[Game Thread] Chapter I, Part I: Oleg's Trading Post

[Rohor]

The party's journey to Oleg's Trading Post along the South Rostland Road was uneventful, save for the conversation between themselves and other travelers and merchants along the road. On the chilly afternoon of the 30th day of Calistril, the party approach a stone fortress, surrounded by a wooden palisade with watchtowers and run-down catapults located at each of its corners. Etched into a wooden signpost outside the front of the fortress are the words "Oleg's Trading Post."

A middle-aged woman with golden blond hair, wearing dirty laborer's clothes is standing outside the front of the fortress, beside her a large, steaming pot. She is holding a large wooden paddle with her blistering red hands, stirring something within the pot. Eyeing the adventurer's approaching the fortress, she waves to the group in general, a smile on her face.

"Hello, how are you all doing this afternoon? Did you need any assistance?"

OOC Sorry about the lateness of this post. I've had a bit of trouble finding some way to approach this. What I've done is assumed everybody took several days to get prepared before leaving for Restov. From there, the journey to Oleg's Trading Post took just over four days, so you left around the 26th of Calistril. As mentioned in other threads, the journey was trouble free (i.e. no encounters with bandits or monsters). This is the continuation of the storyline where you arrive at Oleg's Trading Post.

[moggthegob]

Alistair rides in on a very new looking horse and seems to be just getting used to riding the beast, as it is clear from his sitting that this is a new experience to him. Given that, the spoiled young man tries his best to maintain his composure and ride tall.

When he arrives at the post he bellows to his horse Whooa there Commodore!

Alistair unseats himself from his horse and dusts himself off briefly Allow me to Present myself Madam, my name is Alistair Lebeda, my cohorts and I have been entrusted with the charter and have come to solve your bandit problem with style and finesse. Alistair gives a quick bow before continuing Could you call Oleg for us please, our fair matron, we wish to be briefed on the situation in more detail than we currently have.

[VaerSheth]

From his position on the cart, Brune rolls his eyes. He mutters under his breath That is not going to go well. He collects his hammer and shield, hooking the former into place on his belt and the latter over his back. The rest of his belongings he leaves in the cart as he hops clumsily down to the ground. Brune marches forward to stand a few feet to Alistair's left. He looks pointedly at the entrance to the so-called "Trading Post", sizing it up. He clears his throat, glancing significantly at the run-down but heavy fortification in view.

Alistair Lebeda. It may be you should ask the woman where we can find Oleg inside. If these are more than toys I want to be inside the fort come dark.

Brune stumps back to the cart, giving the donkey a companionable thwack on the way.

That's right, you miserable brute. You get to graze behind walls tonight. If the gods smile on you, the road south is a wreck and you get to stay here for weeks while the rest of us slog through brush and mud.

He hops up into his seat and leans back, lacing his fingers together behind his head. The dwarf seems to be in a very good mood this afternoon.

OOC Can we get a more detailed description of the gate itself? Also, can Brune identify any sounds coming from inside the trading post? He is particularly interested in sounds associated with a smithy or forge. Perception Check: 19

[Rohor]

The woman is slightly taken aback at Alistair's sudden move towards her, but she quickly recovers at his mentioning that the group will solve the bandit problem.

"Oh, you're the..."

She drops the paddle and quickly makes her way to the front of the fort, yelling,

"Oleg, they're here! They've finally arrived! Hurry up and welcome them dear!"

She makes her way back to the group, clearly still excited as her smile is broader than when she met the group moments ago.

"We were beginning to worry if you'd ever show up. Thank the gods you found your way here!"

As she says this, a middle-aged man appears from the entrance of the fortress. He has a messy appearance, ruffled hair all over the place and his set of laborer's clothes were dirtier than the woman's. The man quickly wipes his forehand with his right hand then follows up by wiping that hand with his clothes. The woman is quick to respond dismally to his actions.

"Oh, Oleg, please don't do that in front of our guests!"

The man, Oleg snorts in response. He shifts his eyes first to Brune, then Alistair and then the rest of the group. He finally responds in a gruff, monotonic voice,

"Glad to see you made it here alright. Sorry, was fixing a leak at the guesthouse. Welcome to my trading post. I'm Oleg, and this is my wife Svetlana."

There is a brief pause as he looks at each member of the party one at a time. After a brief moment of silence he speaks up.

"So I presume they told you of our bandit trouble? About how the bandits continuously threaten us with our lives unless we turn over our stock?"

OOC The entrance of the fort is made of two, large, wooden doors. To give you an idea of what the entrance looks like, minus surroundings such as the wooden palisade, I've provided a picture below. If you imagine the entrance to be a little wider and perhaps a little taller, with the wooden palisade that would be my thoughts on how the entrance to Oleg's Trading Post would look like. Just a general idea though.

[arguilios]

Rogan nods taciturnly to the smiling woman and looks around as the party moves up on the woman’s position. The ranger, astride his horse at the group’s arrival, eyes Oleg’s fortifications carefully, taking a turn in the saddle to measure what the catapults look capable of hitting from their vantage. He scratches his nose contemplatively and listens to the group’s spokesmen offer greetings and hear those returned before deciding whether to dismount.

Rogan’s made some point of riding intervals ahead of the group along the way, scouting, relinquishing his control of Brune’s donkey cart after the first day’s travel to the all too willing and loquacious half-elven bard, Satinder. He’s supplemented the group’s rations by trapping, spitting and putting to a skewered flame an assortment of rabbits with wild vegetables and tubers. But, a sparkling conversationalist he’s not. Not that he’s been opposed to a timely response to conversation now and again; Rogan’s simply more watcher than talker.

Arriving at Oleg’s Trading Post appears to present no different perspective on this man’s contribution. He watches for good weather and signs of bad company, and he keeps his own counsel mostly, even as he moves to follow the others forward.

"So, this is to be our jumping off point?"

[LupusRegalis]

Kostas removes his helm to better view the stockade around the Trading Post. He dismounts, and hangs the helmet from the saddle-horn as he takes up the reigns to lead Apotheosis forward. He gives a short sigh as he glances over the defenses, knowing it would take much work to make them what they would need to be.

He watches unamused as the Lebeda clumsily introduces the party, again putting himself forward as their törzsfőnök, their Leader. And at the same time showing he had no grasp of subtlety or wisdom. Observe and Assess the situation first, then announce themselves and their intentions, if it suited. No reason to let their enemies know they were coming, which Alistair had pretty much just done if there was anyone else watching or listening. "az én ősökval, that man gives me a headache."

He answers Rogan's, probably rhetorical, question with a nod and a terse "So it would seem." He too being less than impressed, if not at all surprised. Still, there was much to be said that it had survived alone in this wilderness for even this long. Perhaps there would be something here that would aid them. He pats the Ranger's mount on the shoulder as he passes and moves closer to Oleg and Svetlana...and Alistair.

"No need to advertise our arrival more than necessary, Master Oleg. Perhaps we should continue this inside? Out of view of any observers, yes?!" He gives a half-bow and introduces himself as well as his companions. "Kostas Achtzavar, Knight-errant. There you see Rogan Fletcher, Ranger. Brune Halfbeard, Healer. Satinder Medvyed, Chronicler. And Harken Rag'tusk, er...Guide."

[moggthegob]

We were given precious few particulars my good man Oleg. Perhaps over a warm dinner you could explain this is more detail...these bandits want your stock, I assume you are speaking of tools, and livestock? How troubling, yet knowing their motivations...we may be able to maneuver the situation into a boon for you. Alistair cracks a large smile on his face, clearly scheming something.

Give us some more particulars. These bandits, are they men, goblinoids, orcs? Also which direction do they come from generally, or do you know where they make camp?

[Ryoga]

Harken was willing to take the introduction given by Kostas without a second thought, no reason to attempt a fight so early on, but he was starting to develop a rather strong distaste of him, but only time would truly tell what he really thought of it. In truth he was their guide, he knew the lands and could survive and thrive in them if forced to, His tone was where Harken would have taken issue. He nods to Oleg and his wife, a stoic look on his face as he's allowed into the embrace of the group and possibly inside to further discuss.
He hears of their issues, bandits threatening but not having the guts to attack, that was a good sign. They were hesitant, cowards who could not take what they wanted when they wanted it. He decides to blurt out. 'So they're weak then? They hesitate, they're afraid of your post.' It wasn't a question, it was a frank observation he'd made, and in his mind, that's all the evidence of their character he needed.

[arguilios]

“Very pleased to meet you, miss,” Satinder greets the woman courteously -- though apparently startling her from her attention to others' introductions. The half-elf favors the woman with a winningly apologetic smile. “Uhm... Are you in need of aid here?” he inquires solicitously, gesturing to her labor as he sizes up what she's been doing -- hopeful of improving on his first impression.

[VaerSheth]

Sitting on the cart with his eyes gazing off into space, the smile slowly slips off of Brune's face. He leans forward, squinting first at one of the visible corners of the trading post, then at the other. His affable grin becomes a hard scowl which twists his scarred cheek hideously. Involuntarily, he raises the fingertips of his left hand to that cheek before snatching them away again and gripping the edges of the wooden seat. Still scowling, he picks up and clutches the reins in his hands. The straps dangle quite a bit more than they should, and his hands are curled into tense fists around the leather of the reins. Brune glances at Oleg for just a moment before tearing his gaze away and staring out into the woods opposite the trading post.

OOC Re Rohor: Thanks! That gives me a very good idea of what I'm looking at. From the picture, it looks like the gate is easily wide enough to accommodate the cart, if/when the party is invited inside. Is this correct?

[Rohor]

Oleg rolls up his sleeve and strides angrily towards Satinder in his attempt to garner attention from Svetlana.

"Now hold on a second there! Just who do you think you are, waltzing..."

Oleg is cut off by Svetlana placing her arm out in front of him, placing herself between Oleg and Satinder. "Oleg, calm down. Remember, they're here to help us." She turns her head to Satinder and gives him a quick wink. "If you want to help, you could carry the laundry back in." At the mention of that she gestures at the large pot, which still holds the paddle. A further look into the pot reveals that there are pieces of clothing floating around inside the water.

She turns towards the rest of the group, nodding her head at Kostas. "I agree Kostas. Let's head inside and discuss this matter further." Svetlana quickly heads back into the fort.

As she disappears, Oleg speaks to Satinder, his voice still furious. "Boy, I'll let you go because you don't know, but don't you ever..." he points towards the fort entrance and briefly pauses, "... ever try to pick up my wife again, or the two of us will have a problem. You understand me?" With that said, Oleg quickly turns around and stomps his feet into the ground as he heads back to the fort.

The inside of the fort is impressive in its size, a large clearing in front of the entrance. Svetlana points to a large building to the left.

"That's the stable here. You can leave your horses and donkey inside these stables for several silver pieces an evening. We'll provide them with water and feed if you need it."

She points to a second building, situated in a corner of the fort.

"That's where Oleg and I stay. And this..." she points to the building on the right, "... is the guesthouse. We can let you this place for a few silver pieces an evening, which includes meals and water. I'm not sure whether there's enough beds though. We don't normally have this many guests..." her words trail off for a moment as she continues staring at the guesthouse. After a momentary pause she breaks the silence. "...Oh I'm sorry. I got lost in thought there. You must all be starving. Come over and have something to eat and drink."

She heads over to a table situated between their living quarters and the guesthouse. Sitting on the table are several loaves of bread and a bottle of wine. "Help yourselves to the wine and bread. Just hold on a moment, I'll get some glasses." With that, she heads into their living quarters.

Oleg plonks himself onto the chair beside the table as Svetlana disappears into their house, sighing. "Ok, where do I begin with these bandits... oh yes, certainly cowards..." he nods in affirmation to Harken's earlier comment. He then turns his attention to Alistair. "...they're only men...but dangerous ones, especially with their numbers. They know we're the only ones around and use their numbers to force us into turning over our stock. If we don't, they'll kill me and take Svetlana, and I can't let them take her... who knows what they'll do to her?"

Oleg pauses and takes another heavy sigh before continuing.

"...Look, I hate to ask this of all of you, but I need your help in driving these bandits away. We expect them to return tomorrow and you might be our first and only opportunity to drive them away. Can you help us?"

OOC I've provided a map of the trading post below just so you have a general idea of the fort and the locations of building, tables and other stuff. The gate is wide enough to accommodate horses three abreast. The map I've provided shows the gates to be about 30 feet wide - so I'd say three abreast.

[LupusRegalis]

Inside the trading post Kostas follows Oleg and Svetlana as they give them a general idea of the layout. He nods and looks about in interest at the layout, thinking on ways it can be used and/or improved. When Svetlana goes for cups and Oleg takes a seat, Kostas shrugs and drops his mounts reigns, causing Apotheosis to stand in place with a watchful air. Kostas moves to join Oleg at the table, and listens with interest to the man's information before replying.

"A vested, and possible mutually beneficial, interest on our part in aiding you is apparent. This we can speak more on later." Kostas says in a Diplomacy 16 (taking 10) to sell his plan of attackreassuring tone. "I am sure my társaság, that is companions, will agree securing your safety is necessary."

His gaze sweeps over his comrades for their reactions. He lingers on the gate and the fortifications around it, nodding as an idea comes to mind. "The bandita, they are very confident, yes? Are likely to push inside the walls as if owning this place? I have an answer for them."

He continues to outline his plan, using broad gestures and indicating each of his comrades and places withing the trading post. "Post a watch for these wretches. When alerted we carefully take positions as such: Brune and Harken each hidden behind a gate door, ready to shut and bar them. Alistair, Satinder and Rogan out of sight atop the walls. Myself and Apotheosis inside the stable. Master Oleg waiting in the yard to ease their minds and lure them inside. When all brigante are well inside, Master Oleg gives the signal: Brune and Harken seal the gate. The rest of us attack! összezúz, they will be caught like hares in an eagles shadow! Hah aha ha"

[arguilios]

“How many bandits are you expecting tomorrow?” Rogan quietly shuffles a clay pipe free of its pocket in his great green cloak, loads it from a pouch, and moves to light the thing while listening for Oleg’s description of these bandits he’s concerned about. “We'll help, but how many's an issue for the planning. ...To me anyway,” he adds with a sly glance toward Kostas.

[arguilios]

“Missus,” Satinder corrected himself, instantly shamefaced and surprised at Oleg’s unexpected rebuke. “Laundry!” At the second observation, the half-elf’s expression changed to one of relief. With a curt nod and an impious grin, he started fishing the sodden clothing from Svetlana’s wash cauldron to carry inside the compound as the other travelers entered.

“Thank goodness for that; huh?” Satinder quietly confided in Alistair as he passed. “I mistook her pot for a stew. I was flummoxed there - trying to think of something complimentary to say of what I thought she was cooking. One shudders to think.” And, he did so with a theatrical shake and a grin.

As the others settle around the table to exchange more protracted greetings, Satinder - helpful as his word - carries an armload of laundry, looking for a suitable place to hang it before joining the others around the table with wine and bread.

“How long have these knaves beleaguered you so?” Satinder inquires, ready to forge a new relationship with Oleg - the misunderstanding of moments past already long ago in the half-elf's view. “Sorry, sorry,” he backpedals from the withering eye Oleg returns for his question. The bard looks for support from others in the party as he backs away from the table to listen from a less intrusive distance. Mheeza, what’d I say?

[VaerSheth]

Having clumsily maneouvered the donkey and cart into the little fort, Brune jumps down and takes a look around. His scowl deepens as he stomps around, untying the donkey and leading it over to the stable. He installs it in the leftmost stall before returning to the open area and rejoining the conversation. While inside the stable, he spares a moment to look around for anything unusual.

Outside again, Brune rejoins the conversation. His fists are clenched tight, the right hand slowly beating against the haft of his hammer. Through clenched teeth, he agrees with Kostas. I like this plan. He also nods in agreement with Rogan's question, though, and adds two of his own. What stock? And why tomorrow?

The dwarf eyes the food on the table and closes his eyes momentarily. You can see him slowly forcing his muscles to loosen, starting with his stout legs and working his way up to his head. He can't seem to keep his black eyebrows from twitching. With some calm, he gestures toward the food. Oleg, would you object if I blessed the bread? I won't bless the wine, since that ruins it.

OOC Brune is attempting to hide his feelings from Oleg and Oleg's wife. Since he can't provide a second face for the party to read, I've stuck his feelings inside the spoiler button below. My best guess is that you should be able to read him with a Sense Motive check DC 9 (this being the Bluff check Brune makes when he takes 10).   Although he appears outwardly to be simply extremely angry, Brune is in fact rather worried. The looks that he throws at Oleg and his wife are filled with concern, but for Brune's own safety and that of the other charter-bearers rather than theirs. It would be fair to say that the dwarf smells a trap.