Parast 4 to 5. Location hexes 514 and 414.Even with Lanya and Wilhelm working together to drive the wagon it takes two days to break free of the hills and get to the plains. By the end of the two days the weather has warmed and the snow has melted and that was part of the problem, the ground was turning into muddy slush. The good news is that there was sufficient time for Anastacia, Koila and Marik to have fully explored hex 414 while the wagon slogged on through. The hex is hilly (obviously) and you have no encounters of note.
Pharast 6. Location hexes 213 and 214. Finally the wagon breaks through to the plains and you make good time back to Oleg's arriving late in the day. The temperature actually gets into the low 40s and the snow is completely gone.
John and Birch recover consciousness and complain continuously about Lanya and Wilhelm's driving, doing everything in their power to undermine their authority.
An Intimidate or Diplomacy check of 12 is enough to put them in thier place.
Lanya hears the troublesome pair of bandits speak up and listens to their obvious complaints.
"Be glad we took you with us, a pair of unconscious bite-size snacks like yourself would be appreciated by the wild animals of this region. How about showing some gratitude now before we change our mind and still do so?"
She looks at Wilhelm with a quick glance and grins while they steer the cart.
Keeping a careful eye on the road, Wilhelm tries to ignore the perpetual whining of the bandits as he continues to assist in driving the cart. He mentally recites a number of his church teachings, intoning the words as they had first been taught to him. 'The trials that Iomedae set before you will be many and varied. As a holy Paladin of our Lady, it is my task to do what is right though sense of justice and my own desires may seek otherwise.' These bandits are aggravating, but I'll face much worse before my time. It speaks poorly of me that I must struggle not to strangle them. I must try harder.
With a vaguely aggravated sigh, Wilhelm keeps his attention on the road and ignores the bandits as best he can. As Lanya suddenly speaks up, a slow and slight smile grows and his annoyance fades into amusement. Glancing at Lanya, he returns her grin and then begins to recite various tavern tales of monsters in the Greenbelt. His tone remains conversational as he talks of the 'supposed' dangers of hydras, dire wolves and hulking owlbears.
Marik finds a rocky crag with an overgrown 5' crack at its base. The cave leads down about 20' to a 30' diameter cavern. Directly across from the entrance the wall of the cavern sparkles in the torchlight. Marik takes a sample and that evening assays the ore using his alchemists kit. Jubilent, he shares the news. It's Gold!
Once the warhorses have settled down enough to look over, Anastacia selects one to ride. Daisy is an excellent, docile mare, but a steed trained for war will be better. Less likely to panic in unusual circumstances.
While Lanya and Wilhelm pilot the wagon through the uneven hill country, Anastacia rides watch with her crossbow at the ready.
Luckily there are no ambushes, because her thoughts are engrossed with plans of buying new armor once they are back at Oleg's.
"That is good news." Anastacia tells Marick. "A valuable asset indeed. I knew this would be good country."
Anastacia gives the two bandits a cold stare. "Once it's free of bandits."
Koilia scouts,
scrounges up food and useful herbs,
and offers myths of the Nomen during the evenings to those willing to listen.
En route to Oleg's, the laconic Koilia walks along Wilhelm as he rides, and asks,
Why have you come here?
Pharast 6
As we ride into Oleg's Lanya calls out when they are close to the gate.
"Oleg! Good folk have returned returned!"
As their caravan heads on in, she looks aound if she sees Viktor or members of the other group. If she sees Viktor she will greet him heartily and relate the rest of the events that happened while he was gone. Together with Viktor they come to the same conclusion about the bandits.
When everyone is set to stay the night at Oleg's she walks over to Anastacia and afterwards Wilhelm.
"Anastacia, I am in need of someone that has insights into people. I can't say that I am one of those unfortunate, I hoped you might be. I need to be convinced that the bandits are sincere in their repentment, else we'd only have trouble with them."
Afterwards she talks to Wilhelm about the same thing.
"Wilhelm, I'd like you to join Anastacia and me in a confrontation of sorts with our two 'esteemed guests', I want to make sure they can be trusted and another pair of eyes and ears can be useful."
Wilhelm laughs excitedly as Marick explains his discovery. "Good lands indeed, Anastacia. Properly worked, this land might one day form the heart of a venerable force for good. It's thrilling to be taking these first steps, don't you think?" Wilhelm begins to grin enthusiastically while he gazes at the horizon, thinking. As Lanya tacks on her thoughts on bandits, Wilhelm turns his gaze on the few that are tied up. His smile, formerly delighted, tightens into a wolfish grin as he looks at the lawbreakers. "Indeed."
Surprised, Wilhelm glances at his companion before shrugging slightly and saying, "An interesting question, that. I suppose you could say that I'm here because I wanted to avoid someplace else." Chuckling in amusement, Wilhelm pauses for a moment, obviously thinking. He continues, "I suppose I'm here because for more than just that. I want to be remembered for doing something with my life. If I'd stayed at home, I'd have been just another fool simpering at court. As a third son, I'd probably end up as some other fool's vassal. The very idea..." Wilhelm shudders in distaste. "... leaves a foul taste in my mouth."
"With my training and my faith, I can do some good in this world and I can earn my rightful place in a bard's song some three hundred year's from now. So I suppose that's it, I came to free the land from criminals, be sung about in a bard's song and avoid the drudgery of court. All in a day's work, eh?" Chuckling at his own quip, Wilhelm asks, "And how about you, my elusive friend. What are you doing in the Greenbelt?"
Having seen to his horse and stowed his gear, Wilhelm enjoys a pleasant moment sitting on something that doesn't jostle or sway before Lanya joins him. He listens to her request, thoughtful, before nodding and saying, "A confrontation of sorts is it? Let me fetch my sword and I'll happily join you, m'lady. Or do you prefer Lanya? A court's habits die hard it seems..." Smiling slightly, Wilhelm awaits her reply before recovering his blade.
Finishing adjusting the buckles on his scabbard, Wilhelm follows Lanya to the bandits. As they walk, he asks, "Is there anything you'd like me to be doing in particular? Set them up to be worrying about their punishment, perhaps? Are we keeping to Viktor's sentence?" Wilhelm, no longer smiling, makes a slicing motion on his hand.
As you come up on Oleg's you see a group of people working on the arbalist in the southwest tower. They easily spot you and as you enter Viktor is there along with a muscled man in his mid thirties. Viktor warmly greets everyone, tells you that Felix's group has not come back but Dantalion's Eagle delivered a message saying they were negotiating with the kobolds. Viktor introduces the man standing next to him as Kesten Garess, who has more or less been permenantly transfered from the Restov military to Viktor's command. He and three soldiers working on the arbalist are the new permanent garrison of Oleg's. They also brought a priest of Erastil along, but he is out hunting. His name is Jhod Kavken. Viktor is willing to take the prisoners to Restov.
John and Birch have been pretty silent after there initial outburst about driving. As you approach John glares at you.
Anastacia nods her head in agreement with Lanya's request. "I'll see what I can do." Anastacia is aware that clerics of greater power can tell without doubt if a person is lying, but she is not of that caliber.
Stepping up to confront the bandits she tells them. "This country needs farmers, miners, and skilled craftsmen. Are you ready to turn your back on your ways of thuggery? Are you willing to work hard for a living, instead of taking from those who can't defend themselves?"
Anastacia watches the men closely as she talks and as they answer. She has known liars before, many of them exhibit certain tale-tale signs. So this is what she looks for.
As he approaches the bandits, Wilhelm notices John's glare and returns it with a frown of his own. These men may well be trouble, but surely they can't be so far gone that they can't be brought back to the light? Still thinking, he listens and watches the bandits as Anastacia lays out the terms that are to be offered.
She smiles at Wilhelm at his question of titles. "I'm happy with either Wilhelm, friends may call me Lanya, but if you find that hard m'lady is just fine."
Then they walk to the bandits and she answers Wilhelm's question. "It does not fall to me to question Viktor's first sentences just yet, I'll have a talk with him later about it. I want you to pay attention and observe them, just like I asked Anastacia to do. I have been misled a few times in my work as a diplomat, and I don't want to let that happen now."
Then she looks at John staring at him and frowns.
"If that is already your attitude towards me, I think it is a closed case already. Just like my companion said, you have a choice to make now, we offer you a chance to better your lives and live in peace in the land we aim to found here. Else you will answer to the law and be sentenced for banditry." She lets the words sink in and then asks them for a final time.
"What say you?"
John snaps back to Lanya. "I'd like to see your attitude under similar conditions." Then he realizes it may have been the wrong thing to say. "I'm a fair hand at ranching, I've done it before, and Birch here is no slouch at it. So I'm willing to try my hand at honest trade if you'll let me."
"Or head straight back to the Staglord, soon as you get the chance. I wish I could believe you, there John."
Anastacia frowns at the two bandits. "We really can't have you doing that."
Frowning at the bandit's, Wilhelm shrugs uncomfortably and whispers quietly to Anastacia and then Lanya, "They seem to be telling truth to me, but I'm hardly the best at gauging that sort of thing. My ability to detect agents of evil doesn't seem to show them as such, but I'm not sure when they would." Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, Wilhelm frowns in concentration. I trust Anastacia's ability to gauge truth better then my own, but I suppose they deserve to face the truth of their situation.
Turning his frowning gaze back on the bandits, Wilhelm says bluntly, "John... Birch... you are being offered a chance for salvation. The penalty for banditry is death by hanging, and given the evidence arrayed against you, the only thing that stands in the way of that fate is your contrite redemption. We cannot, however, allow you to walk free unless we are convinced that you will not flee back to this so-called Stag Lord to resume a life of murder. Given what I've just said, think very carefully about your immortal souls and whether they are ready to face the afterlife."
Lanya listens to Anastacia's words and then to Wilhelm's before he proclaims their situation.
She leans close to Anastacia. "How sure are you that they will run?"
After hearing Anastacia's reply, she nods and turns to the bandits.
"John and Birch, your fellow bandits fell at our hands in battle and did not get a chance for absolution. We are offering it now, so at least show some valour and decency in telling us the truth. We are no simple folk or fools to believe a sad story or a seeming plea for forgiveness, as we already know where your true intentions lie."
She stares really stern and her eyes seem to shift colour as she stares directly at them.
"Perhaps you don't know what we are offering. We offer you a life of hard work now and freedom to live in the land we aim to settle later. If you want to ranch, you can ranch at that time or do anything else you are good at. Remember that sooner or later banditry in the Greenbelt will dry up and you will wish you had taken us up on our offer. I will give you two a night to think about it and come back for your answer tomorrow, show some more backbone in your answer then."
With that she aims to leave, turning back and tapping Wilhelm and Anastacia on their shoulders as a signal to 'leave them be'.
Wilhelm listens carefully for a moment and nods in response to Lanya's tap. Taking a brieft moment, he looks at both men with his face impassive. I suppose there's nothing else to be done then. Their fate is in their hands. Nodding politely to each, Wilhelm turns on his heel and follows Lanya. After performing whatever chores need to be done, Wilhelm approaches Oleg when he seems free and initiates a brief conversation, "Hail Oleg! Thank you for continuing to put up with our 'little' band. I've a quick request to make of you as a trader. Have a copy of The Acts available? If not, could you put an order in for a copy? I need nothing fancy but of late I find myself seeking my Lady's guidance and my own copy was left in my father's hall. I'm happy to pay in full up front of course."
Later in the evening, Wilhelm makes a point of making sure that John and Birch get a decent meal and bedding out of the cold. He doesn't speak to the men any further then necessary however, not wanting to interrupt their thoughts.
Lanya takes care to notify the guards at Oleg's to keep a close eye at the two bandits and make sure they stay bound. Then she heads to talk to their leader Kesten Garess.
"Kesten Garess? I'm Lanya Beladon of House Medvyed, a pleasure to meet you." she says as she holds out her hand.
"Do you bring any news other than reinforcements for poor Oleg?"
@Lanya
Kesten does a slight bow in ackowledgement of Lanya's name, obviously the man has at least a little knowledge about court behaviour. "These are trying times in Restov, I try and stay apolitical, the intrigues bother me. That's why, when the swordlords asked for a volunteers to garrison Oleg's I volunteered. Plus, there is a vile man named Falgrim Sneed who has joined the bandits out here. Sneed betrayed my last command and caused the death of many of my friends. I'm hoping to make him pay for his crimes."
@Wilhelm
Oleg happily welcomes Wilhelm back and wants every grisly detail of what you did to the bandits. He is particularly happy to hear about Kressle. When you ask about The Acts he replies
"Well.., we don't get much call for books out here. But I'm sure I can get one with our next shipment. Do you want some sort of deluxe gold gilded edition or just an inexpensive one my agent in town can find?"
Wilhelm, only too happy to comply when given an eager audience, relates the events at the 'Battle of the Thorn Ford' and the 'Ambush at the Hilltop' with some embellishment. He spreads this embellishment evenly across his party, however, taking time to mention Viktor's clever illusions, Lanya's devastating spells, Anastacia's awe-inspiring mystics, Koilia's deadly bowshots and Marick's fantastic transformations. For himself, he spends time talking about how he faced down the vile Kressle and smote her with the blessings of his goddess. When he's done reciting his tale, he replies to Oleg's question, "Well I think I'd prefer something a bit more practical as I intend to carry it with me on our expedition. Something durable with a good leather cover and good paper perhaps? I don't care too much about gilt and such."
Anastacia goes along with Wilhelm to speak to Oleg. After Wilhelm finishes she has some requests as well. "Sorry we haven't found Svetlana's ring yet Oleg. We'll keep looking. I plan on holding a service for the dead this evening, if you or anyone else is interested. If you could let the folks know, it would be appreciated."
Anastacia wants to ask about a silver holy symbol, and some better armor (breastplate) but until she knows what her cut of the whiskey and other loot is, she doesn't have the funds. It's just bad form to order stuff you can't pay for...
Lanya nods to Kesten in agreement. "Such men should not be allowed to escape justice one way or another. If we find Sneed, we will capture him and bring him before you. You have my word for it. Preferably alive, but if we don't have any choice..."
Afterwards Lanya goes to a more secluded spot and begins writing a letter to Alexei Medvyed, the man who took her in as a diplomat.
After some haggling, Oleg and Viktor come to an agreement. For the weapons, wagons, armor and weapons that have not been claimed Oleg gives everyone in the group 540gp + 140gp a piece for bandit ransom (Total 680gp)
[ooc]Money and Items came in at 3780.03gp, Weapons and Armor came in at 1070.5 for a total of 4850.53 which Oleg was willing to round up to 4860gp. Divide by 9 (I know there are 10 but Viktor is still iffy and if he plays then he just got a 10% bonus to selling price from Oleg)
The following items were not sold and are still available
5 Potions of Cure Light
4 Silver Stag Lord Amulets
2 Potions of Shield of Faith
2 Masterwork Handaxe
6 Riding Horses
2 Thunderstones
1 Gnomish Diary
1 Piece of Paper with Undercommon on it
10 Light Warhorses (9 of them are branded with Brevoy military brand, but they are given as a gift to your kingdom.)
1 Filthy set of leather armor that Oleg will not buy until someone cleans it up.
Anastacia barrows a storeroom that is not overflowing. If anyone shows up she gives a sermon about the judgment of Pharasma and the wisdom of living an upright life. She times it so that the sermon is done and the people (If any) leave just before sunset. As the sun goes down, Anastacia performs her own devotions to Pharasma. She asks the goddess for the power to understand, and read languages. The scrap of paper with the strange scrips intrigues her. She wants to know what it says.
The next day Anastacia asks Oleg what he has on hand in the way of medium armor.
Wilhelm cheerfully thanks Oleg for his help and pays the man the requested amount. Later in the evening, he attends Anastacia's sermon and listens carefully, curious and ready to learn of a goddess he knows relatively little about. After the sermon, Wilhelm turns in, tired by the day's confrontation with the bandits.
Early the next morning, Wilhelm rises and goes through his normal routines in preparation for the difficulties to come. We will see what has happened with John and Birch today. Iomedae grant that they will see the path to righteousness and redemption. Having prayed for guidance, Wilhelm turns to more mundane matters. When he learns of his share of the sale of equipment, Wilhelm's thought's turn to the blows he suffered at Sweet's hands. I think some sturdier armor may be in order. When an opportunity presents itself, he asks Oleg, "Do you perhaps have a set of banded mail armor in your supplies? If not, could you place an order for some at the same time as my book?"
After concluding his business, Wilhelm approaches Lanya and asks, "When do you wish to speak to John and Birch? They'll have had their day to stew soon enough."
Oleg has medium armor available although none of it is masterwork, for that he'll have to place an order. As long as the armor isn't one of the oriental flavored ones, it's available to buy.
@Anastacia, the paper is with the other group right now. When you finally meet up with Felix's group then you can throw Comprehend Language on it. It is two lists side by side, one labeled 'Us' the other labeled 'Them'. Under "Us' is just two items: Kobold Statue and Lots of Spears and Coins. Under 'Them' is Magic Dust, Lots of Coins and Shiny Human Ring. It was found in the mite lair that Felix's group cleared out.
Wilhelm thanks Oleg profusely as he makes the exchange. Taking his newly acquired gear aside, he strips off his old armor before trying on the new. After taking some time to adjust the fit, he sits and carefully cleans off his old armor until it shines. His task complete, he finds Oleg yet again and sells his now obsolete scale mail and greatclub. Content with his armor he continues on to speak with Lanya.
Alexei, I want to thank you again for this opportunity outside of the courts and ballrooms. Our journey here has brought some squabbling amongst the group, several houses vying for leadership of the expedition, ours one of them.
Though I am not the current leader of the expedition, another of our house is, I think you might have met him once; Viktor Stovyet.
Our initial scouting of the new area has led us to Oleg's, a fortified trading post. Having eventually dispatched the bandits plaguing him by stealing his supplies, we made our way further into the Greenlands. My group consisted of Viktor; Anastacia, a cleric of Pharasma; a human archer named Koilia; a strange elf by the name of Marik and a young paladin of Orlovsky, Wilhelm, who seems to have more makings of a leader than the others I've seen here of his House.
Alexei, the following has to be kept quiet for a while, but we have discovered a gold vein in these lands. We don't want fortune seekers here just yet, not before we rid the area of the last bandits.
Also I'm wondering what you might know about Felix Orlovsky and Dante Skyborn. I have heard of them before and they seem capable as leaders, though very stern.
I hope you have some insight for me, as I'll think we'll need some. By the next time you'll receive a letter from me, we'll have rid the land of bandits and might think of bigger steps.
Yours Truly,
Lanya Beladon.
With her thoughts committed to paper, she heads to Oleg to talk.
"Oleg, when do you think a messenger or rider back north to Brevoy will be here? I've heard Viktor and Marik talk about moving back north, but they might have more pressing matters than delivering my letter."
Afterwards she finds Wilhelm and walks along with him to John and Birch.
"You caught me at the right time, Wilhelm. I was just intending to do so. I only need Anastacia's perceptive eyes and ears as well and we'll see how much their word is worth."
With that she looks for Anastacia and gestures her over to John and Birch.
Anastacia picks through Oleg's selection of armor, until she finds a breastplate that is the right fit for her. She pays Oleg in gold and trades her scale armor in, as part of the deal. Her suit of scale is substantially less battered than the one Wilhelm trades in.
Anastacia joins Lanya and Wilhelm when it is time to decide the fate of the two bandits.
"I'd say my timing is impeccable, but I don't think there's ever a right time to condemn a man to death. Here's hoping that they decide to see reason." Wilhelm says as he falls in alongside Lanya. He nods politely and smiles at Anastacia as she joins the group, but it's clear that the young paladin is thinking of the encounter to come.
When the group arrives to speak to John and Birch, Wilhelm seems to physically shake off his brooding demeanor. Now stern, he asks the pair, "Has the day made a difference in your mind? Are you now willing to work peacefully towards an honest, if hard, end? Keep in mind that we have a responsibility to see the land safe and that we will not shirk this duty. You must convince us that you are sincere in your desire to change." He glances from face to face, carefully watching as the bandits respond.
Lanya looks on as Wilhelm pronounces again the verdict and the bandit's predicament. Lanya hopes they will give an honest answer now instead of the same reply again like yesterday.
She looks on sternly at the pair as they listen to Wilhelm's words.
John continues to insist that he won't run and that he will become a ranch hand.
Apparently John spent the night improving his lie. The tale-tales are more subtle this time. his eyes more steady, his breathing more even.
Anastacia frowns and tells Lanya and Wilhelm: "I don't know what they really plan on doing if we free them, but when he says he will try to be a good citizen, his body language tells me he is lying."
Then she tells John and Birch: "You know too much about us for us to let you go running to the Stag Lord. I am afraid you are doomed to hang. The Lady of Graves will judge your souls as you deserve."
Anastacia grabs her mace from where it hangs at her side, she half hopes the two will try to make a break for it. It would be a better death than the hangman's noose.
Wilhelm frowns at the men and then looks to Anastacia. Nodding, he looks back to the men and says, "I'm afraid unless you have anything further to say, you will be hanged for the crimes of banditry and murder. You have been given a chance to better yourselves and you haven't been truthful and honest in your willingness to do so. Sadly, our only recourse is carry out the sentence as outlined by the lady Anastacia." Shaking his head sadly, Wilhelm helps carry out the sentence unless Lanya or another party interferes.
Lanya joins in as she crosses her arms and looks at them shaking her head.
"Indeed you will hang, as an example for the other bandits. Though it's not something I look especially forward too, we will do it right away."
She walks out and calls for Kesten Garess and the others of her and Viktor's team, she'll tell them the following.
"John and Birch are not repentant in any way and deserve the noose. We will hang them as soon as we can. Do we have a gallow of some sort or can we make a makeshift one?"
As sentence is passed John spits out. I'd stop worrying about my neck and more about yours. If you kill me, my brother will see to you. He'll burn this stinkin' fort to the ground and grind your bones for his potions.
Anastacia just sets grimly about getting the job done. There is no use in baiting the bandits.
Wilhelm frowns at John's words but declines to get drawn into a confrontation with the man in his last moments. He assists as needed with the sentence, but doesn't speak any more then is needed. After the gristly work is done, Wilhelm retreats for a time to think.
A short time later, Wilhelm emerges from his solitary retreat, once again smiling and seemingly carefree. When the opportunity presents itself, he seeks out Kesten Garess and says, "It seems likely that the bandits will make their way here in the near future. The bandit, John, seemed certain that his brother would try and avenge him. Is there anything you need assistance with in bolstering the post's defenses?"
Kesten and his men quickly build a gallows and unless anyone objects the bandits will be hung this evening. Kesten frowns at Wilhelm's question. "Well, we're trying to rebuild everything from scratch and we're doing well. It will get done, no doubt, but unless you have an engineer with you I doubt you can speed it up."
Wilhelm smiles at the solid guardsman and says, embarrassed, "My apologies, Master Garess. It wasn't my intention to imply that you and your men weren't making good progress. I just wanted to make you aware of the possibility of a raid on this post and see if I could assist. My skills as an engineer are.... to call them lacking doesn't seem strong enough. I had nothing to lack in the first place. In any case, if you require a strong back to assist with your work, by all means, let me know." His concerns assuaged, Wilhelm nods politely to the guardsman and leaves him to his work.
Late on Pharast 7, Felix's group returns. They have Moon radishes and news that the kobolds have been peaceably dealt with. They also have Svetlana's wedding ring.
A strange feeling comes over Lanya as her uneventful watch nears its end. An almost uncontrollable urge to release the arcane might at her command has been building the entire evening, and it feels as if her blood is on fire. Uncomfortable and uneasy at these strange feelings she excuses herself from her companions and goes a short distance into the brush to try and compose herself. The feeling does not cease however and soon becomes even more intense as a sudden hush falls over the wilderness. Even the sounds of her friends in camp sound muted and far away. As she turns he finds her way barred.
Her first thought is I thought unicorns were white. for it is what indeed seems to be a black unicorn. It's rider is a 7' ebon skinned giantess, wearing very little but a bow that seems to made of bone. Two large reptilian looking dogs flank the rider and horse and start to pounce on Lanya but are hushed by the rider. They sit and glare.
The rider smiles at Lanya and if this is meant to reassure it fails in its intent. "You have nothing to fear from me at this time, child. I can hear your blood's song for I share it."
Lanya tries to compose herself, but inside her heart keeps thumping in her chest.
I don't like these odds if I ever should fight her and her dogs, but that unicorn she rides seems strange. I should do well to remember this.
The blood flowing through her hands pulsate with every second and if out of a reflex, she touches her chest and an armor of force covers her body.
Lanya stands as a wild animal that's cornered, but ferocious and dangerous. She stands as if she could bolt anytime.
In the presence of the giantess, it would almost seem that her hands glow with magic.
"So if you are not here to hurt me, what is it you want from me than? What kind of blood is running through my veins?"
When Lanya throws the spell the dogs leap to their feet but are quieted once again by the rider. "Child, let me make myself clear. In the future mark my greeting for I shall sometimes wish you harm. But your blood intrigues me. I tarried for a time amongst mortals and I can sense my blood in you. Mortal blood cannot dilute it, merely make it less common. So I bring a warning and a gift. Knowledge is power, and my lady's mortal servants now have your name. A name is a tenuous connection but they will try to magically spy on you. I cannot cloak you, my lady would notice, but I can give you this." She hands Lanya a basket. From its heft, Lanya can tell it contains a snake of some sort. "Until the moon comes full circle, it will provide you warning if you are spied upon and it will be a boon and faithful companion."
"Truly this is a beautiful gift." Lanya says as she looks unto the snake with a gaze that sees deeper than the obvious, recognizing the viper for what it is; intelligent and magical.
"And your warning is noted and I thank you for it. A warning up front from ones enemies is a thing of honour I would say. But your presence now leaves me with many questions. I don't think I've met any of your Lady's servants except for you, unless those bandits we faced were hers. As you say names are important and should not be given lightly it seems, I do wonder what I should call my benefactor tonight. Giantess with hounds on a black unicorn is a mouthful." Lanya quips, a slight smile protruding on her face.
"But I come from a land a long distance from here, how is it possible we share the same blood?"
"My time amongst you was many of your centuries ago and I left my daughter with the father and he was quite a traveler. So I am not surprised." she says wryly. "At the time I was known as Yarkali, and you may know me as that." She spurs her unicorn back towards a path of gloomy shadow, followed by her dogs. As the unicorn, rider and dogs fade into the darkness, Lanya can hear her last words. "Beware the Son, but the Father is our servant."
Pharast 13
The day starts clear and sunny all traces of rain are gone. You travel with Felix's group for most of the day, using the path along the Shrike river the bandits made. By mid day you come across where the Thorn river flows into the Shrike and cross. At this time your two groups part ways, Felix continuing to follow the Shrike. Your group continues north across hilly terrain, eventually settling in to camp in a hollow with a small spring. The night passes without incident.
Pharast 14
The next day is clear and the temperature is in the high 50's. You continue to travel through hills and by the end of the day find the hills beginning to end and turn into plains. There are no encounters that evening although it is begining to turn cloudy.
Pharast 15
Late in the morning a light rain begins to fall, soon turning to sleet as the temperature begins to drop. You make good time across the plains, but by the afternoon it starts to snow and a wind kicks up. Just in time you spot the Oleg's Trading Post, 30 minutes later and you would have been forced to stop due to visibility. You ride up to the newly repaired gate. It looks like Garess has done a good job and you see a guard on the battlement (One of Garess' men). It is now late afternoon and the gate is open. There are more people here than when you left, as you ride in you see 3 fine wagons and carriage. Standing over the wagons are two bare chested red skinned humanoids with really big scimitars. One of them is actually a large creature. No one is coming close to the wagons.