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As he hears his teacher begin her work, Svengald goes to her side.
Between the heavy hammering, some horseshoes get made by Dhurharen. "At least ya be tak'n this seriously. Ye have always been work'n with me when I'm here and even when I'm not here. You're a good student."
Svengald: "Of course I am! I've got the rest of my life ahead of me, and I'd like it to be a long one wearing more than beggar's rags! How else will I get that chance?"
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Nikolai, now sitting beside Rollan looks up as Dex, Raga, and the guards return. "Is it over and done with?"
Dex: "It is. The truth has been found and justice has been dealt."
Nikolai nods, satisfied. "Thank you. For believing us. For counting my boy's life worth saving."
Rollan: "Yes, thank you..." He bobs his head towards our returning heroes. but he clearly has eyes only for Nadine, who sits across from him. "I mean, I can look out for myself, but what if he'd gone after someone who couldn't?"
Raga nods as he grins then to Nikolai "We are here to protect and to make this land a land for all good people."
Nadine chuckles softly. "A matter not to be worried over more. The sooner that one's forgotten, the better." She smiles at Rollan.
Raga Silvertail holllars out "Drink and food!" and then looks at Svetlana with a smile, and adds, more softly "Please."
Dex: "And so long as you all keep on your new path in life we will protect it."
Rollan returns Nadine's smile with a goofy grin.
Svetlana Leveton brings out a large platter with plates bearing roast quail, stewed rabbit, and a generous cut of raw venison for Raga, along with her delicious dark homemade bread, and their usual drinks. "It is always well to celebrate the end of a danger past, yes?"
Oleg Leveton: "I would say so, though I do regret sheltering this one as long as we did."
Raga Silvertail: Raga will put down a few crowns "This should cover a few meals I think"
Oleg Leveton nods, scooping up the coins. "For what you've done, you're always welcome to eat here free... but I'll not turn down a generous tip." He smiles.
Raga Silvertail waves his hand in the air "Food does not come cheap, especially for so many mouths, I can not expect you to feed us indefinitely."
Dex: "The only thing to regret there, Oleg, is that he couldn't keep his past in the past and harmed someone else. Though thankfully nothing father Jhod couldn't fix."
Jhod Kavken: "Thank Erastil. I am only his servant."
Rollan: "Erastil teaches his followers they should settle down out in these sorts of places, doesn't he?" His eyes don't leave Nadine, who blushes.
Jhod Kavken chuckles. "That he does."
Nadine: "While I've no objections to raising a family... it certainly won't be until I've more than a tent to raise them in." She smiles gently at Rollan.
Rollan nods, eyes flashing down to his swiftly emptying plate as he takes another bite.
Raga Silvertail looks from one to the other "There are more tables, we could let you have this one for yourselves?"
They both blush at this offer.
Rollan: "That isn't necessary...I mean...thanks, but.."
Nadine: "This is still a public place, so it matters little if you share our table or the next one over."
Arni shakes his head, sketching the clouds above, trying to capture the quality of light imparted by the noonday sun filtered through them. "They've been like this the past week."
Raga Silvertail chuckles. "Well, it has been very relaxing, despite the odd hiccups here and there. But we have a lot still to do out in these lands, not to mention go and put a number on this Stag Lord guy."
Handren: "Desna's own luck go with you, if you'll be taking him on."
Dex: "Well hopefully when we do take care of him this land will become a bit safer. Though we've encountered more beasts than bandits of late."
Raga Silvertail: "With each beast taken care of, makes it more likely we encounter bandits, and with each bandit taken care of, less help to the stag lord when we do take him on"
Dex smiles at Nadine and Rollan. "But give us some time and soon this land will be safe for a couple to maybe settle down and have a few kids."
Handren: "The ford camp's the only established one other than the fort... Stag Lord thought it important to hold the crossing. I'm sure there are others roaming around."
Rollan sets his left hand down on the table, palm up. "And those kids wouldn't even be raised as bandits."
A flicker of mixed pride and sorrow passes across Nikolai's face as Nadine takes Rollan's hand and gently squeezes it.
Nadine: "Especially with parents...and grandparents" her eyes flick to Nikolai, "who are strong and healthy to protect them."
Rollan: "And when we've earned enough trust, our blades will be beside yours, in defense of this post and land."
Nadine: "You have my trust... but that is a call for our traveling judges," She nods towards Raga and Dex's end of the table. "Not for me."
Dex: "Well I think we need to see what your captain thinks first. After all he has been keeping an eye on you all while we are away and would be the one dealing with it the most."
Raga Silvertail: "Just don't expect me to wear anything too fancy." he looks at his own outfit "Almost everything I wear has to be made very specifically, or it shreds."
Raga, Keston, and Dex go to the guest house to discuss the matter privately.
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Keston Garess: "They've been attentive stablehands, for Oleg's horse, and those of the few hunters and peddlars who've come through with them while you've been exploring and securing the outlands. Nikolai and Rollan have been practicing, with wooden swords, not live steel, two hours of the day, in addition to their assigned duties. They haven't started any fights."
They are used to relying on each other, and Nikolai certainly has a father's protective impulses towards Rollan... who seems to be gaining ever more steadfast loyalties, at least to one of my guards..." he notes this blandly, eyes darkening in memory. "I deem it likely they'd be assets, if another raid were attempted. They could certainly be counted on to contain hunters who drink too much." Keston Garess hesitates. "But I am unsure if their loyalty truly extends to you, the Swordlords, or Brevoy."
Dex: "What's your opinion on them starting to take up some more duties as part of your guard? Have them help with watches and patrols?"
Keston Garess: "It would be good to have more guards. It's hard to secure a place properly with just the four of us. They'd be teamed with more senior guards rather than each other for the first few months while we show them the ropes, of course..."
With your approval, I think they're ready for a more positive trial."
Raga nods at this "I am willing to a grant that permission."
Dex: "They seem earnest enough to at least get this chance. You can use them as you need then. We will tell them the news and to report to you when you are ready."
Keston Garess salutes, "Will there be anything else before we rejoin the festivities?"
Dex: "Nothing I can think of."
Raga Silvertail: "Nope, none from my side."
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They find Rollan nervously fidgeting with his food instead of finishing it, and Nikolai sitting alertly, suppressing a flinch as he hears the door again.
Dex: "Well, good news is you two are getting some more responsibility. Bad news is you're gonna be split up during the work for a while."
Keston Garess fixes Rollan with a steady glare. "And the worse news is that you'll be working with Zeff, not Nadine. Can't have you distracting each other on shift."
Nadine and Rollan blush. Nikolai swallows a laugh and salutes Keston. "Reporting for duty, Captain!"
Raga smiles and shakes his head as he chews some more.
Keston Garess nods. "Enough time for that when we finish eating, probationary guardsman."
Nikolai still sits straighter as he finishes his meal.
Keston Garess: "Especially since I'll have to see you two kitted up before your first watch." He looks over at Handren. "And we may have more work for you as well, soon. Got word HQ's shipping in some lumber. With a permanent guard presence, it's only proper that a barracks follow."
Handren nods, with a wry smile. "Guess that means I should finish resting up."
Oleg Leveton: "A barracks? But there's no room for a barracks in my post!"
Keston Garess: "It is for your defense, Oleg. you're right that the space inside is a bit crowded. I was thinking we adjoin it to the east wall, on the outside, put a solid door in the palisade as its only entrance. That way we'll be close enough to do some good, without weakening your outer lines, or filling in your grounds."
Oleg Leveton: "And you think you can just change my post around to your whim without so much as a by your leave?"
Raga Silvertail raises his hand "Easy there, you two. Do not jump to conclusions, if we defeat the Stag Lord, we may find an alternate place for the barracks. We won't do anything to disrupt your post."
Keston Garess: "With all due respect... my people are tired of sleeping on the ground. Once the materials arrive, how long do you expect us to delay construction?"
Dex: "I know it may have sprung up sudden, Oleg, but even you can see the advantages having would bring. Besides once the Stag Lord is defeated and if we move the guard some where else you will have a new building you can rent out as more people come to our new kingdom."
Oleg Leveton frowns thoughtfully. "You say that if the guards move to new quarters the preliminary barracks will be deeded over to me?"
Dex: "It is your land and you can think of it as added payment for putting us all up as well as our guests and guards."
Svetlana Leveton puts an arm around her husband. "And they are right, love. If the guards must pass through bandits and marauding beasts to reach our fortifications, they will be much less likely to be able to aid us."
Raga Silvertail nods at all this. It is a good plan.
Oleg Leveton sighs. "All right. You can use my east palisade wall in your building. I wouldn't want the guards coming to harm from my stubbornness. Just wanted to be asked, not told on my own land."
Keston Garess nods. "I suppose I could have found a better way to raise the subject."
Raga Silvertail chuckles "Well, I still think you did better than I would have been able to."
Keston Garess shrugs. "Perhaps."
Dex: "Just try to keep Oleg more in the loop about those things when they come up."
((Thuse ends session 15.))
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The next day they return to their exploration, heading west across the Narlmarches. Evening falls shortly after they emerge from the west side of the forest, and begin their exploration of the plains beyond. Aarin finds a good campground, and traces indicating plentiful game in the region. As they settle in for the night, a hunter approaches their campfire.
hunter: "I come with weapons meant only for beasts. May I share your camp this night?"
Rose Medvyed would look around at the others and shrug. "I personally don't mind, but I'm not the only voice in my group."
The hunter carefully refrains from making any sudden or suspicious moves.
Aarin "Pull up a log."
Dex: "Well so long as you come in peace you are welcome to share our fire."
Rose Medvyed: "So what luck have you had out here?"
The hunter does so, and takes a seat, not too near the fire on this summer night. "A few rabbits. Enough for a man with itching feet to live on. I have meat to share, in thanks for your hospitality. When I have enough hides, I go to Oleg's to sell them for supplies the wilds do not have readily available. With no horse to haul them, I steer clear of the larger game."
Aarin "An honest living."
The hunter nods. "And one that suits me."
Dex: "Have you seen any signs of taztlwyrms around here?"
hunter: "I've seen branches rubbed raw by scales to the south, along the Skunk."
Aarin "What about any news of less honest men in the area? We're looking for a Varisian called Falgrim Sneeg."
hunter: "The dishonest ones find themselves in the Stag Lord's company... or dead. He brooks no competition."
Raga Silvertail adds to this "Well, at least we have an idea where he can be then, so there's that at least."
Dex: "Well lets see if I can cook up something nice for us as thanks for the information."
The hunter shares the meat from his rabbits, as he'd offered. Dex manages a decent, though unremarkable, meal.
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As they continue moving westward and exploring the plains over the next couple days they continue to find signs of plentiful wildlife. Late in the afternoon, they come across a blackberry patch. Rose Medvyed rides on up to the bushes, and then dismounts. Raga follows suit.
Raga Silvertail motions with his head toward the bushes "Something is there."
Jhod Kavken: "Other than those ripe-looking blackberries, you mean?"
Rose Medvyed: "Yes."
Raga approaches the stone structure he discerns behind the bushes. As the bushes are pulled back on one side, a cairn is revealed with worn markings on one side. Jhod Kavken picks a few berries while they study the cairn.
Rose: "It's a gravestone."
Aarin "Looks like it could mark a burial site for a Kellid barbarian."
Raga Silvertail: "Odd place for a grave, perhaps it has some other meaning?"
Rose Medvyed: "Who is good with history?"
Aarin reads two words from the worn inscription. "'Tiger Lords.'" He studies the wear. "It's been here awhile."
Raga Silvertail: "This grave is quite old, a few centuries at the very least."
Jhod Kavken: "I suppose it might not have been so out of the way, back then."
Rose Medvyed: "Well, I'm sure if we run into the Kellid we might be able to get information on the Tiger Lords."
Aarin "The name of a tribe probably."
Raga Silvertail: "I'm with Aarin on that assumption"
Rose Medvyed: "Sounds like a reasonable assumption."
Raga Silvertail: "Rose, perhaps make a copy of whats written on the stone?"
Dex: "Might also be good to mark it on our maps for any future use."
Rose Medvyed: "I don't have any parchment with me, but we do have a... wizard with us."
Dex: "I suppose I could copy the markings for you."
Rose Medvyed: "That would be great! Although... if I recall correctly our fae friends did mention the Kellid make this side of the forest their homes.
"
Jhod Kavken: "I'm not sure if they mentioned how far on this side, though."
Aarin "Until I see some sign of them from this century I'm not too concerned. Even then, there is no reason to think they can't be reasoned with."
Jhod Kavken nods to Aarin. "As you say."
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The next few days pass without incident among the tall grasses of the plains. Near the source of the Thorn River, they find a body pinned under a purposeful deadfall. A hatchet is stuck in the stump of a tree a few feet from the outstretched arm.
Aarin "Poor sap."
Raga Silvertail inspects the tableau.
Rose Medvyed: "I wonder how many traps like this are out here."
Dex: "No idea but we should keep an eye or we may end up like this poor fellow."
Raga Silvertail: "He has been here for a week or three." He shakes his head. "Died as he lived I guess"
Rose Medvyed: "I'm not sure triggering traps is really a way to live."
Raga Silvertail: "I'm thinking he accidentally triggered his own trap by the look of things."
Jhod Kavken: "And then couldn't free himself..." He shakes his head. "Not a pleasant way to go. Do you see a good spot to bury him?"
Raga Silvertail: "Wait..." he looks around a bit "Dead trapper, lots of old traps in the woods...." he looks down at the body "Maybe?"
Rose Medvyed: "Oh... could he be the one who was trapping all those places before?"
Jhod Kavken frowns and nods. "It... is possible."
Aarin "Makes sense."
Rose Medvyed: "That explains it I think! That's the reason why all his traps are abandoned."
Dex: "That would explain a lot. And at least we don't have to worry about more showing up."
Rose Medvyed: "Indeed, and we can safely set to removing them too... once we find them."
Raga Silvertail: "We should inform our friends."
Jhod Kavken: "...the next time they drop by. Unfortunately, with all these trees there are bound to be lots of roots in the ground."
Raga Silvertail: "True, well, let us get going, lots of places still uncharted."
Jhod Kavken: "He must have been rather well off, which implies he was skilled, judging by this axe."
Rose Medvyed: "It might be worth investigating to see if anyone went missing in the region then."
Rose Medvyed: "That too."
Jhod Kavken: "Anyone else, you mean?"
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As they approach the 150-ft.-wide pond which is the source of the Skunk River, the odor of rotten eggs begins to thicken the air.
Raga Silvertail: "Uhg! That is horrible!"
Aarin: "Guess we know were the river got its name."
Raga Silvertail: "This cant be normal, there has to be a reason this place smells like this!"
Aarin "Probably be hot springs in the area."
Raga Silvertail: "Note, do not make a settlement here," he grumbles "They would revolt in a day."
Jhod Kavken chuckles. "Not everyone has your sense of smell, Raga."
Raga Silvertail: "Sometimes it is a curse. But the blessings outweigh the downsides"
Rose Medvyed grabs her nose and immediately starts trying to wave the smell away. "Ooof, smells like us after two weeks. Without bathing."
Raga Silvertail grins. "Or when Dex fails to look after his food supply."
Rose Medvyed: "I think that only happened once."
Dex: "I think Aarin is right a hot spring may be nearby. Could be a nice place to relax if we can find them."
Raga Silvertail: "And smell like this for a week?"
Rose Medvyed: "I agree with Raga, not even all the scented candles in the region and rose petals would make this smell bearable."
Dex: "The smell of sulfur is indeed strong near hotsprings but the relaxing effect of the hot water makes up for it. Plus I bet if we got someone with the know how they could make the smell more bearable than it is."
Jhod Kavken: "You could try wax nose plugs."
Raga Silvertail: "Bearable and gone is not the same thing. Maybe one day with strong magic."
Rose Medvyed: "Can't we just get someone to magic the smell away? Enchant it to smell like something pleasant, like... anything but this. Wet Raga might be more bearable."
Raga Silvertail: "And that is saying something" he chuckles and shakes his head as if to dry off.
Jhod Kavken: "That's not any sort of spell I know." He shrugs.
Dex: "There are spells like that but I don't know any I can use at the moment."
Jhod Kavken: "Another time, then?"
Raga Silvertail: "Right, lets get out of here before I lose what food I had"
Rose Medvyed takes a moment to survey the area for anything interesting... other than the smell. Raga recognizes two green lumps approaching through the roiling water as giant frogs.
Raga Silvertail: "Giant Frogs!" he calls and steps back.
Jhod Kavken: "Do we fight? Or leave their pond to them?"
Raga Silvertail: "I would withdraw, as Jhod said, not our pond."
Jhod Kavken backs his horse up a few paces, waiting to see if the others follow suit. A giant frog shoots its tongue out at Raga, connecting solidly with his breastplate. The witchwolf feels the frog starting to try to reel him in. Raga lurches back to grab his horse's bridle, and the frog's tongue peels off his armor. Now freed, he leads his horse a good 20 feet back from the water. He and Rose swing back into their saddles, and the explorers flee. Deep "ribbits" echo after them.
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A 15-foot-tall statue of Erastil stands near the edge of the Narlmarches, partially overgrown at the base but towering above the surrounding shrubbery. Raga Silvertail looks toward Jhod who visibly relaxes as they approach the statue.
Jhod Kavken: "It's so peaceful here. Even if it has gotten into quite the state. Do you mind if I take the time to clean it up a bit?"
Raga Silvertail: "Take your time."
Aarin "Not at all. I'm no Erastilian, but I'll give you a hand."
Jhod Kavken starts cleaning up the statue with Aarin's help.
Raga becomes tense, he pulls his sword "I don't like this. Not a single beast, except for our horses have crossed here."
Jhod Kavken: "Why would you not appreciate Old Deadeye providing a safe patch for travelers in the forest?"
Raga Silvertail: "Because, I doubt he would even chase away deer or other animals."
Jhod Kavken: "It is safe here. I feel Erastil's promise in my bones."
It takes them about half an hour to finish cleaning the statue, and then Jhod offers a prayer, dedicating the service thus rendered to Erastil. A soft glow emanates from all their sheathes and quivers at the conclusion of Jhod's prayer.
Raga Silvertail: "Well Jhod, seems I was wrong, but I will say its because of how things usually work, no harm no foul. Perhaps we can construct a proper shrine here one day."
Jhod Kavken nods. "That would be good, with someone able to live out here and tend it properly."
((Thus ends session 16.))
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The next morning they continue eastward until reaching a place where the ground just east of the Skunk River here slumps away into a soggy mire, notable for the fact that a pair of ruined stone buildings jut from the soggy ground.
Raga Silvertail looks over to the buildings "Should we have a look or trudge on?"
Aarin "Looks like the kind of place we ought to check out."
Raga Silvertail dismounts and starts to make his way over. As he clanks and splashes forward, croaks echo from the ruins.
Aarin: "Never seen a frog with fangs before."
Garuum emerges from the farther ruins, hands raised, the left a mangled mass, and croaks repeatedly the single Taldane word: "Truce!"
Raga nods and lowers his own weapon and greeta him "Truce!"
Dhurharen Smeltfoot dismouts and surveys the surroundings, readying her hammer in case they attack, but does not advance
Garuum calms the fanged frog in a strange language, addressing it as "Ubagub."
Garuum watches the strangers warily.
Aarin tries a greeting in a number of languages.
Dhurharen Smeltfoot "Who be ye?" She asks the strange frogman
Garuum doesn't react to those linguistic overtures, but points to himself. "Me, Garuum. You go?"
Raga Silvertail points to himself. "Raga."
Dhurharen Smeltfoot realizes that this frogman speaks broken Taldane, tries to communicate in a friendly manner. Pointing to herself, she says "Dhurharen."
Aarin "Can anyone comprehend languages?"
Jhod Kavken: "Not today, unfortunately."
Aarin "Perhaps we should return another day when father Jhod has had a chance to pray for a means of communication."
MadMohawk: "We might as well try what we can for now."
Raga puts out his paw, as to try and gesture a hand shake
Garuum raises his morningstar warily. "Truce? You go?"
MadMohawk steps up and introduces himself. "I am Dex and we mean no harm."
Garuum puffs up menacingly as more people approach.
Dhurharen Smeltfoot: "We move through. That ok?" She tries to reassure him and ask if they can move through.
Garuum does not appear to understand.
Raga Silvertail: "I think he wants us to leave?"
Dex: "Can we talk? We may be coming through this area more in the future and we would like to be friends."
Dhurharen Smeltfoot keeps her distance, not wanting to crowd the twitchy frog.
Aarin "It is clear this isn't working. We should go."
Dhurharen Smeltfoot: "Try to ask it if we can come back later and talk. It won't work now it seems."
Jhod Kavken: "I can pray for deeper understanding on the morrow, if that is when you wish to return."
Dex tries a few phrases in the languages he knows.
Raga Silvertail will start to back away slowly, as to not alarm the creature
Garuum releases his weapon as Raga moves back, but does not appear to understand Dex in any of his languages.
Dex: "Seems we may be better off to come back when Jhod has prepared that spell. We should leave a gift or something so when we show up again we aren't treated as hostile."
Dhurharen Smeltfoot "I think father Jhod is right, we should return at a later date a'n see if we can't talk then."
Dhurharen Smeltfoot: "Good idea Dex"
Aarin "What do you suggest a few trail rations?"
Dhurharen Smeltfoot she returns to her horse and rummages in her backpack for some rations. Taking it out, she slowly approaches the nearest rock jutting out of the water, food in plain view, then puts it down and backs away again. Raga Silvertail nods as he puts a few of his rations on the ground then gets back onto his horse
Garuum croaks a few times. "Hungry... Me?"
Dex: "For you. We go. Leave gift." Dex says as he joins the others in leaving.
Aarin "You hungry. We go."
Garuum waits and watches them leave.
Dhurharen Smeltfoot joins the others on her horse again, waving with a friendly smile as they leave. "Where shall we go?"
Aarin: "Not far, I'd like to return tomorrow."
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They explore to the southwest. They hear yipping as they approach a clearing. Dhurharen Smeltfoot tries to find the source of the sound, keeping vigilant of any possible traps. A vaguely dog-like creature has fallen into a pit, with a collection of bushy branches, such as might have once concealed a pit. The turf near the pit looks slick, as though it might funnel one in.
Dhurharen Smeltfoot "Seems we found another 'o that guy's traps?"
Aarin "Not the friendliest looking creature. Though I have no idea what it is."
Aarin "Perhaps we'd best just put it out of its misery."
Dhurharen Smeltfoot "We either free it, or kill it. Not leave it like that. It might even be th'a bait for all we know."
Aarin does his best to line up a clear shot at the creature without getting too close to the edge.
Dhurharen Smeltfoot "I have an idea. We could break a branch and put it down th'a hole, then leave for it to get out."
Aaarin fires, and the brush thylacine staggers towards the edge of the pit with an arrow in its side.
Dhurharen Smeltfoot: "Oorrr, not. Why so hasty to kill Aarin?"
Dex: "Well seems Aarin would rather kill it than save it."
Aarin "You said free it or kill it. So I did."
Dex: "I was going suggest we feed and free it but I doubt we can now."
Dhurharen Smeltfoot "Not like we can eat it. Would have been better to free it. It would just rot there and trap more predators try'en to eat it."
Jhod Kavken: "I think I can still heal it with channeled energy, but that would just be cruel if you're just going to shoot it again."
Aarin "Oh better for it to eat you, or someone else after you freed it?"
Dex: "I hate to kill things we don't need to but since you already wounded it I doubt we can safely get it out now."
Raga Silvertail sighs and walks away.
Dhurharen Smeltfoot follows Raga to the trees, finds a good branch, and swings hard to break it. "Wild critters would rather run than attack."
Dex: "Its a bit too far for me to reach with a color spay to try to knock it unconscious."
Dhurharen Smeltfoot "Weheal it, get th'a horses back, and let it out. It'd be stupid to attack us on it's own.
Aarin "Why are you going to all this trouble? Just let me finish it."
Dhurharen Smeltfoot "Coz Aarin, you gona crawl down there and get the body out so it doesn't lure more critters in?"
Aarin "Just fill the hole in on top of it when it's dead."
Dex: "And I for one am not the kind of person who kills when it isn't needed."
Aarin "Bah, that's a fine policy for intelligent creatures, this is a stupid beast. And dangerous. Don't come crying to me when it bites someone." He leads his horse farther away and takes up position some distance from the hole ready to finish what he started when this ill-conceived plan goes south.
Jhod Kavken: "The ground looks slick, but I'll need to go up to the edge for the channeled energy to reach the creature. If someone would hold onto me?"
Raga Silvertail: "I will."
Dex tells them his idea. "We have rope. Raga can lower me 5 feet into the pit, I can knock it out with color spray, and then I can carry it out."
Raga secures Father Jhod as he raises the silver bow and arrow pendant, and a golden wave washes out into a 30 ft sphere. The brush thylacine awakens snarling and backs into a corner.
Dhurharen Smeltfoot drags the big branch she broke off closer to the hole, but not in yet, then brings her horse to join Aarin's.
Raga nods as he steadies himself and lowers Dex. A cone of colors leaps from the muzzle of Dex's gun, engulfing the trapped creature once, then twice, but it only hunkers down and snarls.
Raga Silvertail chuckles "Maybe I should just go in there and knock it out?" He helps Dex back to solid ground, then cracks his knuckles and readies to go in and to punch the beast.
Dhurharen Smeltfoot humms in thought for a bit. "We could put some meat near its exit point, get us and the horses far enough away, kick the branch in and leave?
Dex: "I have another spell that is even worse of a idea. It's called unnatural lust and if it works you may be able to take the beast out unharmed."
Raga Silvertail grunts "This is taking too long..." he jumps in to have a go at the beast.
Dex casts the spell on the beast with Raga as the object of the attraction. The brush thylacine snarls and attacks as Raga approaches. Its fangs bounce off his armor.
Dhurharen Smeltfoot: "Or everyone just ignores me and does their own thing," she sighs.
Jhod Kavken: "Evidently the time for calm discussion has ended."
Aarin "Killing it would have been so much easier."
Jhod Kavken: "I...can't argue with that."
Facing off with the beast Raga responds to Aarin "And do what with it then?"
Dex: "I think Raga only wishes to knock it out not kill it."
Dhurharen Smeltfoot: "Clearly. Oh well, let's hope this works."
Raga punches the desperate beast and the brush thylacine collapses with a piteous whine as its struck.
Raga Silvertail nods "That's done. Lower the rope. So we can get it out of this hole." Once the rope is lowered, Raga carries the creature over to the shade of the nearby trees and leaves a few rations near it.
Aarin "Now what are you going to do about the hole?"
Dhurharen Smeltfoot moves back over to the hole and helps to pull Raga and the beast out. Once that's done, she pushes the branch into the hole so any other victims can clamber out on their own.
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Jhod Kavken: "I should point out that while tomorrow my prayer can enable me to understand the frog-man... it will not enable him to understand us."
Aarin "Is there not a spell that allows you to share languages with a creature?"
Raga Silvertail: "Let us discuss this while we travel" he states as he mounts up again. And the rest follow suit as they continue on.
Dhurharen Smeltfoot thinks a bit on what Jhod said. "Or we would have to keep our words very simple."
Jhod Kavken: "We would need to persuade him to let me touch him, I'm afraid."
Dex: "We could try. maybe being some more food. The fangberries aren't far from here perhaps we can pick some up to offer as a gift to allow us to cast it."
Dhurharen Smeltfoot: "Hope one of you can explain very well in basic terms?"
Aarin "I'm hesitant to put you in such a position. Perhaps our gift of food will have earned us some trust."
Raga Silvertail: "He was a bit amicable towards one of us approaching."
Dex: "I could try to tell him what we plan and have Jhod ready to cast it if I can get him to agree." And so they continue eastward to gather fangberries.
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The next day they return to the boggard's ruins.
Garuum: "Truuuuce?"
Dex slowly approaches the boggard hand holding some of the berries he took. "Garuum. Truce. We return. Bring gifts. Wish to talk. Be friends." He gestures to the others as he holds the berries out in one palm and the other holding a bag of them.
Dhurharen Smeltfoot stays her distance, giving the others a chance to talk. Raga Silvertail watches closely, just in case he has to go help Johd not get skewered.
Garuum stares at this strange creature, with its bag of fruit-stuff. He points from himself to the creature's companions. "Me, slurk," He pats the fanged frog. "Me, you?" He points at the various party members. "Hungry me?" He points at the offering. "Me, boggard, bug hungry."
Dhurharen Smeltfoot points to herself. "Me, Dhurharen. Me friend."
Dex slowly gets closer and lays the berries on a dry rock closer to the Boggart. "Yes you. Gift we give." He gestures at himself and his companions with we then moves his hands forward showing they are offering the berries to him. "We truce. Like truce. Want talk more."
Dex turns to his companions. "I think we should have brought some of those spiders."
Garuum: "You, me, truce." He points at the berries. "You hungry. Me bug hungry. You go?" The boggard is about convinced the strangers mean no harm, but doesn't trust that their strange food is actually good for him. He doesn't understand what they want, or why they came back.
Aarin "You, me, hungry for truce. Spell magic help truce. Truce no harm."
Dex eats a berry to show its safe. "Want talk." He makes his hand act as a mouth. "Friend here make talk good." He points to Jhod. "Let touch. Make talk good?" He points to Jhod then to Garuum and motions as if petting something.
Garuum stares thoughtfully for a long moment, then answers. "Jhod truce? Me?"
Aarin "Jhod truce you."
Jhod Kavken sighs. "Does anyone think we'll get a more hopeful answer before he's blessed with understanding?"
Dex: "Yes Jhod truce. Jhod touch." He does the petting motion. "Make talk truce good." Does the talking hand motion again.
Garuum: "Jhod truce me." He says more firmly.
Aarin "I think we have an understanding if you are willing Jhod."
Dex: "Seems like it."
Jhod Kavken slides off his horse, and makes a display of setting down his boar spear before approaching. He approaches slowly and carefully, ready to turn back at the first sign of hostility. He prays as he reaches the boggard, and carefully reaches out to touch its extended arm.
Jhod Kavken: "Can you understand us now?"
Garuum: "Y-yes. And...you understand? Why do you intrude on my home?"
Dex: "We were exploring the region. And we wish to talk to those who are willing to talk."
Jhod Kavken backs away carefully.
Garuum: "Talk...yes...I had but few of your words. Talk about what?"
Dex: "In the future there may be more people like us coming here and we wish for everyone to live in peace if we can. We would like to become allies so we may be able to help if anyone should try bring you harm so long as you don't bring anyone else harm as well."
Garuum: "I have been exiled once. I do not wish to leave my home for others."
Dex: "We do not wish to ask you too nor would we like to see you do so. That is why we would like to talk."
Garuum: "If we agree, what more is there to talk of?"
Dex: "Well you have lived in this area a while perhaps you can tell us of any threats we would need to look out for or things we could use. In exchange we don't mind helping get soemthing you may need or even trading for things you couldn't. I could teach you Taldane better so you may talk like this to anyone else should they stumble upon you."
Garuum: "Dangers, yes... tatzlwyrms..huh...that would normally have come out as 'snakes'... a pair of them lair just 4 miles downriver, to the southwest. Of use... there is a statue to the west... wild beasts do not follow there."
You say this learning of Taldane is magic...this means it will fade. Can you teach me words now or will they be lost in that forgetting?"
Dex: "I am not sure what you will retain if I teach you now with the spell active. I could try and then we can see. We can come back some other time with tools that would help a lot better with learning it though. Can you read at all?"
Garuum: "No. This is not a skill of my former tribe."
Dex: "Then getting you some books won't work. I can try to teach you some more words then when the spell wears off we can see what you retain. With time I could probably even teach you how to read should you want to."
Garuum: "Does reading help catch bugs, or raise mushrooms?"
Dex: "You could use it to learn better ways to do those I guess."
Garuum croaks.
Dex: "I mean there are bound to be books about that stuff I could get for you."
Garuum: "There are?"
Dex: "There are many books about a lot of things. Though I think the bug catching stuff I'd more about how to get rid of them than catching them for eating."
Garuum: "You are not boggard."
((Thus ends session 17.))