"Is that bridge 'The Wicker Walk'? If so, I think I know a little about it. Supposed to be a safe path through the shimmerglens swamps to the Sanos Forest, right?"
Kizzy Accepts the coin from Forest with a wink and smile., she will share the details of the swamp.
She sits with Clem and plays a soothing tune upon her harp, hoping to ease his mind.
"That it is." Jim answers Runt. "It's normally pretty safe anyway."
"That it is." Jim answers Runt. "It's normally pretty safe anyway."
"So it's true that the fey don't bother you on the bridge, at least not usually? Why? And are they causing trouble to those on the bridge too? Or just when you went out in your boat?"
"That's right," Jim says. "The Wicker Walk is typically safe. Now, I don't get out that way myself but to hear some of the others talk about it, such as Alexi over there," he says speaking up and pointing. A gruff man with dark sideburns raises his hand in greeting. "There seems to be a pall over the place. Just a bad feeling but a really bad one."
Forest expects they'll not get any more definitive information from other locals than what they've gotten from the innkeep. "Thanks for the information, Jim." He says, nodding to the man. "Is there anything out there besides swamp and fey? Hamlets, or farms?"
"There are some gnome communities but those are primarily in Sanos Forest. Otherwise, its as you say, swamp, fey and the occasional hunting cabin."
By the time you have finished eating and conversing the sun is dipping below the horizon. You settle up for beds for the evening and at some point you turn in. What is your plan on the morrow, do you intend to take the bridge or rent/buy a boat and row into the swamp?
I think we intend to take the bridge.
Sounds right. We can deal with whatever creepazoid is causing the pall over the place.
You head out early the next day. It seems the weather spent itself on you over the last two days and it has stopped snowing down here. As a matter of fact, it seems to have snowed much less than it had closer to Fort Rannick. The Wicker Walk makes the first part of your journey easy as it carries you over the river. After a half hour Yap turns south and starts heading into the swamp. It is a bit warmer south of the river and with the rising of the sun it gets well above freezing and the frost on the swamp grass thaws away.
Are there boats available here?
No, that would invite theft of boats. That's why Clem was offering one of his boats. You could draw one along with you before turning south.
Kizzy has no interest in slogging through freezing swamp water… even slightly warmer than that swamp water, or tepid swamp water, or even warm swamp water… yeah, let’s go with no interest in slogging through swamp water at all.
Clem’s boat on loan is the plan. With hopes we don’t have it destroyed or lost…
Then we will say you pulled the boat along the walk with you. It would probably be easier and faster to do that than to paddle the boat initially. Once in the swamp you move everyone into the boat which is a tight fit but can be done and one on either side of the boat begin to paddle as it is a little crowded to have someone alternating sides. There are numerous little islands throughout the swamp where you can stop and take a break should you need to.
The sun's light is diffused through an overcast sky, but the breeze is light, and the temperature is not terrible. Rowing is not hard, for the current is minor, but it is slow go as you must make your way around the islets. Yap as always continues to live up to his namesake and talks incessantly from the prow of the boat.
There is something large in the water not too far from the boat. You spotted its scaly skin slide through the water.
You suspect it is a dragon but you are unable to determine how old.
She can leave it behind.
"I think we have unpleasant company. Reminds me of that snake creature we fought."
Kizzy looks out the other side of the boat, What? Where??!!
Neither Forest nor Isabella see the mentioned snake thing. There's a pause as everyone considers what should be done. After a moment, those paddling begin to do so again, pushing the boat gently through the water.
"We'd better prepare for another fight. I can cast water breathing in case we're concerned about the boat capsizing," says Isabella.
Wanting to flush it out, Runt summons summons a of primordial crocs, it being a swamp and all. The 4 of them hang around the boat until something registers as an enemy and then they will attack.
HP 28; AC 14
bite: +7/2d6+6, plus grab
tail slap +2: 1d12+3
Special Attack death roll: not applicable due to size difference unless it is not as big as I think.
"You know, that sounds like a really good idea. And freedom of movement will probably help too."
The water's surface about fifty feet from the boat is broken by a large reptilian body. The water sliding off its black scales glitter in the wan sunlight.
"Well," a deep baritone rumbles from the dragon as it looks you over. "I thought I might have gotten too close to the surface. I assume those four were for me." He says gesturing with his head.
"They are just there to protect us. Do we need protecting?" asks Runt. Genuflecting, she adds, "I Certainly hope not for I fear we would fare poorly against such a magnificent dragon such as yourself."
for info on the dragon.
Eaten in a swamp… I was really hoping for something a little more worthy of song… Kizzy says to no one in particular, then more loudly… Just to be clear, it is your plan to eat us right?
"I hadn't decided." the dragon said in response to one or both. "The little one is polite. I appreciate that. I was drawn to the area. I would think it would drive you away. Tell me, why are you here?"
Dragons have darkvision 120 ft. and blindsense 60 ft. They see four times as well as a human in dim light and twice as well in normal light.
Frightful Presence (Ex): A dragon’s frightful presence has a range of 30-300' depending on its age. It can turn it on or off freely.
A black dragon wyrmling is immune to acid, paralysis, and sleep
It is a mature adult black dragon.
A wyrmling black dragon has an acid breath weapon it breaths in a line.
A wyrmling black dragon can breathe water.
A mature black dragon has spell resistance 23.
A mature black dragon has DR 10/magic
I would really like to discuss the “not eating us” option then. And the “little one” is really sweet… nice, not tasty that is, and it would really upset her if I died. So what drew you here?
With all the training a lifetime of grovelling has provided, Runt presses her advantage. "Since you are the master of the swamp, as is fitting for a dragon such as yourself, I suppose you would appreciate gifts. And, if acceptable, you would be disposed to allow us passage?"
;
The dragon looks at Runt, choosing to ignore Kizzy for now, "I had not considered that. But, I still want to know what draws you here?"
"A fey asked us to check on his tribe. Tribe? Not sure that is the right word. Anyway, thinks there might be a problem."
"So, the same thing that draws me I presume. There is a pain in the air. Can you feel it? Something sends out dark thoughts and calls dark things. And so, I have responded. Do you have a gift worth having?" the dragon asks.
He is very plainly sizing you up and you have little doubt he intends to attack when he is ready.
He is very plainly sizing you up and you have little doubt he intends to attack when he is ready.
Well, we do a nice item. How about some gloves of arrow slaying?
Yea, the pink lacy things that vanish if put on. Runt's annoyance with the things probably leaks through is she is doing sense motive.
Kizzy looks at Forest, talking low enough that the dragon will barely be able to hear…Well, it seems that not eating us is not open for discussion. So, you definitely need to make a black dragon scale scabbard and armor for yourself after this.
"Let me..." the dragon begins in response to Runt before stopping when Kizzy makes her whispered suggestion. "You are right. The pretense is boring me anyway."
Forest has been waiting with tensed muscles for the discussion to break down. He recognizes the finality of the dragon's words for what they are and reacts.
Round 1
Abadius 16th, Mid winter, Sundown 1730
1030 , temperature 44, wind 1-3 mph
Group Effects:
Forest 116/116;<<<
Dragon uninjured
Runt 96/96; magic vestment, enchantment foil, false life
Isabella 69/69;
Kizzy 78/78;
She would have cast it when they left the safe path so if they have traveled more than 100 minutes it is gone.
Forest draws the elven longbow and nocks an arrow. "I've never hunted dragons before."