A Merc's Life: Howl of the Carrion King [01]

[Maidhc O Casain]

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.

 

[Leif]

Houwlou Groulenas

"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."


[sblock=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
[/sblock]

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

The young man preens under Houwlou's praise.

"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."

 

[Leif]

Houwlou Groulenas

"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!"

[sblock=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
[/sblock]

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

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.

 

[renau1g]

Aodhán will stand up, and go to meet the others.

"I hope your investigations have been more fruitful than mine" he says

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

Kecil

Kecil returns from helping Houwlou brace Dashki.

"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."

 

[Scott DeWar]

"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."

 

[Leif]

Houwlou Groulenas

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?"

[sblock=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
[/sblock]

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

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?