Kingmaker Group 2

All characters are in and confirmed for group 2, so we're ready to play. We can potentially fit in maybe one or two people if they want to join in, but they'll have to be quick.

I shall make an opening post shortly.

It would please me to tell you that it was a pleasant, warm, sunny spring day, with bunnies hopping cheerfully around the plains of Southern Brevoy through which you are travelling. But it's not. It's heavily overcast and looks like it will rain soon. A cold wind is blowing from the north as well. Winter is apparently making a comeback.

At least you will be out of the weather soon. The high wooden palisade of the converted fort that is Oleg's Trading Post rise inelegantly out of the flatlands. The faint sound of a hammer tapping can be heard coming from the trading post despite the wind.

Combined with the rest of the travelers on the road, you make an odd sight: A sinister looking hooded figure on a horse, an elven knight riding alongside him, a human wrapped tightly in his cloak holding a finely made lute and a kindly looking half-elf with a comfortable looking cloak and pair of boots.

It's still a short walk to the trading post, and since you're all obviously travelling to the same place (Oleg's trading post is the only place of note in the area), perhaps you should strike up a conversation with your (perhaps) future adventuring companions to make the time pass more quickly?

Haivy:
Did you all sleep well last night?

Lydovec:
Of course, last night I introduce the method of using magic devices and then you all fell into asleep in 5 mins, I swear I didn't cast any arcane spell on any of you...

That's the point! you didn't move us to the bed, I woke up on a small table and had back pain

Lakatos:
pfft 'am never sleeping at all.. ya know ya shouldnt always let ya'r guard off. ..err I guess I drank too much wine yesterday *head hurts* I just nearly fell asleep 'cause I smell my smelly smell.

Sandron:
Yes I did sleep well, thx for concern.

Btw, Mr. Tiefling, are you just distrustful or are you on the run?
Oh, sorry if I invaded your privacy  

No problem Mr. Elfling. Of course im "on the run" because I have no choice; I would've get myself lost alone.

{Off Topic Statement}
Great conversations XD I'll let it keep going for a while longer to let you get into the swing of your characters before continuing more seriously.

As an aside, I've made an attempt to summarise combat for beginners in this thread. It won't be necessary for a little while, but you might find it helpful to look over it. PM me or post on the topic if you have questions.

Mh, alone does not seem to be the best way to travel.
So what business are you all pursuing? Maybe there is a possibility that the rivers of our different interests will empty into the same ocean of fate?

Who knows?
I'm adventuring mostly for money and treasure. I want to build a village or something like that, because I lost my village. And for that I'll need a lot of money. A lot...

GM's Hint: You've all responded to a special request from the Swordlords of Restov in Brevoy to explore the Greenbelt with the ultimate aim of building a country there (just if you'd forgotten)

(Ok, so we are already hired. Thought we are supposed to be recruited there at that post ;-))

Sandron:

So my fellow travelers, let's keep an open eye for banditry and thiefs (with a sideglance to Lakatos^^)
So far all looks fine, except that weather.
The spring is still doing his winter sleep this year.
Maybe Lydovec can play us a heart warming tune till we arrive there?

Haivy:
Lalalala~~

Sure, as the following shows, which is one song from the playlist, plz practice it and then sing together when we all arrive :P
Freedom call - Hymn To The Brave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O51r7wnn-U

PS:this link is not a song played by Lydovec and his happy friends, I'll cover it with a lute-version.

Lakatos:
Well I can say I'll not steal anything from ya guys, but think what ya want.
I always loved music, my dad had a Tavern and I always was hanged with the guests. That reminds me when I tried to drink lava. I got a few scars on my face from it. *sigh* Good old times.

Haivy:
Wow, why did you want to drink the lava? Was it really the lava or a kind of strange wine?
(Dong! while talking, Haivy bumped against a pillar)

Well one of our guest said that thier tribe (other Tieflings) is determining the adulthood by lavadrinking. This is a celebration amongst his tribe. Ya know our body is resistant to hot things, but his tribe was even more resistant than any other Tiefling's. Where I drank lava, ya say? I lived in a place with full of mountains, and I knew a place where flowed lava inside a mountain. So after I heard about this I tried it as my own. I was like 10 years old.

Sandron:
Drinking lava, now thats really shocking. Don't want to imagine the hangover or the chronic constipation you get from such rites. I would suggest some devil habaneros for that test. The pain should be the same, but the survival rate should be better.

Good you survived this cruel ritual.

Oh, Haivy, watch out... those trees (pillars) can hurt u^^

Since I can perform with my lute, ofc I can also rub something with this rapier to wake Haivy up...
(Trying to deal sonic damages to Haivy but been stopped by other friends)

I am fine :D Those rites sounds challenging XD
I feel thankful that we can meet each other here XD

{off topic question}
Can we decide when to enter trading post? or GM decides this?

Sandron, actually at the end I didnt managed to drank it. It was only a lick, but that was enough to kick me to the ground for a few days. And thanks for the suggestion, but I don't want to feel again such pain in any form.


Haivy, I'm glad either, that I don't have some idiotic mates. When I lived in the city I had terrible "mates". I finally got away from them.

Did you get any permanent damage, Lakatos? I can imagine that your sense of taste could suffer under this treatment.


(off topic: I don't know, maybe we just wait for quark)

Yes, mostly my sense of taste is changed; and my tongue damaged, but not permamently. It needed like 5 years to grow back. I wasn't even able to speak when it happened.

Anyway I'm starting to be hungry, what about ya guys?

I planned to eat sth there in the post.

Strange, we ride and ride and it seems it does not come closer. Must be an optical illusion or so^^

Maybe we are too concentrate on our talking, so we feel the time goes slowly :D
Anyway, I hope the trading post will provide some good hot drink

I guess I can warm myself with the memory of burning lava. If not I still have some wine hehe :D

Meanwhile I would like to introduce you all to Alby. Here:

(Sandron stretches his right arm and a small owl, a forest owlet - just 25 cm big, lands there and gazes with its big eyes upon you. It ruffles its feathers and climbs up on the shoulder of Sandron)



Just in case you wanna hunt something, please be sure not to hunt down Alby, ok?

I saved him 4 years ago, when he fell out of the nest. Took him home and gave him food, otherwise he would have died.

{Official game text}

Entering the large wooden gate that is the sole enterance to the trading post, you are greeted by a comely woman of about 30. She is wearing what some might think of as traditional Brevoyan woman's clothes [similar to the sterotypical German woman's clothes] with a white handkerchief on her head.

"Ah, you must be the Adventurers that we heard were coming. We've been expecting you. How wonderful that you have arrived before the rain began falling! My name is Svetlana Leveton. I am pleased to make your aquaintance.
Come into the guesthouse," She gestures to a building on your right, "And make yourself comfortable while I stable your horses. You'll want a warm supper and some information on the area I imagine, both of which my husband Oleg and I can provide."

{GM's note}
Wow, you guys were really active while I was asleep last night. Sorry for the delay.

Haivy:
(Hi! Ably, you are so cute!)
Please give me a cup of hot tea, thanks!
and, the area we are going to named Greenbelt right? Any stories about them?

(Before Sandron enters he lets Alby fly)

Oh, yes, I would like to drink a cup of herbal tea.

(Than Sandron moves to a table, big enough for all, and starts to make himself comfortable, taking off his cloak, hat and backbag and sits down)

Ah, finally. (sigh)

(*cough)
To protect my voice from the damage of ale yesterday. I think I'll need some herbal tea, too.
Btw, it is said (maybe rumor) that there's some unknown creatures around this greenbelt area. That's why those lava and other drinkings are easily in short - they were robbed before arriving!

D__n! That's OUR drinkings!

I don't want to drink, thanks. I'd like to eat something if possible.

Svetlana smiles. "Of course, I'll bring your orders to you as soon as I've stabled your horses. I have a nice, hot meal ready for eating just inside. It smells like it's just about to rain, so you'd best get inside quickly. I have no wish to stand outside in the rain, so information will have to wait."

(Haivy enters the room and sits on the strange-looking chair,and the room fills with comfortable fragrance)

This room has good atmosphere, Ms.Leveton must put much effort in desinging :D
BTW, I want to hear the details about the greenbelt's rumor, the mystery things always attract me =3

After stabling your horses, Svetlana enters the guesthouse with a large pot of a delicious smelling stew, some freshly baked bread and a few bowls. She serves you each a large helping of both and is about to head back out with the stewpot when it starts raining heavily. She mutters under her breath, plonks down the pot, serves herself a noticably smaller helping of the stew and settles herself into a chair in the corner.
"I'll have to stay here for a while until it stops raining. I do hope Oleg repaired the roof in time...
Well, since I'm here," Svetlana continues, "Perhaps you would care to know a little of the area you will be exploring? Although perhaps before you leave tomorrow you could help us with a small problem?"

{GM Note}
While I'm hoping you'll be as active as before, I'm going to bed now, so I don't worry if I don't respond quickly.

Sandron:
Madam, I can only speak now for myself, but after we ended this delicious feast, I am ready to solve every problem. I hope we can make you as happy as you made me happy with this hearty stew.

(Sandron says before he dips another piece of bread in the stew brew and let it disappear in his mouth)



.
.
.
(ravenous silence)
.
.
.
Mh, so good...

Haivy:
(Chewing the foods)
Sounds like we have a lot to talk...(keeps chewing and drinks the hot tea)
Oh, the tea is awesome! anyway I guess we can start our talking from the problem of kindness Svetlana?...oh sorry, can I call your name directly? You can call me Hi!

Mmm it tastes so good  
.
. *eating*
.
Aye, it'd be great to know as much detials as possible before the exploration, but I'm really excited to .. well to "settle down".

Sandron:
(gulp) I think, Lakatos, I'm able to guess what business ya will pursue here after settling down: Your own tavern would be the best for ya, don't ya think? I would be happy if I know what my future plans are. I'm only sure what I don't wanna become. Just no idea. (sigh) But I'm quite sure I will be a regular visitor of your tavern.

By Yuelral, I'm so full. One more bite and I'll explode for sure, hehe.

Now lets get serious and please Madam, tell us more about the problem that burdens you.

Aye, and the name shall be ..

Tavern Name:

..so uhh *khm* let's talk about the detials of exploration first.

"I'm glad you're enjoying the food." Svetlana beams.  "It's my own recipe."

"The area south of us is known as the Greenbelt, which is part of what is known as the Stolen Lands, and is no longer part of Brevoy.  It's mostly unclaimed by country at all.  Mostly bandits live there who ambush travellers and take raids on nearby settlements like ours." She pauses and sighs with this. "Yes, they do so love raiding us... We've sent for guards, but they won't arrive in time for their next raid tomorrow..."
"Anyway," Svetlana continues,  "People have said that they've seen a few mites and kobolds in the hills, usually fighting each other.  There are some trappers and hunters about, of course, since the hills are filled with game.  Oh, and there's old Bokken, the Hermit, who lives about 12 miles south-east of here.
"Of course, it used to be a little more inhabited.  There are still some old ruins around the place, I think.  Personally I think the Fairies frightened a lot of people away; they live in the Narlmarches Forest."

{GM Note}
It might seem like a rude question, but... how much do your characters weigh? It will be important for figuring out the encumberance of your horses. If you don't care about it (or care to tell) I'll just roll randomly (or you can using these guidelines).

Haivy:
The ruins? So maybe long time a go there were civilization,
How's the weather there?

(I don't care the weight, except the overweight :P)

"Yes, history says that once upon a time the area was part of Brevoy. Then some upstart River Kingdom went and 'Stole' the area from the Brevoyans, which is why the area is called 'The Stolen Lands'. The Kingdom broke down, as River Kingdoms do, but the area's never really been re-settled for some reason.
As to the weather, I imagine it's like it is here.  Your guess is as good as mine as to how soon this rain clears up."

{GM Hint}
Using the Survival Skill, you can attempt to forecast the weather over the next day.  Since knowing what value you roll can influence if know if you're right or not, the roll will be hidden.

{To Haivy (Hi :P)}
I rolled low for your height and weight.  You are 5'4" (160 cm) tall and weigh 110 lbs (49.9 kg).  Goodness knows why they can't use civilised measurements in this system.

(with armor and clothes bout 140 lbs... and yes it is rude XD)

Sandron:
This are no good news, Madam. Than you are really lucky we arrived today. So what you think, my fellow adventurers? Lets get prepared for a fight tomorrow?

(Am I supposed to send you a List of the prepared spells, quark? per PM or here?)

{To Einstein}
If you want the party to know what you have prepared, post it here.  Otherwise, PM it.  You have 3 0th level spell slots and 2 1st level spell slots.
*Calculates weight and height from given info* You're a very lightweight and short elf :P You weigh 109 lbs (49.5 kg) and are 5'7" (168 cm) heigh.

{GM Note}
I'm leaving her response until you've had time to discuss it

Oh, if it's tomorrow we will start off. I think I'd better make my gears ready. You know, there're always much more stuffs in a bard's bag (putting sling and bullets into his bag) than other people.
And of course, if we meet some friendly adventurers or creatures else, maybe we can also get some advantages from trading or so (staring at his almost empty money bag).

Lydovec, I think the probability of meeting nice creatures is low XD
I guess some supportive food or items are more valuable than money there.

OK, then, let me check the weather to know what items should be prepared additionally.
As I were a farmer before, my mother taught me how to predict the weather tomorrow by seeing the condition of sun and cloud in twilight.
(Haivy walks outside, using skill Survival)

Lakatos:
I'm always ready to fight.

(Height: 4' 7'' weight: 117 lbs.)