For the last couple of years, the small town of Sandpoint has managed to largely live in peace. Sheriff Belor Hemlock has built up the town’s defenses and the people live in relative security.
However, goblin activity is on the rise of late; the Licktoad goblins of the Brinestump marsh have become unusually aggressive. The reason for this uncharacteristic bravery is clear: somehow they have armed themselves with a shocking supply of fireworks. Several merchant caravans and travelers have been attacked so far, and according to the victims, the damage caused by the horses panicking at the sight and sound of the fireworks has been almost as bad as the goblin attacks themselves. With the last few attacks resulting in severe injuries to three travelers, the problem has escalated from an annoyance to a threat. Because the attacks have not yet inconvenienced Magnimar, the City of Monuments has not done anything to help.
Sheriff Hemlock has restored Sandpoint’s old “goblin bounty” after years of inactivity to try to encourage adventurer types to seek out and kill goblins. The town of Sandpoint will pay 10 gp for every relatively fresh pair of goblin ears delivered to the town hall. An additional reward of 300 gp will be given to the group who can bring in the head of the Licktoads’ leader, Chief Gutwad.
It's an old cliché that every story starts in a tavern, but in Sandpoint, the Rusty Dragon is one of the most popular places, so it’s more than natural that some stories should start there.
Its proprietor, Ameiko Kaijitsu, last surviving member of the founding Kaijitsu family, is one of the most popular and beloved personalities in Sandpoint. Many seek out the Rusy Dragon just to hear her music or to eat the spicy and exotic food she serves.
And so, cliché or not, on this morning, the 4th of Rova, 4711, five people whose destinies are about to entwine, find themselves, each for reasons of his or her own, in the Rusy Dragon at the same time...
A subtle, slouched figure in a brown cotton cloak slides into the Rusty Dragon to take a seat near the back, out of the way. A simple breakfast of toast and coffee is mostly ignored as he reviews a long list of some kind scrawled on a scrap of parchment, muttering to himself. Next to his meal sits a small toad, the presence of which in no way seems to off-put the man. A pen comes out and scribbles are made, though the markings seem strange and otherworldly. In sum, Terflynn Pram is having a social day by comparative standards. Mingling, doing business, exchanging words with complete strangers when the occasion demands it. Twice monthly ventures like this were all that would keep Maxwell from calling him a hermit. Since Maxwell was merely a toad, he couldn't truly speak, but he had plenty to say anyway. This day, for instance, Maxwell seemed even more restless than usual, and wasn't keeping it to himself in the least. Even sitting in a busy tavern like this one, he stared and blinked at Terflynn, quite unsatisfied. And though Terflynn tried to keep his focus on his new formula, Maxwell's incessant pestering was beginning to get to him.
Ruhk has been at the Rusty Dragon ever since it opened in the morning, and has been doing his best to be the soul of the party from the moment he stepped into the warm interior.
One moment he is swapping news of the surroundings with a hunter, the next he is loudly telling tall tales with farmers and guards.
While there are several empty tankards in front of him, he has paced himself well so he is only mildly buzzing at the moment.
And of course, at every lull in activity, he takes a moment to tell a bawdy (but not rude) joke to the lovely proprieties.
"Ah, the Rusty Dragon, the place to be in Sandpoint if you have half the sense the gods gave to a weevil."
Ruhk grins and indicates Terflynn.
"And if you want proof, it sits right there on that table, even toads knows this is the place to be."
The morning crowd demanding kave and breakfast is a little busier than usual, and Cally is feeling increasingly harried by the patron's cries for her to take their orders, and her aunt's calls to take platters of food and jugs of coffee to the tables. Fortunately the Rusty Dragon's amenities have been refitted since Ameiko took over the inn, years ago, to take the stature of the halfling staff into account, so at least she doesn't have to struggle too much to reach the top of the bar or the tables. The scowl starting to cloud over her usually sunny expression is a clear warning to the patrons, <Don't push me! I'm moving as fast as I can... or want to!>
As she maneuvers around the common room, brusquely taking orders and sliding steaming plates of bacon, hotcakes and sausages onto tables, Cally keeps one eye over her shoulder. Sheriff Hemlock had said something yesterday about speaking with Mayor Deverin regarding the reinstated goblin bounty, and if he walked in she intended to pin him down and demand a decision about her request to join any hunting party. <Damned if I'm going to let myself get stuck serving all these longshanks ale and cakes for the rest of my life! I want to get out there and do something exciting for a change.> Turning around and snapping at one particularly obnoxious patron, she yells "Ifreann na fola, I heard you the first time, mister! Pipe down and have the good grace to wait until I have at least one hand free, then I'll take your order!"
"Hah! You better take her at her word pal, there is fire in that tone, and if you don't watch your hands, you might get burned."
Ruhk lifts his tankard in silent salute at Cally, she was always a welcome sight as far as he was concearned.
"I'll have another pint.
WHEN you have the time, no need to rush.
I still have half of one left."
Terflynn pauses at the comment on Maxwell. For a moment he peers at the mirthful adventurer from under the shade of his hood, but then simply takes a sip of coffee and returns to his parchment, still muttering.
"Oh well, then I'll just take me own time about it, since you're still choking down your last tankard!" Cally growls at 'The Dandy' as he interrupts her tirade. "To be sure I'd not be wanting to prevent you drinking yourself into a stupor before midday. Men! You're all alike, lazy sots and children, and never to be seen when there's work to done, then demanding your pipe and ale when you show up at the door! Hah!" Snatching the empty tankards off the table in front of the longshanks, she stomps off towards the bar to fetch more ale, sniffing at the chorus of cheers and laughter brought on by her latest diatribe. Most of the customers were used to Cally's sudden outbursts by now, although she knew that her aunt was going to have words with her again about being nicer to the clientele...
"Bawahahaha! See? Did I not tell you there was fire in there? And when you put your hand in the fire you will get burned!"
Ruhk grins and takes another sip of ale, to him, laughter was the goal, and he didn't mind being the butt of the occasional joke as long as it got a smile out of the audience.
"Speaking of fire now, have I ever told the story about Marlena Firehair? No? Well, you see, it was about 10 years ago, when I was just a little boy..."
Caerwyn enters the Rusty Dragon followed closely by four other men in dusty leathers. As his eyes adjust to the relative gloom he notices a table in the back of the crowded common room just being cleared by the the young server, Cally.
Making his way to the table Caerwyn catches the halfling's eye and smiles, holding up his hand with five fingers displayed to indicate five beers. It was his patrol so it was his duty to buy the first round. Settling into this chair the half elf looks up at the young halfling's outburst wondering if he would be needed, before realizing she has the situation well in hand.
As she delivers the ordered round Caerwyn says to her over the din "Pretty crowded in here since the Sheriff reinstated the goblin bounty, eh? Plenty of locals here drinking their 'liquid courage' before heading out into the swamp. I had hoped to get a piece of the action myself but I feel the Sheriff is going to have me and the rest of the militia out rescuing those who get in over their heads,"
Terflynn listens to the talk of goblin bounty and furrows his brow. He looks over a list of ingredients on his formula sheet, then pulls a few copper from his pocket, counts them, and frowns. He heaves a heavy sigh and looks at Maxwell with resignation.
Cally has the good grace to look slightly embarrassed by Caerwyn's comments. "Um, actually, I've told the sheriff I want to join any patrol going out into the Brinestump, not that he's likely to let me go." The moment passes and another thunderous scowl appears, "It's so unfair! I'm just as capable as most of these scoundrels who are just looking to make what they think will be some 'easy' coin! Most of them would pee themselves if they actually came face to face with the Licktoads on their home turf."
Seeing the movement out of the corner of her eye as the scarred peddler sitting at the back of the common room counts his coins, Cally excuses herself from Caerwyn's table and makes her way over there. "Something wrong with your coffee, Terflynn? At least you've sense enough not to be swilling ale at this time of the morning. If it's gone cold, I can fetch you a fresh mug." Although she didn't see the peddler in the Rusty Dragon very often, he and his toad were seldom any trouble, a virtue which Cally appreciated among the inn's clientele.
Aldlel marched into the Rusty Dragon, looking ready for battle. He was not an uncommon sight here, though his voice wasn't well known. His footsteps were very nearly audible as his armor and weapons shifted with every move he made. He sat down close to, but not at the bar, and waited patiently for a server to come by. The waiting wasn't hard, he wasn't really here to eat anyway. Shalelu had convinced him that if he was to march into the swamp in a misguided attempt to save the town singlehandedly, the least he could do was gather up some others to fight by his side, and maybe drag him back if he bit off more than he could chew. He decided that sounded like a decent idea, so here he was.
When Cally expressed her desire to join a guard patrol to Brinestump, Aldel saw his opening. "Why wait? Surely there are enough of us in here to organize an expedition to relieve the goblins of their miserable lives. I will go with you, at the least."
Ruhk grins upon overharing Aldel's bold statment,
"Hark at this, there is a man after my own heart. And he has a good point, why wait? Surely this is something we could handle if we went together?"
Almost as if on cue, a tall, bald, Shoanti man strides through the door. Sherriff Hemlock walks to the bar and raps his knuckles on the wood to get the patrons attention. When the bar is relatively silent, he speaks up. "There's been quite a bit of talk of the reinstated bounty - it's true. As you're all aware, goblin attacks are on the rise and we need to put a stop to it. Until Magnimar listens up, we are on our own." He examines the room before continuing. "I'm certain that many of you are eager to rush into the swamp to claim the coin, so if you're interested, I request that you join me in the corner of the tavern," he gestures to a unoccupied corner of the room, "to register your interest. We don't want people wandering off and getting into trouble without our knowing about it."
He walks over to the designated corner and waits for the brave volunteers.
"Well, that's my que, see all you brave people over in the corner then."
Ruhk swaggers over to the corner and plumps himself down in a free chair.
"Here I am, as bright as the morn sun and twice as fancy."
Drawing a swallow from his tankard, Ruhk grins at the sheriff.
"Shall we wait for others to join before getting down to business? Even I might need some help on this one."
"Besides, I fancy we'll be joined by someone tall in spirit in just a short while..."
Caerwyn Gets up form the table and makes his way over to the Sheriff's table. "Sheriff Hemlock, sir. I know you need all the hands you can get to keep an eye on some of these people, but I have some leave coming and I would like the opportunity to put paid to these gobbo's once and for all if'n you don't mind, sir?" Caerwyn looks at the Sheriff expectantly.
The Sheriff greets Ruhk, remaining stern at his jokes. "Yes. You will require assistance for this, Ruhk. Are you certain you even want to take on this task? You realize there are no mirrors in the swamp, don't you?"
When Caerwyn approaches, the sheriff calmly listens to his request. "Mayor Deverin and I spoke of you specifically, Callandriil. We both would feel better if those we sent into the swamp were accompanied by an official representative of the Watch. You were specifically selected for your familiarity with the area. And of course your ferocity against goblins." The sheriff manages a small smirk at his own joke. "I am grateful you have the courage and tenacity to make this request."
"Hah! Don't you worry about that Sheriff, no mirror could match the shine of your eyes anyway."
Here he pauses and makes a show of checking his reflection in the sheriffs eyes for a moment.
"Not a hair out of place, and what fun is grooming if you don't make a mess first? A tussle with some gobbos should be just the thing for that."
Terflynn puts his coppers and parchment away, gathers up Maxwell, and crosses over to the opposite corner where the Sheriff sits. He stands awkwardly for a moment, not sure about taking a seat.
"Uhh... Hi." is the best he can muster.
The sheriff looks surprised to see Terflynn approach. "Have a seat, Teflynn," the sheriff says, ignoring Ruhk's joking. "It is good of you to come over. I confess I am a bit surprised to see you here, but it would do well to have someone with your unique...capabilities?...join the group traveling into the swamp. I presume you are familiar with Ruhk, but have you met Caerwyn yet?" The sheriff makes introductions and then surveys the room to see who else is heading his way.
"No, no, I don't--" Terflynn stammers, then pulls back his hood. "Terflynn. Nice to meet you." he turns back to the sheriff. "I could use a few coins, and I have my hunting hear along." he says as he pats a hard leather case on his back not unlike a large quiver. "If there's a group going, I want in."
Aldel headed toward the growing group of volunteers. He wondered how they would fare, if they would expect him to be a healer. Many people, it seemed, heard the name Desna and thought of campfires, songs and games of chance. It was not as commonly known that freedom meant slaying tyrants, that night and travel might entail a twilight pursuit against Desna's foes, that luck might mean- well, luck did mean what it implied.
"I'll go as well," Aldel said.
"Well, lookie here, the seats are being taken fast, but something tell me we got one more coming to join us.
I'm Ruhk by the way, we might not have spoken before, but none of you gentlemen are exactly unknown to me.
Be a pleasure to spill some blood with you three, and don't worry, they call me "The Dandy" but I'm not afraid to get it on me."
Seeing the half-elf coming, the sheriff nods at him in greeting. "Welcome, Aldel. Your assistance is appreciated. Desna's protection will be of no small value." He surveys the room for a few moments and seems satisfied that no others are planning on joining. He frowns at this realization, but quickly regains his composure as he begins speaking. "Well, your group is smaller than I anticipated, but perhaps smaller is better for this task..." he stops mid-sentence and looks up to the room. "Hey, Cally! You joining us or do you just want to deliver platters all morning? You talk my ear off about participating in the bounty and then you don't come when invited?" His voice is stern, but it seems as if he's trying to tease the halfling in his own way.
Terflynn looks confused and annoyed, but for the most part he always looks annoyed, so confused is the only new expression as he inquires, "What, a barmaid? For... killing goblins?" He quickly surveys the others in the group to make sure he's signed up for the right thing.
Cally removes her apron, carefully folds it, and places it on the bar before turning and walking over to the table where the sheriff and the other volunteers are seated. "And what, precisely, do you have against barmaids, Terflynn? And as for you Sheriff Hemlock, in case you hadn't noticed, there's a room full of people who were in here before you whom I had to be serving their food and drink, so don't be getting so impatient. Since I'm here now, you'd best be getting on with whatever you have to say."
She drags a tall barstool over to the table and clambers atop it, seating herself and glaring at the men around the table. "As for what I can be doing to help kill goblins, it's true I ain't no warrior, but I've some ability as a bard thanks to Miss Ameiko's training. Besides using my voice to lift yer spirits in a fight, I've a few spells which may be of use, and I'm a dab shot with a sling staff." Cally sniffs and raises her nose, "What's more, a bunch of boys like this needs a woman to keep 'em in line, or like as not you'll start arguing with each other out in the swamp, and end up stewed in a goblin's pot!"
Terflynn responds with a look of bewilderment and indignation. Nevertheless, he grunts in acceptance.
"How does everyone around here know my name...?" he thinks as he looks at Maxwell on his shoulder. Maxwell seems to shrug.
"There ya see? Yer toad's having more sense than you, grumbling about 'barmaids'... I'd swear the little fella just shrugged!" Cally suddenly seems to subside, becoming instantly calmer and more reasonable, and her voice is almost pleading with you. "I've been apprenticed to Miss Ameiko these last four years, and doing chores around the Dragon is part of that, but I'm ready to head out and see what more I'm capable of. To be sure, I'm not going to learn anything more staying here and serving ale, so I need to join you fellas on this hunt."
"Ah, Cally. There can be no question of your contributions to a group. You and Ruhk here can, at the very least, talk the goblins to death." He surveys the room a final time and sees no one else approaching.
"Well then, looks like it's just you five. Let's get started, shall we?" Sheriff Hemlock sits down at a chair and invites you all to do the same. Once seated, he continues, "So you all know about the bounty, clearly. But in addition to the 10 gold we're paying per ear, we're also offering a heftier 300 gold for the head of the Licktoad Goblins' leader, Chief Gutwad. Normally, that wouldn't be much of a task, but these damned fireworks have bolstered the goblins' courage and ferocity." He pulls out a map and spreads it on the table. "You all know this, I'm sure, but the Brinestump Marsh is a little more than two miles south of here, accessible via the Lost Coast road. The goblins' encampment is somewhere within the Marsh." He pauses as if waiting for a question, but continues on without giving anyone a chance to speak.
"Brinestump Marsh may not be as large as the Mushfens farther to the south, but the swamp is dense and tangled; it’s easy to get lost in the place. No one’s made a really detailed map of Brinestump – there’s never been a need, since there’s not much of value within. But if anyone knows his way around in the marsh, it’d be that old eccentric halfling Walthus Proudstump, the self-appointed 'warden' of the swamp. There's a fishing trail that leads from the Lost Coast Road directly to Walthus’s shack in the swamp. You may not need it, but you could do a lot worse than following that trail to seek out the halfling’s advice." He looks up from the map at the group gathered around. "Any questions?"
"Any idea how many goblins and how many fireworks? If we can break off a cluster at a time we should be fine, but taking on a sizable goblin tribe all at once is suicide." Terflynn notes with cold reason.
"Would there by any chance of using a small boat to move around in the swamp at all? I'm thinking that if any of these creeks here..." Cally taps the map where the swamp's waterways bleed out into Sog's Bay, "... are deep enough to enter from the bay, and follow for any distance into the swamp, that may be a practical means of avoiding the worst of the terrain." She shrugs and tilts her head to one side. "Not that I know anything much about boats, mind you. It's just a thought. We could always ask some of the local fishermen down at the wharves."
Aldel found a chair and sat in it when instructed. "How effective a weapon are these fireworks? I heard that most of the damage they caused was related to spooking horses and starting fires. he asked. "And where did the goblins get them?"
Aldel wondered if they should take this road Hemlock was suggesting, before he decided it was a good idea. If they were heading out to eliminate the goblin menace, there was little point in taking a route that might dodge them. Besides, his real concern was with this Proudstump fellow. How reliable a source could he be? The man lived in a swamp by choice, presumably alone, because who else would be willing to?
"Aye, most fireworks are just noise and bright flashes, but a lot of them shoot flame as well. Not many are practical as real weapons but if distraction and chaos is what you're after they'll do the trick." Terflynn says as he pulls a paper candle from his bandolier, eyeing it as he rolls it in his hand.
"By the way, I think that maybe we should be up front with our capabilites like Cally was, sort of pool our resources. Now, heavens know I may not exactly be leader material, but even I know it's good to know what the person guarding your back can do, and what they need you to do."
Running a hand through his hair, Ruhk smiles and takes a sip of ale before continuing.
"And since we are being serious and all, I have talents besides, talking.
I'm trained as a warrior, mean with an axe. I'm also capable of some spellcasting, mostly a mix of defensive and offensive spells.
And I'm not too bad at the sneaksman's trade either."
"Two, three dozen goblins, I suppose? I'm not certain - perhaps Walthus knows better." Hemlock replies.
"I don't know about the boats - the fishermen would know better, but they've all gone out for the day, I'd assume."
"We've no idea where the goblins got their fireworks. I assume they robbed some poor merchant or traveler, but we've had no reports of missing cargo that includes a bunch of sparklers."
"Hmpf. Well, never mind the boats then. On second thoughts trapping all of us on a boat in a narrow creek might make it easier for the yrch... I mean goblins... to ambush us anyway, so forget about it." Cally looks around at the four men who were to comprise the rest of the hunting party. "So, I'm already packed, with five days of rations for myself, and ready to go. What about you boys?"
"I was going to go out hunting once I finished my shopping. But I've come up a bit short on funds, so I'm ready to leave at any time." Terflynn says as he checks his gear. He looks to Maxwell for confirmation, satisfied with the blink he returns.
A look crossed Aldel's face, as though he was the butt of a joke, "I hadn't thought about food, but other than that, I can leave anytime. Also, it might be a good idea to make sure everyone has one of these. He said, reaching into his pack and retrieving a signal whistle. "They come in real handy if you get separated. It helped me a lot when I was out in the woods learning survival skills with- Suddenly he paused. He didn't like mentioning Shalelu, well that wasn't true, but he was always afraid to. He feared that if he spoke her name, something about the way he said it would give him away, as though his thoughts were written across his face. He tried to come up with something else to say, to fill the lingering silence that was drifting toward awkward, the best he could come up with was, "I suppose they could be useful as a distraction as well.
Caerwyn nods at the others gathered around the table, but seems somewhat taken a back when the Sheriff calls out to Cally. He hides a smile as she lays into the chap called Terflynn "She has always been able to give as good as she got, and then some." he thinks to himself. "I've met this Proudstump fellow once or twice when he comes into town for supplies. A bit odd, but I guess living alone in a swamp would do that to you."
As everyone talks about buying more supplies Caerwyn suggests that everyone meet back here at the Dragon in about an hour "It's a couple hours walk form here to the swamp. If we leave soon enough we can be at this Proudstump's house before dark."
"Well, if you need anything from me before you leave, you know where to find me," Hemlock says, standing from his seat. Before he leaves, he says, "You all have your various reasons for taking on this task, but whatever they are, we are grateful for your assistance. We don't ask this of you lightly, but we are confident in your capabilities. Be safe." He nods and leaves the Rusty Dragon.
"Nothing wrong with living in a swamp..." Terflynn mumbles defensively.
Once the sheriff leaves, he turns to the door but pauses to ask of Aldel, "Do you need to buy some rations before we go? I don't carry extra."
Nodding to Caerwyn, Cally says "Aye well, it might be best if we do as you say, and gather back here in an hour, after some of you have fetched some supplies." To Aldel, she adds "So you've some training in woodcraft? Good suggestion about the whistles, provided your friends are the only ones listening for the call. I'll pop along and see if Mister Vinder at the general store has any."
Hopping down from the barstool, she heads towards the Dragon's kitchens. "Now away with the lot of you. I'll see to it that we've some lunch to take with us, at least for today, when you're back and ready to march." Once the others are behind her and can no longer see her expression, Cally allows her trepidation to show on her face. <Of course, between now and then, I have to tell Aunt Bethana and Miss Ameiko that I'm running off for a few days to hunt goblins!>
"Indeed, it might be a good idea, do you need any?" Aldel said as he stood, somewhat surprised to be addressed by a near stranger.
"I carry a few days' worth. If we need more than that I'd say we're in over our heads." With that, Terflynn pulls his hood back up and strides out of the Rusty Dragon, vanishing into the streets.
Ruhk grins at Cally as he gets up from his chair, as he turns to leave he bows and silently mouths "Yes mother dearest" before leaving to get some food.
Aldel headed out of the pub, wondering if he had time to Pay a visit to Shalelu. He dismissed the idea immediately, what a foolish notion. What would he be intending to do? Profess his love to her? Not if he expected to come back, and even then not in person. Better to die in the hope that she was the person she hoped than to take the chance that she might not.
Instead he would head to the general store for rations, with the intention of paying a visit afterward to his adoptive father, Zantus.
Caerwyn returns to the Rusty Dragon after visiting his families homestead to tell his parents that the Sheriff has chosen him to lead an expedition into the Brinestump to take care of the Licktoad goblins once and for all. He shuffles impatiently as he waits for the others to arrive.
Ruhk returns an hour later, stroling into the Rusty Dragon with an easy confident gait.
As he spots Caerwyn he grins and heads over to sit down at the same table.
"You're looking antsy, so eager to get going huh? Relax, the gobbos arn't going to run away, and while we wait I can bend your ear with a few of my stories.
What's your pleasure? Drama, romance, thrills, action, adventure? I got them all."
At the appointed time, you all meet outside of the Rusty Dragon, prepared to make your way to the swamp. It is a fine, sunny day; not too warm to make the walk unpleasant.
After about an hour, you come to the edge of the Marsh. As expected, you see a small trail heading off from the Lost Coast Road and leading into the Marsh. This must be the fishing trail that Sheriff Hemlock mentioned.
This isn't the only trail leading into the Marsh. There are several more further to the south.