Snow leaves the Animu Borongo with a certain amount of trepidation, remembering the last time he moored it for any length of time. He hoped he wouldn’t come back to such trouble this time. He had taken pretty much all of his belongings though, including the cantrip battery.

“I think that is a good idea”, he replies to Auger in regards to splitting the party when they travel south again. “I have no objections to a stop at El Harrouch either”.

When asked about his visions, he is open and honest. 

“Through my journeys I have had but one purpose, and that was finding what fate befell my father that is true, and although the visions I received in the elven library haven’t directly led me to him, I still have hope that this path is somehow leading me closer. He left on his own expedition many years ago, searching for remnants of the Old Mystics. The visions have always led me to something, always been worthwhile though”.

“There was another vision, very fleeting, before I saw the one of these mountains. A tall tower on an island in the middle of the sea, one I recognised from his sketch book”, he says turning at this to Strewn, watching his reaction in the hope it might spark something in the old dwarf.

Even whilst talking, he makes sure his voice is lowered so only his companions would be able to hear, and he keeps an eye and ear out for any signs of danger.

Chapter 6: Outghal and a Goal Reached

You set off through the town’s guarded gates and northwest on the wide merchant’s path, which is tree-lined and gently turns past rich, earthy-smelling hillsides where farmers are plowing their fields, broken by dense evergreen woods with macaques chirping and darting through their branches, while the Bantu mountains range high above in the near distance. 

The path is well-tended throughout its length. In fact, a mile or so outside of Outghal, you pass road-workers, their cart filled with gravel, using shovels to flatten the road and fill potholes.

Granophyre replies, warmly, to Snow, “That is an interesting idea, indeed. You know… I believe I met your father. Perhaps. Years ago. He was… the one I’m thinking of, seeking the Old ones, certainly driven. But I’m afraid, there has been much good research undertaken over the years, the many years which have passed, in search of survivors of the ancient ways of the Old Mystics. No clue or proof of any kind has ever been uncovered. If your father’s… quest continues… I can only wish him luck. Ah! It seems Auger has something to tell us about the road ahead.”

Indeed, after having walked another mile or two, Py now reports to Auger, ‘I see, on the road, approaching from the opposite direction, twelve warriors on foot with glaives, ten on camelback with lances, and two armored elephants topped with war castles holding several archers each, all heavily armored, all bearing heraldry: an eye with sunbeams splaying out from it. They are perhaps ten minutes away from us.’

Auger recognizes the sigil Py described as the same Jlasi Family heraldry worn by the warriors whom he, Varielky, Ednyss and Benita had slain when they defended the Oasis Crypt from the party’s incursion to save the Azhvuv Queen.

(OOC: as a reminder, you have all learned that the Jlasi Family is the other major opium-trading clan, a noble Shian house, like the Amazighs.)

Auger relays what Py saw to the rest of the group. "In 10 minutes we could get pretty far off the trail and avoid them entirely I would think. I doubt they will treat us well when we come across them." Auger takes a moment to look around and ensure he is right, and that there is a path that would avoid the Jlasi.

Py, do you see any places where we could get out of sight from the Jlasi?

Hearing of the troops heading their way, Snow contemplates their options.

“You mentioned you have run into these forces before”, he says to Varielky, “and not in a friendly way. I was specifically warned about these Jlasi when in Kalahata so ideally do not want a tussle. If we leave the road we may come across outriders so would still need to be careful”.

He still looks thoughtful, “But what are they doing moving troops towards the river? Could this be of concern to us or the people of the region? We are so close to our goal, I do not want to put that in jeopardy, but am curious as to what they are doing. Is Py able to eavesdrop on their conversations?”, he asks Auger.

“I can use my magic to conceal us as they pass as I did when we faced the snakes”, he adds finally.

You are easily able to find a place to hide within 100 yards of the road, under a copse of trees, peeking over a flat, wide rock atop an incline at the edge of a cultivated field.

You watch the Jlasi company come around a turn in the road and saunter forward. They do not speak, their motions are slow and controlled, and they give off the confidence of a lioness stalking her hunting ground. There are no scouts or outriders. 

A few minutes later, they have passed, and Py returns. ‘They said nothing,’ it sends to Auger. ‘But, I noticed something I hadn’t before on closer inspection: just behind the elephant’s war tower is an ornate chest whose binding tethers thread through a pair of pulleys. They’re transporting something.’

"We happened to meet on opposing blades when they guarded a place we had to enter, but that's about it. Their warriors were mighty and special. They used magic in their fighting, I believe." Varielky's tone is that of respect. 

In fact, if it weren't for the sheer size of the force, Varielky would want to fight them, but... that many enemies cannot be taken down by just four people. Well, at least not these four people. Her greatest concern, however, is the realisation that the people of the vale will have to fight these warriors sooner or later. It excites her, but at the same time, she realises just how tipped the scales are. The people of the vale will have to find ways to deal with those huge beasts.

Snow watches the Jlasi troop pass with a little bit of awe. “They certainly look impressive, those elephants look like they will take some stopping”.

“They seem far more militaristic than the Amazighs, who I get the impression are more like thugs than soldiers. I might be wrong though”.

Another hour or two and you draw near the Azbiri castle, an amber-colored stone structure with a strong wall perched atop a steep hill overlooking farmhouses and goat pastures, which under ordinary circumstances would be a lovely, green-swathed Eden of grassy slopes punctuated by rocky outgrowths, the mountains soaring high behind the castle, wildflowers in bloom everywhere. Yet there are no goats in the barnyards, no cattle grazing within the pastures defined by well-joined wooden barriers, hardly any signs of life other than a pair of tired old farm dogs which bark at you until they are hoarse, ribs jutting out like ships under construction covered tightly by thin cotton sheets shuddering in the breeze. Exhausted, they fall to the ground, panting.

One farmhouse is badly scorched. You can smell the hint of charred wood that tells you it hasn’t been long since the fire. A week, perhaps. A road curves up and around the hillside before reaching a narrow cataract over which a bridge leads to the castle gate. The drawbridge is down and the gate is open, and you see no sign of movement on the walls, or indeed, in the visible castle grounds at all.

The castle looks something like this.

Seeing the castle in the distance Auger expresses some excitement, "Perhaps if we can find someone to talk to we can get a sense of what you need Granophyre!"

After sending Py ahead and then hearing what to expect in the area around the castle, and then seeing for himself, Auger is less excited. Out loud Auger asks, "Is this the sign of goblins in the area that you saw Py? Did they burn things?"

Examining the two dogs Auger gets some food out of a ration pack and approaches them offering the food. Auger has no particular facility or love for animals, but seeing the two animals clearly starving was enough for him to take some small action. If the dogs appear accepting and friendly after he tosses some food their way, he will continue to approach them, talking quietly to them as he has seen animal tenders do in the past. "What happened here? Where are your owners?" 

If others indicate interest Auger sends Py ahead and up to the castle to invisibly look through some windows and to see if he can find sign of any occupants, goblin or otherwise.

Snow makes his way over to the burned out farmhouse, trying to get a sense of what exactly happened there and who or what caused the fire. He will look around the outside looking for any tracks, and if it seems safe will look through any windows.

"It certainly doesn't look like the most hospitable of places", he says to the others looking around at the seemingly desolate landscape.

"Yes I think sending Py to scout the castle is a good idea", he says to Auger.

Once he has finished at the farmhouse, he slowly walks up the road to the castle whilst he waits for Py to return with more information.

Investigation: (19+7) = 26

The dogs warily sniff the food Auger offers, then stand weakly and hungrily guzzle it down, hardly bothering to chew. They then back away, and reenergized, begin barking again when Snow enters the farmhouse.

‘Earlier, I saw several goblins moving through the fields we are standing in now,’ answers Py to Auger’s question.

The farmhouse is a horrific testimony to a barbaric assault. Snow’s investigation reveals that shutters were stripped from their hinges, fire arrows were shot through windows, the house caught aflame from the inside, two human bodies holding burned crossbows by the windows fell to archers or asphyxiation. There are children’s toys strewn about. Bedrooms upstairs. Snow discovers the rest of the family, huddled in the largest bedroom, dead from smoke inhalation, the oldest with an arrow impaled through her shoulder, a short bow on the floor near her. The smell is terrible and there are flies. This tragedy occurred over a week ago, Snow surmises.

Snow exits the house and leans against the wall wretching for a moment before he shakes his head to clear it and stands up. He wanders back to the others, a tear glistening on his cheek.

"This house has become the tomb to an entire family, including children. Whoever or whatever did this are monsters, barbaric. They should not get away with it", he says solemnly.

He locks steely eyes with Varielky, "I am no warrior, I have not been trained to fight in the manner you have. How can we few ensure this deed does not go unpunished?".

"That's a very odd question." Varielky determines. "I don't know what happened here. Who were attacked, who were the attackers? Why did it happen? We cannot tell who did this, and it is not for us to decide whether they should be punished, even if children were involved. That's up to the gods. And, if we are to act as instruments of punishment, we will know. A sign will be given. A clue, even."

Varielky doesn't sound cold nor distant, the sight makes her blood boil. Flaming arrows were weapons of cowards, who fear facing their enemies. Varielky would gladly give them an early meeting with their next life, but she sincerely believes what she told Snow. Varielky crouches next to the crossbows that somehow survived the fire and examines them. Any symbols, names, identification marks? And, more importantly, are they still functioning, or at least repairable?

Investigation: 4.

Snow looks to Varielky slightly perplexed once again at her viewpoint.

"I think it obvious that goblins were the perpetrators of this atrocity, but you are right that I cannot be entirely sure. There must be some tracks around here somewhere that could tell us for sure", he says and starts to search for tracks around the house.

"As for signs", he continues passionately as he looks, "surely our very presence and the outrage I feel is sign enough!"

Survival: (6+4) = 10

Auger listens to the discussion between Varielky and Snow and adds, "Well the one thing for certain to know is that Goblins were here, in these fields, when Py came through ahead of us. We should proceed carefully and avoid them until we know more about the size of the threat they impose." Thinking a moment, Auger adds, "It may be those Jlassi who passed us scared the Goblins away and into cover. Perhaps they are not far and are watching us now." Auger cannot help but to look around in all directions as he speaks, checking for signs of hidden Goblins. Perception: 19 +0 = 19.

(OOC: If he notices nothing new) "I'll send Py up to the castle now."

Have a look - stay invisible and let us know if anyone or anything is there

"Please don't let me be misunderstood, but will you kill all Goblins if you only find a single Goblin track here?" It feels strange to be the one speaking the voice of reason, for a change. "The Goblin who had left the track could have been one who passed through the house, just like ourselves. Moreover, even if you do find definitive proof that Goblins killed the family, how will you know which Goblin did the act?"

Varielky sighs. "If you wish to fight Goblins, I'll never say no. Fighting by itself is noble. When fighting is done to kill what is evil, all the better. If you believe we are to deliver punishment from the gods, divine. However," Varielky pauses, stressing the importance of the next sentence. "If you fight to punish, and punish those who did not wrong, you are no better than those you sought to punish. You mustn't taint your heart when you fight. If you do, you're better off laying the sword down for good." Varielky sounds as if she's citing someone. 

Varielky waits a few more seconds. It was important to let the last sentence sink deep. Then, in response to Auger, she adds: "Either way, didn't the Goblins fight alongside the Jlassi when we fought them a few days ago? I don't know if it means all Goblins work with them, but it certainly means at least some of them do."

Snow stops searching and looks back to Varielky, processing what she said, calming a little. It was a good point, what he wanted was vengeance not justice. He realised how far out of his comfort zone he was, how different this place was to the path he normally trod.

"I....I have not come across a scene such as this before. Or the people captured by the snake creatures for that matter", he says and breathes in deeply, letting it out slowly.

"I do want whoever did this to pay, but I am not indiscriminate. It is not genocide I speak of, but you are both right, whatever we do needs to be tempered with caution. Maybe it would be wise just to carry on and find the Abziri lords, let them know what has happened here. Tell them that their people need protecting", he adds.

"And those words of yours Varielky, they are wise words indeed. But it feels like my heart would be tainted if I do nothing, if I see what happened here and it didn't fill me with rage".

"Let us see what awaits us at the castle, but know if I get the chance, I will find out more about this".

Granophyre, who, it seems, had an idea of how things might look inside the house, remained in the farmyard when Snow did his search, casting his eyes around the area. The old sage gives Snow help in looking for tracks. (Which I rolled: a natural 20.)

Snow draws upon his archaeological instincts, and pieces together a narrative, with Granophyre’s help. A force of ten or twenty goblins surrounded the building, shot in fire arrows, shot the girl upstairs – note the footprints here, with a perfect view of the upstairs window – and then the evil creatures circled the building as the fire burned, allowing no escape, and all inside perished. A rain fell, extinguishing the flames and leaving the structure intact, but not filling in the tracks, for fresh ones were soon made. Goblins entered the house. They then left, and their path is still discernible, leading directly up toward the castle.

Py buzzes away at Auger’s command, and returns ten minutes later. ‘There is a large courtyard, a stable, and the donjon or manor house. All of the doors are open, and I saw goblins moving inside on the ground floor. But I cannot enter the castle. It is warded with the same glyph as the Poppy Citadel which destroyed my physical form.’

Just at that moment, as Auger looks around for any goblins in the area, he spots movement through a shallow window leading to the house’s basement, which Snow has not yet entered.

Auger watches Snow and Granophyre reconstruct the events of the previous week and shudders at the thought of how this horrible experience must have felt for the occupants, briefly imagining what happened as if the attack was on his own village and home. Shaking his head at the thought of the attack and how the family died, Auger takes a moment to process what Py says on its return, his ears perking up at the mention of the Goblins, not very far away at all.

Auger listens to what Py has to say (out loud for the benefit of the others) while uneasily looking around. The Goblins were close. "It sounds like the question of whether or not we will be attacking Goblins will resolve itself unless we move away from --- here." It is as he completes his final sentence that Auger notices the movement in the lower window.

Thank you Py. I see something in the basement area of this house. See if you can take a closer look through that lower window over there. Invisible as always please. 

Auger quietly tries to get the attention of the others and draw their attention to the lower window where he saw movement. Turning to face away from the window but trying to stay in direct view of the others (OOC: if that is possible), he mouths to any who can see him 'The Basement'. Hoping to focus their attention on the spot. Then he listens to hear what Py has to tell him, hoping for survivors rather than Goblins.

Snow thanks Strewn for his assistance and stares up towards the castle, their destination seemingly the location of those that burned the farmhouse and killed the family. It seemed that it may well be their fate to cross paths with the goblins after all. The anger he had felt subside started to bubble up again.

He is distracted from those thoughts by Auger as he pauses mid sentence, and turns to look at him to see what was wrong. He spots him indicate the basement window, and takes a surreptitious glance to see if he spots anything.

He then casually moves over to the wall along from the window so he is out of sight from it. "I guess we should carry on up towards the castle", he says out loud as he moves, hoping for whoever was in the basement to overhear.

He then whispers to Auger, "What did you and Py see?". He also adds anything he spots with his cursory glance through the window.

Perception: (6+7) = 13

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(OOC: does Snow know where the entrance to the basement is? If so, is it indoors or outdoors, or both?)