The last few hours of the day catch up to the team as the enjoy company of their unusually allies. With daylight leaving the wardens head out for Tazlford near by.
Once in Tazlford the wardens check in with friends and allies. Tristan speaks with those who currently are organized for defense. Quince and Cleo do their best to assess the people, the families and what education needs might be coming up.
Eventually Kev organizes a hunt. He lays out that they will be hunting South of the Lizardfolk city. First for boars and should they end up in this area possibly the dragon! He planned it out so they would travel normally to get a chance to observe the realm, spend three days on the hunts and then Jump back.
Hex 50- The site of the Forgotten Keep; Rigg Gargadilly the Quickling, the Grimstalker, & the Dancing Lady. The keep would serve as a castle if turned into a city. Elven ruins now infested with twisted and evil fey. Treasure: Mithral statuette of Findeladlara elven goddess of art and architecture (1,200gp), +1 short sword, 5 doses of Blue Whinnis, fine velvet cloak (10gp), gold neclace (100gp), a silver ring with an emerald (300gp), bejeweled masterwork short sword (510gp), a moonstone (50gp), life size alabaster dancing elf statue 500 lbs (900gp), masterwork harp, jade statuette of a coiled snake (75pg), elven water clock 200 lbs (1,000gp), bearskin coverlet (50gp), 2 royal outfits (200gp each), 3 courtier's outfits (30gp each), 3 viles of perfume (100gp each), gem studded tiara (350gp), elixir of love, 570 gp, 638 sp, 27 cp, and a dozen different sparkling gemstones worth 1,800 gp in all.
Hex 49- Forest
Hex 57- Forest
Hex 58- Hodag Den- Svetlanna has to kill this creature. I mean check her out Treasure: MW Greataxe, +1 Studded Leather Armor, & +1 Keen Spear.
Hex 59- We fought the Scythe Tree here previously. More forest.
Hex 66- Hargulka's Stronghold- Ruined dwarf stronghold. Treasure: Necklace of Fireballs (1 8d6 Fireball, 2 4d6 Fireballs, & 3 2 d6 Fireballs), +1 Hide Armor(Large), +1 Darkwood Thundering Morningstar (large), Amulet of Natural Armor +2, 4 BP worth of materials, Dusty rose Ioun Stone, dragon statue (200gp), gold necklace with a jade pendant (500gp), various jewelry (750gp), 5 medium quality gemstones (100gp each), 3 bottles of find wine (15gp each), silver tankard (50gp), 1,484cp, 5,686sp, & 2,129gp. Reward from Restov: 2,000gp and 10 BP.
Hex 65- Forest
The last few hours of the day catch up to the team as the enjoy company of their unusually allies. With daylight leaving the wardens head out for Tazlford near by.
Once in Tazlford the wardens check in with friends and allies. Tristan speaks with those who currently are organized for defense. Quince and Cleo do their best to assess the people, the families and what education needs might be coming up.
Nothing very specific. Rumors and they loved your company. They would tell you, "It has been wonderful with almost no problems in the forest. You Wardens are so helpful!"
- They have been thriving and keeping to themselves mostly. A few people have gone missing but then were found. Something about getting lost. Nothing serious.
The morning of the hunt Kev, Kevros, has a sour stomach. Katrina does what she can but says, "It might just be a bit of food poisoning or a mild allergic reaction. Either way we can do the hunt without him. So Quince do we need a stand in or will the five of us be fine?"
Then she would walk over to Cleo and hold her hand, "It is going to be so fun seeing the forest with you! Picnics, camp fires, hunting boars, oh so much to look forward too!"
"I hope he feels better. Boars sure but there is something big out there to all kinds of rumors."
He stands to the side of Cleo and smiles at Katrina. He shrugs at the thought of needed another, as the four of them should be plenty though he leaves it up to Quince. He would ask with a raise eyebrow, "Dragon Hunting?"
"Yes, apparently there is a dragon hunt." Cleonora said with a small shrug but she squeezed Katrina's hand. "Never been a camping person but I'm sure I can get through it." She half joked.
"Don't worry dear, camping won't be that bad. We have tents and many creature comforts. Plus I will be cooking, I can't wait until I get some fresh boar meat!" She states comforting her friend and looking at the capable men around them knowing that nothing would happen to either of them should it be in their power.
On Cleo's other side he states, "Don't worry Cleonora, no harm will come to you or Katraina if I am able to stop it." He seems to be able to echo off Katrina's thoughts, then again that has been the only thought he has been driven by for weeks now after Saiben's defeat.
The trip goes smoothly, as you stop to see those who have chosen to make houses and a living in the wilderness. They appreciate being checked in on and offer to feed the Wardens. Katrina happily gives each of them a blessing with a ring but declines for the group as they must keep going and food is very precious to those in the wilderness.
There is surprisingly no threatening creatures that you see on your three day trip down to Krazok's lizardfolk village. There he offers to give you a great feast once you bring back some boars. He would offer to go with you on the dragon hunt should you want him, otherwise he would continue being the duke here. He would also point out a few more places to visit:
Likely the dragon you are hunting:
Rumors of a dragon haunting the southern Narlmarches are probably (hopefully) overstated. The evidence indicates that the source of the rumors is merely a forest drake. In any event, it’s killing folks and needs to be put down. Completion: Find a forest drake, kill it, and return to town with its head as proof.
Reward: The kingdom approves a reward of 1,200 gp to the first group to successfully slay a forest drake in the Narlmarches.
The Swamp Witch
and the Ruins (but that will be for later!)
The trip goes smoothly, as you stop to see those who have chosen to make houses and a living in the wilderness. They appreciate being checked in on and offer to feed the Wardens. Katrina happily gives each of them a blessing with a ring but declines for the group as they must keep going and food is very precious to those in the wilderness.
There is surprisingly no threatening creatures that you see on your three day trip down to Krazok's lizardfolk village. There he offers to give you a great feast once you bring back some boars. He would offer to go with you on the dragon hunt should you want him, otherwise he would continue being the duke here. He would also point out a few more places to visit:
Likely the dragon you are hunting:
Rumors of a dragon haunting the southern Narlmarches are probably (hopefully) overstated. The evidence indicates that the source of the rumors is merely a forest drake. In any event, it’s killing folks and needs to be put down. Completion: Find a forest drake, kill it, and return to town with its head as proof.
Reward: The kingdom approves a reward of 1,200 gp to the first group to successfully slay a forest drake in the Narlmarches.The Swamp Witch
and the Ruins (but that will be for later!)
Quince enjoyed the time and definitely wanted Krazok to go. Hoping to get to know the Dragon man a little better.
Krazok would join you then and direct the group to the swamp witch. Actually double backing the way you came. Using the 'Jump' ability, the group rides two hours to the southeast side of Tuskwater, just opposite the capital by a normal days ride along the bank. On your ride there Krazok talks about the old witch known as 'Old Beldame'.
She’s animated a pumpkin-headed scarecrow, it will lash out at you should you intrude! Many have fallen victim to whatever foul magic it holds, let alone the witch!
In reality, the Old Beldame isn’t a witch at all, just a bitter old woman who likes her privacy, though her magical powers are legitimate. Those who regularly come to her for her assistance have long since learned to announce
their presence before entering the gate.
Her dilapidated mud-brick hut squats atop a small hummock in the middle of a fetid marsh, a thin tendril of bluish smoke trickling through a gaping hole in its moss-covered roof. A wooden fence surrounding the perimeter of the mound is festooned with crude fetishes crafted out of sticks, feathers, and animal bones. A lone crow caws noisily from the top of a nearby cypress tree.
The scarecrow appears to be propped up midway between the gate and the door to the hut.
—it lurches to life and swiftly moves to attack anyone crossing
the line of the fence. There is a 70% chance that the Old Beldame is in
her hut during the day; otherwise, she is out gathering crafting ingredients in the swamp and returns by nightfall. The Old Beldame does not come out of
her hut, even if the PCs fight the scarecrow outside. She is somewhat hard of hearing anyway, and trusts the scarecrow to take care of any troublesome
intruders. She only attacks if the PCs make it past the scarecrow and enter her hut uninvited. Still, she is not an evil monster, and successful Diplomacy checks (her initial attitude is unfriendly) may be able to defuse the situation before it turns deadly.
The Old Beldame is human, although the blood of fey runs deep in her—over the years, her magical bloodline has given her skin a strange greenish cast and lengthened her ears to points, further fuel for the locals’ rumor-mongering. Should the PCs wish to talk to the Old Beldame instead of fighting her, they’d do well to announce themselves by striking the bell on the pole next to the gate. If she’s home, the Old Beldame peers out of a window of her hut and angrily demands to know who the PCs are. Initial diplomatic contact must be carried out at this somewhat awkward distance, for if the PCs enter her fenced-in area, she shrieks, ducks into her hut, and lets the scarecrow handle the defense of her domain. Her initial attitude is unfriendly, but if made friendly she’ll invite the PCs into her hut to chat. If she invites the PCs, the scarecrow doesn’t attack, though it does turn its head to watch them menacingly as they pass by.
During an extended conversation with the Old Beldame, the PCs find her to be a knowledgeable—though crotchety and ill-tempered—old woman.
"I have heard of this person. Her home is guarded by animated pumpkin scarecrows. If she is indeed a hag perhaps we should investigate."
"That's some good magic then." Cleonora said. "Animating objects to work more than once is no small feat let me tell you."
Upon reaching the hut amongst a swamp the group ends their 'Jump'. All of you likely are in swampy boggy water that is at most two feet deep.
It is an 80 foot diameter area of solid ground, thick with bog grass and dotted with small cattail-clogged pools. This solid region is surrounded by a waist-high wooden fence, in which a single gate hangs askew. A fist-sized rusted iron bell hangs from a hairy length of rope tied to a crooked post next to the gate.
The scarecrow appears to be propped up midway between the gate and the door to the hut.
Her dilapidated mud-brick hut squats atop a small hummock in the middle of a fetid marsh, a thin tendril of bluish smoke trickling through a gaping hole in its moss-covered roof. A wooden fence surrounding the perimeter of the mound is festooned with crude fetishes crafted out of sticks, feathers, and animal bones. A lone crow caws noisily from the top of a nearby cypress tree.
He shrugs at the information he knows nothing of her except rumors that he will not say.
"Hmm, that is an interesting thing... I'd like to get closer, but entering without permission would be rude." Cleonora said before she called out
Quince looks around, "Well this should be good."
You hear a old crone's voice crack, "I can barely hear yeah..." Then you see what looks like a sterotypical witch, a green skinned old woman come to the window and ask, "Who are ye and what do ye want?"
It was his turn and he states, "I am game if you want to... do you want to undress me now?"
He would wait for the others to offer diplomatic words but should the need arise he stood ready. Though his sword remained in its sheath. He rubbed his mud logged boots in the grass.
Quince "Hello, you must be Elga. I am Quince Medvyed."
"I am... who told you my name?" Her quick temper seems to be calming with curiosity. Though you both are nearly yelling to speak with each other...
"It would only be fair." Cleonora told him teasing, as her fingers began to work through the cloth, string, and leather alike. "Jorne," She began softly "I want to thank you."
"Might we come closer? At least so we're not yelling?" Cleonora requested respectfully.
"No DARLIN, I need to know why first. Too many folks think that getting close is a good way to burn a WITCH! You also said your name but not WHO you are!" She lets out, you can tell the temper is rising again.
He stood there letting her take off his clothes, armor, and equipment. Moving and helping when needed but shy of moving his legs is was all relatively easy to get off after making it loose. "Cleonora, what are you thanking me for this time?"
He looked here and there, before whispering, "So Krazok you said we should come meet this Old Beldame right, you mind speaking up?"
"Oh sure... I was having fun see how you would interact with her. Old Beldame, errr... Elga. I am Krazok the Duke of Destruction that is running the lizardfolk village and these here are rulers of Greenwatch. I thought you would have wanted to have a few words with them. I am sure you can come to a good deal amongst yourselves!" He shouts out with his domineering voice.
---
"Don't you worry about most of us, how about just four. I don't need to speak with you again. Mam!" He states a lot less loud and nods his head politely.
Within a moment her front door burst open and she walked forward, stopping half way and then states, "Indeed you are, sorry for the confusion. I get so many troublemakers. I would welcome you in but my little cottage likely won't accommodate your group."
---
She nods to Krazok and nods a few more times to herself before offering with a wave and heading back to her cottage saying, "That sounds fair, send four or five, keep those mounts on the other side of the fence. I don't want my garden trampled!"
The scarecrow doesn’t attack, though it does turn its head to watch you menacingly as you pass by.
Within the cottage she seems busy tidying up a bit. With several more candles lit that seems to float over to hover over each of your heads. You would see more clearly that her skin has a strange greenish cast and her ears have lengthened to points, which likely further fuel for the locals’ rumor-mongering. "Next time you come here you would do well to announce yourselves by striking the bell on the pole next to the gate." She says almost absentmindedly.
The Old Beldame’s hut is a simple, one-roomed affair; it’s only about 20 feet in diameter with a dirt floor and thatched roof. The rafters are hung with dried herbs and swamp-weeds, and a bubbling cauldron (containing nothing more sinister than a weak vegetable broth) hangs over a fire pit in the center of the room.
With a few more waves of her hands and a few wooden chairs appear, where there were none just a moment ago. She sits down upon her rocking chair and offers the couch to the others... or summons more chairs should you not sit there. "So Duke Quince Medvyed is it? And who are these fine companions you have with you?"
Quince smiles warmly. "Thank you for meeting with us." He indicates those with him. "This is Cleonora Petalouda Headmistress of the Sciencia Academy, Jorne Fyrestone, Katrina Dewtree Droverson the Warden of Faith and High Priestess of Erastil. And the Duke of Destruction here."
"As for your name. A group of lumberjacks were sent south by my father. Chasing rumors of a grove of Darkwood trees. One of their number was injured. A fever. His name was Tomast. His friends rang your bell and left him. It seems they feared your wrath. But knew he had no other chance. The risk paid off. He returned alive."
"Our trip at this time is actually a hunt. There have been reports of a monster further into the Narl. South of the Murk."
She nods as she is introduced and sits on the couch with Quince.
"Aghhh another wounded lumberjack... I don't remember the fellow. Most who stay around in the Stolenlands long enough know that I can and will help to those in most dire need. They also know I don't make a great house hostess. Which large monster are you hunting?" She states with a neutral tone.
"We didn't mean to impose. There is a beast some have described as a great lizard or dragon hunting in the forest."
"No worries, no one means to impose. Ah, well good luck on your hunt!" She says with a bit more attitude than before.
"After... after what happened I thought it would be a bad idea to get close to anyone but, Jorne you gave me hope." She went onto say before she kiss him gently. "I never thought I'd be happy."
"I think that is her way of saying she either can't help or doesn't want to." Cleonora said with a slight smirk.
He kissed her back. Then he added a quip in after she was done, "I aim to please! Though you didn't make it easy." By now his hands were on her hips and teasing.
He sat there like the supposed witch just watching. His guard was still up and he was ready to act but not invested in the conversation.
With that she placed her lips over his again and pulled him back towards the bed.
Cleonora's eyes moved from Jorne, to Quince, to Elga. Watching, waiting, to see how this would unfold.
With her leverage they easily move back and they fall onto the bed together. His hands no longer on her hips but rising to knead each of her pert breasts, teasing the nipples with faint brushes.
Meanwhile his tongue is playing with hers as their lips lock.
His rigid cock tightens further as he moves his hips to allow his cock movement to find her pussy. Finding it he lets his head tease around, though he aims high to tap her clit.
Hmmmmmm....
Quince smiles, "Well I am glad to put a face to the name. We have imposed long enough."
"Yes, I suppose so..." The old crone cracks out.
Quince turns his head to the side. He glances toward the north corner, "Unless there is something that you had to share or hoped we could do for you." He looks back toward the old woman.
Slowly, Cleonora brought her right leg up, placing it over Jorne's waist as they enjoyed eachother.
"Ah there is the question." Cleonora said with a small sigh.
"Well I... you are the new rulers of the lands right. Perhaps you would pass along a bounty to some reputable sorts that can keep quiet about my nature... Here take it."
Looking at the bounty paper you see it asks for:
QUEST - BLACK RATTLECAPS
Gather a batch of black rattlecap mushrooms from a dangerous mud pit.
Task: The Old Beldame uses the sporepods inside of black rattlecap mushrooms to brew a potent tea, but the mushrooms are very rare.
There are directions to the Mud Bowl. (Area P)
Reward: The Old Beldame promises a payment of 100 gp for every black rattlecap anyone can bring her.
She gives you five well made bounty papers with this information on each of them.
She also offers, "I can also be convinced to craft magical items or provide spellcasting for you at the standard prices, and if your ready for another quest I would like you to procure a crystal from a nearby ruin. It is easily twice the size of two large apples, it glows with a red hue. If you find it and bring it back I shall make you a magical item that will be worth your time!"
As Quince passes the papers, he would look over it an nod, "Should we find any, do they need to be brought to you in a certain time. Maybe they should be kept fresh somehow? Suggestions madame?"
"A ruin? I have a map perhaps you could point it out. That might help a great deal."
"It calls to me in my dreams, I don't know where it is, though in the South I feel. As to the mushrooms two or three days at the oldest unless you dry them out, pressing them between two flat heavy objects works the best." She replies in a generally good nature compared to most of her previous statements.
But with ever rock of his hips the pain faded and Cleonora's gasps turned into small moans. Her hands released his arms and ran over his chest before one moved to cradle his face. Her eyes met his and she smiled slight.
"I know how to preserve reagents, I can apply that to the mushrooms." Cleonora told Quince as she folded her arms.
"Is there anything else you can tell us of the ruins."
"I think the window looks out on trees so the ruins might be of a tower, or a keep that has more than one level." She offers but after much thinking.
She doesn't have much else to add and not so coyly lets you know you can leave now.