KINGMAKER:
The Wardens of the Greenbelt
Entry 15.
Exploring The Tuskwater Lake
In Wardenholme the Wardens took some time to follow their own interests and professions. Ione spent some time crafting a handy haversack, a sleeve of many garments and some druid vestments. She also blessed Havrik's sword with a keen edge and Jarn enhanced it by making the improvement permanent. She also made a point of writing to Peter Lebeda in order to keep him up to date with her own and the Wardens' progress and hoped he would let her know how he was. She also remembered to let the Swordlords in Restov know how the new kingdom was fairing and thanked them for all their assistance.
T'lef as Royal Assassin, Havrik as Warden and Jarn as Marshal decided to take a tour of the towns and villages of their kingdom to check on the progress of the various militia, garrisons and defences. It also gave them an opportunity to update the local dignitaries with the kingdom's progress, listen to their concerns and requests, arbitrate in any disputes and keep an ear out for any gossip in the various taverns along their way.
Ione's leadership was rumoured to be attracting other druids to the kingdom seeking a more settled and welcoming home. Wino had returned to the city. Hearing that Jarna and William had decided to rest from their adventuring for the time being, he suggested they might have need of another magician and a healer before the Wardens explored much more of the lands.
With the kingdom developing; buildings under construction and roads starting to link their towns and villages, Ione & T'lef decided to explore the lands around the Tuskwater. Narthrople's maps showed that a witch was thought to inhabit the land south west of the Skunk river. A rumour in town suggested that an old hag in that area was difficult to deal with but that she was affable to those visitors who were courteous. They were also made aware of a rumour that a green dragon lived in the Narlmarches and that it eats anyone it finds.
A local old fisherman, Arven offered to show them around the lake. In return he hoped the Wardens would deal with the fabled Crackjaw, a lockjaw turtle, that had attacked some fishermen on the banks of the lake and forced him from his favourite fishing hole. He had already posted a reward around town but had so far received little response. The two Wardens gingerly set out in the small fishing boat, Lorna, and headed to the area where the old hag was rumoured to be. Landing on the shore proved difficult and the boat suffered some damage at the waterline. Thankfully a safe beach was soon found and the fishing boat was pulled ashore. Ione repaired the damage whilst T'lef and Arven built a cairn of stones above the beach to signal where the safe landing was. Arven refused to go with them but gave directions to the old woman's cabin. It was inland amongst the marshes. Ione & T'lef set off and followed the trail but were soon attacked by six shocker lizards that had been stalking them. Ione whipped up a storm cloud but its lightening attacks had no effect. Meanwhile T'lef and Sidhe managed to defeat the lizards but it had proved a tough engagement. Not much further along the trail they spotted a cabin set on an island above the surrounding marsh. The high land was surrounded by a low fence with a gate set in to it not far from where they were. A scarecrow beyond the hut attracted their attention when it appeared to have moved from its original position although neither Warden had seen it move. Remembering what they had heard, Ione called out a request to visit anyone in the cabin. The old woman appeared and after a dialogue agreed to let them in. Although she maintained the old hag/witch persona it became apparent that all she wished for was a little solitude. She preferred to be addressed as The Old Beldame and admitted she knew a little about sorcery. She used her powers mostly to enchant a few objects and to keep unwelcome visitors away. She told them about an old mad hermit that lived further into the Narlmarches and was aware of the lizardfolk rumoured to be further to the south west. The Wardens eventually left having agreed to keep her informed of any dangers to the area and she in turn would trade enchanted items with the Wardens if they required them. Ione explained that messages would be sent by bird and the old woman would let her own crows know to watch out for them. As they left the scarecrow was now stood by the gate, which it opened to let them leave. The two Wardens took a round about route back to the beach, hoping to find more of interest in the area but there was little to see.
Arven then took them across the lake to the far bank. The shore here was below hundred foot high cliffs. At the base of the cliff was a large lagoon above the shelving beach and it was here that the turtle had driven the fishermen from the lagoon. The wrecked boats littered the shore and there was evidence that a number of fishermen had been killed on the edge of the lagoon. The lockjaw turtle was not visible but T'lef spotted a path leading up the cliff behind the pool. Climbing up the Wardens soon spotted Crackjaw heading towards them through the water. It pulled itself ashore and then dragged itself up the path. Biting into the rock and pushing with its clawed flippers it was intent on reaching Ione, T'lef and Sidhe. But the Wardens had been shooting at it as it approached. They feared that their attacks were having no effect but they had worn it down and it succumbed to its wounds and fell from the path to the base of the cliff. Arven joined them and thanked them for their help. He dragged the carcass away and promised to make them his favourite turtle soup. As a reward Arven gave them a ring that he had which was of no value to him; a magic ring of feather falling. Ione and T'lef searched the beach but found nothing of value. However a feeling for something magical brought Ione to search the lagoon where she discovered a water elemental gem.
They then made plans to explore inland and arranged to meet Arven at the mouth of the Gudrin River north of their current location in a few days time. The Wardens climbed the cliff to find deep swathes of nettles which Ione dealt with easily but both Sidhe and T'lef found more of a problem. The rest of their exploration was much easier. The land here was undulating hill country, much like that nearer to Wardenholm. However there was no sign of occupation throughout the land and the only animals they saw were small herds of elk or deer which ran before they got close. After a few days exploring they found the Gudrin river to the north-east and followed it back to the lake where they saw the Lorna and her captain waiting for them.
They then sailed back to Wardenholm where everything was found to be progressing well. A crate had arrived whilst they had been gone which held potions from Leonid that they had requested along with some extras that Leonid thought they might need. In response Ione sent a message back by bird messenger thanking him and inviting him to visit the new city. T'lef decided it was time he had some new weapons and ordered the forging of two magical, masterwork battle axes. The thought of his new toys filled him with great joy for the next few days as he impatiently awaited their completion.
