A lance of cold energy shoots from Lucius' fingers but as the spell feathers across the nasty dog creature the energy sort of fizzles and never really effects it. The pugwampi giggles a little as his spell resistance completely neutralizes Lucius' spell. "Tehehehehe"
As Des and Ugh come into the clearing they are confronted with perhaps the most hideous 18" tall creature they have ever seen. Covered in splotchy patches of dirty fur, and mottled warty skin the pugwampi glares at you and lets out a little high pitched yip. Des and ugh charge across the clearing and attack the creature
Anala manages to calm the goat a bit but whenever the Pugwampi pipes out the goat strains against the rope.
Descartes peers into the dust laden night, looking for this beast that is the harbringer of so much woe.
Perception(+Dark Vision):1d20->[7]=(7)
Perception(+Dark Vision):1d20->[18]=(18)
Attack roll:1d20+5->[12,5]=(17)
Attack roll:1d20+5->[6,5]=(11)
Damage roll:1d6+1->[5,1]=(6)
Damage roll:1d6+1->[3,1]=(4)
"Die! you annoying little b@stard!" Desvartes cries, feeling the sting of every scratch in his skin and every flap of torn fabric from the ruins of his best shirt and trousers.
You are making 2 attacks due to bad luck from the critter and you only need to reroll d20s. Unfortunately that's not going to cut it.
You are making 2 attacks due to bad luck from the critter and you only need to reroll d20s. Unfortunately that's not going to cut it.
Ugh and Des charge into the clearing with their weapons out. The pugwampi cackles and dances as Des misses him but then Ugh catches him from behind and cleaves the small creature in 2.
A brief shocked look crosses the small dog like monstrosities face then it smiles, mocking you even in death.
Bleeding and a bit tattered from the surprisingly brutal encounter with the creature everyone is quiet for a moment. The tension drains from the air and a palpable calm settles in the desert. For a moment the only sound you hear is the much less plaintive bleating of the goat.
After a few calming words from Anala the goat settles down and after the healing touch of Lucius it is looking as healthy as it ever did, though the cuts and scrapes on it's side will probably prevent it from ever winning any more prizes at the county fairs.
Ugh pokes the dead pugwampi briefly and sees a small slightly burned paper stuffed into a pouch in it's belt. A crude bow is clutched in it's tiny hand and a small dagger is tied to it's back. A quick search reveals it's pouch is filled with an assortment of worthless junk and a handful of half burned harrow cards.
Desvartes stares for a brief moment at the Pugwhumpy.
"Such a small bundle of trouble..." He muses quietly. He then looks around at those in whos company he finds himself. At the sigh of Anala Bhatnagar he smiles, kneels and offers the woman a helping hand to her feet.
"It is a pity that such troubles are the cause of our innitial meeting." He nods slightly, smiling to the woman. Glancing into the catctii he sees Lucius and his smile seems to grow even wider,
"Greetings!" He says enthusiastically,grabbing the man and helping him to his feet. Pulling Luscius into a hug and slapping him on the back.
"So, let's hear it for Ugh! Dealer of timely mortal blows!" He gestures thanks to the brawny half-Orc, then he spies the crumpled form and his features grow cold and stern.
"Ah, but such victory bought at such a cost..."
Desvartes kneels and begins to gather Savrah's body up in her cloak and clothing,
"My name is Desvartes, Desvartes D'glaese but such further introductions I feel should await untill we are all safely back to camp. Um, my freind?" He looks to Lucius and gestures to the work he is doing gathering up their fallen. Then to Ugh and Anala,
"Ugh, m'lady? Perhapse you should be doing the honours of returning our lost lamb, um, I mean kid back to camp?" Though his features are still freindly the discovery of a fallen adventurer has left his face tempered with darker emotions.
Ugh growls in triumph as his mighty axe cleaves the little creature. But then he raises an eyebrow in confusion as the pugwampi mocks him as he dies.
Ugh then goes about searching the body while Des helps the others up. Looking in the pugwampis pouch he finds some half burned harrow cards. "Dese must be da cards of da guy who die in fire. We should take dese and show to Almah." Ugh says. He also finds a slightly singed piece of paper stuffed in the pouch. "Can someone read dis? Maybe it have clue why pugwampi attack camp." Ugh asks, handing the paper to whoever wants to read it. Ugh takes the tiny dagger and bow "Dese make good toys for little ones at camp."
Des climbs to the bottom of the ravine and finds the druids body has been ravaged by the hyenas in spite of the big cat's best efforts. Just outside his vision Des sees the eyes of perhaps 30 of the creatures, and several dead hyenas are testament to the cat's ferocity. The big cat is wounded badly and it's pretty clear that the hyenas will probably come back to finish off the cat soon.
There is a disturbingly small number of bones and remains but Des is able to gather them up fairly quickly along with the druids possessions. The big cat watches Des, then when Des leaves it pads quietly behind him.
After a brief scramble up the side of the ravine Des rejoins the group.
Des climbs to the bottom of the ravine and finds the druids body has been ravaged by the hyenas in spite of the big cat's best efforts. Just outside his vision Des sees the eyes of perhaps 30 of the creatures, and several dead hyenas are testament to the cat's ferocity. The big cat is wounded badly and it's pretty clear that the hyenas will probably come back to finish off the cat soon.
There is a disturbingly small number of bones and remains but Des is able to gather them up fairly quickly along with the druids possessions. The big cat watches Des, then when Des leaves it pads quietly behind him.
After a brief scramble up the side of the ravine Des rejoins the group.
Helping the large cat up to where the others await, Des looks to Ugh, the as yet unintroduced lady and her companion along with the goat.
"It would seem another has fallen to that little beast." He indicates the bundle he carries. "There are scavenges lutking in the darkness, I really do suggest we move back to the safer fires of the camp."
"Are either of you healers? This faithful creature," Des indicates the limping and cat that has joined them, "Seems in dire need of assistance."
"Are either of you healers? This faithful creature," Des indicates the limping and cat that has joined them, "Seems in dire need of assistance."
"I have exhausted Asmodeus's gifts for today, I'm afraid."
Anala collects the pieces of her shattered Bich'hwa and slips them into her backpack. She picks up the goat to carry it through the cacti, spitting on the body of the tiny creature as she passes.
Walking to Desvartes she says, "greetings. I thank you and the mighty Ugh for your assistance in dealing with that cursed creature. I am Anala Bhatnagar, Disciple of the Unblinking Flame. I agree that we should return to camp as swiftly as possible to report. Ugh, as much as I do not wish even the remains of that creature to be anywhere near us, i feel it prudent to take it with us as evidence of the foul creature's guilt. After that we can throw it on the fire and celebrate as the cursed beast is returned to whatever hell spawned thing created it."
With that, she lets Desvartes lead her through the cactus patch and back to the camp, but not before telling him to collect her Sunrod to help them.
A tear comes to Ughs eye as the remains of Savrah come into view. He did not know her well but knew that she was a decent person not deserving of this fate.
When Anala suggests taking the pugwampi to camp, Ugh agrees with a nod, stows his axe and collects the creatures body in his arm. He will then lead the group out of the cacti, slowly and carefully this time trying to keep the group safe from the spikes.
Walking to Desvartes she says, "Greetings. I thank you and the mighty Ugh for your assistance in dealing with that cursed creature. I am Anala Bhatnagar, Disciple of the Unblinking Flame. I agree that we should return to camp as swiftly as possible to report. Ugh, as much as I do not wish even the remains of that creature to be anywhere near us, i feel it prudent to take it with us as evidence of the foul creature's guilt. After that we can throw it on the fire and celebrate as the cursed beast is returned to whatever hell spawned thing created it."
With that, she lets Desvartes lead her through the cactus patch and back to the camp, but not before telling him to collect her Sunrod to help them.
Desvartes raises an eyebrow at Anala's final comments, though he smiles, bows debonairly and does as asked. While waiting for Ugh to lead them safely from their thorny predicament, Desvartes can not help but glance between Anala and Lucius. While his glances are reasonably discreet, that something about the pair seems to amuse him is not.
The group makes it's way back to camp without event, a bit tattered and bloody but still mostly sound.
Garavel spots you immediately and approaches. "You look like hell. What happened?"
After a brief summary of events Garavel interrupts. "Ok, sounds like you've got things in hand, we'll bring this to Almah and see what she says." He summons the cleric over who takes Savarah's remains.
"I'll prepare these for a ceremony tomorrow at dawn."
Des, anxious about the lion who has been quietly following the group until now asks if the cleric could heal the lion.
A startled look crosses the cleric's face and he shakes his head. "No, I wouldn't... I mean... uuum." he collects himself briefly then more clearly. "I've used all my healing magic on the victims from the fire today. I cannot take care of the beast. Perhaps the animal healer could take care of it. I have to take care of this." With that the cleric shuffles off, perhaps a little faster than he should.
"I'll talk to Almah and we'll get this all resolved tonight, I'll find you when she is ready. The animal healer is with the camel herders right now. Des, your captain is looking for you." With that Garavel shuffles off, almost in the footsteps of the cleric.
Confident that they have resolved the cause of the fire and prevented it from happening again at least from that pugwampi, Ugh finds his armor and a place to rest while he awaits word from Almah.
Traveling in the heat in his armor was a bad idea Ugh thinks. Perhaps if he had not worried about the dangers of the desert and his own well being Savrah might still be alive, the fire might have been prevented before it caused so much damage, he might have been able to find the cause of the fire easier. In any case it's all in the past now and he can't go back and change it.
Ugh's thoughts turn to his Mother. Is she still here after all of these years? Will she recognize the 'man' Ugh has become? Will she forgive Ugh for letting the gnolls kidnap him and losing her husband as he tried, and eventually succeded, in freeing Ugh?
His mind races with these thoughts as his body unwinds.
Desvartes nods at the Cleris' explanaition, though an eyebrow does arch. With a soft word, Des takes a lock of hair from the fallen, sighing and with obvious sadnes on his features as he does so. Then, rising, he signals to the wounded cat and makes his way over to where the Camels are being kept.
Stopping a good distance away, lest the scent of both the cat and blood cause these animals distress. Des helps the lie down and looks about for the Animal Healer. He absently begins to take stock of the state of his cloathes as well.
The large cat watches the cleric intently as he takes Savarahs remains but follows Des. Then unexpectedly it charges past him and around the backside of the wagon. Caught off guard by the cat's strange behavior Des chases the cat.
Des rounds the corner just in time to see the cat pounce on a tiny humanoid figure, pinning her to the ground. Des charges over sword in hand, hoping to avoid any further bloodshed, only to discover the lion has a small light green haired gnome pinned and it is licking her fervently... and is that a giggle you hear?
"Get off of Markhet Larrs!" the gnome snaps, "Larrs is too big to be jumping on his friend like this. Markhet is only very tinny! Markhet will become very very angry if you don't stop this this instant Mr Larrs Catington!"
The lion lets the little gnome up after a moment and then seems almost abashed at his earlier behavior.
"What's gotten into you Larrs?" the gnome asks the lion as if expecting a reply, "and what have you gotten into? You're all cut up. Markhet hopes Savrah hasn't let you get into anything you're not supposed to. Markhet doesn't want to get blamed for anything again."
The gnome quickly looks the large cat over and the lion remarkably allows her to. It's only at this moment that the gnome notices that there's someone else there.
"Oh hello," the gnome says looking up, "this one is called Markhet, are you part of the caravan as well?"
Des sheaths his blade and a happy smile brightens his face for the first time in the long night. As the Gnome rises and chats to 'Larrs' his good humor is tempered some what.
"Savra...fell behind." Desvarte's explains and his face goes momentarily still as he finishes his sentence.
"Larrs' wounds are the result. Do you have healing skills Markhet, little bloom of the desert?" Des kneels down beside the Gnome, the sight of the small, fey like person banishing his concerns for his own state at the moment as he smiles again.
"Markhet is blessed by the gods," the gnome says, "she can cast magic that can heal, and she did learn about medicine. But Markhet got board. She can probably heal humanoids, they're similar to animals, but Markhet can't make any promises."
Des can't help but notice that Larrs the lion seems to be looking at him rather cautiously now. The big cat is clearly unsure of Des' intentions and Larrs is clearly very protective of his smaller companion.
Desvartes smiles at Markhet, then slowly lifts empty open hands towards the petite Gnome,
"Worry not Blossom, I'm just thankful that Larrs here gets the care he deserves." His grin widens, "Perhaps after seeing to our furred hero you and he might like to join the others of the company?" Des indicates to where the adventurers have made their spot in camp. Then, wincing but slightly, he rises and pulls off his Hide armor shirt and inspecting the scratching and scoring upon its surface.
"These will be a bugger to work out." He muses quietly before looking at his equally torn shirt which he also takes off with another sigh. "Ah well, at least it's not my fine silk, now replacing that would be a major problem out here so far from any where." He smiles to Markhet, hoping to show that he hadn't just suddenly forgotten her, but is simply musing to himself.
"Well, Poppet, must be away. I heard tell my Captain wants to speak to me." He looks fondly towards the big cat,
"You look after Markhet, as she looks after you, okay?." He says to the animal seriously then turns and, with a jaunty wave, saunters off towards the other caravan guards, wincing again slightly as the cool night air brushes against the many scratches over his bare chest. His shirt and armor top draped over one arm
"Maybe we should heal him Larrs," Markhet whispers to her lion, "maybe we should also go spy on everyone . . ."
The lion growls, a good natured sound, and Markhet glances at him as if she spoke the same language.
"Fine, Markhet will try to treat your sores, you big baby, but then we're going to go spy. Spying is an important skill to learn Larrs, a good hunter is also a good spy . . . probably."
After patching up her lion Markhet will sneak over to the meeting and see what's going on.
Des
Des finds Trevvis at his tent cleaning his gear.
"Captain Trevis? You got a promotion while I was scouting?"
Trevvis shakes his head and puts his hands up. "Hey, I didn't make any such claims. Garavel cooked that up on his own. They like rank and those sorts of things.
"Look, um... while you were out I spoke with Garavel. He has some special jobs they need some help with. It would be more dangerous than caravan guard but the pay is better too." Trevvis looks awkward for a minute then his face get resolute. "I recommended you."
"Ah, t'buggerit!" Desvartes exclaims. "What's this special job that you think I'm so fit to do?" Desvartes' eyebrow arches,
"And if it's anything like that fiasco that happened back in..." He's interrupted as Trevvis holds up his hands in a placating manner, moving closer to shush Des up,
"No, no, no, nothing like that at all. Besides, I thought you considered yourself enough of a ladies man that running interference with that Female Guard Captain was a 'breeze'?" Trevvis asks, raising an eyebrow of his own. Desvartes sighs,
"Well, yes..." Des shuffles a foot, "...but do you know how expensive it is to get a Dwarf drunk?"
Desvartes
"You don't have to take the job, but I figure if you stick around here much longer you are probably going to get shanked in the night and there isn't much I can do about it. You know my leadership is a tenuous thing here. The other guards like Utarches, a lot. If things keep up I'm going to be reporting to him, and you are going to be looking for work anyhow... or dead. This is a good chance for you.
"Hell look at you, your torn the hell up and you haven't even told me what happened. You finally manage to corner that gnome animal handler and get her off into the brush somewhere?"
Garavel gathers everyone up and brings the group to Almah's tent. Two professional looking mercenaries guard the doorway to the extravagant tent and everyone has to duck to get in.
Almah sits comfortably on a pile of pillows atop a small raised area. A table set with some food and chilled wine is set in the center of the tent.
"Sit, relax and enjoy my hospitality. Perhaps between bites you can tell me what brought this destruction to my camp."
Markhet
"Uh, yeah, riiiight.' He replies, still grinning, "You know me." He coughs, scratches his head behind one expressive ear as he continues.
"Well, I was out and about, like I was ordered, when I come across a group of folks all cavorting around in a cactus patch. Seems the Herders prize goat had gotten itself in their during the fire, oh the group all say they're a part of this traveling show by the way, and there they were all rolling about having fun getting the poor lil' bugger out." Des shrugs and coughs again, rubbing at one scratch across his chest gently.
"Well, we eventually get the 'lil', um, guy? out and dealt with one nasty little bugger of an imp, to boot." Desvartes frowns and draws out the silence for effect. "Some one said it was a 'pugwhumpi'? Not sure what that means, but I reckon a pack of the little critters coming at you in the night would be more than a bad dream. Worst night mare, more like." Des smiles, "At least you've got a chance of smelling Gnolls coming, right?"
He sighs, taking a deep breath, flexing stiffening sores and working off some tension in his muscles. "So, what's this job?"
Desvartes
Ugh has to duck low and turn sideways to enter Almahs tent. He grabs a handful of food from the table and stuffs it in his mouth. Before he completely swallows the whole bite he answers Almah in one word "Pug-wam-pi". He then defers to the more eloquent speakers in the group to elaborate.
DesvartesSpoiler:"Talk to Garavel about it, he hasn't given me the details. Only that it's high risk, good money." Des nods at Trevvis words, his grin still showing white teeth in the dim, candle lit tent.
Walking back out, he is just in time to see Garavel duck into the camps largest pavilion. Desvartes stands in the cool night air for a moment, casually glancing about, thinking and musing to himself before coming to a decision. After a quick stop at his bed roll to drop his armor and shirt he walks briskly and confidently to their over all leaders large camping place. As the Two professional mercenaries guarding the main entrance shift to block his way Des sighs,
"Garavel said to be here," He points past them to where Garavel can just be seen. Garavel catches sight of Des standing beyond the guard, thinking for a minute he shrugs and indicates that Des is indeed also 'one of the group' and should be included.
Desvartes saunters in to them meeting with Almah. He bows formally, raising his head with a smile for all of his 'friends' whom he shared quality time in the cactus patch with,
"Pug-wam-pi" The big Ugh says around a mouth of food and Des's smile turns into a grin as he sits himself down, seeming to take an inordinate amount of time getting his seating on his cushion 'just right'.
"Ya we'd better keep following him Larrs," the gnome whispers, "he's getting orders from Garavel and Garavel is the one that owns Markhet. Or perhaps it is the lady who gives him the orders? Markhet isn't sure but we'd better follow to see what they're going to talk about."
Almah raises an eyebrown and asks politely "Pub-wandi?"
Markhet
Glancing up you see all 3 of Almah's bodyguards surrounding you, each with a bow notched and pointed at Larrs.
"Step away from the tent and move slowly."
Markhet backs away from the tent.
"We were only looking."
Still with a smile at the 'antics' of those around him Desvartes,
Perception Check:
Hears the noise beyond the tent canvas. Turning, rising to his knees, he shuffles over and looks outside.
"Ah! There you are come in, come in!" Desvartes motions to the Gnome and the great cat that is with her. "The night grows cold and any extra warmth in the great ladies tent would be appreciated. Nothing like a 'real' fur to keep a body warm now, is there?" He grins and winks to Markhet, while easily and totaly ignoring the guards that are around.
Holding the tent flat open he motions the Gnome, and by default Larrs, inside.
As Markhet escorts Larrs past Desvartes, she notes that the flickering torch light seems to cast his smile in a more sardonic light than cheerful, but she can see genuine concern in the half Elf's eyes.
"Look miss I've seen you around camp and we recognize you but someone in this camp set a fire today. The only reason you weren't shot on sight is because Fixx recognized you and that cat who is with you."
"Now go just move away from the tent and stay here with Fixx and Podarn."
Des comes out of the tent just in time to catch the tail end of this and nearly bumps into Keldon as he is turning to go into the tent.
After a brief moment of discussion with Des, Keldon turns around. Look Markhet, can you make that cat lay down or go hunt or... something. Des here seems to think you are ok but there is no way that cat is going into the tent.
"Markhet can assure you that Larrs is completely incapable of setting fires. Markhet can't get Larrs to hold the flint and steel properly," the gnome says, sounding dejected. Larrs, for his part, keeps a straight face.
"Markhet has never tried to make Larrs go hunting. Markhet wonders if it would work? Markhet imagines that sending Larrs off to kill something would be perfectly safe . . . unless Larrs got lazy, which Larrs is, and he decided it would be easier to kill something closer to camp, which Larrs would most certainly do if he weren't supervised . . . hmmm, on second thought Markhet thinks that would be a foolish idea.
"Larrs stay!" Markhet commands with her tiny hands on her tiny little hips. To that Larrs looks indigent (not an uncommon expression for cats), it's as if he were saying 'Meeeee?! Stay? This is an outrage!' The cat seems to listen and obey though.
"There," Markhet says to the guards, "he will stay there unless he gets board and his mind wanders. Larrs is unlikely to sneak into the tent seeing as Markhet told him to stay. But he might wander off to Markhet's bed roll. Best let him go. Larrs won't attack someone unless they do something that makes him feel threatened. Yelling or running after him would be a bad idea. Too bad Markhet can't keep him under supervision . . . but making him stay is safer then sending him off to hunt Markhet thinks."
Anala follows the others into the tent and sits cross-legged on the floor, taking sparing amounts of food and listening intently to the conversation going on. She sees the Guard who helped them defeat the Pugwumpi enter the tent and gives him a nod in recognition before returning her attention to Almah.
"I have never seen a creature such as this before, but for something so small it took much work to kill it. And the vile little creature broke my weapon. I must now attempt to find a replacement, if indeed one can be found out here, or if possible get a weaponsmith to attempt to repair it, although I do not like his chances."
"Hello," the gnome says to everyone in the tent, "this one's name is Markhet."
As she sees the gnome come in the room Almah sighs deeply and puts her hand to her head. She briefly looks to Garavel who just shrugs.
Almah examines the Pugwampi (she eventually gets the name right) and the burned harrow cards which were found with the body.
"You have convinced me that this creature was indeed the culprit. Quite a foul thing." She calls out the door to the tent and Fixx comes in. "Please remove this thing and put it at least 100 yards from camp. If it brings foul luck as these people say I want it far from here."
Looking back at you as Fixx removes the pugwampi corpse. "As you know we are planning on recapturing the village of Kelmarane. The first step to regaining the village is securing a stronghold near the village. We have chosen an old monastery of the Goddess Sarenrae as our stronghold. From what Dashki tells me the monastery is abandoned but there might be some creatures inhabiting it. I need you to secure the monastery in the morning. Then we will look at what needs to be done with the village.
"The monastery is about a mile away, it is almost visible from here.
Looking at Desvartes she adds "Trevis said you might be willing to lend your sword for this sort of mission. Are you interested?"
"Markhet, you have saved me the trouble of having Fixx chase you down. You wanted a chance to earn your freedom, well now this is it."
Almah winds down her little speech and looks at you expectantly.
Relieved that Almah agrees that the pugwampi was the cause of the fire and that the groups investigation proved fruitful Ugh relaxes a bit, grabs another fistful of food and says. "Ugh once from Kelmerane. Ugh taken away by gnolls and sold into slavery. Ugh happy to help take Kelmerane back. Ugh hoping mother is there. Ugh lend axe to this cause."
"First Ugh need rest. Travel through desert in armor was bad idea. Where Ugh rest tonight?"
"Markhet must capture a monastery?" the gnome asks, "Larrs could help Markhet thinks, but Markhet wonders if she is capable. She has never attacked a monastery before."
"My mission is to Kelmarane. If I can accomplish it sooner by helping capture the monastery, so be it."
That a monastery specifically helps him goes unsaid.
Desvates smiles warmly to Almah,
"My lady, it would fill my heart with joy to help in such an endeavor." He gives a polite bow, from the waist up in his sitting position..
"Though a man should not work for two masters. I shall talk to Tevvis at the earliest opportunity to clear up any chains beholden to the order of command." He smiles and turns to his new companions in adventure.
"Indeed! Friend Ugh! A wise thought, we should retire for the night, rest and recuperate for the adventure that seems to await us on the morrow." Desvartes again bows to Almah courteously before standing.
"Come friends lets us adjourn so that we may, upon the rising sun seize the new day.' Desvartes grins, "Though not so roughly and from behind, as it would seem to be Utarches want." He mutters in a faux whisper to himself.
Anala looks more interested as Almah mentions retaking a Monastery.
"I stand ready to do whatever is necessary to take back Kelmarane from the vile grip that it finds itself in. To cleanse a Monastery of any taint will be an admirable start to such an endeavour."
She bows to Almah as the conversation draws to a close and exits the tent to find a place to meditate and get some rest before the coming journey.