Tyr arrived 3 days ago at the trading post of Oleg and has been a strange guest since then. He took care of some things others wouldn't do and generally helped without asking for much in return. While Kesten Garess is mostly ignoring him (if he's not shaking his head at the things Tyr does), Jhod Kavken is very interested in the man's doings, often looking out for him from the posts wall.
On his fourth day at Oleg's, Svetlana comes over after breakfast, taking a seat across from Tyr. "So, Tyr. What's bringing you here?" she asks casually.
Tyr looks up from his meal and nods politely to Svetlana. He does not answer immediately, both finishing his mouthful and giving himself time to think.
"When I heard about the charter and thought about the idea...It appealed to me to try and, well, do something." He answers her honestly. He waits a little before continuing with his food, though eating slowly so that he might be able to quickly respond to any more of Svetlana's questions.
Majet remains very quite and jumpy leaping out her skin almost whenever a plant so much as rustles in the wind.
"Yeah, that was a damn tough one. I hope to never see it again, if it's not dead. Anyone know what it was, actually?" Boris asks, glad to not have lost a major portion of his income, if not his life.
"No clue; sorry. But I plan on seeing it again, if only to burn it to the ground."
Agerron helps Ern grab what's left of value or use from their dead companions on the spare horses. Then, he mentions, "We need to bury the dwarf. We can't take him with us; besides the fact his body'd likely attract scavengers and other hunters, I don't relish the idea of bringing something along that'll smell worse than Ern in a day or two. Boris, Piojtr, help me dig, will you? Ern, why don't you keep an eye out for anything else that wants to ambush us. And Majet, pull yourself together, will you? You're the only one of us not in rough shape.
"After we bury Bran, we set out for Oleg's, so get your gear ready. Obviously, you two are free to come with us or go your own way, Boris. Considering how banged up we are, there's safety in numbers. Usually, anyway."
Big Ern shrugs and slumps down under a tree.
Svetlana nods knowingly and says: "Ah, yes. Well, I don't know where that ... troop is right now, they said something of exploring the Narlmarches, and they are gone for some days now. They rode out the day you came here. Who knows when they come back..."
Svetlana even seems a bit worried, thinking about it for a second.
She then turns back to Tyr, smiling: "Thank you, by the way."
Leaning a bit closer and speaking a bit quieter she adds: "Oleg doesn't say a word about you cutting down the ... corpses, and he probably would have let 'em hang there until the rope gives, but I'm glad they have been put to rest."
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Boris and Pjotr are quick to help Agerron dig a grave in the soft ground of the Narlmarches. You manage to get just deep enough when you hit the subsoil water level.
The two hunters gladly stick around and accompany you on your way north to the trading post.
Tyr nods, his expression remaining neutral.
"So, these others are expanding upon their charters?" He asks, his approach to the conversation slow, methodical and thorough. Much like his approach to his workings around the outpost.
"Oh, I don't know much about that charter, but I think exploration is the main mission of it. Don't you have one as well?" Svetlana asks, curious.
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"Aye, gaining the charter was a definite change in my life," For a moment Tyr smiles wistfully at some memory or idea, then just as quickly resumes his sombre reserved demeanor. He looks at Svetlana,
"These...Others. Could you describe them to me?" He asks.
"Oh, I don't know much about that charter, but I think exploration is the main mission of it. Don't you have one as well?" Svetlana asks, curious.
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Yup, just riding as much as possible.
Svetlana gives Tyr a short description of the members of the group, as far as she knows them. She then let's the human do whatever he tasks himself that day.
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Riding out for the rest of the day you manage to cover 16 miles, with some stops to eat and such things.
On the afternoon you ride past the Thorn River camp (which is still unused) and close to sunset you come to the edge of the explored map Queslin drew.
Knowing your surroundings again, you estimate one more full day of travel to Olegs.
Luck has it that nothing happens during the following night and you can sleep peacefully.
Even though Big Ern's disease is worsening, it's not that bad and the nights rest alleviates his suffering just as much.
The ride northeast is easy as well, and after covering the first 12 miles you get out of the forest and have only plains left for the remainder of the day.
"I...I think I pooped my pants....you guys are gonna have to...wipe..."
Boris and Pjotr look at Big Ern in disgust, but Boris does what he can to help the man overcome his sickness.
... though it's not really helping either.
Big Ern gets weaker and weaker over the course of the day, the red spots covering his skin nearly completely now.
Come evening you finally see the old forts walls appear behind a hill and you let the horses run that last distance.
Kesten Garess and his men greet you from the walls and open the forts gate for you. Seeing you coming back without your comrades Kesten assumes the worst and asks how you lost them, once he is down from the wall and you had time to take care of the horses.
Oleg and Svetlana join you, Svetlana bringing you a meal.
Tyr comes forwards to see what the commotion is about. At the viewing of the returned adventurers, and the subdued welcome they receive, he gathers that not all is well and so stay back from the proceedings.
Tending to the horses and unloading things for the troop so that they can take it easy after their trials. Upon catching sight of the big fellow wh0o's really doing the worse for wear, Try frowns and tries to have a quiet word with Oleg, or any of the returned adventurers.
"The fellow who's ill. How long have the group been around him? Is he contagious? Should there be a quarantine?" He asks, knowing how quickly infectious troubles can spread amongst enclosed spaces such as ships of camp sites from his father's recounting of such tales.
Big Ern flops into bed and barely moves.
Boris and Pjotr look at Big Ern in disgust, but Boris does what he can to help the man overcome his sickness.
... though it's not really helping either.
Big Ern gets weaker and weaker over the course of the day, the red spots covering his skin nearly completely now.
Come evening you finally see the old forts walls appear behind a hill and you let the horses run that last distance.Kesten Garess and his men greet you from the walls and open the forts gate for you. Seeing you coming back without your comrades Kesten assumes the worst and asks how you lost them, once he is down from the wall and you had time to take care of the horses.
Oleg and Svetlana join you, Svetlana bringing you a meal.
Agerron dismounts and greets Kesten. He tells him how everyone was lost, as he heads to partake in teh first hot meal in a while (and an ale or two, as well). "Needless to say, it's been a failure. And no matter what we do, Ern seems to do nothing but get worse. So we may lose another yet."
Agerron will make attempts to help Ern as much as possible.
with a +2 if there's a healing kit; Agerron will also purchase one if available
"The group's been here for ... close to three weeks. Last we saw them, the guy's been ill as well, but it wasn't that bad. The others seem okay though, so I guess it don't spread."
After seeing Big Ern's state of wear, Svetlana rushes to get father Kavken, who's already been in his bed.
The elderly man quickly dresses and takes a look at the sick explorer.
After checking him over and hearing of his symptomes and the progression of the sickness, he speaks:
"Yeth thith man hath a ditheathe. I think it'th called 'Red Ache'. It'th not contagiouth, if you don't get hith blood in a wound of yourth.
It ith not within my power to catht a remove ditheathe, but I can treat hith loth of thtrength, by cathting lether rethtoration. I can't do that today though."
Tyr nods at Oleg's assessment of Ern's malady then goes about his business at helping with whatever he can about the place.
During his travels he will nod in greeting as he passes to the group who've just come in out of the wilderness.
Big Ern does nothing all day except whine piteously for more food, more blankets, help with his bodily functions, &c.
Majet goes to rest in a proper bed doing her best to avoid Ern while she is at it.
Tyr does his best to come to Ern's aid....though the body thing has Tyr looking to the good Father for advice...
"What did the fellow touch to gather such an affliction?" He asks the Cleric, probably hoping to avoid such a possible fate himself.
Tyr does his best to come to Ern's aid....though the body thing has Tyr looking to the good Father for advice...
"What did the fellow touch to gather such an affliction?" He asks the Cleric, probably hoping to avoid such a possible fate himself.
Agerron comes and thanks the man who has been helping out. "I'm Agerron. What do you go by? And though I'm not complaining, what makes you so willing to help out a stranger? And they don't get much stranger than Ern."
Agerron looks Ern over a bit. "A bath. I think he needs one. Dirt and grime don't help when you got a sickness like this. Want to help me get him cleaned up? He shouldn't be much trouble, not in this state."
"What did the fellow touch to gather such an affliction?" He asks the Cleric, probably hoping to avoid such a possible fate himself.
Father Kavken shrugs his shoulders, but Kesten Garess answers: "All manner of things can inflict that upon you. From the descriptons I heard they fought Mites and their beasts at the time before that one got ill.
Those things dwelling in the deep are prone to having a disease or two.I think they were lucky only one really got sickened."
Father Kavken nods at that and prepares to go to bed again.
The bath of Big Ern is done quickly and with minimally warmed water, but it get's the man clean of sweat and whatever else clinged to his skin.
On the sunrise of Pharast 21st you see the priest of Erastil pray for his spells, and shortly thereafter he beginns his castings of lesser restoration:
Father Kavken then calls all wounded to gather around him, channeling divine energy into a wave of healing around him:
Tyr rises and helps out about the place as he has done for the time of his stay so far.
As the returned adventurers gather he moves to stand near by but does not yet join in, seeming content to watch and listen for now.
"Unnngh...much better Padre, thanks! If you think this means I'm goin' to church, pigs'll fly out o' my a*#!$!$ before that happens." Big Ern looks a bit more vigorous, although red blotches still cover his body.
He strolls over to Tyr and sizes him up with an appraising glance. "I haven't seen you before, Kid. You looking to be a legendary hero like yours truly?" He slaps his enormous belly with pride.
"I thought you wouldn't do that. Regardleth, thith wath a deed I did to your aid.
It might be the latht you get without having to pay for it." the old man answers.
Tyr remains silent for a moment, returning Ern's gaze neutrally.
"There were charters given out for people to do good things here." He replies, his gaze shifting to take in a glance indicating the land around them.
"So...I aim to make a difference." He finishes simply, offering a hand towards Ern.
"Tyr Thordinsjon." He offers the introduction and awaits a reply.
Big Ern gives Tyr his most bone-crushing handshake (sadly weakened by the effects of the Red Ache). "I'm Big Ern Krakenov. Somewhere around here are my sidekicks Stubby and Killer. We're also working on those charters. If you can swing a sword or an axe, why don't we join forces? Some of our old buddies are taking a permanent dirt nap at the moment, so there just happens to be an opening."
Tyr's face remains neutral and calm as he replies in kind to Ern's hand grip. He nods,
"I have sword and armor. Fighting along side yourself would be good." He replies simply.
Str check:
Big Ern winces and groans. "Oh...this damn Red Ache is driving me crazy! Listen, Kid -- don't ever do the nasty with a giant tick. It ain't worth it."
Tyr releases his grip and nods at Ern's wise words. He moves closer to the rest of the group and waits patiently for further conversation.
Tyr does his best to come to Ern's aid....though the body thing has Tyr looking to the good Father for advice...
"What did the fellow touch to gather such an affliction?" He asks the Cleric, probably hoping to avoid such a possible fate himself.
Agerron comes and thanks the man who has been helping out. "I'm Agerron. What do you go by? And though I'm not complaining, what makes you so willing to help out a stranger? And they don't get much stranger than Ern."
Agerron looks Ern over a bit. "A bath. I think he needs one. Dirt and grime don't help when you got a sickness like this. Want to help me get him cleaned up? He shouldn't be much trouble, not in this state."
"Hmmph." Agerron seems a bit offended at Tyr's slight and refusal to answer him ... "Another like the half-elf wench, I see."
Tyr pauses and looks to Agerron,
"What wench is that?" He asks the other fellow,
Tyr pauses and looks to Agerron,
"What wench is that?" He asks the other fellow,
"Former ... companion, I guess. Never cared for her much, honestly; felt she was too good to even talk to some of us. Tried to say hello, and she only replied in elven, even though she knew our language. Had no problem talking to some of the others, though. Whatever. She didn't make it past the plant that took out some of the others."
Tyr nods at Agerron's words, not really having anything to reply with. Thougyh he does go and see Oleg about acquiring an axe.
Oleg has a two handaxes and a battleaxe for sale.
Big Ern suggests a quick trip out and back to the south of the trading post might do him some good.
Tyr buys/barters/etc for the two hand axes and the battle axe. The goes about working out how to stow/carry all his gear with the new arraignment.