Unrak browses through Oleg's wares, hoping to find something suitably "shiny" to gift the fey so they leave him the fork alone.
Are there any CLW scrolls available?
Unrak finds several potions which might service to entice the fey tricksters. He is disappointed not to find any scrolls to his liking, but recalls that he can ask Oleg to place a special order in Restov.
Taranis leads the way to the guesthouse, and finds therein a an older, kindly-looking man, marked by a balding pate and a bushy mustache amid several days' stubble. The man rises from his cot as you come in. "Ah! You must be the young adventurers I have heard so much about! The Levetons seem quite fond. I trust you have had a good journey? I see that Erastil has kept you well," he nods in particular to Marc and Augrym. "Jhod Kavken, at your service."
Noticing that Unrak bears a half-healed injury, he steps forward to look at the big man's leg. "May I?"
"A pleasure to meet you. Aye, Erastil has even seen fit to send some of your own this way. What about you, what brings you here and eager to see us?"
Zed offers Taranis 150 GPs
You may, my good man, and with thanks! I’ve been asking my friends for healing for days, but apparently they think pain is a good cleanser or teacher or something. Good to know SOMEone is willing to help a bloke!
He parks his foot on a stoop so the priest can reach it better. Unrak Redleaf, in your debt!
Jhod smiles warmly. He runs his hand over the wound, leaving it looking a week's further along where his palm had passed. "That looks better."
The balding man turns to the other Redleaf. "As for me, yes," he says. "Erastil has smiled upon me. I heard of the exploration charter in Restov and came to offer my help here at Oleg's. I am an old hunter, and my legs are not what they used to be, so I have a favor to ask of you." He pauses. "I have heard of lost temples to Erastil in the Stolen Lands... in particular, one guarded by a bear, something is not quite right about it. Could you keep an eye out for such a place, somewhere to the south? I cannot go running to and fro looking for it, not at my age, but I would like to see it if I can."
”It is always good to see a brother hunter. I am intrigued by these lost temples. So please tell us as much as you know as you are clearly holding back. Erastil would want us to know.”
"I understand this might be personal, and you've only just met us. I assure you, we'll see this through with skill and heart. The more we know, the better equipped we are."
Unrak tests out his now-less-wounded leg, and grunts with approval, nodding at the old priest. He shoots the priests in his party a dirty look.
At the discussion, he takes his cue from his brother and Augrym. Yes...ask Oleg whether we're trustworthy, and I'm certain he'll give you an earful of our praises!!
He pauses, musing. Saaaayy...we need a name!! How about The Huntsmen?
The old man considers, clearly uncomfortable, and a darker expression comes over his face. "I... Erastil gave me a vision some weeks ago. An abandoned temple, long overgrown, now the home of an enormous bear. Something was not right with the bear... an anger no bear should have."
He shakes his head, coming out of his slight reverie. "I should like to see the temple made right. For Old Deadeye. I have been drawn here by him, but no further, so I must ask your help in finding it."
Unrak tests out his now-less-wounded leg, and grunts with approval, nodding at the old priest. He shoots the priests in his party a dirty look.
At the discussion, he takes his cue from his brother and Augrym. Yes...ask Oleg whether we're trustworthy, and I'm certain he'll give you an earful of our praises!!
He pauses, musing. Saaaayy...we need a name!! How about The Huntsmen?
"How about the Wizards?" Zed replies dryly.
"Names are earned dear brother." Taranis then says something in a language that feels familiar to everyone, but not a word makes sense.
-------------------
"Jhod, such an endeavor would be of personal importance to many of us. Do you have a feel for where this place might be located? We are tasked with exploration, but a spin of the compass may put us in a parallel path..."
Yes...anything more than “south?”
”Did Erastil show you a way of defeating the bear without killing it? Curing it of whatever ailment it may be suffering from..”
"I am grateful to you," Jhod says with a slight bow. "I am afraid I do not know where it is. Somewhere forested would make the most sense, given the dream. My Erastil bless your quest!"
Depositing your gear in the guesthouse and heading back outside, you step into the slanting sunlight in time to see Restov's promised soldiers return from practice and saunter through the open gate. Their leader is a tall, stocky man of proud bearing, armored in an expensive suit of full-plate -- though clearly well-made -- bearing an intricate heraldric crest on his shield: a snow-capped grey mountaintop against a dark-blue field, with a silvery crescent moon in the corner and a black hammer across the mountain's foothills. He hails you.
"Aha! The famed adventurers who have robbed me of death in battle. I am Kesten of House Garess. And you are?"
”Did Erastil show you a way of defeating the bear without killing it? Curing it of whatever ailment it may be suffering from..”
”Did Erastil show you a way of defeating the bear without killing it? Curing it of whatever ailment it may be suffering from..”
Jhod laughs uncertainly. "No, he did not. I do not know. Something did not seem right about it. Perhaps it will not even be a bear! You know how these visions go..."
* * *
"Well, nevermind," Kesten says preemptively. "I know who you are. Listen. I have to hang around the Trading Post with my men to ensure it does not get attacked again. 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."
”We will find a way to either cure this bear or end its misery and reclaim this temple for you and Erastil.”
***
”Hello new friend Kesten who wishes to die in battle. We will attempt to catch him but, so far, things have died quite quickly when they face The Huntsmen. We will do our best to catch this thief and bring him to justice. What is your place for him when he is caught and do you know where we could start?”
Taranis spends some time playing with Toth as he contemplates the updates.
"Given that the post now has a guard to it, I'm more more comfortable leaving for longer stretches. I think we continue our exploration, working inexorably towards this ancient holy ground and the robber-bandit Sneed."
I'm with Taranis. As long as you jamokes HEAL ME WHEN I NEED IT, we should be able to afford to stay away longer.
Unrak listens to Kesten's reply at Augrym's question of whether there are any leads on Sneed
"My place?" Kesten replies to Augrym. "My place will be ensure that Sneeg makes a long drop, on a short rope. Bastard robbed some fellow travelers and fled like the dog he is. I will see him dead." He adds hastily, "Through all due process, of course..."
The sun does not take long to set, and at the tables by the warm firelight Svetlana treats Oleg, and you, to the trader's favorite meal: moon radish soup. Your first bite is enough to tell you why it is Oleg's delight, and why Svetlana was willing to pay so much for them. The soup is thick and substantive, but glossy smooth and silvery in hue. Its most profound beauty, though, is in the taste, a light and zesty pick-me-up that bids all your aches and sores adieu.
The dinner conversation is mixed and mellow, with the Post's proprietors eager to hear of your first foray into the Greenbelt and Jhod offering pleasant bromides. Kesten's men are lively and sporting, though their leader is mostly moody and quiet. The soldiers are certain that no bandit would try to attack now their the old fort is garrisoned. Still, there are worries among the Levetons and the hunters that pass through the bandits' numbers are still swelling. Oleg lists off a handful of trappers and woodsmen he has not seen come through in a few weeks, and even mentions one -- Breeg Orlivanch -- that he heard tell gave up trapper and became a bandit! Svetlana tells him to shush and goes on about a whole number of other things people have not seen in a while, from the snows to griffon attacks to that unicorn people kept claiming they saw in the Narlmarches.
Once Svetlana leaves to clear some of the licked-clean bowls, Oleg leans in. "If you'll recall th'day we met, ye might remember me mentionin' that them damned bandits took Svetlana's wedding ring. I know you got other things to do, but, well, I see how much not havin' it bothers her. Not that she'll admit it. If you can find it an' get it back, I'd offer you a 1000 crowns worth of tradin' stock. I just want to see my wife happy again. Could ye maybe keep an eye out?"
When I get away from Kesten and get alone with my fellow Huntsmen...
”I believe we need to help this Kesten and rid the world of this bandit. But I do not believe we should be bringing back the thief alive. I have seen the look in Kesten’s eye’s before and I believe he means to torture the thief before he dies. I do not know what you all think but, I believe we bring back evidence of his death and that is all. I will, however, do what the group feels is right.”
*******
During dinner, I would like to talk to Jhod.
”Hello, friend of the Stag. How did you come to be a follower of Erastil?”
*******
Augrym, leaning in closer to Oleg’s face, thinking this is how this person would like to talk now.
”New friend Oleg. Nothing is more precious to Erastil than the bonds of marriage. We will retrieve the ring of your beloved, or die trying. My teammates seem weary about approaching the bandit home at this time. Do you know how many they are in numbers? While I would die for this cause, it is hardly the plan.”
Jhod smiles. "I have been with Old Deadeye since before you were born! I hail from a land many miles to the south, Galt it is called. It is a very troubled land, and constant political machinations leave the people living in fear. I suppose I heard Erastil's calling because I wanted to help my community, to keep it whole and strong. Which I did, for a time." The old priest's smile fades and he goes quiet for a moment. But the moment passes and he brightens again. "And you?"
* * *
Oleg scratches his head. "Well, there was about a dozen of 'em the first time. But they's always recruitin', or so I'm told. Hard to say."
A pleasant day greets you the following morning, along with the sole downside of moon radish soup: the sh*ts.
Before you saddle up, Oleg points out one last item of interest at the Trading post: a news board staked into the main yard, currently sporting two crisp "Wanted" posters. "Restov sent a letter that just got 'ere this morning, before you was up. Want more help with the bandit problem, it seems. Old Vekkel Benzen stopped in yesterday mornin' before going to check on some traps in the Narlmarches." Kesten walks over with a hammer to pin up a third, for the capture of Falgrim Sneeg.
Taranis makes plenty of small talk, getting to know the people around fort. He's eager to build connections and see peace and mutualistic prosperity. As the others continue the conversation, he restocks the animals, this time for a longer trip out, hoping to map a few new areas of the Greenbelt.
You ride out of Oleg's Trading Post with the north wind at your back. The ride is easy as you blaze deeper into the plain. Soon after dismounting to begin surveying, a HUGE centipede slithers out of a hole in the ground some dozen yards away! Pincers the size of battle-axes click madly with clear hunger...
Zed's quick elven reflexes serve him well.
Round I
1. Zed
2. Centipede
3. Marc, Unrak, Augrym, Taranis
Bite—injury; save Fort DC 14; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d4 Dex; cure 1 save.
- Round the First
- Current HPs:8/8
Zed waggles his fingers, and summons some creatures to fight on his behalf, casting Summon Monster I.
The outline of a dog starts to form in front of the centipede!
Eager for a meal, the huge insect slides forward in a nauseating fashion to pick off a hero at the edge of the group. It settles on Augrym, and sinks its alien maw deep into his neck and shoulder.
HIT
Augrym's orcish blood surges forth, but also keeps him conscious. The insect lets go to survey its food, depositing a dose of venom on the way out of his neck.
Round I
1. Zed
2. Centipede (charged)
3. Marc, Unrak, Augrym (Fort save, -6/10 hp, ferocity), Taranis
Round II
1. Zed
2. Centipede
3. Marc, Unrak, Augrym (-6/10 hp), Taranis
Taranis curses. Mindless vermin can't be reasoned with. The druid steps back in horror at the wound Augryn shows.
With a few words, he summons fire to his hand...
Augrym! We need a potion NOW. Who can cover him?! Toth!"
Toth runs into the fray, trying to avoid getting hit. for
- Round the First
- Current HPs: 8/8
- Dog HPs: 6/6
As the dog finishes materializing, Zed cocks his head and starts casting another spell, this one a Magic Missile which streaks out of his pointed finger, slamming into the shiny red carapace.
The dog, thrust into the Prime Material Plane and into mortal peril, snarls and attacks the giant creature!
for damage.
Zed shuffles back a bit to put some distance between the thing and his own skin...
ROUND 1
Seeing the beastie materialize in front of the group startles Unrak briefly, but he quickly taps into his primal powers. He shoves down the fear, both for Augrym and for his own hide, as he embraces the rage, steps in, draws his blade, and...
...makes a solid, but not particularly effective, blow.
I moved Zed back 5'
As you all watch Augrym get a chunk of his flesh torn out, you all collectively flashback to his response to Jhod’s question:
”I was wondering when someone was going to ask about Arangin” He says gesturing to his hand and the abnormal tattoo on it. ”Erastil sent Arangin in my time of need. A group of bandits killed my entire group and left me bleeding. I could feel the last of my blood coming out when I saw a ruby toned heavy horse trotting towards me and then right through me. I got right up, and took down the entire band, and felt no pain doing it. Now Arangin is in me and guides my hand towards Erastil’s enemies. He teaches me the way with whispers in my ear. He supports this quest and is pretty sure he can get me through it...”
**********
”Do not worry, Arangin is pretty sure he can get me through this... and he falls to the ground.
Marc grits his teeth and prepares to bring the guisarme down on the centipede, hoping to buy Augrym more time. for . As he strikes the vermin, the blessings of Erastil cause a surge of growth in the vegetation. [ooc]Not sure the REF DC, but if it fails it's entangled for 1 round.
The heroes mount an impressive counterattack on the creature, and even the dog gets a bite in. Still, the thing is massive, and is not dead yet. It offers a lashing to incoming Toth with its tail, sending the big cat tumbling several feet short of his target.
HIT plus SUCCESS
Eager to make off with its meal, the centipede grabs the limp form of Augrym in its maw and attempts to abscond with the half-orc!
Round II
1. Zed
2. Centipede (23 dmg)
3. Marc (+AoO), Unrak (+AoO), Augrym (Fort save, -6/10 hp, stabilize), Taranis (Toth: 1 nonlethal, prone)
Round III
1. Zed
2. Centipede (23 dmg)
3. Marc, Unrak, Augrym (-6/10 hp), Taranis
"Give him back!" Taranis tosses the flame from his hand at the centipede.
for
Toth sticks to the last order, gets up and closes the distance.
Marc capitalizes on the opportunity, not wanting to waste a single second to help Augrym for
The centipede's long tail swishes madly once more, sending Toth sprawling a second time!
HIT plus SUCCESS
Round II
1. Zed
2. Centipede (37 dmg)
3. Marc, Unrak (+AoO), Augrym (Fort save, -6/10 hp, stabilize), Taranis (Toth: 3 nonlethal, prone)
Round III
1. Zed
2. Centipede (37 dmg)
3. Marc, Unrak, Augrym (-6/10 hp), Taranis