"We should get our noble friend, and our rather large kill, taken care of and out of the way before diving into an unknown barrow. Too much can happen in those places for me to be willing to risk either needlessly. That will also give us a chance to confer with the resident historian on the matter tonight to see if he can shed any light on the barrow." Ensu comments as he tries to figure out how to retrieve the gem from its resting place.
"So. Mr. Foxglove. Your name is known back in the city. I take it you are from there and and make trade in the markets there? Ye'v probably got the low down on the comings and goings with that town, eh?"
As Mattie assists Galstock she takes the opportunity to talk business with Aldern. Perhaps he knows where to find the rascal Vankaskerkin.
"We should get our noble friend, and our rather large kill, taken care of and out of the way before diving into an unknown barrow. Too much can happen in those places for me to be willing to risk either needlessly. That will also give us a chance to confer with the resident historian on the matter tonight to see if he can shed any light on the barrow." Ensu comments as he tries to figure out how to retrieve the gem from its resting place.
"So. Mr. Foxglove. Your name is known back in the city. I take it you are from there and and make trade in the markets there? Ye'v probably got the low down on the comings and goings with that town, eh?"
As Mattie assists Galstock she takes the opportunity to talk business with Aldern. Perhaps he knows where to find the rascal Vankaskerkin.
Aldern looks up at Mattie, from where he is squatting, watching with great intensity Galstocks skinning of the dire boar carcass.
"Yes, dear lady, you are quite correct. I do hail from Magnimar, although of late I have been dwelling in my family manor house, outside the city. Alas, I must confess that these days, I partake very little in the business side of things. That was always something my father took care of." Aldern gets a far away look in his eye as if he is recalling some distant memory. "I never really got to learn the family business. Father died when I was young and I grew up with relatives in Korvosa, so you see, Magnimar is quite a new playground for me really. What of you? Are you familiar with the place?"
"Ah, the voice of reason" says Kendrick in response to Ensu's last comment. "Even though a large part of me wishes to go investigate the barrow now, I shall defer to your greater wisdom master Ensu. After all, it's probably saving me from a messy end at the hands of a barrow wight" he adds with a chuckle.
Kendrick sits down and produces a pipe which he then packs with tobacco and lights. "If you need any assistance, let me know. Likewise I'd love to hear what brought you into the service of Nethys and then brought you here. Otherwise, I'm ready to head back to the others when y'all are."
"Oh I'm girl from the city. From the stockyards ,sir. But if yer folks keep a fine stable then your Dad might have known mine...Barlo Leatherstockings was his name. He warn't a man of noble circles like yourself of course - but he was the best farrier in the city. Your stable masters would surely have known him. He was popular and well loved among the teamsters and drovers. Anyhow...he was killed....
Well now I'm here in town lookin' for a man who left Magnimar a few nights back. From what I hear he came to Sandpoint. Perhaps you've heard of him. He goes by the name of Vankaskerkin. Orik Vankaskerkin."
Mattie watches Galstock as he makes work of the carcass and follows with her own neat knifework.
Aldern quietly sit close by, watching you intently as you prepare the beast.
Seeing Aldern watching him work and hearing his reply to Mattie's question, Galstok says to him, "So did none of your family teach you the proper way to ready a beast after the hunt? I would be happy to show you a little. There is plenty to do even with the three of us on it. He was a big one."
To Mattie "Ahh...the Leatherstockings, now thats a name you don't easily forget isn't it. I do beleve my father may have mentioned it once or twice. forgive me for saying, but it's a name that always used to bring a smile to my face when I was a child. And I thank you for that Mattie. I had little chance to smile when i was a child. Alas, growing up in Korvosa, I have not heard it for a long time. As to your quest, I am afraid that I have not heard of this Vankaskerkin fellow."
To Galstok"I do not doubt that sir, but I think I would ruin the work of art that you are creating there; I am no butcher you see and could not come near your skill."
To Galstok"I do not doubt that sir, but I think I would ruin the work of art that you are creating there; I am no butcher you see and could not come near your skill."
"Skilled? Me?" Laughing he shakes his head before continuing, "No, if you want to see skilled you should see my great-aunt Cada. She could get an animal dressed and ready in no time all while riding herd on all of us. She woulda had me flattened on the ground for not having it just so if she were here." He points to a spot inside the carcass. "See right there? That's exactly what I'm talking about just a bit off." Pausing for a moment he then speaks softly in his native tongue.
The gemstone retrieved Ezren asks Ensu if he can examine it...
"Look here, the magic eminating from this stone is of a moderate amount of evocation. A powerful spell of light it holds..." Ezren begins murming a few words directing his will toward the stone. Suddenly the gemstone begins to shed light equal to that of a strong lantern. "I believe it to be a gem of brightness. If I am correct it will have other powers beyond shedding light, though they will be limited in use. Might I carry this for futher study Ensu... not to mention these eyes of mine do not see as well as they once did. I believe this stone could prove handy."
Ezren listens as Ensu and Kendrick discuss the ruins and coming back with the others later to further investigate. "Yes, yes... that sounds fine. Kendrick, you did copy down much of the writings, yes? We can show them to Master Quink. Perhaps he will be able to shed some light, as it were, on the place." With that he turns, reluctantly, to join the others and fill them in on what they have found.
"You discovered it and you are as qualified as any of us to hold onto it." Ensu replies to Ezren. Turning to Kendrick, "I wasn't brought into the service of Nethys as much as I kinda fell into it. Just happened to help out a traveling priest of Nethys one day, and the next, Nethys was talking to me in my sleep. The regular clergy doesn't really know what to do with me and the other traveling clergy, so they send us on trips like this in hopes that I can somehow find something that advances their own position in the church, as well as the position of their particular faction. I would probably mind more if I wasn't already inclined to make such trips myself." Ensu talks as he observes the slaying of the boar, "How goes the slaughter? No one is completely covered in blood, so it must be going fairly well."
Still smoking his pipe, Kendrick looks over at Aldern and says, "Congratulations Aldern, this has to be one for the record books. I'm thinking there's enough meat here to feed half of Sandpoint. It's gonna be one heck of a feast tonight."
Kendricks stomach takes that opportunity to grumble, and Kendrick unshoulders his backpack.
"Speaking of food" he says as he digs into his backpack, "anyone want a biscuit?"
Naw. Thanks. But I see you've got some sweet leaf in that pipe. It smells fine. Could I trouble you for a puff, dear?
Kendrick hands her his pipe and says, "you certainly may darlin'."
Then he starts breaking up a biscuit and eating.
Ensu sits down and watches as the butchering is completed. Seeking to stimulate conversation to pass the time, he asks Aldern, "So what brings a person such as yourself all the way to Sandpoint? I can't imagine that hunting around here would be enough by itself to pull someone so far out into the wilderness, no matter how impressive the feast shall be tonight."
Aldern stands and brushes his hands together. "Well, truth be told, this little boar hunt is just a distraction. I'm quite fond of Sandpoint you see, and have been visiting regularly now for several months. The lasses are quite fetching and I have been toying with the idea of buying a little property there, or perhaps a business."
Slinging his pack over his shoulder he turne to Galstok. "Are we nearly done there my friend. I can hear the kegs at the Dragon calling my name. I am sure Mistress Ameiko will be astonished with what we bring back. Definetely a cause for celebration, so drinks are on me tonight. Come Galstok, let me help you with that boar."
"Actually, we have just finished up. We just need to get it loaded up on the travois and we can drag it back to town. Atleast to the horses and they can drag it back the rest of the way. If you want to help you can grab that end and we will head down to the horses." Looking around he sees the others had returned. "You find anything worthwhile up there?" He says nodding up towards the ruins.
"Actually, we have just finished up. We just need to get it loaded up on the travois and we can drag it back to town. Atleast to the horses and they can drag it back the rest of the way. If you want to help you can grab that end and we will head down to the horses." Looking around he sees the others had returned. "You find anything worthwhile up there?" He says nodding up towards the ruins.
Did ye fellers see any tracks around the ruin? Any signs of people? Is there a way to ride in?
"We found an old barrow which appears to be ancient. Something to check out tomorrow after our boar and noble friend are both safe and sound back at Sandpoint."
Gallus watches patiently and with a fair degree of fascination as the boar is slaughtered and helps whenever he is needed to including loading the heavy beast onto the travois. "Lets get this meal back to the dragon we can investigate the barrow tomorrow."
You all gather your mounts from there peaceful woodland pasture and ount up, dragging the boar carcass behind you. The ride back is a little slower than the journey here, due mainly to the added weight as well as the few occasions you have had to ward away wild dogs and the ocasional mountain cat. Also the fact that Aldred doesn't shut up, regaling you with tales of several of his past adventures, which you assume must all be figments of his imagination. (Especially the one about him finding a portal to another world in the basement of the home he grew up in back in Korvosa.)
Also the fact that Aldred doesn't shut up, regaling you with tales of several of his past adventures, which you assume must all be figments of his imagination. (Especially the one about him finding a portal to another world in the basement of the home he grew up in back in Korvosa.)
Egged on by Kendrick, who finds this level of BS to be amusing. "Really Aldern, you one shotted the Tarrasque and sent it packing to the Pit of Gormuz? Amazing! And this portal, it led to a world called Oz you say? And there were flying monkeys! I'm sorry to haved missed that."
Bluff = 18
Ensu listens quietly, struggling to keep his eyes from rolling, though still interested enough to try to pick out any bits that may have a kernel of truth to them.
Also the fact that Aldred doesn't shut up, regaling you with tales of several of his past adventures, which you assume must all be figments of his imagination. (Especially the one about him finding a portal to another world in the basement of the home he grew up in back in Korvosa.)Egged on by Kendrick, who finds this level of BS to be amusing. "Really Aldern, you one shotted the Tarrasque and sent it packing to the Pit of Gormuz? Amazing! And this portal, it led to a world called Oz you say? And there were flying monkeys! I'm sorry to haved missed that."
Bluff = 18
"Ahh, the Tarasque. Now there's a beast. Have I mentioned that for a while I was planning a hunting trip to the Barrier Wall mountain range in the Mwangi Expanse...couldn't get the backers though...shame really. That venture had potential. No,no...I don't recall there being a city called Oz, no, something like Corvo or Corvus I think. I don't recall any flying monkeys though. Although I bet they have those in the Mwangi Expanse, don't you think?"
"I imagine they do, there certainly must be some undiscovered creatures within such a place. Perhaps if you discover one, they'll name it after you. Think of the secrets waiting to be discovered."
Aldred gets a far off look in his eyes. "Yes, at last the Foxglove name could mean something. I could gain it a place in history for all time. I could even join the illustrious ranks of the Pathfinders..." He smiles, almost embarassed at perhaps saying to much about his dreams. "Look...I can see the lights of Sandpoint, and not before time. It grows near dusk."
Galstok will hook the travois up to the horse he was riding and then lead it by foot on the journey back. Keeping an eye on the load, he shakes his head at Aldern's boasting.
Looking at the others and thinking about earlier, he says, "Those barrows you looked at. What do you think expect to will find there. You all seem very eager to explore them. Do your people not guard your tombs from intruders?"
At sight of the Sandpoint he seems to drag his feet a bit, not quite ready to go back into the close quarters of the city.
Looking at the others and thinking about earlier, he says, "Those barrows you looked at. What do you think expect to will find there. You all seem very eager to explore them. Do your people not guard your tombs from intruders?"
"Well I'm hopin' that we'll find out who's resting place it is. And also if it can't help to provide us with some insight into the goings-on of his or her day. And of course if there happens to be anything that they don't need which could help fund our little expedition, well that'd be gravy", Kendrick says with a wink.
"It is possible that there might be a few nasty surprises in that barrow. But I trust that between us we have the skill and the wits to overcome them."
"Yes Galstok, our people do indeed guard their burial grounds from intruders. However, the people who created those ruins are long gone. I am not even convinced that it is a burial place, though it could be. I am, however, interested in what knowledge it may hold. The symbols on the disk were Ancient Azlanti if I am not mistaken, a claendar specificaly I believe. A calendar that stopped recording the year the God of Humanity, Aroden, vanished from his followers. Signifigant? Perhaps... intruiging? Most definitely." The old wizard fiddles with the gemstone, again activating it's light giving magic. "At any rate, I came here seeking knowlege of ancient peoples and places. I intend to explore the site for Archeological and Anthropological reasons." Ezren turn to the big Shoanti warrior, "Your people are split into numerous tribes, yes?" He continues before his question can be answered, "Is there not one tribe... of the Skull I believe, that guard your burial places?"
Well...was this place...like...just a mound? Or was it a building? Were there doors or windows? Stables? Did anyone go around it? I guess I'm thinkin' about how we're gonna prepare. Where do we leave our horses?
"Yes Wise One, the Skoan-Quah are both guardians and hunters of the dead." Looking down at the giant boar he had helped kill, a hint of doubt creeps into his voice. "The Azlanti maybe gone, but won't the spirits still oppose intrusion into their home." Pausing for a moment, "I fear we may have just slaughtered one of their guardians"
Looking to the sky, he hopes to see a soaring hawk or some other sign.
Perception:
Ensu rides along, contributing his own stories to Kendrick's and Aldred's stories, trying to tease out any details of this world that Aldred talks about and/or his proposed expedition to the Mwangi Expanse without making it obvious what he is after.
"Yes Wise One, the Skoan-Quah are both guardians and hunters of the dead." Looking down at the giant boar he had helped kill, a hint of doubt creeps into his voice. "The Azlanti maybe gone, but won't the spirits still oppose intrusion into their home." Pausing for a moment, "I fear we may have just slaughtered one of their guardians"
Looking to the sky, he hopes to see a soaring hawk or some other sign.
Perception: 1d20 + 5
Galstok
Spoiler:You note that as you say the word guardian, a single black cloud, oddly out of place amongst all the white clouds in the blue sky, passes momentarily in front of the sun, casting an ominous shadow
Ensu rides along, contributing his own stories to Kendrick's and Aldred's stories, trying to tease out any details of this world that Aldred talks about and/or his proposed expedition to the Mwangi Expanse without making it obvious what he is after.
Ensu
"Yes Wise One, the Skoan-Quah are both guardians and hunters of the dead." Looking down at the giant boar he had helped kill, a hint of doubt creeps into his voice. "The Azlanti maybe gone, but won't the spirits still oppose intrusion into their home." Pausing for a moment, "I fear we may have just slaughtered one of their guardians"
Looking to the sky, he hopes to see a soaring hawk or some other sign.
Perception: 1d20 + 5
"They may at that my friend." Ezren follows the Shoanti's gaze toward the sky wondering what the big man might be looking at. "However, knowledge lost to the ages helps no one. What honor is there, after all, in having your true legacy forgotten? I seek only to learn, not to desectrate." He turn his gaze back to Galstok, "Of that, my friend, you can be certain." With that he lets the light from the gemstone fade and slips it into his pocket.
Miss Mattie's eyes light up at the sight of the gemstone in Ezren's hand.
"Whats that you got there, Wizard? Ain't that a pretty thing? Heck there could be more where that came from! Woohoo! Now I'm really thinkin' we shoulda staked the place out for a bit before ridin' back! We gotta be prepared...is all I'm sayin'. Old man, yer gonna have to lay out the plan with us over a dram and a smoke tonight."
When the cloud crosses the sky Mattie sees it. Just a cloud. She looks at Galstock. She rides up to him and nods. "It's all right friend. Not every cloud means trouble. Ye just finished a great hunt! Now we're goin' back to feed our new folks in town. It's still a fine day. And I gotta thank ye fer showin' me the right way to honour the kill."
"I would have liked to stay and learn more about it myself, but with our noble friend and a boar to cut up, it would not have been a very effective search beyond what we had already done. Don't worry, we can go back tomorrow with nothing else to hinder our progress, and be more prepared at the same time." Ensu tries to calm down the eager halfling, understanding that such places are approached with great care.
At last you make your way over the picturesque wooden bridge that leads over the river and into Sandpoint itself. Making your way up Market Street, you dismount outside the Rusty Dragon, and see that the inn is already beginning to fill up with thirsty locals, eager to wind down after a hard days work. The soft glow of the inns's lights seem both warm and welcoming, especially as a chill is beginning to fill the air.
"Here we are at last", says Kendrick as he stiffly dismounts his horse. Rubbing his backside he starts inside the Dragon, "Gods, I need an ale, a comely wench, some food and a table full of fools ready to loose their coin, in that order."
"Here we are at last", says Kendrick as he stiffly dismounts his horse. Rubbing his backside he starts inside the Dragon, "Gods, I need an ale, a comely wench, some food and a table full of fools ready to loose their coin, in that order."
"Just don't forget our appointment with a telescope later tonight." Ensu comments as he dismounts and leads his pony into the stable before going in to the Rusty Dragon for some food and warmth.
When the cloud crosses the sky Mattie sees it. Just a cloud. She looks at Galstock. She rides up to him and nods. "It's all right friend. Not every cloud means trouble. Ye just finished a great hunt! Now we're goin' back to feed our new folks in town. It's still a fine day. And I gotta thank ye fer showin' me the right way to honour the kill."
"Not every cloud, no. But that one?" Nodding towards the cloud in question. "The spirits are not happy about something and I fear this beast was one of theirs. We shall see, I just fear their response."
Aldred dismounts and leads his horse to the stable. "I'm going to freshen up and then catch an hour or two shuteye. I'll be down to the smell of roast boar. Make sure Ameiko cooks it well. I like a bit of crackling." He pushes past a tall, bald headed man, who apologises for getting in the young nobles way, before entering the inn. Aldred shakes his head, muttering to himself "Local bumpkin no doubt. Always in the way.
"I'd check all your pockets just in case. It may not be as common in Sandpoint, but pickpockets can be a very real problem if not dealt with immediately."
"Thankyou for the tip Ensu, but I think if that was his intention he will have been sorely dissapointed. I brought little with me on this trip, other than what I carry. What little coin I have is safely away in my room."Aldred glares after the bald headed man. "Still, I take heed of your warning my friend and will be a little more diligent I think."