"I would be glad to find us a base where we might have walls about us. I am glad to enter into your service under these conditions."
"Unfortunately, my sister Mirama sometimes forgets the expenses that we may incur. Mirama, if you do not wish to take the gold for yourself, perhaps you could donate it to Martika, for the greater glory of The Dawnflower or to pool our resources, whichever you wish."
"When do we depart?"
"That's a good thought, brother! So, Almah, I will accept your offer of money, to make good things with it."
After hearing Almah's proposal at breakfast, Kara looks confused. She finally speaks up, "Uh, Madam?" After a moments pause, clearly waiting for permission to speak, she continues, "I uh...who would receive my earnings? I understood you were to be my new master..." her voice trails off uncertainly.
Almah blinks at Kara for a moment, completely taken aback. "Garavel did not tell me that you were a slave, Kara. I'll have to have a word with him about that. Of course, things were somewhat hectic yesterday," she muses, half to herself. "In any case, as a show of good faith, I will permit your earned wage to be split among your comrades, 240 gold pieces each in sum. You will, of course, still be permitted to accompany the others on the journey to the monastery, as your musical talents should prove quite useful. I would appreciate it if one of you would assume full responsibility for Kara on this mission, to see that no harm comes to my property."
Kara bows deeply, "You are most generous, m'lady. I will strive to serve you well."
With that, she sits and resumes her breakfast.
Ikethru tried to stop staring with distaste at Dashki's abuse of the pugwampi corpse. She would have to speak with him later after their immediate business was done.
"You certainly have my aid in this." Ikethru suddenly looked very determined, her eyes hardening for the first time since joining the caravan. "Restoring the Dawnflower's temple was why I came. I am simply grateful that doing so will aid everyone else as well."
She was about to commend Khalit's idea of pooling their resources when Kara mentioned the fact that she was a slave. Like Almah, she was taken aback, but things suddenly made sense. Blessed Sarenrae, did her master simply throw her into this dangerous endeavor to be rid of her? She looked haunted by her own memories as she watched Kara and Almah go over the dispersal of the girl's wealth.
"While I believe pooling our resources would be wise, today I will go ahead and accept the full payment offered, Lady Roveshki." She knelt by Kara, placing a hand on her shoulder, quietly speaking to the halfling, "And that money is to be used at your command. Anything you require, I shall buy for you for your use. And as it is technically my property being loaned to you, none can take them from you." She would not see the girl's position abused if she could help it.
Already her mind was racing, trying to find a way to secure the girl's freedom and safety.
"While I believe pooling our resources would be wise, today I will go ahead and accept the full payment offered, Lady Roveshki." She knelt by Kara, placing a hand on her shoulder, quietly speaking to the halfling, "And that money is to be used at your command. Anything you require, I shall buy for you for your use. And as it is technically my property being loaned to you, none can take them from you." She would not see the girl's position abused if she could help it.
Kara makes no immediate reaction to Ikethru's offer, other than her lips turning to a slight frown. What does she want from me? I didn't expect this cleric to be wanting favors...
Not wanting to offend her, Kara nods slightly at the preistess in understanding.
"Milady Almah, if you are amenable, I will take charge of the halfling" Khalit offers.
Almah nods happily as Mirama, Khalit, and Ikethru accept her terms. She responds to the party members between mouthfuls of porridge:
"When do we depart?"
"As soon as you have made whatever preparations you feel are necessary. Today would be ideal, as I wish to move camp to the monastery as soon as possible."
"That's a good thought, brother! So, Almah, I will accept your offer of money, to make good things with it."
"Very well. The gold is yours to do with as you see fit. I will instruct Garavel to prepare your payment before you leave camp."
"Milady Almah, if you are amenable, I will take charge of the halfling" Khalit offers.
"That is acceptable to me, Khalit. Please see that no harm comes to her, else I will expect full recompense."
Turning to Kara, Almah instructs her, "Kara, you will obey Khalit while on this journey as if his commands are my own. Use your gifts to aid the mission in any way that you can."
"If I may ask, what is the full value that I would have to recompense? Not that I intend to end up in that position."
Seeing Kara's frown, Ikethru slowly pulled the back of her dress slightly to the side, exposing the deep scars on her back. "Our kind have to look out for each other, don't we?" she said with a faint smile, nodding her head pointedly towards Mirama. "Some of us have shared your plight. We will do what we can to see you free." she tried to reassure Kara quietly.
She stood up and moved closer to Khalit. She was grateful he had stepped forward to declare the girl under his watch. She trusted the al-Raedoth siblings, though she did not know them that well. "Thank you, Khalit." she said with a bow of her head. "She will be safe under your watch, I am certain."
Kara was about to take another bite of porridge when she saw the scars on Ikethru's back and her hand froze halfway to her mouth for a moment. Two freed slaves among us? And she wants to free me as well? She shakes her head suddenly, as if snapping her focus back to the present and finishes taking the bite. Mustn't think about such things now! After swallowing, she responds to Almah "Yes, ma'am. I shall work hard not to disappoint you."
Javeed looks Dashki straight in the eyes and states, "We are brothers now, and tommorow, you have family once more as do I" Javeed reaches out to Dashki his arm in a hand shake
Kara was about to take another bite of porridge when she saw the scars on Ikethru's back and her hand froze halfway to her mouth for a moment. Two freed slaves among us? And she wants to free me as well? She shakes her head suddenly, as if snapping her focus back to the present and finishes taking the bite. Mustn't think about such things now! After swallowing, she responds to Almah "Yes, ma'am. I shall work hard not to disappoint you."
"Please, just call me Ikethru." The priestess brushed the hair out of Kara's face in what was meant to be a comforting gesture. "I will make sure that you are taken care of. Just let me know if there is anything you need, alright?" she said with a friendly smile.
"If I may ask, what is the full value that I would have to recompense? Not that I intend to end up in that position."
Almah appraises Kara thoughtfully for a moment. "Considering her musical gifts, and other obvious...attributes...I am sure she would sell for 200 gold pieces in the Cattle Market of Katapesh. Perhaps substantially more if I were to brave the Nightstalls. Treat her with care, Khalit."
Javeed looks Dashki straight in the eyes and states, "We are brothers now, and tommorow, you have family once more as do I" Javeed reaches out to Dashki his arm in a hand shake
Dashki allows Javeed to shake his hand, albeit reluctantly. It's clear the man is unused to this sort of contact. He gives Javeed a hard, inscrutable stare before turning and wordlessly limping off to bed.
Ikethru flinched at the casual appraisal of Kara's monetary worth. She couldn't hid her distaste at the exchange, and quietly excused herself to prepare her gear for whatever the day was bringing.
It's like a poison, here and in my homeland. Oh Sarenrae, will our lands ever change? As she passed by Dashki, the sight of his grisly trophy brought her to a halt. "Dashki," she kept a gentle tone, though her disgust still slipped through. "Is that really necessary? I know it was a wicked creature and it got you into trouble, but it still deserves a burial or burning." She tried to think about it from his perspective, attempting to avoid sounding holier-than-thou. "Can you not simply take some of its teeth and be done with it?"
Kara beams for a moment with pride. 200gp! Few are those who sell for so much! She must really like me!
As she passed by Dashki, the sight of his grisly trophy brought her to a halt. "Dashki," she kept a gentle tone, though her disgust still slipped through. "Is that really necessary? I know it was a wicked creature and it got you into trouble, but it still deserves a burial or burning." She tried to think about it from his perspective, attempting to avoid sounding holier-than-thou. "Can you not simply take some of its teeth and be done with it?"
Dashki merely glares at Ikethru, porridge dripping down over his chin. "Leave me be, priestess. You'll never understand."
Mirama takes Lady Almah aside, to have a private word with her (if possible).
After talking to Almah, Mirama bows deeply for the first time in a long long time.
Almah willingly allows herself to be taken aside by Mirama, and listens carefully to what she has to say.
Javeed replies, "I will accept the journey"
Ikethru thought there was no use in pushing the point at the moment. "Fine." she muttered, making it clear it certainly wasn't to her, and then made her way back to her small tent to retrieve her armor before meeting up with the others again.
Excited by the prospects of adventure and gainful employment, the party members waste no time preparing themselves for the trek to the ruined monastery. Within the hour, the group stands assembled and ready to depart.
True to Almah's word, Garavel appears with five sacks that clink heavily with the weight of gold. He distributes one (containing 240 gp) to each member of the party, save Kara. Almah offers directions to the monastery, stating that it lies about a mile to the northeast of the Sultan's Claw. With that, the group sets out into the badlands.
The terrain looks far different in daylight than it did the night before. The morning is warm, but not yet hot, and the party proceeds easily enough. Javeed, as the best tracker, leads the way with the sun overhead to guide him.
About halfway to the monastery, the group has paused briefly to allow for a quick breather.
Perception Check, DC 21
Suddenly, a pair of light brown scorpions, each the size of a large dog, erupts from a hole in the ground some 30 feet from the party. Their claws click menacingly as they advance aggressively!
Khalit moves within range of one of the scorpions, and blasts it with an arc of electricity from his outstretched hand.
Kara's thoroughly distracted, counting how many steps it takes for her short legs to match Khalit's long strides.
Perception (1d20+2=3)
Initiative (1d20+4=13)
When she finally notices the assailants, a dart appears with a flick of her hand and she moves closer to her foes, trying to get in throwing range.
Ikethru's breath caught in her throat at the sight of the emerging scorpions, her hands instinctively clutching at the wrappings on her forearms.
She came back to her senses in time to yell out "Look out! Scorpions, over there!" and with an expression of more anger and outright loathing, she hurled a dart of her goddess' flame at the closest creature.
Not even stopping to see if the first bolt hit, she inhaled through closed teeth and brought her hands together, trying to focus her mind before throwing another bolt of flame. The revulsion and memories the scorpions drew out of her once more threw off her aim.
When Martika finally becomes aware of the scorpions, she draws her scimitar and advances on the nearest one slashing at it somewhat mechanically. "Be careful. These vermin are mostly mindless, but still dangerous."
Surprise
Perception 14
Initiative 4
tohit 19
todam 8
Round 1
tohit 16
todam 9
Javvedstepsinfrontofthe Mwangi girl shielding her from the scorpion'spincers,he strikes furiously at the creatures
Mirama tries to flank a single creature, noticing that Javeed is about to shield her.
"Take care of Kara, or lest Almah will take care of you!" she shouts to him with a smile!
Kara's face briefly flashes red with anger. I'm not a child, why must they all treat me as one? Well I'll show them! She prepares to throw her dart at the first scorpion that comes in range (assuming they're not all dead).
"Be careful there, Kara! These things are extremely poisonous!" Ikethru couldn't hide her disgust for the creatures, and it was clear it wasn't simply their venomous nature that had her eager to burn them from the sands.
Ikethru reacts to the intruders quickly, but not accurately.
The scorpions charge! One attacks Ikethru, and the other Martika, but neither manages to catch either of the handmaids of Sarenrae in their pincers.
Mirama stabs deep with her rapier, and a gout of ichor erupts from the scorpion attacking Ikethru.
Kara surreptitiously readies her dart.
Martika counter-attacks against her scorpion, but her blow is turned aside by its sun-baked chitin.
Khalit attempts to aid his twin, and slightly damages her scorpion.
Ikethru back-pedals away from her attacker, and nearly singes her companions with another sun-bolt.
Javeed sees that he cannot protect Mirama, as he originally intended, and instead fills in the gap vacated by Ikethru. He chops into the scorpion facing Mirama and it falls under his assault.
The remaining scorpion mindlessly continues its attack on Martika, but she withstands its claws and stinger.
Kara throws her dart but due to so many of her companions getting in between her and her target she's not able to get a clear shot and misses completely.
dart attack (-4 throwing into melee) (1d20+1=3)
With a flick of her wrist, she produces another dart and keeps moving in an attempt to get a clearer shot.
Slight of Hand (1d20+8=22)
"That's easy!", Mirama says with a smile.
Mirama's rapier seems to be a particularly effective weapon for finding the gaps in the scorpions' chitin.
Kara's thrown daggers, however, are not.
"Thank you, Javeed!" Ikethru said as she rushed past him to Mirama's side. If anger had thrown off her aim, it certainly did not help her scimitar find its target as she swung down at the creature.
Martika cautiously slices at the hideous vermin in front of her, to little effect.
Javeed scrambles towards the Scorpion and slices with his Falchion, bringing a mighty two handed chop upon the chitin
To hit 22; to dmg 12.
Javeed's scimitar opens up a huge rent in the scorpion's carapace, and the creature falls.
Though the immediate threat passed, Kara's heartbeat is still pounding for several long moments after the creatures fall. Finally, the dart disappears from her hands and she starts wandering around searching for her lost dart. Her eyes light up when she sees something glint in the sand and runs over to pick it up. This dart, too, quickly disappears and Kara stands up and looks back and forth at her companions, as if wondering what to do next.
Perception (1d20+2=22)
Mirama walks over to Kara.
"Sorry, Kara! I didn't meant to be rude to you, when telling Javeed to protect you. It's just that, well, whenever I am fighting, I really feel free and the joy of live is pumping hard through my body. I know this sounds a bit paradox, but only when my life if threadned, I really feel alive and happy!
And by the way, I am sure you can take care of yourselve, Kara!"
Mirama smiles at her, than turns around to the others to check what to do next.
Ikethru almost seemed ready to strike the last scorpion again even after it was clearly killed, but after a moment she exhaled and immediately began fretting over the others, asking each of them if they were certain they were not stung.
She was nervously fiddling with the wrappings about her forearms as she did so.
"We should make haste. It won't do to have the caravan sleeping in tents should more of these bloody things wander into our campsite."
Kara's mouth hangs open a moment as Mirama speaks to her. Was I really that obvious? She finally manages a stuttered reply, "Oh, no, don't worry about it."
She then looks down and pretends to look for something in the sand until Mirama leaves her.
Javeed looks to his friends, Are we all ok? he asks with concern in his eyes, let us keep moving, these carcasses will attract foul carrion soon
Kara nods at the others in agreement, wipes the sand off her hands on her dress briskly, and falls in line to continue the march.
Ikethru whispered to Mirama as she passed, "Thank you for speaking with her." before falling in line with the others as they marched onward.
Her face seemed apologetic to any who looked at her. She continued to chide herself silently for losing herself to anger and possibly putting the others at risk.
As she walks, Kara suddenly starts humming a happy little tune, which quickly turns into a rousing marching song. While she sings, she conjures a dagger in her hand, and twisting and spinning, gracefully swings it as if in mock combat. Finally she does a one-handed cartwheel before discreetly sheathing her dagger, maintaining her cheerful song all the while.
Ikethru watched Kara's impromptu performance intently with a faint smile; she was grateful for something to take her mind off the scorpions and that the slave girl's spirits seemed so high.
She could not help but worry though, about how much of the girl's act was out of genuine cheer or out of a sense of duty to entertain her "betters". Blessed Sarenrae, please give me the strength and wisdom to see her free at the very least.