Garick is at least below full hit points.
The potion is sweet and light, you can barely feel it on your tongue. No hint what it might be though.
Garick is at least below full hit points.
The potion is sweet and light, you can barely feel it on your tongue. No hint what it might be though.
Janku walks over after his vigorous prayer session, and tries to identify the potion.
Perception
Janku a small sip of the potion immediately reveals to you the familiar flavors of a potion of fly. If only you could remember why it tasted familiar...
Corso looks at Janku as he grabs the potion: "Forget it, it's probably just water now, after so many years."
He's not too impressed with his brother. Perhaps his faith is eroding, judging by the intensity he felt radiating from the man during the prayer. Maybe that's a good thing. His views were a tad radical...
He moves to Kalsgrim: "If I may, my Lord Kalsgrim, ask for the blessing of Erastil?"
janku has two Channel Energies left, and supposes he'll use them on the ungrateful man, who so easily turns his back on the Lord in Iron.
Thanks Kal. By Erastil I do believe that did the trick.Garick feeling much better goes over and gives his brother a hug. I was a goner with out you brother. Last thing I saw before I went out was you sinking toward me fast. I knew I was gonna make it then. He pats his big little brother on the back C'mon I will help you dry and reoil all that armor.
Breathing heavy after almost becoming intimately familiar with a frog's gullet, Lukasz goes about reassuring Swiftbreeze, as well as himself, that he was okay. With the hot springs settling down once more and the others not too keen on going back in after that little scuffle, Lukasz gets back up on Maribel, prepared to ride out in whichever direction the group goes.
Smushing his brother in a bear hug grip, " Anytime, THough if it wasn't for Noir we would've both just sank down there, I might have saved ya from being devoured, but we would of drowned anyway. If it weren't for the beautiful beast." He calls the big horse, who trouts over almost shyly. he pets the stead and removes the saddle and lets him have freedom of it for a bit, he also checks for anywhere where the saddle might have moved in a way it shouldn't have while he was yanking on it via the rope.
"good work fellas! He looks to Kals bounty of coins. Platnium! Where the heck are we going to spend plat out here?
Garick pats Noir, and gives him a good scratch behind the ear. Thank you too Noir. Garick adds just happy not to be frog food at the moment.
After a relaxing evening of frog legs and hot spring baths the party beds for the night. Garick was right after a half hour the smell is barely noticeable. Especially given the warm meaty smell of roasting frogs. Not many people have dined on a frog leg the size of a ham.
21st of Pharast
No random encounter
Following Garick and Shade it is only a short hike before the forest falls away revealing the western plain. The vegetation here is all short brown scrub grass still recovering from winter. Every few thousand feet stand lone blackish-grey trees with long scraggly branches covered in needle like points. The ranger informs that these are locust trees and their needles can pierce straight through armor and flesh.
Though barren these plains are teaming with life. Jackrabbits, horned toads, foxes, and a plethora of birds are spotted throughout the day. Nearing the northern reaches of their exploration for the day a strange site breaks the monotony.
Before you stretches several acres of fruit orchard. It's still early in the season so the trees are only just budding. They stand in ragged and seemingly random lines trees of different variety but all fruit bearing. Scattered about are wooden beehives causing a low buzz in the area. At the center of orchard is a large log cabin with a stable-like structure attached at the side. Two stone chimneys rise out of the tiled roof, trails of smoke drifting into the air.
Ember looks up at Kalsgrim, Yes, you can. He mutters to himself, Still full of frog, anyway.
Garick whispers back Ok, but I don't have the ring. At least I don't think I do. Garick looks around to see if he can find the owner of the orchard and hives.
Ox pulls Noir in petting behind a coal colored ear and surveys the land, someone has put quite a bit of work into this land and it shows. Here lives a man that knows the value of an honest days work.
Perception
Since nobody spoke up, Januk put the potion in his belt pouch for safe keeping. He dismounts as they near the house, looking about for any signs of life.
Lukasz will dismount once they get closer to the orchard and cabin, Swiftbreeze alighting on his padded shoulder once he is on ground. Taking up Maribel's reins, he will keep his eyes alert as he follows the others.
Perception:
"Sorry, but no. The frog attack seemed to have made it slip from my mind. After dealing with whatever we might find here, I'll be sure to speak to him about the idea." says Lukasz as the group draws closer to the lone cabin.
Shortly after Kalsgrim's call the large front door of the cabin opens. The man before you is completely covered in animal hides. They are incredibly well made, with flawless stitching. He only stands a breath over six feet. As the druid strides forward a large bear squeezes it's way through the doors. It's a grizzly similar to the one at the temple, but much less cursed.
He stops about thirty feet short of the group and crosses his arms, "I'm Adams, this is Ben. Who're you and what're you doin' on my lands. If you're with the Stag Lord I thought I already dealt with yer lot."
Servayn attempts to respond diplomatically, not wishing to offend this man, obviously powerful enough to run this farmland while single-handedly dealing with any complications from the dangerous locals.
The Stag Lord and his brigands are no allies to us, either, sir. We have dealt with two of his subordinates and their bands already, and intend to sweep them from these lands, as we bring the justice of Erastil, in the name of Brevoy.
Adams shakes his mane of dirty blond hair and glares in response, "Lotta fancy words there, never been a fan of you Brevic types. Least yer not with the bandits so I won't sic Ben on you...yet."
He looks across the rest of the party ignoring Servayn. "You there, pretty boy. Is that ol' Vekkel's bow on your back? I'd recognize it anywhere."
With Adams coming out from the cabin, Lukasz keeps his attention on the druid, letting the others talk since the druid has decided to talk with Kalsgrim for now.
When Kalsgrim introduces him, Ember practically radiates smug approval, fluffing up slightly and fluttering his smallish wings. He seems less impressed when Noir is also introduced by name.
It's just a horse, he mutters, too low to carry far.
After bowing to the druid at being introduced, Lukasz will move over to Clip-Clop and begin looking through his saddlebags, fishing out the ring they had found off of the dead man at Tuskgutter's lair. Returning to the group, Lukasz says, "Indeed that bow is old Vekkel's bow, gifted to Kal after we slayed Tuskgutter. It was a vicious creature that one and we nearly lost the life of one or two of us. However, we were able to kill it and also liberate a ring from a poor soul who was found there. After speaking with Oleg and Vekkel, they told us that this ring might have been made by you. If you knew the individual we found at Tuskgutter's lair, I am sorry to say that he no longer is in this world, but has moved on to whatever life the afterlife has designed for him."
Though possessing of a charismatic nature, you can see that the natural talent for diplomacy that the Orlovskys pride themselves on is lacking in this progeny of the noble line.
He nods at Kalsgrim, "Well met then."
"The man ya speak of is my apprentice. Or was. Sounds like he failed his task," Adams speaks gravely his face darkening, "Leave yer horses near the stable and join me inside. I would hear more of this tale."
After Adams returns to his cabin the bear moves over to the side of the building and lays down watching the group. As it settles the animal shrinks to the size of a medium bear.
Ox will hop down and lead the horses with Garick toward the stable. He can't help but admire the work that has gone into this land, knowing good and well how much grit goes into life at the Lodovka estate. He wonders idly if any of the animals pitch in around here, he has heard odd things of druids...not to mention rangers. He raises his eyebrow at Garick and smirks. " I like him. I just have a feeling that I do."
Janku leads his horse to the designated area, and follows the group to the cabin, obviously out of his element in this situation, he nevertheless tries to remain civil, and is polite to a tee.
The stable is as large as the cabin with enough room for all the animals. The actual pens within are double wide with no doors or gates. Fresh sawdust lines the floor, clear water is in a long trough on the wall. Feed of oats, grains, and hay fill the wooden buckets hanging from the walls. As Ox and Noir enter the building a pair of squirrels run under their feet and a sleepy badger follows ignoring the intruders.
Ember has difficulty resisting the urge to chase the squirrels, and seems intrigued by the sight of the badger, being unfamiliar with that sort of animal. Does anyone talk here, or just the two-legs? he says, as the badger passes.
Servayn keeps his hand on the nape of Ember's neck, trusting him not to dash off and attack something, but keeping his hand there as a reminder. He mutters to his Eidolon, I think they are all animals. Nothing like yourself.
Ox nods to himself as if that confirms his theory, the animals are working for Adams. But that is ok with him. If they are better served running an orchard then that suits him.
He stables the horses off as necessary and gives them a quick once over making sure their saddles are riding fine and then their hooves as well just to ensure they didn't take any brambles on the trail. Satisfied he feeds and waters the animals. He will pay Adams so long as he will take it. that much feed would ‘t come cheap. He smiles to Servayn and Ember. “ I wouldn’t be so sure of that, I think this place is enchanted.
As Ox passes the bear he nods at the smaller version, if smaller was the right word.
Guiding Maribel into the large stable, Lukasz makes sure that Maribel is comfortable before joining the others in Adam's cabin. The sorcerer makes sure to bring the ring along as well to return to Adams. Noting that look that Kal gives someone when he is gauging a man's intentions, Lukasz shakes his head in amusement, seeing how paranoid the paladin still was.
Ox too notices the look on Kal's face and deigns to give him a distracted moment or three " Adam's I have to say your land is a sight for sore eyes, The orchards and, well just the feel of the place, its soothing. I can tell you have way with the land and I mind for hard work, I'm impressed with it. Ox rubs the back of his head bashfully as if he has complimented him too much.He then realizes the request that Adams made.SO you wanted to hear more of the tale. We met Vekkel out at bokkens place and he charged us with catching and killing the beast, he said he'd give the man that brought him the head of Tuskgutter his fine bow. So, we set out and tracked the beast down to his lair and we fought him and he fought us, all of our lives on the line. In the end the tough son of an archer fell to us and we licked our wounds and feasted well. Vekkel was so thrilled that he left the bow to lord Kalsgrim, and I think he has a mind to settle in at Oleg's. He takes a breathe and listens to any comments the man might have before posing his question. SO, you said that Your Apprentice had a task, may I ask what it was? Perhaps it is something we could help with while we are out handing the stag lord his end?
The interior of the cabin is vast and masterfully crafted. The center of it dominated by a large oaken table that couldn't have possibly fit through the door. To one side is a kitchen area with a cooking stove. The other wall has fireplace and mantle, a woven rug lays before it surrounded by a handful of chairs and stools. Two doors lead to different rooms.
"Leave your weapons, spells, and gods at the door. This is a home of Gozreh and I'll have no foreign magiks," says Adams from before the fireplace, "Vekkel is a good friend, and man. I will treat you the same despite the mouth on some of ya'll."
As he moves to sit at the table Kalsgrim whispers quickly to Erastril and see no man before him but rather a sturdy tree, a prowling wolf, and a bubbling stream all three are full of sorrow. "Don't stand around, sit, or pull up a stool. Stew will be ready shortly."
"Tuskgutter was old and mad, I'm sure it was quite the fight. Ye might say he was a baron of this forest," the druid takes out a pipe and strikes a tindertwig to light it. Pulling a few puffs from it. "My apprentice was to find a companion, much like Benjamin. A prideful boy who wanted to prove himself to nature, said he would bring back the strongest animal in the woods as his ally. The ring I made for him would let him sit, observe, and study the creature he chose without notice until the time was right. Was a fool for trying to befriend the boar though."
Tuskgutter seems to have become more like a man than a beast, thinking himself a ruler, perhaps plagued by territorial fears and unhealthy aggression in his later years. Servayn muses. Your apprentice made an overbold choice, 'tis true, but had he befriended the brute, perhaps some good might have come from the act, as a force of destruction was turned back to a more natural path.
Adams huffs and replies, "I only say he was a baron because there are dukes and kings out there. Not that he could sip tea and collect taxes. Beware the creatures of this land as much as the men who dwell in it."
He looks off through a window for a moment, "Except for on my land. There'll be no fighting or hunting here. The animals know it and abide by it, men seem ta be a bit thicker in that regard," the druid thumps his hide armor and points at the cooking stew, "Out of my orchard anythings fair game."
"My orchard is my claim, as simple as that. I'll not be held responsible for more than these few acres of land. I'm a simple man, my family is gone and all that's left ta me is nature. Though I must ask who you folk are, and what yer up to in the Greenbelt?" He taps his pipe thoughtfully, "What're ye doin' here indeed, riddin' the forest of evils and dangers."