Gameplay thread, please stealth DOT in, will begin with intro tomorrow or Saturday.
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The Rusty Dragon Inn
The door swings open, the lights inside the Inn back lighting the figure now darkening the doorway against the midnight sky outside. The swashbuckler, Emili Vhaddruddr is the last to arrive. The table with the others is the only one occupied on this night, at this hour.
Rin Kaijitsu is busy, finishing closing the bar for the evening, while her twin brother Tenchi sits already at the table with three others.
The mysterious Kage Kurai, a small cloaked and hooded figure who has been surveying the goblins in the Sandpoint area for the past several years sits, a full glass of ale before him, back to the wall across from Tenchi.
An attractive human woman, Mitsuru Hisakawa sits with her back to the door. She too has been in Sandpoint for a while, though she comes and goes at strange times and is sometimes not seen for months. No one truly knows what her business is, though she's never given a reason to distrust her.
Rounding out the group, Talias Yintargo, a Samsaran who has worked with the caravan interests in Sandpoint and is known for his desire and attempts to hunt goblins in the past.
Five (six, if you count Rin- but surely she's just in the bar cleaning- Rin isn't an adventurer, right?) individuals brought to this time and place for the purpose to plan their move into the Brinestump Swamp to end the Licktoad menace.
Five (or six, if you must count Rin) individuals all brought here to answer the notice on the Rusty Dragon Inn's notorious "Help Wanted" board posted by someone calling themselves, "the Red Oni"- though this Red Oni is no where to be seen. . .
Kage can feel the map of the Sandpoint area he has brought in the sleeve of his robe, the table almost clear enough to roll it out. . .
"Does anyone have knowledge of who this 'Red Oni' might be?" The young Tianese man wearing a traditional Kimono asked, his sword sitting on the ground to his side. He was the spitting image of the young Tianese woman currently cleaning up.
"No, can't say I have had the pleasure but I spend most of my time outside the city." answers a hooded man with a hoarse voice. He slowly pulls it down revealing light-blue skin, grey hair, and pure white eyes lacking either pupils or irises. It contrasts with the earthy tones of his worn cloak and scale mail. The clasp on his cloak is a golden bow and arrow.
He smiles at the rest of the group.
"My name is Talios Yintargo. I promise, I am not ill and can see just fine. It is a pleasure to meet you all." he recites easily as if he is used to giving this disclaimer, when he meets new people.
"Excellent to hear!" Emili smiles broadly as he closes the door behind him and hangs a colorful woolen cloak on a hook nearby. "Now, what's all this about the Licktoads? Been a while since they took any of my sheep - they up to something, or is this just a good time to discourage them from meddling with the harvest?"
"I'm not sure what is happening locally, but I am recently returned from Goka. However, if these Goblins are menacing the city, then as a Kaijitsu I have an obligation to insure the safety of the people under my family's care."
"Does anyone have knowledge of who this 'Red Oni' might be?" The young Tianese man wearing a traditional Kimono asked, his sword sitting on the ground to his side. He was the spitting image of the young Tianese woman currently cleaning up.
"Only the rumors that have been going around. Some masked woman who has been running around on rooftops. I guess she thinks the licktoads have become a threat. She certainly sounds amazing, whoever she is." Rin said as she sat drinks on the table, letting slip a small smile.
"Allow me to introduce us. My name is Kaijitsu Tenchi, and this is my sister, Kaijitsu Rin." Tenchi bows while seated.
Rin rolled her eyes at her brother before waving at the others with a smile. "It's nice to formally meet you, though I think I've served most everyone food and drink. You're probably more familiar with our older sister Ameiko."
"Hopefully," the dark-haired woman says as she reaches for her drink, "she doesn't keep us waiting too long."
She smiles up at Rin, then at each of the others seated at the table with her. An interesting bunch, even without our masked hero.
"Hisakawa Mitsuru, at your service." In lieu of a bow, she inclines her head and gives a theatrical hand flourish.
"Kage Kurai. I prefer the dark, so you may not have seen me around." his voice seems somewhat distorted, in a way that's difficult to identify.
Finished with her closing chores, Rin stayed and chatted with the group for a short time before finding an exit from the conversation. "Well it's getting late and I still have things left to do at home. I'm sure I'll be seeing the rest of you as soon as you get hungry or thirsty again." She said to the others with a wave and a smile.
Rin left the tavern with her usual easy going gait, but broke into a sprint as soon as she was out of sight. Running to her dropoff point to change into her "Red Oni" persona as quickly as she could.
------
The Red Oni stood starring at her moonlit reflection in the water. Her white hair flowing in the wind, standing in stark contrast to the fierce, un-moving oni mask she wore on her face. "Okay Rin you can do this! You've worked your cute butt off, you've laid the groundwork, and now it's time to put the plan into motion. Then you can show Ameiko and Tenchi that you aren't a child!" Once done equipping her gear and psyching herself up, the Red Oni made her way to the Rusty Dragon.
Deftly climbing up the handholds on the wall with a practiced grace of someone who had done it a 100 times. 107 times as of yesterday. The window she had left unlatched slid open silently and smoothly thanks to the oil she had recently applied. Pulling herself in and sliding the window shut, the Red Oni sighed in relief. The warmth in her mask was already starting to build. Though it had initially been a huge discomfort, after months of training she hardly noticed it now.
The Red Oni looked around the room she hand entered, the moonlight coming in from the window being more than enough illumination for her trained eyes. The 'Bronze' room, while luxurious, wasn't anything so special as to deserve all the rumors about it. The people of Sandpoint loved to speculate on the room, that Ameiko's mysterious lover lived there, or that it was haunted by a merchant who had committed suicide. The Red Oni had never seen anyone 'live' in the room, let alone a secret lover. And the merchant suicide story originated from the time Bethana, the tavern's elderly halfling maid, had walked in on a merchant who was lightly hanging in self in some act of self pleasure the Red Oni didn't want to know about. Know one had died in that event, though several wished they had.
Opening the door a crack, the Red Oni could hear her 'guests' were still conversing. Her soft sandals were silent against the wood as she made her way across the balcony. Not bothering to stop, she hopped over the rails and into the table's blind spot. Taking a moment to set her equipment in place, the Red Oni announced her presence. "I'm glad you decided to answer the call." She said in an oddly deep voice as she stepped from behind the column.
As Rin starts to get up, Tenchi asked "I thought that you were staying to hear what this Red Oni person wanted?"
"Oh, let your poor sister go home. It's late and we've already kept her busy serving drinks to a collection of strange adventuring types." Mitsuru takes another sip from her drink and looks toward the door.
"Speaking of late..." She mutters to herself.
When the Red Oni appears, Mitsuru turns to face her and responds in a cheery tone. "I'm glad you were able to join us!"
"The goblins are always a risk to travelers, but if there is something more going on...I want to find out. Goblins are the reason I have these scars." Talios unlatches his bracers to show the scars and burns he suffered many moons ago to Emili.
"Is it okay for us to be here after closing?" he asks politely as Tenchi's sister leaves.
---
Talios was enjoying the conversation as their employer arrived, surprised he turned to the deep voice.
"Of course, I am duty-bound to protect the communities. It must be serious if you needed all of us here."
”And at this hour,” Emily adds, fighting back a yawn. ”Some of us have to get up at dawn, you know. Can we make this quick?”
The Red Oni nodded to each of the adventurers as they greeted her. A pause hung in the air. Whatever reasons the gathered group might have considered for the pause, the truth was one of simple hesitation. This had been the part of the plan that she hadn't been able to properly practice by herself.
”And at this hour,” Emily adds, fighting back a yawn. ”Some of us have to get up at dawn, you know. Can we make this quick?”
"Right, of course." The Red Oni cleared her throat as she approached the table and laid at a map of area. Numerous markings dotted the map, noting the time and location of attacks as well as possible movement patterns. "The Licktoad goblin tribe has long been a thorn in the side of Sandpoint. However their attacks have been increasing of late. If they keep it up they will be a dagger in our side instead of a thorn. I propose we head into the Brinestump Swamp to deal with them."
The Red Oni gave the others a chance to observe her map before she continued. "I can't say I have a great knowledge of the swamp, but it will be difficult going in the goblins domain. Thankfully there haven't been signs of a massive boost in the goblin population. Which likely means a new chief or something else is emboldening them. If we can take out whatever it is, it should neuter the threat."
At the mention of a new goblin chief, Mitsuru's smile falters for a fraction of a second before returning.
"So, we head into the swamp, knock around some goblin heads until they see sense, and then head back to town to bask in our newfound riches and glory. Seems simple enough. Why pull the group of us together?"
Tenchi's eyes narrows, and then he speaks "I believe that my family bears some responsibility for these attacks, thus I am required to stop them."
"New Fish Trail" (area A)
"Old Fish Trail" (Area B)
An unnamed trail (Area C)
and the "Witch's Walk" (Area D)
"There are several paths through the Brinestump." Kage says, pulling a map from his pocket and spreading it out on the table with his with gloved hands.
"Which is the most direct route?"
"The New Fish Trail looks to be the closest but a few connect with the Lost Coast Road. Any of those entrances should help us cut their population and make them think twice about harassing travelers." Talios answers looking at the map.
Mitsuru stands up out of her seat to get a better look at the map. "Depends on where you want to go. If you're not picky, the New Fish trail comes right off the Lost Coast Road and goes straight in. These two," she says, pointing first to the Old Fish Trail and then to its unnamed neighbor, "look like they head to the same general area, but the Old Fish trail is closer and also comes connects directly to the road."
She frowns when she points to the final trail. "Not sure where this one starts, the trailhead's not on the map. But it's got a creepy name and it wiggles its way down to a completely different part of the Brinestump."
"So, we head into the swamp, knock around some goblin heads until they see sense, and then head back to town to bask in our newfound riches and glory. Seems simple enough. Why pull the group of us together?"
"Goblins are more dangerous than they appear, especially emboldened and in their own territory. A small, skilled group will be most effective for dealing with the problem."
"I don't like the idea of going straight in. Even goblins are smart enough to guard the direct route. I'd say take the unnamed one. It's not as far as he Witch's Walk, but it's far enough out of the way, and little-used enough, judging by the lack of a name, that it might not be well-guarded."
Mitsuru sits down, satisfied with the Red Oni's answer. When Kage offers his opinion, she nods. "I agree. It'll be harder going without a road but is less likely to be watched."
"And more likely to catch any number of diseases that are rife among swamps. I personally don't want to have my body parts liquified because of an attempt to get an advantage against Goblins; or leeches, or poisonous frogs, or any number of malevolent creatures."
”That sounds good and all,” Emily adds, ”but we’re not going to try to surprise them right now, are we? The little buggers can see in the dark, after all - we’d be announcing our presence from miles away with any source of light. Maybe we make our move early in the morning, before they all wake up and after the sun rises?”
"Regardless of which path we choose, I can lead us through the thick of the swamp without too much trouble. However, he is right, going in there under darkness is only going to put us at a disadvantage...and last time that nearly got me killed by a nasty pack of goblins." Talios agrees.
He motions to the map, pointing out each trail with easy road access.
"Still, I think having an easier route to retreat if necessary is key. Each goblin we sneak by is a goblin that is going to be angrily blocking our path out, depending on how our mission goes. I am not opposed to scouting out our options though." he says with a fervor in his eyes, almost as if he wants to fight through all the goblins.
"I am a Samurai. I do not shy away from my opponents; I seek them head-on, so that they know who it is that has wrought their end."
Kage’s face is invisible beneath his hood, but he seems to sag a bit. ”Yes, I forgot that darkness is an issue for some.”
"I am a Samurai. I do not shy away from my opponents; I seek them head-on, so that they know who it is that has wrought their end."
Rin felt a mixture of emotions at her brother. One the one hand, eye rolling annoyance at her brother's devotion to the stories their parents used to tell. On the other, admiration for her older brothers strength and bravery.
"Indeed, but stealth is a powerful weapon." was all the Red Oni replied. "Waiting until morning seems a good plan."
"I am a Samurai. I do not shy away from my opponents; I seek them head-on, so that they know who it is that has wrought their end."
Mitsuru manages to keep from rolling her eyes, but only just. "Goblins are nasty little bastards, and neither they nor their dogslicers will care one whit about how brave you were when they cut your legs out from under you. They are cowardly, which is good, but this has made them clever in ways that are not always easy to predict." She points again to the unnamed trail on the map. "I vote that we take this route, shortly after dawn as was suggested."
"I mean, she's got a point." Emili taps on space between the unnamed trail and the Lost Coast Road running around the bog. "If my livelihood was attacking caravans and travelers, I'd want a way to get to the main road and back into the swamp in a hurry. This one wouldn't be very profitable to keep an eye on." He grins. "The trick then, of course, is to not get lost trying to find it ourselves."
The Witch's Way: There have been rumors of a swamp witch in the Brinestump Bog for decades, since the founding of Sandpoint even. Locals swear that this path will lead to the home of the swamp witch, Old Megas if you travel far enough along it.
"Well, definitely not one for splitting up. My preference is known but I will guide us the best I can no matter the choice. This is going to prove to be a new experience, heading directly into the swamp instead of just protecting the roads for travelers."
The business of the night decided you split apart and go to rest, meeting the next day at the entrance to the Hidden Path. . .
Arriving, you find it difficult to see where the path begins.
"There we are." Emili seems much too perky this early in the morning, but his eyes are sharp as he points out a gap in the gnarled trees. "Probably just on the other side of that ridge. Let's go."
At the top, the Varisian ties one end of his rope to a nearby tree and tosses the rest down the slope to the others. "Here we go - quickly now!"
Mitsuru carefully makes her way up the rope thrown down by Emili, quickly stepping away from the slope once she reaches the top. While they wait for the rest of their group, she speaks to him quietly. "Thanks for the assist. I'm more of a city girl, to be honest."
Talios stretches in the morning sun, taking inventory of his arrows and checking his bow, then drops down off the road to look for the trail. Surprised to find quite a few of the group already waiting on the trail.
"Early birds, let's hope most of the green ones are sleeping in." he says to the group before checking the trail around them for any signs of travel (aside from them).
As Emili assisted the others in getting up, Tenchi pulled guard, insuring that nothing attacked while the others climbed.