When you wake up in the morning the food and water is gone.
We seem to have made a new, yet shy, friend. Tell our new friend that we will continue to do this every night, for as long as we have the extra rations.
You have finished surveying this square.
40 xp
Early in the first day you leave the woods and back into the plains your first day of surveying passes without incident. You place food and water out for your mischevious followers but when you wake up in the morning it is still there.
"Hmm, they must prefer the woods. We will have to remember to try again once we are back in those woods."
You quickly make your way across the plains back to Oleg's trading post. Again as you approach you notice more foot and cart traffic than before even though it's been only ~2 weeks since you were last here. Word is evidently getting around that this area is safer than before.
Good ! Oleg and Sveltlana deserve a decent chance to make it !
As you approach the gates you don't see Kesten but one of his warriors hails you asking for news of the surrounding areas.
"Well we ran into and dispatched a werewolf and their minions, killed some bandits, and some creature kept following us in the woods. Thats about it, anything new around here?"
Not much around here except merchant traffic, what bandits did you find it wasn't Falgrim was it? A package came for you lot a few days ago.
"Nope it was a girl named Kressle. A package, is it at Oleg's?"
I believe it is. Kressle.... hmm that's the one Svetlana is... was... so scared of...
She no longer needs to fear her, for Kressel is dead.
I'm sure she will be delighted to hear that, why don't you guys go see her, she may even have some of that moon radish stew left over.
MMmmm... Moon radish stew! Lets go talk to Svetlana!
The group moves over to the inn to settle in and get some food. Svetlana greats the group warmly ushering them to a table. Before you are able to start any conversation she rushes off to the kitch "Let me run to the back and get you some of that moon radish stew made up fresh for you!"
As this happens Oleg wanders over to the table to greet the group and inquire about how things are going.
Oleg "Hail and well met! The package we were waiting on from Old Vekkel has arrived, to be sure you are going to like this trade!"
"Really, tell us more. Was he extremely happy to get his spear back?"
Oleg "I would assume so his note indicated he was glad someone else saw the beast and he sent his old hunting sword and armor." Oleg motions to one of the new scullery maids who runs off to the back and brings up 2 packages. She lays on the table the aforementioned sword and armor.
Arcane check to reveal DC 10
Oleg "He also wanted me to remind everyone that if they slaw Ol' Tuskgutter that he will give his old hunting bow and special arrows to someone who brings back his head"
"I cannot figure out if these are special or not, the quality looks outstanding. Did he perhaps send a note with them?"
Oleg "As a matter a fact he did, Oleg hands the letter to Palom"
Note
Majik armour !! Just what Guumpah said I needed. . .
Starting completely over :) with new group.
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Background:
colonization. Wedged between the River Kingdoms and
Brevoy, the approximately 35,000-square-mile swath
of wilderness has a long history of being regarded as
“stolen”—from and by whom depending on the point
of view. In Brevoy, the lands are considered stolen
from that nation’s southern expanse by bandits and
barbarians variously from Numeria, Iobaria, or the
River Kingdoms themselves. In the River Kingdoms,
the general impression is that Brevoy allowed the lands
to fall into the hands of monsters and worse in order to
rob the lords of the River Kingdoms of more lands to
rule. Even within the wildlands themselves, lands are
stolen and conquered in constant struggles between
bickering tribes of centaurs, kobolds, fey, trolls, bandits,
lizardfolk, boggards, barbarians, and more, all constantly
skirmishing to expand their holdings while not ceding
their own lands to the enemy.
In truth, the Stolen Lands belong to no one, and are
stolen from no one. Many have tried to claim them, but
the abandoned ruins that dot the swath of wilderness
stand as testaments to the difficulty of ruling these savage
lands. They have remained wild with a fierce tenacity, a
haven for monsters and criminals and dangerous secrets,
and as such have posed a menace to their neighboring
nations as long as anyone can remember. And unknown
to many who look upon these lands from surrounding
nations and empires, a hidden hierarchy of latent power
resides within the Stolen Lands, organized under the
watchful eyes of Nyrissa, a beautiful but mad princess
from the mysterious realm of the First World. See the
Campaign Outline on page 88 for more details on
Nyrissa’s motivation and goals.
Yet these times of relative calm in the Stolen
Lands are coming to an end. Spurred to action in
part by an increase in aggression among the bandits
and barbarians of the Stolen Lands and by building
political tensions to the north, the swordlords of
Restov have sent agents and colonists into the disputed
region to explore and settle and, if need be, conquer.
The establishment of four new puppet kingdoms,
all beholden to Restov’s swordlords and the rest of
Rostland, would not only bring freedom from banditry
and raids along Rostland’s southern border, but also
the resources and clout needed to make a play for a
higher station in Brevoy’s complicated political scene.
If all goes well, the just return of the Stolen Lands to
Brevic control could well give Rostland the footing it
needs to challenge the Surtova hold on the crown.
Working quickly and quietly through pawns and
minions, numerous agents have set into motion four
separate campaigns against the Stolen Lands, each on the
surface appearing to address minor elements of banditry
or securing of trade routes, while in fact they are preparing
the way for annexation and conquest of the entire region.
Unfortunately, the swordlords did not anticipate the result
of these four pushes into the Stolen Lands, for in each of
these regions agents and allies of the nymph Nyrissa are
laying their own plans, and when confronted by explorers
and expansionists from the north, their reactions will be
anything but calm and serene. The swordlords may not
realize it, but they are bringing war to their border, and
their own agents may well become liabilities and enemies
when they gain a taste of what it is to rule.
You have all arrived at the Oleg's Trading Post in the Greenbelt with a charter giving you license to explore and map the area.
Charter
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.
Let me know what you are doing... what you look like and aquaint yourselves.
Cotton puts down his pack before wiping his brow and looking around. He's outside his normal comfort here more used to the town life, but when you he followed the path he did you get used to running.
Cotton is an older gentlemen with a proud stance but a weary look in his eyes. You see some movement in one of his pockets but it could just be the light playing tricks on you.
Stanton trots into the town with a gait that shows his well accustom to the road. He is barely breathing hard despite the dustiness of his clothing pointing to the many miles he's traveled. He looks completely competent and fearsome with a greatsword strapped to his back along side a full quiver of arrows.
Lynore strolls into town with her trusty ox in tow. She is average size for an elf, with dark blonde hair. She has a curved blade on her hip and shirt of chainmail over leather.
She is going to get the ox situated at the stable, before talking to the person in charge.
Dram eyes the three strangers, slings his bow over his shoulder and walks into town. Above average height and with a light step he is looking forward to exploring this area, and bringing the love of the road that Desna has given him to all he meets.
As you begin to make your way to the Great Hall, 2 individuals come out to greet you. A man who looks in his mid 40's whose obvious past strength is beginning to deteriorate into a certain girth of... character... The woman appears to be a few years younger that the man, pretty in a tired sort of way, you can tell that life hasnt' been easy for her out here.
As they approach the man speaks, "Hello I'm Oleg and this is my wife Svetlana, are you the patrol sent by Lord Restov?" Disappointed he adds, "If you are I thought there would be more of you..."
Lynore nods, "Yep, that is us. Where should we start?"
Oleg stomps off in frustration back to the kitchens.
Svetlana: "Don't mind him, he is just frustrated. Bandits have been raiding us every month for the last three months. Tomorrow they are supposed to come back again. We have to pay... we have no choice.. "
"How many bandits are there and what type of weapons and armor do they have? Are they on horseback, do they always approach from the same direction? Any information at all would be useful."
"I'm not sure as of direction they always walk through the front gates same as you people. They always arrive at the same time of day and leave at the same time, so I'd guess they have a base around a day or so from here. Likely to the south as it's more wild. The first time they came it was about a dozen along with a really mean lady with 2 hatchets who stole my wedding ring and threatened to give me to the bandits as a plaything. And another guy who seemed really mean and more capable than the rest. The second time they came it was about 8 of them with the fellah but the lady stayed behind. They do have horses and crossbows. "
"I am all for setting up an ambush and take out as many as we can before they get in the gates. What do the archer's think? Do you think you could do some damage. I am guessing you would like that ring back if at all possible?"
Dram looks around, "Yeah with these walls and houses, I think we could do them some damage. It may be better to let them come in and close the door behind them."
Svetlana "I doubt they carry it on them but if they do I would like it back, don't trouble yourself handling them will be enough for me."
Hearing the group discussing taking out the bandits Oleg comes back out
Oleg "You can use me for bait if'n you want to but keep Svetlana out of this. I hope to string those bastards up on our walls to keep out other bandits. "
Oleg pulls Lynore aside to show her around. When they are out of earshot of Svetlana "That ring means more than she's letting on if you get it back I'll make it worth your while. If you guys really mean to do this with the bandits you have free room and board tonight. I'll see you are well fed"
Cotton sniffs at the exchange before deciding to follow Lynore and Oleg to scout the grounds.
Addressing Dram "It depends on how many there are, last time there were 9 according to Svetlana, if so us 4 vs. 9 will be tough odds to have someoen down on the ground to close the door. They will be in harms way."
"Oleg has offered to help which makes it 5 vs 9. Oleg is there a way to close the door without being on the ground?"
Oleg "You could tie some horses or oxen up to close the gate with pullies, it will look pretty obvious though to anyone paying attention. Don't confuse my offer to help with me fighting, I'm no fighter."
"I apologize. Well if you will be standing bait that is all we could ask and more. I say we get up on the houses and take pot shots at them and see if we can either scare them off and give us time to hunt them down or take them out here and now."
"Just let em come in like they always do, and you should be shootin down on em. If there is nothing else I'll see to dinner."
The next morning just as predicted the 4 bandits ride into the fort with 2 pack horses before dismounting.
The obvious leader steps up "Hiya Oleg, did you miss us? Where is that pretty wife of yours?"