Oltimers' Kingmaker Campaign

Game Master Aluvian

Be it so known that the bearer of this charter has been charged
by the Swordlords of Restov, acting upon the greater good and
authority vested within them by the office of the Regent of the
Dragonscale Throne, has granted the right of exploration and travel
within the wilderness region known as the Greenbelt. Exploration
should be limited to an area no further than thirty-six miles east and
west and sixty miles south of Oleg’s Trading Post. The carrier of
this charter should also strive against banditry and other unlawful
behavior to be encountered. The punishment for unrepentant banditry
remains, as always, execution by sword or rope. So witnessed on this
24th day of Calistril, under watchful eye of the Lordship of Restov
and authority granted by Lord Noleski Surtova, current Regent of
the Dragonscale Throne.

So reads the Charter that each of you were given before setting out from Restov. It has been a long slow trek out from Restov to the Greenbelt, but if your directions are correct you should be arriving at Oleg's Trading Post by this afternoon. Not that there is much to expect from the post, by all accounts it is struggling just to stay open, but it is the last vestige of civilization before the wilds you are tasked to explore.

<whine>

<looks at eidolon> What are you griping about, you have 4 PADDED feet.
<pauses as the eidolon looks up at him for a few silent moments>
Yeah, well, this isn't the Celestial plain... <pause> Well my feet hurt too... <pause> NO... <pause> GIVE you wings?! <pause> <looks up in disgust> YOU'LL be the first to know, sheesh.
<few moments later, still looking forward, throws his arms up>
BECAUSE I CAN'T YELL IN MY HEAD!

<snicker>

Walks towards the group from out of the woodlands. a couple of rabbits gutted and field dressed hanging from his belt.

"Well isn't this nice country to walk through!" he exclaims with a smile. Should be good to get to the post today though don't you all think?"

Raises one eyebrow at the man with the strange animal.

"ya know Red you might wish to keep it down a bit. I haven't seen anything in particular but one of the reasons we were sent out here is reports of banditry."

"In fact maybe I should make a sweep and see what there is to be seen out there"

With that cael picks up his pace to a jog heading out in front of the travalers. he will extend the range out a hundred yards or so taking up point.

perception check to see if notice anything particularly tracks.
perception: +2 if target is human
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
If any tracks found survival check to id tracks
survival +2 if target is human
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

If any information gained about recent movement or see anything possibly dangerous will close back with group and report. At first sign of outpost that we are traveling to also return back to group.

Cain is riding Able at a walk not far behind Reynard. He is dressed in a plain but clean white shirt with a leather vest, and well worn leather pants good for both riding and walking. Cain openly wears Abadar's holy symbol about his neck, well polished and sparkling in the afternoon sun. Able is a strong stout horse, dappled white and brown with a light happy step and well used to the command of his master.

"Wings?" Cain comments to the unusual pair. "Perhaps you should start with hooves instead. Then you could shoe them and neither of you would suffer from sore feet."
A smile forms on Cain's lips and he pats his faithful steed as he pokes a little fun at the strange beast; watching for what kind of response he'll get.

Reynard is walking side by side with Edi, a staff in his hand which he is using as a walking stick. The young man is wearing natural colored studded armor on his torso, and heavily worn brown leather riding pants. His bushy red hair blows around in the wind, occasionally revealing a glowing rune on his forehead.

<partially looking over his shoulder at Cain, with a smirk on his face>
"I have considered trying to find a saddle and tack for Edi, but I'm afraid he might complain so loudly my mind might go permanently deaf. Not to mention I think my feet would drag on the ground."

<Edi reaches out one of his obscurely located arms and playfully punches Red, slightly knocking him off balance>

"Gah!" <laugh> "Anyway, that is a very fine horse you have there. Not unlike many I've cared for." <Red starts to look away as if he was staring into the past> "Not quite one of the war horses... those were something else..." <he snaps back into the present> "oh... but you have a beautiful horse none the less. Do you know anything of its bloodline?"

Acalon is riding his war horse, Shade, to the right and slightly behind Cain. He looks almost out of place with the other travelers, there aren't many ways to keep a lance out of sight while riding; his is propped on his stirrup like a flag pole without a flag. He is, as usual, wearing a suit of scale armor and a dark brown cloak, his nearly shoulder-length brown hair is pulled back to keep it out of his face. His horse is a powerful-looking black stallion draped with sturdy leather barding.

For the moment, he is watching the exchange between Red and Cain, while also scanning the road ahead for potential trouble.

<Red looks over his other shoulder at Acalon and his horse>

"Speaking of war horses, Acalon, you have a beauty. About 16 hands high? How old is he?"

"Goliath at the academy's stables was nearly 20 when full grown, biggest horse I've ever seen."

Cain laughs. "His bloodline?", Cain chuckles again. "Well, he's a mixed blood from the plains of Numeria. A cross of the Mendevia plow horse with the wild horses that roam the plains. I believe they call that strain the Mustang. Sturdy, strong, and loyal, though otherwise unremarkable is what I've been told." Cain shrugs. "Able here has been with me for many years now and I've enjoyed his company."

Cain is completely relaxed as he rides and talks. Apparently fearing no surprises on this leg of their journey he idly watches his companions instead of the surroundings.

I gotta wonder how long before Cain kills his horse.

<looks back an Cain and then his horse, looking over it intently for a few moments>

"Okay, that would explain the coloration and larger fetlocks for its size. I learned the hard way not to give an analysis of someone's horse until given invite, either formally or informally by the owner's sense of comfort with the animal.
Some nobles are awfully picky about their horses, and hearing a noble scream the genealogy of their prized stallion at me is more than enough reason to keep my opinion to myself.
I've mostly worked with purebloods, and have only rarely seen wild horses. The few I have gotten to work with did have an nice demeanor and had great endurance. I think that is the most endearing trait, that they can walk or run flat out for so long. Probably has to do with spending so much time in the open plains running with the herd, and running away from predators."

"Oh? Did you have a run in with my eldest brother? I do believe you have just described him perfectly." Cain quips with amusement.

I'm more worried about Able getting me killed out of some twisted sense of irony.

<chuckles> "Alas I'm not sure who he was exactly, I wasn't paying attention to his appearance as much as I was the spittle flying in my face."
"And alas money can't buy brains. My observations proved true when the foal was born. I stayed in the back of the stables when he came to first see the suckling, and had to try really hard to contain my laughter at the sound of his shriek."

Cael wonders out scouting. An activity that is largely fruitless. Oh he does come across a set of tracks, but after some investigation he figures it's more likely a trapper than a bandit. (Bandits not generally traveling solo being his first clue)

After a couple hours of scouting ahead, you come up over a rise to see Oleg's trading post nestle down below you. It's not much to speak of... An abandoned boarder fort being re-purposed as a trading post. It consists of four buildings clustered within a wooden palisade wall. Set at each corner of the wall is a tower of about twenty feet, and a thirty foot wide gate is open to allow travelers access.

By your estimate, everyone could be there in time for an early dinner if they press on.

Cael jogs back to the group after a couple hours of scouting and drops into a walk beside Reynard.

"A couple more hours and we should be able to get something better than 'Rabbit on a Stick' for dinner. It doesn't look like much but I bet for a few copper one could even get some hot water for tired feet" he glances over at the summoners companion "Or even paws" he says with a grin.

"Doesn't look like it gets much business either so they should be happy to see us."

Cain gets a good laugh out of imposing his brother in the scene just described by Reynard.

"You got any siblings Reynard?"

"Shade here is 6 years old. I birthed, raised, and trained him myself. He was to be for some noble or other, but the fool went and got himself killed before he could take the horse. Good luck for me, I suppose."

"A couple more hours and we should be able to get something better than 'Rabbit on a Stick' for dinner.

At that thought Red grimaces a bit, while Edi licks his chops.

It doesn't look like much but I bet for a few copper one could even get some hot water for tired feet" he glances over at the summoners companion "Or even paws" he says with a grin.

"That sounds good to me," responds Red, while Edi gives what sounds like a happy yip.

Cain gets a good laugh out of imposing his brother in the scene just described by Reynard.

"You got any siblings Reynard?"

Red's face turns slightly downcast as he responds

"Shade here is 6 years old. I birthed, raised, and trained him myself. He was to be for some noble or other, but the fool went and got himself killed before he could take the horse. Good luck for me, I suppose."

"That's a dreadful way to obtain Shade, but I suppose being in the caring hands of the man that raised him is better than being in the stable of someone who just sees him as a possession.

So are/were you a breeder or just a trainer like I was?"

A breeder would mean you owned and raised horses for a living or as a hobby, or a trainer you were paid or apprenticing to raise someone else's horses.

He is a truly magnificent animal, not just large like his breed, but he has excellent musculature, and shows superb training.

So are/were you a breeder or just a trainer like I was?"

Acalon bows his head in acknowledgment

"Thank you, it's always nice to find another who appreciates their horses and their training."

He then takes a second to think before answering the question:

"My father was a breeder by trade, mostly large draft horses. It's not surprising that they also make good war horses, given their size and strength."

"My father was a breeder by trade, mostly large draft horses. It's not surprising that they also make good war horses, given their size and strength."

"Then you have been around horses even more than I have. Do you suppose Goliath at my academy might have been from the same line as Shade? The similarities are significant. He was brought to us by a noble about 5 years ago as a 3 year colt, and we were tasked with teaching him the ways of a war horse. He grew enormous, just over 19 hands, and amazing musculature, much like Shade. Wonderfully cool-tempered too, but it also meant he wanted to laze about and graze more than train for march and dressage.

Cain, you'll appreciate this. In my last year, I was the head student in charge of the stables, and Goliath's owner came for him. I kid you not this noble was of such short stature that I would have mistaken him for a skinny dwarf or overgrown halfling. Atop such a massive horse he looked more like an ant than a rider. I had the honor of trying to get Goliath and the noble to work together. It was the funniest scene I think I've ever seen, watching Goliath basically ignore this tiny thing on his back. At one point the noble got so enraged he slapped Goliath on the croup with his open hand. I was enraged by this action, but I feared what Goliath might do. Goliath's response made me double over with laughter, he turned his head around to look at this strange thing causing him pain, slowly got down on his knees, and rolled over. The noble was smart enough to jump off when he realized what was going on, but he landed most ungracefully on his rump."

<chuckling>
"That was a good story. It wouldn't surprise me if your Goliath was from similar stock as Shade, though I don't think any of our horses got much over 18 hands. I certainly can't remember many of ours larger than Shade, and none that were likely to end up being trained for combat. Who is to say for sure with horses, though. Once they left us, there's no telling how they were bred or trained later."

The small talk helps to pass the last few miles and before you know it you are looking down at Oleg's Trading Post. A light smoke pours out of the chimney of the largest building, promising a hearty meal for dinner. There are few other signs of activity and by the looks of it, you'll be the only visitors tonight, barring any late arrivals.

"Finally some signs of uhhh... civilization? Oh well so long as they have some bread. Rations and 'rabbit on a stick' only are tolerable for so long. No offense to your hunting or cooking skills Cael, it is just the lack of ingredient options that poses the problem for me."

<Looks down at Edi and wonders aloud>
"Now I wonder what I'll have to do with you at this inn?"

"Believe me none taken I like rabbit as much or maybe more than the next guy but would love to get a mug of ale and some fresh vegetables to go with my meal. Nothing like biting into a nice red tomato fresh off the vine my granda always said!"

He pauses for a moment and studies the trading post closely.

"Not much to it but hey maybe it will become famous as the location that started the spread of civilization to this dangerous land. I sure wouldn't want it as the start of a capital though."

Cael trails off mumbling to himself.

"It really wasn't built with defense in mind considering its location in a valley, you would think they would have chosen a hilltop at least. Hmmm probably can trade the rabbits for that mug and a tomato or 2 if they have them"

Unless someone voices an objection cael heads on down the hill with the rest of the group towards the gates of the trading post. Not suspicious in particular but taking note of surroundings and the defenses available to the post.

"Some ale sounds just fine to me, maybe a stew with actual beef. Really, though, I'll be happy to have a roof over my head for an evening."

I've uploaded an image of the trading post to Google Docs. If you have any issues viewing it just let me know. Please note that each square is 5 ft. The walls are 10 ft high, the towers 20ft. The gate is a 30 ft double door. When I said that you came up over a rise to see it, that's more for dramatics than to reflect any lack of defensibility. Properly manned and repaired it would be plenty defensible. For a small fort made of wood.

As you wander to the fort you notice nothing amiss. Just a lack of any real traffic. Even the worn 'road' leading up to the gate doesn't show any heavy wheel ruts or other signs you might expect of a well used trading post. This truly is the boonies.

As you pass through the front gate you are greeted by the sounds of hammering from the building to the right, a long low affair. A middle-aged man is up on the roof affecting some repairs. He glances over as you enter but just shakes his head and goes back to his work.

A few seconds later a young woman comes hurrying out of the main building, drying her hands on an apron and tucking a stray wisp of golden hair into a bandanna around her head. She smiles as she sees you and her blue eyes sparkle. "Welcome to Oleg's Trading Post!" she says as she directs you all to the tables to sit down. "You must be the adventurers we were told would help with the bandits. Please... Have a seat."

I've uploaded an image of the trading post to Google Docs. If you have any issues viewing it just let me know. Please note that each square is 5 ft. The walls are 10 ft high, the towers 20ft. The gate is a 30 ft double door.

I am trying to figure out what each of the buildings inside the fort are. Assuming up on the picture is north, if this isn't true please indicate. The Southern building looks like a stable, and the northeastern building a barracks/bunkhouse. The northwest building, is that the inn? It looks more like a home. And what is the small building to the west and the grates/pits to the southwest?

A few seconds later a young woman comes hurrying out of the main building, drying her hands on an apron and tucking a stray wisp of golden hair into a bandanna around her head. She smiles as she sees you and her blue eyes sparkle. "Welcome to Oleg's Trading Post!" she says as she directs you all to the tables to sit down. "You must be the adventurers we were told would help with the bandits. Please... Have a seat."

"Yes we are, and thank you Miss <fishing for a name>..." <takes a seat at the table, giving a relaxing sigh at the chance to sit, Edi flops down on the ground behind Red, with an equally satisfied sound> "<repeats name> we have been commissioned by Rostland’s swordlords to bring law and order to the greenbelt and reclaim it from the bandits and beasts that threaten it. So we'll need all the information you can provide us to help find these bandits, but for tonight we are in need of food and rest, and for some of my friends here an ale or four."

I apologize, the picture should have been rotated 90 degrees clockwise. So North is left. You are correct about the stable and the bunkhouse. The main building is Oleg's house. The small central building is the storehouse where he keeps his trade goods. The pits are compost/middens.

Cael also walks up to the table swinging his backpack off he places it at one end of the table and carefully lays his bow against it and out of the way of the walkway.

"yes mam, stew would be wonderful... I don't suppose that a couple of fresh rabbits could be traded for a couple fresh tomatoes??"

Cael watches his companions with horse get them settled in the stable and stretches his long legs out smiling. "Well red one of the best things about walking is that one doesn't have to take care of a horse at the end of the day."

Cael picks up the ale with a ale "thank ya" and if the tomatoes are forthcoming takes a big bite out of the tomato. "Yes i hope that after a good meal will be soon enough to discuss the unpleasantness of bandits, unless the post itself is in any danger?"

"While a meal would be most welcome, if these bandits are likely to be a problem sooner rather than later it might be better to learn what we can as soon as possible."

Says Acalon as he makes his way to a place at the table.

Cain flips a gold coin onto the counter as he comes in from stabling Able and chuckles, "Somehow I think we just might be able to manage both at the same time Acalon."
Cain takes a seat by Reynard and reaches down to ruffle Edi's hair. "Yes Cael, but some of us just aren't near as light on our feet as you have the fortune of being." He leans over and whispers audibly in Edi's ear, "Think of just how much more sore wing muscles would be after such a journey and be glad it hasn't come to that yet."

Cain then asks of the hostess. "How have things been of late and how many are you here?"

The woman, who introduces herself as Svetlana, helps to get everyone situated as best she can. She bustles about squaring away packs and in no time the table is laid with a hearty stew, Steaming bread, and even a bottle of wine.

"So the Swordlords didn't tell you about our problem?" she asks with a confused look.

"Figures," Oleg snorts as he climbs down from the roof, shaking his head as he passes into the main building.

Svetlana watches him go with a concerned expression. "We sent for help months ago, but they have yet to send anyone. We had received word a couple days ago that while the request for guards had yet to be approved, some adventurers where coming to help."

<sigh> "Alas Svetlana, the swordlords weren't very specific in their charter."
<Pulls out his charter and starts scanning through it then begins reading parts aloud between murmurs as his looks for the section he wants>

"Bearer of this charter has been charged by the Swordlords... exploration and travel within the wilderness region known as the Greenbelt... area no further than thirty-six miles east and west and sixty miles south of Oleg’s Trading Post... strive against banditry and other unlawful behavior to be encountered..." <he finishes scanning it an rolls it back up>
Diplomacy 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
"No mention of anything specific to the bandits, other than indicating there are some and they are to be eliminated. It does appear though that the trading post is our focus for the expedition, but even what information I was able to gather around Restov before departing mentioned nothing of specific problems with the trading post. Therefore, while the swordlords didn't send us with the specifics of your request for aid, we are here to help and to clean up the bandits and secure the area. So while we are not a direct answer to your summons, we are no less an answer to the problem."

"This meal is delicious, Svetlana, thank you kindly. Could you perhaps tell us about these bandits? I, for one, am more than willing to rid you of them but it would be good to know what we are facing."

"Yes do tell your tale, it seems that the information we have is lacking and sadly out of date! If we are to explore this area and make it safe for the common citizen eliminating any organized banditry would seem to be a good first step."

Cael glances around at the walls of the trading post and the corner towers, and turns back to address oleg.

"Have they been a problems here at the post or are they waylaying those who are on their way to trade?"

“It started about three months ago. They came and demanded that we give them all the furs and trade goods that we had gathered over the past month from the traders and trappers that pass here. They said they would burn the post down and…” she blushes slightly, “…and take me.” She sighs deeply, “I know that it was only my being here that kept Oleg from trying to chase them off. Since then they’ve come back twice, once each month. It was all I could do to get Oleg to at least send for help. He can be very stubborn sometimes. If this keeps up, there is no way that we can keep this business, and it would crush Oleg to have to admit defeat and go back to Restov.”

"How long has it been since the last visit? Have the visits been regular enough to predict when they might return? Is there a time of day they normally show up?"

"How long has it been since the last visit? Have the visits been regular enough to predict when they might return? Is there a time of day they normally show up?"

<continuing> "How many bandits show up at the time? Do they bring a cart? Are they on horseback?"

Frowns while he finishes off a tomato
"And to add to the questions of my excited friend what weapons do the have and was there anyone that looked or acted like they might be a spell slinger of some kind, always good to know beforehand."

Cael sighs as he notices there are no more tomatoes on the table.
"O yes, and do they always approach from the same direction? if so maybe we can scout around and give them a surprise."
He glances over at the house doorway to see if Oleg was about.
"And anything else you might have noticed about those thieves even a seemingly insignificant detail may help?"

"Let's not flood the lady with inconsequential questions, now. We know they're bandits and that they're threatening this outpost. What weapons they're using really doesn't matter much, compared to information on their numbers and possible locations."

Raises any eyebrow

"Inconsequential? While i admit numbers and location are the first things you need to know, weapons and abilities are FAR from inconsequential." looks around at the others "personally i like to know if my opponents have a rough leather coat, rusty old sword, and a cracked bow or plate mail with a battle axe and a grand wizard to back them up."

Unless of course they are expected in the next 10 minutes, I suppose we have time to get all the information that our good hosts can give."

He turns back looking expectantly at Svetlana.

Svetlana glances to the house then settles herself down at one of the tables. "All three times they've come on the first of the month within an hour of dawn. The first time there were a dozen of them led by a cloaked man armed with a bow, and a woman who carried two small hatchets. The woman did the majority of the talking, and the way she smiled when she talked about what they would do to me if we didn’t give them what they wanted was frightening. She also seemed to be particularly sharp and observant, much more than the man, who seemed to be a bit more crude and foolish.”

She pauses to take a drink, gazing out through the opening of the front gate as though she were seeing it again in her mind. “I’m sure the woman was the most dangerous. She nearly lopped off Oleg’s hand with one of her hatchets when he tried to resist. As it was, she took the wedding ring right off my hand and tossed it to one of her men as payment for ‘not shortening Oleg’s reach.”

“Since then, though, only the hooded man has come with the bandits. The next time he came with only six. Last time he came with only four. Hopefully tomorrow he’ll come with even less. I’m sure they probably think us under their thumb by now.”

That would make their next visit tomorrow. As this is the last day of Calistril.

Sits up a bit straighter
"Well it seems as if we have gotten here just in time! We have some early morning plans to make and it seems that we should plan on at least the hooded bowman and four of his thugs. I doubt that they would come with fewer then that as they have to have enough hands to carry away what they want to loot."
He rubs his chin while thinking and continues
"And it would be great to figure a way to keep at least one of them alive to find out where they camped and how many of them there are. I say wait until they are inside the fort and start to gather up their loot and hit them by surprise"

He pauses looking around the table at his fellow adventurous.

<thinks for a minute>

"Attacking them here may not be the wisest plan. Once they realize the bandits with the goods aren't coming back, they'll most likely send another group searching for them. If their trail leads directly back here, where they find bloodstains and fresh corpses, they'll probably burn the place to the ground. If, however, we were to arrange to confront the bandits after they have left here with the goods, we can deal with them in a way that looks like they met some other highwaymen."

<pausing to take a drink>

"It might not keep the bandits from coming here for retribution, but it could buy some more time than just capturing them in here."

"I concur that we have the opportunity to set a trap, and that we need to try and capture one alive for questioning. The concern is where to stage the ambush. Is the immediate risk to Svetlana and Oleg greater from the bandits showing up and demanding the tribute or from the possible retaliation down the road?"

"Also, Svetlana and Oleg knew we were coming, so it would be foolish to assume the bandits don't also know. They could be coming with quite a few more people than the last time."

"If we're facing a significant number, we need the tactical advantage, which the trading post would give us. Facing them on the open plain would be sure to incur substantial casualties for us. If we knew which way they were coming, we could find a wooded area to spring our trap, but do we know which way they come from?"

<turns and looks at Svetlana to see if she knows>