Treustein Forest (Open to all)

[Vadok Alvarez]

[Holodeck 3 | Path to RÁ¶tenbach Village ]
While packing his part of the camp's supplies onto his horses back he also had to focus a lot on the tents. They were far from the standard issue Starfleet Versions designed to just be opened, build up, and broken down again quickly on various planetary surfaces. These were a lot more difficult to handle. The Sticks forming their frames not geometrically perfect and the walls of fabric not nearly as light or compact as the modern versions. Still, with a bit of time, it eventually was done.

Beginning to lead his horse the Way to the Village, he heard the others talking.

"Hey, I still need him in one piece for the next shift", he interjected, "but I am sure we can find something shoot and slash for everyone. Maybe just don't start with the villagers please."

"I think it is my turn to present you my character for today though: I'll be Marcus of Repgo, a Ministerialis of a nearby Count and hopefully travelling under your protection. If you are willing to extend it that is. I have been sent here by my Lord to investigate strange happenings in the nearby Village but don't know much more besides that.

He turned to see how the others reacted to this first hint. It was the most basic introductory he could have formulated this but still he feared to have given away to much still. At least they knew before that the Village would be the most likely site of whatever awaited them.

"I shall call myself...Fortunado." he said, quote liking the way it rolled off the tongue.  "But, it would seem Marcus has given us a not so insubstantial clue as to where we should sally forth." he said, gently guiding his mount down towards the trail to the village.

"Shall we?" he said, the vaguest hint of a smile in his eyes.

[Tanner Lachlyn]

Tanner grinned, "Well, Geralt, Marcus and Fortunado -it's a pleasure riding with you." She grinned, "I'm Hilly, a travelling ranger and curious all-around lady."

Leaning down to brush her horse's mane, she glanced over to Marcus, "You have my protection if needed. What are these strange happenings you speak of?"

[J.B Dersch]

As Lilly, a skilled Ranger, walked into the room, everyone's attention was immediately drawn to her. She looked confident and ready for anything, with a Cloak that covered most of her body and a Bow strung across her back. A Sleath filled with arrows of various types, including Barbed Arrows, Simple Arrows, and even 4 premade fire arrows, was hanging by her side. Her black stallion horse was also equipped with extra armaments, such as an additional sleuth of bows.

Ranger Hilly addressed the group in a calm and reassuring tone, "You have my protection if needed. What are these strange happenings you speak of?" Lilly, who seemed to be well-informed, spoke up and replied to Hilly, "I have been hearing about strange events happening all over the North part of the Providence, and it seems to be getting worse." As they walked into the village, Lillian kept a watchful eye out for any potential threats, ready to act if needed.

[James Ramort]

As Lilly, a skilled Ranger, walked into the room, everyone's attention was immediately drawn to her. She looked confident and ready for anything, with a Cloak that covered most of her body and a Bow strung across her back. A Sleath filled with arrows of various types, including Barbed Arrows, Simple Arrows, and even 4 premade fire arrows, was hanging by her side. Her black stallion horse was also equipped with extra armaments, such as an additional sleuth of bows.

Ranger Hilly addressed the group in a calm and reassuring tone, "You have my protection if needed. What are these strange happenings you speak of?" Lilly, who seemed to be well-informed, spoke up and replied to Hilly, "I have been hearing about strange events happening all over the North part of the Providence, and it seems to be getting worse." As they walked into the village, Lillian kept a watchful eye out for any potential threats, ready to act if needed.

[Holodeck 3 | Outside the Village]

"Welcome, glad you could join us!"

Their group now assembled outside the Village the smoke emitted from the burning fires that heated the Villagers houses now formed large pillars towering over them in the sky.

[Holodeck 3 | RÁ¶tenbach Village]

The Outside of the Village integrated itself nearly seemless into the surrounding landscape. There were not large fences or walls clearly depicting a border at which the wild ended and the cultivated began. The Trees grew more sparse with every passing meter and instead were replaced by large bushes and younger trees. Notable were also that a lot of them were common beeches.

Far of sounds indicated the presence of a herd of pigs that were herded between the beeches. Feeding on wild fungi growing on the forests floor and beechnuts that had fallen to the ground from the trees above. A cheap but rich diet for the important animals.

The Animals the next encountered were cattle, grassing on large pastures, broken up by ditches to manage their water levels and preventing this stretch of land humans had rung from the soil beneath them to turn into a large swamp.

Following this were fields of grains and flax. Important crops and plants to guarantee the production of societies most important goods in this time. Fibre and food.

Then the first houses began to crop up. Not aligned to any kind of grid but rather positioned along naturally formed lines dictated by the landscape. Where hills began to slope, houses would dig into the landscape, while where the land was more flat they could afford to broaden their base. Each house was framed by its gardens. Small fields in their own right that were home to a plethora of vegetables. A constant level of noise generated by small animals like chickens and rabbits also began to fill the air. This was clearly a space created to feed humans.

In the centre of the Village the houses grew more ornate. These were the homes of the Farmers, the one actually in charge of the land. Among the culture dependency in the Village they were the ones with the greatest status as the ones having been awarded the right to draw from among their land while most villagers mostly worked for these farmers on land not their own. While not nobility, they formed a clear upper class in this small but close-knit community.

The Village had not central space or place in the usual sense but before the house of the richest of the Farmers there was more space. It was filled out by a great Tilia, its crown so large extended from its log that it had been stabilised by artificial frames of wood. The Tree clearly serving as a central icon of the Village and its center point in one.

"Welcome to RÁ¶tenbach everyone, how do you like it?"

[Malik Grippen]

[Holodeck 3, RÁ¶tenbach Village]

"This place looks great, like picked from the pages of one of Andrzej Sapkowski's books." Geralt dismounted from Roach and hitched the horse to a nearby post and looked about the place some more, just enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of this simulation.

"Are we to meet some of the inhabitants here?"

[J.B Dersch]

[Holodeck 3 | Outside the Village]

"Welcome, glad you could join us!"

Their group now assembled outside the Village the smoke emitted from the burning fires that heated the Villagers houses now formed large pillars towering over them in the sky.

[Holodeck 3 | RÁ¶tenbach Village]

The Outside of the Village integrated itself nearly seemless into the surrounding landscape. There were not large fences or walls clearly depicting a border at which the wild ended and the cultivated began. The Trees grew more sparse with every passing meter and instead were replaced by large bushes and younger trees. Notable were also that a lot of them were common beeches.

Far of sounds indicated the presence of a herd of pigs that were herded between the beeches. Feeding on wild fungi growing on the forests floor and beechnuts that had fallen to the ground from the trees above. A cheap but rich diet for the important animals.

The Animals the next encountered were cattle, grassing on large pastures, broken up by ditches to manage their water levels and preventing this stretch of land humans had rung from the soil beneath them to turn into a large swamp.

Following this were fields of grains and flax. Important crops and plants to guarantee the production of societies most important goods in this time. Fibre and food.

Then the first houses began to crop up. Not aligned to any kind of grid but rather positioned along naturally formed lines dictated by the landscape. Where hills began to slope, houses would dig into the landscape, while where the land was more flat they could afford to broaden their base. Each house was framed by its gardens. Small fields in their own right that were home to a plethora of vegetables. A constant level of noise generated by small animals like chickens and rabbits also began to fill the air. This was clearly a space created to feed humans.

In the centre of the Village the houses grew more ornate. These were the homes of the Farmers, the one actually in charge of the land. Among the culture dependency in the Village they were the ones with the greatest status as the ones having been awarded the right to draw from among their land while most villagers mostly worked for these farmers on land not their own. While not nobility, they formed a clear upper class in this small but close-knit community.

The Village had not central space or place in the usual sense but before the house of the richest of the Farmers there was more space. It was filled out by a great Tilia, its crown so large extended from its log that it had been stabilised by artificial frames of wood. The Tree clearly serving as a central icon of the Village and its center point in one.

"Welcome to RÁ¶tenbach everyone, how do you like it?"

[Holodeck 3, RÁ¶tenbach Village]
"Its interesting, Very well designed and thought through" Lilly dismounted from her horse and tied it up next to Geralt horse.

[James Ramort]

[Holodeck 3 | RÁ¶tenbach Village | Main Square]

"Very much so, I guess we will soon be greeted by the Inhabitants, we are close to midday after all."

The sun in fact had moved nearly to its apex, sitting high atop the sky and casting only short shadows over the surrounding houses. Under the Tilia though, a large and promisingly calm spot invited every bystander to fleet the suns heat and seek shelter in its embrace. Now that their eyes began to adjust to the changed light situation under it, they could also make out some wooden benches and stools. The Tilia seemingly served as the village's community nexus too.

Deciding to move into one of the more sitting areas, Ramort went ahead, hoping the rest of the Group would follow him. Under one of the larger branches, a large bench cut from a wooden stem had been placed. On it, Ramort sat down, making sure not to accidentally hurt himself with the Messer.

Shortly after the Village began to spring to live. Many humans carrying farm tools arriving from the fields around the Village filling the dirt paths between the homes. Taking a look at the stream of people for a minute, he found whom he had been looking for. A larger older man wearing a finer set of cloths than the surrounding workers, yet still clearly garbs meant to be worn while working the surrounding fields. It had to be one of the larger and thus more influential farmers. Stopping him in his path to his house.

"Dear Foreman, we come to seek to speak to those in your village that hold its council. My fellows and I have been sent to help you with the... situation."

While talking, he pointed at the rest of the Group and their horses. The other member's weapons and armour clearly visible in the illuminated opening. This clearly elicited a response from the Villager. He looked around for some other person, not finding them, seemingly, then pointing towards the largest house at the square.

"Follow me inside and join me for a bite to eat, this is not something we should discuss in the bright daylight.", striding forwards he forced them to follow them into the house.

[Vadok Alvarez]

Vadok took in the picturesque scene of RÁ¶tenbach with a sense of wonder and admiration. The attention to detail in the holodeck simulation was remarkable, transporting him to a world straight out of a medieval fantasy. As the group dismounted their horses and began to explore the village, Vadok found himself drawn to the rustic charm of the surroundings.

As Geralt and Lilly expressed their appreciation for the simulation, Vadok nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's like something out of a novel," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "The attention to detail is remarkable, from the architecture to the sounds of daily life."

As they made their way towards the central gathering spot beneath the towering Tilia tree, Vadok couldn't help but marvel at the sense of community that permeated the village. The sight of villagers going about their daily tasks added to the immersive experience, making him feel like a part of this vibrant world.

At the ushering of this villager, Vadok took it as near as a prompt as he would get in the simulation.    Taking the lead, he stepped in behind the villager into the domicile.

[J.B Dersch]

[Holodeck 3 | RÁ¶tenbach Village | Main Square]

"Very much so, I guess we will soon be greeted by the Inhabitants, we are close to midday after all."

The sun in fact had moved nearly to its apex, sitting high atop the sky and casting only short shadows over the surrounding houses. Under the Tilia though, a large and promisingly calm spot invited every bystander to fleet the suns heat and seek shelter in its embrace. Now that their eyes began to adjust to the changed light situation under it, they could also make out some wooden benches and stools. The Tilia seemingly served as the village's community nexus too.

Deciding to move into one of the more sitting areas, Ramort went ahead, hoping the rest of the Group would follow him. Under one of the larger branches, a large bench cut from a wooden stem had been placed. On it, Ramort sat down, making sure not to accidentally hurt himself with the Messer.

Shortly after the Village began to spring to live. Many humans carrying farm tools arriving from the fields around the Village filling the dirt paths between the homes. Taking a look at the stream of people for a minute, he found whom he had been looking for. A larger older man wearing a finer set of cloths than the surrounding workers, yet still clearly garbs meant to be worn while working the surrounding fields. It had to be one of the larger and thus more influential farmers. Stopping him in his path to his house.

"Dear Foreman, we come to seek to speak to those in your village that hold its council. My fellows and I have been sent to help you with the... situation."

While talking, he pointed at the rest of the Group and their horses. The other member's weapons and armour clearly visible in the illuminated opening. This clearly elicited a response from the Villager. He looked around for some other person, not finding them, seemingly, then pointing towards the largest house at the square.

"Follow me inside and join me for a bite to eat, this is not something we should discuss in the bright daylight.", striding forwards he forced them to follow them into the house.

Vadok took in the picturesque scene of RÁ¶tenbach with a sense of wonder and admiration. The attention to detail in the holodeck simulation was remarkable, transporting him to a world straight out of a medieval fantasy. As the group dismounted their horses and began to explore the village, Vadok found himself drawn to the rustic charm of the surroundings.

As Geralt and Lilly expressed their appreciation for the simulation, Vadok nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's like something out of a novel," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "The attention to detail is remarkable, from the architecture to the sounds of daily life."

As they made their way towards the central gathering spot beneath the towering Tilia tree, Vadok couldn't help but marvel at the sense of community that permeated the village. The sight of villagers going about their daily tasks added to the immersive experience, making him feel like a part of this vibrant world.

At the ushering of this villager, Vadok took it as near as a prompt as he would get in the simulation.    Taking the lead, he stepped in behind the villager into the domicile.

Lilly followed them in. she noticed this place was not exactly full but she did noticed the person walking up to them.

"Follow me inside and join me for a bite to eat, this is not something we should discuss in the bright daylight"

Odd Lilly continued to follow them inside and sat down along with the rest of the group ready to listen to whatever the villager had to say.

[James Ramort]

[Holodeck 3 | RÁ¶tenbach Village | Main Square]

"Very much so, I guess we will soon be greeted by the Inhabitants, we are close to midday after all."

The sun in fact had moved nearly to its apex, sitting high atop the sky and casting only short shadows over the surrounding houses. Under the Tilia though, a large and promisingly calm spot invited every bystander to fleet the suns heat and seek shelter in its embrace. Now that their eyes began to adjust to the changed light situation under it, they could also make out some wooden benches and stools. The Tilia seemingly served as the village's community nexus too.

Deciding to move into one of the more sitting areas, Ramort went ahead, hoping the rest of the Group would follow him. Under one of the larger branches, a large bench cut from a wooden stem had been placed. On it, Ramort sat down, making sure not to accidentally hurt himself with the Messer.

Shortly after the Village began to spring to live. Many humans carrying farm tools arriving from the fields around the Village filling the dirt paths between the homes. Taking a look at the stream of people for a minute, he found whom he had been looking for. A larger older man wearing a finer set of cloths than the surrounding workers, yet still clearly garbs meant to be worn while working the surrounding fields. It had to be one of the larger and thus more influential farmers. Stopping him in his path to his house.

"Dear Foreman, we come to seek to speak to those in your village that hold its council. My fellows and I have been sent to help you with the... situation."

While talking, he pointed at the rest of the Group and their horses. The other member's weapons and armour clearly visible in the illuminated opening. This clearly elicited a response from the Villager. He looked around for some other person, not finding them, seemingly, then pointing towards the largest house at the square.

"Follow me inside and join me for a bite to eat, this is not something we should discuss in the bright daylight.", striding forwards he forced them to follow them into the house.

Vadok took in the picturesque scene of RÁ¶tenbach with a sense of wonder and admiration. The attention to detail in the holodeck simulation was remarkable, transporting him to a world straight out of a medieval fantasy. As the group dismounted their horses and began to explore the village, Vadok found himself drawn to the rustic charm of the surroundings.

As Geralt and Lilly expressed their appreciation for the simulation, Vadok nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's like something out of a novel," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "The attention to detail is remarkable, from the architecture to the sounds of daily life."

As they made their way towards the central gathering spot beneath the towering Tilia tree, Vadok couldn't help but marvel at the sense of community that permeated the village. The sight of villagers going about their daily tasks added to the immersive experience, making him feel like a part of this vibrant world.

At the ushering of this villager, Vadok took it as near as a prompt as he would get in the simulation.    Taking the lead, he stepped in behind the villager into the domicile.

Lilly followed them in. she noticed this place was not exactly full but she did noticed the person walking up to them.

"Follow me inside and join me for a bite to eat, this is not something we should discuss in the bright daylight"

Odd Lilly continued to follow them inside and sat down along with the rest of the group ready to listen to whatever the villager had to say.

[Holodeck 3 | RÁ¶tenbach Village | Foremans House]

The inside of the house turned out to be quite spacious. Just behind the door a large room opened itself, revealing walls covered in wooden panels and filled with carefully crafted furniture.  Through 3 large windows the sunlight from outside illuminated the room, the wooden shutters placed outside their frames wide open.
In the room, two other persons were waiting. A woman around the age of the Foreman, wearing a green and yellow dress and a headpiece. Probably the Foreman's wife. In the corner of the room a young man was sharpening a scythe, probably for later use on one of the village's fields.

He directed them towards a table in the center of the room. It was placed to allow light from two of the large windows to provide plenty of light even on winter days but a group of candles was still placed on the table for the evening hours. A small oven was placed next to the long side of the table to provide warmth on cold days.

After everyone took up their seats alongside the table the Foreman began to explain:

"I don't want to have the other villagers worried any more but it is high time you finally arrived. We sent word of our predicament to the high Lord, long may he live, some days ago. We have lost two loads of harvesting already to it. If we are to bring our share to the Lord and still have enough to feed ourselves in the Winter Days we can't risk loosing many more. The Beast needs to be dealt with!"

"Why don't you start by explaining to us what kind of beast we are dealing with and where you saw it? It can be quite hard to hunt down something we have no idea about!"

"We have never actually seen it...", he admitted, "it was to quick for any of us to spots its hideous hide. Its face still eludes us to this day. But the marks of its claws have been found all over the forest, its breath can be smelled down by the river and we lost our barns located at the edge of the Village. This is all I can provide you with, but for such impressive people as you present yourself before me it should be no burden to find and slay the foe."
His view once again transfixing on the weapons and armour they brought with them.