The party wraps up their business with Akare. Akare says goodbye and gets her group of porters and guards moving. In minutes she is just another part of the line of people heading to Solku.
Shortly after the business, the party also begins their journey along the merchant road. Over the day the number of travels spread out as different groups travel at different speeds, with the party being among the faster groups. Soon they are alone on the road.
Each of the next three days passes in a similar fashion. Little of note happens, with occasional moments of excitement. Sighting of prints in the sand, the shadow of a roc overhead, those types of things.
On the fourth day the terrain changes as the passage begins to wind into the mountains. There is less to see but even more to hear. Predators hunting and prey falling is the most common sound, but nothing unusual there.
The party rises on the fifth day and heads out once more.
+2 to track
+2 to avoid becoming lost
+2 if pertaining to earth outsiders
+4 if pertaining to gnolls
+2 if we are still considered to be in the desert
+2 if pertaining to earth outsiders
+4 if pertaining to gnolls
+2 if we are still considered to be in the desert
The party travels for about three hours higher into the mountains. Every eye scanning as the party knows it is approaching where the reports say the attack took place.
Suddenly the party stops, something seems off. Kaepora calls out, signally that something is to the south west. As the party scans over that way, Kaaras spots something.
"Maybe she found them? Might not be a bad idea to see what she found. Whatever it is. If it is anything. Is it?"
Kaaras calls Dahrani over and points out the tracks.
"I can tell they were trying to hide their tracks, but I'm not sure what left them."
Dahrani walks over to Kaaras to examine the tracks.
"Let's see if we can figure out what we're following and where they're going...
+4 for gnolls
+2 for earth outsiders
+2 if we are in the desert
+4 for gnolls
+2 for earth outsiders
Dahrani takes a long look at the tracks, scratching at his head.
"Hmmm, I'm not familiar with these. I'm not sure what manner of creature could have left them, but they are for certain humanoid.
However, I can definitely follow them. They did not do a good enough job of covering their path"
You'd think with all that time chasing demons, I'd have learned to track. I suppose we always had a tracker for that...
Gaddy surveys the tracks intently, apparently thinking.
"Would humanoids be involved in elementals or are we chasing after shadows?"
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Atajinn jumps behind Dahrani abruptly into his shadow.
AHA! Shadows are great for hiding! We should try to tread carefully this time instead of just marching headlong right into danger like the last time. Let's see what sort of humanoid critters we might have here before we go wandering about any further, hmmm?
He bends down and examines the tracks.
Hobgoblins are relatives of goblins, and while not unheard of in Katapesh they are very rare. They are larger than their cousins, and much better organized. Their society is extremely militant in nature, with most groups organized into army like ranks.
They do tend to avoid most arcane pursuits but they have an uncanny knack for alchemy. They are also less insane, though technically not smarter.
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Atajinn tugs on Darhrani's pant leg and whispers.
Careful. These here tracks belong to hobgoblins! I haven't seen a hobgoblin in years and years and years and years! Silly goblinoids are almost as sneaky as I am but far less magical! I bet there's traps to snag the unwary all over this place!
His eyes goes squinty as he looks around nervously and ineffectively.
Dahrani groans at the antics of the gnome.
"If you think that there are traps, then perhaps I should take the lead on our path. Kaepora can continue to scout ahead for us.
"Kaaras, you and Adaar should stay close in case we miss any signs of ambush. If hobgoblins are anything like their smaller cousins, we're bound to run into some unexpected situation."
Dahrani lets out a lower whistle in the air to Kaepora while gesturing in the direction of the tracks before continuing along the path.
Perception and Survival rolls get +2 if we are still in the desert.
Without making a sound, Kaepora circles the group from the air before continuing in the direction that Dahrani gestured to.
Gaddy readies his arms and proceeds to cover the rear, keeping his eyes on the flanks and rear of the party.
Kaaras stays behind Dahrani, calling Adaar to his side. He keeps his eyes open for anything out of the ordinary.
The tracks lead up into a narrowing pass. Kaepora swings back around then suddenly calls out. Something is ahead.
Suddenly something burst from the ground below Adaar. It appears to be a geyser of sand and Adaar rocks from some kind of blow. As the sand falls it begins to take the shape of a man, though nearly featureless.
Damage
The sandman looks over at the group and seems to speak with a voice like a sandstorm.
"Teerllss rchhsl wch!"
"Caww Caa-caaaawwwwwww"
Keapora begins to survey the immediate area for additional threats and points them out to the group.
Kaepora is excited about something, but you are not sure what he is trying to make clear.
Adaar seems to have fallen victim to the magic of the Sandman and has fallen alseep.
As Adaar slumps to the ground, another form erupts from below Dahrani. The sandman attacks quickly but Dahrani moves aside easily.
Damage
Kaaras shakes off the drowsiness before stepping back, away from the aura of the sandmen. After getting enough distance between him and the elementals, he casts a spell. A large sphere of fire appears next to the sandman that hit Adaar and crashes in to it!
The ball of fire rolls into the sandman and seems to crystalize some of it's form. It makes a crunching sound in place of a scream, a sound similar to sand being grounded together.
Across the pass a second form emerges next to Dahrani and attacks him. The blow barely hits, but still rocks him back.
Damage
Dahrani begins to turn back from the blow but his eyes quickly droop and then he slumps to the dirt below him. He has fallen asleep as well.
The sandman that put Adaar to sleep steps back to get away from the flaming ball beside it. Suddenly it form begins to shrink as it appears the sand that makes up it's form condenses. It now appears to be made of sandstone, though still flexible.
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Atajinn steps away from the aggressive Sandmen and retrieves a vial from his Haversack. He quaffs it quickly.
"Aieee!!! SANDMEN!! Quick everyone, drink your twitch tonics or they'll put us all to sleep! Dahrani wake up! We found the Sandmen!"
He whispers an incantation as a small rock lifts up near Dahrani's head and drops directly on his face.