After nearly a weeks journey from the city of Solku, Garavel informs you that you will be reaching your destination shortly "Mistress Almah and her company are waiting for us at the Sultan's Claw." When asked about the Sultan's Claw, Garavel says that you'll see soon enough. Shortly after the sun has passed it's zenith you find yourself entering a series of hills, the jagged peaks of the Brazen Peak stretch across the horizon in the distance, like a series of jagged tombstones.
After another hour of travel you see a column of black smoke rising into the air from behind the next hillock. A look of worry crosses Garavel's face as he spurs his camel into a gallop. As you crest the hill you find a scene of chaos as six wagons and a large pavilion are clustered around a huge five limbed, barren tree stretching into the sky like a skeletal talon. A pack of camels prance around nervously, a wooden pen the only thing keeping them from bolting into the afternoon sun. Meanwhile a herd of goats and other livestock confusedly mill about the campground.
About a dozen men and women rush about the camp. Some chasing down the loose livestock while other rush from the center of the camp near the tree carrying buckets of water in each hand. Eyes following the bucket carriers you notice the cause of the smoke column. One of the wagons is ablaze.
Red and orange flames almost completely engulf an oddly decorated wagon. Peeling painted stars and moons decorate the sides of the burning wagon and smoke billows from an open door in the rear. As you approach the campsite a dust devil disturbs a scattering of brightly decorated cards lifting them into the air. One of the cards strikes Badi square in the chest before the others settle back to the ground. The wizard looks down at the card plastered to his chest only to find that it is the Cyclone, one of the cards from a fortune telling or, Harrow deck.
The Cyclone signifies a destructive force controlled by an intelligent being. It portends an ill wind that brings Arson, Destruction, and War.
As you watch sparks fly from the wagon to land on the old tree causing the Sultan's Claw to erupt in flame. Just then a regal looking woman emerges from the central pavilion "Douse that flame" she shouts at a group of men dressed in the red chitin armor of the Packmaster's Guard. Turning away she seems to notice you for the first time. A weary smile creases her face as she addresses Garavel "Ah, Garavel. And just a moment later than the nick of time, as usual." The caravan master bows low, silent as ever. Turning to you she shouts in a voice used to command "Don't just sit there gawking, find some way to help" before turning towards a barrel of water and grabbing a bucket to join the others trying to douse the flaming wagon.
While not charismatic, Badi had proven himself to be a good travelling companion, accounting tales of history, though from a more factual that entertainment medium. What was noteworthy of the half-elf was he never seemed to sweat and seemed to keep his clothing and gear clean of sand and dust. When asked about his reason for joining the expedition, Badi simply states that he is looking for someone but doesn't go into much detail about who it would be and how that was connected with this caravan.
Upon reaching the Sultan's Claw, Badi spurs Aa-need to follow Garavel. Looking at the chaos of the fire in bewilderment, Badi has sense enough to grab the card that the wind of the fire plastered to his chest. Looking at it for but a split second, he stuffs the card into one of his pouches before slipping off the camel and, taking up a bucket, will move to help put out the fire.
Almah, Garavel, and the four guardsmen have begun shuttling buckets of water between the burning wagon and another wagon 20 feet away . This other wagon has a large barrel filled with water, six extra buckets sit unused on the wagon's floorboards. You figure at the present rate it will take the four of them almost one minute to douse the flames. By assisting in this task you feel you can reduce the amount of time significantly.
Nearby, four other guardsmen struggle trying to move another nearby wagon away from the conflagration before it too can catch fire. You can help these men move the endangered wagon to a safe distance before it's too late.
Away from the blaze a lone gray haired human kneels beside two badly burned men tending their wounds . Unfortunately with all his attention focused on one of the wounded men, the other is slowly slipping away. You could assist the healer and rescue the dying man.
A male and female human dart back and forth trying to bring the frightened animals under control and keep them from getting underfoot and hampering the firefighting efforts . You could assist these two and save the poor animals from themselves and the flames.
Each PC can choose one of these four scenarios to aid in the rescue efforts
Sonja immediately moves to the dying man and a gentle light shines from her fingertips.
"By the Power of the Dawnflower, feel thy wounds close and thy life return."
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Seeing the smoke rise over the hill, Nasir spurs his mount into a gallop. Cresting the hilltop he takes in the scene of chaos. Snapping to attention as the imperious woman shouts orders Nasir dismounts and, watching Sonja tend to the wounded, follows her and Badi over to the burning wagon. "The important thing is to get this fire out, then we can deal with the other things." he thinks to himself.
Trailing behind black haired human lady priest and the young paladin Nasir, Badharkan urges his horse to hasten it's pace. He steers it towards animals obviously frightened by the fire .
Dismounting his horse almost even before he stopped, the ranger moves towards startled animals with steady movements, trying not to terrify them even more. He begins to speak in Kelish with a firm but even voice, trying to calm the animals and help those present in handling them.
Turok stops atop the hill along side Nasir to survey the scene below. With Sonja attending to the wounded and Badharkân helping corral the loose animals Tuork will follow Nasir towards those fighting the fire. Once there he will begin casting Create Water on the blazing wagon.
Throughout the entire week long trip Marossa stays towards the back of the caravan, marveling at her chance to ride on a camel provided to her by her new masters. Every now and again she plays a few pieces of music on her flute when she doesn't think it will be a bother but for the most part Marossa keeps to herself.
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The sight of the camp caught on fire fills Marossa's vision as she feels the heat waves radiate up across the hill. Hearing the command of who she can only assume is Mistress Almah, Marossa carefully slips off of her camel (having never learned to ride) and rushes down the hill a few paces behind the others. Staying near the water wagon, she starts to fill up a bucket with water and running back and forth between the wagons as best she can with the heavy bucket carried in both hands.
At present, it will take the six NPCs 10 rounds to quench the fire using the pail-by-pail method. There are more buckets to be grabbed by the player characters, and each PC assisting in this manner reduces the number of rounds it takes to put out the fire by 1.
A DC 20 Strength check allows a character to carry the entire water barrel over to douse the fire, which puts it out in a single round.
PCs who assist Almah, Garavel, and the guards impress these NPCs enough to shift their starting attitude from indifferent to friendly in future encounters. Those who
destroy the party’s water supply receive grudging thanks for putting out the fire, but NPCs who closely witnessed their act of brave stupidity will be unfriendly to them in future encounters.
With Badi, Marossa, Turok, and Nasir helping Almah, Garavel and the other remaining guardsmen soon have the fire extinguished before it can cause any more damage to the tree or the surrounding wagons.
mercenaries who tried to enter the burning wagon. Zastoran is tending to a badly wounded mercenary called Trevvis, but he is unable to focus on his second patient,
a female sworder named Kallien, who lies near death from terrible burns and smoke inhalation.
Any magical healing is sufficient to stabilize Kallien, who is currently at –6 hit points and counting. A DC 15 Heal check is also sufficient to stop Kallien’s decline.
In future encounters with Zastoran, Trevvis, and Kallien, these NPCs have an initial
attitude of friendly to any PCs who successfully kept Kallien from dying.
Sonja,
As you approach the wounded men you notice that one of them is not a man at all, but a woman. Her body is covered with horrible burns and her breathing is shallow and labored. Thankfully she is unconscious or her pain would be unbearable.
Kneeling beside the woman you place your hands on her slowly rising chest and call forth the healing power of your goddess. As the power suffuses her body most, but not all, of wounds her heal and her breathing becomes much deeper and steadier as her eyes flutter open and she begins a violent coughing fit .
As the old man turns to look at you, you notice a holy symbol, that of a human face half black/half white.
The holy symbol is that of Nethys, the God of Magic
he looks at you appreciatively and says "Thank you, I was afraid I was going to lose her. I had expended all my infusions healing the others. I was too focused on saving Trevvis here that I didn't have the time to spare to save Kallien. You have my gratitude, and I'm sure hers as well."
The man introduces himself as Zastoran, and, as he puts away his healing kit, he asks if you have any further healing available to use on the other wounded man, Trevvis.
The middle aged human camel driver and his wife do their best to wrangle the panicking animals, but their efforts are quickly being overrun by the chaos of the situation.
Five animals must be calmed in order to keep them out of danger and out of the way. Calming a panicked animal requires a DC 20 Handle Animal or Wild Empathy check. If the PCs manage to make 5 successful checks before the fire is quenched, the camel driver and his wife have a friendly attitude toward them in future encounters.
Badharkân and the husband and wife team begin chasing the animals around the campsite, herding them towards their pen.
"Thank you Zastoran. And yes, I have much to spare for both of them, as I believe Kallien is still suffering from some remaining burns as well."
At that, Sonja grasps her holy symbol and concentrates deeply. Not a moment passes before a wave of positive energy bursts from her person, healing all living things in it's path.
hp restored
"And how's that? There's more where that came from if needed."
Seeing that both husband and the wife are helping him to herd the animals back in their pens, Badharkan continues to put his effort into handling frightened creautures.
After chasing down the livestock the camel driver looks around clearly distraught, and asks you desperately "Have you seen Rombard? He's gone missing in all the chaos." He then runs off searching frantically around the campsite whistling and calling Rombard's name.
As the wounded man's eyes flutter open and he sees Sonja kneeling over him he says in a hoarse whisper "I must have died and gone to heaven" Shaking his head he says in a stronger voice "What happened? Where's Kallien? The last thing I remember was we were trying to rescue Eloais from the wagon before the smoke became too thick and I passed out. Is Eloais alright?" he looks over at the woman lying next to him "Is Kallien going to be OK?"
Zastoran places his hand on Treviss' chest as the young man tries to rise and says in a low voice "Kallien will be fine thanks to this young lady here, but I'm afraid Eloais didn't make it"
With the heroes help Almah and her entourage make short work of the fire and keep it from spreading and damage the wagon nearest it. Once the fire is extinguished the unmistakable smell of burnt meant nearly overwhelms everyone nearby.
Almah turns to Garavel and tells him "Gather everyone who came with you and report to my tent as soon as possible." before turning, and flanked by her guardsmen, returns to her pavilion.
"Rombard? Your kid or...?" - Badharkan asks the wife remaining behind frantic camel driver. Even while waiting for her answer he concentrates on the surrounding, trying to discern if there are some clues where "Rombard" (whatever he is) might be. Seeing the ground littered with dozens of footsteps, both from people running around, as well as from frightened animals, he knew that it will be hard to find tracks if needed.
Speaking to Treviss, and then Zastoran: "Are you going to be alright? And who is... erm... was Eloais?"
She doesn't look towards Garavel, but it is obvious that she heard Alma and expects the summons at any moment.
Turok takes his bucket of water and pours it over his head, letting the rivulets run over his bald pate. His smile suddenly vanishes as he breathes in the burnt smell, a smell he'll never forget as long as he lives. Making his way around to the back of the wagon with Nasir, he too peers into the wreckage of the wagon.
Perception check:
Zastoran sighs as he sits down on the steps of an iron bound wagon and looking up at Sonja he begins to explain. "Eloais is, was rather, Lady Almah's soothsayer. He was in the wagon when it caught fire." He shudders slightly, "Although I didn't have much faith in his abilities, he was a well travelled and well read man. No one else here could discuss the poetry of Bellnais or the music of Absalom and I will miss our conversations very much."
Badharkân you search the area around the pens and although the area is very scuffed up you can find no track in the area other than those of the three of you and the various animals.
The camel driver's wife, Hadrah, places a hand on her chest "Heaven's no, my lord. Rombard is Hadrod's pet goat. Since we were not blessed by the Goddess with children Rombard is the closest thing we have to family."
Nasir and Turok you are unable to make anything out from where you stand other than the smoking ruins of the wagon. As you look inside Garavel approaches you with Badi and Marossa in tow "Quit gawking, you heard Lady Almah. Wait for me outside her pavillion while I gather the others."
Garavel approaches Sonja and Badharkân in turn and asks you to join the others at Lady Almah's tent as she would like to have a word with us all.
"I am so sorry for your loss. Listen, I'd like to talk more if that's alright, but it seems like Alma needs me right now. I'll be back as soon as I can. And you two..." she turns and points to Kellien and Treviss, "Get plenty of water, food, and rest. Magic isn't the only thing that heals. If you should need my assistance again, or if you have remaining wounds of any kind, don't hesitate to come to me. I'm always happy to help."
With that, Sonja gives a short wave and farewell, following Garavel back to Almah's abode.
Immediately after the fire:
With the crisis immediately passed, Almah summons Garavel to her and the pair make their way to Almah's pavilion. As they enter the red armored guards take up position around the tent to keep unwanted ears from approaching too close.
Despite the guards precaution a muffled exchange can be heard between the caravan leader and her caravan master. although the words cannot be made out, the testy tone of the conversation is unmistakable. A few short minutes later Garavel emerges from the tent, bowing low as he exits.
Looking around the campsite Garavel motions for the six of you to join him. As you gather around Garavel begins to explain "The wagon that was destroyed belonged to Mistress Almah's personal soothsayer, Eloais. He was inside the wagon when it burst into flames. He did not escape. As we were not here when the wagon erupted My Lady has asked me, and I am asking you, to investigate the circumstances of the fire. Take your time and talk to those present to find out what they know or may have seen. You have the Lady's permission to speak to anyone you want, herself included. If anyone refuses to speak to you inform me and I will inform Mistress Almah. When you have finished report back to me."
Listening patiently to the Domo's words, Badi nods and replies, "In that case, would it be possible to get a meeting with the Lady Almah now. She would be the one that spent the most time around Eloais and, as such, would know best who might have had ill will towards the soothsayer, if murder is to be considered."
"I'll go speak to Zastoran, Kellien, and Treviss. Perhaps they can illuminate the circumstances before the fire."
And Sonja does just that. As soon as the discussion breaks, she goes over to each the trio and asks them individually "So how did the fire get started in the first place, anyway? What was going on before we got here?"
There are seven different people/groups you can talk to about the fire: Lady Almah, Garavel, the caravan guards (Almah's personal guards or the band of mercenaries she hired), Zastoran (Almah's healer/alchemist), Hadrah and Hadrod (the camel drivers), and Dashki (Lady Almah's guide and gnoll expert).
Marossa looks nervous as she receives her first assignment from her new master. Watching as everybody else moves off on their own initiative, Marossa curtsies to Master Garavel quickly and heads off to the guards who she worked with to put out the fire. Stepping up to the group as they stand near the tent and fire pit.
"Excuse me Sirs, I was told to ask if any of you saw anything before the fire start? It would greatly help determining the cause."
Badharkan joins Sir Nasir in a small ceremony (actually just an improptu prayer) for those whose souls departed to the spirit world. After mumbling a few short words to his protector Sarenrae, he takes lead in investigating the wagon and it's surroundings, hoping to find some leads as to what started the fire.
Next he proceeds to talk with Hadrah and Hadrod.
"Once again, I bid you a serene day and plentiful bounty, good folks. How is Rombard? Have you had luck in locating him?" - tanned ranger waits for a bit for their responses, trying to establish initial rapport with camel drivers.
"I am in need of your help. Could you please tell me if you know anything regarding the fire that took place? Were you close? How well did you know soothsayer, Eloais? What kind of man was he? From where was he hailing, did you know if he had any family? Had he any trouble, either with Mistress Almah, or anyone else?"
As you approach Almah's tent one of the crimson clad guards notices you coming and knocks on the tent pole before entering. Before you can do the same the woman's voice calls from inside "Come in, come in."
As you enter the pavilion you see Lady Almah reclining on a pile of cushions with the guard from outside standing behind her. "Please have a seat." she indicates several other piles of cushions positioned across from her. As you sit you notice that although the cushions are made of silk that they are a little threadbare. In fact looking about the interior you notice that most of the furnishing, while still opulent, are dated and worn, with either nicks or flaking gilding evident on them, as though this merchant princess has been down on her luck for some time.
When you ask her about the fire she explains "I hired Eloais about a month ago or so. I can't explain it but something about having a Harrower from my homeland with me just seemed...right." As she mentions her "homeland" you seem to notice for the first time that although her skin is tanned it seems to lack the olive hue of a native Keleshite and that her facial features seem somehow foreign. "Although recently his readings have been growing dark and grim. His last one centered around a foreboding card called the Cyclone. When I asked him if it had anything to do with our journey he said yes but that Kelmarane was but a small part of something larger, something he called the Legacy of Fire. Although he wasn't able to elaborate more on it than just the name."
A tear wells up in the corner of her eye as she reminisces "You'll excuse me but I lost a dear friend today but I will mourn him properly when time permits it." clearing her throat she continues "I don't believe that the fire was deliberate, but if it was I want to know as soon as possible. That is why I asked you to investigate."
When you return to talk to Zastoran both Treviss and Kaelin have returned to join their Company over by the mercenaries wagon, the one they were desperately trying to move away from the burning wagon.
As you approach Zastoran's wagon you notice that it is made from sturdy oak planks, bound with iron strap reinforcements. Inside several beakers and flasks line the walls of the wagon as well as jars of herbs, vials of reagnets, and other things not easily recognized. Looking up from his worktable the old man asks "How may I help you, young miss?"
Asking him about his whereabouts during the fire he explains that he was sitting by the fire reading a book after supper but that Almah's "hired help" was being a too "boisterous" and he was having trouble concentrating, so he retired to his wagon to finish his reading.
Investigating the wagon's interior, such as their is left of it, you find a few broken glass and crystal vials, a fire cracked crystal ball, and several pools of molten wax, evidence of where candles must have once stood. Eloias's charred skeleton remains still lie in the center of the wagon.
Looking voer the wagon and the body itself, you can find no evidence of a struggle or other signs of foul play. Nothing to indicate that this was anything but what it seems, a horrible, horrible accident.
As you exit the wagon you notice a dishevled human male with matted greasy hair, leaning on a crutch, watching you from behind the corner of a nearby wagon.
The guards look down at the little girl, smiling. When asked they all state that they were standing guard outside Almah's tent when the fire erupted. One of them adds "We didn't see anything suspicious over by the fortune teller's wagon but I did see Dashki, Lady Alamh's guide, hiding by a nearby wagon trying to get a peek inside the Lady's tent. The boy's obsessed with her, it's just not right."
A clearly distraught Hadrod thanks you for asking but tells you that he's had no luck in finding Rombard. Hadrah says she was the first to spot the fire and Hadrod raised the alarm, but once the animals started to panic they were too busy to help out. Hadrod continues "Eloais was nice enough for a foriegner but we didn't understand all his talk about cyclones and fiends and uprisings. But Lady Almah trusted him and that was good enough for us." Hadrod tells you "I believe he was from Varisia. He never mentioned anything about family but he seemed awfully close to Lady Almah" When you ask about having trouble with anyone, both of their faces darken slightly and Hadrah leans in closer to you "I know Dashki was jealous of all the time Almah spent with Eloais. We knew Dashki a bit from back Solku-way. Used to take rich folk into the scrublands to hunt up gnolls like trophies. Most people here don’t trust him, especially the way he leers at Lady Almah with his mouth all watering like at the smell of a fresh steak. Maybe he done it to Eloais, to remove a rival for Lady Almah’s attention? You never know.”
After listening to Lady Almah's words, Badi nods understandingly and says, "I to have lost someone close to me, though I hope she still be alive, so I can understand a little of the pain you are going through. As such, I appreciate your willingness to meet with me. Before I begin, I feel it only right to give you something, an item that I believe belonged to Eloais and should serve as a reminder of not only him, but the message he had for you." With that, he pulls out the card of the Cyclone and hands it to Lady Almah. "Now, if you would be so kind as to recount what your were doing before the fire started as well as if you had noticed anything strange about the people who traveled with you in the caravan to this point."
Turok will join Nasir and Badharkân in searching the wagon. Then he will go talk to the mercenaries to find out what they may have seen.
"Pardon me, gentlmen. Lady Almah has tasked me and my companions to find out the cause of the fire. Is there anything you can tell me about what you may have seen or heard?"
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Perception check #1:
Perception check #2:
Looking at the remains lying there, Nasir pulls out his holy symbol and performs a quick blessing for the departed over the corpse "Poor soul, not a way I would like to go." Turning to the others, Nasir clears his throat "Ahem. Perhaps we should take the body to the healers, maybe they can tell us more than I can ascertain."
Nasir removes his cloak and places it over the charred body "Yeah, I'm NOT going to be wanting that back."
As you approach the mercenaries wagon four of them seem to be ribbing a man and woman who just rejoined them. Jibes about "smoked meat" and "extra crispy" are bantered about until the group spots your approach at which point they grow quiet and watch you warily. When you state your business one of the mercenaries says "We was all sitting around the cook fire having dinner and drinking when old Fancy Pants' wagon went up. We didn't see nothing before that and afterwards when Treviss and Kaelin went in to rescue his sorry ass we was too busy trying to move our wagon before it too went up in flames"
Lady Almah sighs "I was in my tent when Eloais' wagon caught fire. I was going over some maps and charts trying to find someplace more suitable as a base of operations for our retaking Kelmarane. The Sultan's Claw is too exposed and indefensible." She pauses, thoughtfully "As far as I know no one has been acting strangely enough to warrant this kind of reaction."
Perception check #1:
Perception check #2:
Looking over the wagon Turok comments "Although I can't be sure it doesn't appear that there was any kind of struggle or fight here. It seems that he was a victim of an unfortunate accident." Looking at the remains before Nasir covers it up " Hopefully the smoke killed him before the flames got him"
Turok will help Nasir move the body over to the healer's wagon before going over to interview the mercenaries.
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Once their grisly package is delivered to Zastoran's wagon and Turok has departed to see the mercenaries Nasir will knock onthe side of the wagon. "Begging your pardon Master Zastoran, Mistress Sonja, but if you would be so kind." he waves his hand at the shroud wrapped body "I am sorry for having to ask you this, but, we have brought the fortune teller's body here for you to examine. Would you be able to tell if some sort of foul play was at work in his death before the fire took him?"
"Erm... I can certainly try." Sonja says. She looks over the body with a certain degree of discomfort. She is obviously not one accustomed to death.
"I'm sorry, Nasir, but I can't tell anything from this. There's just too much... damage. Excuse me."
Sonja walks over to Garavel, hoping to get away from the sickening sight and scent of burnt flesh.
"Garavel, what can you tell me about the members of this expedition? Is there anyone you can think of whom we might suspect of foul play? Is there a high chance that this wasn't an accident?"
Badharkan listens intently to Hadrod. Still leaning close to camel driver, he continues to speak in a low tone: "Very sorry to hear that you were still not able to find Rombard. Tell you what - later, when I finish with the task at hand, I will come by again and we will try to look for him together. I know a bit about tracks and animals. Who knows, together, we might have more luck."
"Now do tell me please, this Dashki fellow, what does he do? What are his duties inside the caravan? Is this the guy with a crutch, with matted greasy hair?"
Perception check:
"There's not much of poor Eloais left to examine, may God rest his soul, but as far as I can tell there are no signs of foul play, which is a relief."
As you approach Garavel, the major-domo asks "So have you finished already? What have you learned? Come and we will inform Lady Almah of your findings." When you begin questioning him, Garavel sighs "There is not much I can tell you about the fire for I arrived the same time as you. But, if you were to ask about my opinion of who might have done such a thing I can only speculate. It would not surprise me greatly to find out that our resident gnoll expert, Dashki, might have had a hand in our seer's demise. There is something not quite...right with the boy"
Hadrod looks up with a glimmer of hope inhis dark eyes "Thank you, Master. Right now he's lost and alone out there and I worry about his safety."
Hadrah responds to your qustions about Dashki "Lady Almah hired him to be our guide out here. He was one of the best gnoll trackers in all of Solku. There are few in the city who know more about them than Dashki " When you describe the man you saw Hadrah wrinkles her nose a little in distaste "Aye, that'd be him. Not much in the way of cleanliness, or manners, you should see him eat. He scoops his food into his mouth with his fingers like he's half wild himself."
"If Dashki is a suspect, I shall go ask him a few questions. What does he look like, and where may I find him?"
Badharkan returns to share his "discoveries" with his new-found companions.
"Based on what I found out so far, I would agree with you Mistress Sonja that one named Dashki is a prime suspect for us. It seemed that he was competing in a way for the affection of Lady Almah with late Eloais. And we did notice him spying on our activities in the wagon on the deceased. However, I could not find any evidence of foul play. From what I gathered this seems like an accident - there were no clues, visible to me, that would suggest different scenario"
"Well if there's no signs of foul play, perhaps the cause of the fire was magical and not physical. Badharkan, why don't I see if there are any significant magic auras in the area."
Sonja then recites "Godess, make known the unknown and the unseen seen." She then smoothes her brow with both hands.
She then walks around the camp, being sure to sweep every bit with her 60' cone of awareness.
"Thank you Lady Almah. If you will excuse me, I will continue the investigation elsewhere and I shall return with the otehrs once our investigation is completed" With that, he sises and gives a deep bow before leaving the tent.
Once more out in the desert wind, he looks to what avenues have already beeen covered, seeing the guards, Zastoran and the herders have already been talked to, he spots Dashki standing apart form the others and alone. Approaching the man, Badi says, "May water be plentiful. I am Badi and I have been tasked with investigating the fire. Would you mind answering a few questions about events leading up to the fire?"
Sonja, except for a couple of personal items and some things in the interior of Zastoran's wagon you find no other signs of magic in the area.
As you appraoch Dashki's tent you find the man himself sitting outside on a fallen branch whitling on a piece of wood, a crude wooden crutch lies propped up beside him. "Not much to tell, I was eating dinner by the campfire when the wagon just burst into flames. With everyone running around trying to put the fire out or keep it from spreading I figured, given my condition" he nods his head toward the crutch "That I would only be in the way, so I went to my tent to watch the fire fighting efforts."
Young badawi ranger moves behind Nasir and Bady, enjoying in a way the heat of the day. They were walking slowly, were within a camp of a sorts, with plenty of cover, and water and food. At moments like this, when his basic needs were "covered", Badharkan could really stop and enjoy the desert in all it's unspoiled beauty.
Approaching the sitting man, Badharkan does not look him straight in the eyes, but let his gaze wonder around, as if he was trying to memorize the scene. Actually he was focused on hearing Dashki's voice, on seeing his face using only peripheral vision, trusting his own senses to tell him whether the man was lying to them or not.
Nasir, please make me a Diplomacy roll.
Badharkân, you cannot sense any deception from Dashki.
Marossa thanks the guardsmen and moves away from them. Her sandaled feet stepping lightly across the desert sand as she rejoins the group. Following behind Sonja, Marossa watches the woman cast her spell across the entire camp and keeps her silence until the Priestess is finished. Once she doesn't think she will be a bother, Marossa says, "The guards from the tent say that... Dashki has been seen trying to peek inside Mistress Almah's tent. Is there anything else I can do to help?"