GM KoKyu's Jade Regent

Game Master KoKyu

With a result like that above on the knowledge check, I should pretty much know its stat block. :)

I am a little confused as to what/where is happening exactly. I assumed that the croc was in front of us, preventing us from going forward. If this is not the case, Draeven would not be throwing the meat. He has no interest in killing the croc just because it is there. Only is self defense. We won't be backtracking for a closer look. :P

A subtle ripple in the slow moving waters below. Stopping, Draeven traces the source; just over 30 feet away

The constant I tried to keep with since the first bridge crossing and with the ambush, is the water is moving - albeit slowly. The ripples originated 30 feet away, which is up stream. That was implied and I see now it is confusing. I'll try to be more accurate with positioning next time...(besides, there was no map update :P) The path is clear ahead. Draeven can keep his snack.

While a potentially dangerous foe, this time it is not to be. Satisfied the crocodile's actions are not threatening, Draeven continues to lead the group down the winding path. Together with the scouting he'd already done, and Walthus' instructions, the party makes for the southern part of the swamp. Sure enough, eventually the trail turns west.
Signs of goblin activity begin to appear. Some of the trees have been marked with crude symbols, others scorched with fire. Parts of the trail have been littered with animal bones and the distinct smell of smoke wafts on the air...

Current position is marked on the Brinestump Marshlands map | There are several game trails noticeable from this point

Fenra is somewhat chastised by Rennyn's and Draeven's remarks but then smiles impishly and adds, Ah well, if I didn't soften him up I at least distracted him from more able targets.

As they signs of goblins become more pronounced Fenra halts the party. Um, so, do we have a plan or are we just going to march along in a nice row until we get ambushed again? The extreme humidity and sweat are making the diaphanous parts of her clothing cling against her skin and she pulls at them absent mindedly while she speaks.

The map is... confusing. I'm not sure what I am looking at, or what our options are other than following the trail. :P

Draeven keeps his eyes forward scanning for trouble. If you have a better plan I am all ears. If it includes leaving the trail, to try our luck in the water and muck with the crocodiles, I will be happy to relinquish point duties to you.

I think your dress will really suffer if we were to try that, Rennyn quips from the back of the group.

Besides, ambushes aren't all that bad. We are here to find and eradicate goblins. Saves us the effort of looking for them. Just don't stand there when the arrows start flying, and things shouldn't be too bad, he adds teasingly.

The Brinestump map is more for the GM to keep track of where everyone is. I'll zoom it out and add a few labels, that should help :)

...and then the path stops. Replaced now by several game trails, there is only one obvious explanation, nettles. Here the nettles grow thicker and the leaves almost impossible to avoid. The large stinging hairs protruding from these plants glisten in what sunlight penetrates the canopy above. Each tiny tip of these glassy hairs are very easily broken when brushed, leaving a sharp point which pierces the skin. According to Draeven, their stings will pack a bigger punch too.

Although the narrow game trails before you are not difficult to follow, it is going to be treacherous to walk on. Compared to the well traveled paths of the Brinestump, the nettles and stray branches that poked at and stung your limbs were at least avoidable most of the time. Not so here. These game trails are suitable only for the vertically challenged. Like tunnels carved out of the wall of vegetation, nearly all of the overgrown nettles and branches have been cut back from the waist down. A child, or goblin, could walk this path unscathed.

Anyone who touches the nettles must make a DC 12 Fortitude save or be sickened for 24 hours. Unfortunately, following one of these game trails is your only option going forward. Walthus' instructions were to take the game trails from this point and the AP imposes movement penalties among other hazards for leaving the trail. There is always the option of cutting your way through...

How mush slower will it be to cut our way through? Rennyn asks Draeven.

It will be quite slow. More importantly, it will be noisy.

1/4 speed

I could try crawling for a bit. See how far the nettles go for. If its not too far we could all crawl through.

Dropping prone and cradling his ax in his arms, Draeven begins army crawling into the low tunnel through the nettles. I'll be back in a few minutes, he whispers as he uses his elbows to pull himself forward, disappearing into the thicket.

Crawling speed is 100'/minute normally.

At the dress comment Fenra looks down at her tight fitting trousers.I think we may need to have a lesson on articles of clothing. Considering the dense foliage before them she throws out some suggestions.Can we burn a path through? Or maybe draw some of the wretched creatures to us here and create our own ambush?

Once the battle is over Jeryn crosses the bridge and joins the group. He smiles at Fenra's remark and his gaze lingers as she adjusts her clothing. After introductions, he follows into line and marches silently - he seems to be pondering something.

He snaps to attention at the mention of crawling through mud. I am not writhing through the mud like a worm. The thought of the filth clinging to his gear and permeating the fibres of his clothing make his skin wriggle. Gazing at the thorns, his eyebrows twitch upward and the edges of his lips form a smile as he nods at Fenra. [b]Yes, this would make an excellent killing field. Draw the goblins within the tunnel, somehow trap them within from the other side with fire, and then slaughter them at will.

Left standing on the path, Rennyn and the others first watch, then listen as the ranger shuffles along. Draeven crawls on his belly for about three feet. Realizing he has ample room to crawl on all fours, the hulking ranger assumes a more mobile position and resumes his reconnaissance. As the others wait silently, he is soon out of sight and earshot.

Picking his way up the game trail, Draeven's path criss crosses other trails along the way. Although he has no difficulty in avoiding the stinging leaves of the nettles, the maze of paths is perplexing. Selecting a well used game trail, the half-orc pushes onward. The abundance of Goblin tracks seen filling the tunnel's dirt floor give the ranger confidence that he is on the right path. But oddly, there are other tracks present here as well. Irregularly shaped, they look like five claws on a ball. Studying the strange tracks, Draeven is unable to place them to any animal he knows.

Taking extra care, Draeven's pace is slow. Winding past the thick trunks of several tall trees, the path turns, then climbs. The scent of smoke grows and is noticeably mixed with that of burnt meat. The path climbs for twenty more feet (not vertically; the elevation has only changed by about 10 feet) then suddenly opens up. There, not more than fifty feet away is a filthy village-fort surrounded by a crude wooden palisade. Sitting atop a low hummock of solid ground, the wooden walls are no more than 10 feet high. A wooden gate in the north wall of the palisade lies in shambles on the ground. Nearby, a large, algae-filled pool on the north-eastern side breaks the palisade and allows a clearer view into the village’s interior. Inside is a collection of ramshackle huts connected by wooden walkways, all built on thick wooden stilts. Across from the pool is a smoldering fire pit. The mixed smell of wood and meat fill the area. Seeing no one, Draeven takes note of the village's location, then turns back.

True to his word, Draeven reappears ten minutes later. Sweaty, his face, arms and legs painted in dirt, the ranger is no worse for wear...

I anticipate the next few days to be busy with combat...don't stray :)

I seem to have missed the part where you changed from a "tight cloth bodice of a dark, rich purple colour accented with silver embroidery along her contours and some light weight scarves wrapped around her hair and shoulders and a long flowy skirt" for "tight cloth bodice of a dark, rich purple colour accented with silver embroidery along her contours and some light weight scarves wrapped around her hair and shoulders and tight fitting trousers." :P

Sorry. I think your clothes will really suffer if we were to try that, Rennyn corrects himself. Although it seems I am worried about the wrong person here, he adds in an exasperated tone glancing at Jeryn. You think that trudging about in a swamp is going to be clean work? You think entering a goblin encampment is going to be clean work?! You think adventuring is ever going to be clean work?

You may need to rethink your chosen path my friend. Or take your lumps from the nettles, he finishes teasing the wizard.

At Fenra's suggestion Rennyn looks about at the generally wet surroundings and then the nettles specifically, before shrugging his shoulders. Not sure if it would burn. Or fast enough. Might bring the goblins to investigate though. Maybe more at once than we can handle though. I would think we would rather keep the element of surprise as long as we can.

We could set up an ambush here though. Thin the numbers at least. he says looking about for potential places to hide.

As Draeven emerges from the thicket he grunts, About 500 feet. Not too bad a crawl really.

Standing up, not bothering to clean himself off being comfortable in the dirt, he continues, The village is just beyond the thicket. Didn't see anyone. I think we could get closer if our lucks holds, levelling his gaze at Fenra and Jeryn, And you are willing to get down and stay out of sight.

Remember the other tracks he adds, Something besides goblins has been using the trail. And recently.

She is dressed very similarly to last night, a tight cloth bodice of a dark, rich purple colour accented with silver embroidery along her contours and some light weight scarves wrapped around her hair and shoulders. The main difference is that the long flowy skirt she wore last night has been replaced by a set of trousers in a purple so dark as almost to be black.

Just so you don't think I'm totally making things up.

In response to Rennyn she retorts, I have no issues getting dirty, I will just enjoy my bath afterwards that much more. After Jeryn's comment she invites him, You can join me in my bath if you like, I'll make sure you get clean, she says with a naughty smile.

Fenra listens to Draeven's report.But if they are not in their village, where are they? They have ALL left? That in itself makes me uneasy.

Oh, I'm sorry. I just figured that you were reluctant to get dirty given that you seemed to prefer the risk of arrows to avoid crouching in the bushes and mud. He bows overly deeply, Please forgive me.

At Fenra and Jeryn's incessant flirting, Rennyn rolls his eyes while shaking his head. Good lord. Can we keep our focus on the task at hand?

I said I didn't see anyone. Not that the village was empty. Cook fires were burning, so at least some are likely inside.

Hopefully, nothing saw me either.

I'm completely focused thank you. So what do you suggest then, attack the main camp or lure them somewhere?

If a number of them are not in the camp, that could work to our advantage. Rennyn strokes his chin in thought. But we won't know until we get a closer look. While I like the idea of an ambush, I'm not sure how we can lure them in without raising their suspicions. I agree that we should try and keep the element of surprise as long as we can.

I think we should get to the other side of the thicket.

I'm open to suggestions however.

Well if we can all get through this brush undetected we can get a better idea of how to approach the problem I suppose. Who knows where they all are though or even how many of them there are! They could come running in from all directions at the first sign of a commotion though, we could easily be surrounded.
She offers a couple of scarves to Jeryn to protect his clothes from the muck.

I think that is a concern no matter the plan, Draeven interjects.

Shall we crawl through then?

I'm ready to go.

Despite Jeryn’s protests the group begins crawling behind Draeven. Making your way through the maze of tunneled nettles, everyone’s arms and legs are branded with the dark swamp soil. Five hundred feet later, the quaternary emerges.
It is as Draeven described; a filthy village of crude wooden huts set upon stilts. Save for an algae-filled pool on the north-eastern side, the entire village is surrounded by a crude palisade no more than ten feet high. An eerie silence hangs over the village.
The gate is in disarray. Pushed open from the inside, the shabby roped hinges hang loosely attached to the gates. Near the centre of the palisade, smoke floats skyward from a large fenced pit. Simple ladders lead up to the huts which are connected by a network of wooden walkways. While in the middle of the village, three watchtowers stand above the other huts.

Map added

Draeven's gaze falls upon the gate. Hmmmm. I failed to notice that last time.

Odd that the gate would be open with no sentries. And I have never known gobbies to be so quiet. Perhaps something has happened here prior to our arrival, Draeven whispers to the others. Let's get a peek inside.

Waving the others forward, Draeven stows his ax and takes up his bow as he quietly moves up to the wall. (move to D,20 w/stealth +6) He then sneaks a peek into the camp through the open gate, looking for goblins anywhere, especially the towers. (perception +4)

Rennyn follows Draeven to the wall, but takes up at the other end where it stops in the water. (move to E,24 w/stealth +0)

He then checks the water before peeking around the wall into the camp. (perception +7)

Rennyn's jabs bring the faintest of scowls to Jeryn's face before he sighs and remarks Hmmph. I suppose you are right, there is no avoiding it now or in the future. That, however, is merely our current reality. When we return to civilization I shall have to devise a dweomer to either prevent the filth from adhering to my form or one that will remove it expediently and completely.

Surprising himself, he finds a grin on his face in response to Fenra's offer. I just might have to take you up on that. The enticing thoughts quickly pass as the party prepares to advance into the tunnel.

He crawls his way through the mud with the others, without any protest. Once they are able to stand, he looks down at himself and his face controts into a disgusted snarl but he remains silent. As the others approach the village, he swiftly moves forward and takes cover behind a large boulder.

Remembering the monster the party had crossed paths with earlier, he lets the others watch the wall, while he keeps his focus on the waters to the east. Perception +6

Advance to B 17

Prestidigitation is a useful spell for those obsessed with cleanliness.

With Fenra watching the rear, the group does its best to stay out of sight and advances on the palisade. Seeking cover in the foliage, Jeryn watches the two warriors take up position at the wooden barrier. Reaching the gate Rennyn notices a clue to the eerie silence. Clearly visible from the gate, the grotesque contents of the enclosed pit. Bodies. How many and how deep the pit is, is hard to tell - pressing on to his position Rennyn's view becomes blocked. With Draeven taking point at the gate, Rennyn signals to his counterpart. From his vantage, the half-orc surveys the source of the smoke. Burnt beyond recognition, the blackened forms bare the same shape and size... of goblins.

Peering around the corner, Rennyn's eyes dart across the wooden village. Standing five feet above the ground, the wooden huts show no signs of life. Neither do the watch towers. In the distance, South East U33 one of the wooden huts has been burnt to the ground and beyond that is a hut which measures larger than the rest. Shut double doors prevents the elf from gleaming a look inside. The nearest ladder up to the walkways is by Draeven with another ladder connecting to the watchtower close to Rennyn, by the watch tower.

Map updated/Tweaked (added smoke and a few labels)

Let's try this again

The eerie silence in an area that should be bustling with life gives Fenra chills. Feeling suddenly vulnerable she reaches her arms to the sky and hums a small tune; a glow builds around her starting at her head like a halo then winding itself down around her body as if she is caught in a mini tornado of sparkling light. When it reaches her feet the whirling stops and it now appears as if the starry night itself has enfolded her. She moves closer to the main group -b18 also I think Jeryn meant -b17 because he indicated he was hiding behind the boulder.

Coat of many stars, AC is now 16 lasts for 1 hour. Also meant to say she retrieved her javelin from the last encounter.

Looks like whatever happened here we missed it. We should look around to be sure.

Rennyn nods. Whatever did this to the goblins might still be here. And it might not be any friendlier than the goblins.

Rennyn and Draeven move into the village and begin searching...

Sounding the all clear, the two warriors converge near the enclosed pit. As they discuss which hut to search first, Fenra and Jeryn relax as they join the others. The silence is deafening. Assuming the village has been abandoned or slaughtered by another force, Jeryn yawns. Glancing into the smoldering pit, the wizard spots something unusual - a humanoid foot. Laying near the edge close to the bottom, it is charred from the fire and blackened with soot and ash. The bones are completely devoid of flesh, yet the flesh of the surrounding bodies still clings to their skeletal remains. It is definitely human, of that the professor is certain. Tapping Fenra on the shoulder, Jeryn raises an eyebrow and points to the foot, and then a hand! Like a children's word game, the more the two gaze into the pit, the more bones they find. Nearly two complete skeletons!
Seeing the oracle and wizard distracted, Rennyn inquires and he and Draeven are soon acquainted with the find. Staring at the humanoid foot, the blood from Draeven's face drains. The markings on the ground match the shape of the foot - five claws over the shape of a ball.
Thinking hard, Fenra recalls some of the mysteries her talents have introduced her to. Tales of the walking dead...robbed of their flesh, cursed to forever walk the earth and prey on the flesh of man. As the pieces come together, the group realizes what may have happened here...and what may still be out there.

Then the silence is broken. It is only faint - the sound of sobbing followed shortly by a scolding voice, Quietzz! Muffled, the sound came from one of the huts to the south. Scanning the village, all is as it was before you arrived. Seemingly no sign of life.

Map updated, you can retcon positioning if you like. | Where will you search first?

I'm confused, is this five claws over the ball the meta/tarsal bones and heel of a human(oid) foot or is it actual claws?

Fenra, hearing the sounds like the others, heads over to where they seemed to come from. Softly to the others she asks, Offer a truce?

Not being a specialist in anatomy, I can see how my description may be confusing. The claws represent each digit of the foot. The ball is the heel, yes.

Rennyn cuts off the explanation. Yes. Everyone knows what a skeleton is.

Knowledge (religion) +5 = automatic

The blood most assuredly does not drain from Draeven's face.

And I already suspected given the skeleton tracks in the thicket. The question is what drew them here?

Knowledge (religion) [untrained] result of 9 in the tunnel is more than enough to identify the tracks.

Rennyn turns on Fenra. Truce?! What are you talking about? We are here, specifically, to eradicate these goblins that plague the swamp and surrounding area! Or have you forgotten with all the talk of shared baths? There will be no truce! To what end? The best they will have is a swift end!

We will deal with the goblins as they deserve and then move on to the skeletons as well. Evil will not be allowed to fester here any longer! The holy warrior shoulders his bow and draws his sword, turning his attention to the south hut.

Draeven likewise stows his bow and draws his axe, while stating matter of factly, There is no negotiating with goblins. They only know violence. That is all they respect.

And they will respect us. After we are done here, I will track the skeletons.

Fenra glares at Rennyn, You don't need to be so insulting, a couple of goblin lives might be worth information on an obviously more deadly foe, you know numbers, how long ago they were here, how many goblins they took out, where they might have gone, but by all means lets just get on to the slaughter! She grabs her morningstar and slams open the door of the closest hut.

Either fortunately, or unfortunately, the map I had updated did not load and so everyone is still in their positions before the discussion. If Fenra is going to kick open a door, I'd rather not be the one to pick the hut - that's your job :) The nearest hut is in and around F11. Shall I move the party there?
In the meantime, I have moved your tokens next to the pit...this time the map is updated but I am still waiting on where you'd like to start.

Rennyn responds passionately, in a never seen before outburst of emotion and urgency, I am trying to get you to focus my dear! You don't seem to be taking this seriously enough! This is dangerous work! Everyone's lives are at stake! I will not allow you to fall again!

I will not fail again, he adds speaking to himself this time.

Draeven interjects after Rennyn's outburst, You will not get the information you seek from the gobbies. Even if you corner one and get him talking, it will either make no sense, or will be full of lies and deceit. Nothing they say can be trusted. They serve only themselves. Not even other gobbies.

It is best we finish this quickly. Standing around talking only gives them more time to ready themselves against us.

He stows his ax and draws his bow once more. Rennyn. Climb up over there while I cover you, he nods in the direction of one of the ladders while nocking an arrow and watching the over head walkways. (move to K,20)

Rennyn snaps to, looking a little sheepish at his outburst, and quickly moves to the ladder at the base of the nearest watchtower (N,21). He sheaths his sword and begins climbing...

Intent is to get to the top, draw sword and move to P,17. He will peek the corner and see what lies to the south. If all clear, he waves the others up. Draeven comes up last, covering the other as they go.

Before Rennyn starts to ascend the latter, Jeryn quietly clears his throat and then says I'm with Fenra on this one. I agree we are here to exterminate goblins but if we could gather some information from them before hand, we would be foolhardy not to. While it can be difficult to discern goblin intent and separate truth from fiction, it does make it easier to accomplish when you can speak the language.

After asserting his position he shrugs and says There is no guarantee that conversing with the goblins will result in any new information but there is a one hundred percent chance that they won't tell us anything if we slaughter them.

There's a surprise. He sides with the one who shows him cleavage, the burly half-orc thinks to himself.

Draeven gives Jeryn a hard look. Just because you speak the language means nothing. Understanding their language and understanding goblins is two totally separate things. This isn't book learning professor. Have you even actually even spoke to a live goblin?

They will give you nothing. They will try to take everything from you if they can. It is foolhardy to think speaking with them will accomplish anything.

The only good gobby is a dead gobby.

Draeven switches to goblin, ແຕ່ຖ້າຫາກວ່າ ທ່ານ ຕ້ອງການທີ່ຈະ ສົນທະນາກັບ ພວກເຂົາ, ຈະ ບຸກຄົນທົ່ວໄປ ຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ . ພຽງແຕ່ເຂົ້າໃຈ ວ່າຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຈະໄດ້ຮັບການ ນໍາໃຊ້ລູກສອນ ແລະ ຕັດທອນລາຍຈ່າຍ ຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ບໍ່ໄດ້ເວົ້າ ຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ.

All of us can understand goblin if need be. What of it? What are you going to promise these goblins in exchange for this information? Their survival? I will not be a party to that, Rennyn states firmly.

Growing impatient he remarks, We are wasting precious time!

Make your decision! I will not tell you what to do, but neither will I enter into parley with these wicked and vile creatures. If you wish to speak with them, there is another ladder just over there.

Rennyn clambers up his ladder...

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

With fire in her eyes she halts her course of action, Do not bring your past troubles with you here. My suggestion was meant to save lives, ours or others, but like anything in life there are no guarantees. Turning on Draeven she retorts, Have you ever spoken to a live goblin? ດ້ວຍຖ້ອຍຄໍາ ທີ່ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຫມາຍຄວາມວ່າ, ບໍ່ໄດ້ ຕັດທອນລາຍຈ່າຍ ແລະ ຂອງທ່ານ.

Enough pointlessness, like I said, let the slaughter begin! She follows the others up the ladder.

Sorry didn't read closely re the huts are on stilts. Obviously there is no crashing of doors.

Rennyn averts his eyes from Fenra. He pauses in his climb, wincing at her mention of his past and only offers, I truly don't believe your suggestion will save lives. Quite the contrary, before continuing to the top of the ladder. Stepping off, he draws his sword, before moving to the corner and peeking around it...

Draeven lower his voice, becoming almost a growl. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າມີ . ແລະມັນ ໄດ້ສິ້ນສຸດລົງ ທີ່ໃຊ້ເວລາ ດຽວກັນ. ທຸກຄັ້ງ. ທີ່ໃຊ້ເວລາ . ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຈະບໍ່ໄດ້ ສິ່ງເສດເຫລືອທີ່ ລົມຫາຍໃຈ ຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຢູ່ທີ່ນີ້. ພາລະກິດ ຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ແມ່ນເພື່ອ ຍຸດຕິການ goblins ແລະ ວ່າແມ່ນສິ່ງທີ່ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຈະ ເຮັດແນວໃດ.

The skeletons, while interesting, are not my priority.

And your appeal to my mixed lineage is unmoving. You do not know me or my circumstances.

You are right, we know nothing of each other. This is stated flatly.

Draeven is perfectly happy to give Fenra the last word.

And this is why I prefer to work alone. So much talking when there is work to do!

He watches Rennyn carefully, bow ready, just in case.

Awesome posting rate! Its exciting to come home to a dozen new posts guys, even if it is an argument among friends :)

The ladder flexes and creaks as the paladin ascends. Although sturdy enough, the rungs are closer together both in width and raise than would feel comfortable. It is after all goblin made - they didn't intend larger creatures to use it.
At the top is a small wooden door. Four feet in height and wide enough for any of the party to comfortably fit through, Rennyn has no difficulty opening it. Reaching the top, Rennyn draws his swords and begins his search. Inside, although the floor is covered in dirt and well worn from use, this watch tower is decidedly abandoned. Another ladder, leading up to a small balcony, stands on the north wall. From below, it clearly sits vacant. Following close behind, Fenra's dark eyes move with Rennyn's. Checking the corners and ladder, neither hero sees anything alarming. Two more doors of similar shape and size lead east and west on the south side of the watch tower. Knowing Draeven is covering the west exit, Rennyn slips this door open to an empty wooden walkway. To this paladin's well trained eye, it spans some sixty feet across. Compared to the bridges, the sturdy construction does not give Rennyn any pause.
Almost immediately to the south sits the first hut. Its small wooden door is a mere ten feet from the watch tower. Like the door Rennyn and Fenra just used, there is no visible latching mechanism holding it shut. Just a little friction and gravity. At the other end, is a second hut with another door. (P10) The walk way then comes to a dead end, blocked by the wooden walls of a second watch tower.

Even though the roof has been moved and labelled (P19), the door still isn't very clear on the map but better than before. Rennyn is still inside the watch tower in case he would like to change is plan before moving to P17 as stated earlier. | Map updated