I agree. In this instance, though, I think we should get the ring back to Svetlana in a relative hurry. Once that is done, we can get to working on finishing this section.
Take 10 on survival for total of 20.
"Kobolds. Now we have two sets of pests to have to worry about." Grumbles Torod. He looks at Asta, "I suppose you'll want to sit down to dinner with them and talk about fancy things.
Can I determine where the kobolds come from.
Again taking 10 on Survival for a total of 20.
"Actually, 'twould seem something the Mite told me is becoming relevant," Asta says. "There's conflict between the Mites and the Kobolds. This presents an opportunity for diplomacy -- or outright control."
"And what exactly do you have in mind, Asta. Working with either of these two does not seem like a good idea to me..."
Torod will continue to lead the group to the trading post. The kobolds will have to wait until a later time.
"Providing mediation to both and ending the conflict would put them in our debt," Asta says as she glides along. "Providing military assistance to either side would put the survivor in our debt. While you may not have a high opinion of these creatures, they do have potential as sources of information, if not more. Our charter states we are here to prevent banditry, no? Imagine having the Kobolds and the Mites keeping an eye out for bandits and reporting to us. Imagine them setting ambushes and traps just for the bandits, for a fee that we would consider negligible, but which to them represents treasure. There are many possibilities."
Might as well inspect it. If there's nothing amiss, we'll make camp there.
Seeing that Torod has intentions of stopping at the tree, Valeria dismounts and begins setting up camp. Noting his interest, Valeria asks, "Is there something special about this tree, Torod? Other than it being a little lost?"
"Its a landmark out here in the middle of nothing. It should be as good a place as any to make reference to on maps and when giving directions. "
"Thank you for the suggestion," Asta says, a trifle dryly.
The pale young woman makes a small note on the map she has been working on all day.
It seems odd that a single tree would grow here and all others were missing. It should make for a fine landmark however. Torod, you seem to know a lot about nature, is something like this natural?
"Yes. It is unusual, but sometimes the Power does not do as expected." He goes on to explain that the natural world is a living thing and that its most basic expression is the Power. The Power is where Druids draw our abilities from. It's a mystical field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the multiverse together.
That night, Torod does not pitch his tent as usual. Instead, he sleeps underneath the tree with Strawberry curled up next to him.
After camp is set, and the guys are discussing some sort of power, Valeria walks near Asta and sits.
"Not many people would have tried communicating with them, I know it didn't cross my mind. And fact of the matter is, they are sentient creatures, just like us. So, if you think you can settle things with them and the kobolds without bloodshed, I'll back you up."
"A grave," Asta notes -- and she reaches out to take hold of one of Croft's legs. "Hmm..."
Torod, are you able to determine how recently this hole was dug?
Without rising from her spot, Valeria says to the others with a disgusted look on her face, "Come on guys, if it IS a grave, let them be. I'm not interested in grave robbing."
"Nor am I," Asta says, a small frown on her face. "But I am curious as to who was buried here, and why. Are there any holy marks scored into the bark? If not, this might be a murder victim."
"I'm not convinced that this is a grave." Torod says giving the area a more thorough inspection. "The tree does offer a good landmark to bury something under. Be it a body, a woodsman's cache, or bandit loot. We could dig it up and, if it is a body, rebury it with honors. If it is a cache, it is there for us to use. We'll replace it before we leave after adding something to it. If it is bandit's loot, then finder's keepers."
Very well, I am willing to go along with your plan Torod, but we should be careful. If it does as you say turn out to be a body then a propper burial with honors is indeed instore.. does anyone have a shovel?
"Not a shovel, no," Asta says, as she rises and moves off to a safer distance. "But I can provide the last rites, if such are needed."
Valeria jumps up, "Oh! I actually do have one!" she says excitedly.
She darts over to her gear she keeps on her horse and rifles through the assortment of tools, eventually producing a shovel. All the while she is talking, "Before we left Restov, I purchased a bu ch of random supplies and tools. Didn't quite know what would come in handy."
She hands it over to the men and then moves back with Asta to let them do their thing.
"While they do that, care to help me pitch the tents?"
Torod accepts the work as part of the cost of proving his point. He digs.
Well, since we actually have a shovel then I will take it as a sign. Flashing a smile towards Valeria, Andrei also offers to take a turn digging.
"Very well," Asta says. She starts helping Valeria prepare the tent site.
Torod shows the items to the group. "To deep to be a woodsman's cache', but not a body, that leaves either bandit loot or buried treasure." Cast Detect Magic.
Kneeling down next to the items, Andrei examines wand and spell book. I doubt many bandits can cast spells. Andrei murmers flipping though the wet and rotting pages. So it was probably loot.
Asta's eyes narrow as she sees the hut, and old memories of home - and Witches who lived out in the country - stir. She mutters a quick cantrip.
Torod makes sure everyone notices the cottage, then fades back to allow Asta and the others do the talking.
87% of all Player Character fatalities are the direct result of talking' with some stupid bastard when they should have been hackin'
"Maybe they can tell us some information about the area," Valeria says as she urges her horse towards the building.
"There is a magic potion on the table inside," Asta says, squinting as she peers into the hut. "No other magic auras show themselves. Might I suggest approaching with caution?"
"You could try calling out. That would be proper and all."
"If you're friendly, we're friends," Asta calls out, her hands held forward, palms up and empty. "Regardless, we're neighbours. We live over at the tradehold now. My name is Asta; what is yours?"
"Nice to meet you Bokken. Yes, we are currently staying with Oleg and Svetlana. My name's Valeria, and this is Torod and Andrei."
Valeria continues to ride closer to Bokken's hut slowly, so as to not alarm the man.
Torod approaches and tries not to make any sudden moves. He doesn't know if this guy spooks easily, but figures its best if he doesn't find out. "Strawberry, you go off and do your thing." Strawberry shoots off and is soon lost in the grass.