To Garavel, "I know the town is in good hands while we are away. Hopefully, soon the threat of the gnolls will be broken."
"From your mouth to Sarenrae's ears, my good boy. Now go make it so!"
Search Posts
After your shopping, if you conduct any, Garavel, with the familiar faces of Kyle, April, Amir, and Samir see you off. "As always, my friends, I wish you godspeed. I don't know if you know but I have become quite fond of you folk, you have made me so proud. We will remain vigilant and I will have the warriors ready for battle. Samir and Amir are even trying to teach Undrella archery. At least on the days, she lets them train her. On the other days, when they critique too much her aim, she just threatens to skin them alive and stuff them in her pot!" Garavel grins and looks at the brothers, who sheepishly look away and continue to stock your camels with supplies. The smile vanishes though as Garavel turns serious and says, "Go and end this threat once and for all. Send that Carrion King to the depths of hells where he belongs!" Garavel shakes your hands in earnest, hopeful that you all make it back alive. Amir and Samir load your camels with gear and food, recommending Zyra's excellent meat pie on your journey. As you are about to leave, Garavel pulls out a satchel. "Oh, before I forget. Father Abdallah sent these with his regards and best wishes."
"How'd you all sleep?" Garavel asks with a little sarcasm, as you enter the Palace's "war room". You can clearly see bags under his eyes and can tell he has not slept much, probably none after the howl. You see him leaning over a big circular table, covered with very different regional and topographical maps of the area. Two administrators constantly come in and out of the room, bringing up more dusty chests and searching through old books. "Jameena, a pleasure to have you here. I saw you at the party last night. Great dance moves! Right, Tyronel?" Garavel smiles, as he takes a puff of his cigar, eying the archer. "Well, I've been studying these maps ever since the howl, trying to find a way to ram a spear up the Carrion King's a$$ to see if that makes him howl a different tune, but I can find no entry routes up the Pale Mountain that won't get my men or you massacred. It is said he has a base in the mountain, but that's past all the natural predators there and all the tribes he is rumored to be gathering. How many of them are there again, Jahail?" One of the administrators, a rather obese bald man in his 40's dressed in robes, looks up from his book and says, "Four gnoll tribes plus his own, my dear sir, from our last intelligence report thanks to our fine warrior Quzman. There's the Al'Chorhaiv, the The Circle, Three Jaws, and Wormhollow, sir. We have scant information on them, sir, at present, other than they are supposed to be quite numerous." Garavel sighs, "Great intelligence report, there. Numerous! Yes, that helps a lot." Jahail bows sheepishly and moves to a corner, continuing his research. Garavel continues, "Well, warriors, if we stay put any longer, I fear they may bring the war to us. We need to cut off this snake's head off for good and let the tribes go back to bickering among themselves. This Carrion King must die. But his base is so defensible. A straight path through gnoll territory would be very difficult, if not suicide. What do you say about all of this?"
Garavel stands from sipping his tea. "It has been a pleasure to sit with you doctor. You are quite the storyteller. I am sure you can understand Eli's hesitation. The reclamation of this village has not been without some losses, including those of dear Brebork. The men in the field have felt the positive aura of your magic emanating from you and Abbot Chiq'ri tells me that no one of evil heart may command such energies. And Zastoran has taken such a liking to you and he is the best judge of character I know. So as long the Stalkers accept you, you are welcome here any time. Now, I must get back to my business dealings with the Princess. Tax season is right around the corner." He smiles as he bids farewell to the party.
Before leaving, Bahiyy meets with the party. "Friends, it has been an honor to venture with you and bring peace to the desert. However, my brothers in faith here in Katapesh have called upon my help with a special mission, some mercantile matter that involves the clergy of Abadar and I cannot refuse my god's will. And before you ask, it is a private matter and non-Abadar worshipers are forbidden from joining. I don't know how long I will be away but as soon as my business is completed, I will seek you out. Good luck on your journeys and be careful. May Abadar watch over you. Oh and Eli, keep a drink for me ready!" You each have your private moment bidding farewell to Bahiyy before returning to Kelmarane. The caravan takes you back and along the way you make friends with a few Katapeshites relocating to Kelmarane, as it has become a blossoming source for investment and hope. You are treated like celebrities once the people find out they are traveling with the Sand Stalkers. The time passes and the caravan arrives safely back in town. Many of the people promise a discount on their wares when they set businesses in town. The guards seem on edge but besides that, all seems normal in the village when you arrive. The locals hail in praise when they see Quzman and many cheers of welcome and amazement are soon heard. After you spend a few minutes settling back in, checking on the inn and your home, you are summoned by Garavel. "Good to see you up and kicking, Quzman. The world is so much better with you in it. Thankfully, no gnoll troop movements were spotted although there were a few raids in the outlying territories. Nothing we couldn't handle. The Princess would like to speak to all of you though to see how we will eventually deal with this Gnoll King. She is making some inquiries. But in the meantime, you have a visitor, a man by the name of Mundinus. He arrived yesterday with a caravan from Solku. He dresses very fancily and appears to be some type of doctor. He and Zastoran have been exchanging herbs, I think." Garavel smiles but it quickly disappears. "Anyway, he's looking for you, the Sand Stalkers. Says he was a friend of Brebork's, so I've had him stay here in the Palace as an honored guest. Shall I have him summoned?"
Garavel hears the party’s report. ”I am glad you stopped the assassin. It seems you are making your enemies nervous. I am sorry for Quzman’s death. The Princess has proposed that she can call in a few favors from her powerful merchant friends and request that a high priest of Sarenrae be escorted here to Kelmarane. You have done so much for her and the village. That way, you do not worry about our safety. Or you can travel to Katapesh and I will make sure the Princess writes you a letter of high recommendation to present in Katapesh. The village can survive a few weeks without your presence, if you decide that is your choice."
"Yes, he was on duty with his normal patrol: Abdul, Karim, and Jabaar. They patrolled the village grounds, especially last night, as the masses tend to get rowdy after some drinking. They broke up some fights and stopped some harassment of women, but other than that, nothing serious. Karim found Hadir's body this morning. I can have him summoned if you'd like."
Garavel shakes Quzman's hand, smiling, "My friend, you've been free since that first day in the desert. If I didn't bring it up before, please forgive me. I am proud and honored to know such a fine man and warrior."
"From what the Princess has told me, there is a narrow entrance to the Battle Market and inside it is like a Colosseum, with stands for the guests and stairs leading up and down. In its heyday, there were market stands near the arena at the base of the building, where the gladiatorial matches took place."
"We need to find away to give ourselves the advantage, when your not holding the cards you need you have to make the other guy think you are. Quzman, can you find us a place where we have the advantage tacticly? I'm thinking if we can put Dumah and the archers up on a roof to cover us. Then we make it look like there are more of us coming from two differnt spots, both easily covered by the roof top guard. The idea is they will will come out to face us and split thier force, sending some after the decoy. We will be in once spot while the other is fake. Dumah can then act like a spider and tie up half with is magical webs, while the rest of us deal with the other part of the welcoming party. The archers can assist us from above and once we eliminate the first group will cross over the roof to start raining death down on the webed gnolls. The rest of us will then come arround and corner the remaing force slaughtering them all." "Sounds like a great plan...if they're willing to leave the Battle Market, where we all assume they are hiding/bunkering down, having just lost 1/2 their tribe. And if not?"
"So, what is the plan? Straight to the Battle Market? You going to confer with the harpy? Something else?"
When you wake, Garavel is already up, anxious for any battle. He is with Samir and Amir and the Princess' two remaining guards (Fudiri and Jozan). The are armed with swords and bows. "We are at your disposal, brave heroes."
"Do you think he is trustworthy, Garavel?" "I never much liked Dashki, he smelled, and seemed weird for my tastes. However, he had the Princess' favor so I tolerated him. Right now, I don't know if he was a spy for the gnolls or if he is in trouble, but as you said, Tyronel, we must ignore his fate for now and focus on ridding Kelmarane of the remaining gnolls and their leader."
Garavel asks to meet with the party after they have had a chance to relax and enjoy their accomplishments. "You have done great work today, killing the sub-chief, his dire boar pet, and 8 more gnolls. I believe that leaves about 1/2 of the tribe and the Chief from what you've told me, correct? I just wanted to let you know that the Princess' guards, the archers, and I are at your disposal for tomorrow, if you need us. You can scout the inside of the Battle Market, and upon your signal, we can come in and finish this once and for all. Our swords and bows are ready if you need us. Let me know your decision. Also, don't know how important this is, but Dashki, the gnoll expert, has not been seen since last night. In the aftermath of the ambush, we did not realize it till this morning. Don't know what that means, if anything."
Garavel frowns and catches up with Dumah. "I can't stop ye, if that's your intended plan. I wish ye would stay and organize the defense when the next attack comes, but do what you must. Just know, that if you fall, so does everyone else in town." He looks at Tyronel. "I thank ye for your providential appearance and only ask that you stay and help in any way you can. You are not bound to me, so feel free to choose." He then turns and walks back to the Chapel and begins to organize the burial rites for Brebork and the other casualties.
"What hell have you brought us to? You once tried to scare me with tales of goddless gnolls that would would peel my skin off and boil it. You said that they would decorate their armor with my teeth, that they would hang me by my testicles and have their hyenas eat pieces of me every day! That's what you said, but I think your real afraid of something else. I think you've been keeping a secret about something much more frightening then gnolls. I think you've known all along about the gate in the church and I think you better spit out the truth or I will make you spit out your teeth!" Garavel's sadness and grief overwhelms him at the death of another recruit, so young and promising and full of faith to his goddess. It even made him, a non-believer, say a prayer to whatever god would hear him. Eli's rant and ravings shock him back to reality, especially when the young noble grabs him by his vest. He roughly pushes Eli's arms away, yelling, "What is wrong with you??? I am not the enemy, Kardswann is! You thought you would kill his pets, kill his demon, kill his gnolls and there would be no repercussions! How stupid are you?! As the demon and his demonic hyenas killed the guards, do you know what he said?? He said, "Kardswann sends his regards!" This was payback for what you and your friends did to his forces. We knew there would be reprisals, we just didn't know they would end up catching us with our pants down, appearing out of thin air and killing 3 of us, before the alarm was raised. And if young Tyronel there had not appeared to help and the magic that bound that jackal-headed demon hadn't run out, you would have returned to a camp full of dead bodies! Now, what fu*king gate are you talking about? I've never even been there. I have told you all I know!" Garavel is perspiring heavily after his rant and you could hear a pin drop in the room, as everyone is silent. He continues, "We knew there'd be losses, Eli. I suffer as much as you. But we can't fight among ourselves now, we're at our weakest. 6 dead, five warriors and the priest. Do you think they were chosen at random? No, we are at war! I think this was the first wave, to weaken us, before we get the rest of the tribe up the a$$!"
"We will get to having the men dig some pits, in case they're needed tonight. Ah, yes, the signal fire is a grand idea. I will have scouts ready on that as soon as possible. Good luck out there and I hope to see you back soon." With that Garavel and the caravan wave the party goodbye as they head back to Kelmarane.
"Seems a wise strategy, Eli, I cannot fault you there. As long as you attack the enemy and whittle down his forces, I have no complaints. Just don't do it anywhere where you could invoke the wrath of the entire tribe. My sword arm and those of Brebork and the mercenaries are here at your disposal. Do not forget us."
Here is Quinthas, complete with stats and equipment and spells, etc.
This is Lucendar and this is Quinthas (rogue/wizard). I have not worked out the equipment and spells yet (will finish if picked) but I got his basic backstory.
E-mail sent.
Checking in also: I'm at work but as soon as I get home, I will e-mail you Togo's character sheet.
I like the change, the feeling of indebtedness works well. Thanks, I'll stat him up and e-mail you. Campaign sounds like fun!
Here is my submission: Togo, LN Human monk Spoiler: The man who would become known as Togo was born Jared Whitestone in the streets of Magnimar. Along with his older brother, Jason, they survived on the street, stealing to survive. As the younger of the siblings, Jared was considered weaker and more frail. He was bullied by the other street urchins, and even his brother himself. It taught Jared to live in the shadows of civilization, avoiding trouble and danger. After several years of this way of life, through a freak mishap of luck, the Whitestone brothers managed to prevent the assassination of one of the local crimelords, who took the brothers into his organization as token of gratitude. Unfortunately, his favor on the brothers was not taken kindly by one of the crimelord's lieutenants (insert NPC name here), who was jealous of how fast the brothers were rising through the ranks. With plots of his own to one day rule the organization, the lieutenant set in motion his plan to usurp power, killing the crimelord, Jason, and framing Jared for both murders. Jared avoided the death penalty as a minor and was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in one of Magnimar's worst prisons. In prison, with no hope of escape, Jared resigned himself to his new life, with plans for vengeance upon his release one day, and participating in the weekly unarmed fights for the benefit of the betting public, learning the art of the monk from his trainer and orcish prison guard. He quickly gained notoriety and became known as Togo in prison. All would have stayed the same until a few weeks ago, when a strange tattoo appeared on his shoulder on his 21st birthday. Upon seeing the tattoo, his guard immediately recognized it and explained the significance to Togo. With the guard's assistance, Togo escaped from jail and headed to the Hold, with plans for one day returning and seeking vengeance on the crimelord responsible.
Hey guys, I'm planning on starting the STAP with 2nd level characters, but my current 4 player group consists of 2 knights, a wizard, and a duskblade (roguish type). They play well as a group but from what I see from the first few modules, there's a lot of underground delving and ship traveling. Will the knights be out of place, as well as their mounted combat be wasted, in this campaign? |