Now familiar with the hazards of desert travel, Caslav removes his reinforced tunic before setting out in the sands. Feeling much recuperated, he rides up front with Ala’Ihys, though not too close to the man - after all, better to cover more ground and less conversation!
Feeling drained by mid-day, he nonetheless accompanies Ala’Ihys and Samir in investigating the carrion birds.
Patenemheb confides his thoughts to the others when they are away from prying ears:
"I have pondered the matter of Yetara's stargazing and concluded that I require more information to judge his purpose. He is likely interested in the star of Altair specifically, in the constellation Aquilla - the Eagle. I know not which myths or faiths find this significant. In short, access to his journal and notes are the obvious key to this mystery."
********
In the desert, Patenemheb keeps to his loose, concealing robes but removes his silken armour, light as it is.
Towards the end, the heat starts to afflict him even with his precautions.
*******
He ponders the nature of these birds.
"Samir, please ride with him. You may aid one another if there is trouble. I can set up a message link with you both, so you can tell us what you discover immediately."
Samir nods in response and slides off his camel and unslings his bow and prepares to advance slowly forward with Ala when he's ready.
”Now we need to be careful, follow my lead, when we near the top we will crawl to the crest of the dune instead of walk, what way we will not expose ourselves.” Moving carefully up the side of the dune, about ten foot from the crest, he quietly kneels and belly crawls to the top, peeking over the crest.
Samir glances at you and then back to what is over the dunes; at this point you are both convinced you are being very stealthy...
Feeling drained by mid-day, he nonetheless accompanies Ala’Ihys and Samir in investigating the carrion birds.
Noting Caslav has joined them Samir gives him a frown, as if clearly suspicious of Cas's talents in the wild, but he says nothing at this time.
Instead, you three look over the dune and you can see that there is what looks like the remains of a caravan.
You see about twelve or thirteen camels that are dead on the plains and roughly nine or ten bodies strewn about. What looks like a series of charred tents can be seen, but there is no smoke rising from it. Finally you can see a few jackals picking at the bones of a dead man, but nothing more can be determined at this time.
Once they trot back to the team, speaking loud enough for all to hear, but looking directly at Tairin. ”A caravan laid waste. A dozen camels or so, seemed like just as many bodies. Tent’s have been burned and plenty of carrion eaters. So I think it’s safe for us to inspect. Shall we all ride over, or do you want three or four of us to ride in and take a look around?”
Samir seems like he is confident in letting Ala take the lead on the discussion and for now he waits to hear how the others will respond.
Patenemheb speaks his mind for the benefit of anyone nearby.
"That so many carrion birds have gathered is strange. The bodies I imagine have lain there for at least ten hours in the heat. With what are likely charred tents but no smoke, this also suggests time enough for any fires to burn out and smoke to dissipate. The birds themselves are in number but should be relatively easy to scare off."
"That so many carrion birds have gathered is strange. The bodies I imagine have lain there for at least ten hours in the heat. With what are likely charred tents but no smoke, this also suggests time enough for any fires to burn out and smoke to dissipate. The birds themselves are in number but should be relatively easy to scare off."
Samir raises his eyebrow as he studies Paten.
"This sounds good and fair; yet even so I would know if we are to advance on this directly to examine it, or should we avoid it? And if we do advance who shall come and will they go on foot or mounted?" he asks, eager to know some specific information on how to properly proceed.
Red nods at Samir's questions then replies "I think we should investigate. This is another large scale killing and if there are any clues to be found as to who is doing the killing and why they should be found. I will go with those investigating and I think we should take our mounts. They allow us to move faster."
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Bookworm? Library? What does this fool think I am, some- Realization dawns on Caslav.
Linguist. Right!
”Come on, Caslav we’ll make a Wildman of you yet.”
He nods. "I'm sure you will."
*
Back with the others, Cas speaks up. "Those of us with sharp eyes should go in the lead, lest any tracks be destroyed." A sheepish look comes over his face. "I'll lead my mount on foot; if something spooks it, I'm as likely to fall off as I am to ride it to safety."
Red nods at Samir's questions then replies "I think we should investigate. This is another large scale killing and if there are any clues to be found as to who is doing the killing and why they should be found. I will go with those investigating and I think we should take our mounts. They allow us to move faster."
Samir nods.
"Sound good," he says and glances to see if the others will share their opinions.
"Those of us with sharp eyes should go in the lead, lest any tracks be destroyed." A sheepish look comes over his face. "I'll lead my mount on foot; if something spooks it, I'm as likely to fall off as I am to ride it to safety."
Daniya looks at Caslav and watches him thoughtfully.
Her eyes widen somewhat over the hem of her veil and then they narrow somewhat as she studies him but she says nothing.
Samir shrugs, seeming to have not to have noticed Cas's comments, merely waiting to hear what the others might say.
"If you want to go I shall not protest. Yet I feel that Yetara and his ward should remain behind at least... What say the rest of you?" he says, curious to know what Paten and Tairin might say - confident that Sefu shall make his decision after hearing what everyone else has decided.
"Should some of us stay here and 'guard' our employer?"
"This is what we shall soon see," Samir responds and then turns and studies the others waiting to see what they'll say.
Patenemheb returns Samir's study with an impassive gaze of his own.
"We should indeed investigate, if only to learn of enemies. My martial skills are not so nearly honed as my eyes. So I will lead Mehys and walk in front to see what evidence remains."
"I will stay with Yetara and Daniya to guard their well being. I cannot see reason for all of us to search the felled caravan simply to determine the nature of their deaths or if there are nearby tracks to give indication as to the perpetrators. Best only those most skilled in scouting and healing go and do what they must; mindfully and quickly - Patenemheb, Ala'lhys and Caslav. If the rest of us are indeed required, they can signal us. If we are to stop for every ruined caravan across this desert, we will never reach our destination."
Tairin's words were spoken steadily and reasonably. She made no effort to dismount from Haji.
At this time the party elects to split apart.
Caslav, Paten and Ala will advance at this point, as will Red.
At this time Samir will remain with Tairin .
Sefu seems like he also wants to investigate, but realizing that that they are sending scouts ahead he will remain with Yetara and Daniya as well as Tairin and Samir.
The party had been traveling west on the road to the oasis when they saw the birds.
The road itself is much better marked than the one in Susrah which is one reason you have an easier time remaining on it.
The place where the massacre happened was indeed over the dune by the road itself – less than 150 feet. This suggests the attack happened to a group that had been next to the road and given the current time as well as the suspected time of attack you’d wager it happened at night, or near nighttime and this would suggest the group that was hit had made camp near the road before they were killed.
The members of the scout team move forward cautiously.
Your arrival causes the scavengers to flee from you; though the birds seem to return to feeding much sooner (unless you do something to pose a direct threat to them).
As you advance you do you notice several of the dead seem to be wearing an almost “uniform” in the style of their garb. In short, they wear rough leather armor under long, loose robes called a khalat and the color of this garb is plain, stark white. They have turbans on; but the turbans are all dyed green – this specific feature seems to mark them as some sort of group or company. Many of them have broken bows and some have worn scimitars laying near to them and some have pouches on them.
Of this group you find six dead men.
The size of the burned out tents make you believe that at one point there was possibly three or four of them, each of them able to hold about four to six people. However, scouting the terrain you only see about twelve dead bodies. Many of their features seem to be Yar-Ammonite, and a few have the features of folk from Jairin – in short, they do not seem to be native.
Of the company there is only one dead woman while the other eleven are male.
That there are only twelve bodies seems like a small group compared to the amount of space within the tents leaving you wonder if the company was at one point larger and some of the survivors may have fled.
As you move through the remains you notice also that much of the goods and gear seems to be untouched. Those who hit the camp did not do a very thorough job with gathering their supplies; or at least, they did as well as they could during the night.
Red arrives at the scene of the killings and hobbles her camel Bishop, trying to hide her distress at the sight of the dead bodies. Red looks around the scene thoroughly, checking the pouches on the dead bodies and trying to locate the victims supplies. She also sees if the attackers left any weapons, most likely arrows, so they may be compared to those used in similar killings encountered previously.
Bjoern will stay with Tairin of course.
Taking a water flasks he slowly takes a swig and then hands it to Tairin."Take a swig, please mylady."
Looking ahead he adds.
"I hope this is not a trap!"
Patenemheb gazes over the scene of carnage with dispassion. He leaves Mehys back near his companions' camels while he walks forward, trying to tease out more details.
He also attempts to identify the largely Yar-Ammonite group.
Red arrives at the scene of the killings and hobbles her camel Bishop, trying to hide her distress at the sight of the dead bodies. Red looks around the scene thoroughly, checking the pouches on the dead bodies and trying to locate the victims supplies. She also sees if the attackers left any weapons, most likely arrows, so they may be compared to those used in similar killings encountered previously.
You are able to discover that the men with green turbans are carrying bows; and you are also able to discover that about half of their arrows are still able to be used and collected (in this case that’s roughly 40 arrows in total). You find that they have various packs and pouches on them and you find the following –
1. Three doses of a Healing Kit
2. A bronze ring with a opal in it (appraise check for value)
3. 37 Gold Pieces
4. 22 Silver pieces
5. A dagger of exceptional quality
6. Two vials with a strange resin in them (knowledge Nature or Craft; Alchemy or Poisons might reveal more)
He dismounts 'Suds' at the edge of the camp, so as to not mess up any tracks. Then he proceeds to investigate one of the tents.
The tent itself has been essentially destroyed; the central wood pieces used to hold up the cloth have burned up, but the falling cloth effectively smothered the fire, though the fabric has essentially been destroyed.
Inside the remains of the tent you find the following –
1. Two sets of MW Survival Kits
2. 3 Bedrolls that were not damaged
3. 2 lbs of dried meat (enough for four days of rations) in a broken pot (you think the meat is crocodile; but you are not sure)
4. A slightly damaged staff with the head of a serpent on it (the serpent head seems to be fashioned out of bronze – Appraise to learn relative value)
5. And perhaps the most interesting thing; one Séance Kit
Patenemheb gazes over the scene of carnage with dispassion. He leaves Mehys back near his companions' camels while he walks forward, trying to tease out more details.
You are not entirely sure as to their nature. From what you gather you believe they were traveling east on the road to the borders of Khazistan. You are not sure but you also believe they may have been aligned to some sort of religious group. This is only because there seems to be a mixed company of men and women – this doesn’t seem consistent with many merchant groups you’ve heard of. Further, it seems illogical that they were family as for a family to travel north from Yar-Ammon doesn’t seem likely – they’d need a really good reason to flee their country and if there was something very important you’d guess that there would be much larger exodus.
As you move slowly forward on foot you see your companions work the perimeter and do what they can to loot the remains. However, as you advance you notice that two buzzards are sitting near a corpse but they are suddenly startled and fly up a few feet and then move down to feed.
In that instant you were able to see that the “corpse” had raised a blood covered arm to ward the birds away – one of those bodies lives, though barely; but for how long they continue to live you do not know…
Patenemheb is about to speak to his companions about his musings on the nature of the group - and then he sees something that immediately focuses his attention.
In a clear, raised voice, he speaks, while rushing forward towards one of the bodies with a pair of attending buzzards.
"That one yet lives!"
With quarterstaff raised, he readies to strike at the buzzards should they not flee from the bloodied body. He then begins to act straight away, likely before his companions can reach the spot.
Patenemheb strikes at the nearest buzzard, while shouting: "GET AWAY!" in Yar-Ammonite.
The carrion birds fly off to a safe distance, and Patenemhbe will pull out a healer's kit and get to work to save the wounded person, while whispering in Yar-Ammonite.
"Who are you? Whom do you worship?"
Regardless of reply, or lack thereof, Patenemheb will not pause in trying to save this person.
More battlefield surgery. Hopefully to a good end.
Amount healed by Paten's treat deadly wounds roll: person's level + 4 Wisdom bonus + 1 (one half Paten's ranks in Heal)
[dice= Knowledge Nature] 1d20 + 10 [dice]
Red returns from her searching looking intently at a couple of items in her hands,saying "I found some items and coin, which I count at 37 gold and 22 silver. A good find as even after splitting it with the group it will more than double my funds. Anyone got any idea what this is worth?" Red holds up a bronze ring with a opal in it for inspection.
The buzzards rise from Paten's rush at them and fly back to land and glare at him. Seeing that he does not leave the body, they elect to scavenge for easier meat while the scholar moves to help.
"Who are you? Whom do you worship?"
Beneath you is a man. His chest may have at one point been slashed open by a blade but heavy fire must have seared the wound. This may have ironically been fortunate for him as the burns must have seared his flesh and prevented him from bleeding out.
Unfortunately the birds have picked at his burn and they were able to tear out chunks from his body; luckily they were not able to tear into his vital organs; however the wounds are swollen and heavily infected.
As for the rest of him you can see heavy burns on his chest and the left side of his face and his left eye which has been burned out. His right eye flutters open and he sees you looking down at him.
His lips open and a harsh and twisted croak emits from his mouth.
"Water...."
You can tell by his accent and his features that he is likely Jairanian, but you are not entirely sure...
He is able to drink the water and he coughs it up a bit, but you do not see any blood in his cough. You offer another sip and he reaches his hand up and clutches at your arm, then his hand falls from your arm and his eyelid flutters a moment and a hiss of breath escapes from his mouth and his eye closes.
Leaning forward you can tell he is near death - but he has not died.
You were able to save him, though barely but he has collapsed into unconsciousness which is clearly not feigned; he is genuinely unable to speak or react at this time but you think he might be able to say more after he has a chance to recover a bit.
Red returns from her searching looking intently at a couple of items in her hands,saying "I found some items and coin, which I count at 37 gold and 22 silver. A good find as even after splitting it with the group it will more than double my funds. Anyone got any idea what this is worth?" Red holds up a bronze ring with a opal in it for inspection.
The small group works on the burned out caravan while Yetara waits impatiently with the others. He frowns with frustration.
"What is taking so long?" he finally growls out.
"Sefu - find out what is going on," he says with an arrogant wave of his hand and Sefu glances at Yetar and nods his head and spurs his horse forward to Ala, Cas, Paten and Red.
As he rides off Samir turns to Tairin.
"Do you want me to go, too?" he asks her and he waits for her response.
Having drunk a bit, Bjoern saddles up again and follows Tairin, if she follows Sefu.
"Beats the idea of a vanguard, if you just move up without an all clear sign!" He whispers to Tairin as they move closer.
Hearing Patenemheb saying he has found a survivor Red moves to the injured man, keeping a close lookout, then calls on her arcane power to heal him, exclaiming "Sláinte!"
While the others search through what remains of the caravan, Caslav investigates the sands around the perimeter of the site for any tracks the perpetrators or survivors of the massacre may have left.
Patenemheb turns to Red and speaks.
"I have applied my arts to the utmost, but this man needs hours of rest and away from the sun if he is to speak or even to live. Assuming your magic does not bring him back to consciousness sooner."
"I have done what I can for him for now. I am certain Yetera won't allow us to stop to care for him. What I suggest we do is load him onto my camel for now and take him with us. His Yeteraness may object to us bringing a badly injured man anyway, or the man might die from being moved, but those things are as may be." replies Red, her disdain for Yetera very obvious.
1. The staff is probably worth more to the right people; it makes you think of something you'd see in Yar-Ammon where it is said that they worship gods with bodies of men and heads of beasts; to a priest of that culture it could be worth quite a bit. But as a regular staff you suspect the value to be only about 20 gold pieces as the metals are not very rare.
2. The kit is obviously more than a simple con-artist tool; but you know that only because of the scrolls. The elements within clearly allow you to be used for something important or magical, but more than that you are not sure...
Hearing Patenemheb saying he has found a survivor Red moves to the injured man, keeping a close lookout, then calls on her arcane power to heal him, exclaiming "Sláinte!"
The healing touch manages to cause the cleaned-out wounds you see to sort of fuse together and merge into thick scars. The man lets out a small gasp, but it seems like he is gasping out of relief rather than pain. It's clear your healing has helped him and he is now doing better because the magic is able to heal him in places that non-magical means cannot reach.
However, while he has been healed considerably you think that he still needs time to recover.
You think that it is clearly a poison. You do not know for sure, but you think it is made of resin that can be found in certain flowers grown south in Yar-Ammon near to the Land of Sotalas; the touch of the secreted resin causes the muscles in a person's body to lock up and they fall to the ground.
The plant will use this resin to cause victims to fall before it and then the plant will attempt to digest the body of the creature before it and feed on the digested remains. The resin has now lost its potency but you suspect that it is something that might be used again.
While the others search through what remains of the caravan, Caslav investigates the sands around the perimeter of the site for any tracks the perpetrators or survivors of the massacre may have left.
[ooc]Survival = 24
"I have done what I can for him for now. I am certain Yetera won't allow us to stop to care for him. What I suggest we do is load him onto my camel for now and take him with us. His Yeteraness may object to us bringing a badly injured man anyway, or the man might die from being moved, but those things are as may be." replies Red, her disdain for Yetera very obvious.
Sefu turns a glance at Red, but he says nothing for a moment.
"If we have all that can be salvaged let us then take what we need and be about our business; and by that I mean returning to my lord and continuing on our journey," he adds with a tight voice, as if conflicted with the motivations for why Red clearly dislikes his master weighed against his loyalty for his master.
The party then takes the gear and items and the wounded man and returns to the others.
At this point Yetara will inform the party that if they want to bring a half dead man on the trail with him that's your affair; but he will not be paying to feed or tend to this man.
Samir looks at the man with a grim face, but he says nothing; his eyes watching the staff that Ala has with suspicion.
However, Yetara has either no interest or recognition of the staff and seems to ignore it.
With that the party mounts up and advances forward on the road.
Upon returning to those who remained behind, Red, who has been leading her camel with the injured man slung over it's back, responds to Yetara indicating he will not be paying for his upkeep by saying "Very well, you are not obliged to. Either I or, if they wish, my companions and I, will pay for his upkeep and care."while thinking that is rather better than I thought. Red continues "The slain were killed but the area not looted. This is unusual and a pattern we have seen before. Even disciplined soldiers will normally loot after a battle. I do not know exactly what this portends but it is not a co-incidence. Hopefully the man currently slung over my camel Bishop will recover and we can learn more. We did gather some items, I found 37 Gold Pieces, 22 Silver pieces, three doses of a Healing Kit, a bronze ring with a opal in it and this dagger that looks to me to be of exceptional quality. I don't know these last two items worth, sorry. Finally there are these two vials with a resin in them. I am near certain I recognise this as made of resin that can be found in certain flowers grown south in Yar-Ammon near to the Land of Sotalas; the touch of the secreted resin causes the muscles in a person's body to lock up and they fall to the ground. The plant will use this resin to cause victims to fall before it and then the plant will attempt to digest the body of the creature before it and feed on the digested remains. I think it has lost some of it's potency, but it is a contact paralytic and most dangerous." Red displays the items she is speaking of, handling the vials with care.
Does Patenemheb know any more of the resin?
What group(s) grow the flowers?
How exceptional is the expertise required to refine the flowers into the paralytic?
How dangerous it is to carry or use?
And whether it has religious or surgical applications?
Upon returning to those who remained behind, Red, who has been leading her camel with the injured man slung over it's back, responds to Yetara indicating he will not be paying for his upkeep by saying "Very well, you are not obliged to. Either I or, if they wish, my companions and I, will pay for his upkeep and care."
Samir's eyes widen at this offer and he glances at Tairin to see what she thinks. Looking at her for a moment he says nothing and returns his gaze on the others.
"I am near certain I recognise this as made of resin that can be found in certain flowers grown south in Yar-Ammon near to the Land of Sotalas; the touch of the secreted resin causes the muscles in a person's body to lock up and they fall to the ground. The plant will use this resin to cause victims to fall before it and then the plant will attempt to digest the body of the creature before it and feed on the digested remains. I think it has lost some of it's potency, but it is a contact paralytic and most dangerous." Red displays the items she is speaking of, handling the vials with care.
The information regarding the lands of Yar-Ammon again prompts Samir to glance at Tairin; but he then turns back to the others.
Ponders the situation...
Typically when making a Knowledge Check on a certain question I'd like to know what rolls coincide with what question. In this case I have multiple rolls following multiple questions; I don't know what rolls were meant for what question (though I could guess) so it's very hard to construct an answer.
That said; the resin grows on flowers, it can be removed from the flowers with mundane means and is not very hard to do - if you know the flower and are able to approach it safely.
However, the flower grows in a rare location and that location is said to be inhabited by creatures which resemble giant lizards - so going to find the plant is often more dangerous then extracting the resin. More than that you are not sure. That being the case, the poison is very expensive.
You do not know any religious groups that use it, per se, though it is accurate to say that if a religious group had it they would certainly find uses for it.
Applying it to a weapon can be done with the same ease/difficulty as applying any poison to a weapon without Poison Use.
Each vial has about six doses for weapons - however; the vial is glass and if it is simply thrown at something when the glass shatters the resin will touch the skin of the creature (presumably) and therefore be a combat action against a range Touch Attack - but that will use all the resin in the vial for that single attack.
The party then does what it can to place the wounded man on the camel and then they head off on the road, all of them still feeling the discomfort which comes from the hot temperature.
At this time Daniya spurs her camel closer to the others, specifically Caslav.
"You said that there was a staff within the possessions - I myself am not of the people of Yar-Ammon and I do not know much of such things... But I am curious on this item, though it may be a mere nothing..." she says softly to Cas.
Yetara seems barely concerned with such things and encourages the others to more speed. He, at any rate, is eager to put as much distance between himself and the carnage you had witnessed and soon the party is riding at a brisk pace and proceeds on for another three hours without pause.
As the party moves on Samir looks at those skilled in healing for a moment before he urges his camel to Paten.
"The Jairanian - the heat may cause him to relapse; it is wise to make sure he is given proper water if possible... I know the ride is not easy for him, but we cannot linger overlong near the killing we saw for others may come to investigate which are less forgiving than we..."
Paten is able to see that nearing the third hour the man has become weakened severely and is now barely hanging on. However, as the party has traveled roughly 12 miles since the last stop Yetara is willing to concede to resting for a meal, though they have not eaten since breakfast and it is only 3:15 PM.
At this point the party is able to pause and get some much needed food, drink and rest, though the day is very hot and those who wish can do more work on the wounded person (he's currently at HP 0 now due to the non-lethal damage - that could be fatal if he's not tended to).
Samir helps set up a small tent-like canopy so those who wish can shelter under it for shade while they eat and rest.
Getting more accustomed to the heat, Bjoern manages to weather it just fine.
Taking down the wounded man and carrying him to the tent, Bjoern looks at the sky and shrugs."This heat is not good for any of us. Well the night is close." He uses a rag to squeeze some water into the man´s mouth then takes a big swig himself.
I would prefer mead, but alas the desert takes his toll!
Getting more accustomed to the heat, Bjoern manages to weather it just fine.
[dice=Fort]1d20+6
[dice=Fort]1d20+6
[dice=Fort]1d20+6
Taking down the wounded man and carrying him to the tent, Bjoern looks at the sky and shrugs."This heat is not good for any of us. Well the night is close." He uses a rag to squeeze some water into the man´s mouth then takes a big swig himself.
I would prefer mead, but alas the desert takes his toll!
Note-These rolls all get a +2 for a Hot Weather Outfit.
She Who Knows gives the Jairanian some water when the caravan stops. Obviously concerned she says "I am afraid my healing is expended for this man until tomorrow. Hopefully your skills will keep him alive until then Patenemheb."
’I will ask ‘Red’ about the spell box.’ Mahogany box in hand, he takes the lead of his camel and walks beside ‘Red.’ ”I found this box in the tent as well. At first I thought it might belong to a charlatan, but the scrolls look real to me. Would you take a look at it.” Reaching to lead her camel for her, he remembers. ”Oh, if you want me to look at the ring I would do that.”
"Mmm. Let me see."says Red thoughtfully.
Taking a water flasks he slowly takes a swig and then hands it to Tairin."Take a swig, please, my lady."
Looking ahead he adds.
"I hope this is not a trap!"
Tairin softly laughed, ”High born women do not swig, dear Bear,” before accepting the flask and gingerly bringing it to her lips and slowing pouring some of the water into her mouth before returning the flask. ”Thank you. And as to a trap, it could well be, but let us watch and perhaps we may spy a threat before that happens.”
It was then she heard Yetara’s impatient grumble."What is taking so long?" he finally growls out. "Sefu - find out what is going on," he says with an arrogant wave of his hand…
As he rides off Samir turns to Tairin, "Do you want me to go, too?" he asks her and he waits for her response.
”I think they have enough people at present to conduct their search, Samir.”
"Beats the idea of a vanguard, if you just move up without an all clear sign!" He whispers to Tairin as they move closer.
”We will wait, here. I do not believe they should not take much longer.”
Taking a few steps toward where they left the party, [’I hope that’s close enough.’ Speaking softly. ”Tairin, we’ve found several tents, a dozen dead, not enough bodies for the tents, attackers may have taken prisoners. Oddly enough, the bodies and tents were not looted, I will investigate for tracks….Patenemheb has found one alive.”
At first, Tairin could hear nothing via the message link she had set up between herself and Ala’lhys but then she suddenly heard his voice and she smiled and responded in whisper, //”I can hear you now. You may have been out of range for some time. Yetara grows ever impatient. Do what you must; yet return as soon as you can. Thank you for apprising me.”//
Tairin then relayed the news to the others by her side or nearby, hoping to curb Yetara’s impatience.
Upon the return of the scouting smile, Tairin welcomed them back and listened to what was discovered. Her dark eyes moved to the badly wounded man atop Red’s camel.
Upon returning to those who remained behind, Red, who has been leading her camel with the injured man slung over its back, responds to Yetara indicating he will not be paying for his upkeep by saying "Very well, you are not obliged to. Either I or, if they wish, my companions and I, will pay for his upkeep and care."
Samir's eyes widen at this offer and he glances at Tairin to see what she thinks. Looking at her for a moment he says nothing and returns his gaze on the others.
”Indeed, we shall endeavour to do our best for the injured man. And we shall share our food and water with him. When he is feeling better, he may tell us what befell his camp.”
"I am near certain I recognise this as made of resin that can be found in certain flowers grown south in Yar-Ammon near to the Land of Sotalas; the touch of the secreted resin causes the muscles in a person's body to lock up and they fall to the ground. The plant will use this resin to cause victims to fall before it and then the plant will attempt to digest the body of the creature before it and feed on the digested remains. I think it has lost some of its potency, but it is a contact paralytic and most dangerous." Red displays the items she is speaking of, handling the vials with care.
The information regarding the lands of Yar-Ammon again prompts Samir to glance at Tairin; but he then turns back to the others.
Tairin glanced at the vials upon hearing the flowers grew in her homeland.
Tairin ’I wonder if Tairin was able to hear my communication.’ Nearing the others, Ala’Ihys approaches Tairin, ”Mistress, err, Tairin, I don’t know if we were close enough for you to hear me. Simply put, they got jumped nothing seemed to be taken except prisoners. We found some stuff and a survivor. I found some high quality survival gear, a couple of bedrolls and a little food. Stuff you would expect. What was unexpected was an odd staff I gave to Patenemheb to look at and a very interesting mahogany box that Red is looking at.”
”At times, we were out of range for the spell to work. I did hear you once and replied, yet perhaps you moved again and could not hear me. Thank you for trying.”
Tairin looked at the staff in Patenemheb’s hand and attempted to determine its value and purpose.
Since Red was looking at the mahogany box and ring in turn, she did not interfere.
Yetara seems barely concerned with such things and encourages the others to more speed. He, at any rate, is eager to put as much distance between himself and the carnage you had witnessed and soon the party is riding at a brisk pace and proceeds on for another three hours without pause.
As the party moves on Samir looks at those skilled in healing for a moment before he urges his camel to Paten.
"The Jairanian - the heat may cause him to relapse; it is wise to make sure he is given proper water if possible... I know the ride is not easy for him, but we cannot linger overlong near the killing we saw for others may come to investigate which are less forgiving than we..."
The heat was unrelenting and after some time, she could not allay its effect and she felt herself wilting. She raised her own veils higher and pulled her head shawl down to cover more of her head/face.
Hearing of the wounded man's possible relapse, Tairin removed a spare light cloth head shawl from her pack and raised it toward Samir, "Wet it and then wrap it around his head and face so the sun cannot beat down directly on him."
”What did you find Caslav?”
"Tracks, but they are muddled. It seems some came and went mounted and others on foot. I'm unsure even which may have been left by the attackers and which by survivors, if there were any." He wipes his brow with the back of his hand. "I can glean only that the attackers most likely came from the southeast; beyond that I fear the winds have had too much time to sweep away the meaning from the prints."
"You said that there was a staff within the possessions - I myself am not of the people of Yar-Ammon and I do not know much of such things... But I am curious on this item, though it may be a mere nothing..."
Caslav shrugs and looks sidelong at Sefu as he speaks. "If you want to inspect it, simply ask for it; no one is keeping it from you."
*
*
Caslav slowly dismounts and kneels, when the stop is called, hanging his head as cold sweat drips from his face. After a minute he stands and assists in setting up their camp. Looking over the rescued man, he assists whomever is tending him by performing simple, minor tasks such as preparing compresses and the like.
As you peer at it you're not sure of its value; but you think it may be more than just jewelry. This is because on the stone itself you can see etchings like a symbol or carving; you're not sure what it is at this time, but it looks like an animal from the southlands, but it's hard to say.
If it was jewelry it seems odd to be locked up instead of worn; but who can say what those southern women do with their finery? Mayhap one of the others might know more of the carving on the stone?
"Mmm. Let me see."says Red thoughtfully.
When you take the ring you do not sense or notice anything that seems magical. However, your Knowledge Roll is high enough that you would have at least recognized a faint etching on the stone itself from your Homeland. You suspect the ring may be connected to a family of the south - likely Yar-Ammonite, but more than that you do not know.
As for the box; there is clearly incense in it, as well as a tool which is used to contact the spirits
Finally the two scrolls are there; you can see that the writing they are done in appears to bewilder your eye and you cannot read it; but you know in your heart that the scrolls are used to learn secrets of the future. Further; they are genuine, therefore whoever possesses them and the rest of the set is clearly someone versed in true sorcery on some aspect and less likely to be a charlatan or sham.
Tairin glanced at the vials upon hearing the flowers grew in her homeland.
Much the same as Paten. One thing you'd likely consider is that the resin, having many uses, can certainly make a fine defensive weapon that requires almost no skill. If anyone were to throw one of the glass jars and cause it to shatter on their target then the target would likely be halted. Even a priest or a noble with no military experience could easily use such a tool to protect themselves from a threat. Further, it requires no magical training whatsoever to use; merely the ability to throw something at a target.
You are not sure if that is the intention; but it is certainly a fine item for people to use to defend themselves if all other weapons fail; and if the people themselves have no martial experience.
Tairin looked at the staff in Patenemheb’s hand and attempted to determine its value and purpose.
You take the staff gingerly.
Although the heat of of the fire has damaged the head of the staff, still you can recognize the somewhat marred features of the loathsome serpent-headed god Zanthiss, but you are not sure - for such an item would seem blasphemous even to the folk of your homeland who worship strange gods with the heads of beasts.
Even so; whatever latent gift of crafting had inspired the person to fashion this staff has been destroyed by the fires. It is, at best, a decent walking staff with a slightly melted bronze head.
You do not think it has any magical qualities; instead you suspect it is a symbol of power and authority. But its condition marks it little more than a prop for age at this point; though a solid and well-made prop nonetheless.
Caslav shrugs and looks sidelong at Sefu as he speaks. "If you want to inspect it, simply ask for it; no one is keeping it from you."
Daniya looks up at Caslav, but she sees that others are studying it.
"Thank you for agreeing to letting me examine your staff," she says with a sultry voice, then chuckles softly and turns to peer at it as Tairin is studying it.
Her eyes widen somewhat as she sees the staff and she mutters a muted profanity in the Lamurean tongue and moves away from the staff to stand closer to Sefu.
Naturally, she says nothing about her reaction until or unless asked.
Caslav slowly dismounts and kneels, when the stop is called, hanging his head as cold sweat drips from his face. After a minute he stands and assists in setting up their camp. Looking over the rescued man, he assists whomever is tending him by performing simple, minor tasks such as preparing compresses and the like.
The combined efforts of Cas, Tairin, Red and Paten seem to have succeeded and the wounded Jairanian man's eye flutters open as he stares up at you.
His hand fumbles vaguely at his side, as if seeking for a weapon, but as he has none and is wounded he studies you all for a moment with suspicion, as if wondering what grim fate you may have planned for him.
Then, realizing you're not currently engaged in some darksome torture but do seem intent on assisting him, he wets his parched lips with his tongue.
"Many thanks," he says speaking the Yar-Ammonite language with a thick accent.
"I am Farrokh of Jairan and I am in your debt," he continues, speaking the Yar-Ammonite language.
"Who are you, my saviors?" he asks, then coughs a bit and Samir hands him a water skin but says nothing, instead looking up at his companions to see how they'll respond.
'The second half of the day was worse on me than the first, I'll be surprised if the injured stranger survives.' Once the caravan comes to a stop, Ala'Ihys, though fatigued, gathers the animals and quickly make sure they are cared for. He watches as Daniya speaks to Caslav and then inspects the staff. 'Still torturing Caslav and interested in the staff. I wonder what that girl is up to.'
[dice=sense motive: her interest in Caslav]1d20+6
[dice=sense motive: her interest in the staff]1d20+6When the stranger revives, Ala'Ihys moves to where he can hear the conversation.
You're not entirely sure. Based on how she reacted, it's possible that she is using the term "staff" for some sort of crude euphemism; but if so, her motives are confusing. She is starting to remind you of the sort of girl who uses her physical appeal to encourage/motivate young men to do things for her - but if those same young men hope to see her respond to their advances, advances which she intentionally encouraged - she will refuse to follow through, instead being content to merely "tease" a man with hints of rewards but with no intention of following through.
It is clear she is trying to "tease" Cas into doing the things wants, but you doubt highly that if Cas pursued her advances that she would ever actually follow-through on the things she hinted at. You also suspect this is why she encourages Cas, as if she tried something like that with some of the older and more experienced males in your party that they would like respond too aggressively to her teasing; she seems confident that she can "play" Cas and is using that to her advantage.
As for the staff - she either recognizes, or thinks she recognizes, the carving on the staff. Whatever the case may be, she clearly was uncomfortable with it and either hated or feared what she though she saw.
"Very well, you are not obliged to. Either I or, if they wish, my companions and I, will pay for his upkeep and care."
"I will attend to this Jairanian's health and cover a share of the costs. His worth is not necessarily apparent."
"I am afraid my healing is expended for this man until tomorrow. Hopefully your skills will keep him alive until then Patenemheb."
"That is my hope as well, Red. I will attend to him further. I suffer from the heat, but not so badly that I cannot aid this man."
************
"Walking over to Patenemheb he hands the scholar the staff, ”Would you take a look at this staff while we return to the others, I think it has some value, probably more to someone who follows a Yar-Ammon religion. I figure you’re a scholar so you would know better than I."
Patenemheb graciously accepts the staff from the archer with a nod.
"My thanks, Ala’Ihys. I will examine it."
Certainly intriguing. I wonder what secrets it holds?
If others wish to examine the staff, Patenemheb will not stop them, his mind occupied by his own thoughts.
************
The combined efforts of Cas, Tairin, Red and Paten seem to have succeeded and the wounded Jairanian man's eye flutters open as he stares up at you.
His hand fumbles vaguely at his side, as if seeking for a weapon, but as he has none and is wounded he studies you all for a moment with suspicion, as if wondering what grim fate you may have planned for him.
Then, realizing you're not currently engaged in some darksome torture but do seem intent on assisting him, he wets his parched lips with his tongue.
"Many thanks," he says speaking the Yar-Ammonite language with a thick accent.
"I am Farrokh of Jairan and I am in your debt," he continues, speaking the Yar-Ammonite language.
"Who are you, my saviors?" he asks, then coughs a bit and Samir hands him a water skin but says nothing, instead looking up at his companions to see how they'll respond.
Seeing the man is awake and alert, Patenemheb moves over to him and speaks in Yar-Ammonite.
"Greetings, Farrokh of Jairin. I am Patenemheb of Yar-Ammon, a physician. I would know whom your companions were, and whom attacked you. Half of your group I estimate were taken, the rest unlooted."
"I will attend to this Jairanian's health and cover a share of the costs. His worth is not necessarily apparent."
Patenemheb graciously accepts the staff from the archer with a nod.
"My thanks, Ala’Ihys. I will examine it."
Certainly intriguing. I wonder what secrets it holds?
You are not entirely certain because the bronze of the staff has been damaged in the fire so the finer details are hard to make out. What is clear is that the head of the staff was at one point likely a serpent. Also, you are not sure, but your skill with religion makes you believe that the head of the staff may be a representation of the god Zanthiss, the Great Serpent.
This much you know of Zanthiss; that he is by some called an ancient demon-serpent of Yalotha, in some worlds known as Hassith-Kaa, is the father of various ophidian races and a master of sorcery.
Cults of Zanthiss still lair in ancient temples, with writhing serpent-pits, giant slithering temple snakes, malachite altars stained with the blood of centuries of sacrifice, and demon-guarded vaults wherein lie hidden the lost papyri of jungle-lost Yalotha.
With all of that, something does not quite ring true to you. If the staff belonged to one who truly followed such a god - if god it is - they seem far to... pedestrian... in their style and methods. You are not sure, but you wonder if the individual who had the staff may have not simply used it disguise their true power - or potential lack of power - and while all the signs suggest the owner of the staff was likely versed in some sorcery it is very possible that they may have augmented the fear of their modest powers by using tools or props to demonstrate a greater sense of power that they did not fully have.
At the least you'd wager Daniya had guessed the same thing about the nature of the staff based on her reaction; but you somehow think she merely judged it as a flat observation rather than reach the more subtle conclusions you had on the owners. In short - she saw the staff, was disgusted by its presence but didn't bother to put the clues together.
In any case, most folk will likely not recognize the features, you'd think; but it wouldn't hurt to hammer the more obvious signs of the serpent face into something less recognizable. It is clear that if anyone else might recognize the figurehead on the staff that they would treat whoever carried it as a threat.
More than that; it's a fine walking staff, functions as a quarterstaff via weapons and - if properly treated - can help cultivate your appearance to look more noble or intimidating if you carried it. But it's totally up to you what you do about it...
"Greetings, Farrokh of Jairin. I am Patenemheb of Yar-Ammon, a physician. I would know whom your companions were, and whom attacked you. Half of your group I estimate were taken, the rest unlooted."
Farrokh raises his hands to his face and lips and then heart; a courteous salaam to your aid as you have declared yourself a physician and he has been - seemingly - saved by your skill.
He responds in Yar-Ammonite, but again with the Jairanian accent.
"I am merely a sell-sword, and though I was whelped in Yemar I wandered west to the city of Zul-Bazzir. I worked for some time in the employ of Abu Khafi as a bodyguard at his business but the work was too slow for my taste."
"There was a group that came to the Foreign District, and though I am not as versed in that part of the town I was willing to offer my blade to their service for the coin was right."
He coughs a bit then continues with a grim smile.
"We were coming near to the edge of Khazistan where we were set upon by that basterd Yilgrah and his god's cursed Wolves of the Desert..." his voice rasps in his throat and he coughs again.
Shaking he his head he continues to talk as you have asked him questions, though it pains him.
"Those dogs set upon us shortly after night, perhaps an hour - perhaps more... No doubt they saw our fires and were drawn to them and they rode us down while we rested."
"It is a truth that we fought back, but the caravan chief had not hired enough folk to guard them and soon we fell to their cursed blades..."
"Aye - we were rode down and killed for the most part, though it is a fact that we slew some of theirs... Even so, they took what they could but they moved fast... And those they did not slay the took with them, mostly they took the women for their purposes - though a few of the men, though most of us were slain; I think they cared little for our gear, excepting a few trinkets they spied in the firelight."
"But with the fires consuming our tents they left swiftly, for all know that those dogs shall ride hard during the night and seek shelter where they may sleep deeply when the sun is risen. It is likely that they were some distance from their nearest shelter and having secured some modest treasure they desired to move quickly rather than linger over a few coins..."
He might have more to say but a fit of coughing wracks his throat and he says no more, but slumps into the rug beneath him and coughs more, and a trickle of bloody phlegm dribbles from his lips.
When Patenemheb finishes his leisurely musing on the staff, he informs the others:
"This staff was once serpent-headed, to represent Zanthiss, the Great Serpent, father of many ophidian races, and great sorcerer. But I believe the wielder of this staff either disguised their true power - or was a charlatan, using the fearsome implication of Zanthiss to further their own power. I believe Daniya also saw it as a fraud, hence her disgust. It is however a fine staff, and I would keep it. With the bronze head beaten out of the unfortunate serpent shape. "
"It was by my efforts, and those of my companions here, that your life was spared." in a magnanimous tone.
Patenemheb indicates his companions with his hand gestures. He planned to ask more, but Farrokh has slumped into unconsciousness.
He turns to the others and speaks in Sushranite for clarity.
"This man is Farrokh of Jairin, a sell-sword out of Yemar then Zul-Bazzir. A stint as a bodyguard of one Abu Khafi, then for the group who met an unfortunate fate.", thinking grimly of the tents.
"They were attacked shortly after nightfall by one Yilgrah and the Wolves of the Desert near the border with Khazistan. Too few guards versus too many foes. The Wolves took the women and a few men, uninterested in most of the gear. They are known to ride hard during the night and find shelter during the day, and were likely far from their nearest shelter. I will ask more of him when he next awakens."
Patenemheb is clearly confident in this occurrence, especially as he tends to the man.
Listening to the conversation and keeping a keen eye on the situation
Bjoern tabs Pat´s shoulder and asks.
"What did he say?"
After Pat gives a short reply he shrugs.
"Well saving some women sounds like a worthy task, we do have an obligation here. And I am not sure we could get them in time?"