"I won't. The only thing I'm worried about is getting the head back to the outpost if it's as big as you say," he jokes although his eyes betray his confidence. He reaches into his bag to retrieves the map, unfurls it and shows it to Beaufort. "Now, point out where you found it and I'll go avenge your leg, not to mention your pride."
"The beast is in the forest to the north west. I hope you have better luck than I do. That girl of mine saved me back there, but I wish I had killed that thing. It would make for a very nice slice of bacon." he laughed as he joins in the meal that's being made. "I see you still havn't improved your cooking."
Turning back to Gwen and smiling: We can only hope. . . . Well, shall we join the men and see what their excuse for dinner is tonight? I believe the hairy one was pulling fish out from under rocks. Fortunately we have your rabbits to add some flavor. Any chance you have any herbs? There is only so much of Ganit's cooking a girl can take.
Smiling again, Carina gets up and heads back to the fire.
"Don't worry, my dad isn't any better, no matter what he says." Gwen says with a smile. "He gave Ganit some tips, he used to be worse and even burnt a few things."
"There has been in every noble families lands. Poison, political arguments and open threats, though no open declarations of war. Nikita Lebeda was poisoned, however he managed to fight it off luckily with a healer nearby and no one has claimed responsibility."Dear Nethys, what in the world is happening?!
"Nikita was poisoned?! How in the world did that happen? I knew my cousin was ambitious and a little self centered, but he would never harm anyone. Well, at least he is still alive! So who did this? What is all of this fighting about? Is this simply a land dispute?"
"No one has taken responsibility, but from what Maegar Varn said he believes a Surtova wishes to extend his grasp...unofficially. Officially, he has no interest beyond sending you and the three other groups down here to set up trading routes and protecting Brevoy's boarders. For now he has not declared war, but if he did then heading down here would be his first move." he nods as he believes he got what Lord Varn had said correctly. "There are also the adventurers called the Iron Wraiths into the Glenebon Uplands to remove the Tiger Lord barbarians and make contect with Pitax about boarder issues and a large group of diplomats and high-ranking soldiers to the Hooktongue Slough to establish a better trading route."
Returning to the group:
So, what plots have you all come up with to endanger us all?
"Err, looks like the fish is burnt to a crisp. That may be how Ganit likes it, but it feels a little smokey for me."
Gently, he offers his seat atop a winter blanket to the women.
If you want any help burning those Ganit, I seem to have acquired some new power which allows me to project a fan of flame across a broad area. Will probably speed up the burning.
Perform(comedy):
"It's not my fault you can't appreciate the meal," Ganit snaps back. "I keep telling you if you don't like it, don't eat it. Gods only know how I came to be the cook around here." He finishes with great bite into to the blackened catfish.
Though the momentum of his chewing is slightly hampered as he scowls from under his beard.
"It's... fine."
"No one has taken responsibility, but from what Maegar Varn said he believes a Surtova wishes to extend his grasp...unofficially. Officially, he has no interest beyond sending you and the three other groups down here to set up trading routes and protecting Brevoy's boarders. For now he has not declared war, but if he did then heading down here would be his first move." . . . "There are also the adventurers called the Iron Wraiths into the Glenebon Uplands to remove the Tiger Lord barbarians and make contect with Pitax about boarder issues and a large group of diplomats and high-ranking soldiers to the Hooktongue Slough to establish a better trading route."
Knowledge, Nobility
Knowledge, Geography
Maegar Varn?
Surtova?
Glenebon Uplands?
Tiger Lord barbarians?
Pitax?
Hooktongue Slough?
Knowledge local would give you the stuff, but this character is telling you about what's happening. Maegar Varn he's already told you about that he's a minor swordlord who went down south to sort out the centaurs. under the request of the swordlords just like you and everyone else including the others mentioned such as the iron wraiths and the diplomats.
Lord Noleski Surtova is the surrent Regent of Brevoy who sits upon the Dragonscale throne where Choral the Conqueror once sat after reuniting the people who lived there and were nothing more than small barbarian tribes before he brought them civilisation, however with him and the rest of Rogarvia gone the strongest family, Surtova have taken over and as he has suggested they wish to grab more land, but there have been no open and obvious acts of war.
The lands west of the Greenbelt slope gently away into a large and dangerous swampland known as Hooktongue Slough. This region is infested with tribes of boggards and lizardfolk, but also by dangerous monsters like hydras, nagas, creepy bug people, and worse. At the far side are the rugged hills of the Glenebon Uplands, no less safe with the presence of the barbarian tribes of the Tiger Lords.
Pitax is a major settlement of the river kingdoms. All of them are seporate nations in them self, however Pitax is the closest to the stolen lands so trade with them is easily possible.
"Fish'd be fine if ya spent less time ogglin' purdy girls and more time paying attention ta what yer doin." That said Telias finds himself a comfortable log by the river away from the group and has himself a contemplative smoke.
"It's not my fault you can't appreciate the meal," Ganit snaps back. "I keep telling you if you don't like it, don't eat it. Gods only know how I came to be the cook around here." He finishes with great bite into to the blackened catfish.
Though the momentum of his chewing is slightly hampered as he scowls from under his beard.
"It's... fine."
sense motive:
Beaufort laughs and shakes his head.
"Well don't fret, I'm sure the hares we have will be alright." he laughed as he shakes his head and pats Ganit on the back. "We can still salvage these fish, don't worry." he attempts to salvage the fish but doesn't manage to do well about with it.
cooking:
Varn is to the immediate east of you so his kingdom is reletively close by.
The Centaurs origonally owned where Restov now is, however they are only considered a threat to those who don't understand their ways for they are very territorial and have not changed with the time. They are often percieved as violent because of how protective they are to their land. They remain neutral not bending to the laws of those who percieve themselves as the leaders of their lands, but also not violent and out to cause trouble for their tribe.
Jameson moves from Donal to the fire.
"I heard tell of a large boar? As Ganit says our usual strategy is to let something start eating Bronwyn then I charge it while Ganit shoots it full of arrows. I'm sure that will work this time as well."
He listens to the talk of nobles, but as he hasn't heard tell of his father his interest quickly wanes.
You know, someone other than Bron could play the role of party chew toy if they wanted. I am sure that Bron would relinquish that role for a battle or two.
Knowledge, Local
"No one has taken responsibility, but from what Maegar Varn said he believes a Surtova wishes to extend his grasp...unofficially. Officially, he has no interest beyond sending you and the three other groups down here to set up trading routes and protecting Brevoy's boarders. For now he has not declared war, but if he did then heading down here would be his first move."
"Hmm? I am starting to feel like a pawn in a game of Sjakk! So do you believe Lord Varn in that Surtova will go to war over these stolen lands? I doubt King Irovetti of Pitax will appreciate such a move. Does Pitax know of this political maneuvering?"
"There are also the adventurers called the Iron Wraiths into the Glenebon Uplands to remove the Tiger Lord barbarians and make contect with Pitax about boarder issues and a large group of diplomats and high-ranking soldiers to the Hooktongue Slough to establish a better trading route."
"So do the Iron Wraiths also carry a charter from Surtova or are they working for the side of Irovetti of Pitax?"
Knowledge, Local 1d20+8
"Hmm? I am starting to feel like a pawn in a game of Sjakk! So do you believe Lord Varn in that Surtova will go to war over these stolen lands? I doubt King Irovetti of Pitax will appreciate such a move. Does Pitax know of this political maneuvering?"
"That is why Surtova has not attacked as it will be terrible if he tries this. He is smart enough not to over-step and attack, but the river kingdoms are quite disorganised themselves. If King Irovetti were to march north, who would stop another from taking his land? Not to mention these lands are still very dangerous to any group that enters so it's suicide unless there was a strong and organised settlement in these lands." Beaufort states bluntly "I do not know the machinisations of the nobles, but I believe they won't make any moves for quite some time yet."
"So do the Iron Wraiths also carry a charter from Surtova or are they working for the side of Irovetti of Pitax?"
"They do carry a similar charter as do the other two groups, however just like you they are on no one's side but their own, though Maegar Varn did state he was going to visit you when the bandits were put to an end. For the moment he is working on his own settlement. He also said he would be bringing his daughter down too as he fears for her safety."
"I do not know the machinisations of the nobles, but I believe they won't make any moves for quite some time yet."
"Well, I am relieved to hear that they won't be coming any time soon, but I am still disturbed to hear of the continuous treachery and infighting that goes on in the political realms. I hope we can help to create a world where we can all feel and act noble . . . . well at least in a manner that noble is suppose to mean."
"They do carry a similar charter as do the other two groups, however just like you they are on no one's side but their own. . .
Well, I'm curious who these Iron Wraiths are. With a name like Iron Wraith, I hope they are a cheerier bunch than this crew that I am hanging out with.
Maegar Varn did state he was going to visit you when the bandits were put to an end. For the moment he is working on his own settlement. He also said he would be bringing his daughter down too as he fears for her safety."
"Splendid! Splendid! I look forward to meeting Lord Varn. The fact that he left the north indicates that he has some common sense. I also look forward to meeting his daughter. Now all we have to do is get rid of the bandits."
Bronwyn enjoys the small respite from the long travel and the rare gift of an amicable encounter in this hard land.
"I'll make sure we meet Maegar as soon as we have the time, although I believe even after we defeat these bandits we'll still have a lot of work to do."
He mulls his ale, thinking deeply.
"This conversation does lead to an interesting point. If we are to rid these lands from the bandits and maybe even start a colony down here, we should have a good, clear name so people can recount our deeds. Whaddya say?"
Carina thinks for a few moments after Bron makes his statement: Well, many of us have lived on the land for years, or have strong ties with it. And we have made friends with those good fey we have met. Perhaps something like "Heart of the Wild."
"I heard tell of a large boar? As Ganit says our usual strategy is to let something start eating Bronwyn then I charge it while Ganit shoots it full of arrows. I'm sure that will work this time as well."
"Not exactly a strategy as much as a reoccurring mistake."
"So there's a nation of centaurs, at least one more group of settlers and the country in charge is rotting from the inside," Ganit muses aloud as he picks apart his fish. "I'd say the stag lord is going to be the least of your worries."
While the rest of the group continue to discuss manly things like gutting fish and civilization rotting from within, Carina pulls out her bedroll and finds a place a little away from the fire to sleep. She continues to listen to the chatter while saying a prayer to Calistra to grant protection from the orcish dreams she has been frequently having. She also asks Calistra to grant her to power to continue onward so that her vengeance against the red dragon may be brought to fruition.
The rest of the night goes off uneventfully, Beaufort and Gwen have their own bedrolls to set up before sleeping that night. Early in the morning they head odd, Beaufort giving a smile and a bow.
"Keep my words in mind, friends. Not all fey are harmless and many will want to cause you harm." he takes a step then stops "Oh, good luck against the Stag Lord. I expect to hear that his corpse is rotting in a deep grave." Gwen gives a final wave, more in the direction of Ganit and Carina before following her father and getting her bow out ready as they move on.
Ganit give Beaufort a solid handshake and a silent confirmation to last night's agreement. "We'll be seeing you soon," he tells Gwen with a wink and a smile.
Entering this new area you come across a large thicket of bushes all with many thorns and draped in the white gossamer silk of spider webs. These bushes appear to be the ones that Bokken mentioned as Fangberry bushes.
The berries themselves are in the heart of the thicket meaning gathering them will involve entering the thicket to pick them.
Carina walks up to the briars and reaches out to touch one.
I can see why they call these Fangberries, ouch. Any of you wilderness types know how to get in there to gather some of those berries for Bokken?
"I can see why they call these Fangberries, ouch. Any of you wilderness types know how to get in there to gather some of those berries for Bokken? "
"I would not be foolish enough to enter a silky web entwined, thorny bush to pick berries. However, if this really is important to you, then perhaps I can help. Do you have a basket ready?"
Zorestar climbs off of the wagon and walks up to the bush (D13). Looking into the thicket, he tries to spot some fangberries. Then suddenly, with intense concentration, Zorestar moves his hands in strange somatic patterns while he utters the following words,"Quidastar, Fizzton Kallahee, Bring the fangberries to me!"
Casting Mage Hand, Zorestar starts picking berries from a distance and floats them out, without having to actually enter the dangerous bush.
"Very clever Zorestar, I will take another basket."
Jameson dismounts from Donal and drapes the reins across the saddle. Placing his lance on the ground Jameson enters the bushes with a basket for picking.
"If I remember the lessons of my father's lord's naturalist, don't lesser predators use areas like this to hunt. Ganit, perhaps you know?"
Edit:
As soon as James steps into the thicket two swarms of spiders appear on the webs, moving over to attack the intruder.
Round 1
Iniative:
The Hermit Ganit D'Artain
Telias Markan
Sir Bronwyn Raslov
Carina Stigard
Jameson Addercop IV
Zorestar Lebeda
Spider swarms:
Order:
Zorestar Lebeda
Carina Stigard
Spider Swarms
James Addercop IV
Telias Markan
Sir Bronwyn Raslov
The Hermit Ganit D'Artain
These spiders are called Chew Spiders and have large fangs and are known to be an aggressive species of spiders. There is nothing different between these and normal spider swarms.
Knowledge(nature):
Ooh, little spiders. James back up, I have something that these little guys will enjoy once they get close.
Ready Action: Cast Burning Hands once both swarms are in the area. Or 1 if it gets close to me.
Knowledge, Nature
"Be careful, my friends. These arachnids appear to be a species known as 'Chew Spiders'. You can tell by their large fangs. They would be very interesting to study, but unfortunately, they are far too aggressive to make that an easy task."
Round 1
Zorestar pulls out his Wand from the folds of his cloak and utters the command word, "Zirh!" casting Mage Armor upon himself.
Carina lets out a giggle: You forgot that they also BURN!!!! Just make sure nobody is in front of me when they get near.
Since no one else has entered, the Spiders go straight for Jameson.
The spiders all start climbing over Jameson and biting him.
first damage:
second damage:
Fort vs DC 11
James, get out of there. Even you metal orc hide will not protect you from 1000 spiders. I want to smell roasting spiders and really don't think you want to be part of the roast.
Still waiting on the prepared action to cast Burning Hands.
"Get the hell outta there James!" Ganit calls to the half-orc as he frantically digs through his bag for an alchemist's fire. "Your weapons won't do a damn thing against them so nobody else go charging in."
Round 1
HP = 30/36
AC = 20/11/19 (22/11/21 w/ Shield)
Weapon Equipped = Lance
Speed = 35'
Challenge = 1/1
Status Effects = None
"More like irony spiders."
Jameson moves out of the brambles as quickly as he can.
Round 1 - delayed
As soon as James is out of the way, I step forward to L8 and cast my Burning Hands. - Should get both swarms.
Fires of old, powers untold;
Release from my burning hands;
Flames so hot they melt the sands.
Damage: - Reflex DC15 for 1/2 damage.
At the first shout Bronwyn moves closer to the thicket and unsheates his sword, but quickly notices it won't be of any use against the horde of small critters. He still tries swinging his sword blindly, sure he'll hit at least a couple spiders and hoping they will somehow be scared.
"Run, Jameson, RUN!"
Seeing the foolish knight run forward:
Bron, this is neither the time nor place to be eaten. Get out of there.
Free action before Carina decides to roast all the berries.
"Damnable woman! LEt the spiders get out before you set the whole thicket on fire!"
Hearing Telias' wise advice, Carina instead steps back to N8.
Here buggies buggies. Come and try my tasty flesh, leave poor Bron alone for once.
Plan is still to fry them as soon as they are out of the thicket.
Sir Bronwyn's sword fails to hit the spiders. Each of these spiders are the size of a mere human thumb and are far too small to aim with any weapon.
Telias will go directly back by about 20 feet. He has nothing he can directly do to a swarm atm.
Round 2
Order:
Zorestar Lebeda
Carina Stigard
Spider Swarms
James Addercop IV
Telias Markan
Sir Bronwyn Raslov
The Hermit Ganit D'Artain
Round 2
"I too can attempt to burn them, but I will wait until you have completed your spell, Carina!"
Zorestar will move to O9 and wait for the spider swarm to come out of the thickets. He will delay casting the spell until after Carina has cast her spell and we see what creatures are still standing.