Jhod listens to your tale in astonishment. "The last guardian of the shrine, corrupted for centuries? That would explain Erastil's determination to reclaim it, so strong He sent me such a direct command. I'm relieved to hear that the grounds managed to throw off the direct effects of the corruption immediately. That's a sign that the area isn't cursed permanently. It should be straightforward to repair it and rededicate it to Old Deadeye; just a lot of time and effort and prayer! I hope this is a project you can dedicate resources to, in your new realm. On my own it will take months, if I can even do it at all. Erastil is a god of communities, and I don't even know how I would go about consecrating a shrine to Him without a community's support."

Svetlana takes the sack of fangberries, munching a couple in pleasure. "Yes, these will be perfect. Bokken will be so pleased. He mentioned he had pretty well run out the last time he was here, so I'm sure he'll be happy. He should be by next week sometime to pick them up. I hope you didn't have too much trouble getting them? Oh! Speaking of Bokken, he left this for you." She fetches a crate containing bottles of Bokken's absinthe, indistinguishable at a glance from the ones you found in Kressle's camp. "He said to be careful not to mix them up! These are the special bottles for your plan to deal with that horrid Stag Lord. They're marked on the bottom so you can keep them straight, but the mark should come right off with a little oil. He couldn't come up with a way to hide anything really dangerous so that a drinker wouldn't notice, but he said this stuff should make the Stag Lord, or anyone else who drinks it, really very much drunker than even he normally is, and keep him that way for much longer."
30 XP for refreshing an alchemist's stock of flavor enhancers.

I still haven't totally decided what this poison will do to the Stag Lord. None of the provided poisons at an appropriate level really have the effects I want, so I'll have to write my own. But it will provide some kind of noticeable advantage, especially if he manages to blow too many of his Fortitude saves!

Sergeant Garess sees the gigantic boar's head you've brought in (it's not easy to hide) and raises a mug in appreciation. "Would you look at that! I thought these locals were exaggerating when I saw that one on the notice board, but Gorum smite me if you didn't deliver! Just the head's got to be fifty pounds! Old Man Benzen'll be happy to hear it. Take a seat, tell us about the fight!" Nok-Nok, of course, has no hesitation about taking him up on the offer, swiping a mug of ale from one of the other men so fast it takes the soldier several seconds to figure out what happened to his drink. In the goblin's tale, of course, he dueled the mighty beast nearly alone, while the rest of you kept its mate entertained. Kesten is somewhat bemused to be hearing this tale from an obvious goblin bandit, howsoever reformed, but Nok-Nok is a good enough storyteller that he soon has the soldiers cheering and laughing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:56, Wed 14 Feb.

OOC: Is 'Lena' mentioned a few posts up as having gone to Restov, Valerie? Or is Valerie around the outpost?

Is putting the rune on automatic? Or need a craft roll?

Sophia started going looking for Oleg and her rune. When she found him, she started going on about the new people they were bringing in with them.

"...and Tristian, he's a priest of Sarenrae. I don't know how Sarenrae and Erastil get along but he seemed quite happy to help us cleanse Deadeye's shrine. He'll probably get along great with old Jhod. Ekundayo and ... I hope you like dogs? Because if you don't want another dog around the post you're going to have to tell him, not me. And then there's... nevermind," she trailed off unable to think of a good way to raise the notion they brought a goblin back with them.

"Was hoping to introduce him to Amiri. Shame she's gone. Valerie around?" she always liked catching up with the other warrior women on her return.

"Oh hey, and did my rune come in? If so can you get somebody to put it on my sword? Oh hey, that reminds me, you ever hear of anybody around there parts named 'Breeg Orlivanch'? We found something of his. Oh! And any news from the swordlords about our reward for settling the Sootscales down?"

GM edit: I already mentioned that Valerie was playing around with the catapult. Apparently she's feeling a little introverted today!
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:58, Fri 09 Feb.

"Ah, yes, I stashed your rune in the strongbox. Didn't want to leave something that valuable out in the open! I'm sure Octavia can get you fixed up, or Lena when she gets back." Oleg takes you inside the house to his little indoor storeroom, where he keeps more valuable goods, and hands it over. "Never could figure out how to work this magic stuff myself. Some nice, straight-grained wood and a good set of chisels, that's all I need!"

When you produce Breeg's skinning knife, Oleg recognizes it immediately. "Yep, that's Breeg's all right. Never going to mistake that inlay. Crushed in his own trap, you say? I can't say I'm too surprised, except I don't know who would do something like that, even to him. He was a mean drunk, and he was always drunk. I was always amazed that he didn't take his own leg off with those awful bear traps he used. Ain't nothing in the Greenbelt that needs traps like that, except bears and forest drakes, and they ain't gonna be taken down by no traps, no matter how big. Anyway, I'll get this to young Miss Orlivanch. Be good to give her a bit of closure, at least."

10 XP for granting a farm girl news, however sad, of her missing father.

"Haven't heard anything from Restov about the kobolds. I think Linzi was going to ask around while they're in Restov. They should be back tomorrow or maybe Moonday, unless they ran into trouble. But I did have a few of the scalebacks visit last week. The patrol boss called himself, what was it, Mikmek, that's it. Polite enough I suppose. Said you were friends of his clan, showed me this horrible pickaxe thing he said you gave him. Swapped about forty rabbit pelts and a dozen good-sized silver nuggets for a few larger hides and some decent steel knives. Pretty good deal if you ask me. The pelts alone would have covered what I gave him, but I guess they have a tough time getting good steel. He asked me if I had any more mining equipment too! Is he really your friend? Guess I might as well get some stuff in for them, if they're gonna be neighbors. Although I think they stole one of my spoons.... Still, no worse than some of the human trappers that come through here."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:13, Fri 09 Feb.

"Well, friend, sure, but I'm not sure we're prepared to vouch for them.  Do you remember that creepy gnome Tartuccio?  He used some magical disguise to convince them that he was a kobold, too, and was trying to take over their clan.  We helped their clan chief out in taking care of the little jerk, so they consider us at least good allies.  We are definitely looking to civilize them, but it's a project."  Wilkezag glances meaningfully at Nok-nok.

Will asks about the beaver pelts and the spike snare kits, which the group has no use for, and gets the best deal he can for them from Oleg.  Then he hangs out for a while with Svetlana if she is doing any cooking, and tries to sweet talk her into giving up a recipe or two.

"Yeah, even friend," she thought out thinking of Mikmek, adding to Wil's assessment. "That's a strong word, but yeah he's working with us. Call him an associate I guess. Yeah, I'm sure you've had guests run off with things a lot more valuable than a spoon before. And break things that were even more valuable than that," she laughed and thought about Valerie fixing the armaments.

Sophia takes the rune and information she got from Oleg and followed Wilkezag.

"Hey, I want to get Octavia to try to attach this for me, but we're, well I don't think I'm her favorite person. When you're done here come find me and we can go talk to Octavia, you can pour on the charm and I can see if she'll help a girl out with some magicking, ok?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:38, Sat 10 Feb.

"Of course, I'll do my best."

I'll wait until my next opportunity to do an influence roll and I'll use Read the Air & Diplomacy on her to try to influence before asking her for the favor.

Given all the hubbub going on and all the extra people around that he didn't expect Dubh slinks back to the gate and makes his way back to the forest. If anyone asks he lets them know that he is going out for a patrol. Which is exactly what he's doing, along with foraging anything he can find in the nearby area. Mostly though, he is getting up the internal reserves to spend time around so many people.

Octavia is quite happy to help you out with your new rune, especially if Wilkezag keeps her company while she's working on it tomorrow. "Regongar is a dear, but he gets antsy working on runes. Not active enough for him, I guess! No room to swing his sword! For me, the delicate work is just what I enjoy. I was always happier when I was assigned to it back in Numeria. I don't miss my life there at all, but the workshop was one of the few peaceful places I had. I've only seen striking runes a few times, though. The senior slaves usually worked on those. But I think I should be able to manage!"

You can take a couple of days of downtime here, especially if you want to wait for the rest of your companions to get back. This scene will end when you head out to start your assault on the Stag Lord's base.

How many influence attempts do we have before we head out?  Do I have any opportunity to join Octavia for the rune application, since I had already said that I plan to use Diplomacy and it is free for me to include another target.  If it doesn't work out that way, though, I don't really mind.

Next morning at the agreed-upon time Wilkezag and Sophia meet up with Octavia to have the rune applied.  He tries to Read the Air, but he does not get a good sense of the half-elf's mood, so he sticks with the basics -- flattery and charm.  "Thank you so much for helping us out, Octavia, and allowing me to watch.  It's always a pleasure to watch a skilled craftsman.

I wish I could help -- my master was always on me to learn a few songs that help people with difficult tasks, but I went for the Courageous Anthem instead.  I'd be glad to play a little tune, but it won't help at all.  What kind of music do you think suits the occasion?"  Whatever she requests, he does his best to fulfill.

22:59, Today: Wilkezag rolled 12,33 using d20+9,d20+15.  Read The Air: Society  Diplomacy

I missed Dubh's comment yesterday, sorry! Welcome back!
Sergeant Garess waves to Dubh as he heads out. "Hoy, fellow, if you're going out gathering or on a day patrol or something, we've been going out in pairs at least. I know you're better than my boys here, but there's still a lotta nasty stuff out there. Not even talking about the bandits, neither. Haven't really seen too many of those; I think you folks pretty much did for 'em. But there's still thylacines and spiders and wolves and all manner of wildlife. I'd bring someone along just to watch your back." Ekundayo looks a little wild-eyed himself at all the excitement and offers to join you, easily recognizing Dubh as a fellow outdoorsman. His nameless dog follows loyally at his heels, and the two spend the time practicing their training and hunting rabbits, although Ekundayo never refers to the animal as anything other than "Dog."

Dubh can take the opportunity to Influence or otherwise interact with Ekundayo and his dog, but we can carry on with the next day regardless. You should be able to find plenty of common interests with the kind-hearted but embittered ranger.

On the 17th, Octavia claims one of the picnic tables to set up her runecrafting equipment, where she has plenty of light and easy access to the firepit. Runestones are specifically designed for this, so it doesn't require a full forge, but being able to heat things up is still handy. Valerie joins her at the other end of the table to replace a few of the slats in her shield and hammer out some dents in her new armor, but there's plenty of room nearby to converse with both beautiful women, which Wilkezag happily takes advantage of. Octavia, predictably, requests ballads about adventurers and lovers from far-off lands to keep her entertained. Although she enjoys this sort of crafting, it does sometimes bring up memories of other aspects of her enslavement, which she wishes to avoid. Valerie politely asks to be spared the soppier love songs. She finds little merit in them, and you get the feeling that she's heard far, far too many in her life.

Later in the afternoon, the Restov party returns. Octavia and Valerie are quite happy to see Linzi and Lena and immediately get to gossiping about events in Restov and the wider world, causing Regongar to take himself elsewhere. He, in turn, offers to practice against Jaethal, having clearly both earned and granted the cautious respect due to another dangerous warrior. Octavia puts the finishing touches on Sophia's newly enchanted sword and sets it aside to hear Linzi's latest composition.
23:41, Today: GM, for the NPC Octavia, rolled 22 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 11.  crafting (DC 19).

Influence:
Ekundayo: 5 (friendly)
Linzi: 5 (helpful)
Jaethal: 8 (maximum)
Nok-Nok: 4 (friendly)
Octavia: 7 (helpful)
Regongar: 7 (helpful)
Tristian: 8 (maximum)
Valerie: 8 (maximum)
Charlie: helpful
Venk: friendly
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:40, Wed 21 Feb.

Lena, it turns out, does have the prize purse from the Restov Council, recognizing your aid in protecting trade and settlement throughout the region by suppressing the Sootscale clan: forty gold mountains, as promised. Your efforts to pacify the Stolen Lands, while yet incomplete, have not gone unnoticed.
30 XP for allying with the Sootscale clan.

Additionally, later that afternoon, Vekkel Benzen happens to drop by the trading post. He's mostly retired from hunting at this point, but still likes to visit his friend Oleg from time to time. The old man remains taciturn and a bit grumpy, until you reveal Tuskgutter's head, kept preserved in magicked ice for the last couple of weeks. "Well, I'll be. I didn't think anyone would ever be able to take down that old bastard. Been the terror of the Greenbelt for over a decade. Feels like the start of a new era." He shakes his head. "Aye, well, it's time for you lads and lasses to take over the watch. Time to pass the torch. If you can take down Tuskgutter, you might be ready for the rest of what these lands have in store for you. But it never hurts to have a good bow at your side, and these will help you to reveal what's hidden, and spot what can't be seen." He hands over his composite longbow, along with three arrows that sparkle with embedded glitter or shards of gemstones. "Used to have a whole quiver of those, but I used most of 'em over the years to take down some nasty fey creatures were troubling the villagers. Take care of old Becky, there. Named her after my first wife. But she's yours, now. She'll serve you well."
10 XP for delivering the head of Tuskgutter.

In the evening, Telric overhears a couple of men chatting in a dark corner behind the stable. "Man, I don't know if they'll be able to get into the big boss's fort. They got plenty of charms, and I assume you told 'em the password, but it's been so long it might have been changed by now. Even if the zombies don't get 'em, I bet they get found out and bossman strings 'em up. I say, if they don't come back in a week or so, we get out of here and hightail it for Gralton. Always work for mercs there." Another man responds: "Password? I ain't told 'em no password. Don't know it. Ain't never been to the boss's fort, have I? I dunno though, Oleg's been pretty good to me here. Even after what those maniacs Kressle and Happs did to him. You know I never liked the banditry that much anyway, but I'm sure as Hell not going back to Mendev."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:09, Wed 14 Feb.

The next morning, after Wilkezag hears from Telric what was overheard, Will decides it is time to approach the two former bandits.  Seeing them working together he carries over the water bucket while strumming and humming Read the Air.  "Hi guys.  Take a short break, I need to ask you about the Stag Lord -- anything you know could help us."  He weaves the interrogation with some questions about their own lives, their plans, and compliments on their work and their contribution to the community.  Of course, all the while he is casually strumming, as he usually does, and applying his diplomatic charm.

09:17, Today: Wilkezag rolled 14,31 using d20+9,d20+15.  Read The Air: Society  Diplomacy.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Wed 14 Feb.

Dubh nods assent to Ekundayo joining him. When they head into the woods Dubh comments on how good an example of a Cheliaxian Mastiff "Dog" is. (Dog is clearly not a Mastiff)

While they are foraging Dubh manages to bag a rabbit which he field dresses and presents the innards to Dog. When he does so he tries speaking to him and see if he can learn what he prefers to be called.



17:13, Today: Dubh Oiche rolled 12 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 1.  Nature for influencing.
I have words for the dice roller. Unfortunately they include verbs and nouns that may summon an ancient being and they are not printable with the fonts on this site.
17:21, Today: Dubh Oiche rolled 24 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 13.  Nature for Foraging.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:49, Thu 15 Feb.

:facepalm:

Ekundayo gives Dubh a strange look, expecting a druid to know a little more about animals. "He's some kind of Taldan pointer, not a mastiff, clearly. But I'm not really sure beyond that. I found him huddled in a wrecked carriage a few weeks ago. Kargadd had killed his owners, but missed the poor hound. He's clearly been trained as a hunter, which is good because I'm not familiar with the techniques. If he sticks around, I guess I'll have to learn."

The dog enjoys the entrails greatly. Names don't really mean the same thing to dogs that they do to humans, so he can't tell you what his previous owners called him, but he is a little offended that Ekundayo hasn't chosen a name for him. When you ask Ekundayo about this, he scoffs dismissively. "Once you name something, the loss you feel when it's inevitably slain makes it not worth naming in the first place. The dog's a tool, not a friend." But you can tell he's not really this callous: it's himself that he's trying to convince, not you, and it's not working. "If you must give the beast a name to feel better about yourself, I won't stop you."
22:43, Today: Secret Roll: GM, on behalf of Dubh Oiche, rolled 23 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 12.  sense motive vs Ekundayo.

Feel free to name Ekundayo's new companion! He'll go with whatever you choose.

Influence:
Ekundayo: 4 (friendly)

Cornered, your bandit captives are eager to talk. Charlie has never been to the Stag Lord's fort, but Venk joined a patrol delivering the tribute a few months before you arrived. "Yeah, bossman is set up in some kind of old monastery or something, on top of a hill. Place is a wreck, but it's got good bones, you know? It's just a couple miles from the north shore of the Tuskwater, where the two rivers flow into the big lake. I don't know what god it used to be a temple to, but it must have been a nasty one, because the place is cursed. You gotta stay on the path when you get close. The path is safe. The rest of the hillside ain't. There's zombies underground. If you get close, they pop out and eat you. Even if you got a good way to deal with those guys, it ain't gonna be quiet. The dead are better guards than any bandit's ever gonna be."

"The fort itself? Three little towers, and the main hall in the middle. Not rightly sure how many folks usually hang out there, but bossman's lieutenants hardly ever leave. They can't, see, or the others would get ahead! Akiros is the right hand, some kinda fallen paladin or something. Guy's gloomy, but a great fighter. Dovan from Nisroch used to be the top lieutenant, but Akiros is a way better fighter, and nicer to boot, so the boss put him in charge. Dovan's a snake. Don't turn your back for an instant. Probably gunning to get his job back." Charlie nods at this: apparently Dovan visited Kressle's camp once, and didn't make himself popular. "The last lieutenant, Auchs, doesn't really lead anything. He's just big and dumb. But big, so big that he's gotta be a lieutenant. Sleeps on top of the main hall. Follows Dovan around, mostly. Last time I was there, there was a dozen more bandits hanging around, but a bunch of 'em came with Kressle to set up the Thorn River site, so there probably aren't so many anymore. But I can't rightly say. The Stag Lord's got enough people that we don't all know each other. We got those silver charms he gave out, yeah, like that one, but that's just to get someone to talk to you. They'll ask who you are, and you're supposed to answer 'By the bloody bones of Saint Gilmorg, who wants to know?' No, I don't know who Saint Gilmorg is supposed to be. It's just the password, unless bossman changed it recently. But even if he has, probably not everyone has heard yet, so they'll still take the old one."

"Oh yeah, bossman has some kind of creature locked up in a pen on the west side of the fort. The ceiling's half ruined so it's more of a cave really. I didn't see it, but I sure as Hell heard it. I'm happy that way. The other guys called it 'Beaky'. Also there's the old guy in the basement. Maybe he's really in charge, I dunno. Nobody talks to him except bossman, but I saw his eyes once. They were a crazy man's eyes. I didn't want to talk to him no more after that. The stairway's underneath the floor in the kitchen. It ain't hard to find, because no one really wants to go down there anyway. But it's where all the loot gets stored, with the old guy to defend it I guess?"

In reply to GM (msg # 370):

Later, making sure his eyes are concealed, Telric brings over the bow to Ekundayo. "Oi, Boyo! We may be needed an expert archer, and a little bird told me you be the one for the job! It certainly is not me! All fumble fingers..." He wiggles his fingers as he hands over the weapon to the man.

OOC-10:26, Today: Telric Televentor rolled 10 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 5.  Deception w/possible bonus for bow gift. – 10

"A dog is a man's best friend. And this dog personally prefers to be called Stormaggedon, Dark Lord of All. But he'll accept Kopek if you need something shorter." He tells Ekundayo while scratching the beast behind the ears and starting to get a foot thump going from Stormaggedon.

"'Stormageddon,' huh?" Ekundayo kneels down to look the dog in the eyes. The dog puts up with this for a second, then darts in for the big slurp, which Ekundayo barely fends off. "I don't know if I see a 'Stormageddon' in there, but Kopek, that's fine I guess. Maybe he's one of those nobles' fancy dogs, with more names than teeth. What do you say, bud, is that you?" The dog snarls, to show off that no amount of names would be enough to match his vicious fangs. "Kopek it is, I guess." Ekundayo gives Dubh a very slight smile, for just a second, as though he momentarily forgot to be dour and gloomy before remembering himself once more.

He accepts the bow gratefully, but frowns at Telric. "This is a lovely weapon, but there's no need to condescend. I know I am not yet the adventurer you are, and maybe I never will be. You don't need to rub it in."

You're lucky you had the bow to pull that up to only a standard failure! Most people don't like to be lied to, unless it's part of a tall tales competition. You're much better off finding common interests.

Influence:
Ekundayo: 5 (friendly)
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:38, Thu 15 Feb.

After dinner that evening, Will takes Linzi aside to discuss The Everbloom, his hymn to Milani.  She has several good points to make, and the two together laugh and have a great time.

18:40, Today: Wilkezag rolled 31 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 18.  Performance for Linzi.

Linzi always appreciates a collaboration with another artist, especially someone she looks up to (figuratively, not literally!). The two musicians spend a couple of hours workshopping every last detail of the hymn, until it's truly an offering worthy of the gods.

Influence:
Linzi: 7 (helpful)

You see Oleg pinning up another request on the board, which Lena apparently delivered from some alchemist friends in Restov. They're looking for some shamblesap, extracted from shambling mounds. These are found occasionally in the southern half of the Greenbelt, near Tuskwater Lake. Since you're headed in that direction anyway, you make a note, just in case.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:30, Fri 16 Feb.

OOC: Intimidate on Regongar despite feeling counter-intuitive and ... awkward to write! But I recall this worked before!

23:30, Today: Sophia Akhova rolled 26 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 18.  Intimidate on Regongar for influence. – 26

Sophia chuckled, as Wil worked on Octavia, her target was on Regongar. "Octavia, have you gotten tired yet of being the brains and the beauty of the partnership with Reggie while he," she moved towards Regongar, "is the muscle of the operation. Such as it is." She gave him a little hip bump to make him stagger a step. She remembering besting him wrestling out on the road and was reminding them both of it.

"You have to admit, she's a little out of your league!" she called to the half-orc teasing but with an edge to it. But it was good natured teasing and horseplay rather than starting a fight.

"But there's no accounting for love I suppose," she shrugged and slapped Regongar on the shoulder, giving it a shake.

When the sword was done, Sophia smiled gratefully, nodding her acceptance. "Thank you, Octavia. I appreciate it. Be seeing you both!"

With his history as a slave, Regongar has previously only known the quieter, shy sort of women (and men, for the most part), afraid to stand out or speak their minds. Sophia has been quite an education for him, but he's come to respect her stronger, more forceful way of facing the world. Through dealing with her, he's beginning to understand that he can still stand up for himself, without the outright threats or brutality that were all he knew from the Technic League overseers.

Still, as a dromaar, he can't let such insults pass unremarked. "Though I freely admit that my Octavia is more beautiful than I, the magic of the blade leaves no place for dullards or brutes, any more than her own magic does. I've just never been able to sit still while doing it! I used to have a target dummy that would turn a page of my spellbook whenever it was struck properly, so I could work out and study at the same time. Maybe I can get someone here to build me a new one. What do you say, love?" Octavia just grins and rolls her eyes at this.
30 XP for winning a companion's loyalty: the strength of many crushes the tyranny of the whip

Influence:
Regongar: 8 (maximum)

Dubh returns to the others after having spent the night outside under the stars. Over his shoulder is a five point stag that has been field dressed. He brings the carcass to either Oleg or Svetlana, whomever he sees first. "We should be eating well tonight." He declares happily. "I saw this one in the meadow near that little creek over there, this morning." He indicates the direction with a jerk of his head. A keen observer might notice that he carries no ranged weapons with him to take down a deer. A keener observer might also notice that the knife work for dressing the animal is surgical for everything but a little ragged around the throat.
He sets his pack down and pulls an oilskin wrapped package out to set next to the deer. "Here's the vitals, less the liver." He says as his eyes glow brightly behind his mask. Pulling a large bundle of leaves out of his pack he almost crows. "And here's the ramps to roast him with!" He suggests as a sweet onion and garlic aroma fills the air around him.

If I can roll again to influence Ekundayo, then I would like to apply this as an influence roll. Otherwise it is just a foraging roll. I'm pretty sure that 27 is a crit success for this area so I went with a good hunt.
18:33, Today: Dubh Oiche rolled 27 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 17.  survival.

Ekundayo sees the feast that Dubh has provided and nods, impressed. "I could find any one of these things without any trouble, but all in one night? That's some solid hunting and gathering. Especially with no bow or sling... and are these teeth marks on the deer? You didn't chase a wolf away from its own kill, did you?.... No, no, you wouldn't do that. I see that magic provides some advantages in everyday life, as well as adventuring."
10 XP for making a new friend: a lone hunter, bereft, on a quest for vengeance

At this point I think you've made all the preparations you absolutely need to do. If you think of anything else or want to buy any more supplies, feel free, but it might be time to get this show on the road. Oleg has had time to restock, both from Restov and directly from Bokken, and has a decent supply of all common adventuring gear and alchemical items up to 3rd level.

Influence:
Ekundayo: 7 (helpful)

Late in the evening on the 18th of Gozran, you do some last checks of your packed gear, pray to the various deities and powers that command your respect, and bed down for possibly the last time in the rustic comfort of Oleg's Trading Post. In the morning, your mission awaits: a tangible, undeniable step toward bringing the Stolen Lands into civilization. Perhaps this will be the end of the millennia-long parade of bandits, monsters, barbarian hordes, and general curses that have plagued this land for so long. Perhaps this will be but one more chapter in its blood-soaked history. Or perhaps you will fall to the current bandit king, and none will remember your names. With these thoughts in your minds, you drift into an uneasy slumber.

Here ends the scene.