"Thank you for the encouraging words, Grall. I can not help to feel saddened that i am unable to sway his mood for the better. Perhaps i am just fatigued from todays events.", Linah replies with a tired smile. "Hopefully i can ease my mind and try again tomorrow."
A holy symbol of Nethys hangs prominently around his neck.
After a time of watching the other mercenaries, Sajan decides to join them at the fire. Wordlessly, Sajan sits himself beside the halfling, now clearly and visibly studying the gnoll Grall that towers over even he.
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"Thank you for the encouraging words, Grall. I can not help to feel saddened that i am unable to sway his mood for the better. Perhaps i am just fatigued from todays events.", Linah replies with a tired smile. "Hopefully i can ease my mind and try again tomorrow."
"There is nothing to sadden yourself about, Linah. Dashki seems to be a difficult man to know, and not many are as at peace with themselves as you seem to be."
After a time of watching the other mercenaries, Sajan decides to join them at the fire. Wordlessly, Sajan sits himself beside the halfling, now clearly and visibly studying the gnoll Grall that towers over even he.
Grall seems to look at you for a moment as well, as if assessing any danger you pose. When your eyes meet he lowers his head in a more subservient manner and watches his surroundings as he stands behind Linah.
Looking at the large man that joins the group at the fire...
"I am Khalid." He says, extending a hand in greeting.
"And who might you be, my large friend? You are obviously not of Kelish stock, what brings you so far from your homeland?"
Sajan glances down at Khalid's hand slowly, as though unsure what to do with it. Eventually he grasps it firmly and shakes it, vigorously.
Me Sajan Krama Sumna. Parents were from Vudrani. Keleshite my homeland. Garavel need muscle, Sajan volunteer. Sajan is good warrior. Sajan protect others.
Nuveril bristles at Khalid's reference to Sajan's size. "That is the benefit of being more compact," she says sharply. "Anyone I hurt, I hurt on purpose."
A smile crosses Khalid's face as he tries to keep his arm in its socket.
"A pleasure to meet you, Sajan. We may have to work on that greeting a bit though, a man of your size and strength may accidentally hurt someone."
Sajan looks crestfallen at your statement.
No... No! Sajan not mean to hurt, Sajan help you, Sajan help you find enlightenment! Know Khalid that he is close to perfection?
Glancing down at the tough Halfling, Sajan hastily adds...
Com... Compact halfling close too! If halfling lead good, enlightened life, halfling will be human in next life! Sajan will protect you so you can! Sajan says in delight, beaming in genuine happiness for both of you.
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Sajan looks crestfallen at your statement.
No... No! Sajan not mean to hurt, Sajan help you, Sajan help you find enlightenment! Know Khalid that he is close to perfection?
"No worries, my friend. I don't know about being close to perfection, but I will take that as the complement I expect that was meant to be."
Turning his attention to Nuveril,
"I did not mean to offend you, Nuveril. My comment about Sajan's size was not meant to disparage you in anyway."
Sabeen sits cross-legged very close to the fire, greedily warming her slender hands. She seems to divide her attentions between flicking covert looks at the others and staring intently into the centre of the flames.
She diverts her attention to watch closely Sajan's by-play with the others and at his statement to the halfling she laughs, softly and musically, as if it were the funniest thing in the world.
She leans toward the halfling. Don't worry I'm small too. Although not as small as you relatively speaking. She gives the halfling her brightest smile and appears entirely devoid of sarcasm.
Near Garavel's side at all times is a large Gnoll. Standing at 6'10 inches and weighing just shy of 300lbs, he is one of the largest specimens of his kind you have seen. Lanky in an odd way, but very muscular, this brownish red Gnoll is crisscrossed by inumerable scars. Looking at him makes you want to wince at times. His hair, due to the scars, grows in odds ways and makes him look like he almost had mange. Whatever life this Gnoll has had, appears to have been very hard. He hasn't said much to anyone to date, staying near Garavel's side and following his various requests.
From the general murmer of the merchants, he is said to be a slave, a prized fighting Gnoll, a gladiator, a crazed killer of the pits. The favored weapon of the creatures of Lamashtu, a huge finely crafted Falchion, too finely crafted for some mear slave, is sheathed on his back.
It is an odd contrast with what you have seen so far though. This Gnoll slave appears to be clean, well spoken, and of all things a simple holy symbol of Sarenrae can be seen hanging from his neck at times when it falls out of his studded leather armor. You have seen him sitting facing the rising sun each morning in what you assume is prayer. What an odd slave you think to yourself...
Over the next several days and mixed mood of somberness and optimism pervades the camp. Though saddened at the death of Eloais the astrologer, the caravan departs for Kelmarane with hope for success. Several days of travel through featureless desert terrain brings little to remark. Sand, cacti, more sand, and the occasional surly lizard are the only notable features in the Katapeshi desert.
You finally come upon a structure on a rocky hill in the distance; the Monastery of St. Vardishal, a forlorn edifice once holy to the faith of Sarenrae, goddess of redemption and the sun.
"There it is!" cries Almah. She calls over her shoulder to her hired mercenaries, your party. "In order to claim the old monastery as a home base from which to launch attacks on the gnolls of Kelmarane, you must explore every room of the place and rid it of the fell creatures that currently call it home. I'm not sure entirely what they are, but they should be within the scope of your expertise."
Most of the monastery’s walls remain intact, though a few of its towers have collapsed and gaping holes mar most of the structure’s ceilings. Most wooden structures have rotted away and nature has begun to intrude upon the monastery’s interior. Some of the old red and orange tile work remains intact, but where walls and ceilings have fallen the decoration has cracked and faded.
Sajan gazes in awe at the building towering over him, mouth agape despite the semi-ruined state of the monastery.
Which way? Sajan think we should all be quiet hunters...
The large Falchion at Gralls back slips from its sheath. he looks to Linah and Khalid for direction.
This place is no longer Sarenrae's, we should expect trouble if the creatures of the desert have claimed it. We should look for tracks to see if there are any recent ones and what type of creatures might inhabit it.
Not wanting to let the scarred gnoll find tracks without her, Nuveril also bends down to examine the sandy ground. "Bah! What is the point of spending ourselves to reclaim a worthless ruin? If we were instead to camp in the open, we would be able to keep a wider watch and react to danger more quickly rather than be trapped inside a shell."
The small one is angry again...? Sajan asks the others not tracking, concern and sadness written into his face and voice.
The following days Linah's spirits has risen noticably. She walks around the camp making conversation and lends an ear to everyone who wants to share something.
She approaches the giant Vudrani monk, curtseys and says with a smile:
"We did not have the chance to meet when you arrived. My name is Linah Jamil'Kaid, a follower of the Dawnflower. What is your name? If you don't mind me saying so, you look abit out of place with the rest of the caravan, my friend. How is it that you have come to journey with us to liberate Kelmarane?
Every morning she asks Grall if she may join him during his morning prayer.
As the caravan reaches the monastery Linah stands bedazzled for a moment in front of the monastary. She smiles and almost seems to glow with joy and excitement. She turns to Almah.
"It will be an honor to restore the temple.", she says with a warm smile. She kneels down to say a animated prayer to Sarenrae.
The large Falchion at Gralls back slips from its sheath. he looks to Linah and Khalid for direction.
This place is no longer Sarenrae's, we should expect trouble if the creatures of the desert have claimed it. We should look for tracks to see if there are any recent ones and what type of creatures might inhabit it.
"But it will be again, my friend." she says with a confident smile.
The small one is angry again...? Sajan asks the others not tracking, concern and sadness written into his face and voice.
Linah laughts as she replies. "Do not worry, my friend. I think Nuveril's demenor comes down to competition with our gnoll friend, not due to wrath."
"We did not have the chance to meet when you arrived. My name is Linah Jamil'Kaid, a follower of the Dawnflower. What is your name? If you don't mind me saying so, you look abit out of place with the rest of the caravan, my friend. How is it that you have come to journey with us to liberate Kelmarane?
Sa... Sajan. I look... out of place? Which place? What plant is the Dawnflower? Sajans eyes cringed as he concentrated, trying to understand what the friendly stranger meant.
My family were slain by a Gnoll tribe. Home was farm near Katapesh, but burnt down. Sajan has no home or family left- family Vudrani. But Sajan skilled in art of Gnoll-kill. Sajan hunted tribe until no Gnolls left.
Sabeen has said little in the trek to the monastery although her barely restrained excitement has grown with every league. Every morning she is up almost with the dawn and waits impatiently for the caravan to get on its way. Before slinging her pack she unbuckles and buckles the strap precisely six times with a look of studied concentration. Those who have observed her closely have seen a tiny shape wriggling in the folds of her robes and indeed she appears to carry on detailed coversations with it although it is difficult to distinguish between that and her frequent discussions with the air.
Silly Pretty Lady she does not see with her eyes. This is a place of secrets oh yes. It will attract secret things. But this is the way home I know it.
She nods at Sajan sagely. Yes we must be like mice. Can you be like a mouse Big Man?
She stares at the monastery intently as if trying to divine its secrets.
Knowledge history
The small one is angry again...? Sajan asks the others not tracking, concern and sadness written into his face and voice.Linah laughts as she replies. "Do not worry, my friend. I think Nuveril's demenor comes down to competition with our gnoll friend, not due to wrath."
Linah's explanation only serves to confuse Sajan. Does she dislike this Gnoll? Does this Gnoll seek to delay her enlightenment... Sajan asks, fingering his brass knuckles and staring at Grall intently...
Sajan nods at Sabeen. Sajan good at moving quietly. More like hunter than mouse though, Sajan only has two feet and mice have... more... Sajan explains earnestly to Sabeen, hesitating as he tries to recall what he remembers of mice.
"I'd rather have him with us than a mouse," Nuveril says curtly, nodding at Sajan. He may not be clever, but ever since she heard of his history of avenging his family against the gnolls, she has approved of the lumbering man. There is little she respects more than a strong arm and a thirst for the lifeblood of gnolls.
"I'd rather have him with us than a mouse," Nuveril says curtly, nodding at Sajan. He may not be clever, but ever since she heard of his history of avenging his family against the gnolls, she has approved of the lumbering man. There is little she respects more than a strong arm and a thirst for the lifeblood of gnolls.
Sajan proud to be small ones Keeper... Sajan replies quietly, placing extreme emphasis on the final word of his sentence.
He must be referring to the Vudrani deity known as Gruhastha, the Keeper and Guardian of Golarion, advisor to Irori.
I'm assuming you mean your contract? Your contract is for one calendar month, obliging you to attack or defend whatever reasonable targets that Almah Roveshki orders. Payment is 50 gold pieces per person, payable upon termination of contract. It is likely that you will be offered another contract, considering the longterm plans Almah has for the village.
The monastery is approximately 1.5 miles from the monastery.
[Ooc] She stares at the monastery intently as if trying to divine its secrets.
Knowledge history
1d20 + 9
This small, contemplative chapel is dedicated to Vardishal, a once-immortal warrior slain hundreds of years ago in a great battle near this spot. Pilgrims of Sarenrae who settled in the region about 200 years ago were drawn here by a goodly spirit, the ghost of a noble warrior who manifested here occasionally to make pronouncements and speak omens. Most of these involved the evil cult of Rovagug and the threat posed by Pale Mountain’s denizens. Some aspect of the traumatic death that turned Vardishal into a ghost in the first place kept him from clearly communicating his warnings, but the flock of Sarenrae took the inchoate pronouncements of the benevolent spirit as a reminder to dedicate themselves to vigilance of their land, and especially to close monitoring of the ominous white mountain on the horizon.
At Sabeen's suggestion, Sajan quickly volunteers to lead the way into the monastery. Despite his size, Sajan moves quietly into the monastery, his steps soft and subtle.
Grall will follow about 10' behind Sajan to begin with.
When he determines that Sajan's stealth is non-existent :) he moves up beside the large human giving him a silent nod so he can use his Darkvision to help scout any dark areas in the Monastery.
Scrub brush and a light, patchy carpet of weeds invade the monastery through two huge fallen sections of the western wall. The exposed nave beyond is a huge hallway littered with bits of debris ranging from tiny rocks to enormous sections of collapsed masonry. Most of the roof above the long promenade is gone, but several jagged pillars remain. The hallway recedes into shadows to the east.
Edit: Ninjaed! Grall, consider yourself right behind Sajan.
Refusing to allow the scarred gnoll to win unchallenged the first stroke against whatever enemies may lie within, Nuveril follows swiftly, her weapons at the ready.
After staring at the monastery for a time, Sabeen comes out of her reverie and recites the above information to the group almost in a monotone as if reading it verbatim from a textbook in her head.
She suggests that Sajan scouts placing her small hand on his chest and reciting several Words of Power in a deep almost gutteril tone that seems odd coming from her small frame.
Sajan feels the air around him harden, strengthening his bodys natural resistance to injury.
Edit
Sabeen follows the front line of doom in to the monastery about 10 feet back. As she goes she loads a bolt into her battered crossbow
Noticing the entourage behind him, Sajan shakes his head slowly and sadly.
Sajan will teach scout skill later perhaps. Sajan think we should go this way... he whispers, walking to the east and towards the steps.
You see numerous tracks coming in and out of the monastery. Nearly all of them are small and sharp-toed, not unlike the pugwampi tracks you followed to rescue Rombard the goat.
You advance slowly and cautiously into the monastery. To your north and south are small alcoves. They appear to be filled with debris. Elaborate bas-relief carvings cover the walls of both alcoves.
Sajan continues onward to the east, motioning for the others to hang back a little.
Stealth
"We did not have the chance to meet when you arrived. My name is Linah Jamil'Kaid, a follower of the Dawnflower. What is your name? If you don't mind me saying so, you look abit out of place with the rest of the caravan, my friend. How is it that you have come to journey with us to liberate Kelmarane?
Sa... Sajan. I look... out of place? Which place? What plant is the Dawnflower? Sajans eyes cringed as he concentrated, trying to understand what the friendly stranger meant.
My family were slain by a Gnoll tribe. Home was farm near Katapesh, but burnt down. Sajan has no home or family left- family Vudrani. But Sajan skilled in art of Gnoll-kill. Sajan hunted tribe until no Gnolls left.
Linah laughs at Sajans first reply and tries to figure out if the giants reply is due to a lack of wits, due to a language barrier or abit of both. But her smile drops quickly as he starts to tell her about his family.
"It weights on my heart that your family lost their lives. I hope you have been able to find solace and are able to keep living yours.", she says with a calm and compassionate voice.
Linah laughts as she replies. "Do not worry, my friend. I think Nuveril's demenor comes down to competition with our gnoll friend, not due to wrath."The small one is angry again...?
Sajan asks the others not tracking, concern and sadness written into his face and voice.Linah's explanation only serves to confuse Sajan. Does she dislike this Gnoll? Does this Gnoll seek to delay her enlightenment... Sajan asks, fingering his brass knuckles and staring at Grall intently...
"She does not seem to have taken well with our gnoll friend. At least it hasn't broken out to a fight, so i guess there is still hope", Linah replies to Sajan with a smile.
"I'd rather have him with us than a mouse," Nuveril says curtly, nodding at Sajan. He may not be clever, but ever since she heard of his history of avenging his family against the gnolls, she has approved of the lumbering man. There is little she respects more than a strong arm and a thirst for the lifeblood of gnolls.Sajan proud to be small ones Keeper... Sajan replies quietly, placing extreme emphasis on the final word of his sentence.
** spoiler omitted **
As Linah is not trained for stealth she keeps to the back hoping not to call attention to Sajan as he scouts ahead. Seeing the numerous footprints outside of the monestary she draws her scimitar as quietly as she can and looks up at the sky to praise Sarenrae before moving in with the others.
She watches as Sajan continues to explore the monastery.
