Kecil gives Houwlou a moment to make his way around before starting a slow amble across the space toward the last known location of the disreputable looking fellow.
As Houwlou gets in position where he can see the area again the man comes walking at a hustle from behind the tent. He stops when he sees the Olcán standing there.
OOC
I actually have a picture and description of this guy - I'll get it up in this post this evening when I get home.
Houwlou stands with his hands on his hips, near the hilt of his sword, but not actually touching it. "Hail and well met, friend. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting you, have I?" Houwlou is speaking quite loud and stalling until Kecil, and, hopefully some of the rest, have time to arrive.
Houwlou's stat block
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(?)(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead), Low Light Vision 60'
AC: 17 (4Chain Shirt + 2Lg. Shield + 1Dex);FF16;T11
Fort:+2 | Ref:+3 | Will:+4
HP: 21/21
The man confronting Houwlou is medium height and build, with lank brown hair and skin tanned by the sun. He is dressed in typical Katapesh fashion but his clothes are poorly cleaned and mended. He walks with a slight limp and with the help of a gnarled walking stick, but carries the scimitar and dagger sheathed at his waist with the ease of familiar use. A nose far less sensitive than Houwlou's would take the powerful scent of his unwashed body; being this close to him makes the Olcán's sensitive olfactory organ burn and itch.
He draws himself up proudly at Houwlou's words, but there is still something furtive, almost hunted in his eyes. "I am Dashki, hired by the Lady Almah to provide her with information and guidance through this gnoll infested place."
OOC
Any actions for those still at Eloais' wagon? That would be Aodhán, Keeland and Harnry.
Price Tag-2 coppers --> [OOC: I'm not sure that I agree with the 'burn and itch' effect of the man's odor. After all, canines routinely and voluntarily stick their noses right up eaqch other's butts! They seem to enjoy it, even.]
Price Tag-2 coppers --> [OOC: I'm not sure that I agree with the 'burn and itch' effect of the man's odor. After all, canines routinely and voluntarily stick their noses right up eaqch other's butts! They seem to enjoy it, even.]
I actually took that into account - Daski's scent is sharp, acrid even. Ammonia, maybe? There is something familiar about it to Houwlou, and distinctly unpleasant.
I actually took that into account - Daski's scent is sharp, acrid even. Ammonia, maybe? There is something familiar about it to Houwlou, and distinctly unpleasant.
OOC
Oh, ok! I get it! He smells like SOAP! hehehehe
Quote:
Originally Posted by renau1g
OOC
I assumed the time spent investigating the body would be happening now, while Houwlou was doing this action.
renau1g
remember, Houwlou was unnecessarily forceful and loud with his words like he was hoping to draw attention to what was going on.....
Mowgli
That's it - I'm all done with hints here.
Stat Block
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(?)(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead), Low Light Vision 60'
AC: 17 (4Chain Shirt + 2Lg. Shield + 1Dex);FF16;T11
Fort:+2 | Ref:+3 | Will:+4
HP: 21/21
Houwlou grits his teeth and draws even closer to the fetid Dashki. "We are also in the Lady's service, and most recently were called upon to join battle with a great brute of a gnoll. How far do you reckon the nearest tribe's homeland to be from here?"
Stat Block
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(?)(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead), Low Light Vision 60'
AC: 17 (4Chain Shirt + 2Lg. Shield + 1Dex);FF16;T11
Fort:+2 | Ref:+3 | Will:+4
HP: 21/21
Location: columbia, missouri, u.s. of north america, terra, sol III, Milky way, third demension
Posts: 4,850
[ooc] I had posted something already, just waiting to see a response. the first post was at 252, which there was a response at 253, whereupon i responded in post 256. [/ooc]
Houwlou grits his teeth and draws even closer to the fetid Dashki. "We are also in the Lady's service, and most recently were called upon to join battle with a great brute of a gnoll. How far do you reckon the nearest tribe's homeland to be from here?"
"Bah! These mountains are rife with them. Different tribes getting into each others territories, squabbling and picking over the bones. There could be members of three different tribes watching us right now, each planning to take us for the flesh markets in Katapesh. Yet the largest gathering local to us in likely in Kelmarane . . . our destination."
As he speaks about the gnolls Dashki becomes more confident and assertive. It is plain to Houwlou that the man has expertise in this area.
"Bah! These mountains are rife with them. Different tribes getting into each others territories, squabbling and picking over the bones. There could be members of three different tribes watching us right now, each planning to take us for the flesh markets in Katapesh. Yet the largest gathering local to us in likely in Kelmarane . . . our destination."
As he speaks about the gnolls Dashki becomes more confident and assertive. It is plain to Houwlou that the man has expertise in this area.
"You obviously have a great deal of knowledge about this subject. Will we be traveling to the same destination, do you think, or has the Lady different plans for my band? I would very much like to be able to avail myself of your expertise in this area again, Sir."
Stat Block
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(?)(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead), Low Light Vision 60'
AC: 17 (4Chain Shirt + 2Lg. Shield + 1Dex);FF16;T11
Fort:+2 | Ref:+3 | Will:+4
HP: 21/21
"Gnolls killed my mother and grandfather when I was a boy. They put fire to our village and slew hundreds. Somehow I escaped with my father to the town of Solku, not far from here. It was a long time ago, I’ve forgotten most of what I saw. Terrible things. But I find it’s the sounds that stay with me. The shrill howls and barks—hundreds of them at once—that sounded deliriously close to an audience. Laughing at us.
“Father raised me to know everything about the gnolls, their customs, their language. So as better to track them down and wipe them out. All of them. Together we scouted out their lairs, studied their tribes, listened to them speak until we could understand what they were saying. They’re not dumb animals, you know. Not like you might think. In some ways they’re even smarter than us.
“Dad didn’t survive our first raid on a gnoll camp of the Three Jaws tribe. I saw them fall on him like hyenas on an abandoned kill, slathering themselves in his blood and innards. I can still hear the tear of his scalp and the sound of his bones against frenzied teeth. Against this scene I was forgotten. Ignored.
"I escaped, and I carry on the work of my father."
Dashki's attention has faded to the middle distance as he speaks. When he finishes his recitation he snaps back to the present. His voice is bitter as he responds to Houwlou's question.
"Her plans for you? The Lady does not take such as I into her confidence regarding such things, but I suspect she means you as grist for the mill of Kelmarane - to take it for her or (more likely) to die in the attempt."
"So we're to be grist for the grist mill, eh? Ah, well, who wants to live forever? If I did want that, then I would have found a more stable line of work, to be sure!"
Stat Block
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(?)(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead), Low Light Vision 60'
AC: 17 (4Chain Shirt + 2Lg. Shield + 1Dex);FF16;T11
Fort:+2 | Ref:+3 | Will:+4
HP: 21/21
If Houwlou has no other questions, Dashki takes his leave.
Aodhán is now finished with his examination of the body - no other information is to be had besides the cause of death.
Keeland and Harnry complete their search of the wagon, turning up sooty ashes, a few broken bottles or potion vials, a cracked crystal ball, and several pools of melted wax where candles must once have stood. They also find 55 gold pieces in assorted blackened coins.
"Surely someone in the camp saw something. Maybe we could split up and ask them some questions. I can ask the mercenaries who were moving the wagon - we may have built up some goodwill with them."
Location: columbia, missouri, u.s. of north america, terra, sol III, Milky way, third demension
Posts: 4,850
"good idea. I think we should take these coins to the lady boss to be sent to the next of Kin. You Mind if i do that? I will be back to join you in your questions to the mercs here shortley."
Houwlou agrees with the proposed course of action and picks out one of those to be questioned. Preferably the one who looks the most guilty, or "perp-like." When he approaches, Houwlou says, "You there, I have been instructed to ask you what you saw. Please give me all of the details?"
Stat Block
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(?)(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead), Low Light Vision 60'
AC: 17 (4Chain Shirt + 2Lg. Shield + 1Dex);FF16;T11
Fort:+2 | Ref:+3 | Will:+4
HP: 21/21
On the way to the burned out wagon, Garavel gives you a brief rundown of the camp.
"There are 16 of us in the party, not including yourselves. Almah and myself, an expert on Gnolls named Dashki, a cleric of Nethys named Zastoran, four of the Pactmaster Guard, six unbonded Mercenaries and a pair of camel drivers. I believe you all have met most of these in the course of containing the fire. The wagon belonged to Eloais, a harrower hired by Almah about a month ago. There is a body in the wagon, I presume it to be his."
Seven 'targets' (counting the groups as one each). Which would you like to interview?
![LoF - A Merc's Life [IC 01]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/iconimages/playing-game/lof-mercs-life-ic-01-a_ltr.gif)
When he approaches, Houwlou says, "You there, I have been instructed to ask you what you saw. Please give me all of the details?"
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