Rorgrym shakes his head. "Radishes. Unbelievable."
He runs his fingers through his beard absentmindedly. "Well, I agree that we can't just let it go. They may have been here by mere happenstance but there could also be a kobold den nearby and, from the stories I've heard, they can congregate in large numbers. Whatever we do, I think we should explore the rest of this area cautiously."
He ponders further, "Shame the spell didn't work." Rorgrym stares at the kobold as he continues to mull the situation over in his mind.
Gathien sighs, "Sadly, I think this interrogation falls to you and Duckie... without sharing a language I am prevented from bringing my shining personality to bear, or making threats of violence. Perhaps Ingle could try to intimidate him by threatening to unleash me at it?"
He pauses a moment and then adds, "I think that we need to learn about these kobolds, especially whether they are part of a larger group or not -- and where that group might be located. If our charter is to secure the area, then it would not do to live a warren of kobolds to attack any villagers. Also, I would like to know what's so special about these radishes."
Jonas sighs and looks at the ground for a moment. "If we can't let it go and it has not cooperated, then I suppose it must be taken care of. Not a pleasant task, but necessary. I will take care of it." After a moment he looks up at the group. "Their preoccupation with radishes seems to be unnaturally strong. Perhaps Peregrine and Rorgrym could examine the area for traces of some kind of magical influence?"
Rorgrym shrugs "I already looked at the radishes themselves and could detect nothing out of the ordinary. They may have been a symptom or side effect rather than a cause. Or maybe we just have some disturbed kobolds."
Gathien steps away from the discussion of how to handle the prisoner, I'd rather have it talk, but what can we do? If only we could make it understand us...
He starts studying the ground, walking in strange patterns, following the kobold footfalls as best he can. When he starts backtracing the footfalls, he smiles and says, "If they won't tell us where they came from, then let's see if they've already shown us..."
Rorgrym looks over and sees what Gathien is doing. "Now that's a good idea; one I should have thought of."
While Gathien examines the kobold's tracks, Rorgrym will look around and see if there are tracks other than the kobold's (and our own group).
There are a myriad of tracks around the entire area - though they all seem to have arrived from the south-east.
There are a lot of tracks, though you aren't able to figure out the general direction from which they came.
Peregrine nodded at Jonas. "We could hold it until morning and see if it is anymore willing to cooperate after it's calmed down somewhat, but overall I'm inclined to agree with the end result."
"As for the radishes," Peregrine shrugged, "I suppose anything is possible, especially with all the fey here..."
Weaving a simple divination Peregrine's eyes seemed to fall out of focus and he quickly scanned the area looking for anything usual.
You spot no magical auras in the vicinity...
When he was finished his divination Peregrine shook his head. "Nothing...I think kobolds just like radishes and they ate too much."
"Maybe we should consider hiding bodies and getting out of here soon. We probably don't want to attract any extra attention to ourselves."
Rorgrym comes back to the group. "Well, there are other tracks but it's so jumbled I can't make any sense out of it. Others could be using the patch or maybe kobolds just like to come here a lot."
Rorgrym looks around, "What do the rest of you think we should do? We could try following the tracks back to whereever the kobolds came from or just do a more thorough sweep of the area." He pauses for a second. "I suppose we could just ignore the whole thing and move on but I don't think that's the best idea."
"I think if possible we should follow the tracks to find their lair. When we get there we can try to talk them into moving on. Hopefully we won't have to fight whatever ones are left."
Having given up hope of finding anything to drink on the slain kobolds, Ingle returns his attention to the conversation, looking somewhat desultory.
"Sadly, I do believe we should see this through to the end. Simply filling our map full of 'Don't go here' or 'Danger, avoid this area' markings would likely not serve to elevate our reputations. But if we do intend to seek out these villian's lair, I would ask for a short period to prepare another elixir." He pauses for a moment, glancing at Mr. Medvyed. "In the event that negotiations... deteriorate, if you take my meaning. Which I suppose you do."
Turning to Kragath, Ingle's face lightens with a smile. "Congratulations on remaining conscious, dear fellow. Bravo." He gives a little clap, and then removes his pack to begin preparing for the rest of the day.
Kragath nods at Jonas' remark. "Yes, seeing as we have discovered another potential threat to Oleg's, we should try to eliminate it either through diplomacy or arms as necessary. Peregrine, should the situation arise, you think you could act as a translator?"
Kragath at first seems insulted by the Alchemist's remark, but then offers up an uncomfortable retort. "Indeed, Lord Duck. Perhaps later you would be willing to give me some sparring lessons?"
Changing the topic, Kragath continues, "Peregrine is correct, we need to relocate ourselves. I suggest we finish off exploring the immediate area, then set up camp somewhere to the East, so we can return to the patch and head off after the tracks in the morning. That way any kobolds that come searching for us might spend most of their time roaming around following our tracks from exploration and never even catch up to our camp before we head out. However, we do need to set up a watch rotation just in case."
Kragath at first seems insulted by the Alchemist's remark, but then offers up an uncomfortable retort. "Indeed, Lord Duck. Perhaps later you would be willing to give me some sparring lessons?"
Without looking up from his pack, Ingle replies, "My technique is simple, good fellow. Stay in the rear." Removing several small containers from his pack, he wishes momentarily that there was a table at hand, then sits upon the grass and begins consulting the leather bound book he carries with him.
The kobold says no more, staying quiet until the end. It only glares at you on occasion, but seems to have stopped resisting. As you all return your attention to the conversation, you feel a lingering sensation of something - or someone - looking at you, yet you are unable to find the source of the peering...
An intense fluttering is in the air, washing over your faces. Acorns drop from above, one bumping off of each of your foreheads. The quietest yelp is heard, and then the flutter is gone.
So is the kobold.
Ingle perception:
Kragath perception:
Jonas perception:
Rorgrym perception:
Peregrine perception:
Gathien perception:
Kragath draws his sword and turns franticly, looking to the trees. "Peregrine! What sort of sorcery is this? What happened to the Kobold?"
Gathien looks up from the tracks he found, saying, "They came from this way..." just in time to hear Kragath's question. He races over to the spot he'd last seen the kobold, once again looking for tracks.
As he looks, he mutters, "I look away for a moment, and you lose the prisoner?" He then looks up and winks to show that he's kidding, [b]"And worse -- my rope?"
Swearing, Rorgrym goes over to where the kobold was and makes sure it is actually gone and not just invisible or concealed by some fey trick. If it isn't there he'll search out ten feet in a circle from that spot.
Assuming he doesn't find anything, or there's nothing to be found, he says, "If we have some mischevious fey dogging our steps, everything is going to become very difficult. Does anyone have anything we can placate this fey with?"
Peregrine rubbed his forehead and looked up at where the acorn had come form. "I'm going to start wearing a wide brimmed hat," he muttered to himself.
The sound of drawing steel and Kragath's voice pulled him out of his distraction, looking around to where the kobold had been Peregrine frowned. "Fey sorcery..."
With a practiced ease he cast once more the simple divination he had been using just a short while ago.
Gathien looks up at his companions, "I would agree with Ser Jonas and Duckie. We should follow these tracks back to where they may lead -- the trail will be harder to find and follow later as it gets old... And I'm rather certain that evil humanoids were the sort of thing that Swordlords sent us here to clean up."
The disappearance of the kobold leaves Jonas quietly reflective. Is the fey protecting the kobold or just continuing to tease us? I suppose it is the continuing that is the answer. It was playing tricks on us before we came upon the kobold, and I assume it will continue to do so regardless of whether we go to their den. Finally, he rouses himself and nods at Rorgrym's words, "Good idea, Rorgrym. I will try again. When we return to Oleg's we should pick up some shiny costume jewelry or such, and perhaps some sweets if he has any."
Jonas walks fifteen or twenty steps away from the rest of the group. He goes through his pouches and backpack and finally produces his signal whistle. He buffs it on his surcoat to get it shiny as possible, "I wish I had something more grand to give you, but unfortunately we were not prepared to give out gifts. My family, the Medvyeds, have always dealt honorably with your kind up in north, and I would like to continue that relationship here. We find most of your tricks funny, but we don't understand why you have taken the kobold. In any case, take this whistle as a gift. We hope you like it."
If nothing immediately happens, Jonas turns around and returns to the group. "Well, let's see if that helps. In any case, we should move on."
"Yes, now that the Kobold has escaped we need to find their den immediately. We should be off as soon as possible.". Kragath turns and readies Simaron for travel.
The tracks of the kobold grow more and more difficult to follow as they vanish underneath hoardes of leaves blowing in the wind. You barely manage to reach the edge of the forest when they sky is all but cobalt blue. The night chill starts to descend upon you.
Ser Jonas's bellowing begets once more only silence, as nothing responds but the hooting of an owl somewhere in the depths of the forest...
You only spot faint traces of magic that vanish before you can determine anything more concrete...
Updated map of the Stolen Lands
The day has been arduous, yet you have managed to explore this region of the forest in a day, and the pavilion has been raised. The warmth of the tent shields you from the chill of night...
Gathien starts to curse as the increasing shadows and darkness obscure the trail, even as the winds wipe it away.
He stops and looks up at his fellow travelers when they reach the edge of the forest, "I'm losing the trail to the dark, I'm afraid. We should stop rather than wander aimlessly, or worse, trip over foes who can see in the dark where we cannot."
Gathien looks up over the edge of the map book and stares into the fire, happy that the only sounds it is making at the moment are the normal popping and crackling. I can't say I like that I have to keep marking "Here there be monsters" on the map... He snickers slightly as a thought amuses him, Although, at least I can say there are fewer of them now... and none of my companions are likely to underestimate me anymore.
He closes the book with a sigh, and approaches Kragath, "I will try to pick up the trail again in the morning, but with the passage of time and the fey playing tricks on us, I have little hope for success. With the trail being lost, I would suggest that we follow our original plan and go east, rather than wander aimlessly. I did mark both the radish patch and where I lost the trail on the map."
Kragath sits by the fire, spinning the tip of his longsword in the ground and watching the flames dance off it's blade. He wasn't actually thinking about any one thing, but everything at once. There is a troubled look on his face that is obvious to all who attempt to speak with the man.
As Gathien approaches, Kragath slides over to make room for the Halfling to join him at his spot next to the flame. He listens intently to the Gathien's council, hanging his head slightly at the mention of the trail being lost. He sits silently for but a moment before speaking, all the while staring into the flames reflection in his blade, "While you may be right, and we may not find their trail again, I would not forgive myself if these creatures made an assault on Oleg's while we continued our explorations elsewhere. I think it best to continue after their trail, even if it is only to continue on our last heading to explore that region thoroughly. Then we can turn back to the northeast and complete our initial circuit around Oleg's before returning to resupply. If we find nothing, we have only lost a day in turn for an even better understanding of our surroundings. If we find their den, we can potentially eliminate the threat they pose as well."
Kragath then turned to Gathien directly, a sincere look on his face, "I stand by what I said earlier, Gathien. You held yourself with superb skill while outnumbered greatly. If a lesser warrior had stood in your place, the group could have easily fallen to the increased threat those kobolds posed. I for one, am honored by your presence here." Kragath reaches his hand out to shake the halflings hand. When the gesture is reciprocated, Kragath's hand glows golden for a moment, and divine energy flows from his hand around Gathien for a moment.
Kragath, showing a brief moment of surprise followed by a renewed confidence, continues, "It would also seem that you have earned the favor of The Gold Fisted!" Kragath then leans over to Gathien, and feigns a whisper, "Don't tell Duckie, he'll just get jealous. I'd hate to see him quack up now..."
Kragath then stands, and walks to the entrance of the Pavilion, "I will take first watch, try to get some rest everyone. We may have a big day ahead of us..." He then folds open the flap and steps back out into the night air, a look of joy and confidence on his face once again. So I have not let you down after all. I shall continue to do my best to deserve your grace and be your vassal on this world.
When Jonas hears of Kragath's plan to continue to head in the direction which the trail was going he nods and scratches his cheek. "I think that is a sound plan. I don't want to just leave a mark on the map, I want to solve the problem."
Gathien listens to Kragath's plan and nods, "I do see your point, I just worry that we will miss a turn and lose them. Exploring the whole area to the southeast should, hopefully, solve that particular issue." He pauses for a moment, and then continues, "I worry, however, about reprisals against Oleg's from the brigands in our absence -- our time window has certainly closed by now -- and I imagine that they are a more serious threat than the kobolds..." He chuckles slightly, "Still, it would be nice to cross something off our list... and so if only to do that, I will agree that your plan is best."
As Kragath compliments him, Gathien finds himself blushing, It is good to be accepted for who I am..... He responds, "Thank you, Ser Lightbringer. After years being considered a joke, it does my spirit good to hear such praise... though I will endeavour to not let it go to my head."
Gathien's eyes widen as the healing energy washes through him, "I did not know you could do that! I imagine that Abadar smiles on his servant, Ser Lightbringer, more than his ally."
Peregrine spent most of the rest of the evening brooding on the disappearance of the kobold. He did not much care for loose ends, and they did not come much looser than this. What were the fey playing at, he wondered, this seemed to be beyond the simple antics and pranks that had occurred up until this point. He felt like they had just stirred up a hornets' nest.
Listening to Gathien and Kragath talk by the fire Peregrine looked grim when he finally spoke up. "Among other things, I've heard rumors of a tribe of kobolds that inhabit the Greenbelt. I might remind you, Ser Lightbringer, that there were concerns about our ability to take a camp of, at most, sixteen men by surprise. A tribe of kobolds of any size could be considerably more than sixteen. These are creatures known for their ambushes and traps, and I would not be surprised if the area surrounding their warren wasn't littered with the latter. And we do not know to what end this latest fey trick was played, though I do not think it to our advantage. We could be known to them even now. Those that we fought today we caught unprepared and in an exceptionally poor state to fight, I do not imagine future encounters will be so easy. If we do find them, I suggest caution. This area is known for being ravaged by bandits, not kobolds. It would not do to stir up trouble were there was none before, assuming we haven't already."
Rorgrym too seems irritated by the loss of the kobold.
"This ridiculous fey creature seems intent on following our steps and causing problems."
"What Peregrine says makes sense. One kobold is little threat but a horde of them could prove deadly. It seems to me that out biggest weakness out here is that we don't know the lay of the land and what's where. If there is a warren of kobolds it isn't going anywhere. I'm worried about moving against anything while we have a fey hindering our every step, or worse, willing to aid our enemies."
Though perhaps he was mildly annoyed at the vanishing of the kobold - and secretly amused, he had to admit - Ingle managed to push it aside in favor of other thoughts. I thought had been forming in his mind for some time now, and he was beginning to get a hold of it. Once camp had been set, he moved to the edge of the firelight, finding a clear space where he could be alone. There he seemed to be absently toying with an empty vial: rolling it across his fingers, tossing in gently in his hand with varying spins, balancing it upon a finger tip before beginning again. Indeed, the dexterity of his fingers belied the gangley appearance that he otherwise portrayed.
As time passed he began to pace distractedly, grinning oddly. I think I may just have it... Perhaps... He stopped his pacing and regarded his companions for a moment and weighed the consequences if he were wrong. If I can control the splash, how much more effective will this be? Immensely, no doubt. But it's all theory at the moment. If I'm wrong... Heh. Preposterous... He pushed the thought away with little effort.
Looking out at the woods, the thought of the fey crept back into his mind. He looked at the vial in his hand, frowning. Then, an idea occuring to him, he reached into his belt pouch and retrieved two tindertwigs. Stepping outside the circle of light, he found a flat stone and laid the gifts out neatly side by side. "It isn't much," he said softly to the surrounding darkness. "But I found your little joke most amusing, so some recompense is in order, I believe." Then, as an afterthought he added, "Do be careful. You won't want to burn the forest down, I'm sure. And if you do burn it down, my name does NOT come up." He gazed sternly at the woods for a moment.
With a final flip of the empty vial, he deftly returned it to it's place and joined the others at the fire. To Rorgrym he said, "It's likely that they intended less to aid our enemies, and more to only toy with us. Amusement is likely difficult to come by out here," he looked about at the dark woods, "with nary a creature comfort to be found for leagues in any direction."
Jonas listens carefully to Peregrine and Rorgrym's concerns, "I agree with both of you that caution is definitely merited, but we would be exploring the area to the southwest soon in any case. We will just explore it sooner than we had planned, and if we find signs of their warren we will scout it before making a decision to approach it. Additionally, I would like to get the kobolds to move on without violence, if possible."
Kragath listens to everyone's concerns before replying, "Yes, don't think that I intended to charge headfirst into their den. But to not learn what we are up against would be foolish. If we can come to some peaceable terms, that would be a priority as well."
The night sets in slowly, the forest bustling with wildlife and the rattle of leaves. Ingle receives no response from the woods apart from the chirp of birds. The night chill grows deeper...
The weather for the morrow seems to be sunny, though there will be rain at some point...
The breeze is cool still. As you dismantle your pavilion and begin the treck to the south-east. The path leads you out of the forest and into plains, showing the small mountainous areas of the Stolen Lands...
The trail is all but gone now.
Having trecked over several hills, you spot some odd overgrowth at the root of a small mountain...
Rorgrym peers down down the hill to the root of the mountain. "Now what do we have here?
"Hmmm. Strange" He turns to the halfling "Gathien, what do you make of that?"
Peregrine spent most of the day hunkered down sullenly in his saddle, the events of the previous day still casting a dark shadow over his mood. It was only when they spotted the odd bit of overgrowth at the base of the mountain that his interest seemed once more piqued.
Gathien looks over at what Rorgrym is indicating, squinting into the distance, "I'm not sure... It could be anything -- including a shelter built to hide something... maybe access to a warren or cave." He rides forward slightly and shades his eyes, trying to get a better look.
Gathien says, "From this distance, I'm not sure I can say much about it... If you'd like I can go take a more up-close look -- I can see a few approaches by which I should be able to stay hidden."
Jonas swings Maelstrom around and stands on his stirrups trying to use the height to get a better view of the overgrowth. "I think you are right Gathien, a little scouting is in order. Do you have any way to signal us if you get in trouble? A whistle or something? I would give you my signal whistle, but I made a gift of it."
Gathien cups his hands over his mouth and blows, making a whistling noise. "Not quite as effective as your whistle, but it should do. It's a bird-call lure I learned from the hunters in my village." He smiles and chuckles a bit, "Of course, if I'm in dire trouble, I'll likely just scream."
Jonas chuckles and pats his mount on the neck, "Well, either way and Maelstrom and I will be there like a flash. The others will catch up as soon as they can, I'm sure." He smiles widely at Ingle, "Don't expect a quick response from Ingle though, I can't see him getting that mare up to a gallop just yet."
Kragath grins slightly, "I figure if trouble does arise, the first screams we hear won't likely be Gathien's."
Taking on a more somber note, Kragath adds, "Don't start any unnecessary trouble if you can help it Gathien. Did out I that is indeed the den we seek then return. I hope to end this peacefully if we can."
You can't discern what's wrong with the overgrowth - if there even is something wrong...
You can't discern what's wrong with the overgrowth - if there even is something wrong. You don't know if this mountain has a name either.
You aren't sure what you spot - the distance is too far. As you approach a little closer, you see the old planks stretching from the ground up to the upper part of a small crack in the mountain - it looks like an entrance is hidden behind the overgrowth.
You also see a strange spread of leaves in front of the overgrowth...
Gathien thinks to himself, That might be a trap, I'd best avoid it... but still, I need to get a closer look...
He shifts himself forward to try to get a better look at that patch, trying to move as quietly as possible to not give himself away ()
Rorgrym will keep an eye on Gathien. His shield is out and his trident ready looking out for the first sign on trouble.
As you approach closer to the patch you see nothing suspicious, apart from the leaves having no obvious or nearby source...
As Gathien approaches closer, you can all hear the shrill crack of a twig being broken coming from where Gathien is. The momentary silence is not broken, and there is no reaction from anything or anyone nearby...
Hmmm, everything looks normal.... Still....I'm not trusting of those leaves... but I want a better look at that doorway...
Gathien scoops up a stone and tosses it gently on the leaves, seeing if there's any reaction. He then puts himself back into cover, and sneaks toward the doorway, hoping for a better look.
Peregrine winced at the sound of the snapping twig and tensed as he waited for a reaction. With each passing second that none came he could feel himself relaxing a little. Just the same he loosed his crossbow and began loading it.
Kragath drew his sword slightly at the sound of the snap. Calming himself, he slowly returned it to it's sheath. He looks around, then turns to Peregrine, "Is your understanding of these creatures language strong enough for you to act as our diplomat in this Ser Fetch?"
Jonas seems to get a little restless while waiting for Gaithen, and his misstep on the twig makes it more evident. He pulls Maelstrom in a small circle taking a look all around the rest of the party. "Scouting was the right thing to do, but I hate having any of us separate from the rest."
The stone rustles between the leaves, though nothing happens. As you approach the doorway, you manage to peer into the cracks betwixt the overgrowth, though inside there is naught but murky darkness. The planks underneath the overgrowth seem to be of much better quality than they look.