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When morning comes you head towards Oleg’s trading post. It takes only a few hours to get there and when you do you see that oleg has made good on his promise. From the southern wall hang the corpses of the two bandits you helped kill, rotting in the sun.
You come around to the entrance and find the Trading post has improved a bit. Someone seems to have been carrying out some improvements on the place. There is a small group of tents set up inside the trading post wall and there are a few Brevan guards there.
As you ride up Oleg comes out and greets you warmly. “My friends, so lovely to have you back, come inside and join me for an ale.” Svetlana is sitting in a rocking chair on the porch she seems to working on some sewing project, as you approach she smiles and waves to all of you.
Lorald dismounts and stables his horse, leaving the dogs with it as well.
"What has transpired while we were away Oleg?"
He looks around as he speaks to note the changes.
Somehow, Marlani is already holding 2 pints of ale.
Valkus takes a place near the fire, happy to be out of the elements for the moment. "Sweet civilization! Food! Ale! Beds! How I have missed thee."
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oleg explains that after you all left the Brevan Guard, commanded Kesten of House Garess arrived at the trading post. They quickly formed a detail to deliver the bandits to Restov. The day after that a wandering priest of Erastil, Jhod Kavken arrived at the trading post.
With the help of the Brevan guard he had been able to make some improvements around the place. With all the interest in the Stolen Lands, and the gear you all confiscated from the bandits he's been able to expand his inventory. To any of you that he owed credit he is now capable of paying in full.
He puts his arm over a dusty old crate that is sitting on the bar and admits that he was even able to pick up a few 'special items'.
Svetlana comes in inside and gratefully thanks all of you for the role you played in returning her wedding ring.
Oleg also comments that he was able to add a few more bounties to the board outside.
Marlani will ask Oleg about formalizing their claim of the cave with the gold.
She will also replenish her reserves of wine, and asks about what kinds of special items he has acquired.
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Oleg, shrugs that the closes thing to the law in the Stolen Lands and you folks, with your charters. He will gladly assist you protecting your claim, by keeping tabs on anyone trying to bring in mining equipment, but he has no greater power than that.
Still, he congratulates you on your find and tops up your glasses.
OK; I will post a sign on the board detailing the claim.
Lorald thinks things over for a moment.
"Can you deliver letters?"
If Oleg can arrange it, he writes a letter to House Orlovsky informing them of the claim. As well as events so far and the current amount of mapping done. Once he is done he checks the board. Then speaks to both Oleg and Kesten.
"The kobold problem has been taken care of. They have expressed friendship with us, any black scaled kobolds should not be shot on sight or considered a threat at first glance. Team Antlers aided us in this so half the reward should be held for them."
Personally he would rather they get less but his lady lord demanded certain standards from her worshipers.
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Funny you should mention that Lorald, says Oleg, I happen to have a letter here for you. Addressed to both yourself and your cousin Josef. He hands over a sealed envelope. I can certainly make sure that a letter is delivered up to Restov for you. Also Commander Keston has asked for you as well.
[oocMessage contents delivered in PM[/ooc]
Commander Keston is eager to hear from Lorald. He was told the exact same thing by a man named White Eagle, and for that reason he now has 400gp to deliver to you.
OK; I will post a sign on the board detailing the claim.
OK; I will post a sign on the board detailing the claim.
Right! It would list all of us in the party.
OK; I will post a sign on the board detailing the claim.
OK; I will post a sign on the board detailing the claim.
As usual, Aran is rather reserved and not very talkative. He nods appreciatively when Marlani states that she will list all of party as the involved in the claim on the mine, and proceeds to listen to the exchange between Lorald and Oleg. Finally he chimes in: "So, we staked a claim to the mine, but at this point there's not much we can do about it. Could we maybe send a word to one of our houses, asking them for support - to send a team of miners or something. Honestly, I am not certain how much, if at all, would House Medvyed be interested into something like that, but we could try. Or, we could maybe pool our money and try to finance the expedition our-self? We do have a bit of money in here from the reward, plus the payout from the in-store credit? What do you think?"
Aside from that, Aran asks Oleg to show them the few special items he mentioned, and then wanders off to check the bounty board. "Oleg, do you remember by any chance if the Antlers or the other team are interested in any of these bounties? We do not want to be in their way, nor we want someone to be in our legs all the time..."
Marlani will attempt to appraise the "Very Fine Dagger", and the "Expensive Looking Silver Ring":
She will also double check they're not magical with Detect Magic.
Josef will also draft a letter to be sent home. One with the same primary topic, actually, but also noting the early peace with the local kobold tribe.
"For now, Aran, I think we should see if one of our houses will send experts to establish and start a mining operation. I will be happy to request such support from my House, and will be careful to note that the mine will not be exclusively Family property."
After glancing over the letter waiting on them, Josef chuckles, lightly. "Well, I was wondering why she didn't come with us when we split up. I guess we weren't openly welcoming enough."
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Oleg explains that the Antlers have been here recently. They took an interest in the bounties displayed on the board and seemed intent on venturing into the forest. They had also talked to the priest, Jhod Kavken, about doing something for him.
Oleg will also see to it that your letters are delivered back to Restov.
"According to the board there seems to be a need for hunters. The bandit problem also seems to be a concern. I think we should venture into the forest as well but keep to the edges for now. There is still mapping to be done after all."
Considering the letter and it's contents.
"As to our interested party, I have no objections. She seemed very clear as to her position and temperament."
Gareth also uses the opportunity to write a letter to Alexei about the encounters with the bandits, the mites and the alliance with the kobolds. In vague language he informs his patron of the gold, using terminology that they had established prior to the beginning of the mission. His letter also includes details of the activities of the other teams. Gareth's account is honest about the events and does not try to exaggerate his own part in them or the prospects of gain they offer.
After Gareth entrusts his letter to Oleg he asks of the "special items" that the latter referred to earlier.
"Speaking of other teams, what has become of the assault on the bandit camp? Have they been heard from?"
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Oleg shakes his head. "No news of darkness."
Oleg smiles at Gareth’s curiosity. “Let’s see what’s in here,” as he pries the dusty crate open with a crowbar. Inside the crate is packed with straw. As he pulls the material out he exposes a suit of chainmail. The links are incredibly fine, and they seem to form a pattern of roiling clouds.
Next he pulls out a very ordinary seeming dagger. He rummages around in the crate for a bit, but does not find anything else. “I thought there’d be more,” he says. “I paid a pretty penny for that. I guess I’ll just have to make my money back on these two things.”
He proudly puts the dagger and the chainmail on display, with a little card in front of each that says: “Magic” wit ha few stars and lightning bolts painted on, for good effect.
Mardavig:
"That's a really nice looking set of mail. How much do you want for it?"
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"Yeah, what's on the board is all about hunting. Hunting bandits or critters. Do you really think we should follow Team Antlers again, though? I figure we should try to map out more of the open ground, yet. There is more of it to map, right? Or are you thinking about trying to find the boar?"
Valkus furrows his eyebrows, alarmed at hearing that the third team hadn't been heard from. "How long ago did they set out? It must have been over a week ago! Are they even still alive?!"
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To Josef Oleg responds that he could not let the mail go for anything less than 3000 gold, he needs to recoup his investment on the crate.
To Valkus Oleg responds “They’ve been gone as long as you have. I suppose they might just have gone deeper than you did. I don’t like to guess about who will come back and who won’t, it’s bad luck.”
Convening with the others, Valkus raises his concerns. "The group that attacked the bandit camp has not been heard from. We don't have any intelligence about the status of the bandits in the area, and if they failed to remove the bandit threat, we need to deal with it immediately. We could bring a contingent of the Brevan guards with us; I'm sure Oleg could spare a few to ensure the ongoing safety of the region.
Gareth nods at Valkus's suggestion. When Oleg and Svetlana are out of hearing he says "You are right. If the bandits overcame the others then they likely will seek revenge on this post. It would be better for us to find their camp than to let them organize themselves for an attack here. If we are lucky we can catch them unawares."
Lorald shakes his head.
"As I said before, I have no interest in what the other teams are doing. As far as getting in each others way, it can't happen in a hunt. Each is a lone beast and any combat would be clearly evident. Concerning the bandit threat, their silence speaks more volumes then that of the other team. The bandits would punish this post the moment they knew of it's rebellion against them. The fact that they have not responded to their loses means something else is holding their attention. From what we do know that would be the other team."
Taking a moment to catch his breath.
"The other team left slightly before us and have not been back sense. Any trail will be long gone and no doubt they have traveled at least half this time. We have no way to search for them and even if we knew where they were we would take far to long to be of help. If they are dead their is no need for us, if they are alive then they will retreat if the danger is to great for them or the post. Our best course of action is to keep mapping the region and dealing with it's many threats as we come across them. Sooner or later we will run into the others or at least have a better understanding of the region to traverse quickly if needed."
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So that night you gather around a table at the outpost. Svetlana is serving hot bowls of spicy moon radish soup. Jhod, as a priest of Erastil, blesses the mean in the name of Old Deadeye. Everyone digs in, as the food is quite good. Oleg ensures each of you has your fill of ale. Commander Kesten and his men are there and he is eager to hear of your exploits.
Marlani will enthusiastically jump up and tell the tale of the group's adventure so far.
As it turns out, she is already a bit tipsy, and has a hard time stringing the words together (somehow she's gotten her hands on more of that cordial).
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That evening you enjoy the conviviality of the trading post.
The next morning Oleg informs you that he will gladly put in an order for a healing wand if you like. He regets that he has not been able to re-supply his inventory of cordial or healing potions. Bokken, the man who makes it, seems to have encountered some kind of a supply problem, and as a result is unable to produce more.
Oleg adds that is you are interested in trying to procure more you could always try getting it form Bokken himself. He lives in a shack to the east. He also adds that Bokken is, a delicate soul, so best not be too rough with him. He does live alone, a hermit really, for a reason.
Is there anything else you require from the trading post before you head on your way?
Lorald picks up a quiver of bolts from Olegs before mounting up.
"Sense the hermit is near by I think a slight detour is in order. Being sort on healing potions and such is a danger to everyone, not just ourselves."
He made a note of his own half a dozen potions as well. A good soldier was well supplied if he wished to survive and a slight edge could make a big difference on the battle field.
Marlani is good to go.
Gareth purchases three bolts if they are sold individually. After that he is ready to venture on to the hermit.
Aran was quite most of the time, as usual. He simply adds: "I agree with you Lorald, let us go and meet this hermit."
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Alrighty then. You ride east, across the plains, and find the hermit's hut after spending the day exploring the area.
The hut is a simple thing, but it is surrounded by an expansive herb garden. There is also a massive cauldron bubbling away in the yard in front of the hut. An old man come out of the hut, he is wild eyed and even wilder of hair. His clothes are simple and worn, much stained by plant dyes and berry juices.
"What do you want?" he says in a fast, clipped voice. "I don't have anything but the clothes on my back. I've got nothing you want." He seems very nervous.
"Peace, good sir. We are friends of Oleg and Svetlana. They advised us that you are a skilled potion-maker and we came to buy of your craft."
Diplomacy if needed
Lorald does not dismount just yet. Keeping alert for anything, not just the man before him.
"Oleg informed us that you were having a supply problem and that he has not received any shipments from you in a while. Do you need any help with anything?"
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The man seems awash in conflicting emotions, one moment excited, the next fearful. "Oh, Oleg sent you! Why didn't you say so? I though you were bandits. Never had bandits this far north before, but you never know. They've been getting more brazen of late."
He heads over to the large cauldron, wipes his hands a few times on his dirty shirt and begins adding ingredient, tasting the brew with his finger after each addition.
"If you're interested in my potions I'll gladly sell. I don't have much at the moment I'm afraid. Not enough bladeberries. It's just been too dangerous in the woods for me. I have healing potions if you want them, and some cordial. Not much cordial, there isn't much to do around here without the bladeberries."
He seems to think he has asked a question as he stands there with his eyebrows raised.
"That is very gracious of you. If I may ask, what dangers prevent you from harvesting the bladeberries?"
As he watches the hermit put his fingers into the cauldron, Gareth thinks to himself I hope his hands are clean.
Aran listens patiently at the exchange between the strange looking hermit and his friends, his interest focused more on their surrounding than the scene in front of him. Still, even with his attention pointedly elsewhere, Aran's senses are trying to detect if the potion maker is telling them the truth, or there's something else involved.
Valkus whispers to Marlani out of the side of his mouth, out of earshot of the hermit. "Between you and me, I was hoping he'd be a bit more mad."
Marlani whispers to Valkus: "We don't know what's in the pot yet..."
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Bokken stares at Gareth and seems to mouthing words to himself for a moment. "Oh the forest is dangerous. There are bandits, boars and tatzlwurms. My own sinister brother is lurking out there somewhere to the south," he spits.
"Just to the west of here," adds Bokken, "the Sellen river is being blocked by increasing aggression from the boggard tribes. But you didn't come all this way to talk about frog folk. I have curing potions, great and small. I have brews that will help you ward off the elements and I even have a few nips of cordial left."
Valkus perks up at the last bit. "Wicked brothers and frog people! This story might be salvageable after all..."
Valkus steps forward next to Gareth, making no sudden movements and trying be as nonthreatening as possible. "I'm sure we're very interested in purchasing some of your wares, but can you tell us a bit more about what's happening with the boggard tribes?"