Oren shakes his head slightly at Cahal's words but smiles to show he isn't angered. "I can't speak of all Gods, of course, but with Sarenrae it's not a matter of her owning her people. Those of us who have chosen to follow her give ourselves freely to her. In return we can enjoy the surety of her blessings. Light, truth and redemption for those who have lost their way in the darkness."
Oren's smile fades as he turns his thoughts to the other part of the man's question. "As to slavery...well we are a part of a society that accepts such things as natural. I would prefer to think that such an unpleasant notion will change given time. Service, as that given to one's God, should be given freely, not taken. It is a comfort to me that those who enter into this effort as slaves will leave with their freedom."
Upon seeing the fires engulfing the unusual wagon, Oren does not hesitate to rush forward, ignoring the heat of the flames as he raises his hands, his holy symbol clutched between them.
"Sarenrae, in thy name I ask for water!"
As soon as the fire engulfs the wagon, Ripnok stares in awe for a few moments, the longing for the flames that his race adores momentarily overwhelms his senses. He shakes himself free of his daze and starts throwing buckets of water at the fire. Not doing much but he does not have any skill with horses. He has incredibly good aim with the water but cannot throw too much as he is not very strong. While doing this he looks around to see if there is anyone still inside.
Isz looked at the situation, and for a moment spreading the flames crossed his mind...but no, he needed the others to survive. Catching the animals, that was more his speed.
He looked around and spotted a goat that had gotten into a spilled bag of grain and was happily feasting on its ill gotten goods. Isz figured he could probably sneak up and snag the creature and drag it back to its pen.
Like a shadow, Isz pours himself along the nearby structures, not so much walking as pouring himself towards the unwitting ungulate
Stealth:
A Medium size hooded figure races over to the Wagon and attempts to aid the mercenaries in pulling it away.
Strength check:
Caius would leap into action almost superhumanly fast. Kicking off from the sand he'd grab a bucket (or bowl) and fill it with sand and throwing it on the fire. Instead of using water, he figured he could smother the fire the way Haleena always did if something got set ablaze in the kitchen. Caius would be careful not to get too close to the flames, but continue spreading sand/water on the fire as best he could. If someone got hurt by the flames, he'd pull them to safety. Whatever was required of him, he'd do.
*must have missed the previous post*
Instead of sand, he will attempt to help with the wagon.
With a lifetime of experience tackling other creatures from behind, Isz stops a measured distance from the goat and lunges, both hands going for the horns...
Marossa stops short for a few moments as the sight of the camp sight on fire sends fear up her spine. As her eyes wander over the camp she notices the red-headed man in robes kneeling over a body with another one close by. Quickly rushing over to the short mans side, she slides into the dirt to kneel over the other body and spreads her hands with fingers splayed out over the woman's chest. Her mouth hums out a short melody as energy flows from her fingers into the woman.
Oren inclines his head to both the woman, Almah, and the man, Garavel.
"Good morning to you both, I am Oren Tor, follower of Sarenrae, may her glory light the world for all eternity."
He nods as Almah rushes off. "It seems you've hired two goblins, Garavel," he says. "They are most...interesting...companions."
As the man rushes off, Oren exchanges glances with Ripnok. "There seems to be a great deal going on."
Though Oren has little hope for anyone surviving the fire in the wagon, he feels that he must be certain. Careful not to cause injury to himself, he moves toward the wagon, searching for whoever was victim of it. Along the way he also keeps his eyes open for anything to suggest what caused the fire.
I cannot promise I won't eat any animals. After all that is where meat comes from. Perhaps there is a way to synthesize animal matter by combining...Ripnok starts rambling and talking to himself about the possibilities of creating artificial meat. He wants to inspect the carriage to see if he can determine how the fire was started.
Kesh slowly makes his way up to the burning cart. He is attempting to sneak into it trying to go unnoticed.
Stealth Rolls:
Once in the wagon he looks around.
Perception:
Once Kesh crawls out of the wagon he attempts to stay out of sight. He quickly dusts off his robe and disappears. He is watching and listening to what precedes.
Isz doesn't even flinch at the swinging stick, and smiles approvingly at Cahal's words.
"I cannot speak for Goblins where he comes from, but where I come from desert folk are too tawny and dry to bother with. Besides, if I wanted your goat, I would have snapped its neck and snagged it from the dead pile later rather than listen to your racist prattling, which I notice you didn't start until after I was done helping you. You're welcome, by the way. I can't begin to tell you how many of my kin died so your adventurers could snag a little gold or experience and leave the bodies to rot. Go write a book."
Without waiting for a response he than marched of to find Ripnok so he could talk junk about the humanoids in Goblin.
Marossa looks up at the man as she finishes her small bit of magic, the arcane energy suffusing her features for a bit so she doesn't appear quite as haggard as she feels from lack of pesh. Her eyes turn back to the woman as she bows her head and whispers, "My pleasure Miss," before turning back to the halfling.
"I.. I am.. am glad I could he-help Sir, I believe the fire is under control... Who is Eloais Sir? I ho-hope he wasn't inside that fire."
Oren kneels beside the burned form of the man, breathing through his mouth to keep from smelling the reek of the burnt flesh. Placing his hands above the body (not quite touching) he looks to the east where the sun will soon be rising and says,
"Lady, let this man's suffering be eased and his soul lifted to its proper destination. If there is anything more that we should learn in the manner of his death or the tasks that lay unfulfilled before him, guide my eyes that I might see."
Bowing his head he closes his eyes a moment, clearing his mind and then he turns to examine the remains of the wagon around him.
When Isz comes over and tells Ripnok what happened he is incensed. What complete foolishness! Why if it hadn't been for you that mans livelihood would have run off into the desert and then where would he be. I swear the gall of some people! Have we not made it abundantly clear that we are not typical goblin slaves? He says this getting a bit more agitated as he goes on ranting in the goblin tongue.
Oren shakes his head. "Unfortunately, the damage seems to be quite complete. For whatever reason, this wagon must have burned remarkably fast. How it might have happened, however, I haven't a clue. Perhaps we should seek out Almah and Garavel and learn what we can from them."
Cahal, drawing on his basic knowledge of alchemy, asks Oren: "Hey Oren, before you go! What do you make of these? Are they placed in a meaningful way you think? HEY RIPNOCK! COME HERE AND HAVE A LOOK!"
After he's satisfied, he'll follow Oren.
Ripnok interrupts his rant to go over to Oren. What is it Oren?
Ripnok will take a look at the cards and see if there is any pattern to them or anything strange or out of the ordinary, besides the obvious fiery wreckage that is.
"Hmmm, let me see."
Oren takes a look at the cards Cahal has found.
Isz knows his way around fiery disasters and decides to launch his own investigation of the area, specifically looking for the starting point of the blaze, possible incendiary device, or anything that seems out of place.
Perception
Marossa bows her head momentarily as the prospect of a death happening so immediately on her expedition. Looking up again she says, "If you will ex..cuse me Sir, I will-will rejoin my companions."
After the halflings answer she will hop up quickly and move over towards the burnt wagon to see her new friends already searching through the wreck of a wagon. Her eyes scan over and around the wagon as she takes in this bad omen. The smell of burned human flesh washes over her nose and the unique stench of it turns her face a greenish tint and she quickly rushes away so as not to be seen. Having never dealt with a burned body before she quickly loses her earlier meal and feels light headed afterwards.
---Moments Later---
Marossa returns to the wagon and though her face is still pale she doesn't look quite as put off about the smell as before. Walking up to the group with her hand hovering near the collar on her neck a sad expression is written over her face.
"This um... this doesn't bode well... as far as beginnings go. Are we go-going to be meeting our leader soon?"
Kesh waits for a moment as the others continue to obsess over the burnt wagon. Seeing as how there was little he could do on his own, he made his way over to Almah's tent. Poking his hooded head in he asks politely.
"Pardon the intrusion ma'am, but I was wondering if you had need of me for anything in particular." He waits patiently to be let in.
Kesh steps forwards and bows politely. "I am called Kesh." Kesh will attempt to improve the moods of the leaders by exchanging some casual and relieving conversation.
Diplomacy Check
"If I understand right, the burnt person in the cart is Eloais. I will return to ask people around if they may have seen anything."
Kesh will bow once more and leave heading back to the party. He will procede to ask each of the other party member's if they found any clues to what might have happened.
Oren frowns as he examines the cards and helps to gather them up. "It seems this unfortunate person had been a fortune teller of some kind. These are Harrow cards, used to divine one's future. Perhaps he was attempting to do a reading just prior to the fire. If so, it seems his divinations were unsuccessful."
As Kesh runs up, Oren examines the small form curiously. This one was a particularly unusual member of the small group that had journeyed so far over the last weeks. It was clear he -- at least, Oren thought it was a he -- was trying to hide something. Though Sarenrae sought illumination, Oren was making a considerable effort to allow the small form the privacy it obviously sought.
"Well, it is my sad responsibility to inform you that the soul who inhabited this wagon is dead. I was just going to report to Lady Almah my findings. If you will excuse me..."
He looks to the timid lass who'd approached the group moments before. "Come, Marossa, we'll go speak with Almah right now." He walks briskly off, carrying the few cards he's managed to gather in one hand.
Isz snags the attention of the nearby Ripnok.
"I have two theories. The first is that it was the Nazis and they, in fact, have the jade monkey. The second is that that guy knows something, as supported by these."
He points out his discovery, a set of very faint foot prints leading to a man who seems to be studying the party at a distance. He's wearing armor and a long curved sword.
"The jade monkey will be ours."
Isz snags the attention of the nearby Ripnok.
"I have two theories. The first is that it was the Nazis and they, in fact, have the jade monkey. The second is that that guy knows something, as supported by these."
He points out his discovery, a set of very faint foot prints leading to a man who seems to be studying the party at a distance. He's wearing armor and a long curved sword.
"The jade monkey will be ours."
Not knowing what Nazi's are or a jade monkey, Ripnok is intrigued by the possibility of finding out. Speaking Goblin Should we rough him up a little bit and see if he'll talk?
Anyone looks on would see Ripnok staring daggers at some guy standing a little ways off and chattering to Isz in goblin.
Oren inclines his head in respect. "Lady Almah, I've come to inform you of what we've been able to determine thus far. The person who had been inside the burning wagon is, unfortunately, quite dead. There was nothing that could be done for him. My companions and I did a brief search and were unable to determine what caused the fire. We did find some of these Harrow cards, however. I don't know if this would interest you, but if he was in service to you, perhaps you'll like to see what cards survived in the fire? It's possible that the Gods had been seeking to work through your seer before he was, ahem, interrupted."
Oren holds out the cards he was able to locate.
"You might also like to meet two of the others who have responded for your request for service. These are my companions, Cahal ud'Din and Marossa. They were each of great assistance in my investigation. Is there anything else you require of us, my lady?"
In particular Kesh notices the two goblins eyeing the one man with their evil stares. Kesh walks up to the man. "Excuse me sir. Did you see anything or know anything suspicious about the fire?"
Diplomacy to ask
Next Kesh will listen intently to his response.
Sense Motive:
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Ripnok gets a confused expression on his face and says "What is a Pugwhatzits?