While most could be used for profit among their blacksmiths or gemsmiths in trade, Pelipe will seek to learn what she can of these and how they would grow in their native home. This will mean meeting with people among the fey who grew gardens.
Amid the dispersal of the wild fey, Pelipe, once rested, would go about working with their guards in magically enforcing a smooth transition of the fey who fled back into their own homes. Furthermore, for those reported wild fey who still would wish to remain in the area, she would establish welcoming courses run by fey to introduce them to the reality of not only this realm, but the laws of Tamlyn in a way that only the fey could respect--by their own people teaching them.
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Ahto walks down the line of bandits who have taken the Oath of Indenture, the fresh magical brand still sizzling on each of their faces.
"You will be assigned as a work detail under Master Vernikas. You will be tasked with performing manual labor, as required, for the improvement of Horace and Tamlyn, as a whole. You will be fed, clothed, and sheltered, and your health will be tended to, should you become ill or injured. However, you will not receive a wage. The wages you would have earned from your labor will be counted against the debt incurred by your lawlessness. When you have repaid your debt, and if you have shown that you can be a trusted and productive member of the community at large, you will be freed. At that point, you may settle in Tamlyn or you may leave. If you attempt to flee your Indenture, or are ever again arrested and found guilty of crimes with these borders, you will be granted no leniency or mercy, your lives will be forfeit. Do you understand?"
The apprehended bandits readily, and sincerely, submit to their punishment and agree to the terms presented.
These men and women openly fear Lord Ahto. Besides his reputation as the headsman, reinforced by the sight of Burden at his side, new tall tales scurry around Horace regarding the meeting and confrontation between Lord Ahto and Queen Nyrissa. The man who can stand face-to-face with such a powerful, otherworldly being will inevitably become a figure of awe to other mortals.
Questioning the bandit under your gaze that cuts through lies, you learn that the map points the way to a hidden burial cairn somewhere in the Kamelands between the Gudrin and Shrike rivers, due east of the northern shores of the Tuskwater. A potent weapon is said to be hidden within this tomb, although the map vaguely warns of traps and an undead guardian who stole out of the tomb to reclaim the magic weapon once before.
With the help of Melianse and some other First Citizens, you also investigate the fields east of Horace as a potential site for planting such a small grove. Since Nyrissa has already cleft the barrier between the Material Plane and the First World to make her grand entrance, it might be easier to nourish such otherworldly trees on those grounds.
They speak of a "swamp witch" who lives along a swampy spit of land on the western shores of the Tuskwater, southwest of Horace. There have long been stories about her consorting with demons or stealing away children, either for her cauldron or her oven. After recent events, locals have begun to worry that this swamp witch might be another Stroud Sister, or even an agent of the Nymph Queen.
Furthermore, your predecessor, a lizardfolk hunter named Teuni-Hexa, mentions having sought out a tribe of his kin in the southern swamps. He found their village, but found it abandoned after a clearly brutal battle. He fears that they may have fallen prey to these bands of trolls.
She explains that visitors to her establishment have mentioned another charter of settlement being issued for a colony to the west, across the mountains and into the Nomen Heights, called Varnhold. Your predecessor, Oleg, scoffed at Madame Tremaine's suggestion of reaching out to this settlement and establishing a trade route, so she hopes you will instead see its merits.
A swamp witch, eh? Katrine promises to bring the issue up with Ahto. While this could simply be an eccentric but harmless hermit, the possibility of a hag so close to Horace is something they should investigate. And if it is a hag, maybe this one will be too stubborn to surrender. The fact that she wasn't allowed to kill the Stroud Sisters still rankles.
Pelipe would relay to Ahto that her and Wonky have conspired and come up with a potential method to planting the First World trees. Being logical, and growing up around money, she knows that it takes a great amount of security to ensure it is not all taken--even moreso if it is from a tree.
"I fear they will be plucked and never flourish without some form of watchful tireless eye. Do you by chance know of any dryads who could watch and secure the grove from thieves?" She will walk and talk with him a bit, "I was considering turning the grove into a sort of arboretum where commonfolk could come and admire the beauty of the First World. I think it will inspire culture and peace among your people. If dryads or druids peacefully guard the trees, I think they may have a chance to grow and yield us a harvest."
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"The matter of this Swamp Witch bears investigating. We do not want a vicious mob stirred up by rumors and accusations, nor do we want a dangerous and malicious being endangering our people. We should bring it to the Council, and prepare to find this witch and ascertain her motivations."
"There are two dryads I know who are friends of Tamlyn, though one is perhaps better suited than the other," Ahto replies. "I would recommend approaching Tiressia as the preferred candidate. She and her consort, Falchos, the satyr, might be interested in such a charge. If they decline, we could approach Elenthe, though she may very well forget her duty in lieu of some passing fancy."
Ahto included the tense encounter with Nyrissa in his regular report to the Lords of Restov, not certain how they would react, but duty bound to disclose the details of their young nation's diplomatic efforts.
He was not expecting a large crate to arrive along with their reply.
The arrival of the crate is only the first part of the surprise, with perhaps the greater shock being that it is led into the council chamber by Althea Thrune. The crate is carried aloft by two of the recently indentured bandits.
"I hope you don't mind that I borrowed these two from...Mister Vernikas, was it?" the Chelish noblewoman says, gesturing towards Stayven. "I thought this chore was beneath the rest of the staff, who are already busy elsewhere. You can put it down right there."
At the former baroness's sharp direction, the indentured men set the crate down upon the council table. They depart, hastened along by a curt wave of Thrune's hand.
"I also hope you don't mind that I took the initiative and liberty of expediting this order for you, my lord," she says with a half bow to Ahto that is more formal than coquettish. "I know a house in New Stetven, the Redshield Coster, that produces excellent work, and quickly - at least, as long as the customer is worth their time," she says, this time with a proud, self-indulgent curtsy.
"After you have had ample time to admire the handiwork, there is a matter of business that I would like to discuss. With your lordship and the whole council, of course," she adds with a polite self correction.
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Ahto lifts the armor out of the packing straw inside the crate. There is no doubt that the work is magnificent. "It is fine work, without a doubt, Miss Thrune. Thank you for getting it made so quickly."
He looks to Asham Kavinka and says, "Please send messengers to each of the Councilors. Ask them to convene in the council chambers at their earliest convenience, but let them know that it is not an emergency. If they ask the nature of the meeting, let them know Miss Thrune has requested the audience."
Stayven immediately gets to work, laying out maps and paper in his quarters, drafting up an ambitious infrastructure plan for the kingdom. None of it would matter if Nyrissa came calling withn force to back her words and the kingdom could not repel her, but still.
He proves to be a stern but fair taskmaster to the former bandits, encouraging them to apply the honest skills they learn working for him to life once they've repaid their debt.
Stayven promptly responds to Ahto's summons.
He carries with him a rough sketch of the route to Varnhold, "M'lord, good to see you. I've recently gotten words of another colony to the west of us, a place by the name of Varnhold. If we're to resist the threats looming upon our door, we'll need allies. In my professional opinion, we'd do well to send a delegation there, requesting rights of trade and proposing friendly cooperation between our realms."
"The matter of this Swamp Witch bears investigating. We do not want a vicious mob stirred up by rumors and accusations, nor do we want a dangerous and malicious being endangering our people. We should bring it to the Council, and prepare to find this witch and ascertain her motivations."
"Agreed. I hope she's just an ordinary person who wants to be left alone, but there's always a possibility that she is something more."
Fortunately, Katrine isn't too far outside the city when Ahto's summons arrives. She's a bit muddy but not too bad. A boot brush should take care of the worst of it. Nothing to be done about Storm, though; the wolfdog always looks half mudbeast when they've been out in this kind of weather. Maybe Pelipe will be kind enough to spell him clean when she arrives.
The ranger flags down a servant as they enter the city hall. "Would you take a message to Lord Ahto? Let him know that I'm here and ready for the council meeting." No point in standing around cooling her heels in the council chambers for who knows how long, there's no telling where the other councilors are or what they're in the middle of doing.
"Very well, my lord. I will ask them. If nothing else, to find some other druids or dryads who would be willing to be patient with citizens and yet protect the trees."
She would enjoy the walk with him and express her wonder at how much longer it might take for her parents to arrive. If they could send a small detachment to help escort them, it would be appreciated by her.
The next day, Pelipe would set out to indeed approach Tiressia and Falchos, to gauge their interest in protecting the grove of gem-trees. Pelipe would also ask if there would be any other dryads interested in tending an Arboretum for the city's enjoyment and beauty. She would make the case that most cities do not have such beautiful grounds or conservation to nature, but if they do so, many of the fey citizenry will appreciate it, particularly if it houses fey-like plantlife.
When Althea one day arrives in the throneroom, she will already be nearby Ahto and will patiently await the arrival of the others.
A wry smirk cuts across Althea's patrician face as she watches Pelipe cling close to Ahto.
"I'll begin first with a piece of good news for you," she says, aiming her words for Pelipe in particular. "I think I am quite ready to abandon my attempts to win over Lord Ahto. Our rivalry, short though it was, was surprisingly invigorating because you were a fair and worthy opponent. Now I think I will focus my energies upon a new challenge.
"When I was operating under my own charter of exploration issued by Rostland, I discovered a ruined keep sitting deep in the Narlmarches. Right away, I recognized the architecture as being pre-Earthfall elven in origin. At first I merely made a mental note of its existence, as there were greater priorities at the time."
Althea then explains that her thoughts have returned to the ruined keep after questioning some of the troublesome fey who recently descended upon the town. She learned that a handful of wicked fey in a tenuous alliance have actually been living there for quite some time, and they returned there when the fey gathering dispersed.
"Make no mistake, these are decidedly not the sort of creatures to whom you want to extend an offer of citizenship. Apparently, for many years now they have lured travelers and hunters to the keep in order to prey upon them. In fact, I've learned that their de facto leader, called the Dancing Lady, actually subsists herself by consuming the blood of her victims."
She then gets to the heart of her new proposition.
"My plan is to assemble a team from the more competent individuals that have collected here, eliminate these dangerous fey and end their threat to both our settlers and the more...polite, cooperative fey, and claim the keep on behalf of Tamlyn."
At the admittance of Althea publically declaring not only Pelipe's rivalry with her, but also her attempts to win over Ahto, she is shaken and unsure what to do. As far as they were concerned, Pelipe had never declared such a thing and there was even those among the council's company who would have never seen them intimate. Perhaps stealing glances and wide smiles upon seeing each other would be enough for servants and others to gauge their desire for each other, but it was never publically seen. Now, it was a ripped-off bandage.
She composed herself and spoke in response to the spymaster:
"I was never your rival, Althea."
The statement is true. She wanted to be in a trusting relationship with her and Ahto. It was Althea's own pride and lack of affection, heart, and care for Ahto's people that led her to oppose the union. It is because of this opposition that now Pelipe doesn't enjoy the thought of the former spymaster interacting with bandits--even having them carry her things for her like her playthings. Pelipe especially doesn't like the idea of Althea running any crew to deal with anything.
"Ending the threat and claiming the keep is vitally important," will be all she answers for advice, allowing Ahto to judge how he wanted to handle things, however, if he delays in giving Althea orders, Pelipe will consult with him to send someone else to investigate and deal with it--as she still doesn't trust Althea to handle things like this--if they not go themselves. To her, this actual event is as important to her as the trolls marching through and killing people. They are her chiefest concerns--far more than the grove or her own research.
In Pelipe's mind, Althea should be kept as a well-watched ambassador. Set high on a pinnacle and shown as important (which she wants) but unable to ultimately do anything in the country without it being seen. Also, as an ambassador, she would gather information for them politically (using her connections even), but not be able to have followers, crews, or groups working for her--even in private. This way she will never gain rulership. Althea knows Ahto's will and can easily display it to others, whether or not she agrees with his mentality or not. What worries Pelipe is giving Althea the room to run around and do what she's doing, particularly with the bandits. She has made her intentions known. She always will seek that power and rulership. Even her introduction of the issue is a carefully worded message to inspire them to trust her. In truth, the woman cares nothing for the "settlers" or the "cooperative fey". Pelipe would explain all of this to Ahto in private if he didn't sort it out himself.
"I plan to recruit the lizardman, the moody mercenary captain, that overly ascetic Abadaran, and that woman from Liberthane - assuming she promises not to bury her sword in my back."
Althea promises to also send back half of whatever treasures the evil fey have hoarded in the abandoned elven keep, keeping the rest to help finance the claiming of the site.
In return for eliminating the threat and claiming the fortification for Tamlyn, Althea asks to be made baroness and oversee the site as your first full-fledged vassal.
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Ahto considers Althea's plan. He looks to the other Councilors in the room. "I would hear from each of you. Sending an expedition to claim the keep and surrounding countryside would be a good way to increase Tamlyn's reach and future financial security, but I would not be surprised if there were unspoken reservations. I would hear them spoken aloud and resolved before any sanction is given to the plan."
"I think the taking of the keep is important to our future goals as a nation. And then appointing a worthy leader of such a fortified location is important," she states, obviously indicating that just because Althea will attack and take over the keep doesn't mean she will rule it.
Stayven nods to Pelipe, ”Very much agreed. Such a keep could also serve as the core of a new settlement if the need arises.”
Warren and Hoot confer and Warren returns to speak has Hoot looks on to make sure the human gets the word right.
"Hoot says expanding the borders is wise. Not rewarding subordinates with initiative is very unwise. And the lady seems to have a solid plan with a follow up."
Katrine eyes the Chelaxian as the others speak, considering her response. On the one hand, she's an Asmodean. I don't like the thought of the King of Hell gaining a foothold here. On the other hand, she's ambitious. If she decides to hitch her wagon to Tamlyn's success as a nation, that ambition could work to our advantage. "I think it's worth letting her try. Lady Althea is right about the hostile fey, they need to go, and our group can only put out one brushfire at a time." She shrugs. "If she wants to take on the ruined keep, that frees us up to deal with something else."
"I would object," she clearly states. However, she doesn't seem to be particularly against the woman at the moment.
Katrine turns to Pelipe, obviously puzzled. "Why? Seems like a reasonable way to compensate her for the risk she's taking."
"Might I make a suggestion? Give the responsibility of governing the region to the entire group that makes the expedition. Give them a month to rule as a council, then select the most competent among them after they've had time to adjust to leadership."
Pelipe sighs slightly at the question from Katrine. She doesn't really want to explain, just vote. "She is being compensated. Rulership can be tied into the risk if the vote goes that way. That is not my vote. I think rulership over a people is important and should not be tied to the taking of the fort but rather based on the person's capabilities and mindset. She is perfectly capable to rule and to take the fort. I have no doubts in this. I do not approve of her mindset based on personal convictions of our past interactions. But more than that. I do not think it wise to give a governmental position to her at this time for the sake that we have not had contact from the halfling in Uringen. I found it strange that the two of them would be together and only she made it out fine. I want to hear his testimony before governmental roles are handed out to her. That is my opinion and vote."
"It is very possible in the near future, there will be a position for her if she is absolved of any wrongdoing. It would be foolish not to recognize her talents. I do not mind, in part, some of what Stayven has said. I believe that this council should seek out qualified people within the community here in town who have shown capability to rule, and by vote we should elect someone to that position who will reflect the unity and direction of this council and the vision of Ahto in how he has set this nation up to be ruled."
"I expected resistance," Althea states plainly. "But isn't absolution through service a mainstay of the legal system here in Tamlyn? Hunting down some of the bloodthirsty fey that caused damage in Horace, bringing them to justice, and bringing an elven stronghold under your control? Certainly seems like a greater service than the bandits you put to work as ditch diggers and bushwhackers."
Althea stifles a sigh.
"I get anxious when I'm unproductive for too long, so I would appreciate being given clear permission to assemble my team and ready this expedition."
After landing near Althea, Hoot hears her speech and understands her frustration. Hoot looks back to Warren and is very animated.
"Hoot want to assemble some of the new birds he has been recruiting and scout the area for her. And, Hoot approves of hunting these bloodthirsty fey as they need to learn respect for humans and animals in the lands."
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"Assemble your team," Ahto replies to Althea. "If you succeed, the new region will need to be managed. I would recommend a Council format, such as we have here in Horace. If your team deems you worthy to lead that council, I will not dispute it. The region will be be beholden to Tamlyn's laws. Also, should you succeed, your Indenture shall be considered met. Your Oath of Loyalty to Tamlyn, however, will remain in place, and any act against that oath will be considered Treason. "
To Warren, he adds, "If Master Hoot wishes to arrange scouting from the air, and Miss Thrune is amenable to such aid, he may do so."
Althea smiles and offers a bow.
"Excellent. I am glad that we can all come to a reasonable agreement. I promise that you will be thankful for making this decision, although there should never be any doubt about that."
She moves to leave and begin her preparations, but she pauses by the council chambers door and turns to offer one last bit of parting advice.
"Regarding the various sightings and reports that I'm certain you've heard - trolls, swamp witches, and so on - move with even more care than you ordinarily would. Just because Nyrissa has given you 'time to make a decision,' don't trust her to keep from meddling in the interim.
"The swamp witch seems too obvious, too trite to be her doing. Those trolls, on the other hand...if they are indeed moving northward and have already culled the lizardfolk like your own hunter believes, then their actions are rank with Nyrissa's influence. Expect her to deliver other dangerous surprises upon Tamlyn in a bid to make you believe that you need her protection to survive."
Warren approaches Althea.
"Do you wish to see what the owl and his network of birds reveals before proceeding? Hoot says it will take a day to consolidate reports."
Warren approaches Althea.
"Do you wish to see what the owl and his network of birds reveals before proceeding? Hoot says it will take a day to consolidate reports."
Althea cocks an eyebrow before responding.
"Why, yes. That would be most appreciated," she confirms while casting an appraising eye upon Warren, a relative new face to her. "It should take about that long for my team to get their things together."
Pelipe doesn't seem to be bothered by the approval at all. In fact, she is actually delighted in how things turned out it seems. She was able to state her public displeasure of Althea's behavior and Ahto kept her under subjugation to his rule on penalty of treason. It was the best of outcomes.
A good compromise, as Katrine has come to expect from Ahto. Hopefully a council will help to keep Althea's less savory impulses in check. She nods to the noblewoman. "Thank you for the warning. I agree, if even a quarter of the tales about fey have any truth to them, Nyrissa will be sending her minions to make trouble. She's not going to be happy that Ahto didn't immediately bow to her will."
"Well, I wish I could say that was the only matter we have to settle," Asham says, looking at some points on a map tacked upon the council table. "Besides various reports and sightings from nearby regions, there's still plenty of work to do around Horace."
Warren consults his maps and Hoot.
After Hoot whistles, Warren gives him their report.
"We think we know the way to get to both."
Studying the thorough maps left behind by Wonky, cross referencing accounts from locals, you identify that the purported lair of the swamp witch lies approximately 8 miles southwest from Horace, across the Tuskwater. Meanwhile, the most recent evidence of the trolls' depredations - the pillaged lizardfolk camp - sits another 20 miles southwest from the swamp witch's home.
Unsurprisingly, Hoot explains that flying a straight line between the destinations is the best option. His tone is somewhat exasperated, as though explaining the most obvious, most basic of ideas to some newly hatched chicks.
Warren suggests a course that works better for the vast majority of the party. Now that the lake's waters are becalmed and no longer ravaged by fey storms, the best route is to travel by boat along the western edge of the Tuskwater, since the swamp witch lives along the marshy shores on that side of the lake.
Once that matter is resolved, you can continue to row your boats along the western shores. Where the Tuskwater cascades into the Candlemere, you will have to portage the boats around the rapids and rocky falls, but after that you can row your way westward to the site of the former lizardfolk camp.
Having come from the far north, she was surprised at how close these villains were operating to Horace. She was used to problems for the Garess family spanning mountain ranges away in distance and deep in caves beneath the earth. It was not so easy as to ride across a lake and to travel into a swamp only 8 miles away.
Pelipe would want protection versus infestations of bugs, protection versus diseases and poisons ready for them. If possible, she would requisition scrolls of these to add to her spellbook before heading out. She also would arm herself with some hex nails if available to protect against the words of witches. Some good boots were in order that were nearly waders. She would forgo her high outfits in favor of adventurer gear for the situation.
Her only worry would be trudging through swamps and the taxing quality it could have. Perhaps even potions of endurance would help her? She would inquire to the local potionmaker to see if they could manufacture some.
"So a few boats make things a lot easier. I will scout from the sky as we travel to look for danger."
It takes only about an hour and a half to row from the cliff-shaded shores of the Tuskwater at Horace and reach the marshy western shores where the swamp witch dwells. Warren's scout flight quickly picks out the exact location, thankfully sparing you a long hike through the swamp.
A dilapidated mud-brick hut squats atop a small hummock in the middle of a fetid marsh. A thin tendril of bluish smoke trickles through a gaping hole in its moss-covered roof. The region around the hut is an 80 foot diameter area of solid ground, thick with bog grass and dotted with small cattail-clogged pools. A lone crow caws noisily from the top of a nearby cypress tree.
A wooden fence surrounding the perimeter of the mound is festooned with crude fetishes crafted out of sticks, feathers, and animal bones. A single gate, set in the waist-high fence, hangs askew. A fist-sized rusted iron bell hangs from a hairy length of rope tied to a crooked post next to the gate. Opposite the bell stands a pumpkin-headed scarecrow.
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"Seems rather quaint and homey for an allegedly dangerous witch," Ahto remarks. "I suggest we ring the bell, and announce ourselves as visitors. We will then see how she reacts to our presence when we offer no indication of violent intent. If she attacks us, we will respond in kind. Otherwise, we will talk. Agreed?"
"Looks are often deceiving, though that can cut both ways of course. Could be a dangerous hag inside, but it could also be a misunderstood old herbalist or kindly hedge witch. I agree that talking first is the best course of action. Once I was surveying an old logging trail that took me straight through the territory of a mad hermit. Oddly enough, when I took the time to talk to the man I found out all he wanted was a spoon to let me pass through. Damn good spoon I had to give up, but better than having to fight someone who didn't deserve it."
Pelipe will cast detect magic on the bell and look around the general area.
"Rumors are rumors. And spoons are hard to come by," she jokes a little to Stayven with a sly smile before continuing. "I agree. Until she comes out screaming at us engaging in violence, let us foster community here. It's Abadar's will."
If the bell is not otherwise magical, she will reach up to ring it and will call out.
"Hello!" in a charming loudly enough to have someone inside hear her with voice. Perhaps not so loud as to wake the entire swamp. She looks to the raven to identify if it is potentially a familiar. If so, she will ask it:
"Can you please fetch your mistress?"
On the other hand, you don't see an aura around the crow. Rather than being a familiar, it is probably just local fauna providing a bit of coincidental foreboding.
Pelipe rings the bell and calls out, loudly on both accounts. The crow takes flight, bitterly cawing as it retreats from the sudden disturbance. On the other hand, the scarecrow remains motionless and expressionless, propped upon its stand.
A head peers out from one of the hut's windows. A wizened old woman, her skin has a greenish cast to it, and her ears taper to sharp points.
"Who's there?" she angrily demands. "Whatever you're selling, I don't want any!"
"Worry not, madam. We are far from traveling salesmen."
She harrumphs and withdraws her head from the window, but she reappears a moment later in the doorway of her hut.
"You can talk from there," she barks across her yard. "I don't know you, and I don't trust you, so you aren't coming into my house."
She introduces herself as Elga Verniex before again demanding to know why you're bothering her.
"Hello Elga. I am Warren and this is Hoot."
Hoot peers at the unfriendly host. His unblinking eyes seem to consider her for a second before he looks around the area for other creatures.