It has been a long month.
The light of the evening sun shimmers across Kobold's Claw. Shadows from newly raised buildings accompany the running river. There is a rising chatter from the centre of town, where the townsfolk have all gathered.
As you all approach the town square, you arrive to a small gathering: several of the family patriarchs and matriarchs, most with expressions of content, are conversing with one another. They turn to you; Eldred Thatcher and Randall Coop step forward. "This ain't half-shabby for a month's worth of work," old Eldred pipes up with a toothy smile.
"What she's trying to say," Randall Coop adds, with a hint of irritation in his voice, "Is that we're off to a great start, and we're all grateful for the initiative you've shown."
Their banter carries on for a few minutes before one of the younger adults breaks them apart. As the evening slips into night, the crowd dissipates.
It has been a long month.
But it is only just beginning.
"It is fine work indeed Master Coop, and Erastil has blessed us. May his eye guide us in the months to come."
Nimeon stands tall, the etchings on his face reflective of his heritage, his bow slung on his back and his hands calloused from the hard work to help erect a new village in this untamed wilderness.
Khalil grunts in agreement to the statements, a half smile on his scarred face. "We have all done well, yes. I think we are off to good start. I believe Alexei will bring great prosperity to all of us." This isn't the first time, nor will it be the last, that Khalil has forgotten to address Alexei by his title in front of his people.
Khalil looks around at the buildings that have been brought up, most of which are small homes for the citizens to live in. But the most impressive building, at least in Khalil's eyes, is the mill. I'm glad we started with that mill. Should be easier to provide shelter and food for our people. Khalil smiles to himself, realizing he thinks of these as "his" people now. Not long ago, the only people he cared about were his son and wife. With that last though, Khalil's smile turns to a frown and he turns away briefly to compose himself before his anger wells up too much.
His anger has gotten the better of him one too many times. He even punched through a wall in one of the homes he was helping to build... Thankfully they were able to convert it to a window without much issue.
From your lips to his ears, Nimeon. Lyle says adding a gesture he learned as a child.
Still, no use resting now, there's a lot more work that needs doing. For one thing were going to have to clear off some land to plant farms, otherwise we'll all starve.
Smiling at the compliment Thanks Khalil. I intend to do just that. The mill was a good first step. I put the word out that craftsmen and farmers can expect a warm welcome in Fairweather. Hopefully we can get fully established before winter closes in.
You're right Lyle, we need to scout the surrounding area and find out what we are dealing with. Pulling out a battered map This map shows most of the old kingdom of Celtara. The towns and roads may no longer be there, but the basic geography shouldn't have changed much. Fairweather is here, where the Gundrin river exits the lake. Approximately three leagues south-west of us is the Little Sellen river. The area between to two rivers seems like a good spot to establish farms. The rivers should provide plenty of water, good transportation, and help protect the area. I propose that tomorrow we head west to explore the region, then head east to circumnavigate the lake. That should give us a better idea of any immediate threats, as well as local resources. You're the scout; what do you think?
"We'll need supplies if we're to be out that long Baron. Have we enough of the winter stock to spare for that?"
Lyle peruses the map for a moment with his lips pursed, then gives a shrug That seems like as good a plan as any, Baron.
Looking around at the others he asks, Do we all have horses? We'll be able to cover ground more quickly that way.
"Unfortunately, I do not, and I do not have the funds to purchase one at the moment." Khalil used almost all of his money to pay for an elaborate memorial for his family back in Brevoy and then spent almost all of the rest to drink away his sorrows.
"I have no horse, I'm more comfortable on foot."
Four legged terrors. They may be Erastil's creatures but I still do not feel at ease riding them.
As the crowd breaks, Calavas takes a seat nearby the rest of the group, his brow covered in a fine sheen of sweat. While no stranger to hard work, most of his toils in the past had been general cleaning at orphanage or book work at the academy, not building housing or clearing ground. But looking about at the small settlement that had grown from the earth and wood, he can't help but feel a bit of pride at having played a role in it's founding.
When Alexei pulls out the map of the region, Calavas quickly moves over to get a better look. Pointing to an area to the south of town, he comments, "There appears to be a fork in the rivers here, if the map is accurate. I remember reading about deltas having good soil for farming, wouldn't that be a good place to start surveying? We could then carry on north-west to north-east around the township before following the foot of the
mountains back home."
"We'll need supplies if we're to be out that long Baron. Have we enough of the winter stock to spare for that?"
Calavas blinks, appears to run some figures in his head, then laughs sheepishly. "Yes, I suppose that would be something to take into account."
Looking around at the others he asks, Do we all have horses? We'll be able to cover ground more quickly that way.
"I do, though I'm, still learning the art of equestrianism myself."
Well have to bring some supplies, those of us who have survival training should be able to find something to add to our stores. If we're out in the field for longer than a week, we can always return to the town to replenish our supplies.
At Calavas' suggestion, Alexei shrugs Either way we'll be circling the lake and getting the information we need. I leave it to you and Lyle to pick the best route.
A young man hurries up to the group and hands Alexei a piece of parchment, before heading back home. After reading it carefully, Alexei's face breaks into a wide smile.
Abadar has smiled on us. The final report on our finances for this month, and things look better than I'd hoped. We have plenty to spare for this trip, plus whatever we can gather in the wild. And, we will be able to start establishing farms once we finish surveying. That being said, let us finalize the details, get some rest, and begin.
A bit puzzled Has anyone seen Kayala? She should be here by now.
"I haven't seen her Baron, I believe she was to join us on our exploration. With any luck we'll find a good spot to defend for the farms. I assume you'll want Lyle and myself scouting ahead as usual?"
The soft Hooo of Whisperwing alerts the group to Kalaya's appearance, as she walks up to the group.
"I'm sorry I'm late,I was on the way back from collecting herbs and found the thatcher's daughter with a fractured ankle. It should be fine in a few days now if she rests it."
The young witch is calm and conffident as she speaks, unconcerned with formaliity.
Lyle says I'm inclined to start at the Bottom-right and work our way clockwise around the town hex, as we're probably going to need a boat for the next to last hex, if this map is right.
"Or good hiking boots. I never climbed a mountain before." Calavas muses, seeming intrigued by the prospect. "But by boat or by land, it appears to be a journey of a little under a week at best, two and a half or more should we search the lower mountain regions; I believe I overheard some prospectors discussing a mining expedition...otherwise I agree with your proposed route Lyle. Should we begin gathering supplies for the expedition?"
"I'll rally up the villagers to prepare for supplies in the morrow," Randall Coop pipes up at the mention, having stayed there to listen. "I'll get started on some of the preparations right now, actually, so if you'll excuse me..."
Mr. Coop leaves you to finish talking. As the eve turns to night, the night turns to morrow...
The skyline offers little joy as the sun hides behind thickets of grey clouds. The weather does little to dampen the mood of the villagers, and as early in the morn as it is, the mill is churning. As you all arrive in the centre of town, you find Randall Coop with several of the village youths and some of the older men. "Morning. We just finished preparing the horses."
Several saddled horses, all with saddlebags filled to the brink with equipment and supplies, are presented to you. The villagers nod betwixt one another and give you all affirmative nods.
Lyle will check his horse's hooves and saddle, while he waits for the others.
Calavas smiles as he approaches his mount. "Hello again. My apologies, but I still haven't come up with a suitable name for you. Perhaps this will suffice for the time being?" Digging into his bag, he pulls out an apple and holds it somewhat gingerly beneath the horse's mouth. "Just don't nip me again, alright?"
"I've never been very good with horses, but we do have a lot of ground to cover."
The tall paladin seems refreshed after his evening spent cleaning and in prayer. His longbow and longsword are polished and ready for action, bundles of arrows poking out of his pack.
Calavas glances at Nimeon's bow and chuckles briefly. "Sideon tried to show me how to use on of those. Gave me the shorter one after I hit my head a couple of times."
Khalil pulls on his cestus and then hefts his earth breaker, giving it a look-over to make sure it is clean and polished, before replacing it in the loop on his back. The earth breaker is a very large weapon hammer, one which many men would not be able to even lift without trouble. Khalil also checks the longsword at his waist.
Khalil nods to the rest of the group to indicate he is ready.
"Not to worry Calavas, we'll see if I can teach you a thing or two on the trip."
I think the villagers provided one for everyone who didn't have one, so Khalil should have one, as well as everybody else.
Seeing everyone else getting ready, Lyle will swing up into his horse "Dusty's" saddle.
"Not to worry Calavas, we'll see if I can teach you a thing or two on the trip."
"We'll certainly have time, I imagine. And space to spare the innocent from my ineptitude." Calavas replies cheerfully. "So then, shall we set off?"
The rocky hills south of Kobold's Claw prove to give great views of the many hillocks that stretch across several dozen miles. The horses have little difficulty navigating the lands.
The first couple of hours prove to be uneventful. From the sunless sky, rain starts to pour...
Pulling a cloak around him, Bleck. Cold showers have never been my favorite. Everyone stay close and keep an eye out. I say we keep heading south to the fork in the Little Sellen, then follow it downstream for a few leagues, see how the terrain looks closer to the river.
Kalaya rode along quietly, eyes taking in the flora of the region seeking herbs that might be of use ffor her healing work.
Ka:
A:
C:
L:
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Kh:
As you travel southwards, you come across the root of the nearby great mountain. Its jagged exterior points up into the sky, with almost unpassable terrain. A soft howling emits from betwixts its spires as the rain and wind grow fiercer.
This part of the mountain seems strangely out of place - as if damaged heavily from explosions. The passage of time would not have caused this naturally, at least...
During the mapping out, you two see a small patch of different-coloured stone in the mountain range...
As you map out the area, you eventually travel around the giant point to come across a greater sea of hills and trees, only broken apart by the river. It can be seen rushing from the mountains even from this distance. Mapping out the hills prove to be confusing at first. . .
The downpour grows heavier. At the end of the day, thick mist settles across the plains...
Knowledge: Nature
Tried to make the DC 20 check, didn't quite make it.
"Do you all see that patch of stone there?" Khalil points toward the mountain range. "The stone is of a different color than the rest. I wonder what that is?"
Can you make those checks untrained? As a rogue I have both those skills, but I don't currently have a rank in either of them.
Nimeon mounts the horse with a small amount of hesitation.
"Never was too comfortable riding."
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"Do not fear the rain, it will pass. If we don't have a tent it will pass much slower of course."
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"What do you suppose caused the discoloration?"
Calavas approaches and studies the discoloration with some curiosity.
Kalaya dismounts to study the phenomenon, somewhat puzzled as to its significance.
Appraise
That might work.
Knowledge skills can be made untrained, but your roll caps at DC 10 - per the rules.
You are fairly certain that this area of differently coloured stone is a vein of iron - a valuable resource, no doubt!
I'm not a miner, but I think that's iron. Lyle says
Thoughtfully examining a fragment of the stone, Alexei uses a hammer to break open the stone, See the sheen of interior. It's definately metallic. I agree with you Lyle, this is a vein of iron. A miner or smith should verify the site of course, but this definately looks promising. Why don't we set up camp here for the night? Tomorrow we can start heading north-west along to explore more of the hills between the two rivers.
Looking around at there surroundings, Lyle comments I suppose this is as good a place as any, whose up for taking first watch? I'll partner with whoever wants too.
It is a quiet and uneventful night as the rain makes the end of the first day particularly tranquil - and wet.
As you set off north-west, the tail of the mountain slithers into the ground. The sun offers its first smile as the rain finally ends, and the clouds all disperse to offer a blue view of the heavens. As the warmth of the day grows, you begin to explore and map out.
Close to midday, you come across a strange, haunting sight: a small forest of both bones and trees. Great weathered white pikes of bones stick out alongside the trunks of giant oaks. As you approach closer, you can hear a pair of powerful shrieks.
It sounds like raptor birds.
Hippogriffs also make these sounds. The sound, combined with these circumstances lead you to believe that this might be the territory of a pair of them. With the head and wings of great birds, and the magnificent body of a horse, hippogriffs are naturally intelligent, easy to train - and exceptionally territorial.
While not as terrifying as other predators, they are deadly.
"Sounds like birds of prey up ahead. Raptors of some form."
An iron mine yesterday and now raptors. Truly Erastil has blessed this journey.
Knowledge: Nature
Hearing the calls, Lyle reigns in Dusty, I don't think those are raptors, I think they're Hippogriffs. If I'm right and we go any further into their territory we could have a rather vicious fight on our hands. It might be safer to go around.
"Lyle, what do you know of hippogriffs? Are they intelligent?"
I wouldn't say I know a lot about them mostly stories, but from what I've heard they can be trained to bear riders, so I'd say they have to be at least as smart as horses. I think the ones who were trained were reared as infants though, wild full grown adults would probably be unlikely to welcome riders, or trespassers in their territory for that matter.
"I would hate to encroach on any of Erastil's creatures, are they likely to be a threat to the town if we leave them here?"
My bow is prepared, I will defend our home, but no sense seeking a fight if we can avoid it for now."
Calavas cocks his head to the side and furrows his brow.
[ooc]K. Nature
He doesn't seem to recognize the sounds, but grows excited upon hearing the cries are hippogriffs. "Hah! I think I remember that story Lyle! The one where the Sable Company fights the dragon on their mounts, right?"
What you know of hippogriffs includes that they have darkvision, low-light vision and scent (and likely they know you are here due to your smell) - they can fly (100 ft. fly speed) - and that their eggs are valuable as well.