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I knew this would happen.. Fionn thinks to himself. M'lady! He is a friend, please, share the meat and wine. Our new peculiar friend here, the Sly, he is called, was telling us of the green belt. The stolen lands, as they are known to us. He speaks of many undead, and boggards to boot. Will you break your fast with us?
Fionn offers a winning smile, and a wink at the young miss to calm her nerves.
He turns to the Sly, to make sure all is well.
She means no harm friend, we've just never seen anyone like you before, and those we have seen who look like you have not been so friendly. Diplomacy.
Also, sense motive on the sly.
"Oh.. oh. Why yes, I'm sorry my little friend I'm just not used to your... you" Alexandra smiles as she suddenly seats herself closer to the Sly then seemed possible on the bench, squeezing between others.
"Mr. Jameson our little friend here looks hungry, get them to cook him something delectable! And I'll have two eggs over easy, with an omelet on the side, five strips of bacon and two biscuits." She fires off her meal like a seasoned pro and then hands a gold piece to Mr. Jameson to get the job done.
"So, Mr. the Sly, why don't you tell us all about your little ventures through the Stolen Lands? And tell me, have you seen any castles out there? Old and musty ones no doubt." Alexandra's voice takes on an unnatural kindness and she suddenly seems to be all ears.
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"Rat, what rat, I don't see it!" Sly quickly turns around looking for that rat.
"Harm?... I am the Sly, just like I told you I have not seen one like me either, what ones look like me, why not nice?"
"Not Mr., just Sly or the Sly. I have lived over there for much time, I have made many friends and encountered many enemies. Castles, you mean big houses made of stone, yesss... several really big ones, but also some regular size and some inbetween.
Sly grins very widely showing at least three rows of very sharp white teeth.
"Yes, Sly, houses of stone. Have you seen many in the Green belt? I'm looking for an old one, over a hundred years old, there long before Sly or any of the green creatures should be." Alexandra's initial shock has passed and now she seems to be persistent.
"Why have you left the Green Belt?" Her concern is sincere if not a little exaggerated.
Why are we talking to a lizard?
Fizzy is dumbfounded and amused
"The lizard... the lizard..., I is the Sly not a lizard, we are talking to me, because I chose you, blue hair not so nice." Sly growls at Fizzy for a few seconds then turns his back to him to continue discussion with the others.
Maybe I am still drunk...
Sorry about our friend here Sly, he is not use to dealing with someone smaller than him. We would be honored to accompany you back to the the Green belt. Let us pack our things and we will be on our way. Matbe as we walk you can tell us more about the biggies who squish you, the bad men, boggards, and even a bit about the undead.
Sajan gets up, opens a fold in his cloak, and a small creature jumps onto the table. It has a reptilian head with a serpentine neck, attached to a flightless and featherless birds body, whiplike tail and strong powerful legs.
Sly meet Kutan, Kutan Sly. He can't talk like you can sly, but he is very smart. I'm sure you will both get along fine
Taking his attention away from the creatures on the table, Sjan looks at the rest of the party.
Well if we have nothing else pending here, we might as well be going. Allie, I suggest that you tell your retinue now, as memory serves, you always come quite prepared and I am sure that they will need the extra time to get your things ready.
That a pity, he can't talk, come here Kutan...You want to talk?... Sajan I guess you must make that choice, for you are Kutan's master.
During the pauses of Sly speaking common he speaks just like Kutan, touching its neck and throat, near the end giving Kutan a hug. Sly looks at Sajan expectantly.
Eventually he will be able to talk Sly, he is still young.
Oh, okay...Then yes off we go!
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A stable is attached to the Dragon's Draught, separate entrances. You may just buy what is needed, or you may role play.
It will be 30 miles until you reach the last part of civilization.
Rations 5 sp each day, feed for horses each day 5 cp.
Make sure that your wealth is showed in your possessions/gear/equipment tab in your crunch.
Vik gets up and gathers the few items that he will be taking with him. There is one problem, however. He tries to get Sajan alone to talk to him.
"umm..Sanjan I do not have a mount. Tutoring nobles is not as lucrative as you might think, and as such I do not have the funds to purchase a mount, and the family did not think to loan me one. What should I do?"
While walking to the stables with Vik.
No worries my friend, the family didn't 'loan' one to me either. I should have enough money for a second light horse. If you have enough money for a saddle, then we should be all set.
"Oh how excellent! The adventure is set to begin! Mr. Jameson, get the porters and guards together and arrange them outside. Vik we shall be riding rather lazily, the porters are all walkers so you shouldn't have any difficulty keeping up." Alexandra will finish her breakfast at a leisurely pace and then head out to where her horse should have been already prepared.
She and her retinue of guards will then all make ready and after Mr. Jameson helps her atop her mare she'll look around for Sly. "Sweet Sly! You can ride with me if you like, my horse is rather friendly and can carry us both fine, I have no doubt." She looks around eagerly, her eyes wide with newfound excitement.
The bald dwarf pulls himself upon his horse and grumbles under his breath, "From monster to friend in the span of a morning, fickle woman will get us all killed like that." The captain then pulls himself about and trots his stead up to the front of the column. The twins pull alongside Alexandra's stead and Lucky Bob finishes out. Behind them (and assumably most of the adventurers) the porters carry loads upon loads of feed and rations for their noble mistress along with some cooking supplies and the Groomers tools to keep her steads mane shining.
"Once we are ready let us make way! Fionn, you should ride alongside Captain Stonefire and Sly and I will point us in the right direction" She'll wink playfully at the little lizard.
Good Sly. Perhaps you can enlighten us as to why there are so many groups that have been given a charter?
Fizzy smiles triumphantly at Fionn's statement. Then to show comradeship with Sly he changes his hair to the same color green.
Alexandra beams from ear to ear as she quickly chatters away at Fizzwiddle in the strange tongue he began speaking.
"Ah, I know not about charters... biggies entering the green belt, but I have been in city...
Sly can climb up any of the horses and down them simply, so he comes up to the head of Alexandra's horse.
A peeved look crosses Alexandra's face as she completes another furiously quick sentence in Fizz and Sly's tongue. She then turns to Fionn,
"Back a bit darling, the horsie doesn't like it when you ride her head." She smiles and lightly goads Sly back to a more comfortable position in her saddle.
Thanking Sajan for the loan, and promising to repay him as soon as possible, Vik haggles with the stable owner for a saddle, bridle and saddlebags. He only has 20 gold, so he hopes that is enough.
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Sorry all I was at a meeting of friends. So it seems that you are ready to move on.
Sly gets comfy with Alexandra, but gets frigidity in about an hour and zooms around the group on the ground, then zips out into the underbrush, comes out with something in his mouth... swallows and then goes to someone else's horse. Every hour.
(20ft. is 16 Miles overland in an 8 hour journey according to the movement rules for 3.5 which is still pretty accurate)
No threats happen for the days leading up to the outpost. Knowing Alexandra you won't get more than 8 hours ride out of her each day. The trip taking then two days. Early on the third day you see an outpost in the distance.
You may each take a gather information check on Sly each of the days. DC 20 for anything specific like landmarks, DC 15 for creatures or hazards.
This rugged trading post is on the southern border of Rostland. To the south, the green line of the Narlmarches looms only a few miles away.
Upon getting closer you see that Oleg's trading post is surrounded by a wooden palisade that stands 10 feet high. At each corner of the palisade are 20-footsquare watchtowers, each armed with a run-down catapult left over from the site’s original use as a border fort.
As you come up to the one entrance, see Oleg's Map, through the palisade—a 30-foot-wide wooden gate. It’s a DC 15 Climb check to scale the walls of the palisade.
That is correct, Alexandra will never ride more then 8 hours in a day haha. In fact she complains most of the day between asking Sly all about the Stolen Lands.
"Dear gods, a woman was not made to stay in the saddle for so long! I thought the trip there was arduous, we'll never make it."Alexandra moans out before having two of the porters begin to fan her. "Funny-face, Carry, come here and help your lady cool down."
Diplomacy check to sweet talk Svetlana
"So of the castle's you've seen where would you say you've seen the grandest, the biggest, you know?"
"How many times in a day do you think something tries to eat you in the Green Belt, Sly? I fear for you, such a darling creature all alone there"
Vik keeps to the back of the group. Still a little intimidated by all the pomp and pageantry brought on by Alexandra. He nods and smile to the woman as he passes.
"Thank you for your hospitality M'am. Is there something I might do to help with our group. I realize that there are many of us and I do not wish to place to great a strain upon your home."
Fizzy launches into a complicated song about the incredible exploits of the party so far. Everything they have done is made out to be dramatic and death defying, from waking up to eating to going to the bathroom.
During the trip, Sajan seemed to be engrossed in his book, taking notes in the evening and seemed to be referring to these notes while riding during the day and asking Sly questions about the Green Belt and its inhabitants during rest stops.
Once at Fort Oleg, Sajan dismounts and follows behind Vik.
"It is nice to meet you Svetlana, while we were not sent specifically to help out Fort Oleg, that does not mean that we cannot. Please tell us what is happening as we walk in, we are weary from the road, but we can see that your matter is pressing and I am sure our group, as unconventional as it may seem, will be able to help you and the rest of your companions here.'
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I am cross referencing your checks to give you maximum information. This could take a while. Just give me until tonight, I should have information to you by then.
Fizzy is your song in front of Svetlana or one of the days on the trip?
Svetlana, "Yes, yes you may enter come with me to my house I have a brew on... at least you are not bandits, which is the trouble, I will tell you more over the stew." She gives you the verbal tour of the outpost, see the 'map', then takes you to her and Oleg's house one of the larger buildings in the outpost/fort.
You would recognize that you don't see anyone else at the gate, then in the outpost, or even on the palisades.