"I agree that we should not sneak up on whoever lives here, but present ourselves as potential friends or allies. We can then see what the reaction of whoever lives here is."
"Gorguk, I would be glad to approach the hut with you and help determine the attitudes of those who may live here."
Very well then. Cal and I will approach and hopefully everything will turn out peacefully. If everything goes well, one of us will let you know and you can join us. With that, Gorguk will adjust his holy symbol to make sure it is noticable and proceed with Cal to the hut's door. Arriving there he will knock gently and wait for a response. If no response is forthcoming, he will knock 1 more time and then be ready to leave. If someone does answer the door then Gorguk will explain himself for being here. Good day to you kind sir/madam. My name is Gorguk and this is Cal and we have been commissioned to explore and map out this area. Might we come in and chat a while for we have many questions about this country that we are hoping you could help us answer. For instance, have you heard any rumors about any ferocious creatures living near here? Diplomacy
Rhasa will accompany Cal and Gorguk, but she will wait outside with their horses and Sunset, in plain sight from the front door.
"I also shall tend tha horses."
I am Gorguk and these are my companions. Indicating all 5 members of the party including Dyfrig. Unless I am mistaken, you must be the esteemed Bokken that Oleg told us about. Am I correct in this assumption?
Fangberries? I have never heard of fangberries before. What do they look like? After receiving the description from Bokken, Well, we will definitely keep our eyes out for the fangberries that you want. Yes, we are travelling the Greenlands in an effort to rid the land of bandits and to map out the lay of the land. Do you have any other useful information around these parts that you could share with us. We know there are mites and kobolds nearby. Are there any other groups of creatures that you know of? What dangers might we come across out here?
Lothar watched with baited breath as his partner, the paladin, and the priest made their way to the hut, hoping that nothing ill would come of their investigation. When it appeared that the contact was a good one, he breathed a sigh of relief. The more peaceful interactions they had with the people, the better things would go for them in the long run as they continued to build good relations, which would be critical in their campaign to safeguard the region from the bandits led by the enigmatic Stag Lord.
Hearts and minds.... we have to win their hearts and minds.
"Fangberries are about the size o'youse thumb, look a bit like a raspberry, light yellow with red streaks from the stalk end. Grows on bushes about shoulder-height, with dark green pointy leaves... and thorns, so be careful picking 'em."
He pauses, scratching his chin.
"Lessee. Critters? Be some giant spidders about two days' travel west o'here. You met the kobolds and mites, yeah? There be fey in t'forest of course. Don't go in there much. And the bandit castle down by t'lake."
Rhasa remains quiet, listening to the man. As he names off items of interest, she tries to recall what she knows about each in case further questions would be warranted.
Knowledge (Nature)
Knowledge (Nature)
"These spiders, how big are they? Where do they lair?"
Calinder nods and says, "Goodday", to the gentleman when he is introduced by Gorguk.
Calinder then listens carefully to the conversation as Gorguk speaks with Bokken. He commits the information to memory as best as he can so that this evening he can write it down in the notes that he has been keeping about the area and what they have learned.
There aren't any snakes round these parts are there. Let just say that I have had a run in with snakes in the past and did not enjoy the situation too much. Looking at his companions, I will tell you the story some time later. It is not a fond memory to say the least.
Back to Bokken, Castle by the lake you say. What do you know about this castle and its inhabitants? Sense motive to see if he is in league with the bandits
Well Bokken, you are a veritable wealth of information. If we have further questions, may we stop by to chat again? Thank you for your time and may Erastil bless you as you go through your life's journey. Turning away to leave, gorguk remembers potions. What potions do you have for sale and what discount are you willing to give once we get the fangberries? Sadly I don't have enough gold to pay for any potions right now what with having my new shield, but maybe we will return when we have the chance. If anyone else has anything to input please feel free as I can't think of anything else at this moment.
First opportunity that the party has to rest, Calinder makes note of the information that they learned from Bokken.
As the weather starts to turn, Calinder says, "We might want to look for someplace a bit more sheltered for tonight's camp. Looks as if were in for some weather."
Bokken: What does your brother look like in case we do find him? Why should we give him a 'kickin' if we do see him?
Party: I am not much help in the wilderness when it comes to shelter, but I will aid where I can. What type of shelter are we looking for? Aid Rhasa in finding a shelter surv; perc
"I too am not much help in finding good places to camp. Such is the reason I made the suggestion to everyone else, as we are still learning each others talents. But I will do what I can to help."
"Wind and cold alone I can take fairly well, although it looks like it is not going to turn cold, at least for now."
"My thoughts in my comment were that if it looks like we will have rain, then some place that may keep us a little drier then just camping under the sky. That was my hope anyway."
Survival for finding shelter from the approaching storm
Calinder jumps about 5 feet off the ground when the lightning hits the nearby tree, or so it seems at the time. After long moments he finally gets his wits about him again and surveys the now burning tree to determine if they need or can do something about the fire.
As he's watching the tree burn, he says more to himself then anyone else, "That was a little close for comfort."
That lightning strike was clearly sent from Erastil to provide fire and warmth in these adverse conditions. Once the rain lets up, we can use the fire to dry our clothes and have a hot meal in the morning. With that gorguk will fall into a meditative state as he again focuses on Erastil and his wishes for Gorguk in this region. Not wanting to waste the remainder of the day, after meditating, Gorguk will ask to spar with Lothar in the inclement weather to get used to fighting in these conditions.
"Indeed a place with its own fire who can doubt we were meant to respite here."
Rhasa looks back and forth between the men, not saying anything. She starts gathering branches together that might be used to form a lean-to, smaller ones that could be woven together to create the covering, and another pile that would best be used to feed the fire.
Other than to share her intent with anyone indicating they are willing to assist, she doesn't talk, intent on her task.
Lothar bowed slightly with his hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upward, in front of the chest. Inclement weather is not enough to deter this one from furthering your training. Indeed, this shall prove to be a great test of your balance, eye-hand coordination, and endurance.
The Vudrani ran the half-orc through his paces, his aim to get the holy warrior to unlearn alot that Lothar felt was bad technique-wise, even considering that the two had been focusing initially on just punches and elbows. The training that Gorguk had received before the magician began their sparring focused mainly on the use of his upper body. The well-rounded warrior needed to be able to use his entire body working together in harmony. Though strong, Gorguk was far from well-rounded. The longsword and warhammer, even the lance and bow, weapons that the paladin used, made extensive use of the strength of his upper body. However, this training had been done at the expense of the lower body, leaving him an uncoordinated mess in Lothar's mind. Given time, the magician could rectify that mistake, but it would require more than he could do while on the road. Lothar would need to have Gorguk undergo a level of conditioning that the uninitiated would no doubt call barbaric.
Their sparring, this time around, was being limited to basic close fighting practices: clinching (and kneeing when necessary), the use of his reach to keep an aggressor away, limiting his opponent's mobility, etc. Lothar would focus on Gorguk's defensive skills, things that would help to improve his coordination and movement. Offense would have to wait for now.
"Rhasadilara, would you like some assistance in building that shelter? I am not very skilled in such things, but I can follow instructions and help in other ways, or at least give it a try."
Barnabus admires the nature of the tress an how the rain is kept at bay for him by the tree ass is, even as rivilettes of water pour down the trees mighty trunk....
He takes care to cover the saddle and bags, note to himself to oil the leather once the rain subsides....
"Tis a wonderous evening."
"Rhasadilara, would you like some assistance in building that shelter? I am not very skilled in such things, but I can follow instructions and help in other ways, or at least give it a try."
"Of course. Look for branches on the ground like this, like this, like this, and put them in the appropriate piles. Don't wander too far in your search, though."
Calinder wakes after his rest and begins his morning meditation. He then eats whatever Dyfrig has prepared for breakfast and thanks Dyfrig for his efforts. Calinder then packs his things on his horse and prepares to continue their exploration.
With the passing of the storm, Gorguk tends to Durok and his supplies making sure they are all wiped down and secure for the day's adventure With a last look at the campsite for anything missing, Gorguk is ready to continue his quest of cleansing the Greenlands.
"Where to today...."
I believe that as long as everyone still agrees, that G3 is t he next hex to explore continuing our loop around Oleg's.
"Tha greenbelt is safe enough now the hooktongue slough where I am from is a dangerous place!"
"We have seen so far bandits an kobolds, an only one bandit a danger at that; a fine figure o a woman she was, if not fer her temperament like a donkey!"
Calinder chuckles softly at Barnabus' comments concerning the Greenbelt and Kressel.
"Fear not Barnabus, for I am fairly certain that trouble will find us sooner than later, and I would heavily bet on the sooner half if I were you. Just a feeling anyway."
G3 it is, then. More rolling grassland, prime grazing, this area is extremely flat - feels like you can see for miles.
perc
Traveling through this tame and hospitable land, Gorguk wonders what cause there is for bandits to steal from others when a living can be easily made farming or ranching or hunting. The needlessness of their actions fuels Gorguk through these long days searching the Greenlands. He knows that he is not adept enough to help with the exploring so he saves his energy for when it will be needed.
Thank you Dyfrig and Rhasa for cooking and supplying the meat on this journey. If there is anything I can do to help or purchase supplies when we get back to Oleg's please let me know.
If there is nothing here then ready for F3
Survival
Survival
Survival
"Hope is soon we shall have cold iron weapons ready for what may come. My appologies in learning new languages I have not yet learned o edible plants an hunting."
Survival 1d20 + 11
Survival 1d20 + 11
Survival 1d20 + 11
aid another *3
Rhasadilara is not inclined to take more food than the party strictly needs and we appear to be doing well, but she'll try to identify their feathered foe.
Knowledge (Nature)
I agree with Rhasa that we should not take more than is needed and to try and limit our presence here as much as possible. Just because we are here to explore and tame the wilderness does not give us license to kill any wildlife we see. Erastil would not approve the senseless slaughter of creatures. If the bird is attacking us then maybe but until then I will not draw my bow.
"Aye we shall leave tha eggs an think next year may we have 6 birds tah squawk o'er our heads."
"Alass a language I have not learned tha o tha bird."