Kingmaker

Game Master Jovich

There are three horses left over from Happs and his band of bandits. They have been here being used as needed. I do not see a problem with you and Jhod taking two of them to be used for this trip.

I am planning on bringing a second horse along as a pack animal for supplies. We might want to bring another horse now that we have two additional people. The wagon would not do well in the forested areas

[ooc]as far as I remember...there were four horse that we took from Happs in the beginning. One of the original members took one for their use and we just kept the other three at Olegs to be used for whatever was needed...I assume as much at least...help to hunt, clear land, send for supplies in Restev...that sort of thing. I am sorry if this was confusing as it is sometimes hard to remember what you did like 2 years ago...lol

Andreas nods approvingly at Jhod as he accepts the invitation.
Master Kavken. I mean no disrespect when I say this words. We are traveling out in to the unknown. We have encounter many other things besides bandits. I strongly advice you to come armed and armored as well. Your spells will be of great use to us. If you should need equipment, we might be able to help you out.

:: Pharast 27 - Evening - Oleg's ::

Okay, I didn't know about the mounts. Works for me.

"Thank you for the concern, Andreas, I will make sure I am properly euiqped." Jhod says.

"I'll be up early to help setup your mounts and the like, and get you breakfast before you head out." Oleg says as everyone heads off to sleep.

.

:: Pharast 28 - Afternoon - Into the Forest ::

Up early, the group gets their gear together and heads west towards the forest. It takes a few hours, but the group eventually reaches the forests edge and enters.

While exploring, you hear moaning in the distance and head towards it. After a few hundred feet you see a patch of moon radishes, with four kobolds gorging themselves on the tasty food.

Anything special about moon radishes? If so, sh would add that to her question.
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

I assume since you told us they are kobolds, that we all recognize these common pests?

Andreas - are these from the tribe you have the agreement with, or are these disagreeable kobolds? Rillka whispers to Andreas.

Looking from one Kobold to the next, Andreas shrugs his shoulders.
I am not sure, it is hard to tell.

Andreas stand up in his saddle to look at the scene.
Moon Radishes are something Svetlana is looking for. She would like some brought to her. Perhaps we can come to some sort of deal with the sleeping Kobolds.

He turns to look at the others.
I say we wake them up to say hello. Keep an eye outwards as well for any sort of surprise if this turns out to be a trap. We should talk first before we resort to violence. If these are SootScale tribe and we kill them...well that would be bad all around. Keep your weapons at the ready. Is this agreeable?

"They look pretty awake to me. Still approaching in a friendly manner seems wise. If we don't stop them eating there might not be any left to bring to Svetlana."

Are they the ones moaning? Or is that coming from somewhere else?

Opps my bad..I just ran into a sleeping goblins in my RotRL game.

They might as well be asleep...

Gird will take out his sword and hold it behind his back, I don't trust em, kobolds are known to be treacherous for a reason he will stand behind one of the others on the approach to make sure his weapon holding is hidden.

Acknowledging Roke's suggestion...
Agreed, we approach in a friendly manner.

He nods at Gird...
Until it is time to not be friendly.

I truly hope that we can we can handle this without resorting to violence...Remain mounted...it is an advantage for us at the moment.

Andreas take point his shield still sitting on the side of his mount and his weapon still in its scabbard.
Straight forward should do the trick.
Hail. We are passing by and was wondering if we may stop and rest for a bit? It has been a hard ride and some down time would do us some good. I am Andreas friend of Chief Sootscale. These are my companions. What brings you so far from home?

Kazmuk remains behind, not willing to make friends with the kobolds. Despite Andreas's claims about a peaceful arrangement with the Sootscale tribe, to a dwarf a kobold was in the same league as goblins and orcs.

He made sure to grab his hammer and ready his shield, just in case.

:: Pharast 28 - Afternoon - Into the Forest ::

@Rillka - Moon radishes are simply very good tasting.

@Roke - they are moaning in delight at the food.

The kobolds all get up slowly, scowling a bit as they look at you. In broken common, the largest one says, "Sootscale cave far away. We here for the radishes. This our place!" The kobold seems rather defensive about the radish patch, and to not quite comprehend everything you said.

Hmm. I smell and opportunity. And it smells like kobolds.

Zade knees his horse next to Sir Andres' mount and addresses the gorging kobolds.
"Of course these are you radishes, but it looks like there are more here than you could possibly eat! Why not trade us some of the extra?"

Zade tries to keep his pitch simple, so the kobolds will understand.

Diplomacy (inspiration): 1d20 + 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (16) + (4) + 5 = 25

Andreas give a slight nod to Zade.
Let us see if this works.

Gird says from behind "I'll translate your words."

Diplomacy aid Zade: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Rillka addresses Andreas and uses a bunch of big words in the hopes the kobolds won't have the vocabulary to understand.

Andreas, if these diminutive gentlemen have traversed a great distance from the cavernous domicile of the Sootscale, let us leverage our means of conveyance to entice them to split the load and we can return them home in good speed with quite the valuable bounty. And if they have not traversed that distance and are not covered under the conditions of your agreements; I suggest we go with a more Kazmuk-ian approach to the matter.

:: Pharast 28 - Afternoon - Into the Forest ::

The kobold scowls again as Zade and then Gird speak. When Gird speaks Draconic his scowl lessens and he understands what is being said better. Continuing in poor common, "Many radish, yes! But what you have for trade? Maybe this is good idea!" He does seem interested.

mumbling to himself...
Trade..what could we tra...far away...Oaktop

Andreas address Rillka.
It appears that they wish to trade...let us hope we can continue this in good faith.

He then turns his head to Zade.
Perhaps a deal is in order.
Andreas give him a look of hope.
It might not be profitable right now but it may have a silver lining...in more ways than one.

Looking back at Gird with knowing nod, Andreas dismounts.
Standing beside his mount, he scratches her neck a bit as he eyes his weapon that is in its scabbard along the horses flank.
If I take that with me...it may not turn out so well.
He looks around at the others and his eyes fall on Gird.
Gird if you would be so kind as to translate for me.

The young knight turns towards the kobolds and tries to see if there are any hidden dangers that they missed before he walks forward...unarmed.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Maybe we can come to an agreement on the radishes. You are far away from your cave and it takes many days to get here only to turn around and carry all these radishes back home with you. The lands are treacherous but the mighty Sootscale tribe is powerful and will have no problems with the such a long and dangerous trip. We on the other hand are very close by and can keep the radishes safe and more importantly, we should be able to keep them growing. My offer to you is this...We protect and nurture the radish patch. We send radishes in trade to Sootscale tribe for silver that is mined from your caves...the Oaktop Silver Mine. We bring the radishes to you and we bring back the silver. As for the four of you right here and right now...As a show of good faith I will give each of you a gold coin for just one basket of radishes.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Gird translates as needed not adding anything to the performance values

:: Pharast 28 - Afternoon - Into the Forest ::

"Hrrmmm...." the kobold seems to be struggling to think it through even with the translation. The scope of the idea may be beyond such a simple mind.

After a moment he says, "We give silver, for radish? I have talk to chief... But you make many more radish than now?! Then yes, very good."

The kobold, tells Gird in draconic, "We will need to talk to the chief to figure this out, but we want more radishes and less walking!"

Hearing the response brings a smile to Andreas' face. Something that does not happen often. He turn to Gird with and with a simple nod asks him to continue translating.
That is most encouraging. Thank you. We will stop by sometime soon, maybe a week or two to discuss this further. I hope that we can come to an official agreement.

He looks at the radish patch for a few moments and then back to the Kobolds. He points in the general direction of the Kobold caves.
Your journey is long and you should be warned of the dangers that are in that area. We encountered a orc war band southeast of here. he then points in the general direction of the Orc camp. We were able to defeat some but not all of them. Just be careful when you head back home.

After seeing the Kobold on their way and making sure the basket of radishes is stored on one of the pack animals, Andreas approached the group while looking at Zade.
I really hope this arrangement will help to bolster the peace in the area. He pauses for a few moments as he thinks.
If everyone is agreeable to this...Zade, I am wondering if you would be able to draw up a few contracts, official documents. When we have fulfilled our charter and the lands are tamed...we all could benefit from staking claim to the mines in the area. They will not be ours but we should be able to get something for discovering them. I am not sure if anything at all is in the Oak Top silver mine and since it is named it could belong to someone else. I am also looking for some official documents for the Kobolds. One that states the peace treaty between the Sootscale tribe on us the charter holders. We might even want to put something together about the silver and radish trade. What do you think?

In Draconic "That would be wise, we will talk now."

Gird translates back to the party and adds in common "I like it."

"Oh, I'd be happy to. Tight contracts are the backbone of a productive society."

"Oh, I'd be happy to. Tight contracts are the backbone of a productive society."

Roke rolls his eyes.

The idea of a Kobold making honor to a contract humors Kazmuk. "Not vishing to offend ya, Sirr Eisfalke Von Ulm and Lorrd Lebeda, but the only thing a contrract vill do to a kobold is forr it to vipe its sorrry ass... if they actually manage to evolve to the point o' viping assess."

I must admit, I don't see any talk folk feeling bound to honor a contract with a Kobold, but give it a try. Rillka shrugs as the diminutive dragonmen depart, she begins documenting the moonradish patch location for the maps.

Andreas nods respectfully to Kazmuk's words.
It is a strong possibility that this will be for naught but we should try to keep the peace. For the good of the region we must try. Think of this as them learning to crawl before they walk.

Gird interjects "So tell them to talk to their chief with our deal?" he waits

I am waiting for people to reply to Gird. Assume the Kobolds are still standing there around you as they have not left yet.

@Andreas - Please refrain from using segues like "...After seeing the Kobold on their way and making sure the basket of radishes is stored on one of the pack animals..." as it makes assumptions about what is happening. In this instance, the kobolds are not actually going to leave, so you waiting until they do would mean hours upon hours of waiting at a minimum. I will move the game forward and it will prevent confusion as to whats happening.

Also, the kobolds gave no indication that they wanted to give you the basket of radishes for the gold piece, only that they needed to talk to their chief. As of right now you've said the first half of your post, but everyone has replied to the second half of it about the contract. The issue is that if I move on to those items I assume the kobolds have left already which they may not even do for a day or two, which makes Gird's question make no sense as he is obviously assuming the kobolds are still there and means I wuto camp you through an unknown number of days right at this spot.

If people would like me to move along faster in the dialogue, then please let me know. I am trying to give ample opportunity for you to roleplay, jump in on the dialogue, or consult/plan/convene without committing to too much in any one instance.

As the diminutive dragonmen have not and seemingly have no intent to depart...

Gird, are we sure these guys are Sootscale? Who is their chief? If they are the same tribe Andreas has a deal with, then lets get our bushels and figure out how to communicate if the chief agrees. Aweful lot of work for radishes... really how good can these things be?

Rillka wanders over and pulls up a radish from the patch to examine it first hand.

We could also offer to take them home in exchange for some of these radishes. I bet Roke could keep a few alive to plant at Oleg's.

sorry, been silent just because others were taking the lead and having too many voices in such negotiations are counterproductive

"Oh, indeed Rillka. I have QUITE the green thumb. I would love to see what all the fuss is about with these radishes."

Rillka smiles and begins dusting off the radish, and walking back towards Roke. She will pull out a waterskin and splash some water on the radish to clean it up. She pulls a leaf loose and tastes it.
Assuming the leaves are good tasting, she will offer one to Roke.

I am sorry...I misunderstood your post and misread it.

While waiting on the Kobolds to respond to his offer, he sees Rillka eating a leaf. He smiles slightly and in a joking voice.
Lady Rillka, I am no cook and although the leaves are edible, the root is what most tall folk think off when they hear the word radish. It is a root vegetable. I am sure Svetlana will be able to come up with a way to use all of the vegetable...regardless of its taste.

He looks back at the Kobolds.
Do we have a deal on the radishes. You take my coin and I take one basket of radishes. You will be willing to take our offer to Chief Sootscales? If we can work this out then you no longer need to come all the way out here for your radishes.

:: Pharast 28 - Afternoon - Into the Forest ::

No worries Andreas. I definitely came across as more terse than I wanted to on a reread. Just getting the new house is stretching me a bit thin currently and I'm getting more irritated than I should at stuff.

Rillka finds the leaf quite enjoyable, not earthy in the slightest, but light and airy and filling at the same time.

"Yes, we talk with Chief Sootscale. You come there soon to hear answer. You take one basket now for coin," The kobold says, filling a basket and handing it to Andreas. Just before handing the basket to Andreas, he removes one radish and points at Rillka shaking his finger, "She take one radish already. Counts as part of basket! You no take any more radish for free!"

With that, the kobolds go about lazing around the radish patch, time not seeming to be a large concern for them.

"Vell, that settles the situation forr now... shall ve move on?" Kazmuk inquires, a bit impatient to having to deal with the kobolds.

"Onwards ..to ummm.. where were we going next"

"I believe we still hunt for the lost temple."

Yes, We should continue with that but also finish exploring this area as well.

to Kaz: "Seems to me these kobolds negotiate like a dwarf! There may be hope for them yet, eh?"

this is done is tone that is not mocking, but gently encouraging Kazmuk to begin to think differently about the kobolds.

Rillka smiles a mischievious grin, Oh no, she replies to the kobold who shook his finger at her, No this radish has spots and is all dried out, this is not a good radish at all... in fact I think you owe us another radish, this one is totally unacceptable! Rillka stuffs the radish into her bag. In fact, if we don't take it away it might infect the other radishes growing here... you don't want your radishes to have the Annurian disease do you? It would make you all terribly sick and ruin any chance of more radishes from here!

Gird does not translate Rillkas words .. at least not straight away What are you up to? and why? he thinks to himself

Kazmuk eyes Roke coldly. "The only hope is forr them to choke on their own stupidity and filth. Do not mock my people, Misterr Rroke. Ve arre old and ve rrememberr. The kobolds had theirr chance to prrove themselves as vorrthy of anything... and failed rrepeatedly."

Easy now...no one is meaning disrespect. To anyone.

As he climbs onto his horse, he looks out into the distance.
It is a dangerous game to judge individuals by their race and yes I have fallen for that trap a time or two. He nudges his horse westward further into the forested area. We have given the Kobolds some hope for a better future. It is up to them to make their own choices. More than that we can not do for them. Let us hope that they make the right one...for the betterment of the region.

I think we are going to continue to explore this hex and then move to the next one to the west. That should be where the Thorn River Bandit Camp was located. We can finish exploring that hex and then move NW of the hex that is rumored to have the temple. I hope at least.

I agree

Gird mounts up as well.. "A little scouting seems in order." Gird rides off a little ahead and does the scouty thing staying a short rides distance ahead of the group

Nodding at Gird.
Agreed...

He looks to Akiros as they ride.
Lord Akiros...we are getting close to the general area of the lost temple...I hope at least. Do you have any knowledge of this region?

Looking past Akiros to Jhod.
Father Jhod, do you have anything else you can tell us about this temple?

:: Pharast 28 - Afternoon - Into the Forest ::

Akiros brows furrow a bit, "No, I don't think so. It's north west of the camp on Thorn River. We're almost due east of it." Akiros thinks a bit more, "I don't know much of the specifics of this area. Haven't had to travel it much."

Jhod also replies, "I've nothing but visions of the temple to guide me in my search, I am sorry."

To clear this hex will take the rest of today and a few hours tomorrow. I will assume you depart into the hex with the bandit camp to finish exploring it.

Yes that is correct. Unless anyone objects?

Since the only thing we have to go on is that it is northwest of the Thorn river camp, then let us continue exploring this area and then move onto Kressle's old camp. From there we can head northwest and finish exploring that area.

"That seems like a convenient course of action. You cleared out a bandit camp here? Where they associated with the Stag Lord?"

"I wish we could know if our ruse with the orcs had any effect. It would be most convenient if two enemies wiped each other out."

Andreas turns and responds to Zade.
When Gird and I first came to the area, we encounter a man known as Happs. He was collecting "taxes" from Oleg. We put an end to the tax collecting and found out that his boss Kressle was close by. The Thorn river camp is not too far from here and it is where we removed that threat from the region. It is also where we found out about the Stag Lord.

He looks at Roke.
It may be time to for the Stag Lord to retire...with any luck the orcs and his men have destroyed each other.

It would be nice to know what the Orcs are up to. Maybe once we find this temple we can make our way back to Olegs to resupply. Then go and talk with the Kobolds since it is on our way to the Stag Lords keep.

Rillka rides along mapping and taking notes in her journal. She focus on getting all the details for her map. She stays quiet amid the tall folk as they talk.