Mahdrig sighs loudly.
"Yes, boys. Only Crazy Miss Mahdrig sees weird things. Anyways, I think the dagger is safe. Unless it whispers to you, Nedyr. If it does, do be a good boy and tell me what it says. Twiggie said the curse was brought by an Erastil priest desperate to stem the Taldan invasion, and sacrificed the bear with it and dark magic."
Orrik's brow furrows. "Mahdrig, either you are imagining something, or something communicated just with you -- telepathically, perhaps -- or something has modified the rest of our memories."
(Does Orrik recognize the twig man from Mahdrig's description? Taking 10, he gets 18 in all Knowledges, except for Arcana and History, in which he gets 19.)
Nedyr puts the dagger's hilt near his ear for a moment, "mmm...what's that? Drink, carouse, and gamble? Yes, master." Then he winks at the others.
At the talk of their memories possibly being played with, he seems amazed, "Why would they tell us something only to make us forget again? Odd."
Mahdrig sighs again, but cannot keep a smile from her face.
"Dear Nedyr, I'm glad the voices in your head are so frivolous. Now ask the knife if it knows where we can find a henway." Mahdrig waves her hand at the dagger and arcane runes swirl from her hand towards it.
The druid turns to Orrik. "Very observant, friend. If I am to believe my own ears and eyes, it spoke to us all. Perhaps it did scramble your brains?"
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Nedyr chuckles at the henway comment.
"Great. So one of those... Creatures came and said hello, and made our memories say goodbye." Markov sighs. "Well, shall we check out that huge cave that the... Cursed-man-bear-priest resided?"
Orrik says, "Frequently the behavior of fey creatures is capricious and difficult to understand. Look, for instance, at the Grig and the Faerie dragon we met -- friendly as they are, they spent quite some time playing pranks on us before we finally talked to them."
He shrugs. "Hard to say if these forgotten ones are going to be a threat or not, if that's in fact what they are. Maybe we'll see them again... and maybe some of us will remember if we do. For now, though, yes, let's check out that huge cave. Then, after that, do we want to continue our trek to explore, or do we want to go and bring news of this temple to Jhod back at Oleg's?"
Nedyr starts to secure the horses, "Want me to take the lead in the cave? And to answer your question about after that... I'm for exploring the area around the temple at the very least. We want Jhod to have a safe path when he does come here."
Mahdrig squints into the cave entrance, holding her hand above her eyes to shield them from the light.
"I'm with you, Nedyr. Let's check out this temple and the surrounding area. Orrik's got a good sense of these fey, much as I do. They are as likely watching us as we are watching them, but this spot might serve us well as an outpost. Looks defensible enough, so long as Twiggie isn't working for a nasty treant. I doubt it though, since he just came and went without much provocation.
She turns and briefly touches Markov's shoulder.
"Markov, my dear, do not let the fey perplex you so. They can be very... inviting if given the opportunity," Mahdrig says as she moves towards the cave entrance.
"Of course, some would also kill you in your boots just for laughs, so maybe your temerity isn't so misplaced," the druid finishes, barely suppressing a smile.
Markov simply grumbles at Mahdrig's explanation. Brushing the thought from his mind, he looks towards Orrik. "Aye. I think once we clear this place out, we should head back to Oleg's. That old priest of Old Deadeye will enjoy this." Continuing his grumbling he heads to the stairs with his battleaxe drawn. Keeping his eyes and ears open, he heads up the stairs. And when he gets up to the top of the stairs, he peers inside. Taking a few tentative steps inside, avoiding any debris that may be found within. This must have been that cursed man's lair. He thinks as he looks around.
Looking around, the only stuff within seems to be only what a bear would leave behind. Kicking some of it out of the way, he heads back outside. "Looks worse in there than some of those carnal dens I've seen. Anyway, it looks like with a bit of cleaning, it will be a good campsite. And hopefully it will be what that priest wants."
In the morning, Nedyr stretches, yawns, and looks around to see who has awoken before him.
Mahdrig spends the downtime in her own space, listening to her teammates' assessment of the caves and of Jhod's role.
"Well, if Deadeye's cleric wants the space, he's welcome to it. I missed his missive but I trust you lot. I hope Jhod will keep this grove sacred, and give us quarter. If Erastil's Eyes are our ally, we are truly blessed."
night passes...
"I've slept on the grass, and my opinion is we should return to Oleg's and then lead Jhod to this temple. Erastil's blessing carries as far as his bow here. We need sanctuaries if we intend to secure ourselves here. The Wilds are unpredictable, and Ol' Deadeye is a fine ally."
Orrik agrees. "Let us return, and then escort Jhod back here. The Stolen Lands are dangerous lands, and he might not be safe travelling on his own."
If we do head back, as we pass through the area with Perlivash and Tyg-Tytter-Tut, Orrik will be on the lookout for the two diminutive creatures.
"I'm fine with that," Nedyr says, rather pleased with this find.
Markov awakes with the others and agrees with them. "I agree with that. Anyway, lets get ready and head on out. I am tired of these woods for the time being." So he goes about packing his gear back into saddlebags and such. And he'll help whom ever asks for help packing.
On the way back, Markov is making sure to keep his eyes open, and keeping track of where they are going.
"At least we know game is plentiful...and maybe mushrooms you can eat as well."
Oleg: "You are back sooner than expected, I will let Svetlana know we have guests for the meal!"
"We bring good news for Jhod in particular, is he still about?"
Markov dismounts as when the group get back to Oleg's. Looking around and noticing the guards keeping watch, he just nods to Oleg. Noting Nedyr's comment, he grins. "Aye. We may have found a old Erastil temple out in the forest. Let me stable the horses and I'll tell you more... Or maybe the others will." He leads Snow over to the stable.
Orrick tosses the lad a silver, and hands the bridle of his horse to the lad. "His names's Triaxus," the dwarf says.
As you head in a man that appears to be a trapper comes out, you guess trapper because he has several types of furs on his person and looks as if he has been in the wilderlands for some time.
He grunts and moves to his pack mule. The remnants of what you hope is Svetalna's gravy are still in his thick beard....
He grunts as he sees you......
"Good day to you, sir," Nedyr smiles noting stew is definitely on.
When the lad offers his services, Nedyr chuckles as Nicholas seems on the wisecraking type. But it's the poster that gets his curiosity, "Falgrim Sneeg? With a name like that, I'd turn to crime too."
when Nicholas has taken Orrik's horse, Nedyr flips him a silver for his own "Thank you, young man." then walks on in to greet Swetlana
Svetlana greets you as you head into the dining hall (the closest thing to a meeting room you have)...
"I have fresh biscuits and gravy if you like, or honey and butter if not."
"Biscuits and gravy sound wonderful, as long as someone kept his beard out of the main of it," He grins, "Have you seen Jhod?"
Svetlana "Of course he spends his mornings outside in the wilds something about prayer or communing....I expect him back before the gravy gets cold. And all guests eat from bowls, not from my pots or pans."
Sure enough about the time you each start to eat you are joined by Jhod the cleric...
"Good morning."
Mahdrig presses a gold coin into the stable boy's hand.
"My Dear Nicholas, please take special care of Char. She is such a sweetie, she loves carrots and a full brush. Do keep the lanterns away from her at night, though. Fire inspires her, lad. I'd prefer to keep her quiet at night," Mahdrig says in a very serious tone.
The druid reads the wanted poster, shrugging. She then heads into the kitchen.
"Svelty, My Dear! how I've missed just the aroma of your food, let alone the plates themselves!" Mahdrig moves about the kitchen helping Svetlana prepare the proffered meal.
Sure enough about the time you each start to eat you are joined by Jhod the cleric...
"Good morning."
"A better morning than you may know, good priest. We found a temple of Erastil. It's rather lovely actually, but could do with a bit of sprucing up, know anyone interested in that sort of thing?" He says tongue in cheek.
Markov peers his eyes towards the boy before digging into his pouch to toss the kid a silver. "Take care of him well Nick." He nods once and heads over to see the priestly man. "Yes, apparently we had a little help from some... Pranksters. Though I don't care for their pranks, they did give good directions."
Sitting down at the table, Markov pulls out the map and places it onto the table. "Found it... Here." He places a finger onto the map where the temple is. "Apparently Mahdrig found out that the priest that once watched over it was cursed. To be forever be in pain in the guise of a bear. And as such, the place was wrong..." He simply shrugs and continues. "But with that cursed-man-priest-thing dead, the place was cleaned. Except for the inside of the temple. The place will need a decent broom to clear out what the old bear-man left. Since he used it as an outhouse."
"I have a dagger gained from it, if you feel it is part of the church memorbilla, I can hand it over to you," He says to Jhod.
Markov coughs as he is about to take a drink of water. "Groff... Right." Markov looks over the map again and checks where they've been, and where to go next. He outlines the part of the map they have explored and looks west of the Outpost. "Maybe we can explore over here next. Should be quick and easy. Or..." He moves his hand towards the southern part of the map. "Maybe we can explore these hills, and maybe find something worth while."
Oleg rolls out his copy of the old map across the table....
"I am glad you have covered the area near to my Trading post. it seems you can either go finish up this area..."
"Or delve deeper into the woods."
"What do you think Jhod?"
Jhod
"Tactically I would say the top area, that is territory adjacent to both the temple and to your trading post. Territory we should both know and control. I can hold back the deep wood if I need to."
Mahdrig leans in as the boys discuss tactics, her ear bent to their conversation, she nods but holds her head in contemplation.
"Yes, let's clear what is closest to Oleg and Ol' Deadeye. We will be blessed by both if we can secure these wilds.".
The druid turns her smile to Jhod. We will be honored to have your company in our next foray, Jhod. Surely your skills will compliment our exploration of the Stolen Lands."
"Another healer is always welcome regardless," The swashbuckler adds
"Who is this Bokken the Potion Master? Have the rest of you met with him already? If so, it was before I joined you."