Carina simply stands back and listens to the wizard hoping that she does not need to step in should he commit any social faux pas.
"We are searching for a dwarven outpoost, but have not yet found such a place."
"A dwarven outpost, you say? In this area? Dwarves are such a curious race. I have met very few in my lifetime, but I understand they are dour and humorless artisans of the earth. According to Bezedar's Guide to Dwarves, they mostly reside in high mountains or dangerous realms below the earth. Have you considered looking in either of those sorts of environments to find this outpost? Do you even expect this outpost to still be inhabited by dwarves when you find it?"
Jameson remounts and arms himself with lance and shield before turning back to the settlers.
"Where are your digging tools?"
"Some we have stored and some we have on us." he shows a masterworked heavy pick he has made of cold iron whilst the rest appear to have battle axes, but also picks on their packs or with the supplies that almost got lost down in the river. "The dwarves are known for that, but they are also known for hoardeing great treasures that they find in their digging.
Bronwyn sits by the fire with his wife, happy to share a camp with friendly folk once again.
Did you happen to see any traces of trolls in the woods? Or perhaps some sort of drake? Maybe a wee boy this high?
After hearing their response, he suggests:
Well, let's see what we can bargain. There are quite a few dangerous spots we could inform you, such as the kobold lair, the trapper spiders field, the spring with all the giant frogs, one rickety bridge over the river, maybe even an old, sacred statue of Erastil. Whaddya say we trade notes?
The Gnomes already know of the pond, which when they last passed it, it had no frogs and they statue of Erastil. They are interested in bridge. They would also be interested in the sycamore, fangberry thicket and raddishes.
A good place to top up their food supply afterall.
"Interesting locations...what would you like for those four? We could also use the gold if you want to buy all our locations." he seems really interested in selling the maps as he now sees you as being on a equal footing to him.
Zorestar purposely stays out of the negotiations, despite his curiosity to fill in more of his own map.
Come on now, Bronwyn! Don't hold back. You can acquire the knowledge we need!
Bronwyn sits by the fire with his wife, happy to share a camp with friendly folk once again.
Did you happen to see any traces of trolls in the woods? Or perhaps some sort of drake? Maybe a wee boy this high?
"Trolls? Here?!" everyone quietens down after that, listening carefully. "we've not seen trolls, winged beasts nor any children. If we had, I would've warned you about them."
Carina nods: Yes, we are searching for the trolls. And also there is rumor of a dragon down here.
Throwing some kindling in the fire, Bronwyn says in a low key voice, as if the entire subject mattered little for him.
You give us the location of this supposed barrow inhabited by skeletons, the lizardfolk town and this blighted area of the woods, and we give you the location of our fangberry thicket, the outgrowth of moon radishes that make quite a delicious soup and the crossing bridge. Whaddya say, mister Narthropple?
Carina looks over at her husband gives him and evil grin before turning back to the gnomes and shrugging her shoulders. How would we even know whether they are telling the truth? We need to explore this whole area any way, why pay since we will have to find these things sooner or later.
The gnome nods at his request.
"That sounds fair, we can always use those food supplies to restock and the bridge will save us from unnessacery traveling looking for one. I'm normally very secretive about my maps, but our entire equipment would've been lost without you. Normally I'd be charging you one thousand per area."
"You are quite the merchant, Master Narthropple. I am impressed with your generosity. Clearly you will not maximize your profits with such agreements. However, you can be assured that you will gain the benefit of our friendship in the realm of Vertaria. This in itself offers many other great advantages that you may not even be aware of, not the least of which is access to a free library card in Evergreen."
"Trolls live round these parts but they mostly leave people lone lest they hungry. Ahm personally more scart of the willy wisps that float around at night looking fer trouble. Ye mind yerself and don't go chasin any lights. Might be some fairy tryin ta be funny, might be a bunch o bandits havin themselves a camp, might be a willy wisp leadin ya to something worse."
The Gnome really doesn't know what to say with the offer of a free library card and just seems to have a face of utter confusion upon his face.
"it's a honor...but we wish to continue our jurney without civilised help." he sighs and smiles to the group."I have heard of such creatures, but not yet run into them, I'm thankful."
"It's a honor...but we wish to continue our journey without civilised help."
"Oh dear me, I would be cautious venturing into the unknown without help from the civilized. Trust me, the uncivilized will give you even less. In fact you might even say that they are more of a deterrent than a help. Well, such is your choice, but I wish you well all the same. If you ever find yourself in Evergreen in search of a book to read or a tome to research, please do not hesitate to make your way to the library where you may call upon your friend, Zorestar A. Lebada." The wizard bows graciously. "I bid you all farewell and good luck with your search for dwarven outposts."
The gnome spends his time looking over the new information and marking places he has not yet visited, planning for an investigating into what might be there.
HP:
"Did those gnomes seem...off to the rest of you? Maybe I've just been spending too much time with Donal and the Sootscales."
"Did those gnomes seem...off to the rest of you? Maybe I've just been spending too much time with Donal and the Sootscales."
"What could you possibly be referring to by saying off? You are not referring to the intonation of a song of which they wish to sing, or perhaps their sense of humor and social etiquette are off. If that is what you are referring to, then I will need to reply with a obvious yes. I mean, they did not even want to take me up on my offer for a free library card! How much further off can you get?!"
"Off Zorestar, as in not normal. There was just something about them I didn't like."
In the morning the camp is still there, many people having congradulated you and drank with you due to how greatful they are at what you have done here for them.
You head west along the river, still finding no sign of the kid until you hear shouting in the distance at a heavily wooded glade. Here you see some trees have been felled and you come across what appears to be a very delicate situation.
In a pool appears to be a elven child (due to her size and pointed ears) with most of her body underwater and her elf-looking head above. She appears to be no older than a child, but you can tell there is something more to her as she waves her scaled arms and webbed hands. Near the pool defending her appear to be three humans and on the other side is a very angry-looking big man with his face growing reder and reder. On his side are nine others. All these men appear to be dressed in a similar outfit, that of loggers.
It's obviouse from this situation the creature it out-numbered, but she is in a defensible position in the water and could evade any ranged attacks if needed.
Upon noticing you they both call out to you.
Big Logger: "By Erastil's balls, help 'as arrived! Help me save my men from this little witche's spell!" he pleads over to you.
Creature: "You must listen to me. These men entered my glade and started cutting down my home. I do not wish to spill blood, but if I have to, I will."
Big Logger: "Is that a threat little'en? Stop hiding behind me men an' come at me!"
Creature: "I am no fool. I tried to get you to leave peacefully, but you refused to so I must be drastic."
It's clear that both sides are very angry with each other and not likely to backdown anytime soon. They just need a push and soon enough you'll have a blood bath here.
All the loggers have handaxes, but the leader has a cold iron handaxe and a masterworked buckler.
The creature is known as a nixie. They are fey who like to keep to themselves and have rarely ever caused problems, though in some cases loggers, hunters and campers who have been rude in their homes are driven out, though never with violence.
What these creatures don't have in combat strength, they make up with spells, usually using them to alter perception and scare aware unwanted visitors.
Nixies are against taking life and would never do so unless backed into a corner, but even then the idea disgusts them. They have a minor resistance to physical attacks, but like with many fey cold iron weapons cuts through as if it weren't there to begin with.
They also have a minor resistance to spells and spell-like abilities, making them difficult combatants in magical combat.
There are a rare species known as Bog nixies that are evil and generally hunted due to their ability to cast minor wishes, however this doesn't appear to be one, but just a average nixie. They can cast Charm person a limited number of times per day, but it can change between nixie and even grant one the ability to breath underwater for sometime. If she were truely malicious she could've forced the men she has charmed to walk into the water and drown themselves, which is what Bog Nixies have been known to do.
From your extensive knowledge you can tell that this is a more powerful nixie, but not a Bog Nixie. She appears tougher than the usual breed and possibly more powerful spell-caster too, but you can't be certain as of yet.
A nixie's true home is below the water in a underwater grotto. Knowing these ponds, there could be a underwater network that connects to the lake. There are also great fables of a possible underwater kingdom that has exsisted since Azlanti time, but as of yet no one has proof of such a kingdom, yet stories persist as parents tell them to their children.
A eccentric explorer who was a gnome that claimed to be a deity had also claimed to be from another universe entirely. He also claimed to have been to this kingdom, met the queen, slept with the queen and attendents, but as you can imagine these stories are laughed at, though some bizzar scholars have followed his discribed path and claim they have been watched by nixies, but not even the gnome let people know how he earned their trust nor did he bring back any proof.
Others claim they have been there. Some claiming they have been reduced in size and lived with them, only returning because they missed their family and others claiming they were kidnapped by the same nixies and tortured for days before being released, though these stories are also thrown out because of the strong smell of beer upon their lips. When asked how they got there, they claim they can't remember, cementing this legend as being nothing more than that, a legend.
However, Nixies are intelligent so that idea of such a kingdom is certainly not unthinkable or impossible.
At the sight of the loggers and the nixie, Zorestar speaks out. "I beg your pardon for the interruption, but will you all be calm and desist with this argument before somebody gets hurt?! Let us be civilized here. Clearly this Nixie has some concerns over your logging practices and you folks clearly have some concerns over her use of magic. Let us hear both sides and see what we can do to resolve the situation peacefully."
Knowledge(nature):
Know NAture
"Well sir I say ye go about yer business and hack apart these here trees on the condition ya let this here fair folk live in yer house, eat yer food, and hack apart the furniture as they please. Seems fair ta me." Telias says in his usual way and looks as if he's about to leave.
Carina walks right up to the edge of the pool, she stares at the nixie before turning toward the woodsmen.
She looks right at the leader of the woodsmen.
You will lower your weapons and not threaten this creature of nature any more. If she wished you harm, then you and half your men would be drowning themselves at the bottom of her lake right now. She is easily capable of killing you all without hardly blinking, with or without your fey killing cold iron axe.
She then turns to the nixie.
I am Carina Greenwood, Duchess of Vertaria. The Swordlords of Restov have given us a charter to settle these lands and we shall do so. We wish for all in these lands to live in peace and will enforce that peace is achieved. If our citizens, whether they be human, humanoid, fey, or monstrous, choose to betray that peace and raise arms against another citizen, then we shall use all the power at our beck and call, including the sword arms and spells of the ruling council, to stop those who act against us.
These loggers will no longer attempt to harvest the logs of your grove, but you must provide us with a succinct border of your lands up to which hunters and logger may ply their trade. If you or they then violate that border, we shall deal with whichever party chose to disturb the peace as we would with any other criminal. With the power of our laws, and power of arms as necessary.
Carina pauses and waits for the force of her words to sink in.
She then turns back to the loggers with her two colored eyes blazing, one cold as ice and the other burning like fire.
You have heard me. You see those with us and unless you have been lost in the woods for the last year and a half, you know what I say is true. As you leader, I command you to lower your arms. I shall find what the boundaries that this creature of nature claims and we shall inform you of them. Once we have determined what the borders are, you all shall acknowledge those borders and not pass them with intend to harm the trees or creatures within the nixies land.
Carina then again turns to the nixie: And you shall remain within the borders that you claim as long as the borders are reasonable. You may pass it, but only in peace. While I understand the way of the fey, we cannot allow you to claim a realm so large that humans cannot hunt and log. So, tell us how far from your pond you claim as you realm, if it is reasonable, then we shall have the loggers withdraw so that peace can be restored.
Diplomacy:
You heard the woman, lay down your arms. These are your men, and if you claim to be their leader you will not risk their lives so foolishly.
Bronwyn steps in, trying to mediate Carina's offered terms. He takes a good look at the three loggers defending the faerie, his instinct nagging him that there's something else at play here.
Little girl, I do not know exactly what kind of hold you have over these man, but I ask you kindly to release them. We will protect you from any violence, for that you have my word, but we can only negotiate terms for this issue once everyone feels safe and willing to talk.
"Nother g**damn fey toying a man's mind like cat with a bird," the ranger mutters to no one in particular. Leaning on his bow he lets a hand slide down to his quiver as he watches both groups with cold grey eyes.
Ganit releases a short scoff at Carina's speech. "Far as I'd known, boarders don't reach this far yet, little lady. These ain't yer people. They ain't yer citizens so ya can tuck that little trick back in the wagon with yer dresses.
"Work these men do is the same as the ones ya got building the castle ya sleep in. N' clearing space fer the farms that feed them growing numbers. What makes these ones any diff'ernt? Best know this isn't gonna be the only time ya find yerself in this position. You chose to move in. You chose to kick things like this out," he says pointing at the half-submerged nixie.
"Whaddya plan ta'do when you need more lumber for your cities? Keep giving every nixie a pond and dryad a tree you'll find yerself short on resources soon enough. Don't expect all your people to share yer fondness for the bizarre neither."
Carina turns her fire and ice eyes to Ganit:
We rule the lands but a few miles to the north. We have been granted a charter to rule this land. And so shall we do.
I will not force any person, or creature, fey or otherwise, from this land if they can live in peace with our settlers. This nixie has powers which might be of great use to our land. Likewise, the loggers, as you have so eloquently stated, are necessary to build the towns and farms and cities that shall dot this land within a few short years, perhaps less.
Carina pauses for a moment before continuing: I would prefer if we could live with both. If this good fey has claimed the land about her grotto, then she should be allowed to live within it. There are forests of trees and logs which are not necessary for her to survive. Thus, I asked her a simple question. "How far from this lake are the boundaries she claims." If what she claims is reasonable, then I shall direct the loggers to refrain from encroaching within the area she claims. If she claims all the lands within five days walk, I will consider her response to be absurd. Then, the Duke and I shall determine what we consider to be reasonable and will use our powers to enforce it. I am hopeful that this will not be necessary as an agreement reached by two reasonable parties is always preferable to one forced upon them by a third party.
Carina then turns back to the nixie:
So, my good water lady, how far do claim and I shall seek to have the loggers stay farther than that. As I have told my companion, if your answer is leagues in size, then you may have to leave. If it is but a small part of this land, then I shall decree the area to be your domain. I hope that both you and the loggers are reasonable and can see that this can be worked out without resorting to violence.
Telias mutter to GAnit just out of earshot of the lumberjacks. "More to tha point deres folk desperate enough in these parts that her pretty little head might fetch a fair price. Ain't no place in the deep woods fer titles and arrogance if ye unerstand. Lest ye one of da fair folk."
Zorestar listens to the discussion with intrigue wondering how and if diplomacy will prevail. However, mostly he is excited and intrigued to witness the nixie.
Zorestar's familiar flies around to gain a better vantage point of the situation.
Jameson watches the proceedings but rides Donal into a clear charge lane.
Ganit is right, these are not lands we have claimed. Still, it is our goal to rule wisely and justly, even with Carina on the throne.
You don't see anyone besides the loggers standing there. There are five felled trees in this grove by the loggers.
The two guarding the Nixie are indeed charmed and unable to command their actions. It's clear that stress has built up between these two parties.
Both sides, after listening to your discussion relax their arms. The large man nods to his men and they lower the weapons and the Nixie smiles to the two she has under her command and they, too, lower their axes. It seemed like the fey wasn't going ot backdown, until she saw the man backdown and Bronwyn's honeyed words striking a cord with her.
The two stare for a while, the gruff logger being the first to speak.
"I'll negotiate." he states as he straightens up "My name is Corax and we were sent into the forest to gather lumber. These are the first fine trees we have found and if we don't bring them back, our families are likely to starve. First, I want my lumber. This is the only place we found with such lumber. Second I demand my men to be released from this...creature." he makes a point of sticking up his fingers when he lists off these demands.
You recall that there are trees of the same height, growth and breed in an untouched grove to the north by the Tatzlewyrm den. Only ten miles away from the current location and there are no fey in the area when you were last there. If there were, they would've possibly shown themselves or protested at your presance.
The Fey moves closer to the waters edge and leans out, looking over to the group with a soft smile.
"You are all known to me. We fey talk about this new kingdom being the first to allow in creatures like us and the Kobolds. The others who came before would have cut us and the kobolds down without a second thought. Perhaps your kingdom will last?" she muses for a minute before getting to the subject at hand. "I do not own this land, it is all of ours. A gift of nature that is to be appreciated, but I am not ignorant to the need of wood for homes and furniture. My people have our own little homes underwater made from plants, but I was offended to find that my beautiful grove was being cut down by these men. Those trees have stood there before your father's father's father. I will not release these men until the men leave and five new, fully grown, trees have been placed here to replace those that have been felled." you get the sense that she is quite rooted to this idea. She looks to Telias and has a sad expression on her face. "I am sorry you were driven at of your home, but I hope your friends here will hunt down that winterwolf. It will teach any who dare take innocent lives that they will not get away easily."
Zorestar tries to be the diplomat in all of this.
"My dear Nixie. This is a most generous offer to allow these folks to leave unharmed." Zorestar turns to look at the lumberjacks and adds, "I think taking her up on this offer would be a wise course of action. Perhaps you could find some wood in another part of the forest where you can harvest the timber need for your livelihood." Turning back to the Nixie, Zorestar asks, "Do you know of a place where these lumberjacks can harvest some lumber to earn the living so they don't starve?"
Carina listens to the nixie's response before turning to the loggers.
You say this was the first grove you came across? How long did you search? Assuredly in the forests to the north there are trees that you can use. If you persist here, undoubtedly you and likely the fey will be harmed, and possibly killed. I do not think that will help to put any food on the tables of your families.
Turning back to the nixie: Your words are most kind. However, I do not think that these loggers would have the ability to plant fully grown trees as you have requested. Perhaps they can take those trees they have felled since they are no longer alive, and can plant some saplings that will slowly grow to become great oaks and maples when the trees that stand here now have grown old.
Knowledge(nature): <-- nope, no clue
"So gracious of you. Must be today yer seeing things with that blue eye. Small folk have lots ta say 'bout you n' the red one..."
Ganit stands alert as the nixie lists her demands, flashing his suspicious glare from the fey to the woodmen to the affable lords.
"Look at those two," he says pointing at the two compelled lumberjacks. "They're just a thought away from swingin' them axes into their brother's faces and yer plan is to buy all their lives with trees? Say they was yer people, handle this situation any differently? She threatens a slaughter so you give her land and protection. Worst, you'd even want to add this to yer lands and subject more of yer people to this treatment. So which are the reasonable parties again?. When the people you rule find out 'bout this, expect more hostages and ransoms to follow."
Carina looks back to Ganit:
I am not buying anything. I am negotiating a truce. The woodsmen need lumber for their livelihood, while the Nixie needs her grove to survive. With all the forests hereabouts, there are undoubtedly more trees. At the same time, the trees these men cut down are no longer of any use for the nixie. We all know that unless one of these woodsmen is a powerful druid or mage, they will be unable to plant fully grown trees here, so what I have offered is a fair compromise. The woodsmen get a the trees they have already chopped down, the nixie gets her grove and a few new saplings. Neither side wins, but neither looses either.
Carina then turns and looks at both the woodsmen and the nixie for a few moments giving both a good long stare.
And, if either should choose to breach the peace that we have reached today, then the next time will likely be far less advantageous to the one that has raised arms against the other.
"We all know that unless one of these woodsmen is a powerful druid or mage, they will be unable to plant fully grown trees here, so what I have offered is a fair compromise. "
"Even a mage with great skill at the arcane arts would have trouble getting a tree to grow at the rate at which you are suggesting."
The watery witch looks cute enough but she n' her kind are slavers of free men. Any way you wanna look at it, you're still negotiating these men's lives on the whim of some self-centered fey. Fey don't bend the knee to men. They don't protect your boarders, only their own. Course you can see how they do it right here. Mind control."
"I heard more than a few counts a' men these wretched little critters enslave killing wives and children with their bare hands. Said they could see normal but couldn't move their arms er legs where they wanted. Had to watch the things they done; helpless to stop it. You won't find blood on her hands but g***amnit it's there. Yer just gonna let her bully you into making promises you have no power to make? Beginning to think she might a cast her little spell on you too."
"I understand yer approach on this just fine; it's the next one n' the one after I'm concerned with. What you see as noble n' fair others see as weakness. Zorestar here knows the importance of seeing a few moves ahead in his board game. Suggest you attempt to see what might come up from the shortsightedness of your gift. People watch and they learn."
Carina again turns to look at Ganit, annoyance more than a little apparent in the look she gives him.
And there are many humans who also use mind controlling magic to dominate others and to subjugate their will. Perhaps we should simply banish or kill all who are capable of using magic. Or even better, all races who have ever used magic. This is no more absurd an idea than banishing all fey simply because some have an inherently malicious and chaotic nature.
This nixie did not kill these men, and I am quite sure that she could have had she wished to. She showed restraint, and we shall do the same. I hope that she will tell the other fey in this land of how we treat all as equals until they have proven to be otherwise. If she had attacked us, I would have not hesitated to use all my powers to defeat her. And the same goes for the loggers.
Our land is a land based on good and laws. But it is not a land where we will force all to bend to their knees at our every whim. We are not Cheliax, we are not Nex, we are not the Whispering Tyrant. We can live with the fey, and I hope that most of them will agree to live within out lands and abide by our laws. Those that do not will be asked to leave, and if they refuse, then force will be used. While I attempt to be a tolerant and kind leader, I understand that force is frequently necessary. Someday, the Swordlords may end their petty bickering and decide to turn their eyes south. Or the bandit lords to the south may decide to expand north. Perhaps hordes of goblins and goblinoids may arrive seeking to destroy all we have worked for. When this happens, and I am sure it shall as all nations face such threats from time to time. When this happens, we shall be prepared and I am hopeful that our cities will be protected by walls made of wood harvested by woodsmen such as these, and that we shall have the support of the fey to use their magic to harry and destroy the enemy.
If we drive all the fey away, we will not have their support and may well have them supporting whoever, or whatever, would seek to destroy the great nation of Vertaria.
"Zorestar here knows the importance of seeing a few moves ahead in his board game."
"The game is Sjakk, and it is really more than just a game. It takes a tremendous degree of skill, tactics, and strategy and looking ahead is just one of the necessary skills needed to enjoy the experience. I have brought my board and pieces along if anybody would like to play when the situation is not quite so tense."
"If we drive all the fey away, we will not have their support and may well have them supporting whoever, or whatever, would seek to destroy the great nation of Vertaria."
As Carina finishes giving Ganit an earful, Zorestar gives his own two coppers worth to Ganit as well.
"I think you are upsetting the Duchess. Perhaps you may want to continue your discussion in private when there is not so large an audience observing our solidarity."
"Anyone should be allowed to defend themselves, right Ganit? Of course, we have to ensure the threat has passed."
"I understand yer approach on this just fine; it's the next one n' the one after I'm concerned with. What you see as noble n' fair others see as weakness. Zorestar here knows the importance of seeing a few moves ahead in his board game. Suggest you attempt to see what might come up from the shortsightedness of your gift. People watch and they learn."
In a voice not quite like his own, Bronwyn ascertains:
The Stag Lord might speak of our weakness, and him alone.
He looks into Ganit, hoping the ranger can look beyond the obvious on his words.
The decision is made. Neither I nor any man under my command will kill this woman cold-blooded for trying to defend her land against perceived invaders, be it with spell or blade. This has all been a grave misunderstanding that will end now before any bloodshed.
Looking at the demanding little child, he says with a serious tone:
Release this men at once and we can talk on equal footing. If they stand between us, you are no better than a bandit with a knife under their necks or that winter wolf preying on innocent farmers. I know that's not where your heart is. Let them go and we can reach
She shakes her head.
"How can I trust that you will return with new trees? Perhaps...oh, you do not know where to get new trees?" she raises an eyebrow for a moment and then points west. "Tiressia, a Dryad lives that way. I know she has some father tokens that can become trees when placed on the ground. If you can bring me them I will release these men, but she won't give them to you for free and she might ask a favor, but I am confident you'll do it. These men will not come to any harm and I will keep them well-fed."
The logger still seems very angry.
"But what about my men? We need to cut down trees for logging and to feed our families!" he shouts, reaching for an axe again, but his men don't reach for theirs. It's obvious he's a bit of a hot-head.