Dmitri felt disdain when he saw Dendarial bid his last words before leaving the group. He personally didn't have any problems with either men. With a small grimace, Dmitri signaled the others.
"We've got a job to do but we need to stay strong." Pulling the reigns on his horse, Dmitri aided the group in exploring the following hex.
Hadin is watchful, but stays silent after Dendarial goes on his own way.
Yes, we have a job to do, so shall we get to it
Tyanos merely shook his head concerning Dendarial. The elf was blind of the world and it's people, maybe it had something to do with always being in the wild and among your own kind alone. He was no stranger to ether himself (while his own did not like him much being physically weak as he was) but he was no hermit or unable to adapt.
"Better a farewell then a funeral as it's said. Onwards then."
The days journeys take a somber tone as Dendarial departs in the direction of Oleg's while the rest of the party banks to the southeast, headed for uncharted land. Having handed the map and his responsibility on the Swordlord's charter to the fellow elf (well, half-elf) in his company, Thomas took over the duties of the cartographer as the rolling plains rolled steadily by.
As the day grew long in relative silence and peace, soft cloud cover drifts across the sky. Though Tyanos smells it well before it reaches you, there is nothing to be done as the weather turns to a slight drizzle. Seems the gods themselves shed a tear for the loss of a traveling companion.
Dmitri noted how the journey without Dendariel seemed remarkably different. There was no conflict or repartee between his comrades. Perhaps it was too soon...
While clutching his cloak under the rain, Dmitri spoke up to the party.
"How goes the mapping? Are we making progress?"
Seeing the rain coming in, Thomas takes the time, and digs out his poncho.
The mapping goes about as well as I could hope. A bit more practice, and I think I will have the best part of it sorted out.
Hadin does his best to help his comrades, acting as a scout and hunter, taking responsabilities
So after this loop, I suggest that when we swing back to Olegs, we look at some of the jobs on the job board. I could use some money.
"More gold is always welcome, the question is what to do with it."
He kept alert regardless as he thought about what to invest in.
With the previous day's rains gone, you spend another day headed southeast. The rolling grasslands seem to grow at an incline, and in the distance you can see the grasses give way to larger, rolling hills. Just above the horizon, somewhere far to the east, you see the peaks of mountains long distant.
Night falls with a strange serenity--you begin to wonder if your journeys have been too quiet. Perhaps it is simply that you are more wary, havign lost the elven tracker. Or perhaps it is simply a testament to how far removed from the world you are--far enough that even the bandits of the Greenbelt dare not wander where you stand. But, having seen little more than wandering wildlife since the encounter with the living mound, it seems only a matter of time before something even worse rears its head...
After setting up his tent. He starts work on his armoured kilt again.
I keep expecting another shoe to drop, as it has been to peaceful
Dmitri took note of the silence and it didn't bode well with him. Silence usually meant that someone was laying in wait. As a hunter, one had to be ready.
"Aye, we...haven't had much happen since Den's egress. Perhaps...we missed something or we're blessed. Either way, keep your guard up." replied Dmitri as he was adjusting his gear.
"Sometimes things are quiet, just enjoy it. If their is one thing you can count on is life going on."
Let's hope we won't find more troubles...
If nothing happens, he will put breakfast on, and then work on his preparations while the party is getting ready.
After morning preparations, Thomas restows his tent and gear then sits down for breakfast.
So looking at this, we missed this area and should take a look.
finally!
Meh.
As you swing back westward, in the general direction of Oleg's, you continue across the vast plains of the Greenbelt. The first several hours of your journey proceed mostly uneventfully, until you crest a hill and see a gnarled thicket of creeping vines. A few dozen feet across, it seems the vines have grown up and around an old wagon--mostly decrepit--and decidedly caught in their grip. A few barrels and a small chest sit in the back of the wagon, though it seems the vines have grown through or into most of them.
Approaching a little closer, Hadin notes telltale signs of animal tracks. More than one, and decently sized. Tyanos, too, notes the particular odor that he's become quite familiar with in his wandering across the Greenbelt--it smells like the sort of place animals live.
Reigning up at a distance from the wagon, Thomas dismounts.
I wonder what we have here.
He slowly makes his way towards the wagon while looking around.
That's really strange. The wagon doesn't seem so old, does it? I mean, it should have take some time, years maybe, before the vegetation could grow so much around the wagon...
"It may be a animal den of some kind. Seeing as it's all old and worn, it does not seem worth it to look through. I say we leave it be. No point in killing animals or disturbing their home without reason."
He also preferred not staying around to give them a reason like invading their territory purely out of curiosity.
I am more curious of the chest and barrels on the wagon, and not so much the animals den.
"HM...." said Dmitri as he touched the ground and scanned for any signs near the wagon. Opportunities like this didn't come often and it may have seen foolish to dive headlong. Having been a hunter, Dmitri scanned the ground looking for what particular animal had been here.
Thomas stops aproximately 40' from the wagon, and then looks around.
Hoping off his horse to poke around the tracks, Dmitri quickly identifies the tracks as belonging to a boar. Possibly multiple boars.
Thomas quickly confirms this fact when he sees the snout of a boar peeking out from the thick, tangled growths. It does nothing to hide itself, but neither does it make any motion to attack. Still, you suspect the creature is well aware of your presence and probably not particularly happy about it.
We have boars
He backs up slightly, and indicates the boars.
"Well shall we be off. Wild boars are bad news all around, pain to fight and bad meat for all that work. Their doing nothing but living."
He did not feel like getting shredded by tusk or gored without real reason. Unless Oleg's suddenly started having boar raids, it seemed pointless to deal with the creatures. He reined in his horse to keep it facing away from the den, ready to bolt if the wild pigs charged.
"Fair enough. Perhaps our journey lies elsewhere. Onward!" said Dmitri as he urged his group to continue.
As he was saddled, Dmitri calls out to his ally Thomas.
"Thomas. How are we in regards to mapping? Are we making any progress?"
The mapping goes well enough. With more practice, it should go with no problems.
I was kind of hoping we could figure a way out on how to move the boars without hurting them.
He looks at the wagon frame as they ride along.
I wonder what is in those crates and barrels.
Though the temptation of a cart full of mysterious crates and barrels was strong, better sense won out as you leave the boars to their business. It's hard to tell, but you think they're somewhat relieved as you slowly back away, remount your horses, and head southeast.
Another day passes, leaving another section of the map filled in your wake and more uncharted rolling plains ahead of you. You ride on, mostly uneventfully, though you note that the plains seem to be giving way to more and more hills as you head southward. The tall grasses you've become so intimate with over the last week of travel fade away in several places, replaced with craggy rocks and packed dirt, swooping hills, and tough shrubbery.
Eventually you call it quits for the day and make camp, eager for a good slumber...
"Oh boy..first watch " said Dmitri as he stared into the void of darkness that blanketed the camp's perimeter. Times like this reminded him of his early days while surving on patrol. Not much has changed since then.
Chuckling softly, Thomas continues with setting up tents, and then starts work on his kilt.
Tyanos gets ready for the first shift and places his crossbow on his lap.
"You want to play cards or dice? I got them and you only need one free hand."
He pats his crossbow, making it clear he wasn't going to be any less alert.
Dmitri was surprised. He didn't take Tyanos for the fun type while being on patrol. Perhaps their friendship was blossoming or the merchant was bored. Either way, Dmitri couldn't say no especially when it came to cards.
"You're on." he said while clearing a space for cards. "So what card games to you know of?"
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Just as Dmitri settled down for game, rustling in the brush behind him catches his attention. Bounding to his feet and a hand on his weapon, he stares into the darkness for more signs of motion. Though Tyanos follows the ranger's gaze, he senses nothing that Dmitri does--and it certainly doesn't help that they're downwind from the movement.
A moment passes, and you begin to suspect it was nothing at all, when Dmitri catches sight of not one, but two sets of bulging eyes staring out at your group from the underbrush. The bluish little men they belong to are holding up jagged darts and moving to flank the group, but don't seem to realize they've been noticed yet...
Dmitri cursed under his breath as went to tap Tyanos.
"We've got company- Mites."
Carefully reaching for his greatsword, Dmitri made it seem like he was adjusting his seating. "I'll draw their attention while you signal the others." he said while Tyanos hopefully took his cue.
Tyanos not having rested yet or made use of his magical abilities in any major way saw no reason to restrain himself. Bad luck for the little monsters. He calls on a spell to reveal the creatures even more as well as give them a nasty surprise. With a word and gesture a blanket of gold dust falls over a few.
[ooc[Cast Glitterdust to catch the most enemies, Will DC 16 or blinded.[/ooc]
Taking a quick deep breath he yells.
"Ambush! Get uuuuuupppppppp!
Hearing the cry, Thomas drops the kilt he was working on, gets to his feet.
May the inheritor grant us the strength to prevail
BEST LUCK OP
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With a quick flash of magic between his palms, Tyanos sends the wave of golden dust over the mites. Their eyes go wide with the realization they've been spotted, and in and instant they scatter, managing to narrowly avoid blinding their huge, bulging eyes.
A pair of the creatures surge forward into the camp while another two peek out from the high grasses on either side of you, positioned to flank the campsite. Clearly upset with Tyanos' magic, the pair of dart-throwers aim their weapons at the sorcerer. The first falls short, landing decidedly in the campfire, while the second scores a hit and embeds itself in Tyanos' upper arm.
The other mites charge at Dmitri, taking his call to arms to heart. In squeaky, broken common, they shout back, "Die for Grabbles!" Their daggers flash across the ranger's thighs, drawing blood in several places...
Round 1!
Tyanos gives a the little creatures a threatening look as he ignores the pain as best he can.
"You'll pay for that, I am not someone you provoke."
He points at the mite that wounded him and a serpentine glowing figure darts through the air to strike it. Backing up to keep his distance from as many of the cretins as he can.
Several daggers sliced and penetrated the hunter's body. Bloodied and angered, Dmitri uttered a command.
"Foul menace!" roared Dmitri as he hefted his mighty blade and went to cleave the mite that wounded him. In one fell swoop, Dmitri rolled his weight into a strike aimed at dividing the mite.
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As the glowing warmth of Thomas' blessing falls over the group, the searing wrath of Tyano's magic flares across the campsite. The nearest of the dart-tossing mites gets struck clear between his bulging eyes, staggering backward in pain.
Dmitri follows suit, bringing his heavy blade to bear against the mite before him. With one swoop of the bastard sword, it cleaves through the tiny blue critter and leaves a pouring, bloodied wound where its arm once was.
In a panic, the others start screaming in a language that Tyanos almost understands--sharing some similarities to the Aklo he speaks, but not quite the same language.
The injured dart-thrower and his compatriot hurl their weapons at Tyanos before diving into the brush and seeking the most concealment the vegetation can offer. The surviving dagger-wielder glares up at Dmitri, whose blade is slick with the blue blood of him comrade. With a gulp of panic, he stabs for Dmitri's leg before fleeing at full speed.
Round 1 Continued:
Not about to let his target flee he sends another magical bolt after the mite he struck before.
"Don't let them escape, blue bastards will just try again."
Just as Dmitri brought his bastard sword back, one of the mites was trying to flee.
"No you don't!"
He could hear Tyanos above the melee.
"Copy that!" said Dmitri as he balanced himself for another strike. "Get this you blue devils, we're not to be messed with!"
Upon issuing his insult, Dmitri pulled himself towards another blue mite and went for one more strike.