Dot in here.
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A stout warrior enters the room, his skin is dark and his hair has a small coppery tone, perhaps something punished by the sun and the heat of Katapesh, while he tries to remove some of the dust from the path of his clothes, he places his weapons correctly and he prepares to enter the room where he has been summoned as neatly as possible.
Once inside, he sees his old comrade Haechi again, "My friend, man, how many moons have passed since that expedition through the mountains, I see that time does not pass for you, you are the same as always, and by the way, where is that little rascal of haetae, I swear I want to learn draconic just to understand that little dragon."
First he looks at Haechi's back and then by the columns and the ceiling where Haetae usually crouches, "Haechi friend, you know what we have been summoned for, call me, I'm a beast of burden, but you're an enlightened guy, it must be something at the height of your knowledge."
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A 3 feet tall figure enters not that long after Ahmad. He is a gnome, too hairy to be a goblin, too slim to be a halfling. He smiles broadly and says
"Oh, I am not first. My name is Ulrich, Ulrich Makaisson at your service. On daily basis, I station on Absalom where I work for an investigation agency Makaisson and Fishhead." the thirst thing that you can notice is his two-color eyes blue and green. His hair are short, in disarray, and sticking out in all directions. His sight is keen and he seems to have a way with words.
His skin is dark and his hair is of the color golden brown. He seems to have no weapon besides a bow strapped through his back and a backpack.
"If anyone is interested in finest halfling spirit from the north let me know. I got a fresh batch and believe me it will sell in no time."
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Haechi was deeply engrossed in the examination of a particularly interesting column when a voice booms out and makes him start in alarm. He instinctively darts to the other side of the column and peeks out. When he realizes who it is, he slides back out to greet the newcomer. "Oh my! Oh dear. It is you Ahmad. What a pleasant surprise. Did you also get called in for this mission? Excellent, excellent. I'm so very happy to find a familiar face in this Maker-forsaken place. Still, better cooked in the blazing sun than frozen in a mountainous waste, eh? Am I not right?"
When Ahmad inquires about Haechi's familiar, the wizard glances at his shoulder and sighs. "Looks like Haetae has slipped away again. She's probably found a nice cool corner somewhere to rest. Doubtless she will rejoin us shortly."
The wizard looks a little downcast when Ahmad asks him what the mission is about. "Unfortunately my friend, I know no more about this mission than you. My only hope is that it requires us to remain in this great city of wonders, but given my luck in such matters, I fear that we'll probably end up traipsing across some local facsimile of one of the nine layers of hell."
Anyone looking over at Ahmad and Haechi will notice a tall dark-skinned human conversing with a much shorter kobold in a long dark hooded cloak tied at the neck. A sleeveless green leather jerkin and a short leather skirt can be spied below his cloak. Rather than the usual mottled coloration of his kind, Haechi's scales are almost entirely the same unvarying color: A bright bronze.
At the appearance of Ulrich, Haechi turns and smiles at the unusual gnome. "I say, will you be joining us on this mission? An investigator, eh? What an exciting life that must be. You'll have to tell us all about your recent cases when you get a chance. Oh, silly me! I haven't introduced myself. I am Haechi, wizard extraordinaire, researcher of the draconic sciences, and sometime Pathfinder. I am most pleased to make you acquaintance, Ulrich." He reaches out to shake the gnome's hand.
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Haetae had been snoozing on her master's shoulder when a rumbling noise woke her up. Looking about, she wonders where it came from. Then it happens again, and she realizes it's her own stomach making the noise. Her master was still lost to the world examining intricate wall carvings, unusual architectural features, or something equally boring to his familiar. Lunchtime had passed unnoticed and he'd forgotten to feed her again.
She tries to get his attention, but he waves her away distractedly. "Sigh! Looks like I'll have to go foraging for myself... again!" Fortunately, she knew exactly where to go. Slipping slyly off her master's shoulder, she takes to the air on her bat-like wings and flies out the open window. Her destination is the nearest palm tree with its delicious clusters of ripe dates. Sliding into the cool shadows of the leaves to avoid detection, she settles in for a good meal, and soon thereafter, falls into a contented sleep.
Hours pass and she suddenly wakes. Her master had apparently noticed her absence and was mentally reaching out to her; calling her back to him. "Ah well. It was too good to last." She once again takes to the air and flies back, following the mental thread connecting her to her master.
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An obviously Nidalese woman enter the room, she has long pitch black hair, pale skin as of something unthinkable has scared her for good, piercing, almost completely black eyes, just if you look at them closely a very subtle purple tint becomes noticeable.
She wears no armor or carries any obvious weapon on her person, she dresses in a practical way with form fitting robes and secured withe black leather buckles which doesn't restrain her and some weird trinkets then and there.
She carries however a satchel from which a small red and furry mammal pokes it's head, it's eyes full of curiosity as it glances at the others pathfinder, undoubtedly her familiar.
"Greetings fellow agents, it's a pleasure to meet you all, the name is Penelo Raveneye but call me Penny as everyone does, no need for formalities, if I've been assigned to this mission that means that something foul is happening! As a member of the Vigilant Seal I just can't ignore this! But please let me handle any weirdness and operate as usual... I'm counting on you." introduced herself and explains in a rather dramatic fashion the black haired human.
"Oh! And this little guy here is Mofu! The cutest familiar ever granted in the multiverse and an undeniable proof of goodness, say hi Mofu." Added the witch.
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"Hello there! I'm Mofu, a red Panda or at least look like one... Mostly! I'm Penny's familiar please try to be kind to her and ignore all her weirdness or rude behavior." Says the little animal who speak in common with a childish voice and something very close to a Taldan accent, after that he gets out of the satchel and fly around the others pathfinder using a pair of tiny bat-like wing that sprouts from his back.
He eyes and even sniff the other agents before returning to his master.
"They're all good master!" Declares Mofu with a small reverence.
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Masigonde stands more than twice as tall as the gnome and a full head taller than average humans. His build is deceptively lanky, for despite his height, he moves with practiced grace. He also carries his laden pack with ease.
The Bekyar's clothes are utilitarian and leave enough room for the athletic movements of an adventurer. A sickle hangs from his belt, and he carries a spear as a walking staff in one hand.
"I would be the last person to judge," Masigonde says to the red-furred familiar. "My name is Masigonde. I do not believe that I have worked with any of you in the past. You are a much more diverse group than my last team."
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Haetae finally tracks her master down and comes flying into the room at full speed. At the last instant, she barely manages to swerve around the unexpected presence of a small red flying cat in her path. "Whoa! What's all this then?" she thinks to herself as she recovers and momentarily hovers nearby for a closer look at the strange new creature. Finally she lands on her master's shoulder and carefully folds her wings back against her body.
Haetae, now hanging by her claws from Haechi's cloak is a small, but draconic-like creature with wings and a bored look. With her matching bronze scales, she's almost a mini-me version of Haechi. Then, loud enough for everyone to hear, she looks at her master and says,
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Haechi sees Haetae fly into the room and nearly collide with Mofu. "Oooo, that was too close. Haetae! You really must be more careful."
When Haetae makes her comment, Haechi's smile seems to freeze in place. His eyes dart nervously from left to right; he wonders if anyone understood her. Just in case, he says, "Ha, ha. Such a comedian this one. Not much of a conversationalist as you can see. Please feel free to ignore anything she says." From the side of his mouth, he hisses at Haechi,
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Yigrig Moneymaker, the powerful goblin merchant, slumps in a large chair. His face, normally so proud and assured, looks troubled. “It’s good to see you, Pathfinders! I have a lot of respect for the Society. You’ve been good to me in the past, and my family has aided you in return. But today I come before you, my hat in my hands, in need of help.
“My family and I have almost brokered a trade agreement between the cities of Solku and Oenopion. It’s a beneficial deal, one where Solku gains the materials it needs to defend itself, Oenopion gains a new trading partner, and everyone stands to make a heap of coin. There’s only one issue standing in the way of the negotiation being finalized: a bridge must be constructed over the Elemion River to facilitate safe travel between the two cities. My family is esponsible for building and maintaining this bridge. It should have been a simple job… easy to pull off.
“It has been anything but easy.”
The old goblin leans forward. “Every morning at the work camp, it is discovered that more of my children have been pulled from their beds in the night, presumed dead. Every shipment of aid I send gets attacked. The last one I sent did not even arrive.
“There is a lot of money riding on this deal, but I admit this isn’t about money anymore. This is personal. Someone is harming my family and I can’t sit by and let that happen.
“I have contracted the Pathfinder Society to protect the bridge and surrounding work camp while construction is completed. I have a caravan ready to leave, filled with new workers and supplies for the bridge site. I want you on it. When you see it safely to the bridge site, I need you to stop the attacks on the camp by any means necessary until the job is complete. When you get to the work camp, you will meet my son Zig, the overseer of the project. Sweet kid… takes after his old man. He’ll be your liaison with the workers and
see to your needs.
“Nothing is more important than family. Nothing. And so, I’m asking you to take care of mine. Our future is in your hands.”
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“Since the attacks began, information has been spotty getting out. However, I know that some sort of large animals have been attacking the work camp during the night, and something else has been aggressive toward anyone that tries to leave or enter the site, no matter what time of day. Bandits? Animals? Accounts have been conflicting, but whatever they are, they’re dangerous.”
Anyone interested may make a Nature check.
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"Perhaps magic is what you need here."
An elf with delicate wrinkles crisscrossing his face and long white hair stands in the doorway. A dark cloak drapes from his skinny shoulders, while a silver face - one side polished to a brilliant sheen, the other side dark with tarnish - hangs on a chain around his neck. The elf leans on his staff and surveys the group before speaking again.
"Magic is in all things, and all things are in magic. Thus the All-Seeing Eye of Nethys has taught us, nurtured in us the capability for magic. Through its mastery, each of us can accomplish deeds far beyond what our mortal minds would think possible. For instance, magic could be used to construct this bridge in as little time as it takes to take a breath, or snap one's fingers." He snaps his own fingers to demonstrate, illuminating a plethora of sigils and complex markings that wind up and down his staff. "Never fear, Master Moneymaker - magic will solve your problems!"
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"Mmmhhh... This quite an enigma I see no obvious answer but if protection is what you need I will gladly provide it as I cannot sit idle while the old cults do as they please! Fear not good goblin your kin may rest safe from now on, we will find out what deranged monster is doing this and eradicate it." Declares Penny with conviction as she just assumes that the so called "old cults" are the ones pulling the strings of this all, nevertheless despite getting the wrong idea -as she always does- she is nonetheless positive about helping the goblin.
She then centers herself and draws onto her unfathomable patron's otherworldly magic to help her recall knowledge.
She then nods at Maldlethu and smiles.
"Well spoken, magic is in fact our best tool to deal with a world that cares nothing for our well-being." Remarks the witch.
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Meanwhile the red familiar finishes to "judge" every present person and giving them their approval.
"every humanoid here is good to go!" Declares the flying red Panda but then when Haetae arrives the furry familiar freaks out as he tries to make a evasive maneuver but his wings are too tiny and he too clumsy to actually do any complex aerial trick and somehow ends hovering in the same place but upside down.
"Woah! I think I saw a dragon! And now everyone is defying gravity!" he then turns to Haetae "Greetings mister dragon I'm Mofu! A humble familiar and Penny's best friend." Introduces himself the red Panda to the other familiar showing his respects as he instinctively recognizes Haetae as a senior of sorts.
With some discussion, the group realizes that the area they are visiting is home to great beasts such as lions, panthers, dire wolves, and more. Such creatures might be responsible for the attacks on the camp. Masigonde has some... unusual theories about how they can be dealt with, but Penny corrects him.
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Haechi is not at all surprised that this mission will once again require him to trek across an inhospitable wasteland filled with dangerous creatures intent on killing him. He wonders if the Society bureaucracy had once again mistakenly selected him for this mission instead of Hetsky, the half-orc barbarian. Yes, that must be it; he couldn't imagine a less suitable candidate for this mission than himself. A more paranoid individual might suspect that someone in the Society hierarchy was intent of doing away with him.
"I must say, mister Moneymaker, these are indeed terrible events of which you speak. We Pathfinders will doubtless get to the bottom of the matter and rectify the situation for you in good order. Even if it means gulp! facing wild beasts and, um, putting our very lives at risk in the process. Yes indeed, ha ha... that is what we Pathfinders do after all, um, yes, risk our lives..." Haechi started off strong, but by the end, he trails off on a decidedly nervous note as the full import of what he's saying works its way into his brain.
When Mofu introduces himself to Haetae, she gives the little red panda a blank look. Haechi leans over and whispers.
Haechi then turns to Mofu. "Don't worry about her, she only knows Draconic these days. She's super excited to hear that you'll be coming along with us though. Maybe tomorrow I'll have her speaking Taldane so you two can converse." He quickly glances up nervously at Penny. "Um... actually, maybe that isn't such a good idea. I've found that things generally work out better when people can't understand what she's saying."
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Ulrich sits aside listening to what his allies are saying
He turns his multicolored eyes towards Yigrig
"Master Moneymaker, even that there could be multiple theories on the subject of who wants to kill your business, from the 'old cults', to regular robbers. But do you have some enemies that would benefit if that bridge would never be created?" asks Ulrich. You may have noticed that when he said 'old cults' he did make quotes in the air and almost rolled his eyes.
"Have you identified the missing shipment to the building site? Did you not hire guards to protect your caravan? Have they stumbled upon robbers, natural cataclysm? I am sure you did not leave it without asking some questions."
"I'm sorry, but I do not know anything else about the attacks. Perhaps Zig will be able to tell you more."
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Ulrich nods his head.
"I see, join a caravan, guard it and resolve the mystery of whoever tries to stop the bridge from being built. Got it."
The gnome stands up and turns around. He looks at every other agent repeating in his mind their names, then he nods and moves towards the exit
"Shall we get going?" he asks
"We are ready to depart when you are," Yigrig answers. "If you need anything else, get it now, and I will bring you to my wagons."
After any last-minute purchases you make, he leads you to a goblin caravan. There are four huge wagons and 20 nervous goblin workers. There are also supplies such as lumber and food. Camels are being hitched to the wagons as Yigrig introduces you to the leader.
Muckmuck laughs to himself.
“You longshanks think you can protect us? You can’t save Muckmuck. You’re weak. Face facts. We’re all going to die.
“You sit there in the back and talk to the workers. We’re all scared. Doesn’t matter what we do. We’re all going to die.
“Tell you truth, I don’t want to go. Yigrig reads too many books. He’s lost his mind. We all think about leaving before he gets us killed. Not help that the minstrel lost hand in teeth-brushing accident. Much blood. Can’t play lute anymore.
“Tell you what. You want to help? You be the minstrel. Make fancy music. Make goblins feel less likely to run away. Convince them we’re not all going to die.”
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"Lost hand in a teeth-brushing accident? " repeats after Muckmuch
"What did he brush them with?" asks in a hushed tone.
Oh man, goblin caravan...
You can spot that as you spend more time among goblin's Ulrich's skin change its color to light green and his hair to black.
"Anyone is a performer?" asks anyone taller than 3 ft tall or with a tail.
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"Sorry, I enjoy music but can't really perform, it has never been my talent I tried once but... Better no talk about it." Answer Penny as she skulks around looking for anything suspicious with her familiar's help, she specifically look for anything out of place.
In fact she's at that moment crawling on all four along with Mofu as if following a track or something similar yet there isn't anything like that, at least no at first glance.
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"Gather 'round, little goblins, and listen to the tale of how Nethys cast off his mortal shackles through the power of magic to become a deity!" Maldlethu's voice is more like a sermon as he perches on the wagon, but the old elf's eyes twinkle as he regales the crowd with a subject that is clearly dear to his heart.
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Haechi perks up a little at the mention of performances. "Why yes. Though I am not much of one for tickling the ivories or strumming the strings, I have had some modicum of success treading the boards. Why, it wasn't that long ago that I gave a rather well-received performance as Lord Ulthun in a small production of We be Heroes that we put on for King Zusgut at the new goblin theater in the Puddles."
Without waiting for acknowledgement, Haechi turns to Muckmuck and says, "My good goblin. If you would. Please stand where you are and give me your best impersonation of a goblin king. The rest you can leave up to me."
Haechi straightens his back and makes himself look as tall and heroic as his kobold body permits. He then lifts his hand, turns to Muckmuck, and in a low booming voice, begins.
"Oh mighty chief of the goblins, whose wit and skill are unsurpassed," He pauses long enough to make a deep bow before standing back up. He then shifts his right leg out and sets his arms akimbo facing the audience. Lifting his chin up, he puts his hand to his chest and says, "I am called Ulthun, Watcher-Lord of Lastwall." He shifts his features into an exaggerated look of anguish and brings the back of his hand up to his forehead to accentuate his despair. "Alas, that land has been overrun by undead and is no more!" He drops his chin onto his chest as if the effort to continue is too much for him to bear.
He waits a couple of beats before raising his head with a pleading look. With open palms facing forward at his sides, he turns back to Muckmuck and continues, "Please, my lord, we beseech you and ask the help of your mighty tribe." He shifts his hand back to his chest. "We are but mere humans and lack the cleverness and skill needed to escape the clutches of the undead." He then drops to one knee and stretches his hands out towards Muckmuck in supplication. "Will you aid us?" He then finishes by dropping his chin back down to his chest to await an answer.
"Why, I do believe that was my best performance yet." he thinks, congratulating himself. After a second or two, he lifts his head to see how his performance went over with his colleagues and the rest of the goblin audience.
With everyone's preparations complete, the caravan sets off. Muckmuck expects the journey to take two days, and the first is uneventful. When he reaches the site selected to make camp, the party keeps watch while the goblins set everything up. The goblins' fear is palpable, but they do their jobs.
However, despite their fear, their wandering attention span quickly turns to revelry in its many forms. The night is filled with fights and cackling laughter as the goblins try to impress the party and each other with feats of physical prowess. If you so choose, you can partake in this revelry, lifting the spirits of the goblins and gaining their trust through their impressive displays.
Maldlethu tells a tale of magic to a crowd of goblins. They don't heckle him much, though something flashier would have gone over better.
Haechi, on the other hand, does a whole one-man show, much to Muckmuck's chagrin. They seem to love the juxtaposition of the grizzled teamster with the nobility. Or just think he looks funny.
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Haechi, energized by the reception he received from the goblins for his impromptu performance of We be Heroes, decides to do a stand-up routine in which he uses his theatrical skills to do amusing impressions of individuals or famous figures randomly selected by the crowd. This includes Muckmuck and Yigrig, of course.
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Watching as his captive audience is captivated by someone else, Maldlethu frowns and mutters to himself. “They want a show, do they? Perhaps an magical one...”
With elven grace, the old priest begins to bob and weave through the crowd. Bright puffs of light illuminate his latest position before dying back down into the mundane glow of the campfire, and a few times he tosses his rune-covered staff into the air for good measure. “Magic!” he yells. “See how it can make even such mundanity into something fantastical!”
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Ulrich looks at the performance given by Haechi and listened with his mouth opened.
"I did not know that we got an actor to join the crew. That was one good theatre that you made here. Bravo!"
As they travel the gnome observes Muckmuck and considers him an odd choice to be sent there. He is clearly lowering the morale. The investigator thinks that it would be of benefit if he would be killed first if any of the goblins are supposed to fall. But probably he will outlive everyone. The irony of the world.
Ulrich would keep an eye on Muckmuck and try to assess if his pessimistic outlook is sincere or maybe he is a part of a conspiracy
During the evening Ulrich uses some of his disguise kit to make himself familiar to the caravan leader Muckmuck.
Then he gets in front of the goblins and mimick the way the leader walks and speaks
".. and you need to work harder, stop slacking off behind that cart, I can see you. You should be taking an example from my hard work. From sitting on my camel my feats are sore! I don't care that you had to walk the whole way..."
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After removing the makeup the gnome would try to be more creative.
He would take some pieces of wood and started to build from it a very simple improvised bridge over a small hole in the ground...
Then to keep it attractive to the audience he would let the goblins burn it and roast meat on top of it.
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Masigonde is able to match the goblins in their feats of tumbling and climbing.
Haechi uses his knowledge of goblin history to put together another show, featuring some of the leaders of the caravan.
Maldlethu uses more magic to do some acrobatic tricks with flair.
Ulrich does an impression of Muckmuck, and he seems offended by the attempt. He also builds an improvised bridge, which the goblins decide to use as a balance beam (at this point in the revelry, even a normal-width bridge is a challenge). He declines to join in trying to cross it after it is on fire, though.
Ahmad climbs as high as the most skilled goblin, almost reaching the top of the tallest tree in the encampment. He then demonstrates his other skills lifting heavy things - supplies, logs, goblins...
Ulrich tries to get a feeling for how suitable Muckmuck is as a leader for this caravan, but the general festive atmosphere and unfamiliarity with these goblins makes it difficult.
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"Well... I may not be the best but I think you may like some of my moves, check this out!" Declares Penny as she attempts to do some acrobatic tricks to impress the goblins, of course,as a good familiar Mofu follows her closely mimicking her movements as much as his small body allows him to.
In fact, Mofu imitates her master every movement but they end looking rather awkward as the witch isn't used to do that much physical activity.
"Huh..? Mumbles the witch hoping to still have appealed to the goblin audience.
Penny and Mofu are perfectly in sync, but their moves don't seem to interest the goblins much.
The revelry finally dies down and a couple unfortunate goblins are given watches. The rest of the night passes uneventfully, and in the morning, the caravan sets out again. Most of the goblins appear to be in much better spirits than when they set out, though Muckmuck is his same pessimistic self.
The group approaches the site where the bridge is to be build, but before you make it all the way through the desert, you sense that you are being watched...
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Haechi sees no reason to have to trek across the hot sand on his bare feet when there are several quite serviceable wagons on which he can hitch a ride. He and Haetae make themselves comfortable on the back of one of the wagons so as not to get in the way of the working goblins. From there, Haechi whiles away the time looking out at the somewhat unchanging view. When he catches sight of the large sphynx statue ahead, he is instantly captivated by some of the more intriguing details of its construction. Haetae on the other hand, appears to have found a nice sheltered spot between a couple of boxes and is snoozing happily.
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Ulrich keeps on pacing and throws to Masigonde's
"Hey Masigonde, where are you from? Spent a lot of time in Nex? I must say it is very different from Absalom... So much different." shares the gnome looking around
"I think I see the site from here, so it seems that our trip was uneventful. That's good."
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The black haired witch is obviously amazed at the Sphinx, nevertheless she and her familiar stays close to the same wagon in which Haechi and Haetae are, but they're actually refreshing themselves on the small pond/oasis.
"It really is hot over here, I could even blast myself with a ray of frost." comments Penny as she pours water over her hair in order to counter the desert's scorching temperature.
As the group takes a short break to enjoy the scenery or take a drink, a group of aggressive-looking canines appears!
The goblins begin to scatter or hide as one of the creatures moves toward Ulrich and snaps at him with jaws that glow faintly.
piercing and 1 fire
The beast clamps down, drawing quite a bit of blood from Ulrich and pulling him to the ground. The wound seems to sizzle a bit.
Round 1 - Bolded May Go
Blue
Masigonde
Ahmad
Penny
Green
Ulrich (-16 HP, prone)
Haechi
Red
Maldlethu