Rhasadilara will ask to borrow his sketchbook and a writing implement. Holding the pen/pencil fairly awkwardly, as though unused to it, she sketches out the routes and landmarks she knows for the return.
"If something prevents my returning with you, someone should have this knowledge."
Business out of the way, she discusses the philosophical issues she has with hunting for sport. As long as the game is used, she's generally accepting of it, though it does not appeal to her. However, there are times when the game must be left to replenish - like a wise farmer will rotate his crops to gain better yield in the long term.
If that is the case, then we are in some ways lucky. We have a few dedicated members with a specific trade that will get us going. However the rest seem to be willing to work and do what it takes to makes this a successful endeavor. That frees us to decide what we think is most important and needed at the time for the fledging settlement.
Barnabus plots through sudden attacks from the company from nearly every direction and nearly anything he can think of from the charge of a bear to a hundred swooping fey dragons of extrodinarly small size. Though a serious endeavor the mental images makes him smile to himself through the journey of the day.
After Calinder quickly gather's his travel gear and readies his horse, he joins the others. On his way back to the entrance to the fort, Calinder let's Dyfrig know that they are all going to accompany Lord Sales back to Oleg's.
As they travel, Calinder rides alongside Barnabus enjoying being out in the lands again and looking forward to seeing Oleg and his wife again. As they are traveling, Calinder sees that Barnabus is deep in thought, but smiling about something.
"Barnabus, what has you so happily deep in thought?"
"I have been fully contemplating various attacks upon our group imagining dangers o vast and terrible evil, and yet some of tha images thus imagineded turn towards ridiculousness an doest make me smile more than a little......mine favorite is an over large Gorgukk carrying his horse away from danger...then mine mind thinks of a saddle upon Gorguk built for his mount tah ride upon."
"Perchance at Oleg's we might order some new resources an mayhap scribe another scroll."
"That sounds like a good idea Barnabus, I have access to greater gifts and powers that have been granted to me from Erastil then I had not so long ago. It would be good to have access to some of those powers at anytime."
Barnabus eyes the chaos around the fort and turns to his fellow wardens...
"Shall we intervein in tha eye o tha storm?"
Bemused, Rhasadilara nods, "Where do you propose we begin? Or perhaps Lord Jotham-Sales should make first contact with the visitors."
"Well, perhaps we can at least rescue Svetlana's flower bed from the invaders..."
Dismounting from Sunset, Rhasadilara will take a length of rope and fashion a makeshift leash as she moves up to the goat. Calmly, she speaks to the animal, "Come now, that's no way to make friends in a new place. One must respect those that came before, after all..."
Rhasadilara continues her efforts with the goat.
Leading it back to where the others are, she whispers to Calinder, "Who are the Guardians of the Greenwood? Is there someone else involved, too?"
Apparently the name of the group had been changed by Lord Jotham-Sales but that was trivial to Gorguk. What mattered most was the fact that the 'Guardians' were now in charge and had to organize the people for their own protection and the welfare of the new kingdom.
Rising up in his saddle so most can see him, Gorguk tries to address the crowd before him. Good people, seeing you gathered together here for the singular purpose of making a new life for yourselves fills me with hope and determination. I am Gorguk Tsadok. I have been through this land with my companions for the past couple of months attempting to tame the area from vicious beasts and clearing it from vagabonds, outlaws, and thieves. Only recently have we been able to strike down the Staglord who was ruling this land with an iron fist. Together, you and the Wardens, will make this area a place to raise children and start our lives anew. I ask for your cooperation and patience as there is still a few more days ahead of you before we can settle down in our new home.
This new home lies on he shores of the Tuskwater. It is a perfect place to start. There is fresh water from rivers, the lake for fish and trade, forests to the west for lumbar, and hills for herds and crops. Even now there is a group of men working to clear the area in preparation of your arrival.
Once down addressing the crowd, Gorguk dismounts and convenes quickly with the others. If we are to make this a reality we may need more leaders to help us in this endeavor. What would you say if I asked Oleg and Svetlana to assist us. We may need Lord Jotham-Sales as well if he can stay for a bit. If so, then I will approach them and inquire as to their interest and willingness to help us as we get started.
The sight of Samlor stirred something within the soul of the magician, and with it came a memory.
The boy. You had forgotten about the boy.
Lothar looked to his left, a mixture of anger and fear etched upon his features.
I look forward to seeing how you handle this, magician. The Beast was taking sadistic pleasure from Lothar's suffering. Will you break yet another bond to safeguard him from The Reaper's influence, abandoning him as you abandoned the Golden Arm? Or will you take him in as you said that you would, knowing that any guidance you give will bring him ever closer to the Gray Master's following.
Lothar had no words for the Beast. Despair at his situation truly began to overwhelm his heart.
But as his spirit came close to accepting defeat, a sidelong glance to his right where Rhasadilara stood reminded Lothar that though he had chosen to struggle alone against the Stabbing Beast's influence upon himself, he did not have to do so when it came to others that he cared about. On his own he did not have the strength to face so insidious a foe as the Beast.
I've been such a fool, Rhasadilara.
The magician made as though he was heading to the ranger when Lord Jotham-Sales stepped aside. Guardians... time to begin your rule!
Lothar cast another glance Rhasa's way. Later, then. He turned his attention back to Samlor and listened to Gorguk's speech. Later.
Once the quick meeting is over, Gorguk will approach Oleg and Svetlana and ask them what they thought of being an instrumental part of the founding of the new kingdom. If interested what position interests you the most and where do you think you would do the most good?
Once he has answers from them he will likewise approach Lord Jotham-Sales and Samlor and likewise find out from them what their interests are and if they are willing to help where they would best feel they could be utilized.
"Aye, tis likely a town could sprout here near Oleg, an another near tha old fort. Let us meet all tha settlers an see where they might likely settle."
Calinder is his usual jovial self as he travels with his companions and Lord Sales towards Oleg's, with the exception that whenever he looks Lothar's way he wonders what has changed in the Lothar that has made him so distant all of the sudden.
Calinder listens, nodding support to Gorguk's statements to the crowd, and smiling, trying to put everyone at ease.
Calinder agree's with Gorguk's suggestion to ask Oleg and Svetlana to help in their new kingdom and nods his support to Gorguk.
In reply to Barnabus' statement Calinder says, "Barnabus, I believe there will come a time that there will be another city here near Oleg's, probably much to Oleg's dislike at first. I do not think that time is now though, I think it best that we not spread ourselves 'too thin' at this point in our venture."
"Mayhap more land for Oleg and Svetlana in exchange fer services to tha kingdom...."
"Land in exchange for his council? We need to make official that what he has is his under whatever method we choose for other settlers, of course. But if he wishes to not be involved, we must respect that."
Agreed that if Oleg wants to be alone that is his prerogative. We will miss his council but I do not think handing out land will appease him. No we must do it ourselves and find a way without him. Likewise with Samlor unless we can convince him to join us with his family. First things first though is to get these people back to the keep where they will be safe and we can get hem started on their new lives.
"Oleg's wisdom is valuable. I hope that he would be willing to advise us. I suggest that we reward his service with land so that he can prevent another from homesteading 'on his doorstep' as that seems to be more important to him than anything else we could hope to offer him."
She thinks for a moment, "He is justly proud. Rather than giving him the land, let us offer him the same option to homestead additional land that we give any of the settlers nearer to the fort. I feel he has already earned the land the trading post sits on even though technically it falls within our realm, so it would not be right to offer it to him - it is already his. Is it not?"
Aye there is that. Also I will approach him again and see if he would be willing to serve with those conditions. Also if he is a member of the governance, he can ensure that we do not encroach too close to him. Surely this would be reason to help out. Besides all we would ask is a week out of every month for his input. The rest of the time he can be here. And it would only be for a year surely as we get things started.
Gorguk will try to convince Oleg and Svetlana with the above reasons.
Diplomacy
"Tha is tha more I spoke of, I also would see Oleg's space respected."
Lothar only half listened to the discussion taking place, as his mind was too busy running simulations of his talk with Rhasadilara.
None of them suggested that it would go well for him.
In truth, he had only himself to blame. Though his intentions were well meaning, he did say some rather hurtful things to the ranger.
He rubbed his head, a sense of frustration apparent in his demeanor.
The man who loved options was out of them.
Gorguk smiles at Svetlana please by her enthusiasm. Thank you my dear Svetlana. I hope that this is not much an inconvenience as we all would love to have both of your expertise in starting this fledgling empire. What position do you think you can help us the most in? we are looking for someone to keep track of the accounts along with needing someone to talk to foreigners and locals alike. (Treasurer, councilor, Grand Diplomat)
Speaking to Jotham-Sales Gorguk is glad to have someone with ties back 'home'. It would be our honor to have you join us. Perhaps you would consider taking on the roll of ensuring the policies and laws are upheld in cities. I believe Rhasa would be your counterpart in the more wilderness areas. What say you to such a position?
Calinder flinches at Oleg's initial response. But after some further discussion and Gorguk's renewed talks with Oleg, Calinder is glad to see that Oleg has agreed to help with their fledgling endeavor.
He then turns and does whatever he can to assist meeting and organizing the new colonist.
After a bit when things have started to settle somewhat, as much tht can be settled with new homesteaders ready to get to their homes that is, Gorguk approaches Oleg again. By the way, it seems that you were interested in a tatzlewyrm body. We got one here. Cal has been keeping it preserved until such time as we could tell you about it.
Rhasadilara favors him with a relieved smile, knowing that she would not be taxing her meager skills to sell him on the idea.
"Let's discuss what you are looking for on the trip to the settlement. Then you and I and Robard, perhaps, can go survey the areas we think might work. Are you planning a sawmill? What sort of trees do you seek? "
"It is good we have tha representative from tha sword-lords tah keep up with criminals seekin tah migrate our way from tha upper-lands, an yet with tha staglord gone a space fer another has been opened, perhaps a rival."
I Agree Lord Jotham-Sales yet he is going to be gone for a period of time. If he is willing to join us in such a position I would be well pleased however I appreciate your honesty in stating where your interests lie. It is better to have someone who loves their job even if they are better skilled elsewhere than force them into a position they do not want.
Gorguk then speaks to Samlor Bout the position that needed to be filled. Of course we would not expect you to travel with such a newborn, but if possible could we not send for her now and have you set up here? That way you are all prepared Nd won't have to make such a journey with a baby. We will be near for any help you may need and your wife will now that you have stability with a job with us.
Diplomacy
Calinder approaches the farmers and says to them, "May I inquirer as to what kind of crops you are planning to grow?"
Barnabus was fairly certain that offering Oleg more land was the only way and that the man would likely not want the land just given to him, and he was right otherwise every settler would want the same free land.
Barnabus looks over the settlers approaching them one at a time and watching their actions, trying to determine if they actually know what they are doing or are untrained and full of hope or possibly spies.
He keeps his own council wandering among the people.
Visiting with Calinder, "We will need to investigate sustainable crops. Wheat might not be suited to the climate or the soil. Even if it is, planting it exclusively will tire the soil and over time it will not do as well. Better to grow different crops different years or let the land rest between crops. But we need to feed the settlers and gathering is not going to produce enough food."
Rhasadilara looks thoughtful. "It is very easy to say we need to care for the land. It may be more difficult than I realized to do it."
"Wheat needs tah be milled and baked into breads, a mill would help with wheat, corn an other crops as well."
"I will leave the processing to others with a head for business, but I am sure you are right. There are many links in that chain. I am concerned with the first."
Calinder listens carefully to Rhasa and Barnabus as they discuss sustainable crops, grain mills, magically enhancing crops. It's all a bit out of his sphere of knowledge.
"This is all very fascinating, but a bit out of my expertise. I really was just interested in what they were planning to plant."
"Aye tha mill will need a river an tha closer tis to tha crops tha better."
"No worries friend Calindar mine knowledge tis just enough to get us into deep trouble not enough tah prevent all problems."
Barnabus has a twinkle in his eye as he lays out the facts to Cal...
Calinder listens carefully to Rhasa and Barnabus as they discuss sustainable crops, grain mills, magically enhancing crops. It's all a bit out of his sphere of knowledge.
"This is all very fascinating, but a bit out of my expertise. I really was just interested in what they were planning to plant."
"It is out of my expertise, also, friend, but I want to help our farmers be as successful for the long term as possible. Planting the wrong crop or planting it in the wrong place or exhausting the soil - these are things I want to help them avoid. Perhaps we can establish some sort of agreement between the farmers to share in the cost of the milling and the transportation."
"At any rate, these questions are of little import until they have seen the land and found their farms."
After Gorguk gets done delivering the tatzlewyrm body to Oleg he splits up the reward with the other Wardens. (120gp each) On the way out though he is approached by one of the new Tyler's with a proposition about Durok. Not wanting to offend the man right off Gorguk replies, That is an interesting offer but one that I will have to consider carefully. Durok is not your typical horse. He is with me at all times as we go about our duty protecting this area. I will let you know when we arrive at our new city. In the meantime I would make sure that you are ready to leave in the morning so we do not prolong the start of our new lives any longer than necessary. Again I thank you for the offer.
"I can assist in organizing and seeing to any needs of our new colonists before departing in the morning."
Calinder then goes to different colonists, asking if they have any needs before leaving in the morning, and helping to get things organized for their departure.
"I am Svetlana has books ledgers, perhaps we should track all settlers to some extent."
And thus came the census bureau....
Rhasa walks with Calinder. As the priest of Erastil inquires about the settlers' needs, the ranger checks the wagons and livestock for any obvious signs that they might have trouble on the journey.
She also takes a mental note of how many wagons, how many mounts, and how much livestock they will be leading. "There is safety in numbers, but sometimes it's hard to keep the numbers safe enough because you can't have enough eyes to watch for danger. We might be better served to take two groups..."