Furiel jokes "Way faster than an entmoot. We travel counter-clockwise scouting around Oleg's. We map the cleared hexes quickly and can expose and then eliminate any threat to our base of operations."
"Our charter may have some ambiguity about the area north of Oleg's. I say we map that area too. We can easily justify securing our base of operations."
Furiel packs his equipment on his pony and speaks to the new recruits. "I am glad you came along. I think you can see and appreciate the beauty of the land we will be settling. The bounty from this land is great--there is no need to do anything but reap the harvest."
Norton doesn't understand what the gnome is talking about: "What does he wants to travel opposite to? must be some wizard stuff."
"I'll like to go east, and keep near Oleg's. Seems to be clear land, and maybe tomorrow night we will be sleeping at the headquarters. I don't like the idea of leaving Kressel there unattended for too long."
Rogar's waves his hands away hearing Furiel's speech:"I don't think we should pursue the ambiguities of our charter now, Furiel... maybe later but definitely not now. If most of us want to explore east I'll agree with that. We'll come back for the woods another time. So let's go east!"
After breaking down camp, you head off to the east. You leave the forest, and are thankful for the moderate cloudcover while riding into the sun.
For several miles you ride through the plains and low hills of this fairly fertile area. The next few miles after that contain small groupings of trees along with the gentle hills .. as far as wildlife, you have seen mostly rodents, a few elk, and you are starting to see more birds.
While the wandering proceeds without commotions Norton tries to engage the to former-bandits in small talks and conversation. In an attempt of making them feel part of the group he involves also Furiel, that has shown a positive attitude to them, and Green that seems to be the most accommodating of the lot.
"See those elks? Magnificent are they not? They are one of two animals that you usualy call "king", in their case king of the forest.
The other one is a lion, called king of the jungle.
I've never seen one myself, but they are described as enormous predatory cats."
"Elks have few natural enemies, they are just too big to hunt, even solitary human hunters tend to avoid elks, because few can shoot enough arrows to slay one easily, plus they tend to charge rather than run away when challanged."
Furiel is getting more used to the ex-bandits and tells them a little about himself--growing up small and bullied.
"Don't let others tell you what you can and can't do."--he advises them. "Now I don't even let hobgoblins bully me. Usually they back down and don't put me to sleep." he says with a smile.
Diplomacy
Furiel assists with the dilligent mapping of the local area though his eyes often look around for threats. He often finds himself calculating where he would throw his fire for maximum effect as the terrain changes.
"Green, I can't believe all this land is in our charter. What a better way to spend time rather than underground. I hope I don't get a sunburn."
Rogar helps the others raiding around the group and making numerous forays to check on possible dangers. He doesn't talk much aside from some silly jokes with the former bandits.
As you reach the center of the hex area of the map, the trees become very sparse. The terrain is a little more rough and rocky .. You see on the horizon ahead of you, a solitary tree on a hill. It is an enormous sycamore well over 100 feet.
As you get closer the grey hulk of a tree appears to be petrified where it stands. Beyond the hill it sits on top of, the terrain gets extremely rocky. Large crags and standing stones .. it looks like a mountain worth of rock shattered about the landscape.
Rook and Kjell seem to appreciate how they have been treated. You come to find out that Kjell is able to communicate with a slightly adapted thieves cant. Rook knows a little but its a little slow getting anything out of the mute farmboy.
"A little uncomfortable out here in the open. One tree does not make good - " he stops short.
A tiny bald blue head peers out from behind the tree then disappears
Ta'de-win looks over to Rook as he stops speaking, then looks ahead, searching for what brought him to silence.
Perception Roll:
Rook looks around at the group and notices no one else seemed to see what he saw. "Uh .. think we might have found a mite. Tighten your purse strings and be ready for a midget ambush. Where there's one, there's a dozen."
"Bring these mites on. Should I enlarge Alice yet?"
Rogar strokes his chin, pensive:"Mites, eh? Never heard of them... and where would these one be, by the way?
Mites? What are you talking about?
Ta'de-win glances at the bandit. "I saw nothing. What sort of trickery is he planning." Despite her misgivings, Ta'de-win draws her sling and readies a bullet. "Where did you see the creature?"
Mites are fey. Related to gremlins, and look like tiny blue pudgy goblins.
Rook points to the huge tree. "Just keep an eye out.. They probably won't attack such a strong looking group.
Ta'de-win turns to face Norton and Rogar. "I would recommend we decide now if we plan to speak with these creatures. As the two of you..." she nods towards Norton and Rogar, "...seem to disagree quite often on this, it should be decided before we approach. A united pack is a sign of strength, a split pack a sign of weakness." She keeps her eyes settled on the two.
This will be interesting...
"Evil mites--they hate gnomes and we hate them back. We can negotiate, but they are not to be trusted. This is probably the tree mentioned by the goblins and drawn on that crude map."
"Green will be much more impressive enlarged."
Furiel casts enlarge on Green.
The duration of the spell will hopefully spur quick action.
Rogar shrugs seemingly unconcerned for the possible impending attack:"Well, my policy about these things is pretty simple, if they attack you you attack back. And if they want to hide something from you you make them answer your questions. If these mites, whatever, and wherever they might be, want to parlay I won't start a fight, but if they think us easy prey... I'll be glad to teach them the error of their ways!"
Ta'de-win gives a sigh inwards as Green grows in size, but keeps her gaze leveled, shifting it solely on Norton. "It would appear you must decide quickly then. If you wish to recruit them to our side, Norton, this is your chance."
"Well big man, let's confront some mites." Furiel grabs Green's hand and looks like a small little child trying to lead an adult.
I don't think Ta'de-win's plant control spell will work on a petrified tree.
"As usual I vote for a talking solution" he answers to Ta'de-win "This situation seems more unlikely it could be handled by sole words, though. Give me a try, but stay prepared." and he spurs Murak forward leaving the others behind.
"Greetings dwellers" he shouts in the direction of the tree "we come in peace" he shows his empty hands "We wish to talk."
Rogar rolls his eyes but keeps his mouth shut... for the moment.
"Who's he talking to? And I guess the "we come in peace" line is of great use when dealing with potentially evil and pernicious creatures... Oh well... we'll see what happens!"
Furiel stops dragging Green by the hand and calmly counts to 10. If no mites are seen he tries to get Green to explore the tree with him again.
You approach the massive tree .. you see nothing at first. As you get nearer, you see a short "cliff"(about a 5 foot drop) a few feet past the tree that runs north/south. The resulting exposed roots of the tree on that side act as bars to a leaning cage. Miniature footprints are everywhere -- leading in and out of the cage of roots. It looks like there may be the opening of a tunnel there..
"Tunnels eh? If we are going down there, my normal size will be bad enough. Let's save spells for now eh Master Furiel?"
Furiel dismisses the enlarge and motions for Green to precede him into the cave. "I could go first, but mites see gnomes and usually act their worst. You may be a good mediator."
Seems we need to decide if help ourself in or leave it be. Torches anybody?
"No need Norton."
Furiel casts light on two stones and tosses one to Norton and one to Rogar.
"I don't like leaving Norton's noble steed outside, but it can't be helped. These mites, might be dangerous."
It is a tight squeeze through the roots to the entrance to the tunnel, but it is doable, and the tunnel appears to be a decent size. (about 5' high and 6' wide at the entrance.
"Well, so far not a bad squeeze. I'll follow whoever wants to lead in--ready to shoot my fountain of stunning colors at the first hostile mite."
Norton will lead
You see no light coming from within the downward sloping tunnel, and it seems to drop sharply 10 feet in -- going from a 30degree decline to a 45degree decline.
it looks like there is no floor 10 feet further past startof 45degree decline
the ground east of the tree is hard and rocky .. tiny gullies of mined rock are interspersed with columns of natural rock (anywhere from a few feet to 8 feet high.. and anywhere from a couple feet to 5 feet wide) the color of the stone ranges from medium grey to near white. You see signs of mostly cleaned up battle among the rocks -- bloodstains and a couple broken sticks. You hear a bit of unintelligible squeaky chatter below, echoing out the tunnel mouth.
Rogar takes the rear. After a while he chuckles to himself as they advance in the cave:"Enchanting place really. I wonder if those bloodstains are what's left of previous mediators..." despite his mirth Rogar has his sword well in hand.
"Norton, after the 45 degree decline there is 10 foot gap. We may want to be careful and use rope. I guess the goblins put up a fight before giving up this lair."
Furiel casts light on Rogar's sword and Norton's sword so they can keep their hands free.
Replaying to Rogar "More probably unwanted guests, isn't it what would happen in every house?" Then to Furiel "Is this the previous goblin's lair? I thought they had been evacuated from kobolds. The gap is a pain, I have no rope, and I don't think I get to jump on the other side, can you tell how deep is the chasm?"
"I do not know the lay of the land yet, but I think the goblins old lair was farther away no? Either way, let us worry about one thing at the time.
I will say this however, in this cramped space, if the mites wants to, we would be in serious trouble fighting in here.
Plus...how would we avoid any traps?"
"Did anyone bring some rope? I can barely carry the gear I have. With some rope we can tie an end of it to the roots we squeeze through and bring the rest with us to avoid a nasty fall."
"I am in posession of rope."
Rogar helps Ta'De-win to fix the rope, anxious of being done with this exploration:"Well then... what are we waiting for? Let's get moving people!
Furiel follows Norton on the rope.
"Norton, look, you can run the rope through your belt. That way everyone but me can hold you if you fall."
You find it pretty easy climbing down the "pit". The drop down to the floor below is only 6 or 7 feet. The floor on which you first land is about 10 feet by 15 feet
on either side of that area is another 6 foot drop to another small platform..
On the far sides of those, the tunnel descends further -- out of sight.
Not as scary as I thought.