Milo grins sheepishly, Sorry I didn't spot it earlier guys, but the good news is we will have fresh meat for the next couple of days.
He sets about field dressing the boar and once done slings it over his shoulders before finishing the trip to Oleg's.
[dice=perception]1d20+5
I should make you do a survival roll for properly field dressing the boar.
Milo cuts up the boar for travel and the the party continues on, arriving at Oleg's in the late afternoon.
Upon entering the compound you see Oleg, Svetlana and a tall gaunt man with an intense look talking with them at one of the tables by the firepit.
Obviously rushed, Milo does a poor job of preparing the boar for transport to Oleg's.
Take 20 for 25...
Tirnel nudges Ibram, I think this is where you say something grand and official that gains us all types of favor with the powers that be...
"You got it."
Ibram walks forward.
"Hail Oleg, we have returned. Svetlana, you are a sight for sore eyes...and empty stomachs. hahaha.
and hello to you good sir. I am Ibram, and these are my companions. How are you this fair day?"
Oleg: "Hello Ibram, how went your quest to find and eliminate the bandits? By the look of Milo you found and eliminated something, is that boar?"
Svetlana: "If it is we will have a feast, forgive my husband Milo, boar is his favorite and I am sure he will now remind us all of the legendary boar that he says inhabits these lands." (rolls eyes)
Oleg: "Don't roll your eyes at me wife, Tuskgutter is real, a giant vicious boar, he has killed many a hunter and trapper that has tried to bring him down, his head would make a great trophy to hang in our compound and would bring many travelers just to take a look...and spend gold!"
Svetlana: "Please excuse our manners, this is Jhod." introducing the new man.
The tall man turns towards the group, his garb is simple with the only thing that stands out being a necklace ornamented by a silver bow made of elk antlers with a nocked arrow.
"Good day friends. Oleg and Svetlana have named you as their rescuers, ridding them of their bandit persecutors. They have told me that you are chartered to explore these lands, I am here for similar reasons and we have much to discuss."
Ibram nods, "Jhod, always nice to meet a fellow follower of Erastil. Let us put our things away, get a drink, and we shall start discussing."
Kentaur mutters under his breath, "Can't turn a stump over without some Erastilite falling out...sheesh."
Milo smiles nervously at Jhod, looks at the religious symbol and nods before grabbing some water and helping Svetlana with the board.
Tirnel waits for Ibram to return before deep diving into Jhod's appearance but tries to makes some small talk while he waits.
Where abouts did you say you were from Jhod? I can't imagine that Oleg has seen this many new faces in a month of Sundays!
Jhod: "I am a wandering cleric, recently come from Galt."
Jhod's response is polite but he obviously wants to talk with Ibram and Milo.
in Elven..Tirnel, let's go see what Svetlana is cooking now.
"hmmph, I'll go help you bless the boar."
Kentaur ambles off to the kitchen.
Tirnel finds Milo, I have the sense that Oleg's newest visitor would prefer to speak with a fellow follower. Maybe you or Ibram can get him to open up? I'm going to speak with Oleg about the equipment that we brought back from the wilds.
Finding Oleg-Good sir, have you had time to evaluate the equipment that we brought back with us? I'd like to receive your valuation of the goods so we can start to estimate the amount of funds our group will have available to draw on as we move forward. Also, we seem to have eliminated the bandit threat and the Swordlords were offering a bounty of 400GP for such an accomplishment. Any idea how we can collect on that sum? Finally, you may have noticed that we brought you back a copious amount of radishes. Milo had indicated you and Svetlana would be willing to pay for just such a delivery.
Milo finishes up in the kitchen with Svetlana before reluctantly going to find Jhod. With sadness in his voice he tells Svetlana-We didn't find your ring, but I promise to keep looking. I know how important my Mom's ring was to her.
Making his way to Jhod, Milo approaches nervously-Ummm....hi; I'm Milo. Tirnel said you might be looking for me?
Ibram walks up also. "Erastil's blessings to you both."
Oleg to Tirnel:
"This equipment is in much better shape than the junk you took off the bandits, I can pay you 90%, still need to make a living you know. As far as the bounty, I can give you the gold in advance, I know the Sword Lords will be good for it."
"The radishes should fetch a good price, I can give you 200 gold for them."
Well Erastil is the god of the hunt. Maybe he put a bear at his temple as a challenge for his followers?
Seeming a little unsure, Milo looks at Ibram for direction-That sounds like a noble quest I guess, if we can find it. What do you say Ibram?
To Oleg-When we have some time I'll be wanting to craft some bows for myself and my fellows. This will require some high quality timber and materials as I won't have the time to grow a recurve. You seem like a man that can get things Oleg, please keep an eye out for what I need.
I will also detect evil when I can do so serruptetiously.
"I shall Jhod. Will you be staying here then?"
Jhod to Ibram:
"Yes, I will be staying here, Oleg has agreed to let me set up my shelter within the walls. And I will also be exploring the local area as well, though I don't think I will range too far."
No evil detected.
Oleg to Tirnel:
"I can probably procure what you need, but perhaps you and Milo can save your gold by finding some likely timber in the forest ."
Svetlana:
"The boar and turnips are ready, come and get it!"
Quinray is already to eat. Smiles and hanks Svetlana for a great meal.
Tirnel continues his conversation with Oleg, That's a capital idea and I'll be sure to tell Milo what type of tree to look for, but I'll still need some specialty varnishes and tools that will cost a pretty gold piece. If we were at my former master's shop it would be easy enough, although he would still want to be compensated for the varnish and other consumables the task will require.
Did your wife say dinner was on? I'm famished! Time to enjoy the fruits of our labors as it were.
Tirnel moves quickly to the dinner table.
After dinner Milo, making sure Ibram agrees, reveals the conversational posts above to the rest of the party.
After the sumptuous meal Tirnel speaks with the party-Tomorrow I propose we set out into the surrounding areas to start fulfilling our charter of 'exploration' from the Swordlords. With the bandit threat having been at least quelled, if not indeed totally eliminated, we can keep an eye out for rings, boars, bears, and good bow timber.
If there is no opposition the next day we begin our exploration of the surrounding areas.
Next day, any actions before setting out? Which way are you going to head?
The area of the Stolen Lands that you need to explore is a large square (7x7), consisting of 49 grid squares to explore. Oleg's is in E1, the radish patch/kobold cave was in D2, the Thorn River bandit camp was in D3. You can consider those 3 grid squares explored, 46 more to go.
So map would more or less be laid out as below: A1 is NW corner, G1 is NE corner, A7 is SW corner, G7 is SE corner. Make sense?
A B C D E F G
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Head West and make a loop (if possible) exploring:
D1; C1; B1; A1; A2; B2; C2
You can do that, party heads west towards D1.
Perception checks.
It's good to be back in the countryside again. I wonder if Yegalash came this way...
I hope we find some promising trees out here...
Scouting. Ahead, maybe a nice tree.[/dice]
The day is spent exploring grassy hills with small stands of trees. The party sees signs of game animals and sights a large herd of elk at a distance. In one stand of trees Milo finds a small tree that will make a good bow and harvests it.
As the day ends the party approaches thick forested lands.
Any actions before camping for the night?
Quinray scouts around the area to make sure it is safe and will take first watch.
Before scouting he looks at Ibram. Looks at Tirnel and realizes he has no idea who or what that individual is. Is This Jhod a loose end....
@ Ibram Who is Jhod? A friend of yours?
Tired from the long day's exploration, Tirnel is happy to see Randtam take first watch, I'll take the last one... he says before evaluating the small sapling sample on how best to transform it into a mighty bow.
Milo begins to feel more comfortable with the rest of the party, Desna's fortune smiles on me; I seem to have fallen in with a good group..
I tell the rest of the party about Jhod being a priest of Erastil and looking for a temple in the wilderness...
I know I am with followers of some deity named Erastil.
What does Erastil stand for. Can we trust him?
"Erastil stands for family, farming, hunting and trade. As for Jhod, his heart is in the right place. I think we can trust him, but....you never know."
The 3 f's. Family, farming, fu@&ing.
Thanks Ibram.
I know I am with followers of some deity named Erastil.
What does Erastil stand for. Can we trust him?
[dice=KnowReligion untrained]1d20 + 0
knowledge is a trained only skill
In the middle of the night during Milo's watch he spots a strange creature as it charges through the grass towards him, it is about the size of a wolf, but it has the slender build of a cat, heavy whiskers, and dark stripes down its back.
The creature's powerful jaws rip into Milo, tearing a hole in his side.
knowledge is a trained only skillI know I am with followers of some deity named Erastil.
What does Erastil stand for. Can we trust him?
[dice=KnowReligion untrained]1d20 + 0
Thanks Ibram. I did not know.
-10 HP
Milos shouts out in pain hoping the noise awakens his companions-
Tirnel bolts to his feet, his reverie shattered by Milo's cry.
Daze DC 16 Will when able.
Milo's blow connects wounding the creature, which apparently thinks better of trying to eat Milo and leaps over him and disappears into the tall grass and darkness.
You can hear it yipping and baying as it runs and you can also hear other creatures yipping in reply from within the forest.
-10 HP
Unnnh...
Milo applies pressure to the wound in his side, hoping that the creature's pack doesn't decide to come back for another bite.
Tirnel readies his bow, realizing that the creature is not humanoid.
There are more of them out there it seems. Be ready in case they attack as a group.
Cast mage armor; AC now 18