The butcher backs down. He got in a cut and that satisfies him for the moment. With a scowl he retreats to his shop and you can hear him yelling at his wife, who denies everything. Do you linger and listen to the nonsense or do you beat a quick retreat?
@Malgrim
give me a DC perception roll. If you fail, you are targeted by a DC 21 charm monster spell.
Finding himself at his mansion, Gnasher decides to learn more about the axe they had found before they sold it and split the profits. Collecting the axe he heads to the local merchant who handles such things. Presenting the axe to the shopkeeper he asks, "How much to learn what axe does?" Knowing, his curiosity getting the better of him, that whatever the price he would pay it.
Tarak wanders off by himself towards the bizaar, looking to replenish his scrolls and perhaps picking up a new item or two, gazing at the sky quite often, uncomfortable to be out of the wild after their little jaunt into the wilderness.
Gnasher heads to the elf that runs the magic shop, considered the expert in such things. At first he tries without casting identify but fails, just as your friends failed. Then he casts identify and that works.
He determines that it is a great axe of life stealing
he is nonplussed for a moment before telling you, realizing the value of the item he is holding in his hands. So distracted that he fails to lie to you to get a better deal and mentally gives himself a kick. Nevertheless he gives some wheeling and dealing a try.
[b]"If you want to sell this thing, I'm afraid you will need to go to Katapesh. Unless you were willing to sell for 5000 gp, which about all I have on hand."/b]
Shaking his head, Gnasher confesses, "Gnasher must speak to tribe, thank you." Nodding his head to the shop keeper, he drops a few coins on the counter. Picking up the axe he heads towards Tarak's house hoping to tell his friend what he learned.
Oh, my, are you smitten. She's not bad looking in this form, anyway. A rather delightful looking hobgoblin. She crooks her finger and you come to her place. You remember the old tannery. The one with the harpy? She has made it her home and the owners? Well, they do not seem to mind. They seem quite smitten and join in the night's fun.
I'll need a couple of fort saves. One at a DC of 17 for the shakes and one at a DC of 22 for the plague.
The rest of you notice the Malgrim has gone missing, after a suitable delay. You can let me know how long it takes you to notice and RP the discovery.
Eventually finding Tarak, he explains what the merchant had told him about the axe. Having shared the information with Tarak, he heads towards Malgrim's house, knocking on the door repeatedly he assumes his friend must be in town. Shrugging he heads towards Urah's mansion and shares what he learned with Urah.
After informing the others of the weapons abilities, he heads back to his own abode. As it got dark, he noticed that there were no lights lit in Malrim's house. Assuming Malgrim was spending the night elsewhere, he made a mental note to watch for Malgrim the next morning.
Waking with the dawn, Gnasher goes about his normal routine, occasionally watching out the window to catch Malgrim doing the 'walk of shame,' but he doesn't see his friend return. Waiting until late morning he eventually goes and pounds on the door. Getting no answer, he heads to Taraks house. Knocking on the door, he waits for Tarak to answer, informing his friend, "Ghost not home, Gnasher will look for him, Sorm Blessed come along?"
Gnasher finds Tarak on the roof of his abode, meditating facing the sun.
After some yelling to finally get his attention, the Druid wanders down to his door.
”Gone fer the night eh? Maybe he shacked up with some lass, or lad, or whatever he prefers. Wouldn’t hurt to go look for him, let’s round up Urah and take a walk.” he offers.
@Malgrim
You really like the girl, but she keeps asking you to do things (in keeping with the perversions of a Pairaka) you are not comfortable with. This is a charm spell and not a dominate spell so it is up to you how to react to this as long as you treat her like a bestie. You do not recognize her as the Pairika as she is in another form. Perhaps she has been enslaved by the Div? Perhaps she is just kinky. Deep down you might have your suspicions, but your mind seems to shy away from anything that would label her as an enemy.
Nodding in agreement with Tarak, Gnasher follows the druid to their friends house. Knocking on the door, "Come Firestarter, tribe find ghost."
Leading his tribe to the battle market Gnasher, using a spiral pattern, working his way through the market then into the surrounding neighborhood. Having canvased the upper part of town he heads down the road near the cliff. Canvassing the houses and buildings near the cliffs he then heads to the outskirts of town, continuing knocking on doors and asking folks if they'd seen Malgrim.
Grumbling as he is dragged out of his comfortable home, Urah follows the rest to looking for their companion who must be having fun in the city.
He had already done his shopping and was still questioning if what he bought was enough.
As Gnasher talks to the locals, he keeps looking at Urah, waiting for the silver tongued ifrit to help him communicate what they are looking for.
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Malgrim does some things. Skips some others. We will not speak of them.
Tarak largely strolls along behind Gnasher and Urah, content to woolgather and stare at the sky while the sociable ones do their talking things.
Does Malgrim try to leave in the morning? Synthia will try to persuade you to stay, enjoy a few more days, and catch a few diseases (part unmentioned).
With Gnasher prodding, Urah 'translates' for the good of everybody else. It wouldn't do to be the subject of a mob attack.
Urah turns on the charm as he draws in the people around him nattering about weather, their families and their general activities as he seeks out their elusive companion.
Then next scene depends on whether Malgrim sticks it out or tries to leave.
There is a lot of cajoling and wheedling, but when she realizes you are determined to leave, she attacks you, breaking the charm. I'm going to assume this was done while you were redonning your armor.
Which hits by virtue of your being surprised, having no armor, and having no ice shroud up at the moment. Not a lot of damage, but you will need to make two fort saves, one at DC 17 and one at DC 22.
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Yes, initiative.
Once again she lashes out, though Malgrim is ready now and not so easily tricked.
Malgrim is severely regretting removing his armor and trusting her. He, of course, realizes that this hobgoblin in in fact the Div and enscorcelled him again.
Malgrim (-17 HP, need four fort saves, two at DC 17 and two at 22)
Malgrim decides he really doesn't like her as he swells with moisture. He then forms a club of mud and bashes her! He begins loudly yelling,
location of party in city, where 1 is upper left going right to left then down.
So the party is in the lower middle and the tannery is in the upper middle (across the river) so no chance of hearing the commotion.
But even alone Malgrim is a dangerous foe. With one hit, the Div is reduced to less than half of her hit points. With that violent reminder that direct confrontation is a bad idea, she takes to the air and flees through a window previously selected as an escape route, her curses fading as she puts distance and obstacles between her and Malgrim with a final barely heard "I'll be back".
Malgrim will eventually find the party or vice versa. First to post can set the scene.
Realizing that no one in town had seen Malgrim, Gnasher turns to head back towards his home. As he turns he notices to the north a familiar fleeing figure leaving the tannery. Pointing that way, he asks, "Tribe go to tannery?"
As they approach the Tannery they see a figure that looks very much like Malgrim. Calling out Gnasher asks, "Ghost OK?"
Tarak is shaken from his wool gathering as Gnasher points out their missing companion, seeing his state the pirate adds, ”Ye be ok? What happened?”
@Malgrim, do you want to chime in or should I move on.
Malgrim will follow after the fiend for a short time and then go find the others. When he does he says, "That fiend is still around and messing with my mind. I clocked her once, but she ran away!"
Giving a low growl when he heard that Malgim had been captured by their enemy, Gnasher asked, "Maybe tribe stay together until mute girl dead?"
Tarak also snarls at her mention, still furious over the death of those slaves. ”She flew away again? Wish we could track her but she’s gotta be long gone.” Even so, he shifts to a eagle form and launches into the air.
Tarak checks around, but by now she is long gone and well hidden. It has probably been a good 10 minutes since the altercation what with your all being on the opposite side of town at the time.
Do you all start to stick together (as Gnasher suggested), where do you sleep, who do you tell, etc.?
Seeing that Malgrim seemed no worse for wear, Gnasher ponders the events, shaking his head. "Tribe stick together. Tell princess Almah, maybe city guard help keep watch." He gestures towards the temple, "Maybe stay with priest for a while." He then gives a toothy grin and reaches towards the hat they'd kept from Zayifid. shifting the hat, he changed his features to look like the Jinn. Looking, like Zayfid but still sounding like Gnasher he asks. "Maybe fool mute girl into exposing herself."
"She seems pretty vengeful. But she has ran whenever things get rough. It would be nice if she messed up though." Malgrim says. "Staying together makes sense."
"She seems intent on staying around us.....So why not we hunt her? She's wounded and definitely needs some place to hide now." Urah suggests.
"No matter what or how she's going to be after us and catching alone is what she wants then we might as well go looking for her."
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You all go on a hunt but it is to no avail. She is quite adept at remaining hidden, though you do find out that an alchemist vender inexplicably donated healing potions to a friend who's name he cannot remember. He is quite confused. And in very bad shape too. Soon after he contracted some diseases. In fact, many have contracted the diseases and they are starting to spread throughout the town.
Almah calls you all in for a meeting. Sitting you down she explains her situation.
"We are a small town with very limited resources. This creature is playing havoc with us and these diseases will be the end of us if they go on. Thing is, she seems to have a personal vendetta against you specifically."
With a sigh and a small thump on her desk she shakes her head and says, "I think it would be best for you to leave and hopefully deal with the div outside of town."
"There is also the matter of the strange scroll. Though, again, we do not have the resources to figure it out, I do have a friend in Katapesh, very knowledgeable in such things, that owes me a favor. If that sneaky b!+$$..."
Almah pauses and rubs her forehead.. "Sorry about the language."
"If that sneaky div tries to make trouble in Katapesh, provided she lasts the journey, the Pactmasters will make short work of her."
Having returned from hunting the Div, Gnasher went with the others to the meeting with princess Almah; though he did have the hat change his apperance back to normal so she would recognize him. Raising an eyebrow as the new mayor expressed a desire for them to leave. Even after all they had done for the town he understood that the Div was causing trouble because of them. He nods as she mentions her friend in Katapesh, he'd been to the great city when he traveled with Bahram. He liked the ocean, it would be good to be back in the city again. Turning to Almah, "Princess right, tribe should lead mute girl away. What is princess friend name in Katapesh?"
"That does make sense. If we can deal with the scroll it might get her to back off as well." Malgrim says.
Almah nods in approval, then speaks the name of her ally, "Rayhan."
"He is an expert in such things and should be able to unravel the mystery. I have invited a scholar from town who knows a bit about such things to take a look. Mr. Hadrach, id you do not mind?"
A rather portly and important looking fellow, at least important to himself, takes the scroll from whoever has it and peruses it. In bits and pieces the information comes.
"Oh my, not a normal scroll at all. I see what you mean. There are no spells stored here that may be released. Just the rune."
...
"The rune reminds me of the runes employed by the wizards of Nex."
...
"You know, this rune is one that was heavily employed by the Wizard-King of Nex, before he died. He was a profoundly powerful mage and this might be one of his creations! If I am right this was created after his ascension to the throne and before the ill-fated war with Geb."
The man is growing increasingly excited as his analysis goes on.
"Runes like these were often used to mask the true contents of a page, and often one gifted in magic could pierce the obscuring rune with spells, by observing the map in a reflected surface or under certain kinds of light, while under the effects of mind-altering substances, or after waking from particularly vivid dreams. The rune itself is an obscure Nexian rune that symbolizes a mysterious realm called Kakishon."
Almah brightens up at this announcement.
"Kakishon, you say? Rayhan mentioned a realm by that name. It was one of the legendary and mythical realms supposedly conquered by Nex during the Age of Destiny. The place called Kakishon was said to be the most beautiful and valuable of these conquests, but no modern map of the world indicates where such a place may be, or even may once have been. I'm more convinced than ever that you need to pay Rayhan a visit."
Mr. Hadrach very reluctantly hands the scroll back to you all, looking at it longingly before being dismissed.
"Rayhan." Repeating the 'experts' name, Gnasher listens as the fellow Hadrach explains more. Not really knowing the difference between magic writing and runes he turns to Ura, their expert in all things magical.
Hoping Urah understands what the fellow is saying about surfaces, lights and substances. As the topic turns to 'Kakishon' Gnasher, in a very human-like way, raises one eyebrow at Almah's excitement. Nodding, "Tribe will visit Rayhan and try to find a way to Kakishon." He gives a toothy smile. "In the process kill mute girl."
Reaching for the scroll, Gnasher growls a little when the fellow holds onto it a little long. Slipping it back in it's decorative tube, he turns to the others, "What does tribe need to do before tribe leave?" He pauses for a moment wonder if he had enough money to purchase a camel. "Tribe walk? Or ride camels?"
Almah turns to Garavel and something unspoken passes between them.
"I will be sending Garavel with you to aid in the journey and help you find Rayhan. He will make sure you are well outfitted and, though you may not need it, I will be sending some guards with you. So don't worry about getting camels and such."
Tarak sits back and only half pays attention to the discussion, as is his want. At the mention of how to travel he just mumbles, "Ride, walk, trot, fly, whatever.. ' but fades away and Almah mentions a guide and guards.
"Better have magics or guards with strong wills, the way this Bi... er... Div messes with minds. Hate to lose them one at a time each night." he growls, but then grins ferally, teeth possibly lengthening and sharpening a bit as he thinks of finally catching her. "Of course if we can pin her down, different story."
"Sending guards is nice, but with the Div trailing us, it might be pretty dangerous for them." Malgrim says. "They should know what she has done and decide if they wish to take such a risk."
Almah snorts.
"You all have quite the reputation around here. There will be no problem finding volunteers. Then there is the bonus pay. No, that will not be an issue."
Shaking his head, Gnasher disagrees. "Send tribe and Garavel no more. Mute girl changes bodies, looks like others. She kill guard, take place. Tribe never know when mute girl attacks. Better to have five who know each other than many. Tribe know Garavel, when mute girl kill Garavel tribe know and kill mute girl."
"What you way is true, but on the other hand Garavel has contacts in the city and know Rayhan personally. I will give you a letter of introduction, of course, but his presence will move things along and this scroll seems significant enough that he should go. As for the guards, I don't think I could stop them. You all have quite the reputation and some of them are a bit star struck. Besides, if nothing else they will provide extra pairs of eyes during the watch."
Malgrim shrugs and says, "That is settled then. We should leave in the morning."