"Our mission sounds more like one that Abadar would patronize. A name evocative less of weapons and more of shields or protective walls might be more appealing to the locals. Something with bulwark, bastion, etc. in the name." Servayn muses aloud.
Listening in on the conversations, Lukasz will then say, "What need do we have for names now? Names make a threat known. I say we scare this Stag Lord with what he doesn't know. Leave a message, but unsigned. Let the Stag Lord worry about who we might be and what we might be doing here. Are we here on behalf of the kingdom of Brevoy or are we another group of bandits who have come in to try to take over. He won't know what to do to plan for what might come next. Especially if before leaving, we move the bodies back to the camp as evidence of our deeds. Then he would have to take a seriously without even giving him a name. As he strikes fear with his name, we can strike fear with the lack of one."
Well, I don't know that we are necessarily here to forge a kingdom. But we are certainly here to make this place habitable for the simple folks, for the farmers, the hunters and the trappers. We're bringing hope and justice. Serving as Justiciars or Sheriffs. Kal shrugs.
Janku perks up at that thought, "but what an opportunity to make more of our lives". "To accomplish great things not only for ourselves but for others". "Anytime a force is removed there is a vacuum which must be filled". "If we cannot fill it with reason, trust, and liberty, then we will clear out one menace only to make room for another". "Someone must rule, and I don't see any reason it can't be us". "That's why it is critical that we carefully weigh our decisions, not only for the foreseeable future but for the present as well". "the standards and morals that we hold ourselves to now, have a direct and powerful effect on our future plans and dreams".
"While I don't like the idea of being an indentured servant the thought of losing my head makes it appealing. I'll take you up on your offer and work for the priest." Tuck relaxes a bit and turns towards Ember.
"I'm not real sure where the boar is at, but there's plenty of them about these lands. If you run into them take caution, they are very territorial. In fact, most of the animals in this forest would rather gore a man to death then run from him."
Ox and Garick don't seem terribly thrilled about the decision, but they don't make a fuss over it either. During the exploration ox will pay attention to tuck, while garick seems to revel in the exploring of new land.
1st of Pharast
The rest of the day passes with the group thoroughly exploring the area around the Thorn River crossing. The majority of the terrain consists of the forest except for the land closest to the river. This area has a tendency towards thickets of large thorny bushes. The camp appears to be the only local of real interest.
With Corso directing their efforts the group is easily able to chart the ground. As night falls there's plenty of time to setup a camp near the river crossing, but not at the bandit camp in case a group returns.
If we can do a little hunting / foraging during the day's exploration, Ember and Servayn will both attempt a Survival roll to bag some game.
The reformed bandit attends to any duties put to him by his captors without complaint. During the days travels he even points out a few hidden trails he's familiar with. While washing the dishes in the river he looks up at Corso's question. "Of course. Like I said, I could lead you to the fort if you like. We follow the river south to where it meets up with the Shrike. That'll take a day. Then by evening the following we would meet the Tuskwater and from there the Stag Lord."
"I for one suggest we explore the area between here and Olegs". "We could then return Oleg's goods to him, see if the 'help', has arrived, and maybe purchase some manacles so our friend doesn't have to be tied up all the time". "Also we're not sure that word of the demise of the bandits hasn't gotten back to others who mean harm". "I would like to make sure Oleg's hasn't been raided again".
"I don't think we're on a time frame here". "I'd rather be thorough".
we'll keep an eye on him alright. He doesn't seem so bad, but that makes it all the worse to me.
The brothers continue watching the bandit and ranging the land.
I wouldn't mind checking on oleg either. They'll be wondering if we accomplished what we set out to do, or if they should be expecting retribution.
"I ahall endeavor not to get us lost, then..." Servayn says gamely.
Ox Rides on curiously, slowly getting more used to the sight of the living bandit.He is as of yet still being watched very closely.
The cavalier and large black steed stay toward the back He has his macabre lance raised high , ever ready for combat. the pure white lance was stanied by the last combat, unfortunately.
While riding along Ox begins to whistle a simple melody.
preform:
Glad that the group had decided to give Tuck a chance, Lukasz falls in line with the others, picking a place in the middle of the group as they start to explore the surrounding area.
The sorcerer smiles when Corso mentions Svetlana's cooking, missing it just as much as the others.
Nodding to Corso. I was trying to get there before she got Ember, though it looks like Ember has some other worldly ability to avoid death. But then again here I am too. Yeah, I thought the last thing I was going to see in this world was a woman swinging an axe towards my crotch! Ox laughs shaking his head. a second later and I would've ran her through.
Ah, Lord Kalsgrim, Garrick and I have known him since we were boys, We have served the Lodovka's since we could serve and happily so, The Nowicki's have severed the Lodovka's since they became a house. The waters our fields and what not.You can tell that Ox is happy with his lot in life, the way he says the family moto, you can tell that he honors the family.
He smiles lightly. It becomes exceedingly simple to me exactly what a man's worth is when he doesn't mind being in a group that can steal from a man for months, and not do something about it. They were going to take Svetlana yesterday, The way they said it makes me want to drop every last bandit I come across from now til the end of time. Do you think Tuck there would have changed his ways once they came home with her? no, he was sleeping soundly in camp, while he thought his fellow bandits were bringing home the woman." Ox says all of this with a carefully controlled voice, he is doing his best not to start another argument. [b] You think Oleg would have simply stood there while they stole her. he shakes his head briefly. the reason he has been giving up his goods is to protect her. you can see it in his eyes that he wanted to do more, but something was staying his hand. He knew if he fought and lost, it would have left his wife undefended.
Ox takes a breath. it'll take the seven of us to clean this land up of its wicked ways, you'd think if any of these bandits were decent folk, they would have done something about the problem by now.
Garick will hunt and gather along the way while exploring so we can not have to eat solely rations. Survival
Corso you speak like men are children not responsible for their own choices. I would agree in the case of simpletons. While true a man may be led astray by a bad ruler this is not the situation we now face. Look at this country. This Stag Lord does not have the kind of power to keep these men at a task they would not preform. They could easily slip away into Brevoy or on down into the River Kingdoms. They say the rats will play when the cats are away. Well call me Tom and put me on the trail cause time for cheese is gone. Garick smiles at his brother as if some inside joke has just passed. He picks up the melody his brother has been whistling and keeps an eye out for game or other wild bounty.
"The strong dominate the weak. This has always been the way of things, even when the ruler's strength is not of the strength of the mailed fist, but that of the cleverly written law, or the flattering word. The weak of flesh, the weak of mind, the weak of principle, all will follow the one who has the prowess they lack." Servayn says, throwing his two copper into the pot.
"The strongest leaders these brigands have every known have shown them only that strength comes through brutality, intimidation and crushing mercy from one's heart. Take from others, or be taken from in turn, a lesson fit for a wolf, but not a man, and even a wolf shows more loyalty to it's pack than some of these bandits do to each other. It will be our challenge to teach them that strength can flow from other sources. No amount of viciousness or ruthlessness saved Kressle from our strength. She could have been a powerful woman, a constable, a guard-captain, a village leader, but instead chose to live the life of a mad dog, and, like that mad dog, she was put down. When traits like justice, redemption and concern for the welfare of others are seen in a strong leader, something I doubt any of these men have ever seen before, perhaps they will come to recognize that they don't *have* to be brutal to be strong, that they don't *have* to live in fear of their leaders, that a true leader earns instead respect. Fear makes men dangerous, but the only man who truly deserves to lead is one that doesn't allow fear to rule his actions."
Of course, my lesson, that strength can also come from dabbling with fell and uncertain powers of which one knows practically nothing, should remain unstated. he thinks with a grin at his own expense.
to be perfectly honest, I also think we run the risk of building our out posts on sand if we keep picking up every wayward ruffian that we come across and that is willing to work in stead of die. You can try to teach them what they have failed to learn from life.but if we go foreward and they refuse to learn, then whatever we build here will surely fall. if this is this best we an find to build foundations on. he gestures roughly towards tuck. but to be perfectly honest, when the time comes. we'll still be here to wring the crime out of the countryside and the out posts. If nothing else we will simply have to tame the lands twice over. Ox says with a shrug. Regardless, I have never discussed something so long in my life. so long as Janku is taking responsibility for him than I care not. lets do what we came to do and may the bandits learn to beg mercy before our weapons find them.
2nd of Pharast
After a short morning with some discussion on where to go the party sets forth towards Oleg's. Servayn and Ember lead the way boldly, making note of every gully, stream, and hill.
This section of the forest is still rather thick. The trees seem to be a bit smaller then deeper in near the river. The exploration goes along uneventful except for the few rabbits caught by Garrick. Along with some wild vegetables they'll make a fine stew for the group.
Having remained quite for most of the mornings conversation Tuck speaks up over dinner, "I suppose you're right about being able to leave whenever we like. Although I've seen a couple men try that before. The Stag Lord set's a bounty for them and bandits will turn on each other quick as that. Kressle's turned three men to the Lord himself after she played with them for a bit. Though he's a powerful drunk, he doesn't turn a blind eye to cowardice." He shudders at the thought of what the Stag Lord does to those who are caught. "I'm willing to help you all because of your numbers and you seem pretty strong yourself. If'n there was only a couple of you...I probably would have cut my own throat rather then seem to have fled the forest."
When preparing the stew Garick will call out Ember you care for these innards and what not that are going into the stew? He then will lay them out for Ember if he is so inclined and knowing while it means less meat for the pot with the veg he found it he can spare one of the rabbits Do you prefer it raw, or I can put it all on a spit if you prefer and roast it up. Garick will put forth that he thinks The northeast is the way we should continue make it back to Oleg's tomorrow night. See how they fare, and let them know how we made out I am sure they will be happy to see the return of their goods.
Ember seems ridiculously happy at being addressed individually, although he catches himself and acts all growly and gruff instead, much like a cat that has remembered too late to act dignified, "Cook it all. Anything that burns is fine, too."
He'll take any leftover organ meat, bones, etc. that aren't being cooked proper and nudge them into the edge of the fire, allowing them to scorch and blister, before batting them back out with a paw, tearing away bits of charred meat and loudly cracking fire-blackened bones as they cool, taking advantage of his carnivore's metabolism to devour whatever parts are not deemed fit for human consumption, in addition to sampling some of Servayn's stew when it is done.
3rd of Pharast
Another peaceful night passes in the forest. Sounds can be heard from the edge of the clearing. Owls, mice, wolves, rustles and leaves.
That morning Kalsgrim awakes to find that someone has placed the bones and offal of the rabbits from the night before in his scale mail. The refuse appears to have been dug up and relocated to his armor without anyone's notice. The smell is atrocious.
Around midday the party will arrive back at Oleg's. Travel over the plains is quick on horseback. As the group approaches voices can be heard from inside the fort. Despite the gates being open the wind does not carry any words.
Perception
Ox's ears perk and he will hurry forward, if it is shouting or sounds of a scuffle he will charge forward with his lance lowered, if it is simple conversation his first order of business will to be to gain line of sight, and then act appropriately.
Garick runs Shade up about ninety yards from the gate then quickly dismount nocking an arrow, and looking for any sign of trouble.
Ride checkPerception check
Servayn notes the others reacting as if there is trouble, and readies his longspear for combat, while striving to peer ahead to get a sense of what threat awaits.
Ember lopes forward at an accelerated pace, easily keeping up with Garrick.
Janku, whispers loudly, "What is it?" "I hear nothing but the sounds of nature and voices from the keep".
Approaching the fort reveals that the voices are indeed part of a conversation. The tail end of it can be heard.
"...they set out a couple days ago and I haven't seen them since. Starting to get a little worried that this Kressle figure did them in." From Oleg's gruff tone.
A younger, clearer voice responds. "Master Oleg, my men and I have been sent to protect your outpost from harassment. If your current benefactors have gone missing I will search them out for you tomorrow. We rode our horses hard to get here as soon as we could and they need the rest."
Standing in front of the stables is a man of medium height wearing a full suit of plated armor with an over-large bastard sword strapped to his back. His face is young but lines of worry and stress can be traced on it. He appears to be in a dour mood.
Two men-at-arms can be seen erecting small tents near the side of the stables and a third is rubbing down a horse.