Rasoul Mehdi AKA DM Dan E's page

You got to end the Carrion King and gnoll threat. I arranged for you to succeed.

... shimmer

"It would seem our best option, in order to conserve our resources would be to see if we can find a route in though the cave. A direct assault would be foolish and attempting to enter through the minarets could be done, but would use too many of our already limited resources."

Khalid turns to the group...

"Sajan and Grall take point along with Rasoul, at least until we are in the cave. Once in we may be better off to take advantage of Grall's darkvision and let him on point. Grall, the first opportunity we get, I want you dressed as one the Carrion tribe members, if only to limit suspicions should you be seen before the rest of us. Zeladiel, you'll be next so that the light sources we have to use will be further back and less likely to draw immediate attention. Any questions or concerns? If so, please speak them now."

The inquisitor waits to see if the group agrees with the plan or has other concerns...

Rasoul nods curtly at Khalids instruction. As you wish. I'll watch your spare gear if you like.

He at least seems eager to be about it. Perhaps he wants to get you off his hands.

The ranger watches you calmly as you stand there thinking.

They Gnolls arrre not ourrr concerrrn, theirrr masterrrs arrrre Rasoul. What do you think is the best way to apprrroach the temple unseen?

The ranger gives Grall an "in a minute" gesture. He points up and and a little to the right of the temple complex, a point where sight from the temple would be blocked by the curve of the mountain.

It takes a few moments for you to see what he is pointing at, it looks like a fissure or cave entrance. A font of something: mist, steam, it is hard to be sure from this distance, twirls upwards out of the hole.

When he's sure you've all seen it, the ranger beckons you back around the rock wall, he seems to be taking extraordinary care.

Looks like all the main Carrion tribes to me, Circle, Three Jaws, Al’Chorhaiv, Wormhollow. Most o' the smaller.

He turns to Grall, studying the gnoll and thinking. He seems a bit incredulous that your still going through with it.

Getting close should be easy enough, plenty 'o cover up to the walls. I reckon the main part is under the ground. Whole area is riddled with tunnels. Its the rock, easy to work.

He spits with some deliberation on the ground. Any 'o them buildings could have a way under but thats not much good for defense. Even if they was there once, gnolls might have blocked em up. Wouldn't be hard.

As I see it, you got three main options.

First, central dome will be the front door, got to be a way down from there for sure. Expect lots o' gnolls though, you'd need to kill 'em fast and quiet.

Second, might be a way underground from one or more of those three minarets. Can't see a way in from the ground. You'd have ta climb 'em in the dark though or the gnoll's see ya for sure.

Third, maybe you can find another tunnel in from that hole. Gnolls wouldn't see and you might avoid their defenses all together but then it might just go nowhere and only the gods know all the monsters that live in the dark holes in this mountain. Can take you around there if you want.

Or you might have another way with your fancy spells and such. I'd avoid that west gatehouse though. Something happened there. Place didn't set itself on fire.

Evidently not sensing anything of concern, Grall approaches the man. He doesn't seem particularly keen on having a chat although he seems to approve of Grall keeping his voice quiet. If he is discomforted by Grall's race he shows no sign of it.

I've been watching the gnolls and their temple. It's easier to show you than tell you.

Grall in the lead, your working your way through a narrow canyon a few miles to the south east of the mountain. You've found evidence of gnoll tracks but your trio of trackers concluded they are several weeks old at least.

About sixty feet ahead a single figure steps out from behind a large chunk of rock.

Clearly human, he's not a handsome man, with thinning brown hair and a too long angular face marked with a long ugly scar on the right side from eye to top lip. Very tall, perhaps six and a half feet, he's also very thin. But he looks well dressed for the terrain, several thick, although dirty, furs over battered studded leather armor and boots that go nearly to the knee. A weathered longbow, quiver and what looks like a scimitar scabbard in a weather proof covering are strapped to his back while a number of long knives hang off his belt on the front.

If he has an animal companion there's no sign of it.

He looks you up and down, a grumpy expression on his face. He speaks, keeping his voice low.

Took you long enough. Follow. And try and not make so much noise. There are more gnolls than I care to think about close.

Not waiting for a reply, he turns to go.