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Restoration of the Sands

Kas listened and considered things, he was no expert with traps and was as such smart enough to avoid old ruins and the like whenever possible but this was where the journey would be taking them it seemed. He spoke aloud his thoughts, not caring that Ember remained in the room for he had nothing to hide about what he was going to say. "Hmm, getting there shouldn't be a problem but dealing with traps likely will. Does any of our number have skill with such things? For if not then I fear we will have little success with but a ten foot pole and luck alone."
 
Turning towards Kas "It would be quicker to get there if we had mounts, but to answer your question we have no ability to disable traps however if they rearm themselves and create fire which causes this sort of cursed wound then we should be able to detect the magic within the traps ergo see them coming. This actually brings up a point we wanted to discuss anyway, Sir Ember told us that this is where he got his wounds, we wish to find the source, study and or capture it so that we can try to alleviate his condition. Do you have any objections?"
 
Doing his best to ignore the jab about mounts from earlier Kas was visibly off balance simply from trying to comprehend how this man made any sense at all. Oh hey I'm going to be a constant ass to you but let's go out of our way to do some extra work for a man who isn't even employing us. It wasn't that Kas had anything against Ember but he just wanted this task completed for Mara as quickly as possible. In the end he couldn't hold his tongue. "Indeed the journey would be faster with mounts and if I were a dragon then I could just charge through the traps and grab the gems and be done with it but neither are things that we hold within our grasp at the moment. I have survived for years in the rolling dunes and rocky crags both with and without a mount and I can tell you that they are a burden more often than not when factoring the need to care for them as well as the additional chance of detection such an animal would give you. Speed is perhaps the only benefit in my eyes and you, Alderdrix, are the only one who seems to care about this."

Taking a breath in attempt to calm himself the elf replied to the second portion of his words. "As far as your question, no offense to you Ember but you'll understand if my focus is on the gems and not an investigation. While I do not hold any malice toward you to suffer I simply wish to complete my task as fast as possible and hold no intention to go out of my way in any capacity. I am not, however, the only member of this group and as such I will not speak for everyone as a whole. I suspect if I am outvoted then I won't likely have much of a choice."
 
Were the two men already at each other's throats? Khettio rolled her eyes under half-shut lids. "I don't think Alderdrix meant offense by that, Kas. In any case, if we need mounts, we could just buy them. I'm sure we can also find other things in town that could help us avoid traps.

"As for me, I'm not exactly familiar with things like traps and dungeons, but I know a bit of magic. That's the only real help I can be." She held up her book. "But if anyone cares, I can also try to make an augury. This way we can know how good our chances are."
 
Kas simply shook his head and remained quiet at this point, his words were spoken and the matter was out of his hands. These people didn't understand the dangers of the desert, or more importantly the creatures that dwelled within. The larger your group, the more tempting of flesh you had at your disposal, the more likely you would find yourself at the mercy of some hungry creature far too dangerous to handle. He would know after all, his family and his entire caravan had been mercilessly slaughtered and consumed so many years ago in the same fashion. In the years spent wandering since he could explain in detail every time he lost such a beast until he realized it was better to struggle on his own than subject others to death for his burdens. He would not do so again himself but these people were soft to the natural order and couldn't understand.
 
All the while, Willow would merely wait and watch, not saying one thing for or against. She could help, but she had never worked with a group before. She had survived alone, and for the greater part... well, the traps were dangerous, but that could be overcome. Speed was less important then discretion, even as she would cock her head and think...
 
Ember gave a slight shake of the head at the minor bit of bickering. "A creative mind can deal with traps without being a specialist, though a specialist is always nice to have. I happen to know someone dependable and talented. I can have her go with you if that would be acceptable? You get someone to deal with any potential traps, and I get some trusted eyes on the ground."

He raised his hands in a placiating gesture as he smoothly added. "Not that I don't distrust any of you persay, but it is only our first 'date'."
 
Kas wasn't sure about babysitting another but he suspected that anyone this Ember would consider talented was likely also capable of defending themself to some degree. He nodded and tried to push forward with this conversation so they could get closer to the leaving part. "I have no problem with this so long as they are dependable as you say."
 
Ember tilted his head to one of the other tables where a young girl sat, wearing a simple yet elegant dress. "Well, I believe some of you are familiar with Nishe."

The girl turned out not to be a girl, but a halfling woman, late teens to early twenties by human standards in all but height. Blonde hair brushed and styled into a simple bob, richly tan skin from someone who spent much of their life in the sun. Unlike when the trio of girls had seen her before, she was washed and dressed in something more akin to a well off woman, upper middle class or low nobility. In any event it showed more of her body than her previous outfit, well proportioned curves on top of the lean build of a runner.

Nishe gave a roll of her hazel eyes as she looked the group over, then Ember. "Blimey, when you said I should duck and dive for a while, didn't think you meant sending me off with some folks going into Stewart Granger."
 
Kas looked to the newcomer with curiosity and noted the fact that she had a rather toned and athletic body whilst still retaining some curves. Truth be told she wasn't quite his type right from the get-go but the moment she began to speak he was rather reaffirmed of his initial suspicion. 'Duck and dive' was easy enough to make sense of but he didn't understand what 'Stewart Granger' was supposed to mean at all save for the fact that they were talking about some long forgotten temple. She didn't strike him as crazy, not truly anyway, but she did seem off in a way that was difficult to describe.

Now Kas had traveled quite a bit and stopped in a fair number of towns over the years but that didn't mean he was comfortable around other people to begin with, on top of that she seemed a bit high-strung and he wasn't sure if the way she spoke was something that he was just out of the loop on or if there was some other significance to it. Still he wouldn't mind the extra help with traps and it wasn't to say she would stick around for long since they already knew where they were going. Looking over to the group of girls who had dealt with the pickpocket children he spoke with a small grin. "I take it you met with her before then? Hopefully still on good terms." He turned his attention back to the halfling. "Since you already know them, I'm Kas. Aside from trap skills I do hope you can hold your own, guess we will all find out one way or another." The way he said the second half was more directed to the group as a whole rather than any individuals and was basically inferring that he was getting antsy again with standing around and talking. "I'm ready to go if everyone else is."
 
Alderdrix gives Kas a critical eye at least now he waits for consensus. "Agreed so long as everyone is ready." The halfling woman barely got a glance from him until after she is done speaking,"We are Alderdrix and we find your manner of speech odd would you mind translating?"
 
"Don't worry too much about it: it will only make you more frustrated," Khettio said to Alderdrix in regards to Nishe's dialect. She rose from her seat. "I'm ready whenever you all are."
 
"I'm ready to go." The armored woman spoke. "Should be a bit of fun, right?" Crossing her arms, there was finally a smile on her face given her usually neutral expression.
 
Willow would merely smile and nod... even as she would have an idea of what was said. Really, this time it was largely context more then anything else.
 
Nishe smiled, seeming to enjoy confusing people somewhat. "Oh just talking about hiding out but being sent into danger. I'm a fair hand though, just don't expect me to do all the work." Hopping down from her chair, the halfling looks up at all of you. "Give me a minute to get my things, then we can be off."

It doesn't take long for the girl to return from a quick trip upstairs, now in simple, functional leather armor and traveling outfit, along with several knives strapped to her. "Well then, after you governors."

---

Heading outside of the city, the cooling desert will greet you as evening sets in. With the map in hand, both Kas and Willow would be fairly capable of navigating in the wilderness, heading away from the city, the towns, the roads. It takes several hours of navigating the dunes, following the trail of landmarks the map makes out to find your destination, but eventually the party arrives.

As the moons peaks in the sky, the dim light reflects over an oasis. The small source of water, surrounded by scattered vegetation seems peaceful, undisturbed by any outsiders. The map shows that this Oasis is a mile or so from where the ruin is hidden away, though finding your mark in the dark would prove tricky.
 
"We would suggest resting here for the night so long as no one believes it is too dangerous" Alderdrix suggest as he cast detect magic to look around the oasis.
 
Navigating was all too easy with a map in hand but he probably could have done it by memory and description with how long he had called this home. When they came to the oasis and night was settling in he was the first to speak up and make his opinion clear. "We better get a camp set up, the desert turns bitterly cold at night and we will need a fire or two to stave it off." If they agreed he would go about doing what was needed to get everything in place for the group and unfurling his bedroll in a suitable spot around where the campfire would be.
 
"Seems a fine enough place as any to set up camp." Ana spoke, moving to help get things in necessary order. Setting up her own bedroll wasn't hard, and if any of the softer looking members in the group needed some heavy lifting done she'd be happy to help with that all the same.
 
For her own part, Willow would check the oasis, managing to find the basis for the evening meal, or at least, part of it. Afterwards, she would hand out the roots and fruit, as she would smile softly as she watched the others, though she would move to sleep soon enough.
 
Settling down for camp, the group could settle in for the night, away from the bustle of the city and the ever present noise and light. The cool sands bellow and the stars above, along with the twin moons in the night sky, the smaller full while the larger was only a slim crescent. Some of the group was familiar with this kind of camping, others not so much, but in any case, the group took turns watching.

The first watch passes without issue, the moons rising high in the sky before Ana took over from Khettio. The second watch too see's nothing of interest and Ana can go to bed confident she didn't miss any in the dark of the night. This left Kas and Nishe to rise and take the hours as dawn came upon the land. This final watch too seemed uneventful, until Kas' sensitive ears picked up on a sound approaching. Nishe evidently heard it too, for the halfling girl had a dagger drawn and pointed out movement for the Archer to make out.

Loping along as the sun began to crest the horizon, was four shapes. A large spotted hound like creature with a back sloped to high shoulders and a vicious maw walked in front of a trio of lumbering humanoids. These humanoids also shared a similar over muscled hunched shoulder and the same bestial face as the 'hound' did. Two carried spears and shields while a third, their leader it looked like, a jagged looking axe. All were clad in rough leathers and were moving towards the Oasis, though didn't act like they had spotted the camp yet.
 
Kas went stiff as he heard the approaching noise and then once they were pointed out to him by the halfling he would whisper to her after getting a fairly decent look at their bestial forms. [Common]"Wake the others, they look like trouble." Not wanting to leave them to their own devices Kas took up as much of a concealed position as he possibly could within whatever nearby brush or rocks were available while he held an arrow on his bow nice and taut, ready to draw and fire at the first sign of trouble. It was always better to assume the worst when out in the desert as most people, or creatures, to his understanding were more likely to kill you and take what they wanted from your pack or your flesh as warranted.

Stealth:
[1d20+9] = 18+9 = 27
 
Nishe gave a nod and not making a sound herself crept around to each person sleeping in camp. One by one she would shake them awake, hold a finger up to her lips for silence, then carefully point out the approaching monsters. Soon everyone would be woken and could see the approaching dog faced beasts, who still hadn't quite seen the camp as they walked.
 
Pulling his bow Alderdrix meets up with everyone Jasper is nowhere in sight. He quickly spots the creatures and gets ready for a fight "Do you think they know we're here?" he whispers to Kas.
 
Getting into positions and hiding as best they can, the group watches the foe get closer and closer, who seem oblivious to the sights around them, though the distance helps mask the groups presence within the Oasis. The group loose sight of Nishe, no doubt as hidden from the group as she is from the enemy and all there is to do is wait, or in Ana's case, don her armour. Khetiio takes a moment to cast a Dancing Light Cantrip, manifesting the balls of pale light off away from the group, to keep attention off them.

A minute passes, Ana has finished equipping herself and Khetiio has to recast the lights, but at last the group of beasts notice the lights, and miss the group. They as one start double timing towards the mysterious lights, weapons raised. It is at this point one of them comes into bow range of Kas.


Initative Rolls: Nishe: 17+7=24
Hyena: 22
Gnoll Leader: 6
Gnoll 1 and 2: 20.

Order: Nishe, Hyena, Gnolls, Ana, Khettio, Willow, Leader, Kas, Alderdrix.

Gnolls continue their slow pace forward for 11 rounds before they spot Khettio's dancing lights off to the side and began to make for them, at this point Gnoll 2 is 110ft from Kas and Willow, 115 from Alderdrix and 100 from Khettio and Ana. Ana has finished donning her armour.

Battlemap

Surprise round start. Ana would you like to take an action?
 
Steeling herself for the fight ahead, Ana keeps close to Khettio, shield raised high just in case they find her and they have ranged weapons.

Swift action to use a sentinel reserve point for 7 temporary HP. Standard action to fight defensively.
 
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