Knowledge: Local would provide information about lizardfolk tribes living around the Greenbelt, such as their political situation, customs, and conflicts.
Let me know which of these you want your roll to apply to.
As for Greenbelt information, go ahead and roll a Knowledge: Local to see what rumors, landmarks, and dangers you know about.
Knowledge: Nature would also provide info on flora and fauna in the area.
Lastly, I like your approach to the introduction so far.
Did you want to run some sort of side plot involving your work for the Swordlord? I could plan out something, or if you have any ideas, please let me know.
I'm not sure what Keddah's plans were, but I was going to add some tweaks to the region to keep things interesting.
From which direction did Hexa travel from his tribe to reach the Greenbelt? That may determine what landmarks he's aware of.
For now, I would say that Hexa is aware of these features: the mischievous fey who live in the northern woods, Breeg the trapper's habit of leaving traps in the northern woods, and the presence (and comparative rarity) of thylacines and tatzlwyrms.
Lastly, and this is related to one of my campaign tweaks, instead of Bokken the hermit, Hexa knows about a local druid known as "The Bee Man" because of his obsession with bees.
He is peaceful and open to trade, but Hexa finds him strange, even for a scaleless.
Your original roll indicates that you are very familiar with lizardfolk and their biology.
You also notice that, although he seems to be keeping to the forest and plains, Hexa is from a primarily swamp-dwelling tribe.
As for knowledge about local tribes, you know that the nearest tribe of any importance recently went through a power struggle, with a paranoid chieftain rising to prominence.
You suspect this may be related to why Hexa is on his own out here.
Greenbelt Rumors
You know that the bandits that have long plagued the region have recently become organized under a leader known as the Stag Lord.
On the trek down, one of your companions, Charl, insisted upon rumors that rather than a helmet, the stag skull he wears is his actual face!
Swordlord Koenig mentioned that the East Sellen River, which runs southward from New Stetvan into the western Stolen Lands, is important for trade between Brevoy and the River Kingdoms.
However, traffic on the river has been blocked for several months by violent Boggard tribes in the swampy Hooktongue Slough.
This is the region to which the Chelish baroness, Althea Thrune, and her expedition were sent. This bespeaks the importance of pacifying the trade route, but it may become a political sticking point in time.
One of your other companions, Charl's twin brother Laurl, repeatedly mentioned his curiosity about a local fairy tale known as the "Shy Tower" - a tower said to vanish and reappear in this part of the Stolen Lands.
Landmarks
There is an abandoned temple to Erastil hidden in the northern woods. You know of this because of a disgraced priest of that god was petitioning the swordlords for help finding and reclaiming the temple.
Last you heard before leaving Restov, the priest had all but given up on getting help for the task.
There is an ancient Iobarian ruin on the edge of the Tuskwater, a lake in the southern Greenbelt, that may be of archeological interest.
Ecology
There are a few predators to watch out for.
Giant Frogs live in the swampy areas to the west.
Boars, bears, and wolves inhabit the region, but they are no more of a problem than in any frontier.
Rumors claim that tatzlwyrms rampage through this region, but they are actually quite rare.
Other rare but dangerous beasts include thylacines, owlbears, and even trolls.
There are a few interesting plants in the region, such as Moon Radishes, which can be included in a variety of dishes, and Fang Berries, which are useful for alchemy and brewing potions.
As Aris tells her story and she becomes either acquainted or reacquainted with the party, the men-at-arms who accompanied her continue to unpack.
Inside the palisade, a man and a woman armed like the others have removed the canvas covering the wagon they brought.
They seem to have brought a resupply of fresh food and other necessities to the trading post, and Svetlana has pitched in to stow everything away safely.
The other two men have unhitched the rolled up tents from their animals' packs, but for now they have propped them against the palisade walls as their leader argues with Oleg.
Oleg keeps his wide jaw and flat nose set firmly and refuses to budge, insisting they hitch their animals and pitch their tents outside the walls, owing to a lack of space.
Opposite him stands a man in heavy banded armor.
The tabard and cloak over his armor bear a crest depicting a snow-capped gray mountain, a black hammer along its base, set against a dark blue field with a silver crescent moon in the right corner.
He dourly presses that his men's tents and animals can be accommodated between the stable and storage pen by pushing the long tables and benches aside and taking down the pavilion already standing there.
Sadly keddah disappeared shortly after I joined. Didnt get a chance got talk to him.
As of my knowledge I have gotten as far as Gregori. Though previous characters were paladins and Cavaliers from Restov. This will be my first tribal/native of the green belt. He is originally from the lizardmen tribe in the Greenberg, but he is also a clutch brother to Veskat. Who in a fit of superiority and egged on by a warrior spirit, crushed Hexa and sent him away. If this doesn't work I can change the background.
To maybe being an escaped slave with Tal. Might show why he is curious of scaleless in a different way?
per your question I imagine prior to his banishment he would have gone maybe two or three hexes away from the village in whatever direction was safest. Primarily along waterways as he got his bearings on hunting areas. Though he sought out the trading fort for their advances tools in freeing Tal. Which again he would have followed the rivers, avoided the bandits and then crossed the plains.
We could keep it simple and say he found a dead tracker with a rough map while he was working his way to Oleg and Svetlana. A group of coincidences but he does worship an oddly obscure goddess in this region.
If he is instead an escape slave then you can choose the direction. Maybe from Numeria? And made his way eastward with Tal and a Stolen Chacta? Or what fits.
So hopefully that helps. Not trying to through anything off. :/ so whatever you are good with and whatever restrictions you want on said knowledge. ^.^
For all his size he wilts when the Immortals gaze passes to him. When she ignores him he makes like a hopper and disappears, swiftly, before it changed its mind and slayed him. Immortals were fickle, like the north winds, unpredictable. Best to avoid.
Immortal, here? Of all creatures and Hexa finds this. Hexa see talkers live, now see then speak and touch Immortals with no care. Scaleless are strange!
He skunks his way until he sees a rather ugly faced scaleless having a rather heated discussion with O-leg. Upon seeing his angered face Hexa makes himself useful and approaches O-leg. "Hexa help O-leg and nurh humin?"
Nurh = Ugly
He could tell what was happening but wouldn't anger Oleg, unless Oleg seemed interested in his help.
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"You serve House Garess, am I correct, Captain? I am Wonky Prong. Junior. I am one of the explorers out of Restov ordered by the Mayor to explore these lands. I, too, have animals that I need to take care of, as does my companion Teuni-Hexa here. Sadly, due to the regular influx of livestock and stock in the yards, I find that I will be unable to stable my animals this evening inside tonite, much like my colleague Teuni-Hexa here." Wonky motions at the lizardman. "Still, I feel that the promotion of good trade and quality chattel is what is best for this infantile trading station that - who knows? - may grow into a grand city one day! Would you not agree?"
Perhaps it is Wonky's charming demeanor, or perhaps it is Hexa's influential stature, but the solution seems to resonate well with the mercenary leader.
While his mood does not greatly improve, he does seem less agitated.
Oleg supports the idea, saying, "We'll certainly have enough bodies to actually keep patrol on the walls and watchposts for once, so your animals won't be unattended."
Svetlana stops nearby, pausing as she readjusts her grip on the burlap sack of cabbages she carries from the wagon.
"You could also have m'lord's men set up their tents between the stables and the south wall. There's more room there.
"Incidentally, the men our adventuring friends have brought back could bed down under the corner watchposts. We'd just need to clear out the dust and cobwebs."
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Ahto gives Svetlana a respectful bow of his head.
"Thanks once again for your gracious hospitality, Mistress Svetlana," Ahto acknowledges. "We shall make every effort to not impede the ability of your outpost to transact commerce. I ask that you please let me, as well as the good Captain know immediately if we are overburdening your hospitality. Neither you, nor your good husband is under obligation to set yourself abalze in order to provide us with a warm hearth."
"My Oleg won't say it, but we're happy to have you here - for all you've already done for us, and for what's yet to come. Besides, everyone's carrying their weight so far."
Svetlana's words are punctuated by growling grunts from Sprocket, who's attempting to help out by dragging a sack of potatoes as large as he is towards the storage barn.
Hexa looks from Wonky to Garess then Oleg, this exchange was puzzling. He was accustomed to being outside but didn't understand why it was important for them to be inside when they weren't always a part of the village. Wonky's words left him swimming, he didn't no mich of what she was saying, his were a simple folk. He shook his head after she finished speaking.
He had Much to learn.
However he was interested by Garess and his men, their armor and weapons were his first point of interest. Though he was happy they were here to maybe help Oleg and Svetlana but this Nuhr's scaleless attitude was disrespectful to Chief Oleg which made Hexa annoyed. Indicated by his rigid tail pointing straight behind him.
"Chief O-Leg rule this village, want stay? Pay tribute to chieftain, make village bigger, mud walls, build walls and huts with c..." He pauses, finding the right word for the soft claws scaleless had, before settling on... "... hands. Simple, make st'ong and claim land for Chief O-Leg." He stands at his full height then, his tone hard in his broken common. Though he quickly was seeing things were calming down he lowers himself to his haunches, still towering over Wonky but less intimidating as he adds. "Hexa work, no stay like swamp suck-ur. Hexa stay wit' Tal an' Chacta" He wouldn't leave the two to sleep alone, he didn't quite trust all scaleless yet...
As Aris listens to the exchange, her eyes keep flicking back to the lizardfolk. Its size alone should have it dominating any situation, but it acts almost subservient once the others start talking. She follows its words, looking for hints at what it speaks more fluently, but finds few. Temporarily stymied, she makes a mental note to add a section on lizardfolk to her journal while the others sleep before clearing her throat.
”If I recall correctly, part of why Garess, the guards, and myself were sent here is to help keep the trading post safe from banditry. What do you know about that so far, and what’s your current plan?”
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"The bandits appear to be acting in smaller groups, but reporting to a central leader," Ahto replies. "These indentures were part of a group reporting to a human woman named Kressle. She appears to have a reputation for a vicious and violent nature. Kressle answers only to the bandit leader, a man known as the Stag Lord, so named because of a masked helm adorned with antlers that he wears. We have been told he is a drunkard with a temper matching or exceeding that of Kressle. We were on an excursion to map the area, where we encountered these men attempting to way-lay us. We defeated them, and offered them a choice of indentured servitude or death. We were returning with them here, so that they could beginning working off their debts. We also need to regroup, and plan a strike against Kressle and her remaining bandits. We have a good idea of where they are encamped."
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Wonky unfurls her nascent attempt at a map for all to see.
"The Thorn River camp where Kressle waits lies here, by my estimates of what the ex-bandits know," begins the gnome. "We also have learned of a colony of mites living in a giant tree here, as well as a rival clan of kobolds living in an abandoned mine here," Wonky points out the other two locations on the map.
"Sprocket, are you really helping?" Wonky wanders off to investigate her suspicions of the canine's intent in dragging the potato sack.
Sprocket, under the watchful eye of Svetlana, does indeed help drag the sack beside the door to the storage barn.
However, once Svetlana turns her back to grab another load from the wagon, Sprocket begins to chew into the burlap sack, hoping to claim a large starchy tuber for himself.
The group's other dog, Hero, sniffs curiously around the animals as his owner, Aurelius, helps unload the wagon.
The mercenary band switches to setting up their tents in the space Svetlana proscribed.
Meanwhile, Kalima acts as overseer for the indentured bandits as they open the space beneath the southeast watchpost, brushing aside dusty cobwebs and laying out spare bedrolls from the group's supplies.
Curious as to what was in the wagons, and the immediate conversation at its end, Hexa makes himself useful. Though seeing the boxes of supplies he tilts his head, curious at what else the scaleless had created.
He also keeps a wide berth from the immortal, he never ever looks directly at her. Lest he gain her ire as he unloaded the wagons. Despite his scars, rigged scales and tough exterior he was able to follow directions well. Doing as he had said, which in turn helped him learn. "Hexa help." He repeated, looking for direction.
He was not unused to manual labor, quickly adapting to the awkwardness of the boxes and carrying bags with amateurish ease.
Aris listens to Ahto and Wonky as they give her a quick briefing on the Greenbelt, then spends the next couple of minutes pondering Wonky’s map, such that it is. ”Not much detail, but it could serve as a basis. There used to be forest here, on the library maps from hundreds of years ago…”
After she’s done staring at the map, she turns to Ahto. ”It seems to me that this is your best chance to go after the bandits at that camp Wonky marked. If you wait, they’ll know something’s wrong, and you have a handful of guards. You might be able to convince Garess to help with your attack, or at least to stay here and make sure the trading post doesn’t have problems. Either way, the mites and kobolds may have to wait until the bandits are pushed back. What do you intend to do about them?”
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Ahto scratches his chin and nods.
"For the moment, we may have the element of surprise against this Kressle and her remaining bandits, assuming we move on them now. If you are willing to join us, Aris, and we rely on the good captain and his men to hold the fort, as it were, we may be able to strike a successful blow against them. As for the mites and kobolds, they will need to be driven off or eradicated, most likely. As you said, though, they are not our most pressing concern."
In addition to the tents, bedding, and kits for Garess' band, the wagon contained enough supplies to keep the trading post stocked for perhaps a fortnight.
Among the dry goods were also animal feed, two small casks of ale, some candles, a few pints of oil, soap, and other sundries for the trading post stock.
"We're going to run things like a quartermaster around here," Oleg announces. "Food for man and beast will be on the house, and that includes rationing that ale, but everything else you'll need to purchase or trade for. My own charter for this post insists upon turning some kind of profit for Rostland."
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"Any additions that you have to the map are welcome!" Wonky replies guilelessly with enthusiasm to Aris' remarks.
Wonky perks up when sundries and trade goods are mentioned.
"Would there happen to be any tools in those supplies?" Wonky asks. "Do you remember about the 'tools' that I asked you about, Oleg?" Wonky asks again in a not-subtle way.
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"I would ask for one amendment, Master Oleg," Ahto replies politely. "That we, the Captain's men, and our charges - under our direct supervision, of course - be permitted to make free use of tools: hammers, saws, and the like necessary to make repairs or build additional fortifications. That would also require us, in some instances to use nails. We would harvest nearby lumber ourselves for the purposes of construction. It would be, after all to your advantage for your post to be secure against outside threats. Is this acceptable to your terms?"
"Between what I had on hand already and what Garess brought from Restov, we have a few hand tools available. I guess it would be daft not to let you use them to fix this place up.
"But Miss Wonky, I don't have those kinds of tools lying around. Dealing with hunters and trappers, my stock's mostly been jerky, furs, hatchets and arrows, plus the odd jars of honey and potions from the Bee Man.
"However, I can request them from Restov the next time we can get a message up that way. I'll see if I can flag down Cob in the morning. He's a bit dull, but you can usually count on him for something this simple.
"I'd certainly be willing to get you what you need, especially if you could manage to get those beauties up yonder working."
Oleg points a calloused finger up to one of the watchtowers that anchor the trading post's corners. A dilapidated catapult sits atop each of the four platforms.
"This place used to be an old border fort. I got the walls patched up back when I took the charter to fix the place up into a trading post, but I never had the time or skill to work on those machines. I imagine the task would be much more to your ken."
"For now, you aren't planning on stumbling off into the dark to attack the bandits tonight, are you?" Svetlana asks as though scolding children who are up past their bedtime.
"I'd recommend getting a good rest first. If you attack at dawn, maybe you'll get lucky and they won't be morning people," she suggests with a laugh.
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Wonky finds a comfy snug spot out of the compound walls for herself and Sprocket once the time comes to bed down. She means to stay true to her word that Sprocket would not be inside the walls, but she'll sacrifice her own comfort to do so.
She spends the evening in the company of Swordlord Koenig's men, discussing the political situation in Brevoy.
She comes across as amicable, but not up to date on the current situation.
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Ahto spends the evening making sure everyone has a place to sleep, and more importantly, that a watch is placed on the indentureds as a precaution, should they decide to attempt to sneak away in the dead of night. Ahto includes himself in that rotation.
Before he goes to sleep, he uses his remaining power to heal his injury from the day's fight, so that he may be at full strength with the coming of the dawn.
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"Well, Sams, that is quite nice of you..."
Wonky's mind races as she considers the companionship of the lumbering ex-bandit.
Is he going to strangle me and Sprocket in our sleep?
Sprocket bounds off into the underbrush to mark his territory, ignoring Sams approach. The gnome looks after the dog, and with a deep internal breath, turns back to Sams with a perhaps-forced smile.
"Sure, Sams!" Wonky offers.
Everyone deserves a second chance; nature replenishes itself with rest and nurturing, and we are just all a talking part of nature. By the Gods, he is huge.
"Maybe you could tell me a little bit more about where you come from originally, Sams?" Wonky suggests as she prepares her bedroll.
"Although my standing in House Garess may not be significant, I hope to turn my fortunes around by serving as a brave defender for this remote outpost - or at least bring honor to my name with a noble death."
He explains this last bit with a return to his melancholy, as a haunted look creeps into his eyes. He excuses himself to take part in the first watch shift.
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"A pleasure to meet you, Captain Garess!" Wonky says. "I know your family mines the mineral wealth of the Golushkin Mountains in western Brevoy. I am sure that with good fortune and a healthy dose of effort, we will be able to return you, hale and hearty, to your family estate with the honour due you!"
Wonky remembers something suddenly and changes the conversation on the Captain.
"Do you know if any of your men carry a sling, and if they do, if they use those wonderfully-crafted sling stones - I believe that they are called 'bullets' - when they use their sling? I make use of them for my stone bow, and after just a week and a few days out here in the wilderness, I find myself running quite low."
Teuni-Hexa continues to offer his help until it is not needed. He was a guest in this village, as such he would work and work hard a expected. When he was no longer needed, or ignored, he went outside the fort to let Tal and Chacta graze under his watchful gaze. As they grazed he sharpened his weapons, ensuring he was ready for the hunt tomorrow. Sharpening the edges of his weapons to chop and pierce his prey.
When offered the bedroll he pauses in his work and looks at it, it was a fine item and he nods in thanks accepting it from Wonky "Much t'anks for this, Hexa will... Bar-tar later. Stay if want." He offers a comfortable grassy place for them to sit and join them if they wanted before setting it out where he planned on having Tal bed down later.
He pulled off his armor and checked the straps before setting it before him. When his weapons and armor were ready he arrayed them so they would be quick at hand. His bow and quiver on his left while his handaxe was on his right side, he sat with his legs tucked under him as he kneeled. Looking toward the setting sun and enjoying the dying heat on his scales. Hexa meditated on what he had learned that day, the strange bonds being made and what would come on the morrow. He thumbs the symbol hanging from his chest before removing the wooden armor adorned with the her symbol. The seven eggs and the Ouroboros encircling them, a curious oddity but one he respected, deeply.
When he was done with his meditation he gears up, strapping on his armor over his scarred scales and equipping his weapons. He had Tal bed down on the new bedroll and Chacta rest near the wall as he paced outside the wall of the trade fort with well practiced movements, watching the darkness with eyes that pierced the dimmest shadow silently.
He stands watch until the darkness starts to lift, only then does he bed down for what sleep he can get. Sleeping better as the rising sun warms his scales.
The night is placid, only occasionally broken by the call of distant night birds.
At Aurelius's suggestion, the night watch is conducted in groups of three.
Each shift includes one indentured bandit, overseen by one of the mercenaries and one from among the party.
The expedition had left Restov in late winter, and although early spring is nigh, a chilly night wind caresses the plains around the trading post and leaves a hint of frost on the grass.
The animal companions keep close for warmth and comfort through the night.
Nevertheless, outside of whatever dreams and nightmares may have touched your minds, your rest is calm and uneventful.
At the break of dawn, the last watch shift wakes the party to prepare for the coming day.
Paval is one of the first to rise. He first does his morning routine of sword practice and then he proceeds to help Svetlana and Oleg get thing up and running. Once that is all done he heads to his bunk and gives Svetlana a letter, "Could you make sure this goes with the first trader heading north to Brevoy? It's for my sister. I'm asking her to come over as soon as she is able. She is good at these kinds of things and has the contacts to attract more business."
He then sits down and starts cleaning his gear. He heard they were going bandit hunting today. While he had been busy composing the letter while that talk took place he wasn't going to miss out.
"I may need to jot down a to-do list," Svetlana says as she prepares breakfast in a crackling pan over the fire pit in the common yard. "That way, my Oleg won't forget any messages along with Miss Wonky's requests.
"I wonder if he'll let me pull down one of those old wanted posters he has tacked up," she says, gesturing with a spatula towards to the bunkhouse wall facing the gate.
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"Old wanted posters?" Wonky says, coming into the main yard followed by Sprocket. "Good morning Svetlana! Good morning Paval!" Wonky's hair stands in many different directions, but her smile is fixed. "Are any of those wanted posters for things that are still wanted?" She heads over to the bunkhouse wall to see.
She turns back quickly to Svetlana. "Oh, and Svetlana? Would you please ask Oleg to put 'sling bullets' on his list for my requests? It seems that I am likely to need to use common stones until I am able to replenish my bullet supplies, sadly." The gnome then turns back around and heads to see the aforementioned posters.
"I'll let him know that if he forgets, Sprocket'll bite the seat out of his trousers," she says with a laugh, turning back to breakfast.
On the west wall of the bunkhouse, you find a bulletin board with a number of worn sheets of parchment tacked up with old, bent nails.
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Ahto wakes with the first light of dawn. He gets on with his morning ablutions and then proceeds with daily prayer.
Feeling Abadar's might within his grasp again, Ahto sets himself to writing the first report back to the high priest in Restov. He outlines the events of the first day, including both encounters with bandits. He documents the number slain as well as those taken as indentures. He makes a point of naming and providing a detailed description of each, an account of their oaths and who were present to witness those oaths.
He includes the meeting with the lizard man, Teuni-Hexa and the arrival of Aris, Captain Garess and his men to the outpost, and ends with an intention to pursue a lead to a nearby bandit encampment in an effort to stamp them out.
Once he has completed the correspondence, he seals it with wax, stamped with the Key of Abadar.
"Mistress Svetlana," he says, bringing the letter to her. "If you could see that this letter makes it into the possession of the next merchant heading to Restov, I would be most grateful."
"Certainly, good sir," Svetlana says, accepting the message.
Her face then lights up suddenly.
"I just remembered! Before you all head out, that first group of bandits you took care of left behind their horses. My Oleg's got the four of them in the stable with our Claptrap. They seem manageable enough if you wanted to use them. Otherwise, we'll just take them to north to sell."
The rising sun brought warmth and wakefulness to Hexa's scales, though he still moved sluggishly at first. His morning was its usual routine, he had Tal and Chacta graze while he greeted a new day. Kneeling in the grass and facing the sun, eyes closed and welcoming the warmth this brought before taking a handful of dirt and rubbing it between his palms. Once completed, he stands, moving to clean up his small campsite. He strapped on his gear, belting on his armor and equipping his weapons before entering the Oleg's village.
Seeing Ahto first he approaches him, standing at full height as he says in his broken common. "Hexa re'dy to hunt."
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Wonky rushes over to Hexa and Ahto, a few yellowed pieces of thick paper in her hand, an excited expression on her face, Sprocket leaping along behind. "Look at these!" she enthusiastically chirps. "This wanted poster promises a reward of 400 gold pieces for the capture of six bandits! I think we have completed that at this point if you consider the bandits that we met when we first arrived here!"
Wonky sees Sams coming in the yard and quickly changes topics, shuffling through the posters. "This poster offers a reward for Svetlana's wedding ring, and we think we know where that is! And this poster offers payment for moon radishes, which I am sure, between Hexa and Sams, we will be able to find with no trouble. Lastly," here Wonky produces a poster with a sketch of a large boar on it, "there is an offer of magic arrows for the boar named Tuskgutter from a veteran hunter in these parts, one Vekkel Benzen!" Sprocket offers an excited bark.
Wonky looks at Hexa. "Does that not sound like an exciting prospect? Magic arrows for your bow! Just think what you could do with them!" Wonky beams at the group and adds, hurriedly. "Oh, and good morning to you both! A good morning to you as well, Sams!" She waves at the burly brawler.
She adds behind the back of her hand to Ahto in a low voice: "He asked to spend the evening in the company of Sprocket and myself, and, despite my initial misgivings, we passed quite an enjoyable time speaking with the House Garess men. And," she adds, "I am still here in one piece. I trust him." Wonky nods as she finishes her speech.
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Ahto nods, and replies to Wonky in a soft, near-whisper. "Sams is a simpleton, not a villain. The danger with him lies in the fact that he is big, strong, and easily influenced. I doubt that he will think of escaping or trying to kill one of us on his own, but if one of the others decides to start plotting something, they may start working on turning his attitude against us. You being his friend will be a hedge against such a scheme. I'm glad that he was on his best behavior."
When Sams approaches and asks about the horse, Ahto changes to a normal tone.
"Yes, Sams. You may ride a horse whenever we take them riding. You must take good care of it, though."
"One last addition to those job postings, my dear," Svetlana calls as she sets wooden plates of scrambled eggs on the long tables in the common yard. "There's a local hermit who lives somewhere nearby, not quite sure where. I suspect he's a follower of the Green Faith and keeps his home hidden. Don't rightly know his name, so we just call him the Bee Man, since there's always a bunch buzzing around him, and they're almost all he talks about."
"Anyhow, he brews potions that he occasionally trades to us, alongside pots of honey, for this or that. Last time he stopped by, he asked us to keep an eye out for Fangberries, which are supposedly good for his potions. He said if someone could bring back a basketful, he'd offer some of his potions at a discount."
Svetlana finishes setting the table by setting down a basket of wooden cutlery.
”My Oleg wouldn’t post an official notice because he still doesn’t quite trust the Bee Man.”
Oleg plops down on a bench and fishes a fork from the basket.
Dragging a plate of eggs closer, he shouts out, ”Durn right I don’t trust the fellow. He don’t eat meat. Something ain’t right about that.”
Hexa tilts his head at Wonky before returning her greeting, touching his forehead with his claws, palm towards him before waving towards Wonky with the back of his hand as he spoke. "Skaeren keari ekess wux." It is the same greeting he gives Svetlana when she appears. He nods to Sams, the one who fights with fists wasn't to be taken lightly and Hexa would watch him and Ahto most.
He tried looking at the piece of yellow thin bark she was flailing around. Though he didn't understand any of it, the rough drawings were unknown to him without knowing their meaning. He eventually pokes the thin bark she had as she spoke excited about blessed weapons. Which was very intriguing to him.
When he spoke he was certain of what he knew. But not what they were doing with this warm day. "Hexa shilta ti... urcaxa skjallmolik shar vucotic svaklar ulhar Mite clax Svenlana ifyugvreol, bekiw persvek wer edar vhir vi loex skjall. Vucotic Bee sthyr lae algbo. bvecko, ti arytiss shar.... bvecko. ukris algbo, sjek wux tepoha creolnali jaci wants. tiichia laraek ornla qe d'nag. yth maulk ihk Svenlana's ui ifyugvreol?"
Oleg's words brings a toothy grin to Hexa's scaled muzzle as he nods in agreement. "Meat make st'ong. Yes."
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Ahto finishes his breakfast and rises from the table. "Thank you for the breakfast," he says with a polite nod to Svetlana.
"If we are going to catch these bandits still sleeping off the night's revels, then we had best get moving. This may be a good opportunity to take the newly acquired horses. If we give them their head, they may lead us straight to Kressle's camp."
Paval can't help but laugh at Oleg's comment, "Back north where I'm from many people don't eat meat, only fish and seafood. The only meat available there is veal and that's only for the rich and those that hunt the deer themselves."
"We have to be careful though. We don't want to run into their camp." He adds to Ahto's comment before turning back to Oleg and Svetlana.
"Quick question: Are there any blacksmiths near or any that travel this way to sell their goods?"
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Wonky's head seems to be on a swivel at breakfast as she shovels food in her mouth. She replies to everything, adding her own stitch to the threads.
"Sams, I think I could help teach you about how to take care of horses if you would like. Perhaps, if the group is planning on taking horses, we could ride together on the same horse? I fail to see how I would be able to mount and ride a horse with my frame with any sense of skill - perhaps a pony, but most definitely not a full-sized horse. We could help each other out!"
"Coi ui ti vi shame ekess ti qe yscik ekess urcaxa. si tiliw xoa ekess anku wux, though yth ornla tepoha ekess xurwk zi sart strides majaktor sia lack di skill mrith Vs'shtak. nomenoi quilinsic drelniqtokvi tor ihk letoclo tirir various deeds - ir di svabolen ui ekess ehtah svetlana ui|ulph ifyugvreol. si mi zi excited ekess nymuer di nomeno bee."
"Bee Man?! The Green Faith?! I need to talk to him! We share a world-view! I would be very keen to make contact with him, Svetlana. Please let me know if he comes through here again, and let him know the 'small green leaf named Wonky' would like to speak with him. Thanks!
"There are plenty of creatures that are quite strong that never eat meat. Why, Chacta does not eat meat, Hexa, yet he is as strong as the day is long!"
"Speaking of days, you are correct, Ahto. We should be pressing our advantage as soon as possible. I have prepared a few extracts that might be particularly useful this day, if we are to see combat again."
"If I get the right set of tools, Paval, I should be able to service any arms or armour repairs or upgrades in the future. My sweet father was ---- I mean, still is, I guess ---- a renowned tinker and weapon smith. The apple does not fall far from the tree in the Prong family!"
Wonky does manage to get some food in her mouth during breakfast, though it's a wonder how it happened.
"You can Wonky? That'd be great. I'm looking for a what's known as a waveblade or "scorpion's tail". They are an oddity around her and sadly the one I had broke many years ago."