"Well spotted Erizi, come then lets have a look and see if we can unravel this mystery before any other harm befalls anyone."
"Well Nombir, let us ask around and see if anyone saw how the fire started. Shall we ask the mercenaries first?"
"Yes Zaid, that's a good place to start". Nombir and Zaid move over to the mercenaries and Nombir says "What happened then? Did you see anything strange, or anybody you didn't recognise before the fire started?"
Zaid adds "Did you see how or where it started?"
Diplomacy (gather information): 1d20+1=20
Nombir / FW:
"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."
Shimei's eyes narrow and he looks thoughtful. Not a fool then. Good. He sizes up the dwarf more carefully. "Have you any tracking experience? I thought dwarves lived in caves."
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Zsithreminni/Erizi/Morgyrm/Shimei
The two pairs move out around in the shadow of the burning Sultan's Claw. It is night. Using torches and the like they gradually travel around the outskirts, about 500 yards but find no real sign or tracks that they can distinguish.
The camp is fairly open on the hard and rocky scrubland slope. Severa-s minutes later, the quartet have completed a fruitless search.
Erizi notices the single figure skulking behind the water wagon as he re-enters camp. The tall man limps forwards with his curved sword and jambiya tucked in his belt. His long hair falls forwards over most of his face but his eyes glitter.
"You want me?"
Nombir/Zaid
The mercenaries are a disreputable lot, thick with soiled armor and greasy hair, unlike the Pactmaster guards.
The four uninjured ones talk readily to Nombir and Zaid.
"We were eating, or drinking after when the fire started in Eloais' wagon. That fop ate alone. Too good for the likes of us. Zastoran was reading with us. The camel drivers were washing up I think?" the others nod in agreement.
When the guard, Utarchus, mentions Zastoran, he points at the red haired halfling healer.
"Thanks for helping us with the food and helping Kallien and Trevvis."
Nombir turns to Zastoran and says "Did you see or hear anything strange? How are the wounded doing out of interest?"
Erizi's eyes take in the skulking stranger noting how he carries his weapon and his stance, just as he learned to do in the fighting pits.
"Why are you sneaking around out here, while your camp is burning" Erizi asks in his usual blunt fashion. "Did you see anything suspicious, while out here, because you sure look suspicious to me". Erizi casually plants his Maul on the ground in front of him leaning on the butt of it's handle.
"We were eating, or drinking after when the fire started in Eloais' wagon. That fop ate alone. Too good for the likes of us. Zastoran was reading with us. The camel drivers were washing up I think?"
"Who is Eloais?"
While Nombir talks to the healer Zaid finds Eloais and asks him (her?) how the fire started in the wagon.
Erizi's eyes take in the skulking stranger noting how he carries his weapon and his stance, just as he learned to do in the fighting pits.
"Why are you sneaking around out here, while your camp is burning" Erizi asks in his usual blunt fashion. "Did you see anything suspicious, while out here, because you sure look suspicious to me". Erizi casually plants his Maul on the ground in front of him leaning on the butt of it's handle.
Morgrym moves slightly to his lft/right (away from the camp) so that he can try to cut off the stranger's escape route if he tries to run. He then gives him a penetrating glare and says, "My friend asked you a question. I suggest you answer."
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Nombir turns to Zastoran and says "Did you see or hear anything strange? How are the wounded doing out of interest?"
The halfling smiles up at Nombir. "They will be fine. Partly thanks to you and your friend. They shouldn't have rushed in to try and save that idiot Eloais. Far too much heat and flame there was."
"I am Zastoran of Nethys and you are ....of Abadar?"
"So why aren't you out in the hills looking out for Gnoll scum, as you put it."She says with a hint of disdain."Rather than being back in the camp, if you had forgotten some provisions thats a lame excuse my friend, we are in very dangerous country and everyone has to be on their toes especially camp guards or scouts."
"This girl is just a simple candlemaker that is more concerned for the safety of the camp than the so called camp guard is."
Nombir turns to Zastoran and says "Did you see or hear anything strange? How are the wounded doing out of interest?"The halfling smiles up at Nombir. "They will be fine. Partly thanks to you and your friend. They shouldn't have rushed in to try and save that idiot Eloais. Far too much heat and flame there was."
"I am Zastoran of Nethys and you are ....of Abadar?"
Nombir smiles and says "I'm Nombir servant of Abadar". Nomibir then points at Zaid and says "that's my friend and travelling companion Zaid. It's lucky we turned up when we did I guess". On a more serious note Nombir says "we are trying to find out what, or who, started the fire. Do you have any thoughts on the matter?"
"And who is this girl? asking questions of her betters? Go away little girl!"He wipes spittle from his chin on his black cloak.
"This girl is just a simple candlemaker that is more concerned for the safety of the camp than the so called camp guard is."
"The mistress has tasked us with finding the cause of the fire." Shimei points toward the blackened heap of the burnt wagon. "A wise man shows respect to his master's servants. Where were you?"
"I was reading with Trevvis (points to man on the ground) and his gang. What about Dashki? he wasn't eating when the fire started."
"Who is he is? Do you know where he is likely to be in the camp?" Nombir looks at Zaid quickly and says "can you see the others?".
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.....Shimei points toward the blackened heap of the burnt wagon. "A wise man shows respect to his master's servants. Where were you?"
"I was eating, with the rest of the camp." He shifts from one foot to the other. "But I didn't see the fire start, I left for a walk. Bad luck for the diviner. But then he couldn't keep his paws off the Lady, he wasn't good enough for her. He deserves no respect."
Nombir can see Zaid but the others are too far away.
He can see the camel drover being comforted by a woman.
"I was eating, with the rest of the camp." He shifts from one foot to the other. "But I didn't see the fire start, I left for a walk. Bad luck for the diviner. But then he couldn't keep his paws off the Lady, he wasn't good enough for her. He deserves no respect."
"A walk where? Does everyone in this camp just do as they please? Has Almah no more control of her flock than a blind shepherd?"
"I have done nothing. Who are you to ask me?" He pays no obvious attention to movement or weapons. "I am Dashki. My job is to watch for gnoll scum in the hills and advise the Mistress."
"Why did you not return to aid with the fire," asks Morgrym. "Truthfully, I understand your hatred of gnolls, but the fire could have been part of an attack. Surely, as a guard you would have rushed back to ascertain the truth of the matter?"
"You were enough help without me. The fire and Eloais were already ablaze," shrugs the scout.
"Bad luck, bad luck," he mutters at the group.
Shimei seethes. He would like to like this hunter of gnolls, a kindred spirit perhaps, but with each word from him grows more wary and disgusted. Dashki wandered away alone, just the sort of thing Garavel had warned Shimei against. And then he had not returned to help put out the fire, had obviously merely watched. Suddenly a thought occurs to him, "Eloais was ablaze? How did you know that?"
"I'm Nombir servant of Abadar". Nomibir then points at Zaid and says "that's my friend and travelling companion Zaid. It's lucky we turned up when we did I guess". On a more serious note Nombir says "we are trying to find out what, or who, started the fire. Do you have any thoughts on the matter?"
Zaid adds, "Also, is there anybody in the camp who doesn't like Eloais or who might wish harm upon her?"
"Yeah, and he set her ablaze.She whispers under her breath."Am already beginning to distrust this fellow."Again under her breath.She moves to stand closer to the group glancing around at the scene, also looking around at the surroundings.
Erizi looks around at the quick witted banter around him. He understands everything, but is not quick tongued enough to interject. Besides the others are doing a fine job. He decides to glare at the man, and slowly crack the knuckles on his calloused scarred hands.
"You were enough help without me. The fire and Eloais were already ablaze," shrugs the scout.
"Bad luck, bad luck," he mutters at the group.
"So, you saw us approach the camp, but did not challenge us and you saw the camp on fire and did not assist. What kind of guard are you?" growls Morgrym
While he awaits Dashki's answer to Morgrym's question, Shimei thinks, [/i]This is a fine servant indeed. If Almah's other servants are no better we shall have to rely on ourselves. [/i]
"I am going to take a look at the diviner's wagon." Zaid tells Nombir. "Maybe there is come clue there."
Zaid examines Eloais's burnt wagon as best as he can without getting burnt.
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Erizi looks around at the quick witted banter around him. He understands everything, but is not quick tongued enough to interject. Besides the others are doing a fine job. He decides to glare at the man, and slowly crack the knuckles on his calloused scarred hands.
Erizi
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"I am going to take a look at the diviner's wagon." Zaid tells Nombir. "Maybe there is come clue there."
Zaid examines Eloais's burnt wagon as best as he can without getting burnt.
No magical emanations shine out but Zaid does see Garavel collecting various coinage from the ashes.
Closer examination reveals a few broken vials and flasks, a cracked crystal ball, and several pools of melted wax. Garavel wordlessly points at them. A few Harrow cards litter the area.
"As you say, not a guard. But what kind of ..." Shimei cuts himself off when he remembers Garavel's orders to be respectful to anyone they question.
The news of the pugwampis derails Shimei's thoughts. He decides to change tack.
Turning to his companions he announces, " Dashki obviously enjoys Almah's trust." Turning back to the scout, "This is Zsithremini, like you a cunning scout. This is Morgrym Hammerbolt, great among dwarves. That ~points at Erizi ~is our silent unnamed warrior, a man of great prowess. I am Shimei. We were looking for tracks of anyone who may have come in or out of the camp. But please tell us about these pugwampis."