For anything you would want to buy, you first need to redeem first the note of credit at the Countinghouse of Abadar, and thus, while Splits goes to find his berries and Ingolf his traveling stuff most of the others visit the temple of the Master of Keys.
The primary temple for Pridon’s Hearth also serves as its bank and urban planning office. Once inside a venerable woman receives you inside "Hi! I am Banker Baldra Sifreth, how may I serve you?" the woman carries a golden key around her neck, and although the building is humble it is neatly maintained "You are new colonists, aren't you? You should open accounts with the temple to protect your assets and invest in the community’s future. Shall I proceed with it?"
The halfling female that you spotted yesterday through the window receives you with a smile "Hi! I am Heri Lightstep. You are the new colonists, aren't you? Who are things going in Eleder?" the apothecary has shelves with potions and poultices, she points out to have also some "recreational compounds you will not find in Sargava..." while winking an eye.
When Splits asks about the berries she does soon come with a small sachet "The bag is a copper coin, you should have enough for the whole month there. What are you going to do with them? Are you planning on a business already?"
The emporium stocks most of the nonmagical supplies available in Pridon’s Hearth. You also find out this is the local post office. A woman attends you "Hi! I am Mirya Oyin. You must be the new colonists! Is it true you fought Theo yesterday? Ah, I am sorry for the disarray at the shop, my wife Cassia just decided she had to pass away first and leave me with the store in this ill state..."
The woman soon brings the saddle and tent for Ingolf and she places it over Ebba refitting it to adjust to the boar body "Look, isn't it cute the boar now? Mmm... and so... it seems you are planning on a trip, isn't it? Where are you going? Are you explorers of sorts?"
At the Countinghouse, Ingolf asked the banker how the accounts worked, and what the costs were. He had a vague idea about the concept of depositing money, and getting it back later, but had never actually had an account before.
He checked in at Heri's Conservatorium he checked to see if they sold the Malaria tonic. "My companion Ebba will need some too."
Ingolf told Mirya Oyin, "I'm sorry for your loss; what a difficult time for you.
"I need to get a pack saddle and saddlebags for my boar companion. I'll also need a small tent."
When the woman fitted Ebba with the saddle gear, Ingolf agreed, "It really suits you, Ebba. You'll be a great help!"
In response to Mirya's inquiry he replied, "No exploring quite yet — we're going to Fort Breakthrough. Sometime in the coming months I do expect to be going off the beaten track; I'm a surveyor and mapmaker you see."
The druid gives a nod and a laugh as he looks for copper pieces and counts them out, "Thank you Heri Lightstep." He asks curiously about the compounds she sells, "And what could those compounds be?" He takes a quick look around the room trying to identify whatever he can, "But no, I am not starting a business. I am heading to the fort with some people to check on the state of it. Truthfully I am there to map out the weather in the area, Gozreh speaks and tells me there is something amiss."
He weighs the bag of berries in his hand while pondering, "I suppose you haven't seen anything of the like? Anything strange?"
Unsure of how much authority she actually had as the sheriff's liason and not wanting to push anything too much, Adriana addresses all going with her to the Fort. "Well, not to rush things, I will be going to the Countinghouse, then the conservatorium. You are welcome to join me and recommend supplies you think we may need, otherwise I shall await you on the outskirts in about a half-hour." And with as much confidence as she can, leaves for the Countinghouse.
At said countinghouse, she finds Baldra and politely lets the woman finish before handing over the note of credit. "We are new, yes, and perhaps after we've returned - the sheriff needs our assistance, and provided us with this."
Baldra Sifreth takes the note of credit and retrieves the coin delivering it to Adrianna "Fresh coin my dear, you must have impressed Sheriff Adeala. She is a judicious woman and must be sure you are going to put it to good use"
When inquired about the account Baldra invites Ingolf to take a comfortable sit "Look, we maintain your money safe here and we lend a portion of it to other colonists that need the coin for an investment. That way your money is secure and you still can help the colony grow with it. Isn't it great to help each other?" the venerable woman offers baked cookies to the gnome "You probably traveled with all your money on your journey here. Do you know how many people lose all their money on house break ins? Ensure you sleep well every night. The countinghouse will take good care of your savings. How much coin we are talking about to start with? May I inquire you about your profession and current working status?"
Heri offers Ingolf a piece of bark "I am run out of tonic today, but if you are in an urgency I also sell the bark. It is pretty easy to prepare your own infusion out of it. It is only 2 coppers and you can make a couple of liters out of it"
The halfling face shines when you mention the Fort "Oh! I am actually getting short of some important jungle plants the soldiers bring each time they come with a new report to the colony. If you are going to Fort Breakthrough perhaps you can bring back the plants or collect them yourselves if they are too busy at the moment"
When Splits comments he is looking for strange signs she thinks some seconds then negates "I don't think I have seen anything strange, unless Maso walking his cat kennel counts for it" the halfling laughs at her own memories.
Mirya Oyin contemplates the loaded boar "What a strong boar! She makes me remember my Cassia. How strong she was, and what a chaos would she make in the shop looking for more complements for Ebba"
"A mapmaker! How interesting. Perhaps you can sell me your maps. I can put them at a good price for expeditions. They always come here and to Northwind Smithy to prepare" the old woman stops chatting for a moment like if she just remembered something "Heading to Fort Breakthrough you said? The Witterwil farmstead is just a mile to the south of town on your way to the fort. You seem trustworthy people" she smiles and soothes Ebba's head "I have a parcel pending delivery to the Witterwils. At my age walking around has gotten much more difficult, but perhaps you could deliver the parcel on my behalf... I can loan you in exchange my handy haversack to hold all the farm supplies and seed"
Ingolf told the banker,"I have ten gold coins to deposit. I am a surveyor and mapmaker. Sherrif Praet has just hired me, along with these others, to go to Fort Breakthrough, and check on the garrison."
He bought some bark and wrote down the instructions for making the tonic.
He said to Mirya, "Certainly! I'll deliver the parcel and bring back whatever they might have for you."
He accepted the haversack and put it in Ebba's saddlebags.
"No fees" Baldra Sifreth smiles "We make this out of interest for the colony to thrive, and the interests on the loans gives us enough to maintain the temple"
"Good ten golds. That would make for a fair account start" the venerable woman collects the coins if Ingolf accepts to proceed "Fort Breakthrough you say? My assistant for this week hasn't returned from her tour of duty at the garrison, things are more difficult here without a set of younger hands. I would be grateful if you could request her to come back immediately. I hope she is ok and just have been entangled with some of the Fort businesses, but if she has managed to end in some trouble I am willing to pay you 20 gold pieces if you help her, double that if you escort her home safely." the woman breathes deeply and touches her back painfully "I feel responsible for my part-time acolytes and can't stand the idea of a loyal servant of Abadar being left alone in the untamed reaches. Her name is Quinn Vanicus"
He listens to her request and kindly smiles. "Teach me how to use the bark and prepare this tonic and I will gather your plants for you from the fort. I would just need to know what plants in particular."
The druid extends a hand out, "Would that be fair? It really would not be a problem."
He wasn't much for making deals and friends, but in this case they both had a common goal in a way and he was glad for that. People found his mask and order alien and distant, and it was rare when people treated him normally.
Ingolf replied to Banker Sifreth, "We'll be glad to check on Ms Vanicus for you."
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Jonah listens to the explanation at the countinghouse but does not deposit anything. after, as they are leaving he leans over to Ingolf. "Don't know that i trust this here counting house. nothing in life is free, there is bound to be some catch. no one just gives you money for nothing. I don't like it"
he is also interested in the tonic, and annoyed that they have run out. That's going to be important... Splits the Leaves, do you think you can prepare enough for us all to use some? would really hate for any of us to get Malaria out there...
Adriana takes the pouch from Baldra and she gets a feel of its weight before she carefully pockets it. "Thank you. I hope the sheriff hasn't misplaced her faith in me." She says as a parting remark as she leaves the countinghouse and stops in first at the Conservatorium and then the Emporium, using their advance to prepare the group as best as it can be done.
Heri teaches Slips the basics of the tonic drink "That would be certainly fair. Thanks for accepting on bringing the plants. I require them to prepare healing potions and I am short of the pots with only three remaining. I will pay you handsomely for the reagents."
He gives a final bow and begins to leave, "Payment, we can discuss that later. For now though you might want to know about the weather tomorrow. It seems like it is important to your profession." He speaks under his breath for a moment, looks toward the sky then tells her his premonition.
The druid continues to the meeting point, ready to go.
Ingolf loaded Ebba's saddlebags with the newly purchased tent, and spent a couple of minutes making sure the load was balanced. "We're going on a walk, Ebba!", he told the boar.
Splits explains the day will be calm but sparse rains may fall at some points of the day. Meanwhile the group acquires saddle gear, rope, tents and alchemical acid and fire.
Without letting the day advance much more, the group starts making its way towards the Fort. Exiting the colony that just yesterday saw them arrive, the group traverses the gates and start walking into the wilderness. By when you lose sight of Wymackie Lumber the path through the dika fields quickly becomes a less transited trail.
Short of an hour walking, you reach a small building that must be Witterwil farmstead. A man works the field while a girl milks a goat by the building. They both stop working and stare at you from the distance when you appear.
Ingolf was glad to have a good walk to wake him up, after a poor night's sleep. As they walked through the wilderness, he talked to Ebba, telling her the words for the different things that they saw. When he caught sight of the people in at the farmstead, he said to the boar, "Let's go and meet them, Ebba!"
He hailed the man and the woman, "Hello there, I'm Ingolf! I have a delivery for the Witterwil farmstead from Mirya Oyin."
Ebba was learning some words of common; she understood that "hello" was a greeting. Ingolf didn't seem to be scared, so she assumed these new people might be friendly. She walked beside the gnome towards the house.
"Ah sure! We were expecting the delivery. But come, come here..." the man approaches you and greets you offering a hand "I am Feodor Witterwill and this is my daughter Anya. I don't think I have ever seen you around. Are you new colonists?"
"But where are my manners, you sure are thirsty, perhaps you would like to drink some milk and eat something" the family offers you to share lunch with you, offering the opportunity to have a small rest before continuing your trip.
Ingolf shook Feodor's hand, replying, "Yes, we just arrived yesterday."
He introduced the boar, "This is Ebba. Shes very smart!
"The supplies are in the saddelbags."
He unloaded the the seed and farm supplies, then took off the saddlebags and removed his own pack. "Sheriff Praet asked us to travel to Fort Breakthrough and check on them."
Feodor opens the handy haversack and retrieves the seeds and supplies provided by Oyin "I have some crops to send back to Oyin but I do not have them prepared. I was not expecting the parcel delivery that soon this week. Perhaps you can pick them up on your way back from the Fort"
The girl looks at Tonny then asks his father "Is that an elf father?" then Anya approaches Tonny "Can I touch your pointy ears? Is it true that your people dances at the branches of the trees?"
Feodor laughs then looks back to Ingolf "I haven't seen any member of the militia in a week or so. I hope they have not been stroke by malaria or any other tropical disease. Well, most probably they got busy on a hunting party or so..."
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”Oh, hi, well, you’re half right,” Tonny replies as quickly as his sleep-deprived brain can process the words. ”My father was a human, just like yours, but my mother was indeed an elven warrior-poet and scholar of great renown. She used to tell me stories of growing up among the giant trees of Kyonin, playing with the other children and listening to the songs of the elders as they sang to the trees to guide them in how best to grow. She never mentioned dancing on branches though.”
”What about you?” The half-elf’s friendly grin blossoms again as he seems to wake fully. ”Do you dance in the branches of trees or sing to the moon?”
Ingolf asked Feodor, "I heard that there might be lizardfolk living in around the river delta. Is that true?" With all the activity surrounding his arrival in Pridon's Hearth, he hadn't got around to asking this before now.
The druid calmly approached the farm and took them up on their offer of food and drink. The outdoors have been good for him and it was an honest enough march, without any complications. He let the gnome talk and deliver what was needed and eyed the young girl and her candour towards Tonny.
He curiously looked at the gnome wondering what he had learned about lizardfolk but decided that now wasn't the time to ask. There was a long journey ahead and it would make good conversation when the time was right.
Splits the Leaves took interest in the hunting party and decided to speak Up, "What exactly were they hunting recently? Has something been causing trouble in the area?"
Anya listens attentively at Tonny's story "Me? Ha, well, I sometimes sing to the Sun, but father does not want me to go out at night. Your story seems like a real adventure. Mom does not want me to be an adventurer though"
"Lizardfolk? I have heard they mostly come out from the Laughing Jungle only to fish the annual run of bull sharks in the delta. But they really never make it this far south. The northern region, closer to the river is mostly unexplored, I would not be surprised to know they have some seasonal camp in that area" Feodor also listens to Splits question "Nothing special aside from the occasional dinosaur. Maybe a pack of them has been causing trouble and maintained the militia busy"
"If you depart now you shall arrive there short before nightfall. The trail is muddy, but it is the only road in the region, and the single controlled area in the region" both the father and the girl will say goodbye and request you to pass by on your return to the colony.
As promised the trail is muddy, but two hours after leaving the farmstead you spot a simple square structure, walled in with rough logs and perched on a short hill overlooking the nearby marshlands and coastline.
Once you approach you distinguish two-story towers anchoring each corner of the fort and connected by wooden ramparts.
It strikes your attention the utter silence coming from the fort and the absence of any kind of guard in the towers and wooden ramparts.
From your relative distance you spot the gates of the fort are south.
Ingolf was a little disappointed that the Lizardfolk presence wasn't as strong as he been led to believe, but perhaps that was just as well. He knew from personal experience just how savage those reptilian humanoids could be. After lunch, he said goodbye to the Witterwils as the group set out along the road.
After two hours of trudging along the muddy trail, he spotted the fort, built on a hill overlooking the surrounding area. He remarked, Here we are! I don't see anyone yet; let's go around to the gate."
"Ugh, I don't like all this talk of Malaria... really don't want to catch some tropical disease. do we have enough fo our tonic to share with the guard if they are in there?
Jonah looks at the fort, sizing it up. however, he doesn't have much of a military background, and doesn't really have anything to compare it to. it looks functional enough, but he would have definitely expected people to be there.
"Feodor mentioned dinosaurs Jonah says, with an obvious eagerness in his eye "maybe some dinos got to the guards. or maybe they are off hunting one. my day will certainly be much more complete if i get to see one of those beasties!
just to be safe, Jonah strings his longbow, holding it at his side.
Following Ingolf's suggestion the group advances to the gate where you find the shattered remains of a heavy wooden door lie strewn across the opening in the log walls. Several of the splinters are trampled into the dirt. Some pieces of wood still remain attached to large metal hinges at the sides of the exposed entrance.
Lodged on the remaining woods you find the small horn of a pachycephalosaurus. It would seem the dome-like head of the dinosaur would have crashed the door.
An indistinguishable number of tracks are left coming and going through the doors, but they pale with the ones of a Large animal.
The gate remains seem unstable. Passing through might dislodge a heavy beam set overhead and fall over anyone passing by. The chance is small.
A skillful person or good architect could secure the beam and make sure it is safe to cross.
Adriana sighs at the sight of the fort and wishes they'd enjoyed Witterwil farm's hospitality just a little longer. But there was no avoiding what looked to be very bad news for the sheriff.
A quick pat on the hilt of her scimitar to be sure it's still there she cautiously approaches the gate from an angle as she spies a large number of tracks leading to the fort. She pauses her steps and crouches down to get a better look at the tracks; she can't tell what specifically made them but she can see that the tracks go two very specific directions.
Stepping back enough to make herself a marker, she calls behind her "Does anybody know anything about, oh what are they? Oh! Dinosaurs?" As she waits she eyes off the gate and adds "Nobody go near that just yet, it's likely to fall over."
"Oh no!", Ingolf cried, surveying the remains of the ruined gate. Examining one of the remaining pieces of wood, he declared, "There's a small horn lodged in the wood. I think a dinosaur may have battered the gate down!"
Being in his natural setting, the druid feels attuned with everything. He realizes how empty and silent it is and notices the tracks as well.
"These dinosaur tracks here... They go in and they go out. See this horn here? It is also from one." Kneeling down he looks at the others, "It doesn't strike me as something a dinosaur would do on it's own. Perhaps it has been shaped by some humanoid and broken in." The last part isn't said with any disdain but his voice does change a little, his emotion masked by the tranquility and his face being covered.
"Adriana is right. The gate is a danger. Can anyone secure it?"
Tonny offers himself to secure the gate. As he makes up to reach the beam with his tools he unconsciously hits one of the large woods to the side. The beam budges and suddenly falls!
Unfortunately for him the beam falls over his back breaking his left shoulder blade!
The good thing is the rest of the wall holds and now that the beam is down there is no more danger for the group to cross the doors.
"Are you OK?", Ingolf asked, rushing over to Tonny. When it became clear that he was not, the gnome said a prayer and touched his shoulder, healing him.
"Hooo boy! we got ourselves a dino sighting folks! no one panic, this is what you brough me along for! if you see a dino, whatever you do don't run. makes it more likely they will chase you. Looks like this dino really wanted whatever was inside this fort, smashed it right open with his head. Imagine what that would do to your bones if it hit ya! keep your eyes open everyone!
Jonah is in the middle of saying this as a beam falls on top of Tonny.
"You ok, Tonny? he gives the frame of the gate a cautious push with his boot, then rattles it a bit to make sure it's ok to pass through now.
Looks ok to me, but maybe I should take the lead he knocks an arrow in his bow and peeks around the doorframe into the fort.
Distracted by the numerous tracks, the lack of people and Jonah's expertise on dinosaurs, Adriana is unable to react to the gate beam falling onto Tonny, mentally chastising herself as the poor lad is helped by Ingolf. She approaches and gives Tonny a once-over for her own sake and sighs with frustrated relief.
"Please be careful." She finally manages to say, hoping it didn't sound like a scalding - If Jonah was right about dinosaurs (He sounded right) she didn't want an injury to be mistaken for a dinner invitation, and gives a nod of agreement to Jonah, drawing her scimitar and slowly moving over to join the hunter at the broken gate, peeking inside.
When Ingolf touches Tonny in his shoulder the blade stops to pain and the bruise on his skin disappears, leaving Tonny fully recovered.
Noticing the dinosaur prints, Jonah ventures into the Fort, closely followed by Adriana.
Across this wide, muddy courtyard, three buildings cling to the sides of the fort’s interior walls. Those to the southwest and the east are sealed tight, while the door to the building in the northwest is slightly ajar. A well squats near the northeastern end of the courtyard, while a fence between the southwestern and northwestern buildings forms a simple animal pen. Two human bodies—quickly decaying in the tropical sun—lie in the mud one with a spear poking out from its chest.
Group passive Stealth: DC 0 (beam fall)
Foes passive Stealth: DC 12
All of a sudden, some of you notice a trio of tiny dinosaurs that were snacking on the dead humans of the courtyard jump from behind the corpses. The tiny reptiles have a snake-like neck and head, a bird-like body with strong legs for running, and a whip-like tail.
Apparently they have been alerted by the beam's fall and they strike as soon as Jonnah appears in the courtyard running towards him to fiercely defend their food supply!
A bit far and busy, Ingolf and Splits do not see the dinosaurs coming. The reptiles are fast to close the distance with you, but Adrianna, Jonnah and Tonny quickly react to the sudden discovery of the animals!
You identify the animals as compsognathus. They have a strong scent and their bite is poisonous (weakens strength). But they are so Tiny that they will have to step into your space (likely generating a couple of AoO) in order to bite you.
"Oh no!", Ingolf gasped as he saw the dead bodies.
Never seen a dino so small! not sure what they're called but they don't look friendly!
Jonah takes aim and fires into the closest dinosaur with his longbow
he whistles for his falcon, Rosemary, who flies into view above the dinos
Alerted to danger and expecting to find the larger dinosaur instead of the group of smaller ones, but having no idea of what they are or how dangerous they could be.
Scimitar in hand she runs and joins Jonah, making a defensive stance and waiting to see if the small dinosaurs will attack or just scuttle away.
Tonny skillfully retrieves the whip from his belt and looks at the approaching dinosaurs with intent.
Jonah seems very experienced on what is going on. Instead of retreating in face of the charge, the hunter shots a precise arrow that stabs the first dinosaur in the chest making it fall to the ground. His whistle reverberates loudly over the courtyard and you spot a falcon quickly approaching through the sky.
Adrianna walks over the uneven boards of the fallen doors and joins Jonah.
The other two dinosaurs ignore the fallen one and keep running towards Jonah. They are so small that they have to enter his space in order to attack.
Despite their aggressiveness Jonah was prepared and easily moves away his legs avoiding the dinosaurs bites.
Ingolf moved up beside Adrianna and ordered, "Ebba, attack!", pointing at the aggressive dinosaurs. He drew his morningstar, ready to join in the melee if necessary.
Ebba followed Ingolf, and then grunted and moved to gore the threat to her benefactor.
Taking her cue from Jonas as the two small dinosaurs ignore the hunter's arrow and continue to attack them, using their singleminded attack to her advantage and she thrusts her blade to intercept the first attacker.
The battle feels incredibly one-sided against such a small creature but before she can get lost in her thoughts she steps about to block off the last small dinosaur and strikes.
Looking at the dinosaurs he is able to quickly identify them, "They are compsognathae. Beware their bite, nature has a tendency to give venom to those that are smaller." He holds his staff firmly in front of him, "Should they envenom you come back to me and I will do the best I can to aid you." He slowly moves over to the rest of the party, aware of his surroundings, his hands idly plucking some leaves from a bag of his.
To treat poison means to tend to a single character who has been poisoned and who is going to take more damage from the poison (or suffer some other effect). Every time the poisoned character makes a saving throw against the poison, you make a Heal check. If your Heal check exceeds the DC of the poison, the character receives a +4 competence bonus on his saving throw against the poison.