"Carina, are you and our newest wizard ready for your riding lessons?"
"Do you mean that you all ride those beasts?!"
Dammit! What have I got myself into? Monsters, rations, uncomfortable beds and now horses! I will need to craft some spells that will help ease the pain.
"If you are serious about your offer, Jameson, then I will take you up on it. Shall we go out now and get started with it? Mind you, you will need to be patient with me, as I cannot recall the last time I rode on a horse. By any chance do you have a subdued mare who does not startle easily?"
Arriving with my horse before Zorestar arrived (got ninjaed on the post):
Sure, lets go James. Everyone else seems to be fighting some type of emotional war, and barely surviving at best. Lets get out under the clear sky. I will have to wear my veil as usual to avoid the bright sunshine today. That book is interesting, but if the study of the arcane makes one as insane as that new guy, I may go back to my old trusty crossbow. Did you hear him, every discussion is about math, and acceleration, and kalooocus, whatever that is. Nature, animals, the thrill of the hunt, and good friends to share supper with, that is my choice.
Once outside, I kick my horse to a gallop while looking back at James: Come on, lets see if that old nag of yours can still run.
Ride:
Realizing suddenly that James is still waiting for Zorestar to climb aboard his steed, I slow down and ride back to them.
Zorestar, not sure which book you read about riding horses, but you messed up that last step. I do not think that you were supposed to be facing backwards. It might be very useful to see who is chasing you, but only until your horse rides under a low branch taking you and you odd riding style face first into the dirt.
Perform(comedy):
"Wait just a moment. Just a moment. Stay still there deerie! I almost got you!"
Handle Animal
"There, there, nice horsey! Will you promise to give me a nice easy ride?"
After calming the horse down, Zorestar climb up into the saddle and tries to ride her.
Ride Check
"Heeeeelp!!!" Zorestar yells as he immediately falls to the ground.
Ouch! Dammit! So much for making first impressions! I am never going to live this down! I am going to need to acquire an equestrian manual for some late night reading if I am going to survive travelling!
"Jameson, my good man, do you have any tips on how to stay in the saddle?"
After 4 days the merchant will arrive if you want to buy some stuff straight from him and a armed escort arrived with extra cash for Oleg.
The current day is Starday 31st of Pharast.
Trying her best, and failing miserable, to avoid laughing:
We could always tie you to the saddle? Or you could ride in the cart. With Lukan and Cambyl's keg gone, we should have some more space in the cart.
Carina kicks her mount forward again before she completely loses it.
"Well, I hope I'll-", the knight stops talking, his mouth suddenly busy. He truly expects to die in a couple days, so he enjoys this small respite like it's his last night on earth.
Ganit probably hears muffled gasps and sighs while he keeps listening.
Ganit watches from the tower as the young noble takes a most humbling tumble from the back of his horse. Maybe he'll just be leaving on his own at this rate.
Deciding that it would be better not to waste the entire day he gathers his gear for a bit of target practise outside the gate. Eventually he approaches Telias who had been hurriedly writting scrolls for the majority of the day. "I don't know about you but those trail rations are starting to give me the squirts. Care to trap something fresh?"
"Easy Zorestar. Horses are sensitive to emotion, they will know if you fear them. Stay easy in the saddle. Place your foot in the stirrup, which is that curved piece at the bottom, then grab the pommel and swing yourself over. Hold the reigns in your right hand, with the top coming out the top of your fist and the rest leading to the horse. Not too tight, but if the horse starts to move pull back slightly, that tells it to stop."
Jameson eyes the mage with a critical eye.
"Now, squeeze your knees together and click your tongue once. That will tell the horse to move forward slowly. We'll start there. The trick to avoid getting sore is to roll your hips with the motion of the horse. Don't sit so stiff, you won't be able to walk come tomorrow."
This should be an interesting trip.
Deciding that it would be better not to waste the entire day he gathers his gear for a bit of target practise outside the gate. Eventually he approaches Telias who had been hurriedly writting scrolls for the majority of the day. "I don't know about you but those trail rations are starting to give me the squirts. Care to trap something fresh?"
"Could just wait for the noble ta get himself killed. Eat 'is bird. But sure why not. Plenty of elk about here." Standing up he cracks his back which sounds like his entire body cracking. Above his hawk stirs. "Don know what he's so worried bout anyway. damn bird don't want ta eat his black bird as much as nest with it."
"He tells me the bird talks to him," Ganit replies as he watches the haggard hawk pull at it's unkempt feathers. "Can't see your bastard here as the social type."
Making small talk (a pretty big deal) as the two set out, "Do you know much about Boggards? We came across one a few days before you arrived. Seemed uneager to fight us. Don't know what to make of it. Any chance you know how to speak with it?"
"Hold the reigns in your right hand, with the top coming out the top of your fist and the rest leading to the horse. Not too tight, but if the horse starts to move pull back slightly, that tells it to stop."
Zorestar pulls himself up, rubbing his sore back, and reluctantly tries to get on the horse once again. "Not too tight?! Are you sure about that. I thought I should be holding on for my dear life!"
"I better get my feather fall spell ready in case this approach doesn't work.
Ride Check
Zorestar's attempt is much better and he manages to stay atop the horse, though he looks far from comfortable.
"Very nice explanation, Jameson. I appreciate the instruction. Now, what do I do next?"
"Now, squeeze your knees together and click your tongue once. That will tell the horse to move forward slowly. We'll start there. The trick to avoid getting sore is to roll your hips with the motion of the horse. Don't sit so stiff, you won't be able to walk come tomorrow."
Zorestar follows the directions precisely and squeezes his knees together, clicking the horse onward.
Ride Check
The horse trots forward politely and a big smile comes over the wizard's face.
"I think I am getting the hang of this!"
"Well done Zorestar. You are no natural but you are getting the hang of it."
Jameson smiles at Zorestar, nodding as he walks his horse forward.
As Zorestar uncomfortably rides on, Carina rides next to James:
You think he would be annoyed if I rode by and slapped his mount on the rump to get it running?
"He might not but I would. The first moment you ride a horse is very important Carina, and if he doesn't learn and have a good experience this time he won't be willing to continue doing it. Respect that."
Ganit watches from the tower as the young noble takes a most humbling tumble from the back of his horse. Maybe he'll just be leaving on his own at this rate.
Deciding that it would be better not to waste the entire day he gathers his gear for a bit of target practise outside the gate. Eventually he approaches Telias who had been hurriedly writting scrolls for the majority of the day. "I don't know about you but those trail rations are starting to give me the squirts. Care to trap something fresh?"
"He tells me the bird talks to him," Ganit replies as he watches the haggard hawk pull at it's unkempt feathers. "Can't see your bastard here as the social type."
Making small talk (a pretty big deal) as the two set out, "Do you know much about Boggards? We came across one a few days before you arrived. Seemed uneager to fight us. Don't know what to make of it. Any chance you know how to speak with it?"
"He's just stupid. Thinking he has a chance." Staring daggers at the hawk he waves his arms at it. "Dumbass bird! She ain't even the same species as you!" The hawk stares down at TElias and screeches back as it goes back to attempt the impossible.
Later...
Survival.
"Nope." Telias says as he glides effortlessly through thick bushes and thorny branches. "Don't get many Boggards around here. And they ain't much inclined to talk to anyone. Might be some trick I know that can solve that problem. The trees all share the same language and listen to everyone, seeing everything."
"Figured it was a bit unnatural. Next time we head out we'll see what the trees have to say about him." Ganit moves slowly and deliberately as he follows Telias' lead admiring the skill and technique. When signaled he looses an arrow into the thick neck of a decent sized doe. "What do you say, gut her here or back at camp?"
"May as well clean her here." Telias says.
After practicing for a good hour by riding around the trading post, Zorester returns the horse and carefully dismounts stiffly.
Ride Check
Easy does it. Let's not fall now!
"Ahh, thank you for the lesson, Jameson! You are a fine teacher. If you are willing, I would be interested in taking further instruction from you. If I am going to be riding frequently, every bit of advice you give, would serve me well!"
Returning back inside, Zorestar begins looking around to see what the others are doing for food.
"Good afternoon, Carina! Could you kindly tell me who prepares dinner at the camp?"
Istikali, flies around near the trading post, looking for food, feasting off of twigs, bugs and seeds. She then perches on a branch of a nearby tree and watches Telias and Ganit as they gut their deer. She watches attentively, with intelligence behind her eyes, but she does not make a sound.
Bronwyn wakes up late, takes a thorough bath and is relieved for not having to wear chainmail even if it is for only a day or two.
"Good morning, Zorestar, I see you've been improving on your riding. Practice that and some dodging skills and you might live to see this place flourish!"
He walks up to a white horse with furry black spots over its eyes.
"Hello Bandit, you rascal!", the knight says, as he taps the animal, who responds violently, almost biting Bron's ear off.
"Err, I can see is has been a tough night and you're in foul mood. Grumpy old bastard."
He walks away from the horse, approaching Zorestar.
"Next time you take a riding lesson with Jameson call for me, maybe I have a tip or two to offer 'ya. Either way, I'd like to ride a bit in the mornings. So you're a witch, are ya?"
"Oh, right, sorry, not a witch, right? A... a... warlock, isn't it?"
As Carina watches Bron attempt to get eaten by his horse now, she chuckles slyly and looks up from her book she had settled into after riding with James and Zorestar.
Bron, perhaps it would work better if you were large enough to not look appetizing to these creatures.
I cast Enlarge Person on Bron, and begin to laugh out loud as his head shoots up and whacks the large wooden beam in the ceiling.
There, see, much better, now those frogs and insects, and bandit women will not find you so easy to consume.
Ganit nods and starts in first with a few shallow slices of his knife. It had been a long long time passed since he had been out hunting with another person and though would never admit it, it was refreshing to watch a person of a higher skill set work. After the work is done, Ganit ties up the hollowed doe with a rope and drapes it over his back, leaving the refuse lightly buried a ways away from the scene, and the hunters make their way to the outpost with their catch in tow. "Make sure nothing follows us back," he tells Telias with a grunt as they leave the area. "We can take care of the rest closer to the outpost while we still have a bit of sunlight left."
Kesten watches as Sir Bronwyn appears to have difficulty with his horse and then the group conversing. If anyone notices he seems to change his view to somewhere across the land.
"Next time you take a riding lesson with Jameson call for me, maybe I have a tip or two to offer 'ya. Either way, I'd like to ride a bit in the mornings."
"I thank you kindly, Bron, I would very much enjoy that. Mind you, I am just beginning, so I will not be doing anything too fancy, or too fast."
Holy Nethys! I cannot believe how much these guy all ride. Even when they don't need, they are still out on their horse for the pure fun of it! I wonder what it will be like to get to that point.
"So you're a witch, are ya?"
A Witch?! What makes him think that? Do I have a wart on my nose or something? Oh wait! It must be Istikali. Why do witches always seem to have ravens?
"Hehe. Not quite. You must be thinking of my Raven companion. Actually, Istikali is a familiar similar to what many witch's may summon. However, a witch actually draws her magic from a pact made with an otherworldly power, using her familiar as a conduit. As a result, she gains a host of spells as well as a number of strange abilities known as hexes. Furthermore, witches usually do not have any formal schooling in the arcane arts. To be honest, I have actually been studying and learning magic nearly all of my life."
"Oh, right, sorry, not a witch, right? A... a... warlock, isn't it?"
"Well, I can't say I am exactly a warlock either. You see, I attended the Vortexarium, a school in Quadira's capital city of Katheer. The magical college specializes in the study of air elementalism. It's a branch of arcane magic that draws upon the forces of the wind, sky, clouds, and lightning. Mind you, although I have learned a great deal at this marvelous school, I still need to practice and apply much of what I learned. Some day I hope to be a great wizard who can fly through the air and travel on the currents of the wind with the greatest of ease."
"Well, enough about me. Tell me about yourself, Bron. Have you studied or had any training in your youth? Do you still have some dreams that you are trying to pursue?"
Ganit nods and starts in first with a few shallow slices of his knife. It had been a long long time passed since he had been out hunting with another person and though would never admit it, it was refreshing to watch a person of a higher skill set work. After the work is done, Ganit ties up the hollowed doe with a rope and drapes it over his back, leaving the refuse lightly buried
Perched in a tree, Istikali watches intently. As Ganit and Telias skin and prepare the doe, The carnivorous side of the raven grows hungrier by the minute. When the remains start being buried, the opportunistic scavenger in her cannot bear to watch. Looking around to see if there are any other predators nearby, she calls out in a squawky, but clearly understandable voice, "Kraar! Leave it!"
"Ouch! Carina!", the knight expresses, massaging the sore spot in his head.
"You... Nevermind." His wits seem to have left him, as he fumbles for words, feeling a pang of shame that his dalliance has been discovered.
As a response, he offers:
"Apparently what all the natives agree is that I am somewhat palatable, maybe even to the point of delicious. But that you would have to ask them."
Turning to Zorestar he says:
"I... understood perhaps one word in five you just said. I know little and less about magic, but I have seen a few magical tricks before. They did not seem that hard to understand, but I'm no expert."
Trying hard to explain in words his oldest memories, he starts:
"There was a man at my village one day; he was a travelling minstrel of sorts. He knew some magical tricks, such as healing a scraped knee and making ghost lights and sounds. He didn't seem a magical scholar and I honestly hope he hadn't struck a deal with a devil for his power. Was he a sorcerer, perhaps? The distinction eludes me. Where would you think he got his powers from?"
A perceptive onlooker might realize that even though he's talking about someone else, his worries seem too close to home, too personal.
"He didn't seem a magical scholar and I honestly hope he hadn't struck a deal with a devil for his power. Was he a sorcerer, perhaps? The distinction eludes me. Where would you think he got his powers from?"
Perception
Completely, unaware of the subtlety of Bron's concern, Zorester goes right ahead and replies rather factually.
"Yes, that sounds like a sorcerer to me. They often have arcane bloodlines and they search within to find their magical gifts. Mind you, that is certainly not a bad thing. I don't think every outside source of arcane magic is necessarily evil. In fact many sorcerers are talented arcane users that use their gifts for the good of others. In all truth, they have it much easier than wizards such as me. For they have great versatility and can draw upon magic within themselves. Personally, I need to spend a great deal of time at my books, memorizing, studying, and gathering components to simply prepare the most basic of spells. So if you met this traveling minstrel with arcane talents, I would count yourself blessed, for such talent is not all that common."
After getting past her mirth of causing Bron to whack his head. Carina listens in on Zorestar explaining the difference between the types of magic.
So Zorestar, what would you call someone who can do this.
I summon an orb of acid in my hand which I then toss at a rock in the courtyard, watching it sizzle away without doing any real damage.
Cast - Acid Splash
"So Zorestar, what would you call someone who can do this?"
Carina casts Acid Splash and tosses the orb of acid at a rock in the courtyard.
Spellcraft
"Very impressive, Carina! Very impressive indeed! Acid Splash, as I've known this spell, is actually one cantrip that I have always had difficulty learning. In my school, we never did spend much time studying earth elemental magic. My dear, I did not realize that you possessed such arcane gifts! Now tell me, did you do any preparation, study or memorization ahead of time to be able to release such arcane energy, or did you simply draw upon the energy from within?"
"You see Bron, Carina is something we would call a sorceress. She has something within her heritage that allows for her to draw upon arcane energies that surround her. I am envious that she can perform such magic with so little study before hand! I have heard of such individuals, but honestly, have met very few. Tell me, Carina, what do you know about your heritage? Did you have family or ancestors who could perform such feats?"
"Well I'll be damned," Ganit laughs bemusedly when he watches the raven make requests of him. "Well at least we can say the fop wasn't lying." He opens his arms in a welcoming manner directing the bird to the dirt dusted viscera. "Be quick about it. There are bigger, more deserving things to worry about eating you out here than Telias."
By the time the pair make it back to the outpost the sun is lingering lazily above the treeline and everything to the west is glowing a hazy orange.
The first thing Ganit notices when he reaches the gates of the outpost is a very solemn Kesten. When he follows the guard captain's eyes he comes across Bronwyn and his lovable, innocently named horse. As he lugs the doe inside he watches on as Carina enchants the good knight and in the process forces his head into the beams above. He overhears the conversation as he stands and catches his breath.
We all have our secrets, brother. Who am I to call you out on them.
Ganit once more throws the deer over his shoulder and carries it off to see Svetlana about what to do with it for dinner. As he passes by the resident mages he jokes to the overgrown bard, "I bet Kressel wishes you had been this big last night." He laughs aloud to himself as he continues on.
"Svetlana! How do you typically prepare your venison?" he asks as he drops the carcass at her feet.
Carina shrugs: My father was a ranger. He was killed in front of my eyes by a red dragon several years ago. I take out the melted signet ring and show it to Zorestar. Someday I shall return the favor and kill that evil beast.
After my father died, I became a guard traveling around Brevoy. From Restov to Port Ice and the cities on the Lake of Mists and Veils.
Carina takes a breath and then continues - I know of nobody in my family who ever dabbled in the arcane. Suddenly, a little over a month ago, I began to have horrific dreams. In these dreams I would see these horrid green humanoids murdering elves, dwarves, humans and many others. Frequently after seeing these dreams, I recall the magics being taught by some type of a witch doctor. Thus, I can now create these acid balls. I can put people to sleep, make people bigger and even shoot fire and small bolts from my fingers.
How these powers came upon me I do not know. James tells me that frequently when I awake from a nightmare or cast a spell, I am speaking Orcish, However, I have no idea what orcish even is. Other than James, I do not recall meeting a single orc in my life.
With that, Carina sighs and goes back to watching the men move about the fort.
"Be quick about it. There are bigger, more deserving things to worry about eating you out here than Telias."
Istikali swoops down and eagerly grabs a hunk of deer guts in her bill and immediately feasts away at the unused remains of the deer carcass. After eating her fill, she flies off and returns to the trading post where she perches on the wooden wall of the trading post to keep a watchful eye on her master inside the courtyard and the surrounding area outside of the trading post.
Perception
"Svetlana! How do you typically do your venison?" he asks as he drops the carcass at her feet.
Svetlana looks down a little shocked as Ganit drops the carcass at her feet, however she isn't too shocked and looks over it.
"Well I have prepared vennisin in the past, it'll take a little while to get the best bits out of such a fresh one." she manages to lift it up and places it on top of the cutting area where she prepares the meat normally, taking out a knife and cutting into it. "Do you want to keep the hide? I have been taught how to properly skin ever since I moved out here with Oleg." she says as she starts skinning anyway to get to the meat and choice peices. It appears as if she has been doing this for years as she is able to skin it so perfectly.
Impressed, Ganit watches as she strips through the doe into the tender bits. "I don't need the hide for anything. Should ask Telias just to be sure."
Good Cayden in heaven? Is there anyone who hasn't heard about it by now?
Bron superficially smiles to Ganit, although his eyes broadcast bloody murder.
"Well... So about this mystical lineage thing... Ah, nevermind. I probably don't want to know it, anyways."
He excuses himself, taking a small time to walk the walls.
Son of a whore and apparently some kind of arcane demon. Damnit it all to hell.
"How these powers came upon me I do not know. James tells me that frequently when I awake from a nightmare or cast a spell, I am speaking Orcish."
"Very interesting, my dear. This is indeed very interesting."
Knowledge, Arcana
"Hmm? Let me consider. I believe there is an ancient orc bloodline that carries great arcane magic. I am not very clear what arcane powers derive from that bloodline, but I suspect they will make you a formidable spell caster, especially in spells associated with the school of evocation. However, Carina, I must urge you to use caution. For the orcish blood within your veins could stir extreme emotions within you that may even draw upon you to rage in an uncontrollable fury. I just urge you to be careful how you choose to use these powers, otherwise it may be to the detriment of your own soul!"
"How these powers came upon me I do not know. James tells me that frequently when I awake from a nightmare or cast a spell, I am speaking Orcish.""Very interesting, my dear. This is indeed very interesting."
Knowledge, Arcana 1d20+9
"Hmm? Let me consider. I believe there is an ancient orc bloodline that carries great arcane magic. I am not very clear what arcane powers derive from that bloodline, but I suspect they will make you a formidable spell caster, especially in spells associated with the school of evocation. However, Carina, I must urge you to use caution. For the orcish blood within your veins could stir extreme emotions within you that may even draw upon you to rage in an uncontrollable fury. I just urge you to be careful how you choose to use these powers, otherwise it may be to the detriment of your own soul!"
Thank you, perhaps this book has something about these orcs and their magic. I doubt it though, it is more the basics.
For right now, I shall use whatever powers I have to support my team. If I should have difficulties, I will discuss them with you.
After Zorestar leaves, I head up and find Bron on the walls.
Cheery guy isn't he. He seems to have a bit of a disconnect between his knowledge and how he presents it.
Bronwyn leans himself against the wall, removing the bastard sword out of its scabbard to analyze the grime-encrusted family crest.
Stubborn old bastard.
He proceeds to try and clean not just the blade, but the entire weapon. A simple tune guides his work.
The knight looks up quickly, soon returning to the work at hand.
"He means well. Just hope he can survive down there. The gods know I've tried and barely succeeded. Apparently every villain south of the border means to consume me, was that it?"
He quickly corrects his speech, blinking and looking Carina in the eyes.
"I'm deeply sorry, milady Stigard. For some reason all this sitting around tends to bring up all the demons within. The task ahead doesn't help it, either. We might have to burst in a well-defended fort lead by a maniacal alcoholic bandit lord."
Apology accepted. I am sorry that I have been a little short. I too am ready for the trail again. And this new guy. It seems strange to replace sword and shield Lukan with him. I have to agree with Ganit, he seems a little green around the ears when it comes to combat and tactics.
______
The Staglord is an alcoholic? That sounds like something useful. I wonder whether we could spike some brew and send it in. Or have Telias or Zorestar's birds drop poison in his ale. Or just get some REALLY strong alcohol to be delivered.
Also, did you learn anything else about the fort? I would hate to suddenly stumble upon it while mapping the area.