Chapter 3: Ship people meet woods people

You victoriously emerge from the temple. Korsak commends you for your performance and says that along with the promised payment he will gather some special items for you.

The next days at the camp are pretty uneventful. You may have just relaxed or engaged with the people at the camp (Or learned insults from them ;) )

Two weeks after the ordeal at the temple Korsak gathers you at his office. While Annika, Krenmuth and Melianne know each other, three people that you don't know are here as well.

Korsak beams at you. He turns to Annika, Krenmuth and Melianne
You have done us a great service at the temple. The city of Bridgeton and I personally thank you a lot. Unfortunately we haven't been able to open the room with the magical barrier that you encountered. We've tried to tunnel through the wall but in the middle of it was a magical barrier as well. Nevertheless I'm sure that we will uncover the mystery of this room and where this palace it that the mummy mentioned.
Korsak turns to Taradin, Aravel and Aderym
And you have done us a great service at taking out the den of monsters to the south. I know that this was no easy task and you still succeeded.
I assigned Mr. Sardonius and Mr. Korrin to monitor the situation in the south further. I meanwhile have your payment and a share of the treasures that we found in the temple. he continues. He gives each of you a bag of coins with 3gp inside.
Meanwhile I have a different mission for you. As you may remember I sent a scouting party to establish contacts with the locals. Unfortunately there has been a... misunderstanding and a member of the scouting party is being held captive by one of the tribes here. I ask you to go there and resolve the situation. If necessary you can use force but I'd much prefer that the situation is resolved peacefully.
Korsak leans back in his chair
So your mission is to free the captive and if possible to establish any kind of connection or even an alliance with the tribe. Maybe they can tell you why we have been attacked so often. Do you have any questions? Korsak asks and raises his eyebrows.

The tall elf Aravel looked far more noble then anyone had a right to be in the current locale. Not alone was his clothing utterly pristine, a task most would consider impossible in the current environment, his posture and aloofness befit a princeling. All the while he looked at his surroundings in his favored way; down his nose, whilst making little disdainful "hmm" and "mmph" noises. He certainly was dressed for the environment in his fine leathers that would indeed be suitable for a trek through the wilderness, and the shovel, crowbar and mining pick poking from his fine backpack told anyone the elf was likely here to do some digging through the ruins. Indeed, his comments muttered in the fine elf tongue that some individuals had already 'ransacked' the temple 'without proper respect for historical artifacts' due to a lack of 'profesisonal supervision' indicated that he believed he might have done a far better job of it. His inner voice seemed regrettably vocal. At least these were not Elven ruins, so nothing of true value had been lost by the actions of the 'blundering simians' according to him.

That he was now paired with said perceived primates for a mission of rescue and diplomacy was just insufferable. Still, needs must. The true find of the century, nay, the millenium, might depend on what historical clues might be hidden here. Thus he got to work at the task at hand.
"These ahhh, primitives. What species were they again?" The elf's voice managed to sound both haughty and impatient.
"Is there any indication they might be descendants of the people who built the temple?"
The elf rested his hand on the pommel of his fine rapier whilst looking down his nose at Korsak (the height difference made it a rather easy task). A ferret took the moment to curiously climb out of the elf's backpack and move to the Aravel's shoulders to inspect its surroundings.

There was something about the elf's voice that set Tharadin on edge. Perhaps it was the soft look, the beardless face, or the words that he had thumped kinfolk on the skull for using. His head gleamed, shaved smooth to reveal an old scar from some large animal raked across his scalp. His long beard, the color of fresh mud, was wound through with beads and cords. A particularly large wooden bear's head figurine sat in roughly the middle of the mass of hair. Unlike Aravel and his fine expedition-suited clothes, Tharadin wore a set of well-abused explorers pants and a thick rough-woven shirt with the sleeves removed. He leaned back against the wall, flint-gray eyes peering out from below his heavy brow. A massive axe with a leather-wrapped handle is leaned against a battered backpack with adventuring supplies strapped to it.

Tha man said tribes. Not primatives. Would have thought you'd learned the difference seein' how they helped with that last bit in the den down south. That mad bear nearly caught us if it weren't for old Thrask and his axe eh? he said in a thick brogue, clearly a subject they've had some interesting words about in the recent past. I know some of the clans out here, may know this 'un, if you know anything about where they've been taken. May be able to convince them to give us some information. he continued, addressing Korask directly.

Annika scowls at the mention of local tribes. "Please tell me we're not dealing with another damned Frog Emperor."

"And that would be...?"
Clearly Aravel was more preoccupied with the old stones around him then the matter at hand, seeing as most of his attention at the moment seemed to be on the nearest ancient wall.

Krenmuth stood near Korsak. He is a human with short brown hair, blue eyes, and a serious demeanor. His scale mail is dented but clean, and his shield is adorned with a newly painted image of a grey cloud with three lightning bolts shooting down. "Lord Korsak, you honor us with such a vital mission. I swear by the power that Valkur has granted me, peace is what we will seek. What we find depends on the tribe's actions. Who is the captive?"

Then Krenmuth looks in turn turns to Aderym, Aravel, and Tharadin as he says, "Welcome to the camp. My name is Krenmuth. I apologize for not greeting you sooner, but I have been focused on my clerical studies these past couple of weeks. As Wavewarden to this camp, I can be your spiritual guide both on and off the battlefield."

Melianne lounges comfortably in the chair she's been favoring since the first visit to Corsak's office, watching the three new to her adventurers with keen interest and, as is her way, missing half of what is being said in regards to their next mission. Her silk sash, the one she still refuses to ditch despite its impracticality, is draped on the chair's back, and she plays with its ends as Korsak relies the situation. But her eyes wander away from the camp overseer, instead focusing on the reactions of those gathered.

She scrunches up her nose at the elf's words, finding his attitude rather unpleasant, but her attention quickly shifts when she notices the ferret - the dancer almost squeaks in delight at how adorable it is, her first impression of Aravel warming up a few degrees instantly. She is even more intrigued when the tough-looking warrior speaks up and she notices the bear figurine in his hair; her eyes glint as Melianne makes a mental note to pester him about it later. And as for the third one... he seems hard to read, but judging by his words he's at least a resonable type - which already places him above a good number of camp soldiers (and ancient mummies) in Melianne's mind.

She doesn't interrupt the conversation, content to let people more strategically-minded than herself plan out their mission, but her curiosity wins over when Tharadin mentions his familiarity with the local clans. She leans forward, setting her chin on her interlocked fingers, and addresses the warrior: "I hope your tribal acquaintances weren't of the same kin as the ones we fought here at the camp a week or so earlier, sir. That would be an awkward conversation." Melianne tilts her head slightly. "I'd love to hear more about the local customs later, if you're willing to entertain me with some stories."

They are mostly humans and a few elves as far as we know. We don't know wether they built the ruins. But they weren't inhabitating them when we came here. Korsak begins answering your questions

The tribe in question seems to be one of the more peaceful ones around here. They call themselves the Owl-Claw-Clan and I hope that by establishing contact with them we can broker a peace with the other clans here.

Scrol sent a note to Dramasailor

The captive is a female scout named Rada. She came with the group of survivors from the sunken Jolly Wanderer. It seems that she violated the customs of the tribe and became angry when they tried to reign her in. Nothing that you couldn't solve I guess.

Also I have some assistance for you that may help you during your journey.

Korsak opens a chest and retrieves some items from it. Just as he wants to close it a raven flies in through the open window, grabs a ring from the chest and flies away.
You damned critter! Korsak calls after the fleeing animal.
Nasty little bugger. Nevertheless... I have some items for you. You can take one of those.
He spreads out an assortment of different things on his desk.

After you are done choosing he ushers you out of his office and quickly mentions that you can each get 10 rations from the quartermaster.
You are in front of his office. A ship has just docked and is unloading wares, which means that you can probably buy some items at the market before you leave.

Wavewarden. Tharadin says, rolling the unfamiliar term around his tongue. Your tools have seen war, and for that I am happy to have your blessing.

As Melianne calls out the potential awkwardness of him knowing the tribes they fought he chuckles with a rising flush to his cheeks. Aye. Could be. But you still punish a whelp that does wrong, even if you like them. he continues with a steely look before scratching one cheek with a slightly dirt-covered finger. The Owl Claws? Witchy lot. Love their trees, but love their tribe more. Normally won't fight ya, 'less you poke them first. If this Rada ran afoul of their traditions, they won't be likely to give her up easy. Still, couldn't hurt to remind them that not everyone is clan.

When Korsak shows them the treasure trove, his eyes settle on the javelin and the potions. I'd take the javelin, if no one objects. he ends with a grunt as he picks up the weapon.

Annika doesn't seem at all surprised to hear that Rada has caused a diplomatic incident. She looks over the items on display, eventually settling on the Potion of Water Breathing. "Just in case."

Krenmuth says with affection, "The people from the Jolly Wanderer are a feisty lot." He chooses the Potion of Fire Resistance.

Aravel rubbed his chin while his eyes wandered to the window, his thoughts cast outside. He waits for others to make their pick, not so much out of politeness but rather seeming disinterest. Finally he picks up the scroll of object location, an item the others seemingly show no interest in but he believes he might find of use rather shortly.

---

Once outside he excuses himself and walks a bit, unfurling the scroll. He casts the spell off of it, naming the ring he just witnessed to be whisked away by the feathered thief as the object he wishes to locate.

Aravel can sense that the ring is somewhere behind Korsak's office. He finally finds the ring being held by a raven that is sitting atop a small wild apple tree. He can drive it off and it drops the ring. The ring clearly has some magical properties. He should be able to find out what is up with the ring during his next rest.

---

You all collect your belongings and take off to the direction of the camp where Rada is held captive.
The quartermaster not only provided you with 10 rations each but also with a tent for everyone and gives you directions to the camp.
It is about two days of travel time to the north, near the area where the swamp and the surrounding forest merge into each other.
The first part of the journey is pretty uneventful. At dusk you pitch your tents and light a camp fire.
As you sit around the fire and possibly discuss your next steps you can hear loud grunts coming at you. At first glance you can't see anything.
What do you want to do?

Krenmuth stands and faces the direction of the grunts. He casts a Light cantrip on his warhammer's head and holds it high. then calls out, "We come in peace!"

Shielding her eyes from Krenmuth's glowing hammer, Annika tries to get a better look at whatever might be out there.

Krenmuth's bright Warhammer reveals the sillouette of a group of wild boars slowly approaching the camp. Constantly smelling the ground they trudge towards you
Annika can see that it consists of 2 adult and 6 adolescent ones

Tharadin sniffs the air briefly before the warhammer flares into brightness. Wild boar. If they decide we need to fight, watch for their tusks. he says, hand idly brushing the side of his abdomen as his other hand reaches slowly for his axe. He readies himself to spring into action if the boar decide to charge.

Melianne is sitting cross-legged by the fire, having been busying herself by practicing playing card tricks for the last half an hour. She looks up at her companions' words, glancing towards the boars - or rather, where she thinks the boars are; it's not the best angle to actually see them from where she is, - and offers: "Perhaps we can scare them away? I'd rather not pick fights with the wildlife. We have fire and magic..." She lifts her horn from her belt. "Do you suppose they'll be afraid of noise, sir Tharadin? Or perhaps light?" She clicks her fingers, a small light dancing above them.

While you are discussing, the boars reach the edge of your camp. The two adult boars stand in the front while the six adolescent ones follow them in close proximity.
They don't seem to be particularly aggressive - in fact they seem to ignore you.
The mother(?)-boar sniffs the air and then trudges off towards your backpacks. The other boars follow suit.