"Very good Sir! My thoughts exactly. I hope to purchase the used barrels from Ebonwoods and use them for Chardonnay. I've always been curious how that would taste."
"Alas, it is nearly time to set camp, and that means a good deal of work for me. I will speak more with you both in the morning. Good night."
With that, Ser Maegar Varn wheels his horse and begins the preparations for camp and dinner.
Within the hour, camp is well established and dinner, camp stew, is cooking over many fires.
Ser Varn is kept very busy with plans and meetings with his advisers: unfortunately, he will not have time to speak to you tonight.
Your group is given the use of three, two-man, tents.
You know there will be plants and animlas where you are going. They will fit in with the surroundings. :)
The engineering doesn't really come into play yet, sorry you rolled so well for nothing :(
However! You know that bandits must live somewhere and the woods make the most tactical sense. It also means that they either have a proper fort or they have a secluded camp of some kind. The former means it should be no trouble finding them. The latter means that the wildlife will be scarcer the closer you get. From your time as a soldier, you know that such people will try to avoid battle on open ground. Especially when they see Theodric and his lance...
You also realize that while Varn is a knight, he is not a Swordlord.
You hear a great many rumors!
"Some of the bandits wear silver amulets that resemble a stag's skull because the actually belong to a secret cult that worships a hideous animal demon."
"There used to be a bridge crossing the river to the southeast of Oleg's, but the bandits destroyed it and most think they killed the old bridge keeper too. Davik Nettles his name was; they say he haunts the place now."
"Bandits aren't the only things causing trouble in the Kamelands. There are tribes of kobolds and mites in the area too, and while they aren't as much trouble as the bandits, their presence makes settling the land less desirable."
"The primary trade route from the River Kingdoms to Brevoy is the East Sellen River, a major waterway that runs through a swampy region to the west called the Hooktongue Slough. This route has been closed for months due to increased violence from the local Boggard tribe. Hopefully they don't move east into your new backyard!"
"A group of evil monks and priests of a lesser-known goddess of hatred, extortion, and spite, once dwelt on the northern shore of the Tuskwater to the south. I bet there are still cultists out there, and they're the ones behind this rise in banditry!"
"People used to say that a unicorn lived in the southern Narlmarches, but sightings have dropped off in the last few months. I wonder if the bandits drove it off. I sure hope nothing's happened to such a beautiful creature."
"Taldan colonists tried settling the Greenbelt once before. They failed, but it was not for lack of resources. There are reports of a large deposit of gold somewhere in the hills."
"An old friend of a friend's friend had a brother what went missin' in the Stolen Lands a while back. A wizard 'e was, and I'll put next week's wages that his spellbook is out there just rotting in a ditch somewhere. Isn't that just a darned shame!?"
While Dyrm listens to any response the others make about the subject of luring human women to budding cities, later, when the carriage stops, he makes his way out and looks about.
He'll aid in the setting up of camp, unless he's told not to bother. He eyes the tents with an almost professional eye. They'll do the job. Then he sniffs the air, the scent of a meal intriguing him.
" Well I hadn't thought... That is..."
Cromwell seems at a loss for the turn of conversation has confused him.
Hadn't given a thought of how to get settlers to come here. Let alone single women, for the men who might join. I will have to ponder this some.
He quiets down and loses himself in thought until they reach the camping area.
Once camp is set up he will make himself useful by going around and healing or otherwise helping those in need. He listens and doesn't speak much except when asking what he might do to help.
he gathers what info he can.
Kern similarly makes himself useful with near continuous castings of Mending and Prestidigitation. He seems to be doing this by rote, like a long worn in nightly routine.
If he sees something broken or soiled, he doesn't generally think to ask (unless someone is actively working with the object), he just casts and moves on.
Lanya walks down the camp, listening in on some conversations, flirting with some of the soldiers, asking questions about the Greenbelt. The amount of information and rumours she gathers is astounding, she has a hard time keeping track of everything in her small notebook.
When she eventually comes to the three tents that are reserved for their party, she tries to help with setting up the tents.
As the other members of the group gather around she'll say.
"The middle tent is mine and Gliadel, for obvious reasons." she winks towards the men.
"I have heard a large number of rumours and stories about the Greebelt, very interesting they are. Also concerning Dyrm's point of getting more people, men and women alike towards the Greenbelt. Besides bandits, we should clear the area of other troublesome creatures, like mites and kobolds that are apparently living in the area.
Of course I suspect that the most adeventurous men and women will come first when they learn there is a reasonably safe haven established in the Greebelt, families should come later when real settlements emerge."
As evening begins to fall, once he has made the rounds at the camp, Kern will help in setting up the tents, and then sit down at the fire.
"So, by any chance are any of us studied cartographers?"
Dyrm nods at the mention of the sharing of a tent between the ladies. He himself didn't care much who his own tentmate would be.
"Kobolds and mites, you say? Ja, ve vill vant to clear dem if they are threatenink der land as vell. I do not supoose you haf heard any rumors of dwarves in these areas?" He doubt she did. If there were more dwarves, there would likely be fewer kobolds and mites.
At Kern's question, he shakes his head, "Nein, not I."
"I have studied maps to some degree recently," Gliadel says, having cast Know Direction a few times on the journey here. She begins to sketch a rough map on the ground with a stick, showing their journey thus far, and the relationship between where they are and where the Greenbelt is fairly accurately.
After tending to his horse and removing his armor, Theodrin heads to the campfire. Ignoring whatever conversations his comrades are having, he rudely buts into the conversation and says "Ser Varn has surprisingly good taste in wine! Also, he tells me that he's heard these bandits are relatively well organized. Their leader clothes himself in animal hides and calls himself the Stag Lord. Ser Varn believes him to be quite dangerous."
"Apparently the trader who's trading post was mentioned in the charter knows more, and has been requesting additional troops from Brevoy for some time to protect him from these bandits. Oleg was his name. Perhaps we should check out his trading post before we do anything else"
"A bandit who names himself for a deer? Is he announcing that he is a coward?" Gliadel says. "If this Oleg is in the Greenbelt, then his trading post would be a good place for us to begin. Whether it is Kobolds or deer lords that we face first, they will know where there is need."
"With the local prevalence of Erastil, I suspect the 'Stag' in Stag Lord is meant to evoke an image of strength, rather than thoughts of venison."
"In any case, I agree that the trading post is a good place to start. The trader can hopefully give us an indication as to where the bandits tend to strike, and the post will be a convenient place to sell off anything we may recover from them."
Dyrm has gotten his own meal, and listens to the others for a moment, "Ja, thirded. Ve should speak to dis trader," He nods in agreement.
"Venison sounds fantastic right now, although this stew doesn't look half bad either." says Theodric as he eyes the simmering pot over the campfire. "We'll need to do something to supplement our rations on this trip eventually though. Any of you hunt? I've never had the patience for it myself."
"A little, though I am not the best hunter around. Sometimes is a matter of luck," Dyrm says between bites of stew, "Right place, right time, dumb animal."
Cromwell will stumble into the camping area weary and tired. He listens to the others for a moment then considers something, his head tilted to the side.
" I know nothing of hunting, save the price the Church paid the ranger who did it for us, alas. On the subject of the Trader Oleg, I agree we should most definitely speak to him, local knowledge will be very useful." He will pause for a second then continues.
"Erastil is a powerful patron , especially in rural places, the figure more than likely does represent strength around here.
Back to the Kobolds and Mites.... I have never encountered Mites, nor know what they are, But Kobolds , if treated properly, can be useful if weak allies. I have heard they can make decent miners, tho not on par with Dwarves, of course." He will finish with a nod to Dyrm.
Cromwell then eats a small bowl and retires to one of the tents, mumbling something about prayers at first light.
I hope my tent mate doesn't snore.....
Theodric spoons himself up a hearty bowl of stew and begins to eat. Between bites, he says. "Aren't Kobolds the ones who hate horses though? I'm not sure if I want allies who might eat Oscar. I'm surprised there are Kobolds in the Greenbelt though, I thought they rarely left their tribal home in the swamp."
Lanya listens on as the group converses around her, she slowly sips and eats from her bowl of stew, dipping a small piece of bread into it from time to time.
When she's done with her meal, she joins into the conversation again.
"The people in the expedition of Ser Varn think that Stag Lord is leader of a cult that worships a animal demon. I'm not the one to believe folk tales as easily as that, though he could maybe fight like a demon, so we should be aware of him when we face him."
"Actually Theodric, according to rumors there are many different creatures in the Greenbelt besides bandits, mites and kobolds. There are also 'other' evil cultists, ghosts, and boggards, on a lighter note though there also appears to be a unicorn living there and some wizard's lost spellbook."
She then stands up and goes to find the cook of the stew and thank him heartily for the meal. After that she returns to the group around the campfire.
After whispering brief prayers to the goddesses, Gliadel eats a little of the stew and sighs. If only these northern lands did not fear seasoning.
"So long as the demon doesn't show up to fight for him, I hardly see how it matters who he worships," She says thoughtfully, and then adds with an apologetic shrug towards Cromell, "Not that I do not respect the power of the divine, but a bandit is a bandit, whether he wears antlers on his head or not. Hopefully we will learn more at this Oleg's place."
"It seems that we are agreed that our best course is to bring civilization to the land by encouraging settlers, but there are six of us. We have no Varn to give a name to the town. It seems a shame to clear the land of mites and stag lords only to have it succumb to evil again."
"There are six of us now, but we can grow our company. The charter gives us total autonomy in the region so long as we can enforce it. You all are the ones who are saying we shouldn't kill all the bandits, perhaps we could conscript the repentant ones to the cause. Hell, maybe Dyrm or I could even duel the Stag Lord for his position as leader of the bandits and get a small army behind us. As for a town name, I think Theodricsburg would be a fine one. Don't you think it has a noble and righteous ring to it?"
Dyrm chuckles, "Ja, den I can put der antlers on mein head und risk getting shot by zome hungry hunter who sees none too well."
"I vill say this: I do not trust kobolds or uder evils peoplez. I do tink that maybe some bandits should be given a chance, but if we tell them to surrender before a fight, and they do not, I am not going to feel too guilty if they try AFTER they lose to do so if they end up facing harsh judgment. Repentence for losers is easy und often a lie. As for der city spreading..." He seems tempted to say something , then shakes his head, "Vell, maybe I vill give more opinions on dat later. Obviously, I vould vant to name any new town something Dwarf Sounding. Ve each haf our desires dere, but I vould hope my people would be welcome along vit more humans?"
"Of course your people would be welcome Dyrm, we need them to brew the beer. I for one would want our settlement to have ale that doesn't taste like watered down horse piss." There is a short pause before Theodric thinks to add "Not to mention all the other virtues dwarves bring to a community of course."
"Well, I vas about to point out ve dwarves do more than beer, but ja, human ale does often taste like vatered down horse piss so I guess I cannot blame you for hoping for help dere," The dwarf initially looked dubious, but apparently has decided to be amused, "though I think Cromwell vould be interested in help vit der walls and buildings. Many of mein people are fine masons."
Cromwell will poke his head back out of the tent.
"Theodricsburg? really? Hmm. Maybe Theo-dyrm-lan-glia-kern-well then. Or Abodaria!' he finishes with a grin.
" But really we should probably build it before we name it. Location sometimes is very important to the naming concept.
And yes Dyrm, I would love to have Dwarven craftsmen around to add to the architecture. Especially at the Temple. But good beer or ale is great too. Honestly I think we are putting our wagon before the horse as they say. we haven't even arrived yet.
good night all."
He will flash them a huge smile then crawl back inside to rest.
"Ja, Cromvell is right. Still, it is nice to dream. Rest vell, good priest."
Kern looks ready to pipe up with his opinions, but settles down as Cromwell speaks, nodding.
He stays up a bit longer, but eventually retires himself.
Before retiring for the night, Gliadel practices her sword dance, a swift and graceful series of movements that suggests for the first time to the group what she may be capable of. When she crawls into her tent, she wraps her blanket around herself and drifts off into an easy sleep.
Dyrm watches the dance, and notes the military moves hidden in the grace. He nods approvingly, more of the former than the latter.
"Good night then," He says to whoever may still be up after that, and goes to rest.
Being the last one awake, Theodric puts the campfire out before heading into whichever of the tents has the empty spot. Before going to bed he makes sure his sword belt and shield are within arms reach in case the camp should be attacked in the middle of the night.
Will be ready to go on two hours.
Lanya will be ready after two hours as well, she's already packed for the coming trip.
Gliadel, too, makes the rounds of the town, trying to pick up any information she can. Particularly about the Stag Lord.
|
You gather that the centaur of the Nomen Heights are powerful. The supposedly dispatch the unwary they meet on their plains. It is not wise to make sudden movements when a war party approaches. Those that do end up on their dinner tables. Those centaur that fall to age or battle are burried in style. There's probably lots of treasure in those cairns. Unfortunately, their haunted by undead centaur.
In the Stolen Lands, there is supposedly a tribe of extremely fierce lizardfolk. Thankfully, they are far to the south. You should not need encounter them for some time.
Likewise to the south, they say a green dragon has awoken and terrorizes the southern forests.
Kern approaches Ser Varn, holding out his hand in farewell, "We are well met, Ser. I wish you good fortune in your discussions or battles with the Centaurs, and we will keep you abreast of anything in the Greenbelt that may affect your settlement."
Feeling refreshed from a night sleeping in a comfortable tent, Theodric decides to try to pick one up for himself before he begins his journey.
It's not as if coin will do me any good in the woods. When was the last time a bear owned a shop
He also will try to pick up a couple last minute items he had forgotten about until now, a couple of whetstones to maintain his weapons with and a hatchet to cut firewood. If time allows he will go into the first tavern he sees and buy a mug of the cheapest ale on tap.
Cromwell will also wander around the town until it is time to depart. Having no money he just kind of meanders around listening to people and offering minor healing services for coin. ( Abodar is all about prosperity and trade after all.) He approaches it with tact however and makes an effort to seem honest and upstanding not beggarish.
(gather info)
(not to offend)
THe dwarf wakes up in his armor, and seems to have slept soundly. He goes to restock some food supply, clean his beard, and maybe see what the others are up to but he fully intends to be ready in two hours.
He does keep an eye out for fellow dwarves in the town. One day, they might be moving south.
"Farewell my friends! I hope to open a pass through the mountains and into the greenbelt by autumn. Until then, Send your letters up from Oleg's to Navikta's crossing and the follow the road south to Varnhold."
"May Cayden smile on your adventures!"
Dyrm approaches the other dwarves, "Greetingsk, I am Dyrm Dyrm Golka-Garess . If it not offend, I offer my labor for der next hour. I am not a proper smith, but I know sometink of engineering and have a strong back. I hope to hear anyting o worth you know of the Greenbelt. I am travelink vit mostly humans. They seem good folk, but they do not have der visdom of der people."
"Fare thee well Ser Varn, hopefully we will meet again when we have settled."
She then says more softly so as no others of her group can overhear.
"May the Savored Sting never be on your bad side. Good luck with the Centaurs Ser Varn."
She gives him a light heartfelt smile, she knows it is going to be difficult in the Nomen Heights for Varn, probably more difficult then chasing bandits in the Greenbelt.
She then turns and leaves with the rest of the group, separating ways with Maegar Varn and turning towards Oleg's Trading Post and the Greebelt.
Kern waits for the others, sheltering under an overhang with this mind resolutely pointed westward. He casts Prestidigitation while waiting, using it to clean and warm his gear.
Theodric exits the tavern just in time to see Varn and his company go.
"Good luck Ser Varn. Let me know how your experiment with the chardonnay and the Ebonwood barrels turns out.
After Varn's company leaves, Theodric then mounts his horse and proceeds to follow his companions.
Gliadel manages to rig up a passable shelter and maybe even get a bit of a fire going. She checks the direction to get an approximation of where they are.
"How far are we from Oleg's anyway?" she asks, peering out into the rain.
At first Cromwell seems to enjoy the walk in the rain but after a while the novelty wears off. He fingers his Holy Key every now and then but refrains from any actions, just continuing on in silence til nightfall.
"Here Gliadel let me help you with that."
He'll say coming over to help.
" I have no idea where Oleg's might be, I am horrible at geography."
Dyrm doesn't seem tired, and the dark doesn't bother him at all, but then he realizes, "Oh ja, I forget. You humans do not see to vell in der dark." The rain having got into his beard, it flops about a bit as he turns to look for a haven for the humans.