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Shaggar shakes his furry head at Ari’s supposition. ”Trogs give her gas... but Kiley was well-marbled.” He lets that hang for a moment before bursting into yipping laughs again. ”It is a joke. I think Sahalya has been slithering out to snack when we rest. But I do not think her way of looking ‘radiant’ would work for you. Peeling off your skin will not reveal a new beauty, yes?”
"We shall see. At my death, if Elah is pleased with my work, I will have reason to be proud."
Shaggar nods, ”Yes, comparisons… that is the matter.” He does the math in his head. ”So, your people can live over a hundred years, yes?” He states the figure with a certain level of wonder, before he makes his point. ”I am ten years old. I am the strongest I will ever be – right now. When I am your age, I will already be in my middle years – my body starting to weaken. When you begin your middle age, you will be older than any gnoll I have ever known. The weak die among my people, usually by my people… but I have heard legends of a few very old gnolls. Let us assume that I am able to live to such an age… when you are starting your middling years, I will be ancient – made frail and weak by time, and my death will be imminent.” His statement is factual, not asking for sympathy. ”You have the luxury of time; I don’t. There are things I want to accomplish before frailty stops me. I have only a few years to do the work that will require my full strength. If I am to leave any worthy mark on this world, I have to act swiftly. This is why I move forward no matter what. This is why I don’t waste time on guilt and am blunt in saying ‘do better next time’. Yes, all people should learn from their mistakes and not repeat them, if possible… but guilt drags people down. It is a burden that does nothing. It is like carrying forty pounds of rock in your backpack. It weighs you down – nothing else.” His next statement is addressed to the rest of the party, not just Rutilux. ”I do not mean to sound hard or heartless in my words… but time is precious. Worrying over a past I cannot change brings the future no closer.”
She scrutinises the gnoll for a moment, looking up into his red eyes. "Are you alright?" she asks, before elaborating. "The two of you came here as a pair and you've been travelling together for a while now." Shaggar blinks – twice – before replying. ”I am devoid of hope. We shouldn’t contain our feelings. Come, let us ‘hug this out’.” He opens his arms as if to embrace Ari. ”Give me your shoulder so I may cry bitter tears.” When she (rightly) doesn’t accept the offer, the gnoll emits a set of high, ululating, delighted yips – laughing. ”Thank you, that was very funny.” He drops his arms, then answers Ari more seriously because of her obvious sincerity. ”We traveled 500 leagues – 1700 miles – from Anauroch. Through the lands of the snake-people of Najara, past the Battle of Bones and Skull Gorge. We walked through the shadow of the Hill of Lost Souls, where we heard the whispering voices of the dead on the winds. But here…” he waves a negligent claw at the dwarven edifice, ”here is where her spirit faltered. I do not understand it… but my understanding is not needed. I accept it and move on. There is no other way.”
The gnoll gives the halfling an appraising look and thinks on what he has said. ”My words may sound hard but that is not their intent. How old are you? And how long do your people live for?”
”Not exactly, support, not fix. Share the load and thus ease it? Sometimes we guard others not just with our blades or spells, but just by ready to act as a buffer to their fears. Maybe it wouldn’t have made a difference. But regardless, I feel I’ve been insensitive to a friend and that’s not who I want to be.” Shaggar considers it. ”Do better next time then.” He thinks a moment, ”But know that you cannot help someone who doesn’t want help. And, at times, support can become a crutch that is never let go.”
Shaggar is lost in the threads of the halfling’s tapestry of thoughts. ”I do not understand. What are you trying to say? That you could have 'fixed' Kiley had you watched more carefully?”
Shaggar nods, ”I will visit to chastise you, after I have disproved your silly fibs about oceans. We will have tea.” He offers her a ceremonial bow and the hopeful parting words of the Bedine before turning and taking his leave, “'iilaa 'an naltaq, Kiley.” Bedine:
Until we meet again.
Shaggar’s return is delayed by some hours as Sahalya rubs herself against every rough surface they encounter. In recent days, her moodiness, dull itchy skin, and opaqued spectacles have indicated her need to shed. Rather than fight the process – because no one likes being itchy – the gnoll looks for (and finds) a building that will accommodate the reptile’s needs. A small grist mill with a rough stone for grinding grain fits the bill. He waits patiently as she gets rid of her old self and becomes new again. The change is revelatory.
As they near the team’s ‘campsite’ Shaggar pauses, sensing eyes on him. He scans the balconies, empty windows, and rooftops. The gnoll lifts his axe and turns in a slow circle – a silent challenge. Any time you want to test my axe, come. His challenge unaccepted and the watched feeling quickly vanishing, he lowers the axe and continues on his way. There are some interesting creatures down here.
The gnoll anticipates seeing Rutilux’s face when Sahalya slithers in. Her scales are much shinier now, but the largest change is her size. Her old skin was a sausage casing ready to burst. Her bulk is now impressive by the gnoll’s standards. The reptile is over 10’ long and must weigh nearly 1000 pounds. When Shaggar returns, the halfling seems thoughtful and pensive. Shaggar can’t miss the uncharacteristic mood of the normally cheerful Hin. Displaying all the subtlety of his race, he offers a question, ”What is it?” Status: HP: 42 / 44 | AC:19 / T:13 / FF:17 | CMD:22/20
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 5 HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Lead Blades (2): Effects:
Shaggar BAB +1 (CMB, CMD, etc.)
Sahalya BAB +2
Shaggar is not unfamiliar with hugging. He’d been among the Bedine long enough to have witnessed it many times. And while his own contacts with the Bedine had largely been limited to hand to claw, poking, or carrying children… he understood the significance of the gesture. Nevertheless, it’s an awkward moment. He gently pats the small woman on the shoulders with his large clawed hands. ”All creatures have limits. You have learned one of yours… Also, you didn’t yell that.”
The gnoll glances at the note… then nods. ”I will take you back up. Tell me when you are ready.” Given Kiley's prey behavior, Shaggar realizes his continued attention may be unwelcome. He turns his focus to the rest of the group, ”Are we agreed that the Anvil Quarter is next?” Status: HP: 34 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Shaggar considers the magical possibilities. "The dragon's wants are not the priority. If the dragon gains the Thane's power and gets access to the Black Lake... that may be more dangerous for us than how things are now. I think we should follow our current plan. The Anvil Quarter may equip us well, whoever we have to fight later."
Shaggar watches Kiley in a heap on the floor… his flat, inhuman, red-eyed gaze is hard to interpret. He blinks, wraps his bisht around himself, and turns his attention back to the Archivist's response.
Shaggar heads back to the library. He isn't incautious, but he expects the troglodytes have received orders to leave them alone... Otherwise, the dragon was undermining its own efforts to gain control of the city. That said, there was no guarantee all the troglodytes had heard the news.
"And let me guess, the negotiations were roughly along the lines of 'you do this for me and in return I won't kill you, at least for the moment'? Forgive the stupid questions but how are we going to catch a ghost?” ”It promised us riches and magical items for us delivering the power to secure its rule… But until we know the sides in this war, I won’t be taking sides. Or perhaps they’ll both need to be destroyed.” "…then we head to the armoury district.” ”I agree. Our mission remains.” "NO, I-I-I DIDN’T DUEL IT," Shaggar’s ears pull back at the loud comment. He regards Kiley for a moment as she switches from verbal to written communication. ”Have you tried to speak in a normal voice?”
Shaggar *hrmphs* at the escaping creature then begins sorting through the paperwork, finding several interesting bits. "Look at these. The King and Queen were acting odd. The King spoke about the Moon watching... reminds me of what we felt above."
Shaggar and Sahalya approach on the double.
”The questions about my domain will be harder for me to fulfill to your satisfaction but, I presume, not impossible. I am still learning much about the city’s workings with each passing day I spend here in my new home.” Shaggar nods, "Fair. You can only speak what you know. Good enough." The gnoll offers the dragon a small tilt of his head then turns and strides toward the front gate.
Playing mercenary is the best way to walk out of this confrontation alive. Shaggar acts accordingly. ”There are many sorts of Incorporeal undead. Some are very dangerous. I imagine this Deepthane is one of those… or your people would have caught him. Our pay must outweigh the risks. I don’t want coins or gems. Do you have magic items? As the others said, we’ll want the freedom of the small ones. We’ll also have some questions about your… domain we’ll want answered. And what is this ‘key’ of the Deepthane? We’ll need to know what to look for.” Status: HP: 34 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
”Perhaps,” says the gnoll cautiously. Perhaps he is feral. Perhaps he is smarter than he looks. Perhaps they could make a deal. But he has questions. ”This Deepthane is undead, yes? What sort?” Status: HP: 34 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Black, Red, Umbral, or Hot Pink - it makes no difference. Shaggar is aware that even young dragons are very dangerous… so he isn’t taking the Hunger lightly. On the other hand, the two score troglodytes already ensured they would die. A dragon would only speed up the process. Dead was dead – either way. "You said I needed...something from you?" its voice slithers out like freezing water sliding down a rock wall, cold and calculated. ”I didn’t.” Shaggar replies in a matter-of-fact tone. He dips his muzzle in the troglodyte spokesman’s direction. ”He said that, and was mistaken… But you do want something from us – a conversation. Or was he mistaken again?” The gnoll isn’t trying to verbally fence with the dragon. He simply wasn’t allowing his words to be twisted. Status: HP: 34 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
I guess halflings think they can talk their way out of anything – so they talk themselves into situations as well. Shaggar glances at the four dozen troglodytes and knows that Rutilux is thinking that sticking your head three-quarters into a noose is somehow better than sticking it all the way in. But the trick is to not try the noose on at all. He mutters to the halfling unhelpfully, ”Why don’t you try that wagon insurance gambit again? It worked well before.” He eyes the legion of troglodytes. If this becomes a fight, his team is going to die… but there at least was a chance of escape for some of them IF they didn’t enter the trap. Shaggar uses his looooong rusty diplomatic chops and rests his axe on his shoulder. ”We offer your Black Hunger the same terms. If it will speak with us here, we will offer our protection until the talking is done. Your troops can ensure we keep our word.”
Status: HP: 34 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Shaggar likes absolutely nothing about this scene. ”I’m a gnoll – we don’t trust words. We will wait here to speak to with this Black Hunger.”
Shaggar explains what the tracks tell him. ”This looks like a war party. If they are going to the palace, they may get worn down by the defenses and the shadows. But if they don’t have the stones to get in, they may turn around. Following them is a risk but it could also be an opportunity. What do you think?”
As Rutilux regales them with the qualities of the predator-tooth dagger, Shaggar marvels at the craftsmanship of it, appreciates the power of such a formidable tooth in the mouth of some beast… and then, ultimately, tosses the dagger to Ari. ”This will serve you best. If we find an axe made from a demon’s shoulder-blade… it’s mine.” With the weapon out of mind, the gnoll focuses on Ari’s discovery of tracks.
Shaggar and Sahalya are significantly less pained after Sasha’s healing magic. From the search of the tent, the gnoll takes the strange dagger and the book, discarding the bag on top of the bed. He wanted to make sure the chieftain learned his treasures were gone. Finally, he retrieves the shaman’s head from wherever Kiley sent it rolling and sets it on a platter on the dining table. Fear was a weapon, best wielded like a honed blade.
Which brings her immediately back to the current situation and she flicks a blade back into her hand. "Shaggar," she asks a little hesitantly, "are you... ok?" Shaggar wipes the gore from his axe introspectively. ”Yes. It was a short madness… We should search the dead quickly and the leader’s tent.” The gnoll rifles the bodies by the east door.
Status: HP: 26 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam, AC:15 for Cleave
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Round 4 Shaggar takes and admires the black gauntlet. The dark impulses in his mind are suddenly worth consideration. Tieflings are tasty. I think their flavor is based on the devil that spawned them. He regards Kiley. Her smell isn’t like any of the other Tieflings he’d ‘met’. I don’t think I’ve tried her kind, yet. The gnoll is a bit hungry and Kiley would hit the spot. His red eyes regard her like a predator. He lashes out with his headman’s axe and fangs.
Status: HP: 26 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam, AC:15 for Cleave
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Round 3 Shaggar ignores the worst effects of the sound-spell and plows through the smoke after the fleeing trog and hoping to find their spellslinger. He wants to repay his ringing ears with an axe blow between the trog’s ears. Unable to reach the witch-doctor, the gnoll settles for attacking his companion.
Status: HP: 26 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam, AC:15 for Cleave
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Round 2 Shaggar slashes horizontally back and forth through the smoke, hoping to catch one or both of the troglodytes.
Status: HP: 33 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam, AC:15 for Cleave
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Shaggar considers the cloud only briefly. They probably see no better through this than I do. He proceeds cautiously into the smoke, hunting for the outline of a target to strike.
Status: HP: 33 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Shaggar looks at the diminutive woman and readies his axe. ”Open the door, I’m going in.”
Status: HP: 33 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
”We should kill troglodytes before this ointment wears off.” Shaggar heads out the door, moving toward the east entrance to the meeting hall. For a moment, he debates heading to the cookhouse, figuring that might be where the gnomes are being prepared… if troglodytes cook their meals. He presses on to check around the corner to see if there are any additional trogs.
Status: HP: 33 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Shaggar waggles a claw at Ari, clearly liking the direction of her thinking. "Perhaps a map of the area around here? It would be good to know what is where. If this will be our base, then we should clear the area of enemies. " He nods toward Sasha. "We have also promised to rescue any living gnomes held by the troglodytes. It is..." he searches his memory for the correct idiom, "... smothering two infants with one pillow."
Hordes of undead shadows are… disquieting for the gnoll. The idea that there may be undead dragons as well, fills the ranger with dread.
Status: HP: 33 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
The gnoll listens without comment for quite some time. ”So… unless the gates to the Black Lake are open, we will need several of these pass-stones, including the King’s. For that stone, we will need to enter the palace. And if we can piece together what happened to the mad King and his Queen, you will reward us with magic that will hopefully help us.” Shaggar is rather pleased with his concise summation. ”Do you have one of these ‘pass-stones’, or can you describe it and name where one might be found?” He switches topics briefly, ”You said those with the shadow plague left a shadow from their soul’s remnants… Are you speaking of undead shadow creatures?” Status: HP: 33 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Shaggar lowers his axe – for the time being. He waits his turn to ask questions of the archive. ”Do you have a map that will show us the route to the Black Lake? What can you tell us of the…” he’s not sure what word is appropriate to describe what happened here, ”… tragedy that struck Brazenthrone?” Status: HP: 33 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Shaggar only has a common man’s knowledge of the undead. But he’s certain (due to both rumor and reason) that mindless undead were dangerous and mindful undead must be a great deal more dangerous. Common talk said the undead were irredeemably evil… Of course, the same was said of gnolls. And was Shaggar himself not an exception to that rule? So, the fact that the desiccated librarian had not attacked makes him pause. Caution demands the gnoll pulls his axe back, ready to try his large blade against brittle bones, papery skin, and necromantic flesh . But Shaggar hopes – between the glow-ball leading them here and the intelligence of the creature – there is another way forward and a chance to learn more. He pieces together what he’s seen in the last few minutes and plays a hunch. ”Are you friend, foe, or neither? And might you be Curator Velithar? We are in need of an expert about this city and what has happened here.” Ready Attack:
Status: HP: 33 / 36 | AC:17 / T:11 / FF:15 | CMD:20/18 <- -1 from DEX Dam
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Since the glow-ball isn’t floating in the room to indicate something, Shaggar advances warily, alert for danger. He moves towards the desiccated corpse and the desk, presuming that’s what they have been led here to see.
"L-Like the kind that make undead," she squeaks, not able to hide the note of fear in her voice thanks to the surprise revelation. The gnoll’s response is matter-of-fact. ”Yes. But it seems likely they were fighting a deadly contagion, not the dead.” Kiley’s question does make Shaggar reflect back on the city’s entrance, potentially casting it in a different light… The tusked skull sits at the head of a massive snake-like skeletal outline, but that isn't even the worst part. You can see the pile of bones nearly to Shaggar's waist covers the floor on the other side of the skull, and a serpentine skeleton connected to the giant skull weaves through the hoard of bones scattered in the entrance hall. There must be hundreds of skeletons in all, most of them seeming to be intact. Was that their final battle? Was one side or the other undead? Was that a snake or the remains of Luxvoryna’s kin? Was it mutated by this odd plague? Could it be that every skeleton in that murder hole was the enemy? Led in there, trapped, then wiped out? It would certainly explain how so many bodies were unbroken. The gnoll leaves aside further speculation to address more immediate concerns. "Shall we?" she asks, before trying the key. Shaggar moves closer to door and waves Ari on with a claw. ”You unlock and open it. I’ll go through.”
Shaggar leaves the ornate and locked door for Ari, their expert. He does look around the room, trying to imagine what the lives of the dwarves here were like. The paperwork catches his attention, suggesting that the strange disease they were fighting may have been the death of the city. ”They spent much coin on items of necromancy. Their need must have been great.”
”You said the glowing ball is a sign. Do you believe it? If so, this is the right choice.” He opens the door and moves quietly inside. ”Whoever comes last, close the door.”
With no hint of living deep gnomes in the ‘feast hall’, and Ari thinking this strange floating glow-ball is some sort of ‘sign’… Shaggar diverts to what may be a side door to the Grand Archive. He listens carefully at the door before gently testing to see if it is locked.
Shaggar gives Ari a long, appraising look. He neither tries to stop her nor makes any move to follow. At a subtle sign, the gallerok slithers in pursuit.
Shaggar doesn’t know what to make of the light ball, but their mission is still the same. He moves forward cautiously toward the statue the creature was hovering around and the northern door.
Shaggar almost takes a step back, nearly bowled over by the stink. He has a guess about the unusual tent… Likely lizardman or trog skins. He quietly shuts the door and moves on toward the north-side corridor to complete their sweep. He speaks quietly, ”Bedding for 30 to 40 trogs. A tent for their leader, I think. Looks like only the ones at the table are here. Keep moving.”
Shaggar ignores the tableau of horror and continues creeping along the edge of the feast hall.
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