Thank you for running this little adventure, it was great fun! Ollie is a rather iconic character. :)
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Busara returns to her cabin in the forest, dividing her time between getting reacquainted with Smaxx, tending the woods and helping the villagers. She makes periodic visits to the goblin tribe, teaching them sustainable living, advanced hygiene and basic healing skills.
Busara grips her spear tighter. "I really don't want to have to fight you, little ones. There has been enough death already."
Ollie was such a surprise! The little guy turned out to be a plucky little fighter, even if he was using some dirty tricks. But Busara was not of a mind to complain too much as the goblin creates yet another opening for her. Taking advantage of the bogeyman's focus on Ollie, she lunges for another quick jab at the creature, then spins her spear around in a full circle and goes for an impaling move.
Busara grips her spear as she advances into the clearing, aiming its cold iron tip towards the fanged creature. Taking advantage of its distraction from Ollie's opportune attack, she makes a quick jab at the bogeyman.
That is fine by me, and thank you for running this.
Updated. +10 HP, +1 on all base saves, BAB +6/+1, 3 SPs, +1 Dex, wild shape 3x/day, 1 extra level 3 and level 4 spell.
Yup, we are all adults here. *adjusts her onesie* I'm with Smaxx - the story is good and any dark aspects of it would make my character all the more determined to resolve the situation.
"Alis, he doesn't mean the spell. He's scared of something else." Busara whispers after Alis. To the boy, she calls out in a low voice. "What are you worried about? We are here to take you back home. We won't let anyone hurt you."
Once she is satisfied that the boy is not in immediate danger, Busara scans their surroundings for any sign of the fey.
Busara watches as Dibdob is executed for his crimes, the grim expression on her face belying the embers of hope being fanned to life in her heart. They had come here expecting the worst, but instead these goblins have showed wisdom, willingness to coexist peacefully and even a measure of justice. And now that they know where to go, she is ready to find these fey and hopefully save the human child. They have Ollie as a guide, but she would feel better if she would be able to discern the location on her own.
I, too, have a soft spot for goblins, and I am having fun so far.
Busara approaches, a protective hand on Ollie's shoulder, nodding to the chief. "And how are you feeling today?" Perhaps well enough that he might be magnanimous with the punishment, if given the right incentive. As a goblin chief, I can imagine that he doesn't want to appear weak in front of his tribe.'
Sorry to hear that, I hope things are better now. Take your time.
Busara breathes out in relief at hearing that there was still time to save the child. She would like to set out right now, but the situation is still delicate and she needs to fully heal the chief in order to gain his trust. Otherwise, all they worked for may be in vain. With not a lot to do until nightfall, she builds on her previous success of cleaning the chief's wound and gives him (and any other goblins nearby) a basic hygiene primer, as well as explaining to them about various beneficial herbs and roots that can be found in the forest.
"Hmm." Busara busies herself with rearranging the things in her healer's kit, pondering how best to put this to the chief. "The blood of animals... is not good for mixing with our blood. Animals may carry diseases and illnesses, and should those get into your blood, bad things happen to you. Like when the dog bit you, its spit carried bad things that got into your blood and made the wound bad. So, to start with, no more animal blood medicine." She adds hurriedly, before the chief gets any ideas. "And no human blood medicine, either! That would do you no good." She sets aside a small wooden bowl and pours some water from her skin in it, then adds a green powder that dissolves easily, forming a jade-coloured liquid. "This powder is from the crushed and dried leaves of the plantain. It helps with wounds that have gone bad." To demonstrate that she intended no treachery and that the powder was not poison, she takes a small sip from the bowl, then raises it towards the chief. "I would like to clean your wound with this, to draw out most of the badness. Then I would like to apply an ointment made of thyme, chamomile, lavender and lemon balm mixed in bear fat, to draw out the rest of the badness and help the wound close."
The pungent odour of rot and decay is quite strong this close to the chief, but Busara is used to working with all sorts of items that many would find disgusting. The druid slowly unpacks her satchel, pulling out small jars of ointment, clean bandages and strong-smelling potions. She bends to examine the chief's injury, hoping it would be something simple to treat. She had expended her healing magic on Ollie earlier, and she does not think that the chief would be patient enough to wait until she prepares another. But first, she must determine what is wrong.
Busara nods respectfully at the chief. "Chief, wise Gibgub brought us here so that we may help you. I have skill with healing, if you will allow me to examine you and if you would tell me what ails you." She shows her open hands, palms up, to demonstrate their peaceful intentions. Having the vague feeling that the chief may need more verbal massaging before agreeing to anything, she casts a pleading glance at Alis.
"No, Alis, you haven't failed. We are all here together. We should not abandon hope just yet." To the goblin woman, Busara noods. "Yes, let us go to the chief. It sounds like Dindob has a bad influence on your tribe, or perhaps it is the fey's work through him. We go to the chief and make him stop this, then we track down the fey and see if we can still save the boy. I know that the first impulse for some of us would be to save the boy right now, but if we do not address the cause of all this, then we may come to war between these goblins and the town, and many more lives may be lost."
"Let's go to Gibgub, if you please." Busara glances back at her companions and nods fractionally, taking care to not look at Ollie, lest she give away that he'd been providing information. As their guide starts walking again, she raises an eyebrow at Ollie to confirm that they are going in the right direction. As they walk, she looks around at the goblin camp, trying to discern anything of interest.
"Thank you, Ollie, that is very helpful to know. I don't want to assume the worst, but we should be prepared." Busara rests a hand on Smaxx's back, murmuring a few words. A shimmer envelops the digmaul briefly, then subsides. His skin takes a metallic sheen as she reinforces her companion's protections against attacks.
Apologies for not posting lately, I've been travelling a lot in an area with no internets. I am back home now and ready to pick up the game!
While this encounter seemed fortuitous and Busara is glad that this goblin seems inclined to seek a better way of living, she reminds herself to be careful. After all, this could be a clever trap set by the fey, with their twisted minds. "Ollie, would you like me to heal your ankle? Then you could walk by yourself. " -Posted with Wayfinder
Busara circles the tree to find the source of the noise. Wary of an ambush, she keeps her senses alert as she crouches in front of the goblin. "What happened to you? Why are you here all alone?" Her voice is soft and her tone soothing. This may be a goblin, but she could never abide unnecessary suffering. -Posted with Wayfinder
Busara grabs her spear from behind the door, leaving her shopping behind as she follows the others at a fast jog. As they reach the forest edge, she signals the others to give her some space as she goes on one knee to examine the ground, looking for tracks.
-Posted with Wayfinder
I think it would be fun for someone to start telling a story, then stop (or be interrupted) before getting to the best part, Arabian nights style. I can see that becoming a running gag for the game. But for now I am good with moving forward. -Posted with Wayfinder
I will be on holiday for two weeks starting tomorrow. While I will do my best to keep up with all my campaigns and post from my phone, internet access may be spotty in the uncharted wilderness of Romania, so if I suddenly disappear then please bot me as needed.
"Smaxx is right, the goblins haven't troubled the town in a long time, so something must have changed. And fey are... troublesome creatures, if they are indeed involved." Busara finishes her slice of pie, licking the crumbs off her fingers. She glances longingly at the still-uneaten slices, but then shakes her head and resolutely returns to the matter at hand. "I have to look into it. Protecting these people is my duty. Smaxx, I know that I can count on your help. And you are welcome to help, if you are so inclined." She gestures at the others in the room to include everyone in her offer of volunteering them to investigate the matter of poultry disappearances.
Busara glances with surprise at Smaxx. It would appear that her old companion had acquired quite the worldly polish since she had last seen him. She hadn't suspected him of knowing words like 'esoteric', but there it was. Truth be told, she barely knew the meaning of the word herself, but it does sound like a very smart word. She is distracted from further linguistic musings by the smell of the freshly baked pies and she follows her nose to the table where they are laid out. "Ahhhh, Alis, this is quite the feast! Here, I brought you some eggs to replenish your pie-making supplies." Busara winks as she hands Alis the dozen hen products carefully wrapped in hay and placed in a small wooden box.
"Have you noticed anything amiss...large strings of mishaps...sickness?" "Hmmm. As I said, the animals and birds in the forest have made themselves unusually scarce for the season. Beyond that... I don't chat with the villagers that much. Well, Markel's cow was sick, but I don't know if that means anything. Cows do get sick. Oh, and speaking of Markel, I think I'll give Alis a dozen of the eggs I got from him, so you needn't worry about a gift." Busara smiles. "And this way she has more supplies to make pie."
Busara's cheeks darken as blood rushes to her face and she gives Smaxx a playful tap. You shameless flatterer! Goddess indeed." She snorts, but as the digmaul speaks of dreams and foreboding visions, she grows pensive. "I have felt it as well. Usually, in the spring, the forest is abuzz with new life, animals, insects and birds mating. This year it has been slightly less than usual, but I didn't know what to make of it." The talk of pie banishes the somber thoughts however, and soon Busara is waxing enthusiastic about Alis's baking skills. ..."and the one with rhubarb and candied bits of orange that she made last solstice, oh! or the one with chillies! I mean, who puts chillies in a pie? But it turned out so good, I was quite surprised."
Busara laugh heartily at Smaxx's brief update and his mention of candies. Ahhh, Smaxx, never change. I am so glad that you are back. Please don't get borrowed again, eh?" With a last hug for the digmaul, she rises to her feet and approaches the others. "Good to meet you all, this is Smaxx, my dear companion. " She looks around at the eclectic gathering, a happy smile still on her face. Having caught the last shreds of the conversation, she continues. "If it is magic that interests you, I know a little. Plant and beast magic, mostly, useful for taking care of the forest and those who dwell in it."
Busara perks up at the mention of pie. Hm. Difficult decision. I suppose... well, lemons are fruits, and fruits are good for your health." She grins, having successfully rationalized giving in to her weakness. She scoots her chair over to Alis's table to further discuss culinary matters of the baked goods variety when a halfling walks up to join them. Busara doesn't remember seeing her, but halflings have a reputation as epicureans, so any of their kind is a potential friend to her. And close on the halfling's heels... "SMAXX! Oh gods, I thought you were gone!" Without any hesitation, Busara launches herself from her chair, bounding across the room and throwing her arms around the digmaul, face buried in his fur.
Gingerbread familiar, nom!
I figured out Busara's motivation!
A lean, dark-skinned woman sits at a corner table, enjoying a fresh pastry and a mug of cider. She had come to the village for her weekly supply run and the fruits of her bartering were tucked in a hemp sack under the table. Spring was a lean season for Busara, as she made a point of not hunting during the mating season, so all she had had to trade were mushrooms, roots and herbs for the village healer and smoked venison from last winter. Oh, and she had cured Markel's sick cow, for which the farmer had paid her two dozen eggs. Way too many for her to eat by herself. She eyes the bag, trying to figure how many pastries she could get for a dozen eggs. Busara is all too aware of her one vice, but she can't help having a sweet tooth. Occasionally, a pedlar would come into Braiun with candied delicacies from the city, taffy and fudge, sweet jelly and chocolate. He wasn't here today, and Busara sighs in disappointment as she licks the pastry crumbs off her fingers.
Do we know each other already? What time of the year is it?
Yup.
Hi all, Kittenmancer here, happy to have been invited to join. Busara is a frontliner druid who spent all her money on ironwood full plate and also misplaced her animal companion. I have a very vague background in my head for her, which I will hash out as we get more details about the setting, but the general lines are that she comes from a nomadic tribe and was educated by priests (missionaries, maybe?). She found that their faith didn't suit her, so she took up the animistic faith of her people and is searching for her roots. |