After spending some more time walking around the encampment, getting an idea of how things were going, Paval moved to Ahto. "How are the prisoners doing? Any of them skilled?"
He continues without waiting for an answer, "I think we might need to figure out a way to attract trained carpenters and masons if we want to build this place up. Perhaps they could even train the indentures."
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"I could help, too!" the green-haired gnome offers out of the blue, popping up as she if had been there all along. "I have learned well the ways of tinkering from my father, Wonky Prong, Sr, and I would be quite keen to put my knowledge and skills to work, starting with those ramparts..." Wonky drifts off, lost in thought as she considers unseen figures and numbers.
"Well, if you would have me, I could be of service. Of course," she continues, "if there were another trained carpenter or builder here, well, then I could continue to go on forays with everyone to keep mapping the Stolen Lands!"
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Ahto nods in acknowledgment of Paval and Wonky's statements. "My carpentry skill is journeyman at best. The amount of repair and building we will need to do in the near future will certainly necessitate an increased number of skilled craftsmen. Perhaps sending a recruitment request back with my next report would be to our advantage."
Wonky's appearance conjures a smile upon Paval's face. He then nods at the comments from both her and Ahto. "I'm quite decent at the design and everything myself but I never learned to put those designs into practice. I think it would indeed be a good idea to send a request for skilled workers. Maybe after we clear out the remaining bandits?"
That would also be the point he'd send for his mother to come over, though he was afraid she and Svetlana might get along too well.
Hexa nods to Oleg, pleased to hear that his part in the Warband was accepted. Part of him had longed for a while now to be apart of something again, despite his pull to nature he missed his tribe greatly. Though this group was scaleless, they were important to him. When Paval and Oleg trundled off Hexa continued to learn about cooking until a strange feeling made him seek fresh air.
He strides through the village, looking for the others and clearing his head. When he finally does his frills snap out as he heads for them straight away. As he gets close the frills lay back down as he looks to Ahto and the others, though he seemed to have stumbled into the middle of an ongoing conversation. As he waits for a moment to interject he sways on his feet. His head cloudy still as he feels the new spring heat on his scales.
He let the others know of Chief Olegs gift when the time comes. Greeting each in turn as he spoke "Warchief Ahto, Aoi'Si Wonky, Aoi'Si Arisl, and Paval. Chief Oleg and Svetlana are pleassed by ring return. Chief Oleg givess warband t'oussand gold credit here."
After several long moment's Hexa leans down and asks Wonky in Draconic. He says the word Credit as no such translation existed in his tongue.
His kind was unaccustomed to many scaleless terms. Often times he would have to think on it for several minutes before realizing that he had no idea what he had been told. It was both frustrating and intriguing to him. Frustrating at the complexity of this scaleless world and intrigued that they thought so much farther ahead of them.
For his kind, if they could not hold it, it didn't exist. Gold was nice, Steel was superior and Credit was a mystery to him. Best use by Ahto and the rest.
Once he had his answer he nods and heads off to speak with Oleg, though his buying request stays modest. Pulling out what little gold he had and buying only what he thought he needed. Though he takes one of Svetlana's books off her shelf as an example.
Hexa approached and watched the interactions of this trading and bartering before attempting to mimic when his turn came. Though until then he sat back on his haunches and watched everyone unblinkingly, his second eyelids sliding across to wet his eyes as he listened in. "Chief Oleg, Hexa need toolss to make 'armor, Steel leat'er to work and dis..." He gestures to the book than to his symbol of Mazludeh. "... so Hexa can learn. To read scratchess."
With a grim shake of his head, Oleg tells Hexa that he has no such specialized tools or texts in stock.
"When the merchants come in a few days, you can see what they bring - or I can place an order with them."
He has a suit of leather armor in stock that you might be able to use as at least a partial basis for your project.
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”Credit is an abstract financial construct that allows you——“ Wonky realises that she’s speaking in Taldane and stops, starting again in Draconic.
Wonky's words rattled in his skull, such complex things were outside his reach. At Oleg's words, Hexa nods. "Hexa do as Chief Oleg ssay, see what Merchantss have." He accepts the leather armor so he can look it over and understand how it was crafted. Hoping to mimic it. Paying for it in what gold he had, leaving enough for what he had planned when the merchants came.
Between studying his new leather armor and the abundance of sights at the Village he could view quietly. Hexa began to watch the Warband as well, staring intently at times at the strangeness of their armor. Though the Aoi'Si Arisl and Wonky's armor struck him the oddest. Arisl reminded him of a wisp of wind, which only added to the unnerving movement she had and reminded him he was lucky she humored him before. But Wonky's was far too hard to read, her height left him at a disadvantage of mostly staring at her head.
It was during these times of watching that he approached Wonky and asked. "Aoi'Si." His words were respectful. "Hexa wants to learn to read scratches. Aoi'Si Wonky help Hexa?"
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Ahto nods in acknowledgement of Hexa’s statement. ”Master Oleg is a man of his word. I have no doubt he paid the promised reward. We should consider what we could purchase. Such an amount could by much needed tools and equipment, or it could be used to pay wages to skilled craftsmen and entice them to seek their fortunes out here with us.” He looks to the others for their opinions on the matter.
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Wonky blinks and looks a bit stunned at Hexa's request.
"You, you don't read?" Wonky says hesitantly. Her face then explodes with a smile. "Why, yes! It would be my privilege to educate you in literacy! I could start with some basics - I would need some slate boards and some chalk, I would think. Well, this is a fine surprise and a challenge! I would not have thought to have needed my tutelage skills; I was a private tutor for some spare coin when I was at the University of Lepidtstadt, if it makes any difference to you, and I could very easily re-create some lesson plans and a mini-curriculum..." She trails off, and then gets an even more blissful expression.
"Would you like me to teach you in Draconic, Hexa?"
She swiftly switches tongues.
"Of course, learning Taldane would be more useful, all things considered, but the benefits of literacy far-outweigh any specific language that it is taught in," the excited gnome finishes in Common.
Hexa nods as she mentions the things Wonky usually mentions as he added.
The mention of Taldane makes his scales ripple, something he had forgotten. He ignores it for now focusing on the needed things.
The next few days are spent attending to a number of tasks around the trading post.
Ahto begins instructing the indentures in the rudiments of carpentry. However, the former bandits are largely supervised by Aurelius, Kalima, and Garess's guards as they are tasked with felling and collecting lumber.
Wonky tutors Hexa in literacy, at least when the pair are not accompanying their fellows on forays into the wilds.
Waiting for merchants and messages from Restov, the party sets forth on small excursions to more thoroughly map out the plains surrounding the trading post.
To the southwest, not far from where the party first met Hexa, you discover a patch of wild Moon Radishes growing in an arrowhead-shaped grotto on the forest's outskirts.
More worryingly, you also discover a handful of Sootscale Kobolds lying on their backs, moaning in pain, surrounded by a few overflowing baskets of the radishes.
Paval spent most of the time at the outpost practicing his sword forms and growing slightly annoyed as the spirit of his grandfather is becoming more assertive.
When they come upon the moon radish patch and the moaning kobolds Paval has trouble stifling a laugh. "It appears our scaly neighbours overindulged. Or perhaps their systems aren't suited for these things."
He then turned to Hexa, "Maybe it would be best if you talk to them? I think they look up to you."
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Wonky has a sudden lightning flash of memory.
Moon radishes!....Sootscale kobolds.....wait!
"Wait!" Wonky cries out. "I was perusing Oleg's bulletin board before we set off today, and I remember seeing a specific notice posted by Oleg asking for moon radishes! Apparently Svetlana makes an amazing soup from these tubers, and there was a generous monetary reward for a basketful of them!"
"But an even greater monetary reward also sat on that bulletin board for forging an alliance of peace with the local kobold tribe, the Sootscales!" Wonky turns to Hexa. "This would be the perfect use of your new literacy skills, Hexa!" She forges on, words cascading from her mouth. "The Sootscale tribe looks up to you, and we are in good standing with their leader. The bulletin specifically requests evidence that an alliance has been forged - this is your opportunity to write up a formal writ of peace and cooperation between Oleg's Trading Post and the Sootscales, Hexa!"
She demurs slightly. "I will, of course, assist in any way I can, but we can present this written document to Chief Sootscale and the two of you can build formal diplomatic bridges! Why, you could even be named Ambassador to the kobolds, Hexa!" Wonky seems to be getting very much ahead of herself.
The coming days bring a change in Hexa he had a hard time understanding. It began with the shedding of his greener mottled colored scales for a greyer appearance, his scars like cracks in stone. Save for the puffy more recently healing ones.
Tal walked more gracefully than before, a shine to her scales like Hexa had never seen and Hexa's skull pain had only intensified. Despite this constant throbbing he continued to focus on his learning with Wonky and others.
As they traveled and explored he continued to digest the future hunt. That was until they discovered the gluttonous kobolds in the wild radish patch. At Pavel and Wonky's urgings, he nods huckling at Pavel.
"Like Scaleless Mead it makess Hexa sswim while walking."
His common was starting to become clearer as Wonky taught him something called pronunciation.
"Aoi'Si Wonky, Hexa will try. Chief Sootscale may not read common scratches or see the value in what iss given. The sspoken Oath iss bond until the next chief comess, then oathss are sspoke again or broken. Metal tools and food are also very welcome gifts." He gives a toothy frown as he adds. "... Though spearss in the back happen too." He speaks from experiance.
The moon radishes, known for their spicy flavor, are growing wild.
One of the kobolds rolls himself up, groaning with the effort.
The kobold flops back to the ground and curls up in a fetal position on his side.
The kobolds watch Ahto pick the radishes but make no move to stop him beyond some pained moans.
Along with learning to read and write he asks about Farming, gardening as well as Domestication techniques. He was very eager to learn to be self-sufficient. As suggested by Aoi'Si Arisl who he looks up to with as much reverence if not slightly more then he does Aoi'Si Wonky.
Hexa gives a throaty chuckle at the Kobolds words, understanding their gluttony all too well.
After his explanation he kneels near the radish patch, calling Tal and Chacta away as he runs his claws through the wild growing patch. Looking for something to return to Svetlana's garden.
These radishes are probably the first bolts of the season.
Off to one side of the patch, untouched by the Kobolds, Hexa finds a number of radishes that have flowered past their normal harvesting phase and sprouted their seed pods.
Hexa clicks his teeth in a display of pleasure, finding what he sought was a great boon. Calling over Chacta he fills the surly horse's saddlebags with fresh dirt from around the wild patch before harvesting what seed pods he can without harming the patch.
The want to be greedy was ingrained in him from his harsh life. It takes much of his newly found patience not to swipe all of the seed pods. Especially as such an action could spawn bad consequences.
He doesn't hide his activities from the Kobolds making a show of it instead. Hexa Harvesed radishes alongside his companions before taking over a dozen seed pods for Svetlana. One the Seed pods were secure he then began planting many of the seed pods he didn't take. Using his claws to churn the dirt and loosen the soil before planting the seeds. He makes neat rows to the twice the number of seed pods and plants taken before saying in Draconic.
With that he is ready to depart again though he looks to Ahto and the rest, speaking in Taldan.
"Hexa met a one-legged hunter named Vekkel, he spoke of a sstrong boar named Tuskgutter. When we finish retrurning these to Svetlana, Hexa hopes to hunt Tuskgutter and earn a magic bow from Vekka and make armor from its hide!" He was excited to talk about it. It had been too long since he hunted something that could fight back and the challenge was thrilling.
The warband continues southward, towards the purported territory of the fearsome boar, Tuskgutter.
As you travel along the outer edge of the forest, you come across the camp previously used by Kressle and her bandits. You use this one-time battleground as a temporary camp from which to explore the surroundings, enabling Wonky to very accurately map the terrain.
The group's supply of trail meals is supplemented by hunting forays by Ahto, who brings back a rabbit and some wild vegetables, and Hexa, who proudly returns with an entire stag.
...
Between Vekkel's directions and your combined tracking skills, it does not take long to trace the trail of broken brush and gouged earth back to the beast's lair.
A massive fallen pine tree dominate the glen, and many bones litter the mouth of a hollow beneath the tree.
Paval moves with the group, hands on the hilt of his blade. He then turns his head, thinking he heard something. Then he shakes his head and smiles, sure it was just the wind or some squirrel or the such.
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Hexa approaches the den, never once taking it lightly and was completely in his element. With bow drawn and arrow already drawn, he makes sure to keep Tal behind him. As the den comes into sight and despite the banter going on around him he clearly hears something within the den and he tenses up as hisses a warning to the others. "Tuskgutta' iss there'..."
With that said Hexa tries to take up a position somewhat swiftly as he assumed their presence was already known. He readies to strike the moment the boar emerges, aiming his bow with pure killing intent as Vekkel's warnings hadn't fallen on deaf ears.
Tal does as she is asked, though her body seemed to grow leaner, fur sprouting from her backside and running down to the tip of her tail as she moved behind Hexa. She stayed close to him and guarded him. She always hunted with him, so their tactics were always similar.
Long before the party arrives at the boar's lair, Hexa reads the freshness of the tracks and easily discerns that Tuskgutter is likely present ahead.
Hexa
Wonky
Paval
Tal
Tuskgutter
Aris
Ahto
Sams
Sprocket
An explosion of bark, brush, and bristles erupts from the deep hollow beneath the fallen tree, and a beast that can be none other than the infamous Tuskgutter charges forth.
However, Vekkel's description did no justice to this mighty creature. Standing at least seven feet tall at its thick shoulders, Tuskgutter is a mountain of filthy fur and primal anger. Sharply curved tusks jut forth from the mass of gray bristles on his snout.
Owing to the wilderness experience and education collectively possessed by the party, it is all too easy to recognize that Tuskgutter is a fearsome specimen of a dire boar!
...
As it rushes forth to viciously defend its territory, Hexa's expertly aimed arrow buries itself deeply in Tuskgutter's right eye.
The beast is undeterred and charges forth, its hooves gouging thick furrows in the ground and its bulk breaking through the brush.
Practically smashing through the tree Hexa sought cover behind, the beast gores the scaled hunter and inflicts a terrible, bloody wound.
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Walking through the woods towards Tuskgutter's turf, Wonky spends some time at Sams' side.
"...so it should work for three minutes, and during that time, everything about you would be larger - your clothes, your equipment ---"
"My fists?" Sams asks.
"Yes, especially your fists," Wonky smiles. "I'll need to hand it to you right after I mix it, but it should work as planned. We can work out a code word to use so you know what ---"
"Code word?" Sams asks.
"Yes! Like a secret signal that you and I know."
"Make bigger?" Sams asks further.
"Yes, to make you bigger," Wonky patiently explains.
"No, code word. 'Make bigger'!" Sam says enthusiastically.
"Oh," Wonky considers Sams' suggestion, "yes, I guess that would work well!"
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The size and ferocity of the boar takes the gnome's breath away.
The natural world is awesome. Glory to the green.
Wonky shakes her head from her brief prayer to the natural forces of the world. Working quickly, she first mixes a plug of solute into a clear fluid with a vigorous shake, then moves up behind the brawler and offers him the small vial of the now yellow-coloured liquid.
"SAMS!" Wonky cries out over the din of squeals, roars, and underbrush thrashing. "MAKE BIGGER!" She extends the vial to Sams.
I probably shouldn't share with Sams that this is the first time that I've prepared an extract for someone else. It'll be fine, it'll be fine.
Hexa's toothy grin becomes a hard line as the boar emerges and charge's at him down. Despite his great aim, he cannot avoid the massive boars power attack. As the tree shattered before him, he shuts his eyes to avoid the spray of splinters just before the searing pain of the boars goring tusks tears through his flesh.
Despite his heavy injuries, his eyes opened with a fierce gaze and he gave a roar of defiance in the face of such raw power.
This wasn't where he would die. Despite the blood running down his scales, he was defiant to be felled by this beast today.
He steps back, growing in size and obtaining the stout body of a bear as he stood alongside Tal. He intoned a healing spell to lessen the extent of his wounds. He had to remain on his claws...
Tal joined Hexa in his roar, giving a warning bugle at the Boars approach and at the shock of the metallic smell of her companions blood in the air. As Hexa steps back she thumps her tail in warning, ready to slam the boar if it continued to push towards Hexa.
As it rages she appears to grow more muscular and the thickness of her tail nearly doubles as she slams it around in warning...
Paval skirts around the filthy beast, drawing a dagger as he moves. He hurls the dagger, and the small blade just manages to pierce the reckless Tuskgutter's thick hide.
Tuskgutter shakes shards of tree bark and branches from its bristles and stomps forward, intending to trample the wounded lizardman hunter.
However, Tal had prepared to protect her companion, and her whip-like tail smashes across the boar's broad skull.
The attack proves enough of a distraction to save Hexa's life, as the boar's hooves and tusks tear apart only brambles and soil.
As the shots flew Hexa barked a command in draconic in an attempt to get Tal to move but she bungled back. Holding her ground firmly, he gritted his teeth and respected her decision...
The boars advance angers the visually calm Tal. A threat to Hexa wouldn't go unchallenged!
As the boar attempts to gore him again she bugles in fury. The sound piercing as she continues to guard her companion. She continues to prevent the boars advance despite Hexa calling for her to move. She whips her tail in warning and turns her body broadside to the boar, showing her willingness to fight.
Aris quickly picks from among her prepared spells and aims a ray of crimson energy that saps the strength from the boar's rampage.
Ahto's swing only clips the scruffy fur from the beast's hide.
The now enlarged Sam lumbers towards the beast, intending to put "pick on someone your own size" to the test.
Sprocket, obeying both his master and his own fear, heels.
...
As the new round begins, Hexa launches two quick yet keen arrows - the first lodges deeply in the beast's skull, evoking a bellowing growl of pain, while the second pierces its haunch.
Tuskgutter is thrashing wildly, clearly on death's door, but in its beastial rage it simply refuses to die.
Wonky prepares and downs her extract even as she finds it difficult to drag her eyes from the brutal tableaux unfolding before her.
With everyone else surrounding the boar Paval moves around the back of the beast, leaving room for the enlarged Sams. From that position he lashes out with his blade.
As he moves in to strike his boot gets snagged behind a protruding root, causing his swing to go wide.
Surrounded, Tuskgutter continues to bear down upon Hexa with single-minded animal instinct, but his terrible wounds, another blow from Tal's tail, and Aris' magic all conspire to weaken the ferocious beast's assault.