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Clinker takes some time dividing up the cargo and scanning each arrangement to narrow down what's magical. Her efforts bear fruit with half a dozen of the twenty-some sets of items. She then takes the time to examine them further.
Here's what she discovers:
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"Well, riled up animals and a bit of rain aren't of much worry to me. Going to head back to the others in case they need assistance, Marigold." he says stomping back to the others, with less information than he wanted.
Zourn takes up the list provided and ensures everything is there, making notes or corrections from what Clinker can tell.
"Horses don't seem too upset. Some villagers were talking about the constant rain and troubled animals but nothing of real interest." he shares while working.
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Come morning, the wind has picked up, but you're ready to leave. The horses are coaxed outside after a few minutes.
Before you can mount up and head off, however, Cecic notes an abundance of frogs, most of which hop from the waterlogged stables. Some also crawl from the Thirsty Alpaca and neighboring buildings. They move in all directions as if departing a meeting, some taking a moment to explore the wagon. Several among you feel the same sensation through clothing and armor as the strange tide slowly spreads over those in the way.
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"I've no idea Marigold why they are doing this, frogs are not my speciality." says a confused Cecic. He looks at the cargo to see if any of the crates and boxes have been disturbed by the amphibians, "Something in these boxes must have drawn them here." he says trying to gain some clarity. "Maybe some frog related deity?"
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The frogs Zourn hits seem to take the hint and hop away, but it does nothing to stem the tide. In fact, it's only diffusing and leaving room to step thanks to their sheer numbers.
Cecic has heard tell the boggard lord Gogunta claims the frog as a sacred animal, but isn't much involved with them like she is for boggards. There is likely a somewhat obscure Mwangi or Vudran deity presiding over frogs and gripplis like Ragdya does for monkeys and vanaras. But probably not one with any stake in this matter.
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Although Zourn likely hasn't caused it with his words, the frogs suddenly shift en masse. Most of them hop to a focal point and condense into a croaking, hundreds-strong morass! They make to cover the caravan, but even surprised, some of you are too quick for them.
Round One: (bold may act)
Cecic
Zourn
Marigold
Frog Swarm
Clinker
Martin
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Marigold looks about to follow Cecic’s lead, then hesitates. ”A practical course of action”, she says to him, ”but we can’t just leave them here to run amok in town”
She grabs her bow, and utters a prayer to Desna. As she draws back the empty string, a shining arrow of light appears in it. She releases, and it flies toward the swarm.
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Zourn slams his fist into the amassed frogs as they draw close, squashing at least a dozen. Meanwhile, Cecic does his best to calm the horses. They looked scared enough to possibly bolt if the frogs got on them. But the Gozren has averted that for the moment.
Round One:
Cecic
Zourn
Marigold
Frog Swarm -4
Clinker
Martin
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Marigold's first arrow connects! Sadly, it only manages to skewer a few targets, not doing much to the collective. The swarm starts to cover one of the horses and Zourn, who prepares to strike back. But there's little to retaliate against - they're simply crawling over everything in a disgusting yet nonlethal manner. It's definitely affecting the horses again.
Round One/Two:
Cecic
Zourn
Marigold
Frog Swarm -4
Clinker
Martin
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”Frogs?!” Clinker looks on (or at least tries to) in shock. ”We’re being stopped by frogs?! Right. Curse. Well, if there’s one thing when in a situation like this:”
The goblin Steps over and grins maliciously. ”It’s burn it with fire!!!”
She spins her charred staff above her head, causing it to begin catching on fire and she slams it to the ground, causing a cyclone of flame to manifest in front of her as she cackles maniacally!
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"Zourn's fists were effective. Bludgeon them with something, or use area spells!"
Martin reached into a pouch and removed a small vial. He shook it to activate it, then threw it onto the swarm, hoping the acid there would burn the creatures. He threw it a bit short, so as not to splash the already panicking horses. Zourn was better suited to handle a bit of acid splash.
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Zourn bashes some sense into another score of frogs. Cecic steers the wagon away from the unfolding carnage, and fortunately so: Clinker's fire torches the remainder of the "threat."
Several townsfolk have thrown open their doors to see where the commotion is coming from. Louder still is Khoumrock's approach, as he is still wearing the diving suit despite the early hour. "That? Tha's exactly the sort of thing to keep cropping up. We'll clean this up if it gets yer cartful'a curses out of here faster. Hope we can meet under happier skies, eh?"
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Cecic looks back at the mayhem behind him some of the frogs hop into the hedgerow, leaving a green and red bloody mess in front of his companions. "Are you all OK?"
"Aye, Aye Khoumrock, we'll take it from here. Come on shipmates, let's be getting on! Next stop Absalom and the Grand Lodge." He winks at Marigold, "Nice to have you up here, keep a look out, don't want any more hopping mad frogs trying to board. So it's through the Immenwood and along the High Coast Road, all ready. Did anyone bring the map?"
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"There's only the High Coast Road here. We get on it and follow it all the way to Absalom. It's so easy, even a sailor can do it!"
Martin grinned at Cecic to show he didn't mean harm by his words, then headed out ahead of the cart, scouting the way forward to make sure they didn't run into unexpected surprises.
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Khoumrock provides you a map without question or request for payment, but there isn't much to it you didn't know. Just a recommendation to take one particular side road to stay a bit further from the sea when possible.
The road is still slick with mud, but the rain seems to have finally abated. The view of the sky is limited to a narrow strip above the road, lined with the spreading boughs of the Immenwood. Thunder still rumbles above the trees, and the sky looks as if it may continue the deluge at any moment. The normal sound of forest animals has been replaced by a cacophony of hoarse cries, growls, and screams. It is clear that the residents of the Immenwood are not happy to see visitors.
Perhaps two hours into your trek, all goes quiet for a short while. Before any issues can truly make themselves apparent, a loud series of caws erupts from the south, shattering the newfound silence. In his vigil, Martin has remembered to look up, and sees a flock of ospreys bearing down on you.
Round One:
Clinker
Martin
Birds
Marigold
Zourn
Cecic
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”What is that racket?!”
Clinker opens up the wagon flaps and raises her hand to the sky as it starts to turn an icy blue. ”Keep it down out there, you inconsiderate delinquents!"
A ray of ice shoots out from her hand toward the closest thing that moves as a sign of her crochetiness!
But flies off wildly as the goblin is barely able to see anything.
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The birds soar right over Martin, leaving him able to take his swing if he so chooses. If he does, it feels on-target, but is blown aside by a sudden wind. They look like they are aiming at Clinker, but once again they leave you be. Instead they start tearing at the wagon's canvas front with their beaks and talons! As a group, they quickly rend most of it asunder.
Round One/Two:
Clinker
Martin
Birds
Marigold
Zourn
Cecic
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Marigold leaves herself open to attack, but drops one of the birds. Zourn also manages a hit with his armored fist, though his target stays up. The nearby ospreys give the assembled humanoids a quick look-over, as if they hadn't noticed you standing in their way until now.
Round One/Two:
Clinker
Martin
Birds
Marigold
Zourn
Cecic
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Clinker misses with her ball of fire, but manages a follow-up - and doesn't set the wagon ablaze. Martin likewise manages a hit. The horses are assuaged enough not to bolt.
The ospreys that have been attacked or are being blocked from their plunder lash out with beaks and talons! Zourn is surprised to find one bird's bill has managed to pierce his armor. It isn't a mortal wound, though, and he is still aware enough to completely flatten the other bird in the wagon as it nearly jabs Clinker.
Round Two/Three:
Clinker
Martin
Birds
Marigold
Zourn -4
Cecic[/b]