Ikethru listened intently. Many of Father Zastoran's cultural references went over her head; she did not have much opportunity to learn about high art and culture for the vast majority of her life. She was hesitant to label this Dashki as the prime suspect, as she hated to judge one simply from his demeanor, but she had to admit that he seemed the most likely that she knew of thus far. "Thank you, Father." she said with a bow. "I will look into that."
She looked around for the others, seeing them in the distance talking with other members of the caravan, with the exception of Khalit. She assumed he was keeping his distance from this task out of guilt over his misstep with Almah. As she passed him, she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Do not worry yourself so. You were not the only one who misspoke. I nearly did so myself." In a quieter tone, she continued, "Father Zastoran suspects the one called Dashki. He says that he has had his attention on Lady Roveshki for some time. If Eloais had been spending so much time with Lady Roveshki..." she stopped there, not feeling it necessary to spell out the obvious, though she also hated to accuse the man outright with so little evidence.
She looked about for anyone else in the caravan the "investigators" were not speaking with. She pondered approaching Hadrod and Hadrah.
"Quite often the most obvious solution is the correct one," Khalit replied, "I will be interested to see what my sister thinks of him."
"In the meantime, are there others we should speak with?"
"I do not believe any of us have spoken with the couple, Hadrod and Hadrah, or the soldiers that serve the Pactmasters." She could not help but give a wary glance towards the strangely armored soldiers, nor could she keep herself from resenting their masters for their tolerance of any sort of trade even as she chided herself for being so judgemental.
Kara flashes a subtle smile and leans close to Trevvis, speaking in a low voice, "Maybe we'll have that drink as soon as we figure out who or what started that fire...who else had their eyes on Almah? Garavel? Dashki? Maybe one of those fellows in red?"
Trevvis gives Kara a sloppy grin and chortles crudely. "Heh, Garavel's lucky he can take a piss without the Pactmasters' leave. He keeps his eyes on whatever they tell him, and that's all. But Dashki, he's always spying on Almah, that weasel. Probably hanging 'round outside her tent right now...gods know he didn't lift a finger to help fight that fire, did he?" The other mercenaries mutter resentful words of agreement. "He'd like to have a lot more than just his eyes on Almah, that's for sure. I could see that mangy dog lookin' to burn out someone he thought was competition."
---------------------------------------------------------------------"Dashki? Is that you name? You're right; you could be even more warried about me, than I was about you. Please accept my appology..."
Dashki answers, "It's nothing. Just didn't know Garavel was back yet, that's all."
Javeed looks Dashki straight into his Eyes, "We are friends, or at least we hope to be. We also work for Almah, we have just arrived, and if this recent rukus was not an accident, it looks as if you can use all the help you can get" Javeed takes a step forward and shields his female companion. Javeed looks with a mixture of respect and awe at Dashki, "We have much in common, I have been looking to meet you Javeed motions to his gnoll hide armor. "Come Dashki, what do you make of these tracks, it looks as if something has been forced"
Dashki narrows his eyes as he observes Javeed's gnoll hide armor. He gives a curt nod that might be a show of respect, but it's hard to be sure. "Take that yourself, did you?" The malodorous man bends down to look at the goat tracks, as indicated by Javeed. "That's some handy work. Got my own trophy, too," Dashki pats the head of his walking staff. "One of the curs tried to chew off my leg from the thigh down." He looks back up at Javeed and Mirama. "You're right. One of the goats went off this way, but not willingly. Probably the work of Pugwampi."
"Well then, maybe we should find this Dashki and ask him some questions, eh, Martika?"
With that, she curtsies to the mercenaries with a flourish and turns away from them to search for Dashki.
"Well then, maybe we should find this Dashki and ask him some questions, eh, Martika?"
With that, she curtsies to the mercenaries with a flourish and turns away from them to search for Dashki.
Trevvis forlornly watches Kara walk away. He calls after her pitifully, "But...what about that drink?"
Ikethru approached the couple, showing much of the same respect she had shown to the old priest. "Please, pardon me. Both of you are alright, yes?"
Ikethru approached the couple, showing much of the same respect she had shown to the old priest. "Please, pardon me. Both of you are alright, yes?"
The pair of middle-aged camel drivers welcome Ikethru to sit with them warmly. Hadrah in particular seems full of questions about Ikethru's clothing and background. "Please, my dear, sit, sit. Oh, my, are those scars on your back? You simply must tell me how you got those. And that skullcap, how fascinating! Do you have any hair at all underneath it? What an unusual style. Women don't shave their heads like that in Katapesh, do they, Hadrod? Is that an Osiriani style? I've never been to Osirion, but oh, I'd love to visit Sothis. I've heard tales of the Palace of the Ruby Prince, and the giant beetle towering over everything. Are you from Sothis, my dear?"
Hadrod seems well accustomed to the flood of excited questions that streams from his wife's lips. He sighs heavily, interrupting her. "Stop badgering the poor woman, Hadrah. She asked us a question."
Hadrah replies, "I know, I was just getting to that. We're both well, thank you for asking. A bit weary, of course. It's hard work chasing down all those animals at our age."
Just then, Hadrod turns away, as though to wipe something from his eye. "Well...almost all of them. Rombard is missing," he says sorrowfully.
Hadrah nods solemnly. "Oh, yes. Rombard is Hadrah's favorite goat. Vanished amidst all the chaos of the fire, it seems. Hadrod fears the worst," the older woman clucks with a shake of her head.
Ikethru took the offered seat, attempting to say "Thank you." but got caught up in the whirlwind of questions that quickly followed. She was a picture of wide-eyed helplessness as she tried to keep up and steer the conversation towards her purpose here. "Oh..yes they're sc...Well, I was born a slave....Um..thank you, it's from my homeland...Uh, no I do not...Well, most Osirioni sha....Er, yes there is a giant beetle....No, actually...I'm from..." It was a strange feeling, to be put on display so to speak.
She could not stop herself from giving a look of genuine relief towards Hadrod when he interrupted. She mentally scolded herself for wondering if his wife ever had time to breathe. Do not be so harsh. It must be lonesome at times, making a living out on the wastes like this. Before she could recollect herself and prepare her questions however, they continued on.
"I am sorry to hear that." she said sincerely. Having the right livestock was important for a group's survival out on the desert. "I can see about arranging some help to find him, if you need. I believe there is at least one among us who could track him down. You..." she hesitated for a moment, unsure if she wanted to risk another storm or questions coming her way instead. Best to keep it short and to the point... "You haven't seen any trouble during your journey here, though? Nothing suspicious with any of the other caravan members?"
"got it from a slaver" Javeed snides as he mentions his gnoll hide, "What or who is Pugwampi? Can we get the animal back if we follow these tracks now" Javeed motions to the animal tracks.
"I am sorry to hear that." she said sincerely. Having the right livestock was important for a group's survival out on the desert. "I can see about arranging some help to find him, if you need. I believe there is at least one among us who could track him down. You..." she hesitated for a moment, unsure if she wanted to risk another storm or questions coming her way instead. Best to keep it short and to the point... "You haven't seen any trouble during your journey here, though? Nothing suspicious with any of the other caravan members?"
Hadrod's expression darkens at Ikethru's question, and he turns away. Hadrah, however, makes a great show of looking all around, as though to make sure no one is listening. Then, satisfied, she leans in close to the young cleric and whispers conspiratorially, "Well now, I don't usually make other people's business my own, of course...but since you asked. Have you met Dashki yet? We knew Dashki a bit from back Solku-way. Used to take rich folk into the scrublands to hunt up gnolls like trophies. Most people here don’t trust him, especially the way he leers at Lady Almah with his mouth all watering like at the smell of a fresh steak. Maybe he set that fire, to remove a rival for Lady Almah’s attention?" Hadrah gives Ikethru a knowing wink. "But you didn't hear that from me."
--------------------------------------------------------------------"got it from a slaver" Javeed snides as he mentions his gnoll hide, "What or who is Pugwampi?"
Dashki fixes Javeed with a look of contempt. "We don't have as much in common as you think, if you don't know the Pugwampis. This is true gnoll country out here, not your mother's warm hearth. Pugwampis are terrible critters what crawled up from the Darklands below the earth. ‘Jackal rats,’ some folks call ’em, on account of their pointed little heads. They worship gnolls as gods, infest their communities like rats. Wherever pugwampis go, bad luck surely follows. Gnolls hate pugwampis because of it, and try to kill them all the time. But they always come back."
"Can we get the animal back if we follow these tracks now" Javeed motions to the animal tracks.
Dashki shrugs. "Maybe, maybe not." Dashki points up into the sky toward where the sun is beginning to set, lighting the horizon in a blaze of orange and rose. "But you don't go running off half-cocked into the badlands at night. Too dangerous. I won't risk my skin over one goat...not unless Almah asks me. Let's get back to the tents." Dashki gestures to the others to follow, and begins to hobble back toward the center of camp.
"Hmm." Ikethru tapped her chin in thought. If those she had spoken to earlier were truthful, this Dashki did seem rather unsavory. She stood up, bowing to the couple. "I thank you for you time and your hospitality." she said warmly. Turning to Hadrod, she promised, "I will see the others about your missing goat as well, good sir. Please, try not to worry."
Excusing herself, she looked around for the others.
Mirama follows Dashki and Javeed back into the camp, but not without checking into which direction the tracks start out - just in case...
Walking behind those two men, she smiles. 'Javeed wanted to protect me...'. She never experienced such a situation, where someone wanted to took care of her. Maybe she could get used to such things. But Mirama knows, it's still a long long way for her to fully trust someone else in this world.
And on the other hand - as soon as she's found Haleen, she will finally be free to return to Mwangi, her homeland. No time now, to develop feelings in any kind of way...
Kara runs into Ikethru walking through the camp and hails her. "Have you seen this Dashki fellow? He might be our best lead - plenty of folks seem suspicious of him, and he did have a motive. Turns out he might have a bit of a crush on Almah and could've been a bit jealous. You learn anything interesting?"
Kara runs into Ikethru walking through the camp and hails her. "Have you seen this Dashki fellow? He might be our best lead - plenty of folks seem suspicious of him, and he did have a motive. Turns out he might have a bit of a crush on Almah and could've been a bit jealous. You learn anything interesting?"
"I've not seen Dashki yet, but I've heard much of the same about him. He does not seem to be very well liked in the caravan." She looked half lost in thought. Everything so far did seem to point at Dashki, but she wished she had something more solid to present.
"Other than that, one of the camel driver's goats has gone missing. I promised my aid in finding him later. He did seem rather fond of that goat..." She sounded almost apologetic for having brought the matter of missing livestock up during the hunt for a murderer, but a promise was a promise.
Kara's cheeks turn bright red at the mention of the missing animal, and she quickly looks to the ground. "I, uh....maybe we should go find that goat then..."
Khalit heads towards the red-armoured soldiers.
"Good day, gentlemen. I was wondering if you were able to tell me anything about how this fire started. Did you notice anything unusual around the camp? Are there any of your companions that you would suspect may have started the fire?"
"I hate to bother you with this, but the lady Almah requested my assistance in this matter."
Kara's cheeks turn bright red at the mention of the missing animal, and she quickly looks to the ground. "I, uh....maybe we should go find that goat then..."
Ikethru was suddenly worried she had offended Kara somehow. "Oh...I'm sorry. Did I say something wrong?" she said, kneeling so that she was at eye level with the halfling, and placing a hand on her shoulder. She had just enough time to realize that the gesture could be taken as patronizing, and suddenly worried that she would offend the young woman further.
Ikethru was suddenly worried she had offended Kara somehow. "Oh...I'm sorry. Did I say something wrong?" she said, kneeling so that she was at eye level with the halfling, and placing a hand on her shoulder. She had just enough time to realize that the gesture could be taken as patronizing, and suddenly worried that she would offend the young woman further.
Kara wrinkles her nose slightly and stares blankly at the woman for a moment, her head cocked slightly to the side. "Say something wrong? Uh...no? It's just...the lost animal is sorta my fault, so, ya know?" The halfling looks altogether unsure of herself and suddenly seems a bit lost, her confidence from mere moments ago forgotten.
"Oh." She patted Kara's shoulder. "Don't worry about it. We'll make it right." She said with a gentle smile, trying to encourage the girl. No need to ask the whys and hows of it and embarrass her further. She claimed fault and was quick to want to amend the situation. Ikethru had to respect her for that.
As she stood back up, she looked about for the others. "I am not exactly skilled at handling animals myself though. Let us see if any of the others will be free to help soon."
Javeed's shoulders slump at Dashki's stinging words, he sees the man as an idol, a fellow hunter of gnolls, Javeed straightens and thinks to himself I will earn this great man's respect, I will make him proud
Khalit heads towards the red-armoured soldiers.
"Good day, gentlemen. I was wondering if you were able to tell me anything about how this fire started. Did you notice anything unusual around the camp? Are there any of your companions that you would suspect may have started the fire?"
"I hate to bother you with this, but the lady Almah requested my assistance in this matter."
Khalit finds two of the Pactmaster Guard standing rigidly outside Almah's tent, a large ornate affair that speaks to the merchant princess' wealth, even in this desolate land. The pair have immaculate pointed beards and project an aura of strictest discipline. Their distinctive red breastplates shine like fire in the last rays of the setting sun.
One of the guardsmen...Keldon, if Khalit remembers rightly...fixes the sorcerer with a hard stare. "Yes, we are well aware of your investigation. If you must question us, know that all four of us were standing guard outside Lady Almah's tent, as we always do. Our duty is to protect her, and we take that duty most seriously." Keldon eyes Khalit narrowly, as though hard pressed to imagine anyone more threatening to his charge than Khalit himself. He continues, "Of course, I did see Dashki hiding behind that tree over there before the fire began. It was clear he was trying to get a look into Almah's tent. Then again, that boy is obsessed with her, so I'd hardly call that unusual."
Just then, Almah herself, having heard the voices outside, pokes her head out of her tent. To Khalit she says, "Ah, it's you. Would you be so kind as to gather everyone around the large firepit? It's time we learn what your investigation has revealed." She ducks back inside her tent before Khalit can even respond, while her guards continue to stare at him discomfitingly.
Half an hour later, everyone in camp has gathered around the large, central firepit at Almah's request. The fire has been lit, and its blaze creates a welcome ward against the chill evening air that follows the setting of the sun. The crackling flames cannot help but remind everyone of the wagon fire that prompted this meeting, and the mood is somber as a result.
Almah stands before everyone, looking slightly menacing as the shadows cast by the fire dance about her features. She speaks in a clear, authoritative voice. "So then, Garavel, what have you learned?"
The major domo replies, "Lady Roveshki, I examined carefully the remains of Eloais' wagon. Amid the ashes I found only broken bottles and vials, a cracked crystal ball, and several pools of melted wax...once candles, I am certain. There were no signs of struggle or violence. More than that, I cannot say. However, the newcomers have spoken to all those in camp, if I am not mistaken. We should now hear what they have learned."
Almah casts her eyes upon the adventurers and demands, "Well then?"
Kara bows deeply before looking up to speak. "M'lady, of those that we know of in the camp, there is one who may be suspect, however we found tracks indicating an animal had been pulled away from the campsite against its will. I believe we should follow those tracks to investigate the possibility of an outsider starting the fire before naming an accusation here."
"I am pretty sure, Daski here, has seen something. We haven't talked much about that fire, but I am sure he's seen at least something; am I right, Dashki?!"
She looks Dashki straight into the eyes, expresionless.
"Yes, Dashki. You should tell us everything that you know about the fire. Everything." Khalit fixes Dashki with an electric glare.
"You know, if you feel like it."
Ikethru was thankful for Kara's suggestion. She had hoped to discuss the matter of Dashki privately with Almah or Garavel, or at least not in front of everyone whose worries and tempers were likely boiling over. She didn't want to see anyone lynched, but if Dashki reacted poorly to any accusation in front of so many...
As Mirama and Khalit seemed to be building towards such an accusation, Ikethru slowly and cautiously tried to make her way to Almah's side, keeping her hands visible so that her guards would not see her as a threat. "Lady Roveshki," she spoke quietly. "Most of the people in your caravan suspect Dashki, and if what many of them have said is true, he certainly has a motive. We cannot be entirely certain, however. He should be allowed to speak in his own defense."
Kara bows deeply before looking up to speak. "M'lady, of those that we know of in the camp, there is one who may be suspect, however we found tracks indicating an animal had been pulled away from the campsite against its will. I believe we should follow those tracks to investigate the possibility of an outsider starting the fire before naming an accusation here."
Almah dismisses Kara's suggestion immediately. "Nonsense. If you have uncovered one who may be suspect, name him or her now. The possibility of an arsonist and murderer in my camp is of far greater import than one lost animal."
"I am pretty sure, Daski here, has seen something. We haven't talked much about that fire, but I am sure he's seen at least something; am I right, Dashki?!"
She looks Dashki straight into the eyes, expresionless.
"Yes, Dashki. You should tell us everything that you know about the fire. Everything." Khalit fixes Dashki with an electric glare.
"You know, if you feel like it."
Despite Khalit's rather laughable attempt to intimidate Dashki, the unkempt gnoll expert stands to his feet in outrage. "Tell what I know!? How would I know anything, I had nothing to do with that fire! I was merely finishing up my dinner by the campfire when the wagon went up in flames. Why am I being accused!?" Dashki's voice rises in agitation as he loudly proclaims his innocence.
As Mirama and Khalit seemed to be building towards such an accusation, Ikethru slowly and cautiously tried to make her way to Almah's side, keeping her hands visible so that her guards would not see her as a threat. "Lady Roveshki," she spoke quietly. "Most of the people in your caravan suspect Dashki, and if what many of them have said is true, he certainly has a motive. We cannot be entirely certain, however. He should be allowed to speak in his own defense."
Almah fixes her gaze on Ikethru, weighing carefully the words of the priestess. Then she says, loud enough for all to hear, "Dashki will be allowed to speak in his own defense if need be. But what is the evidence against him, this motive you speak of? He protests his innocence, and he has never given me reason to doubt his word. These are serious charges, speak quickly now." Almah looks around at the party members; clearly, she expects those who did the investigating to build the case against Dashki.
Javeed shifts uncomfortably, never really being comfortable in large groups and situations involving discussion, he feels bad for Dashki, if anyone Javeed relates to this gnoll hater more than anyone else, he wants to speak up in Dashki's defense, but is too afraid and socially awkward to form the words, he starts a stutter but quickly stops unable to form words, in an unconcious attempt of support for Dashki, Javeed stands beside his brother in philosophy. he whispers to Daski in gnoll
Being able to understand Gnoll, Mirama realizes that Javeed is also on Dashkis side. She didn't wanted to accuse him of anything, she just thought he might have seen something...someone...
Because Javeed tried to protect her a couple of minutes ago, Mirama things its only fair enough, to bolster him up a bit as well!
She stands up and says:
"I didn't meant to offend Dashki, I was just sure, that he might have seen something, or someone around the camp. He looks like a capable watcher. Just being rude or not overly warm to others, doesn't automatically make an arsonist of someone, doesn't it?! I am sorry, Dashki! If you would have laid that fire, you would've had all the time to steal away during the chaos. You're not more guilty than me or Javeed!"
With that, she sits back down, giving Dashki and Javeed a firm nod.
Kara speaks loudly enough to draw everyone's attention, but in an extraordinarily soothing voice "Now Dashki, calm down, no offense was intended, dearie. Why don't you just tell us what you were doing when the fire started, why you weren't helping to put it out, and what else you saw?"
Ikethru hated to bring it up in front of so many, but Almah had pressed the issue. She kept her voice and tone as soft as possible, trying to ease the blow to Dashki. "Multiple people have said that Dashki has had his attention on you for some time, that he has shown an intense interest in you." She assumed she did not have to spell it out for her meaning to be clear. She noted that that would be one reason Dashki would have stuck around after the fire rather than leaving. "It has also been noted that you and Eloais had been spending a lot of time together. There have been suspicions floating about that Dashki may have been jealous."
She looked at Dashki with an apologetic expression. She hoped for his sake that what she was saying was not true, and if it wasn't, she had just shamed the man in front of everyone. She had to admit that the "evidence" they had was flimsy at best. "It could have been an accident however. Garavel did not note anything suspicious among the remains..."
Javeed shifts uncomfortably, never really being comfortable in large groups and situations involving discussion, he feels bad for Dashki, if anyone Javeed relates to this gnoll hater more than anyone else, he wants to speak up in Dashki's defense, but is too afraid and socially awkward to form the words, he starts a stutter but quickly stops unable to form words, in an unconcious attempt of support for Dashki, Javeed stands beside his brother in philosophy. he whispers to Daski in gnoll.
Being able to understand Gnoll, Mirama realizes that Javeed is also on Dashkis side. She didn't wanted to accuse him of anything, she just thought he might have seen something...someone...
Because Javeed tried to protect her a couple of minutes ago, Mirama things its only fair enough, to bolster him up a bit as well!
She stands up and says:"I didn't meant to offend Dashki, I was just sure, that he might have seen something, or someone around the camp. He looks like a capable watcher. Just being rude or not overly warm to others, doesn't automatically make an arsonist of someone, doesn't it?! I am sorry, Dashki! If you would have laid that fire, you would've had all the time to steal away during the chaos. You're not more guilty than me or Javeed!"
With that, she sits back down, giving Dashki and Javeed a firm nod.
Dashki seems briefly overwhelmed by the flurry of words that fly back and forth about him. His mouth opens and closes soundlessly, while his shifty eyes dart back and forth...first to Javeed, then to Mirama, as they speak up in support of him. Dashki looks grateful for the briefest of moments, and he begins to reply, "Thank you..." But then...
Kara speaks loudly enough to draw everyone's attention, but in an extraordinarily soothing voice "Now Dashki, calm down, no offense was intended, dearie. Why don't you just tell us what you were doing when the fire started, why you weren't helping to put it out, and what else you saw?"
As Kara speaks, Dashki's upper lip curls up in angry confusion, and he finds his words. "What are you doing...sorcery? What is this? I should kill you all for this!" Any goodwill built up by Javeed and Mirama is just as quickly lost as Kara's attempt to charm the mangy man goes awry.
The gnoll expert's hand drifts toward the handle of the scimitar at his waist, causing a surprised stir to encompass all those seated around the fire. A multitude of hands reaches for weapons, even as some half-rise as if to fight or flee. But, before the meeting can break down entirely into pandemonium, Almah's commanding voice rings out, freezing everyone in his tracks. "Stop, all of you!" She turns then to Ikethru. "Priestess, I asked a question of you. Give your answer now, before blood is shed."
Ikethru hated to bring it up in front of so many, but Almah had pressed the issue. She kept her voice and tone as soft as possible, trying to ease the blow to Dashki. "Multiple people have said that Dashki has had his attention on you for some time, that he has shown an intense interest in you." She assumed she did not have to spell it out for her meaning to be clear. She noted that that would be one reason Dashki would have stuck around after the fire rather than leaving. "It has also been noted that you and Eloais had been spending a lot of time together. There have been suspicions floating about that Dashki may have been jealous."
She looked at Dashki with an apologetic expression. She hoped for his sake that what she was saying was not true, and if it wasn't, she had just shamed the man in front of everyone. She had to admit that the "evidence" they had was flimsy at best. "It could have been an accident however. Garavel did not note anything suspicious among the remains..."
At Ikethru's words, Dashki begins to break down. In a voice distraught with pain and frustration he howls, "Fine! I am guilty of things...of being too fond of Almah! Of peering through her tent flaps, yes! But I swear to you, I had nothing to do with the fire! Eloais, that idiot, he burned a hundred candles in his wagon! Perhaps he just got unlucky, we are in gnoll country after all! It was the pugwampis! The bad luck they bring caused the fortune-man's candles to start a fire! I'm certain it was pugwampis!"
Sensing this is starting to go very badly, and seeing that everyone's focus is away from her for a moment, Kara backs away from the crowd and slips around the tent out of sight.
She creeps slowly at first, constantly looking back to be sure nobody saw her, but then makes her way with all possible haste towards the animal pens in an effort to locate and follow the tracks of the missing animal. If someone else was in the camp stealing animals, they might've started that fire! I've got to find out!
Mirama kept sitting calmly at her place during all this chaos, saying nothing at all. But she makes a perception check (17+4=21) and might see Kara trying to slip away. If she sees her, Malvoisin, she will speak up loudly:"Kara, would you please stay here and try to make it not even more embarassing now..."
With that, she stares back at the fire.
Mirama
Mirama kept sitting calmly at her place during all this chaos, saying nothing at all. But she sees Kara trying to slip away. She speaks up loudly:"Kara, would you please stay here and try to make it not even more embarrassing now..."
Kara freezes in her tracks and turns slowly around, her face pale and eyes wide with sheer terror. I've been caught! I wasn't even trying to do something bad and now they're gonna kill me! She opens her mouth as if to speak but the lump in her throat threatens to turn any words into sobs, so she closes it again and sulks back to the campfire, head hung low.
Ikethru's eyes widened at the escalating tension around the campire. Dashki's explosive reaction was greater than she had feared. Approaching the guide, she dropped her sheathed scimitar and held out her empty hands, trying to offer him a show of trust at least.
"Please, calm down, there is no need for this." Her words were as much for those drawing their weapons on Dashki as for Dashki himself. She tried to keep her voice as soothing as she could as she attempted to draw as close to the man as he would allow. "What are these pugwampis?"
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the exchange between Mirama and Kara. She wondered at the severity of Kara's reaction. Everyone's emotions were heated enough as it was. More work needing to be done in the Dawnflower's name, it seems...
"Pugwampi!? What in the ocean is a Pugwampi?!"
Khalit wracks his brain, trying to think if he has ever come across a reference to such a creature.
Mal:
Knowledge:local (1d20+7=16)
If it's not covered under local, the skill check comes to 11 for any other knowledge (yay bardic knowledge!)
Well if the Pugwampi's lit the fire, they may have dragged the animal off, there are freash tracks to follow, it should be easy, my guess is whoever, or whatever dragged the animal off, may know about the fire"[/b]
"Well, Dashki," Khalit adds, "if you are so convinced that these 'Pugwampi' are responsible, perhaps you could lead us to them."
Ikethru's eyes widened at the escalating tension around the campire. Dashki's explosive reaction was greater than she had feared. Approaching the guide, she dropped her sheathed scimitar and held out her empty hands, trying to offer him a show of trust at least.
"Please, calm down, there is no need for this." Her words were as much for those drawing their weapons on Dashki as for Dashki himself. She tried to keep her voice as soothing as she could as she attempted to draw as close to the man as he would allow. "What are these pugwampis?"
"Pugwampi!? What in the ocean is a Pugwampi?!"
Khalit wracks his brain, trying to think if he has ever come across a reference to such a creature.
In response to Ikethru's overtures of peace, Dashki takes a deep breath and carefully removes his hand from the hilt of his blade. A palpable tension seems to lift from all those gathered around the firepit, the threat of imminent violence lifted...for the moment.
Dashki swallows carefully, and his eyes dart to Almah quickly, as though to assure himself that he has permission to speak. However, the merchant princess does not meet the gnoll expert's gaze, looking away instead. Despite this tacit rejection, Dashki answers, "I already told your friends," gesturing to Mirama and Javeed. "Pugwampis, they're small, smaller even than your sneaky smooth talker." Dashki points accusingly at Kara. "With light fur, and dirty claws, and heads like a jackal. They think gnolls are gods, and where gnolls are, there's pugwampis, spreading their bad luck like a curse. That fool fortune teller, he sure had bad luck with that fire." Dashki spreads his hands, indicating that the conclusion should speak for itself.
"Well if the Pugwampi's lit the fire, they may have dragged the animal off, there are freash tracks to follow, it should be easy, my guess is whoever, or whatever dragged the animal off, may know about the fire"
"Well, Dashki," Khalit adds, "if you are so convinced that these 'Pugwampi' are responsible, perhaps you could lead us to them."
Before Dashki can open his mouth to reply, Almah interrupts him. She says to the gnoll expert, "Yes, this newcomer speaks wisely. According to your expertise, the hills around here should be crawling with these pugwampis, or at least some sign of their passage. If what you say is true, Dashki, it should be easy for you to find one and bring it back to me.”
The merchant turns to the adventurers. “As he is, however, our best suspect in this affair, it would not do to send him out into the darkness alone. I’m afraid that your investigation is not yet at and end. Go out into the desert with Dashki and find me one of these pugwampis. This counsel is at an end.”
Kara stands still through the rest of the council, her hands at her sides, her eyes wide open staring blankly ahead of her, and all color drained out of her face. She remains there in that same posture even after the group has been dismissed, as if awaiting her punishment.
"If I may ask, lady, what if we cannot find one of these creatures? How long do we search if we get no results?"
Ikethru could not help but sigh with relief as the tension left the group. Dashki's harsh words towards the halfling woman irked her, but she was thankful he was cooperating now. [i]Bad luck? Curses?[/ooc] She wasn't entirely sure how much of that to believe.
She was actually thankful for Almah's order to follow Dashki out on his hunt. It would be better than simply waiting for everyone's tempers to flare again. "As you wish, Lady Roveshki." she said to the merchant with a respectful bow.
As she went to retrieve her scimitar, she saw Kara standing as she had during the discussion, frozen in place and obviously troubled. She approached the halfling and slowly knelt before her, placing what she hoped was a comforting hand on her shoulder. "What is wrong?" she asked gently. "Is it what the man said? You did nothing wrong if you were simply trying to get him to tell the truth." There was something in the girl's manner that haunted her, something that reminded her too much of a previous life.
As she went to retrieve her scimitar, she saw Kara standing as she had during the discussion, frozen in place and obviously troubled. She approached the halfling and slowly knelt before her, placing what she hoped was a comforting hand on her shoulder. "What is wrong?" she asked gently. "Is it what the man said? You did nothing wrong if you were simply trying to get him to tell the truth." There was something in the girl's manner that haunted her, something that reminded her too much of a previous life.
At Ikethru's touch, Kara recoils suddenly and almost winces before turning to look at her. Her face turns to one of confusion at the questions. "What he said? What who said? I uh..."
Kara starts to back away from the woman, her eyes darting to the left and right.
Ikethru was startled by Kara's reaction, and stammered in her attempt to calm her fears. "No, please do not be offended. You just seemed troubled, and I wanted to help. I thought Dashki's harsh words had upset you." She remained kneeling, holding out her hand.
"We will be going out to keep an eye on Dashki during his search soon. It would be best that all of us have our thoughts in order before venturing out, would it not?" She smiled gently, hoping to disarm any suspicions the halfling may have had of her intent. While she did intend for her last question to pressure the girl into opening up, she was genuinely worried. The desert was dangerous enough without losing one's focus out there.