A small smirk crosses the archer's face as he nocks another arrow.
Well, perhaps not bacon, but imagine having smoked boar steaks every morning for breakfast! The food of kings... And I would know. My hunting village had to send every boar we brought down to the king's men, and were punished if we kept any for ourselves...
He lets two arrows fly at the beast as he speaks.
Eduard throws a ball of acid at the beast, hitting its flank.
Andrea misses the boar with her speak.
Alexander and his horse both attack hit the boar with sword and hoof.
Radomir delivers a strong blow to the boar.
Soren's arrows finish off the dire creature.
The large sized, dead boar now lies on the forest floor in front of you all.
Radomir, are you or your horse wounded? Andrea has her wand available.
Radomir dismounts and begins dressing the boar. Aye, but.. it's... He stands to speak and stumbles from the bloodloss and pressure. Not bad.. just.. a gash. A scrape, really. Nothing worth using our resources over. I will survive.
Andre ataps Radomir with the wand.
At least this area should be safe for a while. I can't imagine anything dangerous living anywhere near...that. Alexander waves his hand over his sword as the blood magically washes off. I didn't realize boar came this big.
Thank you, Andrea. I am better able to serve you all, now. Radomir stands and packages away the dressed boar. Boars can get big, my lord, but aye, never that. I have little knowledge of woodcraft, though, so I am no expert.
Lick lick.
"Radomir, do you think Czernabog has it in him to drag this whole carcass to the post? We can use every bit of this beast that way." In his mind Thalian was already listing how they could use all the parts. Blood for blood sausage, intestine for the sausage skin, hide for leather. They'd have to test the liver and kidneys, if the thing had eaten to much poisonous plants those would be no good.
If not, we can probably rig up something between a few of the horses. We'll have to build a plank of some sort to keep it from dragging on the ground the whole way. Alexander nods curtly, But yes, we should bring this back to the post directly.
He looks over at Soren, What do you think? I imagine you've had some experience with this sort of thing?
Yes. Czernabog can drag the beast back to the trading post. Do we have any Rope?
One can never have too much rope. Andrea produces some.
One can never have too much rope. Andrea produces some.
Radomir trusses up the dressed boar and ties it to Czernabog's back. He'll probably have to walk the rest of the way.
Let's feed the trading post
Looking at your map, you know that you can cut back up and through the area where the bandit camp was to take a shorter route back to Oleg's and make it there by the end of the day. There are also plenty of sturdy tree branches around to make a travois to drag to boar's corpse back to the fort on.
Aside from the occasional acorn pelting, the trip back to Oleg's is uneventful and you are pleased to note that the acorn assault end at the forest's edge.
Oleg greats your group at the gate, whistling in appreciation of the size of the boar you are dragging. "I can't believe it. Looks like you all have managed to fell Tuskgutter. The old fellow has caused many a problem in the forest and it looks like his corpse will now keep the whole fort fed all winter long."
Indeed, glad to help. I must ask, have you had any problem with acorn pelting? We've seem to attracted the attention of those who like to practice their throwing arm. Perhaps a way to discourage this?
He wasn't all that interested in coming with us peacefully, but Radomir and Soren seem to have a way with animals. Convincing them, that is. Alexander dismounts and starts cleaning off his mount for the evening. We seem to have attracted the attention of...something. But they're less malicious and more just annoying.
When he sees the priest, Oh! We cleared out that temple for you. Nice little place. Cozy even.
"Acorn pelting? I can only assume that you've run afoul of a small fae or two. Not too much of a problem for you lot. Anything truly big and powerful would have made itself fully known before you left it's territory. It likely lacks the ability to do anything truly harmful, though they are certainly persistent little buggers and unlikely to forget you before your next trip into the woods?"
The priest looks at the group in surprise at Alexander's statement. "What's that? You've managed to find and clear out the temple already? That is most wonderful news and I am most impressed. In the morning I will head there myself to start it's restoration. I feel certain it can be returned to it's former glory in a short time. Please, feel free to stop by the temple whenever you are in need of any healing magics, they will done free of cost for this service you have done."
Obviously tonight's dinner will be some pit-roasted boar steaks and everyone is quite appreciative of them. Svetlana can also start the process to make a large amount of jerky from the boar as well.
Your night here at the fort will pass quietly and you may decide what to do next in the morning.
"Acorn pelting? I can only assume that you've run afoul of a small fae or two. Not too much of a problem for you lot. Anything truly big and powerful would have made itself fully known before you left it's territory. It likely lacks the ability to do anything truly harmful, though they are certainly persistent little buggers and unlikely to forget you before your next trip into the woods?"
The priest looks at the group in surprise at Alexander's statement. "What's that? You've managed to find and clear out the temple already? That is most wonderful news and I am most impressed. In the morning I will head there myself to start it's restoration. I feel certain it can be returned to it's former glory in a short time. Please, feel free to stop by the temple whenever you are in need of any healing magics, they will done free of cost for this service you have done."
Obviously tonight's dinner will be some pit-roasted boar steaks and everyone is quite appreciative of them. Svetlana can also start the process to make a large amount of jerky from the boar as well.
Your night here at the fort will pass quietly and you may decide what to do next in the morning.
Is there any way we can rid ourselves of the pests? I am told kiling them would be unwise, and I don't know where they are to even attack.
Andrea dives into her steak with gusto, juice dribbling down her chin as she is most unlady-like chowing down.
"Radomir, as I told you already, don't let them get to you. They target you because your reactions are fun to watch. Control yourself, ignore it all or maybe try being friendly." He gives the oaf a sincere smile though he feared the dumb force wouldn't even truly understand his words, "I can try to put in a good word for you as well. You must have seen neither Alex nor myself are being targeted, that is because they like us. The last option would be to show they how we take down bandits, they'd love that."
Fairies! They're far too undisciplined for this world. But, He sighs. If I must befriend them, then I must. How do you propose I do that? Their acorns are a nuisance, but I do not want their tricks to grow worse. And, the noise they make on my armor could give our position away. It is hard enough for me to move the brush silently as it is.
"It may not seem that way, but many do answer to a greater power." That that power usually just was another, stronger fey didn't matter. "We can show them our good will, help them somehow. I'm willing to bet they will have some sort of issue with other inhabitants of the area, like with the brigands. Cleaning those out should help with them over."
Thaliar is silent for a moment, thinking back on how the lesser fey were handled in the Gronzi. "We could also leave a gift for them. Not entirely sure what would be best though. I know we did things like that up north."
It's a good thing we have an expert along with us. I'm sure if you follow Thaliar's advice, everything will be fine.
Alexander prepares his horse early in the morning. We're starting to map things further out from the post. Make sure you're prepared for a few days of traveling, at least. He stretches a bit in the courtyard as they wait.
Aye, my lord. Radomir stands pTiently by Czernabog's side, weapon at the ready, should danger occur.
At least there will be plenty of jerky. So, shall we continue mapping from where we left off?
Yes, let's. Alexander mounts and makes ready to leave. Soren, where we headed?
Eduard mounts up and gets in line with the rest of the group.
Hopefully we can scout a bit better. All of this running into unexpected enemies is causing me much concern.
Soren grunts at Alexander's question as he devours his boat steak.
We've made good progress, but we haven't yet seen anymore bandit presence. I find that... worrisome. They could be tracking us, or we just haven't gone deep enough yet. I wonder if we should start looking for them. You're the leader though, Alexander. What do you think?
It seems we have put quite the dent into them. With the raiding party and camp removed, any remaining might not have enough strength to do anything. I suppose we can start checking out areas we haven't scouted for their presence.
It hasn't actually been too long since our attack. And I imagine losing a base and a dozen men to put a dent in any operation. Given how big these forests are, I'd be surprised if they even know much about it yet. He looks around, I think we can stick to our current plan of mapping the area out. We have some defenses built up here and plenty more to search. No sense in striking out randomly just to find more bandits. They could be anywhere. We'll find them soon enough.
Morning comes with a breakfast of leftover strips of boar with fried eggs and toast. Oleg eats with your group and asks if you need to replenish any supplies from his stores. He also asks which way you will be exploring next, forest or plains? He feels certain there is a good bit of each left to explore.
Perhaps we could get some candy and bright jewelry? Nothing too expensive.
Andrea indeed buys some sweets. Pastries and perhaps some booze to act as a gift when they next travel.
Radomir replenishes his stores with boar meat, and he follows Andrea's cue and also buys some sweets, pastries, and wine for the fey. This is foolish, it would be wiser to simply slay them. Their kind would know our strength and fear our wrath!
Let us attempt to satisfy their little urges first. If they reject or get to demanding then we can drive them off.
Soren shrugs at the mention of more supplies.
I am fine for now. I have enough arrows to last. I'm ready to set off whenever you wish, Alexander.
Let us continue to explore the forest to finish our map.
Radomir mounts and follows The others, still grumbling a bit about acorns. And fas.
Your group backtracks the way that you came, passing though the open field, then to the forest. You pass by the raddish patches, the bandit's camp and the lair of the giant boar. During which a stray acorn or two gets tossed at certain members of the group.
After that, near the days end, you finally come across a bit of forest you haven't ridden through before. Shortly after hitting that bit, you can hear a series of pained yips made by some unknown and unseen animal.
A bit of exploring and you can pin-point the sounds coming from what looks like a pit trap in the middle of a small clearing. It must be deep since you cannot see anything of the creature in it.
Do you wish to investigate or pass on?
Andrea takes out the package of pastries,wine and candies and puts it down whent he acorns fly out.
A small gift as an apology for bothering your nest.
Andrea then rides off with the others.
An abandoned trap? Or one that has yet to be visited by a hunte?. It would be impolite to tamper with it.
Alexander dismounts and walks up to the edge of the pit, being careful not to fall in.
This should be...interesting. Who's hunting out this far?
No one with common sense...
Soren follows Alexander to see what's making the noise, but he keeps his bow drawn.
The pit, once covered by a layer of branches, has claimed a brush thylacine, and the hungry creature paces the confines of the 10-foot square, 20-foot-deep pit in a frenzy. Nearby the pit is a carved stick driven into the ground, perhaps a marker for where the pit is.
Alexander jumps back as the side gives way. Whoah...a little too close there.
He leans over the new edge carefully and looks down into the pit. What is that? Some sort of wild cat?
Soren leaps back as well, and eyes the creature in the pit.
Andrea takes out the package of pastries,wine and candies and puts it down whent he acorns fly out.
A small gift as an apology for bothering your nest.
Andrea then rides off with the others.
An abandoned trap? Or one that has yet to be visited by a hunte?. It would be impolite to tamper with it.
Radomir does the same, although he stumbles over the word "apology".
Radomir stays far away from that it. The sides do not look safe.
Instead, he examines the area for tracks . And then,, once found, he'll try to use those track s to identify the creature that made them