"We should be cautious. While it may well be a warning, it could also be a vengeful spirit attepmting to trick us, though I don't believe that to be the case. If there are other spirits who have suffered from the Stag Lord, we should see about putting them to peace." She pauses a moment in thought, "It may also not have been the Stag Lord himself. From where did he acquire the helmet? It's possible there may be an even greater legacy behind it than we know. When we next return to the fort, perhaps we should see what tales they have of him and his past. We may be given knowledge on how to proceed."
"You speak wisely, but in this case I think we know who is responsible.
Blood of my tormentor... and it seemed to focus on the helmet. Most likely it mistook me for the stag lord, who was of the blood.
The old man, he was certainly mad wouldn't you say? Mad enough to bind spirits or inspire the dead into revenge.
Now he and his son is gone, we should make sure to stamp out the legacy of their evil.
Nature will be better for it, you saw the waters..."
"Never the less, I agree that we should find out more, if nothing else, delving into the past might tell us where to find more of those who suffer."
The Green Man puts a large hand on Ta'de-win's shoulder.
"Your wisdom is a treasure."
The banks are high, and the river low. Spring came early this year, and it has been a dry one. This will not be as easy to cross during rainier seasons, and just after winter's thaw.
"Somewhere along this river there might be a bridge, if there is none then we shall have to construct one as it will be hard to cross this river during the rainy seasons.
We should find out what lies to the south, if there are settlements there, we will need to build a bridge and a road south too...in good time of course."
Norton rides alongside the others, Murak's hooves gently splashing in the now seemingly common water.
"That was quick and painless, luckily. If only every encouter in these lands were that diplomatic."
"The Staglord connection seems pretty straightforward to me as well" Norton suggests pointing at the helm "I'm bold enough to support the mad man theory too: if I remember correctly, there is some kind of water inlet in the lower level of the fort. Even if he was trapped there he could have had access to summon some creature."
Then the cavalier's smile fades a bit "But I'm now concerned about his last words. They were a tad confused and ambiguos. That can happen if you do not explicit subjects in a unconjiugable verb language as Taldane itself. Plus, if you think of the interjectable passives and split gerundives he used, that should have been...
Looking around and seeing the quizzical looks on his comrades's faces Norton realizes he has dug too deep in master Godil lessons "By the way I digress... What I ment is: is he going to calm their rage and renew the Accord, whatever that is, or should we? And are we that must wait for that dark path layer, or he? Damn, if only people could stick to elementary grammar rules."
"One more thing, the bearded undeadifier we met in the escape route, he kept talking of a couple of ladies, one was clearly Urgathoa, but the Dark Lady eludes my knowledge, is she that has been mentioned by the watery creature?"
The Green Man looks quizzically at Norton for a long time, trying to sort through the fancy words.
Once the conversation turns simpler again, he smiles and claps Norton on the back.
"Good insight, it seems likely indeed that they are one and the same.
Problem is, we have no new clues as to who she is."
"As for the question of it being the spirit or us that are to renew the accord, if it is indeed a water spirit bound here, then it is free now and unlikely to return here at all.
As such, the warning would need to be directed at someone who will remain here and can do something about it, in other words, us."
"Hmm, a good connection, and worrisome still. When we return it adds another root for us to dig out. There is a power in this land, one that has done well to keep civilization out. We fight a dangerous foe settling here, one who's intentions may be dark, or simply a desire to keep us away. We must stay on guard for anything they may do to harm us or our people, even if it is to assault us with bad grammar."
"Finding these people mentioned before, the one's in Sal'dors letter, could also provide more insight. Particularly if we learn more of this Sal'dor, and Dovan as well. After we explore the lands around our Den, perhaps attempting to find it should become a greater priority than I previously suggested."
"Well, we have our plan for now, let's stick with it. But my suggestion still stands."
"First a circle around Stagsfall, then north to Olegs, over to Bokkens and then a semi circle down around the old sycamore looking for signs of those settlers."
"Finaly we can end with a visit to MikMek and then back to Stagsfall.
When we are at Olegs, maybe we should see if we can send a request for information back to Restov with Smedley?"
"Problem is, what do we ask for?
Information about the Staglord? No use, if they had any, we would have got it before we set out.
The dark lady? no, there could be hundreds of ladies called that."
"Your plan sounds good to me Green, what I fear is that good sounding plans usually don't last long" Norton smiles.
"Yes, I've heard that soldiers in the Aldoran army have a saying "no plan survives first contact with the enemy"...
I imagine that we may have to adjust our plan in case we come across something that makes it impossible to follow it.
But as long as we don't risk any lives, I don't mind."
The Green Man then directs a tusky smile Nortons way.
"But at least the plan sounds good on paper no, Ser Ambrosi?"
After crossing the river, you see the land to the east is dry flat plains for quite some distance. There are dozens of small copses of trees, but no more than five or six trees in each little grouping.
Less than an hour later, Ta'de-win spots what looks like a fenced-in settlement of five structures further to the east... maybe a mile east of this hex, two and a half miles from your current position.
You are yet too far away for even Ta'de-win to see if there is activity.
"Well, this is interesting.
If there are people there, we should introduce ourselves as the new lords of the land, and if there are no people, we should see if we can find any traces."
"It's a bit close to the fort isn't it? If people live there, they would've been firmly under the thumb of the staglord.
Do we ride in openly, trusting that nobody will attack, or do we try and scout first?"
"I suggest openly, we should set an example and show our mettle so word will spread."
"It seems we found a place where we might have lunch. Let's ride in and see."
It is labelled as Quiller Farms on the map.
"Hmmm, we better thread carefully here, it is only natural that we want to expand in the area surrounding our new "capital", but sturdy farmers that eke out a living in untamed lands like these might take some persuading to accept becoming part of this enterprise."
"As the sapling grows, it's roots extend out and absorbs all the nutrients, causing the nearby flowers to whither and die. If these farmers choose to remain the flowers, that too will happen to them. Rather we must instead convince them not that they are the dying flower, but rather to become part of the growing oak. Try to convince them that a single flower can easily be plucked by the smallest of children, even if it has thorns. But the mighty oak takes great work to cut down."
"Well, we do have ONE very good argument to offer...we're NOT the staglord, in fact, we got him of their backs.
Sure, they will need to pay taxes, but our taxes will be used to make the land better.
And they will most likely be smaller than the "taxes” they ”paid” before."
As you ride closer you see the fenced in area is about 4 acres. There are two medium sized houses, a small barn, a larger barn with silo, and shed.
On the near side of the buildings, is about an acre of tilled land. You see two similarly dressed figures who appear to be farmers planting. The smaller of the two starts to run toward the houses, but the larger grabs the smaller by the shoulder for a moment before letting him run off again.
You move closer and see the larger figure slowly walk to you. It is a middle-aged man, and he calls out to you.
"Early for tribute, aren't you? We should have another week."
the small one looked like a young girl dressed as a boy.
"Well, I suspected the staglord might have had his men seek tribute from the people living around his fort.
But, you won't be forced to do that again.
The Staglords body is on the way to Restov as we speak, and his fortress is now being reconstructed into a place infinitely better."
The Green Man dismounts, drops his weapons on the ground and approaches the man slowly, hands held open and wide from his body, making sure he does not appear more of a threat than necessarily.
"So, aside from us who where there when he fell, you are the first people who know what has transpired.
Aside from the Broadhammer clan of course, they are the ones restoring the fort as we speak."
The man puts one soil covered hand over his mouth as Green speaks. He stutters into a yell over his shoulder "L-Li-Libby! Libby come! Forces from Restov have defeated the bandit lord!"
He turns back to you "Oh bless you... bless the gods.. it has been a nightmare here... My name is Enzi Quillor. This farm has been in my family for several decades... please.. please. We have been collecting for His tribute... we have much to offer for a proper meal."
"There will be changes in this land now, but I understand this may all be a bit hard to take in, we can speak about the future of the land when you have collected yourself.
A new nation is being born you see, not a lawless land of bandits like the Staglord envisioned."
Furiel bows: "I am Furiel, general of the forces that restored order to this area. This big, green man here wears the helmet of the dead Stag Lord. HE IS NO MORE!!"
He points to Norton:
"This knight has proven his worth by talking anyone with honor that worked for the Stag Lord to serve under our banner. We are building a strong castle to protect those who join us."
He winks at the farmers: "We are the new Swordlords. But, as you see, I don't have a sword. Our best fighter here carries an axe--isn't that a hoot!"
As Furiel indicates Merick, he also adds: "We are building some farms around Stagfall, our new capital. But we probably need experienced farmers to help set up our agricultural enterprises."
To amuse the people, Furiel walks in the air with his new slippers before falling out of the sky into Green's arms.
Ta looks to the house where she saw the smaller figure run to. "A sadness when daughters must be hid as sons." She turns back to Enzi. "My name is Ta'de-win. We have heard some of the evils the Stag Lord had wrought, but we would gladly hear more."
Enzi seems to vaguely follow what Furiel is saying, then exclaims "Years since I've seen a gnome! Ha!" He turns to Ta'de-win, bows.. his mood only slightly dampens. "Another time. Most of my daughters and nieces have left... His men had executed orders to cripple my nephews and sons, and still expected tribute... The past. How I have longed for that to be known as the past."
A matronly-dressed woman exits the nearest house... several other people begin to peer out doors, and from behind corners.
"Lets have a nice meal for our new neighbors!"... Enzi yells back over his shoulder again while leading you through the fence gate, and to the trail which runs between the tilled plots to the farmhouses.
The Green Man follows, feeling quite cheered at the reception.
So is this what being a hero feels like?
"How long have you been living here Master Quillor? There seems to be quite a number of people, and according to a map we found, there are several farms in the area."
"This land is till untamed, inhabited with fierce creatures, and there may still be a few bandits we need to hunt down.
Anything you can tell us would be appreciated."
The Green Man tries to get a sense of Enzi, judging if he is the kind of man who prefers that people be blunt with him, and also, how likely it is that he will just accept the group’s authority to annex the area where they live into the new country.
"I came here as a boy with my mother. It was my grandfather's farm. Yes... there are two other farms. Yeosum used to be an impressive dairy farm... has a handful of cows left. Goodman Kinsilvi grows potatoes and soy... he's a tough one to trade with though. This was an area chartered to House Lurleton, but they've been gone for... nearly eight years now."
"Will you.. err is it your intention to take over the Lurleton estate?"
The matronly-dressed woman comes nearer, and then scoots off with a gesture from Enzi. She begins directing the reluctant others to help her set up a table.
He seemed only very slightly guarded. You notice him speaking freely until his stammer regarding the Estate... he is choosing his words, and has something at stake.
"I do not know, we have no information about that estate.
Why do you ask?
If you are interested in the estate itself, after generations of working the lands, I would think that if no heirs to the Lurletons are around, perhaps the state and its lands could be given to someone else.
Of course, that someone WOULD have to swear an oath of fealty in return..."
Let us see if we are about to make a loyal subject here.
Enzi acts dismissive of his own interest in the estate at first... when Green mentions swearing fealty, he reflexively snorts "Heh well I don't know if sheeerrr... " He looks back a moment.. "She uh... my wife Libby should have enough place settings for us." He guides you a few steps toward where the tables are being set - by Libby and three hobbling young men (.. each boy with at least one turned foot and crutch), and states his thoughts "We've got no problem with having a lord... a good one anyway. I'm sure you Restov folks are a whole heap better than the Stag Lord's men."
The small one who had run away before sits on the porch of the nearby farmhouse with dangling legs... just watching from under the brim of a down-turned cap.
"You've got one of the Lurleton heirs hidden haven't you?
Forgive me for being blunt, but a man doesn't sow as much interest in an estate like you do but at the same time dismiss his own PERSONAL interest lest he knows and CARES about the one he thinks should have it."
The Green Man smiles in a friendly fashion.
"I don't know if I am completely correct, but I would say I'm not far off am I?"
"Now, let me see about those legs, what one brutal man can break, perhaps a skilled healer can fix."
The Green Man then resolutely walks over to the young men.
"I uh..." He stands dumbfounded for a moment, then watches Green walk over to the young men.
His wife Libby speaks up "Good sir.. you think you could help the boys? Zi-hun... If the Stag Lord is gone there is hardly any reason for the girls to hide out there with my cousin anyway."
Enzi nods, and throws up his hands in acceptance rather than frustration. "My wife's cousin takes care of the girls there... and a few others from the Yeosum and Kinsilvi families." He walks over behind Libby and holds her by the shoulders.. they both watch awaiting a prognosis. He looks over to the rest of the group.. mostly looking to Norton and Merick (like many commoners, he feels most at ease with those most like himself) "Whenever you happen to head over there.. just be sure to make yourselves known... let em know who you are."
"Allow me to aid you, Green. I have learned a few things as well in the healing arts."
Their turned feet will have to be re-broken and healed.
Luckily, the injuries are recent enough that little growth has occurred since... they should should be able to make a full recovery.. without even a limp.
The others of the settlement start to warm up as care is shown to their young.
Many of the settlers approach the remainder of the group to urge them to sit and enjoy a light first course while the chicken is frying.
There are three families here.. descendents of the original Quillors, and a few in-laws.
The Green Man nods to himself and walks over to Enzi, putting a large arm aroun his shoulder and leads him away a little.
[b9"The breaks have healed, but the bones are not fully fused yet, they wounds CAN be fixed so they can walk again, but it would require re-breaking and setting the limbs.
I can do it, AND use magic to speed up the healing...but of course it would hurt to have the limbs broken again."[/b]
Although he is trained in the healing arts too, Norton's ability tends more towards the quick battlefield fix, and he has no magic to aid beyond that, so he leaves to the more apt the task of checking on the boys.
When the examination comes to an end he dismounts and gather the horses before aproaching the young men.
He leans forward to look them closely. "There is a copper for each of you, if you take care of my four legged friends here. See them to water and a good brush and I'll even tell you the story of how Stagfall came to be."
Finished with their examination, the young men all bow their heads, and say "thank you, m'lord". They lead the horses to an pavilion-style stable.
After Green's prognosis, Enzi glances at Libby, and she nods enthusiastically. Enzi answers...
"Mmm. I understand... If you think you can help them, it is an easy choice. It would change their lives."
The Quillors ask you to come and eat first, and they seem quite eager themselves to hear the story Norton offered to the boys.
After a few questions from the settlers, Enzi offers to do the talking so you can eat. "Don't get around too much, but happy to pass on what I know."
Ta'de-win moves to assist Green in fixing the boys's legs.
"I can probably concoct a herbal tincture to send them to sleep and thus minimize the pain before administring the re-breaking."
Two of the bone re-settings go smoothly. One of the boys wakes from his tincture twilight... his scream of agony is heart-wrenching, but his pain is gone within thirty seconds.
Green's pulses of divine energy bring the event to a miraculous close. A stunned silence becomes a round of applause.
Afterward, the boys are too engrossed in their repaired appendages to care about the meal... until Libby gets stern.
"Last time I'm gonna tell you Hemril, put your feet away, and eat."
I think we've won these peoples loyalty at the very least.
A kingdom starts small, just like a plant grows from the tiniest seeds.
Should I become king of these people I hope I will never forget that simple lesson.
The Green Man chuckles and gently steer the boys towards the table.
"If you are going to run, better get the energy to do it no?
Best listen to your mother; mothers are queens of the household."
He then walks over to Enzi with a more serious expression.
"I did that because it was the right thing to do, i don't expect anything in return, but I'm hoping I might have earned enough trust for you to tell me if my earlier guess was right?"
Merick has little to offer in the way of diplomacy or healing, but he smiles genuinely and shows off his axe when Furiel points him out. He tries to help with the mundane aspects of the healing. He's used to seeing people in pain, as those are the ones he cares most deeply about. Afterward, he announces, "I regret arriving too late to kill this stag lord myself. I have heard and seen enough of his misdeeds to put him down thrice over. If you need any assurance, I give you my word - as the new warden of this territory, it is my personal duty and honor to keep the land free from pain and suffering like yours. That is an oath on my blood, because my life is committed to protecting the needy."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Enzi seems receptive to Green, but takes a moment to remember the reference... "Your guess? Oh... about a Lurleton heir hiding in the estate? No no... They have abandoned that estate. If you have a way to contact New Stetven, I would like to hear how the house has fared. I did not want to say anything before, because the girls hiding there has been a secret for so long. But.. Ro is Libby's cousin, if she is fine with you knowin they're out there. " He shrugs.. "Was a little worried they'd get in trouble squattin there too, I admit."
-- -- -- --
The other settlers toast Merick's announcement and pledge. One man speaks under his breath. "Might wanna meet that old slaver Kinsilvi before you vow to protect him..." This man's spouse elbows him, and explains "They're just kobolds... not people. He can't do that work all himself."
-- -- -- --
The small one pulls a chair between Ta'de-win and Furiel. She removes her cap to reveal a bob cut. She looks over Ta'de-win "You don't wear dresses neither? You know I can still tell yer a girl... You need a hat. Is this your son?" She points at Furiel.
"So what was that snort about not being sure if someone would swear fealty about? Seems I was far of the mark with my guess, but I don't mind."
After the man's quite clumsy explanation, The Green Man lets him have the most withering glance an over six foot halforc with eerie eyes can give.
"Not people eh?" His voice practically has a coating of ice, a grating rumble that makes his chest swell all the more.
"A bit like Orc's aren’t people then? So all are the same, all Kobolds and Orc's are monsters? And all of their blood too?"
Enzi responds to Green regarding the snort.. "Libby's cousin... I love her,... but she doesn't listen real well. I think it was best for everyone's safety for her to run and hide out when Nug's son started his tribute drive. There is a time to speak up, but there are times when you don't... "
Enzi stops there when Green's attention is caught by the insensitive comment.
The man's spouse shakes her head; mortified "Oh No sir... That is not what we meant... It is surely not a good thing to force work, but if they were... Well I certainly wouldn't've said as much if I thought the same about you, sir."
Her husband - who had made the first remark calling this Kinsilvi a slaver, eventually comes to her defense. "I am sorry.. never known a kobold well enough to speak in their defense, but no.. I don't think they should be forced to do his work, but none of can risk life and limb having a row with Larill Kinsilvi."
They both seem to realize they were being offensive, but are just now pinning down exactly how.
Enzi speaks up... "None of us care for the man, and we care less for his behavior... but, its his land and he can do as he wishes in my eyes. We are not the law."
Furiel smiles with a twinkle in his eye:
"But we are the law! Let it be known that all who want to learn the basics of weapons and formation fighting may come to our new stronghold. Lord Merick here is starting a guild to advance feats of arms."
He adds: "I would be a poor general if I didn't open up military service to all under our banner."
Furiel decides to add some humor: "We just planted some farmland ourselves. That sickle thing, every time I grab that curved sharp end to smash the plants with the wooden stick part my hands get cut. Sure am glad we ran into you."