Dismounting from Durok, Gorguk walks slowly in front of his stead. If something should happen, Gorguk would prefer it hapen to himself rather than to his faithful companion. Seeing a large branch fallen by the wayside, Gorguk strips it bare until he has a stout pole. Using it as a cane before him, his starts poking through the underbrush looking for traps. Hopefully the trap hits the pole and triggers before it triggers on his leg or worse Durok's. Perception check
Rhasadilara says, "Hold, paladin. You have the right idea with the pole. Let us work in pairs and use poles like that to search."
Perception
Perception
Also dismounted and using a long pole to beat the bushes, grasses etc for traps.....
"Finders keepers on tha traps! Tis a fine game! Mayhap we could blind-fold Gorguk an let him search!"
laughs for a minute and gets back to the search.
"Imagine iffen we had tah do this in ever hex o tha land!"
Nursing more than one painful injury, Rhasa ruefully asks Pervilash, "So you think that is all of them? Good. Perhaps we will rest here and continue on to where he met his no-doubt deserving end."
Calinder works with Lothar in looking for traps.
"I also hope that we have found them all, but if not, I have no objection to staying longer to clear the place of traps."
After stepping in a trap that Rhasa just crossed over without stepping in herself, Yes Rhasa, there is no doubt that he deserved his fate after what we have seen. No hunter and therefore a follower of Erastil would place traps in such a way without them being marked as such. Why, I am beginning to be a believer in corporate punishment. Well, even more than I am sometimes already. If he wasn't dead, I would set his own traps on him. Thank goodness we had healing at our disposal our we would never have made it through the day. That and the help that Mikmek and the fey provided of course. Gorguk is ok to stay as well to remove all the traps. Then on to the dead man and bring him in to Oleg's for burial.
"Agreed. If he hadn't already paid the ultimate price, I would be inclined to find some way to punish him."
"Indeed, it seems tha a great service was done in two parts by our friends, first they did stop a man in his daring, an secondd did give us fair warnin an saved us an our mounts great pains."
"Iffen they agree in tha future tah notify us of such persons, we shall have eyes an ears in places we ken not be."
After Calinder's typical morning routine, he says, "Well shall we go see where this "trapper" is buried?" As Calinder says the word trapper, it is with a level of scorn that you have not heard come from the usually mild mannered cleric.
Rhasa asks Mikmek to examine the area to verify that there is not another still-active trap as well as try to determine what exactly happened to the trapper.
"Did I misunderstand, Perilash? I thought you said he died at your hand, er, that you and your friend killed him?"
Perception
If Rhasa determines that the trap is safe, GOrguk will remove the logs and free the body. He will leave the search of the body and site for others more skilled in perception and focus more on the body itself. AFter hearing Rhasa's question and inquiry to the death to of the trapper, Gorguk will try and determine wether the trapper did infact die from the trap or was placed here after being killed somewhere else. deal chech Gorguk will relay what he finds to the others.
Lothar also examined the area, his specific interest lay with the deadfall and dead body of the cruel that had been pinned by its activation.
"Seems tha man likely has some tool err item tah tell us where he was from o what house he is from, unless like me he was a houseless rogue."
Perception
Rhasa points at the rope and looks at Pervilash with one upraised eyebrow, the question on her face quite obvious.
Calinder helps to search the area around where the trapper was caught in his own trap, hoping to find some clue to his identity.
By all means, it is as it appears to be. The man was killed by his own trap. He was not moved here after his death nor were he killed here and the logs placed afterwards to make it look like an accident. Following the direction Rhasa is pointing, Gorguk sees the rope finally. A little comprehension dawns in his face, Perlivash, this is what you meant when you said you killed him. As unfortunate as it is to take a life, I myself have done so on numerous occasions already and I will not ask you for an accounting of yourselves. It is quite obvious that this was a man who attempted to gain an advantage through nefarious ways. The damage he has caused to animals and people alike were enough to warrant punishment, perhaps not death, but punishment yes. Do not trouble yourselves with guilt over this man. Instaed learn from it and in the future, perhaps you can come to Rhasa or one of us and we can help you with such people before they become too problematic. We will be here in this area for a while. At any time you are welcome to speak with us and tell us news that troubles you. If you know of others that have problems and are of a like sentiment, you can tell them that the Wardens of the Green are here to help.
diplomacy
Gorguk will use the axe in the tree to create a litter to drag behind Durok. Thus he will be brought back to Oleg's for identification and burial.
"By Jove an axe!"
Pulls the axe free.....
Dropping her semi-accusing look, Rhasa smiles, "I have to agree with the paladin, my new friends. The punishment does seem appropriate for the crime - a trapper caught in his own trap. Oh, Gorguk - I think perhaps Calinder needs to ask Erastil's favor to keep the poor fellow from falling part on the way back. How long has he been dead?"
She looks around, "Surely he had a camp around here somewhere. Do you know where that might have been?"
Perception to search for the man's dropped gear or find a trail back to his campsite
Lothar looked to where Rhasadilara pointed and nodded his head at the sight, his expression taciturn. The little dragon, it seemed, had a sense of dramatic irony that shed a new light on it in the magician's mind.
After listening to the paladin's words to Perlivash, he assisted Gorguk in removing the logs that comprised the deadfall, taking care to not cause another triggering event.
AFter buildig the litter, Gorguk will attempt to help Rhasa find the trail of the deceased camp. Aid another
"Surely Oleg has met this man, though I guess he could have come here from tha other direction!"
AFter not finding a trail to help Rhasa backtrack the dead hunter, I am sure you are correct in your assumptions Barnabus. The man may not be from around here, but there is no where else to go for trade other than Oleg's. No one may know him that well but Oleg should at least recognize the fellow. If Cal can keep this body preserved as well on the way back to Oleg's, we might as well explore the region on our way back. However, if this puts too much of a strain on him, then we should forego any exploring and return directly to the trading post to deliver both the deaceased and Tuskgutter. What say you Cal?
"Gorguk, it be not a problem to keep this fellow and the boar preserved, I just will need to alternate each day casting the spell on each of them. In fact I could probably handle one more before it became a problem."
"I will not be able to cast it again until morning though."
"Friend Cal I hopes no other body is added to us between here an Olegs!"
The sight of Oleg's Trading Post as the group trudged through the lightly falling rain was a welcome one to Lothar. The magician felt like this no matter how many times he saw the place, no matter how many times the Wardens went out and came back from exploring. Lothar smiled.
It was beginning to feel like home.
Upon entering the establishment (and after greeting the gruff owner), Lothar inquired after Svetlana's location. After thanking Oleg for the information (and asking the man to accompany him), he went to her. I believe this is yours, milady.
And with that the magician produced her wedding ring.
Of all the things the Wardens of the Green had done or accomplished since coming here, this was one of the best moments Lothar would experience.
The only thing that would come closest to matching this would be taking down the Stag Lord once and for all.
During the day, Gorguk keeps his eyes downcast avoiding looking into the drizzle. The few times he does look up is to check on the location oft he rest of the party compared to Rhasa and himself. Thus it is with slow recognition that the lights on the horizon mean anything to Gorguk. When he does realize what the light means and he sees the pallisade walls, Gorguk's whole manner changes. Slapping his companions on the back (LOH with fatigue mercy) to bolster their waning strength, Gorguk swears he can almost smell Svetlana's cooking from here. Come all, rest and shelter are before us. An end is near to the wet drizzle of the day. We will spend the night in the companionship of friends over the warmth of a fire in the hearth.
The last little bit before we reach Oleg's passes quickly and it is with a cheerful heart that Gorguk approaches the gates. Hail, Oleg we have returned with tidings both good and ill. Let us enter and share with you the adventures these past weeks.
Upon entrance Gorguk leads Durok to the stable and rubs down the horse making sure there is plenty of water and feed for him. Checking to make sure that the bedding is fresh and clean Gorguk dries Durok and pats him on the flank. Gorguk will unhitch the litter and bring the body out of the barn to where Oleg is standing. He is in time to see Lothar and Oleg enter the main store. Gorguk sets the litter down to follow them. Not for sure knowing what Lothar is up to, Gorguk smiles when the ring is presented to Svetlana. Indeed this is one of the best experiences so far for the Wardens. Not wanting to interrupt the joyous occasion for the couple, Gorguk will wait and ask Oleg later about the identity of dead trapper.
Rhasadilara will take Dyfrig's mount and Sunset into the stable. "You have worked hard, my friend. I'll care for your horse tonight."
She very meticulously brushes and cares for both of the horses, likewise making sure that each of them have ample water and feed. As the others bring their animals in, she offers to care for each of them in turn. She knows that Gorguk will refuse, of course.
It takes quite a while for her to finally settle herself down enough to actually enter the trading post, looking out the gate with some small regret as she steps through the door.
Also forgot to mention...
Following Lothar in, Gorguk takes a moment to unstrap Tuskgutter and bring in the head. The meat will stay out for a bit until talk has died down and we start witht he rest of hte chores and unpacking for the night.
Also, if there is anyone else at the outpost, GOrguk will insist upon them joining in the talk and celebration of what has transpired thus far. Diplomacy check to get them to stay and listen to the tales spun by Lothar.
"Come Mikmek, this is our baase of operations for now while we explore tha greenbelt, messages may be sent here o any troubles o problems tha brew."
@Oleg
"This be Mikmek, a strange on fer certain I say, an also consider tha strangeness o tha source!"
Also has to check his mount, remove the saddle, brush and oil his saddle, etc....
working up an appetite for a hearty dinner.
;
As Gorguk slaps him on the back, Calinder looks up ahead and sees what suddenly changed the paladin's mood. He then has to consciously keep himself from spurring his mount into a run to get to the outpost faster.
As Calinder leads his horse into the stable and Rhasa offers to see to his horse's care, Calinder says, "I thank you for the offer Rhasadilara, and I will gladly accept your help, but I'll not leave the whole task to you. I will gladly have you show me how best to care for this fine horse, as it was not something that I learned in Erastil's temple."
"I think that I have been doing alright, but probably not a great job so far. I'll remove my gear, tack and saddle. Then if you will show me what I need to know, I will be grateful."
Once his horse is cared for, he joins the others, greeting Oleg and Svetlana. He smiles as the ring is presented to Svetlana, and that task comes to a complete conclusion.
During Lothar's retelling of their adventures over the last few weeks, he follows along in his journal, not so much to make sure that Lothar tells the tale right, but to make sure that he didn't miss something.
"Seems tah me yah should let me help yer concoctions an call it witch's brew, then yah will has more tha one flavor, I tink a darker brew be in order!"
Barnabus does not react to any ommissions in the story, figuring the minor fey creatures are better served and of service unseen......
Rhasa stands against the wall watching her partner's storytelling, nodding in recollection. If there's anything in the tale that seems wrong or missing, she shows no sign.
"If only we had some cleric tah tend tha shrine, then surly we would see our efforts tah restore tha greenbelt, an twould give Oleg a freind an force near-by."
"Might be worth sendin a request tah them Swordlords."
I don't know how much more support they will give us Barnabus, but a discrete erquest should be in order. In fact, I may send word to my Father and see if he would be willing to come himself to head up the restoration project. That way it does not appear to have political involvement and seem sonly natural to include a someone we trust. Gorguk will then compose another letter to be delivered stating his case and have it sent and sealed to Father Ralu.
"Gorguk, that is a good idea. If they cannot send anyone, then I can write to those who trained me and see if they can spare someone to assist us in the restoration."
Rhasadilara looks over Vekkel's bow with an appreciative eye. "Beautiful. Look at the craftsmanship. It's been well-used and well-cared-for." She looks at the hunter, "It's like you offered your child as a reward, an incredibly generous offer."
"Gorguk and Durok slew the beast. Durok is not talking, so I think Gorguk should decide who gets the bow." She says this with a twinkle in her eye, especially the part about Durok deciding who should get the bow.
When the group is not together making plans, Rhasa is as likely to be outside tending the animals or whatever task gives her an excuse to be out of the buildings. However, given the chance, she will sit and talk to the old hunter to learn all she can from him.