Before speaking with Dao
Sybil listens to Apex, her head still bowed. Gazing upon the grave she answers in a whisper:
"This is not the fault of anyone. It happened and we must do our best to honor this loss. Remember what you though was great about him and strive toward that. Remember why we all came to the marsh and let not his death be in vain. He fell and we live. You have to draw strenght from it."
Once the burial is over
Sybil walks over to Stumpy and takes him away from the group.
"Mr. Proudstump, would you let us stay in your house for the night? We do not wish to camp in the marsh and I believe everyone in the group would need to rest peacefully."
As the others find their own ways of continuing after the death of their friend, Irnk makes his way back to the tree he was using for a sleeping/lookout nook. Gathering up his meager belongings, he returns to the hut & begins putting things back in order.
Walthus coughs, then stands when the proceedings are completed. He turns to walk into the house as twilight settles into darkness around you. "Getting late. You are welcome to stay the night, of course. Couldn't throw you out after you saved my life. Set up wherever you want." He looks over at Irnk and shakes his head. "Can't believe I'm saying this, but even you, I guess."
There are a number of rooms in the house:
- A main room with a settee and several somewhat damaged potted plants.
- A dining room with a wooden table and single chair. Before going to bed, Walthus lights a fire in the cold metal stove ("Gets chilly at night,"), and points out the adjoining pantry if you are hungry (No rations needed until dinner tomorrow)
- A storage room with wicker cages containing sparrows, mice, and other small animals. ("For the snakes," Walthus explains.)
- An enclosed garden where Walthus keeps his pet snakes. He checks in on them before he goes upstairs. ("Good, still got all three. Training them can be tough.")
- An upstairs supply room, that Avan retrieved the shovel from earlier. Looks like Walthus keeps some of his occasionally used adventuring gear here too. ("Could trade for it, if you need something,")
- A guest room with a bed (medium sized), chair, and chest, all covered by dusty sheets. ("I don't entertain much.")
- Walthus' bedroom. ("I'd prefer you don't come in unless something else comes after us tonight.")
The fire of the dining room was still burning strong when Avan entered it, his mood was still clouded, but he knew that depriving himself from sleep wouldn't solve anything, so without a word he dropped himself somewhat close to the fire place, the orange hue of the flame glinting in his eyes and blonde hair, his eyes remained half open as he waited for his body to surrender to sleep on its own.
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At Walthus' grudging invitation, Irnk smirks silently as he nods acknowledgement before indicating he should be awoken for the mid-night watch & sacking out under the table. Within moments, the echoes of his snores lead you to conclude that the rumors regarding Goblin heads, (that they be hollow), might have some validity to them...
Sybil dutifully follows Walthus as he gives them a tour of the house. Doing so, she nods and gives approving yet vague remarks about all the rooms they visit. Once done, she wishes good night to the halfling and goes down to the kitchen to recuperate her backpack.
On her way up, she wishes a good night to Avan and Gao, waves at Irnk (even though he obviously is already asleep) and invites Apex to share the bedroom with her. At last, she makes sure the door to the cabin is locked and blocked by the settee.
Contrary to the rest of the group, Sybil changes to a night gown (found deep within her backpack)before drinking one of her concoctions and going to sleep.
Apex takes Sybil's offer, curling up into a tiny ball before sleeping fitfully, wrapped tightly in her cloak. She wakes often, almost panicked, looking at the door.
The next morning, the five of you prepare to depart. A thick fog hangs over the swamp, and Walthus is already up, using a bit of charcoal to sketch out a rough map of the swamp.
"Now, here's where I am. Here's the path that you took to get to me. You want to get at the Licktoad tribe, right? They're the one's with the fireworks. You've got two options: straight through, or the long way round. Straight through, you're looking at a half-mile march, if you don't get turned around in the fog, and it'd take me about a half-hour to get there on a good day. Long way around? Less swamp, more path, maybe safer. Take the Old Fish Trail in from the east, it'll get you there, but the better part of two hours. You're looking at a three and half mile hike that way. Oh, and just in case, here's Old Megus' shack in the southwest. I wouldn't get too close unless you have to."
He looks around at all of you to see if you have any questions.
While everyone else talks, and eats in the morning, Apex studies her books, and a scroll she pulls from her pack. She tries to stay out of the way of the other's morning rituals as best she can.
When done, she packs up her meager belongings, and joins the group. Before they set off, she speaks to Proudstump.
Mr. Proudstump, thank you for letting us stay in your house overnight. The bed was very comfortable. It felt much better than the ground.
She smiles and makes eye contact with him briefly, before lowering her eyes to the floor again shyly.
"The shorter route, swamps should pose no problems if we have a guide" Said Avan as he looked towards the halfling "It is why Shalelu told us to find you" With that statement Avan got up and walked from the table he was trying to think of a good place to start his morning training, what broke him out of his pondering was the sight of Apex passing by him, he nodded a greeting to the wizard and almost immediately the sight of her wailing beside Tharjuk's corpse rushed back into his head, he naturally had not forgotten what happened yesterday, but he didn't need to remember the exact details of the aftermath, a slight crack in his facial armor appeared before he continued on his way.
The fresh salty air greeted Avan once more, he inhaled deeply as he walked to an open patch with relatively solid ground and fell into the stance that had been drilled into him. Time passed as the martial artist remained still, his mind focusing on nothing but his stance, everything melted away, the scenery, the sounds and the doubts that clang to him since last night. Avan stood there like a statue, the sound of a crashing wave echoed through the area and it was then that the mist of motionlessness that had come over the blond man dispersed; he launched his chambered punched, followed with a parry against an invisible assailant, launched a savage forward kick at an imagined foe, then he leapt backwards, landed on his left hand, pushed himself into the air once more and sent a swipe with his leg at empty air before landing and falling into his stance once more.
Early in the morning
Sybil wakes up early and spends a considerable amount of time changing into her adventuring clothes and making herself presentable. She then goes down to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. There, she wakes up the still snoring goblin with gentle foot prods and orders him around so that he may be of some use in the kitchen. Finally, she sets the table and gets everyone to gather around the table.
Now
Sybil joins Apex in thanking their host and nods in approval at Avan's suggestion.
"I agree with Mr. Avan. However, we do not want to impose on your more than we already have. As such, we should take the longer path. Doing so, we will know the safest escape route in case things turn badly. Such missions always require a safe escape route." she explains.
Sybil looks at the others from the group, trying to find wise approval of her plan. She first looks at Dao, turns to Irnk and finally to Apex.
No, no, ah, yes, Apex... but she is too uncertain only Avan is left that could give wise feedback, but he is outside. Why did you have to leave us Tharjuk... thinks the dwarf.
Sybil gives a smile to the sylph before adressing her:
"So, what do you think miss Stormshard?"
Eyebrow arched at Sybil's obvious assessment, Irnk snorts derisively as he secures his gear, such as it is, & contemplates the routes available to them.
Apex looks almost horrified when Sybil addresses her, and then cocks her head to the side, contemplating.
Well, I agree. If we were in some sort of crunch for time, through the swamp might be worth the risk, but we aren't. We've.... she steels herself to speak the next sentence with a deep breath and a sad frown, and speaks We've already lost one person, we shouldn't risk more...
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Galford spends the night on the roof, burying himself in his unpacked blankets and using the thatched roof for whatever warmth he could gain especially from the chimmey.
The early morning though, the pranster can be found at Tharjuk's grave doing his own version of a sword dance. Weaving the elven Blade into intricate movements along with his footwork, making him seem as light and mobile as a dragonfly. A single slash neatly bisecting a falling leaf ends his mediation as he removes his blindfold.
"Your words help Tharjuk, sight can sometimes be a hinderance at times but I'll get it right, you just watch me from where you are. I'll get it right someday. I'll hear the whisper of the wind."
Returning to the dwelling of Proudstump as quietly as he left it, Avan made his way to the table where his companions where having their strategic meeting "Have you decided?" He asks as his eyes fly over the group, before sitting down cross legged and awaiting their response with fleeting attention.
Walthus shifts a bit on his feet, but nods. "Aye, I'd be able to get you there. Mind you, I'm barely able to walk, so I'm no good in a fight if something should come upon us. But, yes, I could lead you there, if you wish." He stands to go upstairs. "I'll get ready, and suggest you do the same. We'll leave in a quarter hour."
Walthus comes down the stairs, still looking weak, but perhaps not so terrible. He is dressed in a suit of leather armor, and has a small longbow over his shoulder. He steps into the back garden, whistles, and you see a pair of snakes slide up his leg and torso into his backpack. The halfling squirms a bit ("Tickles!") before leading you out the front door.
There is a thick and oppressive fog lying over the whole of the swamp. Walthus seems sure of his directions, leading you back along the New Fish Trail before cutting south into the reeds and low trees. In a few minutes, you come to the placid banks of the aptly named Soggy River. Walthus gestures across and says, "The water doesn't move fast, but it does move deep - never touched the bottom. Can you swim? I'm fair enough in the water, but I know that not everyone is. This is the closest spot, but there's another further on that's less of a gap."
Sybil takes up here overfilled backpack and follows Walthus outside. There she calls to Dao to get his things and follow them. As she passes in front of the newly dug grave, she nods.
Before going further, the dwarf takes it upon her to take the lead with Walthus and, reluctantly, with Irnk. With nice and polite words, she directs Avan and Apex to pair up and Dao to take the back.
At the river
Seeing Stumpy stop by the river, Sybil frowns for a moment. Yet, before adressing the halfling, she takes on a more appropriate attitude.
"I think it would be better to find a shorter path to cross. I have a number of objects in my backpack that need to be kept dry... so does miss Stormshard from what I have seen" "Woud it make for an important detour?
"Never swam before" Avan looks about the river for a few moments, witnessing the current run along its path, kidnapping whatever didn't put ample resistance and taking it to where ever it spilled into. The martial artist walked till he was at the edge of the river, palmed a small stone and threw it into the watery snake before them.
Thumbing the bowstring of his own longbow, Irnk eyes Walthus with a notable lessening of regard before nodding in agreement with Sybil's suggestion.
Apex nods fiercely at Proudstump and speaks in her usual quiet voice.
I.... I'm not a terribly good swimmer, and I do have quite a few things that must stay at least mostly dry... May we please go to the other spot? I don't wish to be a burden...
She eyes the river cautiously after she talks, obviously worried she'll have to cross such a distance anyway.
Walthus harrumphs, mutters something about city folk, and starts leading you further east. The "island" between streams comes to a point, and you can see the other bank perhaps 40 feet off. "This is as close as I can get you to a direct route, but the river is still inhe way. There aren't bridges between me and the Licktoads, but there are bridges on the Old Fish Trail. That's the overland way around that i told you about before - it'll just take you a few hours. What are we going to do?"
Sybil smiles to Walthus.
"Thank your mr. Proudstump, the crossing should be much easier and less likely to wet our precious items. Do you know how deep the river is over here?" she pauses. "Does anyone have afterthoughts about crossing the river here?" she says, turning toward the group.
"Deeper than I am tall, that's for sure."
Avan watched with some signs of amazement in his eyes as Galford performed an incredible acrobatic maneuver "The little bird is talented" He commented as he massaged his neck then looked to Proudstump and dropped his pack to the ground "Not deep enough for me" He commented before going over to Irnk and slinging him over his shoulder Then before he attempted to cross he remembered Apex and Sybil mentioned that the wizard had various things she didn't want to get wet, he walked back brought his right arm around Apex' waisted and lifted her over his other shoulder.
Without a word Avan crossed to the other side, and walked carefully and slowly when the time came to enter the watery obstacle that was in their way.
Though Irnk lets out a strangled squawk at Avan's 'handling', his intent quickly becomes clear & Irnk does little more than raise his own bow well out of the water over the trip. Once on the other side, Irnk quickly takes up a posture of preparedness as he scans the area for possible threats.
Sybil watches, impassive, as Dao swims followed closely by Avan who wades through the first few feet.
I hope for these young ones that the river is just a bit deeper than Mr. Proudstump is tall... otherwise Avan will get in trouble.
Still eyeeing them, the dwarf puts her backpack on the ground, kneels besides it and envelops all her delicate items into any absorbant clothes she can find.
I guess I will have to ask Mr. Avan to carry my pack across the water and then, I will have to swim. Sybil shudders as this last though sinks in.
Dao splashes into the water, well over half-way across the river, and begins swimming across. Though his positioning is awkward for those he carries, Avan's strength bears him over the water once, back, and back again with his pack.
Sybil has a bit more difficulty with the current...
...and it takes her some time to cross. There is one moment where she goes completely under, but Avan is near at hand to help buoy her up.
Walthus swims like a puppy across the river, and shakes off like one on the other side. He begins leading you south through the swamp, waving you on without a word.
A short while later, your target comes into sight. A filthy village-fort surrounded by a crude wooden palisade sits atop a low hummock of solid ground here. A wooden gate in the north wall of the palisade lies in shambles on the ground. Nearby, a large, algae-filled pool on the northeastern side breaks the palisade and allows a clearer view into the village’s interior, which consists of a collection of ramshackle huts connected by wooden walkways, all built on thick wooden stilts.
Walthus looks at you all and whispers, "Ok, that's it. I don't remember them leaving their gate like that, so I'm not sure what happened there. I'll wait here for you. Still not up for a fight."
Avan was about to return to the other side when he saw Sybil almost lose her struggle with the river and immediately grabbed her arm and pulled her up "I would have carried you if you waited" He said in a calm voice that had a bit of surprise in it, before he helped her on to the shore and went back to get her bag and his own pack.
..................................................................
"Don't attack them on your own little bird" Called Avan after Galford before sitting down and staring at his shrinking form in the distance.
"Hey bird-brain!" Irnk hisses. "How about you let the Goblin walk in & ask?!"
Shaking his head, Irnk turns to glare at the others. "Be honest, he's only still alive because none of you have let him learn from his own stupidity yet, isn't he?!" before walking toward the gate.
Irnk calls out as he approaches cautiously.
At the river
When Avan grabs Apex, she lets out a little squeal, and grabs onto his neck for dear life. Halfway through, she gets a bewildered look upon her face, like she's surprised at her own feelings, and then starts giggling like a little girl, yelping like a child whenever the water touches her feet. Once they're across, she shimmies off of his shoulder, trying to compose herself, and bows her head to the man.
Mister Avan... That was... Incredibly kind of you... and surprisingly....fun... I felt like a little girl again, playing with the children in the allies behind my parents mansion... She thinks to herself. Thank you for that. She smiles, and for the first time since anyone in the group has seen, it is is warm, and looks natural, not nervous and worried like usual. She moves as if to hug Avan, or pat his shoulder, or... something, but that seems to be beyond her social capabilities and just ends up awkwardly waving her arm. She settles for another head bow, and then looks to Proudstump when he crosses, and then to the trail ahead.
At the village
Oh my! That was... Very mean! she thinks when Irnk insults Galford, but she remains silent, waiting to see what happens when the goblin so confidently strides to the village. She holds her staff tight, ready to cast a spell if the goblin needs help.
Puzzled was Avan when he received the thanks of the blue haired woman, her appreciation of his logical act almost made it seem like he had saved her life from some great danger, when he had simply did something that he knew wouldn't affect his crossing of the river; his companions seemed light enough and he had planned to walk through the water to begin with. Avan's hand scratched at his messy mop of blond hair as he tried to cut through this mystery, but these thoughts were interrupted when he saw Apex' expression...ever since he met her Avan didn't remember ever seeing such a happy look on her face, could something so simple and logical have a much bigger meaning to her? A warm feeling flew past him and try as he might he was not fast enough to grasp at it. Answers eluded him yet again and he realized that if he continued thinking on the matter he would probably stand here until the sun bid them farewell for the day "No trouble" He said with as he returned the wave she gave him with his own static single swish of the arm.
Stealth would be the preferable approach as we don't know if this goblin tribe is hospitable to errant goblins, but he did say that we should learn from our mistakes...so maybe he should learn from his, if it is indeed a mistake With that thought in mind Avan sat down in his usual cross-legged posture and waited to see what results of Irnk's actions.
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This time the young tengu's head whips around and he does something he has never being seen doing before for all who know him.
He glares.
The action is simple but it speaks volumes in that single look, conveying loathing and something else.
"Go ahead then goblin. I'm alive because someone else died instead of me." with that the tengu stalks off to wait, pointly away from the rest.
Out of breath, Sybil stares at her savior, her eyes showing gratitude quickly change to ones filled with determination.
"*cough... No...way...anyone...carries...me. Just...get..*gulp...backpack."
Sybil slighlty shakes her head as she hears Irnk's comment on Dao's actions. However, she does agree that it would be better to send the Golin. Before the paladin gets out of speaking range, she calls on to him, giving him one last pointer:
"Hide your holy symbol!" she says right after Dao's cold stare and answer.
As the tengu steps away from the group she walks up to him and whispers in his ear:
"Dao, chick, follow Irnk from afar and in the shadows. If anything happens to him, you come back to us for help. Don't play the hero! Your mother and Grandmother would never forgive me if anything was to happen to you."
She stares in his eyes making sure he takes the suggestion and then nods.
Once they are gone, she turns to the others, looking worried as if preoccupied with the details of the plan and by Dao's sudden change in attitude, but still ready to give instructions.
"Alright, we need to be ready for any eventuality. Draw any weapons or anything your might need. Be prepared to run to their help and watch their every movement."
Taking to heart her own instructions she takes out two bottles from her bag.
At Sybil's suggestion, Irnk frowns puzzledly, then nods as comprehension dawns. Slipping the symbol inside his armor, he turns back to the village.
Irnk's approach gives him a chance to see that the gate has been battered and cut, as though blows from blade, claw, and club had all rained down upon it until it gave way. Inside the wall, the village is a squat encampment. A pigsty is just inside the front gate, currently empty of any pigs. To his left (East), the charred remains of on ehut like blackened and - apparently - undisturbed.There are quite a few shacks, perhaps enough for a few dozen goblins total, but the entire place is eerily silent, save the constant noise of the swamp.
When he calls out, there is at first no response, but after a moment, you see a goblin head peer through the window of a nearby hut, only to quickly gasp and hide again. There is some rustling inside, then the door opens to reveal a squat form peering around the door. A small voice calls out "Ki moun ou ye? Poukisa ou pèdi isit la?"
", sivivan sot pase a nan branch fanmi . Lè lanmò ki rayi siye nou soti kite, mwen kite. Lè m 'tounen vin mwen tèt ke ou te sikatris pye yo wo e yo te vle chache konnen ki jan." Looking about at the signs of devastation, Irnk opens his arms wide. "Eske yo te fè sa?"
"Did they do this?"
There is a quiet conference behind the door, with several voices chiming in:
"Kiyès yo ye? Nou konnen yo? Yo se?! Eske nou ta dwe tire? Jwenn li pare!"
The door cracks a bit more, and a voice calls out, “Non, pa 'lanmò-ki-rayi', men 'zo-ki-mache'! Ou toujou vivan lè branch fanmi ou mouri - petèt ou swiv 'zo-ki-mache' yo nan vole trezò nou yo, tou!? Jan ou fè jwenn ti bouk nou yo?”
Ignoring the obvious threat rising in the Licktoad Goblin's questions, Irnk continued his own. "Zo ki mache...
Vye zo eskèlèt! Ap mache vye zo eskèlèt te fè sa a?" Not even waiting for an answer, he continues. "Ki kote te fè yo soti? Konbyen siviv? Eske ou te jere yo detwi yo tout, oswa yo te kite?"
Skeletons, walking skeletons did this?"
"Where did they come from? How many survived? Did you manage to destroy them all, or did they leave?"
"Zo-Ki-Mache redwit, kraze, stealed, ak feyu - jis yè!"
From behind you hear another holler out, "Li te gen pou mouri! Yo te jis isit la, kounye a li se isit la yo netwaye. Nou ta dwe kondwi l 'nan - li te ta kapab yon ekriven!"
There's a small scuffle from inside the house as the discussion is settled between gentlemen, but its clear that your presence isn't necessarily welcome.
Snarling in anger at his own race's stupidity, Irnk turns to confront the one behind him. "Si m 'te yon ekriven, ou ta tout deja ap mouri! Sèvo ou trase soti nan je ou! Kè nou pete & trese san ou nan lèt sou tè a! "
Whirling back to face the hut from which the first voice came. "Koulye a, sispann pale tankou yon moun fou & di m 'sa m' vle konnen!"
"Now stop talking like a fool & tell me what I want to know!"
The rest the party, over the course of an increasingly tense few minutes, hears the ever escalating sound of Goblin voices going back and forth.
Sybil stares at the distance separating them from the camp, calculating the time it would take then to reach the voices. Yet, she waits, putting her hand up to stop the others from acting. She waits for Dao to signal them, trusting his judgment.