The priest, who introduces himself as Jhod Kavken, explains during dinner that he has traveled a lot, coming north from Galt (though from his accent, it doesn't sound like he was born there), through Numeria before finally traveling to Brevoy and now the Stolen Lands.
Kesten -- once he's done talking to Hari -- socializes with the group during dinner, seemingly enjoying the food, drink and tales, though he continues to come across as a bit pompous, and gets the men's names wrong as often as not (yet never seems to mistake Treshiell or Lirisial's names). He manuevers to sit next to Lirisial, and keeps her wine glass full over the course of the evening, flirting with her whenever able.
After Rupert's comment, Dhavika gives an intentionally loud, long, dramatic sigh. "As you wish. I don't mind getting a little ... dirty, though," she says with a wink.
Kesten guffaws at the situation, then turns to Lirisial with a gleam in his eye. "What about you, my darling. Perhaps we can do a little grooming once good sir Rondey has finished his bath?"
"I don't know," Vandar replies, seeming uncertain about your advice. "I'd better just check with Rupert to make sure that's OK."
After your bath, as people begin settling in for bed, Vandar approaches you. "Rupert, I've been trying to keep an eye on things here for you while you're exploring, but the half-orc just said I shouldn't be following Hari. I don't know why he thinks he's in charge, so I'll ignore him if you want."
He rubs his freshly shaved chin thoughtfully. "Perhaps we should lay off of Hari, at least f'now. This Kesten character, though, he's got me a bit worried. Obviously Hari is doin' somethin' for him, which means he's got somethin' planned for somewhere along th'line. I'll see if'n I can't have a word with the Fort's owners about their guests, and find out their opinion on th'matter. I'll let y'know what y'should do in the mornin'."
Rupert grasps Vandar's hand firmly, and grips his shoulder comfortingly as he says, smiling, "Thanks for keeping an eye out on things while we're gone. We're trying to bring peace and order to this messy place, and you're playing a very key role, very admirably."
Rupert then looks for an opportunity to approach Stevic, separate from the group. He walks up and says, "Stevic, I wanted to thank ye' for your hospitality. 'Tis very rare t'find a host generous enough t'give lodgin' to such an obscure, unexpected group of people."
Diplomacy
He pauses a moment, glancing in the direction of the others, then turns and says, "Say, Stevic - I hope ye' don't mind me askin', but I was curious as to your opinion about Kesten and his gang o'lovely ladies?"
I never pictured Orin as being particullary devout in his faith other than the ocassional prayer for a succesful hunt or a well aimed shot, so no he would carry no outward sign i.e. holy symbol, etc...
But before the group leaves he probably would ask the priest for a blessing or quick prayer.
"You want my bloody opinion? There're too flaming many people in my home. I came out to the middle of dragon-cursed nowhere to get away from crowds!"
He hesitates for a few seconds. "But I guess if it keeps Taerine safe, I can bloody well deal with it."
"The women seem nice, though I swear that moon-addled half-orc tried to pinch my butt! Not sure about Kesten. He seems competent enough and makes sure there's always someone on guard, but I don't like the way he's always eyeing up Taerine.
The priest seems thrilled when you approach.
"My brother! I am glad you have come forward. Erastil's blessing be upon you! May game be plentiful and your arrows fly true!
He rubs his chin thoughtfully, obviously lost momentarily in deep thought. He snaps out of his reverie, then says, "Mr. Stevic, sir, ah' want t'be straight with you, since ah' feel you deserve t'know the truth - or at least what ah' know of the truth. For starters, ah' don't trust that Kesten fool farther'n ah' could throw him. Ah' think he's got some sorta agenda," he bends the word in his mouth as if it was foul tasting, "an' I'm worried about where you, your wife, my friends, and I are going to come into play in his lil' game. As of right now ah' have no real reason not to trust the newcomers, other than mah' gut tellin' me what to do, but if'n you're willin' to give me permission to do some..." he pauses, searching for the word he wants, "research... on our friend Kesten, then it would allow me an' my friends, and probably you and yeh' sweetie as well, to sleep much better at night under the same roof as them."
"Now, before you gimme' a straight yes or no, hear out my plan. You know the man Vandar, I'm sure, but what you might not know is that he's been watchin' Kesten an' his crew while we're gone. They've expressed that they don't like bein' watched, so now I'm askin' what have they got to hide? My idea is this: we need t'give Kesten's room here a quick little search, just to see if he's got anythin' lyin' about that might tell us a little more'n his loud mouth, eh? Now, ah' wouldn't ask you t'do this y'self, obviously, so either ah' can do it tonight while he's socializing with the group, or yeh' could have a word with my trusted man Vandar - I know the two of ye' have a history, but you must believe me when ah' say that he's changed and redeemed himself completely in mah' eyes - and he'll do the job himself when we're out explorin' durin' the next few days. What's most important is that Kesten doesn't find out, though, because we'll be putting poor Vandar in much peril by sending him in there fishing about for dirt, y'know?"
Rupert pauses, and looks anxiously to the man for his answer.
Diplomacy again (if necessary)
"Well, I don't trust Vandar; far as I'm concerned, he should be up on my crow-picked wall with his turd-sucking friends. Maybe if my wife gets her flaming ring back, I'll be more inclined to forgive him, but it's only because you bloody lot seem to think he should be allowed to stay that he's not sleeping on some cold piece of ground outside.
"You want to check out Kesten's bedroll, that's your flaming business. Don't take anything, though, or I'll have to get involved. Don't want no more damn bloodshed in my home."
[ooc]What does Rupert know about Kesten and his crew's sleeping conditions? Does he know whether they have separate rooms, or if they share a room with several beds, or if they just sleep on bedrolls somewhere in the fort?
Rupert, who had been having a discussion with Stevic away from the group, wanders back to the fire and announces loud enough for all of his companions to hear, "Alright folks, we've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow - what do y'say we have a quick meetin' about our packin' supplies for while we're gone? We don't wanna' have another night w'out proper preparations! It'll only take but a few minutes, trust me."
Bluff (to convince anyone suspicious of the "exclusive" meeting that it's an innocent discussion about the morrow's events)
Once the entire group (assuming everyone decides to attend) is gathered away from the rest of the Fort, Rupert discloses the recent developments. [b]"Alright, folks, ah' don't really wanna talk about what we're packin' for t'morrow, if'n y'didn't realize that. I don't know about the rest of you, but ah' have a feelin' that there's somethin' real fishy goin' on around here involvin' Kesten, Hari, and most likely the rest of their little crew. Ah' need t'tell yeh' about some things that have been happenin' at the fort with Vandar and Kesten's crew while we were out."
"So, apparently Vandar's been followin' Hari on her little excursions, somethin' ah' have been curious about since their arrival, but apparently the man's not a gifted stalker and she's caught onto it pretty quick. Draelen, if ah' am correct," he turns to Draelen and addresses him directly, "You were approached by one o'them sayin' to call Vandar off. Now, obviously we can't disrespect their wishes outright and risk a bad confrontation - but we can go around them in another manner. Ah' had a word with Stevic, an' he's also entertainin' the idea that Kesten and his crew might be up t'something more'n they're lettin' on: the good sir gave me permission t'give his possessions a quick looksy an' see if there's somethin' that might give us a hint as to his real intentions with this fort and these lands. Ah' didn't want to jump to action w'out consulting the group, however, so what do y'think?"
"Also, ah' don't mind sneakin' up there and doin' the dirty work while everyone's preoccupied, so long as the rest o'you are at least mostly okay with it," he says with a wink. "But if anyone wants t'join me with another set o'eyes, ah' wouldn't decline 'em."
Lirisial smiles at the priest saying "I can't imagine a problem. May the Song of Spheres guide your feet to their destination."
As the evening wears on, Lirisial enjoys the company as best she can. Though Kesten keeps her cup full, she drinks just enough to keep him happy. At his remark about grooming she says, "His name is Rupert, my dear Kesten. I'd appreciate it if you could at least try to remember the names of my male friends as well as Treshiell's or my own. It would make me very appreciative." Lirisial gives him a mischievous wink. "As for grooming...I think we could arrange something."
At the meeting, Draelen nods agreement to most of what Rupert says. When he brings up Draelen's conversation with Vandar, he interjects "Aye, I did call him off, Dhavika asked me to have him stop following Hari. I don't know the man except as a 'reformed' bandit, so I told him to stop following her. Didn't realize he was acting on your orders Rupert."
After he lays out his plan, he responds "I've got no problem with you taking a peek around Kesten's things, I don't trust the man much either, but be careful, it'll be a sticky situation if you get caught. I'm no good at sneaking around, but I'll try to distract the guard while you're going about your business."
If the rest of the group agrees to the plan, Draelen will try to start up a conversation and card game with the Siren on guard duty while Rupert does his business.
Diplomacy:
Bluff:
.
Treshiell quickly looses intrest in the priest as she determines that he's got nothing to add to the search for the old temple. She leaves the conversation in favor of searching the fort for mice.
Treshiell listens to Rupert's story of the recent events. "What has caused you to doubt Kesten and the sirens? Why did you send Vandar to stalk Hari?", she asks.
Rupert will return to the rest of the fort's inhabitants and socialize until people start going to bed. He will try to keep an eye on Kesten, and try to see whoever is going to be on guard duty.
Rupert turns to Treshiell, "T'tell the truth, Treshiell, ah' don't have any real evidence against him. That's the main reason why ah' want to check his tent -- t'make sure he's not hidin' anythin' we wouldn't like. Ah' don't trust him, though, because o'the secrecy o'his and Hari's business outside th'Fort. Who's t'say they aren't out there plottin' and plannin' with the Stag Lord himself? If'n they aren't gonna tell me, I'm gonna have t'find out myself."
Rupert turns to Treshiell, "T'tell the truth, Treshiell, ah' don't have any real evidence against him. That's the main reason why ah' want to check his tent -- t'make sure he's not hidin' anythin' we wouldn't like. Ah' don't trust him, though, because o'the secrecy o'his and Hari's business outside th'Fort. Who's t'say they aren't out there plottin' and plannin' with the Stag Lord himself? If'n they aren't gonna tell me, I'm gonna have t'find out myself."
"I did not cast you as the suspicious type, Rupert", Treshiell says with a hint of a smile on her lips. "Do you want to borrow Thaal? He's got keen eyes and is not seen unless he wants to be."
"An' as for Vandar, I never actually did tell him to follow Hari, but that doesn't make it such a bad idea. The man's lived a rough life, meanin' trust isn't somethin' that comes easy for him -- that can be a damn useful quality at times."
Ruperts eyes perk up at Treshiell's suggestion, "If'n he doesn't mind, he would be very useful in makin' sure the tent is empty when we first arrive. Shall we go take a look right now?"
Treshiell looks Thaal in the eyes for a moment, then she turns to Rupert. "He does not mind, but he says that he does not understand why one would go seeking trouble when it does present itself."
The witch extends her arm to Rupert and Thaal slowly slithers down towards the rogue.
As Rupert and Thaal make their attempt to sneak into Kresten's tent, Orin will make his way up to the watchtower where Marcine is keeping watch. He'll lean against the outer wall, looking the guard in the eyes "Beautiful country, hereabouts. Makes a man start to think about his life so far, and what he's going to leave behind after he's gone. Makes him think about settling down somewhere's and raising a family, with the right woman of course." As he says this last part, Orin's eye momentarily flicker over to where Treshiell is standing in the courtyard.
Bluff check:
The guardwoman looks at Orin for a moment with a perplexed expression, then shrugs.
"If you've got an itch for her, go see if she'll scratch it," she says. "She's a little young for my tastes ... not to mention a little creepy. Never was much interested in raising a family, for that matter."
With the evening festivities in full swing, and everyone apparently enjoying Edrukk's stories, Rupert and the little viper head into the shadows, toward Kesten's tent.
Slipping into the tent, a quick search reveals a sheaf of papers, but Rupert can't make out what they say in the darkness. Also in the tent is a suit of half-plate armor, several potion bottles and some sort of hard, round object, a purse full of coins, a scimitar and a composite longbow, with a quiver of arrows.
Marcine sense motive:
Marcine perception:
Rupert stealth:
Kesten perception:
Rupert perception:
Thaal perception:
"Hmmmm, my little vipery friend, whaddaya' think?" Rupert says quietly under his breath to Thaal, squinting at the papers and trying to make out what they say.
Distracted by the end of one of Edrukk's more entertaining stories, Draelen suddenly realizes he was supposed to be providing Rupert with a distraction. Rushing outside, he sees Orin on the wall conversing with Marcine Whew! I'm glad Orin's covering for me, I've got to maintain my focus here, things could turn on us very quickly.
Treshiell looks up from the drawing* she's been carving into the dirt as Draelen bursts into the court yard. "You look stressed. Did you loose something?", the witch asks. If there is no one nearby to overhear she whispers "If you're looking for Rupert, he's in Kersten's tent. Shall i tell him you came looking for him?"
* The drawing could with a bit of imagination be interpreted as a mouse entering a maze, with some sort of cage on the other side.
Rupert intelligence check:
Rupert, you're pretty certain the object is a thunderstone.
Treshiell perception:
Rupert intelligence check: 1d20+2
Rupert, you're pretty certain the object is a thunderstone.Treshiell perception: 1d20+3
Treshiell looks at Draelen for a moment then resumes work on her design.
Rupert leaves the stone where it is and, making sure the papers are stuffed neatly into his shirt, which he then tucks into his pants, he exits the tent and heads off to a private part of the fort to read the papers.
Stealth
Thaal slithers up to rest on Rupert's shoulder. The viper focuses on the paper as his reptilian eyes scan the paper.
"Err, uh no, just realized I'd forgotten to feed Ivory... she usually likes a late night snack."
Draelen finds his backpack and brings it over to sit next to Treshiell. He tries to make idle conversation while digging out some dried venison while surreptitiously keeping an eye on the tents where Rupert (hopefully) is right now. "Interesting design, is that an arcane symbol of some sort?"
The two pages Rupert took from Kesten's tent appear to be letters.
The first is written in a nice calligraphy, in a woman's hand:
"My Darling Son,
I am writing to say I hope you are well, and express how much I miss you. I received your letter, for which I thank you most kindly.
I am afraid that your father remains adamant, however, that you continue your travels away from the manor. He feels the shame you have brought upon the family still lingers, and until you make a positive name for yourself, he does not wish to see you.
I know you and he have not always seen eye to eye on your conduct, but I believe he is truly serious about his threats this time.
I have seen Tania, and can tell you her babe is healthy. I ordered several bolts from her father, so they might have more to spend on the child"
The note ends there, apparently continuing on another page.
The other letter is scrawled much more roughly:
"I hope you will continue your search for Sneeg in your new position, which I went to some trouble to arrange, Garess. My offer of a reward still stands if you bring the man back alve for trial, half if he is brought back dead."
About an hour later, the group around the fire begins to break up, as the Sirens, Stevic and Taerine, and Jhod all head for bed.
After an evening of entertaining the other inhabitants at the fort, Edrukk turns in when they do, starting to feel the soreness of almost a week straight of hard travel.
"Err, uh no, just realized I'd forgotten to feed Ivory... she usually likes a late night snack."
Draelen finds his backpack and brings it over to sit next to Treshiell. He tries to make idle conversation while digging out some dried venison while surreptitiously keeping an eye on the tents where Rupert (hopefully) is right now. "Interesting design, is that an arcane symbol of some sort?"
Treshiell looks down at the image carved into the dirt before her. "No, i don't think it is", she replies after having studied the carvings for a few seconds. "I think it's a mouse trap. I feel that Thaal needs some activities and i was hoping to rekindle his predatory instincts with this maze. I'm yet to decide if i should place an exit on the other end to allow the possibility of the mouse to escape, but i don't know if it will spur him on or leave him jaded. Thaal is not good at handling defeat, you see."
Treshiells eyes shoot back at Draelen. "You're a hunter of sorts, are you not? Do you have any suggestions to what i should use to lure the mouse into the maze?", she asks.
Thaal quickly finishes scanning the pages and lays his head to rest on Rupert's arm and commences to hiss calmly in regular intervals.
About an hour later, the group around the fire begins to break up, as the Sirens, Stevic and Taerine, and Jhod all head for bed.
After seeing Rupert safe and sound following the excursion to Kesten's tent, Draelen will head to bed as well.
3 Pharast 4708
The night passes uneventfully, and much more warmly in the quarters in Fort Kazmir. Quickly collecting your gear, you head out to continue your exploration and mapping of the Stolen Lands.
As the group prepares to leave the fort, Draelen lays out his suggested course: "Well, I think that we should head due east and work on our map out that way, on our way back, we can circle through the moon radish patch and see if our kobold friends know anything of this temple."
"That sounds good to me. Going to see their leader may be a good idea. He may know more about this bear."
Rupert nods his head in agreement, "If'n we can keep on good terms with the Kobolds, they could be a valuable source o'information."
Once they have left the fort, Rupert shares what he learned from the exploration of the tent. He produces the letters for the others to read and judge for themselves ().
"That would be nice. I would like to see how they live", Treshiell says as she sits with eyes closed humming softly to herself as the rest prepare to move on. She rises to her feet and gathers the winter blanket and the rest of the equipment that Stevic has prepared. "Thank you, Stevic. That was very nice of you", the witch tells the burly man as she places the equipment on her horse.
As they party leave the fort Treshiell rides up beside Rupert. "Who do you think Tania is?", she asks the rogue. "Don't you think Kersten will miss those?", she later adds as Rupert shows the letters.
As Orin rejoins the group from the tower he manages to catch the tail end of the conversation between Draelen and Treshiell "Perhaps some cheese, I hear mice are fond of cheese. Master Stevic should have some available."
After a good nights rest Orin saddles up Windswift and Sundancer and leads the horses out into the courtyard.
As the party rides out Orin muses with Draelen, "It seems like our good captain did something to embarass his family and has been sent out here until eveything blows over or he can return in triumph and glory, hopefully not at our expense. It also seems that Captain Garess has another agenda as well, the capture of this Sneeg fellow. A criminal perhaps?, who some mysterious benefactor of the Captain wants returned."
Edrukk listens quietly, "Doesn't surprise me much. Most people down here have burdens and/or specific tasks of some kind, some are simply more open about it than others. Hari was probably out looking for Sneeg, which explains that question. Perhaps when we get back, we can suggest to Vandar that instead of sneaking around after them, he try the more indirect route of becoming friends with Kessen and his ladies, so as to convince them he, and by extension us, would be a valuable ally in this little concern. We need a steady pair of eyes there anyway, so no better time than the present to start grooming our converted bandit into a top notch diplomat, since he doesn't appear to have the skill set to be a sneaky spy."
Edrukk you think you do actually remember hearing a story about Kesten in your travels. According to the story, he apparently had quite the reputation as a ladies' man. When a local weaver's daughter showed up at his doorstep claiming to be pregnant with his child, it was too much for his father, who sent him away and told him not to return until he had restored his honor. Kesten fled to Restov to serve as a mercenary.
You don't recall any stories about Sneeg, and remember only vague references to the Sirens as a group of mostly female mercenaries.
Edrukk's words catches Treshiells attention and the young witch steers her mare towards him. "What are your burdens?", Treshiell asks the dwarf, her curiosity triggered.
"A fair question that if we are to fully work together we all should be willing to answer, including you, mysterious snakecharmer. I personally seek a permanent home suitable for setting up my own clan of open minded dwarven folk. Regarding Vandar, what do you say, Rupert? Are you up to helping me turn Vandar into a diplomatic machine?"