[Game Thread] I. The Sultan's Claw

[Ockerdoodle]

Alphard thanks the gnome for his help shaking his hand as he leaves. He then searches for this Dashki he described, and notices that Karsh isn't around.

He moves off in search of the trail guide hopefully to solve this mess once and for all.

[DarkTower]

Alphard, Khalid, and Karsh

It's no long that Alphard finds Karsh and Khalid is drawn by the sounds of threats being made no to far off from the burned wagon.

Dashki sees the gnome and an armed stranger with a rather imposing tattoo upon his shaved head join the half-orc. Seeing his self outnumbered Dashki's hand leaves his sword belt and goes back to leaning on his gnarled staff "What you want? I want no fight. Where Almah? Who you people?"

[Of Line and Flow]

"I'm glad you ask." Khalid clasps Alphard and Karsh's shoulders as he passes. His footsteps are slow, deliberate, and confident. His bare chest glistens in the sun, as does the man-cleaving blade at his back. This man knows how to handle himself.

"You know why we're here, given recent events," he enunciates. His cheek turns slightly toward Eloais' wagon, but his eyes never leave Dashki's. The sternness in his presence defies gravity.

"Tell us all you know, and I will see to it that Princess Almah hears of your honesty. Her generosity in this matter carries much weight."

 

OOC Diplomacy 17, Intimidate 9, Sense Motive 19 Khalid positions himself 10ft away from Dashki at a 90 degree angle from Karsh and Alphard. He is ready to charge in case Dashki takes any threatening action, such as readying his staff or drawing a blade for combat. In such a case, he will draw his sword as a free action as he charges.

[Ockerdoodle]

"We really don't mean you any harm Dashki, we just want to ask you a few questions. What happened here? Can you help us understand? We just want to help."

Alphard stands, hands in the air, showing that he has no weapons and is not prepared to draw any either.

[Bismuth]

Karsh wonders why this mans speech is so strange. Perhaps it means nothing. As the others move forward to question the man Karsh readies himself in case the man launches an attack. He moves a bit closer to make sure he is in range.

[DarkTower]

Checks Highest Diplomacy Check: 18 The check was not high enough. Dashki is not interested in helping them and is only doing so because he feels that he has to. Intimidate Check: 9 The DC is lowered with presence of the half-orc druid and he already seems to be nervous. They can ask him questions and he will answer. Dashki is still considered unfriendly at the moment though. Highest Sense Motive Check: 20 He's hiding something, Khalid and Alphard can see it on his face.

Dashki loudly proclaims his innocence—perhaps a bit too loudly. "What you mean?" he yells "I was with friends eating and drinking." he gestures to the mercenaries still clearing out the wagon. "Went to put hole in sand[1]. Came back and all of you took breath out of fire. Killed fire."


Karsh Roll a Wisdom Check DC13
- Success recognizes the odd way that the trail guide speaks

[1] Putting a hole in the sand: relieving your self.

[Ockerdoodle]

"Dashki, please calm down. We are only here to talk. Did you see anyone or anything that might have caused the fire?"

Alphard motions towards Almah's tent.

"We just want to make sure everyone is safe. We want to make sure the princess is safe. If you could help us find out what happened, I'm sure she would want to hear about it. She's even made it clear that there would be the greatest of rewards to the man responsible for uncovering the cause of the fire. She was the one who told us to talk to you. She said she knew she could depend on your help."

 

Bluff 16 to convince Dashki of Almah's offer of reward

Bluff 25 to convince Dashki of Almah's belief in him

[Bismuth]

Karsh is annoyed with himself too worried about being attacked instead of listening properly. He realises that he recognises something from the way Dashki pronounces his words.

 

How long were you with the Gnolls? Were you a prisoner?

Karsh speaks to Dashki in a strange tongue, hoping that it may help with questioning him.

[Of Line and Flow]

Khalid nods. He folds his arms and takes a step back so that Dashki will give Alphard his full attention.

"I'm impressed, Gnome. Keep this up, and you'll do fine."

"Unless..."

His clockwork mind ticks on.

"Two people we know have motive to kill Eloais:"

• Dashki. Eloais was a rival for Almah's attention. The mercenaries suggested that Dashki might have killed him out of jealousy.
• Almah. Eloais read an ill fortune. Slaying the doomsayer is a longshot, but not out of the realm of possibility. She commands many guards, and they, they, were after the key.
• A Third Party. The mystic spoke of 'death,' 'schemes,' and 'evil' related to Kelmarane.

Khalid draws up shoulder-to-shoulder with Karsh. "I need to check something. I could use your help, if you can spare the time. Whistle twice to find me. Whistle thrice if you need me."

"In all cases, there will have been tracks left by the arsonist. If Dashki set the fire, his footsteps will lead to the wagon. If a third party set the fire, their tracks will most likely lead away from camp, in a hurry no less. If I find none of these, the arsonists remain among us."

 

OOC Survival (tracking). Khalid will search methodically, taking 20, for a check total of 25. If Karsh joins Khalid, all of the above will be explained to him.

[DarkTower]

Checks Bluff Check (Promise of Reward): 16 Dashki there is actually a reward. Bluff Check (Alphard's Trust of Dashki) : 25 Relieved even more. Dashki nods his head and trusts the gnome much more now, feels more comfortable around him opposed to the orc and enforcer. ~ - ~ Survival (tracking): 25 He's ready to take a while but finds footprints rather quickly. His keen eye dissects the details.

Dashki leans on his crutch. "Reward? I... I give me professional advice. I tell you, you give me half little-man. Candle killed fool. He had all candles all around all time. Fool caught fire by own candle." He then starts to laugh. "I know no else."

Then the druid speaks up in the hacking language of the gnolls and the trail guide's laugh dies on his lips. They then begin to speak in gnoll at length. After speaking his word with the druid, looking rather glum and sad, he turns to the gnome. "You keep safe little-man. Dangerous place here. You give me more of reward I protect you." The gnome's large, sensitive nose catches scent of the man's breath and it smell of spoiled cheese. He sees a few black, missing teeth despite the trail guide's obvious youth. He's a trail guide... but he's so easy to fool and almost seems subhuman.
Khalid Roll a Knowledge (Nature) Check DC25
- Success recognizes the creature that left the footprints

[Of Line and Flow]

Before long, Khalid returns leading his horse, geared-up and cartless. He calls his companions by name. In addition, he extends an invitation to Almah and Garavel via a nearby Pactmaster Guard.

"We found a lead." he affirms as they gather at the edge of camp. Pointing, he continues, "Tracks lead from the wagon out away from the camp. As you can see, these four or five feylings, magical creatures of the wilderness, make our gnome friend seem tall as a giant. I have little specific knowledge on this variety."

He paces outward as he raises his voice.

"Our benefactor has charged several of us with discovering the truth behind the arson. We have determined that these particular criminals do not dwell among us. However, that does not preclude the possibility of a targeted attack which may be repeated in the future. I, for one, am prepared to pursue these villains and bring them to justice. By horse and camel, chances are high that we will be able to run them down. But, the ultimate decision resides with Lady Almah, for she is responsible for business considerations, the schedule, resources, and security in our absence."

Knowledge 21

[DarkTower]

The camp begins to stop what they are doing to listen to the Duskwalker. Zastoran brushes the sand off his knees after burring the harrow deck with Eloais near the Sultan's Claw and draws close. One of the Pactmaster guards outside of Almah's tent withdraws to go inside. A moment later Almah and Garavel come out.

"My guard says that you might have found something." After hearing what Khalid has to say she seems more relieved than troubled. "Well, I admit that I'm glad that this was not done by someone of our caravan, this most certainly has to be investigated further. Your next objective is to find out what these creatures are and to see if you can stop more attacks. Thank you for the good work."

[Of Line and Flow]

"I serve the Princess. Do you wish that we rejoin you in the Pale Mountains, here, or elsewhere?"

If the caravan remains here or follows them into the mountains, Khalid will ride light and fast. Otherwise, he will bring the cart and its extended supplies, which the PCs are welcome to ride if they wish.

"We should leave immediately. They will have the advantage once they reach their home territory. Bring food, water, and a ready blade."

[Bismuth]

Karsh listens to the Princess and then to what Khalid has to say.

" I agree, we need to move fast to apprehend these creatures, let us earn our money " he replies stoically.

At the first opportunity he makes his way to the Garavels side and speaks quietly in his ear " I spoke with Dashki in his natural tongue, he told me a tale of great hardship and personal woe. Whether it is true or not I cannot say but know this - he is not to be trusted ".
He offers no more advice as Garavel gives the impression man who will take whatever action he thinks necessary without prompting.

Karsh sets about checking that he is ready for a hunting trip!

[Ockerdoodle]

Alphard, having never unpacked before the fire, is prepared to move out immediately.

Beforehand however, he moves alongside Karsh and Garavel saying, "If we cannot trust Dashki, perhaps we should take him along with us rather than leaving him here with the caravan. I think that we perhaps are better equipped to handle any traitorous acts. And we don't know, perhaps he will prove useful to us. It is however, ultimately up to you Garavel. We defer to your judgment. "