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Picostead is the largest town of its size in the Howling Mountains. To be fair, that doesn't say much. Here in the mountains it's hard to build any decent sized city, not to mention finding and keeping the Griffons to fill up said city!
Picostead lays on a small plateau on one of the many mountains. It's one of the few places here where there is enough grassland to keep herds of sheep.
Most of the town houses are situated around the small lake, but Pico manor itself is built into the steep mountain slope.
It's a beautiful day, you should get some exercise.
Picostead lays on a small plateau on one of the many mountains. It's one of the few places here where there is enough grassland to keep herds of sheep.
Most of the town houses are situated around the small lake, but Pico manor itself is built into the steep mountain slope.
It's a beautiful day, you should get some exercise.
>>614875
"I can't slack on my training. 4 laps and 50 wing lifts should be enough for the morning."
Athletics '1d20+6'
Roll #1 15 + 6 = 21
"I can't slack on my training. 4 laps and 50 wing lifts should be enough for the morning."
Athletics '1d20+6'
Roll #1 15 + 6 = 21
>>614880
"Okay, now to get on with work. I wonder if Queren or the others needed me to fix something today."
I'll go check my little shop first. Any equipment that needs to be touched up or fixed?
"Okay, now to get on with work. I wonder if Queren or the others needed me to fix something today."
I'll go check my little shop first. Any equipment that needs to be touched up or fixed?
>>614887
First, make sure it's all in order. Hammer, tongs, anvil, my trusty chains, time to prep them for the day.
Second, make sure the materials are placed properly and then start cleaning properly.
Crafting '1d20+10'
Roll #1 2 + 10 = 12
First, make sure it's all in order. Hammer, tongs, anvil, my trusty chains, time to prep them for the day.
Second, make sure the materials are placed properly and then start cleaning properly.
Crafting '1d20+10'
Roll #1 2 + 10 = 12
>>614893
"Wait, where is it! I need that! Did anyone grab it!?" I yell out, to whoever might be within earshot. "It has to be here somewhere, right, it's not like they grew wings or something."
Search '1d20+9'
Roll #1 4 + 9 = 13
"Wait, where is it! I need that! Did anyone grab it!?" I yell out, to whoever might be within earshot. "It has to be here somewhere, right, it's not like they grew wings or something."
Search '1d20+9'
Roll #1 4 + 9 = 13
>>614896
You're the only here so far.
It's not here!
But…you find a brown feather.
You bet it was Brun Pico with his stupid pranks again.
You're the only here so far.
It's not here!
But…you find a brown feather.
You bet it was Brun Pico with his stupid pranks again.
>>614902
"It's too early for this. If Brun is so eager to take it, I should make Brun learn how to use it properly."
Investivate '1d20+9'
Let's try to track Brun down, or makybe one of the other kids saw the prankster.
Roll #1 15 + 9 = 24
"It's too early for this. If Brun is so eager to take it, I should make Brun learn how to use it properly."
Investivate '1d20+9'
Let's try to track Brun down, or makybe one of the other kids saw the prankster.
Roll #1 15 + 9 = 24
>>614906
You ask around and finally find a griffon who confirms he saw Brun sneaking around with a stack of lead.
You ask around and finally find a griffon who confirms he saw Brun sneaking around with a stack of lead.
>>614909
"Thanks. What could that give even want with that much lead?"
I'll shake my head, thank him for his time, and move on.
"Brun, where are you!? I need that stuff to do my work, you know!" Search '1d20+9'
Roll #1 5 + 9 = 14
"Thanks. What could that give even want with that much lead?"
I'll shake my head, thank him for his time, and move on.
"Brun, where are you!? I need that stuff to do my work, you know!" Search '1d20+9'
Roll #1 5 + 9 = 14
>>614919
"Hey, easy, easy! You know me, I wouldn't do anything bad to you. I just wanted to play a little joke that's all!"
"Hey, easy, easy! You know me, I wouldn't do anything bad to you. I just wanted to play a little joke that's all!"
>>614923
"Yeah, yeah, just get that stuff away from the water. I'm fine with jokes and pranks, just don't make me come all the way out here for you. Besides, don't you have other places to be than ruffling my tail feathers?"
"Yeah, yeah, just get that stuff away from the water. I'm fine with jokes and pranks, just don't make me come all the way out here for you. Besides, don't you have other places to be than ruffling my tail feathers?"
>>614927
"Well, don't get it so close to it, then! Honestly, just help me take it back and I'll let you off with a wet willy."
"Well, don't get it so close to it, then! Honestly, just help me take it back and I'll let you off with a wet willy."
>>614932
"You already admitted it was a prank earlier. And please don't mess with my tools, they're really important to me. Besides, no one else but you has been pulling these on me."
"You already admitted it was a prank earlier. And please don't mess with my tools, they're really important to me. Besides, no one else but you has been pulling these on me."
>>614939
"Honestly, is that why you're doing all this? Well, since you already seem to know the lay out of my shop, why don't you come help today? I'll show you how hard my job is without someone taking my stuff. It'll pass the time, I promise."
"Honestly, is that why you're doing all this? Well, since you already seem to know the lay out of my shop, why don't you come help today? I'll show you how hard my job is without someone taking my stuff. It'll pass the time, I promise."
>>615662
"Cheer up, I'm sure you'll like it. Besides, it'll give us time to talk, 'cause it sounds like something has you down."
"Cheer up, I'm sure you'll like it. Besides, it'll give us time to talk, 'cause it sounds like something has you down."
>>615674
"You can open up while we're working then. At least you might pick up something useful then."
I'll show him how to properly polish and maintain our, and other people's, equipment.
'1d20+10' Crafting
Roll #1 3 + 10 = 13
"You can open up while we're working then. At least you might pick up something useful then."
I'll show him how to properly polish and maintain our, and other people's, equipment.
'1d20+10' Crafting
Roll #1 3 + 10 = 13
>>615704
"Just like everything else, stuff that goes through these doors inevitably age. They'll lose sharps and bend in places you never expect, and eventually," I point to the broken knife, "they break. Of course, I can reforge most of what passes here, but I wouldn't mind making something that never rusts or breaks. I wouldn't mind being as carefree as you are and not having to worry about these tools."
"But that's enough for today. I can show you how to control the fires here and really make something if you really want. And if you keep taking things, I'll really force ya' too. Now, let's get going, the day is still young and we both have things to do."
"Just like everything else, stuff that goes through these doors inevitably age. They'll lose sharps and bend in places you never expect, and eventually," I point to the broken knife, "they break. Of course, I can reforge most of what passes here, but I wouldn't mind making something that never rusts or breaks. I wouldn't mind being as carefree as you are and not having to worry about these tools."
"But that's enough for today. I can show you how to control the fires here and really make something if you really want. And if you keep taking things, I'll really force ya' too. Now, let's get going, the day is still young and we both have things to do."
>>615718
"Well then stop sneaking into a Smith's shop! You're a Pico, so you're going to learn this stuff anyway. It'll serve you well in life. Try to stay out of trouble while I go meet Queren, okay?"
"Well then stop sneaking into a Smith's shop! You're a Pico, so you're going to learn this stuff anyway. It'll serve you well in life. Try to stay out of trouble while I go meet Queren, okay?"
>>615722
"Are you a Changeling Spy? Because if you aren't going to be sneaking into my place as much as the real one, I won't say anything. Seriously, you've been off all day, what's bothering you?"
"Are you a Changeling Spy? Because if you aren't going to be sneaking into my place as much as the real one, I won't say anything. Seriously, you've been off all day, what's bothering you?"
>>615725
"That! What you just said. Everyone here wants me to be some big warrior. Look at me, like I can ever match up to the likes of Queren."
"That! What you just said. Everyone here wants me to be some big warrior. Look at me, like I can ever match up to the likes of Queren."
>>615729
"You wouldn't know since you're way too young, but can you guess how much they talked about him while he was gone? Let me give you a hint, there's a reason he still introduces himself as the Third son of the Fourth clutch. But he worked his way to where he was, which is why I'm trying to learn from him. I love my Smithy, don't get me wrong, but I want to visit Equestria and all the other lands, even if I can't do it as a warrior. But to do stuff like that, we need money. Queren could hunt and provide for himself, I can fix things and earn my pay, but what do you want to do then?"
"You wouldn't know since you're way too young, but can you guess how much they talked about him while he was gone? Let me give you a hint, there's a reason he still introduces himself as the Third son of the Fourth clutch. But he worked his way to where he was, which is why I'm trying to learn from him. I love my Smithy, don't get me wrong, but I want to visit Equestria and all the other lands, even if I can't do it as a warrior. But to do stuff like that, we need money. Queren could hunt and provide for himself, I can fix things and earn my pay, but what do you want to do then?"
>>615745
"It's what I want to do! I don't want to be a warrior. I saw the play of Romeo and Poniette. Those actors, the emotion they put in their plays…that's what I wanna be, what I want to do."
"It's what I want to do! I don't want to be a warrior. I saw the play of Romeo and Poniette. Those actors, the emotion they put in their plays…that's what I wanna be, what I want to do."
>>615746
"When did you even see that? No never mind that, just hold on."
"I'm sure your parents might have already given their opinion if you're this depressed already, but I think…"
"I can't help you become an actor,but I can do other things. How good are you with your talons? Have you ever made anything with them?"
"When did you even see that? No never mind that, just hold on."
"I'm sure your parents might have already given their opinion if you're this depressed already, but I think…"
"I can't help you become an actor,but I can do other things. How good are you with your talons? Have you ever made anything with them?"
>>615758
"Don't jump to conclusions. Remember, the actors were wearing outfits, right? And there were props, and staging, and things to help sell the mood? I can show you how to make those things. Yeah, some of the stuff might be useful for a Pico, but it'll help you get a job with them and a chance to do what you want without all your eggs being in one cart."
"Don't jump to conclusions. Remember, the actors were wearing outfits, right? And there were props, and staging, and things to help sell the mood? I can show you how to make those things. Yeah, some of the stuff might be useful for a Pico, but it'll help you get a job with them and a chance to do what you want without all your eggs being in one cart."
>>615764
"I can't really act. I can barely barely keep a straight face, but at least that way, you'll always have something you can do. And if it doesn't work out at one place, you can still make stuff in your free time and practice without worry. I can start showing you how to fix clothing and bows in the next few days, you can see how that would be useful to an actor, right?"
"I can't really act. I can barely barely keep a straight face, but at least that way, you'll always have something you can do. And if it doesn't work out at one place, you can still make stuff in your free time and practice without worry. I can start showing you how to fix clothing and bows in the next few days, you can see how that would be useful to an actor, right?"
>>615770
"Hey, we're Pico's. We stick with each other, don't forget that. Go home and make me a list of things you want me to teach you while I go head out. It was just some maintenance this morning, they might have more work for me once I meet with Queren and the others."
"Hey, we're Pico's. We stick with each other, don't forget that. Go home and make me a list of things you want me to teach you while I go head out. It was just some maintenance this morning, they might have more work for me once I meet with Queren and the others."
>>615774
"Don't sneak into other people's shops on your way back!"
Bid him farewell and head towards Queren.
"Don't sneak into other people's shops on your way back!"
Bid him farewell and head towards Queren.
>>615776
I'll switch it to go see what jobs they need done. I may be training under Queren, but I'm a Smith first.
I'll switch it to go see what jobs they need done. I may be training under Queren, but I'm a Smith first.
>>615777
you can talk if you want!
But I'm just not sure if I can write Queren properly.
I could tell you the things Queren would know in regards to what you want to ask, and you can decide what he'd say and not.
you can talk if you want!
But I'm just not sure if I can write Queren properly.
I could tell you the things Queren would know in regards to what you want to ask, and you can decide what he'd say and not.
If he's heard from his friends? Brun talking to me about him made me recall he wasn't alone in Equestria.
Also, if he has time for some training.
Also, if he has time for some training.
>>615781
Pico gets the occasional mail from Soil.
Soil has been travelling around Equestria.
I guess he's got time!
Pico gets the occasional mail from Soil.
Soil has been travelling around Equestria.
I guess he's got time!
>>615782
"Thanks. I haven't been slacking, I've made sure to keep working out and training between jobs."
"Thanks. I haven't been slacking, I've made sure to keep working out and training between jobs."
>>615784
"Let's talk while we practice. Things have gotten awfully quiet the last few days. How much stuff are they putting on your desk now?"
"Let's talk while we practice. Things have gotten awfully quiet the last few days. How much stuff are they putting on your desk now?"
>>615785
He talks about the raiding parties coming from the Steel Cliffs to the East.
There are reports of Salt Griffons raiding small towns and one peasant claims a raiding party has been seen in our domain.
He talks about the raiding parties coming from the Steel Cliffs to the East.
There are reports of Salt Griffons raiding small towns and one peasant claims a raiding party has been seen in our domain.
>>615786
"They're coming all the way over here to start trouble? Who has been looking into it?"
"They're coming all the way over here to start trouble? Who has been looking into it?"
>>615787
The Jarl has been looking into it.
Our family has been pretty lazy, only Queren has been actively trying to scout them out.
The Jarl has been looking into it.
Our family has been pretty lazy, only Queren has been actively trying to scout them out.
>>617529
"Wouldn't stuff like this rate higher? Anyways, any idea on why'd they come out all the way here?"
"Wouldn't stuff like this rate higher? Anyways, any idea on why'd they come out all the way here?"
>>617538
"I can help! I haven't been slouching on my off days. Any lead you have, I can follow up on!"
"I can help! I haven't been slouching on my off days. Any lead you have, I can follow up on!"
>>617539
Some of the peasants near the forest say they've seen strangers in the forest.
Perhaps they're there?
If you wanna check it out, it would be a great help
Some of the peasants near the forest say they've seen strangers in the forest.
Perhaps they're there?
If you wanna check it out, it would be a great help
>>617550
I'll grab some supplies, then fly out towards the civilians. Time to start investigating, since there's no point just flying around a forest like an idiot.
I'll grab some supplies, then fly out towards the civilians. Time to start investigating, since there's no point just flying around a forest like an idiot.
>>617553
Picostead is small. You float down the hill towards the forest. You see the spare houses of peasants around here. Most have cattle or hunt. If anygriffon knows, it must be one of them.
Picostead is small. You float down the hill towards the forest. You see the spare houses of peasants around here. Most have cattle or hunt. If anygriffon knows, it must be one of them.
>>617558
I'll ask around about the sightings. The peasentry should be happy someone is looking into it. Try to find any locations or descriptions.
Investigate '1d20+9'
Roll #1 7 + 9 = 16
I'll ask around about the sightings. The peasentry should be happy someone is looking into it. Try to find any locations or descriptions.
Investigate '1d20+9'
Roll #1 7 + 9 = 16
>>617562
You ask around.
An old griffon tells you he saw some "strange folk beaking around near the old pond." There were two griffons and some small creatures. He got away as fast as he could.
You ask around.
An old griffon tells you he saw some "strange folk beaking around near the old pond." There were two griffons and some small creatures. He got away as fast as he could.
>>617574
A bit bare bones, but good enough to start snooping around. I'll thank the Gryphon and start flying off over the pond, looking for signs of anyone being there.
A bit bare bones, but good enough to start snooping around. I'll thank the Gryphon and start flying off over the pond, looking for signs of anyone being there.
>>617585
You quickly track down the pond and scout the area.
You find the claw tracks of griffons…and some fishbones. And also some smaller griffon tracks. Children?
You quickly track down the pond and scout the area.
You find the claw tracks of griffons…and some fishbones. And also some smaller griffon tracks. Children?
>>617592
"Is something making them that desperate to bring their hatchlings along?"
They may not be good flyers yet, and kids would need frequent stops. I'll try to find the next set of tracks, see if I can find them.
"Is something making them that desperate to bring their hatchlings along?"
They may not be good flyers yet, and kids would need frequent stops. I'll try to find the next set of tracks, see if I can find them.
>>617602
You track them further upstream…and then you see them. Two grey griffons in rusty armor, but make no mistake, you know the armor of Salt Griffons looks rusty but is hard as iron.
But you see no kids among them…there is one very tiny Griff-like creature with wild feather and red claws. A Griffling, small pesky creatures of the forest that can be dangerous in groups, it's bad news indeed if Salt Griffons are taming them.
You track them further upstream…and then you see them. Two grey griffons in rusty armor, but make no mistake, you know the armor of Salt Griffons looks rusty but is hard as iron.
But you see no kids among them…there is one very tiny Griff-like creature with wild feather and red claws. A Griffling, small pesky creatures of the forest that can be dangerous in groups, it's bad news indeed if Salt Griffons are taming them.
>>617613
And even worse news if they spot me. I'll try to take a look around, if they set up a camp or they are just two lone wanderers for now.
And even worse news if they spot me. I'll try to take a look around, if they set up a camp or they are just two lone wanderers for now.
>>617627
This is all the confirmation I'll need for now. 2 vs 1 isn't my idea of a fair fight! I'll head back towards town and warn the populace. Who knows what is dragging behind them?
This is all the confirmation I'll need for now. 2 vs 1 isn't my idea of a fair fight! I'll head back towards town and warn the populace. Who knows what is dragging behind them?
>>617636
Peasents first. I don't know what they're doing out here just yet, but I don't need the folks here letting their children out into the woods while they are around.
Peasents first. I don't know what they're doing out here just yet, but I don't need the folks here letting their children out into the woods while they are around.
>>617643
"Okay, so how about I keep an eye on them while you send someone out to the Picostead. They won't get a chance to do anything funny without being watched."
I'll wait for them to send someone out to the Picostead and I'll go back to the woods.
"Okay, so how about I keep an eye on them while you send someone out to the Picostead. They won't get a chance to do anything funny without being watched."
I'll wait for them to send someone out to the Picostead and I'll go back to the woods.
>>617653
They're still in the same spot.
If you wanna stay here and observe them sneakily, you'll have to Blend.
They're still in the same spot.
If you wanna stay here and observe them sneakily, you'll have to Blend.
>>617656
Not much of me that needs to be hidden.
Blend '1d20+6'
Wait, no, I am not happy for being so small!
Roll #1 15 + 6 = 21
Not much of me that needs to be hidden.
Blend '1d20+6'
Wait, no, I am not happy for being so small!
Roll #1 15 + 6 = 21
>>617694
"I didn't expect so many of you to come…"
If they walked up to where I was, I'll let them know what I saw.
"I didn't expect so many of you to come…"
If they walked up to where I was, I'll let them know what I saw.
>>617697
Queren nods.
"Leave this to me."
He reaches into his bags…and gets out the THING.
You've heard stories of the cage, but you've never seen what's actually inside it…
Queren steps out of the bushes towards the Griffons.
Queren nods.
"Leave this to me."
He reaches into his bags…and gets out the THING.
You've heard stories of the cage, but you've never seen what's actually inside it…
Queren steps out of the bushes towards the Griffons.
>>617715
I only remember this when he listed off the things he acquired in Equestria, but he was always quiet about it…
I'll just watch and see what it does with it.
I only remember this when he listed off the things he acquired in Equestria, but he was always quiet about it…
I'll just watch and see what it does with it.
>>617719
Would Pico go immediately full demon unleash?
Or merely try to scare em away first?
Or try to arrest them?
Would Pico go immediately full demon unleash?
Or merely try to scare em away first?
Or try to arrest them?
>>617719
>>617723
The Griffons look surprised and grab their weapons.
Queren calmly looks at them.
"Do you know who I am?"
The Griffons look at the cage and turn a little greyer.
"I-its him!"
"Queren Pico"
"Yes. You have unlawfully stepped into these lands and are now under arrest.
You have two options.
The quiet way, where no one gets hurt and you'll be treated fairly.
Or the hard way…
Choose."
Intimidate '1d20+10'
vs
Resolve '1d20+5'
Roll #1 1 + 10 = 11 / Roll #2 3 + 5 = 8
>>617723
The Griffons look surprised and grab their weapons.
Queren calmly looks at them.
"Do you know who I am?"
The Griffons look at the cage and turn a little greyer.
"I-its him!"
"Queren Pico"
"Yes. You have unlawfully stepped into these lands and are now under arrest.
You have two options.
The quiet way, where no one gets hurt and you'll be treated fairly.
Or the hard way…
Choose."
Intimidate '1d20+10'
vs
Resolve '1d20+5'
Roll #1 1 + 10 = 11 / Roll #2 3 + 5 = 8
>>617786
"Tough to say. I doubt they got lost, but it's not like they couldn't have tried their luck and see how far they got. I didn't see them do anything explicitly harmful to others. Did they say anything?"
"Tough to say. I doubt they got lost, but it's not like they couldn't have tried their luck and see how far they got. I didn't see them do anything explicitly harmful to others. Did they say anything?"
>>617793
"No…and they won't for quite some time..
Salt Griffons are tough as a nail.
But maybe a few weeks in the dungeons will loosen their beaks.
In the meantime, there's something I'd like to ask of you."
"No…and they won't for quite some time..
Salt Griffons are tough as a nail.
But maybe a few weeks in the dungeons will loosen their beaks.
In the meantime, there's something I'd like to ask of you."
>>617804
"Hopefully they open up sooner rather than later. But sure, anything you need done, feel free to ask me for."
"Hopefully they open up sooner rather than later. But sure, anything you need done, feel free to ask me for."
>>617809
"I've received word from my Equestrian friends…they seek passage into Hyperborea."
"I've received word from my Equestrian friends…they seek passage into Hyperborea."
>>617828
"I would…but leaving Picostead now with this threat on our borders would be very risky. I was wondering if you would go, in my place."
"I would…but leaving Picostead now with this threat on our borders would be very risky. I was wondering if you would go, in my place."
>>617833
He nods.
"Excellent, I'll make the arrangements. See to it they get here safely. And keep your eyes peeled, you can learn a lot from them."
He nods.
"Excellent, I'll make the arrangements. See to it they get here safely. And keep your eyes peeled, you can learn a lot from them."