Frekhi will go find one of the others. He ends up finding Varda. He barks rapidly until he realizes that the human woman doesn't speak canine. He then reluctantly turns back into his hybrid form. "Hey, I spotted that halfling, Nurah, sneak away and cast a spell to make herself disappear. I have a bad feeling about this."
Varda frowns. "That's not good. Do you think you can track her by smell?"
Frekhi nods as his snout extends itself to be even more canine-like. He then leads the woman to where he saw the halfling vanish.
Varda frowns, studying her surroundings and wishing she had a nose like Frekhi's.
You track her scent to Aron's tent, after which her trail leads towards the area where the crusaders are being treated.
Frekhi nods to Varda and follows the scent further.
You follow the scent to find Nurah at the healing tent, singing a tale of a valiant hosplitar of Sarenae who healed an entire village, trying to keep the paladins entertained and focused on healing (inspire competence), while at the same time casting a few healing spells on various crusaders.
>_
Varda narrows her eyes thoughtfully, but shakes her head at Frekhi and leaves before Nurah sees them. After they're well clear, the woman sighs. "I don't like it, but she's done nothing wrong; it would harm the troops' morale to know anything is amiss, and a public confrontation would do no good regardless. Still... I'd like to keep an eye—or nose—on her from now on."
Frekhi shakes his head. "I don't even know why she would keep this a secret. But I'll keep a look out."
>_
"By all means, the scale is yours. Thank you for helping my father."
While the army is being prepared, Gorn-Rel will inform his father of what he has done in his absence -- as long as he doesn't seem overwhelmed -- and inform him of time-line for Hok-Rel's return to power.
"Father, I hope you are pleased by what I and the rest of your children have accomplished in your absence; but, I will see all my oaths fulfilled."
"You have done well, under the circumstances Gorn-Rel. I'm proud of all of you." He coughs a bit, and he looks a little pale. "It is good to know that in my absence, that our nation will be in good hands. For now, go and fulfill our obligations to the crusaders, and bring honor to our name."
"Sir," one of the knights says to your party. "The crusaders we rescued ask that they return to Queen Galfrey. Do you wish to speak with them or let them go after we finish healing them?
Leaning in close, Gorn-Rel whispers, [b]"Beware treachery, I do not think you death was an accident."
Gorn-Rel is ready to lead his army to the relief of his allies.
Aenthurien begins walking among the disaffected crusaders, speaking quiet words and asking them to gather when they have finished their duties.
Once the men have assembled, the elf clears his throat, clearly unused to talking to large groups of people. "It has come to our attention that some of you would prefer to return to Queen Galfry, that some view the capturing of enemy spoils, dimly. I have to say, this surprises me. I think we all understand that this is a war as has never been fought before. We are not fighting to save a single country or people, we are fighting to save the world as we know it. With that in mind, any...ANY...advantage we can gain is an advantage that we need. We would be remiss to let even the smallest hint of an edge to pass by without our grasping at it. A heavy weight burdens our shoulders, the fate of Golarion." Aethurien pauses, watching the assembled group of men.
"Those who are thinking of returning, what do you think the Queen would say of such behavior? Is it not the Queen who ordered you to come on this mission, and decided whom would lead such an army? Do you not think you would be found lacking in your duty if you were to return? Do you not think the Queen would grasp at any advantage against the demon forces? Now is not the time for questions, now is the time for action, we must take the fight to the demons, not dither over whether or not we agree with everything...." Aenthurien pauses, trying to gauge the reaction to his speech.
Varda moves among the crusaders as the elf speaks, nodding and providing words of support here and there.
Aenthurien begins walking among the disaffected crusaders, speaking quiet words and asking them to gather when they have finished their duties.
Once the men have assembled, the elf clears his throat, clearly unused to talking to large groups of people. "It has come to our attention that some of you would prefer to return to Queen Galfry, that some view the capturing of enemy spoils, dimly. I have to say, this surprises me. I think we all understand that this is a war as has never been fought before. We are not fighting to save a single country or people, we are fighting to save the world as we know it. With that in mind, any...ANY...advantage we can gain is an advantage that we need. We would be remiss to let even the smallest hint of an edge to pass by without our grasping at it. A heavy weight burdens our shoulders, the fate of Golarion." Aethurien pauses, watching the assembled group of men.
"Those who are thinking of returning, what do you think the Queen would say of such behavior? Is it not the Queen who ordered you to come on this mission, and decided whom would lead such an army? Do you not think you would be found lacking in your duty if you were to return? Do you not think the Queen would grasp at any advantage against the demon forces? Now is not the time for questions, now is the time for action, we must take the fight to the demons, not dither over whether or not we agree with everything...." Aenthurien pauses, trying to gauge the reaction to his speech.
After your speech the grumbling in the army seems to stop. Morale raised some more, they eventually finish the work of gathering the defeated army's supplies and incorporating them.
The crusaders that were captured who were defending the bridge agree to join your army, healing it points of damage.
It takes a full day to finish gathering up the supplies, after which the Avengers of Namaris catches up with the Knights of Kenabres.
After securing the bridge and leaving it behind, the Knights of Kenabres continue their northward march, now joined by the Avengers of Namaris.
As the armies continue their march along the edge of the Worldwound, you notice strange and alien things even though you are not close to the blighted lands yet. The sky above seems darker and dimmer. Little vegetation grows on the ground. What little vegetation that does grow on the is misshapen, sickly, and poisonous.
While marching, you notice that the armies look at each other wearily. There is a palpable amount of distrust between the armies, noticed straight from the beginning as the hobgoblin monks make whispered conversation about how their supplies have to be shared with the more well armed (and more expensive to upkeep) human paladins.
As your armies continue, your selection of paths narrows to one: there is a canyon directly ahead.
Frekhi sniffs the air for magic and enemies.
Frekhi sniffs the air for magic and enemies.
Frekhi sniffs around looking for unusual scents. Ugh. You smell lots of unusual scents, but you are treading the edge of the Worldwound. Everything is unusual here. The air blowing southward from the canyon smells foul and sewer-like.
Frekhi looks around the army for magic, and finds plenty of magic, but they are all coming from PC or friendly NPC sources.
>_
Varda waits for the scouts to report back before deciding the group's course.
After some time, Kamilio returns with his report.
"Sir Frekhi, Commander," Kamilio begins. "I went and scouted the canyon up ahead as ordered. There appear to be two large armies, maybe ahead waiting in ambush. The tiefling army is poised above in the western cliffs, and an army of dretches wait along the canyon ground."
You get a good sniff at Kamilio. You can't tell what is up, but his body chemistry seems go be... off.
>_
Varda raises an eyebrow. "Two? How large were they?"
"I'd say there are about 100 dretches and perhaps 200 or so tieflings."
"Were you seen?" asks the woman, watching the man's reactions carefully.
"Were you seen?" asks the woman, watching the man's reactions carefully.
"I, I don't know. I don't think so. I'm still alive though, so probably not.
You detect the presence of evil.
Varda narrows her eyes at the scout. What kind of answer is that for a soldier to give??!
"Anything else to report?" she asks instead.
"Um... Not really. Commander, the enemy will have a significant advantage if we simply march into their ambush. They can rain arrows from above while the dretches keep us busy..."
"Sir, is something the matter?"
The source of evil is coming from something on him, likely from his backpack.
>_
"Drop your gear, soldier," replies Varda in a quiet yet firm voice.
"Drop your gear, soldier," replies Varda in a quiet yet firm voice.
Kamilio takes two hesitant steps backwards away from Varda and Frekhi. "Sir?"
>_
"Just obey your commander's order, Lieutenant."
Varda continues her intent study of the other's face and posture, though her muscles are twitching to reach for her bow.
"Do what she said. Drop it, now." Frekhi snarls baring his teeth.
Seeing what is starting to happen, Aenthurien moves closer, grabbing his bow and watching keenly.
Seeing what is starting to happen, Aenthurien moves closer, grabbing his bow and watching keenly.
[dice=Perception]1d20+11
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+5
"S&+#," he says. Kamilo makes a break for it, heading for the horses.
>_
Frekhi races after him, trying to knock him to the ground.
Frekhi runs up and tackles Kamiko to the ground. He doesn't put up much resistance after that and you secure him.
>_
>_