Be it so known that the bearer of this charter has been charged by the Swordlords of Restov, acting upon the greater good and authority vested within them by the office of the Regent of the Dragonscale Throne, has granted the right of exploration and travel within the wilderness region known as the Greenbelt. Exploration should be limited to an area no further than thirty-six miles east and west and sixty miles south of Oleg's Trading Post. The carrier of this charter should also strive against banditry and other unlawful behavior to be encountered. The punishment for unrepentant banditry remains, as always, execution by swod or rope. So witnessed on this 24th day of Gozran, under watchful eye of the Lordship of Restov and authority graned by Lord Noleski Surtova, current Regent of the Dragonscale Throne.
10 Desnas, 4708 AR, Late Spring
Our heroes, having saved the Lord Major of Rostov's wife from a possibly disastrous carriage accident were granted a charter by the Sword lords of Rostov to explore the Greenbelt and to deal with the bandit problem plaguing the area. Traveling to the only piece of civilization on the edge of the Greenbelt, Oleg's Trade Post, the heroes soon went to work. Defending the post from Happs Bydon and his bandits, protecting Oleg and his wife Svetlana, the group started out on a good foot. From there, the explorers and would be bandit killers pressed south into the swath of forest known as the Narlmarches. Seeking a camp of bandits, who were under the employ of mysterious Stag Lord, the bandit king of the region, the group found their quarry and defeated them, even killing the camp leader Kressel, a nasty axe wielding woman.
Taking some time to explore the area, a few interesting items were found in the wilds, a possible gold mine, an old bridge in need of repair, and the title of Bearslayer for Lem Lillywag! Returned to the Thorn River Ford, the group encounters more bandits, returned from patrols, and took some of the men captive. Now with prisoners, and loot, the explorers turned north for Oleg's once more.
Arriving in the trade post they group encountered a few new arrivals. Kesten Garess a 'knight' from Rostov, who agreed to take messages and prisoners back to Rostov in exchange for a promise from the group to keep their eye out for a criminal he's looking for by the name of Falgrim Sneeg. The heroes also came in contact with Jhod Kavken, a Priest of Erastil, and his apprentice Valen Tar'Dath. Another quest was gained from the priest, and a new companion in the form of the apprentice. Now with a goal to find an ancient temple of Erastil and defeat its bear guardian our explorers have more than enough items on their plate to handle.
Bad news arrived however for Tusker Slough, one of his sisters, Goldie Slough-Tinklebottom died giving birth to her 9th child, a son Hamdinkle. Tusker, greatly broken up over the news, has chosen to return to his family, for the funeral of his sister and to see his newest nephew.
So it is with teary good-byes that we find our heroes on the morning after returning to Oleg's at the gate to the trade post. Gathered outside the gate are two guards, soldiers and men of Kesten Garess. In their care are the two bandit prisoners, tied and bound, prepared to make the trip to Rostov to pay for their crimes (likely at the end of a noose, or in a work camp for the rest of their lives). Kesten stands with his men, giving them last minute orders, and speaking to them in low tones. Behind the heroes, inside the trade post near the stables, is Oleg, Svetlana, Jhod, and Colban, the quartet standing a safe distance from the heroes, watching, but respectful of what is happening.
Gathered at the gate itself is Calanthir, Lem, Arenhal, Valen, Tusker and Mr.Dawes. Tusker has packed his things, and with a heavy sigh is saying his good-byes to you all before he joins Kesten's men and the prisoners on his trip to see his family. The white haired gnome has one hand on Dawes, the hearty warthog, and another extended to Cal, "Well, it has been an honor to travel with you. I sure hope I might find you again, but the way fate is, I don't dare hope too much." He is holding back tears, parting from his friends, and the situation with his family has him very emotional.
