Legacy of Fire: Howl of the Carrion King [IC]

[bcool999]

Khair

Calm yourself Rombard. All will be well. Khair coaxes the frantic animal, ”Let Khair lead you from this place and return you to Hadrod and Hadrah. They will set you right and feed you well.”

Khair slowly walks closer to Rombard to take hold of his lead.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Handle Animal: (1d20+8)[15]
Trying to approach and gain control of Rombard before it stumbles off the chasm.

[lostsole31]

Khair does NOT calm the goat. He does grab the lead. Now, does he try to untie the lead from the goat? or, does he cut the lead and use the bitter end to control Rombard?

[bcool999]

Khair

Grabbing the lead, Khair will use his other hand to draw his blade. ”You’ll be free in a moment Rombard.” Khair says before cutting the lead free of the scrub brush.

[lostsole31]

Khair cuts the goat free, and manages to calm Rombard at the same time. He has his dagger in one hand, and the lead to Rombard in the other. He senses something shifting behind a rock right next to the goat and himself.

Begin Round One ...

R1T21-20: Khair, roll a Will save. Then, what do you do?

[bcool999]

Khair

Khair grits his teeth attempting to resist the assault on his will.

Once the effect has passed, Khair shouts, ”I have found a foe!” back to his allies and attempts to disengage along with Rombard.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Will save: (1d20+10)[22] + Fear Immunity

If the above save succeeds or if I retain control after the save:

Swift Action: Scarlet Einhander

Not sure about the mechanics of moving with an animal on a lead. If I can make a FRA withdraw with him I do so. If I need to use a standard to move him I will do that and move at half speed with Acrobatics to avoid AoO. Current speed should be 50 with the Marids Sandals.
Acrobatics roll if needed: (1d20+12)[32] (using perform(dance))

[lostsole31]

R1T21-20: Khair grits his teeth as his scimitar starts to vibrate. He holds steady onto the blade, and his own will seems to force the vibration to subside. Once the effect has passed, Khair shouts, ”I have found a foe!” back to his allies and attempts to disengage along with Rombard. Of course, he is doing this with an eye for escape with a wounded and recently freed prisoner so he doesn't think to go slowly. In beginning his exodus, he slams into several sharp quills for 1; sure, he's moving much faster than before, but it is as if everything - including darkness - is working against him. It doesn't help that Khair is doing this in the dark with the distant torches whose light is diminished at this range and with multiple obstacles from the thickets he's working his way through.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T21: There is an evil, chittering little laugh. In the dim light, Khair barely makes out .... something .... no bigger than a large doll or a housecat. It easily bounds and dodges through the thickets and there is a twanging sound. Khair's left shoulder flares in mild pain as something like a needle hits him in the left shoulder for 1 NL.

R2T20: Khair, what do you do? The thing shooting at you is hounding your steps just out of reach. If moving through the thickets, do you shift to half speed?

[bcool999]

Khair

Khair will attempt to lead Rombard out of the thicket before dealing with the tiny malevolent assailant.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

So with my Marid’s Sandals I can go at a half speed of 25ft. If I need to go at 15ft per move for Rombard I will.
Double move towards my allies outside the thicket.

[lostsole31]

R2T20: Khair does need to slow for Rombard, but this time brilliant makes his path. Another round will do it.

R2T15: Zaihi, despite holding a torch, reaches into a pouch she carries with her off-hand. She throws what appears to be some spices into a little vial of liquid and then tosses goes to toss it in a ballistic arc that bounces on top of light thicket branches - carrying it well off target - until there is a quick burst of flame where it finally lands on the ground. It flashes too quickly to light the thicket.

R2T11: Onyebuchi also holds a torch and enters the thicket to give more light to the path, and stumbles around - taking 1 damage from the thicket - before getting up to Khair. With his other hand he forms, creates, and then propels a powerful jet of water towards whatever the little thing is, missing due to the cover of the thicket. "Get the goat out of here, sahib."

R2T9-5: Trevorn stays outside the thicket with Zaihi, and concentrates. Forming around his wrists seem to be charm bangles with tiny globes on them. Three of the globe detach and light go forward, dispersing in such a pattern as to create an almost pathway of guiding, colorful lights for Khair & Co. to use on their return. He says something to his hunting cactus, who otherwise stays put.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T21: The little creature continues to bound easily through the creatures, laughing maniacally. It seems to have a bow that it shoots, which misses Khair handily enough.

R3T20: Khair, it seems Onyebuchi is willing to cover your retreat with light at this point, light at the clearing, and a string of three lights on the way. What do you do?

Zaihi on deck, Onyebuchi in the hole ...

[bcool999]

Khair

”My thanks!” Khair calls over his shoulder at Onyebuchi as he continues leading Rombard to safety.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Continue taking goat out of Cactus maze.

[lostsole31]

R3T20: ”My thanks!” Khair calls over his shoulder at Onyebuchi as he continues leading Rombard to safety. Despite a weird feeling in his legs, he manages to make it into the clearing without any further pokes from cacti.

R3T11: "It is my pleasure to serve you, sahib, in the manner the gods have gifted me!" Onyebuchi calls out cheerfully as another sound of water splashing is heard. "Oh, c'mon! I should've had him!"

Onyebuchi, looking a little less cheerful, bounds safely out of the thickets drenched in water.

R3T9-8: Trevorn whispers to Cheeky Bud. Cheeky Bud then enters the thickets.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T21: An angry screech, switching manically to laughter, is heard. Then a quick yelp of pain.

Before Khair rushes in, Trevorn just puts a hand on Khair's hip, and signals to stay.

A second or two later, there is a panicked cry that seems to travel a quick distance before a dramatic death scream and rattle from something small.

Cheeky bud returns with a curious, ugly little creature that seems to have impaled itself all over the face and chest by running into a cactus that had spines that are not Cheeky Bud's own.

Combat Ends!

Looking at the thing, it is as if the world's most revolting lapdog somehow learned to walk on its hind legs. It is a Tiny creature with a quiver of about a dozen little arrows. It wears a crude dagger at its side. There is no bow, but ostensibly it dropped the bow for those arrows when it met its end.

"That's it!" cries Dashki. "Them's a pugwampi!"

[bcool999]

Khair

With the creature dead, Khair sheaths his blade. Using what light is available, Khair crouches down and examines the creature, curious about it’s nature.

Standing from his appraisal, Khair says, ”Excellent work everyone. We have achieved our mission for the night it seems. Let us return to the caravan for a well deserved rest.” With that, Khair hangs the body from a belt loop and prepares to march for the caravan with his allies.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Knowledge on the dead creature. Got arcana, planes, and religion trained.

Time to collect the corpse and Rombard and head back.

[lostsole31]

Back at the Sultan’s Claw, Almah awaits word from the PCs. Bringing back the corpse of the pugwampi is enough to clear Dashki’s name, and the successful conclusion of the investigation shifts Almah’s attitude toward the PCs from indifferent to friendly. Dashki lays claim to the pugwampi corpse and fashions a tiny noose for it to hang from the end of his staff. Almah muses that there must be more of the creatures living nearby, and comments that the Sultan’s Claw is obviously too exposed a location. She knows that a monastery to Sarenrae stood near the village of Kelmarane, and that the ruined building would make a much better base of operations for the coming battle for the gnoll-held village—yet chances are good that the monastery is far from abandoned.

In any event, the matter solved, Almah is open to discussing the terms of the PCs’ employment. She offers each member of the party hired in absentia by Garavel, noble-born and slave alike, 200 gp apiece.

Khair, do you accept Almah's continued employment and the amount she has put forth?

[bcool999]

Khair

”I would be pleased to assist you in this endeavor Lady Almah. Khair says respectfully to the offer of employment, “For the sake of honesty, I should mention that my service must remain within the bounds of my oaths to Sarenrae. I do not foresee this being an issue for you Lady Almah, but it is best to be open about such things from the outset is it not?”

[lostsole31]

Zaihi, a slave, is in tears. It is her fate to be ordered to do this without recompense, but Almah tells her that should she get her freedom as originally agreed - by helping to liberate Kelmarane for Katapesh - then she will need that money to start her new life.

Onyebuchi is a simple man and readily agrees, as do Trevorn and Alahazra.

Sir Alain, on the other hand, is not so easily swayed, and demands more money than a slave, a houseplant, a peasant, a beggarly fortune-teller, and a would-be cleric. If nothing else, his gear and his horse care is exceptionally expensive. They have a fair repartee. In the end, Sir Alain is unable to get any higher wage, but it is to his credit that he knows how to relent gracefully enough that he at least impresses Lady Almah with his attempted haggle rather than annoy her outright (which he was dangerously close to doing).

Khair, anything else before you bed down for the night?

[bcool999]

Khair

After departing Almah, Khair will check on Platinum’s wellbeing before turning in for the night.

[lostsole31]

Platinum is fine, and at least Alain can be credited with being decent to horses, if nothing else.

---

Fireday, 16 Gozran 4709 AR
Weather: 70/ 50 F. Heavy rain (up to 1-1/2"). Winds N 20 mph. Medium humidity.

Today is going to be a wet, windy day. Does Khair change anything about his setup today?

[bcool999]

Khair

While performing morning prayer in praise of the Dawnflower, Khair will prepare the same veils and binds as the previous day.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Same prep as yesterday. Same maneuvers, Veils and Binds.

[lostsole31]

About a mile from the Sultan’s Claw stands the abandoned Monastery of St. Vardishal, a forlorn edifice once holy to the faith of Sarenrae, goddess of redemption and the sun. In the 2 decades since a mad cult from Kelmarane invaded and put its monks to death, the place has stood as an empty ruin, a reminder of a brief era in which civilization tamed the Uwaga Highlands.

Khair, will you be taking your horse? And, will you be leaving anything behind?

[bcool999]

Khair

Trading out some of his kit with Platinum, Khair prepares to set off to the former Monastery.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Will put Khair’s bedroll and 5 of the torches (Were any spent from last night?) on Platinum and take the 50’ of rope. Weight should balance out with that trade.

Platinum will stay behind with the Caravan.

[lostsole31]

The octet make it the one mile to the old monastery! (see map in Discord)

Scrub brush and a light, patchy carpet of weeds invade the monastery through two huge fallen sections of the western wall. The exposed nave beyond is a huge hallway littered with bits of debris ranging from tiny rocks to enormous sections of collapsed masonry. Most of the roof above the long promenade is gone, but several jagged pillars remain.

Now what?

[bcool999]

Khair

”If everyone is prepared to proceed, I shall lead the way inside.” Khair says to the others, “We should remain wary, vacant shelter doesn’t stay that way for long.“

Khair will head into the building when all are ready.

[lostsole31]

As Khair does that, Alain (on Donahan) rides over to the other large gaping hole and clip-clops inside that way, attended by Onyebuchi and Alahazra. Meanwhile, Trevorn (and Cheeky Bud) and Zaihi follow Khair, with everyone calling out various things they see (which is why the attendant map includes more seen than just Khair).

[bcool999]

Khair

Examining the area, Khair spots what appears to be the nave of a church or chapel to the north.

Looking visibly uneasy at the likely defaced shrine to his goddess, Khair calls out, ”I would like to check out the church there. To the North.”

Khair begins moving in that direction.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Proceeding toward A2 on the map.

[lostsole31]

As Khair moves down the length of the ruined nave towards the chapel, the entire group assembles at the end of the nave. Alain dismounts and leaves his lance and sets Donahan to guarding the area. Trevorn leaves Cheeky Bud to likewise guard with the horse.

At the far end of the nave, just before the stairs move upwards to the chapel, it is important to note two long extensions to the relative north/south (east/west true).

[bcool999]

Khair

Pausing a moment to look further into the two now visible alcoves. Khair continues deeper into the chapel should he notice nothing of immediate concern.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Taking the time to make perception checks into A1a and A1b. Things of immediate concern would be living beings, a discernible corpse, or an obviously valuable object.

Should his perception return with nothing to be concerned with, Khair will continue deeper into the chapel as was his original goal.

[lostsole31]

Khair notes nothing of immediate concern to the east or west, continuing into the chapel.

A short set of wide ceremonial steps leads down to a cavernous chapel in which the congregants would gather for sermons in happier times. The vibrant orange and red starburst of Sarenrae still stands behind a film of rusted rainwater and dirt along the north wall overlooking the collapsed altar. Between the stairs and the altar stand dozens of old marble benches, many overturned and even more broken into two or more pieces. A wide walkway bisects the pews, leading directly to the raised altar. Here and there a few clumps of the original red carpet along this thoroughfare hang on against rot and neglect.

Above the center of the chapel, dangling about ten feet from the floor, hangs a cluster of gnoll skulls in various stages of decay. Strung together like a ghoulish candelabra of twine and bone, the boulder-sized ornament hangs from the wooden rafters about twenty feet above the ground.

What now?

[bcool999]

Khair

Grimacing at the rotting decoration gracing this destroyed chapel, Khair mutters, ”It will be quite a task to restore this chapel in the future. Especially cleaning up that rotted thing.”

Approaching the chandelier, though careful not to stand directly beneath it in case the twine holding it together gives way,
Khair examines the remains to try and determine how recent this addition to the chapel is.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Knowledges or Heal check for information. Trying to determine how long the chandelier has been here from the decay.

[lostsole31]

The others follow in at their own pace while also looking around. Since Khair is taking his time (> 1 round) and looking around, he notices that the ceiling rafters in the southeast portion of the chapel upper works have been papered over like a wasp’s nest in an interwoven mish-mash of soiled tapestries, tablecloths, altar runners, and other bits of salvaged cloth, creating a sort of hanging “tent” in the rafters above.

It takes a little bit to be sure, as some of the outside breeze makes its way inside, but Khair notes movement on the fabric, as if by the passage of tiny feet over the hanging cloth from above.

Just then, the gnoll-skull candelabra jerks and jumps as a runty little creature dressed in crude furs scrambles from far above to gain a foothold on the swaying skulls. It is a pugwampi, like the goat-rustler from the night before. With a squeaky laugh, this gremlin casts a rude gesture in the PCs’ direction, signaling the attack to the other pugwampis in the rafters above!

Begin Round One ...

R1T22: While for some reason, people fumble about and feel a bit sluggish getting to action, not quite so for Alahazra. She takes out a potion from her bandolier and downs it, and a glowing nimbus briefly appears around her before disappearing. She then steps back a few feet to be near Onyebuchi and Zaihi.

R1T18-16: A tiny arrows fires down from the rafters to the relative north. From one position, an arrow misses Onyebuchi, but a little more relative west, a tiny needle of an arrow hits Trevorn in his left shoulder for 1 NL. Giggling from above.

R1T13: Zaihi says, "There's a ladder over there. These things are too small for me to properly target from down here." She bolts to the north and practically floats up she seems to climb so well, getting to an altitude of 10' on the ladder.

R1T12-8: Several more hours come flying down from the rafters to the north and from central crossbeam. One hits Khair with a soft crit in his left shoulder ... for 1 NL. More cries of manic glee.

R1T7: Khair, what do you do?

[bcool999]

Khair

Drawing forth his blade of akashic flame, Khair rallies his allies with a shout, ”Sarenrae’s light shine upon us!”

Khair then focuses on his planar connection in his other hand. Shaping a bolt of flame that he sends toward the Pugwampi on the chandelier.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Swift Action: Defending the Pride boost: Allies within 60ft get a +4 morale bonus on AC for 1 round.

Move Action: Draw/Summon Efreeti’s Brass Scimitar.

Standard Action: Planar Detonation (Fire) Targeting the Pugwampi on the chandelier.

RTA: (1d20+8)[17] Max Range 35’
Damage: (2d6)[3] Fire Damage

If attacked: Immediate Action: Defensive Step to 5ft step West on success.
Perception Vs Attack: (1d20+8)[9]

[lostsole31]

R1T7: Drawing forth his blade of akashic flame, Khair rallies his allies with a shout, ”Sarenrae’s light shine upon us!”

Khair then focuses on his planar connection in his other hand. Shaping a bolt of flame that he sends toward the Pugwampi on the chandelier. He feels like he should have hit the pugwampi, but it was an unlucky shot that manages to miss the pugwampi and hit the rope below it, sending the mass of gnoll skulls smashing to the ground in a grisly and stench-laden heap below.

R1T6: Trevorn only moves a few feet south before he starts intoning a long spell ......

R1T5: Onyebuchi takes out what seems to be a small piece of camel hide and uses it to focus to cast a spell upon himself. His spell completed, there is a brief shimmering around his body before the shimmering disappears. He then moves with surprising speed to the ladder, standing below Zaihi.

R1T4: Alain stows his shield and takes out his finely crafted, thickly strung longbow as he steps up next to Khair.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T22: "I am the bride of the sands, my allies!" calls out Alahazra as she casts a spell. "Know the power I wield, and take heart!"

A magical feeling of confidence washes over everyone, even Khair.

R2T18-16: 2 little arrows fire at Zaihi on the ladder. Despite climbing a ladder being a vulnerable activity, the slave girl is particularly able to dodge arrows even then.

R2T13: Again with continued unbelievable ladder-climbing skill - almost as if she barely touches the rungs - Zaihi makes her way to the area above and not quite in sight anymore.

R2T12-8: One of the puggies on the rafter goofs and spills a couple of its arrows below. An arrow bounces off of Khair's armor.

R2T7: Khair, what do you do?

Trevorn on deck, Onyebuchi in the hole ...