Garavel AKA Dan E's page

Two more figures walk down the road but it is Arasmes and Garavel rather than Nuveril. The halfling has her own plan it seems.

The man hands a small leather folio to Khalid. A gift from my mistress. Letters of credit drawable from the merchants listed in Katapesh. Two thousand gold each. You've more than earned it.

The factor is expressionless as he hands a letter to Arasmes. And this is for you my lord.

We have all come a long way together. He half grimaces as if he notices Nuveril's absence for the first time. You will always be welcome here.

When Grall bares his steel, Garvel takes a long step forward to place his body in front of Almah. The lady herself catches herself from falling backwards with an arm and a slightly unladylike grunt while the single female servant near the door stumbles backwards.

The man stops just short of drawing his own blade but chokes off a command when Zeladiel speaks his first.

Tension spreads through the room like a cloud despite Arasmes and Zeladiel's efforts to calm things.

Garavel strokes his chin as he muses.

I could have Zantus look through his maps and see if he has any that would assist? The distances aren't great as the roc flies, but a ten-day seems a conservative estimate through the mountains.

Travel options will be limited. Wagons are right out and I doubt horses or camels could make it through. Maybe a mule or two for supplies? Tents, blankets, warm clothing, it will get cold at night. You'll need to take plenty of food and water. Theres no telling what you'll be able to forage and I wouldn't want to have to try and live off what the gnolls do..

He looks at Grall and says absently. No offense.

S'ok I was expecting patchy posting from the Americans given the date. For the uninitated Malthir is Grall.

If it helps your own plans I will engage my forces where it will do the most good. If theres no outside group and we can't pull any outside we will support you by assaulting the southern entrance.

Garavel makes no attempt to hide his displeasure at Almah's decision to join the battle but does not appear to have either the authority or necessary intellectual argument to win the day.

As you say Mistress. Although as you have appointed me as leader of the mercanaries you and your guards will follow MY instructions in relation to the battle.

Done, she replies with a poor attempt at meekness. As long as you do not seek to keep me from it.

The preparations continue and it seems as if the wagons are almost ready to depart. Almah has instructed Dashki to lead them away. The greasy haired guide was conspicuous by his previous absence during battle discussions but now doesn't hesitate to tell all and sundry how sorry he is to miss the battle and would not but for his duty.

It soon becomes apparent that the mercenary Brotis appears to be missing from the monastery. When this is pointed out Garavel wastes no time rousing Dullen, his usual partner and asking him some pointed questions.

It doesn't take long for Dullen to cave in under the pressure.

All right. All right! I think he deserted. Said something about how there was no way he was going to fight beside a fu.. um.. flaming gnoll. Said one day the gnoll would be sorry for making him look the fool. No don't look at me like that. I didn't do nothing! Trying to make it back to civilization alone, its craziness.

A camel, food and water also appear to have disappeared over night.

Noone seems too upset about Brotis' departure although Oxvard mutters about oathbreakers getting their comeuppance.

By 7am everyone is outside the monastery and ready to go.

The two groups split. Dashki, the herders and servants head south with the wagons while your group, Almah, Garavel, Felliped, Oxvard, the five remaining mercenaries and the four pactmaster guards head north. The six of you move on ahead of the rest screening for any surprises.

As you come to a steep downward section of the path you see a flash of blue off to the left. It looks like the full pack of blink dogs seeing you off. The little one barks enthusiastically while the rest watch you with dignified silence.

You pick your way north about a hundred and fify feet ahead of the rest.

Really bad timing I'm sorry but there will be an unfortunate temporary suspension in my posting. BT was supposed to hook up the internet at the new place this week but decided to unilaterally change the appointment and accuse me of lying when I mentioned the old one. This means I'm going to have no connection from fri morning to mon morning GMT. Complete anything else you want to do and make your plans. Next update will we commence your assault.

Oxvard is just finishing healing Nuveril, telling the halfling to Walk the Lawgivers Joyous Path when Garavel enters your quarters with the elf.

Proper introductions are in order. This is Zeladiel Araxyll a mage formerly in the service of Rayhan Xobhadi, master mage of Katapesh and a friend and sponsor of Almahs.

Garavel then introduces the group in turn with the exception of Grall.

At Almah's request, Master Araxyll has agreed to assist us with the attack. Further to our discussions Khallid I suggest that he accompany your group. His magic should help cut through the gnoll's defenses while the gnome assists my distraction with her illusions.

Are there any objec...

There are nine hells, Garavel. Master Rayhan would disown me for such a mistake. It pleases me to see you.

Before you stands a tall and lean creature, almost human but obviously not. An elf. His eyes are a faint blue, so washed out they look almost white. Under a turban fronted with a single red stone his hair appears bleached like bones in the sun. His pale skin looks slightly pinkish and his long pointed ears complete a distinctly alien look. In spite of this, his face has an amazingly cosmopolitan look and seems neither young nor old, neither happy nor sad, neither friendly nor suspicious, and yet all of these at the same time. His words are precise and balanced and quick and smooth. His pants and cloak are of drab, functional colours which blend in with the night but closer inspection reveals them to be clean, fresh and almost crisp with no sign of travel and sweat. Slung across his back is a fine bow made of a deep, rich wood. He does not move until the guards lower their weapons. Then he goes to Garavel and warmly grasps his hand.

Rayhan has sent me to deliver the item that Almah requires. We must see her at once.

Rayhan? What in the world....? Very well. Elia please put up that crossbow.

Everyone. Master Araxyll is an ally. We will get to introductions later after he has spoken to Mistress Almah.

He ushers everyone inside.

I must concur with this plan Mistress. If the harpies numbers were accurate, Khalid and the others put a substantial dent in their numbers today. If we can defeat the Kulldis leaders I think we can easily handle these reinforcements. Placing them under sudden assault is also our best chance to rescue Arjun. And with the key hopefully we can attack from a direction they do not expect.

It seems as if we have some hard choices to make. Undrella said more gnolls are coming some time the day after tomorrow. Assuming that was correct and we wish to strike the market we can either do it tomorrow when we can have some hope that their numbers are less or take a full day to rest.

Or we can wait for them to come to us. Gods help us, it would be a blood bath with the herders and servants here though. We could send them away but who would guard them?

I'm currently leaning toward taking the gnoll killing count off the achievement and fiddling with the bonus if that helps the decision making process at all..

Unless they have found another Vudrani from somewhere it seems to be Arjuns.

Father Zantus reacts in shock to the sight of the hand, sinking to his knees and holding his head in his hands. Almah looks as if she is fighting back tears.

Garavel takes the sack from the harpy, closing it.

Undrella do you know where Arjun is?

Only Garavel appears to be keeping his calm.

Mistress. The harpy said she would return at dusk. She may know more. Where Arjun is. Whether he is injured. If this Kardswann is as smart as the harpy claims he will likely keep Arjun alive for leverage if nothing else. Where there is life there is hope. As well, it is clear our strongest warriors need time to recover from the wounds suffered today.

You linger at camp for a few hours allowing Arjun to rest and the heat of the day to diminish. Father Zanthus sets to work on making a tanglefoot bag but has time to hand Arjun the usual three extracts.

Rumours have clearly been flying around about the altercation in the night but the parties involved do not appear to be talking.

As you are preparing to venture out Garavel takes you aside.

If the harpy is telling the truth then the gnolls will have forces in the market and the nearest buildings. Attacking one might lead to reinforcement from the other. I have been speaking to the Lady Almah and have convinced her that when you deem it time to launch your main assault on the market the rest of us should support you with an attack on the forces outside. If we can keep the outside gnolls from getting in then you'll have your best chance to defeat the Kulldis leaders. We know nothing of this priest's powers so please be wary. Good luck.

OK guys I need items and potions allocated on character sheets please and money for raw materials expended. This is a bit of a bugbear of mine. Those who haven't posted that they've used the chapel blessing will be taken to have not.

As usual, Garavel shows little emotion.

There is no problem. Although I would suggest you consider phrasing you requests with more .. decorum in the future.

Turning to regard everyone, It has been a long day and you have all performed above expectations yet again. Let us all find our beds if our discussions are complete.

Only if it opens its mouth, Garavel manages in his usual deadpan.

Garavel answers Linah's question.

Sadly, there are many of ill reputation who would deal with the gnolls. Trade above all as they say in the City. Katapesh. Slavers, brigands, merchants.. it is hard to say although perhaps this suggests that the Kuldis have re-opened the battle market to trade. If that is true I'm not sure whether it assists us or not. Then again perhaps one of these men was the same poor soul we heard yesterday.

Thank you Mistress.

Kelmarane is one of several in the Uwaga Highlands and along the northern trade routes situated around a battle market, a huge arcade that once attracted merchants, gladiators, actors and musicians, from throughout Katapesh and Osirion. Given the town's proximity to Pale Mountain and the gnoll tribes there, defence was key and the town was essentially build in and around a fortified hill, with the battle market at the very top.

Then, about 20 years ago the town fell and the Pactmasters abandoned it to ruin. Rumors of plagues and evil curses abound, but in truth no one really seems to know what happened.

What we do know is about 3 years ago, the Kuldis gnoll tribe claimed Kelmarane as its own.

Available estimates put their numbers at between 50 and 60 fighting males although we can expect a great deal of their strength to be elsewhere, hunting or raiding. I think it is reasonable to expect that the bulk of their force will be quartered at the battle market. There are no reported sightings of their females or young. We don't know if they reside in the town or elsewhere.

I fear time may be our greatest enemy. With their likely strength, a direct assault on the battle market seems suicidal. However, once the Kuldis realise they are under attack they will no doubt seek reinforcements while we are limited to what we have. We can work in the coming days on the defences here but if we end up besieged by a superior force.. well... . The room falls silent at the sobering thought.

In the midst of the activity, Garavel finds time to speak to you.

By Sarenrae's grace, this is a good start! None of us were quite sure what we would find here. While she didn't speak it, I know Almah was concerned that the building would be useless as a base or occupied by the gnolls, or perhaps both. Please rest for a bit, you've earned it and there will be greater trials ahead.

Tonight, after dinner, Almah would like to have a counsel of war to share what information we have and make what plans we may. I would like you all to attend.

OK feel free to RP and/or describe what your doing until dinner. If you want to claim a particular area of the monastery for your own camp then please let me know, you may have competition. As above a complete map is on the site. Also please note:

- There are some sections that you checked but did not search. This includes the stirges room, the middle closister (you saw it was overgrown and moved on) and the lab (you haven't yet looked at the contents of the racks).

- Linah and Khalid may be interested in resanctifying the altar in the chapel. This would involve quite a lot of grunt work (a task made worse by the fire) to clear the area (about 8-10 hours for 3 or 4 people) plus a fair bit of time to perform the appropriate rituals (you estimate about 6 hours for Linah to do this with Khalid's help maybe less with Grall as well). You'll have to decide whether you have time for this (although you may be able to convince Almah to have her servants do the grunt work).

- Feel free to spend more time looking at the statutes and so forth. When I get the time I'll try and copy the descriptions to the site (I'm assuming at this point I am still the only one who can edit this).