Grall will assist Sajan in bringing the creature back to the Harpy.
He would try to point out to Sajan that we might be endangering the Harpy by bringing this creature back to her, but by this point he has begun to realize his thoughts would most likely be wasted on the large human.
Take 20 on Perception check for the room. Take 20 on Heal check to examine the body. Total check of 26 on both.
You take the items and quickly return to the mill, Sajan and Grall dragging the peryton.
The door opens as you approach, Undrella must have been waiting for you.
Well I must say you've exceeded my expectations. The gnolls are gone, swam back across the river. Well what do we have here? A present, for me?
How thoughtful dear, she smiles winsomely at Sajan. Though I normally like my gifts a little less likely to gore my throat out.
Bring her in.
Undrella moves inside and over to a corner with a large bronze tub. With far more strength than you'd expect from her slim frame she pushes it aside revealing a trapdoor in the floor. Then opens it to reveal cool darkness beneath.
Over here please.
Arjun follows with the group toward the trapdoor.
As Sajan and Grall move the peryton into the room the harpy retrieves a reddish iron athame from a box sitting on one of the long racks. She walks back over to the pair and with a single efficient movement cuts the perytons throat moving the creatures neck to spill the spurt of blood into the tub. When it subsides she pushes the body into the hole and closes the trapdoor.
Thank you. The awful things would have tried to kill Bird and I long ago if given the choice.
Now. That should suffice for now if the Kulldis come sniffing around. It would be ideal to cover your tracks from the mill to here but safer for you to leave right now I think.
So. Shall we go see your boss now and make our bargain?
Not sure if you read the previous spoiler for you when you first encountered the harpy.
Nuveril gives a rough chuckle. "I look forward to watching the reactions of Almah's bodyguard when we return with a harpy," she admits. "Let us go quickly. The gnoll and I will see what we can do about covering our tracks, if we have time before the pursuit."
I am pleased we have become friends Undrella. Now I can help you to seek enlightenment in your next life too, like my other friends. Sajan says happily as they move back to the monastery.
Moving quickly and efficiently you conceal your tracks to and from the tannery giving the impression that you crossed the bridge and then to the mill and back again. Alert both for any gnolls and any further traps you head through the lower town. You encounter neither, making your way south through the hills. At key points on the way back you stop to conceal your trail.
You return to the monastery by the usual route. Thankfully the trip is without incident, Undrella and her pet following you easily from the air.
The two female mercenaries, Elia and Yesper are on guard when you arrive, the later seems fully recovered from her injuries at the hands of the geir.
Both greet you warmly, Elia seemingly happy to see Khalid in particular. Then they spot the harpy and go for their weapons. Acting quickly you diffuse the situation and head inside past the makeshift barricades while Elia runs to fetch Garavel.
The stoic factorum arrives shortly after and after a quick explanation he takes you to speak to Almah while Undrella waits calmly in the nave, watched over by the two, far less calm, mercenaries.
As you leave you hear the harpy commenting to Elia . You have lovely hair dear but it looks a bit dry. I have some extract made from dragonne liver. Its marvellous, you must try it...
You don’t hear Elia’s reply.
Garavel leads you to Almah’s chambers. The lady’s face seems strained although her hair and clothing are immaculate as usual.
You provide the two with a quick update, summarising your battles with the perytons and hyenas, your discussions with the harpy and her offer of assistance.
Almah listens intently until you are finished. Well. I can’t say I’m pleased you brought this creature here but I suppose we should hear what it has to say. Is it dangerous?
Only if it opens its mouth, Garavel manages in his usual deadpan.
Almah grimaces. Very well. Bring it inside. To her guards, If it attempts any form of enchantment, I want you to kill it. Don’t look to me just do it immediately.
She turns to you. While you were away Dashki brought us some important news. Apparently a new group of gnolls entered the town during the afternoon. Dashki thought their dress was .. significant... and there was something with them he could not explain. I will have him brief you after this business is concluded.
Garavel and Undrella enter the room and Almah greets the harpy with cool courtesy, showing no visible sign of her concerns.
A few minutes later and you are comfortably ensconced in one of Nuveril’s nightmares, tea time.
Almah calmly takes a sip from her porcelain cup, the impression of serenity a little ruined by the pactmaster guards surrounding her, clearly nervous and fingering their weapons.
Undrella on the other hand looks amused, gently tapping a taloned nail against her own cup.
Refreshments over, Almah leans back against a cushion, addressing Undrella in a confident tone. I am the duly appointed legal representative of the Pactmasters for this region and the lady mayoress of Kelmarane. My people tell me you wish to swear your service to me and therefore to the Pactmasters. They also tell me you have aligned yourself for years with the Kulldis, a tribe of slavers and killers. Given that your allegiances clearly shift with the sands, I have to ask myself why I should consider such a request.
If Almah’s words unsettle the harpy, she hides it well. I offer no oath of service. I offer my assistance. You call yourself mayoress. From where I sit, Kardswann and the Kulldis would have something to say about that. You control only this monastery and it looks ready to collapse at any moment. From the looks of things you have even fewer soldiers than I thought. With just this handful the Pactmasters can’t have much faith in either your capabilities or your prospects. You need my help, whether you realise it or not.
For all her restraint, Almah’s cheeks go a bit red. Undrella clearly scored a point with the Pactmaster comment.
My retainers, she inclines her head to the group, have handled everything the Kulldis could throw at them with ease. They’ve defeated their patrols, their demon and tonight their fliers and mobile forces. With or without your assistance, I have every confidence that they can defeat this Kardswann and any other of his ... monstrous allies and clear this town of their .... foulness.
Monstrous! Undrella’s voice goes up several octaves and the pactguards place hands on weapon hilts. I’ve come here in good faith. Maybe I should just leave you to kill each other. You have no idea of Kardswann’s powers. He’ll send your pretty head back to your precious Pactmasters in a basket! If your very lucky he’ll kill you quickly.
We should all be friends! Sajan says, clearly upset at the arguing. Almah, all Undrella wants is her home to be protected and to live in peace under our laws once we take the village- in return she will aid us.
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"Please, please....settle down a bit."
Turning his attention to Almah...
"Lady Almah, Undrella has already proven to be a useful ally, directing us to a pair of perytons that surely would have struck sooner than later. And for that matter quite possibly already had, we never found tracks for what had been disturbing the livestock, implying that whatever was striking was flying, such as a peryton."
Then turning his attention to Undrella...
"Undrella, whether you like it or not, this Kardswann like knows that you have worked with us at this point. Hostilities between the two of you benefit no one, cooperation would benefit all."
"I believe we have a common, superordinate goal of relieving the village of its current rulers. Regardless of personal feelings, we should be able to set aside differences and pursue our common interest." Arjun adds his in a matter-of-fact sort of way one would expect from a lecturing professor.
Nuveril regards the dainty porcelain cup with suspicion. The concept of brewing dried leaves is not uncommon to her -- her tribe's shamans used several different herbs for both medicinal and spiritual purposes -- but the tiny bowl with its glossy finish and decorative flourishes is utterly foreign. She listens with growing impatience as the women bicker, much more interested in the information Dashki has to convey than the political negotiations between Almah and Undrella. "We have enemies enough in Kelmarane," she insists, "without seeking them where we need not, and I have had my fill of trying to fight things that fly out of my reach. If the bird-woman will provide us with information that will help us defeat the gnolls, we ought to accept it. Our mission is to fight gnolls, not...," she gestures at the harpy vaguely, "other things. Besides, is it not dishonorable to fight and kill those with whom one has shared food?" she asks, looking meaningfully around the room at the teacups. "It is so among my tribe."
Sajan speaks first and Almah seems a bit shocked at the usually quiet monks vehemence.
As each of the rest of you stress the need for co-operation against your mutual enemies, you sense the tension between the women receding. By the end and Nuverils reference to rudeness in relation to a guest, Almah has gone a little redder, although this time seemingly from embarassment and is nodding along.
You are correct. I apologise Undrella for my poor manners. You have the right of it with the Pactmasters. Their support is more vocal than material. However I do not intend to fail here and what I said about my people stands.
Your request is not onerous and I have the power to grant it. Please tell me what assistance you can provide.
Undrella also seems to have regained her composure although Khalids statement that the Kulldis may or will know of her involvement seems to have her thinking. She sprawls casually into her cushion.
Well I will not involve myself in any combat. However I can tell you what I know of the disposition of the gnolls forces. I can draw you a layout of the battle market. I can tell you what I know of Kardswann and his abilities. I can try and ensure that any of the neutral visitors to the battle market stay out of any fight.
Oh.. and I can give you my key to the battle market doors. Would that be helpful? she asks the last with a smirk.
Almah does a good job this time of keeping her composure.
Yes I daresay it would.
Would you excuse us for a moment. I need to talk to my advisors.
Undrella rises smoothly and steps out to let you speak.
Almah turns to you. This either sounds like an answer to my prayers or an offer too good to be true. What do you all think? Can we trust this harpy? You are the ones most in danger if she proves false and betrays us to the gnolls. What if her drawings and key just lead you into a trap?
"She has given us no reason to distrust her, other than our own preconceptions of her being a harpy. We should only shun those who seek to bring violence and death. Undrella i not one of those.", Linah replies to Almah.
Almah turns to you. This either sounds like an answer to my prayers or an offer too good to be true. What do you all think? Can we trust this harpy? You are the ones most in danger if she proves false and betrays us to the gnolls. What if her drawings and key just lead you into a trap?
Nuveril shrugs. Danger means little to her. "You send us out every day with that," she points out, indicating Grall, "into the midst of its own kind, among whom its betrayal might be hoped to buy it favor. If you can so trust a gnoll with our lives, why not a bird-woman who has a place among the gnolls of Kelmarane only as an outsider and a concubine?"
Spellcraft (Armor):1d20 + 6
Spellcraft (Backpack):1d20 + 6
Very well. Our foes seem to be multiplying. It seems worthwhile trusting that we can make a friend. But I'd like you to watch Undrella carefully. Even if she has been completely genuine to this point, that may change, particularly if she thinks she may have backed a losing camel. She might well run to this Kardswann if she thinks its the only way she can keep her head.
Undrella is brought back to the room and Almah tells her that the bargain is struck, on the agreed upon terms: Undrella's assistance except for in combat in exchange for legal title to the tannery and its surrounds, in perpetuity, as well as recognition of Undrella's status as a citizen of the reclaimed Kelmarane.
The merchant princess and harpy are obviously still wary of each other but each spit in their palms and shake hands and Almah sets one of her servants to fetch parchment, writing materials and seal. A few minutes later and a pleased harpy carefully folds her sealed title deed and places it in her belt pouch.
Very well. You may want to brew some coffee as what I have to say may take some time.
Undrella takes parchment, quill and ink and as she talks she begins to draw, sketching a layout of the battle market.
As I’ve mentioned I’ve lived here in Kelmarane for seven years.
The place was pretty much abandoned when I found it. A few hostile animals that Bird and I either cleared out or moved on. The Kulldis, Kardswann, the perytons. They all came later. I cleaned up much of the battle market but the place was far to big for me to feel comfortable there. So I made my home in the tannery. It was quiet but I was content.
First came the Kulldis about three years ago. Their leader was a bit of a forward thinker, at least for a gnoll, and thought the town would make a good base for slaving and so forth. Some of the tribe, including their women and younglings, stayed up north. They took over the upper town. Obviously there wasn’t much I could do about it so I made a bargain with their leader and his chief shaman. In exchange for potions they left me alone and allowed me access to the battle market and the alchemical equipment there.
The situation wasn’t ideal but I made the best of it. Things changed when Kardswann came about nine months ago. She stares into space for a few seconds.
The truth is I don’t really know what Kardswann is. He’s never spoken about his past in my presence, not even once. He appears human, although stronger and tougher than any human has a right to be. But his eyes glow a faint blue and he has powers commonly attributed to the jinn [genies]. He can fly, turn invisible, walk through walls and make himself or others much bigger or smaller. He can communicate telepathically and believe me that is very unpleasant. He wields a magic great axe and he is deadly with it. Once, just once, when he was very angry he said that he was “lessened” but I don’t know what he meant.
The Kulldis treat him as some kind of demigod. It is doubtful they will give up or flee while he lives. As they tell it, Kardswann simply wandered into the town one day and killed their leader with a single blow from his axe. When I first laid eyes on him shortly after he didn’t seem to have any particular interest in ruling the Kulldis or Kelmarane. He didn’t seem to have any particular interest in anything. But he spent a few days exploring the ruins and something must have changed his mind. He declared himself chief, killed all of the gnolls that dared to disagree and has been ruling them absolutely since.
His actions since then speak of purpose but I do not know what it is. He continued, even expanded the old leaders plans, opening the battle market to everyone, gnoll or not. That brought human traders and slavers and whatnot. But he also sold basically the entire Kulldis’ slave force for coin. The gnolls don’t like that much, they hate to do any actual work. He seems practically obssessed with getting his hands on spellcasters but when each he managed to capture failed to do whatever he wanted them for he killed them, painfully and horribly. Worst of all from the shamans perspective, he commenced talks with the Pale Mountain packs, those ruled by the Carrion King and worshipers of Rovagug. That was heresy, even from Kardswann, and a few months ago the remaining shamans and their converts launched a coup. Kardswann crushed it and them without blinking. As far as I know theres not a shaman left to the Kulldis, at least here in the south.
I mentioned a reason why Kardswann may not move against you directly and that in essence is it. The gnolls are expecting an emmisary of the Carrion King any day. Kardswann will not want to show weakness before them. Even such as he must respect the Carrion King’s power with hundreds of gnolls at his direct command and perhaps thousands including his vassals. Equally though, I'd suggest you’ll not want to fight them together. Whoever this emmisary is it will not be weak. And if they're a servant of the Rough Beast then one look at those vestments, she gestures at Linah, may send them into a frenzy. Kardswann has already put out the call for all Kulldis to return to Kelmarane. At best guess he will meet this emmisary for however long it takes while he gathers his reinforcements. Then as soon as the emmisary leaves he will hit this place with all of his power.
I for one would not want to be here when that happens.
Grall listens to the Harpy intently, looking for any telltale signs of her lying to Almah or the group...
When Undrella begins to describe Kardswann and his powers, Nuveril looks alarmed, toucing her lips with crooked fingers and spitting on the floor to ward off evil. "No Lion of the Savannah will have anything to do with the jinn. They are fickle and untrustworthy. Even those that mean you no harm are likely to leave your tribe devastated without even thinking about it. If this Kardswann has traffic with such, he is a most dangerous adversary."
When she goes on to discuss the arrival of the emissary of the Carrion King and Kardswann's desire to appear strong before him, she insists, "Then we must harry him and make him look weak before this delegation. If the group from the Pale Mountain make an alliance with him, he will be impossible to drive from Kelmarane. We must convince them that to ally with him would be to 'back a losing camel.'" She smiles slyly at the merchant princess as she uses Almah's own turn of phrase.
Grall listens to the Harpy intently, looking for any telltale signs of her lying to Almah or the group...
You find the harpy hard to read. When she is not agitated she seems to have extremely good control over her facial and body movements. Nevertheless as best as you can tell she seems sincere.
"It appears we must confront and defeat him before he has a chance to cement this alliance and receive reinforcements from the Carrion King. We should depart immediately to resume assailing the forces in town."
Whispers to Khalid, We should ask the Harrrpy about any otherrr crrreatures that inhabit the buildings surrrrounding battlemarrrt.
"Kardwann does indeed sound like a formidable foe. I agree with Arjun, we must continue to strike against him. We can not allow the Kuldis to strike up and alliance with the Carrion king."Linah says in a calm yet severe tone. "Hopefully we have already weakened him by our strike against the perytons, but i think we need to change our method of attack. I fear that Kelmare is on a heightened state of alert, and we must be careful when we engineer our next strike."
"I wonder what he found among the ruins to make spark his interest so", Linah continues.
"What will you do now? Will you return to the tannery or do you wish to stay here at the monestary?", Linah asks Undrella.
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Whispers to Khalid, We should ask the Harrrpy about any otherrr crrreatures that inhabit the buildings surrrrounding battlemarrrt.
"If you have questions, my friend, you need not wait for me to ask them." Khalid says with a smile, then turns to Undrella..
"Beyond vast amounts of gnolls and this Kardswann, what might we encounter as we try to retake Kelmarane?"
Undrella responds to Linah's musings. Oh yes. The gnolls will be on constant alert now. Bird and I will return to my home. I will see what else I can find out.
In response to Khalid's question she waves the parchment she's been drawing on. I'm marking it down here. Everything I know about.
Almah has been listening intently.
Dashki has news. I was going to wait until we were finished but I now think everyone should hear.
She sends a servant to go fetch the greasy haired guide.
Dashki puts on his usual fawning display for Almah but it seems tinged with something new for him, genuine fear. For once he doesn’t even glare at Grall and does his best to pretend the harpy is invisible.
I saw them. Came in this afternoon after you lot, he gestures at the party, left. Six or seven ‘o the dogs in black leathers and carting spears plus two others. One was like nothing I’ve seen or heard about before. Looked sort of like a dog but near ten foot tall twas. Like a dog bedded a giant. Didn’t have no weapons but didn’t look like it needed any. It followed t’other, wearing a coat of many colours and what looked like a mask covering its face. Gods I hope it was a mask. They went up into the upper town with the Kulldis.
Beg pardon milady but noone ever said anything about going up against servants of the Rough Beast. Tis said that when they kill you they break your soul with their axes and you can never get to Paradise.
The description certainly sounds like the vestments of a priest of Rovagug, archenemy of Saranrae and her church and foe of anything goodly.
Hrmph. Finally, a worthy foe to test myself against, perhaps... A priest of Rovagug...
Well sounds like the emissary is already here.
She yawns, flourishing her parchment map filled with notations in a neat script.
OK its all here. I will go see if I can find out where these new gnolls are to be quartered. I can’t see Kardswann allowing them to stay in the battle market but he won’t leave them in the lower town either, not with you running around killing his allies there. Best to limit any trips to the tannery. I don’t want to be found out. I’ll return here at dusk.
She moves to leave.
Battle market
Kulldis
Kardswann (upper levels)
Ugruk (flind sub-chief) (upper levels)
“Flame witch” (upper levels)
Personal guard of 12-15 gnolls armes with axes and either spears or bows (split into several units on different levels). Undrella notes 3 main guardposts.
Gnoll bartender (ground floor)
Other
Human slavers and traders (currently 8?) (ground floor)
3 Bugbears (ground floor)
Hurvank (ogre wrestler) (ground floor)
Upper town
Kulldis
12-18 gnolls armed with axes and some bows (in various buildings near the battle market)
2 gnoll trackers / animal handlers (guardhouse)
? hyenas (Undrella is sketchy on the number of these but thinks you’ve killed the majority, these range around but most seem to centre around the guardhouse)
1 hyenadon (apparently this lived in the lower guardhouse but has been moved)
Carrion King gnolls ?