Raulzig cannot resist the alluring smell after a hard day's work. He's not going anywhere until his belly is full of whatever's cooking, and then he'll probably be too sleepy to reasonably go so far. He elects to wait until morning.
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Raulzig thanks Krafty for the offer and makes sure to get the point across that if there's any meat featured, he prefers it well-made and without fur on it.
Baboon:
"We will ask Calain and the pugwampi king to visit you here together, and make the introduction. In the meantime, continue to work with the pugwampi as you did before. Take care." Finished communicating with the baboon, Raulzing glances incredulously over his companions, as if he's just been somewhere else. "Oh, hi. I forgot I wasn't alone here. These apes are working as scouts and watches for the pugwampi. I think it is more useful to keep them here and let the pugwampi take care of them, rather than fight them. I have promised them that the pugwampi king will introduce them to Calain, so we have to go and find him." He scratches his armpit as he finishes speaking, clearly the baboon mindset has left an imprint.
Raulzig continues to ape the baboon's demeanor.
Baboon:
The pugwampi have a new god now. His name is Calain. The pugwampi king obeys him and so should you. Then you can stay here and keep doing what you do, but no stealing, or you'll suffer his wrath. If you are useful, he will order pugwampi to get more food for you. Have you spotted anything on your watch today?
"Faith - no. Not yet. But what I may lack in faith, I make up for in knowledge." Raulzig stares back at the baboon, then snarls his teeth and jumps around, waving his arms.
After having played with the sword a bit, Raulzig finally sheathes it and begins inspecting the magical box.
First off, this respectable utility gnome objects to being called a skill monkey! ;)
"Wow, would you just look at this? This must be a veritable relic, no less! And still usable!" Raulzig takes a few swings and thrusts, revealing that his fencing is surprisingly decent, although overloaded with decorative flourishes.
Raulzig gets the shovel and plunges it into the ground, trying to follow the strange urge which has guided him to this place.
Realizing they are finally on the aboveground level, Raulzig sets off for the courtyard in a very determined fashion, not waiting for his companions to catch up. Along the road he is on the lookout for either a shovel, or a Pugwampi which can be ordered to fetch one.
Raulzig shudders and uses his Gnomish Prestidigitation ability to clean bits of ooze from his closing.
Your departure makes Raulzig a very sad gnome, Calain. I hope you can deal with your issues as easily as your character deals with gnolls and oozes.
Raulzig tries to concentrate on the more pressing problem that an agressive slime oozing up his leg presents, rather than dreaming about shovels. Although he would be glad to have one right now. Once again, he depended on pure luck to survive.
Raulzig retches in disgust as the slimey ooze attempts to engulf him
Raulzig cries out in surprise, draws his crossbow and loads it.
"Hey Pashaj, looks like we uncovered a relic! Maybe we need to bring it back up and find it a place in the temple, what do you think?"
Raulzig inspects the east passage first.
Raulzig hands over the mace to Pashaj.
Raulzig tries to identify the properties of both the mace and the dagger.
"Who wants the magical mace? Pashaj? Zahir? I can barely lift it, so can find little use of it."
"I've got a strong sense of deja vu, excuse my Galtan." Raulzig proceeds to repeat the sequence of actions from the previous corridor.
"Or maybe a bandit who assaulted the disciples of this monastery. Anyway, I'm guessing he won't need that nice dagger anymore."
If anyone here is interested in running a campaign, I am in a Serpent's Skull campaign with pretty good players. We were about 3 weeks in and then the DM just switched the campaign to inactive and said he did not want to deal with the issues. Issues that we have all seen a dozen times on PbP. If anyone is interested, or know someone who wants to DM a Serpent's Skull campaign, please let me know. Here is the OOC thread for the now inactive campaign. We have a mwangi elf wizard, a vanara ranger, a human cleric (me), and a human bard(archeologist). If someone wants to take over, we can play with 4 players, this group is decently balanced I think, or pick up 1-2 more. As I said, we had only played for about a month, so very little has happened and we could easily restart if necessary.
"An adventurer who has discovered this crypt before? But what caused his demise?"
Raulzig tries to convey the message that of course he knew that would happen all along.
Raulzig checks if the strange marks at the base are part of a trap, and also tries to recall anything about the Templars of the Five Winds.
Ouch. I feel for you, Megan. Don't despair, I'm sure you wouldn't be happy working for someone who treats their employees like that, anyway. Life must be holding off a surprise for you, somewhere.
"This Vardishal guy must have stepped on quite a few evil toes, it seems!"
Raulzig frowns at the image of a company of armed pugwampis.
Raulzig casts Detect magic into the room.
"Try to avoid their bites - they might infect you!"
Raulzig stands 10ft. behind, keeping his crossbow trained at the air above Calain's head...
Raulzig locks and loads his crossbow, trying to look threatening but producing more of a comical effect.
Calain offering a compromise? Raulzig looked at him with increased respect. Looks like this whole leadership thing was influencing him positively.
It was you who came here specifically to seek us out, and now you're afraid to turn your backs to us? Raulzig quips.
Raulzig arrives to meet the newcomers, driven by a short, very excited Pugwampi dragging him by folds of his clothing.
He smiles broadly at Zahir, clearly happy to see another normal-sized person amidst the towering humans.
Raulzig struggles to suppress giggles when he sees that the impromptu plan has worked and Pugwampis submitted without needless violence. He wonders briefly if Lady Almah might not be happy at all to live under one roof with these creatures, but he dismisses the thought for later. While on the excursion around the temple, he checks to see if the structure held well over the years and is safe to inhabit:
Noticing that the carving has piqued Samuel's interest, he tries to supply him with whatever information he can remember from the years at the Academy.
When the pugwampis have finished getting the debris to the bonfire, Raulzig has them assembled in front of it and has a short improvised speech: "This is a glorious day for all of you. In abandoning your cruel and unworthy gnoll masters and electing to serve the civilised races, you have elevated your tribe as a shining example for the rest of your kin. If you continue to cooperate with us, you will learn to live a better life, and this day will always remain in your memory as the luckiest day for the pugwampis!
Raulzig will then remotely ignite the bonfire with the Spark cantrip.
I'm happy for you to find someone Calain.
Sensing like now is the time, Raulzig quickly steps behind Calain so that his small silhouette is obscured. He gestures his hands and a burning crown appears above Calain's head, while bat-like wings spread behind his back.
While waiting for the gnoll chief to arrive, Raulzig concentrates on sensing magical energies of the area, with an emphasis on the macabre ornament.
Raulzig is going to miss you and the scorpion. Good luck out there!
Raulzig follows with a scorn on his small face. "Taking this wretch with us spells nothing but trouble", he mutters under his breath superstitiously.
Raulzig attempts to make it easier for the pitiful thing. "Look, the Gnolls, may they be glorified, are harassing the human settlement. In their might, known to you, they made it hard enough for the humans to request parlay. King Calain here was chosen as the best human warrior to match the Gnoll Chieftain, may he be praised. Your information will help us to pick the best way to appease the Gnolls, may they be glorified, without extra blood. If you don't tell us enough, we will be forced to fight through to him and many Gnolls, may they be praised, will be slain. Now speak."
Raulzig whispers to Samuel's ear (Perception DC25 for others to hear):
Spoiler: It looks like these creatures are obsessed over gnolls... If we show any intent of harming the gnolls they are likely to warn them.
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