Chapter 1: Journey through the Jotens

[Rex]

Qleceec

"Thanks Garrant. Lets hope we don't draw to much attention."

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Mid-Morning
Moonday, 10th day of Planting, 597
5th day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 57/65, Armor 23/26)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 49/50)
Hex (AC 0, HP 26/27, Armor 8/8)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 18/21, Armor 8/8)
Boff (AC 5, HP 59/61)
Frannie (AC 4, HP 26/26)

Garrant casts his Cure spells and heals up both Qleceec and Nah Olos and then casts Mending on Qleceec's bow string. Qleceec and Nah Olos walk with missile weapons at the ready. The group heads out around first light, first hiking back the five miles to the previous campsite. When not covered by trees the sun in in the face of the adventurers. The sounds of the forest are normal.

Without encountering anything in between the group arrives at the former campsite at around 10 AM and they find most of the items they left have been taken or destroyed. The chest that was defiled by Siouxsie is no where to be seen. The dragon's territory should be in about a mile.

Actions?

[Rex]

Qleceec

After a quick search of the former camp site, keep moving. Trying to be extra alert.

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Walks along. She leaves no trail or footsteps, manifesting the druidic gift to pass without trace. A skill taken years of wandering to master.

"Well at least no more earthquakes."

She follows those leading the way, trying to be as observant as she can.

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Mid-Morning
Moonday, 10th day of Planting, 597
5th day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 57/65, Armor 23/26)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 49/50)
Hex (AC 0, HP 26/27, Armor 8/8)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 18/21, Armor 8/8)
Boff (AC 5, HP 59/61)
Frannie (AC 4, HP 26/26)

Qleceec gives a quick secondary scan of the former campsite and other than the already mentioned details nothing additional is discovered. The group continues along the trail, and the group continues to sense the additional moisture/humidity in the air and they come upon the previously seen topaz crystals hanging in the trees. Some members of the group tense up expecting an attack, but Siouxsie remains nimble and loose as she is walking without leaving a trace.

The group comes to the place of the first battle with the Shtelke. Standing on the log is a single Shtelke sentry that has two spears beside her. She says in the direction of Qleceec and Androgost "Iss seess youss havess returnedss - Statess youss planss inss Preblshienchiashav's landss"

Actions?

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec readies her bow and scans the area for other threats. She remains silent as the others catch up.

[gurusql]

Androgost

"We have come to continue on our original path, but we will stay to kill you and your Prince if that is his desire."

[Storm11]

Hex winces. We merely wish to pass through these lands, and not make trouble. We do not intend to give anyone any coin for the privilege of wandering this mud path. We don’t want any adversarial interactions at all, but we are no push overs, as you have seen. We will not be harassed or harangued upon our journey. Let us pass through unharmed and we will leave you in peace, it’s really as simple as that! the gnome says with a sigh.

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

[dialogue]"Unless you plan to bar our passage, I expect to slice you open and cut out your winged babies and raise them as my own."[/dialogue]

she says. "how many do you birth in death? Two, three? They must wriggle so when they stretch out wings inside your guts."

[shaidar]

Garrant looks at Androgost and Siouxsie in horror

"Are you two trying to cause a fight? You've done nothing but provoke them since we arrived."

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Mid-Morning
Moonday, 10th day of Planting, 597
5th day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 57/65, Armor 23/26)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 49/50)
Hex (AC 0, HP 26/27, Armor 8/8)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 18/21, Armor 8/8)
Boff (AC 5, HP 59/61)
Frannie (AC 4, HP 26/26)

The voice changes to perfect common "Ah, yes, the evil demons of The Yeomanry League have returned. Let me recount. First you kill five of my daughters without provocation and then you storm my lands and kill another eleven of my children. Then the lot of you run away while Androgost calls me a liar and the vile half-breed witch leaves her waste in my chest. You leave my lands only to return and what threaten me and some of my unborn children, Mr. Androgost and the half-elf witch. Then Mr. Gnome you to insult the quality of the road that you have next seen. I am a merciful deity, but even I have my limits.

Ah, rationality is among you, Mr. Human and do not believe I have the pleasure of knowing your name?

I have given you my price to pass through my lands and now you want pass through unharmed for free. Tell me why would I agree to that foolish idea. If you which to negotiate rather than make demands, I am as you demons say all ears. "

Actions?

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

"You know we are not really here to argue with anyone claiming squatters rights on land. Beyond this region, earthquakes are disturbing city residents and laying waste to farming communities. We are merely envoys seeking how to solve an environmental threat.

Perhaps you have felt this quakes and are troubled by them also." she tries to talk diplomacy and sense, something she is not usually good at.

"Look, I am not going to pay any toll and I promise not to kill your Sheltke kinfolk, we are just passing through."

She shrugs, figuring what the weather and wind speed is and how probable she can call lightening on the dragon if it appears.

[Rex]

Qleceec

As she has not seen any others, "Lets continue, if they attack, we will defend ourselves."

[shaidar]

Garrant bows

"Call me Garrant. If the history books have taught me nothing, it's that countries more often than not start as squatters. The earthquakes are scaring people and causing trouble to good people. I am here as I am interested in what is causing them and why. If you wish to set up a land here of your own, then is it not best to be on good terms with those surrounding you? Is it not good for your lands to be safe for travellers so that merchants can travel through and pay a reasonable toll? I freely admit that this group has approached this situation rather aggressively, but to be honest with you, the toll you have been asking for travellers is excessive and unsustainable. Let us pass through your lands, and deliver whatever message you wish to your new neighbours."

[Storm11]

Hex chuckles. Without provocation? So says every highwayman out to rob those passing through “their” lands. You shouldn’t have started it if you don’t like it. You threatened us if we didn’t pay your extortionate toll. It’s not like the damage you all dealt was licked on by kittens. So don’t cry at me about the deaths you caused in the first place. We are travelling by. Get out of the way and we won’t have trouble between us. It’s really that simple. We won’t be robbed by you and your daughters. So you might as well get over that. Truly I feel sad it came to violence, but if you want peace, don’t start none, won’t be none! Innit! he says to Raffi. The halfling colours, coughs and wince nods his tentative agreement with his master.

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos watches the sky for hybrids and dragons.

[gurusql]

In the Jotens - Mid-Morning
Moonday, 10th day of Planting, 597
5th day since leaving Loftwick

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 57/65, Armor 23/26)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 49/50)
Hex (AC 0, HP 26/27, Armor 8/8)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 18/21, Armor 8/8)
Boff (AC 5, HP 59/61)
Frannie (AC 4, HP 26/26)

At this point there is a slight tremor (enough that you could feel it, but no chance of any damage locally) or perhaps a big tremor just far away. When the tremor ends the Sheltke smiles.

"Mr. Garrant understand that it is your reasonableness that will allow me to be merciful. If you stay on the path you will not be harmed in my territory. The price of my mercy is that you personally must promise to destroy the entire tribe of Red Claws which live beyond my territory on the path you are travelling. The seal your promise you can leave a drop of your blood in the center of this figure."

The Sheltke draws a three foot diameter pentagram in the dirt with the butt of the spear next to him.

"If you want terms, here are the terms you can deliver to our neighbors.

The road on which you travel is now closed. The price for the dwarves in Silver Spring to use this road is currently one wagon of silver for each wagon that passes through. The price for the earthquakes to stop for The Yeomanry League is 5 head of horse or cattle per rising of the sun and 100 gold coins from each member of the Council of Common Grosspokesmen per month. I care not if you think that this is sustainable or not it is the cost of existence.

Leave the blood and you can all pass."

The Sheltke backs away behind the log still holding the spear.

Actions?

Corrected some grammer.

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec keeps watch and just shakes her head no.

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

"Bleed enough when it is time of the month. You don't want to know me then. Get a bit crabby. Know what I mean?"


She ignores the demands and makes to move on past the guard.

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos "Sounds like we found the source of the earthquakes."