Be it so known that the bearer of this charter has been charged by the Swordlords of Restov, acting upon the greater good and authority vested within them by the office of the Regent of the Dragonscale Throne, has granted the right of exploration and travel within the wilderness region known as the Greenbelt. Exploration should be limited to an area no further than thirty-six miles east and west and sixty miles south of Oleg’s Trading Post. The carrier of this charter should also strive against banditry and other unlawful behavior to be encountered. The punishment for unrepentant banditry remains, as always, execution by sword or rope. So witnessed on this 24th day of Calistril, under watchful eye of the Lordship of Restov and authority granted by Lord Noleski Surtova, current Regent of the Dragonscale Throne.
With these words inked on sheets of rolled parchment, and the authority of the lordship of Restov spurring them on, a makeshift company of explorers travels along the South Rostland Road. Their destination is Oleg's Trading Post, perhaps civilization's last stand before plunging into the wild unknowns of the Greenbelt in the Stolen Lands of the River Kingdoms. The journey, now in its second day, is made less pleasant by a distinct chill in the air, and a light, misty rain that seems to seep into the bones. Aside from an infrequent hunter or trapper, the explorers have had the road to themselves, giving them little else to do but come to know one another better.
The ambitious halfling Court Bard of House Surtova.
The newly converted blade of Erastil, haunted by her past mistakes.
The Galtan diviner, crafting a new identity for himself...again.
The rugged ranger in search of his father's fate.
The youthful half-elf cavalier with a new lease on life.
The gnome historian of Irori, eager to witness the rise of a new nation.
Brought together by chance, by fate, by the gods...these six souls have embarked on a quest which may change themselves, and all of the River Kingdoms, forever.
This is their story.
Retsiji doesn't tend to speak unless spoken to, or unless he has something directly germane to say. He isn't ignoring people--he responds readily enough--he just doesn't seem to be one for small talk. At some point, though, he looks around the group and says, "Any ideas for how we're going to start? I'm thinking we set up at Oleg's for the first couple of weeks, at least, and survey a half-day's march around there. The Greenbelt's more'n two days march across in each direction, though, so we're going to need to set up something more central."
Beatrix shifts her pack once again trying to get comfortable. She's taken to wrapping a blanket around her shoulders like a shawl to keep out the cold and in a vain attempt to keep her armor somewhat dry. She loses her footing in a bit of mud, flails wildly for a moment, then regains her balance, muttering to herself. What a miserable day to travel. What I'd give for a horse right now!
At Retsiji's question, she first looks at the halfling for a moment, then responds, "Doesn't sound like a bad plan. I imagine Oleg might have more information about the area as well - I'd like to ask him for advice on what direction to start out."
"I dont particularly care which direction we go once we get there, just so long as we get there, and hopefully soon. Do you think Oleg will have rooms for rent once we arrive, or are we to camp outside, near his shop?"
Seeing Bea fall into the mud, Jacyn reaches down from atop his horse, Smoke, to offer her a hand up, " There's more'n enough room up here if you'd like to rest your feet for awhile.", he says, with a look that offers little more than his words.
Adam sighs in exasperation as he sinks into a mudpit up to his knees. With some difficulty he manages to pry himself out again.
"I, for one, will be paying a handsome sum for a room, even if I have to kick the other patrons out!"
He picks a large clump of mud out of his boot, resisting the urge to remove the boot completely to clean it.
"I imagine this is the first day I've spent trudging through mud in some time. I had forgotten what a pleasant experience it is."
The halfling's voice drips with sarcasm.
In response to Jacyn's question, Retsiji shakes his head. "No idea. At worst he's probably got a barn."
He pauses for a moment, struck by a thought. "Any of you know if we're getting more tangible support than the nice piece of paper? Hate to run out of money out here, you know?"
Beatrix shifts her pack once again trying to get comfortable. She's taken to wrapping a blanket around her shoulders like a shawl to keep out the cold and in a vain attempt to keep her armor somewhat dry. She loses her footing in a bit of mud, flails wildly for a moment, then regains her balance, muttering to herself. What a miserable day to travel. What I'd give for a horse right now!
At Retsiji's question, she first looks at the halfling for a moment, then responds, "Doesn't sound like a bad plan. I imagine Oleg might have more information about the area as well - I'd like to ask him for advice on what direction to start out."
"Tangible support?! Ha! Don't make me laugh. We've been thrown to the wolves, ladies and gentlemen. If we survive, great! If we don't, oh well... not too much investment, eh?"
"That's kinda of a bleak outlook there, Adam. I'd think that since we are supposed to be 'striving against bandits' and all that, that we'd be gettin paid for it. I hope."
"Bleak? I'd say more practical. I'll look over the papers again when we get to Oleg's. But I don't remember anything about payment, just rights and opportunities. Which is nice enough, all things considered."
"Well, suppose there are bandits out there - what are they stealing? There's gotta be some sort of wealth out here. If nothing else we'll have the spoils of what we liberate from those thieves."
Adam nods with a look of satisfaction.
"That's the spirit. If we're to get rid of bandits, we might as well keep... er, liberate... what they've stolen."
Adam peers through the misting rains, hoping to see some sign of civilization up ahead.
"That's a good point. Though I was under the impression there weren't gonna be that many 'honest' folk out here, cause of all the monsters and such. If thats the case, we might end up 'libertin' our own stuff."
If Bea refuses his offer for a ride, Jacyn goes back to stroking Smoke's neck, assuring her that once they get out of all the thick mud, the walking will be much smoother.
Bea smiles at Jacyn, then looks back at the halfling again. "I uh...I'd better keep to the ground for now. I appreciate the offer though."
Retsiji chuckles. "Nothing in there about paying taxes on our take, either. Thing is, you know, to start with, we're not going to need a whole lot of gold--any bandits around here are going to eat into Oleg's profit margins, either from losses or protection money, so we could probably talk him into compensating us in goods if we can make his life easier. That won't take us very far, though...going to need to find something to make it worth living here...." His voice trailing off, Retsiji seems to be lost in thought. That is, up until he trips on a tree root and goes sprawling. He picks himself up, wipes the mud from his face, and keeps walking, this time paying more attention to where he's going. "I tell myself it could be worse. Last time I came through these parts it was raining like this, but I was bleeding and hadn't eaten in three days."
Beatrix raises an eyebrow, unsure how much to pry into Retsiji's past. "So you've been here before? What can you tell us of the lands, of what we're to face here?"
Simn had been quite unrepentantly asking questions on his companions' backgrounds during the walk. After all, they were going to be working together for a fair while, so it only made sense to get to know each other. He'd been open about his own past, unremarkable as it was.
Now, he joined in on the conversation, "It might be worth seeing if there ae any old, abandoned outposts we could restore," he suggested, "After all, people have been trying to lay claim to this region for quite a while now."
The halfling nods to their gnome companion.
"As soon as I feel normal again after crawling through this mud all day, I mean to find a map of the region. And from there we can look for any tactical advantages."
"In the meantime, let's keep our eyes and ears open for guests of an unsavory kind."
The halfling nods to their gnome companion.
"As soon as I feel normal again after crawling through this mud all day, I mean to find a map of the region. And from there we can look for any tactical advantages."
"In the meantime, let's keep our eyes and ears open for guests of an unsavory kind."
"Are there any maps to be found? I was under the impression that was why we're out here - to explore and map the region."
Adam grimaces, realizing Bea may be right.
"I hope there is at least a general one. If not, I'll come up with something different."
"No worries, Bea--I don't think Daggermark's out for me in particular any more. I can't tell you a whole lot about the Stolen Lands, though. See, I came out of the River Kingdoms--never mind which one, it's called something different now. My uncle ran the place, and I was in training to be his court wizard and advisor. No one was worried that I'd try to be king, right?" He gestures self-deprecatingly at himself. "Trouble was, my dear uncle was nibbling away at the territories around him, getting too big too fast. The folks who really run things around there didn't think much of that, and...well. Tough to rule with your head on a pike, right? I got away, though it wasn't easy." He absently rubs the scar on his neck. "Probably helped that I looked like I'd be dead before dawn. Anyway, when I passed through here all I was doing was putting one foot in front of the other...not really paying much attention to fine details of geography, if you know what I mean. I know a few things about the area, but it's almost all book-learning."
"Well if we are going to have to map the terrain as well as protect it, I think we are definitely going to need to get the lot of you some horses, else we might never get done."
Jacyn begins moving around in the saddle, stretching from the long and dull ride. "Any idea how much further til we get to Oleg's?"
Having offered to take the lead position as the party left Restov, Havrin trudges along at the head of the group, the wide brim of his hat thankfully keeping the rain out of his eyes. He listens to his companions' conversation for a while before finally adding to the discussion.
"Well, suppose there are bandits out there - what are they stealing? There's gotta be some sort of wealth out here. If nothing else we'll have the spoils of what we liberate from those thieves."
"The Greenbelt isn't totally uninhabited," Havrin's deep bass voice rumbles from the front of the party. "There's hunters and trappers living and working in the wilderness. Even a few scattered farmsteads, or so I've been told. Traders travel through here from Brevoy to the River Kingdoms. I imagine that's where Oleg gets his business. Plenty of targets for bandits," the ranger says, his voice turning grim.
A few moments later he adds, "As for the spoils recovered from the bandits - several of the traders that travel through here work for the noble houses of Brevoy. I'd imagine they'd be appreciative if any stolen goods were returned to them."
This elicits a slight chuckle from Bea. "Well of course any identifiable treasures will be returned to their proper owners - wouldn't do to rid the land of bandits just to act the same part. But I imagine there's plenty that's untraceable, and I wouldn't think it improper to use that portion to further our work."
Retsiji takes off his hat and looks up for a moment, eyes closed, letting the light rain rinse the last of the mud off of his face. "Much better." He puts his hat back on and smiles. "Leaving aside the question of how to disburse as-yet hypothetical spoils from bandits we haven't found, much less defeated, Havrin reminded me about something else even more hypothetical. Bear with me; I've been a tutor for the past few months and I tend to run on.
"Now this charter grants us rights of exploration and travel, with strong hints about putting down banditry. There was also some nudge-nudge wink-wink from our Restov patrons about eventually settling the Greenbelt, but for now that's not in writing. Just as well; defending trade routes through unclaimed territory from bandits is something that won't raise too many red flags, but officially chartering a settlement is maybe a bigger deal.
"So here's something else we should think about before it hits us upside the head. The honest folks who live here now--I'm guessing they're here in part because they like it. Taking down the people and creatures who make their lives miserable is one thing. Turning around and saying, 'Oh, by the way, the Swordlords of Restov have just given your land to us, we're going to civilize it, have a nice day,' is another. How do you think they'll respond? Me, I'm thinking we budget money to buy them out if they want that, or otherwise accommodate what they want. We at least want to watch our mouths when it comes to any future plans for the area, because we need these people's help now."
Jacyn nods in agreement with both Bea and Retsiji.
Adam trudges a few more steps through the mud as he listens to Retsiji.
"That is why a tactical perspective of the area is so important. Since we have been sent here, in part, to stop banditry and villainy, we are in a very real sense protecting the people here. If we can do that without invading their personal lives, and at the same time contributing to their economic success, I'm sure we will be greatly appreciated by the people."
"And by 'contributing to their economic success', I don't mean buying them off. If we can clear out bandits or other dangers, we can help to arrange market days, festivals, or other things of the sort which will bring distant merchants and producers of goods together. That may be something they are not able to do at this time due to the dangers of the wilds."
"Indeed. I think it would be best, when the time comes, to involve those locals in the decisions that will forge this land. If they've been here all along trying to survive in the wilderness, I think that's their right."
After a time, the conversation dies off and leaves the travelers to plod on in silence, eagerly peering ahead through the mist in hopes of spying their destination. Finally, as the rain lets up and a hint of sunlight peeks out from behind heavy gray clouds, the end of this leg of the journey comes into view. Across a crumbling, low stone wall on the south side of the road stands a structure that looks like nothing so much as an old abandoned border fort. A 10-foot-high wooden palisade surrounds the compound, and a quartet of square corner watchtowers completes the picture.
As the intrepid explorers approach along the muddy road, they see a 30 foot wide, heavy wooden gate in the center of the palisade, standing open to allow entry to the stableyard within. The party can see an old wagon parked in the middle of the yard, and several buildings stand within the shelter of the palisade wall. From the brick chimney of one building, a plume of woodsmoke swirls lazily into the overcast midday sky, a comforting welcome indeed to Oleg's Trading Post.
"Finally!" Jacyn lets out as the fort comes into view. He rides ahead a few yards, and assuming no one stops him for questioning, he enters the fort, bringing Smoke in towards the stableyard. Climbing down off the horse, he calls out, "Excuse me? Who do I see about gettin my horse fed and watered?"
Retsiji looks skyward briefly, then quietly says, "I vote we let Adam do the talking to start with."
Simn looked distinctly happy to have reached their destination. Trudging along in the damp wasn't exactly the most enjoyable of pastimes. Still, the day was only half through yet, and even if they were done with their traveling for the day, there would be uses to which they could put their time.
"I'm for a hot meal and a bit of gossip with any travelers," he said, heading for the common room. Learning the lay of the land certainly came high among their priorities.
As the old fort comes into view, Bea lets out a big sigh of relief. "Ahh! I sure hope we can get a hot meal and dry off by a warm fire."
She looks around as we walk in through the large gate. "Guess they must not get many travelers here." A little louder she calls, "Anyone home? We seek food and lodging!"
In response to the sound of voices in the yard, a woman emerges from the rear building of the trading post. Her hair, tied up in a kerchief, sports some gray mixed in with rich chestnut brown, but her natural beauty remains evident even as she approaches middle age. She draws near the party with a beaming smile, clearly excited by the travelers' approach.
"Well, you've arrived at last! Come now, let's get you in out of the damp and mud. I've made some stew, a loaf of bread...even opened a bottle of wine! Oh, but where are my manners? I am Svetlana Leveton. I'm so happy you're here."
Then, cupping her hands to her mouth, she shouts in a completely different tone of voice. "Oleg, come down! They've arrived, come and greet them and then get this horse stabled!" Her words are so shrill, it scarcely seems that they came from the same woman.
Shifting gears effortlessly, Svetlana smiles back at the adventurers and says conspiratorially, "Fixing a leak on the guesthouse roof, you know."
From the top of the closest building , a man's grizzled head peers over the crest, his countenance looking none too pleased as he glowers down at the new arrivals.
"At last, Oleg's! Perhaps they'll have some information that can help me there," Havrin thinks to himself as the party approaches the old fort.
As the old fort comes into view, Bea lets out a big sigh of relief. "Ahh! I sure hope we can get a hot meal and dry off by a warm fire."
"Now that sounds like the best thing I've heard in days," Havrin's deep voice rumbles in response to Bea's statement.
The rain-soaked and mud-spattered ranger follows his companions through the gates, examining the fortification-turned-trading post with interest.
"Well, you've arrived at last! Come now, let's get you in out of the damp and mud. I've made some stew, a loaf of bread...even opened a bottle of wine! Oh, but where are my manners? I am Svetlana Leveton. I'm so happy you're here."
Then, cupping her hands to her mouth, she shouts in a completely different tone of voice. "Oleg, come down! They've arrived, come and greet them and then get this horse stabled!"
"A pleasure to meet you, Mistress Leveton," Havrin greets the woman with a nod of his head as he tips his hat. He pauses and a quizzical expression crosses his face before he continues, "Please excuse me, but were you expecting us?"
Bea's stomach rumbles loudly at the woman's description of the meal. Oh, this is better than I imagined! What hospitality out here in the wild! Bowing deeply, she responds to Svetlana, "You may call me Bea." Gesturing to the rest of the party in turn, "and these are my companions, Adam, Jacyn, Retsiji, Simn..." Her cheeks turn a deep red as she pauses awkwardly. Finally she lets out a little laugh and stammers "I'm terribly sorry, I don't think I ever did get your name," looking at the ranger.
Adam is overjoyed to find a dry place... nearly.
"Yes, yes, yes! Greetings! Greetings! To one and to all.
The promised ones arrived, your guesthouse still stands tall.
No rain, forsooth, --- tore down its roof.
And for that, and your tender mercies, Mistress Leveton, we are ever grateful."
Quickly, Adam unwraps his lute from its leather sachel and strums a few chords in accompaniment, to a silly song he seemed to pull out of nowhere.
"A pleasure to meet you, madam, Simn said, with a small bow, "I must say, you have quite a setup here, and wonderful hospitality as well. You must have been established here for a fair while."
Upon Bea's introductions, Svetlana pleasantly makes the acquaintance of each explorer, with a wide smile and courteous nod of the head. "A pleasure, all. Truly."
She gives a startled clap of joy as Adam performs his impromptu song. "Oh, delightful! A minstrel, no less! Oh, Oleg loves music so. Not that he'd ever admit it."
"A pleasure to meet you, madam, Simn said, with a small bow, "I must say, you have quite a setup here, and wonderful hospitality as well. You must have been established here for a fair while."
"Well, no. Just a few months, actually. All of the structures you see here were already standing when we arrived, we've just tried to make some repairs and renovations to the fort as we've been able."
"A pleasure to meet you, Mistress Leveton," Havrin greets the woman with a nod of his head as he tips his hat. He pauses and a quizzical expression crosses his face before he continues, "Please excuse me, but were you expecting us?"
Svetlana looks momentarily taken aback. "Well...yes, of course. We'd sent word repeatedly for help with our problem, and not two days ago a hunter down from Restov told us that a group of adventurers would be on the way to provide aid. Mind you, I didn't expect you all quite so quickly, but here you are!"
Meanwhile, Oleg has begun to descend from his rooftop perch via a nearby ladder. He doesn't seem to be in much of hurry about it, though.
Retsiji also bows in greeting. "Master and Mistress Leveton, my pleasure, and let me add my thanks for your hospitality."
"Ah, forgive my manners," Havrin says, doffing his hat and nodding again to Svetlana and then to Bea. "My name is Havrin Stahl, a woodsman from the Gronzi Forest."
"I didn't realize word of our departure from Restov would reach here so quickly. We are most grateful for your hospitality," Havrin adds, turning to nod in greeting to Oleg as he approaches the group.
Jacyn stands patiently by his horse, awaiting Oleg to come down form his perch, though his slightly-pointed ears perk up a bit a the offer of stew and bread.
Quickly, Adam unwraps his lute from its leather sachel and strums a few chords in accompaniment, to a silly song he seemed to pull out of nowhere.
While Adam performs his song, Jacyn isn't sure whether to be amused a tthe little tune, or impressed that he seemingly came up with it on the fly.
Svetlana looks momentarily taken aback. "Well...yes, of course. We'd sent word repeatedly for help with our problem, and not two days ago a hunter down from Restov told us that a group of adventurers would be on the way to provide aid. Mind you, I didn't expect you all quite so quickly, but here you are!"
"The pleasure is mine, and we will glad to be of service."Jacyn says as he takes the lady's hand.
Svetlana looks momentarily taken aback. "Well...yes, of course. We'd sent word repeatedly for help with our problem, and not two days ago a hunter down from Restov told us that a group of adventurers would be on the way to provide aid. Mind you, I didn't expect you all quite so quickly, but here you are!"
"Problem? What kind of aid are you in need of? Perhaps we can help."
"I am certain that whatever the problem is, the minds gathered here can work together to find and implement a solution."
"I think that's what we're here for. Adam, remember what you said earlier about us being hung out to dry? Looks like we're not the only ones." He turns to Oleg and Svetlana. "Let me guess. You've been yelling for help for a while, you want the army, and you get a half-dozen...well, us. You're thinking this tells you where you rate back home, even though you're holding down part of what looks like a major supply route out here. Yeah, I'd be kinda surly, too. But Adam's got the right of it. We're more competent than we look, so I think we can do something for you.
"Let's get our food, and you can tell us what's going on out here."
By this time, Oleg has finished his descent and approaches the gathering in the center of the yard. Oleg is a broad-shouldered, middle aged man whose red hair has mostly all gone to gray. Sweaty and bluff-faced, he merely grunts sullenly in response to Havrin, and any others who offer him a greeting.
"Problem? What kind of aid are you in need of? Perhaps we can help."
Svetlana's consternation grows even greater in reaction to Bea's question. "Well...the bandits, of course. You aren't here because we sent for help in dealing with the bandits?"
At this point, Oleg finally makes his voice known. Throwing his hands in the air, he swears gruffly. "Dammit! I knew it, Svetlana! Those so-called Swordlords don't give a rat's ass about us or our troubles! This lot isn't here to rescue us, it's all a big misunderstanding!"
Svetlana, however, picks up on the offers of assistance put forth. Humbly, she asks, "Really, do you think you might be able to help us? You do have numbers, and arms...why, I'd even offer you all free room and board for the night, if you thought you'd be able to do something about these awful bandits. But, it might be dangerous, so if you want to just move on, we would understand."
The scowl on Oleg's face suggests he would certainly not understand, but Svetlana looks on hopefully.
Beatrix hesitates a moment before proceeding, "Well, it's true that's not the primary reason we're here, but if there's a bandit problem we are tasked with dealing with them. What can you tell us about these bandits? Have they been raiding you here?" She looks around at the palisade walls, "I looks as if the place is fairly well defensible. Or are they attacking travelers on the road?" Her voice took a decidedly worried tone at that last sentence.