Kings patron - Orlovsky

Game Master Mardavig

Sorry for the absence, we were camping in NY state.

Marlani has been a bit detached from the discussions, as she is enthralled by the architecture and history of this place. She looks for secret things, but also information about Bactrophan.

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Perception (for searching): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Looking around Marlani realises that no trace has been found of Bactrophan himself, it seems this place was abandoned rather than attacked or destroyed. This implies that Bactrophan most likely left here alive and could still be alive somewhere else.

She also finds a crate, covered in dust and cobwebs in the ballroom. Upon opening it it is filled with potions and scrolls. To save us all the trouble.

"If he abandoned this it might mean that it was trifling to him. In that case, he must have been quite wealthy to leave this without a concern. Or perhaps his servants were negligent in retrieving all his possessions for travel."

"If Bactrophan still lives he might be powerful indeed."

Lorald still had his crossbow out and was ready for any surprises.

"It is pointless to theorize. Let us show our guest out, seal it, and be on our way. I think we can all agree we are long overdue at the post. As well as quickly becoming overburdened and ripe for bandits or others."

Getting rid of the Derros ans Mites takes a few hours, it's about as easy as kicking drunk cats out of a bar. But eventually you lead them to the fungal cavern and they all sullenly depart for places unknown.

Having finished ushering the hungover Mites and Derro out of the complex, Natalya raises an eyebrow as the party finishes piling up the accumulated loot, whistling under her breath.

Lorald I agree we are past due at Freewater, yet this complex remains unmapped. Should we return for now and return later, or just finish mapping it on our way out?

She pauses thoughtfully for a moment

And erm...weren't we supposed to be doing something with shambling mounds and troll blood!?

Incidentally, depending on the timeframes of the other parties (I haven't followed their threads so don't know if they are imminent. We don't want to miss the second month of management etc!

Natalya we don't know about freewater yet. Our timeframe is still before it was created. So we don't know about the other bounties too. Part of the reason I want to get back to Oleg's so the time gap does not keep getting bigger/more confusing. x)

Fair enough Lorald! In which case, let's proceed to the stag fort, where we are going to meet the other groups and begin talking about founding our capital... ;p

Will do some shopping tonight to update gear, but in the meantime...

Having checked CWE's map it seems nothing is explored W/SW of Freewater, and having updated our exploration map with whatever master copy is kept in the castle (!) we should start exploring immediately west (unless we see indications that others have already moved that way)

survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Heading west out of Freewater you travel along the new road out of Emermark and into the forests of the Narlmarches.

Following the Skunk river you explore the area and late in the afternoon you come across an encampment of Gnomes. Their brightly coloured wagons and tents gaily enlivening the slightly dim forest.

They invite you to meet the leader of their expedition and spend the night in their camp.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Valkus narrows his eyes as he takes in the sight of the encampment. "It seems we have gnomes living in our midst. Be careful, everyone. Don't let the funny hair and harmless demeanor fool you; they aren't to be trusted."

With that, he warmly greets them and accepts the invitation to meet with their leader.

Valkus determines that these Gnomes are exactly as trustworthy as he expects them to be.

You are introduced to their leader, Jubilost Narthropple. He grandiosely describes himself as wealthy explorer, mapmaker and raconteur. His expedition has set up this camp as a base to explore the northern greenbelt.

He offers you the hospitality of his camp, as he rubs his swollen, bruised eye he mutters that that's the least he can do.

Lorald ignored Valkus words. He trusted everyone the same, as much as they showed him they deserved. But he does note things being odd, causing him to take a more detailed look at things.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

He then addresses the leader.

"Greetings I am Lorald Orlovsky. It is good to meet you Jubilost Narthropple. If I may ask are you aware that others have mapped this region? We are among them. Also if you do not mind an observation, you seem to have run into some trouble. Should we be concerned of a similar fate?"

After the first day's travel, Natalya lets Lorald lead, she's been letting her wilderness skills slide somewhat of late in favor of other pursuits, so is happy to let the more experienced man take point.

Natalya listens attentively to Jubilost's reply, casting her eyes around in case of imminent danger.

Gareth searches his memories for lessons that he learned about gnomes. The only one that comes to mind is that of his rhetoric teacher who seemed to loath the race. 'You have to look past the hair and the cute, cuddly thing. It is all a deceptive facade. They are not to be underestimated!'

Lorald doesn't see anything suspicious, but coming from behind one of the wagons he hears a sort of metallic clinking sound.

"I'm not unaware, Mister Orlovsky, of the efforts that have been made to map this area. I have spoken to Lady Miyuki, and even traded maps with Mister Medvyed. They enjoyed the hospitality of my camp, even helped us out with a bit of trouble we were in. Your Mister Callen was of considerable help, his freakish strength came in handy," says Jubilost Narthropple.

"I'm aware that certain efforts have been made to map the environs, but there are certain things a gnome can find that might be just a bit too difficult for your sort to notice. Also it's not for mere completion that i have undertaken this task, but also for the challenge, for the risk." At this launches into a lengthy, and imaginative tale of his exploits and adventures. The rest of the gnomes pay him rapt attention as he waxes poetic about the dangers and difficulties he has endured.

Being a marksmen and specializing in crossbows at that, it sounded to much like a crossbow being loaded to him. He draws his crossbow and points it in the direction of the sound preparing to shoot anything hostile. Speaking quickly as to not alarm the gnomes.

"I hear something behind that wagon Jubilost. Be careful."

Apologies were simple easy things, a bolt or hidden enemy did much more damage.

Gareth unsheathes his rapier in response to Lorald's movement. He looks in the direction of the wagon while trying to pay close attention to his peripheral vision. All the while, he is keenly aware of the gaps in his damaged armor and the vulnerabilities that they leave for him.

Master Narthropple cocks his head. "Oh that? Don't worry it's chained up. Go see for yourself, there's no threat."

He begins ordering his followers to prepare the evening meal and warm the cider, he does not seem concerned.

Natalya too unsheathes her sword, surprised that the gnomes are not more concerned, but she remains alert to any threat.

Going around the back of the wagons you find a wolf chained up to an iron peg driven into the ground. The poor creature looks half starved, with ribs exposed and it's black and white fur thinning in spots. Rather than snap or growl furiously it just lies there, apathetically raising an eyebrow at you. The links on the chain clink despondently as it moves it's head a bit.

"This creature has seen better days. Why keep it chained if it is in such a state?"

Natalya sheathes her blade and greets the wolf with a series of yips and a low throaty growl.

Attitude starts out indifferent if it isn't already more kindly disposed
diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 4 + 2 + 2 = 21 +CHA -curse +wild empathy +dhampir speak with animals. That was a lot of modifiers!

Master Narthropple answers Gareth. "We found the beast trying to get into our food stores. It looks harmless enough, but it's still got some snap in it, believe me. I ordered it chained until it either died or recovered something of it's strength. I'm no healer, but it seems to have some sort of ailment, perhaps of the spirit, such beasts are prone to it I believe."

you guys spend the rest of that night enjoying the hospitality of the Gnomes. Their cider is quite potent, and Northropple's tales are something to behold, if not quite believe.

It is warm clear day, as summer is waning it's hard to say how many more such days you will get.

Natalya continues to stare at the wolf, there is less snarl and yip now, more unspoken communication as they stare at each other.

later

Thank you for your hospitality Master Narthropple, we are out seeking monsters to slay to make the area safer, have you run in to any trouble with trolls and the like in the area?

almost as an afterthought she adds

and if the wolf agrees to come with me, I would have you free him from that chain, an you'll have my word in exchange no harm will come from he to you or yours

Narthropple cares not one whit what you do with the wolf, so long as he doesn't see it again in his larder.

Chain or not, the wolf follows Natalya apathetically.

Do you continue to head west?

I vote yes, westward.

Natalya will feed the wolf some meat and remove the chain.

In the morning she is ready to keep moving westwards, but is keen to have Lorald lead due to his superior wilderness skills!

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

I am a ranged specialist, I never like to lead. Does not hurt to have help ether. ;)

Well said!

Natalya and her new companion, for now just called 'wolf' until he earns himself back some respect and a name along with it, will ride with Lorald to assist with scouting.

Assist
survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

You travel westwards along the Skunk River, exploring the land. THe river bends and forms a gentle pool at one point, but the scene you arrive upon is anything but pleasent. You encounter a tense standoff. Standing near some felled coachwood trees is a man surrounded by half-a-dozen angry looking loggers. All the men hold handaxes and look like they're about to use them. They glare angrily at another group standing by the water's edge.

There stand two similar looking men, loggers also, but these are holding their axes at the ready. They appear prepared to defend the riverbank, and after a moment of looking you can see why, emerging from the water in the center of the pool, perhaps 20 from solid ground, is a nixie, plainly upset. The two men defending her have something of an enchanted look about them.

As you come into view the man at the center of the group of loggers, who is wearing studden leather and has a longbow strung over his shoulder comes towards you. "My Lords! Please aid me, this bothersome creature has ensorceled two of my men, and prevents us from logging that we might help Emermark grow greater still." The handaxe at his belk has the dull sheen of cold iron, and bears the marks of use as a weapon. Some of you might know this man as Corax, a woodsman from Freewater.

He continues, "it's hard for a decent man to make a living with all of these damnable fairies in the woods.”

Gareth instinctively draws his crossbow and levels it at the nixie in the riverbed. How far away is it? Only the consideration of his companions' possible reactions stays him from firing. Instead, keeps his eye down the sights of his weapon and asks his fellows "Does anyone want to talk to it first, or do you just want to initiate?"

Please no objections, I want to skewer this nasty river-fey!

20 feet from land, maybe 50 feet total from Gareth. As he draws and levels his weapons the two loggers grow defensive and prepare to defend themselves. The nixie drops beneath the water, anticipating an attack.

Gareth lowers his weapon and calls out to the men. "Your slave-driver just fled and left you in danger. I mean you no harm and wish only to see you act freely. That fish-man is your enemy, we are not."

Diplomacy (untrained)
1d20 ⇒ 6

Edit:
Gareth has the Doubt drawback.

Lorald draws his crossbow and prepares to fire on any hostile action. Before he can speak Gareth forces things, luckily not in a bloody fashion at least.

"I will fire on the first to attack. I will hear both sides before taking any action not forced of me."

He had no love for the fey, they had shown themselves to be worthy only of the blood they so freely took of others. Still his lady demanded fairness and so did he of himself. He did not harbor illusions of all men being good ether.

Natalya also readies herself for battle

I know you Corax, and know that you fight as well as fell trees with yon fey-iron axe she points to his weapon.

Something must have happened here for that Nixie to charm your men, let's here it from you and then her, both sides get a say...

she looks around cautiously, studying the river's surface

Water Fey! she shouts loudly

Will you release these men you have ensorcelled and treat fairly with us?

Gareth completely fails to convince anyone of anything, aside from the fact that he is a maniac, this certainly triggers his self-doubt.

Lorald manages to restore an armed status quo.

At Natalya's entreaty the nixie rises up to the surface. "I will release nothing and no one. I have been threatened, robbed and insulted. So long as these brigands remain," and she points to Corax and his men, "I will not divest myself of my defenders." At that she sticks out her tongue at Corax.

Knowin' stuff:
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Knowledge (Arcane): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Mistress; what did these men do to anger you?"

Also;
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

The Nixie simply points to the five felled coachwood trees. "This was such a lovely place, now it's ruined, ruined, just ruined! Those trees had been growing there for 200 years. And now, chop, chop, chop and they are gone."

She turns to face Corax. "How would you like to be chop, chop, chopped?!" she shouts.

"Did you make it known to these men that those trees were part of your home?"

Marlani responds to Lorald (loud enough for the Nixie to hear):
"Now now, Lorald; the loggers are the intruders here, they should have been more respectful."

To the Nixie:
"What can we do to make this right?"

The nixie makes a face at Lorald.

To Marlani, "send these dacoits away and replace my trees and we'll call it even. I need five beautiful, strong trees to accent my river"

Lorald did not lower his weapon or move.

"So there was no warning or even attempt at peace. Not a marking of any kind to indicate this was anyone's home. The loggers have broken no laws to me. While the fey enthralled and threatened the loggers. Now she demands repayment for her transgressions and aggressive approach."

He replaced his normal bolt with one of cold iron in a flash, now pointing it at the fey.

"You will find reason carries more weight with me then demands. As does civility. I hear nether from you, only arrogance, tyranny, and ultimatums."

He lets his words hang for a moment before continuing.

"If you are not like other fey we have encountered and show you have intentions wiser then getting your way. You will release both your prisoners. For no matter how you twist words that is what they are. Do that and you have my word that these loggers and any others from Freewater will not be allowed to practice their trade around your home, less they wish to break the law. Which would make them prey for my obsidian eagles and myself. Now if at that time you wish to ask a favor of us to right the wrong committed against you, unintentional as it was. We would be inclined to listen in the spirit of justice being done."

If the nixie wanted something she would have to ask for it, not demand it. That sort of thing would not go over well with him, not the least of which she had given him no reason to trust her. Or even to sympathize with her for that matter. He had yet to encounter any trustworthy fey, he could only give her the chance.

Marlani will move to be at least 20' away from Lorald.

"I think that while we respect the land and that you've decided to live here, you have no higher claim to this area. We're happy to escort these men to another area if you release them, but fixing the trees isn't something we can do."

I have to say I agree with Lorald, the Nixie may have had a prior claim but we've not heard of any attempt at parlay from either side. I'm inclined to help both sides resolve this with no bloodshed though.

to Corax she says

She seems to be resident here, and hasn't been causing trouble unlike those evil fey we have been removing from the land... We'll explain she has to live by the laws of the land, much as you do, and so the deal will be you get your team back and we'll deal with the missing trees in exchange for you finding somewhere else to log.

Natalya defers to Marlani as she seemed to have a better way with the assorted creatures of the wild the team had been encountering recently.

To Marlani she asks

I'm sure the Nixie will agree to living under our laws, especially if we help her now rather than join in battle. Given we can't magically cause 5 trees to just be replaced, does the Nixie know of a way we can accomplish this? Can we bring her 5 saplings and have her grow them or something?

I had a post here and now it is gone.

Do we look like a pack of itinerant druids to her? How were these men to know that she claims this area for herself? From what I know of fey, it is unlikely that she even understands the idea of marking property. However, Marlani's approach seems to be gaining us good returns.

With that thought, Gareth lowers his crossbow enough to not seem threatening. But he keeps his finger on the trigger, ready to fire it at the first provocation.

Says quietly to Natalya:
"Why do we need to submit to this creature in our lands? Are we not here to civilize and settle this area?"