It's a crocodile. Marten says. We've disturbed it but it doesn't look aggressive. If we just back away slowly, we should be fine. he says, edging slowly along the trail
Nodding towards the druid Friday will back away with the rest of the group.
Gryf heeds his brothers words, as he slings his axe on his back and picks up the torch. "Let it pass then, we have to get to the hunt. Bad idea to stay out here all night." Stepping in front Gryf decides to help with the trail and attempts to pick it up again.
Haru keeps the light near the crocodile as they pass, until it winks out when the spell's duration ends.
A close thing. Marten says. Crocodile's are nocturnal. If we had come across it when it was feeding it might have felt compelled to defend the kill.
Haru. he says to the raven-haired woman. Do you know how much further it is to Walthus' place?
"It's hard to judge time with the stars hidden behind the trees as they are. I'd say, we're about..."
"...an hour or less away. If we keep up a steady pace, perhaps half an hour."
Friday resumes his pace alongside the tracker, keeping his eyes and ears open to his surroundings.
I see. Let's press on then. Tell me, how did you meet Ms Andosana?
We're traveling through a hostile swamp in the dead of night and he wants to hear stories?... Eh, there's worse things to do while traveling I suppose. Be best to keep everyone calm.
Friday takes some of his attention away from the surroundings in order to listen to the conversation.
Gryf keeps focus on the darkness unsure of what it could hold but he knows here in the swamp it couldn't be anything good. The light starts to play tricks on him as he see's things moving through the tree's, dancing shadows and staring eyes. He couldn't help but to ask. He thinks as he looks at his brother and Haru.
Then realising how quiet Valeria has been he moves up to her. "
Valeria are you ok?"
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"Well, I've always felt the call of forest and fen. I'd often go a-rambling, and caused my parents a lot of worry. They'd come find me, terrified, telling me stories of goblins and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties in the wilderness, but I always figured they were exaggerating things to get me to stay at home. At thirteen, I wandered farther than usual, and, well, my parents say I was lost, but I knew exactly where I was the whole time, even if they didn't. I found this beautiful crystal clear pond and went for a swim, and as I was drying off, I heard a little, 'Ahem' from across the pool, looked up, and there she was..."
Haru gets a smile on her face, and chuckles softly. "Had she been a goblin or something, she could have snuck up on me and I would have never known she was there. That was the point she was making, by sneaking up on me at a moment of vulnerability. As we walked back to town, she told me about how she and other hunters ranged through the wilds, taking out the kinds of threats that my parents had told me of, before they could get close enough to attack young ladies wandering through the woods like I was. I guess hearing it from her made it more real, somehow, or maybe I just wanted to show her I was more than a dumb kid who risked herself going off alone. So I asked her to teach me, and she and my parents arranged an apprenticeship of sorts. This is, I guess, my journeyman test -- going off by myself to take out a threat to Sandpoint! Well, not by myself. But without her. You know what I mean. Make sure to tell her what a good job I did when we get back!"
Friday finds himself listening more intently than he thought he would at the girl's story. Hearing the innocence and eagerness in her request he can't help but smile and turn his head towards her. "Deal. Just don't get us eaten before we can pass along the praise."
Gryf's question surprised her. "Hmm? Oh; sorry, Xel and I have a mental link of sorts and it can get a bit distracting at times. Strong emotions tend to bleed back through to me. In this case; the absolute, bowel-clenching, teeth-rattling terror of an abject coward out here in the middle of the night."
"I'm not even going to dignify that with a reply." Xel replied.
Make sure to tell her what a good job I did when we get back!"
And I have no doubt you will. Marten says with a smile. The wilderness is a beautiful place, full of so many wonders. Of course, there are dangers. But a little knowledge and being prepared can go a long way to keeping a person safe. Sometimes I think it is a shame that townfolk spend so little time in the woods or mountains or down by the sea – there is a literal world of possibility out there.
Still, we’ve got a little ways to go so perhaps we can discuss this further later Haru, and for now just concentrate on not stepping on any crocodiles!
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After a half-hour of walking along the sodden, muddy trail (during which several of the party's boots sink into the mud and get stuck), the trail leads up to a swampy lagoon. The open ocean is visible just beyond these shallow waters, while an old two-story building, its walls soggy with moss and its roof sagging with age, sits on the lagoon’s eastern shore.
There are no lights on in the house. The stillness of the marsh seems to be more noticeable here.
Looks like he has already retired for the evening. Marten says regretfully, noticing the absence of lights.
I hate to disturb him but I don't think we have a choice unless we want to stay out here.
Marten strides forward and knocks solidly on the front door
There is no response for a minute.
Then the sound of shuffling feet can be heard from behind the door.
"What?! Who's addled enough to visit in the dead of night?!" A tired, scratchy voice barks from inside.
"Goblin hunters?" Friday replies with a shrug to the door. Yes, a tracker, a wizard and her bird, an angry hippie, a mellow hippie, and a bum. Goblin hunters.
"Hunters OF goblins, not goblins who are hunters, just to be clear," Haru adds.
There's a silence as Friday & Haru speak up.
Then the door opens up a crack. "Well, what in blazes are you bothering ME for at this hour?" His tone is beginning to even out a bit.
Friday actually snorts at Haru's addendum in reflex, composing himself he says "Hemlock told us to seek you out."
@Valeria
"Me and Marten used to have a bond somewhat like that, we could almost finish each other sentences the bond of brothers, twin brothers. We thought it would never be broken." He looks back at his brother as he speaks to the others.
"But people change, he chose one path and i chose another. You and Xel have nothing to fear as long as i'm standing beside you i'll make sure nothing bad happens.
--
Gryf steps forward, wanting to get to the point. "Walthus Proudstump? I'm Gryf Rivers, and as it was said we were told to seek you out as we have taken up the bounty of the goblins in the area. Hemlock said you could help us, give us some information?"
"Walthus Proudstump? I'm Gryf Rivers, and as it was said we were told to seek you out as we have taken up the bounty of the goblins in the area. Hemlock said you could help us, give us some information?"
The door opens more, revealing a brown-haired halfling with dark circles under his eyes. Several bite marks mar his face and arms. "Oh, did he now? He bloody well should have known better than to send 'em to me this late. At least then I'd have made more of an effort to look presentable." He grumbles.
He steps aside and beckons the party indoors. The front hall of his home is well-maintained, considering the conditions it's in. A staircase leads up to the second floor and there are two doors on the west wall. "Well? You might as well come in--there's no way I'm getting any sleep now." He points you to a room to the northwest, where a table and several chairs wait.
Bowing in thanks as they are allowed in Friday moves with the others to the offered room.
My thanks Mr Proudstump. We would not have called on you so late but time was against us.
The goblins in this region have been unusually aggressive of late. The Sheriff has asked us to look into it and he thought there was no one who knew more about the swamp than you. Is there anything you can tell us that can help?
Stepping into the house Gryf looking around, getting used to his new surroundings. Moves towards the chairs and takes out facing the wall. "Thank you, the swamp is not the best place to be camping out at night." He then nods at his brothers questions. "Anything you can tell us could helps a lot." He then looks at the bite marks on his face and arms. "Had some trouble with snakes around here?"
"Yeah, those look kinda painful." Valeria commented, wincing slightly at the sight of the bites.
"'Kind of'!? He's covered in so many spots you could pass him off as a piece of Shoanti tribal art!" Xel exclaimed.
"My thanks Mr Proudstump. We would not have called on you so late but time was against us."
"The goblins in this region have been unusually aggressive of late. The Sheriff has asked us to look into it and he thought there was no one who knew more about the swamp than you. Is there anything you can tell us that can help?"
Walthus narrows his eyes. "Eh, they haven't been bothering me as of late. That's really all I can tell ya--aside from where their village is." He puffs himself up proudly. "I've snuck into their midst quite a few times--they never realize I'm there."
"Had some trouble with snakes around here?"
The halfling winces. "Yes... my pet snakes have been acting up a bit as of late. No idea why, though--maybe something in the swamp has them spooked."
Maybe it's because of fatigue creeping into your eyes.
Maybe it's because of something else altogether.
But you could swear that one of the bite marks on Walthus' face just... rippled. And vanished.
"Probably the goblins... Or do you think it could be something else?" he says as he arches a brow inquisitively, feeling something amiss.
"Probably the goblins... Or do you think it could be something else?"
Walthus shrugs. "Well, the swamp holds quite a few dangers for the unwary. Some of it's just the local wildlife, but there's also..."
He swallows. "Well, I don't suppose any of you have heard of the Soggy River Monster?"
At Walthus' deference Friday is about to add something but stops when the halfling mentions the 'monster'. The man simply shrugs before turning to look at each of the others in turn.
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For the past 3 years, fishermen and farmers have told stories of a pale monster with legs that bend like a dog’s, that dresses in rags, and that hunts along the shores of the Soggy River. Sightings of the so-called “Soggy River Monster” are most common near Brinestump Marsh, causing most to believe the creature dwells somewhere in the swamp.
The creature has been blamed for at least five disappearances over the past year, although Sandpoint’s militia suspects these disappearances are, in fact, simply bored sons and daughters running away from home to seek an exciting life in Magnimar.
"I've heard of it, from some folk -- I figured it was just a story, or some shabby hermit. Did it attack you?"
Marten frowns and blinks hard. But no, he is sure of what he saw.
How are you able to sneak into the goblin's camp Mr Proudstump, do you have some magical means of changing your appearance? It appears there is some lingering effect of that transmutation. he says, indicating the rippling on the halfling's face.
Gryf sits back listening to the others. His mother would always tell him there is a time for action and a time to listen, maybe now was the time to listen and let thoughts more suited for this task to talk. "Pet snakes acting up? They really worked you over. Anyone here any good with healing? Maybe they can look you over make sure your ok?" He looks around the group. His earlier thoughts of letting other speak long gone, he was never one to sit still and watch.
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"I've heard of it, from some folk -- I figured it was just a story, or some shabby hermit. Did it attack you?"
Walthus shakes his head. "Not yet... but I swear I've seen it some nights. It never comes near my home... it just sits there, watching and waiting for something." He shivers. "Gods only know what it wants..."
"How are you able to sneak into the goblin's camp Mr Proudstump, do you have some magical means of changing your appearance? It appears there is some lingering effect of that transmutation."
At Marten's words, the halfling's demeanour noticeably shifts.
"You have good eyes, sir."
A smile breaks out on 'Walthus' face. "How unfortunate for you."
In the blink of an eye, the halfling's form... shifts. It blurs and blends together, the pale flesh of the swamp-dwelling halfling turning a sinister red & black, his face morphing and warping until it is entirely featureless. A long, snake-like tongue lashes out from a horizontal slit in its face where a mouth would be, revealing sharp teeth!
The... thing that was once Walthus seizes the opportunity to attack the person nearest him--in this case, Friday!
...well, this is embarrassing.
The beast's fist lashes out at him, but evidently the wounds it sustained earlier have affected its aim--the dining room table is reduced to splinters.
Friday's eyes widen as he sees the creature transform and attack, and thankfully miss. Taking a step back he lunges at whatever is in front of him with his longspear.
Friday's wild stab gouges out a chunk of the dining room wall.
"It's, it's, it's a faceless stalker! They can take the forms of other people and live off blood! Its hide is strong against brute force so use blades instead."
Marten suspected there was something the matter with Walthus but nothing like this!
He makes a clenched fist and starts chanting in the secret druidic language.
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As the creature that Marten took to be Proudstump suddenly ripples and shifts into some nightmarish thing, the druid gathers his power and bring his foot down on the floorboards with tremendous force.
A ripple runs along the ground to beneath the creature and then suddenly bucks up like a rearing horse, looking to topple it.
Caught by surprise at Walthus suddenly warping in to this faceless creature, Gryf with gritted teeth instinctively steps forward and swings out at the creature. His blind attack misses and his axe connects the the wall leaving a massive dent as he screams out.
Marten's spell knocks the faceless stalker down with ease, sending tremors throughout the rickety floorboards of the house!
Haru starts sings a line of song in Minkaian, which none of the others understand; however, the power of the music fills their hearts with gladness and determination to destroy this creature.
As she sings, the enigmatic woman draws her bow.