As you leave Granmaster Torch and exit the sewers a man of Garundi descent who walks with a cane waits for you where you exit. He waves briefly and says "Ah you must be my escorts, I was told to meet? I am Nester Rees, pleased to make your acquaintance." He flips his wrist and does a slight bow.
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"We can stop by the `Henchman on our way out. Ol'Fergus should have what we ne..." his statement trails off as the Garundi man greets them.
"Greetings Nester, good to meet you I'm Olik Vogenson." Olik states in his usual friendly manner. He offers the man his hand as he sizes him up.
"We were just on our way to grab some provisions before setting out. Is there anything you need?"
Nester stands with a small pack over his good shoulder and pats it "Nah, I've got what I need." Looking at him you note he is wearing leather armor, but you don't notice any weapons, unless you consider his cane a weapon.
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"It would probably be best Tess. The trek through the mountains will be cold, especially at night. My best guess is that it will take us a week to walk to the northern shore. Come I'll introduce you all to Fergus. Nester why don't you join us, I'd hate to lose you before we even left the city proper. Ha!" Laughing at his own joke he gives one of the hearty thumps on the shoulders the rest of you are so familiar with.
When you reach "The Overburdened Henchman" you note a warbling bird sound as you enter. "Fergus is a bit of a bird lover. Had a mage set an alarm spell on the door that sounded like one to let him know when people came in. Not sure what kind it is though and the ol'git won't let on. Says maybe if I spent more time listening and less time flapping my lip I might have fingured it out by now!"
After walking in Olik starts pointing out various parts of the shop to anyone who hasn't been there before. After a moment he excuses himself and heads over to speak with a man almost as tall as the Ulfen is though not so broad. "Horatious, how are things with the defender of home and hearth?" you hear him call out as he greets the man. The two speak for a few minutes and anyone nearby can hear mention of Irrisen, goblins and druids floating about. After a short time the man wishes everyone Erastils blessings on the mission and departs.
Turning to the shopkeeper Olik says, "Fergus my friend, let me introduce you to some great friends of mine..." Olik goes through introductions and then continues, "So for this outing we'll be needing some cold weather gear and plenty of provisions. Also some might need bedrolls."
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"I'll go ahead with him, Olik has my shopping list so I have some free time. Speaking of which Olik, you wouldn't happen to have some room in your backpack. A few trinkets, but I feel the burden of mine is beginning to slow me down."
Tamarie looks Olik in the eyes, says something in Elvish he *definitely* hasn't been taught yet, and raises the corner of her mouth slightly.
"Please...?"
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"I think they appreciated the chance to look through the papers. And I'm glad that they didn't ask too many questions about what we were doing. Maybe they already knew, but I'm not too eager to get in the middle of the squabbles of the leadership."
"What of you, friend? I think we've met most of the factions now. If you don't mind discussing it, are you finding any affinity with any of their philosophies? Ah! Did you sneak back to visit the Cheliaxian temptress? Ha ha!" Jirani laughs at the idea.
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"I'm glad to hear it brother. I know you seek acceptance with your countrymen and I hope you are able to find it. You're a good man and they would do well to see that."
"As to myself, it seems to me most of these factions are just concerned about using the Lodge as an arm of their own nations government. The Silver Crusade seem a good enough lot but a bit purist for my tastes. Of all of them the Grandmaster seems to have the right of it to my mind. With all this politicking and hidden agendas someone needs to look out for the members of the Lodge so we don't become pawns to a bunch of spoiled power brokers who could care less how much blood washes their way to more power so long as it's not their own. But perhaps his work has already been done, or at least the seeds planted and it is time for the Shadow Lodge to do it's work from within the Lodge proper. I think I will try and keep those idea alive within the Grand Lodge itself."
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"Glad to have you on our team Olik. I was thinking about the same. The Pathfinders are in my opinion best served by having others that are watching their backs. I would be honoured to see you rise together with me in the ranks of the Grand Lodge, and ensure the safety and prosperity of all those of the Society!"
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"Well put. I am beholden to my countrymen, and I hope their interests won't come into conflict with those of the Society at large or my personal morals. It seems the Society does good work on the balance, but, as you say, the hidden agendas is a bit disconcerting."
"I suppose it's only to be expected, though, with such a large organization. I think there's only a couple groups that concern me, and I think they're the same ones that would give pause to any of our teammates. I feel our team is lucky to have stayed as cohesive as it has. I hope we can continue to work together often after this trip."
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"It does seem like the Society is full of people with other priorities." Malik comments. "I am lucky that I am not beholden to anyone - except the people I share danger, and maybe a cup of wine with." he says with a companionable smile. "And I can't say I find any of the factions all that worth eliciting favours from."
After taking time to prepare and get supplies you meet up and head out of town with Rees to start out on your journy. You head out of the northern gate and travels north on a road leading into the Cairnlands. The Cairnlands, a broken landscape of blood-salted earth and the ruins of countless failed assaults on Absalom’s walls, soon yields to open fields and fertile ground. Ahead, a vast forest covers the foothills of large range of snow-capped mountains. The well-trodden road soon ends at a tall wall of trees, signaling the end of civilization.
As you approach the woods, you all hear the distinct sound of hooves galloping through the woods. Suddenly a group of three creatures with the head and torso of men, but the lower halves of horses, break through the trees and hail you. One of the three steps forward to speak with you "Hold travellers! These woods are not safe. What brings you to these parts?"
The lead creature bows slightly "I am Urdel Thunderhoof. Recently, a mysterious predator has entered the woods here, threatening our tribe‘s food supply, so the tribe has sent us" he motions to the others behind him "its most skilled hunters to defeat this beast. We hunt a large cat, like a panther. This cat is no simple animal, for just two days ago we felt the cat’s presence as if it were herding us into an ambush. If you come across the beast please kill the predator."
He motions to one of the others and says "ມືຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຫມາກໄມ້ປ່າເມັດພິເສດແລະອາວຸດພິເສດ.", the other creature pulls out a small pack and hands it to Urdel. Who in turn lays it out on the ground before you. "May these help you on your journey." Inside are 8 nutritious looking berries and a well crafted spear.
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"Thank you Urdel, your generosity does your clan great honour. We will repay it in full if we come upon this creature. If not then I hope Desna smiles on your own hunt. He pauses a moment and then asks "If I might be so bold, would your clan welcome a visit from an outsider? I would greatly like to trade tales and learn more of your people when our duties are done."
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Jirani bows when the centaurs approach, but lets Olik speak for the group until he thinks of a couple questions. "What can you tell us of this clever predator? Does it hunt during the day or night?"
Jirani bows again as the centaurs offer the berries and spear, and adds a non-intrusive thanks with Olik's.
"And have you seen any other 'travelers' in the last few days? Before we left Absalom, we were warned that some bandits may have recently taken refuge among these woods."
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Malik smiles and is quite friendly with the Centaurs. He lets the others speak to the matter of the predator, but he thanks them for their warnings. "Your concern does your tribe credit. We will be happy to help rid your land of this evil if we come across it. I suspect it will search us out, however, so we will be extra cautious, thanks to you." he says.
Urdel responds to both Olik and Jirani "We would welcome an outsider if he had something to offer the tribe in return for it's hospitalities. Of course, we would add someone in need, but it is our custom to host guests who seek to help the tribe in some way, otherwise, we see to our own and stay out of the affairs of the others on this island." Turning to Jirani "There isn't much more to say other than what I already mentioned. Of course, it does seems much smater and capable than you would except from a panther so I would advise caution. As for others, there were some travellers that set out across the mountain some time ago. I know nothing of the outcome of their trip. Generally the forest here is pretty safe, as well as the mountain path. However, if you stray too far from the trails things can become more dangerous."
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Jirani gives another polite bow as the centaurs depart. "Maybe I'm just being paranoid again, but I don't know whether to be more cautious of this panther or the travelers they mentioned. I'll carry the spear unless someone else wants it. It's not magic, is it?" he asks Tess. Reflecting his caution, he draws his sling and loads a bullet. He follows Tamarie, the loaded sling swaying in his free hand in time with his steps.
The centaurs head off into the forest, after the sound of their hoofs is gone you continue on your way. After some time walking, as afternoon starts to set in, the sound of running water echoes ahead, and several muted beams of light pierce the thick forest canopy. Soon the dense forest opens, revealing a river that blocks the way forward. A large felled tree trunk offers a way over the swift moving river. With the exception of the rushing sound of the water, an eerie silence pervades the area, as does the fresh smell of death. The half-eaten carcass of a large deer stains the forest’s foliage near the fast moving river.