Renjiro crosses the bridge after Ceru, trying his best to keep alert to the surrounding swamp.
"Does the axe eat goblins too, Hjorleif? I believe that may pertain more to the issue at hand."
Hjorleif grins, "Nah... just kills 'em for sport!" He follows the others across the bridge.
Eden and Tisa are last over the bridge. Tisa ever vigilant for danger, while Eden simply plays follow the leader and remains quiet while Renjiro and Hjorlief make their comments.
Tisa's Perception
Ryoko kept her wits about herself as well as any of the others, but her natural tendency to be a little bit scatterbrained, and the rapidly descending twilight made it hard on her. She just had to trust those better suited for the dismal bog to notice anything awry.
After spending about an hours travel on the trail, crossing two more bridges in similar disrepair as the first, you arrive at what you assume must be Walthus' house. A ramshackle two-story affair situated on the edge of a small lagoon, the open water of Sog's Bay visible beyond the headland. The ever present moss grows on the sides of the building and the roof is in desperate need of repair.
As you approach the house a dirty-faced halfling, his clothing equally grimy, steps out the front door and waves to you from the path, yet even that simple gesture seems to draw a wince of pain from the little man. "Welcome, strangers. What can I do ya' for?"
Hjorleif addresses the halfling with a smile. "Hey there, little fella. We're looking for a Walthus... we hear he knows a bit about this here swamp. Sheriff of Sandpoint sent us here to find some goblins that've been causing some trouble and hoped we could get some info on where the buggers might be hidin'." He clearly isn't making the connection between the very halfling-sounding name of 'Proudstump' and the person in front of them.
Eden and Tisa make their way up to stand beside the others Eden waving with a toothy smile and a “Hello.”
Ceru slips up to stand beside Hjorleif and gives the halfling a smile. Hjorleif is probably a little imposing looking so she figures the presence of someone more the halfling's size might lessen the intimidation factor.
"You okay there?" she asks as she notices him wincing.
The halfling waves off your question "Oh, it's nothing really. I was just tending my pet snakes when one of the little buggers bit me, that's all. Now, how can I help y'all."
As you approach further you now notice that Wathus' eyes appear bloodshot and rheumy as if from a lack of sleep.
At the mention of snakes, Renjiro freezes in place. He looks around somewhat nervously.
"Goblins have been raiding caravans, and we believe they are shacked up somewhere nearby. Would you know anything about them?"
"Snakes? Yikes. Well, if you're sure..." Ceru trails off, still concerned. But a person who kept snakes as pets would surely know the dangers, wouldn't they? Ceru examines his body language, to be sure he's not shrugging off his pain, if he really needs help.
"As my friend Hjorleif asks --oh, and I'm Ceru and that's Eden and Tisa and Ryoko and Renjiro -- we're looking for goblins. Licktoads, they call themselves. You seen them?"
"Snakebite". Ryoko replied, somewhat incredulously. That might have easily been fatal, so far out from any potential help. His deep-red eyes also were cause for some concern - it might just be sleep deprivation, but what little she knew of healing, it was never a good sign.
"Maybe one of us can aid you in return? Look at your wound, have a proper bandage?" She suggested, worried the halfling might be in more danger than he realized.
Tisa still on edge being in the swamp keeps herself next to Eden practically hugging his leg her eyes and ears alert and constantly scanning for danger.
Eden nods when his name is mentioned and says "Yea I have some healing magic, I could probably cure that snake bite right up."
While you're certain he's telling you the truth about the snakebite, you sense that he's holding something back.
The little halfling looks at Eden "If you have something that might cure the poison I'd be much obliged. Otherwise I'll just have to suffer through til it runs it's course."
Walthus looks at the odd couple of the Ulfen and the Gnome "Goblins, you say. Yeah, I know where they're hold up. Their village is along the old fishing trail south of here. I've seen them running around the swamp quite a bit lately, like they're up to something. Prob'ly something against the town you know."
AS your speaking with Walthus you notice a strange ripple cross his cheek, as if the muscles underneath were stretching themselves, before it subsides.
Ceru frowns a little--it's a look that's crossed her face before when she suspects an opponent of palming cards, and she gives a quick backward glance to the others. When she turns back toward Walthus, she tries to conceal her concern quickly, and speaks conversationally ().
"But they haven't tried to gang up on you? You must be clever indeed."
Hjorleif's smile widens as the halfling explains where the goblins are. "Haha! With your help, we'll find the monsters in no time! By the day's end, you won't have to worry about goblins in your swamp, my little friend. We owe you our thanks!"
He turns to his companions. "So, you want to take a quick look at his wounds, then we can be on our way? Oughta repay him for his assistance," he gives the halfling a friendly wink. "The sooner I can smash some goblin heads, the better!"
Eden smiles and approaches the halfling kneeling down to his level. "Well I am not the greatest at drawing poison but if we have enough time I think I can manage it." He says looking to the group to see if they say yes.
As the halfling rolls up his sleeve you notice more than just one snake bite on his arm.
"Oh, they tried missy. You bet they tried. An it cost 'em dear. Now we just kinda leave each other alone."
While Eden tends to the poison Walthus shakes his head at Hjorleif "No need to thank me. If'n you hurry you might be able to catch the little buggers off guard before they launch whatever strike they're plannin'."
As Eden finishes his healing, Walthus rolls down his sleeve and thanks the Druid for his help "Aah, feelin' much better already. Much obliged."
Eden looks at the halfling's arm and then goes about drawing the poison.
Once he is done he smiles and stands. Curious and a bit confused he asks. "I thought you said only one snake bit you? What snake was it? I mean I am curious, because most snakes don't bite that many times unless you are annoying them. I would love to see it, I have never met a snake like that. Maybe I can calm it down or help teach you how to better handle it."
Ryoko nodded in support. "Snakes, despite all their bad reputation, are not evil for its own sake. Calculating and very level-headed for their limited comprehension, but cagey and rarely risking anything unless there is a need."
"Why they would strike at their handler, I don't know."
Walthus moves to hide his arm behind his back "Ya never know what's going on in the little critters minds. Sometimes they bite the hand that feeds them."
"I'd love to invite you in for some refreshment but i'm afraid my house is a mess as'n I wasn't expectin' visitors. If'n you stop by on your way out after finishin' off them gobbo's I'd be more than happy to fix you all dinner for your troubles."
You feel that Walthus is definitely hiding something. He seems to be getting quite nervous the longer you stand out here. He also seems quite insistent that you go attack the goblins, almost pushy, in fact.
Ceru gives another frown as she assesses the hermit. She has trouble deciding whether she wants to push him to show his hand, or whether they ought to leave and investigate his odd behavior later. His evasiveness bothers her, but on the other hand, he's a hermit, and most of those by definition want to be left alone. She decides to leave her inquiry open ended, and if they get nowhere further in conversing, her thought is for the party to move a ways away and then she can go back and peek through his window when he thinks they're gone.
"Of course, we'd never want to impose, Mr. Proudstump, but it is getting late. We do need to find shelter somewhere... what would you suggest?"
Hjorleif, oblivious to any secret messages or hidden dangers, shuffles impatiently. "Getting late?! Are ya crazy? The day's only just begun! I say we wasted enough time here... no offense, little guy. We got what we needed and helped him with his wound. Let's go kill some goblins!"
"Agreed. Better we get the drop on them then they get the drop on us. We must press on." He looks expectantly at the party.
Sense motive:
Ryoko regarded the strange halfling with some degree of scepticism. Sure, hermits like him were known for their oddness, but he was taking it farther than most she knew. Nevertheless, he as the best ally they had.
"I'll talk to them." she announced.
"Y,you can speak with snakes?" the halfling stammers "That won't be necessary. They're just love bites, nothing more. Who can say what a snake is going to do from one minute to the next, ya know. Tiny little brains, no bigger than a pea, really." Walthus shrugs Besides, like I said, the house is in no shape to receive visitors. Give me a day and when you come back I'll be happy to show you around."
Ceru cocks an eyebrow at the halfling, and waves to her companions. "Maybe Hjorleif's right, we should head on and leave this man alone. Back up the path then?"
She turns around to look at the others (her back to Walthus), giving them an urgent look. She mouths something's wrong but points up the path again, tacitly suggesting a bit of a withdrawal. "Was it that way?"
Hjorleif frowns at the gnome in consternation, then nods in understanding. "Well he mentioned the old fishing path to the south... We could either backtrack and keep following the road or trudge through this festering swamp and hope we find it that way. No good options, if you ask me."
Eden was suspicious of the multiple snake bites from one snake but not of the Halfling himself. When Ceru mouths her concern Eden looks in the direction she was pointing and when Hjorleif begins talking about paths to take Eden steps in. “I purpose trudging!” He says enthusiastically and with a smile, to which Tisa lets out an audible growl. “OH come on Tisa its only water… Fine… Tisa and I vote the path.”
"He knows the area better than us. We should take the trail, if he says we should." Renjiro looks none too happy at the idea.
Whichever path they take, when they get about 100 feet away, Ceru asks everyone to stop.
She speaks quietly, even though they should be well out of earshot. "That guy was hiding something. And what you guys say about snakes and snake bites, that doesn't make it seem any more sensible. He really didn't want us to go into his house for some reason, and I don't think it was 'cause it was a mess. I know we've got the bounty to think of, but it won't sit right with me till I check it out.
"I've got a bit of a plan--I'm not a mage, but my dad managed to get me to learn a few tricks, and one of them's a message spell. I touch one of you, and we can whisper to each other even if I get far away. So, I sneak up real quiet, peek in, see what's going on. If he's just a crazy hermit, I sound the all clear. But if something's wrong, I let you know and we can try to deal with it. And if any of you are good at staying quiet, by all means come with me."
Renjiro grins at Ceru.
"An ingenious approach. If you feel he may be up to no good, we have an obligation to deal with it. Please go check, we will wait nearby. If you need us, we will come running."
As you decide to leave you can visibly see the tension leave the halfling's shoulders. He stands outside waving and offers you a "Good luck and good hunting." as you round a curve in the path and vanish from sight.
Hjorleif strokes his long beard in thought as he listens to Ceru. He responds with a grunt, "Hrm... If something's wrong, the goblins can wait a little longer. Best if I stay here... subtlety isn't exactly my specialty!" Realizing he's speaking a little too loudly, he looks around with a startled expression, making sure no two-faced halflings heard him. "Heh heh... like I said..."
Eden nods at Ceru's plan and drops to a crouch and begins patting Tisa on the head. "Tisa and I will also stay here, but we will be there in a heartbeat if you need us."
Ryoko nodded at Ceru's approach to the Problem. The whole thing left her feeling all too bad, the kind of feeling she had when she was being conned, with none of the desperate hope it might turn out better this time around, sticking with the losing proposition for all she had put into it. "I was going to send Moro, but that works even better. Ceru, I'm behind you al the way - in spirit. Never was any good at sneaking."
Ceru nodded, glad the others were willing to try. "This doesn't last long, so I'll be quick! And don't go much farther than this, or we'll fall out of range." She pointed at---who to pick?--Renjiro and summoned a bit of magical energy. She turned around, walked away a few feet, and whispered very quietly, "Can you hear me?" which should have indeed come in loud and clear to Renjiro's ears.
She turned and ran back toward Walthus' cottage, slowing to a tip toe when she came within easy hearing range of the house. The late day and the brush in the marsh hopefully created enough shadows for her to stick to as she slowly approached the house, poking her head through any window or crack she could find to spy on Walthus.
Renjiro nods vigorously and gives a thumbs-up.
"Be ready, friends, to spring to Ceru's rescue. Hopefully that won't be necessary."
Perception check:
You manage to sneak up to a window and peer in. The house is indeed as Walthus described it, a mess. Broken furniture litters the room as do two broken potted plants. As you watch, the halfling settles into one relatively intact chair and heaves a sigh of relief. Suddenly the muscles in his face and arms begin to twitch and stretch grotesquely and sitting in the chair where Walthus once sat is a creature, 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 as if sensing the air around it.
Stifling the urge to gasp, Ceru lowers herself under the window. It is hard to subvocalize when horrified, but she tries her best to speak as quietly as possible:
"Sh-shapeshifter! He's not a halfling at all, but something awful. Looks like there was definitely some kind of fight in there. Don't see anyone but it now, but more than snakes did that kind of damage."
to Ceru: "We are coming! Be careful."
to the group: "The halfling is some kind of shapeshifter. We must hurry!"
With that, he draws his katana and charges down the path back to the cabin.
Eden from his crouching position bolts into a charge behind the samurai, following on his heels is Tisa.
Eden thought the snake bites were strange and now he understood why, they must have been defending their master against the shapeshifter.
Full of adrenalin Eden surges forward easily but the lack of confidence in himself has him worried as to whether or not he would be of any use. Then knocking the self loathing aside he focuses on the hope that maybe the real Walthus Proudstump is still alive somewhere.
Hjorleif thunders after Renjiro, reaching to pull his greataxe from where it's strapped to his back. "Don't kill it too fast... my axe will taste its blood!" he shouts, his eyes burning with manic fury.
Ryoko moved with the others, but took care to fall behind just ever-so-slightly. The abomination sounded bad, and getting in its way sounded worse. If it had killed the real Walthus, it was going to put up a fight now.
Worse still, she doubted her "tricks" worked on something so alien. Well, except for sapping its strength, but she had hoped to save that for a particularly vicious goblin. "Nothing wagered, nothing lost" she decided - but still let Hjorleif take the lead.
As Ceru waits for the others, if she has time, she draws her sword and dagger (the latter for throwing). If the others decide to attack, she can try to get the drop on the creature from behind.
As Ceru hears the footsteps of rest of the party approaching the house she quickly drops down under the windowsill to avoid discovery as the creatures face turns toward the window, it's snakelike tongue darting around as if sensing the air around it.
When she pops her head back up the sitting room is now empty, the creature nowhere to be seen.
Walthus???: