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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.
Shaggar looks into the room briefly then closes the door. Ari ducks back and inches over to Shaggar, stretching up on tiptoes so she can whisper directly into the gnoll's furry ear - once he's lowered his head, anyway. "Trogs," she confirms, then asks "Ambush?" The gnoll shakes his furry head. ”Too many unknowns. Too many things that could go wrong. We sneak closer, see more, and then strike fast and hard. Let’s go.” The gnoll leads west around the building.
Shaggar pauses briefly. ”It is too quiet. Perhaps, it is a trap… or perhaps the bodies we saw strung up were just the beginning. I will look ahead a bit. If things remain the same, we will check the feast hall.” The ranger switches sides of the corridor (to get a better look in both directions) and moves quietly up to the junction. He looks for any activity or strange indicators but also the signs of bodies being moved or other prints in the stone floor.
Shaggar advances quietly, but in the unnatural stillness, his footsteps seem loud.
Shaggar glances around. The body would be noticed, probably soon, which meant they had limited time to achieve their objective. ”Let’s go.” He slinks up the corridor that should lead to their target.
Round 3
The corridor is getting crowded as the lizard falls back. The gnoll extends his reach and swings his axe at the retreating monster.
Status: HP: 20 / 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 manages to evade the worst of the venom.
Round 2 Thankfully Shaggar has always relied on strength instead of dexterity. He doesn’t enjoy the burning in his joints but but he can live with it. He sidesteps next to Ari and attempts to bring his axe down on the lizard’s neck. Based on what he knows of lizards like this... they are going to have to hit it with several hard blows to drop it.
Status: HP: 27 / 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 takes a minute to examine the lizard from a distance, trying to gauge its abilities. Once the creature wakes, he has no choice but to rush forward to attempt to kill it before it can attract more enemies.
Status: HP: 36 / 36 | AC:18 / T:12 / FF:16 | CMD:20/18
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Nose Ointment (4): x Effects:
Shaggar and his serpentine companion continue quietly down the hallway.
Status: HP: 36 / 36 | AC:18 / T:12 / FF:16 | CMD:20/18
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Effects:
Shaggar heads into the corridor to check things out in the direction Gurnik indicated.
Status: HP: 36 / 36 | AC:18 / T:12 / FF:16 | CMD:20/18
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Effects:
Shaggar’s determination doesn’t waver. ”Let us go kill troglodytes and rescue Gurnik’s people, as we have promised.”
Status: HP: 36 / 36 | AC:18 / T:12 / FF:16 | CMD:20/18
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Effects:
Shaggar’s ears perk forward, finding the whole alchemy lab interesting. He roams around looking at the various cauldrons. To Ari’s comment, he replies. ”I think you will not bathe in it, but put some on your nose. Better to stink a bit than vomit during a fight.” ”Gurnik. We thank you for your people’s help. Is our ‘right direction’ along the path of those bloody prints we saw? If not, we may have to follow that path before going the right way.” Status: HP: 36 / 36 | AC:18 / T:12 / FF:16 | CMD:20/18
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Effects:
”So, the barghest passed through yester eve. We are on the right path.” As for the strung-up corpses, gnoll-logic is more nuanced. The bodies are both ominous and encouraging. Four less troglodytes to fight, but there may be a strong leader keeping the rest in line. They may not run so easily next time. If anything, the dead indicate the need to complete their sidequest. Shaggar dismisses the barghest’s trail from consideration for the moment. Dried blood wasn’t going anywhere. He glances at the gnome. ”Gurnik. The nose ointment – which direction?” Sasha notices Shaggar tracking and directs Pheliks to aid the gnoll with a gesture.
Status: HP: 36 / 36 | AC:18 / T:12 / FF:16 | CMD:20/18
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Effects:
The gnoll moves closer to examine the nearest body. He can’t speak to how they died, but the obvious choices were few. ”If this is not a lizardman warning, then it is the price they paid for failing.”
Status: HP: 36 / 36 | AC:18 / T:12 / FF:16 | CMD:20/18
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Effects:
The gnoll chuffs. He rather likes Ari's bravura and he'd never actually sang before so it would be an interesting challenge. He mulls it, trying to remember the words and cadence of the tune. He clears his throat and his clawed foot begins rapping out the steady rhythm - good for repetitive work on a boat he supposes. Improbably… in an abandoned tavern, in a ravaged dwarf stronghold, miles below the surface of the world, a gnoll starts to sing… Hey HO! Ohhhhh, I’m a flinty sea-dog… I met a pretty lass wantin’ to wed,
Cuz I’m a flinty sea-dog – HEY HO! Some bastards shanghai’d me in ol’ Luskon,
Cuz I’m a flinty sea-dog – HEY HO! I took the helm and sorted the crew.
Cuz I’m a flinty sea-dog – HEY HO! Made it to shore, and I was itchin’ for sport…
Cuz I’m a FLINTY sea-dog – Hey Ho!
The gnoll delivers an absolute tour-de-force of horrendous, off-key, and piss-poor singing… but he maintains the tempo admirably.
Shaggar sniffs. ”The Bedine trade with outsiders at times. The fellow said he was a… troubadour. I’m sure his tale was that of a sailor from a boat on a lake, naturally. Seas are fiction.”
Unlike Rutilux, to Shaggar if a conversation is public, it is fair game to listen. The Bedine wisdom is that what is said in a tent is private and you must pretend not to hear it. But anything said before the tribe is public. So, even as he prepares for the journey ahead, his intrudes into the conversation. ”I know one! I heard a bawdy sailor song once. After it was explained to me, yes, it is inappropriate.”
With everyone finally up, dressed, and fed, there seems little point in delaying matters. He rubs the still-clotting wound along his ribs. He looks to the healer, ”Sasha, are you prepared to heal me or should I use the magic… stick?”
The gnoll glances towards the gnome, "The nose ointment? It is in troglodyte territory?" Status: HP: 20 / 36 | AC:18 / T:12 / FF:16 | CMD:20/18
Bullets (20): xx Arisen 4HP (1): Moonmaid Reroll: Effects:
The gnoll pours another cup of tea and hands it Ari. ”The gallerok are like… hm, ‘guard dogs’ for the troglodytes. IF there are more, I would like to free them. But it may not be possible if they are loyal to their masters.” ”Sahalya is my only ally. If I were stronger, I think I could what’s-the-word... sway other gallerok. But that time is not now. And I don’t know if Sahalya can influence them.” Shaggar sips his tea and briefly imagines what may be possible when his emerging talent is more potent. He’s fairly certain he could be roving these strange corridors with four gallerok slithering around him, slipping into and out of their minds with ease. Coordinating their actions, aligning them to a single will. What will that be like? He abruptly dismisses the reverie. Wishful thinking is a human pastime; he is a gnoll. ”Tomorrow is tomorrow. Today, we must see the gallerok as enemies until we learn what is possible.”
Shaggar looks on the creature with admiration, "Is that not wondrous?"
"No shoulders.. brrr." Shaggar hrmphs. ”She has shoulders… they are just less.” He looks up at the gallerok. ”Do not be concerned; he envies you. Come down when you are ready.” "Looks like someone's overcompensating for something," The gnoll considers her words… an exercise hampered by him having no idea what ‘overcompensating’ could mean in this context. To simplify matters, he assumes Ari must be referring to Rutilux. ”And you,” he says to Ari, ”may rise when you are ready. I will put on tea.”
When gnolls ‘play’ with people, it’s normally quite a bloody affair. Shaggar was greatly enjoying this less visceral variation of cat & mouse. ”You said that you can’t call yourself ‘free’ and let others be enslaved… Sahalya’s people are yoked by the troglodytes. She has liberated herself and come to us for refuge.” ”She looks like she is working on a meal because she is digesting her last one - troglodyte.” |