of the group, recovering from a broken heart.
He's strangely quiet and a bit distracted.
Perception:
Survival:
While Jen picks through the rubble and finds a large pile of armor, Whiskers notices that Faznir seems glum.
He sneaks over to Faznir and scampers onto his leg, trying to attract his attention.
As they enter the camp Pavok says softly, "Remember they like to come out of the sands keep one eye to the ground."
He looks around and finds some stuff in the ground. "I found some of there weapons and supplies." Pavok says softly to group and then he points them out.
Perception:
Survival:
Fishing through the debris of the camp, Mus'ad retrieves the Talisman, Map, Potions, money and books. Keeping two potions of cure light and the cash, Mus'ad offers the rest up to whoever wishes for it.
Tossing the talisman to Jen "See what you can make of that" he spreads out the map on a flat surface and looks for any indicative markings.
As Jen looks at the talisman, Pavok will try and peek over her shoulder and see if he recognizes it.
The talisman seems to emanate a slight aura. You don't recognize it directly but you are certain this talisman is a symbol of whatever power the neubites follow, some of the essence is embedded in this talisman. It's properties are unknown.
Jen clasps the talisman within her hands and holds it up to her forehead, searching and probing it for its arcane secrets.
The device is obviously produce by alchemy but you come to realize it is a channelling device similar to a holy symbol but this one seems capable of some other bonus there you cant quite identify. It provides a metamagic feat to divine casters only.
Mhykir seems a bit distracted as they walk into the camp, and doesn't really pay attention to whats around. When he sees Jen and Pavok inspecting a Talisman he limps over to have a look.
"Beware of the item Jen, it gives off a slight aura of evil. I believe it to be the symbol that these vile abominations follow. At least thats all I know of the object, did you find out anything further?" As Pavok is talking his fingers are tapping on his his swords handles, that idol and the desertion of the camp is making him a little nervous.
Ah yes, evil. I've been there, and done that. This talisman is merely a channel for the divine; it does not actually enhance the power of magic, making it useless to me. Although, I may be able to coax its power out...
Use Magic Device (Emulating Class Feature, DC 20)(Retry but can't roll 1, so doing rolls manually)
As Jen tries to recreate the method of use with the device, Pavok hands are griped on his swords handles ready for anything that talisman may summon. But stays close to the tiefling just incase she needs his assitance.
"I hope you know what your doing Jen."
Mus'ad is still staring at the map, wondering if there is anything written upon it...
I AM THE KEEPER OF COUNTLESS ARCANE SECRETS
Jen waves her hands theatrically over her head and mumbles in strange tongues, giving the impression that like all spellcasters, she is all-powerful.
But if I knew what I was doing in regards to this talisman, it would probably have activated by now.
Jen I need a will save out of you real quick.
The talisman begins to glow in Jen's hand.
You feel a rush of evil power race to your mind, digging deep. You are able to resist its drive though and managed to force the instrictions without the compulsions of evil driving you to do something you shouldn't do. You see the face of an Neubite staring at you. The scene then pans to overlook a vast empire. You now see a city, filled with thousands of neubites and what looks to be an invasion army reading to march. You then hear the chant: Hail Horus! Son of Anubis!" Then you see the one Neubite starring you back in the face. "You are not one of my agents! You are a newcomer? So there are six of you. It seems the he has found what he was looking for. It is futile! There is no hope! We shall rule Aridia! Tell him that he is too late. My army will move soon. Know that and despair!" the voices and images fade and you are with the rest of your party. Nothing else happens. Without a nuebite, you cannot identify any other properties of the talisman.
The map seems pretty straight forward. The drawings indicate that the force sent to this town was suppose to subvert the town and the rest of the army would follow. The rest of the army seems to be in a large city about three days from here.
Well, it seems that this talisman belonged to one of the leader's more important agents, as I was directly contacted by the leader of the Neubites. Unfortunately...he knows that we are six and that we are here.
We should probably keep moving. Without my activation, the talisman should remain dormant, so I will bring it with me. Hopefully, it will be an important key in defeating these neubites.
Arik, who has been meditating in the center of the camp, stands.
"Friends I must apologize for my attitude he last day or so. It was my intention to find my brother quickly so that I could focus my energy into helping Yalandere and all of you. It seems, however, that the Forge Father has seen fit to send me through yet another crucible. I have communed with Torag this day and he has given me the strength to put aside my worries and focus on the task at hand."
Arik bows slightly and moves to Pavok.
"How can I be of use here?"
Rolling up the map "The group we slew were just a vanguard moving ahead of a much larger army. They are camped three days from here." pointedly looking at Jen "And it would seem they have reason to send more troops directly."
I'm sure that you'll relish the oppertunity to single-handedly defeat another enemy commander. The enemy army was already on the move in this direction anyways, and it is better that they will attempt to focus on us rather than the townsfolk.
A neubite that we have slain will be a neubite that no longer threatens us or Aridia.
Pavok looks to Arik, "The Forge Father knows well, I believe that this path were currently on will give us a lead in finding your brother. Trust me my friend, Torag has put us here for a reason. Stay alert and ready those fists of yours cause we have quite a fight coming to us." he reasures his friend.
He moves between Mus'ad and Jen, "Either way we they are moving this direction, we should figure out what we need to do next. If we know they are going to follow us we should lead them around and away from the town, but if we can't confirm it we should warn and help prepare the town. What do you think?"
Mhykir looks concerned as the talisman glows, and his brow furrows as Jen tells of the Neubite leaders plans.
'I'm not really the strategy type, Mus'ad, you would know better then me what course of action we should take.'
In an even voice "If the numbers are anything like what this map indicates, then the town will fall if they come. Despite whatever efforts we offer. They are encamped in a city three days away, there is a chance we could seek out further answers there."
I agree with Mus'ad, we should head to their city and find more information.
Do you know how to get there without attracting attention?
"I also agree with Mus'ad."
Arik shifts uneasily. The longer you travel with him, the more apparent it becomes that he's only comfortable when fighting. This obviously bothers him though.
Anxious to be underway, "Which road do we take?"
I am sure that the people of this town can supply a guide. Perhaps Faznir can do the persuasion, as he seems to know the town better than anyone.
"They might supply the guide for free after we tell them where this weapon cache is. At least they can put it to better use then we could. I will also go with this plan, of taking the fight to them. Probably the quickest way to stop this army."
He looks to Arik and puts his hand on the dwarf's shoulder, "Is everything okay my friend?"
Mus'ad considers their words then nods "No doubt the militia needs arms. Let us return to the village so that we might learn more of the city."
"Yes Pavok, I am fine."
Arik forces out a smile.