"Aye, thank ye two for th'offer of hospitality and th'potions. We'll do what we can t'keep ye safe and free this area of the bandits," he says to Oleg and Lana.
"We should return in three days t'be sure. I'd not feel comfortable not checkin' in fer a day or two knowin' that the bandits might show."
"Yah Oleg, thanks a million! Hopefully well get to meet this Bokken fella sometime soon. He shack up somewhere near here?"
Lana jumps in, "I believe he once told me he lives several miles SE of our Post. Though he's not too fond of strangers. He's a hermit for a reason. But if you say I sent ye, he may be let you live." Lana and Oleg laugh a little.
The rest of the day passes, with the party burying the dead bandits, which takes several long hours. By mid-day, a messenger stops by the Post requesting Athenasius' presence. It seems there is a family emergency and he must report immediately to Restov. Not wanting to travel alone, he convinces Anibeth to accompany him and the pair leave the Trading Post shortly thereafter.
That night, another knock at the gate and Damrak gets up from the table to answer it, weapon at his side and ready to strike. "Guess I'm going to have to get used to answering the door around here." As the party watches, when Damrak looks and sees who it is, he gets excited and quickly opens the gate. "Borden, by the gods, is that you? How long has it been....it must be since the Abadarian seminary those months ago when I was finishing my religious studies. What brings you here? And who is your companion? Please come in from the cold."
Behind Borden stands a young half elf girl with an urgent curiosity in her eyes. Over his shoulder she scans the room.
These are the men? I imagined them ... taller. They look very capable however.
She feels shyer than usual but in a flash her nervousness creates a burst of speech as she steps forward, removing her wide brimmed hat. Her long hair falls down catching the wind revealing her freckled face still pink from the cold ...
My name is Beatrice Bohlkc ... I've tracked you gentleman here in hopes of aiding you in your mission ....
Beatrice kneels on one knee and bows her head ...
Please sirs, for the future of Rostland, and all of Brevoy ...!
Her own conviction causes her to tremble slightly.
Den falls out with Damrak and quickly arms himself. No use taking chances. he explains. Once the door is opened and its clear that Damrak knows the visitor the ranger relaxes a little.
Recognizing the half elf with Bordan Dendarial speaks up. Beatrice. By the gods, what are you doing out here in the sword lands? He moves to help the lady up. There is a story to be had I am sure of that. Turning to his group he announces I know this woman and can vouch for her.
Den? ... Den!!
Bea leaps up wrapping her arms around Den, kissing him on each cheek almost ten times.
Well, I'll be a goblin in a badger's trap! What on golarion ...? Do you travel with the explorers? Are with the expedition? I missed the first charter in Restov, Grandfather Neiel didn't approve me going, but ... Den you know how it is in our territory... I had to come ... By Desna, Den, I ... You being here ... Please ...
She glares at Den with a desperate hope.
Olo makes his way between the others to the the front of the group. "Well… friends of Damrak and Den are friends of mine! Pretty ladies especially." He smiles and winks at Beatrice. "Borden, and... Beatrice is it? My name's Olo. Olo Dudley. Pleased to make your acquaintances." He removes his hat and bows, adding a little flourish with the hand that holds his hat. He raises his head and gestures for the group to come inside. He takes a few steps forward and invites the group to make themselves comfortable at the tables in front of Oleg's house.
Grimath joins the group at the gate, wondering what the commotion is at this time of night. "Well what've we here? Friends of yers showin' up uninvited?" he remarks to Den and Damrak. "Good timin' that ye showed up when ye did, what with Athen and Anibeth needin' t'head back towards Restov. M'name's Grimath by the way, it's a pleasure t'meet ye both," he says, extending a hand first to Beatrice and then Borden.
With a smile, the man with the golden hair said, "It is good to see you again Denmak." Stepping into the courtyard, is a man dressed in a fine armored coat with a light crossbow in his hands and a golden plated key hanging around his neck. "The trip was pleasant, but Beatrice's energetic nature and country style was beginning to edge me the wrong way. The church asked that I find you and your comrades. Not that you could not properly represent Lord Abadar, but a bit of added divine spirit could not hurt, yes?" To the others, Borden smiles and gives a proper bow, "Borden Lebeda of Silverhall, third son of Harn Lebeda and faithful of the Master of the First Vault."
Borden's straight-backed stance, eloquent use of words and proper etiquette back his claims to nobility.
The ranger hugs Beatrice in an unusual show of emotion, and at least, initially with a little more zeal than he might a sister. Beatrice. Out here. he thinks. I am not alone. This will take some shifting of mindset. When the hug is more than he can stand, he pushes back, his cheeks red from the attention and a little embarrassment. Yes, yes. I am with the expedition. I was asked to sign up to help out with wood lore, and well, sorta keep an elven hand in things. You know how the elders are... Taking both her hands in his he admits You being here, its more than I have, ... considered. Be welcome Beatrice you are among friends and we all shall be glad to have you here, of that I am sure. Turning to the others he explains. Beatrice is my cousin, though somewhat removed. We actually share a great grandfather. And when I last saw her she was mastering some complex, and I am quite sure, useful arcane arts.
Masters, it's my pleasure to meet you all ... And Borden, sir you are a pip! Bea slaps the back of his armor, slighlty hurting her hand. Fate sometimes has a strange way of introducing herself, yes? She chuckles and gives a friendly wink to Borden tossing her hat back on her head.
Oleg and Lana introduce themselves as the married couple that owns the Trading Post. "Any friends of our liberators are friends of ours! Please come warm yourselves by our fire and we'll prepare a later supper for you." Your horses, if any, are led into the stables, and you all sit down for dinner and the food is hearty and delicious.
Den will fill the group in on the facts; on how they arrived to find bandits up to no good and then how the laid an ambush for even more bandits. So, we have some spoils from those fights, and some potions from Oleg here to help us out. But we are not exactly sure what to do next. We worry that the bandits will start missing their men in 3-4 days and could come here looking for them in a week or so. We need to begin to explore, and have good horses, but we fear to be gone too long from the post. We do not know that the bandits will come at all but believe we are too weak and ill supplied to attack their outpost just yet. We have heard of an old crazy hermit that brews potions who is not too far away. I recommend we head that way, exploring as we go, and see about trying to get better equipment as we explore and find things.
"Aye Den, that sounds like a plan. We should head out early in the mornin'. I've still a feelin' we should check in here in three days, but can do a bit of explorin' 'til then."
"I'd like to head for the old man me-self! Who knows what sorta goodies he might be cooking up. Explorin' on the way sounds right. Then we'll head back here and make sure the happy couple are safe and sound. Glad to have another arcane artist in the group Miss Beatrice, I dabble with the magics myself. Lookin' forward to see what you can do."
likewise master Dudley, you look like a fella who's got a few tricks up his sleeve. <wink> I'll follow and aid you ... all of you, the best i know how.
.... and I'm a very earlier riser myself, I gotta do my stretches with mud ...smart to stay fit! Bea let's out an awkward chuckle as she unties a small satchel still slung around her side. She takes out a brown spotted toad and places him on the table, petting him between his eyes with her ring finger. The toad sits like a rock then lets out a single croak. Oh he's feeling talkie! Give'em hello and goodnight Mud, we got a another long day ahead of us...
I felt so alone riding with Borden
and I wished so bad Alexi was with me riding here.
He's just like grandfather. Too scared to act no mater how much they care"
.... but Dendarial is here .... with these good men ... I am not alone ... and yet...
what does Den care about?
So our first foray is set. We shall go and see this potion crafter, and explore our way there and back again. Let us plan to be gone for a week though. There is no way short of magic that the bandits can know their men are late checking in and make it back here any faster.
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, the party heads out on horseback east, in the direction of Bokken the hermit's home, with Den leading the group. He steers them clear of any dangers, as the group maps the terrain, taking note of the game trails and timber resources, per their charter.
You eventually find what you believe to be the hermit's hut. As you approach, a disheveled human man with crazy eyes, who looks like he's been out too long by himself, comes out of his hut, crossbow in hand. He speaks very rapidly and you can barely understand him. "Whatdoya want, strangers?? Getoffmyland before I plugsya!"
Olo hops off his steed and heads to the front of the group, both hands raised in the air with a spring in his step. Smiling sweetly, he beckons to the stranger, "No worries ole chum! We're the friendly type, we are! On official business from Restov, yah see. We'll do yah no harm. We're here to protect yah in fact. Exploring and defending these parts. And were friends with Oleg and Lana, so easy does it. Let's have a chat, huh?" Hoping to befriend the paranoid gent, he tugs on his earlobe for a little good luck on the matter.
The halfling speaks the truth. Dendarial says dryly making no move to dismount or reach for his weapons. I suspect you have few customers if you greet all of them such.
Grimath chimes in as well, hoping to help Bokken warm up to the group. "We had a run in with bandits at Oleg's and figured it wouldn't be wrong t'check and see if ye were alright. Plus Oleg said ye did a good job whippin' up potions, somethin' we might have use of soon. Perhaps some introductions are in order, I'm Grimath, th'halfling there is Olo, the elf is Dendarial, and I'll let the others introduce themselves."
Bokken seems to calm down at the mention of Lana and Oleg and at your introductions. "Well met then. I am Bokken, reclusive potion maker. Please come inside and tell me of your tales to defend these parts."
The hermit invites you into his home. He's got everything labeled, including the furniture and tables and alchemical workshop. He rushes off to his ledger and as he writes, you hear him mumble, "I had visitors today." After you are comfortable and though he does not offer you anything to drink, he puts his ledger away and starts "Doyawant any potions by the way? Ya seem to be people of coin! I usually sell only to Oleg but in this case, I can make an exception. Need healing? Need to withstand the cold temperatures? Letmeknow! Wait, did ya say you were exploring these parts? How far south ya'll going? Maybes ya can do me a fava!" It is obvious he has not lost his jittery speech pattern.
A favor for a favor maybe. The ranger says. What do you need?
Borden remained silent as Bokken invited them all in. Odd fellow. I suppose living alone in the wilds like he has will do that to a person, the cleric thought to himself as he looked around the labeled room. At the mention of a favor though, Borden smiled calmly as added, "As I know it, we are tasked with exploring further south than many have traveled in quite sometime. What is this task you would have us do for you? I am sure that we can come to an accord that benefits both sides." Just from his words, all in the group can tell that he is accustomed to dealing in fair exchanges and sounded more like a merchant than a cleric.
Bokken smiles at Den's question. "Since you asked...the best part of my potions, besides the magical effects, of course, is the taste. Everyone loves how sweet they are. Well, that's due to.." Bokken pauses, his eyes wide, and looks around and moves to the window and looks outside to make sure no one is eavesdropping. After a few seconds, he continues, "It's due to my secret ingredient: fangberry juice! Unfortunately, I'm running low on supply. A large thicket of fangberries grows about 55 miles southwest of Oleg’s. If you were to bring me some berries, good, clean ones, of course, about 30-40 of 'em. I'm sure I could give you some kind of discount on my wares. What do ya say? Huh? Huh? Well....I'd go meself, but it's dangerous out there and who would watch my home when I was gone." Bokken peers outside his window again, hiding behind his curtain.
"Alrighty Mr.Bokken. We'll get you some berries - should be easy as pie for you to find such a berry in these woods, right Den, ole boy." He grins as he pats Den's shoulder proudly. "After all, we're practically neighbors, now."
"Better'n my chances I'll wager" Grimath adds with a laugh. "Sounds like we'll be gettin' ye some berries right soon Bokken."
How about we bring you some of these valuable berries and you give us some of you potions in payment instead of just a discount off what we may not be able to afford in the first place?
Bea remains silent, agreeing with Den in her silence. "If its an extra risk and divergent of our days plan .... As sweet as the crazy old man is, some extra help would be apeperciated kindly ...." Bea thinks if she can remember any magical use of the berry the old man may not be mentioning and how hard the berries might be to find/pick ...