Gkirkhan |
"Vell, if hyu're goink to take care ov her, Hy vill make sure dot her share ov de gobs iz keeled, jah," Gkirkhan says to Sandru before wandering off, looking for trouble.
Perception: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17
Once he's a good bit away from the group be begins trying to goad any goblins into attacking him.
Vera Thaddeus |
"Gkirkhan, wait! We were going to...follow...their tracks..." Vera trails off as the half-orc wanders away again.
We'd better get Shalelu out of here before he finds what he's looking for, Vera thinks to herself. However, as she moves to pull Talin away from the conversation, she feels rather guilty. This seems like it might be important to both of them. A few moments more won't kill us...
Vera stands somewhat anxiously near the caravan, keeping an open ear and a side eye on Gkirkhan.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
GM Aneirin |
Sandru, shaking his head to clear it, looks at Talin. "We'll talk later. I need to get to Sandpoint." Stepping over to Giovanni, he lightly pulls the man's hands from Shalelu. "Don't worry, she'll be fine."
Shalelu smirks before gritting her teeth in pain. "It's true, I'll be fine. Just need ol' Koya to see to me." Patting Giovanni's shoulder, the Elf smiles at him. "You go watch over your friends."
Sandru hops back up on the wagon, giving the reins a flick of the wrist.
Yuto Yukimura |
As the wagon pulls off, Yuto yells at Sandru. "Tell Ameiko I'll be fine! I'll be back with some goblin ears to prove it!"
Turning, he sees Gkirkhan heading off, he dashes off in pursuit, glancing back at the group. "Come on, last thing we need is goblins on the march with fireworks, right?" He catches up to Gkirkhan in a few moments.
Talin Vhiski |
"As you say, it is something we can discuss later. If you would please return Shalelu to town we can complete our self-assigned task."
Talin nods at Vera, sensing her concern over the interruption.
"Let us get back to the tracks"
Giovanni Xando |
Giovanni's eyes fall to her hand on his shoulder, unable to look into her eyes. "I'll watch over Sandpoint in your place. You'll see, we human's can be surprising. I promise, just promise me you'll be safe."
Gkirkhan |
At Vera's call, Gkirkhan stops and turns around, arms crossed, annoyance replacing his usual grin. After everyone seems to be ready he begins to turn to follow the tracks.
"Hokay, iz anyvun else goink to change der mindz? No? Goot," Gkirkhan says with a glare, his patience obviously worn thin.
GM Jade |
Shalelu nods at Giovanni as Sandru hops up in his seat. With a flick of the reins, the wagon starts moving, quickly followed by the carriage behind it. "You all be careful!" Shalelu shouts back at the party before falling back in the cart.
Everyone ready to follow the work tracks that head into the nearby swamp?
GM Jade |
I assume the party is ready, yes?
Trudging forward, the road is left behind in favor of what appears to be a foot trail leading into the heart of Brinestump Marsh, home of the notorious Licktoad tribe.
The marsh is a tangle of roots, reeds, and trees both living and dead. Even with the foot path, the ground is soggy and plantlife closes in so tightly in areas it slows you down. Locals refer to it also as the Witch Marsh, tales of an evil witch who eats children alive permeating perennially.
Okay, the red dot on the map is where the party is entering from. As you step into the swamp, everyone give me a Perception check, please
Gkirkhan |
"Meh, still bedder den dot vun time in Korvosa," Gkirkhan shrugs before leading the way, "Dey use dese monsters to clear de sewers. Vun ov dem got out, und de schmell, ye gods de schmell vas horrible! Und dere Hy vas, en de middle, und getting covered in sewer gunk."
The half-orc looks back and gives Yuto a toothy grin, "After dot, dere iz not much dot gets to me."
Perception: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8
Vera Thaddeus |
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Vera remains fairly quiet as the group travels, trying to keep two eyes on the road. However, she finds herself somewhat distracted by tales of sewer monsters.
Talin Vhiski |
Talin nods at Vera, "I see odd looking foot prints here, slightly obscured, not sure what they are, but they leads this way." he points in that direction.
Talin wonders what could have made such tracks or the swath.
Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Yuto Yukimura |
Yuto almost jumps before raising his wakizashi up. "Oh no, is that a Goblin song?" Memories of the Swallowtail Festival and the Goblin attack during it bubbles up in his mind as both fear and anger swells in him.
"Let's get the jump on them..." Ducking off of the path, Yuto tries to hide.
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Giovanni Xando |
Giovanni hears the singing and recalls the stories from Sandpoints raid. The horrific songs the goblins sang while destroying the town. He quietly shifts into the center of the group, hoping to give the Goblin's plenty of other targets to hit. He quietly whispers, "Goblins like to sing." His head lifts for the first time this trip watching the treeline.
Vera Thaddeus |
Vera gestures to her clunky armor and replies to Yuto, "I'm not sure if I would be much of a surprise in a surprise attack...but I'll give you a little space so I don't give away your hiding spot."
Moving away from Yuto, she draws her bow at the ready. Noticing Giovanni's nervousness, she remarks softly, "Its alright. You can stand behind me. As long as I stand, I will not let them through."
GM Jade |
After several moments, a lone goblin, walking with a slight limp, cuts and bruises darkening it's pale green skin, ambles into sight, walking along the trail. It's eyes, rather swollen with a deep purple color, look towards it's feet.
"Cut and cut, look to the Gut
The Chief I guess know best.
But out my head flows, pain and words
But in writing I really was messed.
They bite and they hit
And my name they spit
I'm lower than grit
Protect my neck from a slit
Alone I'll be for a bit..."
Giovanni Xando |
"If this one is alone, he could be useful. Then again getting the orc to not kill it could cause more damage to us than losing this resource." Giovanni watches the goblin approach without speaking a word. his mind is clearly calculating many things, but never putting to words any of his thoughts.
Vera Thaddeus |
Is the song in common or goblin?
Vera continues to grip her longbow tightly. However, confusion is clear in her face.
"He certainly doesn't seem too dangerous..." Vera replies, "But we should still be on our guard. Although, I must admit, I am more than a little concerned about where he got his injuries from. They don't look like they came from a local hunter or guard. That could be our real threat."
Giovanni Xando |
I think I know why the goblin is alone, but I need to make sure its character knowledge so knowledge roll on goblins.
Knowledge (local) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Giovanni quietly mumbles to himself, "Goblins are afraid of writting, evidince would suggest he was likely banished from his tribe. They likely tried to kill him, especially with his "escaped the slit" line."
Talin Vhiski |
"It is quite strange. Why let him live? Why not simply finish him off and be done with it?"
Talin remembers his time among the Orc tribes and how an Orc would be killed rather then sent off on his own.