Euron nods at Jamison, a look that shares the cleric's pain.
"Fey tend to be able to tolerate their games longer than their victims. Good thing Karthas wasn't slid into the water or else there might've been blood."
As he watches the others scramble up, Euron internally debates whether or not he should bring up leaving gifts for the fey - not because he doesn't want to share the advice - but because he's always wondered if leaving them gifts encourages them to follow a person around wanting additional gifts.
Finally, the druid decides to share the insight, letting folks make their own call on the matter.
"They say if you leave 'em a gift - I dunno, something shiny or something tasty - they might leave ye be..."
As he climbs up out of the river Tyr nods thanks to Jamison Walker, actually voicing said feelings as well,
"Thank'e." At the information about Fey he sighs.
"It is a long walk back to Olegs for cream. Is there any thing else sweet about? Some wild honey that we might be able to acquire?" At the words of honey, Tyr raises his voice even louder, an over done stage whisper, something he hopes might draw out the nearby Fey.
Once Eseldra, Cinders, Hiram, Jamison, and Tyr are pulled to stable footing, the layer of grease coating the pathway disappears and the hovering globes of light wink out of existence.
Mikmek rushes forward with a blanket to help dry Eseldra, but is disappointed to discover that the wizard needs no such assistance.
Hiram, Jamison, and Tyr huddle wrap themselves in blankets and huddle around the fire in an attempt to dry off. Shaking her head and rolling her eyes, Eseldra utters a mystical phrase and make a pass with her hand toward the three, and their clothing and blankets magically dry instantly. Then, with a huff and an irritated glance toward the surrounding trees, she ducks back into her monstrosity of a tent and promptly goes back to sleep. Holding his spear before him, Mikmek sits down in front of the wizard’s tent, glaring at the trees surrounding the campsite.
Surprisingly enough, the two captive bandits have slept through the entire affair!
The rest of the night passes uneventfully.
Wealday, Pharast 27 – Morning
The day dawns bleak and cloudy, with a chill drizzle falling from the sky. The companions awaken still somewhat exhausted from the earlier excitement of the wee morning hours. Fortunately, they have the promise of a warm, dry shelter at the Temple of the Elk to look forward to by the end of the day. Barring any unforeseen delays, that is.
4C: ;
Hiram chuckles to himself next to the fire.
"Well, as far as jokes go...that WAS a good one."
As his body warms up, Hiram laughs out loud with a deep belly laugh.
"The more I think about it, the funnier it is! Let's all be good natur'd about it 'eh? All's well that ends well."
He shakes his head, laughing a little bit more, and says louder to the forest.
"If there are fey out there, come join us around the fire. I am sure I could cook something for you, and we can enjoy the company out here in the wild. No need to be out in the cold!"
Hiram wakes just before sunrise, and breaks down his tent and packs his gear as the others are still sleeping. He moves about as quietly as he can, and starts to make breakfast over the fire.
He wrinkles his nose as he cooks the bacon a tad bit crispier than intended...and the eggs are burned at the edges.
He mutters as he saves what he can,
"It's not burned....just...blackened."
He shakes his head, laughing a little bit more, and says louder to the forest.
"If there are fey out there, come join us around the fire. I am sure I could cook something for you, and we can enjoy the company out here in the wild. No need to be out in the cold!"
Hiram receives no response to his offer, but is pleasantly surprised to find a fresh rainbow trout - gutted and cleaned - resting on a large leaf outside his tent in the morning.
Tyr awakens with the dawn and goes about his morning ablutions and preparations for the coming day.
Jamison wanders down by the creek, and can be seen kneeling and praying, ostensibly to Erastil for his guidance in the coming days and weeks.
Eseldra is in a foul temper upon waking up this morning. So foul, that she hasn't even bothered to stick her tail up inside her blouse. It's twitching like an irate cat for all to see. She nibbles on the burnt bacon and mutters something about maybe letting Mikmek doing the rest of the cooking from now on, totally unaware that she said that out loud. She ignores the rest of her breakfast and stomps off to take down her wretched tent, nearly snapping off Mikmek's nose when he comes over to try helping her.
Karthas walks over toward Eseldra.
"Ummm...Eseldra, I know you are upset, but your tail is twitching around...normally you are a bit more secretive about that part of who you are....Just a heads up."
Then the large, scarred barbarian slinks away before he gets hit.
Her tail goes rigid over her head and she slowly turns and glares at Karthas' retreating form. After a moment, she reaches behind herself and stuffs her tail back up inside her blouse.
Cinders watches Eseldra with interest in the morning, clearly very intrigued by the tail.
Despite the "blackened" state of the food, she actually seems to enjoy the meal immensely. "This is great, Hiram!" she comments. In response to Eseldra's comment about Mikmek cooking, she says, "Does he cook just as well or even better?" When Eseldra storms off, she glances at the food left behind, hesitates, then grabs it and eats it herself.
Tyr watches Eselda's morning tirade stoically, making no comment. He just as stoically eats his ration of breakfast, again keeping his thoughts to himself.
As the group packs up and looks about ready to head off, Euron quickly stops Hiram as the paladin appears to be ready to throw away the remains of the "blackened" breakfast.
"Whoa, hold up, our animals shouldn't be as discriminating as the others."
With that, the druid lobs some of the burnt eggs at Niko. The wolf leaps up, catching the eggs in his mouth and begins to smack on the food. With a hack, Niko drops the eggs on the dirt, and paws at it once, before pawing his face a few times.
"Hmm, well maybe the squirrels will eat it after we leave..."
From somewhere up high in a tree, an angry squirrel chitters at Euron.
Cinder is genuinely confused by the reaction to the food. "I don't get it," she comments. "This is great! It's not undercooked like most people do it. I love it!"
The companions break camp and head southwest through the forest. By noon the drizzle stops and the clouds dissipate, although the temperature remains chilly.
Guided by their excellent map, the group wends its way without incident along the winding game trails through the forest. Late in the afternoon they step into the clearing containing the recently re-discovered Temple of the Elk. The party members who have not been to the temple before gaze in awe at the sight
Ruined stone pillars partially line the eastern border of the clearing, while the western end is dominated by a looming, 100-foot tall ridge of stone. The side of the stone facing the clearing is carved in the likeness of an immense elk, its antlers sweeping down from its face to frame a 50-foot-wide cave entrance. A 40-foot-wide flight of stone steps leads up to the cave entrance. The elk face is thickly encrusted with layers of moss, but those who have been here before notice that the steps have been completely cleared of the vegetation that covered them previously.
A 50-foot-long oval pool of sparkling clear water rests in the middle of the clearing between the eastern pillars and the steps leading into the cave. A sense of peace and safety pervades the clearing.
”Back so soon?” A voice calls from within the cave. A moment later, a female half-elf dressed in hunter’s leathers descends the stairs, greeting the group with a warm smile and hugs for Eseldra, Karthas, and Tyr. ”And you brought friends! And supplies! And Mikmek?!” This last said with eyes raised questioningly toward Eseldra.
"But where are Harther and Berenkor?" she asks, scanning for the missing members of the Chartered Six.
"I see the shrine is looking a bit more in use these days."
Karthas smiles and returns Rani's hug, but his expresion changes a bit when answering the priestess's question.
"I am afraid the Chartered Six are no more, my friend, all that is remaining of our original band are what you see now. Our new companions have proven to be quite formidable though. Berenkor has decided to stay behind at Oleg's on a more permanent basis, and Harther has been called away by family obligations. I tried to convince Harther to stay, but had no luck in the matter."
A small grin returns to the barbarian's face.
"Allow me to to introduce you to our new companions, Hiram, Jamison, Cinders, and Euron....and of course Euron's friend Niko.", the Kellid says tossing a small hunk of dried meat to the wolf.
"Keep your eyes open though, Harther did say that he would be traveling through these parts as part of one of his familiy's trade caravans, so imagine that we will see him again someday."
Cinders gives a friendly nod when Karthas introduces her. When he has finished speaking, she indicates the two captured bandits. "We have also brought you two potential new workers. They have had a sordid past, but would like to try a new lease on life with honest work. They are eager to know if you have any such work available for them."
When Karthas points out Jamison, Rani will see that the big man has fallen to his knees, and is silently weeping.
As everyone approaches the temple, Euron looks up at the massive stonework. Leading Tunica by reigns, he comments "Looks like someone loved your grandpa, here". The elk snorts back at the druid, as if the joke were somehow funny. To the trained eye, however, the elk seems to have a little more swagger in it's step as they approach the temple.
With introductions given, Euron offers only a simple nod. Niko, however cannot resist meeting new people, and immediately rushes up to greet Rani. The wolf sits expectantly and politely at the woman's side, only breaking his longing gaze upward at her to catch a scrap of meat tossed by Karthas.
Eseldra's foul temper fades at a hug from Rani. "Yes, he just showed up at Oleg's and won't stop following me around. Frankly, it's annoying. It's good to see you well. More bandits had retaken that camp of theirs at the Ford, including these two."
Tyr smiles at the sight and greetings from Rani. He warmly hugs her in return.
Hiram taken back by the sight of the temple, stands with his mouth open, taking in the sight of the whole temple.
When Rani comes out of the temple, he stares at her in awe.
He mutters,
"A priestess! Really! Karthas wasn't kiddin'..."
Hiram waits patiently while the others get reaquainted, and then he nods to Rani,
"Priestess...Rani, I sure would like to ask you a whole bunch of things, but I have animals that are tired and need unloadin'. Where d'you want these here supplies?"
Jamison gets up, his eyes still wet. He wipes them with his sleeve.
Well, if that ain't the damnest thing ah ever did see... th' spirit o' Deadeye is surely here, in this place, ah'll be...ah'll be.
Jamison makes his way to Rani, hoping to make an introduction.
Beg pardon, missus...er, yer holiness, er... priestess Rani, fer my display, there - ah jus' ne'er did see a real temple t' 'Rastil afore, or a real cleric o' Him, either, fer that matter...he's mah patron, don'tcha see, an' ah'm just a mite bit taken aback by this amazin' place o' yours. Most beautiful place I ever did see, may Deadeye 'imself strike me down if'n ah'm lieing.
With this outburst over, the huge man falls silent, his eyes once more lifting up to the enormous elk set into the hillside.
Tyr goes about helping unload the suplies for Rani and the temple.
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"I am afraid the Chartered Six are no more, my friend, all that is remaining of our original band are what you see now. Our new companions have proven to be quite formidable though. Berenkor has decided to stay behind at Oleg's on a more permanent basis, and Harther has been called away by family obligations. I tried to convince Harther to stay, but had no luck in the matter."
"Allow me to introduce you to our new companions, Hiram, Jamison, Cinders, and Euron....and of course Euron's friend Niko.", the Kellid says tossing a small hunk of dried meat to the wolf.
With introductions given, Euron offers only a simple nod. Niko, however cannot resist meeting new people, and immediately rushes up to greet Rani. The wolf sits expectantly and politely at the woman's side, only breaking his longing gaze upward at her to catch a scrap of meat tossed by Karthas.
”I’m sorry to hear that our group has disbanded,” Rani says upon hearing the news regarding the departure of Berenkor and Harther. ”But I’m glad to know that you all are still carrying on our quest to bring security to the Greenbelt. It is a pleasure to meet you all. You are all welcome here at the Temple of the Elk.” Rani reaches out a hand to ruffle the fur between Niko’s ears.
Cinders gives a friendly nod when Karthas introduces her. When he has finished speaking, she indicates the two captured bandits. "We have also brought you two potential new workers. They have had a sordid past, but would like to try a new lease on life with honest work. They are eager to know if you have any such work available for them."
”B-b-beggin’ yer pardon, M-m-mistre…er… Priestess,” the bandit who revealed so much about the Stag Lord’s operation stammers. ”M-mah name’s Dorn, an’ this ‘ere’s Bregan. Like th’ lady there says, we both worked fer th’ Stag Lord, but we both aim ta give up that life. Ah ain’t much good a huntin’ er trappin’, but ‘m a fair hand at buildin’ an’ offer mah help with restorin’ Ol’ Deadeye’s temple here, if’n ye’ll have me.”
”An’ Ah know a bit ‘bout stoneworkin’, Ma’am,” Bregan adds. ”If’n ye give me a chance, Ah can see ‘bout repairin’ them steps there.”
Rani gives the two former bandits a long, considering look. ”We’ve had good luck helping others who seek redemption to find it. If my friends trust your word enough to bring you here, then you and your offers of assistance are welcome.”
When Karthas points out Jamison, Rani will see that the big man has fallen to his knees, and is silently weeping.
As Jamison kneels and gazes upon the Temple, he notices Jhod Kavken has also fallen to his knees nearby. Eyes closed and head bent, Jhod whispers a prayer so softly Jamison can barely hear.
Hiram waits patiently while the others get reaquainted, and then he nods to Rani,
"Priestess...Rani, I sure would like to ask you a whole bunch of things, but I have animals that are tired and need unloadin'. Where d'you want these here supplies?"
”Of course! Here, let’s unload the supplies next to the stairs, where they’ll be sheltered by the rock,” Rani says, leading the group to the indicated location. ”The animals can take shelter here, too. We can camp within the Temple this evening – the interior is one massive chamber surrounded by several smaller caves. There’s enough natural ventilation so we can build a large fire to take the chill off without smoking up the place. Tomorrow Jhod, Dorn, Bregan, and I can sort through the supplies and get to work. Thank you so much for bringing supplies so quickly!”
Working together, the group quickly secures the supplies and animals, and soon a large campfire is blazing merrily within the large natural chamber that looks out over the stairway and the clearing below. Rani, Karthas, Eseldra, and Tyr regale their new companions with tales of their exploits within the Greenbelt – many of which they heard a couple of nights before as told by Berenkor the gnome. As the evening winds down, Rani turns to her friends. ”So, where to next for the mighty explorers of the Greenbelt?” she asks with a smile.
"Euron, I believe Harther gave you his map...let's have a look at that. Hmmm looks like we've yet to explore the area due east from here, perhaps that should be our next stop, and head south from there."
Jamison nods in agreement.
If'n we're tryin' t' explore thsi whole area, ah reckon that'd be a wise idear, yep.
The druid nods his agreement. "It's 'bout time we started exploring!"
Eseldra adds her consent to that direction, although she rarely has an opinion on which direction to go (she has opinions on everything else, but she'll leave choice of direction to the explorers in the group).
Before leaving that next morning, she quietly goes to Rani, out of the kobold's hearing, and asks her pleadingly, "I don't suppose there's any way, any at all, that you could use, no, let me rephrase...that you desperately need Mikmek here with you at the Temple? You know, to stand guard over these bandits, or...help you break stuff..."
The companions make their plans for the next day's exploration as the evening winds to a close. Rani assures the group of their safety within the Temple, and they each find a place to lay their pallets near the warm campfire.
The stink of moldering plants and a strange quiet in the sound of birdlife surrounds a somewhat sunken clearing in the woods. At the center of the clearing, the soggy ground becomes an insect-infested, stagnant, swamp-like pond, and sprawled at the pond’s far edge is what appears to be a dead horse. As you move around the pond, you see that the creature is a dead unicorn, its horn broken off at the brow and missing. The unicorn's body is strangely untouched by insects or other necrophages. The stink of mold comes not from the body, which is weirdly odorless, but from the fouled water of the pond.
From your vantage point, you can see no obvious sign of the cause of the unicorn's death, although the creature’s eyes are milky and sightless, indicating the unicorn was blind at the time of its death. The entire scene exudes a sense of wrongness, as though the unicorn's death is an affront to the natural order of the woodland.
A well-appointed hunters' lodge stands on the edge of the forest. A 15-foot-tall statue of an elk-headed man stands near the lodge, facing west with a glorious view of the sunset over the hilly plains beyond. Standing near the statue, you feel a sense of peace and safety that pervades the setting.
Years pass in the blink of an eye. A fire burns the lodge to the ground and the forest reclaims its remains with centuries of growth. Yet the statue of Erastil remains - a silent sentinel guarding a site that remains sacred to the god of the hunt. Throughout all the years, the peace and safety of the god of community remains in the presence of the statue.
Tyr speaks quietly to his companions through the night, though he mainly goes about helping silently.
Oathday, Pharast 28
The morning dawns crisp and clear. Rani and Jhod fix a hearty breakfast for the companions using some of the supplies brought from Oleg's.
...[Eseldra] quietly goes to Rani, out of the kobold's hearing, and asks her pleadingly, "I don't suppose there's any way, any at all, that you could use, no, let me rephrase...that you desperately need Mikmek here with you at the Temple? You know, to stand guard over these bandits, or...help you break stuff..."
"It's the strangest thing," Rani replies to Eseldra's entreaty. "But Mikmek came to me last night and asked if he could stay here at the Temple...He's actually interested in learning the ways of Erastil!" A look of subdued panic crosses the priestess' face.
Indeed, the entire group is surprised at breakfast when Mikmek announces his intention to remain at the Temple. "Big-feet Hunter God did more for Mikmek than Ol' Sharptooth ever did," the kobold explains. "Mikmek stay with pretty big-feet priestess Rani. Learn ways of Hunter God and take back to Sootscales."
After the group finishes breakfast, the companions ready their mounts and say their good-byes. Rani promises that they are always welcome at the Temple of the Elk, and reminds them to make their way back to the Temple if they need her or Jhod's assistance.
Again guided by their excellent MAP, the companions travel due east through the area they explored less than a week ago. Around noon they realize they have entered the next area that they need to explore .
Hiram watches on as Rani and Jhod cook, almost as if he is taking mental notes. Ahhh, they take the eggs off BEFORE they start to smoke...got it...
"Mikmek, if you should even need help, either in bringin' the wisdom of Erastil to your people, or trainin' either as a warrior or a farmer, you let me know. I would help anyway, but your new quest makes me happy!"
He picks up Mikmek in a fit of emotion, and hugs him tight!
"Keep the faith, Brother Little Feet!"
As the group travels on, Hiram looks as if he is struggling with something.
"Y'all sleep well last night?"
Ah did, thank'ee fer askin', Hiram. Had the durndest dream, though, sure did. Dreamed of a statue of Ol' Deadeye, standin' watch on the wilderness. Ah do wonder if somethin' like that is t' be found 'round these parts. Course'n ah'll keep muh eyes open, mayhap we'll run into it. You?
Survival (Aid Other):
Perception:
Tyr gives Rani a firm handshake by way of pleasant goodbyes. To Mikmek the big fighter kneels down, places a hand on the Kobolds shoulder and says,
"You will do well Mikmek. Remember, you and your tribe have allies here with us." He stands turning and walking back to the explorers, not quite able to hide a smile at Rani's happy yet pained look of having the small scaled warrior about.
Eseldra lets out a squeal of delight, totally unheard of before from the sombre elf. Conscious of several eyes on her, she coughs a bit and says, "Oh, Rani, that is excellent. Passing on the ways of Erastil will go a long way to insuring the continued non-violence of the kobolds."
Though it's hard to tell, those of you with better-than-average hearing could swear that Eseldra was humming to herself as you make your way back into the wilderness.
"I get the impression she didn't like the kobold much," Cinders comments to anyone nearby.
She then goes up to Rani. "Thank you for your hospitality. I am not a follower of your faith, but I recognize the good work you are doing. May the light of the Dawnflower be upon you."
At JW's description of his dream, Hiram gets suddenly somber. His mouth forms a tight frown, and he looks at his feet.
"Not so JW, I had somethin' akin to a nightmare. Dead forest, rottin' swamp, and a dead unicorn...it was all so wrong...it was all so...un-na-natural."
He stutters the last word as his whole body shivers under his clothing and armor. His teeth rattle a little as his shoulders quake.
As everyone heads out again, Euron grins upward at the sky. The druid never liked to stay in one place for too long.
Survival*:
Perception:
* including the +1 from the wayfinder.
At a couple key points, the druid pulls his elk to a stop, unfurls the map and makes some scribbles on it. He nods to himself, showing his work to Karthas as he taps a couple of his renderings of landmarks with a stubby finger.
4De: ;
4Dx: ;
4Dn: ;
Shortly after entering the area that they need to explore, the party discovers a sizeable creek that quickly leads them to the heavily brambled western bank of the Thorn River. The skilled explorers make excellent time exploring the forested region on the western side of the river, repeatedly returning to the river bank in hopes of finding a ford or at least a slower moving stretch of water that they can swim across.
As evening approaches, they find just such a place in the southern portion of the territory – a wide expanse of calm water with a surface as smooth as glass. The water is not shallow enough to be considered a ford, but the stillness of the water will make it an easier place to swim across.
Searching for a suitable campsite, the group stumbles upon a forest clearing not far from the potential river crossing. Near one end of the clearing is a small thatch-roofed stone hut that nature is slowly reclaiming.