"They actually have a treaty with some of the fey up there." Thaliar continued talking as he continued to harass the tree with his spear. Poking holes probably wasn't the most successful way of dealing with it but he could at least annoy it.
After Andrea's miss, Alexander and Radomir's combined efforts were able to finally fell the evil tree. It's trunk weakened by the slashes of weapons and the burning fire, it falls to the forest floor (and yes, it does make a noise.)
Oddly colored sap leaks from the tree, like blood from a corpse as your group decides how and where to proceed. Finish the night out? Continue on?
Andrea casts CLW on Radomir
She does examine the tree. How strange this thing is, I hope there are no others nearby.
We still need our sleep. Double watches of course.
Radomir will search the grounds for any loot and signs of other killer trees
Alexander frowns as he looks down upon the tree. Let's clean this up and get some sleep. I'm sure we could all use it.
Once cleared away he settles in to finish his watch, casting cure light wounds on both himself and Andrea.
There is nothing of interest around your area, but examining the tree itself does reveal a few things.
Poking out of the trees trunk is a dagger that none of you recognize as your own. It it obviously of very fine craftsmanship, made out of mithril and the hilt appears to look like twisting leaves. There are also a few broken off arrow heads embedded in the bark, but those would be hard to salvage.
In the now open maw of the trunk, you glimpse something shiny. Reaching in, you pull out a partially decomposed hand that had been hung up on the wooden "teeth". The shiny thing was a large emerald ring set in a wide silver band. If this prompt you to look further into the guts of the tree, you find the rest of the body that the hand belongs to. Obviously the last meal that the tree consumed. It looks like it was a slender female, though decomposition has obscured her race other than to say humanoid. The remains of a broken bow remain in a death grip in her still attached hand. On her body is a set of mithril chain shirt and a belt pouch that contains 44 gp.
Andrea uses detect magic on the items so others can examine them as well
Alexander will also examine them all with Detect Magic.
I might be able to squeeze into this shirt if I work out a couple of these chains near the shoulders. Unless someone else would prefer to take it? He frowns at the sight of the body. Human? Elf, perhaps? What do you think, would she prefer a burial, or a proper burning? His arms crossed as he thinks on it. Burn the tree, bury the body? He pauses again and nods curtly, That sounds like a plan. I'll start on my shift with Andrea. The rest of you should get some rest.
Alexander sets about digging a hole just outside of camp. He takes a torch with him, but doesn't go too far from the campfire's light anyway.
Burial can help keep scavengers away from the campsite. Andrea gets set to finish her shift.Burning is risky and might set the forest on fire.
Radomir nods.Aye. We could carve up the tree for firewood and torches?
That could work, try a branch to make sure it can burn.
Radomir nods and rips off a branch to use as a torch.
Soren stays silent throughout the exchange, though he does eye the chain shirt for a minute. He then shrugs and turns back to his bedroll.
The dagger should fetch a fairly good price. Might be we want to save that one for a trip into the city. I doubt Oleg has enough gold on hand to buy it.
The youth puts out his torch and gets back into his bedroll, and falls back asleep quickly so that he is ready when his watch comes about.
Alexander finishes up most of the grave during his shift, working as quickly and quietly as possible so as not to disturb the others. It isn't easy, but he manages as best as he's able. Once finished, he wakes the last shift and finally gets some much needed rest.
There are no other interruptions during the night and everyone is able to get enough sleep.
The new day dawns and you are all left with the question of "where to go to next?"
So back to Oleg's or more exploration? Andrea checks the map to see how they are doing mapping the surrounding area.We don't want to meander too much, get a good area around Oleg's.
Let's finish this loop first and see where that leaves us. We'll need to get used to being on the road for long amounts of time sooner or later. He chuckles as he mounts his steed, and unfastens his drum. I suppose since we're not too far off we can drop in and see how things are going.
Alexander plays a low, but upbeat rhythm as they travel to keep the mood up.
Very well, more exploration for now Andrea rides along
Radomir nods, yes, we must bring law and order to these lands.
He mounts Czernabog. My lord, shall I take point?
Keep with the tight spiral, you head into the next area. You draw your map along the small forest path you are using and eventually the tranquility of the forest gives way to a large, arrow shaped clearing. The first thing that you notice about the clearing is that there are large patches of delicious moon radishes growing in it. The second is that laying amongst the patches of moon radishes are several moaning kobolds lying on their backs in the center of the patch, bellies full of the spicy roots and three overfilled baskets of the same lying nearby.
The kobolds are extremely displeased to see your group here and drag themselves to their feet to defend their yummy radishes.
Alexander rides forward with his longsword drawn. There's no need for a fight. We aren't here to take your...what are these, radishes?
Despite these words he stands ready to attack any kobold that comes at him.
We have no intention of brawling over your..produce. SO calm yourself.
Radomir grips his lance tightly astride Czernabog. He sits ramrod straight, presenting himself as a stalwart and deadly warrior. the kind of man who can do great harm, but who's word and loyalty know no bounds.
You can trust her words. And, the danger you are in should you attack us.
If there appears to be an obvious leader, Eduard will ready an action to cast Charm Person on said leader if they get aggressive.
Soren just sighs, and nocks his bow.
We could care less about your... food. Just clear out and save everyone the trouble of a fight.
As his fellows talk to the kobolds Thaliar suddenly realises they probably don't understand a word they are saying. Instead he starts in Draconic, "Amicis salutem . Non furtum vel damnum ad fruges. Sed scire volumus hac de vobis . Maioribusque vestris possemus forte conuersari exire . Trade pacificus convictus tuto collocetur."
A kobold replies in draconic to Thaliar:
"Idiotic lizards... Thaliar mumbles under his breath before continuing in Draconic while drawing his spear.
He switches to common swiftly after the last word in Draconic leaves his mouth, "Be ready to skewer them if needed. They are being paranoid and seem to refuse any attempt at diplomacy."
Andrea rolls her eyes at the grouchy lizards. I don't really like radishes anyway, we do not want your radishes. SO lower your weapons so there is no violence over plants.
Radomir brandishes his weapon. Stand down! We do not intend to eat your radishes. But, we will end you if you attack us. Czernabog whinnies and rears at the air.
The kobolds move on up to attack your group, and Alexander's readied attack goes off, leaving the kobold staggered.
A kobold attacks Alexander with a short spear , but fails to hit. His attack partner is staggered and attempt to move backwards, out of the fray.
Three other kobolds move up to attack others in the group:
Thaliar
Soren
Andrea
Alexander chuckles as he presses the attack against the second kobold. Not the wisest of creatures are you? Dying over radishes. Pathetic.
Round 2 Init 11
Andrea shoots the kobold that shot at her.
Round 1 Initiative 19
Soren just shrugs.
Bad move. Now we have to clear you out like vermin. Over radishes, no less.
He fires two shots at the leader.
Round 2 Initiative 19
He fires two more shots at the leader.
Radomir snarls and attacks! Wretched creatures!
. +1 is from horse back
Then, Czernabog steps forward and lashes out with hoof and teeth!
Thaliar speaks once more in Draconic before he draws his bow.
With that he draws his bow and aims for the group's leader.
Eduard will attempt to fire at the kobolds, preferring one not engaged in melee if possible.
Radomir and his horse each kill a kobold.
Soren finishes off the staggered leader.
Eduard fires and hits a kobold.
Andrea shoots a large raddish.
Thaliar misses any kobolds, but does fell a random wood dove with a bad sense of timing.
Alexander fells a kobold.
The kobolds seem to have a change of heart after seeing their comrades fall and turn tail to run away as fast as they can.
Andrea mourns the death of the radish.
Well it seems we are now lords of the turnip patch.
Well, perhaps that shall be the standard for your kingdom's flag, Alexander? A radish with a coat of arms behind it?
Soran chuckles at the thought, and then heads on if the others are ready to leave.
Radomir shakes his head, slightly embarrassed that they went to battle over a radish patch. aye, let us quit this place. Perhaps we will find more dignified battle elsewhere. First trees, now kobolds and radishes!
Andrea searches for any coins. At least we can see if we can replace any bolts and arrows we spent.