Etienne will ask a few questions, about your pasts, about Erastil, about what Miyuki and Anton can do in combat.
During the exploration Anton will gladly start answering Etienne questions
"I'm from a village near the Gronzi Forest, in the Medvyed territory. When I was young I discovered mine faith and vocation in Erastil deciding to became one of His priest. During the training I chose the more rare druidic path instead of the traditional cleric one. I did it because I think that the balance between Nature and Civilization is important. Life is better in small rural communities, and the community could only benefit from a more direct connection with nature surrounding. In combat I can use the spells Old Deadeye gift me, asking his Bless for all the team, or directly against the enemy, or the longbow. You know, I won some annual competition at the Archerfest in mine village.
What do you want to know about Erastil?"
Miyuki will say:"I come from a country far away. Life is very diffrent, but still the same. My mother was from a good family who disgraced her name by falling in love with a mere artisan. That is something very serious at home, but she could call in a favor and my parents were spirited away. We found a decent living in restov and a great ally in the erastil priest. I enjoy this chance to repay him."
Carefully listening Etienne will say:"Erastil is the God of the common man. He stands for marriage, Family and honest work. Farming and harvest. A good god! More I do not know. I am not learned in Religion."
"Yes, in simple words you are right. Erastil is one of the most ancient diety. He was before the Age of Darkness, He crafted the first bow for the men, he bless the farmers and the hunters too...
If you want in the next time we will spent together I can teach you how to properly worship him. His prayers are simple, because there is no need to waste time, your honest work is the most beautiful prayer you can do to Old Deadeye.
In the evening around the campfire Anton would suggest to still going and explore straight to the west , and continue the exploration until the end of the chartered zone. And explore the northen zones when coming back to Oleg
The next morning Anton will wake up at dawn to meditate nature and pray Erastil, he will also read a fragment from his copy of the Parables of Erastil to the presents:
"Gold and gems make a man weak; hard work in a field shows strength of body and character.
When all is ready for the exploration he will lead the team personally to west.
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Whilst exploring the woods to the west you find a bear trap. specifically you find it around Anton ankle when he is off his horse for some reason 7 damage .
It would seem some irresponsible trapper has not marked his trap, as is the custom in the area, making his trap just as dangerous to humans as they are to beasts.
After screaming for the pain and cursing the irrespnsible trapper, Anton frees himself from the trap and report to the team:
"Caution. There could be more hidden traps around here."
Anton starts looking around for other potential traps, also using his hunter knowledge to locate the more favorable place where a trap could be placed.
Etienne dismounts from eclipse. Checking for the area around him he starts to lead his horse. Using his Lance to check for more traps.
"Father Anton, are you badly hurt? Do you Need help?"
"I'm fine, Etienne. I have seen worst injuries.
This one is not so bad. With a few hours of rest and using a cure spell tomorrow morning I'll be fully healed."
For the night Anton use his healing kit to provide himself more cure.
but he is too clumsy to make a proper medication.
The next morning Anton will pray Erastil and memorize new spells
1st Bless (D), Cure light wounds, Deadeye's arrow, Produce flame
0th Create Water, Guidance, Light, Stabilize
After praying he casts a CLW spell on his ankle.
He then leads the exploration team for the third day and always to the west.
Miyuki will gladly try to help. Assist:
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Heading west the following day you pass out of the forest and back onto the plains.
As you explore the plains you come a cross a grizzly mother and two young cubs. The cubs are playing in the tall grasses, wrestling with each other and protesting fiercely when one gain the upper hand. The mother is watching them closely and is thus caught a bit off guard by your apporach.
You are perhaps still 100 feet away when she catches sight of you, and and you of her. She rears up on her hind legs and issues a ferocious challenge.
Anton immediately stops the rest of the team behind him.
He use his wild empathy to communicate an impression of non hostility to the mother.
If he sees signs that the mother is going to attack him or someone else of the party he will ride Berego away from the charging bear and the cubs.
Before:
Etienne Looks at Anton and says:"One of my Tutors once said Killing = Honor. I do not think so. I think there is no honor killing a mother trying to protect their children! I would be ashamed! Maybe you can make peacy with her."
Miyuki lays her hands on Antons arm."I am .. proud of you! And Etienne, you seem to use her head for thinking and your heart for feeling!"
"Erastil blessed me in being in communion with the nature. And there was no reason to kill a mother only because was protecting her children.
Yes, Etienne, your hearth and your mind were right.
said Anton after the bears are gone
Then to only Miyuki he adds:
"I don't want to think about what should have happend if a former fellow, we both know, was here."
That evening around the campfire Anton bless the meal, and asks Etienne to told something more about him if he wish so.
"Is there something you could tell about your past story, or simply about you? What god do you worship? What are your projects for the future? Do you think to settle down here in the Stolen Lands?"
Etienne Looks into the campfire. Slowly he says:"I pray to Iomedea. To grant me strength to fight my enemeys. To have Valor when they Charge. To help me to act honorable."
He sighs."I was born to a woman who fell in love with the wrong man. What a shame. So my grandfather gave me away to someone else. Because I was a dishonor to his house. Now I want to show them. To Show I am as good as them!" With this words he turns around and says no more.
a bastard searching his redemption thoughts Anton for one moment before replying to Etienne with a sincere smile:
"Iomedae yes, the herald of the dead god, Aroden.
I can understand why you pray her. She is a shining example to you.
But if you want a wise advice from me, in all your shining rehabilitation to your house, don't forget that there are others in this world. Call them simple people, the hoi polloi or in an other way, but remember them. Being a lord could be your purpose, but being a lord of sand and dust is not something honorable. Being a lord is a noble purpose if you want to be a guide to your people, those who will choose to follow you.
For what I can do, as a Medvyed and as a member of the Church of Erastil, rest assured, here in the Stolen Land, I'll be your friend, trying to help you in reaching your objective, if you will not be against those who will decide to search their fortune, have a new life and create a community in those lands."
Anton taps gently Etienne on the back.
After a good nights sleep Etienne will follow Anton and supports him.
At midday he says:"Sire Anton, I pray to Cayden if I go to a party for a small hangover. I am tought a prayer to saranrea if I fight undead. I spent money at the church of erastil when a friend married. Each year I donate to the shrine of pharasme to guide my mothers Spirit. There is not one god for me, but many. In my actions I follow the teachings of Iomedea. But I never forget the other gods!"
The next morning Anton prays for new spells
1st Bless (D),Deadeye's arrow, Entangle (DC 14), Produce flame
0th Create Water, Guidance, Light, Stabilize
then leads the exploration in the west thanking Etienne for his help
"Don't call me Sire, only Anton is sufficient."
he says smiling to Etienne, then adding:
"So, indeed there are many gods in this world. And we don't have to forget about them. But when we need to pray, I think that one god is enough.
You have two arms and two hands, you have two legs and two feet, but you have only one head, and only one hearth. So your mind and your feelings will lead your life. And when mind and hearth conflict you don't know what to do. No man can serve two masters.
In the same way you have only one soul. So I think it's better if you dedicate yourself to one god. You can respectfully recognize the others gods, and only a fool will not do it, but when you have to pray, pray only one.
Enjoying the discussion of her 2 traveling companions, Miyuki adds:"At home we also pray to our ancestors, to guide our actions, to look favorably at us."
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You head west again, further into the plains. The forests are many miles behind you now.
It's impossible to miss your destination, on the lonely plains this barrow mound stands stark and shear. The grass and shrubs around it are stunted and brown.
There you see a stone door built into the side of it. The door is decorated with barbarian runes and sigils, some seeming to depict tigers, in particular their mighty claws, but near the center of the door there is a dark purple stain, like that of a dark berry juice.
But you are not alone, there is a lone figure waiting in front of the door. I'll let he introduce herself.
Miyuki looks forward to greet the person waiting there.
Anton slowly dismounts from Berego, and wait for the new person to say something.
Agrona calmly turns from examining the cairn, her form shrouded by mask, hood and Cassock... She looks at you with piercing, yellow eyes that speak of cunning and savage wisdom...
Her voice is blunt and curt, who are you, speak.
Riding slowly closer Miyuki looks at the strange woman."Well met. May I introduce ourselfes, this fine chap with the bow is Anton Medyved, a devout follower of Erastil. The young man in armor is Etienne de Guerlin, a fine knight. And myself, I am Miyuki. We are here to explore the lands, sent by the swordlords of Restov in conjugation with the temple of Erastil, to prepare it for settlers and bring it into the folds of Brevoy."
Etienne looks at the strange woman. Not sure what to do he lets Miyuki talk and just nods when his name is sayed.
Recognizing the orc made cassok Anton decides to add a few words to Miyuki's
As she said, I'm Anton, blood of Medvyed and blood of Orc, priest of Erastil the bow-maker, the Old Deadeye who looks upon the hunters.
I would propose a exchange of services...if your brave that is...
Are you aware of the Three? Or have you been so swamped in the muck of civilization that even that has been forgotten...
Anton shakes his head before replying
"I don't know the Three. Mine mother, Daryna the half blood, born after an orc raid to our farm village, raised by the humans, as I was. But I'm not a man of big cities, mine people live following the Old Ways of Erastil, hunting in the forest and farming, we don't follow the "modern" civilization of Abadar, we despise His ways.
Then returning to the common tongue, so that the others could understand, Anton says:
"We are brave but not fools. What do you propose?
Agrona stares at her fellow half blood critically and speaks in Orc...
Remember the Three well, they be the Cunning one, who uses guile and misdirection to overcome all foes. The Strong one who embraces sheer strength and uses it to shatter both the body and will of all her foes. Lastly remember the Wise one who sees through all deceptions and who is most in tune with the spirit world...
This cairn is the resting place of a powerful orc warlord, my dreams tell me the place has been desecrated. Whether by tomb robbers or by the raising of the corpse as a member of the undead I do not know... If you want orc tribal magic for your venture your coming with me into this cairn... Take nothing from it, even if the treasure itself doesn't kill you I will be obliged to do so...
Anton tries to understand what gods those Three could be
He also tries to recognize the symbols on the cairn
"I and Miyuki had a dream, directly from the God, Erastil, in his old temple not so far from her. That dream leads our path here. We are not vulgar tomb raiders, we were send on a holy quest."
Anton looks at Miyuki waiting for her to say something
Miyuki listens to the discussion of the two half-orcs, not understanding a word of it but after a moment of pondering:"I can only speak for myself, but if you seek to find out how this place was desecrated, I will gladly help you. And it is true... we might need more help in this dangerous lands. If you ask to take nothing from this cairn, I can´t promise that. I will take expression,informations from it, to better understand your folks. But I will not take any item, or offer prayers to the ancestors without your permission. Is this offer acceptable?"
Etienne looks at the scary woman and says:"I vow on my honor to follow your request! If we are attack, I will defend myself! I will not do more!"
After his fellows'words Anton touch his silver holy symbol and adds
"In the name of Erastil, Old Deadeye, blessed His Holy Name. I, Anton of House Medvyed, swear that I'll not plunder this Cairn, not taking anything from inside it, unless you decide to give it to me. So I say in front of gods and mortals."
Dismounting Miyuki walks to the cairn and with a wave of her hand she says:"Lead the way. Oh and how would you like us to call you. It might be a trifle, but we did introduce ourselves, but so far.... you did not return the courtesy. It would be nicer if we know whom we follow in a grave. Wouldn´t you agree?"
Before entering the Cairn, Anton casts Light on his longbow.
Then he waits for the newcomer to answer Miyuki question and to lead the way.
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To enter into the barrow mound you must remove the stone door. It is nothing more than a primitive stone slab placed in front of the entrance. Removing it probably requires a feat of strength.
Miyuki will smile at Etienne and says:"Sir Knight, it seems we already need your strength.
Anton will try to help Etienne, but he is leaving to him the main labor