Camp that night is peaceful with no sign of the dark being that pursued the day before. The large dead tree makes for a nice wind break. A meal of Svetlana's trail rations, while not as good as her normal cooking is hearty and filling.
6th of Pharast
No encounter.
It takes a couple hours of riding to leave the hill lands and return to the plains of the north east. A full day of exploring maps out the eastern edge of the territory described in the charter. The night is almost cheerful without any disrupting events during the day. Tuck sings a ballad describing a princess stolen by the Red Dragon Lord who once ruled Brevoy.
7th of Pharast
No encounter.
After just an hour of riding the group returns to Bokken's hut. When they approach they can hear him in conversation with another man.
A voice older then Bokkens cracking with age calls out. "Whoo hoo! I did to see him I say. That fiend of the forest, Tuskgutter, what stole my leg you know as well as I, Bokken."
"Just as like a trap of Breeg's took your leg and what would a boar want with a fifth leg? If it's as big as you claim mayhaps it used it to prop it's manhood while plowing a sow?" Replies Bokken.
"I've hunted these woods for thirty years and I'll be damned if that boar will shame me. I'll have his tusks for crutches and make headcheese from his skull before I'm through!"
Ember enjoys Tuck's song, ears perking at the mention of the words 'red dragon,' and watches the former bandit with glittering eyes, but Servayn waves him away and the two remain silent the rest of the evening.
Upon arriving at Bokken's hut, the Eidolon again perks his ears, at the sound of the words 'boar' and 'Tuskgutter.'
I will eat it's heart. he growls, clearly excited by the notion of an encounter with meat-on-the-hoof.
I see you have company Master Bokken. I hope you good sirs are doing well this day. I couldn't help but overhear that you are having trouble with the boar we have heard rumor of. You have seen him then? Do you know where he ranges? I am Garick Nowicki by the way nice to meet you.
The inside of Bokken's hut is filled with herbs, vials, and jarred oddities. A small cot is covered in furs to one side and a large work bench takes up the majority of the right side. The two men sit at a table before the fireplace and boiling pot.
A short pot bellied old man creaks to stand and hold out his gnarled hand. "Name's Vekkel Benzen, young'un. As Bokken's not screaming like a wild cat you must be a friend."
His leathers are worn and well patched. He wears a skunk furred boots with a matching vest. A wooden peg just from the lower half of his right pant leg.
"I've seen Tuskgutter time and again in these forests. He's escaped my traps over and over. Even tried to bring him down with my own bare hands when I was a younger man. Why not so different from yourself." He rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Truth have it. Don't think I'll ever get him now, but if'n someone brought me his head as a trophy I'd die a happy man at heart."
Bokken speaks up "A roost for an old rooster hours of banter for an old bantam."
"Huh...I think he means a man of my age should be able to settle in peace." The hunter translates. "Why if I knew Tuskgutter had been bested I would hand over my own bow!"
He points towards a bow leaning by the door. Even unstrung it looks like it would be impossible for him to drawn.
Garick looks over the bow like a work of art. Craft Bow Well met Master Benzen. Did you make this yourself? I myself am a bit of a bowyer. Here is my pride and joy. He will Let the old fellow have a good look at his own bow handing it over to the man.
"Aye, took me a year of carving and sanding. Made from a branch off the creature known as the Scythe Tree from the far south Narlmarches." He runs knotted hands over the wood. "She's a fine bow. A little green, but they take time to season."
"If you're inclined to hunt the beast. I think I've tracked Tuskgutter's lair to about twenty miles south west of the Thorn River ford. Keep an eye out for bandits there. They're worse then the kobolds and mites in the southern hills." Vekkel has a laugh at the bandits expense. He must not realize they've been dealt with at the river.
Ember is clearly excited by the thought of hunting an enormous boar and paces back and forth, like a caged animal.
Do we wish to circle around Oleg's and explore the land to the northern reaches, Servayn begins, with a mocking tone to his voice, as Ember ungently 'nudges' his side, "or track back to this boar's territory?
One menace is as good as another, I'd expect.
Garick will pull out the map he has been making. Do you think you could mark the area of where you believe the lair to be? You are not the first to mention these kobalds and mites if you would be so kind as to mark them as well. I wonder is there anything else you know of that might be of interest, or something we may wish to be weary of. We had an occasion to cross paths with a strange glowing skull a few days ago here. Garick will point it out on the map. It seemed very dangerous and territorial we are giving it a wide birth until we figure a way to deal with it.Garick smiles at Ember I too would be up for a good hunt. I think this boar could make a fine feast eh Ember.
"Yes, a hunt would be a pleasant diversion, and serve to foster goodwill among the inhabitants of the region". "It sounds as though this particular beast has been a problem for some time now". "I say we leave tomorrow".
"Well just yesterday I saw half a dozen of the lizards feasting on radishes here." He says pointing to the west side of the map. "As for those mites I came across several of their bodies two days ago up in the hills due south."
Bokken looks chipper at the mention of the skull, "A light so dark it casts shadows a voice of terror and sky follow it through a maze and it will lead to a treasure of death. The will-o'-wisp's will of wasps will sting the unwary."
The old hunter closes his eyes and spits, "Ack! The wisps about again. Devil of a creature luckily it spends its time around other unsavory creatures like those spider's the south. So long as it's happy in one spot we won't have to worry."
A will of the wisp..of course! Lukasz thinks to himself as he lets those Bokeen care more fore talk. However as plans are made to hunt down Tuskgutter, the young sorcerer says, ¨Well, thankfully, we won´t have to worry about at least some of those bandits, eh? Though if we are going to go after this boar, I think it might be best to make a little detour to Oleg and see what Garrick can make with what Oleg has to help against this beast. Maybe some sort of trap or such that we can place out for this beast.¨
Vekkel and Bokken take a pot of strong tea and set out on two wooden stumps outside the hovel. "Little buggers had themselves stuffed to the exploding. One of the stranger things these old eyes have seen in the woods."
Bokken sips at the tea and pokes a few of the floating dregs. "Leaves are seeing Sootscales crying a war in miniature."
"Kobolds ain't trouble around here. Show 'em a stern hand and let 'em know you won't be bossed around. Those mites now...that's a different story. Why I remember one time I found two of 'em tearing apart the corpse of a dead brush tiger. After they got its ribs out they just started poking each other in the eye. Dirty little fey make Bokken here look sane." He slurps at the tea noisily. "I wouldn't bother Oleg with making any traps for Tuskgutter. Tried all he knew myself. Beast even tore itself out of a pit trap I spent a week digging. Had himself a headache with some holy man arguing with a mercenary about searching for some sacred temple this morning."
I'm sorry. I am a little confused Oleg had a headache? What is this about a mercenary and Holy man? You fellas are full of news today.Garick will sit down with the men. He seems in his element with the old hermit and huntsman. He is defiantly more at ease than many of you have seen him.
Are mites known for their pranks, or are they a more malicious sort of fey? Servayn asks out of the blue.
There was an incident with a little surprise being left in someone's armor overnight, but we chose not to make a large fuss about it. Perhaps that's for the best, as I understand that fey are more likely to continue working their mischief on those whose reactions are suitably amusing to them...
"Afraid I don't know much about the mites myself. Ugly little blue creatures can't say as they seem none to subtle." Pouring himself some more tea he continues. "Oleg had a visitor, a holy man named Jhod. That's all I saw. His place is only three hours on horse back so I'm sure you could make it there by noon and still watch the show."
"Aye, moon radishes are delicious. They'll make a soup that can set a man's bones to tingling and give him the youthful vigor of a young buck. In bed and on the hunt." He says with a dirty wink.
"Olegs a gruff goat who purrs like a kitten for radish soup! Svetlana purrs for the nights she makes it." Bokken adds laughing madly.
Vekkel stands and shakes Garrick's hand again. "I'd best be off, traps don't check themselves after all. Don't know who you should ask about the wisp, Adams might have a clue. He's a grizzled druid, lives in a cabin on the west side of the forest."
With that the old man shoulders a pack and stumps out into the plains.
Good hunting Vekkel! Hope to cross paths again.Garick waves Bokken no berries yet, but don't think we have forgotten. I suppose we will head to Oleg's soon. Is there anything you would like me to try and acquire for you while I am there? You had better not say Svetlana you old rascal. Garick says with a grin
"that's also where we will leave the boar's head once we cleave it from the beasts shoulders.Ox says piping up. If he knew how to keep up with bokken's nonsense he'd have a couple more questions as is, he is happy Kal is more attentive.
Since the locals did not seem to know, Servayn will direct his question towards Garick, Do you know anything about these mites? Are they malicious or just pranksters? The fouling of Kals armor suggests mere pranksters, but that might have been some other type of fey...
Ember pipes up, Poison'd or eat-able?
Let's wait to find out if they are malicious, before we decide that you can eat them... he says to his Eidolon.
His head spinning a little from the chaotic conversation, Lukasz offers to assist Corso in preparing the camp for the night. Spotting the wand on Clip Clop, he figures that a bit of added firepower couldn´t hurt as he slips it into his belt.
After preparing the camp, he goes to check on his horse, who he had decided to call Bridget. Once things have seddled a bit, Lukasz will ask Ox,¨Hey Ox, can you give me a few tips on taking care of horses. I´ve noticed that you always are taking care of our horses and I´d like to help out when I can. At the very least I would be abe to take care of my own horse without worrying you whether she is taken care of or not.¨
"absolutely, the best way to learn, is to do, as far as these guys are concerned. to some it seems a chore, but to me its the least I can do to thank em for carrying me around all day long. Theres two major points to keeping a horse maintained, keeping its body clean and more important than that is keeping its hooves clean. you take a brush and brush it down before and after a ride and that'll take of the majority of your work. you do this so when we saddle em and bridle there is not dirt or bits in there to cause abrasions. It'll also help spread some of the skins natural oils making their coat look a right sight better. as for the hooves its mostly about making sure there isn't any rocks caught or dirt clods. Imagine giving someone a piggy back ride with a rock in your boot and you'll have the idea. when you are doing all this, you make sure one, they know what your about, they enjoy the attention so its not to hard to convince them."
Ox streches and pulls a second brush out of his bag, handing it over. if you are finding your self nervous or the beast nervous feel free to take a a step back and call me or my brother. we are both old hand at it.
Oh Corso you have done a fine job I'll give you a hand getting things back to travel. It is early yet, and since we don't have to go slow exploring it should be a quick jaunt back to Oleg's and an afternoon of relaxing hopefully. A nice dinner eh! He tries to help Corso look on the bright side. He himself understanding getting things set only to pull it back up and repack. Just think A cool mug and a nice lunch before supper. Maybe we can even put in an order for some good Brevoy whiskey with Oleg.He begins to whistle one of Ox's chipper tunes as he helps Corso.
With that notion in mind, Servayn will think back to if he has heard anything about kobolds that might be useful...
Both of you think about it and realize that mites are indeed an evil sort of fey. They are small and resemble a very grotesque goblin with bulging eyes and bulbous nose. Mite's are fond of any joke that ends with someone getting hurt and spend most of their time creating contraptions to this end. The rest of their time is spent raising vermin for which they have an affinity.
After conversing with Vekkel and Bokken the party travels west to Oleg's. It's a short ride only an hour as the crow flies. The gates are open as usual and the smells of fresh bread hang in the hair. Kesten is sitting outside the walls running a grinding stone along the edge of his massive sword. As usual his demeanor is dour.
"Hello Corso. Glad to see your group still stands. Each day I consider charging into the wilderness only to find your corpses." Kesten stands and sheathes his weapon. He walks beside the others as they enter the fort. "We have a new guest arrive yesterday. I'm sure he'll be glad to speak with you."
A man in plain brown robes sits at the table by the fire. He appears to be deep in prayer.
Janku rides in slowly really not paying attention to his surroundings as he is getting comfortable with the area so close to the outpost. He is busy daydreaming of the magnificance of the Iron Shod Temple to Gorum he plans to someday construct with it's high arches, and thin towers brimming with spikes, when his attention is drawn to the newcomer.
Hmm, could this be a stumbling block on his way to power???
Perception
Knowledge religion.
Janku keeps a close eye on the new arrival as he dismounts.
Seeing the strange reticence in his otherwise loquacious fellows, Servayn steps up to greet the robed man.
Greetings friar, tell me, what good word do you bring to this otherwise godless land? Come you to nourish the spirits of men who have perhaps fallen far from their proper path?
Following Ox´s instructions, Lukasz seems to be doinging alright, using his natural charisma to keep the horse calm as he went about brushing the horse´s coat. However, not feeling completely confident around the horse´s hooves, he calls Ox over after almost getting knocked in the chest by a stray hoof.
After arriving to Oleg´s, Lukasz takes in the smell of the fresh bread ad he looks at the priest after giving greetings to Oleg and the others in the camp.
¨How is it going Father? What brings you to the enterance of the Greenbelt?¨
He sits up straighter pulling back the brown wool hood. The priests eyes are milky and his dark hair is piebald. His beard is thick and unkempt. Propped on the table beside him is a stave of darkwood shod on both ends with tightly wrapped leather. You might guess him to be middle-aged.
"Hello my sons. The sun is warm today and it shines on my penitent heart. May Erastil bless both of you and your families. My name is Jhod Kavken and yours?" He tilts his head listening carefully. "There's a great many of you. Is this the group of explorers Oleg and Kesten speak of? Perhaps I may finally have found the men to help me in my quest."
Servayn sits down next to the priest, placing his hand close enough to the other man's that he can feel his presence, but not actually touching him, I am Servayn, Master Kavken, it is a pleasure to meet you. Our leader, Kalsgrim Lodovka, is also a servant of the huntsman, I do believe. What is this quest you speak of?
With zealous zeal he launches into a speech, "I have wronged our god and our ways. For that I was nearly cast out of our church. I wondered through the streets of Restov a begger for months until one day a vision came to me. With eyes that have not seen in years I saw a path leading to the Stolen Lands. Each night the dream came stronger until finally I set out." Jhod sweeps his arms about him. "Until I reached this place. A dead end. Now I have only a faint remembering a calling from my past dreams. Somewhere in these forests is a temple or ruin...or shrine and I think I am to serve there. I have begged the hired sword here to search it out for me but he refuses, insisting that his job is to protect not to explore."
Cleric Kavken begins to weep into his robes, "If I can't find this shrine Erastil may punish me further, already I am unable to dispense his blessings. My prayers fall flat. Once the leader of a community, now a useless beggar."
Oleg shakes his head as he walks to the stables to tend the horses. "Been like that since he got here.'
Garick beams at the luck of this dayFirst an old tracker wants him to hunt down a giant beast of a boar, and now a priest of Ol' Deadeye himself is asking for aid in a holy quest! Garick smiles Fear not Father Erastil has aimed you true! I am a huntsman whose patron is none other than Ol' Deadeye myself, and my Lord Kal is a paladin in his service. We are here to secure the Greenbelt for the Swordlords. My name is Garick Nowicki, and I will do all in my ability to aid you. Garick runs a hand through his hair; looks at Kal realizing he may have spoken out of turn to late. He was getting to used to this informal way that Kal preferred. I have to start treating Kal more like he deserves otherwise how are others going to perceive him. I have been letting myself slip to much. Father would not be pleased none at allForgive me my Lord I speak out of turn. It is for you to decide. Still Father Jhod I have given my word and I will do all in my ability as I can. Know that I will do my best by Erastil.