Testing... testing...
In the beginning, when Rovagug perfected the way of destruction, the lands were littered with the dead. Crows, maggots, beetles, worms, and the other crawling things of the earth complained to Rovagug. “You destroy and maim too quickly!” they cried. “We cannot devour all the meat you give us! Please, destroy the people of the earth more slowly.”
“What?” shouted Rovagug, in a voice that toppled pillars. “My glorious destruction shall never cease nor slow!”
Yet in the dark, delighting in the destruction god’s slaughter, watched Lamashtu, the Mother of Monsters, and she heard the base things cry. In those black days when all the land was covered with death and all the air stank, she watched as a few tribes of men, her followers and devout worshipers, ate the flesh of corpses as the crows did, plucking out eyes, savoring the bloodiest cuts. To these cannibals she led packs of hyenas, and their ways became as one. Of those louse-ridden beastmen rose the first gnolls, half-hyenas who love the stench of carrion and praise each corpse as an offering to their dark mother. And the demon queen delighted in her own perversion and reveled in these monsters’ terrible howling songs.
Born of devastation, and insanity, and the corrupt of soul, the man-beasts spread upon the world, and where they prowled they indulged in their hunger for murdered flesh. Surely, they are to be despised by any sane god, and so we make ceaseless war on those who seek to feed on the bodies of heroes and innocents. And somewhere in the madness between the stars, the Mother of Perversion and the Mistress of Insanity still laughs her wicked laugh, as her ravening spawn, the bone gnawers and carrion eaters, grow fat off our flesh.
Gnolls are among the first abominations, and their death is a blessing. Remember this when their laughter haunts your steps.
You have been traveling together for more than a week on a dreary camel caravan from the town of Solku to an unknown location in the northern scrublands of Katapesh. The man who hired them is Garavel (PICTURE), the no-nonsense major-domo of a merchant princess awaiting you at your destination. In the distant haze to the west, you can just make out the immense outline of Pale Mountain looming over the mid-evening horizon like a tombstone. Thus far you have not had much of a chance to get to know anyone. Of particular interest are your fellow mercenaries, hired by Garavel to protect the shipment. Perhaps they would prove more interesting than the bean-counters and snakeoil salesmen that usually populate a trading caravan?
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...
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Shifting his way through the various parts of the caravan, you see a dark haired man, a shade over six feet tall, who wears the reignments of a follower of the Dawnflower. The man's eyes seem to dart from place to place as if he is looking for something or someone. You would guess that the man is of a more martial stance than the average priest of Sarenrae as his hand seldom strays too far from the hilt of his scimitar.
During his meanderings through the caravan, a symbol around a gnoll slave's neck catches his eye. His curiousity peaked, he approaches the gnoll, who never seems to stray too far from Garavel's side.
"Pardon my interuption, Garavel. I am Khalid Al Ha'zareen, servitor of Sarenrae and the Empire of Qadira. Would you be offended if I had a few words with your servant? I have never seen a gnoll that venerates the Dawnflower, and I am curious how this has come to be."
The young girl in the clerics vestments as been cheerful throught the journey. She has introduced herself as "Linah Jamil'Kaid, follower of the Dawnflower" in a gentle voice and has been happy engage in idle conversation. She wears flowing robes of thin silk in blue and yellow, adorned with symbols of Sarenrae, over her scalemail armor.
Her noticeably lighter complexion and deep blue eyes makes her stand out from the other Keleshites and gives her a slightly tangible otherworldly impression. Her hair is auburn colored and curly, another uncommon feature among the Keleshites. She's kept it covered beneath a beautifully colored headdress during travel, but she let's it out when the caravan makes camp for the night.
Eventhough she is clearly a cleric she doesn't seem to be carrying a holy symbol of her deity. She has however a darker section on the palm of her right hand, roughly in the shape of Sarenrae's symbol. It glows slightly When she helps tending the minor wounds and afflictions that has occured during the trip.
She has probably been the most accepting of the odd group members of the caravan, not showing any prejudice against anyone.
When/if she was offered a camel Linah politely declined. "Very kind of you, but I prefer to walk among the others", she replies with a gentle voice.
"Pardon my interuption, Garavel. I am Khalid Al Ha'zareen, servitor of Sarenrae and the Empire of Qadira. Would you be offended if I had a few words with your servant? I have never seen a gnoll that venerates the Dawnflower, and I am curious how this has come to be."
Garavel nods to you before turning his eyes back to the trail, "Not at all, Al Ha'zareen. Though he be my servant, there are precious few mouths to provide discourse on these long voyages. Feel free to speak with whomever to wish until we reach the Sultan's Claw. After that, however, protocol will have to return."
The small figure silhouetted against the fiery sky might pass for that of a child, if everyone in the caraven wasn't already well aware that it belonged to the foul-mouthed and foul-tempered halfling who had been their sullen travelling companion for many days. Since her first angry outburst at discovering the gnolls among the party, she has spent the journey in a fierce silence, stalking the scrubland on the outskirts of the group, keeping to herself and responding with little more than angry grunts to any remark directed toward her.
Her hair and skin are both dark, though how much is natural tincture or sun-bronzed and how much is the grime of her long travels, one cannot be sure. It has been long enough since Solku to have spotted her "tidying herself up" -- a ritual involving stripping off her well-worn clothing, hanging it on the low branch of whatever shrub might be handy and ferociously beating clouds of dust out of it with the flat of her blade -- and anyone curious enough could ascertain that the skin normally covered by her armor is slightly paler than that usually in the sun, though no less besmirched by grime; undoubtedly, the inside of her clothes are as dirty as the outside.
The fierce halfling has spent this day as she has spent every previous one: silent and scowling into the distance, as if she thought she could intimidate her goal into growing closer. The only times her watchful eyes have left the horizon have been to dart unfriendly and suspicious glances at the two gnolls, fully expecting each time to find them inching traitorous weapons out of scabbards. Thus far, she has not caught them at it, but the fact does nothing to lessen her vigilance.
Riding a camel near the rear of the group is another gnoll, different in many ways from the intimidating warrior traveling beside Garavel. Clad in a neatly-made but humble robe of natural desert colors, this gnoll stands just over six-feet-tall, with honey-colored fur and a lanky build. A brace of shortspears and a small wooden shield are tied to her back.
Periodically she breaks off from the group, traveling parallel of the rest of the caravan to gaze into the distance or chant softly to herself as she rides. You occasionally see her dismount to sift sand through her paws, silently judging it for some quality that is not readily apparent.
Today, though, she is cheerful and open. She rides up beside the halfling barbarian, reining in her camel to match speeds. "Is being nice today, is not? Not too hot or dry. Sand and sun is being in good spirits with Hum. This one is named Grim-Eyes. Is not bad name, this one thinks. Is the one before Grim-Eyes named, or is slave-prey?"
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Garavel nods to you before turning his eyes back to the trail, "Not at all, Al Ha'zareen. Though he be my servant, there are precious few mouths to provide discourse on these long voyages. Feel free to speak with whomever to wish until we reach the Sultan's Claw. After that, however, protocol will have to return."
Khalid nods in appreciation of Garavel's words, then turns his attention to the gnoll.
"Greetings, my name is Khalid. I see you wear the symbol of the Dawnflower, but yet it is said that you are a crazed killer of the pits. This both confuses and intrigues me, how is it you have come to venerate Sarenrae?"
You see that the big Gnoll has been watching you, with a measured stare as you spoke with Garavel but looks down when you turn to him.
In a response to your question that has a more human accent than Gnoll, I am what I must be. The people of Katapesh want to see a Gnoll, out of control, tearing enemies limb from limb. So as a slave that is what I give them, what they expect. Sometimes the suface hides the true spirit do you not think? As to how I ended up being a follower to the Dawnflower, my eyes were opened to her by a human. A very special human who believed I could be more than what I was. She led me to the Dawnflower and led me to believe that one day I may have redemption... he looks to the north as he speaks in the direction of where you are heading.
"Is being nice today, is not? Not too hot or dry. Sand and sun is being in good spirits with Hum. This one is named Grim-Eyes. Is not bad name, this one thinks. Is the one before Grim-Eyes named, or is slave-prey?"
The gnoll's polite question seems to enrage the halfling enough to jar her out of her silence. "I am no slave!" she responds forcefully. "My name is Nuveril," she goes on a bit grudgingly. "Hear it and tremble, for it is a name destined to be feared among your kind for generations: Nuveril the Gnoll-Slayer." She pauses a moment. "If you are wise, you will slink away in the night and abandon your thoughts of ambushing this caravan."
Grim-Eyes lets out a raspy cackle, "Is a hunter, not a slave-prey! Has a name. Is good, good. Is feeling little embarrassed for mistake. But Nuveril is being funny! This one is not wanting to attack caravan. Caravan is protected by many hunters. By mighty tiny hunter! Is foolish to attack caravan. Grim-Eyes is not with other gnolls. This one is from north Katapesh, near Osiria. Does not worship She-Is-Fiercer, worship Hum. Nuveril is being from where?"
Linah moves through the caravan to offer water to those who seem thirsty or a revitalizing boost to those who seem tired. She sees Khalid engaged in conversation with the massive gnoll that is forever at Garavel's side and her curiosity is caught when she catches a glimpse of the holy symbol of Sarenrae. She moves up to the pair and says with a smile. "Forgive me for intruding, but i can't stay idle in the shadows when i see you have met a fellow follower of light and truth, Khalid". She turns to Grall and curtseys. "My name is Linah Jamil'Kaid, a fellow devotee of the Dawnflower. What is your name and what fate lead you to join this caravan?"
May I ask you a question in return Master Al Ha'zareen? assumes he agrees Are you a priest of the Dawnflower? I have seen you and a women around the caravan both wearing the symbol of the Dawnflower as well. What is it that you seek at Kelmarane? Why do you go there? he lets out a slight barking laugh, I guess that is really three questions. and smiles a very toothy, canine grin.
He continues to gaze down as the priestess walks up and asks her question just after his. I am Grall Mistress and my owner, Garavel, has brought me here to help claim back the city of Kelmarane from the creatures that have claimed it for the darkness.
EDIT:
you believe he is telling you the truth, just not the whole truth...
Linah's spirits drops for a brief moment as Grall presents Garavel as "his owner", but she soon smiles again and says;
"It gladdens me to say we are travelling toward a common goal. Khalid and myself are travelling to Kelmarane to restore faith in the region."
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Khalid smiles knowing that Grall's words are true, even if he leaves bits of out.
"You may certainly ask, I have nothing to hide. I'm not a priest per say, though Linah is. My role in the church is a bit more complicated, but suffice it to say I am whatever the Dawnflower needs me to be. As Linah told you, we seek to re-establish Sarenrae's faith within the region."
Grim-Eyes lets out a raspy cackle, "Is a hunter, not a slave-prey! Has a name. Is good, good. Is feeling little embarrassed for mistake. But Nuveril is being funny! This one is not wanting to attack caravan. Caravan is protected by many hunters. By mighty tiny hunter! Is foolish to attack caravan. Grim-Eyes is not with other gnolls. This one is from north Katapesh, near Osiria. Does not worship She-Is-Fiercer, worship Hum. Nuveril is being from where?"
Nuveril shoots the gnoll a suspicious glare out of the corner of her eyes but replies, "My tribe roams the savannah toward the rising sun from here. We are mighty as the Katapeshi lions, and none stand against us! Our land is a good one, rich in game and rippling with grass, not like this worthless region toward where the sun sets, scrubby and barren." She gives the landscape a comtemptuous glance.
...not like this worthless region toward where the sun sets, scrubby and barren."[/b] She gives the landscape a comtemptuous glance.
Grim-Eyes shrugs, "Land is being hard. Hard lands makes hard people. People is become resourceful, is tough. Is being good things for hunter to be, is not? Soft lands is making soft people. Soft people is prey for hunters." The gnoll smiles at Nuveril, "Nuveril is going to like this land, this one knows it. Nuveril and Grim-Eyes is going to have many good hunts." Looking forward at the trio conversing near Garavel, Grim-Eyes mutters, "This one is not trusting followers of Shines-Too-Bright. They is too hard with Hum. Not live in harmony. Does Nuveril know those hunters?"
The halfling grunts in the general direction of the others. "They follow a woman who lives in the sun. She shares no kinship with any of them, but still they expect her help." She looks back to the horizon. "My tribe needs no sun-woman; my tribe helps itself."
1d20+4
Linah's spirits drops for a brief moment as Grall presents Garavel as "his owner", but she soon smiles again and says;
"It gladdens me to say we are travelling toward a common goal. Khalid and myself are travelling to Kelmarane to restore faith in the region."
That is a noble goal...redemption for a lost town and maybe some lost souls...I will do what I can to assist you and Master Al Ha'zareen. For now though I must tend to my master.
He walks off to talk with Garavel. There he talks to Garavel about the other Gnoll in the group, Grim-Eyes. He asks Garavel's permission to determine what Grim-Eyes true goals are and if she might pose a threat to their mission.Later that night, when Grim-Eyes is alone at the edge of the caravan.
the huge Gnoll approaches you and in a most formal Gnoll growls a greeting to you, it seems almost a little forced to you, You are Grim-Eyes? I am "Desert Hunter" (Gnoll for Grall). What is it you want here? Too many pale skins, not good hunting. Our mother (meaning Lamashtu) will not be pleased by you being with us. I am slave I have no choice, but you can leave and join great hunt for easy prey.
Nuveril notes the two gnolls conversing in their own language on the outskirts of the group, and her knuckles whiten as she grips the hilt of her scimitar.
That is a noble goal...redemption for a lost town and maybe some lost souls...I will do what I can to assist you and Master Al Ha'zareen. For now though I must tend to my master.
He walks off to talk with Garavel. There he talks to Garavel about the other Gnoll in the group, Grim-Eyes. He asks Garavel's permission to determine what Grim-Eyes true goals are and if she might pose a threat to their mission.Later that night, when Grim-Eyes is alone at the edge of the caravan.
** spoiler omitted **
"We place great value in having an ally such as yourself. May the light shine upon you.", she says and curtseys as Grall excuses himself. She waits until he's finished with talking to Garavel then approaches the caravan leader.
"If you don't mind me asking, when do you expect that we will be reaching our destination?"
** spoiler omitted **
Garavel turns to Linah, "I expect we will reach the Sultan's Claw some time tomorrow morning. We are not far off. If you were to build a bonfire at this site they could probably see it on the horizon. Why," he asks with a smile, "Are you already tiring of our company?"
Linah laughs as she replies. "Not at all. I am just eager to see Kelmarane. Tales tell of an temple of the Dawnflower laid to ruins. I am very interested to see if there is any truth in these tales. And i hope we will still be able to enjoy your company once we reach our destination?", she says with a smile.
Garavel nods, "Yes, indeed you will. I will be accompanying Mistress Roveshki for the duration of her journey to reclaim Kelmarane. As her majordomo and chief advisor, I expect I will be very busy. As for the temple of Sarenrae, Pactmaster records document its existence. What state it is in now, however, is open to speculation." He looks over toward the other mercenaries hired for the trip and furrows his eyebrows, "If you would excuse me, I need to make sure that they do not souse themselves before meeting the Mistress."
Morning comes, and your party departs. A few hours under the grueling Katapesh morning sun brings the very topmost branches of the Sultan's Claw into view on the horizon. As your party tops the last rise, a caravan of a half-dozen wagons and a large tent clustered around the distinctive tree comes into view. Camels in a nearby pen prance in agitation, and a clutch of confused goats and livestock wander the grounds around the wagons. Perhaps a dozen men and women rush around the campsite, chasing down an animal or hastening toward the center of the cluster, near the Sultan’s Claw, with pails of water in their hands. One of the wagons is on fire!
Lush orange and red flames engulf an elaborate wooden wagon emblazoned with painted moons and stars. A gout of smoke pours from an open door, and as you approach an ill wind blows a number of colorful fortune-telling Harrow cards from inside the wagon.
The central flap of an elaborate tent flies open and a regal woman who can only be Almah (PIC) steps out into the firelit night. “Douse that flame!” she shouts to the men surrounding the wagon before turning in your direction. “Ah, Garavel!” she says. “And just a moment later than the nick of time, as usual.” Looking specifically past her major domo and directly at you, Almah barks out a simple order before running off toward the fire; “Find some way to help!”
If you are strong enough, you think you might be able to dump the entire barrel of water onto the fire.
ROUND 1 MAP
A surge of adrenaline floods through Nuveril's body at the sight of the flames. She knows the danger of fire; more than once in her life, a ribbon of flame lit by a stray lightning strike or uncautious campfire has rippled through the grass over the horizon toward her tribe, and the only options were to burn or get out of the way, often leaving valuable possessions behind. Instinctively drawn toward the community of men desperate to move the wagon out of danger, she flings her weapons down on the ground and runs to join them.
Linah flinches as the cinders from the wagon and clutches at he chest where something seems to have struck her. As she removes her hand she's holding a card which she studies for a brief moment until the fire once again catches her attention. Linah pockets the card and starts to run towards the fire.
Her first instinct is to help douse the flame with the water she can conjoure but once she sees the wounded firefighters her objective becomes clear.
Round 1 Action
Grall is going to take a run action to move 4x movement to end next to the front of the cart.
Round 2 Action
Tell the mercenaries that we are here to help and to push while I pull it away from the fire.
Go into Rage,
Round 3 & 4 Action
Hoping the 21 is successful, Grall will move to help put out the fire next. Either help someone lift the barrel, maybe Nuveril, or try to lift it myself.
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Round 1:
With a guttural growl and mystic weaving of her hands, Grim-Eyes points out toward the stampede of animals.
Cast entangle, centered on the middle of the herd.
Round 2:
Run directly west.
Round 3 and onward:
Handle Animal
Handle Animal
Handle Animal
Handle Animal
Cast entangle, centered on the middle of the herd.
Nuveril reaches the wagon but is startled to notice the battle-scarred gnoll running past her. Her hand instinctively move for her weapons, but she left them lying on the scrubby ground back on the outskirts of camp. Seeing the gnoll throwing his weight into moving the wagon, she scowls and applies her own shoulder to the structure, abandoning herself to the adrenaline surging through her body.
However, in her eagerness to keep an eye on the gnoll, she failed to find a solid foothold. The sandy soil slips out from underneath her feet, leaving her sprawling face-first in the dust.
Round 1: Grim-Eyes casts entangle, trapping all of the animals as well as the camel driver and his wife. The rest of the party moves swiftly towards their tasks.
Round 2: Khalid begins working on the bucket line with the Pactmaster guards and Grall heaves the wagon with the help of the hired mercenaries. Grim-Eyes moves towards the animals. Linah arrives at the wounded firefighters.
ROUND 3 MAP
Round 1: Grim-Eyes casts entangle, trapping all of the animals as well as the camel driver and his wife. The rest of the party moves swiftly towards their tasks.
Round 2: Khalid begins working on the bucket line with the Pactmaster guards and Grall heaves the wagon with the help of the hired mercenaries. Grim-Eyes moves towards the animals. Linah arrives at the wounded firefighters.