| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
As the group heads back towards the others, he thinks silently for a few long moments. So... we have a missing goat, a possible pugwampi infestation, a burned cart, and a dead man. We have Dashki, whom many suspect of being responsible for the fire, but who claims that it was probably pugwampis... He shakes his head slightly. We should probably look for any signs of pugwampis and for our missing goat. If we cannot find the pugwampis, then it probably is Dashki.
As they walk back, listening to Viridi talk about Dashki, Shiiru wonders to himself about the whole thing.
Finally when they find the others, Shiiru looks around, "I think it is time we put together all that we know. What did you find with the wagon tracks?"
With a shrug of the shoulders; “It was to much of a mess to really tell what happened there, unfortunately.”
”I spoke to the mercenaries, the only interesting thing they told me was that Dashki normally hangs around them but for some reason wasn’t right before the fire started. Other than that they didn’t seem to know anything.
Unless Dashki was lying to us, everything points to this being an accident. Maybe we should hunt down this Pugwamis and teach it and all of its kind that they do not want to mess with us.”
Nasir plops down on the sand, and stares up at his comrades. ”I am sorry that I am only a little help when it comes to matters such as this. Rest assured, when there is a Pugwamis, Gnoll, or some other creature at your back, you will see the might of the Albashar tribe.”
Shiiru's mouth pulls tight, "Yes, we received much the same from Father Zastoran. While he did not say anything about Dashki's presence that day, he did say that Dashki was the only one who might want Eloais dead." Shiiru sighs and shakes his head, "Apparently the man was jealous of the attention Lady Almah gave Eloais." Shiiru begins to pace, Taaso weaving in and out of his legs along side the man. "So, we have no evidence, but two possibilities. Either Dashki did it," Shiiru counts off the reasons on his fingers, "He was acting suspicious, he could have wanted Eloais dead, and he was not accounted for during the fire." He looks at his fingers and closes them all into a fist, "But none of that is proof. On the other hand, it could have been Pugwampis," he lifts his other hand and starts counting again, "They like manufacturing accidents, Eloais kept enough candles around that he could have made it easy, Dashki suggested that it was." Shiiru looks doubtful at the last one. "Anyone have any ideas on how we can find out which, if any, of these theories is true?"
"I suggest..." Amori pauses, thinking swiftly. "We should look for signs of pugwampis. If they are here, then I imagine they were responsible for the burning cart. If not, we should interrogate Dashki again. I have yet to meet the man, but the rest of the caravaners seem to distrust him and suspect that he was involved..."
Sapphire eyes swing around the others assigned to the investigation. "While I have no experience with the desert other than this trip, I know some of us are more... aware of the environment than I. I suggest that they seek out signs of pugwampis... and see if they notice any goat tracks, while we're at it."
At the mention of goat tracks, Thomdril’s eyebrows shoot up; “You’re right! I had completely forgotten about the goat tracks. I was busy looking for tracks leading away that were our size that I didn’t even think to look for goat tracks. If the Pugwamis did this and took the goat I am sure there would be some sign.”
Looking around at the party; “Who all is familiar with this region and can track? Those are the ones who should really be looking into the tracks. I would be as useful as spitting into the wind. Sometimes I hit, sometimes I miss.”
"And now that we know Dashki was 'carrying a torch' for Lady Almah... I'd say he's definitely at the top of the list of suspicious people around here."
“Who all is familiar with this region and can track?"
"I'm completely new to this place. Sorry."
Shiiru shakes his head, hands out, "I can do little in the way of tracking. I might be able to get Taaso to track the goat, but I can't guarantee that he'll understand what we need.I can really only communicate basics to him as yet," he says as if that explains everything. "It might be easier if one of our more experienced people tried." He turns to Fulk and Nasir, a question in his eyes.
”We are looking for the goat now?” Nasir looks around confused.
”We think that this Pugwamis stole the goat in the confusion? You are the intelligent ones not me. Part of me hopes that this Pugwamis doesn’t exist, I want to make good on the promise I made to Dashki if hes lying to us.” Nasir looks at Thomdrill and grins a wide smile.
”But for now lets find this Pugwamis, let me see if I can pick up those goat’s tracks.” Nasir heads over to where the rest of the animals escaped from. He bends down and picks up some sand, giving it a sniff.
[occ] Oh geez guys I am sorry, thought my survival would net something a tad better. Maybe Fulk can take a swing at it.[/ooc]
"Here, lemme give it a go." Viridi starts looking for goat tracks, keeping her magic compass close to hand.
"Let me see what I can see." Fulk says, before looking around for the distinctive cloven-hoofed tracks of goats.
It's getting late, and the sun is low on the horizon. As you start looking for tracks Garavel approaches.
"The Lady Almah would like a report on what you have found." he pauses, noticing something in the distance. "Dashki, stop skulking and come along too. I have a feeling you will be needed.".
The disheveled man approaches from behind another caravan wagon, and meekly follows behind as Garavel guides you back to the Lady's Wagon. There is now a large, elaborate tent erected next to it, the floor inside covered with expensive rugs and cushions. Garavel motions you inside, but stays outside with Dashki to wait.
"You have had time to interview everyone I expect by now. What do you have to report?"
”Garavel, you have the worst timing.” Nasir looks up from the ground looking for goat tracks with the others. ”But yes, we have discovered much through our investigation.”
Nasir stands up and gives his companions a worried look. When Nasir hears that Dashki is coming along, he whispers to whoever is next to him so that Garavel and Dashki can’t hear him, most likely Thomdrill and Amori ”Do you think Garavel believes Dashki did it? Do we really have evidence that Pugwamis did other than Dashki’s word?”
He silently moves into the tent next to the wagon, but stands toward the back. ”Lady Almah, thank you for giving us appropriate time to investigate this issue. We will present the evidence for you to examine as well. We have discovered that the while normally Dashki hangs around with the mercenaries he was suspiciously absent right before the fire.”
He than looks around the room waiting for everyone else to present their evidence.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"We have no evidence that it is pugwampis or, indeed, that it is anything other than an accident, Master Al'Issaf." Amori says softly, musing. "It's possible that Master Garavel believes Dashki did it, but that is not entirely relevant, I think."
As Almah begins to interrogate the group, Amori speaks to answer her in turn. "Beyond that, some have suggested that a certain sort of fey - pugwampis - may have caused the fire. We have little evidence to go on there, but it is possible. Our next step, before you called upon us, was going to be looking for signs of these pugwampis... also, one of the goats was lost in the confusion. There's a chance that it was taken by the perpetrator of the fire, or by an opportunist seeking to steal it whilst we worked to take the fire out."
Even if he did not believe it to be any of the caravaners, Amori does feel mildly obliged to reveal the whole truth to Mistress Almah.
Shiiru nods along, "At this point Lady Almah, we have some possibilities, but little else. We would like to take your leave and return to report after we have more." He pauses then seems to realize who he's dealing with and adds a quick bow, "with your permission of course."
Without much info to share, Thomdril cleans his fingernails with a dagger at the back of her room.
With an air of disappointment the Lady Almah sighs. "I had hoped for more, but I expected you would find as much. Dashki, enter."
Dashki bows through the curtain from outside, and stands, head bowed, but eyes on the Lady.
"If my expert is correct," she says, "the hills around here should be crawling with these pugwampis, or at least some sign of their passage. If what Dashki says is true, it should be easy for him to find one and bring it back to me." The merchant princess turns to the PCs."
"As he is, however, our best suspect in this affair, it would not do to send him out into the darkness alone. I’m afraid that your investigation is not yet at and end. Go out into the desert with Dashki and find me one of these pugwampis."
With an audible click of the tongue Thomdril stops cleaning this nails with the dagger and uses it as a pointing device. “Wait, you’re telling me that Dashki is in the know? Well.... I am not accustomed to the way things are ran out here, but back home when someone dies we don’t try to keep secrets from one another about it.” Thomdril makes the dagger quickly disappear. He walks over to the curtain, bows and speaks up before backing through the curtain; m’Lady Almah, it seems we must not waist time if we are to catch up to these Pugwamis, we have already done enough of that.”
As he walks away from the Lady’s cart Thomdril goes to find where he can refill his waterskin.
"'In the know?' I do not understand? Dashki is my Gnoll expert, what he doesn't know about them is not worth knowing. I assure you I am keeping no secrets from you. If dashki can find no evidence of these fey he describes, his fate will be a short one."
Thomdril tries to not wear his frustration of his sleeve. “m’Lady, I was referring to your Gnoll expert there. When we were trying to investigate this matter I could tell he had more information but wasn’t sharing it. If he had this kind of information and even an idea of where to find the Pugwamis he should have shared it with us and not make us stand around asking questions. That is time we could have been doing other investigations and could have possibly brought you more details.”
Pausing to collect his composure; “If you had hoped for more, it is not solely on us that we did not find more. We were detained.”
Nasir straightens his posture and takes a step forward. ”Thomdrill, slow. Although Lady Almah my friend is correct, both Dashki and to similar extent Garavel have prevented us from investigating this manner. We will go and find this Pugwamis with the help of Dashki but in the future, not withholding information will help us get to the bottom of this faster.”
And Nasir walks out of the wagon to prepare for the hunt.
Shiiru cocks his head, then finally just shakes it and follows Nasir out. Taaso joins him as he leaves the tent.
Viridi follows the team out.
Fulk grimaces. This man is going to get us in trouble. He thinks. But when Nasir speaks up, Fulk holds back on doing so himself. Arguing in front of our employer will only make us look like fools.
Almah frowns "You believe that if I and Garavel had shared our suspicions, you would have more wisely used your time? Or that you would have more doggedly pursued Dashki?"
"He would not have had a very fair day of it if that is the case. You still have no hard evidence that he did it, and he still could stand falsely accused. How would airing our suspicions have changed that?"
"Yes. Go." Through this Dashki somehow manages to keep quiet, though he glares at Thom and Nasir.
Outside of the tent Nasir speaks up ”Well that could have gone better. But W\why does it still feel like they are holding out on us?” He says not paying any attention to the weasely man that came out with them.
”I supposed we should find evidence of this Pugwampis. Does anyone know anything about them? Would we find it easier to track and catch them unaware at night? If so I vote we find them now, otherwise we should wait till morning.”
Shhiiru sighs, shaking his head, "This was definitely not the best, but there is still more to do. If say let's get it over with. Besides, the longer we wait, the less likely we are to find signs of . . . well, anything really." He turns to Dashki and looks him up and down, "May as well give this fine gentleman a chance to show us his theory was correct." Shhiiru beams an overly bright smile at the man and motions for him to lead, "We were told you're the expert, do you want to lead the way?" Mostly I don't want him at my back any longer than I have to.
Dashki looks at you as if you've gone mad. "It's going to get bloody cold, bloody soon. This expert is going to bed for a few hours. Meet me back at the wagon 2 hours beofre dwan, that way we can avoid the worst of the sun hopefully, and see if we can find the little wretch." with that he turns to stalk off in the direction of his wagon.
Shhiiru looks after Dashki for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Well then, I guess I'll find my bed as well.”
Shhiiru bids goodnight to the others, then he and his cat make their way to bed.
”Fine. See you in the morning.” Nasir stares at Dashki before huffing and turning off to bed for the night.
At dawn Nasir wakes up with a loud yawn and stretches wildly in the air.”Good morning friends, shall we find our weasel?”
Nasir makes his way to the wagon and waits for Dashki to arrive. ”I hope that we find evidence of this Pugwampis today. I am ready to be done with this sordid event and continue our travels to Kelamarane. Did everyone sleep fine? Especially those of you new to the desert, you will want to make sure that your mouth is covered at night, it can get quiet windy.”
In the morning, Viridi finds herself spitting out bits of sand that somehow found their way into her mouth.
*KAFF KAFF KAFF PTEW* "Yeah, I really wish I remembered that tip earlier..."
Fulk grimaces as Dashki's unwillingness to go out at night, but shrugs and heads off to bed. He rises early and meets the others. "Well. No sense waiting, let's find these pugwampis."
Thomdril sleeps his frustration away on the lumpy floor that is made up of sand. How can people sleep on this damned stuff? Maybe I’ll have to see if m’Lady has some room to spare in her inn. Finally waking up from a restless sleep, Thomdril walks out to find the party already out and about.
Tossing Viridi his waterskin; “Take a swig, swirl it around your mouth, then spit. It’s the best thing I have learned to do out in this sand trap.”
As Nasir is giving the group some useful aid for the desert, Thomdril is already putting his shoufa in place for protection against the wind, sand, and sun. “Looks like most of us are here, where is Dashki?” Hopefully he didn’t run off in the middle of the night...
To the amazement and surprise of some Dashki is waiting for you when you get to the caravan.
"We are looking for a little humanoid creature that’s much smaller than a halfling, with light fur, dirty claws, and a tiny jackal head."
Sure enough, now you know what to look for you find dozens of tiny tracks leading to and from the camp. They mostly lead off into the darkness of the pre-dwan.
Shhiiru gets up, not bothering with light. He meets the others, groggy and tired. "This is far too early." He pulls out his own waterskin, splashing some water in his face and shaking himself. He takes a drink and follows the others to the tracks.
As the party makes their way from the camp Thomdril will light a torch off of the campfire to aid his vision.
Nasir pulls outs a torch from his pack as well.”You and I both Thomdrill” as he lights his own torch.
As you move away fromt he camp, the shadows cast by Thomdril's torch dance. As you move a few 10s of yards from the camp, the ground starts to rise, and becomes rocky, slowing you down somewhat in the gloom.
Once Viridi's had a chance to wash her mouth out, she joins the others in pursuing the tracks.
When she sees something moving in the darkness, Viridi starts to say something, but then her eyes adjust. "Whoop--false alarm, gentlemen. Thought I saw something odd. It was nothing."
After a few hundred feet more travelling, with a distinct increase int he number of cacti around you, you feel an inexplicable dread. You expect something terrible is about to happen, though nothing in the terrain has changed. From out of the night comes a brief cry, as though a small child screamed out in pain.
”Quick there’s a young one in trouble!” and Nasir runs off into the twilight with his torch in the direction of the sound of the child.
Shiiru reaches out and stops Nasir, "It is likely the lost goat, and while it may be in pain, rushing in this light could be deadly." Shiiru continues forward, towards the sound of the goat, keeping an eye out for the little hairy creatures they were looking for. Taaso sensing his tension stays right by his side.
Nasir turns around as Shiiru stops him and comes back to the group and walks with them ”Thank you friend. I am sorry, sometimes I lose control when someone needs saving, especially when it sounds like a child could be in danger.
Fulk nods when Shiiru speaks up. "Yes. Goat, definitely."
As you move towards the sound of the goat, the next few hundred yards see the cacti getting denser, and the feeling of subtle dread getting more intense. Eventually you are faced with what is almost a forest of cactus, it will take some work to get through.
As you move towards the sound of the goat, the next few hundred yards see the cacti getting denser, and the feeling of subtle dread getting more intense. Eventually you are faced with what is almost a forest of cactus, it will take some work to get through.
Through the forest of Cacti, you can see the goat, tethered and bleating.
The bleating of the goat increases to a fury of baying as it notices people around.