Shimei scans the surrounding desert. Too many hiding places. He stoops by the crack and looks for tracks on the ground. Then straightens and looks around again.
Perception
Survival
Disappointed at loosing the pug, Shimei looks down. He catches the glint of silver out of the corner of his eye. what's this? He bends down to pick up the ring. He lays it in his left palm and looks at it closely. Pretty. Very nice work.
He tries a bit of sleight of hand (something he'd seen in the markteplace years ago) passing his right hand over the left to make the ring disappear and nearly drops it between his fingers. He smiles at himself. Then he absentmindedly tries the ring on.
"Let us continue our exploration" Erizi deadpans.
"Perhaps we should go back to camp and rest. I, for one, am spent from that fight."
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Back at the Camp
Garavel, the tall dark warrior with the burnished scimitar and white aba takes over when Dashki brings the two halflings into camp. He has them taken to Father Zastoran, food is provided by Hadrah and the priest heals any minor scrapes or wounds at his orders.
Eventually refreshed and clean with plain linen robes Garavel takes them to see his mistress who he says should be treated with great respect.
Inside the main tent, the young woman sits at he end of a rug and offers a small cup of black coffee and a cushion to each.
"Please tell me how you came to be in this camp. This is a forsaken place and you are both far from civilisation. I am the Lady Almah, and perhaps with your words we can find a way to help one and other."
Garavel sits at the other end of the rug after closing the curtained entrance, with its two bodyguards outside.
French Wolf, would you prefer we spoiler the different locations so we don't accidentally read each other's posts? Or does it matter that much?
As in:
At the camp:
Back at the Camp
Garavel, the tall dark warrior with the burnished scimitar and white aba takes over when Dashki brings the two halflings into camp. He has them taken to Father Zastoran, food is provided by Hadrah and the priest heals any minor scrapes or wounds at his orders.
Eventually refreshed and clean with plain linen robes Garavel takes them to see his mistress who he says should be treated with great respect.
Inside the main tent, the young woman sits at he end of a rug and offers a small cup of black coffee and a cushion to each.
"Please tell me how you came to be in this camp. This is a forsaken place and you are both far from civilisation. I am the Lady Almah, and perhaps with your words we can find a way to help one and other."
Garavel sits at the other end of the rug after closing the curtained entrance, with its two bodyguards outside.
Livvy, wide-eyed, enters the tent, certain she's about to meet royalty. Seeing the young woman, she bows, speechless.
Shimei returns to the chapel. "It's gone like water through sand," he grunts. He begins retreiving arrows. He finds only five worth keeping. From the others he cuts the arrowheads.
The feral dog trots in and begins lapping up pugwampi blood. It drags one of the little corpses into a corner and begins tearing at it's gear, trying to get to the flesh beneath.
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Shimei returns to the chapel. "It's gone like water through sand," he grunts. He begins retreiving arrows. He finds only five worth keeping. From the others he cuts the arrowheads.
The feral dog trots in and begins lapping up pugwampi blood. It drags one of the little corpses into a corner and begins tearing at it's gear, trying to get to the flesh beneath.
Norn In comparison with Livvy seems a lot more casual about the entire thing Although she does remain respectful giving a polite bow before taking a cushion seat "Well m-er Lady Almah I'm Norn Jural of the pathfinder society and this is my associate and friend Livvy Goldenscale. As for why we were here the two of us were with a small adventuring group that were travelling through the area when we ran into some well complications."
At the camp
With a start, the second halfling realizes she's standing and probably staring and starts to drop to a cross-legged sit before realizing she's not on a cushion. Blushing now, she moves over to the cushion and sits, taking up the offered cup of coffee.
Calming down, she nods as verification of Norn's tale. "Thank you for your generosity, Lady Almah. We certainly owe you a debt, but I'm not sure what we might be able to do to help you."
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Livvy/Norn
As luck would have it, you were found by a limping man, with lank hair and a sour look on his face. Dashki the scout took you both the rest of the way into camp, which was only a matter of 500 yards or so.
Nombir looks at the others. "As it's the hottest part of the day, I agree with Zaid that we should rest and have some food and water"."We can push on a bit when it gets cooler, but I think returning to the camp before nightfall would be a could idea. Do you all agree?"
The Monastery
Shimei nods. "You are wise to suggest rest. But we can't go back to camp until we have cleared the monastery. We will lose face."
He rubs a clean area with the sleeve of his robe and sits. "Is anyone hurt?"
"Anyway as I was saying we ran into a few complications namely that we were jumped by a group of Gnolls. Really got the drop on us as well They managed to kosh Livvy before she even got a chance to start casting a spell and they got me a minute or two later. Next thing I know the two of us are being thrown into a cell in some dank ruin." pausing a moment to take a quick sip of coffee she continues.
"As it turns out Lilly not getting a chance to cast a spell was a good thing since they had no idea that she was a finger wiggler so even thought they took pretty much all of our gear they didn't bother tying up or gagging her. So waiting until it got dark and the gnolls stopped paying attention to us Lilly here used a spell to make a whole bunch of lights appear outside which all of the gnolls except one responded to by running outside to try and find out what they were. While they were away I picked the cell lock using one of Lizzy's hair clips. snuck up on the Gnoll and clubbed him over the head with the first object that came to hand" Norn pauses for a moment and mumbles something about really hoping that statue wasn't an antique before she continues
"We then borrowed some things off the Gnoll before sneaking out and running in the opposite direction that we sent the gnolls heading. I'm not really sure how long we were in that desert for but eventually we quite literally ran into that fella you know the Dour faced one with a limp? who brought us the rest of the way here." Norn pauses to take a breath after all that talking.
I agree we should stay here. We have not accomplished our goal. We rested once in that room we cleaned out with no problem, if we need to do so we can rest there again. For myself I'm ready to go now.
Back at the camp
I'm not really sure how long we were in that desert for but eventually we quite literally ran into that fella you know the Dour faced one with a limp? who brought us the rest of the way here." Norn pauses to take a breath after all that talking.
Nodding her head some more, Livvy pipes up, "His name is Dashki, he said. But I sure had to work to get it out of him...." She's quiet for a moment, then adds, "Our friends - before we were attacked - had mentioned that there might be a camp this way in case we got separated, so we headed this way. I guess we were a little lost, because Dashki said we were headed the wrong direction. Um, you wouldn't happen to know what happened to them, would you? I hope they got away, but I didn't see anything." Rubbing the back of her head, "I still don't know why they hit me over the head first. Guess it says something about their tactics, taking out the little girl with nothing but a walking stick first. And then leaving her unbound and ungagged. I mean, if they thought I was a mage, they didn't follow through very well, did they?" This last is said with a sideways grin at the other halfling.
"I see your point about finishing the exploration of this monastery, and I also would like to see the rest of it. I am willing to press on."
Zaid tugs at a tiny arrow that is still embedded in his shoulder. "Can someone please help me with this before we continue?"
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Back at the Camp
Almah lets Norn and Livvy finish their discourse without interruption and then she raises one eyebrow, "so that begs the question, why were you here in the wilderness around Kelmarane, pathfinder and friend?"
She meets Garavel with a look of some significance and his hand strays just a little towards that glorious scimitar.
"We were adventuring that is generally what adventuring groups do." Noticing the hand heading towards the Scimitar she pipes up "Is there a problem? I mean it seems a bit silly feeding, clothing and healing us if you're just going to run us through after all this?"
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"In my experience people have reasons for choosing which part of the wilderness they are in. Adventuring means nothing. Now if you wish to stay and help then I need the truth. Not half the truth. As for the scimitar take it as read, that Garavel dislikes people who do tell him everything. Neither do I. Speak freely or leave now with my blessing on your futures."
Almah eyes are steely determined and the politeness is quite gone.
At the camp
"In my experience people have reasons for choosing which part of the wilderness they are in. Adventuring means nothing. Now if you wish to stay and help then I need the truth. Not half the truth. As for the scimitar take it as read, that Garavel dislikes people who do not tell him everything. Neither do I. Speak freely or leave now with my blessing on your futures."
Almah eyes are steely determined and the politeness is quite gone.
Having not noticed the scimitar, Livvy's eyes are the size of saucers when it's pointed out. The torrent is slow in starting, but then it just runs out like a flood across the floor of the tent. "I... we..., I mean, we weren't leading the Lions, Norn had just joined them and I found out they were coming to Kelmarane and I knew her from growing up and I wanted to see what it was like because I'd heard so many stories and maybe I could see the dragon and I heard there were gnolls and I don't like gnolls and maybe I could fight some gnolls 'cause that's what adventurers do and those nasty old gnolls chased my family away all those years ago and maybe I'd made my family proud or maybe even the dragon, but I don't know his name but he's supposed to be in the desert around Kelmarane or at least he was when my family left, of course that was, let's see, three or four generations ago, but you know that dragons live a long time, so he might still be here and I would love to meet him and make him proud and since Norn was coming here, I asked if I could join them 'cause I don't eat much and I would try really hard to keep up and I've always heard that another set of eyes is a good thing when you are in the desert, but another set of eyes doesn't help if they can't see in the dark and that's how the gnolls ambushed us, I think, and then you know the rest."
She takes a deep breath. "That's why I was near Kelmarane. I really didn't care or ask why the group was going there - I came for me. But I didn't see the dragon and adventuring wasn't very fun yet and now I don't know what happened to the rest of the group and I think they're dead and we're not because we're small and we're halfling and the gnolls were going to eat us later." *sniff*
Her eyes tear up at the thought of their missing companions and she looks at the floor to hide it , "They were kind of tough 'cause I didn't know much about adventuring, but they took care of me. And of Norn, but she knows what she's doing better. And I learned a lot, but if I'd learned faster, maybe I could have helped when we were attacked."
Looking up hopefully, "Does that help? I don't want to leave yet. I haven't seen the dragon! And I only got to fight one gnoll, and Norn did most of the work, anyway, so he really doesn't count."
Nombir moves to Zaid. "This is going to hurt my friend" and pulls the arrow out. He then channels postive energy.
HP back.
The tiny halfling sits looking at the merchant princess hopefully following her torrent of words. She's not even looking at the imposing man with the scimitar anymore, just at the elegant woman. "Can I stay? Like I said, I don't eat much and I'll be really careful to watch for gnolls, especially at night!"
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At the camp
.... me laugh - "Well, if he doesn't want the whole truth, I'll make something up!"[/ooc]
** spoiler omitted **...
Garavel raises an eyebrow at his mistress and she colours when she realises what she had said.
"Norn, Livvy I apologise from my heart's bottom, I meant you to know that Garavel believes in honesty not dishonesty. But we already have dealings with two Pathfinders in my employ. So I should let Norn's background not change this piece of serendipity. Yes you both may stay and work for me too, if you wish. Either way, as my guests I shall furnish you with what equipment I can so that you may decide to join the rest in helping me or leave and head back to Solku."
"Do you wish to work for me?"
At the camp
Garavel raises an eyebrow at his mistress and she colours when she realises what she had said.
"Norn, Livvy I apologise from my heart's bottom, I meant you to know that Garavel believes in honesty not dishonesty. But we already have dealings with two Pathfinders in my employ. So I should let Norn's background not change this piece of serendipity. Yes you both may stay and work for me too, if you wish. Either way, as my guests I shall furnish you with what equipment I can so that you may decide to join the rest in helping me or leave and head back to Solku."
"Do you wish to work for me?"
Livvy begins to nod happily, catches herself, and looks at Norn.
Norn ponders for a minute about saying yes or not but seeing how eager Livvy clearly is makes the decision much simpler
"Sure thing boss" she says making a short bow "but if I may be so bold to ask what other two pathfinders?"
The Monastery
Shimei watches Nombir tend to Zaid. I was going to do that. He isn't put out at all though. Housing the Bow-father's spells is a good feeling like having just finished a lavish meal but still feeling strong and capable of action. He watches Nombir, studying the man's demeanor, trying to understand how he focuses Abadar's power.
Then he notices the dog worrying at the pug's corpse. "Dog! Stop that. Come here. I've got something better for you." Shimei holds out a scrap of meat. The dog eyes him dubiously, but gets up and slinks over to the nomad. While the dog eats the morsel. Shimei walks over to the pug's corpse, picks it up, and throws it out one of the holes in the wall. The dog sneezes, finishes the little bit that Shimei gave it, and trots oout of the room.
Norn ponders for a minute about saying yes or not but seeing how eager Livvy clearly is makes the decision much simpler
"Sure thing boss" she says making a short bow "but if I may be so bold to ask what other two pathfinders?"
Livvy's is so excited at Norn's acceptance, she actually bounces where she sits for a moment before she regains some semblance of control. The smile never leaves her eyes, however. "Yes, I'm in, too! What can we help you with, my lady? What sort of gear do you have for small folk like us? I just ask because we've seen that our size can be a problem, sometimes."
"If we are going to carry on, let's look at those rooms to the east first". Nomibir nods is head in that direction. "Shimei and Zsith, would you scout ahead slightly please?".
The Monastery
"As you wish."
Shimei picks up his gear and takes a last drink of water. He leads the way into the great hall, past last night's campsite and further to the east.
Livvy's is so excited at Norn's acceptance, she actually bounces where she sits for a moment before she regains some semblance of control. The smile never leaves her eyes, however. "Yes, I'm in, too! What can we help you with, my lady? What sort of gear do you have for small folk like us? I just ask because we've seen that our size can be a problem, sometimes."
"Let's see - I don't need much. There are a couple of ingredients for my tricks, maybe, and size isn't an issue with those. Norn has her armor, fortunately. I can't wear that stuff - it messes me up when I try to do my tricks. I would like to have a walking stick - stout enough to use as a club if necessary - and it should be easy enough to produce a sling - and you can just pick the stones up off the ground!"
"Food and water is the most important thing we are lacking. Oh - and what you want us to do. Of course, I want to look for the dragon, but I'll follow your instructions and look for the dragon on my own time, of course." She nods as though that decides it.
"Wait - did you say you have pathfinders?"
"Thank you Nombir, I feel much better now."
Zaid follows along after Shimei, being sure to stay close to Eziri.
Nombir walks along with Zaid as they follow Shimei and Zsith. "Lets hope we find something interesting soon. I'm hungry!". Nombir chuckles and slaps Zaid gently on the back.
Erizi follows along with the group towards the east. Just as Hungry is mentioned his stomach makes a deep rumble, to remind him he needs to eat as well. Perhaps it was the smell of sizzling Pugwampi in Grease?
"Perhaps we should stop to cook a baboon?"
"I do hope you're joking Shimei?!". Nombir laughs a little, but thinks that maybe Shimei is serious.
Erizi follows along with the group towards the east. Just as Hungry is mentioned his stomach makes a deep rumble, to remind him he needs to eat as well. Perhaps it was the smell of sizzling Pugwampi in Grease?
Hearing Erizi's stomach rumbling, he reaches into his pack and puls out some bread he packed at the camp. "Try this Erizi" he says and offers the bread to Erizi.
"I do hope you're joking Shimei?!". Nombir laughs a little, but thinks that maybe Shimei is serious.
Shimei grunts noncommitally.
"I do hope you're joking Shimei?!". Nombir laughs a little, but thinks that maybe Shimei is serious.Shimei grunts noncommitally.
"You are both right", Erizi states while taking the offered bread. "Thank you for the bread, and yes I would like some roasted Baboon". He then stops in place and waits munching the bread for Shimei to go get him some Baboon.
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The Monastery
Soon the party are back where they started, next to the winged statue of a woman near to their fight with the baboons and pugs. They are all just outside a one time dormitory. Ten bunk beds can be seen in various stages of disrepair, they fill the room with a central walk between them leading through an archway at the far eastern end. The place is dark thanks to the roof being in good condition still, but the door appears to be covered in moss and mushrooms. There is a door in the western way which probably goes straight back into the mess hall where everyone rested before.
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Back at Camp
Almah cants her head slightly to one side. "Pathfinders who joined my mission in Solku. but it seems were not part of the Lions or your mission. It would be good to know what is happening in Kelmarane that so interests Absalom. Perhaps you could ask them for me when you meet soon?"
At Livvy's comments, Almah raises a hand and waves it casually towards Garavel. "He will see you equipped and ready to help the others. I have ordered Father Zastoran to provide what magical healing he can just in case they have fallen into trouble."