"So do you see anything Rod? This is your call, you are the expert on all things natural."
I hear grunting and thrasing around from up near our camp!
The sound is unmistakeably of a wild boar !!
Guys, sounds like a wild boar rummaging around in camp. . . . Hey, anyone know if critters *ride* wild boars ? Like more Kobolds ?
You are new to this area as is most everyone, so you haven't heard any stories specific to this area yet. Goblins you remember have been known to ride boars.
I shall venture forth
"Neither of us are very stealthy we would probably give you away."
@ Roderick
Roderick begins to pick his way back towards the noise, as he moves through a small copse of trees around the camp the grunting gets steadily louder and more furious.
As Roderick peers into camp he can't believe his eyes, the biggest boar he has ever seen is tearing apart Palom's bedroll. The boar is easily 15 ft long and 12 ft tall.
Boar Perception Check
The boar spins as Roderick watches on... apparently he hasn't been as silent as he thinks...
The mammoth of a boar lets out a furious bellows and charges Roderick in the copse of trees...
Help !! Help !!!
OnehugefrigginmonsterBoar !! OhmyGodhurry !
Roderick scrambles into the branches of the nearest tree and into the tree next to it moving as nimbly as possible away from the boar. The boar intent in his rage bashes through the trees near where Roderick was just standing and keeps going off into the grasslands.
Palom and Porom runs in search of thier imperiled friend.
"Come on Ram and Sarge, Rod is in trouble."
A few moments later.
"What you doing up in that tree? and why is our camp a mess?"
Ram follows Palom and Porum.
Due to the lack of response from the obviously scared ranger, Palom and Porom start cleaning up their camp and wait for the ranger to climb down.
Bout time you dung-catchers showed up. That thing was bigger than a horse !! I am going to track it down, and kill it.
wait. . . ripped down trees !?
Nevermind ! Sarge ! get over here !
As Rod climbs down the tree, he has obviously calmed down now that everyone else has showed up he notices a glint amongst the wreckages of the uprooted trees.
@ Rod
OOoh !! i am *on* the glint !!
Last into camp. . . intolerable !! I shall be more swift of foot next time !
Roderick has to move some of the smaller saplings and bigger branches from some of the trees but fishes a marevlous looking spear out of the debris, it has alot of blood on it's tip, fresh at the tip, and dry and crusted towards the base of the blade. Obviously this spear has been lodged in the boars side for some time.... smashing the trees down must have dislodged it.
"At first I did not believe you, but seeing ab loody spear in a splintered tree does make a convincing argument. I say we pack it up and ask Oleg about it later, lets finish surveying the area."
Palom marks down the location of the boar encounter on the map.
"Mount up boys we are heading back to the outpost. We need to talk to Oleg about the boar, resupply from anything that was broken up in this camp, and give the moonradishes to Svetlana."
Ram follows Paloms lead.
You travel back to the fort (uneventfully)
As you make it back to the fort unlike last time you notice there are more people about, including a very sullen looking man along with another fellow obviously guarding the open front gate.
Rod and Sarge follow. ready for a bed and a good meal !!
"Hail strangers and well met. Have there been anything new happen since we have been gone?", Palom looks over to Rod and Ram, "Why dont you two go talk to Oleg about that spear and the take the radishes to Svetlana."
Ram follows Rod to Oleg to ask about the spear.
Ram, you are the spearchucker in the group. Ask away !
"Oleg, in our recent journey, we came across a huge wild boar that almost ran over Roderick. In the boar's hasty retreat, it freed itself of this spear that Roderick found. Do you know of this spear, the boar, or who may have been trying to take down the boar with this spear?"
The 2 guards glare at Ram, Roderick, and Sarge as they enter but don't do anything to bar their way.
Palom and Porom stop to converse with them.... gruffly the more authoritative one says "Hail the name is Kesten Garess, we just got here 2 days ago ourselves, just after you left to survey. We are the patrol they had been waiting for, I brought 3 men and we are stationed here until further notice..."
Ram, Rod, and Sarge find their way to the inn, Svetlana smiles at they as they enter, and Oleg waves them over to the bar setting out some small beers.
Oleg says absentmindedly as he works "A boar you say, nothing too bad I hope." As Oleg catches a glimpse of the spear he gives you his full attention... "Let me get a closer look at that...I know I know that spear..."
"I do know this spear! Why if this isn't old Vekkel's spear, he lost his leg to a boar a year ago.... He's been screaming about getting that big guy if it's the last thing he does... Calls it Tuskgutter. We've heard rumors about a giant boar for years but never really took it seriously, we just assumed it was people just making up the one that got away stories... How big did you say this was? Vekkel said he will pay anyone who gets the boar, his bow and some of his special arrows. As well as some head cheese he is going to make out of it... Bet he will trade you his old hunting jacket or his sword for that spear. Want me to inquire for you? It will take about a week to hear back"
"All the sightings of the supposidly giant boar are 30-40 miles south of here, did you guys decide to look around instead of survey?"
"Yes, please ask Vekkel the details of his reward for this boar and any other extra information he can give us about the boar. Also see what he will trade us for the spear."
It was rummaging around in our campsite, this boar. It was easily 15' long, and 12' tall. Tore down whole trees. . . We shall hunt down Tuskgutter, for sure. ANd if you would not mind inquiring from Vekkel about the Jacket or sword. . .
Hail Kesten ! What news of your journey to the fort, and any activity since you got here ?
Oleg to Ram and Rod "I'll be happy to get any information, do you mind if we go ahead and send the spear his way, he'll be very happy to get it back? I'm sure he will send you something suitable in return, it's possible he will be so surprised seeing it again he will give you his sword and jacket" "As for the reward for his head, it's his old hunting longbow and some of his special arrows he was one of the greatest hunters around so I'm sure they are worth having."
Kesten to Roderick. "Do I know you? How do you know my name?"
Ignoring the now huffing and puffing ranger, who ran all the way here from Oleg's store to hear the end of the introductions. "My friend here has unusually sensetive ears and was running up when you introduced your self. It is a good question though. Any thing eventful happen on your way here, or need any assistance? We may find something you are looking for while surveying."
My apologies good sir ! I overheard you conversing with 2 of my traveling companions, Palom and Porom. I am Roderick Strongbow !!
"I heard about your scrape up with the bandits and for that I think you... Nothing of note has happened since you left other than word getting out that things are a little safer. Oleg mentioned we've seen more trappers than usual. My men and I are here for the duration, I have 2 out scouting now to make sure there is no trouble."
Kesten looks around and motions you to the side. "There is one thing you can do for me, I worked with a mercenary band a few months ago, and one of the bandits under my command ran out on us one night, and I hear he's a bandit now in these parts... If you were to find him and bring him back alive, there would be a reward in it for you. His names Falgrim Sneed. He will stand trial for what he's done, I lost a few good men because he turned on us."
"On bandits I tend to kill first and ask their names afterwards. Does he have any distinguishing marks or a certain look about him so we can recognize him?"
Ram takes Roderick with him to give Svetlana the moon radishes in secret after he drinks a cold one provided by Oleg.
Kesten describes in detail what Falgrim looks like.
Ram and Rod pull Svetlana to the side and provide her with the moon radishes.
"Oh my this is exactly what I needed, that's more than I expected, so I'll be making you all my special moon radish dish tonight too!."
Score !! I *LOVE* this place !!
I am on board with that.
Lets rock !