"... and with that, I hereby officially reinstate the old goblin bounty. The town of Sandpoint will pay 10 gp for every relatively fresh goblin ear delivered to the town hall — with an additional reward of 300 gp for the group that can bring in the head of the Licktoads’ leader, Chief Gutwad.
As he finishes his speech, Sheriff Belor Hemlock looks to the Rusty Dragon's gathered patrons, you included, for volunteers. The Licktoad goblin tribe has grown unusually aggressive recently. Reports suggest that the tribe managed to secure a cache of explosives and, with that, an inflated sense of ego which has made them dangerously brave. Several merchant caravans and travelers have been attack and according to the victims, the damage caused by horses panicking at the sight and sound of exploding pyrotechnics is almost as destructive as the goblin attacks themselves.
Since the goblins don't directly threaten Magnimar, the city has not sent any assistance. The Sandpoint watch, understaffed at the best of times, is already stretched thin protecting the Lost Coast Road. Thus, dealing with the goblin threat has fallen to (would-be) adventurers such as yourselves.
"Any questions?" Belor asks the crowd.
Though most of the conversation gets directed towards Belor, the crowd does chatter among themselves:
Loricatus leans back on his chair and almost nonchalantly shoots his questions at Sheriff Hemlock.
"Sherrif, can the goblins be reasoned with? Perhaps be persuaded to disarm? Shouldn't we be more worried about the Soggy River Monster?"
Jasanah ponders for a moment, trying to remember exactly what she knows.
She does remember that Shalelu is possibly off hunting the Licktoads.
"Sheriff, I'll go after them."
Before the sheriff can even begin to formulate a response, the crowd breaks out into much needed laughter. "Reason with the goblins?" one patron repeats, which causes the crowd to laugh more loudly. Once the laughter dies down, it's soon replaced by an argument about the existence of the Soggy River Monster. After a few minutes, the sheriff yells an authouritative QUIET! The crowd promptly obeys, allowing Belor to speak.
"I cannot say that we've ever tried diplomacy. If you want to go out into the Marsh and try, well, best of luck. Let's first deal with the goblin menace before we go chasing after potentially real Soggy River Monsters."
"Anybody else willing to join Jasanah?"
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Artemis stayed silent during the laughing and actually found the patrons quite naive has he knows, being a priest and from his father stories, that the Goblins can be easily lured or deceived, if ever you could talk their language!
"I will join Jasanah gladly, but I've got a question most honorable Sheriff... How in your opinion would Goblins get their hands on explosive? Is there a local provider? Do we usually see Explosive caravans coming from other towns? Or, is their a mine somewhere close by?"
Loricatus saunters over to Ameiko and asks "What do you think, Ameiko? Should the town send a diplomat or two, or should we send a hunting party?"
"Those are all valid questions, but I am afraid I do not have any answers to them," sheriff replies to Artemis' questions. "If you can determine the source of the explosives, I may be able to submit a requisition for a larger reward based on any evidence you find. That's the best I can offer for now."
"So, we have two volunteers. Hoped for more... Now, Brinestump Marsh may not be as large as the Mushfens, but the swamp is dense and tangled. It’s easy to get lost in the place. No one’s made a detailed map of Brinestump - there’s been no need, since there’s not much of value there. 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'sa fishing trail that leads from the Lost Coast Road directly to Walthus’s shack in the swamp. Should be a good place to start your hunt.
...
Ameiko, absentmindedly placing a hand on the tattoo on her upper left arm, replies: "That's not a very fair question, Lori. You know how I feel about goblins, especially after... No, I do not think diplomacy would work."
"I'm sorry, Ameiko." Loricatus pats Ameiko's shoulder gingerly "That was very insensitive of me."
Turning back towards Hemlock Loricatus announces "You have three volunteers, Sheriff. When do we start?"
"You mean Abadar, surely."
Nobody else volunteers for goblin hunting. The Sheriff and the gathered crowd raise a toast to the brave heroes, before returning to their daily routines. A few children tag along as you prepare for your expedition, following as far as the edge of town.
Brinestump Marsh is a relatively small region, but it’s fantastically overgrown with vegetation. Given the frequent stretches of muddy bogs and snaking waterways, moving through the marsh is a tiring and frustrating procedure. The marsh itself is bounded on its southern edge by a cliff that rises an average of 40 feet from the wetlands below. Brinestump Marsh extends just over 2 miles at its widest point.
There are three trails leading into the marsh:
- Despite its reputation, many locals swear by the fishing in the Marsh. The New Fish Trail leads directly to the marsh's best fishing holes. This trail also leads directly to Warden Proudstump's home.
- The Old Fish Trail used to lead directly to the shore, but now terminates directly in Licktoad territory. Since the goblins moved in, most fishermen have stopped using this path and instead use the New Fish Trail instead.
- Witch's Walk is mostly worn away and bears a dark stigma - many villagers believe it leads to the house of Old Megus the Swamp Witch.
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Dear friends, if we are going to have a walk into the marshes, then we would probably need suitable boots to avoid some nasty little parasites chewing our legs or worse... don't you think? I would definitely try and find a pair of fine impermeable boots...
Artemis suddenly opens his eyes wide while remembering something from his fathers' childhood stories...
Ahh! As for the trails, I know a bit about this region as my father used to hunt goblins down a long time ago, when only the old trail existed... he told me once that there is a hidden path that begins along the cliff bordering the south of the marsh and offers an alternate route to the Licktoad's territory. Now, we should maybe vote on which of the trails we are going to follow?
"Hmm. I too know of this other route. But I think we should go ask old Proudstump what he thinks is the best way to tackle these goblins. For all we know he is being plagued by them as well."
"We should take the safest route...the hidden path."
"Hmmm. I don't know. What do you think, Ameiko?"