Megan's Kingmaker PbP

Game Master Megan Robertson

"Or at least a record o them at Oleg's fer trackin."

Calinder gladly allows Rhasa to take the reins of his horse trusting her to take care of him while he brings out the fang berries for Bokken.

Taken a bit by surprise when Bokken gets excited by the sight of the fang berries and rushes into his hut. When Bokken returns and offers Calinder a mug and something to drink, Calinder shakes his head and says, "Thank you for the offer of a drink Master Bokken, but if you have some cool water to drink, I would be grateful for some, plus that will leave more of this fine brew for you and the others."

"Of course you may have water if you prefer," said Bokken.

"Calinder, isn't it? My well is just round the corner of my hut, help yourself. Will your horses be requiring a drink also?"

If the horses are to be watered, Bokken will set his ale aside and dig out an old trough for them. He'd been storing gardening implements in it, but tips them out.

"Most folks heading for the forest stop by Oleg's - unless they really want to keep their presence a secret. If you want to know who's coming, or set out some rules, that's probably the best place to do it."

"Thank you Master Bokken, is there also a bucket at the well that I could use to fetch water for the horses? I will get some for the horses while I get some for myself."

Calinder then heads around the corner to find the well and get some water for himself and the horses.

"That is a good suggestion in having Oleg record at least the names of those who openly come to this area to begin anew. We could then have Oleg instruct them to come down to the fort and check in with Gorguk."

"Thank you for your wise thoughts Master Bokken."

I've forgotten - what was the reward for bringing the berries to Bokken?

"Wise thoughts, indeed. We need to think on many things."

Something having to do with potions, I think.

Bokken will give you a 25% discount on potions for a month. He also asks if you want to stop over for the night as evening is coming on. He'd welcome the company.

Barnabus looks through the shelves and labels of the potion-makers inventory hoping to see a potion or oil that might be useful.

Kind DM what does Bokken have?

Barnabus decides he best ask Bokken directly.
"So now that you hast tha berries what potions could you craft?"
and what can he make?

"Thank you for the offer of a place to stay for he night. I would very much like to stay and visit longer if the others are alright with staying here for the night."

Calinder also would like to know the potions that Bokken has available and so he listen patiently to the answer to Barnabus' question.

Seeing the party making preparations to stay, Nilus begins moving Bess towards the hut again.

Rhasadilara eyes the hut and decides that it would be hard-pressed to house the lot of them, so she begins preparing a no-fire camp nearby (unless Bokken stops her).

Bokken can craft any potion of a spell of 2nd level or less on the adept spell list, and generally keeps two potions of cure light wounds, two potions of endure elements, and a potion of cure moderate wounds handy.

"As for the fangberries, yes they can be used in potions but actually I like eating them!" he says.

"Master Bokken, how much would you ask for the one of the potions that allow the drinker of the potion to withstand harsh natural elements better?"

Calinder would like to know what Bokken would charge for a potion of Endure Elements

"For you, Master Calain, 100 pieces of gold," says Bokken, smiling a rather gap-toothed smile.

Lothar began making preparations to bed down for the night. Since Bokken's place wouldn't be able to accommodate all of the Wardens, he settled on staying outside. A quick glance showed him that his partner had the same idea, which put a smile on his face. He made his way over to Rhasa.

I think we may need to engage Nilus in a way that he feels more welcome. He seems eager to prove himself, but hasn't had the opportunity to do that. I was thinking once we get to Oleg's that you and I should spar with him. What are your thoughts on that?

"Well looks like we are decided, we will happily accept your offer of a place to stay for the night and thank you for your hospitality Master Bokken. We will make a small camp here and I welcome the chance to talk with you further."

"As for the potion, I'll have to wait until I have a bit more money."

Bokken makes you all welcome. He's got some rabbit stew to share.

Calinder accepts the offered meal and sits down to eat and continue the conversation with Bokken.

"Thank you Master Bokken for the fine meal. Have you any other news from the lands round about that we may find of interest?"

"I don't hear much. Folks as come here are generally after potions, or the odd one who's lost and sees my smoke. Oleg's is the place if it's news you want" said Bokken.

Lothar began making preparations to bed down for the night. Since Bokken's place wouldn't be able to accommodate all of the Wardens, he settled on staying outside. A quick glance showed him that his partner had the same idea, which put a smile on his face. He made his way over to Rhasa.

I think we may need to engage Nilus in a way that he feels more welcome. He seems eager to prove himself, but hasn't had the opportunity to do that. I was thinking once we get to Oleg's that you and I should spar with him. What are your thoughts on that?

"He might not be ready for two-on-one fighting like you and Gorguk and I, but I suspect he would be open to some exercise of that nature."

The magician looked thoughtful. I agree that he would be open to the exhibition itself. As to whether or not he would be ready for two-on-one fighting, something tells me he has more experience in that regard than either of us know. Regardless, we can't be certain until we put him in that kind of scenario. Maybe we shouldn't wait until Oleg's. Maybe we should do this now. Would that be better?

"Okay Master Bokken, we will check with Oleg when we visit his outpost."

As they eat Calinder tells Bokken of some of the things they have done and seen. When they are done eating he helps clean up after the meal. He then prepares to turn in for the evening.

"Fascinating, quite fascinating," says Bokken. "Things are changing around here, there's no doubt. I hope that not too many people move in around here. Maybe some grazing, horses or sheep... space for that, but I like my solitude."

He clears away supper.

"If you want to spar, there's a nice flat area over there... with a bank at one side where the rest can sit and watch the action."

"Both Oleg and master Bokken need space for themselves, what space would you see free of settlement?"

Barnabus asks Bokken for his input....

Yeh said something about sparring? Nilus says as he enters the hut his task outside finished

Lothar looked up at the warrior, his expression serene. It is something that Gorguk, Rhasa, and myself engaged in from time to time. With the recent upsurge of activity after the Stag Lord's defeat, we haven't had the time to spar. Also, I know you feel the need to prove your worth to our group. You are, after all, the kind of person who likes to pull their own weight. I recognized that immediately upon meeting you. You are a combat specialist. The weapons I've seen you carry - hammer, sword, spear, and bow - are maintained as only a trained soldier would, ensuring that they will function properly at a moment's notice. In that regard, you and Gorguk are similar. But you, Nilus, are not nearly as spiritual as he.

The magician paused, keeping his eyes focused on the big man, almost as though he were intently studying him. His lips formed into a warm smile as he continued speaking, Since you will be joining us, I wish to get to know you better. And as a wise man once said, you do not truly know a person until you fight them. The offer is extended, of course. If you wish to engage in a friendly exhibition, then we can do so. If not, that is acceptable as well.

Nilus shrugs his broad shoulders I ain't ever been one to fight someone for fun, fightin's always been about killing.... he says uncomfortably but if you think it'll help. he then grins a gaptooth smile Caint guarantee ya won't get some busted ribs though Heh.

Bokken waves an arm rather vaguely.

"I jest don't like to see other folks 'less they come to visit, like. I wouldna want to be able to see anyone else's hut from here."

Talking with him some more, you reckon that he'd probably prefer to have this hex to himself (although of course he doesn't express himself that way!).

"I wouldn't worry too much at this point Master Bokken about it getting to crowded. We can reserve you some land around your home so no one is too close to you."

"And if you'd like, you can send anyone you see down south to have them talk with us. Gorguk will let them know where they can go and what they can do."

After talking with Bokken until it is dark, Calinder thanks Bokken again for his hospitality and turns in to get some sleep before they continue their journey in the morning.

Lothar continued to gaze intently at the bigger man, his expression still calm as ever. Your enthusiasm is encouraging. A few busted ribs would be the least of my problems. Still, this would be only to determine combat readiness as well as overall efficiency.

Do you want to try sparring this evening, or shall we move on to the next day and your visit to Oleg's?

I want to wait and see what Rhasa posts, but we can wait until Oleg's before trying our hand at sparring.

All for moving on.

Rhasa is expecting the sparring to take place at Oleg's.

The elf listens to the two men, looking at each in turn, but does not say anything until they are wiliest for a moment. "It would be good exercise, no doubt."

OK, then. The night is peaceful and when you awaken there's the smell of frying bacon from Bokken's hut. Odd, he doesn't keep pigs.

"Salted and cured from the belly of swine....one of my favorites!"

Barnabus eyes the grease and the nearby flour hoping to spot enough milk to make a fine gravy.....

Calinder awakens and begins his meditations and morning prayers to Erastil. He finds it difficult to concentrate as the smell of the food cooking in Bokken's hut keeps distracting him.

Upon completing his morning rituals, Calinder goes to Bokken's hut and says, "Good morning Master Bokken, that sure smells delicious. Is there something I can do to assist with preparing breakfast?"

"Would someone please milk the goat out back. Master Barnabus has been muttering about making gravy," said Bokken.

"There are some bisuits in that barrel over there, which will dip fine if he makes some!"

"Yes, I will certainly try."

Calinder then goes off in search of a bucket for the milk. As Calinder approaches the goat, he carefully reaches out a hand to touch it in an attempt to calm the goat.

Calinder uses his calming touch spell-like ability to attempt to calm the goat before starting to milk the goat."

Have you milked a goat before, Calinder? The brown and white creature looks expectantly at you as you approach with the bucket, she's obviously expecting to be milked about now. She calms even more as you use your ability, turning to present her udders.

Calinder thinks to himself, "So far so good for my first time milking a goat."

Calinder then begins to hum a tune to try to further relax the goat and himself.

***facepalm

The goat is quite relaxed. She turns her head and nuzzles Calinder.

Barnabus adds the flour to the hot bacon grease once Cal's bucket is about half full....

"Gravy!"

"Here you go Barnabus, fresh milk."

"Anything else I can do to help?"

"Stir!" Advises Barnabus sagely since his own cooking skill is very limited.

Aid another action to add +2 to Cal's cooking roll...

Lothar began making preparations for the journey to Oleg's place, first by tending and feeding his mule then by checking his gear to ensure that all was in readiness for the trip. When he was done, the magician watched with some amusement as Barnabus and Calinder assisted Master Bokken with the cooking of breakfast. And while the idea of offering his help with the endeavor had crossed his mind, an old adage came to mind that prevented him from doing so. Something about too many cooks and spoiled broth.

Eventually breakfast is ready, and is no doubt enjoyed by all.

A brisk wind has got up, but it is mostly sunny with a few small clouds scudding past.

Barnabus enjoys the relatively short journey to Oleg's.

"The goat milk added a certain something to tha gravy I think."