Dusk comes and goes with no sign of the harpy.
Instead it is fully dark when a winged figure drops down out of the sky into the courtyard, surprising Sajan who is resting after Linah's care.
Hi there handsome. Her playful greeting isn’t reflected in her wan and wearied features. She is panting lightly and her wingtips tremble as if she has flown here very fast. A hessian sack is tied to her belt. She seems to avoid looking at it.
I need to talk to everyone. Kardswann has demanded my attendance and I don’t have much time.
When everyone gathers (Linah from her vigil in the chapel) she speaks.
Well if Kardswann didn’t know you were a real threat to him, he knows it now. I’ve never seen him so angry. He took the leader of the gnolls you faced today and strangled him to death with his bare hands. It seems as if this Emissary had come to negotiate the terms of some alliance between the Carrion King and the Kulldis. Well .. alliance was the term used but it seemed as if Kardswann was going to have the Kulldis swear allegiance, take up worship of Rovagug and all of that. That’s all ruined now. Kardswann is wroth. Something else too. If I didn’t know better I’d say it was fear.
He expects his reinforcements some time the day after tomorrow. He doesn’t intend to mess around any longer. He’s not going to let you kill any more of his gnolls piecemeal. Those that are left from outside have been pulled into the battle market. When the reinforcements come he’s going to march here at the head of his forces and burn the place to the ground. I’m to use my magic to draw you outside for the gnolls to slaughter. If I don’t … well he made certain promises as to what would happen to me. You’ve had difficulty reading her before but she seems honestly frightened.
As I promised, I spoke to the human merchants and slavers at the battle market. Warned them subtly to stay out of things. Truth be told they didn’t need much encouraging. None of them are warriors and none want to get into the middle of this. The bugbears were another story. Kardswann has promised them gold to fight for the Kulldis and they haven’t seen you in action yet. I think they’ll fight you.
As for Arjun. She pauses. Kardswann has him. As frustrated as Kardswann is, I’m not sure how long he will survive.
He ordered me to bring this. She gestures at the sack. And empty it out from the air and fly back.
She opens the sack. Inside is a severed, left, human hand.
When the initial excitement of returning to the monastery is over, Nuveril retreats to her camp and carves another small notch on the handle of her hammer for the gnoll she killed that day.
4hp more overnight
4hp more overnight
One of the pactmaster guards on the door ducks inside the room and a moment later returns to usher you inside.
As you come in Almah and Garavel are talking about Arjun. They stop as you approach.
Almah smiles at you. Please Nuveril, join us. Or would you like to talk to me alone?
She hesitates. "The others do not agree with me in this matter," she admits. "This is why I come to you alone. But I do not trust the Gnome we found today!" Now that her suspicion is voiced, her voice gains passion and animation, despite her formal posture. "It claimed to be poor and weak and starving but displayed no signs of weakness once the others let it join us. It claimed to hate and fear the gnolls, but it did not shrink away from yours," she nods to Garavel. "It was I only that it attacked, I, the only one who distrusted it and was not willing to embrace its story uncritically! It spoke threats to me, using the same words I heard from the gnolls' demon which Khalid slew and from the flying stag-wolves. When we withdrew from the town, we had to run the gauntlet of the gnoll archers. Their arrows struck all of us -- Khalid nearly fell! -- all of us but the Gnome, who ran unscathed, as though they had orders not to harm it." She shakes her head darkly. "I know the prisoner we rescued welcomed it as a friend, but I have seen it today make things appear which were not; it is a master of lying to the senses. And that wretched one's mind is all but broken, not a witness to be trusted. I fear it is a spy and an agent of the gnolls, just as the bird-woman spies for us while pretending to be a friend to Kardswann."
She opens the sack. Inside is a severed, left, human hand.
Nuveril's face twists in disgust; she turns her head aside and spits in the dirt of the courtyard. "Barbarians!" she growls. "Only those with no honor maim and torture instead of granting their enemies a clean death." She sidles a little closer to Sajan. "Can you tell? Is it his?"
Grall says little as he can barely stand after today's fight and the wounds suffered from the scorpion.
It is a message, Nuveril the tired Vudrani says softly. I cannot tell for sure, but there would be little reason to send someone elses. I am ashamed at my failure. I was not able to protect him.
Grall sniffs at the hand...It smells like acid and lavendar, the smell I norrrmally associate with Arrrjun. We have not failed them yet...if we go now...we may be able to save them...
Grall leans on Sajan for a moment, a few drops of blood dripping onto the floor from the bandages on his chest.
Father Zantus reacts in shock to the sight of the hand, sinking to his knees and holding his head in his hands. Almah looks as if she is fighting back tears.
Garavel takes the sack from the harpy, closing it.
Undrella do you know where Arjun is?
Linah looks exhausted as she enters the courtyard. Her eyes are red from crying and her side still wears the mark of the gnoll's axe. She listens to the harpy with her hed hung low and looks just about to speak up as Undrella reveals the contents of her bag. Linah's face pales and she stares horrified at the severed hand.
"We.. we need to go back. We can not leave Arjun with that monster", she says weakly,
When I left he was in a cell on the ground floor off the arena. I daren't get too close.
I really need to go. I will return if I can.
If you mean to launch your assault best do it as soon as possible. If you mean to defend here, she looks pointedly at some of the crumbling wooden supports and holes in the ceiling, I hope you can come up with a good plan. Remember that Kardswann cares nothing for stone walls. He can fly over them or walk straight through. He means to see you all dead.
She stares at Sajan for a moment and then moves to go.
She drops her ward hex on you.
Zantus Heal Aid on Nuveril
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"That pretty well settles it. We rest for the night and return to Kelmarane as soon as we can...staying here is not really an option. Zantus, anything you can provide us with, in terms of healing or aid, in the morning would prove most useful if we are to have any chance of saving Arjun and against this Kardswann."
"That pretty well settles it. We rest for the night and return to Kelmarane as soon as we can...staying here is not really an option. Zantus, anything you can provide us with, in terms of healing or aid, in the morning would prove most useful if we are to have any chance of saving Arjun and against this Kardswann."
Khalid Diplomacy (ad hoc)
Goodbye Undrella. Thank you my friend. Sajan says with a quick bow, embracing Undrella carefully, not wanting to crush her or alarm her with the hug.
Sajan nods in support of Khalid's words.
As much as we want to save Arjun, returning tonight will only end in us joining him or worse. I will not lose another of my charges this day.
Grall looks at Zantus, Yourrr magic could help to sway the tide of battle, we barrrely made it back alive...
For the first time since returning to the monestary Linah meets the yes of the old alchemist. "Father Zantus. I implore you to aid us in any way you can. For Arjun's sake."
Help. Yes my help. You'll need everything I have to save Arjun.
He leaves for the laboratory returning a few minutes later with his small casket of potions.
Take them. Just help him please. I can prepare some more extracts in the morning.
It seems as if we have some hard choices to make. Undrella said more gnolls are coming some time the day after tomorrow. Assuming that was correct and we wish to strike the market we can either do it tomorrow when we can have some hope that their numbers are less or take a full day to rest.
Or we can wait for them to come to us. Gods help us, it would be a blood bath with the herders and servants here though. We could send them away but who would guard them?
When the old man has gone to his laboratory, Nuveril mutters, "The best thing we could do would be to give the bottle-thrower a clean death. Unless you think your Sun-Lady can grow a new hand for him, there is no point in living with such a crippling deformity."
Nuveril nods to Garavel before going briefly down on one knee before Almah, touching two fingers to her head then to her chest. "No, Lady," she responds, sitting down in her tribe's formal position for a serious discussion, her legs folded under her and her hands open on her knees. "What I have to say is suitable for his ears, as well."
She hesitates. "The others do not agree with me in this matter," she admits. "This is why I come to you alone. But I do not trust the Gnome we found today!" Now that her suspicion is voiced, her voice gains passion and animation, despite her formal posture. "It claimed to be poor and weak and starving but displayed no signs of weakness once the others let it join us. It claimed to hate and fear the gnolls, but it did not shrink away from yours," she nods to Garavel. "It was I only that it attacked, I, the only one who distrusted it and was not willing to embrace its story uncritically! It spoke threats to me, using the same words I heard from the gnolls' demon which Khalid slew and from the flying stag-wolves. When we withdrew from the town, we had to run the gauntlet of the gnoll archers. Their arrows struck all of us -- Khalid nearly fell! -- all of us but the Gnome, who ran unscathed, as though they had orders not to harm it." She shakes her head darkly. "I know the prisoner we rescued welcomed it as a friend, but I have seen it today make things appear which were not; it is a master of lying to the senses. And that wretched one's mind is all but broken, not a witness to be trusted. I fear it is a spy and an agent of the gnolls, just as the bird-woman spies for us while pretending to be a friend to Kardswann."
The two look at each other. You get the sense that they are not sure what to make of your accusation but they seem to be considering it carefully.
Almah speaks, Its true we know next to nothing about this gnome. Are you saying you think the gnolls set it for you to find so it could infiltrate our camp?
Garavel adds, You say the others don't agree. I understand that Khalid as an inquisitor of the Dawnflower can see into a person's heart and read if there is evil there. Has he looked at the sorceress?
Its true we know next to nothing about this gnome. Are you saying you think the gnolls set it for you to find so it could infiltrate our camp?
"We know from the bird-woman that this Kardswann has sent out searchers for this place before, but we slew them," she replies doggedly. "If the gnolls intend an attack on our base, an agent on the inside would be invaluable: to strike unexpectedly or to sabotage our defenses."
You say the others don't agree. I understand that Khalid as an inquisitor of the Dawnflower can see into a person's heart and read if there is evil there. Has he looked at the sorceress?
Despite herself, Nuveril feels a sense of loyalty to the party's emerging leader -- but it is as nothing compared to her hatred for the Gnome. "I do not know what such an examination would look like," she answers, "but he performed no ritual. The Gnome attacked me and ran; once it was caught and unable to escape, it turned to sniveling and pleading, saying it was weak and defenseless. It mentioned the party the gnolls captured and that seemed to be proof enough for Khalid that it was telling the truth, although if it had turned coat to work for the gnolls, it would know all they had extracted from the prisoners by means of torture. Toward me, the only one not to accept its story, it has been hostile and threatening; toward everyone else, fawning and servile. Is that not how an agent would act to discredit the one who counsels distrust?"
It seems as if we have some hard choices to make. Undrella said more gnolls are coming some time the day after tomorrow. Assuming that was correct and we wish to strike the market we can either do it tomorrow when we can have some hope that their numbers are less or take a full day to rest.
Or we can wait for them to come to us. Gods help us, it would be a blood bath with the herders and servants here though. We could send them away but who would guard them?
We will attack again tomorrow, Sajan thinks. Khalid?. These potions should be enough to get us ready again. You have my thanks.
Almah thinks for a moment. Garavel please talk to Khalid and see if he senses evil from the gnome. The harpy, this sorceress. I have felt uncomfortable about placing so much trust in people we do not know. With Arjun taken all the more reason for us to be careful.
Nuveril, I would like you to watch the gnome for signs of treachery. If you must, act, but I'd prefer for you to report to me first if you can.
Nuveril nods in agreement. "If we do not attack them there, they will surely attack us here, and protecting the noncombatants would only be a burden."
Nuveril, I would like you to watch the gnome for signs of treachery. If you must, act, but I'd prefer for you to report to me first if you can.
Nuveril's eyes glow with satisfaction at the order. "I will act only to protect the lives of my companions," she promises, her hand unconsciously reaching for the shaft of her hammer. "I have no desire to cause dissension within the party."
"Yes, we can not wait. We need to strike at them first thing tomorrow. I don't know if i will be able to sleep", Linah says with a heavy sigh. Arjun's capture burdens the cleric, like a stone hung around her neck.
Garavel looks sidewise at Almah as if isn't sure all of this is a good idea. But you haven't seen him question her in your presence so far and he doesn't do it now, simply nodding.
You leave. Just the thought of what that gnome creature did to you makes you angrier. How dare it throw its filthy magics at you? How dare it..
I must concur with this plan Mistress. If the harpies numbers were accurate, Khalid and the others put a substantial dent in their numbers today. If we can defeat the Kulldis leaders I think we can easily handle these reinforcements. Placing them under sudden assault is also our best chance to rescue Arjun. And with the key hopefully we can attack from a direction they do not expect.
"Yes, we can not wait. We need to strike at them first thing tomorrow. I don't know if i will be able to sleep", Linah says with a heavy sigh. Arjun's capture burdens the cleric, like a stone hung around her neck.
Very well. Please gather everyone Garavel I would speak to them.
Garavel does so and the entire expedition gathers, mercenaries, pact guards, herders and servants. All stand in the courtyard beneath the brightly shining stars.
Almah stands before you all and speaks.
We will be attacking the gnolls tomorrow, as early as we can. With our full strength. By this time tomorrow we will have succeeded or failed. There are many who said we would never succeed. That we had no chance. That attacking the gnolls with so few was foolishness. But thanks to the sacrifices of Khalid and his friends, thanks to Arjun's sacrifice, we are here, at this moment.
I expect our success but I want us prepared for the worst. I want every wagon packed before dawn. Before we launch our assault I want those wagons moving south with our non-combatants for Sultan's Claw. Gods willing we will join again after the battle.
I know this means a long night for some of you. Those that will fight tomorrow need to rest.
I want to thank all of you. May the Dawnflower's blessing be upon us. She is both shield and avenging arm and we will all need both tomorrow.
Everyone disburses. Many look fearful but noone questions Almah's orders. Almost immediately Linah finds herself surrounded by a cluster of soldiers and servants asking for blessing.
Garavel approaches Khalid after Almah's speech and draws him away.
I liked your plan. It is bold but I think that is our best chance of success. I will lead the other mercenaries into battle myself but you have been on the frontline against the Kulldis and know best what to expect. You have proven a fine leader. While I suggest you utilise us to fight the regular gnolls while you defeat this Kardswann and his cronies, I will follow your direction. Hopefully Almah will have the good sense to stay aside.
Also, Nuveril came to Almah and I. She questions the loyalty of the gnome but seems to greatly dislike her as well. I do not know what to think. Almah has been very suspicious lately, almost as if she expects a betrayal to come from somewhere. The harpy seemed the most likely candidate but she seems to have been honest so far. When Nuveril came with her accusations it seemed almost to confirm her fears. I know you can look into the hearts of people and tell if evil lurks there. Have you looked at this gnome? Do you trust her?
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Garavel approaches Khalid after Almah's speech and draws him away.
I liked your plan. It is bold but I think that is our best chance of success. I will lead the other mercenaries into battle myself but you have been on the frontline against the Kulldis and know best what to expect. You have proven a fine leader. While I suggest you utilise us to fight the regular gnolls while you defeat this Kardswann and his cronies, I will follow your direction. Hopefully Almah will have the good sense to stay aside.
"How many mercenaries do you have at you command, Garavel? If you have a fair number, I would prefer if you and your troops could loudly approach Kelmarane to draw out the gnoll regulars so that we can get to the battle-market to confront Kardswann and his lieutenants."
"Perhaps you could convince Lady Almah that she would be best served to organize the group heading for Sultan's Claw. I would think the non-combatants would be in less of a panic about a move if she was with them."
Also, Nuveril came to Almah and I. She questions the loyalty of the gnome but seems to greatly dislike her as well. I do not know what to think. Almah has been very suspicious lately, almost as if she expects a betrayal to come from somewhere. The harpy seemed the most likely candidate but she seems to have been honest so far. When Nuveril came with her accusations it seemed almost to confirm her fears. I know you can look into the hearts of people and tell if evil lurks there. Have you looked at this gnome? Do you trust her?[/b]
"Nuveril does not trust anyone easily, though that is not to say that her misgivings are unfounded. I have not looked into the heart of this Felliped as of yet, but will do so before we leave in the morning. Felliped did attack Nuveril, but I do not know if this was a simple matter of fight or flight or if it was something more nefarious. I do know that she has not taken any actions against us since though."
"How many mercenaries do you have at you command, Garavel? If you have a fair number, I would prefer if you and your troops could loudly approach Kelmarane to draw out the gnoll regulars so that we can get to the battle-market to confront Kardswann and his lieutenants."
"Perhaps you could convince Lady Almah that she would be best served to organize the group heading for Sultan's Claw. I would think the non-combatants would be in less of a panic about a move if she was with them."
The six and myself. The four pact master guards will not leave Almah's side.
A distraction we can do. I think we can best an even amount of gnolls. If there are more we will hold them off until you've done what you need to. I think you are right about Almah. I'll do my best to convince her.
"Nuveril does not trust anyone easily, though that is not to say that her misgivings are unfounded. I have not looked into the heart of this Felliped as of yet, but will do so before we leave in the morning. Felliped did attack Nuveril, but I do not know if this was a simple matter of fight or flight or if it was something more nefarious. I do know that she has not taken any actions against us since though."
Very well. I will leave the matter to your discretion. We can only hope that Nuveril will not do anything... precipitous. But there is something here I cannot put my finger on.
I plan on telling the group heading for the battle market (aka the PCs about Kardswann and his status as one of the Five Templars on route. I do not want to make this known here at the monastery for fear of shaking the already unsteady morale of Alamah and her mercenaries
Linah does her best to put on a brave face as she's swarmed by the soldiers and servants. She can not afford to falter now. She asks everyone to come with her to the chapel where she performs a ritual and asks the Dawnflower to look over the monastary and all that dwell within as they lay their lives in her mercy. After the ceremony Linah talks to one and all in attendence, trying to comfort and lift their spirits.
The plan made and communicated, Nuveril retreats to her campsite to perform a centering ritual common in her tribe before a particularly dangerous hunt, when all know death might await them. There is more activity than usual around the camel enclosure due to the preparations for the next day; but the halfling is used to living in the open with the wind and weather and her tribe all around her, and the hubbub does not distract her when she closes her eyes.
She seats herself formally, her legs crossed and her weapon in her lap, her palms open to the spirits in the wind. "Ancestors, fuel my rage and strengthen my arms. Tomorrow may I fight in such a way as to honor you. If I die, grant me to die well, and may the enemies that fall to my hammer be more numerous than the dust of the earth and the stars of the sky."
Her request spoken, she sits silently and envisions herself striding through Kelmarane the next day, striking down gnolls left and right beneath the mighty hammer she wrested from the pugwampi king. In her mind, they seem to shrink to the size of pugwampis themselves as they flee before her, but they cannot get away. Her nostrils flare, and her heart beats faster as she sits still in the moonlight.
Now she has crushed the skull of the last gnoll and looks up to see the veiled form of the flame-witch in the road before her. Overwhelmed with rage, she raises her hammer and rushes ahead. Before the blow can land, however, pain explodes in her mind and she hears the words of the goat-demon: I WILL FLAY YOUR FLESH OFF YOUR BONES PIECE BY PIECE AND CONSUME IT AS I GO. YOU WILL BEG ME FOR DEATH BEFORE I AM DONE. BEG ME !!!
The vision-Nuveril comes to herself, bent over double in the road against the assault on her mind, but she shakes it off with a growl. The flame-witch is still standing before her, seemingly just as far off as she was before. Once again, Nuveril hefts her hammer and rushes toward the figure. Before she can bring the weapon down, however, a shadow passes over her from above. Her vision dims, and once again she feels the unwanted intrusion of the flying stag-wolf's thoughts in her mind: the rage, the hatred, the single-minded desire for her bloody death.
The vision-Nuveril comes to herself again, this time on her knees. Looking up, she still sees the flame-witch in the road, still and unmoving save for the gentle ripple of its clothing in the wind. She wills herself back to her feet, her fingers gripping her weapon convulsively, and runs toward the veiled figure once again. Suddenly, her vision goes blank, and her body seizes up. She feels the hammer drop from her numb fingers. Intensely aware of how vulnerable she is, frozen, sightless, and unarmed in the midst of her enemies, she struggles mightily to break free from the spell that has conquered her but is unable to twitch a muscle. In her ears, she hears the Gnome's mocking voice: I will not be threatened by you. You will not lay a hand on me, or so help me I will damn your soul to a place your ancestors dare not tread! Am I understood? You had better walk away, dirt-eater, if you know what's good for you.
With a roar of rage, Nuveril bursts through the magic bonds that hold her frozen. Without waiting for her vision to return or to pick up her weapons, she leaps forward onto her tormentor and feels the thud of a solid body falling beneath her and the smooth feel of silk between her fingers. As the blindness of her eyes slowly fades, she rips the veil away from the flame-witch and finds herself looking down at the absently-smiling face of Sabeen. Here we are. The beginning and the end. What fun.
With a start, Nuveril shakes out of her reverie. The camel-herders are still working in the enclosure, cursing at the recalcitrant beasts. She thinks she smells the scent of jasmine flowers through the sweat and camel dung. A thought hangs in her mind. The fire will come.
Grall prays silently to Sarenrae...knowing his journey is finally near its end. He offers his life and soul to Sarenrae in exchange for Haleen's and Arjun's.
He was the only Gnoll he had ever met to pray to Sarenrae and she had given him much. He would go to her when she asked, happy in the knowledge that she had made him strong enough to succeed where others had failed.
Ever since he heard the creatures name....Kardswann, he knew somehow that he would have to face this creature and that he would probably die in bringing about its defeat. He accepted this, almost looked forward to the end to all of the pain. It made him look down at the near half dozen wounds that would add to his collection of scars. The pain was constant now. A body couldn't take this much punishment without it leaving some permanent damage but Hakim's training served him well. He focused on the desert and the sun and put the pain back in its place, hidden away from his thoughts...tomorrow its all ends...
Sajan pays Grall a visit at some point in the evening, before they sleep. A stern expression on his face, Sajan addresses the Gnoll, making it clear by his tone he does not want to be interrupted.
You have fought well beside us Grall. Sajan does not question your ability, or your loyalty. I have slain many Gnolls, but I am not... Sajan searches his mind, looking for the word 'prejudice'. Not finding it he continues hateful. Of your kind. Like Nuveril is. Gnolls slaughtered my family, but they were not you.. You did not kill them, Sajan understands you are not to blame.
Pointing an accusatory finger at you, Sajan continues.
But I am not your friend. I would like to be. But free men are not friends with slaves. You have forgotten your place, slave. The battlefield was the wrong place to talk to you about it, but you must stop giving orders to others as though you are equal or superior. Sajan is not the only one who has noticed this, and you may get into trouble if you continue.
Raising an open palm to show he means no threat by his words, Sajan continues.
I mean no harm, just want to warn. You have served well. I know not why you are a slave, but Sajan may appeal to Almah to release you if we succeed tomorrow. Once you are no longer a slave, I would like to call you friend, Grall. Until then, hold your wild tongue and follow your orders. Do not anger me again.
May I speak freely Sajan?
assumes yes...I am just a slave, but on the battlefield I have knowledge the others don't have that can be used. You think they are orders, but they suggestions on courses of action. My voice means little and if you decide on a differrrent courrrse of action of courrrse I will deferrr to you orrr the otherrrs.
I will not do nothing through...lead and I will follow. I will use what I know of fighting to help you and the otherrrs. Tomorrrrow comes and my destiny will be rrrealized...nothing else matterrrs.
May I speak freely Sajan?
No, you may not. I have said what I came to say.
With that, Sajan leaves, stalking away in an angry posture.
You make your way gingerly through the rocky terrain. There is little light from a shrunken moon, just a sliver in a star filled sky, but just enough that your keen eyes can pick out the way.
Katapesh, the Golden City is all light, sound and smell. Tens of thousands crammed together. The cries of merchants at the bazaars, the songs of Abadar's priests calling the faithful to prayer, the pungent smell of pesh, the scent of human misery at the fleshfairs.
Here the night air is crisp and clean. There is silence.
Its been an odd day.
This morning you were sipping coffee and having a leisurely breakfast at one of your favorite cafes off the Lower Market.
Then came the mental communication, the source unmistakeable, your former master.
Zeladiel. I have urgent need of your assistance. Please come to my villa when you can.
Rayhan, brusque as ever. Its been years since you've completed your apprenticeship. Yet he still often fell into the habit of treating you like the student. It was a function of your different lifespans you often thought. You'd known the man for decades. In that time he'd gone from virile middle age to old man. You of course had barely changed at all.
But you went of course. You always did.
While his adventuring days were long behind him, Rayhan was not short of coin, his magical talents eagerly sought after by many of the city's elite. His villa is luxurious, set high up on the cliff and with a stunning view of the ocean beyond, just to the south of the city.
Esorted inside by one of the mages servants you found him where you expected, the library. The diviner was never much for small talk but he wasted even less time than usual getting to the point.
You will recall Almah's expedition, the one to Kelmarane. I urged her to wait, to take you with her when you were finished with that other business. But you know how headstrong the girl can be. She wanted to beat the rains and so she went with Garavel, Zantus and the boy, Arjun.
Ive been scrying her from time to time. Things seem to be going well enough, it seems the mercenaries she hired were capable. But I worry. My auguries are clouded. I don't know why and that worries me even more.
In addition I have managed to secure from the pactmasters an item she was after. It took no little effort I can tell you. They are finely divided on the issue of Kemarane. Several I'm sure would rather see the expedition fail.
From a locked chest he retrieves a small ornately carved box.
Here it is. It holds a magic item, an interdict key. No Zeladiel ... before you ask I'm not going to tell you what it is. It is for Almah alone, I gave my word. Don't remove it from the box, the lead lining will assist against scrying and I have placed some protections on it as well.
Will you go to her? Help her and take her this?
Of course "go" meant "go right now". You took a few hours to arrange your affairs and gather your gear. Dusk found you back at Rayhan's villa, the diviner's magic teleporting you instantly across the hundreds of miles from Katapesh to the very edge of the Barrier Mountains. To the north west the storied Pale Mountain rises up higher than any of its neighbours.
The teleport appears to have been on target. Ahead a crumbling stone monastery comes into sight, Almah's base. You circle around, seeing a number of wagons and a camel enclosure. There are two large holes in the western wall although it seems as if attempts have been made to partially seal these with rubble. Two guards stand near the northermost hole, both human, the first a black bearded giant, the second a dusky skinned Garundi woman. Both have scimitars and shields strapped on their backs but it is their crossbows that interest you more.
At this distance their eyesight is significantly worse than yours. You are confident they have not yet seen you. You consider how to proceed.
Linah does her best to put on a brave face as she's swarmed by the soldiers and servants. She can not afford to falter now. She asks everyone to come with her to the chapel where she performs a ritual and asks the Dawnflower to look over the monastary and all that dwell within as they lay their lives in her mercy. After the ceremony Linah talks to one and all in attendence, trying to comfort and lift their spirits.
One of your teachers from the monastery told you that there is nothing like an impending battle to make people pious. You lead the group in several hymns from The Birth of Life and Truth. You can't help noticing that several faces in the crowd look at you with barely concealed reverance.
Afterwards as you are talking to everyone individually, Oxvard approaches you. Despite ministrations from you and Father Zantus the cleric still shows the marks of his captivity, a broken nose that is only now starting to properly heal and other scars.
He speaks common in a thick Chelaxan accent which you find a little difficult to understand but the rambling madness that formerly marked his speech seems to have withdrawn.
I wanted to thank you. For saving me. I wasn't right in the head before. What the gnolls did. To me. To my friends.
They broke me I guess.
When it was happening, once they'd killed my friends, when they used the fire. I cried out to Abadar to help me. And when he didn't. I cursed Him. My own God. I curesed Him.
I didn't see it. You saved me. You saved Felliped as well. Maybe he did help.
I've been afraid to pray. What if he doesn't answer? What if I am lost to him?
Linah do you think he will forgive me?