Mar'hyah

Angry Mar'hyah is a human kennel master in Rivington. She can be found at the kennel outside the Sword Coast Couriers where she trains courier dogs to follow orders, read maps, and protect their owners. She abuses both the dogs (Gustav and Zola) and her apprentice Dringo. She is Scratch's original owner.

“

Shut up, Dringo. And get back to work!

„

— Mar'hyah

Involvement

Mar'hyah can be found verbally abusing Dringo in the kennel of Sword Coast Couriers. Upon striking up conversation with her, she will turn to the party and say "Woof", derisively demanding to know why a living thing other than a dog is wandering into her kennel. It's possible to ask to buy the dogs but she refuses. The party can also chide her for being too harsh to Dringo, but she dismissively says that its the only way to teach him because he 'behaves worse than the dogs'. Mar'hyah only begins to show interest in the party when they mention that they may have a dog that once came from this kennel - Scratch. She deceptively asks the party to bring him here so she can check him for 'worms and so on'.

If summoning Scratch to the kennel, Mar'hyah will demand to return him to her. She explains that Gomwick was merely his handler but she is his rightful owner since he is property of Sword Coast Couriers. The talking party member can choose to give up Scratch, attack Angry Mar'hyah, or attempt to get her to stand down:

• I'm sorry Scratch, there's nothing I can do.
• [INTIMIDATION] I'll break every bone in your body before I let you hurt that dog. (DC 18)
• [DRUID] [INTIMIDATION] This noble beast has tasted true freedom - he will never be brought to heel again. (DC 18 )
• [PERSUASION] He's forgotten his training. He'll be a terrible influence on the rest of your hounds. (DC 18)
• [FIGHTER] [STRENGTH] You might be able to bully a dog and a boy, but threaten me and I'll snap you in two. (DC 18 )
• [PALADIN] I suspect she mistreats the dog and you, boy. Is this true? (succeeds automatically)

After successfully convincing her into giving up Scratch, Oyster Boy Dringo sees his opportunity and pipes up to mention that she has a history of abusing ALL the dogs, not just Scratch. The talking party member can either tell her that they only care about Scratch, or they can threaten her:

• I'm sorry, Dringo - I only care about Scratch.
• [DECEPTION] I hear Lord Gortash abhors animal abuse. Perhaps I should report you to him. (DC 20)
• [DRUID] [INTIMIDATION] I'll give you to the count of ten to leave these kennels. One, two... (DC 20)
• [DRUID] [INTIMIDATION] You have lost your way, hound-keeper. Leave, before I teach you to respect these creatures properly. (DC 20)

Failing the checks causes her to refuse and then fire Dringo, making him leave for good. Succeeding the check results in her leaving the kennel for good while Dringo releases all the dogs from their cages.

Companion approval

• Woof twice at Angry Mar'hyah  +1  +1  +1  +1  +1
• (DRUID) He is not 'property,' he is Scratch. Don't you dare threaten him.  +1  +1  +1
• Give up Scratch to Angry Mar'hyah  -1  -1  -1  -1  -1  +1
• Intimidate or deceive Angry Mar'hyah into leaving  -1  -1  +1  +1  +1  +1  +1  +1  +1  +1

Notes

• If initiating conversation with Dringo before Mar'hyah, she will interrupt the conversation and skip her "Woof" line, potentially denying the party some additional approval.
• If attacking Mar'hyah, no NPCs in the nearby area will care. However, they will still demand an explanation if they spot the party looting her corpse.