DM NomadSage's Jade Regent - The Brinewall Legacy (Inactive)

Game Master nomadicc

Round 3
HP: 6/10
Conditions: Blind, Inspire Courage

Parity drops low praying the creature is stunned bringing a vicious uppercut through the beast's legs. He steps back out of melee range to allow Maeve to pile on the creature now before it decimates us all, and will wait for the next chance to get back in line.

Std action: attack with action point; Swift: arcane strike; Move: 5-foot back.

Erm... perhaps not, then. Kvalsir will instead Withdraw to just outside the door (or somewhere decently out of the creature's reach while maintining LoS), while I kick myself for not preparing a CLW.

Please add +2 to my Long sword attack for flanking.

Long sword Attack:1d20 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 - 2 = 14 +2 Flanking = 16

Damage:1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

And I believe that triggers Maeve's delay condition (not strictly necessary, but it saves time). Init moved to just after his.

End of Round Two

Heng spins and palm strikes the foe in the back of the head, knocking him momentarily senseless.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Round Three

This provides all the opening Malnival and Parity need to strike it down. It twitches once then stops moving, as its purple-hued blood spreads across the floor. [both hits]

End of Combat

Maeve looks down at the body bleeding out in front of her. "...I'm just taking a wild guess here, but I don't think this is a halfling warden." She leans down to check on Harlan. "Check the house! The real Proudstump might be in here, and he probably needs help."

"Someone mind explaining to me what just happened? That guy was a lot taller than a halfling"

Parity wipes his blade off on something cloth nearby and puts it away.

Hmm, this is a far cry from the pits where the enemy was apparent. Must find a way to determine who is hostile and who isn't ... before they attack us.

Harlan lies on the stairs, his bleeding has stopped and his breathing is regular. His body moves slightly as Parity wipes his blade off on him :P.

Stir the chili. Make sure the beans mix up with the spices. Or is it gumbo. Wait, this isn't a ladle. A wand that cures wounds? Wait, this isn't chili or gumbo, it's a curative potion. What a strange dream...

"Someone mind explaining to me what just happened? That guy was a lot taller than a halfling"

"I'm not sure. It mimicked the halfling flawlessly, but once it dropped the ruse, its natural form was somewhat featureless."

perhaps a Mighty Morphing Halfling Stranger... ?

"I think you may be correct, Maeve. However, first things first- can anyone assist Harlan?"

Maeve shakes her head and breathes a sigh as a check reveals Harlan isn't bleeding heavily. "I think he's just unconscious. He can wait for a few minutes." With that, she starts searching the house.

Malnival raises an eyebrow at Maeve's cold sounding statement. "Ok. Right then." He bends down and lifts Harlan, carrying him to the sitting room and placing him on a couch.

Heng still looks concerned at Harlan's situation, "Thanks, Malvinal. I haven't had much practice caring for others. I was alone for quite some time before I met Koya and her family. Maybe I should look for some bandages or something that could be of use. Maeve, let's check upstairs. Maybe Walpus is up there, too."

From up the stairwell, you hear a faint voice call, "Hello? Who is down there?"

Maeve sighs in frustration. "That's not what I meant, it's just that someone else is bleeding and we don't know what's going on. This is just...I'm sorry, all right." She heads upstairs to start looking for the missing Walthius.

Only to hear the response from upstairs. "Walthius Proudstump? It's some of us from the village. There was a problem with some goblins, we just came around asking for advice, but..." The girl trails off, looking increasingly flustered and embarrassed as she loses her grip on the situation.

Edit: Ninjaed by the GM.

"Walthius Proudstump? It's some of us from the village. There was a problem with some goblins, we just came around asking for advice, but..." The girl trails off, looking increasingly flustered and embarrassed as she loses her grip on the situation.

".. but we killed the thing that was pretending to be you. Come on down, its safe now."

"Oh, thank the gods!" the voice calls, sobbing in relief. "It is me... Walthus."

At the top of the stairs, a wall panel is cracked open. Maeve and Heng see a small, bloodied hand waving from the floor inside the secret room.

Kvalsir reenters the house, growling as he sees the corpse on the floor. "Almost did for me and lillebror," he comments as he sheathes his weapons and kneels down near Harlan, holding one of his hands over his own wounds. "Don't worry, I'll do what I can." As he says this, he does a quick examination of Harlan, using skills picked up over multiple battlefields. Let the others talk, there is business to take care of. Hopefully he can be moved safely...

"It is me... Walthus." At the top of the stairs, a wall panel is cracked open. Maeve and Heng see a small, bloodied hand waving from the floor inside the secret room.

Heng rushes to the secret room. "Sir, let me help you. Do you have any healing supplies?" Heng will assist/carry the halfling downstairs or to his room if he wishes. Once Walthus is cared for, Heng will ask what happened.

Not the second Walthius' hand appears, Maeve is leaning against the wall in relief. "...this has been a heck of a night..."

You pull back the panel and find the 'real' Walthus Proudstump inside a closet-sized compartment hidden between the outside wall and his bedroom. Walthus struggles to rise, and is able to stand with your help. He is pale, wobbling, and bloody from many wounds. Inside the saferoom, you see the warden has stocked several days of supplies packed on shelves.

He nods in thanks to your assistance. "I have some bandages and a poultice. I may be able to help your friend. It's the least I can do." He grabs a satchel off a shelf and makes his way gingerly downstairs, speeding up when he sees poor Harlan. Walthus kneels at his side and applies some pungent blue paste from an old clay jar. A few moments later, Harlan's eyes flutter open. [Harlan healed 6]

Walthus then looks up to you all. "Thank you, for you've certainly saved my life from that... thing," he says, shuddering at the sight of his former clone. "I was in the garden yesterday, tending my snakes, when that thing crawled in and struck me from behind. I fought back and gave it some lumps, but he overpowered me. As we scrambled, it started taking on my features, like a warped mirror," he shakes his head in disbelief.

"I fled, and barely got away, barring the garden door behind me. It kept smashing, so I knew I only had a moment or two... I flung open the front door, to make it look like I ran into the marsh, and then hid out upstairs. I hoped it would give up and leave. I passed out - the next thing I knew, I heard fighting downstairs."

Heng takes a closer look at the creature. "But what is this thing and why would it attack you?"

"Well luckily fate seemed to have stepped in. Had it not been for a goblin attack last night we would not have came. It seems Desna smiled on you, strange as it seems."

Kvalsir listens with half an ear, a concerned look on his face as Harlan heals up. "Hah! The coin-jarl would not have been pleased if you did not return with us, lillebror!" He resists the urge to slap the halfling on the back, and suddenly looks confused. Did he say that he takes care of snakes?

Maeve takes a deep breath. "Let me see." She leans down and takes a much closer look at the fake Halfling.

Bardic Knowledge: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"I think we're all lucky, in the end. But...there's still a new goblin problem." Maeve takes a seat on the ground, covering her mouth as it opens in a wide yawn.

What are the odds this thing and the goblin raids are related? Pure coincidence ... things that go bump in the swamp or is something stirring them up? Either way, we need to rest, eat, and head off for what we came to do.

Snakes? That's weird. Wonder if that's what pissed the shapechanger off.

To Heng's question, Walthus replies, "I do not know... there are things that wander the marshes that I still don't care to meet, even after living here for several years. Some things come up with the tide..."

"Desna has smiled up me, for certain. I name you my saviors and friends, and friends are always welcome in my home. It is a strange hour, and you look weary. You can sleep here, if you like. Its a bit dryer than the ground outside. Perhaps in the day we can discuss this goblin problem you speak of..."

Rest now, or press the conversation?

Harlan sputters awake.

"Who, what, huh? Ah! Wait. What just happened?"

What hit me? Is this my blood? Am I covered in my blood?"

Harlan is all for resting tonight, and if the party decides to do so will expend his healing spells and channeling to get everybody back to full before heading out in the morning.

" Perhaps in the day we can discuss this goblin problem you speak of..."

"Yes, you are still injured and should get some rest as well. Let us talk in the morning."

Once everyone is finished, Heng finds a clear spot on the floor somewhat out of the way, wraps his cloak around himself, and is soon asleep.

Maeve yawns again as she tries to find a comfortable position. "Oh, yeah, I remember that story now. There are supposed to be some things called Invisible Stalkers that live in the ocean, but come up onto land and take the form of land-dwellers to infiltrate society. That's probably what this one was trying to do, but it didn't have time to get set up." Without another word, the girl drifts off with her head at a funny angle.

Maeve is all for sleeping.

"Yes the morning will be better for talking. It has been a very trying night."

"Oh, yeah, I remember that story now. There are supposed to be some things called Invisible Stalkers that live in the ocean, but come up onto land and take the form of land-dwellers to infiltrate society. That's probably what this one was trying to do, but it didn't have time to get set up."

Malnival raises an eyebrow at Maeve. "Strange. I thought Invisible Stalkers were, well, invisible."

He takes his bed roll from his pack and lays it out on the floor. After setting aside his weapons and situating himself, Mal sits up and looks around. "Shouldn't we move the body outside the house?"

"Shouldn't we move the body outside the house?"

Walthus laughs, "Good point." He rummages through the pantry and procures a large potato sack and a length of twine. "The smell will draw predators if we don't sink it in the water. We'll have to weigh it down with a large rock."

Once the work is done, you happily pull up a piece of floor and pass out as the light of dawn is lightening the eastern sky. You waken a few hours later, groggy but rested. A delicious smell is coming from the kitchen.

A couple well-placed channels and the sleep is enough to heal everyone up to full for the morning.

After a few hours sleep, Maeve yawns, stretches out, and looks around blearily. "...did I pass out on the floor again, Ameiko? Uhh...no, wait, I didn't actually do that, did I?" She blinks blearily, clearly needing at least a bit more time to be fully functional.

Heng rises form the floor once the cooking starts and spends some time stretching and meditating until everyone is up for breakfast.

Entering the kitchen he greets everyone. "Thank you for your hospitality, Walthus. I hope you are feeling better this morning. No more problems with snakes this morning?"

Entering the kitchen he greets everyone. "Thank you for your hospitality, Walthus. I hope you are feeling better this morning. No more problems with snakes this morning?"

Walthus frowns, "No problems, but that stalker thing killed a couple of my pets. Luckily, the others hid and it didn't get them."

He lifs a ladel of stew by the cauldron in the stove and fills a trencher, offering it to Heng. "Gumbo?"

Walthus frowns, "No problems, but that stalker thing killed a couple of my pets. Luckily, the others hid and it didn't get them."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Your double claimed it had been attacked by a giant snake. A weak joke on my part. Do you keep snakes as pets then?"

Heng pulls a simple wooden bowl from his pouch and plops the bread and stew into his bowl. "Thank you." He takes a seat on the floor cross-legged to allow others the seats at the table.

Parity stands up from where he was sitting asleep in the corner, legs pulled into his chest and sword across his toes. He yawns quietly and then softly exclaims "Gods, Warden! That smells fantastic. Might you have a place to wash up some where?"

Later over breakfast

"By the way, Maeve, I had no idea that creature yesterday was invisible. Was that before or after the shapechanging bit? You said it was from the water as well? Gills, perhaps?"

To the Warden

"So, these goblins and their lair? Gutwad is the one we need to find and bring down. Whereabouts does he slink and skulk?"

Harlan wakes up at the smell of gumbo and practically skips the short distance from the floor to the kitchen.

"Oh is that gumbo?! You do know how to cook that then. The not-Walthus said he didn't know how to make gumbo, but then I suppose since he was an it and not you then it wouldn't know how to cook gumbo. I thought something was suspicious because I said to myself that there was no way any self respecting halfling who lived in a swamp wouldn't know hot to cook gumbo. Would you trade me the recipe, I have a wonderful chili recipe that I can offer you in exchange."

Harlan stands there panting after this outburst, spoken almost as one continuous sentence. His sides move in and out like a bellows as he inhales the wonderful scent of the gumbo, his eyes casting about the kitchen for a bowl and spoon.

Kvalsir lets out a massive yawn as he awakens to the smell of food. Gods but I feel better now! Probably best to be prepared for another ambush though... Sourly grunting to himself, he goes outside and sits down, quietly chanting Ulfen prayers to Gozreh as he does so.
Beastfather! Bearer of burdens! II I invoke your icy grasp!
Wavemaster! Wisest of wilden! II I deem doom deft for demons!
And so forth.

Kvalsir be preparing spells while the others talk. I'll switch them up and post again tomorrow afternoon (as I have a busy morning, this works out fairly well).
Also, I swear that I'll learn to write decent alliterative poetry one of these days....

"Do you keep snakes as pets then?"

"Indeed. They're native to the marsh, so the environment suits them. I had a tomcat once, but it just disappeared one day," he shakes his head. "The snakes are good company - always honest with you... unlike most people. They may not be cute and cuddly, but they're loyal friends."

*Excited Rambling*

Walthus laughs, "That thing pretending to be a halfling and not know what gumbo was? A travesty of impersonation! I'll happily trade recipes. Its not a difficult one, really... I just take some rice, and sausage..." he continues, explaining his recipe.

"So, these goblins and their lair? Gutwad is the one we need to find and bring down. Whereabouts does he slink and skulk?"

"Yes, of course. The Licktoad tribe are a nuisance, but normally just stay close to their village and harass the local wildlife. They must have found something to inspire them to such wanton acts, and so far from the marsh. Did you say they used fireworks to attack Sandpoint?"

"The Licktoad village is about a mile south of here, as the crow flies. Getting there takes a little more legwork, though, unless you want to swim across a few rivers and marshlands. If you head back to the trade road and follow it south, you'll come upon another fishing trail that's fallen into disuse. It should take you to their village, or close enough that you can follow the smell."

@ Kvalsir - love the chant... I want to see the whole thing!! ;p

Harlan smiles, his belly distended from the gumbo everybody else didn't eat and his leg pain forgotten.

"We can't just march up the main road though, aren't there too many goblins for us to handle alone? Maybe we could scare them out of their village?"

Sausage gumbo is good. I wonder if this would taste better with goat?

Apparently Harlan is obsessed with eating goats.

Maeve seems to be re-energized and even bubbly again after the nap. "Actually, they attacked a caravan with the fireworks, but it was disturbingly close to the town." She makes a slight face at the suggestion of swimming through goblin swamp.

Heng rubs his hand over his tattooed scalp as he considers. "I don't know, Harlan. Perhaps it is best if we head directly down the road. Speed is a priority, is it not? I don't think we should risk getting lost in the swamp or having to face the other hazards that dwell within it. We can be more cautious once we get close to their village."

Cleaning off his hands with some water outside, Parity pokes his head back into the room "I agree that the frontal assault may not be the best. Is there a waterway? Could we raft our way up and maybe come upon them unawares? If that requires to much portaging, then the road it is."

Sausage? He makes sausage out here? Out of what?

Well thankya. Here's a few more verses, then. Also, Goat gumbo, Harlan? I need to work that into a prayer somewhere....

Kvalsir continues his chant to Gozreh.

Thunder thane, thy wrath uncharted, II Bring your blessing to this bearer!
Bestial brother, bold and brazen! II Current carrier clad in clover!
Feral father form the fire, II Creeping claws and clashing teeth!
Veer the viking now voracious, II Send sure summons soon to see,
Craving combat coming closer, II Give the goblins grave and grief,
Fur and fang, form also feathers, II Bring the bear blood blooming bright!

Cleaning off his hands with some water outside, Parity pokes his head back into the room "I agree that the frontal assault may not be the best. Is there a waterway? Could we raft our way up and maybe come upon them unawares? If that requires to much portaging, then the road it is."

Walthus replies, "You might be able to approach through the water, but I don't know how far inland the Licktoad village is. I only have a halfling-sized kayak, for fishing on the bay. I tend to avoid the marsh waterways... there's too many things you can't see. Like the Soggy River Monster."

Let me know how you want to proceed, and I'll advance.

"What is this Soggy River Monster? I still think the road will be our best option. No need to endanger our lives before we even reach the goblins. We will accomplish nothing if we are lost in the swamp."

"The problem I see with us using the water ways is ambush from the shore. We will be in the open with no cover and no where to run."

"I don't move so fast even on roads, let's just use them. If we have to run away Heng can carry me, he's strong! Soggy River Monster, what's that? Maybe that's what this thing was, since none of us have heard of it before."

Harlan rubs his head while remembering the blow that knocked him out last night.

"I don't move so fast even on roads, let's just use them. If we have to run away Heng can carry me, he's strong!

Heng chuckles. "I have little to carry besides my bowl and staff. I think I could manage to carry you as well should it be needed, Harlan. Just take it easy on the Gumbo."

"I'm not sure what the Soggy River Monster is, and I haven't seen it myself, but I've heard stories from the fishermen that pass by: a pale figure watching through the trees, three-toed footprints in the mud, and so on. Its been blamed for five or more disappearances, but it may just be a paranoid fable made up to scare off competiton for the fishing holes," Walthus chuckles.

As you gather your things and prepare to head out, Walthus comes forward holding a small bundle of blue cloth. He hands it to Harlan. "Its a halfling-sized cloak, but I suppose any of you could make it fit. Its yours, in thanks for saving me from that monster. I acquired it on my way north after I escaped from Cheliax. Its magical, I'm told - blessed by one of the gods to fend off bad luck and protect its wearer from harm. I think you may need it more than I do."

You can continue talking with Walthus, but advancing the story below.

-- - --

After you leave Walthus's shack, it takes you just over an hour to return to the trade road, head south, and find the old fishing trail Walthus mentioned. Even in the day, the Brinestump is gloomy and dim, enhanced by the solid overcast and threatening clouds. A cacophony of frogs, lizards and insects of all descript fills the air. Gnats and mosquitos constantly pester you, and a low scent of decay follows you.

Less than a mile back into the marsh, the road bends to reveal a long, moss-covered wooden bridge crossing a larger river. At the foot of the bridge is the freshly dead corpse of a horse. The poor creature's head is missing, and its body covered with hundreds of cuts and burns.