Ok, here begins the game!
Dot
The evening lights begin to falter, as day turns to dusk. Each of you meet in the Rusty Dragon, the day reaching it's end and the townsfolk returning home for their rest.
All except you- Because your friend Ameiko has generously let you guys stay as you make your plans.
You see, Sandpoint has begun to have something of a goblin problem. Used to be that the goblins grew too meek and scattered after a horde of angry adventurers killed half of what could be called a leadership. It's been relaxed for a couple of years now, but with their recent discovery of Fireworks, there's a stunning, they've gotten increasingly bold, and increasingly crazed. There's been a couple of injuries yet, and as they cannot wait, they've put a 500 gp bounty on the leaders head, and 10gp an ear.
Each of you, already friends with a long enough past, have taken to your head for one reason or another to pursue this.
Enge nurses a large volume of ale in her personal tankard, taking notes on the bounties in her journal.
She scratches her head, tossing aside a bit of her copper-red hair. "Oi, mates! Any of ya that can recall the name of this goblin leader with the generous bounty on his head?"
Palea "Walks in Light" Viskalai sits at the table with her childhood friends from Sandpoint. She nurses a small cup of apple cider and has largely been silent during the discussion of the goblin bounties.
Palea is a rather serious young Shoanti woman who only recently returned to the small town on the Lost Coast after living abroad for over a year. She hasn't spoken about her time away from Sandpoint, but it is clear to everyone that she has undergone some life-altering changes.
Palea grew up in Sandpoint as the little sister of the town's only other two Shoanti: the sheriff, Belor Hemlock, and the proprietor of the The White Deer, Garridan Viskalai. During her childhood, Palea live with, and spent most of her time with her sheriff brother, and was, according to most people, a happy, rambunctious child prone to wild adventures and more than one broken bone. This changed as she reached adolescence and began questioning Belor's rejection of their traditional Shoanti heritage. She began spending more time with her other brother Garridan, who lived as traditionally Shoanti a life as one could manage in a largely ethnically Varisian and Chelaxian town. The three of them were known to have loud arguments at all hours of the day or night during those years.
These disagreements finally came to a head when Belor kicked his then fifteen-year-old sister out of the house when she insisted on being allowed to leave Sandpoint to participate in the traditional Sklar-Quah coming of age ceremony in the Cinderlands. Palea briefly went to live with her brother at the White Deer after that, but they too fell into arguments, and she finally ran away from Sandpoint approximately 19 months ago.
Palea only returned home a little more than three weeks ago, her appearance and demeanor radically changed. Gone was the carefree child, and in her place was a somber, taciturn woman covered in strange, curving white tattoos that stand out against her dark, Shoanti skin. She carries a beautiful scimitar strapped to her back, and is rarely seen without it, refusing all questions. She also carries a strange instrument known as a hurdy-gurdy that looks like a cross between a lute and a keyboard instrument. She hasn't played it since her return.
Because of all these changes, you were surprised when Palea agreed to meet you at the Rusty Dragon to discuss goblin bounties. True, she was not overflowing with enthusiasm the way she would have been in her younger days, but her presence seems to indicate that perhaps she is done shutting all of her old friends out. Perhaps a bit of the old "Pally" has survived after all.
Samell sits with the others, pen, ink and journal out in front of him as if he were sitting down to another lesson with Koya. The overlapping leather plates of his armor creak as Samell shuffles slightly trying to get comfortable. The armor looks a little strange on him, though it may just be that this is the first time any of you have seen him wear anything but his scholar's clothing.
Samell flips through the journal lying open in front of him searching frantically for this or that bit of information. "Well goblin names are rather--" he cuts himself off before going off on another tangent this night. After a moment he just closes his journal and stares into the distance trying to recall something.
Akodo Goheiwas sitting at the table with the others, a mug of honey mead in front of him and some bacon pie in front of him.
The weeks since the death of his father had been harsh for him and the light from his eyes had been dull, but every time he had been close to Ameiko a glimmer of light had returned.
His devotion to Ameiko was painfully obvious, a secret to no one.
"I do not mind going for some hunting! I need to take a leave!"
Palea clears her throat, seemingly more than a little uncomfortable in this social situation and turns to Akodo.
She blurts out "So take a leaf then, there's a tree just outside!" and lets out a weak chuckle that slips and transforms into a guffaw. Realizing her faux-pax, her face quickly darkens with embarrassment and she hides behind her cider cup.
What was I thinking when I agreed to this? It's obvious they think I'm some sort of weird, tattooed freak and they'll never talk to me again! And now I'm braying like some kind of demented hyena on top of it!
Enge looks askance at Akodo, her left eyebrow arched. "Look, uh . . . Ah koh doh, was it?" She lingers over the syllables, trying to enunciate them correctly.
"What's your story, mate? I can tell you aren't from around here, or anywhere in Varisia, really. And I've traveled a fair bit, meself."
Chief Rendwattle Gutwad, the goblins call him, because forgetting the word "Chief" tends to get him rather angry. Surprisingly sly, the damned bastard seems to think himself a logistical genius, of which he is sorely lacking. He also loathes all of humanity, though the "Why" is as lost to time as his humility.
The sole reason he lives is because his tiny "Rebellion" against the old leaders of the goblin tribes led him to be away from them before they all met an unfortunate end.
We know he's in the Brinestump Marsh, a rather cold and oppressive place, not something that will be too pleasant.
Palea shutters as she remembers her youthful adventures in Brinestump Marsh. Barely escaped with her life, if she recalls correctly.
"That's no place for decent folk, that Brinestump Mash." she intones from behind her voluminous drinking vessel. "Nothing but bugs, goblins, and things slithering through the water."
Hmm, it could use a bit of sunlight. Maybe that's what the goddess has planned for me?
Enge furrows her brow. She's only had to deal with threats in tunnels or on the road. "Can't say I look forward to venturing into any swamps."
A gleam quickly enters her eyes as her people's eternal hatred for goblinkind surfaces. "But I'm always up for bashin' a few goblin heads in!"
Samell mused over their destination, "Brinestump Marsh eh. Well no one said it would be an easy adventure." Samell briskly clapped his hands and rubbed them in apparent excitement. "Well then, for those who do not know, I am Samell Mvashti. Foster child to Koya, and professor of the arcane." He muttered a few words and began making the ink jar in front of him float and dance in front of the group before setting it gently back to the table. He glanced at Enge, a pleased smile on his face before continuing on "For everyone's benefit, what about the rest of you? And once we've finished, we ought to figure out what we need to do to prepare for our trip, which I assume sets out first thing on the morrow?"
Palea stands up all of a sudden as if shot out of a cannon and smoothes out of traveling clothes, the corner of a chain shirt peeking out from underneath her cloak. She turns to Enge Jirsmid and bows deeply to her.
"I am sorry, I completely forgot to introduce myself. I am Palea Walks in Light, mistress dwarf. I grew up here in Sandpoint," and here she looks down as if ashamed, "although I haven't been around for a while."
She then points out Samell. "This hear fine half-orcish gentleman is Samell, another Sandpoint local, whom I have known for many years. He is as smart of a person as you'll ever meet, and has forgotten more in his life than I'll ever know."
Enge bows her head politely. "Hallo, Palea Walks in Light. I know Samell quite well: I am an old friend of his mother's. I was just here visiting her after a job, and she told me about the goblin problem. What brings you back to Sandpoint?"
"Oh," Palea exclaims, all of a sudden not having a place to put her hands, "it was just time for me to come home. I ... um ... had been abroad .... training."
The Shoanti woman quickly sits back down again, and makes a lot of fuss readjusting her cloak a number of times before finally settling back in her chair.
Please, no one ask me any more right now. Please. Please!
Gohei bows and introduces himself.
"I am deputy Akodo Gohei. Well Gohei to my friends. I have been living in Sandpoint for almost all my live!"
Absentmindly he strokes his blade, standing by his side.
"That reminds me Palea, what did you do in all those weeks abroad? You have indeed been gone for quite some time. Those tattoos, do they have a meaning?"
Palea now becomes visibly uncomfortable and she snaps out sarcastically. "They ... they're not tattoos, Gohei. I was gone for almost two years, not a few weeks. Glad everyone was paying attention."
She then stands up from the table to walk over to the bar to get herself another drink.
Ameiko slips Palea a drink, giving her a nod.
"I hope you guys have luck out there. I'd have done it myself, but I Have to watch over the tavern, you know."
She pours you another tap of the good ale, and slides it down the bar. "Don't plan on asking questions, but know I'm willing to listen if ya need it."
She chuckles, her black hari
Palea nods to Ameiko but does a double-take when she sees the beer.
Looking a bit sheepish, she asks the proprietor "Hey, Ameiko, can I have an apple cider instead? Not the hard kind, I mean. I've been staying away from alcohol for a while now; it clouds my judgement."
Enge scoffs at Palea. "Aye, love, it's a rare human that can stomach a proper amount of a good ale."
"As for you, lad," she says, turning to Gohei, "I can't say I've seen you before. But since I'm rarely in Sandpoint, and never for long, that's hardly a surprise."
She gulps down the last of her ale and slams her tankard on the table, quickly wiping the foam from her upper lip. "Now, where's that blasted monk gone? I want to finish up our battle plan and rest up for the morrow!"
Amiko nods, "I can imagine. Don't know quite what you've gone through, but I can tell it's not exactly nice." she says, "I don't think you'd be back here otherwise, I know I wouldn't."
She looks to Akodo, "Hey, Akodo! Can you pass the beer off to Enge?"
As if the monk would be waiting for Enge to mention him, he enters through the window with a simple but grace jump.
"I was always here, priest", the 40 years old asian man get a seat in the groups table, "I was just outside trying to meditate a bit, but with all the noise you do it's almost imposible", he smiles while joking with Enge.
"My name is Takafumi. No last name. It's one more thing the monks of my order has to leave behind when joining the temple."
He stares smiling to Ameiko.
"I have been training for some months in the country, staying here as many times as I could, helping the people around with their daily problems, and Ameiko with the quests she has available from time to time. And this goblins problem is a real challenge. I'm pretty sure my abilities will be put at test with this mission."
Samell stands, bumping into the table as he does so. He grabs the leg momentarily where he'd struck it, then shakes himself. "Well then
We are all, um, here and . . . ready. We are going into the, uh,the Brinestump tomorrow to seek out Chief Gutwad and his band of, the uh goblins before they become a bigger problem. I do have some . . . some amount of gear prepared at home for myself, but we should look over what we need. For one do we have or, er, know someone who might have a, a map of that area?" though Samell's speech is full of disfluencies, he continues on, trying to appear confident. He pauses at the end to think through the question for himself and allow any others to answer.
"I have to admit that my wanders didn't send me to those swamps yet. That will make this mission even more enjoyable."
"A map of that area is sure to be a rare find. I'm willing to contribute to a cartogropher's services, but I doubt I can cover the costs meself. No point mucking through the marshes blind, I say."
Indeed, there are maps, but they are scattered and worn- Not the kind of maps that you'll be able to discover with a simple shop to the cartographer. The place is so absolutely dreary with so little of value there that few people are willing to take the dreary hours working on one. However, there are two folks who you can imagine possess such a map:
The Swamp Witch of Brinestump Marsh, Old Magus. Creepy and peculiar, this elderly woman is well known to be something of a terror, and has dabbled in pretty terrible arcane arts. Or so the rumors would have you believe, at least. If anyone possesses a map of the marsh, it would be her.
Then there's the newcomer to the swamp, the peculiar halfling known as Walthus. Nobody really knows the halfling that well, but we do know he's a snake-wrangler who lives in a beaten down shack in the swamp. Isolation is his preference, spending his time tending to his collection of snakes and patrolling his island. While less likely to have a map, he's probably more likely to be found than Wathus.
You can get to Magus via the old Witch's Walk, and Walthus via the New Fish Trail.
However, you do know that the Old fish trail is on the path that most directly leads to the goblins, but also know that it's been trapped for years, filled with pickets and other such trickery to keep folks from haranguing the goblins.
Samell shakes his head. "I don't believe the cartographer will have the maps we are looking for, Enge. The only two people I could think of who might have such maps actually live in the swamp." Samell pauses to sit down and starts writing a few notes in his journal as he speaks, "Though I do recall, there's an old fishing trail that would take us directly to the goblins. It's likely filled with traps along the way though."
"So we have three options, we could either visit Old Magus, who may not be so . . . um, pleasant to visit with, though is the most likely to have a map. We could visit that new halfling, Walthus. He seems more friendly, and more easily found, though less likely to have a map. Or we could take our chances down the old fish trail to try to reach the goblins directly."
Samell absent mindedly continues talking as he writes, "I for one, am inclined to gather as much knowledge as we can before continuing on. Perhaps we visit both Walthus and Old Magus. But maybe Walthus will have enough information for us on his own. Maybe we should start with Walthus, then if need be continue on to ask Old Magus. Though it's not likely he would . . ." Suddenly realizing he's been rambling on Samell looks up, and almost seems startled to see the others still there. "Well yes. I believe we should probably start with Walthus, as he should be fairly easy to talk to. If we need more information after that, we can figure it out from there. Thoughts?"
"Snakes... they are to dragons like the little cat to the mighty tiger. But they are still dangerous. And the swamp is their terrain. They could be a good contender in such circunstances..." -you could see a spark of excitement on the monks eyes.
"But the wisdom of the years as they pile up in your back is something really appealing for the contemplatives. So, having a conversation with Old Magus could be a very interesting way to spend the morning"
After looking at everyone else at the eyes, he concludes:
"You have my vote for both ways. I'll be happy with any choice you make."
He finishes with a calm smile.
Palea scratches her head as she retakes her seat at the table and listens to the others.
"I have never met either Old Magus or Walthus, but it seems that asking someone who's lived there for years might give us more information. We can always check in with the halfling man later, should we feel it is necessary. Might be good to stock up on some antivenom as well."
Enge nods her head sagely. "Were it up to me, I'd take the fight straight to the goblins!" She strokes her chin in contemplation.
"But though he's a warrior, Torag is also cunning. He does not condone going into battle unprepared. That being said, I want no dealings with no witch. I'd trust this Walthus to know his way around Brinestump."
Palea give Enges a sideways glance. "What's wrong with witches? Among the Shoanti there are many shamans; they are not too different from witches."
Dwarves do have their prejudices, don't they? Bad enough that we're looking to take on goblins, but with the witches it must drive her crazy.
"Aye, I know of the Shoanti shamans," Enge almost whispers. "Despite all me travels, I never had much dealings with them, meself. And that's just the way I like it."
Palea does a bit of a double-take at Enge's comment, and looks like she is about to shoot back something at the dwarf. Instead, she takes a deep breath, stands up, and goes over to talk to the elderly halfling waitress, Brethana Corwin
She bows deeply before the woman. "Mistress Corwin, it is a pleasure to see you again. During my time away I often thought of your minced meat buns, and became incredibly homesick."
Please, Sarenrae and all my ancestors, grant me patience!
After listening for some time Gohei chirps in.
"While booth people have insight into the area, we do know for sure where to find Walthus. He might even have insight at where to find the witch. I vote to go to Walthus first!"
Samell nods, "It seems we go to Walthus first." Samell directs a sympathetic smile to Palea before going on. "Can anyone think of aught else that we need to prepare before we go?"
"Oh! Well that's lovely Palea, it's been such a while since you've been here, I was starting to wonder if you'd ever come back. I'm glad to see you again."
Ameiko gives Enge a glance, that quite clearly proved to be a "You're too suspicious, you know that, right?" before returning to her cleaning.
"I've been there only a couple of times in the past, but I'd say something to help you walk. The marsh is pretty difficult to traverse, so stuff to help you with that would be useful."
Next morning Akodo Gohei is ready for the treck to the Walthus, sitting on his stallion windspirit!
"Nothing more from me, if we're all set. Now to bed with me! I have some serious prayin' ta do in the morning."
"Praying is to talk with the god in the skies. Meditate is to talk with the god inside you. I'm fine with both." -the human gets up from his chair smiling the cleric.
"See you all in the morning after talking a bit with my inner god" -and he takes the stairs with grace.
Enge mutters under her breath, "Torag's Forge is in the earth, ya fool," then takes to her room.
Palea takes her leave of her companions, although her reaction toward the dwarven woman is a little cold.
Is it me or is she a bit ornery? Wonder if that's just just her or if it's a dwarven thing?
She then makes her way over to Ameiko and bows low in a Minkaian fashion the way her master had taught her to.
"Good evening Mistress Kaijitsu. I was wondering if you might have a spare room for tonight. I ... erm ..." and here she loses her tongue a bit, feeling unsure and not knowing exactly what to say. "Well, my brothers don't know I have returned and I don't really want them to know. I mean, I'll talk to them, but I just need to get my feet under me. After all, I just got off the boat from Magnimar this morning and I don't know up from down yet. Also, I'm a little low on funds, but would be happy to work for my board, if there's anything to be done. Doesn't matter how dirty a job it is, either."
Palea keeps her eyes low and bows again, not sure of what else to say.
Samell gathers his notes and items before shuffling to the door, "See you all in the morning." He steps out the door and starts on the path to his home with Koya.
The next morning:
Samell arrives at the Rusty Dragon, backpack settled on his back, longsword at his side. He seems brought and cheerful as he started be stands waiting for the others and for the adventure to begin.
Ameiko stares at Palea with surprise.
"Oh."
Ameiko stared at the young woman, several years younger than she, but she could tell that she struggled with whatever she went through.
"Well, I suppose. You willing to help with the dishes?"
Thus the evening came, which turned to night. Samell returned to Koya, who welcomed her with a welcome heart.
"The goblins have been a pain, you know. Glad to see you're going out to help."
Palea spent the evening helping Ameiko clean her bar, sifting and sorting. At the dawn, she awoke to join Ameiko with a welcoming breakfast, as they began to set up the bar for the morning.
"You best head off," she said, passing Palea two platinum coins, "The other folks are going to be waking up soon."
With the dawn of the morning, all of you begin to gather after your daily preparations.
Enge saunters up to the Rusty Dragon entrance. Her scale mail is reflective in the morning sun, and she wears a polished shield across her back. At a loop in her belt is a warhammer with an ornate handle and a dark head.
"Ta, Samell. Such a lovely morning to go adventuring." She looks him over, realizing just how young he still is.
"Ya know, I'm used ta workin' on contract rather than commission. I suspect this will be your first time goin' into a fight. It's okay to keep back a bit if a melee breaks out. I'd hate to see the look on Koya's face if anything should happen to ya. There's plenty of other folk with us who should be good in a scrap."
"I agree with the god in the earth workshiper" -Takafumi go down the stairs feeling very refreshed after clearing up his mind in the morning meditation, in his room.
"Could I have a bit of bread and milk in this beautiful morning, Ms Kaijutsu?"
Ameiko nods, gesturing for the Palea to grab it.
---------------
With the mornings and evenings preparations set, it's safe to assume you guys begin to head northward, following the trail. The air is heavy with morning fog, the sun's rays barely illuminating through the trees. The ground squashes beneath your feet, the ground molding like clay to your footsteps. In the far off distance of Sog's Bay, through the walls of trees and forestries, you see fishermen perform their daily duties.
You cross a bridge, thankfully built ages back. Worn and rotting, it bears more signs of wear than one would imagine would come from routine use.
Feel free to make a Survival, Perception, knowledge (Local), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) check, or any combination of those skills.
Gohei carefully goes closer and pokes the bear with the tip of his blade.
Samell greets the others cheerfully. His smile broadens at Enge's suggestion. "Oh, you don't have to worry about me Enge. I've studied all about battle's and fights. I think I can handle it."
When the last of them have gathered, Samell sets off with the rest. He starts at a hustle before moderating himself to match the pace of the others and eventually settles into the middle of the pack. He walks tall as he moves, hand on the hilt of his sword, and eyeing the entire world with wonder as if he'd never been outdoors before.
Once they get to the bridge, Sammel takes a moment to inspect what he sees there.