And with that, the party approaches the fort. Anyone who rolled 15 or higher notices some felled lumber next to the fort. Not much but it's there.
A roll of 20 or better also notices
25 or better notices
"Someone's been logging. Is it for firewood or construction?"
It seems we have new company in the fort, guards perhaps?
"Huh, what? I thought those five were it? Who is it?"
As you approach, the man before Kesten turns to spot the party approaching. He looks back at Kesten and starts pointing at the group, hollering. Kesten grabs his head and glares at the man, then the party, waving them forward.
As the group enters, there are three people previously unknown to them. All are wearing leathers, and two have small silver stag head amulets tied around their belts. The third, an older man wearing an iron holy symbol of Erastil, stands off to the side, a look of worry about his face.
Mikhaela peels off from her party and greets the older man. She bows and says:
"Blessings of Erastil be upon you, sir. I am Mikhaela Greenhilt priestess of the same. How may I help you?"
Bexer notes the amulets on the newcomer's belts, "hrm, I suspect someone else is hunting the bandits in the area, and thinks we may be poaching on their bounty."
Bexer rides casually, ready to draw if necessary, but with his sword sheathed.
Tired from the exploration Komana greets the newcomers with a friendly, but weary, smile. "That the Old Deadeye boons stay in your heart and mind travellers, welcome to Greenbelt!", so, she come down from Grey and walk toward the Erastil priest. She takes his hand and talk "Open your heart, speak your anguishes, as my friend Mikhaela says, how may we help you?"
Kossuuk remains silent as the others greet the guards, paying close attention to them. Who are these men? Be they friend or foe? I shall watch them carefully. If they interfere with us, I shall return them to the Ley. Let us hope for their sake that their intentions be peaceful.
"<Sigh>" * So much for going straight to bed. *
Ranzo walks up, shield on his arm, sword in the scabbard.
"Kesten, who is this?"
As you approach Kesten, it's obvious he's, well, angry and confused. The two with the silver amulets don't say anything, but glare at you all as you near. "These men here came in just a short while ago claiming you lot to be actual bandits. According to them, you plus Oleg and his wife have been using this fort as a source of holding up travelers and trade in the region, going so far as to murder folks."
Oleg, who has been standing off to the side, beat red in the face already, comes over, hollering at the top of his lungs. "ME?! A BLEEDING BANDIT?! I'll let you know that these... These... Bastards and their ilk nearly took me wife and were on the verge o' possibly running me through and who knows what else! Then these fine folks and I stopped their 'taxes.' And if they what's coming to 'em, they better get out before I go over and grab my hatchet!"
The two men step back, but have broad smiles on their faces. The taller of the two looks at Kesten and shrugs. "You see good sir? These people won't even hear out their charges before they're willing to resort to violence..."
@Mikhaela and Komana: The older man looks the two over, a smile creasing his leathery face. "My name is Jhod, faithful of Erastil. And I was hoping you would be willing to help me. See, I had a dream recently. But my dream can wait. I believe that you all may be in a bit of a thorny situation..."
Orsino calmly takes a vial from his bandolier and drinks it, the mix of heady opium flower and pure Lotus extract not only increase his size but disposes him to anger...
YOU are the bandits scum! You bare their tokens and have the gall to claim that WE are bandits! Grave Lotus requires a field filled with the corpses of the dead to grow, either surrender now or I will rip you limb from limb and throw your body parts into the field over yonder...
intimidate (7 from base intimidate skill and 4 because thanks to enlarge person I am now way bigger then they are)
Intimidate
Bexer moves his horse forward past Orsino, his posture relaxed, his movements non-threatening.
"Captain, these men are lying; the evidence is clear. You were sent by Restov to guard Oleg's Trading Post, were you not, and by your words there is no doubt that this is Oleg. Would Restov send you to defend a bandit and murderer?"
"Have we, in the main, struck you as bandits and murderers?"
"These men have come up with an interesting way to try and prevent us from further interfering in their operation, but that is all there is to it."
"I did show you the warrant, signed by the sword lords, where is theirs?
Reaching into his pouch and pulling out the silver stag from the spider.
"See this, it matches the one on their belt, which matches Haps, who was killed while extorting Oleg."
Knowing Tess is in the darkness ready to strike if needed.
"Someone needs to close the front gate until we get this straightened out.
I know, we have some workers that might recognize you.
Oleg, get the workers, see if any of them recognize us or these fine two gentlemen as bandits."
Ranzo there is no need for identification, let us proceed straight to the execution and be done with this... I suffer neither bandits nor fools gladly, those who are both I will not suffer except as my hands close around their throats...
"Oh, I'm having fun, if I don't get to sleep, I want some fun, and your not my type." <Smile>
The two see Orsino's rapid change and hear both he, Bexer and Ranzo. They look to Kesten, who glares at them. "I'd listen to the big fellow if I were you." he growls at them through gritted teeth.
The two look at each other and then begin walking towards the gate. "You'll be hearing our complaints from Restov! We have connections, just you see!"
Jhod simply shakes his head at them as they move towards the exit, a slight chuckle leaving him.
Oleg however moves off a bit, grabbing a hatchet. "YOU BETTER RUN IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU!" He is practically purple in the face as Svetlana runs to him, patting his back. "There there, Hun... They can't truly bother us now..."
Kesten turns and looks at the group while rubbing his temples. "You all want to deal with them, or let them run with their tails between their legs?"
Catch them and kill them, I was serious about starting a field in which grave lotus can grow... Fortunately with all the bandits in the area I shall have no shortage of corpses to create said field with. Even if I cannot find grave lotus seeds to plant the field with it will still be mightily good soil which I can grow other lotus flowers on...
"We should at least stop them from reporting back. Which direction did they come from Kestrn?"
Talking to the Cleric:
"Did you come down from Restov? Did they at all travel with you?"
Pulls out his sword.
Garess nods at Orsino and Ranzo. With a quick holler, the gate is quickly shut as two guards step forward. The two men accused now of being bandits go bug-eyed and look between the gate, Kesten and Oleg and the party. Realizing they are vastly outnumbered, they pull their shortswords free and drop them, raising their hands in the air.
Jhod looks at Ranzo and gives him a soft smile, nodding. "Yes, came from Restov. Those two came barging in just a short while after I arrived. Made enough ruckus to wake this man here..." He nods over at Garess, who does look a little sleepy. "Not a very good move, it looks like, either. Poor fools."
The guards now have the two tied up tight as Garess looks over the group. "Rest up, eat. I'd like to know why you all were gone all night, but that can wait."
"Yes, that is the plan, I'm going to bed after I look after my horse. Aahh d--n, I gotta drop off the two dead people."
Ranzo feeling tired brings his horse just outside the gate and drops them by the wall.
"Watch they don't get eaten by coyotes would you please?"
Ranzo takes care of his horse and goes to bed.
"Would you please explain what you mean, brother?" Mikhaela asks concernedly.
Jhod looks to Mikhaela. "Well, I came here from Restov. Been there a few seasons, but I felt the draw to head down here. Was thinking of putting a strong arm in around here and kind words for the locals as Erastil desires." He looks back to the new captives, his eyes looking at them sadly. "And the first thing I have to see dealt with are bandits. My work is gonna be rough round these parts, but..." He gives a sad smile as he looks skyward. He sighs and looks back to Garess and everyone. "But I hope I'll be of help."
Garess looks at the man, giving him a hard nod. "We could. The men here are followers of Erastil, and having a priest will help morale." Oleg and Svetlana approach Jhod as well. Oleg nods at him similar to what Garess did. "Well, we don't have more space available, but I'm sure we'll figure something out. All else, a good tent will suffice until we get these layabouts..." He glares at the shackled men captured earlier, who look askance. ... to maybe build you a small home."
If there lazy remind them that I have a field that needs to be filled with feces of the earth, they most certainly qualify...
[I]These bandits are more subtle than I gave them credit for. We'll need to take care...and yet move quicker, I think[/b]
Bexer heads off to get the horses settled in and rubbed down, returning without his heavy armor to sit and eat a bit before discussing things further.
After Orsino's not-so subtle threat, Kossuuk leans in close to the captured men with his mask off, staring at them with his three red eyes. He caws and says to the men, in a very off-hand manner, "Yes, yes, you would do well for grave lotus gardens. It's optimal to plant them inside of a wounded man though, for they gain much more nourishment from dying flesh than that which is already dead. It's quite an excruciating process though; I remember a few years ago the Druidic Circle needed some for a particular ritual and used captured criminals that normally would have been put in the Wicker Man's fiery embrace. Their screams lasted for days. What they screamed out as they were slowly devoured from within proved most enlightening. But the blossoms were beautiful, so it was worth it." He then turns and walks away, oblivious to the fact that he has likely terrified the men.
"Whatever assistance I can give and whatever you would have me ask of our God, I will brothers. Old Deadeye will not fail us. Just ask, and I will do it."
Mikhaela's back straightens as she speaks. These good people deserve our every support. I can not let them down.
Garess nods at Orsino, though a small chill runs down his spine as Kossuk speaks. "Well, I believe an execution would still be in order for any further bandits caught. If you lot want to execute them by... Plants, then so be it. Might be a more effective means against banditry than good old hangings."
Jhod meanwhile looks like the thought of seeing them tortured would not be so good, but refocuses his attention to Mikhaela. "Madame, your faith is strong and pure. I suggest you all rest, since even at a hundred paces I can see your tired looks. And once rested, Madame Greenhilt, I would like to speak with you in private."
Orsino seeing that the priest is uncomfortable with both him and Kossuuck decides to attempt to ease the fellow's mind with some humor...
Don't worry priest the chances of them being executed by the means my good friend describes are remote... Reason being that while the method he suggests is optimal for growth it can lead to rather... "spirited" plants in more way then one. I vividly recall the account of one Lotus Master who described the infamous "battle of the shears". As the account goes the exact method this good druid describes was used en masse on a hundred criminals, for reasons unknown to even the wisest of my order the plants became sentient and malevolent...
The first causality of their wrathful vines was an unfortunate adept of my order, he died in a few minutes his body consumed by plant life... When the Lotus Master "Guan Pada" realized what was occurring he called forth a hundred strong and sturdy guardsmen, he told them of their task and to ensure that the grave lotus was properly harvested armed them with pruning shears... It was said that the battle was an epic for the ages, man fought against plant and villagers gathered from all around to watch the spectacle...
diplomacy to put priest at ease
A look of relief crosses Jhod's face as he hears the tale. "That eases my worries then. Unless those who fell were risen as the undead, in which case your fellows would be versus plants versus zombies. Now that would have been a tale!"
No ones know for sure, some speculate that the Grave Lotus somehow absorbed the emotions of the bandits they were planted in and acted accordingly... Others suggest that perhaps a cleric of Urgoatha had a role to play in the plants sudden rise to deadly sentience... we will never know for sure...
Meanwhile Komana only seeks a place to rest, just waiting for a good night and nice dreams...
Kesten Garess walks over to his men, barking a few orders at them. Jhod simply nods at Orsino, giving the man a smile once more. "And rest you should. Good man Oleg over there says you all were out all night. Sleepiness can be a greater problem than a shoddy shield or sword. Rest my new friends, and tell of your deeds afterwards."
The day at the trade post passes quietly. The party sleeps off their fatigue. Waking up at around mid-afternoon to the delicious scent of Svetlana's cooking and hearing the voices of several folks outside at the tables commenting on how hungry and grateful they are.
The sky is clear of all clouds, but a good breeze from the north chills the air some. Oleg is wrapping up work on the roof of his home. Svetlana is getting ready to dole out food to the guards, Kesten Garess and Jhod Kavken.
As you all are roused, Kesten walks to you with a smile. "I trust you all slept well. Good time to wake up too. So, how was the first day out? Any trouble or was the area largely clear of people of ill repute?"
We got to deal with a large, flying spider of the First World among other things...
"As Orsino said, we cleared a spider's nest, of sorts. But no bandits"
Bexer turns to the rest of the group, "I think we need to accelerate our explorations. These bandits are too clever and organized for my comfort, and if we do not begin to seize the initiative, we are going to find ourselves outmaneuvered."
Kesten raises an eyebrow at the two of you. "Well, that's... interesting." He looks at Orsino intently now. "I agree. The sooner we have the lay of the land, the sooner we can deal with the bandits."
About that time, Oleg steps forward. "I should prolly tell you all that one of our regulars came by while you were sleeping. Gave him a list and the goods to sell back in Restov. Should be back in about 3, maybe 4 days with your money and requests. That should help, yes?"
Hopefully, as for exploration I believe we should wait for an hour while I experiment on the dead lotus flower I found... I don't know it's properties but if they are valuable we may well be standing on a virtual gold mine...
During the breakfast, Komana seeking for a nice conversation with the cleric of Erastil, she wants to hear more about his dreams, because she also suffers with the images of her forgotten past, these come into her dreams and nightmares...
Kossuuk sits down with the rest of the group and eats the food, pecking at the food and swallowing fist sized gulps of the stuff, oblivious to the stares of those around him. He then looks at Kesten and nods his head, "Offer my praise to your cook. While not as... aged as we Tengu prefer, it was as hearty and delicious a meal as we have ever eaten in the lands of men." He then turns to Orsino, "We concur with the elf-child, Orsino. We should not waste the bounty of nature when it is offered so readily to us, yes?".
Orsino sits down at the table and eats the food, he also takes a few swigs of the ale proffered...
Indeed wise druid, although I believe that we should only make the batch of Lotus flowers a priority if they prove to be exceptionally potent and useful... Otherwise I recommend just finding where they are and then proceeding to clean up the bandit infestation that chokes these lands. As while I do dearly love Lotus flowers I recognize that these bandits could put my ambitions on hold until they are cleared out.