Musings of a Future Baron - 3. Oleg's Trading Post/The Shrike Hills

Fireday, 16 Gozran 4710

So much has happened today. Once again I end the day exhausted, but I must record what happened before I rest.

We reached Oleg Leveton’s Trading Post early this morning, only to find the poor man being hounded by bandits. One of them even had the nerve to call out his wife Svetlana. I could just feel Amiri seething with barely constrained rage at the implication that they would take advantage of the poor woman. Even I had to take a moment to work through the anger that washed through me.

I stepped in quickly, trying to call off the bandits. The leader, a woman they referred to as Kressle, vanished with a potion and a warning, promising to be back, but her followers were… less agreeable. We had to put them down.

The bastards had the audacity to ignore us, trying to attack Oleg instead. Amiri and Valerie soon showed them the error of their ways, charging forth like the brave warriors they were to stab the bandits in the back.

I mean, really, what did they expect when they turned their back and proceeded to attack the person we were trying to protect?

We knew the bandits would be back. Regrouping with Oleg, we promised to help him defend the post. If we did it properly, the bandits would never threaten it again. He pointed out some tar and a few bear traps, and Linzi had the idea of setting the bandits on fire with a few alchemist bombs. It didn’t take long to set up the traps, and all we could do was wait.

As we awaited the coming battle, Valerie approached me, scolding me for letting Kressle go free. It was one thing to be a pacifist, she said, but when it meant allowing evil doers to roam free, that was almost as bad as murdering innocents myself. It made me think hard about what I was doing. As the future baron of this land, I had to understand people were going to die under my command. I was obligated to make sure the right people died. It was… an unpleasant realisation, one I’m not sure I can handle. But I will try. Starting with this Kressle. While I hope she could be redeemed, if I have to, I will put an arrow through her head myself. I can’t rely on my companions to dispense justice for me.

Near midday, the second wave came, archers hanging back as rogues armed with blades charged forward. They were caught in the pitch, traps going off as Oleg hurled a bomb. The smell was horrific, and the screams of burning people… but they brought it upon themselves. I couldn’t afford the nausea that threatened me.

Once again, Linzi bolstered us with her song, Amiri charging into the burning bandits with her massive bastard sword. Valerie moved to cut off a bandit’s advance, protecting Oleg as my bow sought out the archers who had held back. It didn’t take long before the bandits were gone, their souls departed from this world.

We were rewarded with a hundred gold for our efforts, and Oleg directed us upstairs, telling us we could sleep off the fight before moving onward. He even offered his trading post as a base of operations, an offer we took up gratefully. Look out Stag Lord, we have a foothold in your lands, and an army of four shall be your doom.

Rest came easily, but it was interrupted by the apparition of a nymph… or was she a dryad?

She introduced herself as the Guardian of the Bloom, talking about a fog that had sprung up overnight. Apparently the Stag Lord was responsible, and my immediate thought was a druid. I’m not sure why a druid would be disrupting the land like this. The dryad pointed me toward Thorn Ford to the southwest, mentioning that a bandit camp was there. The consensus among the party is that we can follow their trail, and get rid of this fog. But first, we will finish the night’s rest.

Gozran 17 4710

Passed through Nivkata’s Crossing yesterday, only to be stuck with mountains today. Even Harrim isn’t happy about the hills. Is he ever happy? Tartuccio has pointed us toward a tomb, without much explanation beyond needing to clear it. I figure he wants to make sure there aren’t undead in his new lands. A little premature if you ask me. We aren’t yet sure who will get the lands, him or Cassiel.

The hills unnerve me; I’ve heard mention of manticores and mammoths alike around here. My fire turns to ice, there is little I can do to hold off any of these enemies. Yet we push on. Should reach the tomb in a day or two. If we are still alive.

I need to figure out the source of my magic’s change.

Spoke with Jaethal on the road. Getting information out of her is like getting water from a stone. I’m still nervous around her, but at least my original thought was wrong. Apparently she likes jewelled rice, not blood. Who knew?

Every night, she summons undead. And every morning we collect some of the best weapons I have ever seen, masterworks all. Seems a good way of making gold, and for the first time I have seen approval from Tartuccio.

So, what I know about our leader so far:

His word is law

If you want his approval, give money or boons

Harrim shut up (wholeheartedly agree on this one)

We are merely pawns in his game, and he makes no pretense. At this point, we are too deep in the Stolen Lands to return to Restov on our own. Perhaps I should have gone with Cassiel. Too late now. If there is one positive about this whole experience, I’ve been able to see a master beguiler at work. Tartuccio knocks people out as easily as he juggles flame, and it is honestly an inspiration. My book shall be full of spells by the end of this adventure, I am sure.

Well, I hope.