Tip is not aware of anything else, though it is highly likely some looting took place during the attack in the kobold's den. He is instead rather excited to have been on a successful expedition that regains his tribe some of their lost honor. The proud juvenile asks excitedly in broken common, "Back tribe? Get home back? Which we do next?"
[Ooc]What the kid said, what's your next plan? I've got you back on the exploration map page either way.
Nodding, Aleksara suggests heading back to the kobold's new home, but doesn't see why the group can't take it's time and wander a bit on the way.
"Exploration is part of our charter correct? Let's explore! Tip...any suggestions? Anything weird or mysterious nearby that could use a good look-see?"
"Home?" he shrugs. "No old hunt now. No see."
"Yes, let's return Tip and the idol back home, and check on the prisoners."
Looking a bit disappointed (and blood covered) Aleksara nods as she retrieve's her horse, resignation obvious in her tone.
"Okay. I guess that makes sense."
"These guys will be trouble again someday." Tenze says to no one in particular as he looks back at the Mite's tree.
"Although they could also be useful." He says with a thoughtful look.
Smirking again, Aleksara can't he;p herself.
"Sure they can be of use, if we ever have a vermin infestation."
The trip back to the Sootscale refugees is far quicker, and other than seeing a group of majestic elk crossing a glade, rather dull. Greck and the other kobolds are pleased to see you return with Tip and the idol. They prepare some roasted moon radishes eager to hear about the results of your expedition. Greck is a little concerned that the mites weren't wiped out and warns they will likely return to be a nuisance.
Sighing and nodding, Aleksara understands the kobold's thoughts.
"It was a hard call. We DID eliminate some of them. If they come back to bother you, let us know. We will come help again. Just let them know that next time we might not stop with slaughtering their bugs, and just finish the job outright if they do come back."
A little later while all are enjoying the roasted moon radishes Tenze looks up from his plate, where he has been constructing a pyramid with the vegetables.
"So where to next? We should not forget the Sootscales home is still in enemy hands, but that need not be our immediate destination. It's a big land out there waiting for us."
Aleksara swallows a radish and waves her fork in the air.
"Wherever we go...let's avoid big bugs. Not a fan of those now."
"We should have enough supplies for at least a little scouting," concedes Quanah.
Following the route back to the kobolds that Jerrik recommends yields a little extra knowledge of the geography, but little else of interest beyond a creepy oak tree on a hill.
"OOOOh! Presents! Love you Thorryn. Quannah? Check to see if anything in the book is salvageable? I'm gonna check the neat-looking stick."
"And I'll hang on to the ring, it's the start of our treasury."
Says Tenze has he pokes about the tree,
Back in the Sootscale camp. After everyone has eaten and relaxed. Tenze stands walks to a clear area, closes his eyes, points with his right hand, and begins to spin.
"Eany meany miney moe, which is the way we should go."
He suddenly stop spinning and opens his eyes and stares in the direction he is pointing.
"That way. For sure that way. The Gnome approved direction chooser formula is never wrong."
"Seems as good a direction as any, but we should get back and check on Oleg's soon. We stirred up the hornet's nest and we can't leave him alone to fend off the bandits. They'll coming looking eventually for the men that didn't return and we need to be there when that happens."
[dice=WoWS]1d20 + 25 + 20
The charter group continues their exploration of the Greenlands, exploring the lightly forested plains near the moon radish patch. Flat grasslands give way to rolling hills and thicker stands of trees the closer they come to the forest proper.
Four in the morning. Tenze wakes to the quietest hour of the night to take his watch. Once he is the only one awake again, he feels suspiciously like he is being watched. He looks around but sees nothing.
A few minutes later, the air seems charged and the hairs on the back of his neck rise. A purple glow settles over the space just behind the gnome's back. When he turns to look, a smallish ball of purple lightning manifests.
An arc of azure electricity strikes away from the ball and slams into an owl in the trees above. The bird explodes in a poof of feathers.
"Next time...YOU!"
The ball turns into a purple skull before fading away into the dark.
Hey that looks like a...
His thought is interrupted by the vicious electric shock. Which sends the Gnome to the ground for cover. He looks up just in time to see the attacker's ominous threat and dramatic exit.
If none of the others is awakened by the Hum and zap of the shock, Tenze's yelp of surprise or the owl's Snap-Crackle-and Pop, he will do so.
"I think we got something's attention."
"Whut? You woke us up for..."
Then she looks at the dead remains of the owl, picking up some of the scorched feathers.
"Ok. Yeah it wasn't a dream. That was some decent magic there from the description and what I see. A flying skull? Some sort of undead maybe? Can they be territorial? Could have been a spell-caster's projection or magic device too."
"The book has a few legible spells. I could learn perhaps one or two things from it," Quanah concedes.
Quanah regards the incinerated owl impassively, apparently not terribly disturbed that this happened to what is perhaps a distant cousin of hers.
"Let's head east and back to Oleg, scout the surrounding territory and make sure he hasn't had any visitors."
Nodding in agreement, Aleksara acknowledges the path laid out.
"That works for me. I could use an actual bed to sleep on once in a while!"
"Very well. Do you want me to fly ahead a bit?" says Quanah.
Tenze straightens up in the saddle, he had been leaning forward and talking quietly in the animal's ear. The Gnome looks down from his horse.
"I'm ready to ride. Lord lighting." Indicating the horse. "Here and I have an understanding and future equestrian excursions will be good. Going back to Oleg's, good call. Oh we can give Svetlana the Moon Radishes."
As Quanah takes to the air, Tenzekil calls out.
"Watch out for electric skulls, they apparently don't like feathers!"
"If you can scout ahead Quanah, that would be very helpful."
"Thorryn, can you send your friend ahead as well. Have her stay out of sight though. Just have her come back if she spots people."
Re: leveling, I'd say you're a little more than halfway, as it were. I would expect that to kick in after one or two major site encounters.
The explorer's make it back to Oleg's just before the skies open up and a thunderstorm blows wind and rain into their faces. The gates are open and as soon as they enter, the group is greeted by Oleg who rushes their animals into the stable and them to the tables that are now covered with bright tents. Svetlana is pleased to see everyone and she immediately points to several people on the towers. "Brevoy finally sent us professional guardsman!" She takes the time to catch everyone up as she warms and dries them with fresh rabbit stew and hearty beer.
A man with a bald head and a mustache arrives, followed by a large man in armor. "Ah, my friends, this is Jhod and Kesten. Jhod is a priest of Erastil on some sort of quest and Kesten is the commander of the guards they sent us."
Aleksara nods and waves at the newcomers.
"I hope you guys brought some smithing supplies, or similar. This place will need a bunch of work to get it defensible."
Tenze gives the moon radishes to Svetlana. "As requested dear Lady."
Then happily begins chatting with all the new arrivals. Seeking news from home, especially concerning politics and and the latest gossip.
While speaking with Kesten. "So they crown finally decided to act and send troops, that's good." He looks about to see if anyone is watching them, then."So tell me which House pushed this through?"
Later he seeks out Jhod. "A quest hey? That sounds interesting."
A hot meal is most welcome Ms. Svetlana. Thank you. No retribution from the Stag Lord or his men? Hmm..."
"Please Jhod, tell us more about this quest of yours."
Svetlana's eyes widen and her smile broadens at the sight of the radishes. "Oh! Wonderful! I'm going to start cooking a stew, bring your appetites!"
Kesten readily engages in conversation with Tenze about matters of court back in Brevoy, most especially some juicy rumors about House Garess.
The balding priest sits at one end of the bench and pulls a flask out of his robes. "It's uh, a lost Erastilian temple. I uh, well, you know?" He pulls out a pipe and starts puffing tobacco. "A couple days south of here, somewhere."