Bow-father, save us. Shimei paused to look at the scene. None of his modest gifts from his patron would help here. The only thing left was muscle, applied promptly. He quickly Zaid and Nombir toward the wagon to help push it closer to the fire.
Strength checks: 1d20=20, 1d20=3, 1d20=4, 1d20=4, 1d20=6
Not being used to this sort of work, Zaid gives the wagon one good pull and then he is spent.
Shimei tries to push the wagon but slips in a patch of soft sand. Animals we can find later. The wagon we mnust save now. He grits his teeth and digs in deeper to try again. "Let us all try to push a once! It will be easier if we can just get it moving! 1, 2,
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Zaid pushes for all he is worth, the mercenaries slip and slide amazed at the conjurer's great strength. Even with the aid of them and Shimei and Nombir, it is not enough and the wagon settles back.
A shower of sparks fly over the wagon group but thanks to a freakish gust of wind they all swirl away to land in the sand and die.
One goat barrels into the running water chain, knocking Garavel flying. His water wasted. Then he gets up and runs back to the barrel.
Feeling the wagon settle back, Shimei looks up. He spots Erizi looking for a chance to help. He calls to the big man, "You, silent one. Come on. Help us move this wagon before it blooms with flame too."
Calling for everyone to to push together Shimei digs in and strains against the wagon.
And Big Silent one is OK compared to what many have called him in the past. Erizi is not unsociable, just doesn't speak unless spoken too. I'm sure he'll get over that soon enough when free.
Sparks and smoke spin all about Erizi as he stumbles along with a mostly full bucket towards the roaring conflagration.
If he hears the call for muscular aid he will run to the wagon to help pull it out of the way. If not he continues to attempt to douse the flame with buckets of water.
Still none the wiser to the events unfolding around her, she carries on with due haste bringing pails of water to try and dowse the flames on the wagon(s).
Zaid is so tired he slips in the sand and falls trying to pull the wagon.
Nombir pulls and hopes for the best! He then shouts at the mercenaries "this is getting dangerous. What's in the wagon?"
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Success!
Shimei braces against the fallen Zaid and pushes hard. With the weight and power of Erizi and Nombir (plus one of the mercenaries) the wagon rolls away from danger coming to a stop several feet away.
Morgrym helps the others with the bucket run. One corner of the burning wagon is now charred wood. They all redouble their efforts.
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Nombir pulls and hopes for the best! He then shouts at the mercenaries "this is getting dangerous. What's in the wagon?"
"Foo-, foo-, grunts the mercenary. "Food!"
The woman is trying to drag the camel back with a halter.
Perception check (hearing) DC13 (for everyone)
Almah takes a moment to shout, "don't stand around admiring the food, get moving."
After the wagon moves, Shimei takes a couple of deep breaths and admires the food. Almah's command alerts him to other tasks. He hears the halfling's cry and dashes over to him.
Shimei leans over the two bodies to assess their wounds. He lays his hands on the healthier one first. "O great Bowfather, spare these poor men their suffering and the long night. Heal them, please."
"By sultans beard we need some aid over here." Pointing to the halfling and the bodies
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The red-haired halfling kneels next to two severely burned mercenaries. He is tending to one and cannot focus on the other, a female swordsman.
The female body is faintly juddering in the firelight until Shimei sends out a wave of good energy. Then it relaxes a little.
The halfling briefly notices, "thanks." He returns to his ministrations.
Above another cloud of sparks fly into the night sky as one wall of the wagon cracks open, falling in a charred heap next to the Sultan's Claw.
If Erizi sees the woman trying to control the Camel, or any of the running loose animals he will try to help out there. He hates to see innocent animals panic or get injured.
After moving the wagon, Zaid looks around and sees the other wagon burning. He runs over and helps with the bucket brigade.
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If Erizi sees the woman trying to control the Camel, or any of the running loose animals he will try to help out there. He hates to see innocent animals panic or get injured.
Erizi and the woman manage to coax the camel back into its pen, where it rejoins the others. Meanwhile the woman blocks up the corral.
As this happens a man runs up to the pair shouting, "Rombard! Rombard! where is Rombard, Hadrah?"
Nombir moves to the wounded female swordsman and places his hand on her forehead.
He then moves over to Zaid and offers him a water skin and says "water my friend?"
Zaid takes the water and sits down, out of breath. "Thank you Nombir. What an exciting start to our journey!"
"Indeed. This is not what I expected," mutters Morgrym as he drops his bucket to the ground and surveys the area for further trouble. "It seems strange that this fire started just as we arrived. I wonder if someone seeks to interfere with our patron?"
"Could be that it was a mere accident waiting to happen. Fortunately we was able to help, just think if our extra pair of hands wasnt here when it happened then that would have been a tragedy." She then takes a swig of water to try to clear her throat.
"But as Morgrym says, best be careful, as there may be external influences that may wish to interfere with our efforts to free Kelmarane."
Shimei feels Nombir's wave of channeled energy. The injured people's burns look considerably better than after Shimei's effort. The desert rat looks curiously at the other man. Another god-touched. And stronger than me. I could learn from this one. He walks away to see what else needs to be done.
Shimei approaches the group. "Come. We should present ourselves to Almah and see what else needs to be done. WOuld you have our new mistress think us lazy idlers?"
Zaid takes the water and sits down, out of breath. "Thank you Nombir. What an exciting start to our journey!"
"Yes it has been eventful so far and like to more about these others before you and I have to really risk our necks". Nombir nods towards Shimei and says "that one has some healing skill, which may prove useful". Nombir then looks at the others slowly and says "not sure who is good at what here, what do you think Zaid?"
Erizi walks about the camp, seeing what and who are here, and looking for anything unusual.
Zaid takes the water and sits down, out of breath. "Thank you Nombir. What an exciting start to our journey!""Yes it has been eventful so far and like to more about these others before you and I have to really risk our necks". Nombir nods towards Shimei and says "that one has some healing skill, which may prove useful". Nombir then looks at the others slowly and says "not sure who is good at what here, what do you think Zaid?"
"The big man seems very strong. He would likely be good in a fight."
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Immediate crisis aside, Almah calls Garavel over to him and after a word or two he beckons the party to him, bowing to the woman as she re-enters her lavish tent.
"Of course, Lady Almah."
He turns to the party when they draw near and speaks to each quietly so that the camp cannot hear.
"Lady Almah wishes for me to thank you for your efforts and her first task for you is a simple one. Find out how the fire started. We are above suspicion. You may discuss this with anyone so long as you show respect and do not provoke anyone. This should not be difficult in most cases because of the fortunate assistance you have given. Understand..?" he waits.
Then continues. "I shall investigate the wagon after I have made sure that the two badly burnt are not in serious danger. You will need to know who is in camp. "
Garavel waves away one of the red armoured Pactmaster Guard who attempts to listen in. "There are four guards, they are loyal bodyguards provided for Almah from the Pactmasters. They are Fixx, Keldon, Podarn and Vodrave."
"There are six mercenaries lead by Trevvis." He points to the man that the red haired halfling is tending. "They are himself, Utarchus, Dullen and the women are Kallien, Brotis and Yesper."
"The animals and meals are looked after by Hadrah and her husband, Hadrod."
He looks around to see if he has missed anyone then his upper lip curls in distaste, "there is Dashki, our gnoll-hating scout. He must be around somewhere."
"Right be about your business quickly, Lady Almah expects us to report within the hour."
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Erizi walks about the camp, seeing what and who are here, and looking for anything unusual.
Erizi
The twilight is now full night but the Sultan's Claw still burns bright, certainly there is enough light to work by for the next hour.
Having listened to Garavel, Nombir speaks to the whole party " I suggest that we move about in pairs, in case any person that may have started the fire is still around. If you have no objections, I suggest that we pair off and start looking". He then shrugs his shoulders and asks "who wants to come along with me?"
Having listened to Garavel, Nombir speaks to the whole party " I suggest that we move about in pairs, in case any person that may have started the fire is still around. If you have no objections, I suggest that we pair off and start looking". He then shrugs his shoulders and asks "who wants to come along with me?"
"I will, if you don't mind."
Having listened to Garavel, Nombir speaks to the whole party " I suggest that we move about in pairs, in case any person that may have started the fire is still around. If you have no objections, I suggest that we pair off and start looking". He then shrugs his shoulders and asks "who wants to come along with me?""I will, if you don't mind."
"Ok Zaid lets go, unless anybody else has something to say first?" Nombir looks at the others.
I am ready to work. Who wishes to go with me. Hopefully someone with sharp senses.
Nombir:
Nombir:
** spoiler omitted **
Zaid/FW
Nombir:
** spoiler omitted **Zaid/FW
** spoiler omitted **
Nombir:
Nombir:
** spoiler omitted **Zaid/FW
** spoiler omitted **Nombir:
** spoiler omitted **
Zaid/FW
"My senses are nearly as sharp as a hawks Nombir, well sometimes."She gives out a chuckle.
"If you wish me to get into out to reach places or open difficult locks with grace and style, i'm your lady."
"My senses are nearly as sharp as a hawks Nombir, well sometimes."She gives out a chuckle.
"If you wish me to get into out to reach places or open difficult locks with grace and style, i'm your lady."
"Thanks Zsithreminni. That's good to know!" Nombir nods toward Erizi and says to Zsithreminni "you best go with him if you don't mind and do the talking? He's a big lad and may scare people!".
"Not at all, I can do the talking, he can do the scaring. Well he is certainly more intimidating than I will ever be. Oh, that's if he wishes a young lady like me to accompany him round."
While the others pair off Shimei stays silent hoping someone will choose him. He is not surprised when no one does.
After the others partner, Shimei addresses Morgrym,"Well, master dwarf, that leaves you and I. I confess unravelling the veil of mystery is not my strong suit. Have you a plan?"
"Yes." You find the things, point at them, and I'll kill them" Erizi growls, and waits for the girl patiently.
Raging Swan Press
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While the others pair off Shimei stays silent hoping someone will choose him. He is not surprised when no one does.
After the others partner, Shimei addresses Morgrym,"Well, master dwarf, that leaves you and I. I confess unravelling the veil of mystery is not my strong suit. Have you a plan?"
"I do, Shimei. We should search around the camp's perimiter to see if anyone or anything snuck into the camp. If we find no tracks, someone already here must have started the fire. I doubt it was an accident. I am sure some as yet unknown agency is at work"
She will wait under cover until the heat of the day has passed, then take a circular stroll around the camp slowly, and finish back where she started.
"I do, Shimei. We should search around the camp's perimiter to see if anyone or anything snuck into the camp. If we find no tracks, someone already here must have started the fire. I doubt it was an accident. I am sure some as yet unknown agency is at work"
"The animals running around will have spoiled the signs." Shimei's tone is just a little scornful, as if any idiot should be able to see that. But then he considers that the alternative will be to question the people in camp, new people that he has never met. "But you are right. We should leave no stone unturned. We will walk the edge of the camp."
Shimei turns toward the burnt wagon. Over his shoulder he says, "Let us start now. The light is good and it would be well if Almah thinks us diligent and willling servants."
Survival checks for tracking, if needed :1d20=5, 1d20=19, 1d20=6, 1d20=17, 1d20=11 +4 modifier yields: 9, 23, 10, 21, 15 If you want spot check instead they will be 1 lower.
"Well Nombir, let us ask around and see if anyone saw how the fire started. Shall we ask the mercenaries first?"
"I think I saw someone skulking about over here behind the wagons", Erizi growls to his new partner. "He moved kind of strangely as well". "Perhaps we can find some sign of him over there".
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Raging Swan Press
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"The animals running around will have spoiled the signs." Shimei's tone is just a little scornful, as if any idiot should be able to see that. But then he considers that the alternative will be to question the people in camp, new people that he has never met. "But you are right. We should leave no stone unturned. We will walk the edge of the camp."
"Which is why, friend, we must check the dunes beyond the camp. If someone crept into the camp to set the fire their tracks will still lie beyond."