Sharrd excitedly tries to be helpful, making suggestions to Alara about how to proceed.
The name plate comes away in a few reasonably large pieces that could be easily mounted on a board or beam.
Ash is unable to find any magical traces with his divinations. Nor does anyone find any further articles of value.
Trails continue off toward the coast and doubling back north toward the other Soggy River channels. None seem to head directly toward the second wreck on the map.
Things you picked up:
(Now let's see if this alias of mine ends up in the Character tab.)
Ash takes a look at the map to see if any of the trails lead close to the other wreck. "We need to find a way that doesn't require us to swim..."
Alara chuckles triumphantly as she pries the name plate off the shipwreck.
"Bingo!" She hands the name plate off to Sharrd to hold onto.
As Ash mentions needing to find a path that doesn't involve swimming, Alara cringes. She walks over to take a look at the map as well.
"Um... maybe we could find the shallowest parts of the swamp and get to the second wreck that way?"
Piper looks over the map in his hands carefully. He thinks hard about any safe pathways to the next marker.
Sharrd takes the nameplate and stows it in his backpack. He's never been much at woodcraft so he lets the others look over the map while he tries to skip stones across the water, deep in thought, considering how to best frame the nameplate.
Upon some thought, Piper realizes from the geography of that part of the marsh that you will almost certainly need to cross at least one Soggy River channel to get to the second wreck. But, there is a trail that leads closer and may enable you to cross a smaller channel rather than the wider ones (like the one you're close to with the Kaijitsu Star).
Piper points out the trail on the map to the others. He then draws a line with his finger from the trail's end across the channel to the wreck. He writes: 'There's a trail here. Once we get there, we can cross a smaller channel rather than the wider ones. Since we have to cross at least one of the channels to get to the wreck, I'd prefer the smaller one.'
Alara winces.
"And I forgot my rope & grapple hook at Walthus' place..."
"Maybe we should head back to town for now? We have killed the goblins and their ears, and Gutwald's head won't won't remain fresh forever, and while we are there we can get our supplies ready."
"If we do that, then we mustn't tarry long in town. I do not wish to leave Walthus out here with a known undead threat. It will only be a matter of time before they come after him." A moment of bravery for him, but Walthus has become a friend and he wants to try and keep friends safe...when he can.
Piper sighs before nodding, indicating that he agrees with the idea of returning to Sandpoint.
"Sounds like a good idea. I need to get my satchel from Walthus' home anyway." Alara says, looking back in the direction of the hobbit hermit's home.
"Umm, if we're going back to Sandpoint, could I have the Latern as my share of the loot. I'd really like to give Ameiko something from this shipwreck and if we're going to spending so little time in town then I'm not going to have time to do something cool with the nameplate."
"If you are willing to have the lantern come out of your share then I don't see why not. In fact if anyone wants something that we found and wants to keep it speak up now, so that we know."
"Dibs on the shuriken!" Alara says, holding one of her masterwork shuriken up.
At Sharrd's request, Piper snaps his fingers. Obviously he wanted the lantern. He looks over the loot, a frown taking shape. It seems that he's having a hard time deciding. Turning to the chest, he waves his hand and the mud is cleaned up.
The return hike to Sandpoint transpires without facing significant danger. But as you near the town, you pick up a small following of children absolutely fascinated by the somewhat soggy, sweaty, and mucky adventures. They bombard you with questions:
"Did you find the gobblies?"
"Did you see the swamp monster?"
"Is that Gutwad's head in the sack? I bet it's Gutwad's head in the sack? What's in the sack?"
"I got leeches the last time I got near the marsh. Did you get leeches too?"
Some run on ahead to bear the news of your return, yelling things like "Goblin killers are here!" and "The hunters are back!" Well-wishing townsfolk peer out of windows or wave from their porches as you head into the town center.
Sheriff Belor Hemlock comes trotting around a corner, stopping when he sees your group and you see a concerned expression on his face instantly melt away into a broad smile. "Piper! You're back! It is good to see you, son." Then he regains a bit of his official composure but he retains a happy look. "I trust that you and your friends have had good hunting? How much will this cost me?"
Piper hands over the goblin ears and Gutwad's head (still in the sack) to his father. He writes: 'We're here to return the bounty and take care of any other business, such as getting more supplies. We... stumbled across something in the marsh and we need to take care of it.'
He turns to William and writes: 'Why don't you stay in Sandpoint and keep an eye out?'
Masamune seems happy to oblige the children with answers.
"We found the goblins and dealt with them like any heroes would, but we didn't see the swamp monster. We didn't get any leeches, but even if we would have my brother Jacen over here would have dealt with them."
Masamune makes sure to doge around the head in sack question since he isn't sure that the parents of these children would be so happy if he told them that. Masamune does smile to see the sheriff's reaction to Piper but in the interest of getting rid of their gristly cargo he steps forward.
"Quite a bit. We have collected some goblin ears and Chief Gutwald is no more. We did find some things we might need to discuss with you in private though."
Alara blushes and shrinks away from the kids' questions. She's visibly grateful when Masamune steps forward and answers them for her.
The thought of leeches causes her to wince in disgust.
As Piper hands over the latern, Sharrd says "Thanks Piper, if I can do anything for you, just let me know."
Sharrd just eggs the children on with comments like. "We sure heard it though, and I could feel it watching us. That's why we came back, to get stuff to kill the swamp monster once and for all." He just smiles as they ask about the sacks and winks.
As Piper talks to the sheriff he excuses himself and sets off in search of Ameiko.
Alara watches Sharrd leave with a smile on her face. She adjusts her satchel's strap as it digs into her shoulder, her bow jostling about as she does so.
She looks around, wondering if Shalelu is near. Part of her hopes so and at the same time is praying that isn't the case.
Piper looks at Alara in concern. He signs: 'Are you all right? Something you want to talk about?'
Alara catches Piper's signing.
She signs back: 'I was wondering if Shalelu would be around to greet us.'
She's shifting from foot to foot.
Piper continues to look in concern. He signs: 'Do you feel... conflicted about what happened?' He places his hand in hers, squeezing it gently.
Piper's question causes Alara to pause. She bites her lip.
This is ridiculous, Alara; you're putting Shalelu on a pedestal for doing her job. You're infatuated with her as well? You don't even know her.
...but I'd like to.
The memory of Shalelu's daring rescue of her is still fresh in her mind. What happened between her and Piper pushed it aside, but it is still there.
In response to Piper's question, all she can do is nod.
Her hand trembles in Piper's grip.
Jacen smiles to the Sheriff, "Indeed, we have a good bit of work to do before we can say that the job is done, but it seems that the goblin menace is handled for now. Once we are done, perhaps you know if Lady Ameiko is about...we would like to speak with her, as well."
After his conversation with Alara, Piper takes the fan and whatever gold is set for him. He has his eye on the chest, but decides to leave it with Duty for now. He uses his Prestidigitation spell to clean the map from the fan, a smell of roses wafting from it. He also takes the small spear, the small short bow, the small mw chain shirt, and the small mw composite longbow. At this point, Piper could definitely use a hand. He starts by heading to the shops, hoping to sell the small weapons and armor. He looks back to the group, hoping that someone will come with him.
Seeing Ash's look, he walks back to the group. He writes: 'Ash, do you have any thoughts on what we should do with what we have?'
Walking back from where she went with Piper, Alara opts to give him a hand carrying the gear he intends to sell. Walthus' cloak flaps behind her as she skips along.
"I believe that before we do anything with the items from the East, we should take them and show them to Ameiko. She will know if they are from her kin and knowing her, if they have value, she will no doubt give us the appropriate amount...and if they don't mean anything to her, then we don't have to feel worried about selling them."
Piper thinks for a moment before nodding. He writes: 'Well, then let's go to the Rusty Dragon then.' He then makes his way to the Rusty Dragon. While walking, Piper signs to Alara: 'Hey, Alara. If Shalelu is there, why don't we give her some of the animal bane arrows?'
Alara's eyes light up at the suggestion.
"Ooh... she may like that!"
Besides, she's likely to get more use out of them than me...
Sharrd finds his brother's suggestions very reasonable. "Rusty Dragon it is."
"Quite a bit. We have collected some goblin ears and Chief Gutwald is no more. We did find some things we might need to discuss with you in private though."
Jacen smiles to the Sheriff, "Indeed, we have a good bit of work to do before we can say that the job is done, but it seems that the goblin menace is handled for now. Once we are done, perhaps you know if Lady Ameiko is about...we would like to speak with her, as well."
The sheriff's eyebrows rise as you mention there's more to your tale than just goblin ears. "You obviously think this is pretty serious. Why don't you come to my office at the garrison once you've gotten a chance to get the dust of the road out of your mouths. It's clear that you want to go see Ameiko as soon as possible. She does have that effect on people. She was at the Rusty Dragon when I walked by about half an hour ago. I expect she's probably still there now."
"Here, I'll take those," he motions for the sacks with the head and ears. "And I'll have your bounty ready to go when you arrive."
He turns to William and writes: 'Why don't you stay in Sandpoint and keep an eye out?'
"I may just do that, Piper. In fact, if there's anything you want me to handle when you head back to find the skeletons, let me know. I could chase down any new equipment or sell the goblin loot, if you wanted. Sort of act as your factotum here in Sandpoint."
The Rusty Dragon is about as busy as it always is, no, make that busier. The crowd of children that followed you into town has clustered about the entrance to Sandpoint's oldest inn and tavern, under the gaze of the rusty iron dragon that sits atop the roof of the establishment. Inside, the atmosphere is lively with lots of conversation and strains of laughter coming from a variety of tables.
As you cross the threshold into the common room, a feminine voice from behind the bar calls out, "Well, look what the firepelt finally dragged in! It's about time you goblin hunters got back to town. The kids say you've got quite a story to share. First round of drinks is on the house if they're right. Second round is too if the story is good!
Alara looks over at Ameiko, turning a bit pink at the mention of having a story to tell.
"Well, yeah. But it's kinda long in the telling, so... perhaps a quick drink would help me tell it?" She says, moving over to an empty spot at the bar and sitting down.
Smiling to Ameiko, he looks over to his younger, more excitable brother and nods, "I believe Sharrd would love to tell you the story."
He moves over the bar and sits near to where Ameiko stands, looking as if he feels like a great burden has been removed from him.
Piper nods and writes: 'Good. We'll discuss it later, then.'
Piper waves to Ameiko, a blush slowly forming. However, he looks to Alara and stops. He signs: 'Sorry.' He takes a seat and writes: 'Hello, Ameiko. Boy, do we have a story for you.'