Instantly, the gnoll camp is on high-alert. The sentries at the top of the wall point their spears in earnest as a deep-sounded bell rings out. Seconds later, a formidable gnoll emerges to join the sentries. He wears an anchor around his neck, and has burn scars along the side of his face. His name is Targosh.
Trace begins speaking cordially, carefully choosing his words so as not to anger or upset the gnolls. Despite his efforts, the gnolls are initially hostile. Over the years, the people of Mihlaj have double-crossed them, breaking long-standing agreements. This is just another instance of people wanting to take things from the gnolls. In this case, it’s information.
After all is said and done, Trace crushes his Diplomacy check and Targosh lets them into the village. The party questions him about the apparent gnoll murder in the Cistern. Targosh doesn’t seem to know anything about that, and he manages the raiding parties that come and go.
Today is an important day for some of the gnolls, as the local shaman is claiming that their god is returning. Uarnueh, a mud elemental god, has apparently turned their back on the gnolls for hundreds of years. The shaman, Pungysh, serves as their herald and conduit to the colony.
Because of the Dust of Dryness, the party decides that Pungysh might be better served to answer their questions. They head over to a makeshift ship that’s been retrofitted with sand-capable fins, although it looks as though its been grounded for a long time.
Uarnueh, the Resolute
The party joins the small contingent of other gnolls ready to participate in Pungysh’s ceremony. Targosh makes it clear that this is something that happens occasionally, where Pungysh preaches of Uarnueh’s return but nothing comes of it. She is the gnolls that cries wolf.
As Pungysh begins the ceremony, she dances and chants, regaling Uarnueh’s name. She entreats the participation of the others as she ducks into the ship’s cabin. The party joins in as the cabin explodes in a shower of splintered wood. A large, hulking elemental stands where the cabin once stood, proclaiming to be Uarneuh. The other gnolls are shocked, standing in awed reverence at this tangible sign of their god.
Fyn is skeptical. He sees that this creature can’t possibly be a mud elemental; they are too dry. It’s more like an earth elemental, if anything. The wizard studies the creature closer and realizes that this is a manifestation of a high-level Elemental Body IV spell.
So, naturally, he dispels it. It’s the only logical thing to do right? Completely shatter the entire religious foundation of a village’s beliefs? Sounds about right.
The elemental shrieks and shrinks, turning back into the form of Pungysh. Fyn exposes the gnoll for what she really is – a fraud and a liar. The other gnolls are shocked and dumbfounded at this turn of events as Pungysh declares the party as enemies of the gnolls. Things turn hostile. The shaman smashes a glass orb at her feet, and a brilliant ball of light shoots into the sky before plummeting into her mouth.
Krask misses with several arrows, obviously still working through the events that transpired in such a short amount of time. Meanwhile, Fyn creates mirror images of himself to protect against any immediate threats. Trace entreats the gnolls to turn to peace, casting Prayer in the process. Barnaby, also not one to make the first swing, does a dazzling display to weaken the gnolls around him.
These gnolls are hesitant. On one hand, their god has been outed as their shaman. On the other hand, generations of mistreatment by the people of the region have taken their toll. They are conflicted with what to do.
Luckily, Fobias makes up their minds for them by warping the wood of the ship. All three gnolls fall below decks and are likely out of the situation for the time being. Pungysh, enraged, creates a searing geyser of boiling water underneath Fyn, who gets propelled forward. Droplets of hot water shower the area, threatening everyone here.
What are the ramifications of outing a ‘deity’? How is Pungysh so old? Does Fyn courteously take off his shoes in other people’s homes?