To Llathander. "Here brother look at this."
Durant removes the crystal ball from the sack.
"This is solid glass or rock crystal, I can not tell which. But both of these substances are very strong and heat resistant. This sphere is cracked. Now this could have been a blow but it would have to be a very well judged blow. I think this burst from within. Extreme heat came out of this and sparked the fire. The fire burned very hot and very fast. It was not an accident, and it was not normal."
Gilfroy casts dancing lights to make four torches and positions them outside the man's windows. Then he casts ghost sound to create the sound of crackling flames underneath the wagon itself.
Then he sits down outside the wagon's door and waits.
"After we find out what happened with the fire, we will look for your goat" Abbas promises.
"Did you see anyone or anything near Eloais' wagon before the fire started?"
-- Abbas
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..."
"We noticed the fire first, but then the animals panicked and all our attention was diverted to them."
"We were too busy with the animals to get a good look. I'm sorry we couldn't be of more help, Mister...?"
@Gilfroy: It isn't too long before the door opens and the man peers out, his expression visibly angry. He spots you and glares, baring his teeth in half a growl. "Why are you disturbing me?"
@Gilfroy: It isn't too long before the door opens and the man peers out, his expression visibly angry. He spots you and glares, baring his teeth in half a growl. "Why are you disturbing me?"
"My friends and I, under orders from the Princess, wish to speak with you, but I understand you've been quite rude and walked away when they approach you. Now, I can change these flames from fake to real as quick as that (he snaps his fingers; Bluff check ) and you can find out what our poor neighbourhood Harrower experienced, or you can come with me to have a civilized conversation."
The man throws a few glances at the lights you've conjured, and for a second he seems worried, but once you speak he turns his glare to you. "You're a poor liar," he growls. "Nobody asked me anything. I didn't do it, that's all you need to know."
Dashki Perception check:
Dashki Will Save:
Dashki Sense Motive:
"And I believe you too to be a poor liar, or at least, a poor member of this community. If you are innocent, then it should be your obligation to help us uncover the truth. Either way, this hostile attitude is not doing you any favours. Come clear your name or don't, it matters not to me, but if your poor choices cause us to miss the real culprit and he strikes again, it'll be on your head as much as ours."
"Again, I had nothing to do with the damned fire! Get lost!"
He slips back into the wagon and shuts the door.
Gilfroy sighs, shrugs, then makes himself comfortable. He casts another ghost sound, this time to fill the wagon with the sound of clucking chickens.
As you cast your spell, you find that the clucking is loud and incessant - and not inside the wagon. The myriad of alleged chickens all seem to prance around instead, and it is Garavel who approaches. There is an impatient twitch in one of his eyebrows. "Gilfroy, what is the meaning of this noise? You were asked to investigate, not put on a show."
"Abbas. Priest of Sarenrae. Thank you for your help. I see that you were very concerned with the animals. After we finish our investigation, we will look for Rombard. He couldn't have wandered off too far. I must be off to continue, thank you again" says Abbas.
Off to find the others, especially Gilfroy since I know him and think if anyone can see thru the veils of shadows concerning this mystery, it would be him.
-- Abbas Garshta
"We were too busy with the animals to get a good look. I'm sorry we couldn't be of more help, Mister...?"
"I am...at a loss. Most interesting, indeed." His eyes shine with excitement. "Is this Dashki some sort of spell caster? I have never had one of my illusions bounce back at me like this, before, so I can only assume that he is responsible. Please keep an eye on this wagon and keep the man inside while I find my companions. This must be investigated immediately."
He attempts to cancel his clucking chickens to see if that stops the ones outside, then goes to find the others.
"I am...at a loss. Most interesting, indeed." His eyes shine with excitement. "Is this Dashki some sort of spell caster? I have never had one of my illusions bounce back at me like this, before, so I can only assume that he is responsible. Please keep an eye on this wagon and keep the man inside while I find my companions. This must be investigated immediately."
He attempts to cancel his clucking chickens to see if that stops the ones outside, then goes to find the others.
Durant, drawn by the sounds of more loose animals arrives to see Messers Fezziwig and Garavel in conference.
"Master Garavel I think you should see this." Again Durant removes the sphere from the bag. "Look at the way this globe has cracked. It took real heat to do that. A spilled lamp, even an entire burning wagon would not do this. The fire was not normal. There is other evidence as well. The floor under the body does not appear to be burned yet there is indications from the body itself that the fire was intense. An intense fire that was hot enough to crack glass or rock crystal yet did not burn through the body nor consume the melted wax beside it is a very unusual flame. I accuse no one but the fire seems directed. I found no trace of traditional methods of directing fire, no oil residue or burn patterns so I must suspect magic was used. I request that someone more sensitive than I make an investigation to see if traces linger.
"Also, master I found a sum of coins in a drawer in the wagon. They should go to his next of kin. You will note they are gold and unmelted in spite in their closeness to the blaze. More evidence of sudden, directed heat."
"Dashki is no wizard. He is a fierce man, I know this much - even with the damaged leg he has an unmatched knowledge of gnolls. With his temper, he would have blown up the camp long ago if he had any capability of producing that flame - are you a fool, Gilfroy!? What do you expect to achieve by agitating him!?"
Garavel glares at the gnome for a bit, before he sighs. He approaches the wagon door to knock when Durant approaches. As the boy pulls out the sphere, he takes a hold of it, examines the crack, he peers at it. "Heat may not crack crystal - yet you seem to have left out the possibility that it would have fallen. He kept the crystal on his table - I know this for a fact. Where did you find it? The table was reduced to ashes last I checked. The crack may very well have come from a fall - crystal was never known to be unbreakable."
His eyes are narrowed, almost like a hawk. He looks up from the crystal ball. "However, we cannot take away the possibility of magic either - I am no expert. Perhaps Badi will oblige to examine it for us."
"You are a very angry person. I think you need a vacation." Gilfroy keeps his voice calm and level. "Now you, or rather, your princess, have set us to this task of finding a killer, a task we have no experience in, amongst a group of people we know nothing about, naturally, we are going to fall back on our known tricks. Angry people slip up and let the truth out when they're angry. I had no idea you thought me a fool before. Now, kindly extract the man from his wagon and let's get to the bottom of this.
"The Princess ordered us to investigate the cause of the fire - she did not ask you to make enemies, Mr. Fezziwig. I spoke with Keldon and Podarn - two of Almah's guards. They saw Dashki by the tree when the fire started - over thirty feet away from the wagon. You, Mr. Fezziwig, are treading over the line by being a fool who concludes this to be murder without evidence. "
Garavel's face is visibly angry by this point, yet his voice never so much as trembles.
As Llathander is approached by his brother he was opening his mouth to offer his thoughts when Duran sees garavel and goes to seek his knowledge. Llathander shrugs it off as if to say well I am the youngest of the brothers.
He then sees Gil getting himself in trouble yet again and goes to bodyguard mode, this little guy is a handful. he lays his familiar grip on his shoulder worry not trickster. No harm will come to you this day.
He also turns to the majordomo and says, For one to call himself an expert they must spend an incredible amount of time with these creatures. Surely based upon his reputation and your description how do we know he isn't in league with the and took the opportunity to burn down the Merchant Princesses advisors wagon?
"Yes, definitely a vacation. Thank you for eliminating him as a suspect, although you seem to forget the existence of time-delayed alchemical devices. No matter." He calls out loudly to the wagon. "Saying you were at a tree and others were there riser you was all that was needed."
He turns to the others, ignoring Garavel. "So what next? Do we conclude accidental death? Seems early to assume hd started his own fire."
"Heat may not crack crystal - yet you seem to have left out the possibility that it would have fallen. He kept the crystal on his table - I know this for a fact. Where did you find it? The table was reduced to ashes last I checked. The crack may very well have come from a fall - crystal was never known to be unbreakable."
"You are wise master Garavel. I see things that I wish to see. You see what is there. You are truly wise."
"Turning to the others. We must be careful and systamatic and first determine if the fire was normal or engouraged somehow. Master Fezziwig
Are you familiar with the alchemical devices you mention? Could you tell if one had been used?"
"Llathander, we should begin documenting where everyone says they were at the time of the fire and who they saw around that time. If we can create a picture of the camp just before the fire started we should be able to determine who could not have started the fire. Hopefully this list will include everyone. There were some people in the wagon with the fortuneteller at the time of the fire. What they have to say could be very important. Could you speak to them? Your honesty shines through your words and you might find smooth a path others would find rocky."
"Master Baldi will examine the wagon for traces of magic."
"Master Fezziwig, you were instramental in calming the animals. You seemed to be able to communicate with them is is possabel they saw or sensed something?"
"We should also find out what the others have uncovered. Perhaps the answer has been found and we mearly need to fit the peices together."
"Master Garavel, what should be done with the gold that I recovered from the wagon. I would feel more comfortable if it were known to be in your hands or under the princesses care."
Bluff:
"Of course, I can have a look. Should be able to see the usual signs. Shall we?"
Gilfroy gratefully heads off and away from the obnoxious Mr. Garavel.
Bluff: 1d20+6
"Of course, I can have a look. Should be able to see the usual signs. Shall we?"Gilfroy gratefully heads off and away from the obnoxious Mr. Garavel.
Bahor makes sure to move up next to Gilfroy, leering in the firection of Mr. Garavel in hopes to seem somewhat threatening, making sure to say loud enough for Garavel to hear:
"Gilfroy, if you want I could break his fingers and make him talk." he clearly has no idea of subtlty or knowing what fights to pick.
Bahor makes sure to move up next to Gilfroy, leering in the firection of Mr. Garavel in hopes to seem somewhat threatening, making sure to say loud enough for Garavel to hear:
"Gilfroy, if you want I could break his fingers and make him talk." he clearly has no idea of subtlty or knowing what fights to pick.
Kind brother Barahm, threatening our employer is not condusive to long term job security. We have no evidence of ANY wrongdoing. We need to gather that evidence carefully and systematically. Only then when we understand what has happened and who, if anyone, was involved can we take steps. Until then threatening the people who we rely on to keep us alive is counterproductive to say the least.
Returning from talking with the two camel drivers, Abbas comes in on the end of the conversation.
"What is going on here? Are we now threatening our employers? We need to work with them, and find out what happened here."
"As for the camel drivers Hadrod and Hadrah they did not see anything and were more concerned with their animals. It appears that a favored goat has gone missing. Perhaps whoever or whatever started the fire also took the animal. Bahram, would you be able to follow its' tracks?" asks Abbas.
Llathander sits on a nearby crate and begins ribbon out his shoulders. Seems the strain of lifting a barrel full of water had taken a toll on him. He let's out a sigh and says after having talked to the mercenaries I believe we have two possibilities. One it was Dashki trying to eliminates perceived competition with the Princess or two, the old man was just clumsy
Llathander sits on a nearby crate and begins ribbon out his shoulders. Seems the strain of lifting a barrel full of water had taken a toll on him. He let's out a sigh and says after having talked to the mercenaries I believe we have two possibilities. One it was Dashki trying to eliminates perceived competition with the Princess or two, the old man was just clumsy
"Or there was outside influence. We are in enemy territory."
Garavel only shakes his head with venom in his eyes, not throwing Gilfroy a second glance as the gnome walks away. When he speaks it is with an unprecedented anger. "Abbas, you had best speak to your friend, otherwise I will remove him from the investigation. Or worse, the expedition. Bahram, I ask that you do not threaten anyone here again, or I will ask you to leave as well."
He sighs shortly afterwards. "Durant is right. There are three possibilities. Somebody in the camp - not necessarily Dashki", he adds with emphasis, "did it; or Eloais had an accident. Or there was an outside influence. From account of what everybody has said, only Eloais was in the wagon by the time of fire. As for the gold..."
Garavel rubs his chin slightly, his anger all but vanished now. "I believe you can share it between yourselves. Now..."
Garavel turns to Dashki's wagon and gives the door a very firm knock. "Dashki, a word."
The door creaks open, and Dashki peers out with amber eyes. "What?"
"We want to speak with you. In the open. With blunt words."
The man glares at all of you, but he obliges and steps out into the fresh air. He leans on the side of the wagon. Garavel looks at you all, allowing you a chance to speak.
"Dashki, we are investigating the fire in Eloais wagon. Two of the Princess' guards place you at the tree, well away from the wagon, so we know it was not you. It seems that everyone was away from his wagon, so it might have been some outside influence or just an accident. Do you have any opinions on what may have caused the fire? Abbas asks, trying to put the man at ease, and see if he responds when he is asked to help with the investigation.
-- Abbas Garshta
Garavel turns to Dashki's wagon and gives the door a very firm knock. "Dashki, a word."
The door creaks open, and Dashki peers out with amber eyes. "What?"
"We want to speak with you. In the open. With blunt words."
The man glares at all of you, but he obliges and steps out into the fresh air. He leans on the side of the wagon. Garavel looks at you all, allowing you a chance to speak.
Dashki is taken aback at the unexpected courtesy of Abbas, and he looks at all of you with a fair bit of suspicion. "I don't think he was killed - that idiot burned a hundred candles in his wagon. Perhaps he was just unlucky. We're in gnoll country. It was probably pugwampis."
"A pugwampi? I have not heard of such a beast, nor its' connection to gnolls. Could you explain this to me?" asks Abbas.
-- Abbas Garshta
Dashki is taken aback at the unexpected courtesy of Abbas, and he looks at all of you with a fair bit of suspicion. "I don't think he was killed - that idiot burned a hundred candles in his wagon. Perhaps he was just unlucky. We're in gnoll country. It was probably pugwampis."
"Pugwampis. Terrible critters that crawled up from the Darklands below the earth. 'Jackal rats', some folks call 'em. They got pointed little heads." Dashki gestures some shape to indicate a head, though it is hard to tell. "They worship gnolls as gods and infest their communities like rats. Wherever pugwampis go, bad luck is sure to follow. Gnolls hate pugwampis because of this, and try to kill them all the time."
"They always come back. Perhaps their bad luck caused the fortune-man's candles to start a fire? Yes, pugwampis. I am certain it was pugwampis."
Since it seems that Durant got distracted by something back at Dashki's, Gilfroy continues on alone, rather than return to face Mr. Grumpy again. The only thing worse than somebody who gets all upset at some harmless fun is when that person is right as well. Still, it was exciting facing him down, and he definitely needs to lighten up!
He finds one of the sheep he had spoken with earlier and tries to see if the creature still trusts him enough to let the gnome scratch his soft wool. As he pets (or fails to pet) the sheep, he thinks back on the people he's talked to so far. He brushes off some soot from where a stray ember must have landed on the poor critter, and suddenly his eyes widen. Looking about, he attempts to locate both Father Zastoran, and Travvis and Kallien. Once he's located all three, he goes first to Father Zastoran, casting a guidance spell just before he arrives, and greets him warmly. "Father Zastoran, I just came from Dashki's wagon. Garavel is there and needs your presence, as soon as possible. I have to go finds somebody else, too."
Bluff:
Once (if) Zastoran heads off, he quickly goes to find Travvis and Kallien. He starts with a pretense of looking at their wounds, then quickly shifts the conversation around, before Zastoran can return. "I just realized that you never had a chance to answer my questions before. Now that you're a little more set up, perhaps you can help me? My friends and I are examining the fire. 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: to determine if the two have any reluctance to speak about the subject.
"Pugwampis, hmmm, I have never heard of them. Thank you for the information. Did you happen to see any tracks of theirs around the camp? Would you be able to point them out to Bahram so we can perhaps track them?" Abbas asks.
Abbas turns to the group, "Perhaps we should look for the missing goat then, since all tracks have been obliterated. Maybe searching for him will allow us to find the pugwampi."
"Bahram, can you follow these? Perhaps we can capture one of these creatures and bring it back to the Princess Abbas asks.
-- Abbas Garshta
"They always come back. Perhaps their bad luck caused the fortune-man's candles to start a fire? Yes, pugwampis. I am certain it was pugwampis."
Dashki's social manners are a little awkward, but he does appear to be honest.
Dashki glances in direction of the wagon, narrowing his eyes. "They are barely the size of a skull. The ground around the wagon's wet. Would have to explore around the camp to find tracks."
Garavel looks a little suspicious - by his expression he hasn't heard of pugwampis either. "We should inform Pricess Almah," he says. "Dashki, join us."
Zastoran looks at the gnome as Gilfroy approaches, and gives him a puzzling expression. Yet he gets up and heads over to the others.
Travvis and Kallien glance at each other when you start asking questions. "There wasn't much to see," Travvis says with a shrug. "The camel drivers called the fire, we were by the firepit. Almah called the order to try to get the fortune teller out of the wagon, Kallien ran in, she collapsed. I followed, got her out, and then I lost consciousness."
"None of us saw anythin' by the wagon before the fire started," Kallien adds. "Not like we were watching - th' man was a bit snobbish."
"Ah, well, it was very brave of you to try to save him. Did Princess Almah specifically order you two to attempt the rescue? Also, did you hear the Harrower screaming? I know it seems a bit graphic, but I'm trying to determine if he was awake when it started, or if he happened to have been sleeping when the candles fell over."
The woman seems to flush slightly underneath her scarred skin. "Ah, ah may have been a bit headstrong. She ordered somebody figure out what happened, ah took that as 'run into th' wagon.' Th' man was screamin' for one or two minutes b'fore everythin' went silent inside."
"Certainly Master Garavel. We should report what we have found to the Princess" Abbas agrees, and follows him to her tent. "I am sure she will be interested in us finding one of these pugwampis.
-- Abbas Garshta
Garavel looks a little suspicious - by his expression he hasn't heard of pugwampis either. "We should inform Princess Almah," he says. "Dashki, join us."
Llathander will make his way over to the mercenaries again taht he built something akin to a repoirrte with, speaking specifically with the cure female again he will make small talk and over the course of the conversation he will ask So this Dashki, can he be trusted? How did he become this "Gnoll Expert everyone claims him to be. DId he hunt them or live with them, because at this point I am inclined to believe both. Also, he said a pugwampi was at fault for the death of the fortune teller. Have you ever heard of a pugwampi? What is it?
Diplomacy if needed
Llathander
As you approach the mercenaries, you find that their eyes are cool at your approach. Yesper, the lady with the scar, is the one who speaks. "Dashki? No clue. The man rarely speaks, ain't got no clue why he knows about gnolls. And pugwampis? Sounds like something from a fairy-tale. Probably a lie."
Abbas, Durant, Bahram and Badi*
Garavel leads you, and Dashki, over to Princess Almah's tent. Her guards eye you all cautiously as you enter - inside, the Princess is sitting on a pillow with her legs crossed - it appears to be a ledger. Garavel greets her. "Oh, you're back. Lay it on me."
"Dashki says the culprit was likely a pugwampi."
The Princess raises her eyebrows as Dashki elaborates. She looks thoughtful and glances at all of you. "If my expert is correct... the hills should be crawling with these pugwampis, yes? Or at least some of their passage. Dashki, if what you say is true, it should be easy to fine one and bring it back to me."
"Abbas, Durant, gather up your friends and go with him - they might be dangerous. Except for you," she glances in direction of Badi. "I wish to speak with you in private."
"Yes Princess" and turns to leave.
Once outside the tent, "Dashki, can you and Bahram look for tracks of these creatures, so we can find one?"
-- Abbas Garshta
"Abbas, Durant, gather up your friends and go with him - they might be dangerous. Except for you," she glances in direction of Badi. "I wish to speak with you in private."
Dashki is the only one who leaves the tent with you - Garavel stays back with Princess Almah and Badi. The gnoll expert points a thumb in the direction of the wagon. "Only way we'll be sure is if we head out of the camp. No point in waiting."
He takes the lead and marches out of the camp with you on his tail, with no concerns waiting for Llathander or Gilfroy. In the horizon the sun is already sinking behind the mountains - the day has been a long one, yet it has passed by quickly.
Leaving the tent with Durant and Bahram, Abbas calls to the missing two, "Gilfroy, Llathander, we are leaving to track down one of these pugwampis now. Hurry up or you will miss the excitement!"
-- Abbas Garshta
Dashki is the only one who leaves the tent with you - Garavel stays back with Princess Almah and Badi. The gnoll expert points a thumb in the direction of the wagon. "Only way we'll be sure is if we head out of the camp. No point in waiting."
He takes the lead and marches out of the camp with you on his tail, with no concerns waiting for Llathander or Gilfroy. In the horizon the sun is already sinking behind the mountains - the day has been a long one, yet it has passed by quickly.
When Llathander sees everyone going and then with the addition of Abbas' call. Lathander looks at his companion well looks like this needs to be continued again. Until next time he says with a wink and runs off to join his companions.
Gilfroy eagerly looks up from the two burn victims, sees no Garavel, and says to the two, "Sorry, looks like we may have found the culprits. Gotta run."
When he catches up, he sees Dashki, and smiles at him. "Glad to see you came out of your wagon. I'm Gilfroy. Sorry about bothering you earlier. What are pugwumpis? They don't sound like too scary a beast with that name. Tell me, if that's okay, what do you know of Travvis and Kallien? They got themselves badly burned - they claim they were trying to rescue the Harrower - but they kept looking at each other before answering all of my questions. Also, what about Father Zastoran? I had to send him off before I could talk to the two of them because the first time I tried, he interrupted me and wouldn't let the two of them get a word in. I figured the first time it was because he was all concerned about them answering questions when they'd just gone through a traumatic ordeal, but now with all the hesitations, I have to wonder if he was helping them cover up something." He pauses for an exhilarated laugh. "I guess I'm getting paranoid, seeing arsonists everywhere. This is so much more exciting than painting portraits in a dusty marketplace."
Dashki leads you all out of the camp, throwing suspicious glances at most of you along the way. The night has begun, and darkness is all the horizon offers. "Ought to light torches."
When Gilfroy begins to ask the myriad of questions, Dashki only scowls. "No clue. Don't care. They jumped into the wagon when asked. The halfling keeps to himself. Obsessed with potions, that one."
As you light the torches, you spot the faint glimpse of a shadow in the corner of your eyes. A slithering sound is shifting around to your right. The unseeming prickling feeling of being gazed upon befalls you as you advance - after a hundred feet, Dashki kneels and scoops the ground.
"Tracks here. Faint. We'll have to go further."
You can't shake off the feeling that something is hiding behind the big rock to your left...
You could have sworn you saw a giant in the distance...
Something must is crawling in the scrubs to your right, eagerly waiting to strike...
You're certain somebody - or something - is trailing you already...
You feel the shadow of somebody - or something - looming over your shoulder...
We are not alone.
A long fighting spike is held in Durant's left hand.
"What is that? Out there in the distance" Abbas asks, pointing to a distant point in front of them, with a slight tremble in his voice.
He grabs his scimitar handle a little tighter, and continues to follow Dashki.
-- Abbas Garshta