Eager for a homecooked meal and report some news from the wilds, the Hunstmen turn for the Trading Post.
The familiar Trading Post stands as ever, though you note that the catapults appear to be fully functional now, fresh joints gleaming in the noonday sun. Oleg's is a little more crowded than on your last visit, and a trio of trappers are stopping for the night and occupying the guest house.
As before, Jhod spotted you from the battlements long before you ride in, and greets you expectantly at the gate.
"Brother Jhod, we come with tidings of weal and a tale of woe!"
Taranis prepares to unload the head and the owlbear hide.
"Oh? Do tell, friend, do tell," Jhod replies hesitantly, uncertainty and apprehension plain on his face.
Zed approaches the military problem of defense in his analytical way. He offers to assist in crafting redoubts and earthworks with his magical excavation and construction. Coordination with Oleg and the garrison commander yield excellent opportunity for the wizard to speed fortifications along.
Zed tries to administer the saved spring water to one of his wounded companions, carefully noting its effects as he does so.
Zed is pleased to find that the water causes his companion's flesh to know itself back together.
Zed proposes an immediate expedition, sending soldiers from the garrison to gather and bottle the water. Then commences to establish a trading route whereby these waters of life can be sold and distributed throughout the nearby metropolitan centers. Ooc - what relevant checks are required?
Frag-nabbit
Jhod coughs uncomfortably, still waiting for your reply. Meanwhile, Tuskgutter's head rots in your bag, and the boar's offspring mewls noisily in Augrym's pack.
Are there any intrepid adventurers in the area who might be willing to establish a business with us?
Taranis finally speaks up, taking back the conversation. "Sir it was strange indeed. The bear was fierce and put up a terrible fight. No single man should ever have been expected to tackle such a foe. So too, should no man have seen what came after we felled him. Before our very eyes, the bear shrank and shed its hair, and transformed into the bloody, shriveled corpse of a impossibly ancient man. The man's eyes, opened, looked surprisingly peaceful. Moments later, the corpse decayed to a mere skeleton, and thence to dust. I know not the rest of the story, but the vibrancy of the scene after showed that Erastil was pleased."
Taranis, once finished with Jhod, drops Tuskgutter's head on the table in Oleg's. He smiles a bit, "Sorry about that mess, Zed has a spell that'll clear it up."
"I do as a matter of fact have a spell that can cleanse your table of any objectionable bodily fluids. As soon as our business here is concluded and the decapitated head is removed to a more suitable location I will endeavor to do so."
"Oleg good sir, do you think it might be possible to send for laborers? As the security situation in the lands immediately around the trading post improves, it would be in our best interests to harvest the resources in the area. By doing so, we can glean profit of course, but more importantly, we can help to ensure the wild lands to your south are less likely to become overrun with dangerous beasts or men. Doing so will place a buffer between the true frontier and your doorstep, which should slow the encroachment of banditry a bit. I would estimate we could use about six sturdy yeomen to perform contingency services in the challenging wilderness terrain south of here, although the danger posed by some of the hostile nonsentient inhabitants could make it harder to procure appropriate services."
Zed is somewhat unsure of how this would work ultimately, but he would be interested in hiring a small team to harvest the moon radishes initially, then as the security situation improves to contract additional laborers to mine the gold the party found, and the spring of Curative waters later...
The laborers would be negotiated at a set price, Oleg would gain a small percentage for acting as middle man (for labor initially and sales and distribution later). A small percentage would also go to the garrison for security.
Jhod's face betrays the rise and fall of his emotions with every twist and turn of Redleaf's tale. When the tiger-keeper finishes, Jhod exclaims, "You found it! You found it! You must take me there, at once! At once! Just a moment, I will get my things!" He scrambles off to gather his few possessions.
This gives old one-legged Vekkel to limp over from the main house with Oleg to inspect the boar's head. "Ha! That's him alright! Where'd you finally corner the bastard?"
Oleg is somewhat gruff in responding to Zed. "Who am I gonna send for, exactly? I'm doubtful anybody'd want to come. Dangerous 'round these parts. You lot seem to come back with enough scratches as it is. If you want some hired hands, maybe you'd best go up to Restov an' hire 'em yourself. Now, if you've got somethin' to sell that you took from the wilds with your own hand, I'll gladly help you sell it."
Svetlana wanders over to say hello. "Oleg, you forgot! The Swordlords sent a letter for them, arrived just a few days ago. Here!"
Unfurling the letter, you read:
Bearers of the Greenbelt Charter:
Reports have reached our ears from several travelers that bandit activity in the Greenbelt has been noticeably reduced. We presume that you are to thank. Please accept the enclosed reward of 400 crowns to help speed along your work.
By the authority of the King Regent, etc.
Enclosed is, indeed, 400gp.
Taranis looks at the arrows and bow. He seems almost frightened by them, "This is a potent reward. I suspect one of our brothers of Erastil would like this."
Upon reading the letter, Taranis seems quite pleased, "Gozreh has seen our work, and so has the King Regent!"
Unrak rumbles I'll take one or two of those arrows...
Zed would like to attempt to convince Oleg to hire some yeoman to start collecting the resources the party found.
"I think hiring some sturdy fellows from Restov would be a good start. I'll pay them each six silver pieces per day, for a contract lasting seven days. Can you do it?"
Does Zed think bottling the spring water in CLW vials could work, either for party use or for sale?
If so....
"Fairly said sir. But allow me to place an order for empty glassware vessels - the kind you might expect to store curative potions. How many vials do you think we could purchase? And at what cost?"
Oleg shakes his head. "I'm all for more commerce at the trading post, but I ain't about to yank people from the city to settle in my wilderness. Came out here to get away from all that. Now, vials I can get for ya. I think I've got a few..." Vials suitable for potions are 1gp each, and Oleg has 10 in stock. If you want more, you can place an order.
Taranis takes stock of the situation. He'd rather explore new lands, but Jhod's enthusiasm can't be ignored.
"Friends, let us enact a plan. I've stocked up on food and feed. We can take Jhod to the temple. From there I suggest we turn northwest and map some of the lands up to parallel with Oleg's. From there I suggest we turn back and really stock up. With each trip we gain knowledge, skill, and strength. I think we're fast approaching a long trip."
He checks Toth's new barding. "We've only put a dent in the bandits, and if Zed wants to start hiring, we're going to need to tame this land a bit more. I suggest we order what we can from Oleg, and then when we return with Jhod, the stock will be in."
Zed buys 3 vials. -3GP
”I enjoy the plan of our strong friend and leader Taranis. Huzzah, I say, to him and his plan!”
”New-ish friend Jhod. This will be a glorious place for you to visit and possibly call home. Erastil will bless it because of your presence and it will become a jewel of this land!”
I am not currently interested in arrows or a bow.
Oleg looks at the piglet skeptically. "You want me to what?" Fortunately, Svetlana is quicker to take. "Oh, of course! It's so cute! I'll fetch a crate for it. A silver a day ought to cover us for feed, don't you think husband?"
Kesten, finishing a cup of wine at the nearby table, can be overhead chuckling to himself and commenting to Tom Cuttle. "A dent, indeed. Bandits are getting bolder, more like. Only thing that will put a dent in a bandit is one of them catapults," he adds, gesturing at one of the massive engines of war on the parapet.
"Heard they got a new leader!" Albus pipes up. "Calls himself the Stag Lord, that's what Vekkel said."
"Stag Lord," Kesten scoffs. "The things you commoners think up, truly." He gets up to relieve himself.
|
Marc takes in the conversation and nods and smiles. He takes the glass of wine when it is offered and nurses it through the night.
As the night draws near, he pulls Oleg aside and has a quick conversation with him, He describes his need of a new weapon of exceptional quality. One with iconography of Erastil; something to honor his God.
Taranis makes note of this "Stag Lord".
Otherwise, Taranis and Toth are eager to guide Jhod.
maybe we should pursue this with some fervor...
"But I am after a thief from Varisia, see, and I have reason to believe he is lurking his dastardly tush somewhere in the Greenbelt. His name is Falgrim Sneed," he says, spitting the last syllables in a flash of anger.
"Needs his neck wrung in Restov, that he does. If you find him, catch him, and bring him to me, I can promise some properly smithied weapons to you. Better than your commoner's blades, anyhow. Bring Sneed alive, and I can pay even better."
Taranis has never heard of a "Stag Lord."
Then let us go. If we also find Falgrim Sneed, all the better.
Stag Lord? Any relation to Star Lord?
Stag Lord? Any relation to Star Lord?
FINALLY!!!
”Thank you so much friend husband Oleg and other friend Svetlana! 1sp per day seems reasonable. Please ensure that he is fed tp become strong like his ancestors but we shall breed him to be a force for good!”
Augrym pays some in advance.
”Jhod, we shall bring you to your new home and then we shall vanquish this criminal who calls himself the Stag Lord. Both missions to honour (it seems orcs also add a U in words according to my autocorrect) the name of Erastil. For any criminal who calls himself the Stag Lord is insulting Old Deadeye, and this we cannot abide.”
Jhod is eager to go but Svetlana insists that you stay the night and sends you off with a breakfast of fresh eggs in the morning.
Borrowing a horse from Oleg, Jhod pushes you hard. The sun hangs low in the sky by the time you arrive, and the horses are lathered thick with sweat. The old priest practically vaults off his horse to stand before the grand antlers of the temple, holds his hands to the sky in triumph and relief, and releases a sigh of deep content. He falls to a long prayer.
Eventually rising, he turns to you to give his thanks. "Friends, friends! You have done it. This place is clean again, and so am I. Come, let us feast and celebrate this bounty which Erastil has granted us." From the surrounding forest, Jhod gathers a magnificent meal of berries and nuts to conclude the day.
Zed discovers that the temple's pool, though it remains crystal clear and readily slakes one's thirst, no longer bears its former healing magic.
Sunrise finds Jhod in prayer before the temple. As you conclude breaking camp, he approaches. "Friends, I think that I shall remain here. I shall do what I can to further restore this holy place to its former glory. I strayed once from Erastil's path, and with your help I have found it again. I shall not stray a second time."
He smiles warmly. "I am forever in your debt. If ever you need a wound healed, or a blessing from Old Deadeye, you need not even ask."
”Priest friend Jhod, it is our pleasure to bring someone closure to the Father of Elks. No debt is required outside that of friendship. Good luck to you and please contact us if you are ever in need.”
Do we need to do something with this horse he borrowed? I forgot we have horses. Did I know we had horses?
”Onward my friends. What say you to heading off to defeat this Stag Lord character? The followers of Erastil will write songs about us if we continue on this path! I do caution though, in my experience, not all bandits are without remorse and often turn to this life out of necessity and not evil. As much as I have little patience for them, I would recommend we kills as few of them as possible, with the exception of this Stag Lord. Some of them might turn out to be useful to us or in life later on if given the chance.”
After joining Jhod for much of the time he's willing to share, Taranis thanks him and joins the others to plan, "I agree, this Stag Lord needs to go, but so too does Sneeg, and we've made other promises. I suggest we continue our plan. When the time comes, and it WILL come, that our fate collides with this Stag Lord, we'll be ready. We've made friends of the fey and dented the bandits. We're already on a good path."
Heading southwest, the Narlmarches turn stale and wet as you approach what men call the Skunk River. Ahead, visible along the damp trail, two ruined stone buildings stand at the edge of a bog.
Toth and Taranis both begin to scout the area...
...As much as I have little patience for them, I would recommend we kills as few of them as possible, with the exception of this Stag Lord...
Unrak interrupts Augrym with a rumble. Stag Lord is worth more brought back alive, remember?
SCRATCH THAT. Sneeg is the one worth more alive--and the one we bring back for MW weapons, right? Dam, I need to reread the thread...
Taranis does not see anything beyond two ruin buildings, but Toth growls and extends his claws. Zed and Augrym can both tell with certainty that these ruined shacks are inhabited.
Weapons ready, I investigate further and motion to everyone that there is danger ahead. As we do not have and have never used hand gestures in this way, I don’t expect anyone will understand what I’m motioning. LOL
Speaking in Taldane, Hallit, and Sylvan, Taranis calls out "Ho there! We come in peace if peace is what you bring. Parlay with us and may Gozreh blow a gentle breeze through the camp."
If there's no reply, he'll knock on one of the buildings.
Taranis mimics the hand gestures. It must be some esoteric Erastilian ward.
In response to Taranis' call, you hear some startled rustling from inside the smaller structure. A moment later, a squat, green, toad-like humanoid stumbles outside and frantically waves his hands above his head.
"Tar-ruce! Tar-ruce!" it croaks, eyes bulging.
"A boggard! And an injured one at that. Look at his hand."
Taranis casts a spell of Enhanced Diplomacy on himself. Then, in hushed Taldane "Someone check his heart for evil."
"Truce." Assuming that there is no language in common, Taranis opts to pantomime Grasping hands together. Point at boggard, point at self. Smile. Point at hand. Point at holy symbols on party. Mimic a withered hand blossoming to health.