DM Bloodgargler's Kingmaker (Inactive)

Game Master BinkyBo

"I say we ride. I think we'll be safer at Olegs than camping out here"

"Maybe, as long as the horses can take it I guess we might as well. We have big plans to make, and I have yet to decide if I should meet Budgie with a smile or a fist to the face for holding out on me."

Furiel explains what the items can do. Although not thrilled about riding, he gets ready for the ride back. Furiel divides up the feather tokens and explains they can send messages.

When Furiel mentions the use of the feather tokens, Rook speaks up.."I don't s'pose that has anything to do with the bird that flew out of the hole while you were down there? Though that was a bit strange, but slipped my mind .. you know .. meeting my first kobold and all. "

"Guess the little bastards had enough sense to send for help. Who do we think they were allied with, exactly? Can't remember... or really care..." Rogar doesn't seem very concerned about the message, and it shows as he yhawns right after finishing his speech.

"All this is a good reason to head back to Oleg's."

"I guess so. Thing is... that's the direction the bird flew."

"A spy from the goblins? No, unlikely right? But maybe to the old man with the birds? The one who made a meal out of the goblin before?
We should hurry."

Rogar raises an eyebrow at Rook's words:"Are you sure the bird actually flew towards Oleg's? That could mean nothing... or a lot. Who could be in league with these mites at Oleg's? I've a pretty difficult time seeing Oleg in cohorts with those ble faced bufoons... Any of your old crew maybe, Rook? But then... how could the mites know he or they were at Oleg's and not with Kressle?"

"Master Furiel? How does it work? Do you tell the bird a where to go? or .. what?" as he gets the horses ready of the group he knows now not to be 'horse people'..

Ta'de-win considers the path quickest to return to Oleg's. "We can spend our time worrying if our foe is a lion or a tiger when we find it. Either way our fledling pack may well have become this predator's supper if we do not move. This does not bode well if we do have a viper in the nest."

"Birds tend to return to locations, not people, unless that person has access to nature magic. But barring that, I think it's more logical that the bird is returning to a pre arranged nest."

The Green Man mounts his horse with some difficulty.
"Ready to be off."

Rogar jumps on the saddle:"Well that may be true for normal birds. But these things aren't exactly normal, aren't they? Where do magical creatures born out of some feathers go? Where those who used the magic to animate them send them, I'd say... Not that I know of such things of course... Anyway... ready when you are ready"

"As usual there is a lot that we not know about. Let's hope in time we will become more aware of what happens in our surroundings."
Norton straddle Murak and is ready to go.

On the ride back Furiel slaps his head in inspiration and exclaims"If they sent the bird to Kressle, it would head straight to Oleg's. The mites wouldn't know she was at Oleg's"

Furiel hopes to ride with Green again. He figures that reduces the chance of him falling off and lets him catch some sleep in the saddle.

"Green, can I ride with you? I am not comfortable with a solo yet."

The Green Man grins, reaches down and yanks Furile up in front of him.
"Best seat in the house as they say eh? Yah, Giddyap!"

You head out, expecting to be back to Oleg's before nightfall. Mikmek ends up riding with Alice, and is quiet for most of the ride. Rook seems interested in hearing about your latest battle...
"Don't know too much about the little pests ... heard of em - that's for sure, but no real experience with em."

"A single fire ant by itself is not a true threat. But enough of them can defeat a lion. Best to root out the infestation early before it has a time to grow."

charter map updated

Furiel begins to regale Rook and Mikmek with tales of heroic leaps across chasms and fire slinging at huge ticks...then he is quiet and asleep in the saddle.
Per 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Rogar chats with the others on the way back home. He seems to be in high spirits despite his wounds. He talks about what they need to do next, he seems convinced they just need to be on their guard and keep exploring the areas around Oleg's.

While the party rides home Norton goes on in his attempt to win the former bandits to the right side

Diplomacy check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
If is not enough retries as per feat
Diplomacy check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

You settle into a quick but sustainable pace across the the low hills and plains.. cutting across an area yet untraveled. There are very few remarkable landscapes and nothing worth stopping .. a few interesting areas, a large field of wildflowers... the 'ruins' of a small farmhouse, barn, and granary (little more than flooring and a couple partial walls)...

Rook and Kjell appear to appreciate Norton's interest in them... Rook shows Norton a few signs to get a basic understanding of the few simple words Kjell can himself sign.

You make it back to Oleg's just as the sun sets. It appears construction has begun on a structure to the northwest of the palisade. At the temporary guard camp, Loomis sits with two unknown men by the fire... they nod, he waves. You see Oleg waving to you by the open gate.

Now they are approaching home Rogar's senses seem to be alert again. He looks at Oleg and at the unknown people and cannot but wonder if the message was sent to one of them...

"Greetings master Oleg, I see the trend of this place becoming livlier has not stoped since we went away."

"Huh? Oh yes the boys .. yeah they are some nephews of Gielgud, the farm-owner up north... helping put up a little building back there. It'll eventually be a stable, but Kesten and his men will be settin up in there til their ... whatever they're building is built.. "

Loomis comes over and dutifully begins taking a few horses to the hitching fence on the east outer wall of the palisade. Loomis just now notices Mikmek riding with Alice.. looks a little freaked, but says nothing.

Oleg continues "Oh and we have had new .. well still have one a .. uhh priest of Erastil .. Jhod" Oleg is clearly drunk. "He's a good man, come .. come meet him." He smiles and clumsily attempts to help the group dismount and settle in..

Furiel speaks to Green,
"Can you see if any of our rehabilitated bandits saw a bird come in?"

Furiel rushes to the Mrs. Leveton
"Ma'am, have your seen a bird fly into this camp?"

Seeing you have returned, Svetlana is near the main house clearing the tables by the firepit. A bleary-eyed scruffy man with a bad comb-over eventually gets to his feet as Furiel approaches. "Good evening!" appearing to just realize ow drunk he is.. "Oop good evening .. Jhod Kavken." points to himself and sits again.

Svetlana rolls her eyes at the drunk priest and then looks at Furiel oddly. "Have I seen a bird fly into camp?" ... it takes her a few seconds to realize he is serious "I'm sorry no I haven't, Master Furiel."

The Green Man will stalk over to Budgie, when he sees him he will fold his arms over his chest and look at him, giving him a chance to maybe come a little clean without prompting.

Green finds Budgie sitting in the stables, sucking on an apple core. "Hello. Welcome back. Caw ..yes sir, always forget how scary you can look. How goes the ever valiant vanguard of civilization?"
..now looking down inspecting the apple core.

Norton greets Oleg and Svetlana and thanks them again for the ospitality.
"About the farms around here, Oleg, I would like to visit them in the coming day, to meet the people living there and checking everything is fine: We might need some direction from you."
Then he introduces himself to the priest "Norton Ambrosi, at your service. Are you from the city? Any news from there?"

Just a general check to understand what kind of person is the latest come.
Sense Motive Check 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Norton greets Oleg and Svetlana and thanks them again for the ospitality.
"About the farms around here, Oleg, I would like to visit them in the coming days, to meet the people living there and checking everything is fine: We might need some direction from you."
Then he introduces himself to the priest "Norton Ambrosi, at your service. Are you from the city? Any news from there?"

Just a general check to understand what kind of person is the latest come.
Sense Motive Check 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Jhod smiles and starts to stand again .."Ah good to meet you Norton Ambrosi. City? Eh, just came from Restov yes .. heard about the exploration, and felt compelled to do what I can as humble follower of Erastil.
I'm somewhat new to the area, and was not in Restov long.
Please have a seat .. drink up. The mother of one of the boys here brought some wine and fruit for us... there was cheese but I think I dropped it." He peers around under the table..

Rogar just keeps to himself, he briefly salutes Oleg and Svetlana and then he moves to his bed. He's tired and has some thinking to do.

"If the message was sent here... who got it? And what to do about Kressle? We need to decide what to do with her soon. I hope the others will be able to see the advantages of my idea... and... ouch! I still need a good healing... that thick really did a number on me... almost got me..." it's with thoughts as these that Rogar falls soundly asleep in a matter of minutes.

Furiel eventually approaches Budgie. He holds up a feather token and shows it to Budgie. Furiel is bad cop.

"You know, sorcerors can figure out where magic messages go to. Do you have anything to say first."

Bluff 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Oleg and Svetlana bid Rogar goodnight. After hearing his name the priest speaks up "Wasn't that who the boy's mother.."
Oleg cuts in "Oh yes. Ser Valertis." He heads to the guest house while rummaging through his work apron.

Budgie looks past Green to see Furiel approach .. "Anything to say? .. Hello Master Furiel?" He looks at Green "Whatever happened I didn't do it, no sir."

Rogar raises both eyebrows at the letter and at the seal:"Budgie's mother had... this, and told you it was for me?".
For a while the young warrior looks at the evenlope, poleaxed and not only at the notion that Budgie did indeed have a mother.
"Well, thank you Oleg, my good man. I'll see you in the morning."
Rogar waits for Oleg to get out before opening the letter and starting reading it.

I can't seem to remember nor find what I was thinking Budgie had held back. Oh well, my imagination maybe.

The Green Man relaxes his stance and gives Budgie a clap on the shoulder.
"Of course not Budgie, sorry, I was just a little cross at what happened when we were out.
But there is no need to take it out on you. Sorry about that."

"I'll start again."
The Green Man walks out of the area, waits a few seconds and comes back in.
"Hey there Budgie, anything happen while we were away?"

Budgie takes Green's behavior in stride.. "Me mum stopped by .. first I've seen her in years. Dad said she was dead. Asked her how she knew I was here. Said she's always kept an eye on me. Kinda nice really."

He seems to just realize something "Hang on there, Master Furiel ... me dad has some of those in his 'don't nobody touch this' drawer."

"A lot of things comes back to your dad, he seems to be a bit of a link to many things here. I think we may need to pay him a visit soon.
You mother might know more, is she around?"

"No she left not an hour ago. Headed east .. said she'd be back though. She wanted me to go with her, but .. I told her I'm my own man now, yes sir."

"Sorry Budgie, I am just naturally suspicious. You are your own man now. I think you will make the right choices now."

Now I am starting to like Budgie too :-)

Rogar folds the message away. Before preparing for sleep:"That woman! Leave Sal'dor be, eh? Hunt down the Stag Lord! That I will do. But not because she commands so, because he's a dangerous man with an army of outlaws at his disposal. And as for that hobgoblin... I will deal with him too if he makes a nuisance of himself! Btw... what kind of reward could she possibly have in mind...". These are the last of Almar's conscious thoughts before drifting into sleep...

The Green Man grins and gives Budgie another slap on the back.
"If you want to be "your own man" from now on, then you need to stop with the whole "sir" business, 'cept around Ser Valeris and Ser Ambrosi of course.
Between you and me? Just two freemen talking, no need for titles."

Norton smiles at the priest as he invites him to the table. He joins drinking moderately and tasting the food. "I guess that as a devotee of Erastil you will find this environment quite interesting."
After sharing a little food and a few words with the holy man Norton gathers some foods and seeks the leader of the guardsmen.
"How did our unwilling guests behaved in these days? I hope they weren't too much trouble."

Norton finds Kesten at the guard camp - finishing donning his armor for his watch. "Quite well,Ser Ambrosi, believe it or not. Sometimes have to put a fire under Arliss's rear to get him going, but I've seen worse from supposedly better bred men."