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"I still maintain that a wall would be better, retreat to the keep leaves all our people's livelihoods and homes exposed for raiders to do as they wish. Not to mention the chaos of evacuation should we be taken by surprise.
That said - it is more important that we are unified in our decision, I will support the will of our council here fully."
Holly, Corson, and Crax,choosing the Keep over the wall is NOT only a chance to explore the Keep. We can do that and use the Noble's financial patronage to build the wall. Choosing the Keep really means fortifying it, leaving the village exposed to threats while that occurs, and then moving the essential functions, and eventually the whole village, closer to the fortified Keep. I am not sure that everyone understands that.
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Yana closes her eyes in thought for a moment, clearly sifting through the arguments presented. Presently, she speaks:
"Wood Creek needs action more than it needs perfection. An imperfect solution that gets enacted in a timely fashion is better than endless debates. For that reason, I'm making the call. We will harvest lumber from the northern forest to build a town wall."
She pauses ever so briefly, probably for emphasis on the finality of her decision, then speaks again. "Now, with that settled, I have a job for you. Don't worry, I'm not going to ask you to do any public speaking on the topic. However, as I'm sure many of you know, the trees on the outskirts of the northern wood aren't really big enough or strong enough for the wall; the lumber will have to be harvested from deeper within the forest. As I'm sure you also know, the deep interior of the northern forest can be a dangerous place: monstrous predators inhabit the area, bandits or small war-tribes sometimes wander through or make temporary camps, and there are even rumors of a secretive and fiercely territorial clan of warriors based in an unknown location within the woods. As a result, and also because we don't want to cause excessive damage to the forest itself, we can't just send our loggers in blindly."
She scans all your faces, as though looking to see if you've guessed what she's about to say.
"I'd like to send you all on a scouting expedition into the woods. You would need to find one or more suitable spots for harvesting, make sure they're clear of major threats, and report back with a viable set of directions for getting there and back safely. Naturally, I will contact a relevant expert to consult with you on the details; I can probably have a meeting arranged by this afternoon. Then, probably setting out tomorrow morning, you can begin your expedition. Upon successful completion of the task, you will be paid two hundred gold pieces per person—which of course," she adds with a wink, "would be billed to our noble friend as part of the project's expenses. While you're gone, I'll do a bit of public relations work and use your excursion as a rallying point to get the village united behind the project. Will you accept this task?"
Holly Berrythwaite jumps to her feet, excited. "Alright! Sure thing, Yana, you can count on us. Right Crax?" She reaches for the dragonborn's hand.
"Pavel, you know more about the forest than any of us, you should lead this expedition." The halfling smiles warmly at the druid.
"I'd be honoured to take part in this exploration.
I am no leader. I'm very happy to give the benefit of my expertise, such as it is, and voice my opinion. But, if we need a leader, it should be someone better suited to the task. I sometime lose my temper and a good leader should always stay calm."
I was born and raised in these same woods years ago. I will certainly join the others on this expedition.
Corson smiles, "Well, it is decided then. We will shore up the defenses of the village, and leave the keep for another day. I have spent the last score seasons in the wilds..."
A flash of pain crosses the man's face for just and instant before he continues, "I can also be of help out there."
Letting out a small firey breath, "I'll try not to burn the forest down,"
Looking around, before nodding to Elder Yana, "Thank you for your input, its your village, you know what is best for it in the end,"
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"I will lend my skills to the task, and I'm sure that we don't need to elect a formal leader, I would trust Pavel to guide us through the woods as I would trust Corson to look after us in a fight."
Later that day, you each receive a summons back to Elder Yana's receiving room, and are this time met with one of her attendants and a middle-aged man dressed in modest scholars' attire.
"Greetings!" the man says when you arrive. "I am Logan, and the Elder has informed me of your endeavor. She asked me to assist you in planning and preparation, since I know what trees are needed and how to find and harvest them properly. I also have some experience as a cartographer, which I understand is relevant as well. Shall we begin?"
Crossing his arms, "If you want to come with us, you may. It'll be dangerous though," looking around at the others to see if they have questions, "Is there anything we should look for in a good tree?"
Narnel says quietly.
As I said, I was born and raised in woods nearby. I can certainly be of assistance.
Logan responds to Crax's question: "Well, the trees on the southern edge of the forest aren't big enough or hard enough for a proper fortification. We want what's called the 'great greywoods', which are very tall and provide very strong lumber. However, the forest also contains what's called 'black pillow' trees, which look rather similar to the greywoods but are too soft for heavy-duty construction. There are some key differences in the tone of the bark and the shape of the leaves to tell them apart. Should I come with you? Or do you want me to make you some sketches and instructions?"
We can use your assistance. Please draw us sketches of what it is you need, and we can find it. The journey may prove dangerous.
"Obviously, it would be better if you would be willing to accompany us. But it is going to be dangerous and while we'll certainly try and protect you we can't guarantee to be able to. The decision is yours and I'm sure that none of us will hold it against you if you choose the cautious path."
"Oooh. I do love drawings." Holly turns to Pavel, "Are you familiar with these trees?"
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"Not really. Animals are far more my strength"
Logan provides you with some sketches of leaves and other relevant notes, explaining as he goes. Once you feel you've got a handle on things, you part ways and retire for the night. The next morning, you set off.
It's about a mile to the outskirts of the northern forest, so you travel due north for the better part of an hour.
Just a few minutes after reaching entering the outer edge of the forest, you happen across what looks to be a fallen magpie nest. Scattered on the ground where it fell is 24gp worth of mixed coins and broken/flawed gemstones. And some broken glass and other useless shiny crap.
A bit less than an hour after leaving town, the time for just heading straight north has passed, and you need to start searching for your quarry.
Cedany has walked the forest a few times, though never too deeply. Still, she thinks she has a good idea of what Logan was looking for. She leads the others according to Logan's instructions, listening to them as they advise her.
With Cedany in the lead, you continue onward, deeper into the forest. With help from her comrades, she seems sure and confident with her directives. It's somewhat slow going, picking your way thoughtfully through the gradually-thickening fauna.
After about half an hour, you hear some heavy rustling nearby. As you look, you see five burly, green-skinned quadrupeds emerge from the bushes in a semicircle about 40ft away from your group. They look mean.
Crax is the first to react!
These creatures are called forest baloths. They're brawny and tough, with little in the way of subtlety or tricks. Forest baloths are omnivores, sometimes eating vegetation, sometimes scavenging, and sometimes hunting. They're fiercely territorial, but if a pack lacks an alpha (which, judging by their uniform sizes, you would guess is the case here), they will tend to wander and get aggressive.
Cedany draws a blank on these creatures.
"Never seen these before. They mustn't be from around here"
"Oh, look! Forest baloths! They're big and tough, but not too bright. Usually these guys are pretty tame as long as you stay out of their territory, but I think this group doesn't have a leader. Careful, they might get aggressive!"
Crax growls angerly at these green monsters, holding his focusing crystal aloft, his hand glows with an intense red light, as he fires off a bolt of fire right at one of the monsters.
"Run away, and you may be spared,
"Oh good. That'll make sure they are aggressive. " Holly grins at the impetuous sorcerer.
Corson steps back at the Dragonborn's firebolt bursts forth!
"Perhaps a show of force will send them running. Animals tend to respect strength," the squire begins shifting the shield from his back...
Narnel spins his staff effortlessly asE spreads out a little from the others.
Crax mildly annoys the frontmost baloth.
Three of the baloths converge on Corson, while the other two charge toward Cedany!
,
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,
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Trapped between two oncoming attacks, Cedany thinks quickly and shifts toward the weaker-looking charge in order to avoid the other!
Corson stands his ground, dodging one attack, blocking another with his shield, but getting hit hard by the third!
Crax will run to the side before channeling his draconic heritage through the red crystal in his hands, spewing forth a torrent of fire, engulfing the Baloths.
"What are these fiends?! They are no match for us,"
"Urk!" Corson recoils from the hit.
Corson swings his warhammer across at one of the creatures!
Holly rushes toward one of the of the baloths flanking Cedany, drawing her nunchaku, and she strikes at the beast.
She follows that up with a strike from her elbow.
"C'mon Crax! We can handle these brutes! Put your backs into it, boys! Right, Cedany?"
Narnel moves in quickly to attack the other enemy on Cedany. He swings his staff two-handed as he brings his foot up for a back-kick to the mid-section of the beast.
Cedany grits her teeth as the.. Baloth? gores at the arm she'd thrown up.
Dumb doesn't matter much when it's got you pinned down
She intones "Bollt Wrach" and lightning writhes from her other hand as she falls back.
"I hope these brutes aren't dumb enough to keep fighting against a show of force." she speaks quietly while trying to keep the arcane forces focussed on her target.
Crax moves off to one side to line up a blast of fire across some of Corson's foes!
Their focus on Corson keeps them from reacting quickly enough to brace against the flames!
Corson retaliates, but swings wildly!
Holly and Narnel advance on either side of Cedany, clobbering her two foes almost in synch with each other!
Cedany desperately darts backward in preparation for a spell!
,
,
They swat at her as she leaves, one of them connecting. However, she retaliates with a bolt of energy that finds its mark!
If it is possible to try and scare one away with Animal Handling I'd try that
If that isn't possible but it is still possible to charm an animal, I'll throw Animal Friendship on one of the uninjured and unattacked animals. Will Save DC 13 to avoid,
If that isn't possible, I'll just sling Frnt1
for
Pavel tries to shoo away an injured baloth, but it stubbornly stands its ground!
The two front baloths retaliate against the monks!
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Holly takes a hit!
Among the other three baloths, two continue attacking Corson while the one nearest Crax retaliates against the fire-spewing sorcerer!
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"Oomph! Yep, these fellas are surely a bit aggressive!"
Holly spins her nunchaku over head and around her body, striking once more at the beast, right in its snout.
The lithe agile halfling twirls and kicks the brutish baloth in its side.
I hope everyone else is ok.
Grunting as the Baloth chomps down on him, Crax, will disengage from the baloths, retreating back behind the front line, disappointed by his burning hands lack of effectiveness.
Cedany keeps up the concentration on her lightning, continuing to blaze it against the creature.
Narnel returns the favor on the creature that he just avoided with some deft evasive movements. He swings his staff overhand down upon the creature while providing a stiff kick to it's knee joint.