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"While we are still here, I invite you to have a look at this," Asta says as she unrolls the map she has been working on since the group started its conquest of the region. Not the official map, mind, but the one she drew by hand and kept with her.
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When you show him your map, he shows you his with great glee. Jubilant makes notes on his as he tells you about his discoveries.
We ran across an abandoned Keep here (H2) seems to be old elven ruins we didn’t explore inside. South of that (I1) we found signs of a Hodag, needless we left the area before it found us. We can confirm the Lizardfolk have a village where you have it marked. Further South (J4) we saw a forest drake flying about. Then west of that where th two river meet we found a abandoned ferry station (J10). .
Jubilant ask for discriptions and history of the features on your map like the statue of Erastil, the Temple of the Elk, Barbarian Cairn, and stagfort. He comments exceitly about visiting each sight and making more notes.
He is disappointed that you haven’t found any trace of the lost dwarfen outpost, ”If you run across it, I would be in your debt if you let me know!”. He promise to keep in touch and let you know if he finds additional discovers.
As the lunch comes to an end, Perlaish notes with a bit of impatience ::If your done drawing pictures there is still the problem with the lumberjacks wanting to cut down Melianse trees! Not far now, just up the river a few hours!”
"The elven ruins!" Torod gets excited to hear about them. "Someone told me about them. We have to go there."
"That is why we kept this luncheon short and to the point, dear Perlavish," Asta says as she brushes the crumbs from her front and moves over to mount up.
"Torod," she calls, "we can investigate the ruins later. They're not going anywhere, and now we know where they are. Let's deal with the lumberjacks before they're turned into donkeys or somesuch. Mount up, ladies and gentlemen, and let's ride."
She smiles at Torod's excitement, feeling the same. Old ruins seemed to elicit a sort of wonder or thrill from her. A feeling she enjoyed being a Pathfinder Retriever as she once was.
She nods at Pervalish, having not forgotten their need for haste as she adds for Jubilost as they begin to mount up. "We'll see you in town then if we find anything we'll share it with you." She gives him a wink and a smile as she hoped he understood they expected the same treatment.
Once they were up and riding again she took up her position as rear guard once more. Bow across her lap as she guided Julius with her knees, however, her horse was keen enough to not need much pushing to follow the rest of the group.
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Thomas nods in agreement with Seraph as he mounts his horse. ”Indeed. And make sure to look me up in particular. I shall have my men be expecting you. I shall host you and your men to a nice meal to discuss future working relations between your company and Stagland.”
Sunset tips her hat in acknowledgemnt to their hosts as the group mounts up and continues on their quest/journey.
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Torod gets up and leaves without saying goodbye. He goes ahead of the others.
Take 10
Knowledge (geography) 18
Perception 26
Survival 20
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Leaving Jubilost camp on excellent terms, the group continues to head northwest along the river . It’s slow going due to the forest, but after a few hours Perlaish gets excited ::Almost there, just around the riverbend.
Indead the river makes a sharp been, widening into a deep pool dotted with lily pads and fringed with waving reeds. Several freshly felled trees lie beside their stumps on the shore of the pool, their crowns dangling in the water among fading tendrils of mist.
As you approach the scene you hear angry yelling and see seven loggers near the felled trees standing about 20 feet from the pool’s edge. Two other loggers stand facing them right at the water’s edge seeming ready to defend the pool. In the center of the pool about 20 feet from shore out of the loggers reach is the nixie Melianse floating with just her head above the water silently observing.
The leader of the lumberjack yells out ”Last warning you watery tramp, Release my men or else!”
Asta rises in her stirrups and shouts at the top of her voice: " That means all of you! Lumberjacks; the ruling council is here! Melianse! Your friend Perlavish has brought us here to achieve peace!"
”Greetings and well met, friends! How are we all this evening?” Thomas says with a wry smile as he rides closer to the tense situation.
At Asta’s edict, he reigns in his horse and wheels it around to have it stand longways between her and the lumberjacks. He rests his hand on the pommel of his blade, but doesn’t stop smiling.
Seing Asta 'Take charge' and Thomas move his larger animal tino the centre space between the twp groups, Sunset dismounts and takes time to hobble and secure Fluff.
She doesn't notice anything unusual as they approached. At Asta's command to the lumberjacks she moves into action.
She dismounts and puts away her bow before moveing directly inbetween the two groups. Once there she draws her large bastard sword and sets it point down in the dirt. Holding the handle loosely as she backs up Asta's command.
"As Milady has stated, no further hostilities will be tolerated. While arbitration to a peaceful resolution takes place." Her voice was clear as was her intention to treat further hostilities very badly. Both sides are treated to a pass of her gaze but She doesn't speak down to either group. Instead standing level with them.
Having spoke her piece she nods to Sir Thomas and Asta then, leaving it to them and others to do more official works then a General could.
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Thomas adds, ”So, gentlemen, and Lady” turning to include the fey, ”We seem to meet you on a bit of an impasse here. Perhaps it is time for each of the involved parties to take a step back from the situation a bit and look at this situation with fresh eyes?”
Having settled her mount, Sunset as well comes to stand casually between the two groups along side her traveling compaions.
She stands casually, enjoying her cigar, looking at the scene carefully...
Torod stays close to Asta with his bow ready to enforce her command. Strawberry prowls about making her presence known.
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Sunset sizes up the standoff situation looking like two lumberjacks have turned against their crew and defending the nixie.
Asta calls for everyone to stand down now that the ruling council is here.
Greeting everyone, Thomas rides closer.
Sunset dismounts and secure Fluff.
Using her diplomatic charm Seraph reinforces the peace and calm.
Drawing everyone’s attention with friendly words, Thomas offers a fresh look at the issue.
The lumberjack leader steps forward, speaking in a gruff voice ”By the gods tonells, someone with civil sense. My name is Corax and this is my logging crew. We were minding our own business when this damnable fairy attached my men with her dam fey magic! It’s hard enough for a man to make a decent living with all the damnable trixters fairies in the woods.”
The nixie Melianse reponds calmly, ”I politely asked thies loggers to leave, but after he" pointed to Corax "threatened to hang me from the nearest tree ‘to drip dry’, I charmed two of the men to defend me.”
Corax responds, ”See she admits to enchanting my men against their will! I demand you deal with her like you did that blasted rebel rouser Greg.. something! ”
"You do not deny, then, that you threatened an unaggressive stranger's life when she apprised you of her prior claim to the area, rather than seeking arbitration from the ruling council?" Asta asks.
The Witch Queen does not shout, does not even glower, and yet the air around her suddenly turns cold. Very cold.
Seeing as this was a fight over logging rights and the dense of ones home. Seraph thought of a way over the impasse where both sides benefit...
Though she shared her witches sentiments, Seraph remained a sea of calm. Only reacting if either side started to become hostile.
Sunset continues to watch and listen though her mind is also working over aspects of what people are saying.
In his best Clint Eastwood voice. "Corax, I am Torod Mistwalker, Captain of the Outriders. It is my duty to oversee these woods. I follow Erastil, I am a member of the High Council, and I carry Wyandarch, the Fey Justicar. Hear me when I say that your anger does you only harm here. Speak your case to the queen with respect and do not insult Melianase, the fey of the lake."
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Turning a cold eye on Corax, Asta questions his actions directly.
Corax stands his ground grumbling under his breath before answering, ”Her Claim? Look you can’t throw a rock without hitting some fairy in these woods, and if you listened to every last one they would claim ownership over every last tree, rock, pond and hole in the ground. She is not using the land or the trees so what’s her right in claiming them? As for threatening her I may have said some such thing, but only after she appeared claiming we owed her five trees! Also, before you start getting all high and mighty, just take a moment and think who supplies your city buildings with lumber and the stone for your roads. I can assure you it’s not the fey.”
Melianse rebuts to Asta ”The trees felled by the loggers had been growing next to the pool for over 200 years and deserved a far better fate than serving as some grubby peasant’s slop table. Their actions have altered the balance of the land here and as a leader you should seek to restore the balance.”
Sunset watches the exchange of words.
Torod gives Corax advice as how plead his side. Corax doesn't seem to be impressed ”Should I bow and curtsey as well? Courts are for kings. I live free and will say what I will!”
"I will not have this name-calling from either of you," Asta declares. "Being free to speak your mind incurs the responsibility to speak in a civil manner. Claiming moral supremacy requires you not to agitate further hostility."
The Witch drums her fingers on her saddlehorn.
"First things first. Melianse," she calls to the Fey, "release these men from your enchantment. I cannot tolerate my subjects being subjected to mind-controlling magic; in return, you have my guarantee they will not be allowed to harm you."
Depending on the two claimants' response to her words, Asta beckons the rest of the Council close for a whispered discussion:
"Suggest we let the logger take the trees already felled and move to some other patch; we can't exactly bring them back to life, after all. After this, however, we need to set clear borders within which the Fey can tend their own affairs and where our people should not go, or we will keep having flare-ups like these -- and so close on the heels of the Mite War, that could have deeply unfortunate consequences. Corax' words do give me an idea; Fey might not supply to us, but they do have powers over nature. Perhaps an arrangement could be made for them to seed and magically enhance the growth of patches of desirable wood, which the loggers can then harvest from. In return, a guarantee that we would not intrude on Fey territory and perhaps other useful arrangements. Thoughts?"
”Ah...the River Freedoms...” Thomas says, casting a sidelong look to Seraph, knowing her own affection for them. ”So, tell me Corax. Someone arrives at your home, where you’ve lived for decades, and just takes, oh, let’s say, five horses. Would you not seek to stop them and demand them returned? How would you respond? Try and defend your property with all you could? Or would you say ‘Oh, he has them now. River Law says they are his because he was the last to hold their reins.’”
”Surely there is another location that you can use for your enterprise,” Thomas says, ”The Narlmarches are quite expansive. And, Miss Melianse,” he adds, turning to the fey, ”Surely, if they relocate, you would be willing to let them go in peace, yes?”
Gathering near Asta, Thomas replies, ”That could work, but it takes on a massive liability on your part. Any human intruding on their territory would then fall to you to police. A far simpler task, should we control the region surrounding the fey reservation. But that will take quite some time, depending greatly on exactly how much territory they are being allotted.”
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Asta beckons the rest of the Council close for...
... a whispered discussion:"Suggest we let the logger take the trees already felled and move to some other patch; we can't exactly bring them back to life, after all. After this, however, we need to set clear borders within which the Fey can tend their own affairs and where our people should not go, or we will keep having flare-ups like these -- and so close on the heels of the Mite War, that could have deeply unfortunate consequences. Corax' words do give me an idea; Fey might not supply to us, but they do have powers over nature. Perhaps an arrangement could be made for them to seed and magically enhance the growth of patches of desirable wood, which the loggers can then harvest from. In return, a guarantee that we would not intrude on Fey territory and perhaps other useful arrangements. Thoughts?"
Sunset doesn't have to move much at all, just turn her had and listen to Lady Asta's words. After but a moment she gives a soft reply...
"Seems t'me that Corax an' his crew in't seein' 'Fey' as 'People'. The Elven lass' eye narrow, "T'is kind a dangerous precedent, in-it? When folks don't see other folks as equal to themselves." She shifts and focuses all of her attention on Corax.
"Excuse me fer a moment. I want a word with that feller...."
So saying Sunset saunters towards Corax and his remaining lumber workers.
"Here now. Seems we are havin' a failure to comunicate...." She stops five or so feet from the men, feet slightly apart, hands hanging above the small items on her hips. One of which flickers with contained, blue power.
"Whut were it ye said?" She eyes Corax specifically,
"... Ah yes, 'Should I bow an' curtsey as well? Courts are fer kings. I live free and will say what I will!." She tilts her head,
"Well.. hear my words whut are equally free an' wilful. No one said nothin' 'bout grovelin' nor scrapin'." The elven lass' hands flex absently in the air above her weapons and her stare intensifies.
"But by my accountin'.... A man's got t' know his limitiations...."
"Yon lady dun't need nuffin too complicated from yer-selfs. Jus' respect like that whut ye'd show any one. Lass just wanted a fair trade fer things whut... An' I'm pretty sure I'm right on this part,"Sunset emphasises, " Fair an' easy trade fer you wantin' ta' take goods whut be on her rightfully recognized an' owned land." Sunset's gaze never waivers from that of Corax.
"Whut say ye? Jus' take some branches an' what not. Plant 'em in'a ground. Throw in them chips a wood ye other wise wouln't be doin' nuffin' with around the cuttin's." Sunset puffs slightly on her cigar.
"Heck, maybe leave a legacy fer yer future sprats ta' come an' make a livin' from." She shifts her gaze to the rest of the lumber-jacks,
"Whut say ye? Do we have an accord....?"
Corax's tone makes her adjust her sword in response. His disrespect wouldn't be tolerated further and her steely eyed gaze meant business. If he wanted to speak like a bandit she'd spare no amount of a beating.
Seraph responds at the goading with a sigh, having been mistaken in thinking better of Sir Thomas. She leans in after his short story and says. "Eventually, as Corax claims, he will encounter more fey Sir Thomas. The issue here is a workable compromise." She held her calm despite the childish behavior of those who thought they were her betters.
At Asta's words she shakes her head sadly in disagreement. "I'll Not have another Mite incident milady, no matter the treaty. We cannot account for the fey honoring anything we ask. It's too large a risk. But maybe we could ask Melianse if there are any trees she can part with to safely satisfy Corax's quota? Perhaps if we convince her she can aid us in speaking with other fey in this regard as well? Ill do my best to cover thw losses she incurred, a peace offering to the fey and a bargaining chip for continued aid. And 'Fey' enchanted wood could be worth more if Corax is good at his business..."
With that said she pulls out of the conversation, intent on minding the two parties instead.
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Torod squints his eyes at Corax. He says, "As you wish."
He is still off to the side and isn't part of Asta's huddle, but his focus is on Corax and his men.
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Asta commands both parties to remain civil and for Melianse now under her protection to release the two enchanted men.
Corax looks over to his men, before agreeing ”Fine.”. Melianse glancess at the lumberjacks then back at Asta, ”As you wish.” A moment later the two enchanted loggers shake their heads as if waking up from a dream.
With a shocked look at their leader, ”Corax we didn’t mean to cross you, we don’t know what came over us!” Corax waves them over, ”Not your fault, say nothing more of it.” he glares at Melianse, but reframs from saying anything more.
Asta confers with her fellow leaders.
Thomas quizes Corax on the River Freedoms, Corax hurumps before replying ”That depends did they cross my fence enter my barn and takes them from there stall, or did they lasso and tame wild horses that just happen to be near my home? Very likely I would treat them the same way you would a man that found a gold piece depending where he found it on the ground or in your pocket.”
In response to Thomas’ second question about other locations, Corax replies ”Part of the work of logging is finding the right trees in the right place which takes time. Do you know of another groove of coachwood available to harvest?”
Sunset very intendatingly saunters up to Corax and his men, suggesting they trade fairly with Melianse. Looking concerned and confused, ”I’m trying to corporate, but she demanded I restore the trees. They can’t be uncut.”
Melianse speaks up ”The lost trees must be made whole, limb cuttings cutting stuck in the ground would not do.”
Seraph confers with Asta while keeping an eye on the two disputing parties.
Torod squints at Corax and keeps an eye on him and his men.
"Melianse, faerie of the water," Asta says. "Perlavish, faerie dragon. There is a grove of coachwood trees by the lair of the slain tatzylwyrm. Do you know of any Fey who claim that territory? If not, Corax and his crew can go there.The grove is located ten miles to the north from here. That should be a good place for Corax and his crew to log, free of danger."
The Witch drums her fingers on her saddlehorn again, then speaks to Melianse: "Corax is not a spellcaster. He can not re-grow your trees. There are spellcasters in my kingdom, however. Let us plant cuttings here for now; at our best opportunity, we will bring someone here to cast Plant growth. In addition to improving the cuttings' growth, your pool and general area will become less appealing to humans to investigate. I will require you to clearly mark your territory after this, however; all of this could have been avoided if you had put up a sign.
Is that acceptable to all?"
Sunset does smile as people seem to be coming to an accord.
"I am not yet feel The Power well enough to do so, but in time I will. If you can be patient, I will come and grow them myself." Torod says to Melianse. "This I swear to you."
Seraph takes a moment to rummage the party supplies and produces the magical token. Handing it over to Asta before resuming her stance.
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Asked about the grove of coachwood trees near the slain Tatzylwyrm lair, both Melianse and Perlavish agree that no fey lived close to such a dangerous creature so the grove is unclaimed.
Melianse listens to Asta’s offer, ”It is easy to forget that not all creatures are blessed with magic.”
Sunset smiles at the growing agreement.
Torod swears to regrow the trees himself once he becomes strong enough with nature.
Melianse smiles at Torod’s promise, ”That would be a very noble gesture.”
Seraph hasn’t paid much attention to local lumber merchants.
Rummaging through her supplies, Seraph produces a magical feather token and hands it to Asta.
The nixie’s eyes light up as she recognizes the feather token, ”I know of a druid to the northwest that has more of those feathers, though I suspect she will want a favor in trade before parting with them. As long as you give your word as your bond that the trees will be made whole at best opportunity, then I find the offer it acceptable.” you get the impression that trees from feather tokens would be sufficient replacements.
Perlavish head pops up, thinking ::You mean Tiressia and Falchos, yea they are nice fey couple, I’m sure they would be willing to help.::
"Corax? Are you in agreement?" Asta asks.
As Asta waits for Corax's answer. Seraph approaches Melianse her sword sheathed and not presenting a threat. She sits at the waters edge, angling her blades sheath so it didn't prop her up as she sat.
"My word is my bond, I'll see the trees restored as General of Staglands forces. I am curious though, once your trees are restored would you be willing to help us find other are fey that would be willing to work with us? Or are Tiressia and Falchos more connected?"
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Corax nods, ”Yes we have an agreement.”
Seraph speaks with Melianse about working with them. Melianse responds ”Seasons change. The bandits where untrustworthy and no friend of the fey, keep your word and I will count you and your kindome as a trusted neighbor together we will flourish. I believe Tiresias and Falcons would be of a simular mind. The Light Fey can be a powerful ally to your kindome.”
Seraph nods at the Nixies words giving her a warm smile. The Light Fey a powerful ally, then I will do what I can to make them our friends. "We shall keep our word. We will see you soon." She rises to her feet on the tail end of Corax agreeing to the deal.
She waits to see if anything else develops and if nothing seems to be occurring then she mounts up and gets ready to depart. Intent on meeting this Tiressia and Falchos.
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Sunset's not to shy of getting her hands dirty if need be to plant the green.
”Well,” Thomas says as he adjusts his seat in his saddle, ”It seems we’ve reached an accord. That wasn’t too bad, was it?”
Torod says his goodbye to Melianse and gives the stinkeye to Corax.
[/b]"So do we go looking for the druid or do we return to the city?"[/b]
Brushing the dirt absently from her hands Sunset shrugs.
"We're out in'a woods. May as well make a Druid-peek out'a it."
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The Lumberjacks head upriver to the coachwood grove near the slain Tatzylwyrm lair.
Since it’s late in the day, Melianse offers you the option to camp there for the night.
The next morning at Seraph’s and Sunset’s insistence, the group goes to speak with the druid Tiressia and friend Falchos. Perlavish futters about leading the way, continuing with a stream of thoughts ::This way …. hurry up... No it’s this way, I think?.::
It takes several hours trekking through the forest to reach Tiressia’s glade.
Reaching your destination, the trees part to reveal a peaceful forest glade dappled with sunlight. A small pond lies placidly at the roots of an enormous oak tree with a scattering of leaves floating upon its surface. Birdsong twitters from the branches height above. You spot a beautiful humanoid creature kneeling at the water’s edge, weeping softly, her tears falling into the pool creating tiny ripples in the still water. Perlavish cocks his head to one side thinking ::That is Tiressia, but why is she crying?”
Dryads are tree-fey who prefer secluded woodlands far from humanoids in need of lumber. Dryads' main interests are their own survival and that of their beloved forests, and they have been known to magically coerce passersby into aiding them in tasks they cannot complete. They are more likely to be friendly to non-evil druids and rangers, as they recognize a mutual respect for or empathy with nature.
Dryads are benign guardians of trees, and though they can do little in the way of direct violence, they can trap and disable threats to their homes or turn enemies into allies. Some keep one or more charmed humanoids in their territory to fend off or lead away attackers. Incapacitated foes are typically dragged to the edge of the forest by the dryad's allies and left there, but evil or overtly hostile ones are killed once combat is over.
"It is definitely nice when one of these things works out without a need for war," Asta comments on the day's success.
, the Witch Queen clearly enjoys the ride through the beautiful forest, but she keeps her senses alert.
"Dryad," Asta whispers to the others upon seeing Tiresia. "Mind your manners. They are not normally hostile, but they do have access to enchantment-style magic, similar to Melianse."
Out loud, the Witch calls out in a sing-song language:
Thomas nods at Asta’s council, and remains quiet at her side unless needed or called upon.
Pointedly she swaps from her bow to her sword and points out the damaged trees to everyone. "Ready weapons, it appears theres been a struggle, Pervalish keep an eye out above and for the dryad."
When they arrive in the dryads grove she nods to Atas explination before she dismounts. Commands Julius to guard where he's at before she takes up a defensive position at about 10 paces from Asta and Julius. She spoke a quiet suggestion to the others as she prepared to defend the grove as best they could. "Torod, sunset take up defensive positions on the other side of the grove. Thomas guard Lady Asta. Pervalish, stay above us, tell us bigguns if something shows please."
She makes no threatening gestures or even looks in the direction of the crying dryad. instead she looked outward for threats coming towards them, the damage trees and put her on edge.
Sunset enjoys the time spent relaxing by Melianse's pool besides the river.
As the party travels through the woods, Sunset's eyes discern the trees around them. Her eyes narrow in suspision.
At Seraph's words Sunset nods, dismounts and quickly hobbles Fluff. Moving to a different side of the glade to take up positon.