DM Carbide's Kingmaker (Inactive)

Game Master John Woodford

In a prisonyard whisper barely audible more than a few feet away, Garess replies to Katya, "Can't say as I blame the man overmuch, after what was done to him."

Oleg really doesn't look happy, but at the mention of the ring he calms down a bit. Willem *really* doesn't look too pleased at the prospect of coming within arm's reach of Oleg, so he approaches rather tentatively and extends his open hand, the ring visible on his palm. "'Ere it is, sir. An' we have a couple o' crates what Happs and his bullyboys took...come on, you two, shift 'em up here...the rest of it's gone t'Himself already, sorry. Oh, reet. An' we all promise to never, never steal from you or threaten you again. Right, lads?" A chorus of affirmatives comes from the other repentant miscreants.

Oleg snatches up the ring from Willem and looks at it carefully. "Huh...sure looks like hers, there's the maker's mark. All right, open the boxes and let's see what you brought back." He looks over the ex-bandits' heads at the party--Adam in particular--with a slight grimace that could mean a lot of things. After the crates are opened, Oleg looks over the wares and nods once. "You lot, step back. Give me a moment. You people made my and Sveta's lives hell for three months, so you can just wait." He walks off into the main building, through the door Svetlana retreated through earlier. Everyone hears an indistinct murmur from inside the building, followed by a whoop from Svetlana. Then more murmuring.

Meanwhile, the ex-bandits are standing around looking a bit lost, as are two of the mercenaries who were at the table. The third one surreptitiously reaches down and picks up a piece of bread from the tray Svetlana dropped earlier, brushing it off and taking a bite. (Katya--that's Peter.) Seeing that no mayhem is about to erupt, Garess sheathes his sword. "Who's in charge here?" he asks.

"In charge?" Adam shrugs.

"We left civilized territory some time ago. No kings or princes here."

Bea enters the through the gate with the priest, an air of purpose in her walk and eyes. She takes in the situation, seeing everyone standing around awkwardly. "Where's Oleg? Have you talked to him already?"

Edit: Ok, Adam, seeing most of the people standing around awkwardly ;)

Despite the volatility of the situation, Adam is not standing awkwardly. He is instead strumming a few chords occasionally and humming to himself.

"He went inside with Svetlana, Bea. They are discussing whether or not we are traitors for, I would assume, not giving our new friends a second chance."

Ah, well I suppose I'm not terribly supprised, it's his right. I trust he'll make the right desision, whatever that may be. We've done all we can and can no longer intervene." She turns to address the newcomers, "I'm sorry, my name's Beatrix. We've previously made the aquantance of the Levingtons, but you must have arrived more recently. Did I miss out on introductions?"

The man in banded mail introduces himself as Kesten Garess. His three men are Stefan, Tomas, and Peter, and the woman with them is Katya Volkv. "And I see you've met the priest. Can I get someone to tell me what you've been up to?"

"Can I get someone to tell me what you've been up to?"

"My name's Havrin Stahl, Captain Garess. Lady," Havrin says, touching the brim of his hat and nodding respectfully to Kesten and Katya.

"As Master Leveton probably told you, we arrived from Restov a few days ago, bearing charters granting us permission to explore and map the Greenbelt. Our charters also task us to strive against banditry if we encounter it. Shortly after arriving we eliminated a small party of bandits that had been plaguing the Levetons for the past several months. We tracked the small party back to a larger band and eliminated their immediate leader and several other bandits. These men with us now were part of that group, but surrendered to us and expressed a desire to abandon their lives of banditry. I'll admit that I was skeptical of their intentions at first, but they aided us in subsequent battles against a tribe of mites and an evil sorcerer preying upon a community of kobolds. These men even saved our lives on at least one occasion, when they could have fled. I believe now that they truly are repentant."

Having said his piece, Havrin steps back and looks toward his companions to add any clarifying details. The usually stoic ranger appears a bit embarrassed at having spoken so much.

"And I am Adam Burlevogne, of House Surtova."

He strums a musical introduction, remniscent of a fanfare.

"Though, lately I just struggle to keep out of the way. I'm more of a musical genius, less a military one."

"Simn Thistelesworth, cleric of Irori," Simn put in with a friendly nod, "I daresay we've identified one of the principal obstacles to civilisation taking root in the region, in the person of this 'Stag Lord' who's been lording it over the local banditry. I'll certainly vouch that our new companions seem genuinely motivated to atone for their misdeeds and improve their lots in life, but as to whether they'll be forgiven..." he shrugged. Whether Oleg and Svetlana would grant that forgiveness would say a great deal about their essential natures. It might well be that the former bandits still wouldn't be welcome within these walls.

In any case, this wouldn't be the end of things. Self-improvement was a process, not an end to be reached, and Simn intended to encourage the men to continue in it.

"I am Jacyn Frestarn. A pleasure to meet you all, Im sure. Hopefully it can stay that way. What brings you all out to the middle of nowhere anyway?"

Katya looks at each of the adventurers in turn as they speak their names, giving a long but cryptic glance towards Beatrix as she takes in the more obvious divine tones of her clothes. She allows her grip to loosen on her staff as she steps up and speaks her name with a certain flair of nobility.

"Greetings, I am Katya Volkv."

While Havrin tells his story of the groups encounters so far with banditry in the land, Katya gives a sharp look at each of the "former" bandits. Making it obvious that she already doesn't like the men.

In response to Jacyn's question, Katya answers with, "Captain Kesten put us together to help Oleg with his banditry problem. Somebody felt you could use the help dealing with the lawlessness of the land. Though apparently you have things so well in hand that conversion from a life of banditry is now possible."

The last sentence is spoken with subtle contempt, showing for anybody with the ears to hear it that she doesn't think very much of the former bandits.

Bea raises an eyebrow at Katya's comment. "You sound skeptical. Perhaps you've never had the opportunity to witness a man reformed? Or maybe you've been raised in such nobility where mistakes are never made and all people are of pure heart...Adam, in all your court life have you ever seen such a place?" It's obvious that she has at least as much disdain for sheltered nobility as Katya has for the bandits.

for the record, the only thing Bea currently wears that would set her apart from a common soldier is a clasp for her cloak made of a piece of elk antler and etched with the image of a bow and arrow.

Adam shrugs with a subtle grin.

"Regretfully, madam. Such a place exists only in bard's tales and songs. The court, and indeed most of the world, is a place filled with moral transfigurations."

"Agreed." Jacyn offers a little too overzealously, "Everyone makes mistakes, and if someone is truly repentant of their sins, they should be given a chance to redeem themselves. These men have done so." After speaking, Jacyn holds his glare with Katya for less than a second before averting his gaze. He appears almost annoyed with himself for speaking up in the first place.

Kesten listens intently as Havrin recounts their adventures and the others chime in. "I heard a bit of the tale from Oleg and Svetlana, and I suppose I can understand his skepticism. On the other hand, well, go back far enough and none of the seven families were much different." He scratches his chin thoughtfully. "If it's acceptable all around, I think I could find something to keep them out of trouble." He glances meaningfully at the three men with him. They return the glance with nods and grins.

It's around this point that Oleg and Svetlana emerge from the building, hand in hand. Svetlana is wearing her ring and beaming, and Oleg looks about as cheerful as you've ever seen him, although as soon as he's out the door his expression goes back to stormy. As all eyes turn to him he says, "Against my better judgement, I've been persuaded to let bygones be bygones. But I still don't trust you, so it's a good thing it's too crowded in here for everyone to stay for any length of time."

Garess replies, "We already talked earlier about building a barracks outside the wall and hiring a few more swords. Now--assuming these gentlemen take me up on my offer--I'll have another five sets of hands for the construction." He addresses the party and the ex-bandits. "Anything to say? The floor's open."

Adam nods, still quietly strumming his lute.

"A barracks could be useful here. I'd also like to do some basic maintenance on some of the roads around this area. The old bridge, for instance, might need some maintenance. And with a few well placed continual flames, the road through the forest might be a tad bit safer. I could easily set up a toll system to help pay for that. Also, we expect trade relations with the kobolds to open up, so we definitely want to keep as many roads flowing here as possible. For as a wise man once told me: Where the road flows, there flows the gold."

He makes a general motion over the reformed bandits with his arm, interrupting his playing for a moment.

"I could use their help in that regard, as well. And we might need their assistance in taking down this Bandit King too. Other than that, I'd say the men are free to make their own life decisions."

Branko says, "I start back to Port Ice with next band of travelers north; until then, I work on your barracks. Is still better than working for drunken madman and <insert Hallit insult> Kressle."

Willem continues, "Too right, Branko. But me an' Jameth, I think we'll take yer shillin', Captain Garess. 'Twill be summat to do whilst waiting for our real jobs...eh, Master Adam?" Jameth chuckles.

Gellus and Jal also agree to stay on; Jal adds, addressing the party: "No offense to you, but I'd prefer to stay here, where it's safer. You people are crazy, you know?"

Garess almost smiles. "Right, then. I think we can hold the fort here against most of what's likely to be wandering around hereabouts, and free those of you with charters to carry out your duties."

Unless anyone has anything to add, I'm going to advance a few days. Retsiji offers to trade spells with Katya (check his profile for what he has). Garess gets the ex-bandits and his trio working on the building, which goes up pretty quickly once Oleg is persuaded to help. A trapper comes in with some furs and has to be restrained from attacking Jal; Garess smooths things over with a little something extra for the trapper (which comes out of Jal's pay). Retsiji eventually identifies the potion Kressle was carrying--it's a cure moderate wounds potion created by a third-level cleric. In return for bringing back Svetlana's ring, Oleg offers the party 250 gp worth of goods each (without letting the ex-bandits know he's doing it)--"Them bandits might've handed it to me, but I think I know who put 'em up to it. They get their lives, a place to stay, and honest work. That's enough reward for them."

The party is getting ready to set out early the next morning (after any purchases you might want to make), when a small caravan comes up from the south. They've got four tough-looking guards on horseback, all of whom look like they've seen action in the past few days; a mule-drawn wagon laden with goods; and a pair of merchants. Oleg, Svetlana, and the merchants get into a serious haggling session, leaving the guards to secure everything.

While they're doing that, Retsiji happens by. One of the quartet spots him and nudges one of the others, pointing at the diviner. The first one calls to him, "Hey. Your name Dower?"

Retsiji starts at that and replies, "That depends on who's asking...." He glances around quickly, one hand on his belt near his spell components pouch.

The guard puts up both hands in a nonthreatening gesture. "Hey, just asking. See, if that was your name, you'd be wise to avoid Pitax, 'cause Irovetti wants you. To the tune of a five thousand gold piece reward. For 'unspecified crimes and misdemeanors,' whatever the hells that means."

One of the merchants notices the discussion and breaks away from bargaining with the Levetons for a moment. "The reward is more like seven thousand in Daggermark. Whoever this Dower is--and I'm not saying it's you--someone's verrry interested in him. You might want to change your face." With that, he returns to the table.

Afterwards, Retsiji calls the party together. "Remember what I said on the way down here, about how I didn't think Daggermark was out for me any more? If those guards are right, I was wrong about that. I can't stay here...I don't want to bring that down on you or the Levetons. I'll head north now--stop at that shrine overnight, then head for Brevoy early in the morning. I did it alone before, and I'm a better wizard now. If I can get to the border fort I'll be all right.

"I hate to leave you without a wizard, though. Maybe you can ask Garess if Katya can help you out. I'll leave the bracers behind for her...I have a feeling she'll need them more than I will. Wish me luck."

"Good luck, master historian. Even if you don't make it out on your own, you'll still be immortalized in song. If you do make it, maybe you'll hear it one of these days."

Jacyn gives Retsiji a solid handshake, "May your travels be easy, my friend."

So, how do we want to go about dividing up the loot from the camp(s)? I think we need to get that settled before moving on too much.

Did we manage to keep that small shield with the Surtovan insignia on it? I remember seeing it in the pile. But don't remember the chieftain giving it to us.

Katya smirks as she listens to Beatrix's comment and opens her mouth to retort back at her when Katya is cut off by Kesten and she clamps her mouth shut again. Leaving things where they stand at the moment, Katya listens as Oleg gives his reluctant approval and Katya steps back to the table where she left her spellbook. Picking up the book she snaps it closed and turns back to the group and Kesten in particular.

"If you have need of me, I'll be around."

-------Days Later--------

Over the next few days Katya talks mostly with Retsiji as they go over each other's selection of spells. Every morning Katya wakes up before dawn and practices her magic in the early hours, making quite a fireworks show sometimes when she is working on spells of the pyrotechnic nature. At other times, she stays away from Jhod and Beatrix with a scowl on her face. Barely speaking two words to the Erastil worshipers and when she does they are short and to the point. Not entirely rude but definitely not friendly either. The young woman pretty much always seems to have her nose in her book since there is little she can honestly do in the day to day running of the fort or help with the construction.

When Retsiji announces his intention to head north back to Brevoy lands Katya is genuinely saddened by the news.

"I had hoped I would not be the only learned person out here in the Stolen Lands. I get the feeling I will be very bored with this job if all I am here to do is wait while a building goes up by a fort. Maybe in time you can travel back down and we can share stories again.

"Adam is also quite a scholar. If you get past his tendency to cynicism, he has a lot of useful information.

"Don't tell the merchants I've gone--it's not that I don't trust them, it's that...actually, I don't trust them."

With that, the unprepossessing little mage gathers up some food and heads out, never to be seen again (or at least not likely to be seen again). Several days later, however, a messenger and a couple of soldiers arrive from Restov with a small chest and a letter of commendation to the party for their part in reducing bandit activity and settling down the kobolds. The chest contains 1800 gold pieces and a short unsigned note in a familiar hand--"The Swordlords are pretty happy with what we did. Don't mess it up!"

Bea spends the next several days trying to help as much as possible around Oleg's outpost, pitching in with the working men mostly. She invariably spends the evenings whittling and chatting with the priest or anyone else who's around, and her work finally pays off as the object takes shape in the form of a pair of antlers crossed by an arrow, which she now constantly wears around her neck. She gratefully accepts Oleg's gift in the form of a new breastplate which replaces her now worn scale armor.

After a heartfelt farewell to Retsiji, she gathers her companions to discuss their plans. "It looks like things are getting under control around here, and we've got much we still need to do. We've explored but a small portion of the surrounding area and before we make any sort of attempt at this 'Stag Lord' we should get a better feel for the lay of the land. I propose we head to the forest and see if we can't map out the notable landmarks. Jhod (the priest) has mentioned there's an old abandoned temple there, as well - seems as good a place to start as any."

Bea takes a deep breath and pauses momentarily before continuing. "Katya, it's obvious you've some skill with the arcane arts, and we could use the help, if you'll join us."

Adam nods. "It seems as good a place to begin as easy. I'd also like to map the road through the forest, see if I can get a good feel for good places for posts and road improvements. That crossing, for instance... needs to be made a little more permanent I think."

Jacyn also spends a good part of the next several days helping where he can. In the downtime, he offers a bit of sparring practice for the men who would stay to be guards. I really cant tell who all is doing what now that we have like a dozen NPCs, lol. Which all of the ex-bandits are staying and who's going?

Jacyn also procures a breastplate, as well as a more sturdy wooden shield, from Oleg, and thanks the man kindly for the gifts and hospitality.

When Retsiji prepares to leave, he offers the man a firm, perhaps too firm, handshake and wishes the mage well, "May the road you find be easy, my friend. And may it lead you back here someday."

In response to Bea's suggestion
"Sounds good to me. When should we leave?" Jacyn asks, patiently waiting for an answer, as well as an answer from Katya.

Adam nods. "It seems as good a place to begin as easy. I'd also like to map the road through the forest, see if I can get a good feel for good places for posts and road improvements. That crossing, for instance... needs to be made a little more permanent I think."

That should say. "It seems as good a place to begin as any."

If we have a week of downtime, Adam will attempt to make some money as a gambler. (Taking 10)

10 + 6 = 16 for 8 gp.

He will also give a performance each day, in hopes of picking up some extra coin.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 Routine performance for 1d10 ⇒ 6 cp.
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Memorable performance for 1d6 ⇒ 4 gp.
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Enjoyable performance for 1d10 ⇒ 4 sp.
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Great performance for 3d10 ⇒ (1, 2, 8) = 11 sp.
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 Memorable performance for 1d6 ⇒ 6 gp.

The last performance was a stirring rendition of Svetlana's Ring (which I may or may not decide to actually write)

And somewhere between Preview and Post, those d20 dice numbers changed. Sigh.

Looking up from her meal with a cut of bread in her hand, Katya stares at Bea for a moment before answering, "Yes, of course, I said I would be here if I was needed, and the chance to get out of this place before I become part of the woodwork would be most welcome."

Today her eyes seem to be more unfocused than normal, as if she has not been getting much sleep. The expression really brings out the oddness in her eyes, as the slits of her pupils sit wide. A general sense of lethargy sits on her shoulders as she moves to the bread to her lips and takes a bite.

Bea nods at each of the others at their acceptance and relaxes slightly after Katya speaks. "Thank you all. Make final preparation - we depart at first light."

Branko left with the caravan previously described. That leaves the party, Oleg, Svetlana, Jhod Kavken, Kesten Garess, his three mercenaries, and four ex-bandits. Garess proves an able soldier, as are the three men he brought with him. The four penitents, though adequate combatants, have a lot of soldiery to learn quickly. Jacyn, the one time you spar with Garess it's clear to you that he's more experienced than you; you're much better than any of the people working for him, though.

Sparring with Garess is fine, but I actually meant to ex-bandits to try to help make them a little more competent with a sword. Though if Garess is better than me, I guess I could use a few lessons myself, lol.

Jacyn continues to help with the construction until the group breaks for dinner, which he downs quickly and thanks Svetlana very much for the hospitality. He spends a few hours talking with Garess, his men, and Jhod (if he is willing to talk to me), trying to get to know them better.

"I hate to leave you without a wizard, though. Maybe you can ask Garess if Katya can help you out. I'll leave the bracers behind for her...I have a feeling she'll need them more than I will. Wish me luck."

"Good luck, my friend," Havrin bids farewell to Retsiji, gripping the wizard's forearm in a warriors' clasp. "Your knowledge and wisdom will be sorely missed."

During the few days of downtime, Havrin busies himself around the environs of the trading post: helping with the barracks construction, tending to the horses and any other domesticated animals, and hunting to supplement the food supply for the large group of people staying at the post.

The stoic ranger takes advantage of Oleg's reward and discovers several useful items in the trading post's stockroom. He's amazed to discover a set of masterfully crafted studded leather armor that fits him like a glove, along with a finely crafted backpack with numerous pockets, hooks, and padded straps. He also acquires a compass, which should come in handy in upcoming exploration of the Greenbelt. (Havrin uses his reward form Oleg to acquire a set of masterwork studded leather armor, a masterwork backpack, and a compass - total value 235 gp.)

"It looks like things are getting under control around here, and we've got much we still need to do. We've explored but a small portion of the surrounding area and before we make any sort of attempt at this 'Stag Lord' we should get a better feel for the lay of the land. I propose we head to the forest and see if we can't map out the notable landmarks. Jhod has mentioned there's an old abandoned temple there, as well - seems as good a place to start as any."

"That sounds good to me," Havrin responds to Bea's suggestion. "I'll be ready to leave at first light."

Towards the end of the week, Adam also ventures through the storerooms, finding a masterwork studded leather (175 gp) and a masterwork cittern in a water damaged leather case. Fortunately the cittern itself was not damaged. (100 gp). Adam gladly trades his own leather armor (-5 gp) and throws in a little more gold to make up the difference. (-20 gp).

"'Twould be better were it a lute, but it'll do in a pinch."

It actually takes about a week for Oleg to lay his hands on Adam's mw studded leather, but the local equivalent of the Wells-Fargo Wagon brings it in good order.

One of the performances was a humorous rendering of The Wager.

(Warning: Renaissance Potty Humor)

The morning dawns bright and clear, with a bit of ground fog that quickly burns off after you've been on the road. Svetlana has packed up the last of the elk, a couple of loaves of bread, and some butter and cheese ("I get it from this farm up south of Brevoy," she tells you) for you. As you're packing up she gets Bea alone for a moment. "Bea, this may sound silly, but if you could bring back some moon radishes I'd really appreciate it. Oleg really loves my radish soup, and I think it would cheer him up. There's supposed to be a patch of them in the forest a little ways south of here. Just...keep your eyes out, please?" If you like, you can use the horses you captured from the bandits; it'll speed things along.

(Katya, after riding for the morning you see the wisdom in what Kesten and Peter said about the relative merits of going on foot and ahorse.)

It takes about a day to fully explore the plains immediately south of the trading post. You end the day near where Happs and the bandits camped before they came to Oleg's...it seems like it's been months since then, but it's actually been more like two weeks. Unfortunately, sometime during the night you discover that what seemed like a good place to spend the night is infested with biting flies, and no one sleeps very well.

Where to now? At this point you can continue SSW into the forest, you can go west into an area of plains, you can go east (more plains), or you can go SSE (still more plains).

Simn had spent the past week engaged in gathering information about their local surroundings from Oleg, Svetlana, the former bandits and whoever happened to come in to trade. Bea's mission obviously took priority, steered in it as she was by the divine, but after that, well, knowing the ground could only help them when it came time to face down the Stag Lord.

With the coming of morning, Simn stretched, working out the little cramps which had built up over the course of the night. Funny how the histories never mentioned gnats chewing away at the valiant explorers' flesh, but then if one wanted a front seat to the making of history, the real world would always be a part of it.

"Well, another good day," he said with a cheer not even slightly forced, "Where to today, do you think, Bea?" This being her mission, it was only appropriate that she take the lead.

Bea manages a smile at the cheerful gnome but is obviously not in the greatest of moods. She nibbles on her breakfast as she goes over Adam's map with him. "We've got this area here explored pretty well at least directly between the forest and Oleg's. We'll probably want to map out the rest of these plains eventually, but for now let's head to the forest and see what we can find out."

Katya wakes early in the morning and already has her nose in her spellbook while the others do their usual early morning activities. The study of her spellbook takes up most of the little time she has before the group heads out. Not even leaving her time for much of a breakfast though she gulps down quickly what she can't carry and leaves the rest to be reused.

Katya decides to voice a question that has been at the back of her mind for a few days.

"Why exactly is this... place we are looking for in the forest so important?"

Katya asks the questiontion to no one in particularly though it is in a way directed towards Beatrix and is probably the most words she has spoken towards Bea yet.

Bea stops and looks at Katya for a moment before responding. "Somewhere south of here, we believe deep in the forest, lives the leader of all those bandits that have been plaguing Oleg and everyone else who's trying to earn a decent living out here. If we can find this temple and clean it out, we can use it as a forward base to better reach this 'Stag Lord'." She approaches the girl and lowers her voice, trying to sound non-threatening, "Katya, I can tell you don't care much for Erastil, and I'm not going to try and change that. I just want you to know that we're not on some idealistic crusade for a god you don't serve - I won't ask anyone here to do anything that doesn't have a more practical purpose." She lets a wry smile cross her lips, "Luckily Ol' Deadeye is keen on practicality."

Adam nods from his position in front of Bea, though he knows most people can't see him.

"The temple can also be restored to some public use of some type, whether its original purpose or something else. If it's a nice, thick stone building, could make for a good defense location."

Normally it'd take you two days to explore this area of the forest, but since you've passed through it twice before you can cover it in a day on horseback. There's even time for Havrin to bring down a couple of wild turkeys. Havrin, expend two arrows; the food is enough to feed four of you for the day.

The day is overcast and chilly, and late in the day you come upon a clearing. Adam, you think you might hear some noise from ahead of you. Please give me a riding order.

Havrin, expend two arrows; the food is enough to feed four of you for the day.

Noted.

For riding order, how about Havrin in front leading the exploration efforts, followed by either Bea or Jacyn, then Adam, Simn, and Katya, with either Jacyn or Bea bringing up the rear?

If we don't have to ride single-file, then how about Havrin and Bea or Jacyn in front, then Adam and Katya, followed by Simn and Jacyn or Bea?

Where there are game trails and the like, you generally have to ride single file. When you're just blundering through the brush, you can spread out a bit more. In this case, you're on a trail as you approach the clearing.

Adam's still riding with Bea. I don't think ponies were available yet.

Sorry I havent posted lately. Been busy with work and had a full weekend over the holiday.
I would prefer to ride in the front. Further from the front I am, the less likely I am to be able to put my lance to good use, lol. If I need to be in back though, that's fine.
Also, is Simn riding with someone else, too, since he's a gnome and ill suited to ride a full sized horse by himself? If so, he can ride with me if he wants.

Jacyn nods in agreement with his allies responses to Katya. "Also, the forest may hold more than it's share of dangerous animals, bandits, or monsters which we would need to clear out before the land could be settled properly. Is there somewhere else you think we ought to scout out before heading to the forest?", Jacyn asks with honest curiosity.

Since Adam is riding with me and he's the one making the map, I figure we'd but up towards the front most of the time. Where possible, she's ride alongside Havrin.

Bea rides along being unusually chatty, pointing out things to Adam for the map, discussing where to go next with Havrin, etc.

Katya gives a short smile towards Bea as she is given the explanation. Gently nudging her horse to start following again as the group continues onward towards the forest. "Well, if I can't escape Erastil's shadow, at the very least I can take comfort in being practical about it."

Katya finds herself riding close to Bea as she decides to take up Retsiji's advice about talking with Adam. Hoping to start with a gentle conversation starter, Katya's voice takes on an inflection of neutrality any noble would be expected to know. [b]"If you don't mind me asking Adam, Retsiji said you were a learned man. I am curious where you received your education?"