"I'll write a letter to take back to Restov. I believe that was where they came from. I don't know much about them, but if you could deliver it to the mayor's staff, he will hopefully know who to inform. How much would it cost?"
She'll go write the letter and then pay Fredrick to deliver it.
Akilina shrugs at Fredrick. "I don't believe he will. He knew I was going, and it wasn't either of our ideas, but duty calls, family ties, and all that nonsense."
"It's his sword, so there's a little bit of him left in it. I don't think it's his soul, but something about who he was - he was a bit arrogant up until he surrendered to Choral the Conqueror - must still be there." Akilina grins at Rillka. "Of course, all the Surtovas are a bit arrogant, so that's not out of character."
"Umm...two gold." Frederick tells Rhavi as he looks down at the coins in his hand. Then he glances back at Akilina and says, "Ah...ok. As long as they don't shoot the messenger I will get it to them as quick as I can."
...
Jackob mean while has approached some of the men in the yard and introduced himself. The person he speaks to says, "I am Fredrick. I am a driver for this caravan. We are moving on to New Stetven with some trade goods."
"Heading to The city, nice place. Try the Last Crow if you have the time. South side not too near the gate. Best ale in New Stetven. The owner is a horrible man so the neighbors may have finally driven him off. But if the place is still open and you keep your head down the ale is worth it.
Where are you coming from, if I can ask. I am new to these parts and don't really know my way yet. Do you buy from trappers and such or does your route stretch all the way to Pitaxe?"
Andreas enters the outpost and settles in. A little later he looks for Oleg.
Master Oleg, I was hoping to see if you had a more private area that my companions, you and Lady Svetlana could talk?
He looks around for a moment to see that they are relatively alone.
There are some things I would like to discuss with you.
Oleg nods at Andreas' and says, "We can clear out the bunk house for a bit and have a conversation." He will move to do so and soon your group finds yourself alone with Oleg and Svetlana. He then asks, "Did something happen? Has someone tried to fill the Stag King's shoes already?"
"Did something happen? Has someone tried to fill the Stag King's shoes already?"
No nothing like that but that is always a possibility. I hope that the Dragon Throne sends someone here soon. That power vacancy will not remain empty for long.
The knight looks around to confirm that they are indeed alone.
We found something out west of here beyond the Skunk River. Word of it will spread but it is my desire to slow it till a structured power is in place.
He sighs slightly.
We found a Unicorn. killed by foul magics. We were able to move the creature to the Temple of the Elk for a proper burial. May Pharasma guide its soul. We do not know who are what killed it...and this is where my favor comes in. Can you keep an ear out for information on this. I do not want to see them walking the lands free.
They both look shocked at the news that a mythical creature of good was slain and Svetlana, who hoped to one day see it, begins to cry.
Oleg looks concerned and says, "Is this something that you think will come and attack us here? Do you have any idea why the unicorn was slain?"
Rillka watches as the Tall Folk discuss the unicorn. There is a lag as the Tall Folk consider their responses, but not wanting to frighten Oleg or Svetlana, she jumps in...It was death magic that killed it, and whatever did it took the horn. No idea why. Yet, but we will. These new Tall Folk are pretty clever. She speaks softly and calmly, smiling to reassure the others that they will deal with the creatures murder.
Rhavi moves over next to Swetlana. As she was the one Svetlana told about the unicorn, she somehow feels responsible for the bad news they brought her.
"I promise, I will do anything I can to find whoever did this and bring them to justice. One way or another!"
Andreas keeps his composure as he thinks on the scene that they came upon.
I do not think this was a chance encounter. I feel it was planned and that the unicorn itself was the target. A lone creature of purity alone in the wilds of the Stolen Lands is easier to hide then attacking a settlement, even a trading post would bring questions. I do not think you have need to worry but any details we can gather will help us locate this person.
He pauses and looks around the others.
I have a feeling that even after the Dragon Throne asserts its power in the region...we will remain behind to bring this person to justice.
Jackob is taking care of the horses and wondering what will happen to Oleg and this land in general once Brevoy really starts moving in.
"You all have been wonderful to the people around here. I am sure everyone will be happy if you stick around. Is there anything else?" Oleg asks as Svetlana still seems heartbroken at the news.
The group leaves early the next morning and begins the slow journey across the plains and hills before having to re-enter the forest to complete their exploration that they were contracted to map.
The going through the forest slows even further as the land east of the Skunk river slumps down and forms a boggy mire.
As the group forces their horses and wagons through the muck they come into an area where they see two ruined buildings. Standing in front of the door to the western ruins is a pair of creatures.
The first that you notice is a disgusting beast that looks like a slime-covered toad, but with two walrus-like tusks jutting from its upper jaw. The creature's hide is a pale purple color. The second creature is a humanoid with Bulbous eyes that seem to glare atop this creature’s decidedly toad-like head. A multitude of warts and bumps decorate its greenish skin. The creature has a Morningstar on a belt.
Akilina stares at the two creatures for a moment, then slides off her horse. She puts her hand on her sword hilt and tries to decide if the...frog guy...is going to fight them.
Akilina stops her horse and slides off of it before it gets a whiff of whatever that giant frog is.
Jumping off her horse and securing it, Rhavi takes a couple of seconds to see if she can determine if the creatures are hostile or not
Jackob stops the wagon and locks the brake. The oracle is waiting for the folks more skilled in diplomacy to make first contact.
Rillka looks to Andreas, Talking or fighting Tall Folk? she asks, as she leans forward atop Lucca.
Andreas urges his mount to walk forward to place them between the creatures and the wagon. He looks to the ground around him and then back up at the creature.
Mounted combat will be difficult in this terrain. Daisey could break a leg.
Dismounting, he turns to face the creatures. His hand falls to his weapon when he notices the morning star still on the belt of the humanoid like creature. The knight relaxes his stance and moves his hand away.
Odd. We made enough noise that they had to have notices us approaching and yet...his...weapon is not out.
Careful now, they appear to not be attacking us. Yet.
He says as he points to the weapon on the belt.
Shall we see what it wants?
"I think that's a good idea, Sir Andreas. I'll keep my hand on my sword, though." Akilina tries to recollect, from childhood stories, just what a boggard does and if its language skills are up for talking. "It's a boggard, and I think there's a story one of my nurses told me about them..."
Hi there! Can we talk? We are explorers. Rillka calls out, and waves at the creature since it seems talking is the decision.
As no one seems prone to immediately attack the creature, it raises its hands and croaks out, "Truce! Truce!" He moves a little closer to put himself between the large toad creature and the group while also keeping himself between the party and the ruins.
As it moves closer with its hands raised, everyone can know see that the Boggard's left hand was badly damaged at some point and did not heal well.
With your Sense Motive you know that the creature is wary of you. He seems to want you to stay away from the Ruins that he seems to consider his home. He is not currently violent, but he seems very concerned by the presence of a large armed group near his home. You think moving closer to the ruins would likely change his demeanor in a negative manner.
You are surprised when the creature speaks common. From what you have read, Boggards usually only speak their own tongue. So this Boggard seems more educated then most of their kind.
It is having a hard time understanding us, perhaps another language? Follow my lead Tall Folk, and don't let me get eaten. Rillka tells the group.
She slips off Lucca and holds her hands up, moving a few steps forward,
Truce! she calls out, gesturing between herself and the creature.
She then repeats "truce" in dwarven, halfling and elven, to see if the creature reacts or speaks in a language it knows.
Rillka...I do not like the way this could go. It sours, you move straight back to my left side, and I will move forward ahead of you. Got it.
Thinking Hmmm, Wonder why it is speaking if it can't understand. Don't think we'll have much luck here.
Jackob remains on the cart and scans the surrounding woods. Reminiscing on concealed tatzlwyrms.
The Boggard sees more agitated as Rillka gets off her mount and steps closer, although she is not near the front of the group yet. He says, "Truce...You Go..."
Jacob sees nothing around other then the two ruins, the Boggard and what appears to be his pet.
As Rillka steps forward, Rhavi speaks up
"Don't move any closer. It doesn't want us to get closer to the ruins for some reason. I think we are good if we stay here."
Rhavi then speaks to the creature in sylvan, translating Rillka's words "Hi there! Can we talk? We are explorers, we whish you no harm"
"The stories I was told never had them speaking Common." Akilina raises an eyebrow at the boggard. "It could also croak. Loudly. Loudly enough to scare the horses, or even you, Sir Andreas. Talking first is better."
The Slurk is a magical beast. It exudes grease from its stomach that makes it hard to grapple while simultaneously creating slime, which it can spit at foes or cover them in it if it bull rushes or overruns something. The substance hardens quickly. It can be removed, but takes effort to do so. If your riding it, the slime can help keep you on it. The creature itself is known for hunkering down which makes it hard to bull rush or overrun. The creatures overgrown bite is quite dangerous.
The Boggard looks strangely at Rhavi when she tries a new language and then says, "Me...Boggard...Truce..You Go!"
Caerwyn dismounts and approaches as close as he can to the boggard without making it agitated. He keeps his hands out to his side as he begins to speak "Me, Caerwyn" he thumps his chest with his hand "You, ???" he points to the boggard himself. "We," he circles his hand around to encompass the entire group "truce".
He then turns to the group and shrugs "Unless someone has way to communicate with him I suggest we do as he asks and go. He doesn't seem overtly hostile and I see no need to slaughter someone over a misunderstanding. I think we just skirt around this clearing and continue on. Maybe we come back when we can communicate better with him, I bet he has quite the story to tell."
Caerwyn remounts Windswift and looks to the others for agreement. He looks to the boggard once more "We go, no die" So saying he kicks Windswift into a slow walk out of the clearing.
Andreas watches as Caerwyn approaches. His hand shifts back towards his weapon. Waiting to see what happens.
His...and the knight motions towards the old stone structures. ruins are not my concern but what threat does he pose to those in the area. Granted I do not see people traveling the swamps, but will he be a threat to those that are in the area?
Jackob pipes up from the cart "If he and his friend become a threat we, of whoever ends up in charge, will come back and resolve the issue. The charter was for exploration and bandit suppression correct? These folks may be amphibian nightmares but I don't see any evidence of brigandry. They are not a problem now so let's just move on and leave them in peace."
The knight keeps his eyes on the creatures, his hand still inches away from his weapon.
Lady Rillka do you have enough information here to add to your maps. Would you be able to add sketches of the ruins and these creatures. If they do become hostile to the locals, at least the Dragon Throne will have some details to go with. I am doubtful but then again, we thought the same of Kobolds. If we are all of the same opinion and feel this is best left alone for now, then let us remove ourselves from this situation.
I know you have my back Tall Folk, I understand, thank you. Rillka replies to Andreas' inital directions, and adds later in the discussion, Let us return with magic to empower communication, who knows why this creature is here and if it will even remain. It may know something about the unicorn and what happened to it. I will map what I can and make some notes. Rillka returns to her mount and moves away with the others.
Once out of visual/earshot of the creature, I offer to make someone invisible to go snoop and see what is in the ruins, understanding the creature may be able to smell them. Otherwise, yes for Rillka.
Andreas keeps his eyes shifting from his companions as the ride away, back to the two strange creatures.
Once he is certain that they will not be attacked, he mounts up and rides after them.
Jackob un-sets the break and Butternut begins to pull the cart away or at least around the ruin.
Although that is a good idea...that individual would be a severe disadvantage if detected.
He looks back at the ruins.
The ruins are not going anywhere, maybe reclaimed by the swamp but that is about it.
"I'm fine with just leaving him. He knows some Common, which is rare for his kind. We could come back and talk with him more later, perhaps. But for now, we know he's there, and we can warn others to stay away."