"Well, let's see how long it takes us to lose Corym in his library. But soon.  My boys need wing-time, and the preparations we make now will save time later."
This message was last updated by the player at 12:16, Sat 27 Oct 2018.

Certainly!

Heading to the Dragonback, the young Dwarf takes in his surroundings, adjusting his gait to show more confidence, to stop any would-be assailant from trying their hand at Dwarf Smashing.

Once at the Inn, Krackor makes himself known to the bar staff and asks for a set of rooms or enough for Seven people, 3 females and 4 males if that makes a difference.

The Dragonback Inn turns out to be just two buildings down the street, across the street from the city's northern wall. That road is paved and well-maintained, and there are frequent lanterns that keep it well-lit. The inn itself is, well, it's as rustic as Daggerford keeps saying it isn't. It's a three story half-timber building, with tall, open-beamed ceilings and plaster in dire need of replacement both outside and inside.

But the roast on the spit smells good, speaking to tasty meals in the future. And the rooms, when you're led to them, are snug and warm with comfortable beds. As an inn, you could do far, far worse.

The next morning, over a dawnfry of oatmeal, bacon, sausage, and assorted garden greens, you plot strategy and the day's activities.

((ooc: With caravan season winding down the Dragonback has rooms for as long as you need them.

Corym, I know you're heading to the library. You'll need to give the scribes a list of questions or research topics. What do you want them to focus on, and how long do you want to give them?

Everyone else, what do you want to do in Daggerford or the environs?))

I'd like to know about settlements in Athalantar other than Hastarl.  Hastarl is underneath Secomber, and was shattered by an orc horde.

Presumably, according to the feudal order of Athalantar some of these Magelords would have maintained their bases of power in villages where their influence would not be so hotly contested.  Country houses, dacha, private chateaus, things like that.  If I can *hear* about them, this map will let me locate them.

I'd really like to help research--one to make contacts, and two to defray costs.  I know that they don't do that, but I know (OOC:) that they have a free association with the Thinker's Fraternity down the road, and that members of the fraternity get to research for free and get all access.  Seems like it would be a decent place for Corym to associate with, and he might find some similarly minded folks, or at least others interested in his ideas.  I don't have Knowledge Local: The North, though, and this won't show up in the Ancient History of the North proficiency that I have.

Speaking of--I DO have the Ancient History: The North proficiency.  Can I make a check to see if I can focus my questions to be more productive for the scholars?  Maybe demonstrate my worthiness as a fellow scholar?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Wed 31 Oct 2018.

My PC sheet is in disarray,  and I'm re-doing it (hopefully for the last time).  I think I may have an extra NWP, and I'd like to use it to build my trail-lore of the North.  To that end I want to lead a private expedition into the wilderness.  I want to familiarize myself with the Flora and Fauna of the area and walk the way to Secomber and back because that seems like where we're going.  Find the good camps, know where to escape to and the like.  I can also work my falcons out in the open area.

Before leaving I'd like to talk to other hunters, caravan guides, and foresters to get a mental lay of the land.  A non-ancient map would also be a keen find.

We can do some hunting/trapping so that it is also a money making venture.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:08, Wed 31 Oct 2018.

I also need to identify the gnome's stuff, and run the analysis on Krackor's beers with my new spell before he goes.

I'm going where Lexi goes and being her personal brute squad. :-)

((ooc: Lexi, it's 175 miles to Secomber. That's seven day's ride each way, assuming no trouble. Do you want to take half a month for your trip?))

That seems extreme maybe just a hunting trip then to learn the Flora/Fauna of the North; and talk to hunters, guides, and trails men about the surroundings
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 12:54, Sun 04 Nov 2018.

Krackor enjoys the nights sleep and in the morning adresses Lexi and Harun.

My friends, the spells I can on each of you over the weeks allow me to know when you are in danger, they will last 2 & 3 days respectively. If you are gone longer, I would not know, I will not renew today so I know you will be back by 3 days. I shall worry as I still do for Elorfinder, Bran and Taeghen.

You have my blessings though. I feel I need to say some words at a shrine for Vesna or I would join you.

Krackors thoughts betrayed his caring side more than he would say. He is their Gardian and when the party splits, he doesn't so much worry as has concerns of if he is doing his job right by staying with some and not others. Obar remains and he is the reason the Dwarf Priest joined, by Gorms Devine Blessing.

Lexi, Harun, I would join you but this is your thing this day, I will be here and find you if sonething goes a miss. Lexi, your birds can find us can they not if needs be?

He the finds Corym and Obar.  Corym, with whom ever stays behind, I will see what can be found out from the locals. Obar, we need to discuss your head aches Krackor hoped his friend knew what he meant by that last comment.

Corym

Bright and early you present yourself at the doors of Kryptgarden Scrolls. Inside is a medium-sized room, with a large desk opposite the door and several smaller tables to the side. An elegant tapestry depicting the interwoven sigils of Oghma and Deneir hangs on the wall to your left.

The room is empty save for a middle-aged woman sitting behind the desk. She rises as you enter and extends an ink-stained hand. "Welcome to Kryptgarden Scrolls. My name is Estel. How may I help you today?"

You fill her in on your research interests, which she jots down on a sheet of paper. "Athalantar, eh? Been awhile since someone asked about the Stag Kingdom. I know our collection has something on it. What is your time frame?" She nods. "We charge ten gold a day for research. You can view the items we find here in this room and take whatever notes you wish, or we can make copies at standard rates. Any questions?"

Lexi and Harun

You leave Daggerford through the northern gate, cross the Delimbiyr River, and then turn east, leaving the trade road. You've been warned that a day's walk north is the Laughing Hollow, a place best avoided, so for the moment you keep about a mile between you and the river.

It's a brisk, clear fall day, the wind whipping about your ankles and bringing a flush to your cheeks. The trees near the river are all in fall colors, and the thigh-high grass you're walking through is golden. You keep your eyes peeled for changes in the terrain, and you quickly start to get a feel for the kinds of plants that make up the area, and the small game that hides and scurries.

Your raptors are not the only birds of prey soaring the air currents. This is hawk country, with perches a plenty in the trees by the river, and plentiful hunting in the grass. Your hawk takes down a succession of ground mice, devouring each of them with happy noises. The hunting is a bit sparser for your falcon, but eventually she manages to take a song bird that strayed too far from the trees and has a tasty meal of her own.

Towards late afternoon you see someone else ahead of you. A single figure making their way more or less toward you. A bit more walking and the figure turns into a man, carrying a thick bundle over his shoulder. He waves at you, smiling. "Hello!" A bit of time passes; he's not moving particularly quickly under his burden's weight. "Good to see a friendly face out here! What takes you from the roads?"

Coming closer, it becomes clear that the man is a trapper. It looks like he's been out in the wilderness for months, and the bundle is a tightly-bound mass of furs. He sets it carefully on the ground and sighs with relief. Rolling his shoulders back and forth, he takes a long drink from his waterskin. You note, however, that he's armed, and his eyes never leave you as he drinks.

"Corym Ildroun.  Charmed, truly.  I'm fully capable of making my own notes--I've only just come from a long period of scholarship at the Seat of Lore in Berdusk. I've also been a research partner to a Chronologian of Labelas Enoreth for quite some time.  As such, might I be permitted to assist in the research in order to hasten the process?  While my time is expansive, my pouch is not."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:06, Thu 08 Nov 2018.

"I'm new in the area.  I come from the Far Hills and know the areas there very well.  I'm going to have the responsibility of helping my company navigate these areas going forward and need to build my familiarity with the woods, winds, and wilds.  The wizard will learn what he will from a map, but I can get a better grip on things from here.  You have the look of one who's walked this way and that for awhile now. Can we share your camp?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:07, Thu 08 Nov 2018.

Harun kept his hands away from his weapons and gave a friendly wave and smile to the trapper.  He did watch the man closely though.  No need to act sketchy but no need to be foolish either. "Hi," he greeted the man. "Looks like hunting's been good."

Estel smiles and gives you a cheerful bow. "Always a pleasure to meet a fellow lover of books and knowledge. But sadly, no.  Only Kryptgarden scribes are allowed access to the collections. We have a duty to future generations to preserve the knowledge of today. We take our guardianship seriously. Now, do you have any other questions or specifics I should provide the scribes?"

"Best trapping season I've had in the last four years," the man says. "I've been surprised every day; this land's been getting a bit hunted out. Many more years like the last two and I'll have to find somewhere else to trap."

He looks at Lexi, impressed. "The Far Hills! That's rough territory, and I don't mean the hills. I hope I won't have to go that far to find good hunting. You have light feet to have survived there."

Glancing down at the bundle, then at the horizon, he chuckles. "Aye. I'll not make Daggerford today. Follow me. I know a good place to make camp."

He swings the furs over his shoulder with a grunt, turns, and heads towards the river. The man clearly knows the area; he leads you down a gentle trail to a fold in the rolling plains. The river twists toward you in a rather lazy turn, and at the top of the arch is a clear area about thirty feet in diameter, hidden from view of the surrounding plains by a roll of the land and several large trees spreading overhead.

Setting the furs down again the man turns to you. "Now then. I'm Reld. How shall I call you?"

"My head always hurts,sometime more sometime less"

"We should see what we can do to eleviate this a little"

Harun placed the palms of his hands together in front of him and offered a slight bow. "I am Harun As-Saif, at your service." He smiles as he straightened back up. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Reld. I'm mostly here because I'm slow." He jerked a thumb at Lexi. "She figures if we tick off a bear or something that she can at least outrun me."

"I wouldn't worry too much about the bears," Reld says with a grin as he gets a fire going. "They're too worried putting the last few pounds on to want to chase someone as stringy as you."

DMPC'ed

"I agree, Krackor," Karilla says, falling in with the two dwarves. She grins at you. "Headaches are terrible things. They make it harder to drink."

In reply to Karilla Silveroak (msg # 218):

Uummm, thought Krackor then his grin grew and he laughed loud. "Excellent idea, lets see if we can find a cure for your head ache Obar"

"Drinking helps, bout the only way I've found to help chase away the spirits.  You know spirits to fight spirits."

Obar is willing to give what Krackor has to offer a try.