Farasha watches the gnoll hunter as he explains the Pugwumpis
"Truly this land is filled with unclean beasts. "
“Yes, yes, filthy beasts, and most unlucky,” says Dashki. “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong when pugwampis are about. Doubtless it was they that spooked the animals too. They are small, stealthy beasts, but there should be some sign of their presence about, to a skilled tracker … perhaps that one,” he points out into the night at Sefu, who can be dimly seen walking back towards the camp in the moonlight, “will have found some sign of them.”
Al nods at Dashkis words.
Sefu comes back to join the others, he catches some of the words as he returns but not everything. "Jacklerats, humm don't know them but it fits. I found tracks out there, size of a small dog but Gnoll like. The came to the camp, left north-west bout an hour gone.What ever they are may be behind this"
With that he goes silent waiting for the others to chew over what he said.
“The tracks you describe are without a doubt made by pugwampis,” says Dashki to Sefu. “They are behind this.”
At this point, Garavel arrives, having rounded up any member of the group who is not currently at Dashki’s tent.
“Come,” he says, looking at each of you (and ignoring Dashki). “Princess Almah wishes you to report what you have learnt.”
Pausing only for a moment to ensure he is followed, he turns and heads towards Almah’s tent.
Mus'ad nods to the caravan master at his statement, and rises from his seat at the fire. (Zephyr, ever alert to his master's needs, quickly flies behind him dusting the sand from his loose breeches with a gust of breeze.) The Sha'ir sketches another Salaam to the gnoll hunter.
"Honor to have met you Master Dashki." He says with a smile to the crippled hunter. He turns and follows the caravan master back to the princess' tent, Zephyr floating above his shoulder.
Mus'ad nods at the dancer's words.
"That fits with what we heard." He replies, waving to indicate Zephyr.
"The gnoll hunter seems to be a natural suspect, primarily due to his charm and pleasantness towards others I gather," he grins at his own cleverness. "But no one actually saw him do it, or can explain how he could have done it, especially with that injured leg. And he seemed awfully sincere about the Jackalrats."
He goes on to relate the majority of their conversation with the priest and guards. Including the fact that while the priest and the fortune teller seemed to have a good friendship, there was also a possibility of professional jealousy on the priest's side.
'I agree, I dont think the old man started the fire. Still... theres something I dont trust about that one. Worth keeping an eye on ey?'
Garavel leads you all towards Almah’s tents. The red armoured guards eye you warily, particularly the better armed party members (though one has a friendly nod for Al, and another smiles slightly and winks at Nasir), but let everyone through.
The ornate tent flaps open up into an antechamber, the floor furnished with rugs and cushions. Princess Almah waits within, sitting crosslegged on a pile of cushions.
She bids you sit, then asks, “What have each of you discovered of the fire? Was it arson? An accident? An attack?”
Farasha frowns
"There are indications that a pack of foul beasts, called 'pugwampis' caused the fire your Highness. Our tracker Sefu discovered their tracks nearby."
Al steps forward and bows. 'Indeed Princess Almah this is the conclusion we have come to. Although there were perhaps a few who may have had the motive to commit the crime, none seem to have had the means or been in a position to light the fire.' The halfling bows again and steps back.
“Pug … wampis?” Almah frowns, tasting the unfamiliar word, then looks at you all, rather sceptically. “Do you all agree with this? You know these … pugwampis? What are they? How could they burn down Eloais’ wagon?”
"Sefu found the unusual tracks, your highness, but the information of Pugwumpis comes from the gnoll hunter Dashki. According to him they live wherever gnolls do, living among them as rats do other civilizations. It seems they revere the gnolls as living gods. But due to their ability to produce 'bad luck', even the gnolls try to hunt them down. At this point the most likely answer is that the Pugwumpis abilities caused a candle to overturn in the wagon, and possibly even the door to stick shut, causing the poor fortune-tellers demise." Mus'ad bows his head respectfully at this point.
"Dashki seems to think it unlikely that the gnolls were behind this, as they detest the Pugwumpis. And if they were involved, they would have followed up with a full scale assault during the confusion."
"We do not know if there was an ulterior motive behind this event, but there does seem to be some livestock unaccounted for. Though possibly it may have been frightened off and simply not been found yet."
He looks to the others to see if he has forgotten anything of importance.
"As Al said highness, there are some in camp who may have had motive for such an act, but there seems to be a lack of ability or opportunity. I am sorry your highness." And Mus'ad lowers himself to his knees, and bows until his forehead touches the floor. Zephyr does not kneel, but he does lower himself until his toes almost touch the ground, and bows deeply from the waist.
Almah continues to look somewhat incredulous. “Are saying that tiny rat people – who cause bad luck, light fires and treat gnolls as gods – caused the death of my fortune teller? It sounds like something from a children’s genie-tale, or a story told by incompetent servants to cover their mistakes. If not for the tracks you say you have found, I would tell you that Dashki was painting a cloud to hide the sun in telling you of these ‘pugwampis’.” She looks at you all closely for a moment, stroking her cheek with a long nailed finger.
“And yet you did find the tracks. And you clearly think there is some truth to Dashki’s words … it is true that he disliked Eloais, but I did not think him a murderer …” She pauses, thinking for several minutes.
Finally, after a quick glance at Garavel, she looks back at the assembled party and says, “If these creatures exist, then they pose a threat to us here. Even more than the death of one man and theft of live stock … I am already concerned that the fire may have been noticed by the gnolls in Kelmarane.”
“Go tonight and follow the tracks you found. Take Dashki with you; he can track, and it seems that he is our resident expert on pugwampis as well as gnolls. Find out what made the tracks, and bring my back definite proof – if there is any to be had – of these creatures. From there we will decide what to do.”
...
“Go tonight and follow the tracks you found. Take Dashki with you; he can track, and it seems that he is our resident expert on pugwampis as well as gnolls. Find out what made the tracks, and bring my back definite proof – if there is any to be had – of these creatures. From there we will decide what to do.”
Farasha bows
"As your Highness commands."
Once outside the tent Farasha looks at her companions.
"So now we find Dashki. What do you think of him?"
'Umph!'
...
“Go tonight and follow the tracks you found. Take Dashki with you; he can track, and it seems that he is our resident expert on pugwampis as well as gnolls. Find out what made the tracks, and bring my back definite proof – if there is any to be had – of these creatures. From there we will decide what to do.”
Farasha bows
"As your Highness commands."
Once outside the tent Farasha looks at her companions.
"So now we find Dashki. What do you think of him?"
'I dont trust the man, I think he was out lying when he talked of being out of camp checking for Gnolls. Sefu, did you see his tracks? Did you see where they led? I still didn't get the feeling he was behind the fire though, but as I said, worth keeping an eye on him I think. Maybe we can learn more of him on this little trek ey?'
Sefu:
Mus'ad bows to the lady.
"As you command." He Salaams, then turns and follows the others out of the tent where he catches up to them discussing Dashki.
"Agreed. He seems to be of a most unpleasant demeanor, and everyone that I spoke with seemed to think that if he didn't somehow set the fire, he was still glad it happened."
"Of course, being unpleasant isn't actually a crime. But it does make one a likely target for blame. Particularly if you are the true culprit and wish to ensure that you are not suspected?" He says with a raised eyebrow.
"So. The princess seemed most emphatic that we start immediately. But, while I am obviously no tracker, it seems that we would have an easier time following in the daylight rather than the dark? So shall we begin at first light? We would have to locate Dashki and let him know that he needs to be ready first,..."
As much as I am not impressed by our employer yet , she did say to go tonight.
"Yes, she did. Didn't she?" Mus'ad agrees while tiredly rubbing his chin. He gives a little sigh, and looks to his Gen companion.
"Zephyr. Would you be so kind as to make sure I don't forget anything important? The good news is I haven't had time to unpack yet." He grins sardonically.
"Yes Master! At once! Faster than a blink dog from here to there!" The tiny Gen cries. His shrill voice already fading on the last word as he speeds off through the camp towards the last known location of their belongings. One or two yelps of surprise are heard as the Gen whizzes by drowsy caravan members.
"So. How do we proceed?" Mus'ad asks the assembled group. "I have decent night-vision. But do the rest of you need a light source? Lantern? Torches? Are we trying to CATCH who did this, Or just follow them to find out where they came from?"
After several moments, Garavel emerges from the tent behind you.
“I will instruct Dashki to accompany you,” he says. “I will also see that any equipment you do not take is stowed, and your tents prepared in your absence.”
I guess we decide whether we want to make it easier to track, or be more stealthy in our movements. Obviously any light we use will be a pretty big beacon to any who wish us harm out here. Prehaps with both Sefu and Dashki to track we will be ok without the light.' As he speaks Al takes out a small kit from his backback and starts to apply camouflage.
"As you wish your grace." Sefu replays as he bows and makes his way from the tent. He does not like tracking at night but the prey is close. He gathers close to the others before speaking "No, torches, take them but do not light them. The moon rides high in the night you will ruin your night vision"
With that Sefu goes off to make preparations quickly
Nasir, you have never heard of ‘pugwampis’ per se, but;
'Well, are we all ready? Where is Dashki ey? Lets go while the tracks are fresh.'
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"There is a story I heard once. A family in Varan was cursed with bad luck. The curse they said, was caused by tiny dog headed spirits that inhabited their home. After trying everything in their power to get rid of them, they eventually turned to a priest of Saranrae who eradicated them, though the story unfortunately does not say how.
This sounds very much like the creatures we are speaking of. So they may be more than simply campfire tales. Is it perhaps possible that the fire is simply a consequence of their presence? A manifestation of the ill fortune that follows these creatures.
If this is the case, then I believe we are at least equipped to handle them"
Nasir looks the the priestess expectantly.
Garavel returns to the group with Dashki limping along behind him, a surly look on his face. You notice that the gnoll expert wears a scimitar and dagger sheathed at his side.
Farasha:
Once the others are gathered Sefu looks out into the darkness. "Are, we ready? Good, fallow." With that he crouches down close to the earth, seems to star at the tracks and the darkness.
DM
I have not added any modifiers, I figed you would do so. If I need to go cat form to track in low light I shall do so.
Sefu:
Sefu gives a small grin of accomplishment "This way" He says as he heads off into the night.
Sefu quickly re-locates the tracks he found earlier. The dog-like pugwampi footprints are difficult to see on the rocky ground and moonlight, but clearer are the tracks of a goat, being dragged north against its will. Having located the tracks and determined the trail, the druid is up and off, just as Dashki has knelt down beside him with the assistance of his stick to examine the tracks himself.
The gnoll expert curses foully in Osiriani, hauls himself back to his feet and hobbles quickly after Sefu. The rest of you, presumably, follow.
---
The rocky uplands are rather spooky away from the warmth and activity of the campsite. The quiet stillness of the night is broken here and there by sudden or furtive sounds; the clatter of rocks sliding down a hillside to the west, the mournful call of some nightbird, a distant, undulating howl somewhere far to the north, the skitter of some small, unseen creature amongst the rocks close to hand.
Shapes loom out of the shadowy darkness; craggy rocks, a dead tree. Is that … a man, or a gnoll standing in the shadows? No, simply a lone cactus …
The trail that Sefu follows leads deeper into the hills, winding through valleys and small canyons between peaks and hillocks. The ruggedness of the land increases, rocks seem to place themselves just to trip feet, and spiny cactus growths catch at sleeves and robes. The shadows here are longer and darker amongst the hills, and whilst Sefu (who either has amazing night vision or is an exceptional tracker) seems to be able to follow the spoor of the goat, soon all but Mu’sad (who sees well enough in the dark) are stumbling about, tripping over or treading on sharp rocks, brushing against cactus growths or almost tumbling into crevices. The going is slow.
Maybe going without light is a poor idea…
Al curses quietly as he stubs knocks his foot into another rock, and grabs onto a boulder to stop his self falling. 'Can you tell if we are close Sefu? Maybe it would be of benifit to have some form of light, so one of us doesnt kill ourselves before we find these creatures ey?'
If this is the case, then I believe we are at least equipped to handle them"
Nasir looks the the priestess expectantly.
Farasha frowns.
"Are these animals somehow undead in nature? This is the first time I have ever heard of 'Pugwampis'. If you have some idea how I can help eradicate these vermin please illuminate me."
'Can you tell if we are close Sefu?'
Sefu:
Al curses quietly as he stubs knocks his foot into another rock, and grabs onto a boulder to stop his self falling. 'Can you tell if we are close Sefu? Maybe it would be of benifit to have some form of light, so one of us doesnt kill ourselves before we find these creatures ey?'
“Carrying a light means that something hunting you in the night will see you long before you see it,” says Dashki. He seems to be having a better time of it than most of the rest of you, moving slowly and deliberately, feeling ahead of himself with his walking stick. “Still, with all the noise you are making stumbling about in the dark, I would think that any dangerous creatures nearby know we are here by now. There should be little further harm in lighting a torch, if you wish it.”
Mus'ad travels in the middle of the group, Zephyr at his shoulder. He easily follows the trackers on the moonlit landscape. And winces when his sharp ears pick up his companions difficulty.
"I wouldn't want to give us away if we are close to the pugwampis. However, I also do not think our chances of sneaking up on anybody are too good if we keep stumbling around in the dark. I have a lantern with shutters on it, we could use it if we keep it low. Or I could conjure up one or two very dim spell-lights, equal to a candle. That could help you see enough to watch your footing, but shouldn't be able to be seen as easily. I warn you though, that the conjured dim light would only last an hour at most. The lantern, or a normal candle, might be a better use of our resources." The half-elf offers.
I am not a thief to creep around in the night . I need light to fight.
Let's have some !
Sefu listens to the group behind him, talking and sounding like a herd of startled Pronghorn's. He clicks his tongue , children of his tribe could moved in the dark without being heard but , he sighs. " If you need light then stand back, I do not wish to ruin my night vision. I do not know how close we are however such small creatures could not drag a goat all to much farther " He speaks in a low voice but not a whisper and starts to move off a little out front of the party to stay ahead of the light
Farasha hangs back from Sefu and Dashki and murmurs softly to the others
"Dashki seems to forget his limp when it suits him .."
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Nasir falls back a bit as she takes out her wayfinder and whispers a quick command word. The compass generates a light spell illuminating the immediate area arounsd her as well as indicating their bearing.
"Indeed it would appear to be so. About the creatures, I only know that it was a priest of your deity that solved the problem. I was actually hoping you wold have more of an idea how."
The soft light emanating from Nasir’s wayfinder certainly makes finding your footing in this treacherous terrain easier. Sefu was right about one thing though, it fairly ruins your night vision. The shadows beyond the radius of light appear blacker and more full of menace, whilst Sefu (who remains outside the light to track) and Dashki (who has moved to join him) are dark blots against the night.
Sefu follows the tracks deeper into the hills for another hundred yards or so, the rest of the group trailing along behind. All of a sudden, each of you is overcome by a sudden, inexplicable feeling of tension, as if something terrible is about to happen, although there is no obvious sign of danger. Seconds later, an eerie cry, sounding like that of a young human child in distress, comes out of the darkness ahead.