Runa digs into the meal, and breaks off several small pieces which she feeds to Tofa. While eating she asks "Does anyone else live out here? I would hate to discover that creature we chased out of here setting up home in someone elses place, or the goblins getting to them."
"Noone else apart from the goblins and whatever the soggy bottom Monster is..and I wouldn't be too worried about that thing if you hurt it as much as you say then it's prey not predator now"
Hungrily eating the plate of food given to him, Úlf nods in Proudstump's direction. "Food is excellent, friend! Everyone in Red Dragon always say you one of Sandpoint's best fish-cooks. Is no lie! Is also true what you say about creature that was here earlier. I had not thought of that. It was certainly in no shape to continue fighting when it ran from us. Perhaps we will get lucky and the goblins or the Monster will finish it off for us, yes? Or any of the swamp's other predators. Regardless, I am eager to rid Sandpoint of goblin problem and am ready to go as soon as everyone else is ready." he tells the group before shoveling another bite of fish and mushrooms into his mouth, being careful to reign in his gusto for the meal.
Tavlor eats silently, considering what has happened so far today. When he is finished he says "I am ready. Lets get rid of this goblin menace to Sandpoint."
Runa finishes the last mushroom on her plate and stands. "I too am ready to continue our journey."
After finishing his plate of mushrooms and fish, Namuril wipes his mouth and quietly belches behind a fist. He pushes back from the table and leans back in his chair.
"I, too, am eager to neutralize these goblins. Are you ready to guide us, Mister Proudstump, or do you require more time to prepare?"
He stands, slides his chair back under the table, and gestures to Runa. "That was quite a fine meal. I think Tofa liked it, as well!" He smiles at her and gives the fox a little salute.
"I'll be ready as soon as I get my armour and weapons on."
Proudstump goes back upstairs and reappears after a few minutes wearing Leather armour and armed with Longbow and two hand axes. He carries a cloak in his hands.which he gives to Runa.."In gratitude for your saving me..I'll give you this.It should make poisons and spells and the like less able to harm you.
Gain a cloak of Resistance+1
Zaladrel, full from the meal, will ready his gear and nod to himself in satisfaction.
Seeing Runa receive the cloak Zaladrel will smile slighty A great gift indeed. One can never be too protected. Looking at the group Zaladrel will bounce on his feet with a small amount of anticipation. Are we ready to go?
Úlf grins down to Runa, putting down his now-clean plate and taking his axe up in his right hand. "Is good gift, little sister! May it serve you well and be only the first of many good gifts for us all! he says to her, putting his axe over his shoulder. "I also am eager for more goblin slaying!"
Runa stands frozen, the cloak draped over her arm and a look of shock on her face. "I...I don’t know what to say! This gift...it is too much sir!" She looks at the rest of the group in a slightly bewildered manner. "I thank-you kind sir...I am unaccustomed to receiving such gifts. I will wear it and always think of your generosity!"
Namuril re-shoulders his pack and bow, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he watches Runa stammer thanks to the halfling. "It is indeed a fine gift, Runa. Such magical cloaks can save a life, I've been told."
Omara finishes her meal and gets up from the table. As she is readying her gear, she asks "The fishermen also mentioned something about giant bugs. Is there any truth to that rumor?"
"Aye Lass there's giant pond skimmers as big as a dog and huge spiders..but I know the ways to avoid such things..Come lets be moving."
Proudstump leads the way out off the house.
Checking her equipment as she walks out the door, Runa keeps adjusting and re-adjusting her new cloak. Still a little flustered by the halflings generosity, she smile as she thinks This is our first treasure gained by adventuring!
Lengthening her step, she soon is walking beside Ulf. Tofa trots at her side and she carries her crossbow at the ready.
Úlf looks down to Runa as she walks beside him, giving her a playful pat on the head. Cloak ser bra ut på deg, Runa. Det passer deg vel!
he says to her, a broad grin on his face. He holds his axe over his right shoulder in a relaxed, but ready grip. Leaning forward a bit, he looks down to the fox, grin broadening. "Tofa think so, too! Yes?"
Playfully swatting at the warriors hand, Runa responds, "OAF, selvfølgelig ser det bra! Bare holde øynene åpne og øks klar, og snart vil du være dekket med din egen kappe! En av herligheten!
"And Tofa thinks this as well!" she adds with a chuckle.
Proud stump leads you almost directly south to one of the channels where he ferries you across on a raft..you then continue vaugly southwards wandering a little off course to move round tidal inlets.
Finally after about an hour you find yourselves looking at the burnt out hulk of a once proud ship.
The time is now about 1 pm
"Well, that's not something you see every day."
Perception:
Tavlor is able to make out the name of the ship amidst the charring it reads...
"Kaijitsu Star"
You find the stripped skeleton of a horse and those of two dogs near the wreckage.Other than that there is nothing of interest.Proudstump does find goblin tracks leading to and from the wreck however.
Runa ponders the name of the ship. Hmmm..Kaijitsu Star. I wonder if it has anything to do with Ameiko? Or her family?
"Did you know this wreck was here Mr. Proudstump?"
Tavlor walks up to the place he can spot the name and starts talking to no one specific, "It says Kaijitsu Star! That's Ameiko's name. But the Kaijitus don't have anything to do with shipping, do they?" He looks around to see if anyone knows something he does not.
"We need to tell Ameiko about this immediately. If this does have something to do with her family, she will need to know."
Omara looks around the site to make sure no goblins (or other things) are waiting in ambush. "Perhaps we can take the name plate back with us" she says in response to Tavlor's statement.
Namuril nods in agreement. "I concur. Lady Kaijitsu must be told of this, and bringing back the name plate is a fine idea. I do think, however, that we should track these goblins. Maybe we should see what there is to see within what's left of the ship, as well."
Perhaps we should wait to search the ship , with Ameiko's blessing it certainly is going nowhere. It seems the goblins themselves should remain our focus.
Úlf nods in agreement with the others as he looks up at the wrecked, burnt-out husk of the ship. "I agree. The entire purpose of our quest was to rid Sandpoint of the Licktoads. We should see that task done before we return to tell Ameiko about finding ship. If fireworks come from here, we should look for signs of where goblins went."
Tavlor looks at his companions bewildered. Surely this is more important than some stupid goblins! There's no sense in not returning immediately.
"I think this is more important than the goblins..."
Zaladrel turns to Tavlor, a look of confusion mixed with a hint of exasperation, More important? Perhaps you recall that the leaders of Sandpoint find our current task so important they will pay hundreds of gold coins to make it end and adventurers of no small skill are missing?
Zaladrel turns and gestures at the burned out ship, Is this thing strange? Yes. Do Ameiko's needs have more importance than those of the the people of Sandpoint who fear more violence? I say no. Besides last we heard, she isn't even home. I say she can wait.
Zaladrel paces shaking his head, obviously agitated, perhaps more so than he should be. Normally I view human impulsiveness as a blessing but in this case I must protest. I remember the last time goblins assaulted Sandpoint... Zaladrel's eyes fall on the burned out ship. They are children. Stupid children. But they are violent ugly, uncaring stupid children that would kill every person in the town were they spurred on to action through puffed up bravery brought on by these fireworks.
Do what you feel is important my young friend but I feel that I must continue to hunt for these goblins to the best of my ability. Zaladrel turns to Proudstump. If you would lead on I am ready to follow these goblin tracks.
"You cannot rid the world of goblins in a day! You could spend your life hunting down goblins every day without end, some of us having a lot more days than others." Tavlor does not know where his anger is coming from, but the absurdity of the situation confuses him.
"If this ship is related to Ameiko, then it might have had some of her family on it for all we know. You say you remember the last time Goblin's attacked Sandpoint? Perhaps you fail to remember that Ameiko lost most of her family at that time. Don't you think her family's name on a mysterious ship might be of greater than normal importance to her." He's practically shouting by the end of this speech.
Zaladrel puts up his hands in defense, We obviously are passionate for our point of views but I do not mean to push you to such anger Tavlor. I don't seek to kill all the goblins in the world but I do mean to put an end to the tribe that threatens our home.
Smoothing back his hair Zaladrel sighs, I'm sure such a thing as this will interest Ameiko but the ship is going nowhere and I say again that last we heard she wasn't even home. Ameiko Kaijutsu's interests are not more important that the safety of the town. I think she would agree.
Zaldrel paces back and forth shaking his head. I worry that these Lick Toad goblins are bold and dangerous, that we have their trail and might stop them before more people are hurt. I agree we should tell Ameiko but I think we should do this first.
Turning to Tavlor I don't wish us to fight, perhaps as a group we might vote to see what action we should take next?
Proudstump watches the argument with an amused look on his face.."Well now" he says.."If'n you are still interested in dealin' with t' Lickies..they live about 500 yards or so that way"
He points East..
"Course your yellin' might bring 'em to us first"
Omara steps between Zaladrel and Tavlor, "Gentlemen, you both have good points. But this wreck has been here a long time. If Ameiko does not know about it, it has not hurt her so far. A few more hours should not hurt her any. If she does know about it and left it out here, then it is not important to her."
She whispers something to Tavlor.
She returns her attention to the entire group, "I think that dealing with the goblins is the more important matter, right now. That is why we came out here in the first place, right?"
Namuril watches the exchange between Tavlor and Zaladrel, a mixture of surprise and amusement painting his features. After Omara's speech, he moves a bit closer to the three.
"You speak truly, Omara. These goblins must be our priority; not only because the Licktoads are our quarry, but because a threat to Sandpoint is a threat to Lady Kaijitsu and every other citizen of the town."
He turns to Tavlor. "I, too, find this--the Kaijitsu ship--to be quite intriguing. However, the goblins are but five hundred yards away. We must continue to the Licktoads; any mysteries we uncover will be more easily solved under light of victory."
He then turns to Zaladrel. "Oedd yn gwybod eich bod o'r fath enaid angerddol, Meistr Zaladrel? Yn sicr, Desna ei hun yn gwenu i lawr ar eich cyfer. Yr wyf yn symud gan eich geiriau, ac rwyf o'r un meddwl. . . ond efallai ychydig yn llai o emosiwn y tro nesaf? Rydym yn frodyr; i mi ddweud hyn yn unig o frawdgarwch, nid ddarostyngiad neu fitriol. Os gwelwch yn dda, brawd. . . deyrnasiad yn eich Elf-tymer, a all pobl eraill glywed yn well y doethineb eich geiriau."
Runa watched the argument between the elf and the sorcerer with some annoyance. Finally Tofa gave a single bark, and she weighs in on the discussion.
"I agree that this may be important to Lady Kaijitsu, but as Zaladrel has stated, we are here to stop the goblins. Let us move on, and once that task is finished, I will return here with you Tavlor and we can unravel this mystery."
Turning to Ulf she mumbles Og jeg tenkte vårt folk var lidenskapelig! Det er godt å se slike lidenskap fra våre venner, men vi må ikke la det avskrekke oss fra vår misjon!
An internal struggle passes briefly over Tavlor's face as the group weighs in on the situation. He listens to Omara briefly and his face relaxes a bit, although his mouth forms into a firm line. he gives her a small nod and looks at the two elves conversing.
He walks up close to the two elves. He is shorter than the two of them, but much larger in a muscular way. He is not unimposing compared to them.
Charisma:
His voice is shaking a bit as he addresses the two elves, "I do not know much of elves, but I thought I knew a bit about you Zaladrel. What is this speaking of secrets between you two? Do we work together or as little groups of separate peoples?" He gives a short glance to Runa and Ulf as well.
"Lets get rid of these goblin's so we can get out of this place." He starts to walk in the direction Proudstump has indicated, but not so quickly that he will outdistance anyone or be in the lead.
Úlf looks briefly to Runa, nodding in agreement, before quickly stepping up to Tavlor and putting a steadying hand on his shoulder. "Stop for a moment, Tavlor. There is no need for anger. I ask that you think on this: let us say that we do return to Red Dragon now to tell Ameiko what we have found. It will take us a good four or five hours to get back to Sandpoint. By then it will be close to dusk. It would be foolish to come back here after the sun has set when we have lost the advantage of light. We would have to wait until first light tomorrow to try again. As bold as goblins have been getting, what if they were to attack others in that time? What if someone were to be killed? Do you believe that Ameiko would believe information about boat would be worth more than the possible damage to property and life that goblins could do before we could return to put them down? For what my thinking is worth, I do not. Is better to first be sure Licktoads not able to hurt someone else.I think Ameiko think this, too."
Tavlor stops at the big man's speech, but does not look back.
"Have you lost people in your family, Ulf? Have you ever hoped to find your family after you think they are all gone?"
He glances back over his soldier with a rueful smile.
"Some things are simply more important..."
As Tavlor walks away Zaladrel turns to Namuril and speaks softly, Rydych wedi rhoi i mi pethau i feddwl ymlaen, byddwn yn trafod yn nes ymlaen.
Clapping Namuril on the shoulder Zaladrel nods and adjusts his gear.
Let us resolve this Lick Toad issue so we might move on to other items that concern us.
Runa looks at the angry sorcerer and say "I offer you assistance to help in your endeavour and you throw it back in my face because I speak to a kinsman in my own tongue?? I praise your passion and you react as if I had cursed you. Believe me, you would know if I curses you! Do not speak to me of loss!
With that Runa and Tofa head down the trail the halfling has pointed out, not really caring if anyone follows.
At Tavlor's response, Úlf frowns slightly, shaking his head. "With respect, my friend, I have been in Sandpoint militia since just after goblin problem four years ago. In that time I have seen many families torn apart by death. Ameiko has lost family, yes, and it is sad...but she is not only person who has. Licktoads grow more bold with each day. We saw this hours ago. I think it is important to tell her what we find here, yes...but goblins are more immediate threat. It is necessary to stop them from doing to other families what has happened to Ameiko's family. Three travelers hurt badly in last attack. Would you still feel was right thing to do if we did leave and goblin's attack again tonight and kill people? Úlf does not wish to see more families hurt. To tell another wife her husband will not come home again. Ameiko has waited years. A mere few hours more will not harm her." he replied, narrowing his eyes. "These goblins must be ended."
With that, he releases Tavlor's shoulder and looks back to Zaladrel and nods, grinning. "Yes! I am eager to spill more goblin blood before they spill more of others." he replies before taking his position next to Runa once more, his grip tightening slightly on the axe resting over his shoulder, his eager vitality returning.
"Okay. We are headed toward the goblin lair. Let us deal with the problem at hand." She walks with the others in the direction Proudstump pointed. "After which, we can gather all the evidence we can from the wreckage and take it back to the Rusty Dragon. Further argument will not accomplish either task any faster. She draws her rapier and points it in the direction everyone is walking. "Come my friends, goblin butts await our muddy bootprints!"
Úlf looks back to Omara with a broad grin and says in reply,"As you Southlanders say, last one there is rotten egg!"
Tavlor takes a long look at the wrecked ship.
"Οι Θεοί, μας προστατεύουν καθώς ταξιδεύουμε εμπρός έτσι ώστε μπορούμε να επιστρέψουμε και να παραδώσουμε αυτές τις ειδήσεις στους φίλους μας."
"Desna, protect us as we journey forth so that we may return and deliver this news to our friends."
He is the last to leave the spot.
Namuril decides to ignore Tavlor's outburst; clearly, he has offended the man by speaking in Elven to Zaladrel. He nods at Zaladrel's quiet statement and follows Runa, Ulf, and Omara toward the area Proudstump pointed out. He keeps an arrow nocked and readied.
"Careful, now. Let us 'ware our surroundings, lest goblin fire-works set us ablaze."
The trackless marsh holds many danger even beyond the beasts that inhabit it..quicksands, sinkholes and other natural hazards await the unwary..but Proudstump guides you around the traps that nature has laid in your path and eventually you spot the walls of a crude stockade sitting on a raised hillock of bare ground.
Moving roumd to the north side where the ground is firmer you see the following
The 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.
Úlf snorts derisively when they come in sight of the hovel, wrinkling his nose. The smell of swamps he can handle, but this is an entirely new olfactory experience. "Filthy little beasts..." he mutters. Looking back to the others, he nods his head in the direction of the goblin village. "So? What is plan?"
Runa scannes the area, looking for any signs of life or guards.
Namuril steps next to Ulf. "Any plans should be made after we make certain of what we're up against."
He moves a bit closer, nearly crouching as he looks for a vantage point to best observe the village.
Amazingly no alarm is given as Namuril moves forward..
Proudstump looks at the gate.."Something's not right here..I'll circle round back and see what I can see."
Úlf nods to Proudstump, then hesitates a moment before whispering,"Perhaps Namuril should go with you. If you run into trouble, would be better if there were two to help defend each other. He is good tracker and there are plenty here to deal with any goblins that we see."