Thron's Kingmaker Group 1 (Inactive)

Game Master Thron

Grautak looks at Gird. "Hmmm, that's a good idea, Gird." Perhaps the Dandy would pull his weight after all. This group may succeed despite their diverse views. Of course, Dagru and he would have to discuss the matter further.

Gird examines the radishes and the many eaten remains of radishes.

"Well it seems the kobold really like these radishes, if we can get enough for Svetlanas needs and have some extra we might be able to make a deal with or bribe the Sootscale kobolds that we have to deal with for a bounty"

"Killing two orcs with one swing....not bad!" Rockne also looks around the clearing. "If there's enough for both. I say we head back to give Svetlana hers and see what's left after that."

Figure they will go bad after a while, so bee-line back to the fort to cash in?

"Rockne, you have a good point. Let's go turn these gold radishes in now before something happens to them."

"Great, there seems to be hope for us yet"

Gird helps gather radishes and then mounts up ready to depart

4 days rations used if I am correct .. leave Olegs, spider, bokken, radishes?

"Perhaps we should see if Oleg can procure some better quality weapons for us. It seems we may be putting them to use often out here in the wilds."

If the group was amenable, he thought they might be able to accrue a fair bit of cash from the wanted posters and they should focus their attention on those tasks.. Grautak felt that should be a priority. He also wanted to know more about this... Tuskgutter he had heard about from some of the trappers at Oleg's. It was always wise to have multiple mounts ready for action. He expected to be riding Whisper for quite some time, but this Tuskgutter sounded like the kind of beast he preferred and would make a great replacement in the event Whisper fell wounded or dead.

The group finishes their circuit and returns to Olegs unscathed, baskets of Moon Radishes in hand, they are greeted at the gate by Svetlana (and a guard). She beams with joy at the sight of the radishes, "Oh you found some! That's enough to last us for several months too! You all are just the sweetest!" even so much as gently patting Dagru's arm. "Give me a minute and I'll gather up the coin for them! I'm sure it wasn't easy!"

She disappears into the house as you move further into the trading post. Kesten has joined a couple of his men on the wall on patrol, keeping a watchful eye on you as you enter. Oleg can be heard cursing at his simpleton assistant behind the stables, as it sounds like he has hammered a board in the wrong place.

Meanwhile, an older man in a simple green hooded cloak and leathers sits at a table. He raises a hand in greeting, but slowly withdraws it as Dagru and Grautak come into view.

Another newcomer comes out to take a look at the arrivals. He is an average-sized dwarf with sweat-drenched red hair and braided beard. He wears a heavy leather apron over a serviceable tunic leaving his muscle-corded, hairy arms bare. That he carries a hammer in one leather gauntlet and tongs holding a glowing horseshoe in the other announces his profession as a smith.

His eyes noticeably squint when he sees the two hobgoblins. A slight frown hides behind his beard.

Dagru notices the man withdraw but is use to such reactions. "Hello fellow, what might be your name. Yes we speak your language and do not bite. At least most of the time."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Looking about for another the man may be carrying or that will identify his origin.

Dagru lets out a laugh as he finishes his sentence and looks for spirits and food to talk more with the older man.

"I sure am hungry. We all are as it has been a long trip. Svetlana I know you have got to have some drink here that we can share with our new friend."

Dagru comes over toward the old man looking for a seat.

Vianella smiles at Svetlana's excitement upon receiving the radishes. "There were some kobolds that had some interest in them, but we persuaded them otherwise. Still... Gird posited a valid point in that any excess radishes could be used in trade with these creatures. They have a language and thus have some modicum of intelligence, meaning there may be a possibility of some form of peaceful arrangement."

The noblewoman steps forward as she notices the older man's reticence and the dwarf's suspicious glance. "You may relax, good sirs," she began. "Although these hobgoblins may be fearsome in appearance, they are here to help spread the law across these lawless lands. Unless you are a bandit... or you provoke them...," she adds as an aside, "you have nothing to fear. We are all here in furtherance of the Charter."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18+1 vs. human or outsider (but not dwarf)

Rockne looks away as Svetlana gushes a bit over their haul. He is still not used to people thanking him for things instead of just expecting commands to be obeyed. It is a bit embarrassing to the halfling but he also finds that he likes the positive attention.

He gazes around the fort and is impressed by the changes that have occurred in such a short amount of time since they first arrived. More activity, more guards, and even more visitors seemed like good things. But it is Rockne's experience that having something good instantly makes others want to take it.

Wandering away from the group Rockne heads over to the board to read the notices again. The mercenary note attracts his attention but he keeps coming back to the wedding ring.

"And bandit's are the real problem," he says as he returns to Vianella's side while she addresses the newcomers to the fort. "Something that needs to be handled sooner rather than later."

He pitches a voice a bit lower and turns his head toward the cleric. "I'm thinking that's where we head next, before they strike back for us taking out their crew."

Gird approaches the two newcomers

"So there are new visitors here, welcome all, do you have news from home? Will you be staying on at Olegs?"

Sorry if this is a double-post. The post doesn't show when I refresh the Gameplay thread. Yet, it shows under the character profile as posted in the Gameplay thread. Weird.

While the dwarven smith watches the arrival, the dull orange glow from the horseshoe in his tongs disappears. He nods slightly in reply to the human's (aasimar's) comments, but his squint and hidden frown remain.

After a significant pause to allow the old man to respond, the smith replies to the half-elf, "I arrived two days ago, and no big news from Restov. My former master was recruited to support the building of a fort out here in the Stolen Lands. I was surprised not to find him here. Aye, I'm staying out here to better me life... at Oleg's or where ever."

Oleg comes around the corner of the stables, grumbling about Brian's antics, when he spots the group and beams a smile at their return. Hearing Lady Orlovsky's assurances, he moves over to the seated man and adds, "Yeah, ya got nothin' to worry about from the pair of 'em. This is the lot that saved my home, that I been tellin' ya about. M'lady," he says with a slight bow, "May I present Father Kavken, a new arrival here at the post."

The man bows to the group on introduction, as Oleg steps away, scowling at the guest house as he does so, clearly concerned about how the small post is going to house so many...

"Please, call me Jhod..." the bald man says, "Master Oleg here has went on and on about your heroics with the bandits. I must say, he spins a colorful tale of your heroics. If it isn't any trouble, perhaps you could tell me a bit of what you have come across in your travels here in the Greenbelt?" he adds with a gesture to the tables near the fire.

Svetlana comes back out with a small but bulging pouch. She hands the hefty leather container to Dagru with a smile, and replies to Vianella's statement, "Oh but of course, anything you need. But for now, Mr. Dagru here is hungry, and that just won't do! I'll get right to making that stew I promised!"

Before long, Svetlana brings out bowls of hot Moon Radish Stew for everyone. The primary ingredients are clearly boar meat and the Moon Radishes, though some carrots, onions, and other vegetables add to the medley of flavors and colors in the bowls. The stew is surprisingly tart and spicy, thanks to the flavor of the stew's namesake ingredient. Alongside the stew are healthy sized horns of mead, which helps sate the burn of the tongue as well as add a sweet flavor to the meal.

The guards take turns coming down to take part in the feast, though sit apart from the guests and residents of the Trading Post.

With the start of a feast, the dwarven smith returns to finish the horseshoe and closes shop for the day. He washes the work from his arms and face, and replaces his leather apron with an over tunic. After grooming, he heads to the feast eager to hear of their adventures.

He greets each of you with a solid hand-shake and a, "Hornblower, Durnim Hornblower. Well met." With Svetlana's coaching, he barely means it when greeting the hobgoblins.

Gird sits down at the table and helps himself to a few bites of stew and a swallow of mead. Then he begins talking.

"Well master Jhod we have run across a fearsome giant trapdoor spider that tried to make a meal of us and failed. We have defeated two sets of bandits one that had come to rob Oleg and Svetlana and the other when we attacked their base. I was struck down after myself and Grautak defeated their leader so one of the others will have to fill in any details of that fight."

"Well met Father Kavken... Jhod... and master Hornblower. I am the Lady Vianella of House Orlovsky," the noblewoman says with a nod. "Indeed, as Gird of House Medvyed has mentioned, we ambushed the group of bandits that tended to accost master Oleg and dear Svetlana. From information gleaned from them, we discovered the location of the rest of their group nearby. The battle was swift, but we did sustain some injury. I will not bore you with the gory details...," she pauses as the memory of it pales her for a moment. "Still, we were victorious."

"Since then, we have explored and met a strange man, I am sure Dagru would be better able to describe, and we have acuired these moon radishes from some kobolds."

She looks at the old man assessingly before continuing. "Prithee, Fa... Jhod... out of professional curiosity, what priesthood are you a member of? I am a member of the clergy of Abadar."

Dagru listens to the others speak but is more interested in the smell of the stew filling the air. He devours his meal followed by pints of the mead.

"Oh how I love a feast! "

He stands after his confirmation for the feast then comes over near Vianella as she talks with the new faces.

"Good to meet ya..."

He nods to each of the men Jhod, Father, and then the Dwarf.

He then stays focused on the Father curious of his answer. But before he gives it chimes in,

"You would never know it but me and this little lady here have a lot in common father. Abadar calls to us both but for much different reasons mind you. Guess that is another story."

He gives a bit of a chuckle before telling a long drawn out story about the crazy man in the woods. Of course embellishing his bravery and prowess in dealing with the man.

"Tell us more of the crazy man in the woods." Durnim suggests to the goblinoid to extend the roleplaying scene for the GM.

To the group, he asks, "Where are you going next?"

Rockne eats a larger portion of the stew than a man of his size should conceivably be able to eat. While he does it with a certain amount of gusto there are ingrained habits visible to suggest that he has eaten at more noble tables than campfires.

He adds his own commentary to the story Dagru weaves, much of his editorial about how annoying the whole situation was to deal with.

"Not sure what's next," he replies to the dwarf while nodding his head toward the board. "Lots of things need doin' around here so who knows? What about you - heading out to search for your master or staying here to help out? Someone needs to start forging some 'fine weapons' for when we catch that Sneeg guy...."

"No need to search for Master Dolgrin. He can take care of himself. They wouldn't need two smiths where ever he is anyway." Durnim replies to the halfling. Then asks, "Who is that Sneeg guy?"

The halfling juts a thumb toward the board. "Merc with a price on his head, reward's paid in quality weaponry. Might not be the next thing we do but we'll catch him eventually. Somebody should be getting ready since quality takes time. Don't like waiting..."

He thinks again for a moment. "So no reward for finding him or anything, huh?"

"Ahh Svetlana, this is the feast we've been dreaming of while out in the woods! We'll have to keep an eye out for more radishes during our next expedition." Grautak, surprisingly, was not exaggerating. The soup was quite delicious and the ale very refreshing. Glancing at his brother he could see Dagru felt the same about the food. This trading post had a lot going for it. Grautak and Dagru would need to make sure Oleg & Svetlana remained safe.

Grautak takes a pensive minute to examine the two newcomers to Oleg's. The Dwarf seemed typical of that race. He stank and already he was suspicious of Grautak and Dagru.... figures. "Well I was wrong about the Dandy, so maybe I'll be wrong about the dwarf." The priest looked a bit out of place. It seemed a bit strange that a priest would arrive at the trading post with no real reason for being there or wandering in this part of the country.

Ignoring the priest for later, let the others figure his story out, Grautak instead decided to take the measure of the dwarf.

"So you're a smith, Hornblower? What's your specialty, trumpets? Har har, har! Did you hear that, Dagru? Trumpets?! Har, har, har!" Grautak takes a very big gulp of ale, tosses a hunk of venison over his shoulder toward Whisper, and waits to see the dwarf's reaction.

Gird listens to the conversations happening around the table trying to get a gauge of the attitudes around him especially the newcomers Jhod and Durnim.

Gird examines the two, checking out their various features and mannerisms (studied target), he checks to see their reactions to Grautaks comments.

He tucks into the meal for as Grautak exclaimed it is excellent fare.

"Thankyou Svetlana, this is great"

"Aye, a smith." Durnim replies like he has heard Grautak's comment on his name several hundred times.

After a slight pause covered by a bite and swallow of stew, he continues, "I prefer forging weapons and armor, but horseshoes need attention, too."

After Gird's comment, the dwarf echoes, "Yes, Svetlana, this is excellent."

"Speaking of weapons and armor, Oleg! Where are you?"

Dagru grabs a drink and steps away from the table. He looks about for his brother and starts mumbling something about the hammer when he sees Oleg. As he begins walking toward him he asks,

"What goods have you received while we were away? You must have something interesting besides the typical items you carried earlier. Durnim, hey Durnim. You say your a good smith well what can you tell me of Oleg's goods."

"Hey Durnim I use a rather specialised weapon called a fauchard, do you think you'd be able to make improvements or even make it out of special materials say cold iron?"

Gird gestures to his weapon leaning again a wall nearby.

"Aye, I know the fauchard. Cold iron is no problem. My axe is cold iron. Takes a bit more material and time. What kind of improvements are you thinking about?" Durnim asks the half elf and waits to see Oleg's weapons.

"Well I was just thinking that it's a good weapon, but not the best i've seen, I held one once that held a very sharp edge and almost sang as it moved through the air"

"Well, the sharpness of the edge depends on the quality of the blade. As too singing..." The dwarven smith smiles and shrugs.

Oleg looks confusedly at Dagru, and answers, "I don't know where you get your goods from, but it takes time to get new merchandise here by caravan. It's several days trip to Restov, then ya gotta hope they have what ya need, then hope to be able to find arrangements to get it here quick. But, if ya got something particular ya want, let me know and I'll see about gettin' it here. Other than that, supplies are limited to second-hand items people may bring to trade, and I ain't had any trade brought in of any real merit yet."
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Basically, if you want something he hasn't already listed as having for sale, he can have it ordered and after some time it will arrive. He would charge you half up,front, and half upon delivery.

Rockne digests Oleg's words for a few seconds. "We've been spending time exploring the wilds, should we be babysitting the trade route instead so stuff keeps getting here safe and quick? What kind of stuff's happened to caravans before, maybe we can crack some heads to make it easier?"

Oleg, I think Rockne has a point. Your not going to get goods here until people know the route is free and clear of threats. Also they need some reason to come."

"People thought I was foolish to come out here with all of the bandits and wild beasts." Durnim adds. "If you want more of a selection of goods, the Stolen Lands need to be settled with farmers and craftsmen, like me."

"If you want some weapons or armor, we can order the raw material from Oleg, and I can make it for you. You need to give Oleg a down payment worth a sixth of the going rate at Restov, and I can specify what material to purchase. Another sixth would be due to Oleg when we receive the material. Then, I'll need some days to forge 'em."

"Howabout we get things done around here and show them that we are in the area creating order and they will come"

Vianella nods, agreeing with Durnim and Gird. "Indeed. The safer we make this area by clearing bandits and other hazards, the more people that may be willing to travel here for trade and, for those who wish to become a pioneer in a new land, settling down."

"Perhaps," the noblewoman continued, turning to the dwarf, "you would care to join us in our endeavor against the hazards of the area. We may be able to have a charter drawn up for you to give you the same rights as the rest of us here, related to exploration and bandit eradication."

"A charter? Really?" Durnim's face lights up with a smile and hopeful potential. "That would be great. I would gladly offer you your weapons and armor at my cost."

Smiling mischievously, Grautak responds to Durnim's last comment. "Does that offer include trumpets and tubas? Har, har, har! Welcome aboard Hornblower, we'll be glad to have you."

Grautak then stands up from the table and walks over to Oleg & Svetlana.

Oleg and Svetlana are left visibly gawking at whatever it was Grautak had said to them, in a good way.

In response to Lady Orlovsky, Jhod answers, "I am...was a priest of Erastil. Though, I no longer serve the church in any official capacity, but I do believe the Stag-Father has plans for me yet..."

Let me know what route you guys intend to take this time around, same as before, or something different.

As far as an inventory at Oleg's, he currently has nothing new aside from a couple patched up suits of leather armor and bows/arrows you guys left him before. He says he has shipped most of it off to Restov in trade for new supplies that should be arriving within the week.

"How do you travel? I've a horse and cart for my anvil. But I don't mind hoofing it." Durnim asks the group.

To Jhod, the dwarf asks, "Why don't you tell 'em about that lost temple to Erastil that you are looking for?"

After finishing his meal, Gird is relaxing and he leans forward in his seat and addresses Oleg and Svetlana

"Oleg I understand that it will take a while for you to get more stock, is there anything that you require from us to be able to perform the function of a supply base that we need? Do you need more money? I would be glad to give so that you would be able to be able to supply us with good that we will need in the future."

Rockne raises as eyebrow at the half elf's comment. His pouch contains more coin than he has ever owned, but that doesn't mean he's willing to start giving it away!

"Sounds like he needs a base that's SAFE. Best thing we can do is take care of the thieving idiots out there so this place isn't always under attack!"

Oleg nods, "Aye, the road to Restov is relatively safe, it just takes time for goods to arrive and for orders to make it there. Best thing for us would be to hang all the rest of these bandits off the walls."

Jhod casts a glance towards Durnim at the mention of the lost temple, then nods and says, "Indeed, I have been plagued by dreams of late. Dreams of an overgrown and forgotten temple of Erastil, guarded by a huge, angry bear. Ever since, I have felt a tugging towards these lands, and I know that it is Erastil's wish to see this temple restored. Ever since I arrived here at Oleg's though, the draw has ceased. Oleg told me about you all and your charter, as well as rumors of lost temples to Erastil in these lands. Perhaps, in your explorations, if you come across such a place, you will let me know?"
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Assuming you take a similar circuitous path as before, as I now have books and am eager to update!

The group sets out once again, the dwarven smith among them, and travel East through the plains. They pass Bokken's hut, who seems to not remember any of you, and glares at you as if you were common trespassers as you ride past. Soon, though, Grautak can estimate that you've reached the Eastern limits of what your charter has outlined for you to explore, and turns the group back south west to begin the next circuit.

The first couple of days are peaceful rides through the plains. On the third day, the group comes to some slow rises in the elevation, and soon find themselves thoroughly surrounded by rolling hills. As dusk begins to settle in, Gird and Rockne spot an old, lightning-struck oak tree on a hilltop to the south, the only tree they've seen in a 2 mile radius.
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Gird has alot more useful skills now.. like survival, which he uses to try and maximise our food

Let me aid on your survival checks. I give +3 instead of +2.

"That tree looks a might suspicious. Let's check it out.

Vinaella, evangelist of Abadar, frowns upon hearing the priest was a follower of Erastil. A follower of that chauvinistic anti-civilization ruffian? As long as he doesn't try to stop the wheel of civilization from rolling over this land... She keeps her thoughts to herself, giving a smile and nod. "Of course, we'll let you know should we find such a place." Unless it's in an ideal place for a thriving city... then we could think about burning it down...

----

The Lady Vianella Orlovsky was getting used to riding the horses, although she still had no skill with them and risked, on occasion, sliding off. Her backside, at least, was no longer sore from their forays into the wilds.

"Tree?" the noblewoman asks, her mind having wandered, finally looking over where the others were facing. "Ahh... Is that a sycamore? Or do you think it's that dead-ish claw tree from that paper you found?" she asks. "Or is it nothing but a dead tree?"

As you approach the tree from this angle, it does indeed look like a claw reaching up towards the sky.

Dagru Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Durnim Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Gird Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Grautak Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Rockne Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Vianella Survival: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

"So no sycamore, no mites. That's something. And X marks the spot, right?"

Once they are close enough but not too close (120 feet or so) Rockne dismounts and continues the rest of the way on foot with sword drawn.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 looking around for surprises

Gird holds his fauchard ready after dismounting

"There is a patch of disturbed earth on the south eastern side of the tree..

Gird points to it and approaches