"Yes, the goblins! Terrible creatures, all of them!" Walthus looks. Back around more favorably at you, Zelaria. "Don't know much about fireworks, but they should be, hmmm, that way?" he points vaguely to the southeast. "Try heading that way. Have fun in the fog!"
He says this last statement with a rather odd smirk, and Kharia looks at him more scrutinously yet. Suddenly, she demands of him, "What are you hiding?" and takes a cautious step back away from him. "You are trying to conceal something from me, I can hear it in your voice!"
"What?!" he stammers back up against the door. I-I-I'm not hiding anything!"
((Perception checks!
Kharia:
Caiden:
Kharia: ))
Caiden: You notice a strange ripple crossing Walthus' face, as though it we not fully there.
Kharia and Zelaria: You do not notice this, but Kharia is clearly agitated by something in Walthus' voice.
Caiden watches Kharia's exchange with a fair amount of exasperation. Is she going to be this rough with everyone we talk to?
Upon seeing the ripple cross Walthus' face, he starts and yells to his comrades "Get back, he is not what he seems!"
Loosing his blade from it's scabbard, Caiden steps forward to place himself between what he thought was Walthus and his two companions. Threatening the thing with the tip of his longsword, he yells "Who are you? What have you done with Walthus?"
(( Caiden draws his longsword and tries his best to place himself between Walthus and the rest of the group. His shield and lance are still hanging on Rutherfords saddle. ))
Zelaria recognizes Caiden's active leadership and protective role well, and immediately backs up. Her mind races with the possibilities? Magic? almost certainly, but this creature had said "have fun in the fog!" and they are surrounded by fog. Bitten by his own snakes? Hadn't Shalelu called them his pets? Hadn't she said that this would be a sanctuary for us? Of course! Zelaria's mind seethes. Even monsters desire shelter from other monsters! What better hiding place than in plain sight?
Zelaria's initial retreat is supported by her desire to see Caiden fully equipped given her assessment of the situation. Zelaria is no hardened warrior, but it stands to reason that a man who carries a shield on his horse is likely to benefit from it for his defense, and ((I suppose)) the distance between Rutherford and the group is not so great that she cannot obtain the shield and be back with it as quickly as possible.
What is trying to pass for Walthus is clearly angry that you have seen through it's ruse, and this causes it's features to melt and shift as it growls, "Oh, why not simply let me be! This is my home now, and you'll not take it from me!"
Zelaria alone is not caught completely off guard as the face of the halfling wriggles and morphs until it melts down to reveal a wrinkled, hunch-backed humanoid creature with mottled brown-and-red flesh and a spherical head with no true face—only a crooked slit from which a rasplike tongue periodically lashes and licks. The entire transformation takes less than a moment, and it lunges straight for the sword-wielding Caiden!
The misshapen beast lunges, slipping past the outstretched longsword and attempting to slam it's fist into Caiden's face before Caiden can get his bearings. However, speed and surprise are not sufficient to direct a misplaced blow, nor to bypass solid armor. Instead of face, the things hand crunches against Caiden's shoulder.
((Zelaria's Knowledge (Arcana) to identify creature?))
When the creature takes a swing at Caiden, Zelaria recognizes that the time to recover and gift him with his shield has expired. Zelaria stops and begins moving her arms in the somatic components and begins reciting the spell Hypnotism and a flurry of multi-colored Thassalonian runes seem to leap from her colorful tattoos and wrap and spin around the creature in an display meant to confuse.
((The will save DC to resist Zelaria's Hypnotism spell is 16.))
Caiden grunts as the creatures fist glances off his armor, and blanches as he feels the force behind the blow. A solid hit and I'm done, I cannot let him break through to the others. He quickly glances back at Rutherford and lets out a loud, long whistle, calling his mount to the fight. Looking back at his foe, Caiden shouts "Face me, beast!". Gripping his longsword in both hands, he swings.
(( Caiden signals Rutherford to the fight. He challenges his opponent, then power attacks with his longsword, swinging two handed.
Attack roll:
Potential Damage: ))
Rutherford whinnies as he moves to his masters side, then lashes out with a hoof.
(( Attack roll:
Potential Damage: ))
Before you act, Caiden, Kharia skips behind you, outs a hand on your shoulder, and cries out, "Lord of the land, protect those who aid your people!"
The unnerving creature stops its attempt to crush Caiden and, though it lacks visible eyes, turns to regard Zelaria's spinning runes with its mouth slathering. "Currrriousssssss..." it hisses, and stands dumbfounded at the enthralling pattern.
Caiden, though you have a clear path to strike, you fail to connect, and Rutherford stomps short of his goal.
((Oops, and Zelaria, your check is not sufficient to ID the creature. Your turn!))
Is Warden Proudstump deceased, or might he be alive elsewhere? What is this creature, and why is it here?
"Caiden, have you a method of restraining the creature? It is unable to defend itself, and we need information. Like what became of Warden Proudstump, and why it has taken up residence here."
While trying to keep an eye on his opponent, Caiden replies. "There's rope on my saddle, should be enough there to tie him up. Will he notice if we try to subdue him, or should I try to knock him out?"
((Wow, just read the full description of the spell, apparently it's a few rounds worth of charm person. Pretty spiffy.))
"Overtly attacking the creature will end the effect of the spell," Zelaria answers, "but I can pose a reasonable request of it."
Zelaria casts a wary glance at the fog. "Would you please tell us if you have any allies near?" she inquires.
Something tells me 'Can we tie you up so we can question you' is not a reasonable request.
"I'll follow your lead, but if he makes a move at either of you..."
Caiden whistles again, this time in two sharp blasts, signalling Rutherford to heel.
((Caiden will ready an action to attack if the creature makes any aggressive actions. If possible he will use his move action to grab his shield off of his saddle and don it.
Readied attack roll:
Readied attack damage: *
* reduce damage by 2 if he has his shield.
))
Kharia has her knocked bow trained on the misshapen thing. "It is an abomination - We must destroy it! Ask your question that I might slay the miserable creature! It likely killed good Walthus to claim this place as his own."
The creature hisses, but continues watching Zelaria. "Theeerrre are alliessss in the sssswampss, yesss, but thisss housssse is not known to themmm. " It continues to examine the curious patterns that exist only in its head. ((7 rounds left.))
((Ooh, I misread the spell, too. It's a 2d4 roll to see how many HD of creatures you effect. Let's resolve that and play it out. If it doesn't succeed, I'll figure out what then. Likely, I will treat him as dazed for a round, and Caiden can get to swinging.
Caiden, your turn will be next, then Zelaria, then Kharia again.
Kharia is very close to shooting.))
((2d4 for rounds, and also affects 2d4 HD worth of creatures. So, at least a CR 1, as I understand the CR system. And I could make one request of it, and now can make no more. As soon as Caiden hits this thing, it will likely die, but I've gotten the information I wanted. Wow. Kharia is pretty... mercenary.))
((Caiden will continue readying his action until Zelaria gives him a signal, the spell breaks, or the thing attacks.))
"It has answered the only request that I can make of him," Zelaria says, and frowns at Kharia. "I would note that he said that his allies are unaware of this place, however. If you decide that it deserves to be executed before we have determined what might have become of Warden Proudstump, I will abide by your better judgment."
Zelaria, you notice more fear than any other emotion in Kharia's voice. She is clearly perturbed by the aberrant creature.
((Ok, for the future, assuming you will use it again, please make sure to roll both 2d4.))
Kharia looks at you cooly, as if to calm her own nerves, then says, "Let it be so." She looses her arrow.
Clearly Kharia's nerves were not conquered, as her arrow whizzes by and thuds into the door. Caiden's sword crush into it's collarbone. It shrieks in rage, and launches it's own counterattack, desperately trying to preserve it's life.
It's swing thuds solidly again into Caiden's armor, not causing any noticeable damage.
((Zelaria's up.
Caiden, I'm thinking not enough time to ready the shield. It takes full damage.))
Zelaria takes a five foot step back away from the combat and casts Daze. The Will Save DC to shake off Zelaria's Daze is 15.
((Casting Daze on the creature activates Zelaria's Bloodline Arcana power of granting her +1 to her AC against it, giving her, at present AC 12))
The creature appears to growl straight through the effects of Zelaria's spell. ((HD too high.))
Kharia sets and looses another arrow: , . It grazes the side of the thing's arm, and it looks as though it is ready to run.
((Caiden's up, then Volorog, then Zelaria.))
Caiden abandons his shield, going in for another swing with his longsword.
((
Attack roll:
Damage roll:
))
Volorog ducks under your blow, the carefully attempts to withdraw toward the marsh. It clutches at it's wounded shoulder, and reels away about half way to the edge of the clearing, some 20 feet away.
((Zelaria, Kharia (who will shoot), Caiden, Volorog))
We cannot allow this creature to contact it's allies! Zelaria's mind seethes.
Zelaria will cast Hypnotism again to affect HD worth of creatures for rounds. Will save negates, DC 15.
Once again, Zelaria's tattoos flare into an almost ultra violet color and the runes stand out and seem to float on the air and surround the creature, aiming to stupefy it once more.
We cannot allow this creature to contact it's allies! Zelaria's mind seethes.
Zelaria will cast Hypnotism again to affect 2d4 HD worth of creatures for 2d4 rounds. Will save negates, DC 15.
Once again, Zelaria's tattoos flare into an almost ultra violet color and the runes stand out and seem to float on the air and surround the creature, aiming to stupefy it once more.
Will Save:
Though wounded and harried, it pushes it's ay through the illusion.
Kharia looses another arrow, trying to hit it mid stride: , . Unfortunately, it just glances off the creature's tough hide. It appears ready to dash for the trees!
((Caiden, Volorog, Zelaria, Kharia))
Caiden signals Rutherford to charge, then lets out a yell as he closes the distance to the creature, swinging down with his sword.
(( Caiden charges, power attacking.
Attack roll:
Damage:
Rutherford charges.
Attack roll:
Damage: ))
It is Rutherford's hooves that bring the creature low, trampling it underfoot. It oozes dark fluids that slowly seep into the muddy ground. After a short time of panting and recuperating from the adrenaline rush of the fight, you all hear a small creak emerge from the house, and a faint, "....Hello? Who is still there?" as a weak, quiet calls out to you from the depths of the house.
((You have each gained 200 xp from the fight with Volorog. If you examine it's body, all it has is a small size suit of leather armor.))
Zelaria, on hearing the voice coming from within, steps into the door frame and looks into the house. She pulls her dagger and casts Light on it if there is insufficient light to see, not wishing to miss any of the venomous snakes that Shalelu warned them of, that the creature Rutherford crushed clearly had not been informed about.
"Hullo, Warden Proudstump? Is that you?" she calls. "My name is," she begins, then stops herself, uncertain who might be listening in the fog. "My companions and I have come from Sandpoint. We've been informed about your pets. Is it safe for us to come in?"
Caiden leads Rutherford away from the corpse, patting the sweating horse on his neck as he goes. He murmurs to the beast softly, soothing it's nerves after the intense fight.
Hearing the noise from the house, Caiden dons his shield, leaving Rutherford outside to graze, and readies his longsword as he follows Zelaria through the doorway. He follows her lead, but is always ready to step between her and any threat.
(( Caiden will use his saving shield ability if anything attacks Zelaria (or Kharia if she is in range).))
The main hall you have entered features a settle and several damaged plant pots, giving credence to the struggle that happened here. Through an arch to your right, a wooden table with a single chair decorates the small dining room, joined by a simple wood burning stove. To your left, there are stairs coming down from the upper level, and just underneath them is another door leading to the outside.
"Oh, thank Desna!" you hear the voice begin sobbing in tremendous relief. It continues for a bit before you see a small figure coming down the stairs from the upper level. He is dirty, disheveled, and his clothes appear freshly stained with blood; when he reaches the bottom of the stairs, he nearly collapses again, but holds himself up against the wall before plopping down on the settle. "Thank Desna, aid from the big folk of Sandpoint! Yes, I am the real Walthus Proudstump, and you are safe from my pets. They are in a pen out back, and will not trouble you.
"That... thing came here yesterday, and attacked me while I was feeding my snakes. Though I poisoned him much, and often, he overpowered me quickly, and began d-d-draining..." here Walthus shudders. "I broke free, and escaped upstairs, where I have a hidden room. He did not follow me quickly enough to find it, and I soon passed out from my wounds.
"Had you not come along, I surely would have died here, for it would eventually have found me, I do not doubt. I have little to offer you as reward, but if you would have it, there is a small item, a cloak, that brought me luck during my adventuring days that I would give you. Here," he unfastens the cloak from his neck and holds it out. "Please, take this, if you might use it to bring you luck. Perhaps it's fortune has run out for me, but not for you, I am sure!" The cloak, though too small for either of you to act as such, would be the size of a cape reaching half-way down either of your backs.
---
Kharia steps forward and kneels near the Halfling. Holding the clasp of her cloak and laying a hand on Walthus, she whispers a prayer to Erastil, and you see Walthus shiver a moment before breathing a great sigh of relief. "My thanks! Though I am sure it will take much rest before I am fully restored, that will do much to aid me.
"How is it you have come to be here, so deep in the Marsh? You are clearly not fishermen, as they keep further north along the track, and usually have fish!"
Zelaria takes the offered cloak, folds it and then kneels beside Warden Proudstump as well. "If I may," she says politely, and begins casting Prestidigitation to right the Warden's disheveled appearance. "I do not feel comfortable taking anything from you when you are weak."
"No we are not fishermen," she answers his query. "I am Zelaria, ward of Koya Mvashti, my stalwart companion and priestess is Kharia. Mistress Shalelu informed us of your home, and told us you are the greatest authority on the ways here. Myself and my companions have traveled here to combat the Licktoad goblin tribe, who have recently resumed their raids on travelers. But," Zelaria says and smiles at the Warden, "such questions are immaterial at the moment. How might we assist you, Warden?"
He quietly accepts your offer of aid, and sits nervously while you finish cleaning and giving your introduction. "A trifle, compared to saving my life. You already have helped me, Zelaria, you and your friends. My many thanks. In the five years since I arrived here, I have not received such care, and I had thought to forsake it forever by dwelling in this waste." He leans back when you have completed and sighs. "Shalelu? My, i haven't seen her for months now. I must remember to thank her when she next comes through. The Licktoads, eh? I don't envy you. Gutwad, their chief, is as cruel and insane as any goblin can be. Their village is Southeast of here, though there is no direct track. If you are willing to wait for me to recover a bit, I could show you the way." He winces as he talks, and though he sounds a bit calmer now, he is still quite pale.
Kharia steps up again. "I do not wish to push away a hand offering help, but speed is of the essence. There have been many attacks against the caravans that supply Sandpoint, and I wish to stop them as soon as possible. Could you show us the location on this map, drawn by Shalelu?"
Walls nods slowly. "Probably for the best, but if that's what you all want, I'll oblige. Didn't know Shalelu had a map, honestly. Wish I had when I first arrived. Here it is," he points at a location ((I'll update the map a bit later on)). "Feel free to come back and rest here, if you require. It is safer than any other point in the swamps, and despite appearances, cleaner, too."
"Kharia, I understand your eagerness, likely better than most, but if we mean to assault the goblins in their home we must be fully prepared," Zelaria says gently. "I have already cast two of my spells, which leaves me with only two. And the creature said that its allies were in this mist. Should we encounter them as well, we may arrive at the goblin stronghold with no manner of support save Mister Farasi's sword and Rutherford's hooves."
Zelaria looks to Caiden, and then to Warden Proudstump. "We have already spent half the day traveling here, without a guide, it may be evening by the time we arrive, and we will need lights to travel by. Lights will surely alert the goblins to our presence, and give them an even greater advantage over us. Might I suggest that we do as Warden Proudstump has suggested and rest here til morning, so that I may regain my spells, and through yours, Kharia, Warden Proudstump his strength so we would have an experienced guide to negate most of the dangers of these swamps, and assault the goblins at full strength?"
Please, Desna, Zelaria prays as she concludes, let Kharia see the wisdom in my words.
Caiden pulls out a spare rag and quickly wipes down the blade of his longsword before returning it to it's sheathe. Considering the conversation for a moment, he approaches Walthus. "Greetings sir, I see you have met my companions, I am Caiden Farasi of Sandpoint. If there is anything we can do to ensure your safety, let me know."
Turning to Zelaria, Caiden nods in agreement. "I appreciate your desire to push on Kharia, but in the dark... in a swamp... even an experience rider is risking crippling their mount in this mire."
Returning his attention to Walthus, Caiden asks: "Do you know what he was? I have never seen anything like it in my life. I think we would do well to keep a good watch tonight, in case any friends of his come near."
Kharia stands still for a bit, then nods and steps back to lean agains the main doorway. "Very well. Perhaps I might scout for a bit in the surrounding area while it is still light out. Take care to watch over Walthus." She opens the door, but before heading out, turns and says, "What ought we do with the dead beast?"
---
Walthus shakes Caiden's hand weakly. "A pleasure to have you in my home, Caiden. Forgive my lack of hospitality. Perhaps you would care for a draft of home brew? I'd extend the same to you, Zelaria, but it tends to be to soldier's tastes more than that of ladies. Shalelu tried to hide it, but she turns up her nose at it when I offer it to her." He gestures in the direction of the kitchen. "It's in a pot in the pantry. Think I could go for a pull myself."
He sighs. "couldn't tell you what it was. Damn thing chewed on me, sucking blood right out. Just happened to get away, but not before hitting it and my snakes getting a couple bites in." He shakes his head again."I need to ccheck on the ones that are left, actually. Want to come out for a look at the boys?"
"I have no fear of your snakes, but would prefer to remain, should Kharia need my aide," Zelaria answers Warden Proudstump's invitation. "And certainly, if you are feeling better I would gladly share a mug of brew with you. I may be Koya's ward, but Sandru is also my brother, and I have had more than my share of flirtations with the baser pleasures of life in my short years," she flirts amiably and spares a wink for Caiden.
Zelaria follows Kharia's exit, and sits on the porch, waiting for her return. That woman, she muses, feeling quite the fool for worrying for the priestess. Has she no sense at all, going out alone into this mire? And what greater fool would I be to follow after her and lose myself?
Would that Mother were here, or Sandru... I doubt that this woman would be quite so hard for them to handle...
((Sorry, power was out most of today, and just came back up. I'll have a post tomorrow morning.))
Glancing back at Kharia in the door, Caiden considers the situation for a moment. "I don't know if the creature deserves a burial, but I'd hate to see it come back to haunt us. Fire should do the deed."
"I'd be more than happy to join you in a drink, but I should see to our mounts before the sun sets." With that, Caiden retires outside to see to the animals. He hobbles them, then removes their packs, saddles and barding before letting them graze.
Now, what to do with that abomination?
Caiden grimaces with distaste as he grabs the creature by its armour and drags it away from Walthus's home, taking care to keep it away from the animals.
Sitting down with Zelaria on the porch, Caiden slides his blade out of it's sheathe and begins methodically applying his whetstone to the edge of the sword.
"Quite the day we've had, it certainly isn't boring travelling with you."
Zelaria chuckles softly. "Aye, nor with you. Although, I have to wonder if you have been sent by my brother to ensure that I behave," she says, her violet eyes flashing with amusement.
She gestures with a nod to the wilds. "Kharia is an interesting specimen, no?" she inquires. "Having been raised by a priestess, I find that she is lacking many of the qualities my mother displays. Tact, for one," she giggles again, "though it could be said that discussing such things while she is away also qualifies me for that statement, as well."
Zelaria pauses a while and looks to the direction where Caiden dragged the monster. "I wish that we might have learned what that creatures allies were. But, what is done is done," she concludes, and then tilts her head and favors Caiden with a smile. "Has my brother informed you of my debts?"
((I'm going to include a fair amount in case our power goes off again. Just note about when any additional comments occur, and don't let me cut off conversation.))
You an't quite determine what Walthus uses to create such a brew, but the taste is unlike anything you've encountered in civilized areas. Zelaria, you are fairly certain that at one point you pulled a small twig from your cup.
The garden where Walthus keeps his snakes is surrounded by a 10' high brick fence, and had been obscured from your vision by the rest of the house during your approach. If you attend, he leads you around back to view it, and you also get a better view of the lagoon on which his house sits. "Ok, let's see here," Walthus mutters as he opens the gate. He emits a light hissing sound, and after a short time, three decent sister - and fairly poisonous - snakes approach and coil up to regard Walthus. "Only three left now," he flatly states before crouching low to inspect each. "I was in here when whatever it was attacked me. If they hadn't also bitten that thing, I'd be dead here right now." Standing up, he sighs. "Well, perhaps I'll have a chance to collect some more, soon. Bring them back, restock the garden."
He joins you on the porch afterward, looking out into the swamp, face wan with the strain of his recent ordeal. He lapses into silence while Caiden drags the creature away, and when you suggest burning, he nods. "There's firewood near the stove, if you want fuel to get it burning."
---
Kharia returns perhaps an hour before sundown, having been gone for two hours. She scrapes the mud off of her boots on a rock outside the house before addressing those of you on the porch. "I did not see any traces of other monstrosities in the area, nor - as Walthus had said - any sign of trail that would easily lead us to the southeast. It would be best to be off at first light, I believe, and we should not have trouble reaching the camp by late morning, by the map's reckoning. It will be slow going the whole way. There is a fairly wide branch of the Soggy River that we must cross to reach the goblin village. Otherwise, we would need to go back out to the Lost Coast Road, and lose valuable time. Caiden, how is Rutherford at swimming?"
---
A bit before sundown, a dense fog returns to the swamp, making it difficult to see very far out beyond the edge of the house clearing. Walthus wanders back inside and lights a fire in the oven before putting on a small pot of water. "I usually go out and find something to eat right about now. Best time for fishing. Any of you good at fishing? I'm a little tired is all, otherwise I'd head out to do it. Even if you aren't that good, just dunk this line with this bait, and when you feel it bit, give a good tug and bring it back. I'll fix it up when you are back. Just head over to the lagoon. I'll get something else together to go with it."
---
As night settles in, Walthus also slowly shows you the accommodations. There is a sheet-draped guest room containing two beds. "Surprisingly, I don't entertain often," Walthus dryly quips before moving in to tug off the sheets. I'd offer you mine as well, but honestly, none of you would fit. I don't usually keep a watch, too busy sleeping, but there's always a chance that something will follow your fresh tracks and trail here. Might not hurt to have someone up and watching while the others rest."
Zelaria takes dainty sips from the brew, and nods when Warden Proudstump agrees that the creature needs burning. "I will assist by gathering the wood. Best we burn this creature now, while light is still with us, than create a light his allies might be drawn to when dark falls," she says, grateful for a few moments of occupation for her lips that is not around her cup.
---
When Kharia returns hale, Zelaria stiffens in her seat on the porch. She had allowed herself to think of many horrible possibilities while the priestess was away. "Thank you for your diligence, Sister. In the future, however, I would ask that you inform us if you are going to be ranging so far. I've no talent for it, myself, but I did worry for you in the mists alone. And we did agree to work as a group to complete this task.
"Could you please tell me if there is another way to cross the river without swimming? I have no talent for it, and my arms and legs are weak besides. I do not wish to slow us down, but if either of you have any suggestion for how I might get across without drowning, I will welcome them."
---
"I will take whichever watch has the most amount of light," Zelaria volunteers. "My eyesight is extremely poor, and my hearing as well, we'd have absolutely no advantage if I were to stumble about in the dark with very few spells to defend myself. Also, I require a full nights rest to regain my abilities, and be of any use to you at all," she says and fails to hide a yawn behind her hand. "Oh, excuse me, my manners are extremely poor when I am over tired."
Zelaria will volunteer to assist anyone who is going out fishing. It is not particularly her thing, but it could be a good team building exercise, and a lesson in cooperating with each other.
---
The three of you set about making a pyre, and burn the creature to ashes. It emits a particularly foul odor as it does so, but other than smelling terribly, you feel no I'll effects.
---
Kharia blinks, then gives a light bow. "My apologies. I thought only to better understand our current predicament. It will not likely happen again,unless asked." She looks again at Shalelu's map and shakes her head. "We couldnspend the whole day walking back around the exterior of the swamp, and still not come in by their village. We can fashion a small float to assist you, though not so much as creating a full raft. They are slow, peaceful waters here, and should not be terribly difficult to pass.
---
Walthus grunts, "Best take the full evening watch, then. The fog tends to roll back a bit in the middle of the night, returning just before dawn. Should be a few stars out, I reckon, and a bit of moonlight. Do use the lantern, though. I have plenty of oil."
Kharia steps up. I will take the third watch, if all agree, and perhaps Caiden can take the first? This ought to give us plenty of time to rest. And speaking of spells, let me see if there is anything Erastil can do to ease your discomfort, Walthus."
((Heal Check: ))
She frowns. "A good night's rest will restore some of your strength, thou you have lost a serious amount of blood. If you will not take a full day to recover, then I wil do what i can for you this night."
---
Kharia also pitches in with the fishing. ((Including a roll for Caiden, just in case.))
Caiden manages to catch a fish, but the other two of you are not so fortunate. At one point, Kharia is about to drop her line clear out of her hand, but Zelaria catches it in time. The three of you spend an hour doing so, and while Kharia is mostly tight-lipped, she is not completely unamenable to conversation.
Walthus snorts when you return with just the one, but shrugs. "We'll make do. Give it here," and with that he spends the next twenty minutes whipping up some concoction of fish, swamp vegetation, and a generous dose of spices. "Learned this one from miss Ameiko when I last went through town. How is the lass? Still running that inn?"
---
Following dinner, Walthus offers a pipe to anyone interested, but shortly excuses himself to rest. Kharia follows him, to better administer aid in the privacy of his room.
((By the way, if you are in the states, happy labor day!))
((To you and your family, as well. Hope you have had a nice long weekend.))
(( It's actually labour day up here in Canada as well, the only difference is the U. Hope you all had a nice weekend, I was swamped! I'll have a reply up some time tomorrow. ))
Caiden regards Zelaria for a moment before replying. "No, your brother has not told me of any debts, that I know of. I wish we could have gotten more information as well, but if he had made it out and warned others... We could have every goblin in this swamp on top of us come nightfall."
-------------
Caiden drinks Walthus' brew the only way he can, swallowing the whole cup in one go. He then compliments the brew before quickly excusing himself to an errand outside.
-------------
Caiden listens to Kharia's report carefully. "If we remove his barding and strap it to his back, Rutherford should be able to ford a calm river or stream. I will likewise have no issue. We would be quite exposed in the crossing..."
Regarding Zelaria, he continues. "Zelaria, you can cross with Rutherford, holding onto his saddle. He is a strong swimmer and your weight should make little difference to him."
-------------
"I can take the first watch, we should make sure we keep a fire or torch burning through the night, in case we need light in a hurry."
(( Caiden will wait on watch with his shield and sword at hand. He of course will always gather food for the party, and will supply Walthus with trail rations enough to supplement the fish as a meal for everyone. ))
((Sorry gang, really long couple days. I'll have one up tonight.))
Walthus Nods to your idea of the swimming horse. "The other beasts should be fine, or I can empty the garden of snakes and put the other beasts inside the brick wall.
He then digs around in his supply room for a bit and comes up with a bell and some twine. Rigging a setup through one of the outdoor windows, he lets the string down to the ground and outs the bell in the guest room. "Best to stand watch out by your animals, I figure. That horse might be able to fend for himself, but the others'll just run away if they aren't secured and watched. Best get them taken care of. Also, take this," he hands forward a hooded lantern. "Lest you can see in the dark, there's not much light coming through that fog tonight." Walthhus slumps up to his room, and Kharia attends to him, providing care before he falls asleep.
You set your watch and hunker down for the night, with Caiden standing outside in the fog. It is close and eerie, and the time appears to crawl by. After a few long hours of counting the seconds, you eventually head inside to be relieved by Zelaria. The fog clears a bit in the middle of the night, and the moon shines full over the swamp. Though you, , stand for long, tense hours, there is only the occasional small rustle in the nearby trees, but nothing emerges. After your watch, Kharia takes over, and you can return to split the beds in the guest room with Caiden.
You both wake to Kharia shaking each of you on the shoulder before going to check in Walthus. The four of you eat a small, cold breakfast. Walthus is looking somewhat better, and is dressed in a suit of leather armor and carries a bow that is as tall as he is.
The four of you set out, and before you get far from Walthus' shack, you notice a small slithering form on the ground behind Walthus.
You walk down the path leading away from Walthus' sahck, and after a kilometer Walthus takes you off the path, leading you through thick undergrowth to the bank of the Soggy River. It is a slow, lazy river, barely moving as it winds among trees and reeds.
"Well," Walthus says, "Here we go." He slings his longbow over his shoulder, loops his snake around his arm, and slips into the water.
((Swim check!))
((Need your opinion: are posts getting too long? I realize that the last was a fair amount of data, and not much on character development.))
((Well, seeing as there was not much to talk about, I do not see a problem with the length. The beer was bad, but no polite person was gonna go "Warden, your beer absolutely sucks and I cannot believe that you'd poison us with this filth!" We figured out the guard order well enough and it is not as though we can or should be speaking during that. I am fine with the length.))
((Swim Checks (Rolled at home): Caiden: 16; Kharia: 18; Rutherford(for Zelaria): 10; Walthus:7, 17))
Though it takes him a moment to re-use muscles drained of strength, Walthus soon nimbly slips out through the water and paddles easily to the far side of the river. Rutherford powers his way through the waves with Zelaria on his back, following Caiden who, though laden with gear, makes easy work of the calm river. Kharia looks as though this may be one of the few times she has been in water that isn't falling from the sky, but also manages to make it to the other side through sheer determination.
You all emerge sodden, and Walthus' instincts kick in to check each of you - and remove - not a few leeches, mostly having attached to Rutherford. He deftly removes each, takes one more look over all, then beckons you all to follow as he readies his longbow. "Ok, not far now. We'll be there in about an hour if we can keep a good pace." With that, he strides off into the undergrowth.
Kharia shakes out her hair and covers it with a scarf before following. "Your horse composed itself well, Caiden. Did you train Rutherford to swim? For that matter, how long have you had him?"
---
Walthus leads you through the undergrowth, and though he occasionally seems to take a wider path, you can tell that you are heading unerringly to the west. Fog and dank are your other companions in this place, and the gnarled trees and lank vines conspire to trip you up in this trackless place.
After an hour, as he predicted, Walthus motions for all to proceed quietly up a small rise, and when you reach the top, you see past this rise a filthy village-fort surrounded by a crude wooden palisade that sits atop a low hummock of solid ground. 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.
Walthus frowns and furrows his brow and whispers, "What happened to their gates? The Licktoads are particularly proud of their 'fortress.' Perhaps some other adventurers have arrived before us to claim the bounty?"
The four of you look down into the village, but note no movement among the eleven structures there. Beach building is about 5 feet off the ground on wooden stilts, and all are connected by wood walkways. One hut appears to have been burned to the ground. Caiden, you note that a several of the doors appear to have been either bashed or hacked down, as though someone were searching each house for something. The largest structure on the far side of the village appears to be fairly intact, and its door appears to be whole and closed.
"What is our best approach, Walthus?" Kharia asks.
Walthus shakes his head. "There really isn't a good one normally, which is why I've only ever observed them rather than raiding them. Never wanted to tip them off that I was around. Never seen it this empty before, though. I say we cautiously head toward the front gate, but keep a sharp eye. Tricky buggers, all of 'em. Ready?"
Kharia nods, the turns to each of you for confirmation. She strings and sets her bow in anticipation, giving her holy symbol of Erastil a quick kiss and closing her eyes in silent prayer.