Tove looks at the fey suspiciously, "When Bran was killed, they wrote the sylvan word for 'traitor' on his head. Why would this slayer consider helping a gathlain an act of treason?"
"His hatred of all things fey of course." the gathlain responds.
Tove frowns, not satisfied with Baodan's answer but not certain why.
Reading people and their hidden intent was something that Jacobus did well and it had helped him plenty in his trading business. Often times he would know what his customer wanted before they said anything.
However, this time he was stymied by the fey that now appeared.
"I am Jacobus and these are my traveling companions. We were tasked to explore these lands. Do you live here? Can you tell us about this area?"
"Indeed, I do live here." Baodan responds. The gathlain frowns a bit when told of the group's reasoning for being in the Greenbelt.
"That will simply not do." he says flying up to a nearby tree branch. "The queen will not be pleased...not pleased at all."
"Queen? I didn't know there was a queen here... what lands does she rule? And why wouldn't she be pleased with the prospect of a safer area? Raz asks of the fey as he flits around. "Also, would you happen to know who the slayer is who set these traps and killed our friend?
"She is...territorial." Baodan says. "She has ruled these lands for centuries."
"I do not know the slayer's name." Baodan says, explicitly not answering the other half of the question.
"What marks her land and territory then? Or if her territory is her people, how should we know which fey pay her court? In all the tales I have heard the people of the First World are no united empire." Torsten puzzles over Baodan's words. "Perhaps most important - what is her name or her title? Not just 'Queen', surely?"
"Yeah, I'm surprised to learn that Brevoy has another kingdom on its borders and nobody has heard of their queen!"
I look at Baodan, "May we request an audience with your queen, so that we may try to forge an alliance between us and so that we do not threaten her land or people by mistake? Also would you happen to know where the Slayer resides, so that we may have an idea when and from where to expect him or her?"
"Last I knew he resided at the northern edge of these woods."
"I doubt very much that she would grant you an audience, but even if she would, she is not in this realm at the moment...but she will be soon. There is a reason these lands are referred to as the Stolen Lands, and it has nothing to do with your human connotations. These lands belong to the First World and Queen Nyrissa is coming for them." Baodan says as his form disappears from view.
"surely you aren't leaving already? We have more questions about this area and those that live in it!" Raz says as the fey disappears
Jacobus stated, "Wait, don't go. What you say may be true so we need ascertain its validness. We need to talk to Queen Nyrissa. We can actually communicate with those that claims these lands..."
--------------
In sylvan: "we need discuss these realms, as well as how to counter the growing bandit problem, who also claim these lands as their own!" Raz shouts, hoping the sylvan will give him enough pause to hear us out.
You hear the flapping sounds of the gathlain's wooden wings stop as he lands nearby. With a sadness in his voice he says, "I do thank you for removing the traps...far less dangerous here now for me and my family. As for the Queen, she is terrifying and powerful...you would do well to steer clear of her."
The next sound you hear is the flapping of wooden wings again.
I look in wonder as the creature fades from view right before my eyes, the fact that my words have failed me in negotiating a meeting between the queen and our party is hitting me pretty hard. "Well ... that was ... interesting. Interesting and disappointing."
"And vaguely ominous." Tove agrees with Theo. "It sounds like some powerful forces are at play here beyond those in our material plane." She looks around her, as if looking for some glimpse into the First World, among the trees.
Despite the group's best efforts, they have been unsuccessful in acquiring anything more than an ominous warning from Baodan.
Unsatisfied, the group finishes its exploration for the day and sets camp for the night while Rufus hunts for fresh game, but returns to the camp empty jawed.
The night is warmer than past nights, making for a pleasant night's sleep that is thankfully undisturbed.
The meal of trail rations is a little bland after the nights spent at Lanyssa's but Tove is glad for the good night's rest. She wakes in the morning, grateful for the change in the weather.
After her morning prayers she packs up her camp and saddles up Ros.
"North then? Let's be on our guard as we map the rest of these woods. Baodan might not have been a lot of help but his warning about the slayer is worth keeping in mind."
I eat my food quietly; still upset over my failure the previous night, Rufus eats his food and prowls around to see if anyone will share their food before coming and trying to cheer me up. I stroke his head softly and nod at Tove's comment. My hair is tussled, my beard looks a little less neat and just in general you can see that my mind is not on my appearance ... for the first time that you have known me.
When I saddle up I make sure that my shield is strapped to my arm and my sword is within reach.
The party travels north, and shortly after mid-day sees a small lean-to shack in the distance. Apparently proceeded with extra caution, all but Rufus and Tove notice a number of bear traps set in the area approaching the shack. Fortunately for those that failed spot the bear traps others were able to warn them in time.
Scanning the area you see at least ten traps, and the smoke of a small campfire coming from behind the shack.
(with Strauch)
"Should we go in friendly and then ask about bran and the other fey, or should we go in sneaky and call him out when we have him surrounded?" Raz asks after stopping Tove before she steps in a bear trap.
"Who knows but that this slayer might have been threatened by some servant of Nyrissa. Ask questions first, I say." answers Torsten, barely dodging a trap himself.
Cautious as ever, Jacobus stated, "How about a couple of our more sneaky companions wait undetected while I call him out?"
he added, "That way we had an advantage if talks go sour."
"I hear that," says Ivo. He looks for a convenient bush.
"He doesn't seem to mind laying traps for others, let's see how he fairs when the odds are stacked against him." Tove agrees with Jacobus.
"Torsten is right though, there could be much to learn if we can get him to talk."
Lowering his voice Torsten says "I am no master of stealth, and I should prefer Strauch by my side. There are not so many of us that hide like the fox in the grass, eh?"
"Not so much at all." Tove agrees. "Best for me to remain out in the open. If anyone would like some divine assistance in choosing their words, we could say a little prayer to Erastil before we approach."
I nod in agreement, "We are also not very adept at sneaking, although Rufus is more so than I. We should be left in plain view as well, if any assistance is required in conversing with this 'Slayer' then I will aid in anyway I can." Unlike usual, I have haven't offered to take the role of diplomat.
Jacobus thanked Tove for the help, cleared his throat and yelled out there, "Anybody home? I see you got lots of bear traps. They must a big nuisance around here."
He waited a second and added, "We're just passing through and getting to know the people in the area..."
-------
Silence is the only response Jacobus receives for about five minutes. Just as the party is about ready to turn and leave, the shack's door creaks open to reveal a man dressed in studded leather armor and holding a bow at the ready.
"Who are you, and who sent you?" a gruff voice calls out.
Silence is the only response Jacobus receives for about five minutes. Just as the party is about ready to turn and leave, the shack's door creaks open to reveal a man dressed in studded leather armor and holding a bow at the ready.
"Who are you, and who sent you?" a gruff voice calls out.
Jacobus raised his hands, "Woa, woa, woa. No one sent us looking for you or anything like that. We are doing a preliminary survey of the area, that's all."
He added, "Can we talk without you poking me full of holes?'
The assumed "slayer's" eyes narrow, focused on Jacobus before he responds. "I suppose...but make it quick."
Jacobus continued, "Like I said, we are just passing by and wanted to meet the good folk that live here and learn about the place."
He asked, "Why all the bear traps?"
--------
"Too many damned fey around here. They've got their own world, they need to stay there. If they don't...well let's just say that I make sure that they don't stay here."
Ivo remains completely quiet.
"These woods do seem to host some strong connections with the First World. Tove muses.
Trying to get both sides of the story, Tove asks the slayer:
"Tell me, these fey, do you suspect they come to this plane with ill intentions? Something more than just mere desire to settle among these trees. Have any attempted to harm you, or are your traps a move to strike at them first?"
If this man believes we are at war with the fey, then that would explain his labelling Bran a traitor, a denizen of the material plane working for those of the first world by disarming his defences...
"They are invading!" the slayer responds. "They have their world, this is ours!"
Narrowing his focus of his gaze and that of his bow to the Erastilian priestess, "You seem almost sympathetic to their kind. Are you? I've already dealt with a number of traitors, I'm not afraid to do so again."
"I assure you, the only otherworldly plane I serve is the celestial plane of Heaven. I am a priestess of Erastil, patron to the farmers, hunters and tradesmen. I hold no sympathies for the fey, I merely seek an understanding of the situation within these woods."
Tove attempts to put the man's mind at ease, or at least not end up with an arrow in hers.
The slayer relaxes the pull on his bow and lowers his bow. "You're a priestess of Old Deadeye. I can respect that."
Raz also remains silent, looking around, taking in his surroundings, and remaining guarded in his posture with his arms crossed.
"One man with arrows and traps will not last long if the fey strike back though! Even mighty heroes lose battles that way in the tales. What do you plan when they so do?" asks Torsten, trying his own bit of flattery.
... clumsily.
"Oh I have no illusions that this will go well for old Breeg, but I'll take a bunch of 'em to Hell with me."
"Oh I have no illusions that this will go well for old Breeg, but I'll take a bunch of 'em to Hell with me."
Jacobus stepped closer, "Well, we're no fey and certainly no friend of any evil fey. Can you tell more about this? Maybe we can help."
Breeg spits, "Evil fey? Is there any other kind?" the "slayer" asks incredulously.
"Causing all sorts of grief for folk that just want to live their lives...not too mention taking children. If you're wantin' to help, I have no quarrels with that, but there's no room for any middle ground. They all have to go."