Alexander chuckles slightly as he passes his hand over his blade, letting his magic clean the blood away.
We can be Lords of the radishes. He frowns mockingly, It does not have much of a ring to it. Looking down on the kobolds, then back up at Thaliar, Draconic? I suppose that makes sense... Sheathing his sword, Alexander looks around the field, I'll have to remember that if we run into them again.
Lick lick.
"I doubt this is the last we've seen of them. These things tend to live with large colonies in massive underground burrows." He looked around him at the scene, "We should leave most of the radishes, a sign if good will. Take what we need and leave the rest. Perhaps Oleg is interested."
"And yes, Draconic. These little ones fashion themselves cousins of the great dragons. It's a collective delusion as far as I know."
Alexander shrugs and smiles, I don't know...they kind of look like little wingless dragons. He shrugs again, Maybe radishes make them drunk? Laughing, Alexander makes ready to move on.
Let's keep an eye out for more. If we've got a...hive, colony...whatever, around here then we should probably try to be friends rather than enemies. They don't seem bright, but I'm guessing they can be cunning....and annoying.
Well we probably ruined our chances with this. Andrea gathers up some radishes as Thaliar suggested. Well shall we continue exploring?
it would be better to subjugate them, and make them our slaves, than befriend them. They are undisciplined, and untrustworthy. Only fear of our might, and the strength of their bonds could teach them.
Fear or friendship. I've found it best to leave my options open. It'll depend on how many of them there are and how powerful the tribe. Thaliar, what can you tell us about these things?
Alexander pats the side of his horse as he speaks, calming it before they head out.
"For starters that it's odd to see them out in the open. They prefer darkness, so either night, heavy shade from trees or underground. That's also where they tend to live." He walks towards the downed kobolds, respectfully closing their eyelids and straightening their corpses a bit. "They tend to be cowards but they're also quite clever. Oh, and they make traps."
Radomir does have a point. if they are weaker, we can absorb them, but we can see just how they are organized.
Eduard shrugs slightly, I'm not sure this is a pressing issue, but they are quite productive. I wouldn't even call them unintelligent necessarily, but they are certainly vicious and petty. But if we can get them to work with us and see the value instead of as slaves, I'm certain we'll find better value than if they are fighting us constantly.
Soran shrugs.
If they have skills as miners, then perhaps we can put them to work on that gold vein we found earlier...
From amongst the corpses, you find: Three large baskets full of radishes, 4 spears (small sized), 3 sets leather armor (small sized), 2 slings, a pouch with seven gold pieces, 9 silver and a dozen rough, unfinished gems, and a small box made of what looked like carved bone with copper fittings.
How's everyone's food supply? Enough for a few more days, or shall we head back now? Alexander asks as he rummages around in his pack.
We might as well stop by and see how things are with them and resupply as needed. See if we can get any equipment ordered if we need to.
Radomir nods grimly. Their kind are a scourge, but they can prove useful if guided.
Having already cleared the surrounding areas, your trip back to Oleg's is accomplished without any complications.
As you ride up to the fort, you notice that the gate is open and you can see and hear more people than just the ones that you left behind. As you enter, you see a stranger caring for some horses by the stable area, while another unknown is hammering loose shingles on the roof of it. Oleg is standing over near the fire pit and talking to yet another stranger.
As soon as Oleg catches sight of your group, a look of relief crosses his face and he moves towards you, motioning the stranger to follow him. "My friends, your timing is near perfect. Father Jhod Kavken has only just arrived here, seeking the help of those responsible for clearing our the bandits from the area. It seems that he has heard rumors of a number of lost temples dedicated to Erastil scattered about the Stolen Lands and after he chose to dedicate himself to this task, he was gifted with a dream of one in particular. Somewhere not too far from here, but guarded by a very large and angry bear."
The Cleric nods as Oleg's speaks. "Yes, all of that is right and I had hoped that with all of your travels throughout the area that you might have come across some markings possibly leading to the temple. Or if I could trouble you to keep an eye for it on any future travels and perhaps deal with the bear guarding it? I am but a solitary traveling priest and fear that I am ill equipped to deal with any kind of guardians."
Alexander smiles in greeting, We have not, but I'm sure we will. He looks around the fort. You're traveling alone? Then these other fine men are not with you? He chuckles as he greets Oleg, Your post is bustling with activity, sir. Seems everything is coming along well.
Alexander dismounts and pats his horse, waving his hand as the dust clears from his boots. We have some stories to tell, it appears.
We can certainly keep a look out for it. Andrea dismounts and hands he horses over to the stabler.
Thaliar can barely contain himself at Radomir's remark. The irony of the man's statement probably passed over his head as he described the kobolds in a way any sane person would describe him.
In the trading post he takes in the new faces before he extends a hand towards the priest, "Are you by chance associated with the Medvyeds? I know several of them are part of the faith of Old Deadeye."
"Medvyeds? No I don't believe I've had the chance to meet any of them as of yet. I'm not a native of the area. And no, those other men were not traveling with me, we merely ended up here about the same time."
"Those two men belong to some noble by the name of Kesten Garess. He and his other man are out riding about, taking in the land around the post. Apparently he volunteered to be stationed up here with his men to help protect the post in the interest of trade being able to continue or some such stuff."
Well, lucky you. Alexander smiles at the cleric. You'll have to tell us more about this...holy site. You mentioned a bear? Is that...normal?
His eyes narrow slightly as Oleg mentions the other men. His frown softens as he speaks, Hired help, Oleg? You must be doing better than I thought. He chuckles, We have a bit of gear to sell, some supplies to buy, and a few items we might need you to find buyers for.
He looks at the men again, He volunteered, you say? But he doesn't have a charter...correct? Just here for work. The frown returns as Alexander's curiosity is piqued.
"No charter as far as I know of. He may just be the type to roam about, looking for some noble quest to finish just to make a name for himself or to impress some lass. He'll likely be as useless as any other noble I've ever seen, but even having useless bodies around can deter things from attacking. Plus his presence may increase the trade, so I won't be trying to kick him out or anything just yet."
Well if he can help blunt any attention from the remaining bandits that will be good. We had a hostile encounter with kobolds at a radish patch, do you know anything about them? Andrea presents some radishes.
Radomir tries to not look embarrassed at the phrase "hostile encounter at radish patch". It would be better to exterminate or subjugate them.
"Or we just arrange a mutually beneficial agreement, in our favor if I can help it." The knight was a brute and he should leave both the thinking and the talking to those actually capable of doing so.
He turns back to the priest, "That's a shame father, I'm sure you'd like them. They be be no good nobles but they are nice folks who care about those in their domain." He smiled sincerely, "We will keep an eye out for the temple, and the bear." They would, but handing it over and allowing an actual congregation to Erastil here was another matter. His followers tended to small minded and would probably hinder development of the land. Then again, they would probably attract settlers to the region which was a very good thing.
Course not, Oleg. Can't be turning away paying tourists to the region. Alexander chuckles, And if they can fight off a few bandits, even better.
But I'd like to meet this man and his men. Get a good measure of him. He frowns slightly, I'm not comfortable leaving you at the mercy of a small band of mercenaries. Though if they're honest folk they'll be welcome help.
Alexander chuckles and replies with a wry smile, Besides, not all nobles are worthless. Just most of them.
So besides possibly looking for the temple? Plus we have some equipment we can possibly sell and things to place orders for,
Yes, Father Kavken, tell us more about this temple. We've got a little business to discuss with Oleg, but that can wait till after we unpack and eat.
He starts to take the packs off his horse. We've been out for a couple of days. I think the horses could use a good brush down and some rest.
noble houses in name only. A DC 20
Knowledge (nobility) check is enough
to recall the scandal when an affair
between Kesten and a lowborn woman
named Tania, a weaver’s daughter,
became public knowledge. His father Evan,
a cousin of the Garess family patriarch,
disowned Kesten, who fled to Restov to
serve as a mercenary. He volunteered to
lead the small group of soldiers to help
guard Oleg’s Trading Post after his own
depression and shame grew too much to handle.
Kesten hopes to either make a name for himself as the
defender of a remote fort, or to find an honorable death
among the bandits and other dangers in the region.
"I can't say too much it about it, just that it has been lost and unattended for some time. I believe that Erastil wants to see them returned to their former glory and that is why he chose to gift me with a vision of it. I couldn't get much in the way of directions from the vision other than that it is deep in the middle of a forest. I think that it could be the one that is southwest of here, but that is still a large area to cover."
Andrea examines both boxes with detect magic
Let us open these up and examien them. She is looking at the 'music box' and the one made of bone.
When you open up the music box, it plays a sweet little melody.
When you open up the bone and copper box, everyone within 10 ft must make a will save of 14 or stare slackjawed at the glittering light pattern it emits for 1d6 x 10 minutes. Or until someone shuts the box.
How interesting.
Hrm? What? Alexander stares into the light oblivious to everything else.
Oh, you just want to be my devoted servant, be my devoted servant, you are feeling sleepy, my devoted servant.
Thaliar, Alex, have you ever thought about choosing a new spiritual path? Life is short so having a strong faith can be very beneficial.
Soran looks at the ones who are transfixed by the box and shrugs.
No idea what this thing is... Anyone else know? Could be important.
Thaliar just stares at the bright light, cocking his head slightly. He pays no attention to what anyone is saying around him as if he does not hear them at all.
Andrea sighs that her ambition to gain loyal Manwhores acolytes doesn't work and closes the box.
Hrm? Alexander shakes his head as the box closes. Nice box, he says with a frown, looking slightly embarrassed. A Staring Box they're called. A clever trick to trap would-be thieves. And foolish travelers it would appear.
He shakes his head again to clear it, Well, should be worth something I would think? Alexander looks as if he was just reminded of something, Did you need something Andrea? Or..no, now I can't remember... He shrugs. I'm sure it'll come to me. He turns back to Oleg with a sigh and a smile, It's been a long ride and, as you can see, we've got a few trinkets to unload.
Radomir stays silent, content to let his betters investigate the items. he does, however, remain ready to leap to their aid if the boxes prove hazardous.
Alexander, can you get a good guess at the price of the items we have gathered? Purchasing a wand of healing magic would be very useful.
Alexander chuckles, I'll let Thaliar and Eduard handle the numbers, but yes...Oleg? You wouldn't happen to pick up any magical healing supplies would you? We should probably start stocking up for longer trips and they could get a bit more dangerous.
We also have a bit more to unload on you. A few weapons. A couple of nice daggers. And a bunch of jewelry. Think you could find a buyer for all of this?
"Healing supplies? Let me think, I have an assortment of potions and a couple scrolls. No wands yet, but maybe by tomorrow or the next day. I had sent out word that I was in need of the sort of supplies needed for an adventurous group of people, I expect the merchant to arrive sooner rather than later. He may also be interested in some more of your liberated goods."