"My pride is not the issue," Shalelu dismisses shortly. "Bounties only ever succeed in culling ill prepared fools," she continues, and then leans back on the bar and considers each of you in turn. Her eyes narrow when they find Broderus.
"I don't know you," she says shortly, "but your arms are not unknown. Where do you hail from, stranger?"
Seiji holds his bow for some time before rising back to standing. Cold and firm, just as she always is. Just as my father was. I owe Shalelu Andosana nearly as much. I will not forget my duty to either.
The Tian turns his attention to Broderus, awaiting his response to Shalelu.
Valcrim smirks "Ye insulted tha sheriff an' most other adventurer sorts in one fell swoop when yer turf got challenged, and yer pride ain't part o' it. Gotcha." he hums, offering a wink "Yer a good sort, elf, but yer not foolin' anyone."
Then he proceeds to pick up a mop and start cleaning up the mess, grumbling about tidiness and properness, but really seeming to enjoy being able to work rather than sit around.
Broderus blinks, not expecting to be suddenly put on the spot. He turns towards Shalelu and draws himself up to his full height.
"Greetings, warrior. My name is Broderus, and I hail from distant Eleder in Sargava. I am a ranger most recently serving with Sandru's caravan alongside my comrade Joyabraund. I've seen the destruction wrought by the goblins firsthand and aim to put a stop to their harassment of Sandpoint. I mean no disrespect towards you by undertaking this mission and defer to your judgement as protector of these lands..."
Awakening in a room where every item that he carries on him has been scattered about the place, Joyabruand awakens muddy-headed and disheveled. Seeing the sun's soft light rising through his window Joybraund jumps from bed and hurriedly gathers his things, puts his armor and and dons his odd straw hat.
Thumping down the stairs in anticipation of the day ahead Joyabraund slows as he enters the main room of the Dragon and hears voices. Seeing many of his new companions gathered, Joybraund sees Broderus offering his apologies to Shalelu, local protector and hero of Sandpoint.
Shalelu's full green eyes widen as she looks between Broderus the meek and Father Flinthammer the domestic for a few moments, then she begins laughing. The smile she spares for the dwarf crawling about on his hands and knees before her is somewhat sanguine, bringing to mind the well documented animosity between their long-lived races.
"No offense were proffered, and none taken, Broderus of El-a-dor," she says. "Is just as well if you meant to find the warden first. Having tracked the little monsters myself, I would say the amount of activity I have seen in days past is alarming. If he has seen naught of it, he may have come to some harm."
Shalelu looks over her shoulder to Ameiko, who unstimulated has half collapsed against the bar, head in her hands. "Breakfast for the would be heroes of Sandpoint," she suggests. "Would that my hunt had been productive, I might have enjoyed watching your boy cleaning the meat," she jests and chuckles at Valcrim.
Breakfast! Er uhm that is to say, Ms. Shalelu is there a question as to the "Warden's" competence?
"Boy, eh?" Valcrim chuckles "Och aye, elf. Mind yer lip, or I be grabbin yer scrawny arse an' tossin' yer in tha bath ta wash tha stink o' bog from ye, seein' how I already be in a cleanin' mood." he jests in retort, and gives a laugh "Ameiko, sizzle me up some bacon, beans an' eggs if ye'd be so kind. And one o' tha light beers. Only good fer breakfast those."
"No question of his competence if you're looking for a snake charmer," Shalelu answers Joyabraund and smiles.
"It is mildly humorous because he knows I have only to move to outrun him," she says and laughs again. "I'll have the same, but a stout. Will certainly smell better than the good Father here," she jests.
Ameiko slowly stands and mutters in a strange, clipped tongue and rolls her eyes, but moves towards the kitchen with a certain spring in her step.
"Yes, yes, at your service, Master and Mistress."
Shalelu craft map
Shalelu picks up the discarded piece of parchment and with a nod of her head indicates that you should join her at a table similar to that which you ate at the previous night. Flipping the parchment over, she draws a piece of charcoal from her pack and sketches an rough outline of the marsh from memory. It looks something like a kidney bean with veins, one particularly large one nearly bisecting the mass. Around the perimeter is what Shalelu identifies as the Lost Coast Road.
"The Soggy River," she points to the vein. "Reach that you know you've gone too far south. Here, near the north, there is a trail to Walthus Proudstump's shack. Further south," she leans back and glances towards the kitchen, "Well, that's where ye'd like to be if you want to strike at those monsters directly."
"Hah! Yer right, Shally, I cannae match ye in tha famed elven art o' runnin' away. An' sorry tha smell o' soap offends yer sensibilities." he counters with a grin "At least yer preference in drink be sound." he compliments and raises his mug when she has explained the map "Ta killin' goblins! May tha only reason we ever stop be that we killed 'em all!"
Joybraund stands on his chair, leaned over onto the table with his hands flat. He nods as Shalelu sketches, Mhmm mhhhmm. "Thare be monsters!" Hheeh. May we take the map? Joyabraund winks at his companions, Just in case!
I forget sometimes how well she knows this town and its people. There were times, when she was teaching me to live off the bounty of the wilderness, that she would leave me for a long while. I knew at those times that she came here, but I did not focus on that fact then. She made it seem as if her absence was to my benefit. It was, surely, but I wonder, why did she never bring me to Sandpoint?
Seiji smiles at Ameiko's words. Shalelu rarely makes her graciousness evident, does she?
He walks to the counter and calls into the kitchen after Ameiko.
While the remainder of the group is sitting at the table discussing Shalelu's map, they can hear Ameiko call out from it in her strange tongue.
"Oh, yes, yes. Would not wish to upset the princess of the marsh," she calls back. "Don't touch the priest's bacon, though," she says, shoving the meat into a large skillet while the flame on the stove rises.
Seiji smiles at Ameiko's words, but says little as he assists her. Ah, but she has clearly cooked eggs for Shalelu before. Those are just as she likes them.
Seiji takes little part in the cooking, but mostly helps by setting aside ingredients and arranging the platters.
Joyabraund fidgets in place looking over the map. Excusing himself as the others review Shalelu's map Joyabraund makes his way to the kitchen and pokes his head in, I can help too! I can carry plates, pour drinks or clean up if its helpful...
"Just remember that we're not out there to kill goblins for the sake of killing goblins, but rather save the village. I'm all with you in putting these creatures down for the crimes they have comitted, but we can't let it distract us from why we're out there. Plus these new developments are concerning. Shalelu, have you heard of these goblins acquiring fireworks? It appears that they were used recently by goblins in a raid on a caravan, and I can't imagine goblins coming up with such devices on their own and now blowing up half the marsh with it. If they've found some benefactor providing them these resources, that could be an even greater threat."
The dwarf gives an approving nod as the halfling offers to help, but seem to revert his attention to Treygan as he speaks "Bah. Killin' goblins is savin' tha village, lad. Kill 'nough o' them ta make 'em retreat, an' we've ensured safety fer now. Kill 'em all, an' we be ensurin' that no-one else has ta be pestered fer a good while. I kill goblins like I make armor; do it proper an' make it last." Valcrim comments and takes a sip of his beer, rubbing his palms as he smells the distinct scent of bacon frying. "As fer gobbos havin' benefactors, I'd be surprised. Tha little vermin rarely work with anyone but their equally disgustin' goblinoid kin, unless they be bullied inta service by somethin' nastier than 'emselves. An' if hobbers and buggers be afoot, I be thinkin' our resident trackin' elf would've found tracks. Through tha decades I've been livin' here, I've learned she hates 'em as much as me, gods bless her."
"Fireworks?" Shalelu inquires, raising a thick eyebrow.
Ameiko, Joyabraund and Yamamoto Seiji arrive with food and spread it across the table. The bard, considerably better for wear having applied herself to an activity, sits down at your table, setting a pot of coffee in front of her briefly, then pours the piping hot black liquid into a mug resembling those that are holding stout and ale for the elf and dwarf respectively.
"I do not know of any capable of crafting them in Sandpoint or Magnimar," Ameiko observes, and lifts the mug to her lips. "Else our festivals would be full of them, I expect," she exhales and it sounds almost like a sigh.
Shalelu nods, agreeing with Flinthammer's statement. "It is as the good Father says. There is no higher calling than ending them which would threaten the lives of decent folk. And have, to hear you tell it. I saw naught but gobbo tracks, filthy little buggers.
"Haven't ever known them to need inducement to prey on travelers, just gall," she continues. "Likely these fireworks got them thinking they're peerless. That'll make them dangerous. More dangerous," she corrects and begins digging into her meal.
"Hopefully we can figure out where they came from then. And maybe we can salvage a few, bring them back and use them for a little celebration victory." Treygan offers Ameiko a smile.
A deep frown continues to crease Broderus' forehead as he brings the steaming mug of coffee to his lips. He nods in approval though as the dark liquid slides down his throat. Such bloodlust from the dwarf and elf! A part of me wants to grasp both of their arms right now and sing the glorious hymn of battle at the top of our lungs! The other side says, "Temper your emotions, be calm and steady, focus on the task at hand..." It is difficult to find a proper balance...
Licking his lips, he finally decides to speak, "I have to agree with Treygan. Our aim should be to protect the town of Sandpoint and keep her safe from outside evils. If these goblins are the true threat against the town, we should move quickly and hit them as hard as good Valcrim strikes his trusty anvil. Otherwise, I find all this talk of killing and bloodlust a bit unsettling to my stomach. I've seen death a thousand times in my dreams, and its visage is never pleasant..."
"We need be strong fer those who cannae defend themselves. Unpleasant as it may be, lad." Valcrim pats the ranger on the shoulder in a fatherly manner "Sides, it's nae like we be off killin' PEOPLE, they be gobbos, think o' it like exterminatin' a rat-infestation in yer larder. Only these rats be more dangerous and cunnin'." he jests to lighten his mood.
You've seen death a THOUSAND times? Oh...in your dreams. I think I will have to see it many more times that that. There is such a variance to describing death and you have to describe it to make it believable. Not too much though, then people get sick and that is never good.
Joyabraund eyes the coffee for a moment, an odd look of almost sadistic glee brimming at the edges of the halfling's gaze. Sighing slightly and shaking his head Joybraund settle down in his chair, his head barely peeking over the large sturdy bar table, Some of us are smaller or slower then others. If we are to keep the daylight we should move quickly!
Broderus cocks an annoyed eyebrow in Joyabraund's direction, unsure if the lively halfling is joking or serious in his thoughts about death. Unwilling to further stir the pot, he sighs lightly in resignation and peeks over at Shalelu's map.
"Aye, the sun's rising, and we should begin our journey southwards soon. It looks like a pretty easy trek on the Lost Coast Road until we get to the marshlands. Shalelu, are there any markers or other identifying signs on the trailhead to Proudstump's shack?"
He looks over the elven ranger with a discerning eye. Strong, independent, even a bit vulgar! What a difference from the ideal woman the priests of Erastil preach about all the time! Abigail fit that mold but what did that get her in this harsh world? If Shalelu were to accompany them into battle, he knew she would hold her own, and he would not have to divert his attention to protect her...
Seiji finishes a mouthful of bread and lifts his crossbow. He pulls back the winch and releases it, testing the trigger mechanism. It could use some oil, but it still functions. I am ready to put it to use. He looks up at Shalelu, eager for her answer and for the journey south.
Valcrim drains his beer after mopping the moisture from the plate with a piece of bread, and puts the mug down hard. Then proceeds to take out his shield and hammer, kneeling and holding the hammer over the shield "Torag, shield-father, creator an' defender, hear me prayer. On this day, worthy an' good men be walkin' into danger, fer tha sake o' homes, kin an' friends. Grant us thy favor, so we may protect others, as ye protect us all in thy benevolence." he solemnly prays, his forehead close to the pommel of his inverted hammer.
He rises and puts away his arms "Let's get goin', lads. I'm feelin' good 'bout this day." he smiles and turns to the women "Thank ye fer tha map an' advice, Shally. I'd try ta leave some gobbos fer ye, but I cannae promise." he chuckles and looks to Ameiko "An' thanks fer tha breakfast. I reckon' we be puttin' ye ta work when we come back with gobbo loot and be hankerin' fer a feast!"
Shalelu quaffs her stout, sets the mug down and wipes her mouth with her sleeve. "Now then, would scarcely be professional courtesy to tell you how to spot track, Ranger Broderus," she replies, and taps the side of her tankard. "You'll identify the little one by his smell most like," she hums, her too large green eyes smiling.
Ameiko looks to Joyabraund and smiles. "Aye, bring a tale worthy of it, and you'll eat and drink for free," she offers with a note of challenge in her voice.
"One last thing," Shalelu interjects before you leave. "The waters of the Soggy River are calm enough for a man to walk, but set the little ones in it, and they're like to have a bad day. Worse for them wearing plate."
The intrepid party of would be heroes of Sandpoint sets out slightly after dawn, their bellies full and minds intent on adventure. The Lost Coast Road is eerily quiet for this time of year, when the thaw should be bringing travelers and caravans eager for trade, highlighting the importance of your mission.
Even with the reduced speed of your party, within the hour you are able to distinguish the features of the Brinestump marsh from the road. In the distance, to the south there is a cliff that overlooks the entirety of the area. The term marsh seems to be quite generous, as before you lies a thick bramble of vegetation that has not once seen the hands of man trimming it back. Though close to the sea, the smell emanating from the area is of slow, almost stagnant water that in any other season would like bode ill for your health. The remnants of the morning fog pervade here, as the sun has yet to rise to sufficient height or warm the area enough to burn it completely.
You easily find a well used trail, stamped by numerous pairs of boots in various conditions leading into the swamp.
The dwarf takes a deep whiff and furrows his brow "Smells like rotten pickles an' gobbo piss. Ye take the lead lads, so we dinnae step into sinkpits or worse," he nods to Seiji and Broderus "but reckon we should stay within line o' sight ta each other, so we nae get separated."
Joyabraund follows the party with glee looking about the marshy countryside as they leave Sandpoint aside. A tale worthy of it. All I bring are tales worthy of it...Ah well. Tall folk always seem to look past the obvious. I'll wow her some day.
OOoohhh YYooo hhhoooo! I found a TTrraaaAAaiiiIIIlllLLll!
Joyabraund runs his thumbs under his vest and kicks his toes up. I am on my way to trackin proper! Sandru would be so proud! But uh...yeah Valcrim is right, you guys lead. A sinkpit would be more like a coffin for the likes of me!
[b]As for arming, Joybarund will follow Valcrims lead. If the dwarf readies a crossbow the halfling will pull his bow. If the dwarf goes with the board, Joyabraund will follow suit. He will most certainly be deliberate about this and will nod at the dwarf with an obvious sort of "I get what you are thinking" wink and head nod. [/ooc]
Seiji smiles at Joyabruand, but speaks bluntly. "Your enthusiasm is much appreciated, yet we must proceed as quietly as we can manage. It is all but certain they will know we are coming, but if we are careful, we may yet prevent an ambush. Take heart, friend, your voice will have its place, just not in the approach, perhaps."
With that, Seiji turns to the trail in an attempt to analyze the bootprints. How long ago were these made? Do the goblins use this trail?
Surival -
Perception -
Stealth -
All the while, Seiji constantly looks up to check the surrounding area.
"See anything special, Seiji?"
Seiji notices that none of the boot prints are particularly recent, the freshest appearing to have been made almost a week ago, according to the signs of wear. There are no other humanoid tracks, or goblinoid tracks, but there are tracks of several small mammals and reptiles that have skittered about living their lives in the area more recently.
Broderus wrinkles his nose at the stench of stagnant water but feels good at being out in the wilderness again. Staring at the marsh ahead, he readies his short bow and moves alongside Seiji. He spots the beginning of the trail as well and also bends down to investigate.
If he doesn't spot anything else, he says, "Yes Seiji, I didn't see anything else either. Let's scout ahead a bit on the trail for the rest of our group."
"Tha' cliff should give us a good overlook 'round here. I say we should be headin' there first, ta get a better understandin' o' tha area, 'fore headin' into tha bog." Valcrim chimes in, holding his right hand over his eyes to shield his eyes from the sun as he peers around.
"Agreed, the cliff would give us a better vantage point."
I wish we had a spyglass, then we could really see what is going on from up there! The halfling bound towards the cliff, eager not too unlike a child. And don't worry about my voice, I know when to use it and when not to.
The party follows the halfling, who has the boundless energy, attention span and speed of a child as you ascend the slope of the Lost Coast Road to stand atop the cliff that overlooks the marsh. From this vantage, you see not only the trail that you marked before, but a second just across the river, and also a third.
You may recall that Shalelu told you that a path to the south could lead you directly to the goblins...
Treygan ponders the situation for a moment. "So assault the goblins directly or try to see if this Warden Proudstump has some information? Both actions have merits.
Check with the Warden, we may get some information or possibly an ally in the fight. Don't know much about him besides the bit in town. Do that though and we risk alerting the goblins to our presence.
Head straight for the goblins, we risk a trap, though we could catch them unawares."
"If I be rememberin' right, tha warden lived off tha north path. I reckon that be tha line in tha distance, nae? Best be gettin' what we can outta tha warden 'fore we start mucking about looking for gobbos. It is certainly what Torag would want us to do." Valcrim assesses. "Sides, ain't like sneakin' be me strongest suit, what with tha sixty pounds o' metal I be haulin'..." he chuckles "Even gobbos are gonna be hearin' our approach, lest they be busy tormentin' some poor sap an' laughin' so hard they cannae hear even a band o' drunk giants stompin' through."
Torag would want us to talk to a hermit? the halfling begins to rub his chin as if lost in thought, Why would he care who we talked to? I mean other than giants and goblins and evil clerics...what a strange god. "Talk to hermits I decree!" hehee
Shaking his head Joyabraund speaks back up. Advneturer's start with mysterious individuals then attack the villain. Otherwise the story is too short. Besides, maybe the hermit is the master of a secret technique for hunting goblins or is a goblin spy and we can wring him for information!
Valcrim's eyes narrow "He be tha god o' strategy. Ye gather intelligence before ye attack." he clarifies "I've got thick skin, an' consider meself patient. But I'd be pleased if folk nae be makin' jests at behest o' me god. I know ye have no malice in yer musin', but I've been worshippin him fer sixty years. I reckon that be longer than any o' yer parents have been alive, an' would ask ye respect this one wish." he states in a calm but firm tone.
"Broderus, Seiji, ye be tha ones skilled with the ways o' tha wilds. Ye reckon we'd be able ta get through this all 'fore nightfall?"
Knowledge (Nature) -
"I imagine so, though it will depend on what dangers or discoveries we find." Seiji turns to Treygan. "I am in accord with Valcrim and Joyabraund. We should seek Proudstump."
Your walk back to the original trail is short, and costs you very little time, but a considerable amount of imagined security knowing how the lay of the trail is compared to your previous and featureless map.
As you push into the swamp you are greeted by the chirping of various insects and the calls of birds, all relatively normal sounds to be hearing in the morning. Small animals skitter in the overgrowth, occasionally upsetting a tangle of bush and making their presence known, but if any are sighted they are far more apt to retreat from the the gigantic metal man whose plate armor disrupts the peace of the morning like a handful of school aged children who have just discovered tom toms and cymbals organizing an impromptu parade on a summer afternoon, highlighting his previous statement concerning stealth.
After about twenty minutes you come to a small bridge. The base is fitted with a number of rocks harvested from the bush stamped into the mud to make a more firm base, but the bridge itself seems hastily constructed from roughly hewn timber in all likelihood felled and dragged from elsewhere. Here and there painted pieces brace the rougher spots, and a trained mind can place the color as being popular among the fishing boats you purused yesterday. The bridge is not particularly wide, you estimate, and being intelligent adventurers, test that it will hold the weight of one man easily enough, but not two at a time. There are a few tense moments as your party is split between the locations, bows and crossbows at the ready to defend from attack from without, but nothing comes of it save a vague sense that perhaps you are overestimating the dangers of the swamp.
The second leg of the walk is considerably warmer. The sun cresting above the tree line beats down upon your armor, providing much needed heat to burn off the remnants of the morning mist. The moisture in the air remains however, and despite being so much closer to the sea the air quality has not improved in the least. The second bridge and crossing is much like the first, only you know that the sea is beyond, surely the warden's house must be close?
There are barefoot humanoid tracks in the mud near the shore of the river, many of them headed down the trail. A single set of rather alien tracks originate from the brush somewhat further in, headed in the same direction, but do not once double back.
"Well, this trackin' business is easy enough in tha soft dirt. Though this certainly seems odd. Hey, lads, any o' ye seen prints like these before? They nae be coming back either..." he says, worried about what this discovery might imply, his free hand going to his steel holy symbol out of habit.
Survival
Treygan examines the footprints, careful not to disturb them. "I've never seen anything like it before. Seiji, Broderus, any ideas?" Treygan keeps an eye out while the tracks are examined.
Broderus crouches in the soggy ground and takes a long look at the unusual tracks. He picks at the dirt with a fingernail and then rubs it between two fingers. Finally, he brings it to his nose and sniffs deeply.
Broderus can discern little from the tracks that he is studying, even though he takes a great whiff of swamp dirt. The size of the tracks, however, indicate that the creature that made them is in the size category "small."
"Whatever it be, reckon we should be on guard, lads." Valcrim says and readies his shield "Any o' ye got any preparations ye be needin' ta do in case this be some manner o' beastie?" he asks while cautiously scanning the area, his right hand free in case he needs to cast a spell, but always close to his weapons.
"Whatever made these strange tracks, it's small, but I can't make out anything else. Maybe if we were in the Mwangi Expanse, I'd be able to identify it, but up here I'm at a loss."
Broderus looks frustrated by his inability to identify the tracks but readies his weapons all the same. Since the party's in rough terrain now with limited open space, he puts away his long bow and draws his longsword and light mace.
"Let's continue on toward's the Warden's place, but stay cautious. We don't know for certain if whatever made those tracks are hostile, but best to be prepared. Hopefully the Warden's okay." Treygan puts away his bow and readies sword and shield.
Valcrim studies Broderus' stance a second. I recall our rangers fightin' like that, only with a spiked shield. Bah, no point in dwellin' on it now. I'll ask him when we be done with this marsh."
Valcrim picks up a stick and starts drawing a few simple lines in the dirt "Since tha tracks indicate that our enemy be in front, I say we take on a 'T' formation;" he says as he draws it in the dirt "tha three with thick armor in tha front, an' tha ones with light armor in a line behind. Joyabraund, since ye've got a shield an' Seiji doesn't, mind keepin' a look-out to tha rear so nuffin gets tha drop on us?" he asks "An' if we be attacked, tha 'T' formation be easily changed into a diamond, fer defendin' ourselves an' frustratin' attempts ta effectively flank us."