Welcome!
Dot
Ozak shakes his head, and jumps up suddenly.
WHAT? WHERE THE HELL AM I?!? He looks around in confusion, rubbing his eyes. "Oh... um... right. Here."
You all answered the call from the lord mayor of Restov for brave adventurers to explore and claim a part of the Stolen Lands, the Greenbelt. For unknown reasons you were not selected for one of the coveted spots.
Now 3 months later you are summoned to a tower at the edge of Restov. Invitation in hand you knock at the door. A manservant opens the door. Invitation please. He asks. He then escorts you to a small dining room. You sit at a table filled with food and drink. Looking around you see a strange looking assortment of people.
An old frail-looking man enters the room, supporting himself with a cane. Straightening his back he locks eyes with each one of you for a couple of seconds. His eyes radiate with power. My name is Leonard, also known as the Ruby Wizard. You are wondering why you were summoned? Good question.
You have all been given a second chance at greatness. 3 months ago 4 groups of adventurers were send into the stolen lands. We have been in contact with most except one, the group we sent into the Greenbelt. Pausing for a moment to let the words sink in. We want you to take their place and do what they couldn’t.
The butler hands out to each of you a scroll case and a small bag.
The scroll case contains a charter giving you the right to explore the area known as the Greenbelt and four commissions.
Small bag contains money, 10 pp, 100 gp, 100 sp and 100 cp.
Any questions?
She smiles as she takes a seat. Leaning back, in a very relaxed manner
"Do we know why they did not respond? Or why contact was lost? All I know so far is the fact the place is riddled with bandits."
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Welcome lady Orlovsky! Leonard says while returning the smile. The reason for not responding is unknown to me. They should have checked in every month as per the original agreement. They haven't so far, so they are presumed captured, dead or lost.
Banditry is indeed one of the major problems in the Greenbelt. One I hope you lot can rectify.
The small woman wears a well-worn but taken care of set of studded leather armor. A long sword is sheathed at her left side alongside of a hanging starknife. She has a bolt case full of ammunition at her right side and below strapped to her tight is a sheathed dagger. A small crossbow hangs across his back with heavy shield made of a darkened wood bearing the symbol of a purple-blue butterfly.
For those who know Ciana, know that she is unashamed of her body and has full tattoo across her back and shoulders.
Siting in the chair the small gnomish woman looks about to her fellows and first speaks, "Good day to you all. I am Ciana Andu, a disciple of Lady Luck." She looks about assessing the odd group of assembled people around the table.
She takes up a large mug of ale in both hands and sips at the drink before placing back on the table.
As the Ruby Wizard makes his pitch she is quite thrilled to have a second chance at going forth into the Stolen Lands. As she opens the scroll case and examines the charter and commissions she comments, "Sounds like a great opportunity."
"It has been several months, could you enlighten us as to who was in the group who went missing?" She asks. "And who are the other groups that went into the Stolen Lands?"
Another, very, small figure stands almost unnoticed before you, wearing sturdy leather workman’s clothing, with sandy haired pulled up into a puff of a topknot, laughing ice blue eyes, and a wash of gentle acid scarring on his face. Beardless, he stands 3’0”, and weighs a mere 35 lbs, and appears to be bearing nearly that much weight in tools hanging off his belt, and peering out of a backpack.
.
Roonie pipes up after giving the group quite the discrete once over, noting where all their weapons are, and how confident each carries themselves.
"It seems you have selected quite the assortment to go in after your first choices... I seem to recall there were quite a few that had offered to sign up with the first team. I suppose I must be frank, why us? I can clearly see that all of us are quite capable, but ... so were the first lot. Not that I'm not interested, of course, just... I've had some ... poor ... prior experiences. Well, several poor experiences."
It also wears a cloak over it's head with a cape draping down it's back, it's probably waterproof by its waxy complexion. Under that he wears what appears to be clothes suited for hobbits of Restov, however his pants have an obvious addition for his tapering tail, which seems to move as if to express himself, dancing from side to side when he is excited and so on.
He always seems a bit nervous when around strangers keeping his hands and tail busy.
I approach the table timidly, not too comfortable to be about in my true form among such company. Upon noticing Zartana I decide to take the seat opposite.
"Hello, I think we met before, Zartana was it?"
Deciding to stay quiet for the time being, I look over the food hesitantly before deciding to munch on any meats waiting for an answer for the 2 Gnome's questions.
My name is Leonard, also known as the Ruby Wizard.
Any questions?
The grumpy-looking figure hunched over in the corner rises, and towers over the others in the room. He is cloaked in furs against the cold Brevic winter, and his long, bristly greying hair matches the color of his skin. Two long tusks jut upwards from the sides of his mouth. Scars marking him as belonging to a Gormish warrior cult mark his face.
He looks at Leonard intently for a moment.
"Yeah. Here's a question: why you? Isn't this up to the Lord-Mayor? Or one of the Swordlord council? I hope this isn't part of some wizard's plot."
Banditry is indeed one of the major problems in the Greenbelt. One I hope you lot can rectify.
"Hmmm... no doubt the others you sent were weak."
The burly half-orc picks up the large double axe leaning against the wall beside him. He raises it up in the air, holding it by the middle.
"We will crush these bandits utterly, and bring you their heads." He then lowers his axe, and says, "so... how much does this job pay?"
She sighs at his last question. Men with their "big" weapons.
"He did just hand us over a hundred gold. Look before you leap"
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"He did just hand us over a hundred gold. Look before you leap"
Ozak looks in the bag, and weighs it in his hand.
"Hm. Normally I would say that this gets you my services for about a month. How long do you expect this job to take? And how do we report in every month? Do we return here to Restov?"
She shakes her head. Is this what she has to deal with? She hopes not
"Read. The. Letter." she says slowly. Trying to not berate this stranger
She did give the kobold a quick smile and a wave. But this half breed is causing her good mood to dampen a bit
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"Read. The. Letter." she says slowly.
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"Hmmm... no doubt the others you sent were weak."
The burly half-orc picks up the large double axe leaning against the wall beside him. He raises it up in the air, holding it by the middle.
"We will crush these bandits utterly, and bring you their heads." He then lowers his axe, and says, "so... how much does this job pay?"
"it isn't very smart to make such assumptions of the formerly employed". I chirp in slightly annoyedly, "Even if the bandits themselves aren't much of a threat, there are a lot of them in the greenbelt, they simply could have been overrun, it could be because they were so cocky". Almost a bit surprised at how snippy he got he fidgets a little in his seat before shyly saying "Hi, I'm Jamahzin(Jame-ah-zin)... nice to meet you".
Not just brawn and…. Looking at the gnomes and kobold. Tiny muscles!
Smiling at his own joke Leonard grabs his lower back to stand up straight. The smile quickly disappears as the painful maneuver reminds him of his own fragility and old age.
Why me you ask? I’m a close friend of the lord mayor, I advise him of different topics. I didn’t agree with the first group but it wasn’t my choice to make. After the apparent failure of the first group I was able to convince the lord mayor to think outside the box and let me make a second group, more capable of surviving in the Greenbelt.
Grabbing the glass of wine in front of him Leonard takes a sip and continues.
The Greenbelt is an hostile place where banditry and lawlessness are common, where monsters and wild animals roam free and unrestricted but also a land of infinite resources and possibilities.
Why you? Picture this, a group of bandits or a clan of kobolds sees a dreaded drow female come at them, flanked by an axe-wielding screaming half-orc. A small man changes in front of their eyes into a dragon while out of nowhere behind them a gnome appears. All accompanied by an inspiring battle hymn. I would run instead of face those…..again for a better word monsters.
I chose you 5 because you complement each other while possessing some unique powers and/or skillsets.
I need 5 minutes to relax, I haven’t eaten all day.
Knowledge Local,
A local outlaw named the Stag Lord is rumored to claim a large part of the Greenbelt as his own.
Knowledge Nobility,
Never heard of the Orlovsky family.
Knowledge Local,
A local outlaw named the Stag Lord is rumored to claim a large part of the Greenbelt as his own.
Leonard the Ruby Wizard is an advisor and long-time friend of the lord mayor. Rumors suggest he receives his power from a large red ruby on his cane which he found as a young man while exploring an old tomb. There is even talk that a living being resides in the ruby as it’s prisoner.
Knowledge Nobility,
The Orlovsky family controls a large part of the northeast of Brevoy. Their house crest is a black eagle with wings spread in front of a gold field. Their motto is ‘High Above’
After quietly enjoying some different kinds of meat Leonard empties his glass of wine in a single gulp.
The other groups send were Iron Wraiths, an experienced group of adventurers, mercenaries led by low-ranking swordlord named Maegar Varn and the last group consists diplomats and high-raking soldiers from Brevoy.
The group sent to the Greenbelt consist of a human female barbarian named Amiri, a dwarven ranger named Harsk, a gnome named Lini and a human male monk named Sajan.
Besides the charter the scroll case contained 4 commissions which are imperative to your mission. Complete all 4 will give you extra money, equipment and most importantly goodwill and reputation. You will have allies in the city who you can call on for extra jobs and information.
To any loyal servant of Erastil, hidden somewhere in the area known as the Greenbelt is a small shrine of dedicated to our lord. Find it and share the location with a servant of Erastil and you’ll be rewarded.
Reward 400 GP, wand of Cure Light Wounds.
To any able hunter, a prize for the person who shows proof of the demise of Tuskgutter, an ill-tempered demonic boar. The beast is responsible for crippling my son while on a hunting trip.
Rewards 500 GP, 2 masterwork weapons of choice.
Components needed, scales of the elusive tatzlwyrm. Anyone who brings me 20 scales from the runt of the draconic family will be rewarded by coin and spell.
Rewards 400 GP, wand of Shield.
Wanted, dead or alive. Kressle, sadistic leader of a group of bandits operating in the Greenbelt. Responsible for the deaths of several caravan guards.
Rewards 400 GP, 2 potions of cure moderate wounds.
Listening quietly to Leonard I think to myself "Note to self: try not to show your abilities off so plainly." Then finally speak up to the Ruby Wizard "ughm, Ruby Wizard, sir, how exactly will we notify you of the completion of these commissions, and then also receive the reward?"
She leans over and half-whispers to Jamahzin, "I am sure that we could return here to Restov. We will need to restock and resupply."
Sitting back up and enjoying some of the offered meats and cheeses she comments aloud, "The Staglord, a bandit controling a large part of the Greenbelt, looks to be one of our main obstacles"
I grumple a bit in draconic at Ciana's response, "Return?... It's just... easier for me the farther I am from... places like here".
It appears he is stumbling over words trying not to be rude to anyone. Apparently the idea of returning to Restov repeatedly was something completely foreign to him.
She looks around a bit then nods
"Seems we are in. I assume we go to this Oleg first?"
She starts to gather her things she braught in
"We best get going then."
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"it isn't very smart to make such assumptions of the formerly employed". I chirp in slightly annoyedly, "Even if the bandits themselves aren't much of a threat, there are a lot of them in the greenbelt, they simply could have been overrun, it could be because they were so cocky".
Ozak grins a big toothy smile. "A fitting comment from one of the dragon people! I know my people have underestimated yours many times. Hah!"
But then Ozak becomes serious again. "Nevertheless, they failed. If you are saying that they were fools rather than weaklings, it makes little difference. I have no plans to throw myself upon the first dragon we see. If you meet a foe that you cannot overcome with force, then you step back and make plans."
Almost a bit surprised at how snippy he got he fidgets a little in his seat before shyly saying "Hi, I'm Jamahzin(Jame-ah-zin)... nice to meet you".
Ozak's toothy grin emerges once more. He thrusts out his hand. "Ozak Daggertooth. Honored."
The group sent to the Greenbelt consist of a human female barbarian named Amiri, a dwarven ranger named Harsk, a gnome named Lini and a human male monk named Sajan.
You will have allies in the city who you can call on for extra jobs and information.
"ughm, Ruby Wizard, sir, how exactly will we notify you of the completion of these commissions, and then also receive the reward?"
"By 'the city' I assume you mean Restov? So we are to report back here on a monthly basis?"
Ozak looks over the comissions. "Hm. Bounties. Well, I've done that before. This will do for now."
She looks around a bit then nods
"Seems we are in. I assume we go to this Oleg first?"She starts to gather her things she brought in
"We best get going then."
Ozak nods. "Very well. Perhaps we should meet at the western gate? I have a few supplies to pick up before leaving."
She gives a slight bow and exits the room. This is going to be a rather long excursion. But it was what she wanted. She was excited and nervous at the same time.
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I contemplate everything said before then speak up "Ughm, attention please" I then transform rather suddenly into a halfling, "This is what I'll look like at the western gate".
Then I get up and hurriedly leave the building, not enjoying any attention this has gained me.
"ughm, Ruby Wizard, sir, how exactly will we notify you of the completion of these commissions, and then also receive the reward?"
Jamahzin is it? I hope I pronounce it right. There is a trading post called Oleg’s run by Oleg Leveton and his wife Svetlana. Leave word of completion with them. You can collect you’re reward a week later.
Very well. Eager I like that. Leonard says when you get ready to leave. Best of luck to you all. Hope to speak to all of you soon. Sitting down he resumes eating again while his butler shows you the door.
After gathering at the western gate you set course to Oleg’s trading post.
After an uneventful journey that takes you through the southern lands of Rostland you arrive at the last bastion of civilization before entering the Greenbelt, Oleg's Trading Post.
Oleg’s Trading Post looks like a small fort and is surrounded by a wooden palisade that stands 10 feet high. At each corner of the palisade are watchtowers, each armed with a run-down catapult. There’s one entrance through the palisade, a 30-foot-wide wooden gate.
"Did you want us to leave word of current status there as well? Or is there something that the first group that allows messages to be passed quickly? Without needing several days travel to get to you?"
____
"Ozak? Would you mind holding this for a few minutes?"
Roonie holds up his tiny backpack, filled with about 19 pounds of this and that.
Roonie waits a few moments for Ozak to accept, if not he stashes it on the ground nearby, and then drifts forward, taking 10 for a 23 stealth, and moves forward and to the side, at half speed. Not expecting trouble, but having lived long enough that he never takes some of the chances of his youth.
I still look like a halfling and look to the rest of the group except roon. "what is he doing?"
From the shrubbery drifts a quiet voice...
"The same thing I did when we first met Jamahzin... inspecting while not being seen."
Ciana had ridden her war pony as she remained just short of the group she had been sent with. She was still leery of the dark skinned elf. The kobold appeared to be different then most she had heard of, but she kept an eye on him as well. The half-orc screamed a warrior that you did not want to mess with. Then there was the elder gnome seemed to be an experienced fellow and while she did not know him, he seemed the most likley on that she could relate to of the bunch. But, she would see as the group traveled in relative quiet.
She watched as Roonfizzle stowed his gear, of which is volunteered a saddle bag to him for, as she moves off in stealth to observe as the group moved towards the walled trading post.
Ciana looked over the place and tried to recall what she knew of Oleg's.
"Very well. Perhaps we should meet at the western gate? I have a few supplies to pick up before leaving."
Ozak arrives at the western gate astride a black warhorse in leather barding. Trailing behind that is a pack mule with supplies packed on it.
"Hello again, friends! Ready to go? This, by the way," Ozak says, patting his horse's neck, "is Irontoes, and that," Ozak says, indicating the mule, "is Gertrude."
Ozak looks down at the smaller characters.
"Jamahzin, you can probably change into something that can move well overland, but Roonfizzle, it seems that you do not have a mount. You are welcome to double up behind me if you don't mind the smell of Half-Orc! Hah!"
Ozak looks again at the others, this time his eyes settling on Zartana.
"Zartana, do you not have a mount also? Hmmm..." Ozak looks around at his animals. "Well then... perhaps you can double with me and Roonfizzle can ride Gertrude? Gertrude's saddle is not meant for riding, but it will serve in a pinch."
Over campfires, Ozak is happy to regale the others with tales of the Orcs of the north, though he is silent on the subject of his human ancestry. When others describe their experiences, he listens intently.
Each morning at dawn he insists on spending an hour alone, practicing and working out with his Orc Double Axe, before he consents to leave the camp.
Ozak looks over the crude fort, sizing it up.
"Ozak? Would you mind holding this for a few minutes?"
Roonie holds up his tiny backpack, filled with about 19 pounds of this and that.
"No worries. Irontoes won't mind. What are you doing, anyway?"
Zartana was more lively at night. Eagerly listening to the stories that were told. Heating the stories from younger races was facinating to. Even being older, yet viewed younger, she has not seen the world like most. So she enjoyed every tale
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dice=Knowledge (Local) Oleg's]1d20+9
Oleg’s trading post is run by a Oleg Leveton and his wife Svetlana. They also received a charter from Restov to rebuild the fort into a trading post. They have been here for about 4 months. They mostly deal with the local hunters and trappers.
Ozak watches Roonfizzle for a while, and then dismounts, ready to lead the horse into the compound when the rogue finishes his reconnoiter. He stands languidly with his double axe over his shoulder, and looks around quietly.
---
taking 10 for a 23 stealth
Zartana dismounts. Still not use to being in the saddle of her companion. But she would get use to it eventually
She too enters the small fort luke structure. Leading her elk in
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She too enters the small fort
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She too enters the small fort luke structure. Leading her elk in
Ozak looks around for a moment. Where did that gnome get to?
He shrugs, and begins leading Irontoes and Gertrude inside, following Zartana. He looks back and gestures towards the gate, inviting the others to follow.
If the check succeeds, you disable the device. If it fails by 4 or less, you have failed but can try again. If you fail by 5 or more, something goes wrong. If the device is a trap, you spring it. If you’re attempting some sort of sabotage, you think the device is disabled, but it still works normally.
Roon continues to move in towards the fort taking cover as it becomes available, seeing just how far in he can get before he has nothing to hide behind other than the rest of the party, using them as a last resort.