Noir dances around the battlefield that is steadily tilting in their favor. his hoofs rais and fall with grace and power, exhibiting the deadly force at which they can move. He closes with the Wolf and attempts to bite it.
Round 2 (the rest of it)
(19) Waking up, Lukasz mumbles, "I had the strangest dream..." Then looking about and realizing the dream was quite real, the sorcerer springs into action, rising, getting a bead on the nearest wolf and launching his customary slash of acid at it.
(18) Janku moves up beside the others and unleashes another burst of holy energy. "Gorum seal the wounds earned by your warriors!"
(14) Unable to see beyond Servayn's light, Corso will too grab with caution a piece of wood protruding from the fire and move, with his makeshift torch, to the edge of the light.
(8) With the approach of so many people wielding torches the wolf begins to grow nervous. It let's go of Ox and snaps at Garick.
After biting the ranger it moves deeper into the darkness making a low whining noise. As it leaves Garick swings and makes a cut across the dogs back.
It would seem that the pair of wolves have been routed. Those who can see farther into the night's shadows see the other dog disappear through the underbrush.
Ox sits up with a curse. Patting at his neck to reassure himself that it is still there, " I wasn't even dozzing or anything! the bastards just came out of nowhere I suppose that’s what we get for. Everybody alright?"
Ox hopes up calming Noir and his prancing fury, getting his water skin to wash off the horse's mouth, patting the beast on its side with affection.
"that sounds like a good plan to me. Perhaps we should go ahead and set the standard as watches as well,” The big man agrees with Corso. ” I don’t mind whatever pairings we decide, but it will probably mean that we stay longer in camp whenever we do, but it’ll be worth it, if we don’t have our throats ripped out, aye?” as he says all this he makes his way over to Janku and claps him on the back as usual Friar give The mighty Gorum my thanks. I’ll thank him more formally on the next battle field.
Ember seems ready to charge into the darkness, which is as clear as day to his burning eyes, but Servayn claps his hands and calls his companion back. The celestial eagle, on the other hand, streaks off into the darkness with a shriek, apparently in hot pursuit, and never returns. Within a moment, even it's cries fade, but Servayn does not bother to peer into the darkness to see the final fate of the surviving wolf.
Instead, he turns and tosses the brand back on the fire, and lies back down, having to cajole the jumpy Eidolon into lying down again.
They have a low conversation, Ember clearly eager to remain awake, and Servayn just as insistent that they return to sleep. If you stay awake for hours every time someone jumps you in the night, you'll never get a decent night's sleep. he counsels the fidgety beast.
While he's clearly a total stranger to camping in the wilderness, Servayn seems to be overly familiar with being attacked in the night, which begs the question of what sort of neighborhood he grew up in...
"Yes M'lord."
Ox sees to noir Ensureing that the horse is fine. I'll see to it that I get you some salt licks or sugar cubes as soon as I can.
Once the horse is in order he makes way to his tent and plops down in his bedroll, He swipes a swig of his brothers alchohal and sleeps like nothing happend.
According to your thorough mapping of the area, this is the only place within miles that shows the sign of massive boar inhabitation.
For the rest of the night Kalsgrim and Garick stand watch. A couple times the brush will rustle or the reflection of eyes shows up. Nothing larger then fox shows itself though.
Kalsgrim
Garick
The night is long and afterwards Garick finds himself bone weary. Everything feels gritty.
12th of Pharast
Camp is broke efficiently and the party sets out to the north for the return trip to Oleg's. The horses seem to complain a bit loaded down with so much meat. After five hours the group crosses the Thorn River at the old bandit camp. Just a week and a half and the forest is already starting to become a little bit familiar. Another three hours and camp is made on top of a hill bordering the forest.
As all the casters have their minds and souls refreshed from the previous day they are able to help with the double shifts this night.
13th of Pharast
Before noon the group crosses into the plains. Just an hour before nightfall Oleg's finally comes into sight. The gates are wide open and two banners have been flown from the corners of the fort. They are long triangles the left side a field of green, the right half a field of grain yellow. In the middle crossing both fields is a black square with the red dragon of Brevoy. It looks like Svetlana has been doing some sewing.
Your arrival is timely as Svetlana is once again creating a delicious smelling dinner over the fire pit. Kesten and his men are setting a table telling stories and jokes of their past, even Jhod sits nearby smiling to himself. Oleg exits his home followed by the old hunter Vekkel the two bartering over the price of some rabbit skins.
Ember puts on a burst of speed, dashing forward to Vekkel, oblivious to any thought of surprising the hunter, Pig is dead! Come see!
Servayn dismounts and walks a bit stiffly, the rest of the way, leading his horse while he tries to re-acquaint his arse with the flow of blood. He think's he's finally gotten the hang of this riding horses concept, but the transition from walker to rider and back again still leaves him a bit sore.
Garick livens up as Oleg's comes into view. I am glad for a break. I have been worn out since the wolves. Garick comments to no one in particular. He grins at Embers exuberance letting his excitement return as well. He hollers out We got him Vekkel!
Vekkel's jaw slowly begins to drop then the old hunter leaps into the air. "Ye did it! I can't believe ye lads got him. You'll have to tell me all about it." He half run, half hops across the yard to the horse with the trophy.
After staring at the head for a minute or so in silence a tear rolls down his cheek. "Finally met your match you old bastard. Lookit the scars we gave each other. Who woulda thought I'd outlive you." Vekkle wipes his cheek. "How many hunters have fallen on your tusks. How many arrows have bounced from your hide o' king of the forest."
He turns and looks at each of the charter members in turn, eyes still wet. "Mere boys, tender lads, the very spirit of youth. A new season of hunters have come to these forests. Come lets get that meat tended too and we'll make this meal a feast!"
Everyone, soldiers, traders, and priest have gathered around. Oleg steps forward and pats Vekkel on the shoulder and says quietly, "Sir, will you be takin' me up on that offer now?"
Svetlana pushes him away and gives Vekkel a great hug, "Oh leave him be Oleg. Mr. Benzen's dream lays before him. Let us celebrate and add a merry roast to our dinner tonight!" She seems to be quite a glow wearing a dress that fits her very nicely and hair done in braids. "Tuck! Tuck come away from those books and look what our friends have brought!"
As Vekkel reminisces, Servayn digs up the ring found on the body in the boar's lair, and waits until the man is somewhat distracted to show it to Oleg, whispering so as to not draw Vekkel's attention.
We found this on a man who fell victim to the beast. Do you happen to recognize it as belonging to any local hunter?
Svetlana, Vekkel and Tuck begin to prepare the boar to for dinner. When Servayn takes Oleg to the side nobody seems to notice.
"Tell me, Krolz. Would you sell the meat from the boar? There's a whole world of what Svetlana can do with it. Not to mention the hide of course. How about one-hundred gold for the lot," says Oleg always in a mood to barter.
As Servayn shows him the ring his brow wrinkles, "That ring is familiar. I sold the gem for it to a man named Adams Capen. He doesn't visit much, he was one of those forest folk. Whatchacalls'ems a druid, lives in a cabin the west of the forest. Said he was going to make a present for his apprentice. A young woodsman who was with him when he visited." Oleg looks up worried, "Did something happen to either of them? They where good folk."
While he speaks the trader fetches a jeweler's eye from his pocket to inspect the ring closer, "This is..uh...this is magic. I mean, you can see the runes in just the right light. I don't know what this ring does though, but it would likely fetch a small fortune in Restov."
I fear that at least one of them is no more, as we found this on the remains of a man in Tuskgutter's lair. Servayn says, muttering a brief incantation to confirm the magic of the ring.
I will check with Kalsgrim, regarding the meat from the boar.
To Kalsgrim
He heads over to the Paladin and whispers, Oleg has offered us one hundred gold coins for the meat and hide of the boar, although I am of a mind to simply give it to them, and the head to the old hunter, as they have already done us service in providing a place to trade and sell our findings. But I did not make such an offer, as it is not my place to give away what belongs to all of us, by right.
To Lukasc
He also seeks out Lukasz, showing him the ring. This bauble has magic, and while my eye can see it's gleam, I have no training in the arts of spellcraft or the arcane, and cannot divine it's purpose...
From the remaining gear, he also examines the broken masterwork longspear and armor found with the ring, to see if they can be mended, if not by his magic, then perhaps by someone skilled at craft.
Ox hops down from noir with ease, He has been in a saddle most of his life so while yes he is sore, it is a sore he is used to. He pulls the leg bone crutches off of the cart and presents them to Vekkel, I heard you say you wanted his tusks for crutches but I thought that'd ruin the head, so I thought it might be fitting that he gave you his legs in place of your own.
He streches a bit and then goes to take care of the horses, first things first after all.
Corso as you sneak into the Leveton home to investigate what Tuck was up to you realize that he didn't come from a bedroom, but rather a small office. There is a tiny desk in here with a closed book on top. Opening it quickly reveals it to be the ledgers for all the activities here at the trading post. Most of it is written in small scratchy letters except for the last couple of pages. All through the book are small notes and corrections. These and the end pages are all written in a regal easy to read print. The ink of the last few sentences is still wet.
"Oh ho! You heard me right, biggun'. Tusks I woulda used but these are just fine!" Vekkel tries the crutches out. Clopping around the yard. "Seems I got the better end of the deal, two for one, ha! Mmm, can't wait to get that headcheese made. That'll be the cherry on top for me."
These ledgers are the accounting books for the trading post. Depicting purchases, sales, receipts, and listings of current holdings. It looks like Tuck has been helping to organize them and get all the numbers correct. Oleg appears to have around seven-hundred gold in various coinage.
As the days light fades and Svetlana lays out the feast of hot meat, soup, breads, fruit, and wine a cold wind whistles through the fort. Oleg turns his head towards it, "That's a north wind blowing. We'll have snow tonight."
Ox turns to Corso. "A good omen that we are here instead of out there, that Oleg has enough hogs meat to last as long as it needs too, I'd say so! Looks like we have a few days off the trail."Ox eats his fill of Svetlana's fine cooking. Ox hops up and gets a torch. Hey Oleg, if you had to pick one of the catapults, which one looks the most promising? also is there anything else that could use some tinkering? building, what have ya? I'm not one to sit idle.
The big man peers at the catapults and grins. [i]Fort Oleg has a certain ring too it. [/b]
Oleg looks up from a giant slab of ham, "The south west one is probably the least damaged. I had a trapper who served as an army engineer take a look at it once. He said he would need a week to fix it."
"I hope it doesn't snow too hard. We haven't finished the jail yet," adds Kesten. "We've got the frame work for a small building. It'll be about the size of the guest house backed up against the fort walls. We figured it would be a good idea to include room for myself and the others."
One of the twins speaks up, "Tents aren't bad, but you can't stand up, and we're gonna freeze our balls off. We've been working with those two prisoners non-stop to get something warm to sleep in."
Tuck comes out from the house carrying a scroll tube. "I hope you guys don't mind but I added some notes onto your map. It's a bit sketchy but I included what I could remember about my trip to the Stag Lord's. I also had Oleg point out that Adam fellow's house."
Servayn returns to Oleg's side, The price seems more than fair, thank you. I feared that the meat would turn rank without proper smoking or salting in our possession anyway, and go to waste, anyway, so your offer is most generous.
While Ox seems very interested in that seige engine, he perks up at the sound of some of the men not having shelter from the snow, Perhaps we can help with some of the construction, so that you fellows do not have to sleep in the snow. I doubt that we'll be travelling in the middle of a storm...
The twin who spoke blushes and rubs the back of his head with his hand. "We uh... actually don't have enough wood to finish. It'll probably be another two weeks before we do. Can only haul so much in that old wagon."
His brother speaks up, "It's ok, we don't mind tents in the snow. We slept in worse when Kesten served as a mercenary for Brevoy a few years ago."
Ox grins at the prospect of working on the catapult for a whole week, but there isn't much use of having a catapult if the men that would be running it are dead." Ah, well perhaps I can look into it after we get the new building up, if that's alright with you.The challenge of the task, itches at my mind and I would see it throw a stone before I give up." He looks to the buildings placement and if it isn't already.
"How have the two been behaving? if they've been building, they at least have an interest in their lot. If you don't mind my suggesting Oleg, there is the stables, its got more wind cover than a tent and each one of those horses is like an oven. so you might not freeze quite as much, you'll smell worse for it but, between the two its the more acceptable. for those that know him, if he is suggesting that the bandits stay in the stables, then he'll be in there too. he hasn't forgotten the arrows sticking out of Kalsgrim or Garick and wouldn't mind them acting up on his watch.
He then puts his hand to his chin and walks over to the southeast corner of the fort.
All
the diagonal wall could be added later after the storm is over, but essentially you have 25 square foot of roof that needs building, 15 foot of wall, a door and you are pretty set to go.
you could do the same with the other four and clear out some of the wasted space in the middle, just close off the ten foot corner and you'd have three storage area's or maybe a big closed off midden. you could double the a4 areas' and make it so they were out of the weather, and you could stick A5 under there and, while it would reek in there it might improve the general smell of Oleg's.
Construction thoughts
For now, with a shortage of wood and only a brief time to prepare, an ugly but workable short-term solution might be to prop some boards at a slant from the Western keep wall to the roof of A3 or from the Eastern or Southern Keep wall to the roof of A2, and then hanging tarp or straw temporary rooves on top of those boards, creating narrowed covered alleys, and the tent material can be folded and used to create flap-doors. The closed off alleyway would remain easier to keep dry and to keep warm. (Putting down plenty of dry grass should help keep the ground from thawing below sleeping men and turning muddy.)
On the other hand, we're mostly adventurous sorts, and Servayn probably didn't rate one of the four beds, anyway, so he's fine with sleeping in one of the storehouses (A4 would be smaller and easier to keep warm, but there's 2 bandits, Tuck, the twin guardsmen, Whathisname their boss, the blind priest, and seven of us, only four of whom are likely to crash in A2 comfortably). With four in A2, there's 10 or so to squeeze into A3 or to crash on the floors of Oleg & Svetlana's offices...
That night the snows come down hard. Anyone stepping outside has a hard time seeing beyond their own reach. Oleg offers room in his house for Tuck, Jhod, Vekkel, Kesten, and his men. With one in the storeroom, one in the office and the rest around the main room it's a little cramped but warm. The two bandits sleep on the floor of the tack room in the stables with Ox as a guard.
14th of Pharast
No Encounter
In the morning the snow continues to fall. From the night a full foot has already appeared crusting everything white. Svetlana prepares all of the meals in the house and sends Tuck out with the food to the guest house and stables. During the day the snow is not so bad as to prevent people from going out, but traveling in it would certainly be a hassle. Before nightfalls it really begins to fall hard, a complete white out.
15th of Pharast
No Encounter
The hard snow continues throughout the day. Any hope of work outside is given up. Even the doors are difficult to open as the snow piles.
16th of Pharast
No Encounter
Finally the snow let's off and the sun begins to shine. By late afternoon it has melted enough that travel should be possible, if soggy, the next day.
With the snow coming in, Lukasz keeps himself busy lending his aid where he can...keeping the horses cared for and healthy, casting some spells of protection while the rest go about remodeling the fort a little, etc.
Just before the first major storm, Lukasz finds an injured hawk who had found sanctuary among the eves of the bunk house. Using his growing knowledge of animal caring along with the help of some of Janku's divine assistance, the sorcerer sees to the birds care, earning a friend in the process. The final day, realizing his arcane talent was changing, Lukasz found himself bonded to the young hawk, able to understand the bird of prey's emotions as well as getting a glimpse at the bird's own worldly attachments. At the same time, Swiftbreeze, as she came to be called, seem to be learning from Lukasz and his friends and while the bird could not speak, she seemed to have a childlike understanding of what she sees and hears.
With whatever extra time he has, Lukasz devotes himself to divining the special properties of the ring which the group had found in Tuskgutter's lair, remembering that they should pay a visit to the druid who requested it be made, if he still survives.
With the storm passing and the snow beginning to melt, Lukasz sits with his comrades, bearing a new padded strap across his shoulder and the young hawk resting on a perch not too far from her new master.
Responding to Corso's idea, Lukasz says, "A longer foray into the Greenbelt might not be such a bad idea, especially if the area around Oleg's outpost has nothing more to hide."
Spellcraft to ID ring:
Garick will bunk in the stables with his brother allowing Kesten or one of the others to have his bunk in the guest house.
Montage One:
Garick scratches his head listening to Ox and Servayn discuss options of building up the fort.
Montage Two:
Garick in the stables with his longbow quickly firing arrows into a couple bales of hay on day two of the blizzard. Smiling and laughing with Ox as he gets faster throughout the day. Bandits looking on nervously as arrows go whizzing by.
Montage Three:
Garick redoing the maps he has been working on adding more landmarks.
He also adds to his flora and fauna drawings while sipping hot cider. Gods bless Svetlana.
Montage four:
Garick talking with Oleg. Who is this Adam's fellow? How is everyone behaving?
Sitting around talking with Corso in the evening.
I would enjoy a real outing. I think the only problem we have had before is something always seems to pull us back quicker than we intended. Garick sips the steaming mug of cider and munches on a nice chopped roast sandwich. I think your plan is a good one Corso. I would like to get more of the region mapped, so we know where are trouble spots are going to be that we need to deal with. We know we got kobalds and mites out there, but have yet to run into any. We may be able to flush out some more bandits as well.
Oleg explains that he does not know much about Adams Capen. The man has only visited twice since the trading post was setup. Both times he presented himself as a very boisterous individual who seemed to have a second sense with nature. There was a rather large scar traveling from his forehead to the back of his neck. Adams had claimed he earned it from wrestling with his pet bear who he had left at the cabin.
Before Garick leave Oleg speaks up again, "While you lads are out and about, can you keep watch for a tatzylwyrm? I keep hearing rumors about them and would love to have the head of one on my fireplace. Would really impress the hunters."
Montage scene 1
Ox is staring at the walls under the towers trying to figure out how to get into the room under it. Oleg shakes his head and waves him away from it laughing.
Montage scene 2 Ox staring at a pair of bandits, asking a question every so often, trying to figure out if they would be loyal to the stag lord or be reformed and fight for the law.
Montage scene 3 Ox spends the day cold and curious looking for spots to improve the wagon. Oleg again points out some things that experience has shown him that make sense and Oleg again walks off laughing.
Montage scene 4 Ox is up on the corner’s of the towers, sketching every piece he can see on the catapult, moving the parts and finding out how they do what they do.
Montage scene 5 Ox is Whistling and taking exquisite care of the horses. if he pampers them normally, then they are at a resort on the day that they are all snowed in.
Montage scene 6 later that night after the horses are peacefully dozing even as his brother is slaying hay bells, Ox is witling small pieces, gears, wheels, and knobs; It appears as if he is making a catapult for mice to operate.
Montage scene 7Ox is attempting to reform the bandits as he has them closed in, he is also trying to make friends with them. like it or not they are another pair of men that could protect the fort, from potential danger. He gives them speech after speech about how noble Svetlana and Oleg are for doing what they do even in the face of the staglord.
sense motive
Montage scene 8
Ox is showing off his model of the catapult.
Corso turns to Janku: "That's a good omen, right?"
Janku turns to Corso with a smile, "That depends upon whether you have to march through it to attack, or whether you're sitting in a nice warm keep defending it".
"In this case, I don't think a little down time will hurt anything.
Janku spends much of the next three days in deep contemplation and prayer.
Finally on the last day he emerges and approaches the group with great fervor.
"I have been granted a great vision". "We must build a temple to Gorum on this site". "Maybe an area inside the keep to begin with, but soon a stand alone building".
"This place will serve as a war prison, a hospital, and a retirement home for soldiers". "The soldiers whom are still valuable, but too old or injured to campaign could run the place, and it would give us a place to keep political, and other prisoners, a place to recuperate for those hurt in battle, and a useful retirement for soldiers".
"Is Gorum's vision not grand"?
"A long trip to explore". "Why yes"! "Now is a good time". "We must clear the area, in advance of the new Temple".
Um no offense Janku, but Oleg might have something to say about this becoming a temple to Gorum. Garick points out.
Ox walks up and lays a calming hand on his brothers back. Perhaps Janku, didn't mean here. as in right here, but here as in, in the green belt. I think it is a great Idea, but it will take time and more men than we have here, heck, right now we are hard pressed to put up another room for the jail. Ox nods to the cleric and pats his brother on the back. Sometimes he felt like his brother would end up in the woods with the animals. Luckily his little brother was here to anchor him with a social grace here and there.
The world was in trouble when Ox was the more socially apt. But then, he wouldn't change his brother for a dragon's horde.
Training Montage
Servayn is attempting to jam some dirty rags into the cracks in the corners of one of the walls, to keep the cold wind from blowing in, when Ember, who has been fitfully slumbering in the topmost bunk lets forth an otherworldly yowl. He drops the rags in surprise, getting a brisk facefull of cold air as he turns, to see Ember has leapt off of the bunk and is trembling as he approaches his Summoner.
In a mixture of alien words and human speech, Ember urges, Ieajar velignat, I burn! Molik kosj. Now! The ritual, arcaniss axun!
Servayn is surprised, Already? but is interrupted by Ember's sense of urgency.
Ember grabs Servayn's hand in his mouth and drags him to the door. Arcaniss velignat!
Despite the gentle flurries outside, Servayn and Ember step out to the firepit, and Ember, skin steaming as snowflakes strike his hide and flash to vapor immediately, begins to claw through the snow to the ashes below, blackening the snow in all directions as he frenziedly digs at the cold embers.
Servayns voice has become otherworldly as well, and he speaks only in whatever tongue Ember spoke before, biting off growling phrases that sound more like poetic recitations of ancient battles and fiery disasters than any sort of spell.
From his pouch, Servayn produces some reeking herbs and yellow sulphur, throwing them at his distressed companion, and draws his dagger and flings droplets of his own drawn blood at the beast. Where they strike, they flare up, like alchemical fire, and only seem to increase Ember's discomfort.
As the ritual continues, the ash grows warm and the snow begins to steam around Ember, who is now writhing and rolling in the firepit, as if trying to rub his own scaly hide off on the rocks and bits of broken coals. Sparks begin to fly off of his body, and the smoke grows too thick to clearly see the Eidolon's body, and Servayn's voice grows deeper as he seems to tower over the firepit. In the course of long moments, its clear that he does, standing several feet taller than ever before, with his voice booming in words that are no longer indistinguishable from a guttural crackling sound, like thunder and wildfire combined.
Ruddy flames are barely visible through the thick, black smoke, and the light dusting of snow is swirling around this area, repelled by the surge of warmth or obliterated by the thick clouds of smoke, which coil and dance around Servayn, but never seem to touch him, parting before him and leaving his sight and breath unimpeded.
With a last twisting incantation that seems to coil in upon itself and end abruptly, Servayn shakes and reduces to his normal size, and then falls to his knees. Whatever arcane fire burned in the fire pit is snuffed out in an instant, as if a door had suddenly shut on whatever otherworldly furnace had produced it, and the smoke rises slowly off of a steaming blackened carcass, only faintly resembling the form of Ember.
Servayn reaches forward and strikes the smoking corpse hard with his bloodied fist, causing blackened and charred flesh to fall away, and the smoldering thing stirs, sloughing off more burnt and ashen lengths of hide, revealing an uninjured Ember, who seems somewhat larger and thicker-clawed than before.
Ember sneezes forth a last blast of ash from soot-stained muzzle, and lifts a paw to show his Summoner thick black claws, which he flexes slowly. Better. the Eidolon says, and then looks up as a snowflake falls on his nose. Cold out here. Inside now.
Servayn just shakes his head and gets stiffly back to his feet, wrapping a length of cloth around his hand and heading back inside.
17th of Pharast
Current Exploration Map
Random Encounter Check for the day
No encounter
Oh the seventeenth of Pharast, a slightly soggy and chilly day, our seven heroes mount up in Oleg's yard. With the short rest provided by the blizzard everyone feels refreshed and ready for new adventures. Blades are sharpened, spells newly practiced, and techniques honed. The challenges awaiting in the forest no longer seem as daunting. Perhaps the group is ready for a longer trip this time? Who knows what may signal a time to return to the trading post though.
A magnificent breakfast of cured ham, bacon, and spiced poridge is prepared by Svetlana. Over breakfast Oleg idly mentions how he has ordered some chickens and that the hens should be arriving any day now. Fresh eggs will make these meals even better. Perhaps even enough for pancakes!
During breakfast Vekkel presents his bow to the group. "I thought to give this ta Garick, but I hear he's declined. Perhaps Sir Kalsgrim will take an old man's bow? I even have a few arrows I was saving for Tuskgutter." The old trapper lays his bow along with a fresh quiver on the table.
With cheers of good luck and well wishes the group sets out. For the first leg of the trip Garick leads towards the rumored radish patch. Vekkel had tipped a group of kobolds may be in the area.
Random Encounter Check for crossing hex
No encounter
Before noon the horses are stepping on wet leaves and twigs as they enter the forest proper. A week ago these trees hid hostile bandits in their branches. After a few hours the north east section of the forest is explored. Crossing the river takes an hour as Corso slips on the slick river rock. Luckily Noir catches him by his cloak and keeps him from washing away. When everyone is dried off the mapping continues.
As the sun is lowering Garick finds the clearing that Vekkel describes. It is near the bank of the river and filled with short radish plants. Half a dozen grey and black scaled kobolds are gathered near the river bank. They appear to have set up two crude huts next to a rock. It seems the creatures have made this area their home since the trapper saw them last.
When the horses enter the clearing they all leap, or groan, to their feet. Several of them are covered in mud and have distended bellies. It looks like they have spent their days here gorging themselves on moon radishes. The kobold closest to the camp eyes Garick as he enters the clearing. He keeps his spear level and hisses out in Common, "No come clossser! Thiz kobold patch. Biggzess sstayz out!
After these days of rest, Servayn is somewhat taken by surprise to finally see these reputed kobolds, and dismounts slowly, and advances a few paces, before marking a rune in draconic in the soggy soil, and casting light upon the marking, so that a dim light wells up from the pattern.
He's aware that kobolds either have, or believe themselves to have, some connection to dragons, and tries to find words in Draconic for the peaceful relations that Kalsgrim spoke of earlier. His intentions are frustrated by the utter lack of words in the draconic tongue for 'alliance' or 'friends' or 'peace,' with the closest he can find being a promise 'not to kill you now.'
He makes a stab at it anyway, muttering an incantation to strengthen his persuasive skills before calling out in Draconic, Men come to these lands. Many men. We are sent to kill the bandits. Kobolds are not our prey. We can choose to not fight, kobolds live and men live. he hesitates, the lack of words for 'live together' or even 'agree' being either absent or more confrontational than he would like, as the only Draconic term for 'agree' is 'you'll agree that I'm right,' and the only term for alliance or friendship is 'mated,' which seems inappropriate...
The kobolds stare, enraptured by Servayn's presentation. The unfriendly attitude initially displayed has evaporated. A look of vast relief shines on the face of the central kobold. He runs up and throws his spear to the ground and yammers in Draconic, "Really? Person-man not come to kill Sootscales? How you know our tongue and show such power!? I am Norkyl leader of warband...err...hunting party."
Servayn props his longspear in the mud, and uses it as an impromptu pole as he crouches down to face the Sootscale leader face to face.
Switching to Common, he turns his head to the mounted Paladin, Kalsgrim, this is Rokyl, leader of this band of Sootscales. I have told him that we are here to kill bandits, not kobolds, and that more men will come to these regions. It is time we find a way that our people and his people can live in these lands, without fighting.
He beckons to Ember, who approaches slowly, head down, so as to not appear *too* threatening, as he turns back to Rokyl, and switches back to Draconic, I learned the master tongue from Ember. he says, nodding to the Eidolon, who remains a pace behind Servayn, both out of the kobolds weapon range, and keeping it out of his, to appear less threatening. My power comes from the blood of the eldest, like that of a sorcerer, although I am not blessed with scales, like yourself. he touches the red glyph on his forehead, that appears somewhat like a stylized serpent or flame, and to the matching one on Ember's forehead. Perhaps some of your people also have the gift, and I can help them find it...
While he speaks in Draconic, Ember turns to Kalsgrim and provides a very curt translation in Common. Kobold wants to know where power comes from, how he speaks dragon-tongue. He tells kobold that power comes from dragons, that maybe he can teach them, if they have power.