Haelynn looks at the remains of Walthus, her face pale, "Where is the real Walthus?" she says, before noticing the knight speaking to her. Colour rushes back into her cheeks as he takes her hand and bows over it. She starts to say something and pauses, before replying, "I am thankful to the Eternal Rose that your wounds did not take you from us so soon, Sir Marc."
Grendel tucks his sling back into his belt, wondering if any of the others realised he has not hit a thing in the last two combats. I must ensure I'm useful in other ways then
He sets to searching the house, and creature, for clues as to the whereabouts of the actual Walthus.
"Theres also that walled off area around the back - might be worth checking that out as well. Careful though, might be where the snakes are kept."
Haelynn looks at the remains of Walthus, her face pale, "Where is the real Walthus?" she says
"The imposter said something about wanting to know where the real Walthus is as well, which gives some comfort that he is yet alive," Marc says. He starts to move towards the door that would take them to the back walled compound.
"Careful though, might be where the snakes are kept."
Reaching for the door handle, Marc freezes before retracting his hand sheepishly. "Wise words indeed. Perhaps we should give Walthus the chance to show himself to us?"
"Walthus," he calls. "The danger has passed and the imposter is disposed of. We mean you no harm, but wish to speak with you. Won't you come out of hiding?"
"Thankyou Xargin," he says, walking across the room and clasping hands with the bard and smiling in gratitude. "You've truly got the voice of an angel, and I'm blessed to be walking in your company."
Xargin bows his head slightly as Marc takes his hands.
"It was our honour," he says, softly. "It has been some time since we have had companions to fight beside... It is a pleasant change."
As Marc moves on, Xargin moves to assist with searching the house.
As he begins to look about, Grendel hears a faint creaking sound from upstairs. Marc calls out persuasively, and the creaking sound stops for a moment. It then starts again, and a moment later, hesitant footsteps can be heard on the stairs.
Marc strides back into the room that holds the staircase and looks up expectantly.
"Walthus?" he questions. "The real one this time, I hope? I trust you will forgive us this intrusion, but we came here seeking your assistance and guidance? And I think we have a few additional questions now, given the creature we have encountered here."
Jasminder collapses to the floor as the creature releases her upon death, panting heavily and bleeding from the wound the creature inflicted on her with it's tongue.
"I'll be... fine... in a minute... she says in response to Marc's query," but then as they hear the footsteps from upstairs, she tries to rise unsteadily to her feet, ready for whatever comes downstairs.
From his position at the base of the staircase, Marc spies a short humanoid figure – a male halfling by the look of things – standing on one of the upper steps. The person hesitantly descends, and as he emerges out from the shadows near the top of the staircase, Marc sees that he looks almost exactly like the ‘Walthus’ that he just killed – prior to the change obviously. This Walthus has the same build, the same messy, curly brown hair, similar clothing and a somewhat similar pale complexion and pained expression. If anything, this Walthus looks to be in greater pain – his face is badly bruised, there is dried blood on his neck, and one arm hangs awkwardly, looking like it has been broken. He holds a small hatchet, clenched tightly in his good hand.
“Yes, I’m Walthus,” he responds to Marc in a wary voice, eerily similar to the last ‘Walthus’. “Real? Yes, of course. Ah … you encountered the creature that attacked me, did you? Killed it or drove it off I hope? If so, I’d be thrilled to assist, guide, or answer questions as best I can … if not, I suggest that creature be dealt with first, it seems to enjoy inflicting violence and drinking blood!”
"You look hurt Walthus. Why don't you put down the axe and take a seat? Where all friends here."
"Some swifterly explanation is due." growls Yumiko. "Nought a creature was stirring upstairs afore, an' now tha be amblesome down thy stairs."
Jasminder eyes the Halfling warily, still very much aware that she will be no good in a fight were it to come upon them again now.
Marc observes the Halfling as he descends the stairs, looking for any sign of deception. "We killed the creature you speak of, yes. What do you know of it? Where did it come from?"
As Walthus descends the stairs, Haelynn responds to Yumiko's complaining, "Yumi, even the tiger misses the rabbit in the tall grass," without taking her eyes off the halfling.
This Walthus seems quite genuine as far as can be told.
“Think I will take a seat, thanks … you sure you killed it?” Walthus looks you over, seems impressed by your weapons or perhaps your injuries, and nods, looking relieved. “Truth to tell I’m not sure what it was … I’ve heard rumours of some strange and dangerous things that live deep in the caverns west of Brinestump – shapechangers some say. P’raps those rumours are true … all I know is – um, what day is it? I’m hungry … not sure how long I was out. Anyway, whenever it was – today, yesterday, day before that? There was a knock on me door, and I open it to find this cute gnomish lass looking all rosy cheeked and dishevelled. Well, I invited her in, and next thing I know she’s moving forward, I thought to kiss me! Well, I don’t mind a bit o’ gnomish strange, so I didn’t object, but then she’s biting me and she turned into this thing, all long limbs and faceless face. Ugh. She – it – beat me pretty bad and sucked a lot of blood I reckon. I luckily managed to get away and ran out into me garden, where I keep the snakes. Heh. She didn’t like them! Anyway, while she was occupied with the snakes, I hobbled away, and made it to my saferoom upstairs. I musta passed out then I s’pose.”
The halfling turns to Yumiko. “Yer right miss, I weren’t stirring – didn’t know if that thing was still around see. Then I heard fighting, so decided I’d come take a look-see. If you was pokin’ around and couldn’t find me, means my safe room did its job right – reason I’ve survived in this here marsh for so long.”
Grendel leads the other halfling over to a seat, being sure not to touch his broken arm. "Is there anything we can fetch for your arm? Do you have anything that may help? A strong drink if nothing else?"
Marc ducks outside the house for a moment, checking on Taletheus and rifling through his pack. He returns inside with some trail rations.
'If a few days have passed, then you must be hungry.' He offers the rations to Walthus. 'It is no feast, but may help you get back some of your strength. I felt that thing's "kiss" and it was not something I'd wish on anyone.'
When Walthus speaks to Yumiko of survival, Marc speaks up again. 'Do the goblins bother you at all?'
"There's some moonshine in them jugs in the pantry - don't mind if I do ... Yer welcome to some yerself, but careful, it's strong stuff. Oh, food? You're a saint."
Walthus tucks into the rations that Marc offers him.
"The Licktoads? Hmm, mostly I try to stay out of their way and they stay out of mine; I've had to kill a few of them over the years, taught 'em to stay outta me way. They've tried to get at me at nights when I've been sleeping a few times, but they don't much like me snakes, and I've a habit of setting up snares and traps of a night just in case they - or anything else - comes snooping about. Don't keep 'em up in the daylight, as I wouldn't want to harm any fisherfolk or herb gatherers or the like - might need to rethink that after that shapechanger got the drop on me though."
Walthus pauses to swallow some food. "Yeah, the goblins are cowards mostly, but they've found their courage o' late. Found some explosives or somethin' from somewhere too."
Grendel returns with a jug of the moonshine, filling a cup and passing it over to Walthus.
"Have you ever seen their village? Do you know where it is located?"
"Ah, there we are, thankee kindly good ser. Well, I seen their village from a distance, I can certainly point you in the right direction. I should warn you though, they've got a wall built 'round the place, actually pretty sturdy lookin' for somethin' goblin built. Goblins are nothin' if not unpredictable, but they mostly like to sleep during the day and are pretty active at night. Good thing about day, they're usually not so alert, but then they're more likely to all actually be there, whereas at night, some of 'em might be out and about."
"Ah, there we are, thankee kindly good ser. Well, I seen their village from a distance, I can certainly point you in the right direction. I should warn you though, they've got a wall built 'round the place, actually pretty sturdy lookin' for somethin' goblin built. Goblins are nothin' if not unpredictable, but they mostly like to sleep during the day and are pretty active at night. Good thing about day, they're usually not so alert, but then they're more likely to all actually be there, whereas at night, some of 'em might be out and about."
Marc leans forward, listening with interest to the information provided by Walthus.
'What do you think has gotten them so organized; to build a wall and get their hands on the fireworks?' Marc asks. 'Is there a new leader among them? Possibly even a non-goblin leader they might be looking to?'
Walthus takes a swig of his homemade liquor, burps, pardons himself, then responds to Marc. “Well, they’ve had the wall ever since I’ve lived ‘ere – probably why they’ve not died out yet, there are plenty of worse things living in this swamp than goblins. I’ve no idea where they got the fireworks, if it was part of a plan, or, more like, blind luck. A new leader? Hmmm … I dunno about that. Far as I know they’ve been led by Chief Gutwad for years. If someone – or somethin’ – else has taken over, I haven’t heard of it.”
Walthus puts down the jug of moonshine and stands awkwardly out of his chair. “Now … well, you lot done me a big favour today – probably saved me life. I can’t thank you enough. I’m afraid I’m not in much of a state to go fightin’ goblins with you right now, but I want to help. The Licktoad village is not so far from here – the driest way there is to head back out of the marsh and go in again via the Old Fish Trail – or you can cut through the swamp directly from here if you prefer, but you’ll have to wade or swim a bit. Either way I can point the way. I’ll also give you me magic cloak, it could help save your life … er, I’ve only the one I’m afraid, it don’t split seven ways … but it does resize to fit the wearer, so its good for big folk ‘s well as normal sized people. And you can rest up here for a bit if you like – even overnight if you like, some of you look a bit beaten up if y’ don’t mind me sayin’. I’ll even cook somethin’ up for you if I’m feelin’ a bit better later on.”
Yumiko uses her witchcraft to protect the party against cholera by dragging the shapeshifter's corpse into the swamp and burying it (muttering vengefully the whole time).
Marc thanks Walthus for his generosity and then looks to his companions for confirmation on how they would like to proceed.
"I'm comfortable in taking Walthus up on his offer to rest here for the night and then trying the Old Fish Trail in the morning? Sounds like we don't want to tackle the village by night time anyway and it could be cutting it a little fine if we push on now?"
"Sounds good to me, lets start fresh in the morning ... unless we want to try and intercept one of these goblin patrols/ raiding parties in the night? Would they often come near here Walthus?"
Grendel offers to refill his cup as he asks the question.
Yumiko uses her witchcraft to protect the party against cholera by dragging the shapeshifter's corpse into the swamp and burying it (muttering vengefully the whole time).
The soft mud easily swallows the small but surprisingly heavy corpse.
"Sounds good to me, lets start fresh in the morning ... unless we want to try and intercept one of these goblin patrols/ raiding parties in the night? Would they often come near here Walthus?"
Grendel offers to refill his cup as he asks the question.
“Oh, they don’t often come round … they’ve learnt better for the most part … ‘course, they are pretty stupid. And uncommon brave of late as we’ve spoken …”
"So what should we do - rest and try to hit their camp by day, or try to find some tonight and thin the numbers a little?"
Grendel looks around the group, waiting for a decision.
"So what should we do - rest and try to hit their camp by day, or try to find some tonight and thin the numbers a little?"
Grendel looks around the group, waiting for a decision.
"While I like the idea of thinning their numbers before heading into their camp,I'm not sure of the wisdom of heading out into the swamp at night," Marc reasons. "The goblins will be in their element and will have the advantage of night vision over some of us at least."
"However, if they do decide to hit the village or another caravan on the road tonight, we will not be in a position to prevent them from here."
He turns to Walthus. "Roughly how long would it take us to head back to the road and then approach the Licktoads via the Old Fish Trail?"
"I'm thinking we should camp here and rest up for an early start in the morning, to try and catch them by surprise just as they are bedding down for the night.
"Else we could head back to the road now and set up camp out of site but in a position to keep a watch overnight. That way if they do try something during the night we have the option to catch them at it, and may get the opportunity to thin their numbers as you've suggested, Grendel."
“Oh, wouldn’t take more’n an hour or two to head out and back in again and find the Licktoads,” answers Walthus.
Watching her sister dragging the corpse out the door, Haelynn then looks at Walthus before trying to catch Marc's eye. "One who chases after two hares won’t catch even one," she says to herself absently as the cavalier continues discussing plans. "I am going to help Yumi," she pauses, "with that..."
Watching her sister dragging the corpse out the door, Haelynn then looks at Walthus before trying to catch Marc's eye. "One who chases after two hares won’t catch even one," she says to herself absently as the cavalier continues discussing plans. "I am going to help Yumi," she pauses, "with that..."
"Tha always thoughtlike I was nequient at manual labour." grumbles Yumiko, "Just 'cos it's trueity, don't make it rightsome to think it." She pauses and wipes a smear of swamp mud thoughtlessly across her face "But I've an augury that us'll be doing plenty of buryin' of small folk shortlike."
When she gets back inside after the grisly job is complete, she scratches her head thoughtfully. "Us's only got around seventh-eighths of stuff-all cursepower left though. Without a rest and a drink, (looking at Walthus' moonshine jugs) Us'll be just cursin' folks with rapid-onset saturnism."
"Even the hen wearies of the chick's chirping," she replies to Yumi, walking across to the table and pouring her a measure of moonshine into a cracked mug, "Rest while we consider our option." Haelynn hands the drink to her sister and points at an empty chair.
"So the consensus seems to be to rest now and face the goblin menace tomorrow - but do we take rest here, or do as Marc suggests and camp out of the swamp back at the road, cutting down our journey tomorrow?"
Grendel pours a small measure of the moonshine for himself. He grimaces slightly as he takes a sip.
"I like the idea of being indoors, and the safety the house would offer, however having more time to properly scout the goblin and camp and plan our attack would be good as well."
"I like the idea of being indoors, and the safety the house would offer, however having more time to properly scout the goblin and camp and plan our attack would be good as well."
Marc moves over to pour himself a cup of the moonshine, then thinks better of it and replaces the pitcher.
"I agree Grendel; it would be worthwhile using the daylight we have left to get a better idea of the encamp and how best to approach it. I would be willing to come along on such an expedition, though I must confess I have little practice at sneaking around and remaining unseen, so I may be more of a hindrance than a help."
He turns to the older Halfling. 'Walthus, what do you know of the goblin's camp? How high is this wall, and where are there breaks or gates in it? How would we best approach it without being seen?"
Walthus ponders for a few moments (and takes the opportunity to chew some more food and drink some more moonshine).
“I’ve seen the place,” he says slowly, “but just from a distance – never been inside. The wall’s about three times as tall as me – maybe a bit more. It’s pretty well made for goblins – timber, spikes on top, sturdy gate. But – stupid gobbos – they built it through the middle of a pond. So there’s a way in there if you don’t mind swimmin’.”
"Yes, we should not waste an opportunity to scout out the goblin camp," Haelynn agrees, before giving a short yelp as Yumi elbows her in the side, "The wren does not give the tiger a second pounce."
"Yes, we should not waste an opportunity to scout out the goblin camp," Haelynn agrees, before giving a short yelp as Yumi elbows her in the side, "The wren does not give the tiger a second pounce."
Yumiko frowns and then nods. "The time to hesitate is through. No time to wallow in the mire. Try now (although us'd prefer a snooze). And their camp becomes a funeral pyre." an unseemly glow comes into her eyes "Come on sister, light a fire."
"Agreed then, lets get closer to the goblin village before we set up camp, and then we can do some scouting if needed."
Once he's feeling a bit better (thanks to the moonshine no doubt), Walthus busies himself cooking you up some food - pan fried fish, swamp vegetables and rat jerky, seasoned with fragrant herbs - and rusting up some blankets for you to bed down.
After voicing his agreement with the plan to rest for the evening and scout the camp in the morning, Xargin finds a quiet corner as far as possible from the fire , and sits. Leaning back against the wall, he removes his mask, takes out his lute, and begins to play a slow, mournful tune, singing so softly that only the occasional snatch of the song can be heard over his instrument.
... it's your move, when I lose everything I can lose, you feed my defeat...
... it's your move, when I leave everything up to you, honestly, I'm not the same...
As he finishes the song, he ceases singing, and continues to aimlessly pick at the strings, plucking out a wandering series of random tunes.
Well, that was an eventful day. I do wish we had some idea what that shapeshifting creature was though, I can't help but feel concerned about the possibility of there being more of them about...
We shall cross that bridge if and when we come to it, dear one. For now, rest. You will need your strength for the morrow.
I thought you'd be calling for us to push on and face the vermin now. Why the sudden caution?
Today has shown us that this task may be more dangerous than anticipated. Your... friends... have the right of it, that the clever move is to take the time to prepare and go with caution. After all, discretion is the better part of valour.
It burns me to delay our revenge, but I see the wisdom in this course ... We shall resume the hunt when all are rested.
Rest well, lord, and may the Maiden of Haze and Whimsy grant you peaceful slumber.
When the food is ready, Xargin accepts a plate from Walthus, thanking him.
"We thank you for your hospitality, and sharing your knowledge with us. Our sister was injured in a raid by the goblins, and we would have them answer for this by way of the blood price. Your help with hasten this, and we shall not forget it."
After eating, he goes through the basics of gear maintenance, making sure his weapons are clean and stowed, then compulsively checks the tuning on his lute. If anyone requests a song, or starts a conversation, he stays awake for a time, else he asks Walthus were he will be sleeping and retires for the night.
"Pull up a blanket where-ever you like," says Walthus. "There's the spare room upstairs, but just the one bed sorry."
Grendel wanders briefly around the grounds outside the house, taking in the sights and sounds of the swamp, before moving back inside and settling in to listen to Xargin play.
He observes his companions as they move about, wondering how he ended up being a part of such a strange group.
After the meal he helps Walthus clear the dishes, and once the others start to drift to bed he sets his bed roll near the fire and gets some sleep.
"We shall leave the bed for one of the others. Perhaps one of the injured could use it more than us, and we are no strangers to sleeping on a hard surface. All we ask is that we be given somewhere away from the fire, and a blanket or two to make ourselves comfortable. Goodnight, Walthus. May you rest easy now that your sinister double is gone."
With that said, Xargin helps Grendel and Walthus tidy up a little, takes some bedding, and puts together a bed in the corner, curling up and going to sleep.