Tyanos confirms that the shiny dagger is indeed nice enough to be masterwork quality, but is unsure if its craftsmanship merits any more than the usual market value. The ring, though lacking any real purpose, is likely worth at least 60 gp.
Unfortunately, Tyanos' lack of experience with the practiced world of magic leaves him rather lost dealing with the tome. He hands it off to Thomas, and then sets to examining the wand. Despite its rather humble craftsmanship, it is a wand of burning hands (CL 2, 4x uses).
An excellent find Brycen
Thomas quickly casts read magic, and peruses the spellbook.
The spellbook is, as Brycen first noted, mostly damaged by weather and worse. Only five pages are still fully legible, containing the arcane writings and rituals for identify, mage armor, reduce person, silent image, and unseen servant.
With the bodies buried and treasures uncovered, you still had a good half day to finish mapping this region.
I will have to transfer some of these spells to my own spellbook upon return to Olegs
Thomas washes off with some water from his canteen, and then stows the spellbook at the bottom of his pack.
Shall we carry on, as daylight is wasting.
"So you're exploring this area, too?" Kareta asked.
"More or less, yea. We've been at this for a while. Well, they were until I joined them." Dmitri said while wiping the sweat off his brow. "One day, this paper will be filled with what we find!"
Yes, we are. We should be returning to Olegs in a couple of days
Thomas continues with mapping the area.
"I was over there a few days ago." Kareta said, grabbing Eshie to cradle him in her arms. "They said to wait until you came back... but my feet got itchy." She finished with a blush.
I find the wilderness fulfilling too. But my goal isn't to simply randomly roam, I'm here to explore and secure the place, so people can safely build their homes and their life.
Hadin gently smile to the newcomer
I agree, we are trying to secure the area so that others might live in safety in the areas that we have cleared.
Thomas packs away the map, as he prepares to continue on.
"I'm in the same boat as you, Kareta" he said while grinning at the newcomer. "Difference though is that I came one particular morning when they were getting ready to embark."
"Anywho, I suppose that's all after the matter now. I hope your skills can aid us in our endeavor. I'm assuming you're like me - a woodsman judging by your clothes."
Tyanos face is neutral but he gives no sense of trust like his comrades.
"Do forgive me if I am not as welcoming. Bandits abound in these lands and false words aplenty. I will reserve my consideration once Oleg confirms your story."
She was ether a bandit or headstrong for not simply waiting. He did not like ether but then again, he had a group of former bandits under his care now.
Kareta sniffs at the handsome older man before turning to Dmitri. "Yes, I used to wander a lot as a child. I-if you'll have me... I mean, I'll join you, then."
Dmitri saw Kareta sniff at the merchant and stifled a smile. "Tyanos means well. To be honest, you're not the only new blood we have had in this group."
Dmitri adjusted his armor and weapons while collecting his thoughts. "That armored dwarf happened to come before you but don't take it personal. The group has been through alot. I've seen two others leave - a determined woman from a particular noble house and an elven huntsman.
Yes, I am afraid that it has not been easy for us right now in these lands.
Thomas dismounts to lead his horse to allow it to rest for a bit.
So please do not take any of that personally.
With introductions made, there was still a vast wilderness ahead...
"Onward ta Ol'legs?"
I was thinking that we map west for 24 miles, and then back to Olegs
"I don't mind exploring farther," Kareta said. "but I don't think I need to be second-guessed the whole time."
"Then perhaps you should await our return at Oleg's as you should have from the start. Wise choices bring few regrets and my trust is only earned."
If the others insisted on bring the stranger along he would accept it. But that did not mean he would lower his guard or treat her any different then any other stranger. It did not help that they found her staring at hanging corpses.
With Tyanos resolved to his paranoia and supplies running relatively low regardless, it seemed an appropriate time to return to Oleg's Trading Post.
Many miles later, with night approaching, the familiar walls of the trading post rise among the rolling grasslands of the southern Rostlands. The gate hangs open, with one of Kesten's men posted beside it. He nods a practiced greeting as you enter the gates.
"Ah, long time no see!" shouts the titular fellow as he bounds out of his home, a pack of furs in hand. "And I see you've found the hunter that was looking fer ya. Or did she find you?" He approaches a rough-looking gnome seated beside a pair of wolfhounds and hands the man the bundle of furs. The gnome looks over the furs one at a time, then grumbles and hands over a small sack of coin before lashing the furs onto his pony and riding for the gate. Not once does he acknowledge your group or say a word.
Oleg shakes his head as the gnome heads out of earshot. "Creepy little fella. But he pays well, so I can't complain too much." He inclines his head towards Kesten's tent at the far end of the trading post. "Not like some people."
Having dismounted and leading his horse by on the way to the stables.
Ah Oleg, there is not to much that we can do to people unless they intend to do unto us.
"Hey Oleg, we keep running into these blue little fellers out in the woods. They look like tiny old me with ballooned faces. I remember learning them as mite but I can't imagine you haven't seen them." said Dmitri as he pantomimed the description of the fey.
Let's say we found each other, Oleg.
Hadin dismount, and gallantly comes to Kareta's help so she can get down her own horse
"Thank you" Kareta said, giving Hadin a smile. She immediately turned and stuck her tongue out at Tyanos. "Fortunately, the meeting went without anyone getting an arrow in the stomach."
Oleg smirks, flashing a knowing look towards Tyanos. "That's just a merchant's way of sayin' hello. Especially in these parts. The one's that don't, well, they ain't cut out for this life."
Somewhere in the house, you hear Svetlana start laughing before catching herself. Oleg grumbles his disapproval, breaking his temporary joviality with the more familiar visage of the hard-hided (headed, even) trader. Still, it was nice to get a sense that Oleg wasn't grumpy and hating on Brevoy and its politics all the time.
"But little blue fellers, eh?" he wonders aloud, sitting himself down where the gnome was a few minutes earlier. "Them Learys been through the other day, saying they seen similar critters about the Narlmarches. I think they've always been there, but something's gone and riled them up now. Prolly those damned bandits..." He pauses, then shoots a deathly glare towards Kesten's tent. "Or that highfalutin bastard over there."
Before Thomas could say anything, Oleg raised a hand towards the half-elf. "I know, I know. He ain't as bad as his bark. But a man can dream for the pastoral solitude he sought."
Tyanos did not apologize for his caution, it served everyone well regardless of their thanks or not.
"Indeed Kareta, it would be most distasteful to see yet another bandit woman bloodied. Not that the last one did not deserve it."
He replies coolly, twisting her words back on her, catching Oleg's words.
"Worry not my friend, all things in due time."
If he could pocket a few more men or gain some influence with the Brevoy types northward. Then Kesten would be brought to heel or replaced, which mattered little to him. Then again the man may get gutted by brow beating the wrong traveler.
"Well, with that figured out we should show Kareta how far along we are with mapping the wilderness. Perhaps she has insight to our cause. "
"Ah, still at that? I wouldn't mind having a looksee myself, if you don't mind." Oleg waves you over, offering the benches to all of you. "Maybe we can find a nice ditch to toss our petty noble in. I doubt his men would mind," he adds with a wink. You're pretty sure he's joking, but then again, there's this twinkle in his eye...
Sure, Oleg, just give me a few minutes to get my horse settled, and I will gladly show you what we have mapped so far.
Thomas heads over to finish stabling his horse, and then pulling his gear off and taking it to the bunkhouse.
He returns a few minutes later with the map as it sits now.
Dmitri whistles at the progress that the group has made upon the map. "I know it ain't much but I like to think that the tankard is half full if you catch my drift." he said while edging an elbow to Oleg. "If we set our minds to it, I don't see why we can't make this here paper colorful as a dame in a theatre. I can remember not so long ago we've only a stain in regards to this here map."
Truth be told, this had been the biggest endeavor that Dmitri had taken part of with anyone for that matter. He was more surprised that the group hadn't changed focus or fell apart like his old crew in Restov.
Oleg peers over the map with the group, panning a hand across the rough sketches of hills and rivers as he imagines it in his mind's eye. For a man on the edge of the wilderness, having a map of previously uncharted land was like a dream. So enthralled is he that he doesn't even notice when Kesten Garess comes stomping up behind him.
The guardsman leans over Oleg's shoulder, eyebrow raised. "Ah, yes. The map I've heard so much about." Immediately Oleg snaps back to attention and pulls away from the man, putting a few feet of distance between them. Off on the periphery, one of Kesten's men stifles a laugh. Kesten doesn't seem to notice, but appears even less amused by the whole affair than usual. "Well, I have good news for you. Your friends in Restov have heard about your exploits, and sent a missive for you. I, being the only man of noble blood in this company since the departure of Mistress Orlovsky, took the responsibility of opening and cataloging it for you. Apparently word of this 'Stag Lord' has reached them, partially by way of these rabble you insist on keeping here. They believe this land will continue to be unstable until he is slain, and wish you to do so. I would lend my hand, but alas, someone must keep an eye on these miscreants. And our good Oleg's stock will not protect itself."
He tosses the paper onto the table dismissively. A quick scan of its contents reveals that he's (surprisingly) summarized it fairly well. The only thing he has omitted is the reward--5,000 gold pieces to be split amongst your party, delivered upon proof of the Stag Lord's surrender, capture, or death.
"More important than this bone-headed fool is a man I seek myself. In speaking to your... criminal friends..." He turns up his lips at this remark, as though tasting something sour. "I have discovered that a traitorous scoundrel that once wronged me now works with this Stag Lord. I want him alive." He pauses, letting the gap fill in for what he doesn't wish to say. "I will, of course, reward you for your part in the process of due justice."
Hadin stiffens at the last words of Garess
Do you ask for justice or vengeance on this particuliar man? I'm not a bounty hunter, nor an hired killer.
Tyanos keeps his anger from showing the more this fool talks, at the end of it he is considering having this enemy as an ally. He pushes that thought aside as his silky yet edged voice creeps forward.
"Sir Kesten, it seems you have over reached. Unintentional I am sure, after all I do not think you meant to break an official seal not intended for you. I am sure you did not intend to spy on official and possibly sensitive information clearly meant for another. After all nobility is not except from the laws or above the penalties of breaking them, I dare say it is quiet the opposite and they are held to a higher standard. As such you will never open any letter or package addressed to us again."
His last sentence sounded more like a fact then anything else.
"As for the manner of penalties, I am sure that can be handled at a more appropriate time. Their is the question of jurisdiction after all. Concerning your scoundrel as you put it, we do not kill unless we have to. His capture is largely up to his actions, as for your case against him. If and when he is brought in you may make it and we will decide his fate. As we have always done with all those before. Do we have an understanding?"
Kareta scowls at the man's words. She'd encountered people like him before, born into power and prestige and doing nothing to make themselves worthy of it. She hadn't seen him when she first came through, apparently she hadn't been worth his time then.
She also found herself somewhat revising her opinion on Tyanos, and actually agreeing with him. Hopefully it wouldn't be the last time.
As she too peered over the map, Eshie slips away and sniff at the stuffy noble's feet.
Kesten's face contorts as he tries to reconcile the two contradictory lines of thought running through his head: his position of nobility and the request he stop doing what would logically be his responsibility as guardian of this wilderness bastion.
After a moment too long of consideration, the nobleman nods. "Very well, I shall leave your missives to your own care. But do not be short with me for having merely done a task befitting my station."
"As for this man--the one Falgrim Sneeg--his capture or death is a matter of my own honor. I would indeed prefer to see him alive, gentlemen. I am no killer." He seems almost offended that you would suggest such a thing, but he shrugs and continues. "Hah, it would be worth keeping him alive if only to see his face when he realizes you cannot simply wrong a Garess and flee his just hand. Bringing Sneeg in would go a long way towards--ah, well, nevermind that. And as stated, I can reward you from my personal armory or have a fresh batch sent from Restov with the next trade caravan."
He leans in, hands on the table, with the closest look to 'pleading' you suspect you'll ever see from the proud man. He glances down at Eshie and offers the ferret a weak smile. For a moment, you could almost forget how hardheaded the man was. His eyes turn back upward, to your group and the map. "Well? What say you?"
Dmitri couldn't stifle a laugh at Kesten's behavior. To him, Kesten seemed like a boy madden with the promise of a sweet roll.
"I suppose we can consider it but this feller you're looking for ain't anyone I know of."
Tyanos was not considering for the first time having the man "fall prey to the dangers of the frontier" yet he did not need the trouble if it could be helped, anyways he was not one to let his emotions override his judgement. At least not often and without effort to the contrary.
"You have my thanks. As I said, unless the man is determined to get himself killed. It is our preference to capture not kill. I can promise nothing more. At best consideration will be taken if the man is encountered."
He would have to look into Kesten a little more, could be something useful in it for him. He had no trouble imagining the man got into something he should not have.
Dmitri could see that his teammates were pondering the guard captain's request to find this so called Stag Lord who Brevoy wants dead.
"Alright Kesten, we'll take this on but like Tyanos said, it'll be by our discretion. Do you happen to know where we can find this Stag Lord. I can't imagine us upturning every rock and tree to find this feller. I assume there is a report about him or picture?"
Thomas looks at the others.
As good as that offer is, I know I need some working cash before we go looking for this stag lord.
"I do not suggest we actively look for the stag lord, rather we keep with our mapping efforts. If he is close to Oleg's we will encounter him soon. If not then I see no point in not scouting the land properly as we have been. I rather not face an enemy of unknown forces and power without a clear line of retreat. Getting ourselves killed or captured serves no one."
Ideally he would also like to find allies or information to gain advantage. If this stag lord controlled the local bandit population then no matter how you looked at it, sheer numbers would win out. That was not the way he did things.
Dmitri's smile faltered.
"We don't need to charge this Stag Lord like a boar in the wilds. I think that if we find where he his domain lies, we can plan accordingly." Dmitri said while pointing the map.
"If we continue with our mapping, we will eventually encounter the Stag Lord unprepared."
"How is finding him any different then encountering him unprepared? We have no information about his location, why would we go deeper into dangerous unknown regions rather then slowly map the area's bordering those we know in detail."
Let's play it safe, not out of cowardice but with keeping our long term plans in mind: we are here to make the land secure for settlers. This Stag Lord will be fought when needed. He might be a peril in these lands, but he's not the only one.
Kesten offers the group a weak grin. "Heh," he murmurs, "guess you're not as helpless as you lot look. I do appreciate your assistance in this matter, though. I'd do it myself, as befitting a man of my rank, but..."
He sighs, and just leaves the end of his sentence hanging as he heads back towards his tent.
Oleg raises an eyebrow, watching the guardsman walk away. "Erastil's rotten bottom, did that man just act like he had a soul?"
"I guess people aren't always as bad as they seem at first..." Kareta said, sparing Tyanos as glance as she knelt down and scooped Eshie into her arms.
There is a faint smile on Hadin lips
I do appreciate honesty, Oleg, but could you please restrain yourself from using my god's name in your swearing?
Oleg laughs whole-heartedly as he stands and moves to leave the table. He sets an arm on Hadin's shoulder, shaking his head. "I'll try lad, but I can't make no promises on that. Force'a habit at this point, and this dog's too old to change his tricks now."
From the door of their home, Svetlana peers out and gives Oleg the deathly stare that only a wife could give. Somehow she just knew Oleg was up to trouble. Perhaps Tyanos was not the only sorcerer wandering the Greenbelt. Or perhaps she'd simply lived with a grumbling curmudgeon long enough to know when Oleg was being... well, Oleg.
"Ah, alright. I'll poke at the other fellas 'til one of them tells me to quit it."