Alset whispers to the others, "Typically, I want to know the details before giving my agreement. This doesn't sound to our advantage, but I do like the idea of the land. I could see myself settling here for a few years when we are done."
To Alset, "I am wary of agreements without details as well, but I am also interested in seeing the task to completion after seeing what the lizards did at the fort and what they seemed to be trying in the town."
Ood nods to the companions.
"Ood, I see an amulet of mighty fists in your future."
To the Count:”You still haven’t mentioned pay for this nebulous job.”
Banker Valdra waves her arthritic hands in a placating gesture. "Details? He's being obtuse. If you eradicate the lizardfolk presence in the Korir River Delta and stop whatever magic is causing these storms, your contract will be fulfilled. The problem, young whippersnappers, is that none of us know any details. There are lizardfolk. There is Pridon's Hearth. From what we saw of Reszavass, they're going to assault this colony until it's wiped off the face of Golarion. Your job will be to investigate what the point of all this is, and then put an end to it. Violently, I assume."
The Count nods, but not too vigorously, for fear of his glasses. "And as for pay, hmm, I can offer you 5,000 gold pieces upon completion of the task. A stipend of 500 gold I can give you right now, should you accept, and this bird feather token, in case of emergencies." he places another bag of gold on the table, and a small white feather. "Banker Valdra will be our third party to ensure no one gets cheated on a technicality, yes?"
The cleric of Abadar nods.
"Unless this seems terribly unfair, in which case..." he looks over at Hamsa worriedly.
She shrugs and puts her feet up on the table, saying, "Some new blood coming in next week from Eleder. Maybe they'll be worth their salt." She shoots a glance at you four and says, "You're all we've got that'll go into that steaming jungle. The count's too inexperienced, Valdra's too old, and if the sheriff leaves we'll be neck deep in theft and murders before nightfall. And there's no way I'm going back into that jungle after what happened to me last time."
"It's a protection job, boys," Sheriff Adaela says, a look of disappointment on her face. "I didn't take you lot for timidity. Trolls and lizardfolk you can face, but a politician gets your knickers in knots?" she runs her hand through her short-cropped hair. "I can't believe I rushed to make you deputies. It appears I've made a mistake trusting you so quickly during the storm. That's why I wanted you boys here; you've been in the thick of it since the fort was attacked, and I thought you'd jump at the chance to get back at those scaly monsters from their home base." She stands up and says, "I've made a mistake. If you want to leave, give me your badges and pack up. The Lurching Wyvern should dock in two days time." She extends her hand and eyes Alset's symbol of Iomedae, muttering under her breath, "I should have known better."
"Sheriff Adaela, I believe you mistake caution for timidity. And, caution is always best when politicians are involved. Is it not, Count?", waving an open hand in the direction of the count.
In a bit louder voice, Alset continues. "It was not timidity that saw us through at the fort and returned us and the bodies of your people back here. It is not timidity that will defeat the lizardfolk. It is not timidity that will see us through to returning the halfling and the ashes of his friends to his people in the jungle village. It is not timidity that will see me through to finding out what happened to the priest of Erastil and the missing cleric of Gozzeh. I am never timid when it comes to matters of faith. Are you Adaela?" Alset, locks eyes with her.
Releasing her unflinching gaze and turning to the banker, count, and cleric, Alset resumes his speech. "It is not us who have helped you so much recently who are in so great a need, but the good (and perhaps some who are not-so-good) people of Pridon's Hearth who are in dire need. They have slaved and risk much to settle here. I am always willing to assist those fighting for the good of their families, community, and land against those who would do them evil. My companions must speak for themselves, of course, but the offer of 5,000 gold pieces for each of us when the lizardfolk are removed and the storms abated and peace is restored is a generous offer. The advance, of course, is much needed to equip us for the task."
"What say you, my dwarf friends and Odie? Will you join me? We will of course need Beloved to join us as well." Alset grins at Odie and awaits their response. It is as though he knows that Odie can't say no to a potential fight and really does adore the pig.
"Let's hunt some Orc! I mean, Lizardfolk!"
Ood steps forward and says "A fight worth fighting, I think. Let's finish this. Any leads on where to learn more about the Lizardfolk?"
Stonewall’s expression softens some and says, ”Well said Alset, I just wanted specifics. Defending those that can’t defend themselves is the right thing to do.”
While waiting for the council to respond, Alset speaks to the Muddy Marines, "I suggest that our first action be to take Mud and the remains of the two Song'o halflings back to their village. They need to know about the lizardfolk and may have information we can use. We can also find out if Mud would serve well as our interpreter."
Adaela bristles at Alset's words of faith. But once his speech is completed, everyone at the table is relieved.
"Wonderful," the Count says, extending his hand to Alset. "It's settled. With lizardfolk involvement at Fort Breakthrough and one of their leaders assaulting Pridon's Hearth there is no question that the lizardfolk tribe is somehow responsible for this storm, yes? I believe Hamsa has a bit more to say about leads, however."
Hamsa takes her feet off the table and tries to straighten up. "I know little of the Mireborn tribe in the north, only rumors of markings that match the body of Reszavass and a predilection for beheading. They're the only lizardfolk tribe in the area, and they've been here longer than Pridon's Hearth." She makes eye contact with the four adventurers. "Scouting reports conducted years ago mentioned seasonal camps in some Ghol-Ghan ruins to the northwest and another camp to the northeast near a bubbling tar pit. We don't know the specific location of these two sites. But they are the only two spots south of the Korir River where any evidence of lizardfolk have been seen- excepting recent events, of course. I'd suggest you start their first."
She sighs and looks out the window behind her, overlooking the steep slope down to the town. "As for your desire to visit Cahshil, I would urge extreme caution. I was on an expedition some months ago, and we were ambushed by the Song'o. They attacked at night, and in the struggle I was the only one to escape with my life."
She brushes back her red hair and says, "You trust that little halfman too easily. The Song'o halflings can't be ruled out as coconspirators. Their bodies at the fort is too much of a coincidence to ignore. Mudhzuzi could be lying, or have been kept ignorant by his superiors. If you take the halfling with you... use extreme caution. Especially at night."
"Regardless," the sheriff says, "For the lizardfolk to be operating at this large a scale and with this kind of swift succession of attacks, they have to have a standing base somewhere in the delta. Finding this Mireborn lair somewhere out there in the Korir River Delta is our top priority. You must stop the sinister magic they use to control the weather."
The count looks around the room at those gathered there. Advisor Gadd is clearly distressed at the memories of her lost expedition. Sheriff Adaela is tapping her leg and shooting glances at the door. Banker Valdra has either fallen asleep with her eyes open or finds the mahogany etchings on the side of the table extremely fascinating.
The count smiles. "Any questions?"
Alset considers the warning about the halflings and wonders if there were any signs from Mud about the potential for treachery, other than the presence of halflings at the Fort. What do we know about the Song'o halflings and their normal reactions to humans and lizardfolk? Do they prefer one race over the other? Are they easily intimidated into doing things they would not normally do? Could they be influenced or blackmailed into attacking human settlements? Where the dead halflings and Mud acting on their own or with the knowledge and support of the village?
What do we know about the halflings and their religious beliefs and leanings? How would this impact the disapperance of Magdi the cleric of Gozreh?
"I've got one. Do you have any supplies lying around that we could use?" Odie asked, trying to get a bit more out of them.
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After a night's rest, whenever that happens after all the discussion with and about the council and our decisions, early the next morning Alset will visit the ruined temple of Erastil and nail a parchment on the door (or what's left of the door) with nine statements about the future of religion in Pridon's Hearth. After only coming up with five statements, Alset settles for the nine that became five theses about religion and how to fix the problems of indulging in improper activities of previous and other religious groups by properly following the mores and teachings of Iomedae who is not about financial gain but spiritual enlightenment and peace through the destruction (often violent) of evil. These five primarily come from the teachings that Alset received from his paladin mentor Luth Ur Marten.
Ood wonders what relations of the Song'os and the townspeople have been, "Has there been a trading relationship with the halflings or any other peaceful interactions?"
Ood raises an eyebrow at Odie but still waits for the reply, ready to head toward the delta.
Alset knows the Song'o are very reclusive and shun all contact with any and all other races. They have been around longer than Pridon's Hearth, and appear to have moved south in decades past from north of the river. Worship of Gozreh is the most likely the deity worshiped by the Song'o, as most all residents of the jungle worship Gozreh. Cahshil is made of subsistence farmers, and rumors around town say they command terrible spirits, steal from the farms, and even eat human flesh. You have personally seen Mud do none of these, though he has said prayers to Gozreh during the storm. You'll have to talk directly with Mud to learn more information.
The count addresses Odie, "I'm afraid this is all I can offer you. We are not a rich colony, hmm?"
Hamsa shrugs and says to Ood, "Sometimes hunters out in the jungle do trading with them. Game mostly."
"Ok, let's grab Mud and his brother's bodies and return them. Maybe the Song'o will have more info. If they don't, we can return here and look for more info or go check out the Ghol-Ghan ruins. What do you guys think?"
Alset replies to Odie, "Sounds good, I want to help Mud and the Song'o people. Perhaps we can ease some of the tensions and dispel some of the myths about cannibalism of the halflings. We've seen the true cannibals and dealt with them. Our travel will give us time to find out more from Mud. I have a task at the ruined temple of Erastil first thing in the morning. We can leave immediately after that."
Turning to the council and looking at Adaela, "Is there anything else we should know that would help us against the lizarfolk and with the Song'o halflings? Any recommendations on weapons or defense?"
Stonewall nods at the plans Alset and Odie have mentioned but says, "I want to swing by that quarry before we go to the ruins. Other than that, it sounds like a plan. I've gotten to know Mud some and he hasn't promised a warm welcome from their leader but his family will stand for us."
I'm inclined to put the halflings to rest and bring Mud back to his family first thing, but maybe we can swing by the quarry afterward.
I can hardly believe we didn't lay them to rest before bringing them to town, I hope we got them somewhere cool and dry...
Adaela shrugs at Alset's question. "You've seen them firsthand just as much as I have; swords do fine. If they control the storms I'd recommend being prepared for bad weather out in the swamps. It'll be slow going if the rain picks up."
Banker Valdra winks at Ood and says, "Oh don't be worried about those halfling bodies, young man. Acolyte Redha has been casting gentle repose on them every day. They won't decompose for months." She pauses and unfocuses her eyes. "Or were they cremated? I can't remember..."
With business concluded, the count nods to the party. Banker Valdra, Advisor Gadd, and Sheriff Adaela all leave the room as well. As the PCs are leaving, the count says, "Oh! Oh! I forgot. One more thing. Our maps of the area are inadequate, so if you were to chart and explore the surrounding areas, I could give you... 50 gold per 95 square miles explored, yes? That's the last financial incentive I can offer."
The wind whips through broken columns and burnt out walls in the southwest corner of Pridon's Hearth. Alset stands before the ruined Temple of Erastil and wishes he were not alone before such a haunting sight. The black husks of burnt timber litter the ground, and what wood still stands is rotten, crumbling, and covered in thick green moss. The temple barely resembles a building, light clearly visible through the entire structure. The wind moans through the slats, creaking timbers reminding the paladin that the structure may not be so stable. He finds an archway, the wall around it fallen down, and nails his letter to it. He cannot tell whether it was a doorway or window, but that is the only section that does not look about to collapse. The smell of fungus and rotting plant matter fills Alset's nostrils as he hammers his nine that became five theses to the mossy arch. Alone, he dares not step foot inside. More hands and more eyes will be needed to investigate the ruin of the temple of Erastil.
Stonewall accompanies Alset to get a look at their new property. He takes in the “Structure” as Alset posts his notice. As Alset comes back he says, “Well, it could use some work. Could use more stone too. Want to check it out?”
"Stonewall, thank you for coming with me. It needs more than a little work, but with you and Ood running the show, the masonry work could be handled quickly. Let's look at the rest of our land and see what other structures we have. You know, fences, outbuildings, houses. . ."
The rest of the area is quite empty. A few old sheds and a roughly paved cul-de-sac make up the most of the area. The sheds fall apart to the touch, wood clattering to the soil. The center of the cul-de-sac is a dump for old rubble. Loose stones and broken bricks, but nothing of any value.
On the south side of your property are the city walls, strong and sturdily built, towering up about 25 feet high. An old canvas tarp is fastened to the wall, serving as a make-shift lean-to. It appears to have been long vacant, as a half-dozen rats scurry away at the sound of your footsteps. Hunks of fur are missing, their ribcages are clearly visible from hunger, and two of them appear to have their eyes gouged out. They disappear into a tiny hole in the city walls.
The only standing structure is the old temple.
"Stony, let's get the others and decide whether or not to head to the quarry or the the halfling village. I've seen enough here, for now."
Upon Alset and Stonewall finding Ood and Odie wondering wherever they were...
"Ah hey guys. Where have you been? I have been thinking It might bring some goodwill to return Mud and the halfling bodies back to their kin. If there is going to be conflict in the region it might be a good idea to have an amenable relationship with more of the inhabitants."
Ood having stated his mind awaits the determination.
"I agree, let's drop Mud and his kin off."
Ood and Alset return to find Stonewall and Odie. "I think it is best as well. The two are in opposite directions anyway. We can do a little exploring and charting on our way to return the bodies. Any one of you have any skills in exploring or charting?"
Stonewall glances at the others and says, ”Well, let’s go pick up Mud and get a move on. Before we leave, I want to pick up a compass. I have some skill with survival in the wilderness which will help exploring. Also, that red and white bag with hands intrigues me, I think I’ll take it. Hey Ood, go ahead and take that amulet. Take that ring of sustenance. Alset, you want the bag of holding?”
Stonewall heads to the store to grab a compass and them heads over to check on Mud and see if he’s ready to go.
The weather is overcast, but no storm clouds are above you. The meeting an hour ago with the Count still fresh on your minds, you gather whatever you need for the long journey into the jungle and meet at the gates of the city at 10:00.
Mud is there at the appointed time, his pack slung on his back and sling at the ready.
"Thank you, friends. I am much grateful. The walk take 3 days to my home. We only follow small river east through swamps and marshlands, then jungle, then home. Unless you have different idea."
"Sounds like a good plan Mud. I hope we remember enough of it to make our way back without you! Haha!"
Ood notices the Amulet of Mighty Fists, and the Ring of Sustenance that Stonewall mentioned any puts them on, "I think this will help my fists meet the mark! Stonewall, do you have that compass yet? let's go!"
"Got it, lets get to it. We can explore on our way back if we care to. Lead on Mud."
Stonewall and the others head out of the city to get in as much travel as possible before lunch.
Mud takes the party out of Pridon's Hearth and into the wilds, heading eastward along a small stream. The land surrounding the city opens up into wide flatlands, and the morning's hike takes you through well traveled grasses teeming with cranes, small herds of corythosaurs, and
other ground critters that survived the storms a few days prior.
The sky is overcast but still bright, and a small cluster of four clouds, wispy and dark, blow towards you from the east. As they near you, about 300 feet above you in the sky, they appear to be smoky bird-like creatures. They pay you no heed as they flit and flutter high above you in the skies. Mud points and shakes his head at the creatures. "New monster in sky. Very bad."
Before you, the ground sinks into true swamp territory, stretching beyond the horizon. It is half an hour past noon.
"New monsters? Is that what those are?"
Stonewall crashes down in a place that seems safe and says, ”I’m famished, let’s have some lunch and a little rest before we start into the swamp.”
Odie is unable to identify what they are. His personal adventures have not led him to encounter whatever these beings are.
Stonewall finds a fallen tree forming a little lean-to against the light drizzle from the clouds above. The area is well above the waterline of the swamps and far from any wandering animals hungry for a bite. He's able to make a small fire (if he wants) and everyone eats a nice meal before the long trek through the marshlands before them.
"We make to middle of swamp by end of today. You want camp in swamp, I know how not drown in sleep. Tomorrow we make to forest, tomorrow's tomorrow we make to Cashil."
Unless anyone objects, the party walks off into the swamps. The is air is thick and muggy, and what must surely be millions of mosquitoes harass you throughout the walk. With Mud's help you are able to avoid the deeper sections of the bogs. However an hour before 4 o'clock the deeper section of standing water about a foot deep is unavoidable, and you find yourself knee deep in algae-filled water. Mud unfortunately is up to his waist, but makes no complaints before he finds the firm dry ground again after half an hour of soaked boots, and helps anyone look for leeches.
"This spot as far as can go today. Unless you want to hurry, we need camp."
The dry ground is filled with gnarled mangrove roots and hanging moss in the branches of trees, blocking line of sight to the shallow bog behind you. None of the wood is dry enough for a fire to start quickly, but the sun should not set for another 3 hours.
Ood looks around at the potential camp spot.
"This seems like a better place to camp than much that we have been through. I don't mind taking up the first watch."
Ood starts looking for the drier wood to gather for the fire later.
"What do they eat when they can't get Orc?"
If these bugs keep up, I'm going to have to take my annoyance out on something soon!
"Because of Ood's new found power of needing less sleep, I'll take the last shift while he sleeps. Everyone agree? Anyone know how to keep these annoying bugs off us?"
Alset has Questions for Mud to be asked while travelling or camping or both.
Alset speaks to Mud as a friend and companion. "As we are working our way toward your village, I thought you could share a bit about how you ended up at the fort. I want to help you and your people. Are you up for that?"
Alset has follow up questions for Mud. As the conversation flow dictates, he will seek the answers to these questions.
"What do you know about the lizardfolk? What was their relationship with the halflings? Were you working together? Why were you at the fort at the same time? Was their coercion or deception involved? Do you know where the lizardfolk base in the delta is located?
The Song'o ambushed an expedition from Pridon's Hearth some months back. What do you know about that? Why were they ambushed? A cleric went missing in the attack. Where there any survivors from Pridon's Hearth taken captive? What was done with the bodies?"
During this discussion, Alset will do sense motive and perception checks. This may be a good time for the take 20 option. But, since I'm not sure if this will work or not, here are a couple of rolls.
On the walk eastward, Mud talks with Alset, trying to answer his questions as best as he can understand them. "I was in hunting party. We hunt for big dinosaurs to eat. Or smaller animals, but big dinosaurs are best. Lizardfolk attack us one night. Kill two warriors. So we run away, not know where. See fort next evening. Try to hide, try to tell humans what is coming. No one understand tongue, so we hide, scared, and lizardfolk come anyway. Home has little warriors now. I am afraid not enough people to hunt as often. We will need much help."
He seems overwhelmed by not only sadness at remembering his lost friends, but at the extensive questioning by the paladin.
"Lizardfolk are bad. We no deal with them, they no deal with us. Only know they from north of river."
"Song'o attack you? No! Never! We never hurt you stone-builders. We never attack!"
Despite the comprehension barrier, Alset does not think Mud knows anything about the attacks. He seems quite angry such an accusation was leveled at his people and does not want to talk any more about it.
As Ood takes his stand as guard, Mud sets up a tarp over the center of camp. "Rains come any time." he says.
Mud looks quizzically at Odie. "They eat all animals that live in swamp. Snake and drake, frog and lizard. You not sleep? How long? Wet dirt works to keep no bites." He slaps a handful of his namesake onto Odie's arm.
As night falls, Mud does not make a campfire, but settles down in a hammock he strings up between two trees to sleep for the night.
"Ahhh! A hammock! That would have been nice to have thought of... Oh well, I'll have to make due with the mud."
Odie proceeds to coat his exposed skin with a layer of mud to protect from the bugs.
"Song'o attack you? No! Never! We never hurt you stone-builders. We never attack!"
Alset softens his look and replies, "My apologies, Mud, but I had to be firm in my questions to get to the truth. For, although you are our friend, we are not from this area and don't know yet what is truth and what is deception. As I suspected, the Song'o have been wrongly accused. We will do what we can to help you. Perhaps we can drive off and defeat the lizardfolk and protect both the halflings and the 'stone-builders.'
Rest easy tonight. Sleeping above the ground is probably very wise considering the likely heavy rain."Alset digs through is pack looking for a hammock. Noticing that he has two bedrolls, he takes one and fashions a hammock using his rope and falls quickly asleep knowing that Ood will be on guard.
Alset continues, "Mud, as a token of our continued good will, we would like to give you this chainshirt. With a little alteration it will fit you and protect you quite well as it has enhanced, magical protection spell placed on it. Will you accept it, from your friends?"
”That’s a good idea Alset but that chainshirt would be a bit big on him. Also, I sold it... We can get him something back at town if it’s needed.”
Stonewall lays out his canvas on the dryest spot he can find and hunkers down into his bedroll after his dinner.
”Also, I sold it... We can get him something back at town if it’s needed.”