Paval Fagyaszt |
Paval turns away from the scene when Ahto gets to the beheading.
Once he's done he turns back just in time to see Ahto do his weird occult thing. "There must be a better way than this. Something less messy. Maybe we could copy one of those blades they use in Galt?"
DM Vayelan |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The day has been long and tiring, and the night was perhaps more taxing. Whether cot or bedroll, any manner of bed calls out to your tired muscles with a siren’s song.
Aurelius dismisses you with a friendly wave, all but ordering you to get some rest. As the next watch shift takes to the parapet, Aurelius and Kalima - having awoken for the sordid scene - volunteer to provide an orientation for Jolan and Bron, the two new recruits.
With the rising sun, the party can hear Svetlana pleading with Oleg in the trading post yard.
”Oh Oleg, just let them sleep a bit longer. They rode all day and all night to make sure those bandits would never bring us harm again. They’ve earned the rest.”
Oleg’s response opens with a harumph.
”Ain’t no time for rest out here. They should know this already. There’s always work to be done and not enough time to do it.”
”No man dies wishing he’d worked more,” Svetlana mutters loudly as she walks away, setting about the cooking fire.
Once the party has risen and emerged from tent, pavilion, and bunkhouse, Oleg tells them, ”Cob the woodsman stopped by the post while you were out yesterday. I passed along your orders for him to carry north. Assuming the bald fool doesn’t get lost with heatstroke again, he should catch the next merchant train before it leaves Restov. I would expect them within 12 days.”
"Crack-jawed" Ahto Ulrych |
Ahto rises at the sound of Svetlana and Oleg's conversation.
He washes the night's sweat from his face and armpits, then dresses. He takes a moment to say his morning devotions before the Shrine, and then meets them in the courtyard.
"Good Morning, Master Oleg," he says in greeting. Upon hearing the news that their first correspondence is on the way back to Restov, he replies with a nod and a simple, "thank you."
****
Once the others have had a chance to speak with Oleg, Ahto addresses the group. "If there is no other pressing business today, I would like to take a proper census of our Indentures: names, a written description, and a sketch of their faces if possible. Furthermore, as Master Paval pointed out last night, executions, especially beheadings tend to leave the stain and stench of blood wherever they occur. I think a team of Indentures can assist me in building a proper gallows platform, with a gibbet to one side and a headsman's block to the other." He looks to the others to see if there are any opinions they wish to speak on the matter.
"I know, Master Paval, that you also suggested creating a device similar to the ones used in Galt. True, they are efficient, but that is what concerns me about them. The people of Galt do not have any true sense of law and order, or even of justice. A man or woman is simply convicted by the fleeting mood of the mob, and is marched off to the device and beheaded before any reasoned debate can be had on the matter. I do not want this land to become such a place. When I bring my sword down upon the neck of a criminal, I do so with the calm, cold knowledge that they are guilty, not in a heated passion fueled by a mob's fury. I would hope that anyone who acts as the arm of the law in the future feels the weight of the blade in their hands, and in the same way, the seriousness of the responsibility."
Ahto looks to the to others and waits to hear any opinions they wish to voice.
Paval Fagyaszt |
Paval nods as Ahto mentions the mess that is Galt, "I agree that Galt is a hotbed of chaos and lawlessness and have no desire to bring any of that here. However you can't deny the machines are efficient and in themselves more organised than a normal beheading."
he sighs, "If it were up to me we'd do away with executions in their entirety, or perhaps only for the foulest of criminals. Indentured servitude is much more efficient and humane."
Arisl'arial Tathmir |
Rather than observing the executions, Aris chooses to continue work on her notes about the Stolen Lands. It's not that the idea of their deaths bothers her; rather, she has other business to attend to, and their demises don't factor into her tasks. After writing in her journal for a while, she falls into a trance.
When she awakens, Aris prepares a handful of different spells, casting one on herself to begin the day. "Koza!" She feels the slight pressure cover her entire body as a layer of invisible magic armor presses against her skin and clothes. Comforted by the gentle embrace of the armor, she steps out of the Levetons' guest house and prepares to face her task of the day.
"Re wux krathin ekess ukris jaka?" Aris gulps down a bit of apprehension as she starts talking to Hexa. In close quarters, the big lizardfolk could likely tear her apart, but she's prepared a small contingency should things go sour. "sjek zyak, yth shilta gethrisj crodr."
If so, we can go inside.
Teuni-Hexa |
Hexa nods to Ahto as he loads up Kressle and the dead man onto himself and Tal. "Ahto's way ssame ass one who do dis to Hexa... Hexa understands..." He taps his bloodied claws to his scars on his shoulders, chest and neck. The deepest of the many he had. "Kressle. Masshe. Weak in end, sso co..." He stops, doubting Ahto's way could be a grave insult, so he left his assumptions as dead as those he spoke of. He had other things needing done now. "See you, first light Wa' Chief Ahto." He bobs his head to Ahto before departing, tapping his head with his calws and waving his hand in farewell for the time being. He moved a fair distance from the fort before setting up small but usable pyres for burning the bodies to ash.
When he returned that night he had marked the burnt remains with stones shaped in small mounds where he could find them again.
He cleared the bloodied earth in the fort's yard with magically summoned water, washing away the blood of the nights deeds before tucking in next to Tal and Chacta for warmth. When first light came he was still clad in his wooden armor and a hand on his Handaxe, just in case something dark stirred in the night...
_____________________________________________________________________
Olegs gruff talk with Svetlana roused him from slumber, he nodded to them in greeting. "Good Light." He was off kilter today. Fatigued muscles yearned for rest, but Hexa could not rest. Ignoring the strange discussion of the Ahto and Paval he goes about his morning rights.
He headed out the gates and welcomed the new day with great happiness, kneeling and facing the warm light before tapping his muzzle to the earth. He was unclad and his armor and weapons around him when the Aoi'Si called to him. It mastery of his tongue was expected, seeing that it's demand for talking had come he nodded to it and finished his morning ritual by rubbing fresh soil between his palms.
With that completed he picks up his armor and weapons, placing them together in an orderly fashion and tucking them into the Saddlebags on Chacta's back. Too which the horse whinnies and snaps at him, angered by his long absence perhaps. The attempts to bite him are half-hearted since Hexa wasn't in a playing mood. But he still ruffled the horses furry great ears, much to Chacta's annoyance.
Hexa clicks his tongue loudly then, a swift command for Tal and Chacta to stay put. To which Tal grazes on what grasses she can find at hand and Chacta flares his teeth at Hexa in defiance.
Unarmed, unarmored and bearing only his symbol of seven eggs encircled by an ouroboros on a wooden pendant hung from his neck. He follows the Aoi'Si so they can Talk.
Hexa Kneels, hands closed and resting them on his knees which are tucked under him along with his feet. He sits unmoving save for his eyes and steady but slow expansion of his chest with each breath. He watched, blinking with his secondary eyelids so he could keep steady eyecontact with the Aoi'Si as he waited for it to speak.
"Crack-jawed" Ahto Ulrych |
"You may ask any questions of me that you have, Hexa, and I will answer them truthfully. Perhaps when you have finished speaking with Aris, and I have finished my day's work, we will have time this evening to speak more."
He gives the lizardman a nod of acknowledgement as they finish burying the bodies.
*******
Ahto retrieves stationary, a quill, and ink and places them on the table inside the pavilion. He calls each of the bandit indentures in one at a time, making a note of his name, physical description, sentence of indentured servitude and the oath taken to fulfill that sentence. Ahto makes two copies of the information, one for his own records, and one to go back with his reports to Restov.
To each in turn, he says "This is the official record of your indenture. Your behavior from this day forth will be documented and evaluated. When your actions have proven that you are worthy of the trust of others and can properly wield the responsibility that comes with freedom, you will be released from indenture. However, should you commit any crime of murder, rape, violent assault or robbery in the future, you will not be granted the mercy of indenture. Your punishment will be the death you were spared. In the same vein, should you attempt to escape or sneak away before you have been released for your Indenture, you will be declared a dangerous fugitive to be hunted down and killed on sight. Do you understand?"
Once each acknowledges his statement, Ahto stands and places a hand on the right side of each man's face while touching the Key of Abadar with the other.
"This day I brand you with the Mark of Indenture. This Mark will be removed only on the day you have proven yourself worthy of your liberty." (casts brand upon each bandit)
The mark appears on each bandit's right cheek, just below his eye. The mark consists of the Common letter I and a number. The number is given in the order that the bandits entered the pavilion (I1, I2, I3, etc.).
Once the Indentures have been documented and marked, Ahto stows his documents and steps out of the pavilion. He then looks around to locate Captain Garess.
"Captain, may I request a detail of your men to stand watch over the Indentures as they cut timber and build the gallows on the grounds outside the Post? I will be working with them as well, but I do not believe I can watch all of them and still manage the project to completion."
Wonky Prong, Jr |
Wonky wakes up and looks around for Oleg or Svetlana, coming in on the end of their conversation.
"...There’s always work to be done and not enough time to do it.”
After hearing of Cob the Woodsman's arrival and departure, Wonky inquires with Oleg about the above-statement as she digs into her breakfast porridge.
"What manner of work are your referring to, Master Oleg?" Wonky asks.
Wonky Prong, Jr |
Wonky spends the rest of the morning grooming Sprocket. She then goes to Svetlana and asks a curious question.
"Pardon me Madame Svetlana, but could I get 10 silver pieces worth of change for this gold piece? And thank you very much in advance."
Satisfied with her transaction and the news from Oleg, Wonky sets about looking for Paval, avoiding Ahto and the work detail as she goes.
I confess that I am still shaken by the events that transpired last evening. I know we are duty-sworn to rid these lands of banditry, but one would think that they would not be so unrepentant as to be suicidal.
Sprocket woofs happily.
DM Vayelan |
Ahto finds Captain Garess sitting on a stumpy log outside his tent in the yard. A plank of wood sits on his lap, serving as a desk while he writes on a brown sheet of parchment.
Seeing the inquisitor approach, Garess hastily shuffles the letter away, flicking it into his tent and out of sight.
With a dismissive wave of his wrist, he says morosely, "Of course. You can have Laurl and Charl for the day. I'm sure you have everything well in hand."
....
Meanwhile, Oleg looks down on Wonky with a sardonic grin.
"For me, I need to sort the furs and hides you folks recovered from these thieves. Make no mistake, I'm grateful you brought them back, but I need to inspect them to make sure they're still good. I need to see if they were soiled, infested with lice and nits, or what not. Once that's done with, I need to check the walls and roofs in the post for damage, rot, and pests. There's always firewood to be cut, but I was hoping our man, Ahto, could have some of the indentures manage that."
"As for you folks - well, I was reading over that charter of yours, and in addition to making thieves' heads roll, those Rostlanders are still expecting you all to explore and chart the Greenbelt. That's a lot of ground to cover, and I won't envy you - or your aching feet - for that task."
Oleg offers a tiny chuckle, sounding almost like a cough. It seems likely that he has not had cause to laugh in some time.
"Speaking of the matter, if on your travels you encounter any of the local hunters and trappers, let them know that the bandits are being handled and times are looking up. Hopefully we'll get customers stopping by more often now."
...
Later, Svetlana greets Wonky with a far more genial smile.
"Certainly, my dear. I just need to grab the coins from the strongbox inside. I'll be back in a shake of a stick."
Paval Fagyaszt |
As Ahto and the indentures get to work Paval makes sure he gets out of the way.
When he hears Wonky talking to Oleg he butts in, "I'll help you Oleg. I'm probably no good at inspecting the hides, I won't notice any subtler signs of decay. I am said to have a decent insight in construction though so I'd gladly help out in inspecting the outpost."
Wonky Prong, Jr |
Wonky adds in her two cents following Paval.
"I can help out as well, Master Oleg! Why, with Paval and me inspecting the walls and posts for you, we can sort out your work in quite a short time, I would imagine! It would be quite fun working with Paval on the project, in fact." Wonky's enthusiasm has an infectious tone.
Knowledge Engineering Aid Another (for Paval): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20 SUCCESS! (+2 to Paval)
Teuni-Hexa |
"Re wux krathin ekess ukris jaka?" Aris gulps down a bit of apprehension as she starts talking to Hexa. In close quarters, the big lizardfolk could likely tear her apart, but she's prepared a small contingency should things go sour. "sjek zyak, yth shilta gethrisj crodr."
** spoiler omitted **
Hexa continues to sit and wait, blinking only as he waits for the Aoi'si to speak. He expected Immortals to have the haste of Nature. Everything in due time, orderly and pure. So Hexa tried to be like a tree, patient and still.
Just in case it was missed above.
Sams |
"You may ask any questions of me that you have, Hexa, and I will answer them truthfully. Perhaps when you have finished speaking with Aris, and I have finished my day's work, we will have time this evening to speak more." He gives the lizardman a nod of acknowledgement as they finish burying the bodies. ******* Ahto retrieves stationary, a quill, and ink and places them on the table inside the pavilion. He calls each of the bandit indentures in one at a time, making a note of his name, physical description, sentence of indentured servitude and the oath taken to fulfill that sentence. Ahto makes two copies of the information, one for his own records, and one to go back with his reports to Restov. To each in turn, he says "This is the official record of your indenture. Your behavior from this day forth will be documented and evaluated. When your actions have proven that you are worthy of the trust of others and can properly wield the responsibility that comes with freedom, you will be released from indenture. However, should you commit any crime of murder, rape, violent assault or robbery in the future, you will not be granted the mercy of indenture. Your punishment will be the death you were spared. In the same vein, should you attempt to escape or sneak away before you have been released for your Indenture, you will be declared a dangerous fugitive to be hunted down and killed on sight. Do you understand?" Once each acknowledges his statement, Ahto stands and places a hand on the right side of each man's face while touching the Key of Abadar with the other. "This day I brand you with the Mark of Indenture. This Mark will be removed only on the day you have proven yourself worthy of your liberty." (casts brand upon each bandit) The mark appears on each bandit's right cheek, just below his eye. The mark consists of the Common letter I and a number. The number is given in the order that the bandits entered the pavilion (I1, I2, I3, etc.). Once the Indentures have been documented and marked, Ahto stows his documents and steps out of the pavilion. He then looks around to locate Captain Garess. "Captain, may I request a detail of your men to stand watch over the Indentures as they cut timber and build the gallows on the grounds outside the Post? I will be working with them as well, but I do not believe I can watch all of them and still manage the project to completion."
Hey, does Sams get branded in this part too?
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"Crack-jawed" Ahto Ulrych |
(I was presuming so, since Sams was captured and indentured. Ahto has seen that Sams' road to freedom is probably much shorter than the other Indentures, but he still has to do his time and fulfill his sentence. We can role-play the specifics of Sams' branding and documentation if you wish. The previous description would apply only to the others, assuming they are compliant. Up to you and DM Vayelan.)
Sams |
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As Auto begins the process of gathering the indentured bandits, Sams falls in with the rest. He suddenly felt very alone. He never quite fit in with the bandits. Li'l Henry was his main connection, and when he died it was never the same. And now he had fought against them. But here he was, standing in line with them. As his turn came up, he looked downward toward the ground as he approached Ahto. "Okay, boss. I's ready."
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"Crack-jawed" Ahto Ulrych |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ahto looks up from his writing and into Sams' sullen face.
"Good morning, Sams," Ahto says in a professional tone as he begins making notations on the man. Ahto begins by explaining the documentation process to Sams, as he did the others.
"All my reports on you thus far have been favorable. You have followed all orders given to you without argument or protest; you have fought with bravery against your former comrades in the cause of law and justice, and you have made no attempt to escape or break your promise. You have been the best Indenture we could hope for. If you continue to do as you are, you will also be the first Indenture to earn his freedom, and it will be sooner rather than later."
He stands up and walks around the table and looks up into the face of the giant man. "I have been giving your case a considerable amount of thought, and I have decided to create a special designation for you: Trusted Indenture. You will be marked, but with a green brand instead of red, and with the letter T instead of an I. The others may eventually earn this status on the way to their parole, but you are the first to have achieved it. Please continue to be worthy of our trust, and you will soon be a free man."
Ahto applies the magical brand to Sams face (T1), then noting that he still bears injuries from the previous day's fight, calls upon Abadar's Power to heal his wounds.
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Seeing the wounds are still not completely closed, Ahto says, "Come see me at sunset, and I will see what more I can do for your injuries. You may go now. I will be out as soon as complete my notes."
Arisl'arial Tathmir |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Hexa, let's move to spoilers so we don't slow down the game. That way the GM can move things on while we chat, and we're not rushed. Also, I'm going to not translate to draconic, since a lot of what I have to say won't go through the translator.
Having asked the most important question, Aris calls to mind an incantation to disappear, just in case the lizardfolk reacts badly to being found out.
Teuni-Hexa |
Hexa listens, not tilting his head or moving as the Aoi'Si sketched him. He was still, patient and when the flurry of questions came he was surprised almost shocked. When he finally was able to speak. He spreads his hands and responds in his native tongue. "Hexa was taught from egg to fear and respect The Immortal's. That they were greater than us, faster and had powers that could bring death to the scaled. But same powers bring life to land. So the scaled hid, stayed in the swamps and dared not tread on the Immortals grounds lest we dance with death." He points to various scars, knowing them as well as his own hands, wear he had earned them and how. "Hexa was young when he meet the Immortals, was curious and foolishly followed. They found Hexa and after three lights of being bound and cut. They tested Hexa, left to die, bound and alone. He flexes his strong arms then. "But Hexa is strong. Broke free of ropes and lived. So Hexa respects and fears..." He was hesitant to admit weakness before an Immortal but to lie was foolish. When he spoke he gestured to the Immortal's entire form, looking it up and down as he said. "... you."
He settles down some, his surprise fading as he spoke. "Not hate. Immortals use their strength, their power and it is by that might that makes them right. While the scaled stay. Hiding in swamp. Hungry, fighting, gathering and dying." He settles back into his former position, his hands resting on his knees and feet tucked under him as he looked at the Immortal's feet.
He sighs, nostrils flaring as he exhales. "My kind is stupid. We don't change, we choose to not learn, hold to old ways and think we are strong. When it makes us weak. Just like Kressle and Mashe."
Arisl'arial Tathmir |
"Okay, you're afraid. You think elves are immortal, that we don't die. That we're stronger than you." Aris pauses again, takes a breath, and exhales slowly. "And you're curious about us."
After a moment, Aris unclasps her cloak, unbuttons her jacket, and lifts her shirt just high enough to expose ribs, clearly visible through her skin. She holds a moment to let Hexa get a good look, then shivers and quickly pulls her clothes back on. "Immortals can starve and die just like you. My mother did and I nearly followed her."
She shakes her head, clearing it, and takes up her journal again. "You're curious about elves, or at least you were. What did you want to know, when you followed them?"
Teuni-Hexa |
Hexa was keenly interested in the fact that Immortals could die and instinctively leaned forward. Tilting his head to inspect her revealed ribs, an opportunity he didn't regret. When she puts her coverings back over them he leans back and thinks on her question. Muttering to himself. "Mother..." A word he wasn't familiar with.
"Simple. Hexa wanted to be like Immortals. Be steong. Command the earth. So Hexa can help the clan. Stop eggs from dying..."
He points to different scares, ones that were far older then the rest. "Hexa, last of ten eggs... Veskat first of Ten eggs..." He said his former clutch brothers name with a hiss. "Of ten eggs born only two of us survived. This is because we scaled must kill our own clutch so we can live. Because there is no room for the weak and not enough food for all to survive. Afterward the dead are eaten."
Hexa's muscled surged, his scales became more rigid as his muscles expanded. His face taking on a bovine like appearance. "Hexa became stronger, able to call on creatures of earth and sky to make him better." He cycled through each of his nature born powers. Rat, owl, tiger, bear, wolf. His body contracting and changing with each. His eyes, his scales, growing hair, growing small feathers along his back and shoulders. All of which faded as soon as he released their power.
"Never gained powers over earth..." He was crestfallen to admit this, it was something he regretted never learning. But the thought of Vesket made his scales flare. "Doesn't matter now. Hexa is Ghost warrior with no home, no clan. Just Tal, Chacta, Oleg, Svetlana, Wonky, Ahto, Paval, Sams and Immortal."
"Crack-jawed" Ahto Ulrych |
Ahto gives Sams an amicable pat on the shoulder.
”You are strong, Sams,” he replies, returning the man’s compliment. ”Now, it is time for you to exemplify the trust placed in you. You may choose who to work with today. How do you feel you can be most helpful?”
He turns to walk away from the big man. ”If you wish to work with me, I will be outside the gate with the other Indetures. If not, I will look-in on your work later today.”
Ahto then leaves unless Sams replies with a question or statement requiring a response.
”Indentures!” he calls in a commanding tone, ”Fetch hammers, saws, spades, mauls, and wood axes, then come with me. It is time to get to work!”
Arisl'arial Tathmir |
"To command the earth?" She frowns. "To produce enough food to feed dozens, or hundreds? That could take decades more."
She quickly scrawls a few notes about Hexa's transformations and his story. "You had ten brothers and sisters? Is that a normal rate of death for lizardfolk hatchlings? What was life like, with your tribe?"
If you feel like ending the conversation, we can. I can pack from your background to answer questions at this point, or we can keep talking.
Wonky Prong, Jr |
Wonky busies herself inspecting posts, walls, and the areas of the roof as directed by Oleg alongside Paval. Sprocket busies himself chasing squirrels.
As noted previously, Paval gets a +2 to your Knowledge Engineering check from Wonky.
Teuni-Hexa |
There's no way you can be like elves. There are too many differences. You're...what? Twenty years old? Younger?" Aris paces, kicking at the dirt occasionally. "I spent half your life figuring out how to make flecks of dirt on my shoes disappear. Cistiť!" The dirt on her boots vanishes. "Most wizards learn that in a month after they start studying, but for me, ten years, because time moves differently when you have centuries."
He tilts his head at Elves. He had heard this before, but still didn't understand it. "Fourteen cycles..." He sighs. "Had no time to be patient like the stones, ran free like the four legged beasts. Live swiftly or die. Gain many scars, learned many things but not what Hexa needed. Wanted to become Immortal... An eggs dream. Hexa knows this now."
K-Local - Does he know anything about elves?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
lol....
"To command the earth?" She frowns. "To produce enough food to feed dozens, or hundreds? That could take decades more."
He nods at her words. "Yes, make the swamp give more. More eggs live, less hunger. No time for many cycles... But no longer part of village. Clanless. Ghost. Forgotten. Decades was another word he didn't know.
She quickly scrawls a few notes about Hexa's transformations and his story. "You had ten brothers and sisters? Is that a normal rate of death for lizardfolk hatchlings? What was life like, with your tribe?"
He nods. "Never knew if male or female, kill or be killed. Only had room for..." He held up two clawed fingers. "Two, all others not needed. Would die. So hatchlings fight. Strong live, weak die and rejoin the tribe. Veskat and Hexa survive. It was way of life, every cycle. Take only what is needed, discard rest." On what life was like he shrugs. "Swamp gave little, had to hunt far to provide for village. Village sits on dryest spot in swamp. Above water, built wall and huts but death still finds its way into egg nest in white times." He pauses before adding. "Some hunted fish but the fish often give bad dreams if from Stone Lake. The stone lake waters, not safe, but meat was meat. Eat or Hunger take you." He points outside at the scaleless humans. "Many of them come to our lands, none leave that are brought to village. Especially now that Veskat the Dragon-blooded rules, all scaleless are food. All strong scaled are killed because he rules. To Veskat and clan, Meat is Meat."
He holds the wooden pendent, which bore the seven eggs surrounded by an Ouroboros. "Hexa abandoned ancestors, looks to Mazludeh instead. Mazludeh lets him heal and gives him new strength... Gave him Tal and Chacta." With that he goes quiet, considering what more there was to say before thinking of a question.
After a moment's consideration he looks at Arisl before hesitantly asking. Pointing to her as he did so. "Is Immortal... a Felf? Can Hexa see?" He was still unfamiliar with the word but tried to say it unsuccessfully.
If you feel like ending the conversation, we can. I can pack from your background to answer questions at this point, or we can keep talking.
I'm good continuing on spoilers, however you want to is fine with me. PM's work too. I am quite enjoying this but if you want to move on thats fine. With Spoilers we won't disrupt the game flow at least. :).
DM Vayelan |
Eh, nevermind on the Downtime. That's best saved for when an entire week or more, rather than just a day, can be dedicated to the work.
Oleg considers Paval and Wonky with a brief uncertainty before shrugging.
"Be my guest," he sighs. "This place was in real bad shape when we moved in four or five months ago. Hells, when we first arrived, I had to wrangle a fat, ornery badger that had nested in the bunkhouse. I've got his hide tacked up in my office as a trophy. Now that the place is liveable, the palisade is standing, and the roofs don't leak, I've been focusing on patching lingering gaps in the walls - especially to keep out critters."
Sams |
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Ahto gives Sams an amicable pat on the shoulder.
”You are strong, Sams,” he replies, returning the man’s compliment. ”Now, it is time for you to exemplify the trust placed in you. You may choose who to work with today. How do you feel you can be most helpful?”
He turns to walk away from the big man. ”If you wish to work with me, I will be outside the gate with the other Indetures. If not, I will look-in on your work later today.”
Ahto then leaves unless Sams replies with a question or statement requiring a response.
”Indentures!” he calls in a commanding tone, ”Fetch hammers, saws, spades, mauls, and wood axes, then come with me. It is time to get to work!”
Sams begins to beam at receiving praise. "Okays, boss, I's good at lifting things, I's can helps you!" Sams will go ahead and begin working on the repair and renovation work that the team has in mind.
Strength Check, for fun: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22"Crack-jawed" Ahto Ulrych |
Ahto sets the team of Indentures to cutting down trees and stripping the branches from the trunks.
"Keep an eye on them as they work, and maintain a head count at all times. If even one goes unaccounted for, raise the alarm immediately. If you witness anyone trying to run or sneak away, stop them. If they fight, defend yourself. Kill them only if there is no other alternative," he says to the guardsmen.
Ahto also watches the Indentures, and keeps a headcount of them as they work.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
He also supervises the division of wood into two groups: those to be used to reinforce the walls of the Trading Post, and those to be cut into beams and planks to build the gallows.
Take 10 on Craft, Carpentry 10+7=17
DM Vayelan |
Morale sinks among the indentures once they realize what they are building. However, they remain too frightened to complain, let along try to escape under Ahto's watchful eyes.
With the available tools and labor, the day's work produces several logs as raw materials.
As the indentures fell trees from the sparse stands on the surrounding plains, Sams' strength greatly aids in bringing the logs back to the trading post.
Without planing tools, turning them into planks will be a more time-intensive task.
However, Ahto hits upon the idea of splitting the logs in half, using wedges and mallets, turning them into beams with a flat face that would be useful as a platform for the gallows or for shoring up exterior walls.
As Paval and Wonky inspect the post's walls, they notice a few trouble spots.
Along the northern wall, they discover that some sort of animal has been burrowing under the palisade to scavenge among the middens heaps.
The space under the northeast watch platform has also become home to a sizeable wasps' nest.
Some of the timbers forming the palisade are rotten. Oleg probably salvaged them while re-erecting the old fort's crumbling walls.
While this served as a temporary solution for the time, they could use replacing.
Lastly, the walls of the bunkhouse could also use sealing as many of you have noticed drafts wafting in during the night.
Arisl'arial Tathmir |
Aris’s face pales as Hexa talks about his tribe eating humans, the fear she’d just pushed down bubbling back to the surface. She forces her hand to keep writing, though it shakes just a bit as she pushes it across her journal’s page. She writes and writes, only half-hearing his questions at the end.
”Felf? Do you mean a female elf? Or that “elf” is what we call ourselves, just like you call yourself “scaleless?” She sits in the dirt a bit away from Hexa, making sure there’s enough distance that she’s comfortable without appearing scared. ”The answer to those questions is yes.” A moment of hesitation follows. ”I grew up in Port Ice, to the north of here. It’s a human city, and my mother died before I was twenty years old. I’ve never lived with elves.”
”Now, what did you mean about “can Hexa see?” She stands up, still nervous about Hexa’s tribe’s appetites, and apprehensive about what he meant by the question.
I’m going to write Aris’s notes in a Google Doc.
Paval Fagyaszt |
Paval makes notes of all the problems they encounter while surveying the outpost. In addition he uses a dagger to scratch a mark in all the rotten posts of the palisade wall. With those notes in hand he makes his way to Ahto.
"Wonky and I just did a full check up of the outpost and I think we have more work for the indentures. The biggest job would be the replacement of parts of the palisade wall where rot has crept into the wood. There also is hole under the palisade that needs to be closed off. We might also need a small stone wall around the midden to make it less attractive for scavengers."
He casts a quick look in the direction of the indentures before continuing, "There are two more jobs as well. There is a wasp nest that needs to be removed, though I'm loath to just send someone in for that, and the bunkhouse needs repairs. For that last one we'll need someone with some actual skill as a carpenter though."
"Crack-jawed" Ahto Ulrych |
Ahto nods in acknowledgement. He gestures to the stack of logs set aside for the palisade. "There is a stack of logs the palisade. Let me know if more is required. We may be able to use the wagon to retrieve sufficient river rock to make a low wall, though that may have to wait until tomorrow. I can probably manage the repairs to the bunkhouse. As for the wasps, I wonder if Hexa's scales are tough enough to prevent stinging. Perhaps we can ask him when he is finished speaking with Aris. If he is not inclined to do it, ask for a volunteer. If no one steps forward, I will handle it when I have finished with the bunkhouse repairs."
DM Vayelan |
Svetlana steps out from the fort, a clay jug slung under one arm while the other carries a number of plain wooden mugs.
She takes a moment to survey the work before offering water to everyone.
After a few minutes, she approaches Ahto with a question clearly waiting behind her eyes.
"For all the work you folks are putting in, I guess this means the rumors are true and Rostland is looking to expand southward."
"Crack-jawed" Ahto Ulrych |
"The Crown desires these wild lands to be made safe from lawlessness. In that same vein, it will undoubtedly be granted as a fiefdom once the land has been made safe for settlement. Who will be the beneficiary of that grant will be determined by the Crown at the appointed time. Lady Kalima has made it clear that she desires the title, but the others in our party, if they have similar ambitions, have obfuscated them thus far."
He watches her expression for signs of concern or distress.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Paval Fagyaszt |
"Well, maybe Wonky knows of a better way to remove the nest. One less likely to end in welts. For the hole under the palisade, would you be ok with it if I borrow Sams later today?"
When Svetlana comes out of the fort Paval turns to greet her.
As Ahto mentions Kalima a smile appears on Paval's face, "She may actually have a challenger for that title soon. I'm waiting on an answer from a party close to the crown who might be interested."
Teuni-Hexa |
Hexa notices the change in color and the shake in the Immortals hand, he had seen this before. His pupils narrowed slightly as he spoke, trying to curb the Immortals anger. "Hexa not eat... People. Hexa is a capable Hunter. Did only when young, know too little and not able to hunt. But it is against Mazludeh and makes people... angry. So eat deer, elk and other meat only. Try roots but hurts fangs..."
He mimics her response on the word Elf. "E. L. F. Elf." He nods, understanding it more now. "Ari' is Elf. Elf not Scaleless. Wonky Is child, Ahto, Paval and Sams are scaleless. Scaleless are not the Scaled. Hexa is one of the Scaled."
At the 'Hexa Can See?' question he becomes more excited and tries to not move too much as he explains. Though it doesn't stop his frills from rising and falling slowly as he speaks. "Hexa has seen scaleless. Held in claws. But Not an Elf or Aoi'Si. You make scratches to see but Hexa gets close and touch, feel to see. Help understand difference in kinds. Can Hexa see?"
If she lets him See
He moves forward, keeping his claws on the dirt as he crawls towards her. His long tail jutting out behind him. He gets right in front of Her then and kneels again, close enough now that he can lean forward and smell her. Which he does very slowly and methodically, his forked tongue tasting the air around her before he reaches forward with one clawed hand. All the while he moves with the speed of a chameleon. He does what she allows like running his claws through her hair. Holding her hand in his and squeezing slightly to test her resilience. However he left the entire encounter up to her control, stopping the moment she flinched or spoke before trying something else.
He stands up some so they are eye level, tilting his head so he can inspect her face, eyes and skin more closely. It was all new to him and his frills completely expanded because of his interest. His scales were smooth and pliable as there was no threat, just curiosity.
All the while storing this experiance in its entirety in his mind. He didn't have paper or the skill for scratches, only his minds eye to remember what he sees and hears.
Being this close he asks her questions while inspecting her closely. He wanted to learn and so far he was learning interesting things. Very interesting things. "What is Port Ice?"
"Is Decades and Years like Cycles? Cycles from Green times to white times? Same? Or?"
He asks a series of questions that were of a child level to Arisl but for him was bridging a gorge he had difficulty with.
If Arisl doesn't allow him to See
He hides his disappointment well. His frills fall back along his scales and his movements return to a patient stillness. This setback doesn't stop him from asking questions of Her though.
He wanted to learn and so far he was learning interesting things. Very interesting things. "What is Port Ice?"
"Is Decades and Years like Cycles? Cycles from Green times to white times? Same? Or?"
He asks a series of questions that were of a child level to Arisl but for him was bridging a gorge he had difficulty crossing. Everyone's cultures seemed very advanced to him but he doesn't hide the pleasurable experiance he was having. He loved learning.
His last questions though were ones that interested him. "Arisl, do you want to See?" He puffs up his chest and scales as strongly as he could. Before asking more questions. " Does Hexa interest Arisl? Why Arisl come to this land?"
DM Vayelan |
Svetlana sighs but offers a smile.
"I can't say my Oleg will be happy to hear that. The whole reason we moved out here was because he wanted to escape the political wheelings that dominated so much of city life back in Restov. Of course, he didn't want to move so far from civilization that he couldn't enjoy its benefits."
Although her husband may disapprove of the coming change, Ahto judges that Svetlana seems ultimately unconcerned by the prospect.
"This trading post has never been very profitable. We're too far from the river, and the road is not well-traveled, so I always had a suspicion there was a bigger reason for our own charter to revive this place. My brother agreed, even though Oleg always thought we were too given over to flights of fancy."
"Crack-jawed" Ahto Ulrych |
”Law and Justice, roads and goods, trade and prosperity... these are all the blessings of civilization. The cost is that civilization must be built, protected, and maintained by those who desire those blessings. Master Oleg may not appreciate the loss of solitude, but he will one day appreciate the life of comfort this work will bring to himself, to you and your heirs.”
Wonky Prong, Jr |
Wonky gets excited at the prospect of helping with the wasps' nest.
"Oh what a massive nest!" she squeals with delight as she peers under the northeastern platform. "I wonder if these are paper wasps, or dreaded swamp wasps..." she muses further.
Knowledge Nature + bonus for Intuitive Monster Lore + Inspiration: 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 1 + (6) = 29
After a few minutes study and sketchings, Wonky has her answer.
Wonky shuffles off to find the ingredients needed to foment her answer to the riddle.
Arisl'arial Tathmir |
This is a tough one to write. Had a hard time with it. Sorry if it’s weird.
Hexa’s request sparks a strange battle of emotions in Aris. She’d never been the most touchy person; in fact, other than Wonky’s leg-hug when she’d first arrived at Oleg’s, she wasn’t sure she’d even shook hands with someone since leaving Restov. Further, Hexa’s rough treatment of the bandits keeps popping up in her mind, along with thoughts about how easy it’d be for him to rip her apart. She’s inclined to say no and end their talk.
And yet…
A few small parts of her want to accept. Curiosity, of course; what would he be interested in, and how would he go about his exploration? Would she be able to get him to stop if he got too rough? And there’s something else, too, though she pushes it out of her head quickly. ”Yes, Hexa, you can “see” me. Just be careful.”
To distract herself from Hexa’s sniffing and air-tasting, she talks, voice simply going while her mind concentrates on the lizardfolk. ”Has your tribe considered domestication? It’s really quite simple. Instead of hunting, your people would figure out what deer eat, then capture a bunch of deer and feed them. If you only killed them when you couldn’t hunt, you might be able to have enough food that five or six eggs could survive, instead of two. It’s not magic, it’s just - “
She draws in a sharp breath as Hexa’s claws scratch against her scalp, then relaxes when he pulls away. ”Curious about my hair? Go ahead, just be careful. My skin’s sensitive up there.” She listens to his first question, then ponders the answer. ”Port Ice is...okay, I know how to explain it. Imagine Oleg and Svetlana’s trading post, but there are hundreds of buildings and thousands of people live there. Now, imagine that it’s always winter there. That’s Port Ice.”
By the time he asks his next series of questions, he’s feeling her hands, wrists, and arms. ”Yes, a year is from the time leaves first appear on trees, all the way until they fall off and reappear again. A decade is ten of those cycles.”
As he stops, Aris realizes something. She’s enjoyed most of what’s happened since she let Hexa “see” her. She answers his final questions quickly. ”I don’t need to “see” you like this, except maybe to feel some of your scales later. Elves don’t get the same experience out of this as you do. However, I am curious about you, and maybe we’ll be able to talk later. I came here for a few reasons. First, I’m here to help with the fighting against the bandits. Second, I’m supposed to keep a list of the creatures that live here, and document what they’re like. And finally, my employer...my leader...wants me to keep an eye on the rest of our group.”
She hesitates a moment. ”This may seem odd, but can you scratch with your claws gently?” Another pause. ”If you can, I’d like it if you’d scratch my scalp, under my hair.”
DM Vayelan |
After all the laborers have drank their fill, Svetlana picks up the clay jug, a fleeting scowl crossing her face.
"It was the nobles that most drove my Oleg to madness. The great houses all schemed against each other and the crown, heedless of us common folk and our troubles. Meanwhile, every petty lordling and his son would be out in the streets with a sword, just looking for some hapless shopkeep to duel for any old reason. Between Oleg and Lothar, I heard no end to the complaints - it was one of the few things they agreed upon."
"If civilization is coming our way, I wouldn't mind it too much. The real problem is who will be sitting on top when the 'civilizing' is done. Thankfully, if its folks like you, Brother Ahto, and your compatriots...well, I think even my Oleg won't complain."
Compared to more aggressive species, like hornets and yellowjackers, Paper Wasps tend to be far more benign, only attacking when their nest is threatened.
However, their stings can be very dangerous to some people, and their territoriality may pose a future threat to life around the trading post.
Relocating the nest is a good solution because these wasps are often important to pollinating local flowers and plants, so their survival is good for the region's long-term prospects.
You are very confident that your solution will work.
"Crack-jawed" Ahto Ulrych |
”Not all countries see law and order in the same way. It is my hope that this land will be one where honest folk can work and prosper without fear of violence or extortion from those who see themselves above the law.”
Teuni-Hexa |
K-Local -Farming, Gardening and domestication: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Heal - scratching and massaging Arisl's scalp / head: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Arisl's request is answered by Hexa's smallest nod. He was happy to fulfill the immortals requests. So he slowly moves up to Arisl and shifts around to sit behind her and motions for her to sit before he starts. He gently scratches at her scalp, adjusting as she asked him too and treating it like he did with Tal. Except her scaleless skin was far less resilient. If she flinched, or after a period time, he uses his knuckles to gently rub at her scalp like he would if treating a strained muscle. Changing it up so he didn't anger or annoy her. Though he does lean in and inhale the smell of her hair as he worked.
”Has your tribe considered domestication?
He *murrs* quietly as he answers. "Hexa hasn't seen this, understands but all we keep are Biters to protect the village. Nothing grows in swamp easily. Only a..." He stops completely his thoughts disrupting his motions momentarily before he starts again. "... a Chief can bring change to a tribe, which is difficult. Many might not accept it... Cling to old ways. But Hexa is here, learning, listening and growing."
He was still surprised at how many lived in Port Ice by Arisl's explination, scrunching his eyes as he concentrated and tried to picture it. Which he has a very hard time imagining that many living in one place. "Domestication..." He butchers the word, taking a few tries to say it in common. Since no draconic version existed, before adding. "... that is how the scaleless do not starve. Interesting. Hexa would like very much to see places of wood and stone. Not Port Ice. Hexa not like white... Winter times. Cold hurts."
[B][smaller]"Go and See some place with See Domestication and Farming with own eyes so Hexa understand it. Svetlana tell Hexa of gardening and Hexa hopes to learn this too." He nods his head, despite her not being able to see it.
"... have enough food that five or six eggs could survive, instead of two..."
He pauses, his hands slowing as he speaks. Barely a whisper, since dreams were for eggs until it was in ones claws. "See all eggs live, clutch never kill each other again. That is Hexa's dream."
”I don’t need to “see” you like this, except maybe to feel some of your scales later. Elves don’t get the same experience out of this as you do. However, I am curious about you, and maybe we’ll be able to talk later.
He gives a throaty chuckle, more upbeat then before. Sounding like a crocodile laugh when she declines him but in the same breath talks about feeling his scales. How humorous. "Hexa enjoys this talk, Immortal Arisl ask anytime and Hexa will listen. Come, stay warm with Hexa, Tal and Chacta. Feel all sclaes Arisl wants, ask questions too." His offer to share his camp is warm and sincere.
He keeps going with his careful treatment of her skin shifting lower if she asks him to as he asks questions. "Immortal's Chief, not trust Ahto? Or others? Why send War Chief if not trust with Warriors?" He shakes his head and gives a small sigh, most likely ruffling Arisl's hair.
When she answered Hexa back peddles to a previous part of the conversation. Tapping Arisl's outer skin by her ribs as he asks. "Arisl hungry? Hexa hunt for you, yes?"
Wonky Prong, Jr |
Wonky takes some time to find the herbs needed for her insect sedation compound.
Profession Herbalist (as per her Breadth of Knowledge feat + Inspiration: 1d20 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 1 + (5) = 22
Coming upon her concoction ingredients fairly swiftly, Wonky then attends to other chores until late in the afternoon so she can prepare the sedative when the hive is near its lowest activity time: dusk.
Wonky will go help Paval with other engineering work with whatever time leftover to her.
DM Vayelan |
A day's labor under the early spring's sun produces fair results.
A platform is laid out for the gallows at the foot of a slope a few yards down from the trading post.
Svetlana did not oppose the construction, but she asked if the grim device could be somewhat out of sight.
Some of the felled logs are stripped of branches and knots to replace the most rotted of the palisade's beams.
With Sams' great strength, the old timber is pulled down and the new ones are planted in the ground and raised.
Aurelius suggests saving the old, worn logs for firewood.
Loose dirt is shoveled into the gaps burrowed under the north walls. A temporary solution to the scavenger problem, but it will do until field or river stones can be gathered.
Finally, come dusk, Wonky applies her concocted sedative by burning some of the loose wood gathered during the day. The odoriferous smoke quickly leaves the wasps drifting languidly. Most lazily fly back into the nest and fall asleep, while a few simply plop down onto the dirt below the watchpost.
With the help of some less-than-eager volunteers, the nest is removed without incident. By torchlight, the group marches to a large stand of trees a fair distance away from the trading post, where Wonky reattaches the nest to a new tree using adhesive made from resin and other ingredients in her kit.
Arisl'arial Tathmir |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Yeah, it’s still fun. Think it’s about time to wrap it up, though.
”In Restov - “ Aris pauses. Of course he won’t know about Restov. ”A city like Port Ice, but less cold - In Restov, there’s a saying that goes around. “Trust, but Verify.” It means that when someone is supposed to do a job, you trust them to do it, but make sure it’s being done right. Ahto and the rest are competent, and they’re doing a good job out here, but my...chief...felt the need to confirm it was being done right.” She shakes her head after Hexa messes her hair, then tries to move it back to where she feels it’s most comfortable. ”I’ll get into politics, especially Brevic politics, some other time. It’d make your conflict with your people look tame.”
She takes a few seconds to think about Hexa’s second question. ”It has been a while since I last ate. But no, Hexa, I don’t need someone to hunt for me. My body reflects my experiences, that’s all.” Pointing to her white hair and pale skin, then to her icy-blue eyes, she explains. ”I grew up in a cold, snowy place, so my coloring reflects that. I didn’t eat enough as a youngling, so my natural shape is thin bordering on starved. It’s just something that happens to elves. I’ve only seen a few others, but they look different. Browner skin, green hair, a bit bulkier - a more woodland coloring, and a healthier childhood.”
”Now, the day grows old. We should rejoin the others, before they decide I killed you, or made you disappear.” Aris smiles, then retrieves her journal before leaving to rejoin the group.
The source for the elf coloration stuff is “Elves of Golarion”, I believe.
Teuni-Hexa |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
^.^ agreed.
He listened carefully, it had been a long time since someone had spoken at length in his tongue. Which made understanding so much easier to retain. He nods at her explanations and understood the mention of growing up with hunger as a companion.
"The Scaled know that well. Hexa would like to see Restov some day..." He leaves the word Politics alone, especially her explanation made it sound troublesome and he had better things to learn. Things he could learn to craft or eat primarily...
He gives another throaty laugh at her final words, nodding as he stood up as well. Then a realization made him tilt his head. "You can make Hexa disappear?"
Now that would make a great hunting trick...
He follows behind Arisl slowly, matching their pace since his gait was usually far quicker.
Emerging back out in the busy Village Hexa looks to be of assistance. If there was no where for him to be then he goes about hunting in the final hours of the day...
Random Assist roll / survival-hunting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18