Quest #28 "Kegenstien's Expedition Over the River"

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

After they depart from Gretchen's party Feanol will hold her tongue until they are well out of their hearing, and then say quietly to Darklin. "That mage seemed to have a major problem surrounding these obelisks. It makes me think that that was where they had been. Should there be some of these in this area, and if so should we steer clear of it? Not sure about his comments about female elves. I obviously am one, but was not sent here by anyone or have any ties to these objects. I would be very willing to assist you with them in any way I can though. "

As they go along Feanol will take notes on landscape, plants, animals, and make rough mapping. She will ask for stops to take sun readings for the mapping. When she gets to the river she will carefully draw the area out. (I'm assuming we're on the south shore of the island, and the river is flowing North into the interior.)

After getting her measurements and drawings done she'll speak up "We may want to go up river enough to see where, and even if, we get to arable soil. I think that would be one of the keys to finding a good town site. replacing the jungle with cultivated land will push back the bugs as well."

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

Makes a stop to refresh herself with the river water at one of the shallowest parts as far as she can see. She drinks some water, takes her helm off and puts her wet hands on ther face and head. "Ugh. There's too many bugs here. Constantly." She finally stands up and dons her helm again.

"So, over there's the cave the folks back there mentioned. If we go looking for arable soil like Feanol proposed, I think we should cross the river first. The jungle looks too thick for cultivating... It'd take al ot of work to clear patches of forest for that and, to be honest, it's an idea I don't like except if there's no other posibility.

Where are the ogres supposed to be?"

[Darklin2]

Feanol

After they depart from Gretchen's party Feanol will hold her tongue until they are well out of their hearing, and then say quietly to Darklin. "That mage seemed to have a major problem surrounding these obelisks. It makes me think that that was where they had been. Should there be some of these in this area, and if so should we steer clear of it? Not sure about his comments about female elves. I obviously am one, but was not sent here by anyone or have any ties to these objects. I would be very willing to assist you with them in any way I can though. "

As they go along Feanol will take notes on landscape, plants, animals, and make rough mapping. She will ask for stops to take sun readings for the mapping. When she gets to the river she will carefully draw the area out. (I'm assuming we're on the south shore of the island, and the river is flowing North into the interior.)

After getting her measurements and drawings done she'll speak up "We may want to go up river enough to see where, and even if, we get to arable soil. I think that would be one of the keys to finding a good town site. replacing the jungle with cultivated land will push back the bugs as well."

Darklin

Darklin leans in close and whispers in her ear.

I will talk to you about it tonight. I think I just got a major clue.

Winks and goes back to normal walking and guard duty. Keeping an eye on the trail ahead and behind remembering all the animals and beasts that he saw here the night they set out to remove the Pirates.

This is a heavy traffic area at night. When my last crew came through here at night we saw masses of large animals drinking from the fresh water river. This would be a good hunting spot if we need food later. Keg was there with us.

[Bluehorse]

Keg

A smirk crosses his face. wouldnt mind a chance to shoot a porker before we come back. Certainly looked like prime hunting.

[Jernau35]

The Knife

The gnome checks his gear, ready to cross the river. "Maybe we should use a rope and cross one at a time?"

"Did Gretchen say that the ogres were a little way up the river?"

[Paladin]

Keyon

The former pirate is silent for a long while as they progress. The wheels in his mind turn while they walk, and once they stop he turns to the others with a pensive expression. "Something struck me as odd about their story," he says quietly, looking around them as if attempting to conjure the answer from thin air.

"Thanks to the sort of company I kept in my previous line of work, I always assume people are lying to me." Keyon rakes a hand through his hair and exhales. "There was much left unsaid back there. Did you notice the sour look on the robed one's face? The warning glance the half-orc sent him before he could speak again?"

He kneels and traces a pattern in the dirt at his feet, then frowns and swipes a hand across it. "They were lying. Or not telling us the whole truth, at least. There may be ogres where they said. And there may not be...they may have been a smokescreen to warn us off of something else."

He shrugs again, splaying his hands wide. "I don't know. Perhaps I've got the wrong end of the stick. Wouldn't be the first time. But it's curious, nonetheless."

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"Yes! I noticed the man's attitude too. He wanted to say something, but she wouldn't let him. I think it was when the topic of those monoliths was brought up, so I don't know if that relates to whatever might be at the other side of the river.

That said, it's also possible they were trying to disuade us. Maybe they've found something there worth investigating, or they've amassed a chunck of treasure that they're hiding and don't want anyone else to find out. I would surely respect their treasure if that were the case. They found it first and probably fought for it.

Or they're hiding something else... Maybe those ogers don't exist at all and there's something more important where the ogres are supposed to be. Someone scouting ahead could get a glimpse of the monsters if it's true they are there."

[Darklin2]

Darklin

They were definately hiding something. I am not sure what but I will find that Mage when we return to town and see what he has to say. Well &%$*! I might as well spill the beans now.

Shakes his head like he really doesn't want to tell this story again. Gets a blank look on his face like he is reliving the tale.

When I came here I was sent by the Mage's Guild of Greyhawk City as you all know. What you don't know is that I was one of a group of 5. My girlfriend LaLana and my friend Simion were all elves sent here. We stumbled onto the Dwarven mine while looking for the stone structures that are said to surround this island in a circular pattern. One of the structures is said to be an Ancient Library full of ancient tomes of Arcane Lore from the early ages. We encountered a patrol of dwarves in our search and were attacked I saw Simion cut down by a dwarven axe and Lalana ran off into the jungle. screaming. Our leader was killed along with most of the others. I had no choice but to run or face the same fate. So you see I am the last of a failed expedition. If I can find the Library maybe take a few important books on Lost Magics back to Greyhawk it could change the way magic is used for all. But enough that is for the future. Now is the present so we must press on. If I can avenge them I will but for now I bide my time.

He looks around at everyone for acceptance as if a heavy weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

So to business, what does everyone thing about our current quest. I was thinking we should secure the cave and make sure we have a spot to sleep out of the bugs tonight. If secure we can spend a few days scouting out from the cave as a base of operations and return there each night to sleep and recoupe spells if needed. Keg is the leader of this quest so his decision is the most important, but by the way they looked and the bugs we encountered in the Pirate Village I do not want to be outside at night. At least in the cave we could start a fire to smoke the bugs away.

[Jernau35]

The Knife

"That's a good catch. I assumed they were covering up something about the obilisk. It never occurred to me that they'd lie about the ogres too." The Knife shakes his head. "Lack of basic honesty is a terrible thing".

"I think once we have checked out the cave it gives us a lot of options to explore this whole area." An idea suddenly seems to strike him. "You know, any group with an axe could cut down some trees and build a barricade across the cave. The river is right there. With a barrel or two, you could store water and have a base camp and wouldn't have to keep going back to town."

"Now then, can someone please help me to cross the river. I'm not as big as all of you".

[OGRE MAGE]

The River
Moonday, 22nd of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Recording her findings as they explore, Feanol notices a lot of details about how this island is set up. Walking along its southern beach, she can tell that the island must rise in elevation the further inland you travel. She sees no signs of animals or even a single bird until they get much closer to the river area. Hearing that this place had been over hunted and over fished by the colony when it first arrived here, the elf is glad to see some signs of life the further they travel from town.

Once at the river, she can easily tell that the cool, swiftly moving river water actually runs into the sea and not the other way around. Darklin tells her that he has heard of a huge waterfall at the furthest inland native camp, so she assumes there must be an elevated lake somewhere near the center of the island. Finding all manner of strange flora along her trip, she sees several plants, ferns, and flowers that even with her vast knowledge of such things, she has never seen or heard of before.

Once Darklin drops another bomb upon his friends, speaking of the libraries and monoliths he seeks, everyone starts to realize that there is far more to this place than first meets the eye. Agreeing that the other group of adventurers was hiding something from them, the party members wonder what might really be in store for them here.

While Elnaerel takes a cool drink at the river, suggestions to search the cliff cave are bandied about. The Knife looks across the vast shallows where the river pours into the sea, suggesting that someone should carry him across so they can secure a rope to a tree on the other side, for safer passage to the cave.

Actions?

map: viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p366477
Keyon 6/6
Keg Woodwright 13/13
Elnaerel 10/10 3/3
The Knife* 5/5
Feanol 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Darklin Sylvanas 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel studies the other side of river before looking for a shallow spot in the water. "If we are going to use the cave to rest, we should go there first and make sure it's safe." She pats TK on the back. "Don't worry, I'll cross the river and tie the rope to somewhere on the other side." She starts tying a rope around his waste. "Keg and Darklin, could you hold the other end for me?"

[Bluehorse]

The Knife
"You know, any group with an axe could cut down some trees and build a barricade across the cave. The river is right there. With a barrel or two, you could store water and have a base camp and wouldn't have to keep going back to town."

Keg takes the double edge axe off his back. Got it covered.

"Now then, can someone please help me to cross the river. I'm not as big as all of you".

The big man grins. want me to toss ya?

[Jernau35]

The Knife

The Knife grins back at Keg. "Well, let's see how deep the water is. It might come to that though!"

[Darklin2]

Darklin

Darklin walks to the river and looks around trying to find the rafts they used to bring Keg down river.

There should be a couple rafts here we used to float Old Keg here back down the river when he was out of commision. They should be here somewhere unless someone carried them off. If we can find one it will be easier to get across.

[Bluehorse]

Keg

Is not exactly thrilled to be reminded of his near death experience or how helpless he was for a time. He makes no effort to show it, but certainly doesn't hide it either as he scowls at no one in particular. He just coughs and begins looking around for the rafts.

[OGRE MAGE]

There are no signs of the rafts, or any other water craft to be seen anywhere in the area of the river outlet.

[Jernau35]

The Knife

Seeing that Keg and Darklin seem to be ignoring Elnaerel's request to hold the rope, The Knife takes it instead. "I don't think I'll be much good at holding it. But I can tie it to a bush or a tree stump. That should work."

He looks at the end of the rope. "Now then, it's been a while since I tied a knot. Let's see, how does it go...? 'The bunny runs around the hill and into the hole...' No, that's not it...''The bunny comes out of the hole and around the hill...' No, that's not it either..."

[Bluehorse]

Keg

Seeing no rafts, Keg surveys the river for the best place to cross. "Oh, I'll go first. I'm not scared." Though the thought of swinging the halfling over his head and throwing him like a laso does make him chuckle to himself in amusement.

[Darklin2]

Darklin

Moves up.

We got your back Keg. The past is the past. Here knife let me hold that rope she will pull you in and then we will have to come after you both.

Darklin grabs the rope end behind Knife.

[Paladin]

Keyon

Keyon absorbs these new revelations in silence, fitting more pieces of this great puzzle into place. He takes advantage of the time spent deciding upon the manner of their crossing to examine their surroundings, especially the mud near the bank to see if any particularly large tracks are evident.

He looks at the river and calls upon his years on the water to judge the speed and direction of the currents and attempt to discern any surprises that might lie beneath.