Bynoth nods in agreement, then to acknowledge the sage as the group departs.
"Scouting ahead is paramount within the swamplands. Who will be our harbingers?"
"That's kinda the point of getting the serious guide, so that we don't need to have someone wandering around until the bog eats them."
4th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy
The party gathers and begins walking down the small road they came from as they round the hill they once again pass the intertwined trees over the pool of water that has Beory's holy symbol. The carving is of two trees intertwined over a pool and where the trees meet the pool is the symbol of Beory.
Maja and a few of the members go through the bag and seem to separate who will get what. The note, written in Keoish, has brief instructions on the use of the wands and necklaces. On the map it appears that it takes you around the Hool Marsh and it recommends to steer clear of the marsh by a few miles or so until you reach Feremon's home on the north by north east corner of the Marsh. There is a reminder to use the Beacon's greenlight as a point of navigation at night.
Sylas takes a look at the note and translates for any who cannot read it and then carefully puts the note away to hold in case anything might be forgotten in his watertight scroll case. He will grab a large stick to make into a staff in case the walking later gets bogged down and walk along his way whistling horribly off tune.
Harry helped himself to little of the gear, just one of the healing potions and also an antiplague vial and a antitoxin vial. Once the party is underway he takes his position at his customary rear-guard position, eying the skies and ground with equal attention, yet walking in silence.
Perri listens for a while, but eventually starts whistling a completely different tune, just as badly. Assuming he draws the glare he's expecting, he simply smiles and nods back.
Sylas takes a look at the note and translates for any who cannot read it and then carefully puts the note away to hold in case anything might be forgotten in his watertight scroll case. He will grab a large stick to make into a staff in case the walking later gets bogged down and walk along his way whistling horribly off tune.
Sylas takes some time examining the map and working with Maja who seems to know the area better than anyone else. As they walk it looks like if you cut through Jory Hills and under the Kenwyn Watch (an old watchtower on a very long hill) it will take the party under the Udy Woods and Udy Hills. Eventually taking that route it will put you on the Longspear Trail going towards Kendra which is directly north of the Hool Marsh and where they party can enter the Hool Marsh. Feremon's home seems to be southeast of Kendra so it is on the way to the Marsh from the Longspear Trail. Sylas and Maja estimate about seventy miles to Feremon's home. Maja believes it will take the party three maybe four days of travel by foot. Maja believes that would be the fastest but the alternative is to go up the road they came and cut through Burle and onto the Longspear directly and cut straight across to Kendra and down to Feremon. The route is longer but would be faster and probably safer.
Bynoth holds his mid-group position, eyes scanning the surrounding locale - aware that such hostile lands hold potential threats at every turn.
As the route options are discussed, Bynoth mulls the options;
"Making for Kenwyn Watch may be quicker but more dangerous, as the wilds will present us with challenges... Route through more cilvilised locale, will likely be safer and allow us to be fresher. Both approaches have strategic merit."
I am for taking the safe path but I will do what we all find best Sylas says nodding to Maja in appreciation and then smirking at Peri and saying neither one of us is a bard for sure
"All depends on the hunting out there," Harry chimes in, "Pretty sure we don't want to hunt anything in th' Marsh."
4th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy
The party makes its way back westward towards the center of the small village. As they do they see several farmers pulling cattle up the road going north and a few maidens holding baskets heading south. A young couple by a well seem to be gathering water and flirting with each other while appearing to be busy. The sun is partly covered by white clouds and the day appears to be a fine day for travel. Maja and Perri argue over the chance of rain but Maja the ever stubborn streak in her seems to press that there is little chance of rain...while Perri being cynical and just trying to offer an opposing view on the subject presses they might get a spot or two of rain as they make their way to the home of the guide.
4th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy
The party makes their way north along the small road they came from. They are heading towards Burle and then once there will cut through the town and head west along the Longspear Trail, a road to heads westward.
The day is sunny with a light breeze and mild temperatures. Each of you figure that if you don't stop you can cover about 10 to 15 miles today and be on the other side of Burle by the time the sun falls behind the horizon.
The war-priest urges the group press on;
"With a forced march we could clear Burle by the evening..."
"Why ye in suchs 'urry Bynoth," Harry grunts in irritation, "Th' Marsh aint goin' nowhere..."
"Yeah, anyone who wants to add supplies should do so while we're at even a small burg like this one. As for forced marching . . .. These things have been going on for generations at this point, showing up tired will just make us have to work harder. Go straight there, yes, but go at a pace that keeps us fresh and ready to fight for when we have to."
Bynoth flashes a hard smile as he receives tactical advice from the whip fighter;
"Thank you for the insight Purrun. The forced march was to have us arrive before we lose the light of day. Do we all forget so quickly that many of the foes we face are at home in the pitch of night... and light sources merely mark a target and eliminate the element of surprise."
He looks to the others;
"Given the choice... I would rather fight tired than blind."
or we could get there after buying a few more small tents and storing them in my bag along with extra clean food and water and then do what you both want get there, set camp and get up fresh and ready early morning? Sylas offers
"Och, 'n it be easier ta fight darkness than it be ta fight fatigue," Harry sighs again, knowing the warrior priest would disagree with him yet again. "Somethin' tells me this Marsh is not gonna be any stroll in the garden! Why waste our energy here if'n we don't hafta?"
When you guys figure out what we are going to do...let me know. I am not going to get in the middle of another debate. Just make up your minds and let me know.
He does not show anger or any emotion. He just states his words in a calm manner.
Harry sighs in disgust, "Fine we kin push our pace fer th' day jes so we kin get clear of Burle. Th' weather be makin' it a pleasant walk, fer a change!"
The Journey to Feremon's
4th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 2)
As the party discusses the many dangers of traversing the swamp and how they intend to deal with the many challenges they begin to make their up the lonely road going back towards the road to Burle. It takes them the better part of two hours to get back to the crossroad. Thankfully it was both quiet and relaxing for once. At the crossroad, the party takes a small break, drinks some of their water and dines on the food that Sarah provided in the basket. Before you know it the food, all of which was delicious and hearty was also gone.
As the party relaxes the road from Burle to Saltmarsh picks up traffic as a merchant train of several wagons heading from Burle and going to Saltmarsh passes you. The caravan guards walk by you with a close eye unsure if you actually taking a break or just lying in wait. A small wagon driven by a farmer goes by the train headed to Burle behind him were several horses and ox in tow with a boy and a girl gently swatting them to keep them moving as they talked. Once they went by Bynoth, ever the taskmaster, pushed his companions onward to Burle. It was now well past Midday and he knew Burle was a good three to four miles. Maja popped up, brushed herself off, and gave him a serious but not to serious look as she begins walking towards the town. Sylas once again began his off-key tune he was making up on the fly and Perri chimed in with something even worse.
Sylas will see if he can buy some food from the farmers and merchant wagons as they go by and maybe a few spare water canteens.
Then he will keep at his song whistling until he gets it stuck in everyone's head.
The Journey to Feremon's
4th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 2)
Sylas waves down the farmer heading to Burle. He seems to hesitate and then stops his wagon and waves his young kids to stand fast. Sylas walks up to him and greets him and they talk for a while. Unfortunately, the farmer didn't have spare food, water skins or canteens to sell them. He was friendly after he realized Sylas and his friends were not dangerous and Sylas did a good job of making conversation.
He learned that a Wagonfolk caravan was in Saltmarsh celebrating the spring festival there. And that goblins had been attacking folks on the road east of Saltmarsh but a young group of adventurers hunted them down and hopefully drove them off. The farmer said that most of the town suspected they came from the Hool Marsh and now the Dreadwood.
As he finished the party made their way north to Burle...Sylas's whistling improved over time and a few of the party even began to hum the tune under their breath...
Thanim walks along with the group, glad to be sticking to the roads. There is no rush. To be of service, the destination must be safely made. Annoyingly, he finds himself alternately whistling the tunes Perri and Sylas have inserted into his head. He shakes his hair and starts to recite prayers to Pelor, "I am good. The light of Pelor guides me..."
He looks up at the sun and feels its warmth on his face. A slight chill washes over him as he wonders how often he will feel this once they are in the marsh. He sighs as as he concludes that agents of evil are able to interfere with even the simple pleasures of life. Perhaps when everyone is acting out their own personal good, that will no longer be possible.
Due to the blessings of Pelor and the training from his father, the pace and effort of a forced march would not likely bother Thanim. There is no rush, though, so he agrees with Perri and Harry, "Let's make it to Burle as quickly as possible, then rest and stock up on supplies. From there we can take a pace that suits us and keeps us fresh." He shifts his pack and stretches out his arms, "Let's enjoy the sun and the easy road while we can. Plenty of time for hustle once we find our guide."
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"Smartest idea yet," Harry grunts in approval, "Wonder who was the bloke who first came up wit' that idea?" Desperate to get the cloying tune out of his head Harry started humming an old sailor's shanty, which had some rather...questionable lyrics, as he recalled.
Mebbe I'll teach that war priest th' words...be funny ta see his armor fall off!
Perri grins as Harry starts humming. "Going there, are we?" He clears his throat before starting to sing. "Hai the cuckoo. Lo the cuckoo. Hai the cuckoo's nest. I'll give any maid a shilling and a bottle of the best just to ruffle up the feathers of her cuckoo's nest."
Bynoth continues to trudge alongside the others, taking in the good humour and appreciation of the world with n'er but a fleeting scowl;
Keeping spirits high has merit. It will sustain them when our mettle is tested by these servants of the Black Flame.
Come all pretty maidens wherever you be,
Don't trust in young soldiers to any degree,
They will kiss you and court you, poor girls to deceive,
There's not one in twenty poor girls can believe. Hai Cuckoo!
sings Sylas as they walk smirking back to the Perri and Harry each in turn
Thanim laughs at the songs the others are singing and is glad to see them in high spirits, but chooses to keep reciting his prayers, "Hope we are all as cheery once in the swamp! Nevertheless, it is a good sign. If only Wiggar and Cwenchild..." He briefly looks once more at the sun.
The Journey to Feremon's
4th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 2)
The party arrives at the gates of Burle and quickly take care of resupplying themselves for the journey to Feremon's and on to the Hool Marsh.
The Journey to Feremon's
4th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 2)
The adventuring band spends hour buying supplies as they make their way to the Longspear Trail. Once finished they continue on their journey to Feremon's house. You spend another three hours walking. Passing farmer's wagons, merchant's wagons, and craftsman's carts. You pass lone riders and groups of riders, as well as walkers a few times as well. Each pass with a short greeting intent on making their way to their destination before nightfall. un begins to make its way down and the sky turns red-orange. As it does Maja spots a loan home on a southeastern hill. It has a farmhouse behind it and a small corral. Maja notices there is no smoke coming from the two chimneys. The party is about two hundred yards away and you can see goats and sheep in the field near the home but there is no one tending to them. You have passed a few other farms and those were active compared to this one.
When Maja informs the others of what she found, Harry strokes his beard thoughtfully. "I dinnae like this. Missing farmland people could be nothing ta worry about, but it could also be sign o' trouble." Glancing up at the darkening sky he motions to the farmhouse. I say we check it out. Could be they succumbed to th' Plague, if'n that be th' case then we needs ta know of it."
Thanim feels a great sense of unease and immediately scans the area.
"I agree with Harry. Something looks wrong. We should not pass without at least a cursory look. Be alert!"
As discreetly as he can manage, he prepares a Touch of Glory should they meet someone.
Shall we move to investigate then?
"Aye. Let's go." Thanim ensures his shield is readily available and begins to walk towards the farmhouse.
Harry pauses here, invoking a magical spell of protection before hurrying after the others.
Wonder how long it'n be afer even these minor spells be driving ye insane!
Maja - Botted
Maja nods in agreement. She points to the wooden ladder that is mounted to the stone wall. "We can go over that; it is the most direct route to the farm house other than the gate and trail over there." She points to west a little to a trail that bends off from the road and follows the thin tree line and up to the gate on the stone wall. It is really just three wooden polls that cross the trail and hang on the walls on either side.
Bynoth eyes the distant farmhouse with a stern gaze;
"Indeed we should proceed with caution. The simple indications of the farm folk's daily toil is amiss, and we know plague and chaos stalk these lands..."
From his belt the war priest slips one of his six darts, each stylised to resemble the arrows of Hextor. He pauses momentarily, checking the weapon's weight and balance before advancing toward the ladder.
Cerlis stops for a moment as he neals down and rubs some of the dirt into his hands. Feeling the soil flow over his hands, between his fingers and falling freely back to the earth gives the warrior a sense of calm.
Life is fleeting... this is a constant...when we are gone the earth will remain....a constant..
Standing tall again the elf seems more centered as he casually reaches over his shoulder draws forth his blade. The cracked nature open for all to see.
Slowly he scans from one side to the other and then back again looking for any indication that a threat was there...but hiding.
Sylas draws his bow and will keep a sharp eye looking back and forth an arrow loose in his fingers and holding that hand out detecting magic as the group approaches
The Farmhouse
4th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 2) Early Evening
Cerilis and Thanim slowly scan the surrounding meadow up to the farm they don't see anything out of the norm except for the unattended animals.
The party approaches wall and the ladder. It is a wooden A-frame ladder built over the wall. Common for shepherd farms so their flock doesn't escape. The ladder is well taken care of and it appears to be in good shape.