"Sad, lizardmen deceived by evil spirit.
Too bad, could coexist, much better, make stronger whole from many parts.
Perhaps still can, if led by more moderate leaders."
Looking toward the boy, Vladimir says. "I know you have been through a lot, but you are safe now. We will get you back to your home."
Turning his attention to the priest, he asks, "Do you believe your people will return now that Vesket and your false ancestor spirit are gone?"
The shaman nods... "They have fled to their homes by the hatcheries. We will defend our territory as we always have, but not speak of war... and not be fooled by evil wisps." He pulls an amulet from his side satchel - a carved leaf - and hangs it around his neck.
The boy gives the slightest indication that he has heard and comprehends Vladimir.
The shaman continues.. "You have ended a cruel leader... what was his, is yours." He gestures - seemingly toward the center hut where you were first led.
"I will go to my people, and tell them what has happened."
"Go and gather your people and live in peace, but do know that we will be back to check and see if you and your people are true to your word." the swordsman says.
Clearing the path for the shaman to leave, Vladimir goes over to the boy and kneels down beside him and says in a soft tone, "Hello there. My name is Vladimir. What might yours be?" Giving the boy a moment to respond, he continues, "Where might we find your parents? I imagine they are quite worried about you."
"Defend like always... ominous.
As town grows, so will surrounding farms and such. If not included, farms will intrude on Lizardfolk territory.
Before long, we return here Garborn thinks, to make proper pact with these people.
Have to, if want long lasting peace.
Not big tribe, but under protection from us, can grow big, can police area, can live in co-existence with us.
Worth thinking about, eh great leader?"
Glancing back to Garborn, Vladimir nods in agreement with the large druid's assessment of future relations with the lizardfolk.
"We also need to talk about that 'meat is meat' comment. It implies they see sentient beings as a proper source of food, and we cannot have that."
Mal nods his agreement. "We need to have a formal understanding of boundaries and how their traditions interact with our laws. Beyond that, making friends is a good way to secure our own lands and grow our influence."
Garborn taps his big nose and grins.
"Different minds, same thoughts. Good!"
Marisol joins Vlad in attempting to console the lad, crouching down to one side and putting her pack to one side. She rummages through her pack and produces her waterskin and some cloth, with which she starts carefully cleaning the boy in a motherly fashion.
"Hmm, lizardmen mentioned torture, yes?
Maybe little boy feel better if pain goes away?"
Smiling, Garborn lowers his massive bulk down next to Marisol and Vlad.
"Pain, pain, go away, never come back, he gently says in a calming voice.
The shaman looks curiously at Garborn as he speaks the Druidic tongue, then shakes his head. He watches each of you as you speak, and after a bit, says in Draconic "Understand little."
The child's breathing steadies, and he relaxes a tiny bit... the shock and fear in his eyes lessens.
"Ah, not Druid of the faith then. Garborn Druid of green faith, walk in nature, talk to spirits.
Thought maybe same, not so, no problem."
"Little boy no more pain, but maybe not like really big man near, remind too much about other big thing?
No worries, Garborn take lizard king to lizard hut, begin to look for things.
Smaller people care for boy, hehehe."
Garborn wisely refrains from one of his massive belly laughs, figuring it might startle the boy or the druid.
Turning to the shaman before he leaves, Garborn grins.
"When we leave, take back village, we no need, live here, make it easier to find later, we need speak again, about many things.
Will come in peace, expect to be met in peace."
coral crown embedded with lapis lazuli worth 500 gp
a malachite statuette of a serpentine dragon worth 200 gp
various furs and skins worth a total of 400 gp,
3 citrines (worth 50 gp each)
a masterwork cold iron longspear
some type of feather token
a ring of swimming
large +1 keen trident
large +1 leather armor
and 695gp.
"If we do return, it will not be soon. It will be on our scouts' patrol. If you wish to meet with us... we will find you here."
His eyes continue to dart around to each of you.. still unsure if there was more to be said in tongue he can understand.
"Go now, to your people.
We not enemies, if possible, maybe friends. Will need to talk more, later.
But part now, as not enemies."
Garbon holds out a hand, offering a handshake, if the shaman even understands the gesture.
Once the shaman is gone, Garborn holds up the ring of swimming, laughing so hard that tears stream down his face.
"Is good joke! Very funny, ring to help swimming!
Gyahahahahaha, Garborn can use, so can pretty lady.
Wrestle for it?"
Marisol says to the shaman:
Mal nods, surprised but but pleased about how the situation has resolved itself. "I hope our people can be friends one day."
"I have spent some time with smooth skins.. not long... but my tribe has no time with your peoples' ways. Respect each other?.. I see this future, yes. Friends as you say?" He smiles (only as much as a lizardfolk smiles) "Let us work toward this."
He nods repeatedly, then bows slightly before turning to leave.
Vladimir quickly regards the departing shaman and continues to try and console the boy.
"Come on now, lad. Let's get you home."
"Yes, good meal always help the body recover, and when body recover, mind heal easier.
Uncle Garborn make fine meal, then we think of next step, with full belly."
Marisol wipes down her cutlass and sheathes it, then takes a rather protective motherly position next to the lad.
"I'm as ready to get out of here as anyone. Especially to get out of the water," she says.
You return to your camp on the hill south of Lake Candlemere without incident. You still see will o wisps in the distance from time to time, but none move in your direction.
"A good meal for the boy sounds like a fine idea, Garborn. I doubt he has had much appetizing to him recently." Vladimir says on the way back to the camp.
Once arriving back at the camp, Vladimir gets a bedroll ready for the boy.
"So tell me, my young friend, what is your name and where are you from? We would like to get you back to your home." Vladimir asks again.
"Tig."
Tig speaks slowly.. still in a fragile state of shock, but growing more responsive.
"Father lives at the lumberyard... Mother just moved us to Hope's Haven."
He is quiet for a long time before... "You really fought them all?"
Vladimir smiles. "Pleased to meet you, Tig. As I told you before, I am Vladimir, Vladimir Ducheski. I am fairly sure getting you back to Hope's Haven will not be a problem."
When the boy asks about the fight, "Indeed we did. It was not our first choice, but Vesket left us no other option." he says, casting a healing spell to close some of the wounds created by Vesket's trident.
"How did you end up among the lizardfolk in the first place, Tig? We are nearly a day's ride on horseback from Hope's Haven."
He brushes the tangled mess of ruddy hair from his eyes, and responds...
"My uncle was going to visit my father.. I went with him. Wolves attacked.. we got lost in the woods.. found the river.. lizard men jumped out all around us while we were filling our waterskins."
"They killed Uncle... took me."
"No fear young Tig, we bring you back to father.
Now we eat, then we sleep. You can sleep safe, we guard you all night."
Marisol seems to crumple with emotion as she hears the poor lad's story. "As Garborn has said," she tells Tig. "We will keep you safe now. The torment is over. It's time to focus on healing and getting you home."
Turning to Garborn, Vladimir says, "I think he would be best served to return to his mother in Hope's Haven for now. Perhaps sometime in the future a trip out to the lumber camp where his father is would be appropriate."
After getting Tig set up with a place to sleep, Vladimir goes to comfort his lover. "This has been particularly hard on you, hasn't it?"
Mal nods. "No point trying to take him to a lumber camp. We'll need to find the uncle's family, if he was married, to let them know."
"Presumably he can, uh, tell us where that is. I suppose we should also let neighbors know there's, uh, been a change in this whole situation. It might help to learn more about what the lizardfolk tribe was doing. We, uh, might need to smooth tensions out."
Marisol turns away from the boy briefly as she takes Vlad's hand in her own.
"It is... bringing up old memories," she says. "But we did the right thing. We saved the boy and liberated the lizardfolk from the tyranny of an evil wisp." She leans her head against Vlad's shoulder briefly. "Let's go. I don't want to stay here any longer if we don't need to."
Morning comes without incident. It is a clear, crisp, brisk morning. The view had been an ominous reminder of your fight - in clear view of a distant threat. This morning it looks nearly idyllic. A light mist hangs where warm moist air from the swampier patches hits the cooler air. To the north.. verdant water-fat greens of the vale to the lake, and the tree tops to the west bearing autumn colors are catching the first of the sun's golden glow.
Tig rubs his weary and scratches at his tangled red mop head of hair as you are packing and loading your mounts.
"Where are we going?"
"Back to Hope's Haven. That is where we are from too." Vladimir says.
"Who would you like to ride with, Tig?"
Nico listens to the conversation with Tig, and thinks to himself, Please don't choose me. I am not good with children.
Tig looks to Nico.. but turns away as the wizard avoids eye contact. He then goes to Garborn. “May I sir?”
He buries his face in Garborn’s cloak as you ride north through the biting cold
"Gyahahaha! Tig boy is clever, pick the one most warm!
Will be good man when grown up, Garborn sure of it!"
Mal rides along with the others, enjoying the crisp autumn air but noticing the boy's discomfort. "Here, Garborn." He pulls a winter blanket out of his saddle bag and holds it out to the druid.
Now knowing how easy it is to cross close to the lizardfolk fort, you go out of your way a bit.. ultimately saving time as you exit the forest again heading alongside the lakes. Once he settles into the rhythm of the ride, and is tightly wrapped in the blanket, Tig sleeps in the saddle for quite some time
You encounter no difficulties, and need only slow your pace for muddy hills and gulches. Just as you pass northwest of the Old Beldame's shack, the sun starts to set. You have four or five hours left to travel.
"Riding at night, risky, but boy is sure to want to go home quickly, mother misses boy I bet."
Turning towards Vlad, Garborn waits to hear what the fearless leader thinks.
Vladimir nods. "Risky, but worthwhile. We should push on."
A few moments later he adds, "As an added bonus, it will be nice to sleep in our own beds tonight."
"Eat breakfast at real table, with proper portions, gyahahahaha!
Garborn promise to cook something REALLY special tomorrow morning!"
"Sign me up."
You reach the Skunk River just after nightfall. A light snow has begun to fall, but it is not quite cold enough for it to stick.
"I'll happily ride at night to not have to sleep out in the open when it's snowing."
"Winter, melancholic time of year, no time for old men to be riding about, getting a chill in their old bones.
Better be at home, with mug of mulled wine and plump woman in lap, gyahahahaha!"
The crossing of the Skunk, and the ride after is miserably cold. You reach Hope's Haven before midnight, and are greeted by the guard as well as General Kesten Garess - who immediately sends for warm blankets and dry cloaks.
He looks at the child... and then you - with an incredulous expression. "Is that the Tannersen boy? The notice was posted just a day ago.
Warden Sneeg led a group of hunters toward the lumberyard to try and track them down this morning. Looks as though you beat them to it."
A few of the housekeeping staff and a stable hand bring the blankets and cloaks.. one asks if she should send for the boy's mother.
Kesten's face turns more somber.. his voice low.. he steps away from Tig... "... the uncle?"
At the question of sending for the boy's mother, Vladimir pauses for a moment considering the time of night, but none-the-less nods in the affirmative. "Yes, please. I suspect she will be quite happy to see Tig safe and sound."
While drying off and putting a warm, dry cloak on, the swordsman quietly responds to Kesten, "He did not survive. I will explain more at the next council meeting. When are we expecting Warden Sneeg's return?"
"To my knowledge, a time of return was not set... though I'd suspect he will not return for several days. It is more than a day's ride to the lumberyard even without the time spent searching for tracks."
Tig's mother comes running not long after, and the two embrace with tears flowing. She thanks and blesses you all, and mentions how supportive the people of Hope's Haven have been. "I've so many to share the good news with." She takes him home.. they both wave farewell, and thank you one last time.