If I can attempt to rope some of the animals I will if not I will try to grapple them.
Ranged touch for lasso
or grapple
Gilfroy suddenly stands up and starts loudly braying like goats and snorting like pigs.
Actually, what he does is...
Just in case you want a Diplomacy check:
with a nod to Almah Durant sprints after the fleeing animials. He keeps well to the outside of the fleeing beasts attempting to turn them constantly towards the camp and away from the open desert.
"Even a wild boar
With all other things
Blew in this storm."
Once the flames are out, Abbas heads over to the two downed humans to protect them from the stampeding animals.
"Father Zastoran, I am Abbas of Sarenrae. Let us get these folks out of the way and tend to them" he says.
To the two people, "do you think you can walk so we can get you next to one of the other wagons?"
If they say yes, he helps them to their feet and walks them over to a nearby wagon, out of the way. If they can't he will lift them up one at a time and move them to the wagon.
-- Abbas Garshta
Llathander and Durant both do their best to physically contain the animals - though when Gilfroy calls out, the entire camp grows quiet for a second. Then an eruption of cries occurs.
"There was fire!" a sheep bleats. "Bad smell!" "Fire bad!" "What we do?" "I'm starving!"
Father Zastoran looks relieved once more as Priest Abbas approaches. "Ah, I am so pleased to meet you, Abbas, Child of the Dawnflower. I agree, let us get them to a better environment."
The woman has managed to sit up, though there is a bit of a painful whimper in her throat. "It aches. I...I should be able t'move on m'own."
The man seems to offer no signs of weakness; he grunts and gets up - only to wince and exhale sharply. He does not falter, though it is clear he is in pain. Father Zastoran leads you all to his wagon, a poorly painted one. The sigil of Sarenrae decorates the doors. "Here, we should find some peace."
To the man and woman, "Greetings, I am Abbas. Let me help you with your wounds. Where does it hurt? What are your names?"
-- Abbas Garshta
Father Zastoran looks relieved once more as Priest Abbas approaches. "Ah, I am so pleased to meet you, Abbas, Child of the Dawnflower. I agree, let us get them to a better environment."
The woman has managed to sit up, though there is a bit of a painful whimper in her throat. "It aches. I...I should be able t'move on m'own."
The man seems to offer no signs of weakness; he grunts and gets up - only to wince and exhale sharply. He does not falter, though it is clear he is in pain. Father Zastoran leads you all to his wagon, a poorly painted one. The sigil of Sarenrae decorates the doors. "Here, we should find some peace."
After the fire extinguished, the animals calmed, Llathander will make his way to Abbas and assist with the healing. He reaches into a pack he's been carrying and takes out some plantsand bandages. He goes to help and speaks Sarenrae's light upon you.
Heal
The other animals also call out their requests, in similar veins. Before you have time to respond to them all, however, your spell wears off.
The animals, thanks to Gilfroy, are now simply making noise instead of running around the camp. The old couple that were chasing them manages to guide them back to their pens, where their confused bleats and baahs and grunts go on for a good while - though they all seem to have taken a liking to Gilfroy.
By Father Zastoran's cart, the woman is trying to get her half-scorched bodice off after having ripped off her ruined leather armour - both articles of clothing are burnt through by the right shoulder, and her flesh is raw and black. "Ah...ah pleasure t'meet yeh, Abbas," she groans. "M'name Kallien. A burnin' piece o'th' wagon struck me 'ere, as y'can see, an' then ah blacked out."
"The geezer's censer fell on her head," the man says. He's looking away, as if ashamed - his cheek has been burnt rather horribly. Father Zastoran is busy getting rid of his pants - they're almost burnt to his skin. "I managed to get her out before passing out. Then you came along."
Zastoran makes a bit of tut-tut noise. "They helped save her life, Trevvis, and Abbas asked for your name."
With venom in his eyes, the man addressed as Trevvis glares at the halfling...before lowering his head in resignation. "My name is Trevvis. Th...thanks for saving Kallien."
As Llathander arrives and examines them, he finds that Kallien's shoulder burn is at worst second-degree on the shoulder - the same damage has extended to Trevvis's leg, and on his face. Bandages will do little, though some treatment is necessary - it will take several weeks with the right ointments and proper care. Magical healing is efficient, but will only hasten the process by at most a week. If left untreated, it could lead to more severe damage.
With the animals contained Durant will investigate the burned wagon. Looking for injured people, bodies, the source of the fire and salvage. In that order.
"Sarenrae's blessings be upon you Kallien" says Abbas, as he very lightly touches the raw right shoulder, and allows the healing magic flow thru him. The shoulder heals up some, "that should relieve most of the pain, but the shoulder will still take some time to get full function back" he says.
"Sarenrae's blessings be upon you Trevvis" says Abbas to Trevvis as he repeats the healing magic upon the leg. "Your leg also will take a while to completely heal."
"Father Zastoran, you will be tending them for a while?" he queries of the halfling.
-- Abbas Garshta
The woman inhales sharply as you touch her shoulder, though she looks more relaxed in the aftermath. "T...thanks, Father Abbas. Ah'll be careful."
The man makes no sound, only faces as the pain rushes through his leg. He only nods in gratitude. When the halfling is addressed, he nods eagerly.
"Yes, of course I will. I will have ointments and potions prepared on the morrow, but your aid will be appreciated."
Durant examines the scene: the wagon has been heavily burnt; the smell of burnt flesh is in the air now, and in the centre of the wagon is a charred corpse, whose features have been scorched away. The others who were injured have already been tended to. What you do find are sooty ashes, broken bottles and potion vials, a cracked sphere of glass and a large spot of wax.
"Eloais didn't make it?"
Garavel approaches from behind with the Princess besides him. She gazes into the wagon, and then at Durant. "No," she replies curtly. "What is your name, young man?"
She waits long enough for you to reply before she continues. "Gather your companions, and meet me and Garavel in my tent shortly. I have a task for you."
She walks off, back to the tent. The camp is slowly recovering.
Despite her stern tone and no-nonsense demeanour, she does seem upset with the death of the man...
"My name is Durant."
"Gather your companions, and meet me and Garavel in my tent shortly. I have a task for you."
"I will be with you shortly."
Before leaving the wagon Durant examines the scene. He carefully examines the body paying special attention to the head and torso. He is looking for wounds. Stab wounds to the torso, cracked skull, defensive wounds on the hands or arms. He also examines what is left of the wagon. He considers where the fire started and how it spread. Was the glass cracked by the fire or by a blow? Where did the wax come from?
In his search is he finds a cloth he will drape it over the body.
Once Druant is sure that the wagon holds no secrets he will wander the camp tracking down the others.
As my clothes are fouled by the smell of the corpse I will change into my formal silk monks outfit before meeting the princess.
:Durant walks up to you. He is dressed in green brocaded silk robes decorated with geometric designs.
"The princess wishes to set us a task. She is expecting us."
Additional to Abbas. 'You are are a priest, correct? A man died in the wagon fire. The princess seems upset by this. I have read that some priests can raise the dead. Do you know of any who can do this? Is there a way the body should be preserved to make this possible later?
Gilfroy, in the process of quenching his thirst as Durant casually asks his question to Abbas, starts choking, spraying a cone of water over one of the goat handlers.
"Raising the dead is no simple task, Durant. Unless you use one of the really powerful spells, there's a time limit, which we aren't making out here in the desert. If you want to offer comfort to the Princess in her loss, a reassuring word is probably a bit more practical."
Gilfroy, in the process of quenching his thirst as Durant casually asks his question to Abbas, starts choking, spraying a cone of water over one of the goat handlers.
"Raising the dead is no simple task, Durant. Unless you use one of the really powerful spells, there's a time limit, which we aren't making out here in the desert. If you want to offer comfort to the Princess in her loss, a reassuring word is probably a bit more practical."
"I would not presume to offer comfort, nor do I discount our present difficulties. But all things are change. If an opportunity arises to return this man to life I wish only to make what preparations are possible.
"Fair enough. The magic you refer to is beyond what Sivanah has granted me, at least for the moment."
"That is also well beyond the powers that Sarenrae has granted me. Even Dawnmother Patrice, head of my temple, is not able to raise the dead, and she is much more powerful than I am. At the appropriate time we can bury the man, now that he is with his god." Abbas replies.
"Let us see what the princess wants."
-- Abbas Garshta
Additional to Abbas. 'You are are a priest, correct? A man died in the wagon fire. The princess seems upset by this. I have read that some priests can raise the dead. Do you know of any who can do this? Is there a way the body should be preserved to make this possible later?
Llathander finishes tending what wounds he can at Durant's approach he will nod. Stand up and wait for the rest of the companions outside the tent.
As soon as the six of you assemble outside of Princess Almah's tent, you are greeted by Garavel. He opens the flap of the tent for you and guides you in.
The extravagance of the pavilion partially betrays the interior. Two bedrolls lay near the rear wall. The centre consists of the remains of a fireplace. A lit lantern hangs from the ceiling, lighting up the tent. Princess Almah is sitting on a worn cushion. "Sit."
As you all settle down, Garavel sits down next to her, to her right. "Garavel found capable men. I'm impressed. But I didn't ask you to come here for compliments. I want to know what may caused the fire - who may have caused the fire."
"Investigate the wagon. Talk to the others around the camp. Find out what happened. Garavel will assist you. If you have any questions, ask."
Gilfroy bows his head, raising his hand, and waits to be acknowledged. When he is, he says, "Of course, your Highness, we wish to help in any way we can. If I may be so bold to ask, it would aid us greatly if you were to inform your people to cooperate with us completely. Not only would it help get us through natural suspicions they would have of strangers, but if the culprit is to be found in your retinue, your order would make it much easier to catch them in a lie."
"Yes, your Highness" Abbas says and waits for others to ask questions and then leaves the tent.
After leaving, he turns to Garavel, "Besides yourself, Father Zastoran, Kallien and Trevvis, who is in the retinue and what are their positions?"
-- Abbas Garshta
Durant speaks to Garavel and the Princess in a respectful tone.
"Who was the man who died and why was he in that wagon."
"The fire spread very quickly and must have been very, very hot to have done the damage I saw before others could act. That is unusual."
Durant examines the scene: the wagon has been heavily burnt; the smell of burnt flesh is in the air now, and in the centre of the wagon is a charred corpse, whose features have been scorched away. What you do find are sooty ashes, broken bottles and potion vials, a cracked sphere of glass and a large spot of wax.
When Gilfroy gives his request, Almah gestures at Garavel. "Garavel's authority is enough for the camp to co-operate."
It is Garavel who addresses Durant. "He was a fortuneteller from Varisia. His name was Eloais."
He rises from his seat and gestures for all of you to get up as well. Guiding you out of the tent, he walks you out of camp for a bit. "The fire's excessive speed is exactly why Almah asks us to solve this case. As for the retinue," he turns to Abbas. "Almah's personal guards are Fixx, Keldon, Podarn, and Vodrave. Potent guards, but nothing more. They guard Almah because it is their duty. Trevvis is the leader of the mercenaries. I do not know their names. The camel drivers, Hadrod and Hadrah, are kind people. And then there is Dashki."
His expressionless face shifts into a rare frown. "Dashki is a gnoll expert. He is ..."
Garavel shakes his head. "Almah trusts him. I do not."
Durant examines the scene: the wagon has been heavily burnt; the smell of burnt flesh is in the air now, and in the centre of the wagon is a charred corpse, whose features have been scorched away. What you do find are sooty ashes, broken bottles and potion vials, a cracked sphere of glass and a large spot of wax.
Durant turns to Garavel. "Please forgive me for being unclear with my question. I meant to ask why was Eloais here at all. What part does he play in the expedition?"
Before Garavel can reply, Almah raises her hand to beckon his silence. She sighs. "Eloais was a Harrower from Varisia - my ancestors' homeland. I haven't visited Varisia before, yet when I met him, it felt...right."
She glances at all of you, gauging your reaction. There is a sad smile on her face. "We weren't lovers, if that's what you're thinking. But his stories, his divinations, they were... fulfilling. I felt connected to Varisia. His readings were always right. Almost always, at least."
"Though...lately, his readings grew grim. Our last Harrowing, last night, the reading was centered on the Cyclone, a card portending 'death by fire' and 'schemes of evil ones'."
The card that hit you across the chest when you arrived at the expedition was the Cyclone - you are certain of it!
Durant inclines his head questioningly "Almost always?
"Almost always. I can only recall once when his reading was off. But he did them often, and he did them well. I'd say it's unreasonable to expect a hundred percent success rate, wouldn't you?"
She smiles, though still looks a little worn and sad.
Gilfroy suddenly puts his hand to a slightly charred place on his tunic, has face adopts the expression of a man suddenly remembering a bad memory. "The Cyclone, you say?"
After the meeting is finished in the tent Llathander will go and small talk with everyone there at the camp and find out more about Eloias.
Diplomacy to Gather Information
Once he's been excused from the princess' presence, Gil heads off to find Father Zastorran and the two burn victims.
Diplomacy:
"The princess has tasked us with finding out how this fire started. You two were obviously close to it, so what can you tell me about how it started? Was there and explosion of some kind? A knocked over lamp? Did you see anybody running from the bruning wagon?"
Sense Motive:
'schemes of evil ones'."
Durant looks thoughtful. "Perhaps there is a clue in that divination. Who wants this expidition, or you, to fail?"
You men, Yes, you who moved the wagon. What can you tell me of the fortune teller? Llathander asks in a somewhat authortative tone. No, no need to look for the princess. She tasked me and my friends the duty of looking into the stargazers death. Now did he have any friends here? Enemies? Dangerous Hobbies?
"The cyclone, yes. Eloais went quiet when the card was drawn." She glances at Durant. "The Pactmasters have many enemies, Durant. I couldn't name any of them. Not do I truly think the burning wagon was the result of someone's enmity, not in the camp - but I prefer to err on the side of caution."
As you leave the tent, Garavel elaborates upon the expedition's retinue.
Father Zastoran is nowhere to be found when you approach Trevvis and Kallien; the two of them are resting quietly, though aren't asleep. As Gilfroy is about to ask his questions, Zastoran peers out of the wagon. "Oh, welcome back!"
Zastoran is nodding along quietly as Gilfroy explains. "I was reading a book when it all happened, close to the fire-pit." He points to a hole a bit away from the trunk of the tree. "But I couldn't concentrate. The mercenaries were boasting."
He glances at Travvis and Kallien. "I was just about to return to my wagon when the fire begun."
He scoots closer to Gilfroy and whispers: "To be honest, I think Almah will be better off without Eloais - I always thought of him as a charlatan. I don't believe in Harrowing. But ever since she hired him she had been smiling more, so I cannot say he wasn't doing something well."
Father Zastoran sighs - a sad sigh. "He was well-travelled too - I am loath to think I will find somebody else in the camp able to discuss the poetry of Bellianais, or the music of Absalom. Eloais was well-travelled and intelligent. And I will miss him."
Llathander approaches the mercenaries, who glance at him with partial loathing and a modicum of respect. They are unfazed by his authorative tone, rolling their eyes. One of them, a woman with fierce features, shrugs. "We were eating. Right 'bout the feast-fire there."
They point to the fire-pit. "The fortuneteller was weak blood. It's not like we'll miss him. Always looked like they had a thing going on . Almah and Eloais, that is. Wouldn't be shocked if Dashki was the one who lit the wagon on fire, to get rid of the competition. Could also have been all those candles he lit all the time - the man was living in a deathtrap."
The woman shrugs.
Who is this Dashki and where is he? Was this Elioas a clumsy person or could it have been foul play?. He turns to go towards Dashki after he is pointed out but quickly turns back, By the way ma'am I didn't catch your name?
Durant returns to his tent and changes back into his smoky clothing before returning to the ruined wagon. First he takes time to observe it carefully from a short distance. He compares what he can see with what he remembers. Has anything changed? He is not sure.
Durant then begins to examine the wagon carefully. He checks for footprints in the soot. He examines the underside and wheels, not with any end in mind just looking at everything.
He then moves to the inside. Has anything changed? Is the body still here? If it is Durant will examine the corpse. Is there any sign of injury other than burning? Wounds to the hands or arms? Any obvious cause of death other than the fire? Is the floor under the body burned?
Moving away from the body Druant will examine the interior of the wagon. The search will be painstaking and systimatic. Starting at the door and mofing to the left. Durant will check the roof and floor as he goes. Any cupbords or boxes that survived will be opened and examined.
Once the entire wagon, inside and out has been searched Durant will gather any objects found and place then in a sack. Durant will keep this sack with him has he walks to the oasis to wash himself and his clothing before sharing his findings with the others.
@Llathander: The woman looks Llathander up and down, but it's the other woman - a tall and slender lady, smooth facial features and a surprisingly flattering scar from her cheek down to her shoulder - that replies. "I'm Yesper; the hag's Brotis; the girly one is Utarchus and the man with no nose is Dullen."
"Dashki is the gnoll expert. Foul-smelling, ravenous beast of a man. He's obsessed with the Princess - though no doubt all his feelings come from here." She points to the crotch and rolls her eyes. "I have no idea where he pissed off to - he wasn't feasting with us when the fire started."
@Durant: Eloais's body is still laying over the burnt table - like last time. The smell of scorched flesh is still fresh. By the location of the lantern chains, the wax candles, and his dead body, there's no signs of violence, and it was most likely the fire that ended his life. There are no other objects that are remotely useable left in the wagon - only the ashes, the cracked crystal ball and the pools of wax - though in one of the upper compartments, barely touched by the fire, you also find a small bag of gold. Quick counting shows that there are a total of fifty-five gold pieces.
As you leave the scene, you spot a man peering at you from behind the corner of another wagon - one with oily, black hair and ravenous eyes.
@Durant: Eloais's body is still laying over the burnt table - like last time. The smell of scorched flesh is still fresh. By the location of the lantern chains, the wax candles, and his dead body, there's no signs of violence, and it was most likely the fire that ended his life. There are no other objects that are remotely useable left in the wagon - only the ashes, the cracked crystal ball and the pools of wax - though in one of the upper compartments, barely touched by the fire, you also find a small bag of gold. Quick counting shows that there are a total of fifty-five gold pieces.
As you leave the scene, you spot a man peering at you from behind the corner of another wagon - one with oily, black hair and ravenous eyes.
Walk briskly towards him. "Greetings sir. My name is Durant, I have just arrived with Master Garavel."
I think you're overthinking his identity slightly, though. I can reveal that it is Eloais and not an impostor.
The man glares at you but shifts out in sight. Dart-eyed and mangy, he has a big brass earring in his left ear. You've overwhelmed by his body odour - hygiene is clearly not his strong suite. He leans on a wooden staff. He is clad in loose dark-brown trousers, a light black shirt and a vest; a dagger hangs from his waist. You spot that one of his legs are weak. He only stares, at you and at the wagon, but says not a word.
A normal fire that was put our as quickly as this one was would likely leave a clear spot under the body, but not always fire is very strange. A very hot fire would not leave a clean patch, at least the surface would be schorced. A fire of this level would also, squik warning, not be likely to leave fingers or facial features. I am allowing Durant to know this as one of the duties traditionally assigned to monks in both the west and the east was caring for bodies. Oh and on the crime novel front, I'm training to be a librarian, let me know if you want some suggestions.
The man glares at you but shifts out in sight. Dart-eyed and mangy, he has a big brass earring in his left ear. You've overwhelmed by his body odour - hygiene is clearly not his strong suite. He leans on a wooden staff. He is clad in loose dark-brown trousers, a light black shirt and a vest; a dagger hangs from his waist. You spot that one of his legs are weak. He only stares, at you and at the wagon, but says not a word.
"Ah. You must be on your way to a bath. I shall join you if I may. Afterwards we can go together to the princess and I can tell her what I have found It will mean another bath after I return to bury the poor man but it is not a great burden."
Upon seeing Durant converse with the one no one is trusting he will turn and say Thank you for your time. I am Llathander. Perhaps we could make time to continue this conversation later. he adds a wink towards the scarred attractive one as a exclamation point.
Walking towards the Dashki he thinks 'brother be careful with this one. Anyone who has this much enmity is dangerous.'
"I'm confused,"[\b] Gil says. [B]"You think he was a charlatan and bad news, but he was good for the princess and you're going to miss him. And how can you not believe in Harrowing? With all the crazy magic that goes on in this world on a daily basis, you can't wrap your head around the idea of people doing divinations with cards? Granted, there are probably plenty of charlatan Harrowers, but if the whole practice was a complete fake, surely people wouldn't still believe in it after all these centuries."
@Gilfroy: "We all believe differently, Gilfroy. I don't believe cards can channel something so unpredictable as the future - and faith is a strong force. Not necessarily always for the better - and I am a priest saying this. Do not mistake my disbelief in Harrowind as contempt for Eloais - the man was a good man. I simply think he could have chosen a better path." Father Zastoran offers a half-apologetic bow, though it is clear he doesn't completely agree with you.
@Durant: The man still doesn't say a word - he turns around and leaves.
@Llathander: You detect nothing from Dashki - not even enmity. He doesn't throw you a glance before he leaves.
Durant watches him go. Shrugs.
"Oh hello brother. I am heading for a bath. I have just come from the poor man's wagon and think I might have found a clue."
After listening to as much of the conversations as he can before acting, Abbas walks over to Durant and Llathander, "well it seems that everyone has an alibi, except for he camel drivers, although Garavel believes them to be good people, and Dashki. Perhaps we should be a bit more forceful with our approach to Dashki? I can usually tell of someone is lying, or has something to hide."
"Have you interrogated Hadrod and Hadrah? Or Dashki? I do believe if anyone here were to turn on the expedition, it would likely be Dashki, yet if no-one has asked then judging already would be unwise."
Garavel glances at all of you, his expression stern and his stance not betraying much in regards of emotions. He has been carefully following all of your investigations so far.
"No, Garavel. We have not talked with them, yet" replies Abbas. I go to where the two camel drivers are and introduce myself.
"Hadrod, Hadrah, we are looking into the fire in Eloais wagon, and his death. Where were you when it started, and did you see anyone near the wagon?" asks Abbas.
-- Abbas Garshta
"Have you interrogated Hadrod and Hadrah? Or Dashki? I do believe if anyone here were to turn on the expedition, it would likely be Dashki, yet if no-one has asked then judging already would be unwise."
Gilfroy gets a description of Dashki, then heads out to find him. If/when he does find him, he simply follows the man wherever he goes about ten feet back. Anytime the man looks at him, Gil quickly pretends to be looking at something else and whistles, purposely doing a very poor job of being nonchalant.
@Abbas: You find the camel drivers by the pens. The woman is continuously recounting the animals, and the man is on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry dear, I can't see Rombard at all...we have a visitor."
The man looks up at you, and he wipes his face clean with his sleeve. "Hello there, stranger. Sorry to be in the state I'm in, but Rombard is missing... my favourite goat. He went missing during the fire..."
The couple listens to your questions and nods between themselves. "Well," says the lady Hadrah, "Eloais was nice enough for a foreigner, but he always was talking about Cyclones and Fiends and Uprisings, whatever that meant. Almah trusted him, though, so we would too."
"We noticed the fire first, but then the animals panicked and all our attention was diverted to them."
@Gilfroy: You find the man fitting the description after not too long - just as he climbs into what must be his wagon, and the door is closed shut right afterwards with a bang.