From where you're standing the twinkle of light appears as if it's reflecting off of a collection of small objects, possibly coins or small gems.
Soon after, the you realize you've crested the mountains and are beginning to descend the north side of the island. The biter cold and knee-deep snows are gradually replaced by more temperate weather. By day seven of this overland journey across Kortos the ground has sunken altogether into a marshy bog. Thick blobs of fog dance between large tickets as the foul stench of swamp gas pollutes the air. At random intervals, a splash of fetid water sounds in the distance, signaling the presence of frogs and other bog creatures.
The combination of mud and mist slow your progress on this last leg of your journey to the northern coast of Kortos. Perhaps it's your slower pace or just an eagerness to reach your destination, but although Nestor keeps to his usual position at the rear of the pack, he is not trailing as far behind as usual. Eventually, the fog begins to disperse. The dense rolling clouds peel back to reveal a clearer view of the muck and vegetation around you.
After a time, you come across a large log that rests across you path standing five feet tall. A moldering wood door covers one of the hollow ends of the log, and a makeshift mud chimney emits a thin wisp of blue smoke. From behind the crude house comes the sound of someone humming an off-key tune.
As Andrazi calls out to the inhabitant of the fallen log, the humming stops and a voice calls out, "Gwkki? Qgi ua rgwew?"
As Andrazi translates to his companions, a small reptilian figure steps from around the opposite side of the log. The female kobold is dressed in tanned animal leathers and sports the skull of an indistinguishable animal atop her head. Having drawn your attention in that direction, you also now notice a small patch of thistles growing just beyond the creature in haphazard rows, as if planted to resemble a garden.
There is a brief look of surprise before her eyes narrow and she utters, "Qglr lew siubf gwew? Kwlcw nt xgukseb lbs u ib owlxe."
The kobold waves her hands agitatedly, as if ushering you away, "Agii, ahii. Vuf ibwa bir qwkxinw gwew."
A low hiss emanates from the reptilian humanoid as she continues to wave her arms at you.
As Andrazi turns to return to the trail, trudging through ankle deep muck and swamp foliage, the kobold lets loose a sharp screech and shouts, "Bi! Nt xguksen! Tiy qukk bir glen nt xguksen. Ablo Hlq, oeirwxr rgw xguksen!" From behind the log, you hear a low, deep growl and the sound of sucking mud as if something were dislodging itself from the mire.
Initiative Order:
Snap Jaw
Bog mother
Tanrov
Andrazi
Hekirin
Thoradin
Round One
From around the log house, a small alligator emerges. It makes a throaty growl as it waddles across the road. The kobold's odd draconic tongue takes on an even more unusual canter as she pulls a sprig of a strange plant from the folds of her filthy jerkin.
The vines and swamp grass begin to twist and writhe about you, wrapping themselves around your ankles and calves. Hekirin manages to bend and weave, slipping from the foliage before it can close around him, but the rest of the party is not so quick. Despite his apparent limp, Nestor likewise manages to keep out of the swamp's grasp.
Almost in unison, the party draws its weapons as Thoradin calls out Torag's name. Panicked by the unnatural behaviors of the swamp, Nestor begins to make his was out of the entangling vines and back the way the party came.
Round Two
The crazed kobold continues her unnatural chatter, raising her wooden club high above her head before moving in. Her alligator ally begins moving faster as it spies a potential meal struggling in the entangling grass, making it way toward the young barbarian.
Tanrov trudges out of the animated foliage, pulling the plants out by their roots even as they entwine about his legs and thighs. Andrazi similarly wrenches himself free, attempting to fling a foot-full of swamp grass at the alligator. Unfortunately, the wet mud makes kicking difficult and the Varisian's foot catches in the foul smelling muck. He stumbles in place as he flails for a moment to keep his balance.
Still standing amongst the writhing vines, Hekirin draws a shuriken. With a quick flick of the wrist it flies from his hand and seemingly dematerializes in the kobold's shoulder. Pulling fervently at the entangling plants, Thoradin manages to tear himself free. More pulling and some healthy cursing manages to get the dwarf free of the spell's area of effect.
Round Three
Unphased by Andrazi's failed attempt to distract the creature, Snap Jaw lunges at him, its open maw seeking to close around the man's leg.
Unable to recover his balance in time, pain shoots through Andrazi's leg as it is perforated by the animal's teeth. Rushing to her companion's aid , the kobold advances on the Varisian, swinging her club wildly.
+
Distracted by the 'gator rending a chunk of meat from his leg, Andrazi is taken completely unaware as the hardened stick of wood connects with the backside of his head. Golarion spins wildly for a moment and the Varisian stumbles.
Reeling from the blows, his head throbbing, Andrazi drops into a defensive stance even as Tanrov rushes to his side. The youth drops his maul onto the 'gator and it roars in pain as its scales and bone crack. As the beast whips its head around to look at its new target, Hekirin slips through the grass behind the animal. Striking just behind its skull, the ninja swiftly finishes the job Tanrov's blow has started.
Perhaps its the dankness of the swamp, perhaps Torag is in a foul mood, but Thoradin's healing light seems to shine less bright than normal as the dwarf begs his deity's favor.
Appalled by the barbarian's devastating blow on her pet, the kobold turns her club on the youth.
It's a wild swing, rather than a well-aimed strike, and the heavy stick sails harmlessly short of making contact.
Tanrov catches the kobold on the back swing, nearly lifting her off her feet. Having regained his senses, Andrazi pounces on the heels of the barbarian's maul, swiping a deep gash across creature's mid-section. Before she fully knows what happened, the kobold lays dead at their feet. The moment of silence that signals the conclusion of an exchange of blows is punctuated by the brighter glow of Torag's healing aura.