"Ow...Suit yourselves, then." Isla mutters, as she releases her arrow in the direction of the kobold that hit her.
Geliglee shouts, Wait! in common, then yells to the Kobolds in draconic:
"Stop! Stop! No blood need be shed! The turnips are yours and the rightful property of the mighty Chief Sootscale! We place no claim on these turnips, and actually wish to begin trade with your mighty tribe - we have access to many turnips from far away, great delicacies these turnips that we can provide your Cheif should he desire peace with us!"
Geliglee shout made Nalys stop and wait for other development
"Geliglee...What's going on?" Isla asks, seeming fairly confused by the situation. "What are they saying?"
In common, Geliglee announces "They are trying to protect the turnips they are harvesting for their chief. We don't need to go to war over turnips, in fact we could probably get them better turnips through trade... Trying to get them to take us to their Chief to talk turnips."
"You've got be kidding me..." Isla grumbles, rubbing the welt on her arm from their bullet. However, she still waits for further indication.
Picking up only his shield, Calum disregards his blade in favor of diplomacy.
"Some vegetables, and friendly talk would be rather inviting. Not everything is trying to kill us in the Stolen Lands Isla."
Isla shrugs, "Hey, I'm the one who tried to initiate diplomacy with them in the first place. They are the ones who continued trying to kill us...apparently over turnips. If they are willing to talk now, then I am all ears."
"Sorry, I actually forgot we wanted to talk to them... My apologies, although in my own defense I did tell them to surrender?" Brandt adds sheepishly, keeping an arrow really close to the nock on his longbow.
Tensions rise as Geliglee listens carefully for a response from the kobolds...
You hear the muttering chatter of several small voices in the underbrush across the clearing. After a moment, one calls back in Draconic, "Lies! You want only to drive us out, and steal what is rightfully ours. Leave now, and we will let you go with your lives!" It is clear that they are unconvinced by your words, and ready to back it up with their lives.
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Isla waits to see what either Geliglee or the kobolds do. Noticeably frustrated with being unable to understand or help, she curses her mother for not letting her learn Draconic.
Don't be silly my girl! What use will you ever have to speak with dragons! Put that book away this instant and study your Dwarven! That way if you ever meet a gentleman from the house of Garess you can impress him! Gee, thanks mom...I may not be able help out right now...but its good to know that, if we fail, I can get derided for it by that pompous ass back at Oleg's in two different languages...
Geliglee moves to the fore and begins an incantation and calls up a silent image of a dozen archers peeking out from the trees with arrows pointed at the Kobolds. In draconic he adds, "There is no use for bloodshed, honorable warriors. Let your leader decide. If you wish, as a sign of good faith we will dismiss our archer guards here and allow you to take us to your Chief as emissaries, with you keeping all of the mushrooms yourself. Think of the glory and honor your Cheif would bring you for creating an alliance that will bring him even more wealth."
Holding an arrow at the ready, Brandt peeks over his shoulder at Geliglee. "Lad, what are we doing here?"
Brandt returns his focus to the kobolds, waiting on their action to see what happens next.
Dammit Gnome! What are we doing, talk quickly!
"Allow peace one more chance... If they attack, we retaliate."
Isla snaps out of her personal sulk fest when she realizes what the "turnips" are.
"Psst. Geliglee." She whispers, as she begins talking very fast. "I think those are moon radishes. Svetlana told me about them when I was helping in the kitchen...very delicious in soup apparently...but that's besides the point. She told me if she could get some she could use the seeds to plant a garden. Perhaps that knowledge could be a bargaining chip! If they knew how to farm them, they wouldn't have to risk their lives to defend one stupid little radish patch..."
You hear futher muttering from the other side of the clearing, much of it in disbelief that such a large number of humanoids could move so quietly. After a time, one calls out, "Call off the archers! We will carry your offer to Chief Sootscale. If he agrees, then we will meet you at the bridge on the Thorn River in 4 days. We will not lead your army straight to our home! Agreed?"
They sound worried about their odds against such foes.
Nalys stood behind trees with his weapon ready. There were no point in him attacking, unless others start fighting.
"I might be able to help Svetlana with making beds and setting covers for that radishes" commented Nalys, just to give Isla a hint that he might help with that.
Maintaining his concentration on his spell, Geliglee says to the group. "They agree to carry our offer to Chief Sootscale. If he agrees we are to meet them at the bridge on the Thorn River in 4 days. I think we can find other radishes and I agree that raising them properly would be good for trade, but if this meeting works out it could be important in the long run for the security of these lands. Shall I agree to their terms?"
"Is the bridge on our map yet?" Isla asks, "We may need directions if we are to meet with them. Beyond that, I'm okay with accepting their offer, as long as we are cautious. I am sure they will bring backup.
Calum smiles and waves to the kobolds before resting his forearm on his scabbard. Turning towards the group he speaks.
"Their terms are not unreasonable, so I see no reason not to. We are not looking for a fight, and it will give them time to prepare a strategy to speak with us. During such time our strategy should be simple. Be friendly and act with honor and not to insult the Kobolds. They could provide information on the land after all."
He whistles for William to come towards him.
"In the meantime we might want to find this bridge. If it's not on the map, maybe Oleg or some of the former bandits know of it."
The kobolds shout a few directions to you in Draconic to let you know that the bridge is about a half-day's ride south of the bandit camp. If you were to go back to the camp, find the Thorn River, and follow it south, you'll come to the bridge there.
"You leave first! We gather our radishes, and take them with us. Do not follow us!"
"Very well," Isla sighs, as she begins to back away from the area. Turning to her companions, she states, "I think we should scout out this bridge immediately. Aside from just figuring out where its located, I would like to beat the kobolds there...You know, in case they plan on returning Geliglee's favor and hiding archers of their own."
"Agreed, getting the lay of the land round the bridge might be for the best."
Brandt adds lowering his longbow and slowly retreating out of the clearing, making sure to keep an eye on the kobolds as he withdraws.
In draconic, "Very well, we shall meet your Chief at the bridge in four days!"
Concentrating, Geliglee has the illusion of archers appear to withdraw into the trees then dismisses the illusion.
To the group, "Let us leave them to gather in peace... Perhaps we should ask Oleg if he knows where the bridge is?"
With that the gnome turns and walks from the clearing hoping his companions follow his lead and keep the peace.
"Even if Oleg knows, we need to map and investigate the area around bridge first", said Nalys, "This way we'll be familiar with the area, in case speaking with kobolds doesn't work out. They usually aren't very aggressive, but being a small folk with draconic blood makes them dangerous allies."
He waits for others and then propose: "In hour or so, we may check the radishes and get something if they leave something for us"
Isla shakes her head a little when Nalys brings up returning to the patch. "I don't think that's a good idea. They clearly view the moon radishes as their property. Taking any without permission would be in poor form if we hope to ally with them. I know Svetlana wants her garden, but I think she'll understand us not wanting to start a war over it."
Geliglee looks at the maps he draws during the explorations, and ponders where the Thorn River Bridge might be...
Looking at the map with Geliglee, Isla remarks, "Personally, I think we should head straight for the bridge. If we go now, I don't think the kobolds can coordinate fast enough to beat us there. If we delay or detour too much, I'm worried we might end up in an ambush situation." Giving everyone a shrugs, she adds, "It maybe overly cautious, but we can always just spend the time exploring the surrounding area if it turns out there is nothing to worry about..."
After shuffling through his maps and notes, Geliglee adds, "I think I remember something about a bridge of that fits the description... It would be about 23-25 miles due south of here. Too much of a coincidence to be a different bridge, I think. It might be best to scout it out and plan..."
"Than, let's move", said Nalys, putting weapons away and mounting his horse. Seara jumped and flew up into sky... Nalys let a whistle and several times waived his hand to set up new direction.
"It was inappropriate for me to propose stealing the radish roots," he said to Isla, while riding, "but I'm struggling with lots of things we need to do to settle this land. And I'd like to have Oleg and his post inhabitants to help us out on those. Please, excuse me for that..."
You head south for a time, and by the end of the day find yourself close enough to the former bandit camp to camp there. It's well fortified, with a source of fresh water and platforms to stay off the ground. It appears to be clear of any new traffic since you were here, save the kind of animal passage that might be expected in the woods.
When dawn comes, the whole party is awake when you hear the sound of howling coming from somewhere in the forest. Clearly a pack of wolves is in the vicinity, and your mounts and pack animals make inviting targets.
Looking around the group, Brandt looks grim. "We're sitting ducks out 'ere, but I donno that running will put us in better space either. What you wish we should do? I think if we can find a spot like this one and settle ourselves for a bit of a scrap we'd fare better than letting them run at our heels."
Brandt shrugs to show he's indecisive about this and will accede to the group's wishes.
"I agree that we shouldn't run. At least here we have the watch posts and log barricades that the bandits left behind." Isla says looking around the bandit camp. Turning to Geliglee, she says, "Perhaps use illusionary sounds to scare them off...you know make them think there are other predators in the area? It that fails, I'm not sure we have much of a choice over than to protect the horses."
"Illusions do not smell, and wolf rely on their noses as well as on their eyes. But this place is better, than some other. If we spend some time, we can arrange good defense against wolfs: we need to spread out some fires and keep horses in the center. Good that we Calum's horse - having strong-willed leader will keep others mounts from panicking." Nalys looked around searching for more inspiration on how to defend this position from wolfs.
Nodding at the comment about wolves and scent the gnome adds, "Also, my range is limited... They would be upon us before any chance I would have to distract them. I say we push on, we are hardly attractive prey and they might well leave us be. If not, we can surely fend off a few wolves. Haste may mean more than caution at the moment."
"[b]Nay, Gnome, turning our heels makes us look just like prey, and we could lose packhorses or ourselves if we try and run. I think Nalys has the right of it, if we spread some fire and group the horses in the center of it we'll scare them off in a better way than running will do. [/b"
Brandt, reconsidering his options, says. Looking to the others for assent before proceeding. However, he does unlimber his bow and strings it in a quick, smooth motion.
You have time to set up the kindling and logs for a few fires around the perimeter of the bandit camp , but before you can get more than one of them lit , you can see five adult wolves emerging from the morning gloom into the clearing on the other side of the creek.
"Wolves hmm? I can stay up through the night if need be. And if we need it, I can enforce the will of the animals we have against the wolves. To show fear is to show cowardice. I agree with Brandt."
Upon seeing the wolves, Calum raises his sword.
"To arms my friends, show no fear, and we will pull through!"
Nalys waived his hand to Seara, pointing towards Jorh: "Go, defend!". Too bad, bird could not understand him. Finally, he just pointed and commanded Guard!, ordering companion to stay protecting horses if wolves will find their ways from the north. He moved forward with a club in his hand.
"I can make the roots stop them, but wolves might find their ways through that"
Leaning over the tower, Isla remarks down to Nayls, "It's still worth a shot, if it will slow them down and give us more time to fight at a range."
Turning her attention back to the woods, Isla prepares to start inspiring her comrades with a magical song, as soon as any wolves are visible.
Geliglee moves up behind Callum.