Caravan to Minkai - Jade Regent AP
Game Master Azure_Zero

Sir Alfric looks around nervously.
"Yes, yes. We wouldn't want any of them to get hurt. Lets make sure befor any more of those duplicate creature-people show up."

Shalelu Andosana:
"Faceless stalkers tend to do a solo act when impersonating anyone, so I doubt there is more in this building."

"Good!"

Natara starts helping Walthus look for his snakes.

"That's a slightly comforting thought, that they run solo."

Walthus Proudstump:
"As thanks for getting removing that copy cat,
I'll be more than happy to help you out."

"We are representing the town, looking into reports that the goblins of this swamp have recently acquired fireworks which they are using as weapons. We want to learn more aobut the situation so we can -um- defuse it before it grows any worse. Fortunately they don't seem to be very efficent with them as yet. We hope to keep it that way. What can you tell use about the swamp and its denizens? Especially the goblins, of course.

"Let me show you where I saw that one snake dissapear."

Natara will head back into the kitchen to show Walthus the hole the snake squirmed through.

Walthus Proudstump:
"Oh I think your referring to the LickToad tribe of goblins around here. Just follow the old fish trail and it'll lead you to the LickToad's camp, and watch out for the Soggy River Monster."

Know(local to know the path) or the fragments on Soggy

Sir Alfric glanced at Lady Shalelu, hoping that she knew the way.

Shalelu Andosana does not have know local?

If you have to, just roll an int check.

KN: Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

"I'm not from around here, but I think Sandru-san metioned something about where the attacks were made. Perhaps starting from there to track them? And, Wathus-san, what is this Soggy River Monster you mentioned?

Walthus Proudstump:
"Soggy is a super predator here in the swamp, Mind you this is what I have heard from some nearby fishermen"
The Soggy River Monster was seen again, this time
by a fisherman on the New Fish Trail. He said it stood
taller than a man, had white skin, and had a mouth
that opened up all the way down its neck. It was eating
what looked like a goblin on the far side of the river,
which is why the farmer managed to escape.

"Sounds fun to meet. Eating a goblin, hm. Somehow I don't think this would be a case of 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend'"

"I don't think, I'll be able to eat lunch after hearing that."

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4
Another skill I couldn't afford at first level...;)

Sir Alfric frowns thoughtfully.
"I'm not sure I'm familiar with the area. But if we can strike their trail, I can follow it."

Know(local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Isn't the old fish trail the one with Jason's Bloody Crystal, near the trail."

Shalelu Andosana:
"You mean the trail near, where we did some survival games, when you were a child."

That's the one.

"Since the two of you know this trail, that should make things easier. Walthus-san, can you give us an idea of how far from here the goblin's village is?"

Walthus Proudstump:
"It's a about 1000ft from the major T junction in the path and towards Sog's Bay."

"When should we start? The sooner we deal with them the less likely anyone else will be injured. Still, I suspect this swamp has it's own dangers. Is there anyone else living in the swamp -besides the goblins- who might know more?"

Walthus Proudstump:
"Nope, I'm it.
Unless you count Megus The swamp witch."

"Megus the swamp witch? Might she know more of this, maybe even where the goblins found those fireworks? Or even if they've learned to make them?

Radko's eyes open wider and wider as he's listening to the conversation.
Firework-wielding goblins, soggy monster eating them alive, swamp witches... What else could this unassuming bog hide?
"I wonder if she would be interested in seeing us at all, as opposed to, say, putting some hex on us and feeding us to the river monster. Have you ever seen this witch, Mr. Proudstump?"

Walthus Proudstump:
"Oh, Heck no.
And I don't want to."

"I take it she has a rather poor reputation around here. Well, we could speak with her if neccessary, but taking out the fireworks is peobqably more important. Maybe after we deal with the goblins, we can check with her to see if she knows anything about their source."

Sir Alfric peeks through one of the shuttered windows, wondering if there is enough daylight to set out immediately.
Where there are fewer snakes.
Like a swamp.
Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

"Perhaps we should remain here overnight, both to avoid getting lost in the swamp and to restore our various strengths. I'd rather NOT meet this 'Soggy River Monster' in the dark, and unprepared. Also we might be able to provide further healing to Mr. Proudstump after his ordeal. Mr. Proudstump-san, may we stay the night?"

She pauses, suddenly remembering the prisoner.

"And what are we to do with that faceless stalker creature?"

Walthus Proudstump:
"Sorry.
But I would not be able to sleep comfy tonight,
knowing it's in the house."

"But killing a defenseless being is evil,
so I say we just drop him off somewhere in the swamp
and let nature take its course."

Shalelu Andosana:
"I have to agree with Walthus in that,
if it escapes it could kill us in our sleep.
And I have to agree with my sister."

"That sounds like a reasonable plan. I agree, slaughtering it out of hand would be wrong. Our only other option would be to drag it back to town and hand it over to the sheriff. We need to be sure we impress upon it that if it returns to attach Mr. Proudstump again, we will not be so merciful."

She pauses for a moment.

"Or anyone else, for that matter."

Shalelu Andosana:
"Faceless stalkers tend to attack you when your defenseless or off guard."

"Huh. Neither of these options look appealing to me, to be honest. Who knows what would such a creature be capable of if allowed in town? Impersonating a sheriff, perhaps? But remorselessly killing a helpless monster rubs me the wrong way too. Perhaps we could let it loose somewhere near the goblin camp, where it could find easier prey than mr. Walthus here?"

Sir Alfric nods at Radko's notion.
"That seems to be our least evil option."

"Actually, I ment 'other option' as opposed to droping it off in the swamp to try again. I'm not sure about sicing it on the goblins. What if it takes over and can plan better? We don't need to replace one problem with another. Sigh. Leaving it in the swamp does seem to be the best option. And keeping it prisoner with us is bad, too. If it's sentient, that's slavery, and if it's not, it would probably make a terrible pet."

"I also think if it gets control of the goblins, it could make the problem worse."

"So, release it in the swamp, or take it back to town and turn it over to the sheriff?"

"I say leave it in the swamp."

"Works for me. Let's just make sure we impress on it that it needs to stay away from people."

Radko heads back downstairs, hoping that the creature didn't escape the bonds while they were loudly discussing its fate.

Natara goes with him, just to be safe.

Escape artist: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

The little bugger is gone.

"Oops. Hey, everyone watch out, it got away!"

"Oh, Crap. That sucks.
Hopefully nature takes care of the little bugger."

a few moments later in the distance you hear something.

Walthus Proudstump:
"Sounds like soggy found something to eat."