When talking about the undead, Kazmuk disagrees with the others. "The bodies and souls of dead should be put to rrest. It is the prroperr vay, as the Forrgefather and many otherr godds o' light teach us."
The undead should be put down but at this time we do not have the strength to do both and defend the fort. A bit too risky in my opinion.
Andreas looks to Kazmuk with understanding.
...but you are correct. The undead should be put to rest. Would you be ok if we waited till Gird got back with the others? Once we have a solid force here we can push to remove the undead.
"That vould be acceptable."
Andreas looks to the other companions.
...and how do you two feel about this?
Rillka just shrugs, Waste of a perfectly good defense, but do what your gods wish. I would at least not advertise that you have cleansed the hills, keep everyone off - allow others to think they still exist. The idea may be enough to still provide defense.
Over the days while Gird is gone scouting and getting the reinforcement, Rhavi is getting to know her new friends outside of combat.
She really enjoys working with them.
She like to talk Kazmuk with his funny accent and admired his skill as a craftsman and to learn more about his god.
She couldn't help but love Rillka, with her almost always cheerful nature. Sitting at the fire, listening to her stories about the maps she had made was the best possible way to spend the evenings.
And Andreas, always worrying about the rest of them, doing his very best to fulfil the charter and to be a leader, she couldn’t help but admire him and look up to him.
No matter what would happen after they complete the mission, she hoped that they could stay together and find new adventures together.
On the first evening, she set up her portable alchemist lab.
During the day, whenever they where out exploring or when she didn’t have other tasks, she would scour the forest for plants and ingredients for her potions and then spend the evening brewing them.
Reduce Person
Cure light Wounds
Crafter's fortune
Endure elements
Ant haul
Tears to wine
On the evening where the talk falls on the undead she is a little conflicted. On the one hand, she does not like having them close by. They are unnatural and as a worshipper of Magdh, a fey Eldest, she wants them gone. But on the other hand, she understands Andreas and his need to keep them safe.
”Even though I don’t like having them around, I can see the need for the extra protection, so I agree with Andreas. Let’s wait until the others are here and then take them out. Until then, we should still keep watch in that direction. If not, others could use it to get close to us.”
Rillka enjoys her talks with Rhavi and is just as interested in the woman's history - how did she come to be here. She offers to help with the lab, even if it is just providing light spells so Rhavi can work.
She will also try to assist Kazmuk and Andreas in their efforts and in general with preparing the fort. She will use Prestidigitation to clean up the armors and outfits of all the companions, flavor meals, and other minor tasks as needed.
As Rillka ask to her background and why she came here, she tells her about her childhood at an inn, just outside of Restov, owned by her parents.
How she grew up on stories about Baron Aldori and the other Swordlords from the patrons at the inn and how she learned about Magdh, one of the Eldest Gods and a fey, from her elven mother.
When she heard about the expedition to the Stolen Lands, a place rumoured to be inhabited by the fey, on a mission very much like when Baron Aldori founded Rostland, she couldn’t not go. She had to come.
She tells the story of how she found a caravan, willing to let her travel with them, happy for her skill with alchemy and a sword. How the orcs attacked them, killed most of the others but brought her and a few others to the Stag Lord where he tried to get her to join him and beat her up when she refused.
And the rest, as they say, are history.
After a few nights, she also opens up about her worries. That she still thinks a lot about the Stag Lord and how she struck the killing blow. Even though others probably did way more then her to take him down, it troubles her, as it was the first time she actually killed anyone. And here, she was up close and she could see the light in his eyes go out as the life left him. Sometimes those eyes came to her at night in her dreams.
-------------
As Rillka brings her the spellbook, she excited picks it up and starts going over it.
”Uhh, this is interesting! This one I’ve heard of. Given some time and more ingredients to test with, I’m sure I could replicate it. I know this one . The rest….I wouldn’t know where to start. I don’t think I could do it”
You find yourself in a room with a tired looking bureaucrat named Chester Smythe and two others that you can only assume are your future companions on your trip south. The man behind the desk motions to a few chairs set before his desk and leans back with his eyes still scanning the notes and letters he was working on while you settle in before speaking, ”Good morning. I am quite busy so we will cut right to the chase. The Lord Mayor wants unexplored areas south of us to be surveyed. Not too far south though, as strange rumors come from lands too close to Mivon. We have sent a half dozen or so explorers down already and it seems that we are having trouble keeping them at their task.” The man pauses as he rifles around for some papers and hands a thick set of identical folded papers back to you, ”We believe Ser Andreas, the longest surviving explorer, is still working in the area. You three have been chosen to head south and find him. Once there you can see about aiding in the surveying of the lands. Some of the missives that have been sent back mention that they were in good standing with a man named Oleg who runs a trading post along one of the few roads in the area. I recommend starting there and hoping that he can aid you fine fellows in locating the remaining explorers. These are letters of Writ from the Lord Mayor to any who question you letting them know that Brevoy supports your addition to the exploration. Those remaining explorers in the south should all have similar writs. Do you have any questions about the task that you are being asked to complete?” The man's brow furrows as he looks at each of you one by one for the first time since entering his office
Your group has finished clearing out the fortress. You take what you can of value and try to board it up to prevent more damage to the ruined fortress for now and then turn and head north. During the long march north to Oleg’s to send whatever missives you would like to your family or Brevoy Kazmuk announces, ”My time vith you has come to an end. I vould be happy to brring anything vith me to Brrevoy that you vish to send. But Torrag has let it be knovn that I am needed elsewherre.”
Your dwarven companion becomes very silent if any ask about his future goals and simply wishes you safe travels as you continue to explore these lands. Your journey north takes you nearly six days to complete, a rather speedy trip through the mostly empty plans between the fortress and Oleg’s trading post.
[ooc]If you succeeded on the Local check listed above you have that information going into the scene.
As the sun begins to sink slowly towards the horizon Ser Andreas, Rillka and Rhavi finally spot Oleg’s trading post. The post appears much as you have seen it in the past. The gates that lead past the walls are open and you see a few familiar faces as you enter the courtyard.
Standing in front of his store, you see Oleg talking to three new people and gesturing to the south when he spots you entering. He waves at you and starts walking towards you with the two men and a woman in tow. As you get close you hear him saying, ”This is good timing. Sometimes when people have come to join in on the exploration they have had to just head south and hope to find them, but here are Ser Andreas, Rillka and Rhavi now. Welcome back my friends. It appears that new recruits from Brevoy have come to aid you in your quest with more writs from the Lord Mayor”. Oleg turns back to the three following him and says, ”I believe that you said your name was Jakob Mulle, and Akilina Surtova, and Caerwyn Callandril?” He trails off with a bit of a question as he looks to see how well he did at remembering and pronouncing your name.
"Just one, actually. We'll be out there a long time, presumably? I have a brand new husband here to look after. How long do letters take to travel to and from this Oleg's post?" Akilina shifts from one foot to the other, then rocks onto the balls of her feet, refusing the chair. She files away her knowledge about Jakob for later, just in case it's relevant.
"Akilina Koenig, actually. I married out of the family. I don't talk with them much, and I try not to let my name speak for me." The Surtova's heraldry on the tabard Akilina wears over her mithral chain gives lie to her statement. She wipes her hands on her brightly-dyed woolen pants, getting the dust off, then grins, hopefully disarmingly. After all, Ser Andreas is a full foot taller than she is even in her boots, and getting off on the right foot is important to her.
{The writ! You have to show them the writ!} Nikos's Blade's voice, high and reedy, echoes in her head, though no one else can hear it.
Akilina rubs her right temple and pats the pommel of the older-model fencing rapier at her hip, grinning wryly at it. In spite of its age, it's rust-free, and was clearly made for someone with a great deal of wealth. The tiny gemstone ship in the pommel shows that person must have been a Surtova. "In due time, Nikos. In due time." She wipes a stray bit of hair out of her face. "Now, the proprietor of the trading post is right. We've been sent by some mid-ranking bureaucrat, Smythe, I think, to help finish the job of mapping this land."
Offering the writ to the very big armored man to look over (after all, he was called out as the longest-serving explorer, and he's been knighted, so that makes him the leader out here), she goes on. "Here's the writ, proving we are who Oleg says we are. I assume you're Ser Andreas? Where did your family serve before you came here, if I may ask?" She smiles politely to the halfling and the half-elf, rubbing her fingers against the sword's hilt. "It's good to meet you as well. I assume you've been helping the knight with his task?"
Rillka looks at the new woman sideways... Hey now, mapping this land is MY job lady!! And you look like you would be useful stabbing orcs and bandits, but you don't seem like much of a cartographer. What about the rest of you? Rillka waves in a friendly way, then turns to Andreas without waiting for additional replies; Wait... you ARE actually a knight, Tall Folk?? You do die well, Sir Andreas, I will give you that... Rillka then turns back to the three newcomers and awaits further introductions from them.
The little halfling sits atop a riding dog, and is leading a packhorse. She wears deep blue robes that have been stitched together in several places aligning to large bloodstains.
Flashback
I wonder are we three traveling together? It looks like 2 of us are on foot. A quick glance at the map shows it's about a 4 day walk from Restov to Oleg's or a 3 day easy ride. Jackob is on foot.
Sometimes you have trouble keeping pace. He seems to have an annoying knack for slipping through thickets and thornbushes easily.
He is also a spellcaster. Purify food and drink coming in quite handy when we have to use an iffy water source but you did not see any holy symbols.
He is not a morning person. He seems to take an extra 10-20 minutes in the morning just staring into space or messing about with some stones.
He talks to himself. Sometimes it almost seems he is carrying on a conversation.
He wears a Lodvoka family crab broach to close the neck of his poncho but his mithral shirt is definitely House Garess made.
He is a decent if unskilled singer. It gets boring on the road after a while...
Present day at Oleg's
Thank you Mr. Oleg. Luck does seem to be with us today." Jackob smiles as the mounted troupe arrives.
"Oh yes, there is always paperwork." Jackob adds his writ to Ms. Koenig's. "So how much is left to do? No one in Restov had a clear idea."
Noticing the blood on Ms. Cloudhopper's clothing Jackob blanches slightly but walks towards her. "Are you hurt? I have some healing magic if you have need?"
Rillka smiles at Jackob's offer Master Doortsgarf and time have healed my body Tall Folk, but these robes are beyond either of our magics to fix, I fear.Rillka slides her fingers through one of the arrow holes for emphasis, But, my thanks for the offer, I fear I will take you up on it all too soon!
...Master Doortsgarf and time have healed my body Tall Folk,...
Jacob smiles and brushed an oak leaf off his shoulder. "I know a seamstress who can work miracles. Unfortunately she is about a hundred miles that way." The smiling man points roughly North by North west.
"It looks like you have had some trouble. Is cartography normally a dangerous trade?"
The mapping is easy... following him, Rillka tilts her head towards Andreas with a quick nod into fights with bandit lords and orc hoards is the dangerous part!
Smythe shrugs at the news that Akilina is married but makes no move to alter any notes or names as he instead replies, "The journey by road to Oleg's takes a little over a week for most wagons to make. Assuming you find someone heading to Rostov, it should not take too long to get a message back should you desire."
Looking over at Jackob he says, "Strange tales of fey, and creatures that haunt the nightmares of men. How true they are is anyone's guess."
** spoiler omitted **
Hearing the names of the three people with Oleg, Rhavi is surprised to recognize the names of two of them.
"Interesting. Some things to talk about around the campfire there!" she thinks to herself
She dismounts her horse but keeps in the background, letting Sir Andreas take the lead.
As the newest member of the group, it is not her place to greet potential new members.
Caerwyn greets the other two people in the office "Caerwyn, Caerwyn Callandriil, late of the Brevic Border Guard." Inwardly he flinches "Great, a pair of wannabe explorers I'm going to have to shepherd out into the wilderness." Outwardly, he smiles "A pleasure my Lord, my Lady, I look forward to traveling with you.""And pigs might fly". He nods to the officious bureaucrat as he hands him his writ "Thank you, sir" After the briefing he nods to the other two "If you'll excuse me I have some final preparations to make. Shall we meet again tomorrow morning at dawn's light at the west gate?"
The next morning he arrives at the western gate with Windswift in tow. As the other two arrive without horses he thinks to himself "Wonderful, this is going to be a slow walk in the country" "If any of you would like you can place your packs on Windswift, here. She can carry the weight."
That night they stop in Nivakta's Crossing, a little village on the Rostland road, where he procures lodging for them "It's not much but it's one of the better inns The Crossing has to offer"
The next day Caerwyn suggest they stop for the night ay Fort Serenko, an abandoned border fort "The fort's been abandoned since we pulled the border back to Nivakta's Crossing, but the palisades will provide protection." As they make camp Caerwyn admits to himself a growing respect for the pair "Jackob's pretty handy around camp and they've kept up a good pace without complaint. Maybe they're not as pampered as I thought." "It's a shame, really. We used to patrol out here until we ceded control of this area to the bandits."
It isn't until the third night that Caerwyn finally warms to the other two as they camp alongside the South Rostland "Road", really little more than a disused, muddy, trail this far out. As Akilina and Jackob prepare camp Caerwyn will take his hunter's stand from Windswift and, climbing a nearby tree, set it up. "I'll take first watch."
Finally, on the fourth day Caerwyn opens up a little telling Akilina and Jackob about his upbringing on the family farm and their subsequent move to Restov to avoid any bandit reprisals. How his Father trained him to use the family sword on his back and how he joined the guard to bring justice to others who live in fear of the banditry and lawlessness that thrives in the wilderness. As he finishes his tale the party tops a small hillock and sees the trading post in the distance, The outpost is almost a twin of Fort Serenko except for a few changes to make it suitable for it's current use. As the trio enter the yard he spots a man in the courtyard "Greetings, you must be Master Oleg? I'm Sergeant" the first time anyone's heard him use his rank "Caerwyn Callandriil and these are Lord Jackob Mulle and Lady Akilina Koenig. We've been sent by the Swordlords of Restov to assist Sir Andreas and the others in pacifying and exploring these lands. Do you know where they might be found?' Just as he finishes speaking Oleg points toward the gate as the three remaining explorers enter the gate "Only three?" he thinks, crestfallen "That's only about half of those sent out."
"I have no intention of taking your job. I'm sure your map is much better than anything I'd start. I would, however, like a copy when you're finished." Akilina looks at the horses and riding dog with a touch of trepidation, continuing to tap the sword's pommel absent-mindedly. "Sailing and fencing were more my wheelhouses growing up, but if riding is the speed you travel, I'll do my best to stay mounted. Assuming Oleg has a horse or two for sale, and is willing to do a touch of barter as well? Most of my family's wealth is...less than accessible to me at the moment, and my purse is a bit stretched." Akilina flushes in embarrassment over the state of her finances.
"As for Ser Andreas's title, it was how he was described. If he's not a knight, he has no business using the title, but I won't tell Uncle if no one else does." Akilina winks at the halfling.
Rillka grins at Akilina, Deal! I am good enough to stay in a saddle, but that is about all. I am sure we can trade with Oleg for some horses. Wandering around the plains on foot just takes forever.
Rillka then leans in a bit and stretches up, as the woman is still taller standing than Rillka mounted on her dog; I am sure he is a knight, he is too stubborn to be anything less, then a little softer she adds, and too noble of character; but NEVER tell him I said so!
... and my purse is a bit stretched."
Whenever Jackob drops anything it tends to bounce or fumble in meta terms it's the Haunted curse but in action it looks like Jar Jar Binks.
At Olegs: Jackob visibly startles at being called "lord" by Caerwin. "I'll have to fix that quickly. Word gets back that I'm impersonating a noble and the next helper they send will be carrying a headsman's axe." Jackob thinks nervously.
Oleg smiles at Akilina and says, "We do have some spare horses that are for sale. I will be happy to show you them so that you can decide which one suits you."
"Akilina Koenig, actually. I married out of the family. I don't talk with them much, and I try not to let my name speak for me."
{The writ! You have to show them the writ!} Nikos's Blade's voice, high and reedy, echoes in her head, though no one else can hear it."Now, the proprietor of the trading post is right. We've been sent by some mid-ranking bureaucrat, Smythe, I think, to help finish the job of mapping this land."
"Here's the writ, proving we are who Oleg says we are. I assume...
Andreas nods to Oleg as they approach. Dismounting and walking towards the others shows just how tall this man is.
Master Oleg. It is good to see you again.Turning to look at the three new companions, Andreas remains quiet as he studies them.
His armor has seen better days with dents and dried blood all over it. Dirt and grim are caked inside the wrinkles on his face and hands, showing that they have been on the road for some time. His sword shows usage but otherwise appears to be a very fine blade.
The large man takes the writs and looks over them. His demeanor is polite and calm as he returns the writs.
My apologies for my appearance...it has been a long road and if I have known you would be here, I would have made preparations for a proper audience. Lady Surtova, Master Mulle and Master Callandril, welcome to the Green Belt. You have met my companions Mistress Rillka and Mistress Rhavi. I am Sir Andreas Eisfalke Von Ulm. We have been exploring the belt for some time now. Had our fair share of encounters with orc tribes, bandits and such. I have a feeling the belt will be a little quieter now.
The knight points to his horse and to a unique helm that hangs off the side of his saddle.
As he returns his gaze to Oleg, he has a look of relief on his face.
The Stag Lord is dead, and his reign of terror is over. The bandits and orcs have fled into the winds. I pray we will not see them again anytime soon.
Come, let us enjoy the night over a hot meal and good company. We can talk about the future afterwards.
As Andreas says his welcome to the new people, Rhavi smiles and gives a friendly nod to each of the newcomers, before taking Binky, her horse, to the stables, grooming him and finding a place to store her own stuff, before meeting the others for dinner.
At dinner, she will gladly tell how she got here to anyone that wants to listen.
How she heard of the expedition and, having grown up with stories of Baron Aldori, how she couldn't resist coming here to try and join upnwith the expedition.
How she had travelled with a caravan when it got ambushed by the Stag Lord and taken prisoner and how the party had freed her.
She'll offer to make potions for anyone that needs it, if only they'll help replenish her stock of ingredients when possible.
Oleg breaks into a broad smile at news that the bandit lord who had been terrorizing the area has finally been dealt with. "That is glorious news. Come inside and have a drink on the house for your great deeds. Everyone will want to hear the tale!"
A few people who had been listening in to the conversation begin murmuring to themselves in a generally happy and excited tenor as they realize that their tormenter is gone. One crotchety old man loudly notes, "Aye...it be good that he be gone, but nature hates a vacuum. Who can say what comes next..."
Oleg leads you in and what seems like everyone currently visiting the trading house come to hear what news you have and about your grand adventure.
Jackob moves through the gathering crowd like an eel. A friendly introduction, a dice game, a round of drinks, the newcomer seems to be everywhere. He does frequently step out for some 'air,' AKA renew Guidance, as the evening passes.
Rhavi will let Andreas or Rillka tell the main story untill they describe how she suddenly appeared during the fight with the owlbear.
As one of from the audience ask how she got there, she'll tell her story, as described above.
She'll then describe how the Stag Lord tried to force her to join him and sent her out to fight the party, at the same time as he let the owlbear free.
She will be honest, recalling how she almost fled the Fort but decided against it and instead tried to help the party with only a rusted sword and dressed in rags.
She will tell the story until the point where she was knocked unconscious and let Andreas or Rillka take it from there.
She will not herself mention that she was the one to strike the final blow to the Stag Lord and if others do, she will try to downplay her part, instead pointing out that the others had worn him down before her strike.
She is still conflicted about it, which is easy to see if you pay just a little attention afterwards. She does not like to think about having killed another intelligent being but on the other hand she knows that he was a bad person.
She is not a great speaker, but will do her best, even trying to use her training to make it better (using inspiration)
For the rest of the evening, she will try to get to know as much as she can about the going ons in the area (gather information with inspiration)
Andreas looks around the room as the questions come at them from all corners.
His head turns to those around him as if asking if this will be a good idea. He shrugs and slowly stands. He hopes his pace and height will be enough to quiet the room.
He slowly looks around at each individual.
You all wish to hear a tale.
He again looks around at each individual.
Very well but I confess here and now that I am not an entertainer. What I tell you is not to glorify the death of a man. Even if that man is evil beyond repent. No, this tale is to shed light on those that that came before. Those that fought beside us. Those that gave blood to the Green Belt. To remember each and every one of them. To honor their actions.
He looks to the companions and then back to the crowd.
If there happens to be a bard amongst us this night, I pray that they will listen and listen well. I want this story to be retold in whole. Please do not embellish this tale for doing so would dishonor their noble deeds. Keep it as it is so that we can remember what truly happened.
Andreas tells his tale from the beginning up to the end. He words are straight forward and recounts the good and the bad. The fight to remove the tax collectors of Oleg's and their boss Kessler. The battles with orcs and rescuing slaves. The battle with the Tatzlwyrm and its head that hangs from the wall in this very room. The stare down with the orcs on the plains around Oleg's Outpost. Talks of trade with Kobolds. To all their many adventures. Credit is given to all. The good the bad and the ugly all rolled into one great story to honor all that helped to secure the Green Belt.
Akilina listens carefully, especially the parts about the fighting. To her, it doesn't seem like the swordplay she engaged in with her brothers at all. It's more like the small-time gangs in Restov, trying to grapple for any advantage.
"What's the most danger you've been in out here? The fight against this bandit lord?"
{They're not bad, if their word is honest. You'd do well to ally yourself with them, not your uncle.} Nikos's Blade's voice fills her ear.
"Just be quiet and let me listen." Akilina puts a hand to her ear. Still, in spite of her distraction, she's able to hear not only the explorers telling their tales, but perhaps something off to the side as well?
Rillka will add the below details to the story of the battle against the Stag Lord as it is told:
The night sky raged with wind and rain, thunder and lighting - only matched by the battle in the fortress
How brave Rhavi's noble spirit rose up against her tormentors and she stood her ground only to nearly meet death from a vicious attack by the Stag Lord. How the group came to her rescue, with Torag's healing powers returning her to the fight so that in the end she and the "Anvil" Kazmuk could finally defeat the Stag Lord.
How Andreas was willing to sacrifice himself in a heroic act to make sure that Rhavi and Kazmuk would have a chance to succeed at felling their foe but that she did not see who actually killed the Stag Lord, for she had fallen by that point.
She will also add that quarter was offered to all foes, but none accepted.
Later info gathering:
Rillka also approaches the new trio, and asks Having heard our tales, do you need any supplies we could help with as we prepare to resume our explorations - horses, tents, rope, rations, tents... space on the wagon for any of your gear?
Caerwyn listens as Ser Andreas spins his tale, slightly disappointed that he wasn't there to put paid to the so called "Stag Lord" and his band of thugs. Looking around as the crowd of people begins to grow he starts to ask those around him about what's going on around these parts, but everyone seems so caught up in the story no one pays attention to him.
Distracted, Caerwyn only catches the tail end of Rilka's question "No, thank you. I hope I have everything I need on my horse. The others though were on foot, perhaps there are supplies they might need."
"What's the most danger you've been in out here? The fight against this bandit lord?"
The bandit lord was a dangerous foe, but I would have to say that most danger I have been in out here in the Green Belt...was when I almost lost hope. The Stolen Lands have a way of draining hope from the strongest of individuals. Keep hope in your heart and it will guide you through the darkest of times. Without hope, evil will spread. When that happens, we all are in very dangerous times.
Your story impresses the audience, although many still question whether the various dangers you have faced are truly taken care of or if bandits, kobolds and other dangers will just reappear once you pass on. But with your fine storytelling, the mood becomes jovial. Rarely has this crowd received anywhere near as much entertainment as your story provides.
Once you are done a merchant tips you a gold piece and two farm hands provide you with a bag of rabbit jerky and a haunch of lamb to reward your labors.
You hear a rancher muse, "I heard Breeg Orlivanch went and joined the bandits. That trapper was as foul mouthed as they came, but I am surprised he was willing to turn on those he knew and broke bread with. I wonder if he survived the fall of the bandits?"
A guard for a merchant says, "I heard that Taldans once came to colonize these lands. They claimed to find gold in the hills. With the area becoming more secure, I wouldn't half mind trying to find a gold mine of my own."
An old woman who came in says, "I am not sure I believe the bandits are truly gone. It was known that they were part of a debased cult dedicated to a hideous animal demon! Such foul things are never truly squashed. Its like a cockroach you keep stepping on and it keeps runnin' away!"
Andreas tries his best to refuse the rewards with politeness but in the end, he concedes and graciously accepts the items.
We will do our best to ensure that those threats will never return. I have hope that the Dragon Throne will send someone here that can handle this situation and maintain that which we have fought for. That is as of now a delicate peace.
Before your part of the story comes up Svetlana, Oleg's wife, is passing by and stops to ask, "In your travels have you seen the unicorn? It is said to live up in the Narlmarches and ever since we came here I wished I could catch a glimpse of it. I have not heard of any sightings for a while. I hope the bandits didn't scare it away."
The few locals and the merchant with his men retire for the evening before it gets too late as they all must work with the dawn. Oleg provides a place to bed down in thanks for what you have done for him and his family.
In the morning, Svetlana has brought out the three horses so that you can inspect them. The first is a large dun stallion standing at just over 16 hands hands tall, the second is a mottled grey and dark brown mare that is much shorter at just under 15 hands with a slighter build. The third is a more average sized roan mare at 15.5 hands tall. Oleg says, "The stallion was called Dusty by the merchant that had to sell him to fix up his wagon. The shorter Mare we call Willow, and the final mare was called Lady by her last owner. She is pretty new to the trading post."
Jackob wakes early and watches the birds heading north over the forest.
After that Jackob tastes the air and gets and idea of the weather for the next 24 hours.
As the horses are brought out Jackob happily greets them.
Andreas looks the animals over giving them proper respect and chats with them as if he has known them all their lives.
Akilina looks at the shortest mare, just a touch of caution in her eyes as she fidgets, rubbing her thumbnail against her fingers. "I'll leave the looking a horse in the mouth to those who know something about them. We'll need to trust each other, after all. Where did you get the two mares, Oleg?"
"Willow was the foal of a horse owned by a local trapper. He sold her off to pay for supplies for the winter. Lady belonged to a merchant who passed by a few weeks back. She had come down with a fever and he traded her in for a different mount to continue his route. Oleg tells Akilina.
Dusty is the youngest of the three. He appears to have only recently been broken in, but he is trained to carry a rider. He would do best with a strong hand to keep him from bounding out in front at the drop of a hat.
Willow is slightly older then Dusty. She seems to be the calmest of the horses. She mostly seems to ignore any commotion from the other two horses or other activity in the courtyard.
Lady seems concerned by humanoids being too close. She is also trained and if anyone mounts her she follows their commands, but she seems wary of humans walking around her. You have both seen animals like this before who had been mistreated.
Jacob stands a few paces in front of the roan.
The horse does not react
"Hello Lady"
The horse does not react
"Your name isn't Lady is it? Someone wasn't paying attention."
The horse does not react.
Jacob tilts his head in thought, he seems to have more gray in his hair than you remember.
"Butternut.
The roan walks forward and nuzzles Jacob who feeds her an apple.
Andreas likely recognizes the trainers trick of body language and voice inflection but it was skillfully done. Jacob has clearly spent time with horses.
(note to all. I chose the roan so the butternut name would work due to the rind color matching some kinds of roan. If you have your heart set on this horse let me know and I'll happily retcon.)
Rillka offers to talk to Andreas about the Sellen River issue; but does point out that it may be beyond the scope of their authority.
"A unicorn? A real live unicorn, here in the Stolen Lands? Have you seen it yourself? Or know someone that has? Seems unlikely that it could have survived out here with that many evil creatures. I will keep an eye out for it."
"I have not seen it myself. I would dearly love to, but I do not tend to leave the fort, much less travel through the forest. I have heard some of the local trappers mention sightings. But those have not happened in a while. I was hoping you would have seen it and could confirm that it lived in the forest and was ok." Svetlana replies with a look of worry about the creature leaving or being harmed.
"Horses are majestic but inscrutable animals." Akilina shrugs as she looks at the horse she's chosen, then pats it on the nose - but really gently, like she's worried about hurting it. "Willow works as a name. She'll do for me."
"Did you know about the kobolds nearby? Someone mentioned them while you were telling your story. They claimed they didn't want to settle with the creatures in the area."
While they are inspecting/purchasing the horses. Jackob finds a quiet moment with Rhavi, Rillke, or Andreas.
"Picked up some news last night. Nothing earth shattering some fear some greed some personal worries." Jackob relays the following, more or less.